United News of Bangladesh

The V series has been the premium flagship line of the reputed smartphone manufacturing brand vivo for several years. The brand also introduced the V Lite lineup to provide a flagship-like experience to mid-range users. vivo recently launched the V30 Lite, the successor to last year's hugely popular V29 Lite on 6th May 2024 in Bangladesh. Let’s take a look at the features, pros, cons, and price of the vivo V30 Lite. Key Specifications of the vivo V30 Lite   Design and Build Quality  There are several new design features with the new V30 Lite. The core design elements remain the same bearing a rectangular camera housing, vertical sensors, and a punch-hole display.  The back panel is made from AG Fluorite glass with injection screening to provide a feather-like pattern. The back panel has thermal sensitivity where it changes color in contact with sunlight.  The dimension of the device comes in at 163.17 mm by 75.81 mm by 7.79 mm (Crystal Black) and 163.17 mm by 75.81 mm by 7.95 mm (Breeze Green) for the two variants. The weight corresponds to 186g (Crystal Black) and 196g (Breeze Green) respectively.  It’s a slightly smaller footprint compared to the vivo V29 Lite making it a bit more compact.  Read more: WGP 10400mAh Mini UPS Review: Revamp of a Reliable Backup Device Ports and buttons are all in their usual positions. Like the ancestor V29 Lite, there is no headphone jack on V30 Lite. The V30 Lite is also IP54 dust and splash-resistant making it more durable.  The Display  The display on the vivo V30 Lite is a 6.67-inch AMOLED panel with a dynamic 120 Hz refresh rate and 1 B colors. Users will enjoy up to 1800 nits of peak brightness in a space of 88.3% screen-to-body ratio.  The resolution of its display comes in at 2400 by 1080 pixels with 394 ppi density. Additional features like 107% color saturation, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, and E4 light-emitting materials make this display a touch above the rest.  Read more: realme P1 5G Review: New Mid-Range Line-up considering overall quality, the V30 Lite takes the edge over the V29 Lite. Even among its competitors, the V30 Lite provides better results than the Samsung Galaxy A55 or Oppo Reno 11 F. The only device to edge over the V30 Lite at this price is the Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro.  The Camera  There’s a dual camera setup on the vivo V30 Lite. The main sensor is a 50 MP f/1.8 with PDAF and the secondary sensor is a 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. The front features a generic 8 MP f/2.0 sensor.  From the spec alone, the V30 Lite falls short of its competitors as most devices at this price range come with a triple camera setup. The V29 Lite also had a triple camera setup with the main sensor being a 64 MP one.  Read more: Portable AC Buyer’s Guide for 2024: Everything You Need to Know But speaking of the actual performance, the V30 Lite produces on-par results. Pictures came out sharp with great contrast and neutral color in daylight. There was no forced color reproduction which the A55 or the Redmi Note 13 Pro suffers from. The quality was also similar in low light with better exposition in the dedicated night mode.  The depth sensor helps in taking great portrait shots. Users can tweak the bokeh effect after taking a shot which might be handy in different situations. The front camera also produced passable results with good details and dynamic range.  The videography on the vivo V30 Lite is limited to 1080P at 30 fps. It produced decent results using the included EIS feature.  Read more: Xinji Cobee CA1 Review: Waterproof Smartwatch to Monitor Health and Fitness Processor and Performance  The processor on the V30 Lite is the Snapdragon 685 based on a 6 Nm architecture. It is a point of contention given that all the competitors including the previous gen V29 Lite have a better processor.  The processor features an octa-core architecture with 4 × 2.8 GHz and 4 × 1.9 GHz locked clock speed. The Antutu score of the CPU comes in at 346350 and the Geekbench score is 473 (single-core) and 1510 (multi-score).  In terms of performance, the V30 Lite is a daily task smartphone at best. Gaming isn’t its forte as titles like PUBG and Genshin Impact were barely playable in moderate settings. There’s also the thermal issue with prolonged gaming.  Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Turbo 3 Review: A New Contender in Performance-oriented Smartphones Considering the price, the performance of the vivo V30 Lite isn’t all that great. Alternatives like Galaxy A55 (Exynos 1480), Redmi Note 13 Pro (7s Gen 2), and Reno 11 F (Dimensity 7050) all bring better performance in a similar price range.  Software  The V30 Lite is running Funtouch OS 14 based on Android 14. It has its fair share of bloatware but the overall user experience was moderate with fast navigation and app switching.  Battery and Charge Time  The battery on the vivo V30 Lite is 5000 mAh. The device comes with 80W FlashCharge which can take the device from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes. With moderate and casual use, expect to get around 6 to 7 hours of screen time from the device.  Read more: 7 Best Smartphones Being Released in May 2024 Pros and Cons of vivo V30 Lite  Pros  - AMOLED panel with 120 Hz refresh rate - 80W FlashCharge support - Decent main camera - IP54 dust and splash resistant - Color changing back - AG Fluorite protection - Comes with Android 14.   Cons  - Average Performance - Plastic frame design - No Gorilla glass protection on display- No reverse or wireless charging capacity- No optical zoom camera - No 4K video footage recordings support- No Gyro-EIS support- No MicroSD card slot- No audio jack- No 5G support - Outdated USB Type-C charging port. Read more: Meizu 21 Review: A Detailed Look at the Latest Flagship Killer Official Price of vivo V30 Lite in Bangladesh  The V30 Lite is available in the 8/256 GB variant in Bangladesh. The price of the V30 Lite is 32,999 BDT.  However, the price is subject to change.  Verdict  The V30 Lite can be best termed as a mixed-bag smartphone. It brings an interesting design with gimmicky features, great display, and great battery life. But at the same time, it grossly falls short in the performance department. If you’re looking for a more capable device in terms of performance and camera capabilities then the A55 and Redmi Note 13 Pro can be a better choice. Other than that, the vivo V30 Lite can be good for those looking for a stylish smartphone for casual use.  Read more: Motorola Moto G34 Review: A Budget-friendly 5G Phone with Powerful Processor

February has been relatively slow in terms of smartphone releases. Several Chinese smartphones made their international debut in February. But it was mostly limited to budget and mid-range options. March however, promises some highly anticipated global flagship releases in addition to the usual budget and mid-rangers. Let’s check out the best upcoming smartphones in March 2024. Most Hyped Smartphones Coming This March Tecno Camon 30 Premier Tecno is gearing up to launch their flagship of the year – the Camon 30 Premier sometime mid-March. The device was officially announced on 27th February with several surprising specs.  Camon 30 Premier boasts a stunning 1264 by 2780 pixels LTPO AMOLED panel with 120 Hz refresh rate. The near uniform front bezel accounts for about 89.9% screen-to-body ratio with a 451 ppi.  Camon 30 Premier will be powered by the latest MediaTek Dimensity 8200 Ultimate with a single 12/512 GB configuration.  However, the exciting change is in the camera department. Tecno has gone with an all 50 MP sensor setup (PolarAce Imaging System). Three of them on the back and one on the front. The back camera consists of a wide-angle main shooter, a periscope telephoto, and an ultrawide sensor.  In addition to the 5000 mAh battery, the device will support up to 70W wired fast charging.  Read more: Balmuda Phone Review: Is This Compact Smartphone Worth Buying? Asus Zenfone 11 Ultra Asus’s Zenfone 11 Ultra has been officially slated for launch on 14th March 2024. From what is known so far, the 11 Ultra is going to be a close rival to their highly successful ROG series.  The 11 Ultra features a 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel with 1080 by 2400 pixels at 388 ppi and an 88.2% screen-to-body ratio. There’s also a 144 Hz refresh rate and HDR10 for seamless content consumption.  The device will be powered by the latest Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 with storage options of 12/256 GB and 16/512 GB.  On the camera front, users will be getting a 50 MP main, 32 MP telephoto, and a 13 MP ultrawide sensor. The front will feature a 32 MP shooter.  As for the battery, the 5500 mAh capacity can be topped up with 65W wired, 15W wireless, and 10W reverse wired charging.  Read more: Infinix Hot 40 Pro Review: Budget-friendly Phone with Premium Features

