The True Wireless Stereo (TWS) market has recently been flooded with countless options. As brands realize that TWS is going to be the future of headphones, more and more companies are introducing their iteration. Let’s look at the best TWS options available in Bangladesh currently under the Tk 1500 price range.  Things to Consider While Buying a TWS Earbud  Sound Quality  The first thing to consider before buying any headphones is the sound quality. There was a time when TWS earbuds weren’t quite on par with traditional wired and Bluetooth neckbands. However, over the years, that gap has become almost non-existent.  But for a smooth audio experience, it is important to check the frequency range. The wider the range is, the better the bass, mids, and treble. Larger drivers can also be a consideration as larger drivers produce better sounds.  Also look for audio codecs like SBC, AAC, LDAC, and aptX for superior audio output.  Read more: vivo iQoo Z9 Turbo Review: New Contender in Mid-Budget Range Battery Life  The TWS battery life can be broken down into two segments – the battery on the earbuds and the battery on the charging case. Usually for budget earbuds under 1500, you can expect to get around 4 to 8 hours on the earbuds and 20 to 30 hours with the charging case.  You can also consider earbuds with fast-charging support for easy top-ups.  Ergonomics and Fit  Another thing to consider is the ergonomics and fit. Ensure an irritation-free snug fit for the best audio quality. It’ll also help you in case of prolonged use.  Bluetooth Version  Go for TWS earbuds with newer Bluetooth versions (5.0 and above). They offer better range, connectivity, stability, and battery efficiency. Some even support multi-point connections for simultaneously pairing with two devices.  Read more: Benco V90 Plus Review: A Worthy New Contender in the Budget Smartphone Market Earbuds Control  Look for TWS earbuds with touch control. Some cheaper models may also come with physical buttons but that is also better than having no controls at all. Some new models are integrating voice assistants into the earbuds though that might be difficult to find in the sub-1500 category.  Noise Cancellation  ANC is the best way to go for proper noise canceling. But that’s something seen on earbuds priced at 5000 or more. So consider checking for the next best thing – the ENC. ENC allows for some form of isolation which will certainly make the audio experience better than having no NC at all.  Durability  Most TWS earbuds are pretty well built considering how small they are. But even then, consider checking the hinge joints and build materials. Another thing to consider is the IPX4 and IPX7 ratings for water and sweat resistance. Call Quality  This one mostly depends on whether you’ll be using the earbuds for calling or not. If you do, consider checking the microphone quality to ensure proper call clarity.  Read more: Tecno Camon 30 Review: Know the Pros and Cons

The Oppo Enco M33 neckband marked a significant shift from the previous two iterations in terms of both specs and designs. While the M32 was considered a downgrade from the M31, the M33 is slated to be a contender with the hugely popular OnePlus Bullets Z2 ANC. So how does it stack up against other budget-friendly neckbands in the market? Let’s find out the specs, pros, cons, and price of the Oppo Enco M33 in Bangladesh.  Key Features of Oppo Enco M33   Design and Build Quality  This year, Oppo has moved away from the traditional pill-shaped earpiece design of the M31 and M32. The design is almost a replica of the OnePlus Bullets Z2 ANC regarding ergonomics and physical functions.  Now given that both Oppo and OnePlus come from the same parent company, a rebranding of Bullets Z2 ANC at least in terms of design on the M33 doesn’t seem unlikely.  The neckband is made from a soft silicone material which is supposed to be skin friendly according to Oppo. The wire is considerably thicker this time suggesting better durability all around. The earpiece also adopted the Bullets Z2 design with a better ergonomic fit compared to the previous generation.  There’s an inline play pause and volume controller button on the right earpiece wire.  Read more: Xinji Cobee CA1 Review: Waterproof Smartwatch to Monitor Health and Fitness Technical Specifications  The Enco M33 comes with a 12.4 mm dynamic driver which is an upgrade over last year’s 10 mm driver on the M32. The Bluetooth connectivity has been upgraded to 5.2 resulting in a smoother and fast switch between devices. The connection stability has also increased with the headphones steadily holding its 10 m range. The rest of the features are more or less carried on from the M32.  The M33 comes with AAC and SBC codecs. The lack of LDAC or AptX codec is a bit disappointing considering many budget-friendly Android-oriented headphones come with the latter.  