flagship phone
Honor Magic 6 Pro: Is It a Value for Money Smartphone?
Honor has always been a prominent name in smartphone innovation. Originally part of Huawei, it is now a separate company. With the Magic series, Honor launches their top-tier smartphones. Magic series has been steadily improving its features over the past few years. The new Honog Magic 6 Pro was released on 18th January globally. This phone is currently available in Bangladesh too. Let’s look at the specifications, pros, cons, and price of Honor Magic 6 Pro for a better understanding of its value.
Key Features of Honor Magic 6 pro
Design
The Honor Magic 6 Pro inherits a design, that evolved from its predecessor, the Magic 5 Pro. It measures 162.5 mm by 75.8 mm by 8.9mm with a 6.8-inch display, making it a great choice for those who prefer larger screens.
Despite its size, it weighs 225g, making it lighter than the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra (232g).
The phone showcases a refined "Star Wheel" camera module. This design adds a unique look and makes the phone more comfortable to hold.
Read more: itel S24 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartphone with 108 MP Camera
It has a glass front. It comes with a glass or silicone polymer built panel on the rear side. Unlike flagships such as the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra, the Magic 6 Pro is not built with titanium. However, 6 Pro offers durability with its IP68 water and dust resistance.
Display
The Honor Magic 6 Pro features a 6.8-inch OLED display with curved edges that spill over the sides of the device, setting it apart from most flat-edged phones. It includes a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate for smooth scrolling. 6 pro features a 1280 by 2800 pixels resolution.
The display uses Honor’s Circadian Night Display technology to filter blue light, improving sleep quality and has a high 4,320Hz PWM dimming cycle rate to reduce eye strain. It ensures a clear and vibrant display with a peak HDR brightness of 5,000 nits in specialized conditions and around 1,600 nits in everyday use.
Honor’s NanoCrystal Shield protects the screen, claimed to be 10 times stronger than regular glass. It offers durability against daily wear and tear.
Read more: OnePlus Nord CE4 Review: A Performance-oriented Mid-range Smartphone
Performances
The Honor Magic 6 Pro is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 8 Gen 3’s 4 nm chipset, ensuring fast and efficient performance. The processor is combined with GPU Adreno 750.
It comes with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, allowing for smooth multitasking and ample space for apps and media.
The phone runs on Honor's Magic OS 8.0, based on Android 14, and includes unique features like Magic Capsule for quick control of music, timers, notifications, and calls. Magic Portal simplifies app switching with a single swipe. Although lacking generative AI tools, the Magic 6 Pro promises four years of Android updates and five years of security updates.
This setup easily handles web browsing, messaging, gaming, and video streaming.
Read more: OPPO A60 Review: Durability within Budget
Cameras
The Honor Magic 6 Pro has come with a powerful camera system.
It includes a 50MP wide lens with an adjustable aperture (f/1.4-2.0), automatically switching for optimal lighting conditions. The 180MP periscope telephoto lens (f/2.6) offers 2.5x optical zoom and 5x lossless zoom. Additionally, there’s a 50MP ultra-wide lens (f/2.0) and a 50 MP front-facing camera.
The rear cameras can record 4K video at up to 60 fps, while the front camera supports a maximum of 4K video recording at 30 fps.
Battery and Charger
The Honor Magic 6 Pro features a 5,600mAh silicon-carbon battery, offering about a day and a half of casual use.
It supports 80W wired and 66W wireless charging, though no charger is included in the box.
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Honor claims a full charge takes 40 minutes, which tests confirmed. Using a 100W charger, the phone reached 36% charge in 15 minutes, 70% in 30 minutes, and a full charge in 46 minutes. This is faster than charging times for iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy S24 models but slightly slower than the Xiaomi 14 and OnePlus 12R. However, the lower-wattage chargers will result in slower charging.
Pros and cons of Honor Magic 6 Pro
Pros
- 5G and NFC support- LTPO OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate- High brightness rating- Excellent performance for gaming and multitasking- Triple camera with 2.5x optical zoom- 4K video recording with gyro-EIS- Long battery life with fast wired and wireless charging- IP68 dust/water resistance - Stereo speakers- Infrared port- Latest Android 14 with MagicOS 8- Emergency SOS via satellite- Advanced selfie camera with TOF 3D and 4K video recording.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S24 Review: Striking Balance Between Flagship Features and Price
Cons
- Slightly unreliable software
- Slightly heavy
- No audio jack
- Cameras are inconsistent
- No charger in the box
- No micro SD card slot
- Curved display
- No 8K video recording
Price of the Honor Magic 6 Pro in Bangladesh
Honor Magic 6 Pro is available in Bangladesh for around BDT 1,15,000. However, the price may vary depending on the sellers.
Read more: Symphony Innova 20 Review: An Affordable Phone with Smart Features
Conclusion
The Honor Magic 6 Pro is a high-end smartphone that excels in multiple areas. Its sophisticated design, highlighted by an OLED display with a higher refresh rate and durable build, is complemented by impressive performance powered by the powerful chipset, innovative software, and vast memory. The camera system features a wide lens with an adjustable aperture, a periscope telephoto lens, and an ultra-wide lens. This triple rear camera series offers versatile photography capabilities. The battery supports fast wired and wireless charging, ensuring extended use.