Gaming smartphones often come with a hefty price tag due to their high-performance processors and advanced cooling systems. However, some brands are offering budget-friendly phones designed for gaming. In this wave, ZTE brings a gaming-centric device Nubia NEO 5G at an affordable price point. Let’s take a look at the key specs of this device. Features and Specs of ZTE Nubia Neo Design The ZTE Nubia Neo is turning heads with its sleek design and lightweight build. Coming in at 163.7 mm by 75 mm by 8 mm dimension and weighing just 192 grams, it's easy to tote around. One of its standout features is its nearly borderless display. It gives users a screen-to-body ratio of about 85.5%. This means users get more screen space on its display. As for durability, while the exact materials used aren't explicitly mentioned by the company, the Nubia Neo feels sturdy and well-built. Its back panel and frame give off a premium vibe, with a nice finish to top it off. Read more: ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device The Nubia Neo scores points with its ergonomic design. The buttons are placed conveniently for easy access, and unlocking feels smooth with the side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Plus, it's comfortable to hold, even for one-handed use. Display The ZTE Nubia Neo packs a 6.6-inch IPS LCD screen, which boasts vibrant colors and smooth visuals with 1080 by 2408 pixel resolution. Thanks to its 120Hz refresh rate it promises an immersive viewing experience. The phone gives a crisp picture with about 400 pixels per inch. That means sharp, detailed visuals for viewing pleasure, all wrapped up in a sleek 20:9 aspect ratio. With minimal bezels, users are getting almost all screens. And with a super smooth 120Hz refresh rate, scrolling and animations are buttery-smooth. When it comes to colors, the Nubia Neo's LCD tech brings accurate and vibrant hues to the table, ensuring your content pops just right. Plus, you can comfortably view it from different angles thanks to good viewing angles. Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability For those sunny days, there might be an anti-glare coating to help you see your screen better outdoors, along with the auto-brightness adjustment to keep things just right no matter where the users are. Camera The ZTE Nubia Neo has a fancy dual-camera system on its back. One lens packs a whopping 50 megapixels with a wide f/1.8 aperture, while the other is a 2-megapixel (f/2.4) depth sensor. Together, they make for some seriously detailed and clear shots. With that hefty megapixel count, it features high-resolution pics. And thanks to the wider aperture that supports better light intake, meaning the low-light photos will look sharper along with cool blurry background effects in portrait mode. The camera isn't just about stills, though. It supports features like HDR and panorama mode, giving your shots more pop and letting you capture wider angles. Plus, there's image stabilization to help smooth out any shaky-handed shots or videos. Read more: DOOGEE V31GT 5G Rugged Phone Review: Sturdy mid-range gaming device Speaking of videos, the front and rear cameras of Nubia Neo can shoot 1080p footage at 30fps. And don't worry about those videos getting too shaky—there's video stabilization onboard to keep things nice and steady, even if there's some movement. And there is a front camera which is an 8-megapixel (f/2.0) shooter, perfect for snapping selfies or hopping on video calls.

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.  Read more: Honor X6a Review: A minimalist budget-friendly phone with standard features 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.   Read more: Lava Benco V90 Review: New Low Budget Smartphone in Bangladesh The videography on the Blade A54 is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. But without any external stabilization, videos came out choppy and shaky. 