The usual sound range of 20 Hz to 20 KHz is maintained on the Enco M33 covering the entire human hearing spectrum. Oppo also included an omnidirectional MEMS microphone for better call clarity and sound recording.  In terms of ANC, users will be getting noise cancellation up to 45 dB. Oppo claims that their ANC can cancel up to 99.4% of all effective noise.  Read more: Portable AC Buyer’s Guide for 2024: Everything You Need to Know Oppo kept the magnetic switch from last year’s M22. The sensors on the earpiece can conveniently detect a magnetic connection to on/off or play/pause music.  The M33 also comes with IP55 water and sweat resistance. It makes the neckband perfect for runs and gym usage.  Sound Quality  The sound quality of the M33 can be best described as bass-heavy. The audio profile felt similar to the Bullets Z2 with punchy bass and high notes.  But the punchy bass is in no way overpowering. In addition to the bass, other frequencies were also distinctly presented. The mids on the Enco 33 were distinguishable with a clear focus on the vocals. The trebles also held up great. However, the top trebles might sound a bit unnatural in high volumes. Read more: Mist Fan Buyer Guide and Price Ranges in Bangladesh for 2024 The vocal clarity was great up to 80 to 90% volume. Anything more than that would bring slight noise and distortion. In short, the sound stage, stereo imaging, and separation were all on par for a budget-friendly neckband.  The ANC worked well combined with the punchy bass. The new ergonomic design ensures a better snug fit in the ear which enhances the overall ANC performance. The transparency mode did a great job of presenting the surrounding sound in a boosted manner.  The microphone also worked pretty well while calling. The sounds felt a bit muffled but it was able to clearly cut off surrounding noises. Users can download the HeyMelody app from the Play Store and App Store to customize the Enco M33. You can turn on/off the ANC, enable transparency mode, set ‘find my earbud” or choose from 4 preset EQs on the app. Read more: 7 Best Smartphones Being Released in May 2024 Battery and Charge Time  The battery on the Oppo Enco M33 can last up to 28 hours in one full charge. However, this number can be achieved with ANC disabled and volume at 50%. With ANC on, the neckband can last up to 20 hours. Oppo also claims that a 10-minute charge can provide up to 20 hours of music.  However, in day-to-day use, expect to get around 12 to 16 hours with ANC at around 80%. Volume.  Pros and Cons of Oppo Enco M33 Pros - Strong bass- Updated design - Skin-friendly silicone material - IP54 water and sweat resistance - 12.4 mm driver - Multi-point connection - Long battery life - Dedicated app for control  Cons  - No dedicated gaming mode - The call quality could’ve been better - Lacks higher audio codecs. Read more: WGP 10400mAh Mini UPS Review: Revamp of a Reliable Backup Device Price of Oppo Enco M33 in Bangladesh Oppo Enco M33 is available in the Bangladeshi market for around BDT 3500. However, the price may vary depending on the sellers. Verdict  The features of the OPPO Enco M33 are almost like the Bullets Z2 ANC. It offers the same design, drivers, sound profile, and battery as the Bullets. However, the M33 is available at a slightly cheaper price than the OnePlus counterpart.  If you’re not into heavy bass, then the M33 might not be the neckband for you as its sole focus is on thumping resonance. For a more toned-down, vocal-centric experience, consider checking out the Honor Choice AM 61. Read more: Haylou RS5 Review: A Budget-friendly Smartwatch with Health Monitoring Features

Chinese company Haylou is renowned for manufacturing budget-friendly smartwatches. Haylou released its latest smartwatch RS5, on 27 February 2024 in China. Though being a lookalike of its ancestor RS4, the RS5 sets the difference with its features. Let’s dive deep into the features of the Haylou RS5. Key Features and Specs of Haylou RS5 Smartwatch Design If you're familiar with the RS4, you'll find the Haylou RS5's design very similar. It features a rectangular case with a flat display on top and a crown on the side for navigating the operating system. Users will get over 150 fully customisable watch faces. Despite its price, the smartwatch doesn't have an all-plastic build. Haylou opted for an aircraft-grade metal frame, making it quite sturdy. However, the bottom panel is made of plastic. Within the frame, there are two speaker openings on the left side and a microphone hole on the right side, next to the crown. Read more: Honor Watch 4 Review: Is it worth buying? The crown on the RS5 is not as smooth as the one on the S8, requiring a bit more force to move. You can use the crown to enable the menu and scroll through options, but you still need to tap on the display to enter specific sections. On the rear panel, there's a circular bump housing the heart rate sensor area. Two magnetic pins for charging are located a bit above it. Surprisingly, the charging cable from the S8 is the same as the one for the RS5, but they're not interchangeable. The RS5 comes with soft silicone straps with a universal locking mechanism, making them easy to replace. Additionally, a green textile strap with Velcro is included in the package. It may offer a better fit for some, although it's a matter of personal preference. Read more: vivo V30 Lite Review: Know the Pros and Cons The smartwatch's IP68  waterproof rating makes it adaptable to different environments. So users won’t have to worry about drenching in the rain or diving in a pool.  