Honor started its journey as a sub-brand of Huawei. But after its split as an independent brand, the company has slowly produced smartphones from budgets to flagships. Recently, Honor launched the X6b on 13th June 2024 as a successor to last year’s X7a and the X6 before that. As an ultra-budget smartphone, the X6b has much to offer. Let’s take a detailed look.  Key Specifications of Honor X6b Design and Build Quality  The X6b is a plastic device all around with a glass front. The frosted and refracting back redirects light to the camera housing which gives the X6b a unique look. The dimensions of the smartphone come in at 163.6 mm by 75.3 mm by 8.4 mm. The weight is around 192 g which puts it on the heavier side for a plastic build device.  There’s a glass-like layer on the back of the panel which isn’t rated by Honor. However, the device holds SGS 5 stars rating against drops so you can be assured of its rugged capabilities.  The front features a usual water drop notch style display which is a common sight in budget smartphones. The sizeable bottom chin and the thick bezel all around are unfortunately what you’ll be getting for the ultra-budget price. Read more: realme 13 Pro 5G Review: Monet Inspired Competitive Mid-Range Phone On the bright side, the X6b comes with a headphone jack and a shared micro SDXC storage. There’s also a secondary noise cancellation mic which is a pleasant surprise. The left side features the volume rockers and the power button which also doubles as the fingerprint scanner.  The Display  The display on the Honor X6b is a 6.56-inch TFT LCD panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate. To be honest, LCDs are becoming less and less common even in budget smartphones. On top of that, Honor went with the TFT technology instead of the more common IPS one.  The resolution of the panel comes in at 720 by 1612 pixels with around 269 ppi density. The screen-to-body ratio comes in at 83.9% at 20:9 aspect ratio.  One of the highlights of the display is its 780 nits of peak brightness. We didn’t notice any issues while using it outdoors or even under direct sunlight. The viewing angles were okay and the panel lived up to its high refresh rate claims.  Read more: How to Detect an AI-generated Image Overall, it’s a decent panel for its price. It could’ve been better but what you’re getting isn’t bad either.  The Camera  The camera housing on the X6b might be a bit misleading at first glance. There’s a total of 4 cutouts on the back. However, there are only two sensors and the others are an LED flash and a ring-like design that doesn’t do anything.  The main camera is a 50 MP, f/1.8 sensor with PDAF. The secondary camera is a 2 MP, f/2.4 depth sensor. The front camera is a 5 MP, f/2.2 wide-angle shooter.  In terms of performance, the X6b was able to take decent shots in well-lit environments. The portrait shots also stood out as it was able to clearly separate the background and the subject each time. The color reproduction was neutral with realistic contrast and dynamic range.  Read more: Nothing CMF Phone 1 Review: Budget-friendly Phone with Innovative Modular Design However, the camera struggled in darker environments and at night. The included night mode helps to bring out the details but the softness and grains are ever apparent in each shot.  The front camera can take decent selfies, but it's nothing to boast about.  The X6b can video record at up to 1080P at 30 fps. However, the lack of stabilization features results in choppy footage.  Processor and Performance  The processor on the X6b is Mediatek Helio G85 based on a 12 Nm architecture. The octa-core processor has a chip design of 2x2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6x1.8 GHz Cortex-A55 with Mali-G52 MC2 GPU.  In terms of day-to-day use, the G85 is a more than capable processor. It can easily handle tasks like browsing the web, social media, or watching YouTube. However, gaming is where it struggles quite a bit. We played PUBG at a max setting of HD/High settings. Even then, the gyro delay and the frame drops were pretty apparent. Highly optimized games like COD and Asphalt 9 also stuttered at times.  Read more: Price Ranges of Wi-Fi Internet Routers for Home Use in Bangladesh The X6b features 6 GB of RAM which is also becoming obsolete even in budget Androids. Thankfully, the device can utilize an additional 6 GB of virtual RAM from the internal storage.  The X6b isn’t really made for gaming so you’re better off playing 2D offline games in it.  Benchmark  Antutu 10: 267195 GeekBench 6: 418 (single core); 1310 (multi-core)  Software  Honor X6b is running on Magic OS 8 based on Android 14. Magic OS 8 has its fair share of bloatware and MIUI-like layout. The OS might feel a bit too heavy for Android purists but if you’re coming from a Xiaomi or Honor, the OS 8 won’t really feel out of place.  Read more: 10 Best eBook Reader Apps for Android, iOS in 2024 Battery and Charge Time The battery on the Honor X6b is around 5200 mAh. The device supports 35W wired fast charging which can take the device from 0 to 31% in 20 minutes. In moderate use, the device can easily last one and a half days. But even with heavy use, you’re looking at at least a day's worth from a single charge.  