realme has established itself as a brand renowned for blending innovation with affordability in the smartphone industry. With the debut of the realme 12 Pro Plus on January 29, 2024, a new chapter unfolds, challenging the notion that top-tier features are exclusively reserved for high-priced models. Let’s explore the extensive features of the realme 12 Pro Plus, emphasizing its premium qualities without compromising on its accessible price point. Key Features and Specs of realme 12 Pro+  Design The realme 12 Pro Plus stands out with its sleek design and premium features. Measuring 161.5 mm by 74 mm by 8.8 mm (6.36 x 2.91 x 0.35 in), it strikes a balance between compactness and usability. The phone's vegan leather back, complemented by a round camera module, exudes sophistication.  Its golden fluted bezel and accents, inspired by luxury watches, lend it a touch of elegance. Designed in collaboration with renowned French watchmaker Ollivier Savéo, known for his craftsmanship with prestigious Swiss brands, the phone reflects a blend of artistry and technology. With a convenient layout featuring volume and power buttons on the right side, and essential ports and speakers neatly arranged at the bottom, usability is seamless. Additionally, the scratch-resistant rear and screen protector offer peace of mind, ensuring the phone remains pristine with daily use.  Read more: iQOO Neo 9 Review: A Flagship Grade Mid-Range Smartphone Display The realme 12 Pro Plus boasts a stunning 6.7-inch OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, providing smooth and fluid visuals. With a resolution of 2412 by 1080 pixels (FHD+), the screen delivers crisp and clear images. It offers around 394 PPI density It covers 100% of the P3 color gamut, ensuring vibrant and accurate colors. With a global maximum brightness of 800 nits and a local peak brightness of 950 nits, the display remains visible even in bright sunlight. Additionally, it features a 0.55mm secondary tempered high-strength glass for added durability and protection. The display holds TÜV Rheinland Strobe-free and Low Blue Light Certifications, reducing eye strain during prolonged use. Supporting HDR10+, it offers enhanced contrast and dynamic range for an immersive viewing experience. With a 240Hz touch sampling rate, the screen responds swiftly to touches and gestures, enhancing usability.  Read more: Xiaomi 13T Pro Review: The flagship killer is back Camera The realme 12 Pro Plus features an impressive camera setup tailored to meet diverse photography needs.  Anchoring the rear setup is a 50MP (f/1.8) IMX890 sensor with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and 2X in-sensor zoom, delivering sharp and stable shots. Complementing this is a 64MP (f/2.8) periscope lens for long-range captures and an 8MP (f/2.2) ultra-wide lens for expansive scenes.  The front camera, equipped with a 32MP (f/2.4) sensor, ensures detailed and crisp selfies. Notably, the camera captures colors accurately with minimal correction, offering natural-looking tones. The portrait mode, with 3x zoom and adjustable aperture, enables users to achieve desired background blur levels. Additionally, the Pro mode allows for manual adjustments of ISO, shutter speed, and more, catering to advanced users. The device also offers a 120x zoom option, albeit with limitations at extreme levels.  Read more: HONOR 70 5G Review: Is it worth high midrange price For video recording, users can shoot in 4K at 30fps with the rear camera and 1080p at 30fps with the front camera, ensuring high-quality video content creation.

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.  Read more: Honor 90 Lite Review: Performance within Budget 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.  Read more: Infinix Note 30 5G Review: Know the Pros and Cons 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

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.  Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera 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.  Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?

iQOO saved up a big surprise till the very end of 2023. The Vivo subsidiary launched the much-hyped iQOO Neo 9 on 27th December in China. The smartphone is scheduled for a mid-February launch globally. For the time being, the smartphone has garnered a lot of attention and buzz among the users. So what’s the hype all about? Let’s find out.  Key Specifications of the vivo iQOO Neo 9   Design and Build Quality  The iQOO Neo series is known for its drastic design jumps in each iteration. The Neo 9 is also no different. There’s virtually no similarity between the Neo 8 and Neo 9 except for the fact that both of them have a plastic build.  The Neo 9 has a flat front and back with two large separate housings for the two camera sensors. The dimension of the smartphone comes in at 163.5 by 75.7 by 8 mm or 8.3 mm. The 8.3 mm version has a faux leather finish in bright red and contrasting white. It's probably the best looking one among a choice between black and blue. The faux leather variant weighs at 196 g whereas the standard model comes in at 190 g. The ports and buttons are carried on from the Neo 8 with the SIM slot taking its place beside the Type C port. There’s also an IR blaster along with the secondary noise cancellation mic at the top. Other than that, the minimal front bezel and even weight distribution make for a premium mid-range smartphone.  Read more: realme GT5 Pro Review: High-performance or Hype? The Display  The display on the Neo 9 is a 6.78 inches LTPO AMOLED panel with standard features like 1B colors, 144 Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and 1400 nits of HBM. What’s interesting here is the inclusion of an LTPO panel. Even many high-end smartphones these days don’t come with this feature. Needless to say, it’ll definitely help conserve a lot of battery on the 1260 by 2800 pixels and 453 ppi density. The display also has the new PWM dimming feature. It essentially dims out the blacks entirely by varying the electric pulse on the individual LEDs. The result is striking low brightness in dark environments and true black contrast.  The bezel on the center punch-hole display is very minimal with the lower chin protruding ever so slightly. The slim trim helps to keep the screen-to-body ratio at 89.7%. The bottom line, it's an amazing display that seriously punches above its price.  Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G Review: What’s New? The Camera  There’s a dual-lens camera on the Neo 9 with the main camera being a 50 MP f/1.9 wide angle and 1/1.49" aperture sensor. The secondary shooter is 8 MP, f/2.2 with a 119-degree field of view. Both the main and the secondary camera uses IMX sensors from Sony for improved camera performance. 

