entry-level phone
Benco V90 Plus Review: A Worthy New Contender in the Budget Smartphone Market
The Chinese High-tech enterprise INONE Technology introduced its latest brand Benco in 2019. Benco serves the entry-level smartphone segment. This company offers value-for-money devices under their ‘V’ Series phones. Recently the brand launched V90 Plus. Let’s look at the specs, pros, cons, and price of the Benco V90 Plus in Bangladesh.
Key Features of Benco V90 Plus
Design
The Benco V90 Plus measures 163 mm by 74.7 mm by 9 mm and weighs 197 grams. It is made of polycarbonate plastic with a textured back.
The phone looks nice and attractive. The bright textured back ensures that people won't complain about its appearance. The texture feels more noticeable to the touch than to the eyes. It provides a better grip and helps prevent scratches on the back.
The phone's back features a dual-camera setup and a fingerprint sensor, conveniently placed for easy access. The volume and power buttons are on the right side of the phone.
Read more: vivo Y18 Review: A Budget-friendly Phone with Standard Features
The SIM card slot is on the left side, while the speakers and charging port are at the bottom. There's also a 3.5mm headphone jack on the top. Overall, it offers more than just the basics.
A downside is its fingerprint sensor. It takes a couple of moments more than necessary to unlock the phone with a fingerprint.
There's a teardrop-shaped notch in the upper right corner for the front camera. The phone also has a slim chin and bezels, which won't bother you much when watching movies or playing games.
Display
The Benco V90 Plus has a 6.56-inch IPS LCD with a 1612 by 720 pixels resolution. The size and resolution of its display are larger and better quality than most entry-level phones offer. It also has a 90 Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth touch response. The screen has an 89.56% screen-to-body ratio and a 20.2:9 aspect ratio.
Read more: itel S24 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartphone with 108 MP Camera
However, the display's low brightness is a downside. This causes two problems: the colors look off, and the screen becomes unreadable in direct sunlight.
Cameras
The Benco V90 Plus's rear camera setup includes dual 13MP (f/2.0) AI cameras. The photos taken with these cameras are average and not particularly impressive.
The cameras struggle with dynamic range, and the photos often have a warm tint. Sometimes, this warmth improves the look of the images, but other times, it makes them look worse. The contrast becomes more pronounced in low light, making it harder to take good night photos. The cameras can record videos at 1080p quality and 30 frames per second.
The front camera, housed in the teardrop notch, is an 8MP (f/2.2) shooter. This sensor increases the brightness of selfies, making them clear but reducing detail and sharpness. Portrait mode photos from the front camera are just average and don't stand out.
Read more: OPPO A60 Review: Durability within Budget
Performance and Hardware
The Benco V90 Plus is powered by an eight-core Unisoc T606 processor, which is usually found in basic-to-middle-tier smartphones. Despite this, Benco has included it in their budget-friendly phone lineup. The phone also features a Mali-G57 GPU running at 650MHz.
This combination offers good performance for everyday tasks and basic gaming. The new version, which has 8GB of RAM combined with 64 to 128 GB of storage, handles multitasking and app navigation fairly well. What’s more, the V90 Plus supports virtual 8GB RAM.
However, the phone isn't suitable for heavy gaming. Users will need to stick to simple games like Temple Run, Subway Surfers, and other 2D games. Benco V90 Plus comes with Android 13 as its operating system.
Battery and Charger
Another advantage of the Benco V90 Plus is its 5000mAh battery, which can last up to two days for an average user. Even with long hours of video watching and gaming, the battery can still last at least a full day.
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However, it is disappointing that the phone comes with only an 18W charger. Despite this, it charges faster than most other phones in its category.
Pros and Cons of The Benco V90 Plus
Pros
- Attractive design with textured back- Dual-camera setup- Large display- High refresh rate- Standard processor- Massive battery.
Read more: realme C65 5G Review: Is This Budget-friendly Phone Worth Buying?
Cons
- Low brightness - Slow-working Fingerprint sensor - Average camera performance - Not suitable for heavy gaming- Outdated operating system- No fast charging support.
Price of Benco V90 Plus in Bangladesh
The Benco V90 Plus (8/64 GB variant) is available in Bangladesh for around BDT 8,990. However, the price is subject to change.
Read more: Motorola Moto G24 Power Review: A Competent Smartphone within BDT 13000
Conclusion
The V90 Plus is an entry-level smartphone with a textured polycarbonate back, a smooth IPS LCD, a 90 Hz refresh rate, a standard processor, and extended battery life. Despite its average camera quality and slower fingerprint sensor, it provides good value for its price.
If you are looking for a Smartphone around BDT 9000 for everyday use, multimedia consumption, and light gaming, don’t miss the Benco V90 Plus. However, those who prefer high-end photography or advanced gaming can look for other options.
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6 months ago
vivo Y18 Review: A Budget-friendly Phone with Standard Features
vivo Y Series lineup is popular for producing value-for-money devices with stylish designs, standard displays, and long-lasting batteries at affordable prices. vivo’s latest budget-friendly phone Y18 hit the Indian market on 3rd May 2024. This phone is now officially available in Bangladesh. Let’s dive deeper into the specifications, pros, cons, and price of vivo Y18.
