Walton is recognized for offering budget-friendly smartphones that offer plentiful features and performance. Their devices have gained popularity for their economical pricing, elegant designs, and functionality, catering to a diverse consumer base seeking dependable and stylish smartphones at an affordable price point. Walton has recently launched the NexG N8. Let’s take a look at the specs and price of this device. Key Features of Walton NexG N8 Design The Walton NEXG N8, a stylish smartphone, boasts a slender build with dimensions of 168.5 x 76.6 x 8.3 mm and a weight of 195g (including the battery). Its sleek glass front adds an element of sophistication. It is available in Arctic Blue and Cosmic Aurora colors.  The device has the usual design, with the power button and volume rocker conveniently positioned on the phone's side. The tactile power button and volume rocker enhance the user experience, providing quick and effortless control.  Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? Display The Walton NEXG N8 features a generous 6.8-inch (17.27cm) punch-hole FHD+ IPS display, measured diagonally from one corner to the opposite corner. This expansive screen size enhances productivity and multitasking, providing ample space for various applications and activities. The display boasts a crisp resolution of 1080x2460 pixels and a modern 20:9 aspect ratio, ensuring vibrant colors, sharp text, and commendable image quality. Utilizing IPS INCELL Technology with 2.5D Glass, the display of the NexG N8 ensures standard color reproduction and offers a capacitive touch screen. Its 90-Hz refresh rate contributes to smoother scrolling and improved responsiveness. Camera The Walton NEXG N8 is equipped with an impressive camera setup, featuring a powerful 50MP + 2MP + 2MP AI Triple Cameras on the rear. This setup comes with a wide range of features, including autofocus with PDAF, LED flash, etc.  The main 50MP shooter comes with an F/1.8 aperture and a large 1/2.76" sensor size, enabling excellent photo quality. Various camera features, such as face detection, digital zoom (4.0x), HDR, and AI scene recognition, enhance the photography experience.  Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability The camera offers versatile shooting modes like photo, portrait, video, PRO mode, panorama, time lapse, slow motion, and more. Video recording reaches 1080P Full HD quality.  Its 13MP front shooter with an F/2.0 aperture supports features like face detection, HDR, and AI portrait recognition. 

vivo phones are famous for their flagship-level designs and features offered at reasonable price ranges. The Chinese tech giant vivo’s X series represents a top-of-the-line smartphone experience. vivo launched its flagship X100 series on November 21, 2023, in China. Let’s check out what it offers.  Key Specifications of vivo X100   Design and Build Quality  The design of the vivo X100 is somewhat reminiscent of the X90. There is a curved front panel, a slim profile, a frosted finish, and a large camera housing at the back. Except in X100, the camera housing has been moved to the center. The device dimension comes in at 164.05 mm by 75.19 mm by 8.49 mm or 8.74 mm (Sunset Orange variant) with either 202 or 206 g weight. The standard variant has a brushed finish, which complements the large circular triple camera housing. The surrounding aluminum ring also adds to the design dimensions. Ports and buttons are carried over from the X90, with the power button, volume rocker, and SIM slot all retained in their usual places. The device also has IP68 water and dust resistance.  The Display  The display on the X100 is an LTPO AMOLED panel with 1B colors and a 120Hz refresh rate with 3000 nits of peak brightness. The 6.78-inch display has a 1260 by 2800 pixel resolution with a 453 ppi density. The display also has an 89.9% screen-to-body ratio, thanks to the slim bezel and curved screen. Other features include 8000000:1 contrast and 105% NTSC. The display performance is great. The Camera  There is a triple camera sensor on the X100, with the main camera being a 50 MP, f/1.6 wide-angle shooter with PDAF, laser AF, and OIS. The secondary sensors are a 64 MP, f/2.6, 70mm telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 50 MP, f/2.0, 15mm ultrawide shooter. The cameras on the X100 use Zeiss Optics T* lens coating and custom LUT imports. The specialization of the images is their natural renditions with true tone colors. Images taken with the main sensor had sharp details and contrast in them. The same held true for the adjoining sensors as well, with great performance during daylight. Image quality remained more or less the same in artificial lights as well, with a slight sharpness loss.  