Pros and Cons of Honor X6b  Pros - Attractive design - Headphone jack and micro SDXC support - Great battery life - Secondary noise cancellation mic - Bright display  Cons  - Mediocre camera performance - Average processor. Read more: Apple iPhone 16 Series: Everything We Know So Far  Official Price of Honor X6b in Bangladesh  The Honor X6b is available in a 6/128 GB configuration. The current price is 14,999 BDT.  Verdict  The Honor X6b doesn’t really bring anything mentionable over the X6 or even the X7a. On the contrary, the performance falters quite a bit in gaming or multitasking. The TFT display is also becoming out of date and out of place even in the budget segment. The camera performance also won’t blow you away. The only two things where the X6b excels are the design and the battery life. In essence, the Honor X6b is best suited for those looking for a daily driver that’ll be sufficient for day-to-day tasks, nothing more.  Read more: Top Smartphones Launching in September 2024: iPhone 16 and More

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.  Read more: Walton Walpad 10H Pro Review: Budget-friendly Tablet with Decent Performance 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.  Read more: Meizu 20 Review: A Solid Performer in the Mid-range Segment 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.  Read more: Symphony Innova 20 Review: An Affordable Phone with Smart Features 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.  Read more: How to Extend Laptop Battery Life 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. 

Bangladeshi brand Walton has recently launched a new Smartphone N6 under its latest NEXG series. Walton NEXG N6 is a budget-friendly smartphone that packs a punch with its impressive features like a sleek design, large screen, powerful camera, standard battery, and attractive color options. However, can the latest NEXG series phone stack up against Walton’s popular Primo series phones? Is it worth the investment? Let’s find out the key specs, pros, cons, and price of the Walton NEXG N6. Key Features of Walton NEXG N6 Design The Walton NEXG N6 smartphone boasts a sleek and modern design with its slim profile and curved edges. Its dimensions (164.2 mm high, 76 mm width, and 8.55 mm depth), make the device compatible for one-handed use. Weighing 188g (with battery), N6 appears easy to carry. The phone comes in two attractive colors, Bluish Green and Sky Grey, giving users the option to choose the one that suits their style. The unique and eye-catching shades set N6 apart from other local smartphones in the market. Read More: Infinix Hot 30 Review: Budget-friendly phone with a smart design The inclusion of a type c port and a microphone adds to the convenience of the device, making it easier to charge, use for calls, and record audio. The volume rocker and power button are intuitively placed for easy access, allowing users to adjust the volume or power on/off the device without hassle. The sim card holder is easily accessible, making it simple to switch out SIM cards if needed. Display The display of the Walton NEXG N6 smartphone is impressive, boasting a large 6.6-inch screen size that is perfect for streaming videos, browsing the web, and playing games. The V-Notch design provides an immersive viewing experience, allowing users to enjoy their content with minimal interruptions. The display has a 720x1600 resolution. It’s certainly a downgrade from the competitor Walton Primo S8 Mini’s FHD resolution available at the same price range.  Read More: 5 Smartphones Around 15000 TK for Best Display, Gaming, Photography However, N6’s screen is blessed with a 90 Hz refresh rate, which we haven’t seen in the Primo S8 Mini. A high refresh rate makes animations and transitions appear smoother and more fluid, providing a more enjoyable user experience in NEXG N6. The 180Hz touch sampling rate is another impressive feature of the display, allowing for quick and accurate touch response. This is particularly useful when playing games that require fast reflexes or using apps that require precise touch input. The display uses IPS INCELL technology with 2.5D glass, which provides excellent color accuracy and contrast, ensuring that images and videos appear vibrant and realistic. The 2.5D glass also adds a premium look and feel to the device. Read More: Vivo V27e Review: Worth its price tag? Performance and Software The Walton NEXG N6 phone is running on Android™ 12 operating system with an Octa-Core processor clocked at 1.6GHz, built on the 12nm FinFET process and using ARM Cortex-A75 architecture. However, Walton fans will miss the Qualcomm Snapdragon 665 chipset offered in the Primo S8 Mini. The latest N6 is equipped with Mali-G57 MP1 GPU for graphics processing.  This smartphone comes with 8GB of RAM for smooth multitasking and 128GB of internal storage for storing data. Additionally, the expandable storage of up to 256GB offers even more space for users to store their data.  Read More: realme C55 Review: A Promising Budget-friendly Phone