Key Features of the vivo Y18
Design
The vivo Y18 uses a standard design with dimensions of 163.6 mm by 75.6 mm by 8.4 mm. Not so bulky, and not so thin, the phone manages to keep a medium body frame making it easy to hold and use. Weighing 185 grams, it feels solid without being too heavy.
The phone has a glass front for a premium look, while the plastic frame and back keep it lightweight. It supports dual SIM cards, allowing you to use two numbers simultaneously. You will find all the buttons on the phone's right side and the sim tray on the left. The vivo Y18 is dust- and splash-resistant with an IP54 rating, providing extra durability for everyday use.
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Display
The vivo Y18 features a 6.56-inch IPS LCD with good-quality visuals. With a 90Hz refresh rate, the screen maintains smooth scrolling and responsiveness. So it won’t lag while using apps or playing games. The display can reach up to 840 nits in brightness. So, it can sustain visibility even in the direct sun.
It has a 720 by 1612 pixels resolution, featuring clarity with a 20:9 aspect ratio for a good viewing experience. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 83.6%, meaning most of the phone's front is dedicated to the display. This large viewing area enhances the experience of watching videos, browsing, and using apps, making the vivo Y18 a pleasure.
Performance and Hardware
The vivo Y18 runs on Android 14 with Funtouch 14, providing a user-friendly interface and the latest software features. It is powered by the Mediatek Helio G85 chipset, built on a 12 nm process. The CPU is an octa-core setup, consisting of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 cores for performance tasks and 6 x 1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 cores for efficiency.
Read more: itel S24 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartphone with 108 MP Camera
The GPU is a Mali-G52 MC2, handling graphics and gaming. For memory, the phone includes a dedicated microSDXC card slot for expandable storage, in addition to the internal 64GB storage and 4GB RAM. This combination ensures smooth multitasking and adequate storage for apps, media, and files.
Cameras
The vivo Y18 comes with a main camera and a selfie camera. The main camera has a 50 MP sensor with an f/1.8 aperture, which captures wide-angle photos and includes PDAF for fast focusing. There is also a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens with an f/3.0 aperture. The main camera features an LED flash for low-light photography and supports wide-shot panorama mode. It can record video at 1080p at 30 frames per second.
The selfie camera is 8 MP with an f/2.0 aperture, designed for wide-angle shots. It also supports video recording, although specific resolution details are not provided. These camera specifications offer versatile options for both photography and video recording.
Read more: OnePlus Nord CE4 Review: A Performance-oriented Mid-range Smartphone
Battery and Charging
The vivo Y18 has a non-removable 5000 mAh Li-Ion battery, providing enough power for extended use. This battery capacity ensures the phone can handle a full day of typical usage, including calls, browsing, and media consumption, without requiring frequent recharges. It supports 15W wired charging.
6 months ago
itel S24 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartphone with 108 MP Camera
Regarding budget-friendly smartphones, itel has been a consistent name that is reliable for its price and performance aspect. Last year, itel S23 offered good features at a highly affordable price. On 23rd April 2024, itel released the successor S24 with an updated design and specs. Does the S24 live up to the expectations? Let’s find out the key specs, pros, cons, and price of the itel S24 in Bangladesh.
Key Features of Itel S24
Design and Build Quality
The thing about entry-level smartphones is that the design constantly changes from one iteration to the other. The S24 is also no different here albeit with minor tweaks and cosmetic changes.
The device is still an all-plastic build with a refractive frosted back and chromed frame. The camera housing became larger but it is still asymmetrically positioned in the top left corner.
The dimension of the S24 comes in at 163.5 mm by 75.5 mm by 8.3 mm with 192 g weight. There’s a dedicated micro SDXC slot along with dual stereo speakers.
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The S24 now supports eSIM with a dual nano-SIM option as well. Ports, buttons, and headphone jack are all neatly arranged around the frame. The power button doubles as the fingerprint scanner as expected on a budget-friendly device.
The itel S24 comes in three colors, Dawn White, Coastline Blue, and Starry Black. The Dawn White variant features color-changing technology, changing to pink in contact with UV rays.
The Display
The display on the itel S24 is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate and HD+ resolution. It's typical to see 720 by 1612 pixels displays on entry-level smartphones today. The 90 Hz refresh rate worked smoothly, making everything snappy on the S24.
Due to the sizable bottom chin, the single punch-hole display has a screen-to-body ratio of 84.8%. The aspect ratio comes in at 20:9 with 267 ppi density.
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Overall, the display performs well considering the price. It has good contrast and great legibility outdoors thanks to the 480 bits of peak brightness. However, competitions like the Redmi 13C offer a better HBM at a similar price.
The Camera
Even though its rear side camera housing looks like there are three sensors, the S24 comes with two. But in effect, it’s a single shooter as the main camera is a Samsung HM6 ISOCELL 108 MP f/1.6 wide-angle shooter with 1/1.67" sensor size. It has a 0.64µm pixel size along with AF. The secondary camera is just an auxiliary sensor of 0.08 MP.
The camera performance of the S24 is a mixed bag. The device was able to shoot good photos in well-lit environments. Outdoor photos had good contrast, color balance, and dynamic range. However, the images lack details and sharpness after zooming.
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The night mode performed well thanks to the sensor size. However, it took forever to process the images. Nevertheless, the final output was good for its price.