However, the 6 Pro lacks a micro SD card slot and audio jack.
Overall, the Honor Magic 6 Pro's robust feature set makes it a compelling choice for those seeking a high-performance flagship device.
Read more: 6 Most Talked About Smartphones Releasing in June 2024
Samsung Galaxy S24 Review: Striking Balance Between Flagship Features and Price
Earlier this year, Samsung introduced its flagship lineup, the S24 series on 17th January globally. The device is currently available in Bangladesh. So what makes this device so special? Let’s find out through the display, design, processor, pros and cons of the Samsung Galaxy S24 5G.
Key Specs of the Samsung Galaxy S24
Design and Build Quality
If you put last year’s S23 next to the S24, it will be hard to tell the difference. Other than being a millimeter taller and wider on the S24, there’s virtually no difference between the two. And that’s probably a good thing.
The S24 comes in at 147 mm by 70.6 mm by 7.6 mm with either 167 g or 168 g weight (depending on the processor). The front and back feature the latest Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with updated armor aluminum 2 making up the frame.
The three camera cutouts are arranged vertically with a single LED flash on the side. The S24 with all its powerhouse glory is a remarkably minimal smartphone with muted elements.
Read more: vivo iQOO 12 Review: Flagship Killer or a Flagship Itself?
Ports and buttons are all as usual from the S23. Users will get a host of sim options from nano-sim and e-sim to dual e-sim or dual nano-sim depending on the region. The micro SDXC and the headphones are missing as expected.
The S24 comes in Cobalt Violet, Amber Yellow, Onyx Black, and Marble Gray color options. The device also retains the IP68 water and dust resistance of its predecessor (Up to 1.5 m for 30 mins).
The Display
The display on the S24 is a 6.2-inch Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X panel with 120Hz refresh rate HDR10+ support, 16 M color, and 2600 nits of peak brightness. The near end-to-end display looks every bit stunning as the spec suggests. It has a 1080 by 2340 pixels resolution at a 19.5: 9 aspect ratio. The pixel density comes in at 416 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio comes in at 90.9%.
The screen quality is the same as the S23 except now it gets even brighter and the bezels are even narrower. It's no secret that Samsung is the standard when it comes to smartphone displays and the S24 rightly holds up in its compact space.
Read more: Symphony Innova 20 Review: An Affordable Phone with Smart Features
The Camera
There’s a triple camera setup on the Galaxy S24. Again, it’s the same sensors from last year’s S23 with almost all the tweaks and changes made on the software end.
The main sensor is a 50 MP, f/1.8, 24mm wide-angle shooter with dual PDAF and OIS. The second sensor is a 10 MP, f/2.4, 67mm telephoto lens, and the last one is a 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120Ëš ultrawide shooter. The front camera is a 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm wide-angle shooter.
The S24 with its camera performance doesn’t compare with the Ultra model. Pictures taken in daylight came out great with good exposure, color balance, and dynamic range. The ultrawide shooter also held its ground on par with the main sensor.
However, things are almost the same as the S23 when it comes to nighttime photography. There are still noticeable grains even with the night mode on. The exposure was great but it still leaves much to be desired from a flagship smartphone. The front camera took great photos outdoors and indoors and the 3x portrait shots.
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The maximum videography capacities for rear and front cameras are 8K at 24/30fps, and 4K at 30/60 fps respectively. The video quality was flagship-worthy with its focus, smoothness, and overall stability.
Processor and Performance
The processor is where things get a bit convoluted with the S24. Unlike last year, Exynos is back on the Galaxy S24. The S24 comes with Exynos 2400 based on 4 Nm architecture for all international models.
However, the USA, Canadian, and Chinese variants come with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 also based on 4 Nm architecture.
The Exynos chip is a deca-core processor whereas the Snapdragon one is the usual octa-core one. The change is also reflected in the GPU as the Exynos chip comes with Xclipse 940 and the Snapdragon one comes with Adreno 750.
Read more: Walton Walpad 10H Pro Review: Budget-friendly Tablet with Decent Performance
Here's a side-by-side comparison in terms of benchmark scores.
Benchmark/Processor
Geekbench 6
Antutu 10
3D Mark
Exynos 2400
2196 (single core)
6964 (multi-core)
1777263
13930
Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
2193 (single core)
7304 (multi-core)
2087940
16526
In terms of performance benchmark, it is clear that the 8 Gen 3 holds a slightly upper hand over the Exynos processor.
In the test, the Snapdragon processor performed as it should. The gaming experience was top-notch notch with Warzone supporting max settings. We were able to get a constant 60 fps until the device started heating. After an hour or so, the fps stabilized between 45 to 50. The results were similar to PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9.
Read more: realme C65 5G Review: Is This Budget-friendly Phone Worth Buying?
Day-to-day use was also a breeze with the S24. Everything felt quick and snappy with no lags whatsoever.
Software
The software is also where Samsung has hit it out of the park. The company is offering up to 7 years of security and major software updates for the entire S24 series. The S24 itself comes with One UI 6.1 based on Android 14. It’s clean and near bloatware-free which is miles better than what Samsung’s OS used to be.
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the S24 is 4000 mAh. For a compact phone, the battery sacrifice was expected.