In a bold move into the high-end market, realme introduces the GT5 Pro as a "dual-engine flagship," emphasising both impeccable performance and exceptional imaging capabilities. Launched on 16th December 2023, this smartphone aims to redefine realme's reputation in mid-range segments. From its robust design to impressive hardware, GT5 Pro marks realme's foray into the premium smartphone arena. This review explores every facet of the GT5 Pro. Key Features and Specifications of realme GT5 Pro Design The realme GT5 Pro comes with a curved screen. The screen minimises borders (1.36mm on the sides, 1.94mm at the bottom). Weighing 218 to 224g, this device’s dimensions are 161.7mm by 7.51mm by 9.2mm. The phone's quality is evident in its materials, featuring a super hard aluminium middle frame with 43% higher yield strength than standard titanium alloys.  The camera module features a champagne gold aluminium alloy ring. Its USB Type-C port supports fast charging. Notably, it lacks a headphone jack, embracing wireless audio trends. Read more: iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers The dual-SIM tray supports nano-SIM cards, but there's no microSD card support. An infrared port enables the phone to function as a remote control. With an IP64 rating, the GT5 Pro resists dust and water splashes, enhancing durability for outdoor use. This device is available in several colour variants, such as, Black, White, and Orange. White and Orange options feature nano-leather, while the Black variant uses AG glass for a classic look. Display The realme GT5 Pro boasts a 6.78-inch screen that strikes a balance between ample viewing space and handheld comfort, catering to various activities like browsing, gaming, and multimedia consumption.  The screen utilises BOE's S1 flexible screen technology, with a resolution of 2780 by 1264 pixels (1.5K), ensuring sharp and detailed visuals without excessive battery drain. Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera In terms of colour accuracy, the GT5 Pro delivers quite natural colours, particularly noticeable in high-resolution photos or videos. The display's peak brightness is about 450 nits and ensures visibility in bright outdoor conditions. The manual maximum brightness is 1000 nits, with a global maximum of 1600 nits, beneficial for HDR content and detailing in various lighting conditions. The 144Hz high refresh rate enhances user experience, especially in fast-paced gaming, with adaptive adjustment from 0.5Hz to 144Hz using 8T LTPO technology, optimising performance and power consumption. For eye comfort, the GT5 Pro features 2160Hz high-frequency PWM dimming at low brightness, minimising screen flicker and eye strain. At higher brightness, it switches to DC dimming, reducing the risk of eye discomfort. The low SVM (Screen Flicker Metric) value of

For the last several years, iQOO has enriched the smartphone market with its affordable premium smartphones. Being a subsidiary of BBK Electronics, iQOO is slowly taking over the mantle of flagship killer status. The company recently launched the iQOO Neo 8 on 23rd May 2023. This mid-range smartphone brings specs that would rival the recent flagship smartphones. Let’s dig into it more.  Key Specifications of the iQOO Neo 8   Design and Build Quality  iQOO devices have a unique design statement with their characteristic rectangular camera housing and contrasting finish on the back (leather variant).  The Neo 8 is no different as well. Users will be getting a plastic frame, glass back and front. The build feels durable and sturdy even with the plastic frame.  The dimensions of the Neo 8 come in at 164.7 mm by 77 mm by 8.5 mm with 192 g weight. The front of the device has a noticeable chin at the bottom. But that is about it when it comes to drawbacks. Ports and buttons are similar to that of the Neo 7 which means there aren’t any 3.5 mm headphone jack on the Neo 8.  Read more: iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers The Display  The display on the Neo 8 is easily its strongest suit. The 6.78 inch AMOLED display has 1B colors, 144Hz, HDR10, and 1300 nits of peak brightness. The QHD+ resolution display has 1260 by 2800 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 453 ppi density. There is a slight chin at the bottom and around the side of the display. It accounts for about 87.5% screen-to-body ratio.  