The front camera is an 8 MP selfie shooter.
The S24’s main rear and front sensors can shoot up to 1440p videos at 30fps. These cameras can also capture 1080p footage at 30fps.
Compared to the Redmi 13C and Tecno Spark 20, the S24 falls a bit short even with its 108 MP sensor.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S24 Review: Striking Balance Between Flagship Features and Price
Processor and Performance
The processor on the itel S24 is Mediatek Helio G91 Ultra. It’s a welcome upgrade over the G85 and G88 commonly seen at this price point. The G91 Ultra is an octa-core processor with a 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 chip design. The processor is accompanied by Mali-G52 MC2 GPU.
Itel S24 is released in several variants, including 8/256GB, 8/128 GB, and 4/128 GB. It features eMMC 5.1 data transfer technology.
In reality, the G91 Ultra brings a minor upgrade over the G88. The Antutu V10 score of the G91 comes in at 269266 which suggests entry-level capabilities.
The S24 can be best described as a moderate performer. It can handle day-to-day tasks like a breeze. Media consumption, web browsing, and social media, everything felt fast and snappy thanks to the high refresh rate panel. But gaming is where the line is drawn with the S24.
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2D games like Temple Run and Fruit Ninja can easily run on the device. However, games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 can be played with basic graphics settings. However, gaming, media, or multi-tasking can lead the device to heat up.
The performance of the S24 holds up on par with its competitors. It isn’t meant to be a gaming phone and in this price range, there isn’t any room for complaints.
Software
The S24 is based on Android 13 running itel OS 13. The itel UI is nothing special as it feels like just another run-off-the-mill Android skin. It also has its fair share of bloatware which might impede the overall experience. Thankfully, almost all the bloatware can be uninstalled after setup.
Read more: OPPO A60 Review: Durability within Budget
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the itel S24 is 5000 mAh. It comes with 18W wired fast charging which can take the device from 0 to 50% in under 40 minutes. In day-to-day use expect to get around 6 to 7 hours of screen time.
6 months ago
Symphony Innova 20 Review: An Affordable Phone with Smart Features
Symphony Mobile launched a new phone called the Innova 20 on May 6, 2024. This phone offers decent features and looks smart at a very affordable price. Let's explore the features, pros, cons, and price of the Symphony Innova 20 in Bangladesh.
Key Specs and Features of Symphony Innova 20
Design
The Symphony Innova 20 has a modern design, featuring a flat, glossy body that's 163.84 mm long, 76.1 mm wide, and 8.8 mm thick. It's rounded at the corners. On the back, there is a camera panel that sticks out a bit, housing three circular lenses and a flashlight, similar to what many phones have nowadays. The back of the phone has a glass-like appearance that glows with a frosty effect when light hits it at certain angles. You'll find the brand's logo in black at the bottom.
This phone is made from PMMA and polycarbonate, materials that make it both durable and lightweight, weighing just 190g. Despite being made from plastic, it may feel a bit heavier than expected.
Read more: Meizu 20 Review: A Solid Performer in the Mid-range Segment
All the necessary buttons and ports are conveniently placed. On the left side, there's a SIM tray that can hold two nano SIM cards and a microSD card for extra storage. The power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint sensor, is located on the right side, just below the volume buttons. Symphony has also given a secondary noise cancellation system on the top of the phone.
In terms of colors, you can choose from Orchid Blue, Sunshine Gold, and Pearl White. The Symphony Innova 20's design might not stand out as unique, but its iPhone-like appearance doesn’t feel phony at all.
Display
The Symphony Innova 20 boasts a 6.52-inch HD+ IPS display with vibrant colors and clear visuals. It has a pixel density of 269 and supports 16.7 million colors, making pictures look lively and colorful. The display uses Incell technology and supports multitouch functionality.
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With an aspect ratio of 20:9, the screen is great for watching videos, providing an immersive experience. It has a resolution of 1600 by 720 pixels, ensuring sharp images and text.
The display covers the entire front of the phone, with slim bezels and chins, giving it a sleek look. There's a punch-hole front camera at the top center of the screen for selfies. The display of the Symphony Innova 20 offers a satisfying viewing experience with its clear visuals and vibrant colors.
Cameras
Symphony has pushed the boundaries of what's possible in an entry-level phone with the Innova 20, especially when it comes to the cameras.
On the back, it boasts a 52MP UHD camera with an f/2.0 aperture. This camera is packed with features like AI capabilities, slow motion, portrait mode, and night mode, giving users lots of options for capturing different kinds of shots. There's also a Pro mode and HDR for those who want to get creative with their photography.
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The front camera is an 8MP sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. It comes with features like front portrait mode and display flash for better selfies.
Both cameras can record video in 1080p resolution, ensuring that your videos come out clear and detailed. The camera setup on the Symphony Innova 30 offers a lot of versatility and quality, especially considering its budget-friendly price.
Performance and Hardware
The Symphony Innova 20 runs on the Android 13 operating system and is powered by the UniSOC T606 chipset. It comes with 4GB of RAM, which ensures smooth multitasking and handling of apps.
Under the hood, it packs an octa-core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, providing enough power for daily tasks, gaming, and productivity. It also features a GPU with a speed of 650MHz, offering decent graphics performance for gaming and multimedia.