The device supports up to 25W wired fast charging that can take the device from 0 to 50% in 30 minutes.
The S24 also supports 15W wireless and 4.5W reverse wireless charging.
Read more: Motorola Moto G24 Power Review: A Competent Smartphone within BDT 13000
Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S24
Pros:
- Compact size - Strong build quality - Excellent Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel - Great Camera performance with telephoto and ultrawide lens - IP68 water and dust resistance - Host of AI features - Up to 7 years of OS and security update- Wireless and reverse charging facilities.
Cons:
- No headphone jack or micro SDXC slot - No satellite SOS - UFS 3.1 storage on 128 GB variant.
Read more: Haylou RS5 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartwatch with Health Monitoring Features
Price of Samsung Galaxy S24 5G
The 8/128 GB variant of Galaxy S24 is currently available in Bangladesh for around BDT 72000. And, the 8/256 GB variant costs around BDT 80000. However, the price may vary depending on the sellers.
Verdict
The Galaxy S24 can be best described as an incremental update over last year’s S23. There are some minor tweaks which makes it even more polished, even more refined. The display, camera, and performance are its strongest suit as ever.
A better charging speed and the option for a global Snapdragon would’ve made things perfect for the S24. There are other compact smartphones like the Pixel 8. But the Samsung Galaxy S24 5G is simply a better all-around deal in the flagship market.
Read more: vivo V30 Lite Review: Know the Pros and Cons
vivo iQOO 12 Review: Flagship Killer or a Flagship Itself?
iQOO smartphones are known for their reliable performance at a marginal price. Their lineup is often dubbed as gaming on a budget. But the marginal price and the flagship killer tag come with certain corner cuts. But that all changed with their new release. iQOO launched the iQOO 12 on 14th November 2023. The device brings improvements in almost every sector compared to its predecessor. Now the question arises, is the vivo iQOO 12 a flagship killer or a proper flagship itself? Let’s find out.
Key Specs of the vivo iQOO 12
Design and Build Quality
It seems like iQOO has been inspired by OnePlus’s Never Settle philosophy when it comes to design. Gone are the rectangular camera housing which has been replaced with a rather square-ish round look. iQOO calls it the porthole design.
The build quality feels more sturdy thanks to the aluminum frame and glass back composition. The dimension of the iQOO 12 comes in at 163.22 mm by 75.88 mm by 8.10 mm (Alpha and Legend) or 8.35 mm (Desert Red). The weight of the device also differs as Alpha and Legend comes in at 203.7 g and the Desert Red comes in at 198.5 g. iQOO has partnered with BMW for the Legend variant. It adds a distinct dash of the M series colorways in a white AG Fluorite back.
Read more: Infinix Note 40 Pro Review: A Mid-Range Phone with 108P sensor, MagSafe Charging
Ports and buttons are in their usual space as before. The 12 with its updated looks and build quality seems to be on par with most flagships today. The Chinese variant even has IP64 water and dust resistance. However, it couldn’t be confirmed whether it’s the same for the global variant as well.
The Display
The display on the iQOO 12 is a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED 8T panel with 1B colors, 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+, 1400 nits of HBM, and 3000 nits of peak brightness. The resolution of the panel comes in at 1260 by 2800 pixels at a 20:9 aspect ratio. It brings the pixel count to about 452 ppi.
One of the impressive things about the iQOO 12 is the ultra-slim symmetric bezel on all sides. It takes the screen real estate to 89.6% screen-to-body ratio.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy M55 Review: Here’s What It Offers
The display also has a 2160 Hz PWM dimming mode for ease of usage in ultra-low light conditions. iQOO also incorporated an intelligent anti-fatigue brightness strategy and low blue light emission to relieve the stress on the eyes.
The overall experience with the host of features has been excellent. The display is fast, accurate, has great colors, and is simply a pleasure for content consumption.
The Camera
The camera on the iQOO 12 got a massive improvement over last year’s 11. There’s a new triple camera setup with the main sensor being a 50 MP f/1.7 23 mm wide angle lens with PDAF and OIS. There’s also a 64 MP f/2.6 70 mm periscope telephoto lens and a 50 MP f/2.0 119 degrees ultrawide lens. There’s also a 16 MP f/2.5 selfie shooter on the front.
Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Plus Review with Pros and Cons
The flagship-grade sensors also provide impressive results. Pictures taken during the day had great contrast and sharpness to them with decent dynamic range. You might notice a slightly warm tone in a typical vivo fashion. Pictures taken at night were on par with daylight images thanks to the night mode. The front camera also took decent selfies. However it lacked details and sharpness compared to the main sensor.
The videography on the iQOO 12 is rated to be 8K at 30fps, 4K at 24/30/60fps, and 1080p at 30/60/120/240fps. Both the EIS and OIS do a great job of stabilizing and providing good-quality videos. The selfie shooter can capture only 1080p videos at 30fps.
Top Smartphones Being Released in April 2024: A Mix of Flagship, Midrange and Budget Options
After an exciting March release schedule, smartphone enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to in April as well. March saw most of the releases at MWC. The story would be more or less the same in April as well as Chinese releases in the previous months will have their global debut in April. With that said, here’s a list of the most anticipated smartphones to be released in April 2024.
Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing This April
OnePlus Nord CE4
The Nord CE from OnePlus has been the budget lineup of the brand for several years now. The Nord CE phones bring exceptional value for money like an ode to OnePlus’s early days.
We already have official renders of the new Nord CE4 on OnePlus India’s official website. The smartphone is expected to feature a 6.74-inch AMOLED panel with 1240 by 2772 resolution, 451 ppi density, 120 Hz refresh rate, and HDR 10+ support.
The processor will be an octa-core Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 based on the 4 Nm architecture coupled with Adreno 732 GPU. Users will be getting micro SDXC support along with 8/256 GB and 12/256 GB RAM configurations.
Read more: iQOO Neo7 SE Review: Competent Mid-range Gaming Phone
The back will feature two cameras with the main one being a 50 MP f/1.8 shooter. The second camera is rumored to be an 8 MP ultrawide shooter. The front will feature a usual 16 MP sensor.
We don’t have an exact release date as of yet, but based on rumors, it is expected to be sometime in mid-April.
OnePlus Nord 4
Another smartphone from OnePlus that’s expected to hit the international market is the OnePlus Nord 4. The Nord 4 will be the global variant of the already announced OnePlus Ace 3V.
By all accounts, the Nord 4 will share a lot of similarities with the CE4. But the former will have certain features to justify its higher price.
Read more: ZTE Blade V50 Design 4G Review: Surprising Features on a Budget-friendly Phone
Unlike the CE4, the Nord 4 will come with a Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 processor. It will also have IP65 water and dust resistance. The Nord 4 will unfortunately miss out on the extendable storage option. The rest of the configuration is expected to be the same as of now.
Samsung Galaxy M15
Samsung is gearing up with their budget and mid-range lineup in April. The first of the M series smartphones to hit the market would be the budget Galaxy M15.
The M15 will feature a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate, 800 nits HBM, and 1080 by 2340 resolutions. The 19.5:9 aspect ratio will boast 396 ppi density.
On the processor end, users will be getting the entry-level MediaTek Dimensity 6100+ based on a 6 Nm architecture. The octa-core processor has a chip design of 2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55. The smartphone will come in 4/128 GB, 6/128 GB, 8/128 GB, and 8/256 GB storage configurations.
Read more: ZTE Nubia Red Magic 9 Pro Plus Review with Pros and Cons
There’s a triple camera setup on the M15 with the main sensor being a 50 MP f/1.8 shooter. The additional sensors are a 5 MP f/2.2 ultrawide and a 2 MP f/2.4 macro lens. The front will feature a 13 MP f/2.0 selfie shooter.
The expected release date of the Galaxy M15 is sometime in mid-April.
Samsung Galaxy M55
There’s a hard rumor going around about the new Galaxy M55. The initial idea that the M55 would mirror the A55 has been quelled thanks to a series of new leaks.
The M55 will feature a 6.7-inch screen with Super AMOLED tech onboard. That means a 120 Hz refresh rate and a 1000 nits HBM is on the cards.
Read more: Symphony Z70 Review: 52MP Camera under BDT 10000
The Exynos 1480 found on the A55 would be replaced by a rather old Snapdragon 7 Gen 1 on the M55. The storage options will be either 128 GB or 256 GB with an extension of up to 1 TB.
The camera remains more or less the same with reduced ultrawide and macro capabilities and an enhanced selfie camera compared to the A55.
The Galaxy M55 will go live sometime in late April.
Motorola Edge 50 Pro
Motorola is gearing up with its flagship release of the year, the Edge 50 Pro.
The smartphone is expected to be powered by the new Snapdragon 8S Gen 3 processor. It’s an underclocked version of this year’s flagship 8 Gen 3. The smartphone is absolutely stacked in terms of storage as users will be getting options of up to 12 GB RAM and 512 GB of internal storage.
Read more: Best and Worst Android OS Considering Bloatware in 2024
The display on the Edge 50 Pro is rumored to be a 6.7-inch FHD AMOLED panel with a 165 Hz refresh rate. The smartphone will also feature a triple camera setup with the main camera tipped to be a 50 MP one.
The official India launch date of the Edge 50 Pro is set on 3rd April.
realme GT 5 Pro
Even though the realme GT5 Pro had its official launch last December, it didn’t make its global debut. Words coming from China indicate that things are about to change as the GT5 Pro may make its global debut sometime in April.
The smartphone is powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 4nm processor with storage options going up to 16 GB RAM and 1 TB internal.
Read more: Pros & Cons of Flagship Smartphones
As for the display, the GT5 Pro has a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 1B colors, 144 Hz refresh rate, and HDR10+ support with 1264 by 2780 resolutions.
The triple camera setup features a 50 MP f/1.7 main shooter, a 50 MP f/2.6 periscope lens, and an 8 MP f/2.2 ultrawide lens. The front camera is a 32 MP f/2.5 selfie shooter. For more on the GT5 Pro, check out the in-depth review.
Infinix Note 40 Pro+
Infinix Note 40 Pro+ will make its global debut sometime in late April. The news comes after the smartphone had its official Chinese release on 18th March 2024.
The Note 40 Pro+ will be powered by the mid-range MediaTek Dimensity 7020 based on a 6 Nm architecture. The storage configuration comes in a single 12/256 GB option.