There’s also a 32 MP (f/2.0) front camera on the X100, which can take some great selfies. The videography on the X100 is rated at 4K and 1080p. It supports Cinematic Mode too.  Processor and Performance  The processor on the X100 is the new MediaTek Dimensity 9300 based on the 4 Nm architecture. The graphic section is enriched with an Immortalis-G720 MC12 GPU.  The performance of the X100 is every bit like a flagship. Casual usage was a breeze considering the processor blazed past every task thrown at it. Dimensity 9300 also brings significant improvements to the gaming aspect, with 3D games running at maximum settings without any frame drops or jitters. The X100 is running OriginOS 4 for the Chinese region and Funtouch 14 based on Android 14 for the international regions. The UI still has that characteristic bloatware, which might negate the experience a bit. But other than that, the experience has been fast, smooth, and snappy.  Battery and Charge Time  The battery capacity is either 4880 mAh or 5000 mAh. The X100 supports up to 120W Ultra-Fast flash charging. It can go from 1 to 50% in 11 minutes. This device allows reverse wiring, which is a user-friendly feature.  Pros and Cons of vivo X100  Pros:  - Great display - Good camera system - Improved flagship processor - Updated design - Ultra-fast charging  Cons:  - Bloatware in the OS  Price of the vivo X100  The vivo X100 comes in 12/256 GB, 16/256 GB/ 16/512 GB, 16 GB/1 TB, and 16 GB LPDDR5T RAM/ TB options. The prices are 3999, 4299, 4599, 4999, and 5099 RMB, respectively. It roughly translates to 62,019 BDT, 66,671 BDT, 71,324 BDT, 77,527 BDT, and 79,078 BDT, respectively. Here the conversion rate is 1 RMB equivalent to BDT 15.51 approx. However, the official price of the vivo X100 may vary in Bangladesh due to tax and other issues. Verdict  The vivo X100 can be categorized as a flagship killer given its performance compared to its price. The smartphone inherits many features from the X90 and alleviates certain aspects to make it an even more compelling and complete device. For anyone looking for a flagship experience at a relatively lower price, the vivo X100 can be a good choice. Read more: Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing in December 2023

Throughout the year, the smartphone industry has offered hundreds of devices, ranging from basic to flagship, featuring user-friendly, innovative, and cutting-edge technologies. And the momentum continues in the last month of 2023. Let’s take a look at the most hyped smartphones releasing in December. 8 Most Anticipated Smartphones in Bangladesh in December 2023 OnePlus 12 The upcoming OnePlus 12, set to release in the first week of December, boasts impressive specifications that promise a high-performance mobile experience.  Running on the latest Android version 14, the device is powered by a robust Octa-core processor, featuring a combination of a 3.3 GHz Single Core, a 3.2 GHz Penta Core, and a 2.3 GHz Dual core, all supported by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset.  Read more: itel A70 Review: A standard entry-level phone With a substantial 8 GB RAM, users can expect smooth multitasking and efficient operation. The phone sports a spacious 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display with a remarkable 510 PPI density and a 120 Hz refresh rate, ensuring vibrant visuals and smooth interactions.  The camera setup is equally impressive, featuring a 50 MP + 48 MP + 64 MP Triple Primary Cameras along with a 32 MP Front Camera for stunning photos.  Keeping the device powered throughout the day is a 5400 mAh battery with fast charging capabilities through the USB Type-C port. Overall, the OnePlus 12 promises a powerful and feature-packed smartphone experience. Read more: DNCC Smart Parking App: How to Utilise Smart Parking Samsung Galaxy A25 Anticipated for an announcement in November 2023 with an expected release in December, the rumored smartphone showcases a sleek design with a glass front, plastic frame, and plastic back. Offering flexibility, it accommodates either a single Nano-SIM or a dual Nano-SIM setup.  The device features a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring vibrant visuals. Running on Android 14 with One UI 6, it is powered by the Exynos 1280 chipset and an octa-core CPU. Storage options include 128GB with 6GB RAM or 256GB with 8GB RAM, expandable via microSDXC.  