Read more: Motorola Moto G24 Power Review: A Competent Smartphone within BDT 13000
You get 128GB of internal storage, providing plenty of space for apps, games, photos, and videos. Plus, there's a microSD slot that supports cards up to 256GB, giving you even more storage flexibility. The Symphony Innova20 offers solid performance and ample storage for its users.
Battery and Charger
The Symphony Innova 20 packs a large 5000mAh Li-Polymer battery, providing plenty of power to last through the day. It can stay on standby for about 450 hours, depending on how you use your phone. For talk time, it can last up to 50 hours on 2G, 40 hours on 3G, and 25 hours on LTE networks, again depending on your usage and network conditions.
When it's time to recharge, the phone comes with an 18-watt charger, ensuring faster charging.
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Pros and Cons of the Symphony Innova 20
Pros
- Vibrant display- Durable and lightweight materials- Long-lasting battery with fast charging- Expandable memory up to 256GB- Face unlock feature- Android 13 OS- Great value for money.
Cons
- The plastic body might feel less premium- HD+ resolution may lack sharpness compared to Full HD.
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Price of Symphony Innova 20 in Bangladesh
The phone is available at BDT 10,199.
Conclusion
The Symphony Innova 20 stands out as a budget-friendly smartphone option with a range of features typically found in higher-priced models. Its standard combination of display, cameras, performance, and battery makes it a compelling choice for users looking for a smartphone around BDT 10000.
However, potential buyers should consider the plastic build and HD+ resolution when purchasing. At a low price, the Symphony Innova20 offers a good balance of features and affordability.
Read more: vivo V30 Lite Review: Know the Pros and Cons
6 months ago
Motorola Moto G24 Power Review: A Competent Smartphone within BDT 13000
Motorola recently launched the successor to their highly popular Moto G23 series from last year. The new Moto G24 Power was officially launched on 7th February in India with subsequent global release. The G24 Power carries a lot of the DNA from the G23 with two key improvements that are sure to make it a hot deal in the budget-friendly segment. What are they? Let’s find out.
Key Specs of the Motorola Moto G24 Power
Design and Build Quality
As expected from a budget-friendly smartphone, the Moto G24 Power is an all-plastic device. Even then, Motorola has tweaked the design a bit to give it a more premium look. The rectangular camera housing now merges with the back creating a flush design. The overall matte frosted finish also brings a minimal look to the G24 Power.
The dimension of the smartphone comes in at 163.49 mm by 74.53 mm by 8.99 mm with 197 g weight. Surprisingly, Motorola was able to keep the weight under 200 g considering the device boasts a 6000 mAh battery.
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The usual ports and buttons are all present on the G24 Power. The power button itself now doubles as the fingerprint scanner. The 3.5 mm headphone jack has been placed on the top with a subtle Dolby Atmos branding beside it. The micro SDXC slot is present, this time securing a dedicated slot.
The G24 power comes in two colorways, Glacier Blue and Ink Blue. There’s no official rating but Motorola claims to have a “water-repellent design” on the G24 Power. However, users would be better off avoiding any water contact altogether.
The Display
The display on the Moto G24 Power is a 6.56-inch IPS LCD panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate and 537 nits of peak brightness. The resolution of the panel comes in at 720 x 1612 pixels with 269 ppi at 20:9 aspect ratio.
There’s a sizable bottom chin on the G24 Power which is understandable given the price point it comes at. It brings the overall screen-to-body ratio at 84.9% which is still better than most alternatives.
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As for the performance, the G24 Power doesn’t let down. It has good contrast and viewing angles and the panel was able to consistently push 90 Hz in intensive use and general browsing. It's on par with its competitors like the Redmi 13C and the POCO C65. The only gripe is that the G23 had a Panda Glass protection which is unavailable on the G24 Power.
As an HD+ panel, the display won’t blow you away in any way, but considering its budget-friendly price tag, the room to complain is next to none.
The Camera
There’s a dual camera setup on the Moto G24 Power. The main sensor is a 50 MP f/1.8 aperture and 0.64µm module with quad pixel technology. The secondary sensor is a 2 MP f/2.4 macro shooter.
The front camera is a 16 MP f/2.5 sensor for the Indian version. Global users will be getting an 8 MP f/2.0 front shooter.
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The camera performance on the G24 Power has been exceptionally good for its price. The quad-pixel technology brings better details, sharpness, and dynamic range to the images. The post-processing creates 12.5 MP images using the pixel binning method. Images taken in the daylight had a good contrast and exposure ratio. The outcome was similar on artificial light as well with slight overall softness in the pictures. The front camera was also able to capture great details in both outdoor and indoor lighting. In comparison to the other 50 MP sensors of the Redmi 13C, POCO C65, and Galaxy A15, the G24 Power easily comes out on top.
The videography on the G24 Power is limited to 1080P at 30 fps. It produces generic results with stabilization and exposure issues.
Processor and Performance
The processor on the G24 Power is MediaTek Helio G85 based on 12 Nm architecture. It has a chip design of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.7 GHz Cortex-A55 with Mali-G52 MC2 GPU.
The G85 is a basic entry-level processor at best. Coupled with the eMMC 5.1 slow storage type, the overall performance is slightly hampered even by the entry-level phone standards. The Antutu score comes in at 265219 with the Geekbench single-core score of 413 and a multi-core score of 1332.