Read more: Infinix Hot 40 Review: Is It A Good Deal Under BDT 18000?
The display on the Note 40 Pro+ is a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate and 1080 by 2436 resolution.
The camera on the Note 40 Pro+ is its key selling point. The main sensor is a 108 MP f/1.8 sensor with both PDAF and OIS. The additional sensors are two 2 MP depth and a macro shooter. The front features a 32 MP f/2.2 sensor.
Tecno Pova 6 Pro
And the last one on the list is the Tecno Pova 6 Pro slated to launch in mid-April. The news comes after the device was officially announced in February this year.
Tecno Pova 6 Pro is expected to be powered by Mediatek Dimensity 6080 based on 6 nm architecture. The storage option on the device will go up to 256 GB internal and 12 GB of RAM.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20 Pro Plus Review: Budget-friendly Phone with Premium Camera
The display on the Pova 6 Pro will be a 6.78-inch AMOLED panel with a 120 Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution featuring 1080 by 2436 pixels, and 1300 nits of peak brightness.
Pova 6 Pro will feature a triple camera setup. However, users will have the 108 MP f/1.9 main sensor only to work with, in principle. The additional rear sensors are a 2 MP depth sensor and a 0.08 MP auxiliary sensor. It also has a 32 f/2.2 MP selfie shooter.
Final Words
April 2024 is lined up with a lot of exciting smartphone releases ranging from flagships to mid-range to budget-friendly segments. Most of the releases have already been launched in the Chinese market as it always gets the exclusive first release from most local brands. Nonetheless, users will be getting a lot of choices in terms of price and performance match.
Read more: Most Anticipated Smartphones Coming in March 2024
Pros & Cons of Flagship Smartphones
The smartphone market brings diverse types of devices to cater to the needs of people seeking diverse price levels. The most advanced smartphones that belong to the top tier are called the “flagship phones”. But not everyone can afford these high-end phones. Like other segments, flagship phones have a particular fan base around the world. Now the question arises, is it necessary to buy flagship phones while breaking the bank? Let’s take a look at the advantages and drawbacks of flagship smartphones.
What is a Flagship Phone?
The word “flagship” represents a conventional term in the technology industry. A product becomes a flagship item when it comes packed with updates, features, and technologies incomparable to other items of the same product line. For presenting the highest-end features, a flagship device usually tags itself with the highest price, too.
Most of the popular smartphone manufacturing brands have a flagship phone series; for instance, ‘The Mi series by Xiaomi, the iPhone series by Apple, the Galaxy S series by Samsung, etc. These flagship phones boast some exclusive features that are unavailable in the mid-range or budget phones.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: The Flagship Benchmark for 2024
Pros of a Flagship Phone
As flagship phones come with the highest price range, they, therefore, come with the most convenient features and powerful abilities. When you are set for a flagship phone, usually you can expect it to offer a few privileges over other general phone models. Like:
Cutting-edge hardware
First and foremost, a flagship smartphone is designed to appear as the latest and most updated product of a company. From robust processors to ingenious camera systems, flagship smartphones aim to convince even the most doubtful tech enthusiasts of having the best product from the manufacturing company.
User experience
Of course, a flagship is not all about the unparalleled hardware. A flagship phone is also about getting the best possible user experience. These phones are faster, more responsive, and easier to use. Manufacturers implement the latest UI and newest version of the operating system to give the smoothest and most efficient interactivity.
Read more: ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device
Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro Review: A High-end Gaming Device
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro debuted in India on January 08, 2024, and people are wondering if it's still a gaming phone. Unlike the ancestors, this new model looks quite different. Even with the new look, the 8 Pro keeps its focus on gaming without making things complicated. However, this flagship smartphone's performance has changed a bit though. The previous ROG phones used to work like a gaming PC. Interestingly, the latest 8 Pro serves in simpler and easier ways like a PlayStation. Let’s take a look at the detailed review of the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro.
Key Features and Specifications of ROG Phone 8 Pro
Design
The ROG Phone 8 Pro brings some notable changes to the table, introducing an edge-to-edge screen that enhances its aesthetic appeal. However, this design shift comes with trade-offs, such as the removal of dual front-facing speakers, impacting the immersive gaming experience.
The incorporation of a pinhole camera in the screen raises concerns for a gaming device, disrupting the seamless display. Despite losing some distinctive features that set the ROG Phone apart, it retains the headphone jack and gains an IP68 rating, a positive addition given its open ports. The transition from a glass to a plastic back raises concerns about slipperiness, emphasising the need for a protective case.
Read more: Asus ROG Strix G16 Review: Is it a value for money gaming laptop?
The device maintains its off-centre USB-C, but a secondary USB-C on the side proves handy for charging during portrait-mode gaming. Notably, the pixel-like LED effects on the back, customizable to display various information, provide a unique touch and contribute positively to the gaming aesthetics, standing out from typical RGB implementations.
Weighing 225g, 8 Pro’s dimensions are 163.8 mm by 76.8 mm by 8.9 mm. It is available in Phantom Black colour.
Display
The ROG Phone 8 Pro maintains a 6.78-inch FHD OLED display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. It features 2,500 nits of peak brightness
It lacks the QHD resolution seen in the contemporary Android flagships. The display supports an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate for regular use, with a fixed 165Hz rate for specific games, enhancing smoothness during gameplay.