The triple main camera setup comprises 50 MP wide, 8 MP ultrawide, and 2 MP macro lenses, while the selfie camera is a 13 MP wide lens. Boasting a 5000 mAh battery with 25W wired charging, the phone is equipped with essential features like a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and various sensors for enhanced functionality. Available in Black, Blue, and Yellow, it combines style with performance. Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? Xiaomi Poco X6 Neo The Poco X6 Neo, a forthcoming addition to Xiaomi's lineup, is a feature-packed smartphone with rumored specifications that are generating significant anticipation. Expected to be officially released in December 2023, the device boasts a 6.67-inch OLED display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, and a high refresh rate of 120 Hz. Under the hood, it is powered by the Mediatek MT6833P Dimensity 6080 Octa-core processor and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU, complemented by a substantial 12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage. The phone runs on Android 13 with MIUI 14. In the camera department, the rear setup features a 64 MP wide lens paired with a 2 MP depth sensor, while the front camera is a 16 MP wide lens. The Poco X6 Neo is equipped with various sensors including a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and supports Dual SIM functionality with IP54 dust and splash resistance.  The non-removable 5000 mAh battery with 33W wired charging ensures lasting power for this sleek and capable device. Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability Lava Agni 2S Lava is set to launch the Agni 2S smartphone, following the success of its predecessor, the Lava Agni 2 5G. Expected to debut early in December, the Agni 2S is rumored to retain similar specifications as the Agni 2 5G, with the possibility of featuring a new chipset.  The Agni 2 5G impressed in the 20K to 25K segment with its MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, ARM Mali-G68 GPU, 8GB RAM, and 256GB storage. The Agni 2 5G boasted a 6.78-inch FHD+ Curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and a quad-camera setup including a 50 MP main camera.  Running on stock Android 13, Lava promises updates till Android 15, and the device supports 13 5G bands. With a 4,700 mAh battery and 66W fast charging, the Agni 2 5G set a high standard, and expectations are high for its successor, the Agni 2S. Read more: Honor X6a Review: A minimalist budget-friendly phone with standard features realme GT5 Pro realme has officially announced the arrival of the realme GT5 Pro on December 7, showcasing its emphasis on top-notch performance and photography. The smartphone is set to feature the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC and the Sony IMX890 sensor for its telephoto lens, promising a powerful combination for stellar imaging. realme has expressed confidence in the IMX890 sensor, touting it as a game-changer that will establish a new standard for telephoto imaging quality.  The company has collaborated with ArcSoft to enhance the device's photography capabilities, incorporating semantic perception, image quality enhancement, and computational lighting. The realme GT5 Pro's debut signifies a strategic move toward cutting-edge technology in the smartphone market. Infinix Smart 8 HD Infinix is set to launch the Smart 8 HD on December 8, following the recent unveiling of the Smart 8 in November. The Smart 8 HD will be available in Crystal Green, Shiny Gold, Timber Black, and Galaxy White color options, showcasing a distinctive squircle-shaped camera island on the back housing two cameras and a circular flash. Infinix emphasizes a design shift with flat frames and placement of the power button and volume rocker on the right, while the left side accommodates the SIM card slot.  Read more: Infinix Smart 8 Review: Affordable Excellence in Entry-Level Smartphones Although specific details about the Smart 8 HD's specifications are yet to be disclosed, Infinix has confirmed a 6.6" HD+ Sunlight Readable punch-hole display with a 90 Hz screen refresh rate and 500 nits peak brightness.  Notably, the smartphone will feature a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a USB-C port, and utilize UFS 2.2 storage, promising several upgrades compared to its predecessor. With two weeks until launch, additional features are expected to be revealed by Infinix. realme V50s Weighing 187.7 grams, Realme V50s features dual Nano-SIM support and lacks specific dimensions. The device sports a 6.72-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels, providing a sharp pixel density of 392 ppi.  