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3D titles like PUBG and Genshin Impact are barely playable on the G24 Power. The device also tends to heat up pretty fast in extensive use.
There’s an option to use up to 8 GB of virtual RAM on the G24 Power. However, the slow storage type negates the overall performance index of the device. In terms of comparison, the G85 on the G24 Power performs on par with the G85 of Redmi 13C, POCO C65, and even last year’s G23.
Software
The G24 Power is running on a custom skin by Motorola based on Android 14. The best thing about the skin is that it’s near-stock in UI. There’s also minimal bloatware which adds to the overall experience.
The G24 Power is expected to get another major OS update with up to 3 years of security updates.
Read more: Motorola Moto G34 Review: A Budget-friendly 5G Phone with Powerful Processor
Battery and Charge Time
After the camera, the battery is another key improvement on the G24 Power. It now comes with 6000 mAh with up to 30W fast charging capabilities. The charging brick on the box supports up to 33W fast charging.
Given the high battery capacity, expect to get around 7 to 8 hours of screen time from the G24 Power.
7 months ago
ZTE Blade A54 Review: An Entry-level Smartphone Below Tk10000
ZTE is known for being the parent company of Nubia, the subsidiary which produces high-end gaming smartphones. However, ZTE uses its proprietary brand name for all sorts of different smartphones as well. Recently, the brand launched the Blade A54 in November 2023. The entry-level smartphone brings a design overhaul with some interesting quirks. Let’s have a detailed look.
Key Specs of ZTE Blade A54
Design and Build Quality: Revamped Design with Same Old Plastic Build
At first look, the A54 looks much like the Realme GT 5 with its large end-to-end rectangular camera housing on the back. ZTE had a complete design overhaul on the A54 from the A53 as has been the case with all their models. The rectangular camera housing has a glossy finish whereas the back itself has a matte tone.
The smartphone has a 164 mm by 75.8 mm by 8.5 mm dimension with a plastic build all around. That brings the weight to around 185 g. The A54 keeps the 3.5 mm headphone jack and the dedicated microSD slot in place as is widely seen in this price segment.
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The plastic material is durable with drop and scratch resistance. The smartphone is available in three colorways, blue, gray, and lilac.
The Display: IPS LCD Panel with 90 Hz Refresh Rate
The display on the A54 is a 6.6-inch IPS LCD panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate. The water drop style notch and the large chin is a usual feature in any budget-friendly smartphone. The HD+ resolution comes in at 720 by 1612 pixels and 267 ppi density. The display fetches around 84.2% screen-to-body ratio.
There’s nothing really special about the display other than that it can get relatively bright indoors. The color reproduction is satisfactory with a slightly cooler tone. Viewing angles are passable with color shifts at extreme angles. Outdoor legibility isn’t all that great with the panel struggling under direct sunlight.
Read more: Infinix Smart 8 Review: Affordable Excellence in Entry-Level Smartphones
The Camera: Dual Camera with a Single Usable Lens
The main camera on the A54 is a 13 MP one with AF. The supporting sensor is a 0.08 MP auxiliary sensor which unsurprisingly, does nothing. And if an auxiliary sensor wasn’t a marketing gimmick enough, there’s a camera sensor-like design on the housing which is just printed graphics. Such design choices can be distracting for potential buyers.
The front features a 2 MP selfie shooter which ZTE claims to be “interpolated to 5 MP”. What it means is that post-processing can enhance the image up to 5 MP quality. The results aren’t all that great even in well-lit conditions. It’s disappointing considering even the most stringent entry-level smartphones these days come with at least 8 MP front shooters.
The performance from the main camera was as expected from a budget-friendly smartphone. Pictures taken under direct sunlight had good details but the dynamic range was average at best. Pictures taken at night or indoors had exposure issues and noticeable grain here and there. The warm tone pop was missing in photos captured by the A54. However, this feature is common on the average basic-level smartphones.
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The videography on the Blade A54 is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. But without any external stabilization, videos came out choppy and shaky.
10 months ago
Walton NEXG N25 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartphone with Standard Features
Walton is a widely renowned feature and smartphone manufacturer in Bangladesh. The brand has expanded its portfolio from home appliances to smartphones and has made its distinct mark as a local brand. Particularly, their NEXG series stands out for its design and durability for affordable price ranges. The brand recently launched the NEXG N25 on 21st January 2024. Let’s look at the Walton NEXG N25 phone's detailed review.
Key Specifications of Walton NEXG N25
Design and Build Quality: A match of aesthetics and durability
The NEXG N25 moves away from the traditional Walton design elements to embrace something new. The new design looks something reminiscent of the iPhone or the iQOO Neo series. The smartphone is made of plastic with a refracting frosted finish on the back and a brushed chrome look on the frame.
The dimension comes in at 164.5 mm by 76.1 mm by 8.65 mm with 196 g weight. There’s a sizable front chin on the N25 which might look out of place by 2024 standards. But considering the price range, it's an understandable tradeoff. On the positive end, there’s IP52 water and dust resistance on the N25.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
Ports and buttons are placed in their usual location. There’s dual sim support on the N25 with a dedicated micro SDXC slot. There’s also a 3.5 mm headphone jack at the bottom along with the Type C port.