Read more: Asus ROG Phone 8 Review: 2024’s First Flagship Gaming Device
In comparison to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, the ROG Phone 8 Pro excels in key metrics/ However, 8 Pro faces tough competition from the iPhone 15 Pro Max, which offers remarkable brightness and color accuracy.
Notably, the ROG Phone 8 introduces a unique always-on display called Screen Light, utilizing tiny icons for charging status and essential information due to the absence of a thick top bezel. While functional, there's room for improvement, such as a scaling feature for better readability from a distance.
OnePlus 12 Review: Fastest Android Experience?
OnePlus has long since passed its prime from being the “flagship killer” in the Android space. It slowly shifted from offering value-for-money smartphones to full-on flagships with secondary mid-range iterations. OnePlus launched the OnePlus 12 on December 11, 2023, making it the last big release of 2023. But with all that it has under the belt, OnePlus is aiming for the fastest Android experience in 2024.
Key Specifications of OnePlus 12
Design and Build Quality: Same Old Design with a Dash of Character
By all means, the OnePlus 12 looks exactly the same as its predecessor, the OnePlus 11. The merging round camera housing and all sides curved front reminisce the somewhat iconic design introduced with the OnePlus 10. The front glass features Gorilla Glass Victus 2 with the rear featuring standard Gorilla Glass. The back now has a marble-like finish with a glossy inlay on the camera housing.
The device comes in at 164.3 mm by 75.8 mm by 9.2 mm and has a hefty weight of 220g. Ports and buttons are all standard as usual. The power button, volume rockers, sim slot, and alert slider are all placed in their desired position. The phone comes with IP65 water and dustproofing rather than the standard IP68 seen on most flagship smartphones. In a sense, the design of the OnePlus 12 adds a minor refinement over their proven strategy.
Read more: iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers
The Display: A New Standard for Brightness
OnePlus has recently been marred with green line controversies on its panel. And it seems like OnePlus has decided to completely overhaul the display tech with the OnePlus 12. The 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED ProXDR panel comes with 1B colors, 120Hz refresh rate, Dolby Vision, and HDR10+ support. OnePlus has used a diamond pixel layout compared to the traditional square layout. It has a 1440 by 3168 pixels resolution with 510 ppi density and a 19.8:9 aspect ratio. The all-around curve gives the panel about 90.8% screen-to-body ratio. The display also supports 100% Display P3 and 10-bit color depth.
What’s interesting here is the brightness of the panel. The typical brightness holds at 600 nits and up to 1600 nits at HBM. But the panel can crank up to 4500 nits in peak mode. That’s more than any smartphone out there in the market by a long mile. And its something that won’t be exercised even in the harshest sunlight. On the flip side, the panel supports 2160 Hz PWM dimming for ultra-low brightness for nighttime use. All things considered, the display is definitely a highlight for the OnePlus 12.
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The Camera: Same Old OnePlus
The camera has consistently been a point of contention with OnePlus smartphones. And unfortunately, things haven’t really changed much. There’s a triple camera setup on the OnePlus 12 with the main camera being an updated 50 MP sensor. It has an f/1.6 aperture and a 23mm wide-angle opening. The additional sensors are a 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm periscope lens with up to 3x zoom and a 48 MP, f/2.2, 14mm, 114˚ ultrawide shooter. The front camera is a 32 MP, f/2.4, 21mm wide-angle shooter.
All the sensors are stacked with features like multidirectional PDAF, OIS, and gyro-EIS. OnePlus has been partnering with Hasselblad for a customized color calibration. The pictures on the OnePlus 12 can be best described as slightly better than that of the 11 with somewhat similar flaws. Images have slight exposure issues with an average dynamic range. The camera is also post-processing heavy to the point that what you see on the screen grossly differs from what’s processed after the shutter click.
The videography of the rear cameras stay the same at 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240/480fps. The selfie shooter can capture a maximum of 4K footage at 30fps. However, the exposure issue and low light videography leaves much to be desired from the Oneplus 12.
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Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: The Flagship Benchmark for 2024
Every year, Samsung starts with its flagship lineup for the year which becomes the standard for all flagships to follow. This year, Samsung followed the legacy by announcing the S24 series on 17th January 2024. The S24 Ultra, the latest and greatest in the lineup, is an incremental update over last year’s S23 Ultra. But there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. Let's take a look at the features, pros, cons, and price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Design and Build Quality: Refined to Perfection
Samsung has always been true to the “Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken” ideology. From the back, the S24 Ultra looks identical to the outgoing S23 Ultra. However, the front side has been revamped in favor of a completely flat screen instead of the curve. And this year, it’s all titanium on the frame with seven different colorways to choose from.
The device comes in at 162.3 mm by 79 mm by 8.6 mm, a smidgeon smaller and slimmer than last year’s flagship. The front glass has been bumped up to Gorilla Glass Armor with the back featuring the standard Victus. The Ultra is also a tad bit lighter at 232 g thanks to the aluminum build. That’s about it when it comes to design changes.
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The quad camera, stylus, sim slot, and the Type C port are all where they used to be from last year. The IP68 water resistance is also there as is standard on most flagships these days. The flat screen is, however, the biggest change and it might prove to be the game changer for the S24 Ultra as it is generally preferred over a curved one.