Display The Haylou RS5 features a 2.01-inch AMOLED display with a resolution of 410×502 pixels, similar to that on the S8 and Solar Plus models. The display offers deep blacks and clean whites, but the resolution is uncertain because the text appeared crisper on the S8. Despite this, the display can reach very high brightness levels, ensuring visibility even in bright outdoor conditions, though this can impact battery life. Read more: WGP 10400mAh Mini UPS Review: Revamp of a Reliable Backup Device The Always on Display (AoD) feature, a new addition for Haylou, presents the time and date elegantly, with an option for an analogue look. It seems the display only activates necessary pixels, which helps conserve battery. Regarding the refresh rate, while 60Hz is standard for many devices, it's not common among entry-level smartwatches. Its inclusion is appreciated, but the hardware may struggle to keep up, leading to slightly less smooth navigation within the operating system. Performance, Hardware and Connectivity The Haylou RS5 smartwatch features 16MB of flash memory and 304kB of MCU (RAM). Details about the SoC are still unknown. Haylou has confirmed support for Bluetooth 5.2 in RS5. This means the smartwatch communicates with the smartphone, including Bluetooth calls, within a range of about 30 feet, accounting for typical home interference like walls. It's worth noting that the HAYLOU Watch S8 Smartwatch employs Bluetooth 5.3, although this doesn't alter bandwidth or coverage significantly. Read more: realme P1 5G Review: New Mid-Range Line-up The watch features a full set of health monitoring functionalities. Using the Haylou RS5 smartwatch, users can check their heart rate, breathing, blood oxygen, stress level, different sleeping stages, and REM stage. Female users will enjoy a few exclusive features for female health care.

Xinji has a reputation for producing smart wearable products. Xinji’s latest smartwatch Cobee CA1 is now available in Bangladesh. The smartwatch has a unique look and features. It can be a great tool to monitor your health. Let's look at its key features, pros, cons, and price. Key Specs of Xinji Cobee CA1 Design Xinji Cobee CA1 presents a 3D curved surface to add a sense of uniqueness to the overall design. The built-in watch faces are designed to adjust with the 3D curved surface. Together they make the watch surface look elegant. The 47 mm 41 mm 11.6mm body is made with durable titanium aluminum alloy. However, the back is made of durable plastic. The entire phone weighs only 34.7g.  On the right side of the watch, there is a crown wheel button. It can work as a button but doesn’t have the functionality to work as a wheel. A speaker and a microphone are placed on both sides of the back of the watch. The smartwatch comes in two color variants- Black and Green. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 3 Review: A New Contender in Performance-oriented Smartphones Display The Xinji Cobee CA1 has a 1.96-inch Super Retina AMOLED display with a 410 by 502 resolution. It shows high-quality graphics. The touch response and refresh rate feel right. Users can scroll through and use the UI without getting any lags. The brightness level is sufficient to comprehend everything clearly on the watch, even in broad daylight. Features Sports modes: Xinji claims to install more than 100 sports modes to help you train and prepare yourself for the big win. Comfort Strap: The Cobee CA1’s liquid silicon strap is meant to provide users with the expected comfort. The design of the belt complements the structure of the frame.  Read more: Motorola Moto G34 Review: A Budget-friendly 5G Phone with Powerful Processor Health Monitoring: The Cobee CA1 watch has high-performance body recognition sensors. These sensors enable comprehensive health monitoring, empowering you to track your well-being and fitness progress effectively. IP68 Waterproof Rating: The Cobee CA1 smartwatch has an IP68 waterproof rating, ensuring protection during swimming or rain. It's suitable for various situations and weather conditions. However, it's not recommended for diving, hot water showers, or saunas.