The Display: IPS LCD with 90 Hz refresh rate
There isn’t much to rave about the displays of budget-friendly smartphones. As usual, the N25 features an IPS INCELL LCD panel with a punch-hole camera on the front. The 6.6-inch panel has 720 by 1612 pixels for an HD+ resolution. In addition to the 90 Hz refresh rate, the panel boasts a 180 Hz touch sampling rate and 400 nits of peak brightness. The exact pixel count and screen-to-body ratio on the N25 couldn’t be confirmed.
For an LCD panel, the display has decent brightness, color reproduction, and viewing angles. The 90 Hz refresh rate and the color vividness alleviates the overall interaction with the display.
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The Camera: 50 MP AI Triple Camera
Like most smartphones in the entry-level segment, the number of camera sensors is usually a marketing bait. The case is similar with the N25 as well. There’s a 50 MP f/1.8 main sensor with AF, and PDAF. Walton has also included basic features like BSI, Antibanding, and Touch Focus. But that’s about it when it comes to the back camera as the other two included sensors are a 2 MP macro and an unrated AI camera.
The front features a usable 8 MP f/2.0 sensor for decent enough selfies.
The camera performance, similar to other NEXG smartphones, is a hit-and-miss at times. The camera was able to produce decent results in good lighting with a slightly greenish tint. The details and dynamic range were also satisfactory. But under harsh lights, the camera fails to properly expose the subject and the background. The portrait mode also leaves much to be desired with edge detection errors here and there. Nighttime photos are riddled with grains and noises. The night mode however helps a bit with decent artificial lights.
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The videography is limited to 1080P without any form of stabilization onboard the device.
Processor and Performance: Decent Daily Driver with Bloatware Issues
The processor on the N25 is a Unisoc Tiger T616 2.0 GHz octa-core one. It is coupled with Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. On paper, the T616 is a basic entry-level Octa-core processor that is best suited for casual day-to-day use. The N25 also comes with 4GB RAM and 128 GB of internal storage. There’s an additional 4 GB of virtual RAM that can be accessed from the storage.
Games on the N25 performed below par. Titles like Free Fire, PUBG, and Asphalt 9 had a lot of flickers and stutters to make it a smooth experience. On the other hand, 2D and less graphics-intensive games like Temple Run 2 ran smoothly.
Read more: Symphony Helio 80 Review: Is the hype justified?
The N25 is using Dido OS based on Android 13. It’s a third-party OS with its own set of bloatware, which thankfully, can be uninstalled. The OS has some useful features like quick navigation through Smart Touch and ring light notifications. There are three distinct ring lights blended into the three back cameras which act as a notification light.
The processor and the RAM would have been better on the N25 as competitors like Xiaomi offer Snapdragon equivalence at this budget-friendly range.
Battery and Charge Time
The NEXG N25 comes with a 5000 mAh battery. The low processing power allows for a good battery life which would comfortably last all day in a single charge. There’s a 10W charging brick included in the box. However, the device can support up to 18W charging.
Read more: vivo Y17s Review with Price in Bangladesh
Pros and Cons of Walton NEXG N25
Pros:
- Good Display - Great Build Quality - Ring light notification - Great battery life - IP52 protection.
Cons
- Subpar performance - Average camera.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Review: What are the key upgrades?
Price of Walton NEXG N25 in Bangladesh
The Walton NEXG N25 smartphone is available for 13,999 BDT in Bangladesh.
Verdict
The NEXG N25 offers a good package considering the competition in the budget-friendly segment. An inclusion of 6 GB RAM, a periscope sensor, and a slightly more powerful processor could make the device a strong competitor. However, the smartphone still shines in its display, design, and build quality. For what it is worth, the Walton NEXG N25 is best suited for those looking for a casual daily driver for processor-easy tasks.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20 Review: Budget-friendly phone with a smart look
10 months ago
Benco V91 Review: Android experience at BDT 10000
Benco is a subsidiary of the Chinese electronic giant INONE Group. The brand has been operational since 2009 and specializes in entry-level to mid-range smartphones. Benco is getting popular day by day for their value-for-money devices. Recently, Benco launched V91 under their V series lineup. The phone is now available in Bangladesh. Let's check out the smartphone in detail.
Key Specifications of Benco V91
Design and Build Quality
Benco V91 is positioned as an ultra-budget smartphone. As a result, there are certain cut corners to accommodate an overall passable Android experience.
Starting from the design, the V91 is a major overhaul from last year’s V90. The rectangular camera housing with a fingerprint on the back has been replaced with a circular camera grid and a dual-tone finish. The fingerprint scanner has now been moved to the power button. The matte frosted back is made of plastic with the frame also following suit.
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Dimension-wise, the smartphone comes in at 162.94 mm by 74.69 mm by 8.99 mm with 195 g weight. There isn’t any specific information on the screen-to-body ratio but it isn’t exactly pleasing. The front panel has a water drop notch display with a thick bottom bezel. It looks quite out of place by 2023 standards but that’s just one of the gripes of entry-level smartphones.
The smartphone has the usual ports and buttons with a dedicated microSD slot and a headphone jack. However, the secondary mic for noise cancellation is missing on the V91.