The Display: Samsung’s Supremacy Bumped Up to New Heights
If there’s one thing Samsung flagships have consistently done right, it has to be the display. The S24 Ultra takes that a notch up even with its minor updates.
The flat 6.8-inch screen is what Samsung is calling their Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X. The flat screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and upgraded 2600 nits of peak brightness. The panel holds a 1440 by 3120 pixels resolution with an uncommon 19.5:9 ratio and 505 ppi density. Being flat on all sides, the screen-to-body ratio comes in at 88.5%.
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This year Samsung has added an extra layer of anti glaring coating on the Gorilla Glass Armor. The result is a bright, crisp, and sharp display that is just pure joy to navigate.
The Camera: A Utilitarian Approach
The quad camera on the S24 Ultra features a 200 MP f/1.7 24 mm wide angle main shooter. The sensor is complemented by a 10 MP f/2.4 67 mm telephoto and 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree ultra-wide camera. The periscope lens has been updated to a 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm lens from a 10 MP one. The new periscope sensor can shoot up to 5x instead of 10x on the last generation.
The cameras are stacked with features like multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, and many other technical prowess. The result is a camera that can churn out 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, and 1080p@960fps all the while maintaining HDR10+ quality.
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On the front side, S24 Ultra sports a 12MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter. It can capture a maximum of 4k videos at 30 and 60fps.
It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly changed in terms of picture quality. The typical Samsung processing is on full show with sharpened images and great dynamic range. The night mode or Nightography as Samsung calls it, uses AI to identify different subjects within an image and direct exposure accordingly.
Samsung has also partnered with Instagram and Snapchat for a direct feed upload for lossless image sharing on their platforms. Simply put, Samsung slightly upped the bar for an already great camera system.
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Processor and Performance: A New Level of AI Integration
The S24 Ultra is running the latest Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor based on the 4 Nm architecture. This is the first time a Snapdragon processor has beaten the current Apple flagship silicone for mobiles. On top of that, the S24 Ultra is using a customized version of the chipset for an even greater performance boost.
On paper, the 8 Gen 3 features 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A52 chips with Adreno 750 GPU.
S24 Ultra runs on One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14.
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There’s a new heat-dissipating tech on the Ultra which does an excellent job at keeping the phone cool, even under heavy duress. Games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 ran smoothly without any frame drops whatsoever.
But what’s interesting about Ultra is the incorporation of Galaxy AI. The S24 Ultra heavily incorporates AI for photo editing, note-taking, translation, and even quick image search using the S pen.
The smartphone is now able to transcribe recordings, make summaries, and optimize photos even before the shutter is clicked. There’s so much to grasp here that Samsung has its twinkling assistant to guide users wherever they can use AI on the phone.
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Battery and Charge Time: A Two-Day Battery Capacity
The battery on the S24 Ultra is a 5000 mAh one with 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless Qi charging. The wired brick can take the smartphone up to 65% in 30 minutes. There’s also 4.5W reverse wireless charging similar to the S23 Ultra.
In terms of use, the S24 Ultra will comfortably last a day and a half.
Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Pros:
- Gorgeous flat-screen - Updated build quality - Utility-focused camera updates - Great battery - A new bar in performance - Galaxy AI.
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Cons:
- Minute incremental update over the S23 Ultra- It is a bit pricey.
Price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The S24 Ultra comes in at 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 12 GB/ 1 TB configuration. The official price of the variants are 1,29,999 INR, 1,39,999 INR, and 1,59,999 INR. The price roughly translates to about 1,71,806 BDT, 1,85,022 BDT, and 2,11,454 BDT respectively (1 INR =1.32 BDT).
Verdict: The Best Money Can Buy
The S24 Ultra is a glaring testament to the best of what Android can offer. With its slightly updated design, build quality, camera, and processor, the S24 Ultra feels like a minor update over the previous gen. However, the high level of AI integration combined with the flat screen makes the S24 Ultra unique in its way.
At over 1300 USD, the S24 Ultra isn’t for everyone, certainly not for those who already own an S23 Ultra. But there’s no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the flagship standard for 2024.
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OPPO Find X7 Ultra: A deep dive into this photo-phone
Released on January 12, 2024, in China, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra has emerged as a camera-focused flagship smartphone, showcasing an array of impressive features and top-tier capabilities. Oppo has spared no expense in equipping this device with all the essential features one would anticipate from a high-end smartphone. From its cutting-edge camera system to its sleek design, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra aims to set a new standard in the world of flagship smartphones. Let’s take a look into the details of this phone.
Features and Specs of OPPO Find X7 Ultra
Design
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra boasts a familiar yet striking design, reminiscent of its predecessor, the Find X6 Pro. Featuring a dual-tone color scheme and a distinctive circular camera bump playfully nicknamed the "camera Oreo," the phone stands out in the market for its aesthetic appeal.
The rear, crafted from colored vegan leather, curves gracefully around the camera, preventing abrupt visual interruptions. The Orange and Blue variants showcase a ceramic-like top, while the Black variant features metal-like details and stitched vegan leather.
The device's ergonomic design, despite its sizable metal and glass build, impresses with a thin 9.5mm profile and a manageable weight of 221g.