Apple has launched an updated version of its AirPods Pro featuring improved noise reduction capabilities, and touch controls for volume. Now Apple has launched AirPods Pro 2 to give an outstanding sound experience. It has been launched on September 23 in the USA and is now available globally. Let’s take a look at the key specs of Apple AirPods Pro 2 and its price tag. Key Features of Apple AirPods Second Generation Design If you place AirPods Pro and 2nd Generation AirPods Pro, you will barely see any differences. However, there are a few differences. The vents and microphones are slightly repositioned, while the bud-and-stem design has no change in it. Now, you get four ear tips inside the box: a smaller XS size is included, giving you more choices to discover the perfect fit and seal your ear. If you were having a tough time getting the AirPods to fit correctly, the additional ear tips could solve this problem. The lightweight design makes them comfortable to use, and you do not need to cram them into your ear holes. Read More: DT8 Ultra Review: Does it clone Apple Watch Ultra? The first Apple iPhone Pro was criticized for not having touch-sensitive volume controls on the earbuds, a pattern that is a common feature nowadays. Apple has decided to correct this shortcoming, as its current AirPods Pro 2 have a touch-capacitive on the stem from which users can swipe up to change volume and down to mute. However, You have to continue pinching the stems to pause and skip playback and take calls, while long press gives different noise-canceling modes. The more significant change is to the charging case: it now has a built-in speaker and a lanyard loop, which serves as a signal for unit power up, and low battery and to help you find it if you misplaced it. But the case itself is the same size and layout. It easily goes into a handbag, pocket, or palm of the hand. Read More: Apple iPad, iPad Pro 2022 Review: World’s most advanced tablets They can also be charged in other ways besides the regular charging ports: you can charge the AirPods Pro 2 wirelessly with an Apple Watch charger, a MagSafe charger, or a Qi-compatible charging mat. Also, you can use the Lightning to USB-C cable that comes in the box. Sound Quality The AirPods Pro 2 sound excellent and has been improved upon with more detail and greater dynamic than its predecessor. Apple has always impressed us with its exceptional clarity and versatility in its product, and AirPods Pro 2 is no different. Each earpiece is equipped with custom low-distortion, high excursion drivers, transducers and ultrafast HDR amplifiers, combined with the H2 chip's powerful audio algorithms, yielding a listening experience that’s better than the original Pro. Read More: Apple iPhone 14 vs iPhone 13: Which is the Better Deal? The AirPods Pro 2 are graceful and lively, songs come out smoothly, and they handle both upbeat songs and those that are more contemplative with ease. Other Features The Apple AirPods Pro 2 has impressive active noise cancelation, which is noticeable if you listen to it. Apple reportedly blocks out twice as much background noise on this new AirPods. The addition of a powerful new H2 chip along with the vents and mics’ ‘optimized’ repositioning makes it happen. The call quality is still decent. Your voice might sound a bit thin instead of fully rounded, but it’s still clear and audible. The other person’s voice will come through cleanly as well. Read More: Price Drop: Is it the right time to buy an iPhone 13? The new AirPods Pro 2 have much better battery life than the previous model! You can get six hours of use out of them on a single charge and up to 30 hours with the charging case. That’s a big improvement and puts them among the best in their class. That’s six hours more than the previous model (which only lasted for 24 hours total). Now Apple can compete with Sony’s WF-1000XM4 earbuds (which can last for eight hours in the buds and 24 hours in total). However, the new charging case’s battery drain is a bit faster than the previous model. But don’t worry; it charges up quickly too. So, If you’re ever running low on battery, just pop your earbuds into the case for a quick 5-minute charge, and you’ll be all set for another hour of listening. Read More: iPhone 14: Cheapest in which countries? Now, there’s a new dedicated AirPods section available in the iPhone’s settings menu. You can now easily access all your AirPods settings in one place. Here you can customize Siri voice control, Adaptive Transparency, Personalized Spatial Audio, and touch control settings for your convenience. Apple’s Spatial Audio is back and better than ever! This time, with dynamic head tracking, you can enjoy an immersive, 360-degree experience when listening to music or watching videos. However, Android users will not enjoy these new features. Apple used Bluetooth 5.3 technology for its AirPods Pro 2, which gives an easy connecting feature. Read More: Apple warns of security flaw for iPhones, iPads and Macs Price of Apple AirPods Pro 2  The AirPods Pro 2 is priced at $249.00 in the USA, which is equivalent to BDT 25,464 ($1 = BDT 102.27). However, the official price of Apple AirPods Pro Second Generation may vary in Bangladesh due to tax and other issues. Verdict It is surprising how much better the AirPods Pro 2 perform than its predecessor. No one thought Apple would be able to compete with Sony and Bose, but Apple definitely came through. The noise-canceling on these headphones is fantastically effective. They are also really comfortable to wear, and they sound great. You’ll have a great time using the Apple AirPods Pro Second Generation earphones! Read More: Apple’s iPhone 14 now being assembled in India