The Display
The display on the V91 is a 6.56-inch HD+ IPS LCD panel with 720 by 1640 pixels with 269 ppi density. The panel has 90.14% color accuracy which is on the higher spectrum among HD+ LCD panels.
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The inclusion of a 90 Hz refresh rate is praiseworthy. The higher refresh rate alleviates the display experience and somewhat compensates for other lacking. As for the visibility, Benco didn’t provide any rating on the nits of the panel. But visibility felt alright indoors as well as outdoors. However, users would have to squint a bit under direct sunlight.
Overall, the panel won’t be a disappointing experience considering its price. The only drawback however would be its design.
The Camera
There is a triple-camera setup on the Benco V91. However, only the main 13 MP AI camera with f/2.0 aperture gets the specifications. There are two more 2MP sensors in the camera housing.
Read more: Infinix Note 30 5G Review: Know the Pros and Cons
As for the main sensor, it gets the job done for casual photography. Images had good details with an average dynamic range. There were a few exposure issues as the shadows became completely dark at times. The image quality also deteriorated in indoor and artificial lighting conditions. Pictures taken without the flashlight had noticeable grains in them.
There is also an 8 MP front camera which can take some decent selfies.
The videography on the Benco V91 is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. However, the lack of proper stabilization both internal and software doesn’t produce good quality videos on the V91.
Processor and Performance
The processor on the V91 is Unisoc T606. The octa-core processor is coupled with ARM Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. Both the processor and the GPU are entry-level ones with modest performance.
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In day-to-day tests like browsing the web, watching videos, and browsing social media, the processor performed fairly well. There weren’t any noticeable lag or glitch and the 90 Hz made it a smooth scrolling experience.
As for gaming, the V91 isn’t made for graphics-intensive 3D games. Yet it was able to run games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 with basic settings. However, the device became hot after about 20 minutes of gaming.
One of the best features of V91 is its Operating System. Typically, budget-friendly smartphones tend to use the lightweight Android GO as their OS. Unlike them, the V91 comes with a full-fledged Android 13. Even though the OS uses a custom skin, there wasn’t any bloatware to bog down the experience.
Overall, the V91 was able to provide a decent user experience considering its price.
Read more: vivo Y17s Review with Price in Bangladesh
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the Benco V91 is a 5000 mAh Li-poly one. It also comes with an 18W fast charging feature.
Pros and Cons of Benco V91
Pros:
- High refresh rate - Standard user experience - Headphone jack - Reliable battery life
Cons:
- Mediocre camera.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Review: What are the key upgrades?
Official Price of the Benco V91 in Bangladesh
The Benco V91 is available in 4/128 GB and 8/128 GB variants. The official prices of these variants are 9,999 BDT and 10,999 BDT respectively.
Verdict
Benco V91 is an incremental update over last year’s V90. It brings quite a few noticeable changes in terms of design and performance. The fast refresh rate and the easy-to-navigate UI make the V91 a perfect daily driver budget-friendly Android. However, the camera could’ve been a bit better.
Overall, this entry-level smartphone offers a standard package for regular tasks. It can be said that the highly affordable price of the Benco V91 can make it an easy choice in the ultra-budget market.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
11 months ago
Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
The Shenzhen-based Chinese mobile phone manufacturing company Tecno Mobile was founded in 2006. This brand is popular for producing affordable devices that offer reliability and durability. In this wave, Tecno released their new budget-friendly device Spark 20C in December 2023. Let’s take a look into the key features, pros, cons, and price of Tecno Spark 20C.
Key Features of Tecno Spark 20c
Design
The Tecno Spark 20C boasts a commendable display that enhances the user experience with its well-balanced dimensions. Measuring 163.7 mm by 75.6 mm by 8.6 mm, the device strikes an equilibrium between a sizable screen and ergonomic design, ensuring a comfortable grip.
The display, featured on the glass front, with a plastic back and frame. The combination of its design elements offers a substantial viewing area that creates a harmonious blend of form and function within an affordable price range.
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Display
The Tecno Spark 20C features an impressive 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a notable 90Hz refresh rate, providing users with a smoother scrolling experience. The display's resolution of 720 by 1612 pixels and 20:9 ratio ensures vibrant colors and sharp clarity, yielding a pixel density of approximately 267 ppi.
The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 84.6%, maximizing the available display area for an immersive visual experience. This specification combination underscores the device's commitment to delivering advanced display features, including enhanced refresh rates and optimal resolution, making the Tecno Spark 20C a compelling choice for users seeking a superior viewing experience.
Cameras
The main camera of 20c boasts an impressive 50 MP wide lens complemented by a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens, ensuring the capture of sharp and detailed images. The inclusion of Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) guarantees swift and accurate focusing, enhancing overall performance. Notable features such as Dual-LED flash and HDR further contribute to a standard photography experience allowing well-lit and balanced shots in diverse lighting conditions. The main camera also supports video recording at 1080p and 30 frames per second, delivering stunning video quality.
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The 8 MP selfie camera, equipped with Dual-LED flash, caters to avid selfie-takers, ensuring well-lit and clear selfies.
Considering its price range, the Tecno Spark 20C offers a comprehensive and user-friendly camera system, allowing users to capture satisfactory photos with clarity and details.