The specifications on paper are strongly reflected in real life. The panel looks stunning with great contrast and color balance. The HBM allows for easy readability under direct sunlight. It's not the brightest per se, but it's the best at its price point.  The Camera  There is a dual camera setup on the iQOO Neo 8. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.9 wide-angle shooter with PDAF and OIS. The secondary sensor is a 2 MP one with an f/2.4 depth sensor. It's essentially a single shooter phone considering the depth sensor doesn’t do anything other than assisting in the portrait shots.  The pictures from the main camera came out sharp and detailed. iQOO has significantly improved its post-processing capacity. Pictures taken during the daylight came out well exposed with good details. The colors had a slight warm tone to them which made the images pop. However, it wasn’t overpowering in any way and the pictures came out looking natural. The dynamic range was also well-preserved in most shots.  Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera The low-light performance was also on par with the daylight ones. The exposure and color balance were on point even under strong artificial lights. The night mode became significantly better to accommodate extreme low-light shots.  The videography on the iQOO Neo 8 is rated at 8K, 4K, and 1080P at 30fps, 30/60 fps, and 30/60 fps respectively. The gyro-EIS and OIS greatly improve video stabilization.  There’s also a generic 16 MP (f/2.5) front-facing camera that can take decent selfies. The selfie sensor can capture video at 1080P at 30fps. Processor and Performance  The processor on the iQOO Neo 8 is Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 based on the 4 Nm architecture. This is the same flagship processor from 2 years ago seen on the then-premium smartphones. It's great to see that iQOO is recycling the same flagship-grade processor at a mid-range price point.  Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G Review: What’s New? The octa-core processor has a 1x3.0 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3x2.5 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4x1.80 GHz Cortex-A510 chip design with Adreno 730 GPU. Considering the performance capability of the 8+ Gen 1, it doesn’t feel like a mid-range smartphone. Games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 ran on the highest graphics settings without any hiccups. The device also did a great job of dissipating the heat. We didn’t notice any thermal throttling during the test.  However, the performance is slightly spoiled by the OS experience. The global variant comes with Funtouch 13 and the Chinese variant comes with OriginOS 3. Either way, the bloatware feels heavy from a stock Android perspective. The 144 Hz refresh rate is a saving grace in an otherwise bloatware-filled OS.  Battery and Charge Time  iQOO Neo 8 comes with 120W proprietary FlashCharge which can be used to charge up the 5000 mAh battery. The brick can charge up the device from 0 to 50% in about 9 minutes. On average, expect an entire day’s usage out of the device with a full charge.  Pros and Cons of the iQOO Neo 8  Pros:  - Excellent display - Ultra-fast charging support - Powerful processor - Stylish design - Good camera system. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features Cons:  - No water resistance rating - Lack of wireless and reverse charging facility. Price of iQOO Neo 8  iQOO Neo 8 is currently available in 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 16/512 GB variants. The prices of the variants are 2,499, 2,799, and 3,099 CNY respectively. The price roughly translates to 38,817, 43,477 and 48,137 BDT respectively. However, the actual price would differ since it is not officially available in Bangladesh yet.  Verdict  The iQOO Neo 8 takes the design and material values from the Neo 7 and brushes up rough edges. The Neo 8 brings incremental updates to the display, processor, and camera. The Neo 7 was already a great value option considering its price. The Neo 8 takes the bar even higher.  It’s downside would be the OS support which still has a long way to go. Besides, the provision of wireless and reverse charging facilities could make it a better deal. Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? So who is the iQOO Neo 8 for? It’s best suited for people wanting a flagship experience at a mid-range price.