For the longest time, the watch served as not only an accurate timekeeper, but an extension of the wearer’s identity. Especially for men, watches were appreciated for its intricate movement (harnessing kinetic energy), bezel and lug make up, along with its ability to fit into various occasions. The smartwatch on the other hand is less diverse in its range of cosmetics, but it makes up for it with cutting edge software that is designed to meet the needs of the wearer at any given time. Tracking sleep, counting steps and measuring heart rate are just some of the utilities provided. But can smartwatches replace traditional watches? The Appeal Of Traditional Watches Design Range As mentioned, traditional watches are widely appreciated for the representation it has of the wearer. Designs are by the thousands and identifying the perfect combination of size, material, dial, movement, shape and brand can create something truly unique to the wearer. Certain designs like the Diver watches are a decent blend of formal and informal, while dress watches are clearly for the former. Rubber and nato straps typically gravitate towards casual settings, which allows consumers to have the luxury of starting a collection based on their needs, rather than getting a smartwatch which is made to be used everywhere. Read: COLMI P8 Pro Smartwatch Review: Health Fitness Tracker with calling option Class and Status Sometimes, watches serve as more of a flex than a personal timepiece. Getting a Rolex on the wrist can be equivalent to getting an expensive car in the fashion world, and many have gravitated towards this style of watch collection which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. When prestige and luxury are thrown into the mix, precious metals, crystals and movement start elevating the watch’s overall quality that can compete with the accuracy and image of smart watches. Like its appeal on the design front, the traditional watch is all about making a statement - with precise timekeeping still being important, but not at the forefront. Read Is the Playstation 5 Worth It? The Appeal Of Smart Watches Good For Almost Every Situation In terms of practicality, it’s hard to argue against a watch that gives you the time, along with a million other benefits to boot. Pedometers, sleep trackers, music, calls and alot of other applications are crammed into the little device and it’s hard to appreciate a traditional watch if you’re an incredibly practical person. Fitness aficionados, music lovers, avid planners and all sorts of categories of people will find a place for this watch in their lives. Samsung and IPhones occupy the majority of the mobile market and there are dedicated smartwatches for the respective brands; however if you do not own either mobile phones, Garmin and Fitbit have selections for you too. Also Read: 'Huawei Watch Fit' coming to Bangladesh Accuracy When Apple built their smartwatch line, they also created a Network Time Protocol (NTP). This operates through a server that is placed in different locations all over the world. This server emulates the time of Stratum 1 which sets the benchmark of accurate timekeeping digitally. Stratum 1 servers are directly linked to dependable sources of UTC time such as CDMA transmissions, GPS and WWV. Without the need to manually wind the watch ever, it’s easy to see why many consumers are gravitating towards the most accurate timepiece on the market, rather than an outdated mechanical tool that is slowly becoming a thing of the past. Read Books VS Kindle: Which Is Better For You? Defining A Watch While smartwatches are mentioned in the same breath as traditional watches in the market, it is arguable that both could be interpreted as two different pieces of equipment altogether. Both certainly meet the definition of being timekeepers, with even the likes of Samsung’s watch using a bezel just like any other watch. Straps and lugs are other staple watch components, however, the two main aspects that are in a traditional watch that are not in smartwatches are dials and movement. Some may argue that the heart of the watch is in its movement and dials that can come with subdials, moonphase, cyclops and other features are truly defining characteristics that set watches apart from each other. Read How to buy men’s watches: A beginner’s guide In the same debate, some have also argued that smartwatches are more of a wrist-mounted smart device rather than an actual watch. With apps that are parallel to the mobile phone and a reliance on bluetooth (as well as other technology), it’s easy to draw these similarities away from traditional watches. It emulates the appearance of a watch, but its function completely differs from its traditional counterpart. Which segways us to the most important question. Which Watch Is Right For You? The smart watch is an affordable (relatively) option for the contemporary consumer that addresses almost every practical need out there. Despite its array of straps, “dial” interface and colour options, smartwatches are gated behind its specific dimensions to house the delicate hardware inside to ensure protection and efficiency. Because of this, it is barred from the customizability that traditional watches have. If you’re indifferent about craftsmanship, identity and status symbols, the smartwatch is the perfect pick for you. Read FPS On Mobile: Is It Worth It? Traditional watches on the other hand may not always hit the mark when compared to the smartwatch in timekeeping, but its place as an accessory with function allows it to be a niche of its own. Composed of intricate movements, a variety of designs and even extra functions;(depending on the category), there will always be a timepiece that perfectly resembles your personality and artistic taste for any occasion. In conclusion, the essence of a traditional watch has never only been about timekeeping and there is no direct answer as to whether a smartwatch can truly replace everything a traditional timepiece represents. If you want accuracy and practicality, go smartwatch. If you like flare, style and meaning, the traditional watch will still be relevant for years to come. Read Effects of Video Game: Benefits, and risks of too much gaming