Performance and Hardware
Spark 20C is powered by the Android 13 operating system. Its Mediatek chipset and Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU work in tandem to facilitate swift multitasking and efficient app launches, ensuring optimal performance whether engaging in video streaming, gaming, or handling multiple applications concurrently.
Storage versatility is a standout feature, with the microSDXC card slot offering expandable storage options. Complementing the generous internal storage choices of 128GB with either 4GB or 8GB RAM, the Tecno Spark 20C accommodates a wealth of apps and media. This configuration facilitates smooth performance, even during resource-intensive tasks.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
Battery and Charger
The Tecno Spark 20C is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery. It comes with 18W wired charging.
Pros and Cons of Tecno Spark 20C
Pros
-Impressive Display-High-Resolution Cameras-Ample Storage Options-Durable Build-Long-lasting Battery.
Cons
- Limited Video Resolution- Plastic Build- No Mention of Water Resistance- No Wireless Charging- Moderate Pixel Density.
Read more: Walton NexG N8 Review: Budget-friendly phone with essential features
Price of Tecno Spark 20C
The Tecno Spark 20C has officially made its debut in Bangladesh. Priced at BDT 14,499, the 128/16GB RAM variant provides ample storage. Alternatively, the 128/8GB RAM model is available at a slightly lower cost of BDT 12,999, catering to those seeking a balance between storage capacity and affordability
Conclusion
The Tecno Spark 20C impressively blends essential features with affordability, making it a standard choice in the entry-level smartphone segment. Its standard display, refresh rate, camera system, storage, etc offer a reliable user experience.
The device's storage versatility, durable build, and long-lasting 5000 mAh battery with 18W wired charging enhance its overall appeal. While it has some limitations, such as the plastic build, low video resolution, etc.
Overall, Tecno Spark 20C's competitive pricing in Bangladesh positions it as a reliable and user-friendly smartphone. This device can be a good pick for users seeking a feature-rich yet budget-friendly option under BDT 15000.
Read more: Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing in December 2023
11 months ago
itel A70 Review: A standard entry-level phone
itel shares the same parent company with Infinix and Tecno. In a sense, the brand trio is known for offering standard entry-level to mid-range smartphones. itel particularly specializes in the budget-friendly segment with its range of smartphones. Recently, the itel A70 was announced on 30th October 2023 for a global release. Let’s check out how it stacks against the competitors.
Key Specifications of itel A70
Design and Build Quality
Itel A70 has a plastic frame and back with a front LCD panel. The front and the back of the device aren’t flush with each other which is a unique design choice on its own. The exact dimension and weight of the device couldn’t be confirmed but the thickness comes in at 8.6 mm. The frosted finish on the back and the iPhone-like camera housing give the A70 a premium look.
The headphone jack and other features come as standard on the A70. Overall the design isn't anything new, but rather a repacked version of a common entry-level smartphone design.
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The Display
The display on the A70 is an LCD with 720 x 1612 pixels resolution and 267 ppi density. The water drop notch and the chin bezel are again something that’s very common in budget smartphones. The 6.6-inch panel has 500 nits of peak brightness and 60 Hz refresh rate. It performs well for an HD+ LCD panel with good contrast and viewing angles.
The Camera
There is a dual camera setup on the itel A70. Even though the back camera is arranged like that of the iPhone, one of the three cutouts is actually for the LED flash. The main camera is a 13 MP sensor with HDR and AI enhancement. The secondary sensor is a 0.08 MP auxiliary sensor.
Pictures taken on the A70 during the daylight are decent. Dynamic range was on the average side but there were good details on the subject. However, the image quality dropped significantly in low light as there was noticeable noise and grains in the pictures.
There is also a generic 8MP front sensor that produces good photos with AI enhancements. The videography on the A70 is rated to be 1080P at 30 fps.
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Processor and Performance
The processor on the itel A70 is Unisoc T603. The octa-core processor is an entry-level chip that is designed for basic use. The processor handles day-to-day tasks like browsing the web, social media, or watching YouTube videos pretty well. The processor isn’t really made for gaming as there were a lot of heating and frame drops on 3D games. Considering the low processing power, itel has opted for the Android 13 Go edition for the A70. It is a lightweight OS with basic Android features.
Overall the performance of the itel A70 is satisfactory if the price is taken into account.
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the itel A70 is 5000 mAh. There is an included 10W wired charger with the device. Expect to get an all-day battery out of the A70 on a full charge with moderate use.
Pros and Cons of itel A70
Pros:
- Stylish design - Dynamic bar - AI features on the camera - Good battery life.
Read more: Honor X6a Review: A minimalist budget-friendly phone with standard features
Cons:
- Basic Android experience - Below-par processing power
Price of the itel A70
Itel A70 is available in the 4/128 GB variant in India. The price of the A70 is 7,490 INR or 9,899 BDT (1 INR = 1.32 BDT). However, the official price is expected to differ once the device becomes officially available in Bangladesh.
Verdict
For a sub-10,000 BDT device, the itel A70 gets a lot of the things right. There are obvious cut corners in the form of processing power. But that is well compensated with a good display and camera.
It's hard to expect anything more from a budget-friendly device. For what it's worth, the A70 can be a great starter android for casual users.
Read more: Infinix Smart 8 Review: Affordable Excellence in Entry-Level Smartphones
1 year ago