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The vegan leather back enhances grip, ensuring a comfortable hold, and the cleverly designed camera bump doubles as a resting spot for fingers. Overall, the OPPO Find X7 Ultra's unique design, coupled with practical elements, contributes to an enjoyable and visually appealing smartphone experience.
Display
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra features a stunning 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display, boasting a remarkable resolution of 3168 by 1440 pixels with around 510 PPI density. The adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1 to 120Hz, ensuring a seamless user experience.
This panel supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, showcasing up to 1 billion colors. With a theoretical max brightness of 4,500 nits, real-world usage reaches up to 1,600 nits in regular conditions and up to 2,600 nits with HDR content.
Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the curved display delivers outstanding sharpness, vibrant colors, and deep blacks.
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The slight variation in bezel thickness is subtle, with a screen-to-body ratio exceeding 90%. Users praise the panel for its responsiveness, smooth operation, and overall excellence, making it one of the top displays currently available.
Camera
The phone boasts a powerful quad-camera setup that takes your photography experience to the next level. The main camera system includes four lenses: a 50 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture for crisp and detailed shots, a 50 MP (f/2.6) periscope telephoto lens with 2.8x optical zoom, another 50 MP (f/4.3) periscope telephoto lens with an impressive 6x optical zoom, and a 50 MP (f/2.0) ultra-wide lens with a wide 123 ̊ field of view.
With multi-directional phase detection autofocus (PDAF), laser autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS), these cameras ensure sharp and stable images. The Hasselblad Color Calibration feature enhances color accuracy, making your photos vibrant and true to life.
On the video front, the rear cameras of the device support 4K recording at 30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60/240fps, and features like gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video, and Dolby Vision.
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The selfie camera, a 32 MP (f/2.4) wide lens with PDAF, captures stunning self-portraits and supports a maximum of 4K video recording at 30 and 60fps featuring gyro-EIS.
ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device
Chinese telecommunication company ZTE’s subsidiary Nubia Technology is a smartphone manufacturing brand, headquartered in Shenzhen. At the closure of 2023, the Smartphone industry witnessed the unveiling of Nubia's latest marvel, the Z60 Ultra. Drawing attention from mobile enthusiasts, it presents qualities in design, screen, photography, performance, and more that have become a focal point of discussion. Released on December 29, 2023, the ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra proves itself to be an extraordinary device across the board. Now, let's embark on a thorough exploration of this standout device, known as the "Hexagonal Warrior."
Key Features and Specs of Nubia Z60 Ultra
Display
The Nubia Z60 Ultra flaunts an impressive design, measuring 164 mm by 76.4 mm by 8.8 mm and weighing 246g.
This device supports two SIM cards and boasts IP68 dust and water resistance. The back is crafted from a special glass that repels fingerprints, maintaining a clean and polished appearance.
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The rear camera setup, inspired by the universe, not only provides a visually unique layout but also improves grip during intense gaming sessions. The robust aerospace metal middle frame enhances durability, ensuring the phone can withstand accidental drops.
Departing from conventional camera placements, this phone features a flat wide-angle lens on top and a periscope telephoto lens below, challenging design norms for a distinctive look.
Drawing inspiration from Van Gogh's artistry, the Starry Sky edition showcases a mesmerising 3D-layered finish reminiscent of a captivating night sky. It has other colour options, which are black and silver.
While some may appreciate its mature and boxy aesthetic, it's essential to note its 8.78mm thickness and 246g weight, factors to consider for those who prefer lighter devices.
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Display
The Nubia Z60 Ultra presents a distinct design complemented by its standout 6.8-inch AMOLED True Full Screen. Boasting a resolution of 1116 by 2480 pixels with 400 PPI density and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, the bezel-free display provides a visually immersive experience.
Notably, the front-facing camera is cleverly concealed beneath the screen using the UDC Ultra technology, ensuring an uninterrupted surface. The pixels above the camera are a mere 2.8um in size, enhancing the overall display quality.
While not the brightest or most vibrant, the flat and flawless nature of the screen is impressive. This unique design choice, coupled with features like HDR10+, DC dimming, and 10-bit colour depth, adds to the overall appeal of the Nubia Z60 Ultra, creating a device that stands out in the crowd.
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Cameras
With three rear cameras and one hidden under the screen, the Nubia Z60 Ultra offers versatility. The 50 MP (f/1.6) main camera with a 35mm lens ensures sharp photos with a natural bokeh effect. The ultra-wide 50MP (f/1.8) camera, using an 18mm lens, captures a wider field of view, while the 64 MP (f/ 3.3) telephoto camera features an 85mm lens. It achieves 5x optical zoom and 20x hybrid zoom.
The front-facing under-display 12MP camera facilitates unobstructed selfies and video calls, complemented by AI beautification and HDR modes.
The phone's photography features include night mode, portrait mode, and a special Starry Sky mode for capturing the beauty of the night sky. The Z60 Ultra's unconventional approach to camera focal lengths caters to photography enthusiasts, offering a unique perspective in both design and functionality.
The rear sensors can shoot a maximum of 8K video footage at 30fps. Besides, it can capture 4K and 1080p videos at different capacities. The front sensor can capture only 1080p footage at 30fps.
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