Running on Android 13 with realme UI 4.0, the device is powered by the Mediatek MT6835V/ZA Dimensity 6100+ chipset, comprising an octa-core CPU (2x2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55) and Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. Its storage options include 128GB with 4GB or 6GB RAM, as well as a 256GB variant with 8GB RAM, expandable via microSDXC.  Read more: Honor X5 Plus Review: A decent budget-friendly phone The dual main camera setup consists of a 13 MP wide lens and a 2 MP depth sensor, while the selfie camera is an 8MP wide lens. The phone boasts a side-mounted fingerprint sensor, a 5000 mAh non-removable battery, and comes in Black and Blue color options. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2, GPS, and USB Type-C 2.0, catering to essential user needs. Oppo Reno11 Series The Oppo Reno11 series is set to be official, promising SLR-grade portraits and showcasing four color options: Fluorite Blue, Moonstone, Turquoise, and Obsidian Black.  The Reno11 Pro, as per recent leaks, features a curved OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC, LPDDR5x RAM, and UFS 3.1 storage. It houses a robust 4,700 mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging support.  Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones Camera-wise, it boasts a triple setup with a 50 MP Sony LYT-700 main sensor with OIS, an 8 MP ultrawide, and a 32 MP IMX709 sensor 2x telephoto camera. Additional features include dual speakers, an X-axis vibration motor, a plastic frame, and a weight of 190g.  The standard Reno11 is expected to offer a similar design with a lower resolution screen, powered by the Dimensity 8200 chipset, a 4,800 mAh battery with 67W fast wired charging, and a lighter build at 184g. Closing Lines In December 2023, the smartphone sector is set for an exciting lineup. The OnePlus 12 leads with its Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and impressive display, while Samsung's Galaxy A25 offers sleek design and robust camera features. The Poco X6 Neo, Realme GT5 Pro, and Infinix Smart 8 HD bring cutting-edge tech like high-refresh-rate displays and powerful processors. Lava's Agni 2S follows its predecessor's success, and Realme's V50s offers a balanced feature set. The Oppo Reno11 series, especially the Reno11 Pro, stands out with its curved OLED display and top-tier specs.  Overall, December promises a diverse range of smartphones, catering to various preferences and setting the stage for a competitive market. Read more: itel S23+ Review: Budget-friendly phone with AI-assistant

itel shares the same parent company with Infinix and Tecno. In a sense, the brand trio is known for offering standard entry-level to mid-range smartphones. itel particularly specializes in the budget-friendly segment with its range of smartphones. Recently, the itel A70 was announced on 30th October 2023 for a global release. Let’s check out how it stacks against the competitors.  Key Specifications of itel A70   Design and Build Quality Itel A70 has a plastic frame and back with a front LCD panel. The front and the back of the device aren’t flush with each other which is a unique design choice on its own. The exact dimension and weight of the device couldn’t be confirmed but the thickness comes in at 8.6 mm. The frosted finish on the back and the iPhone-like camera housing give the A70 a premium look.  The headphone jack and other features come as standard on the A70. Overall the design isn't anything new, but rather a repacked version of a common entry-level smartphone design.  Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023? The Display  The display on the A70 is an LCD  with 720 x 1612 pixels resolution and 267 ppi density. The water drop notch and the chin bezel are again something that’s very common in budget smartphones. The 6.6-inch panel has 500 nits of peak brightness and 60 Hz refresh rate. It performs well for an HD+ LCD panel with good contrast and viewing angles.  The Camera  There is a dual camera setup on the itel A70. Even though the back camera is arranged like that of the iPhone, one of the three cutouts is actually for the LED flash. The main camera is a 13 MP sensor with HDR and AI enhancement. The secondary sensor is a 0.08 MP auxiliary sensor.  Pictures taken on the A70 during the daylight are decent. Dynamic range was on the average side but there were good details on the subject. However, the image quality dropped significantly in low light as there was noticeable noise and grains in the pictures.  There is also a generic 8MP front sensor that produces good photos with AI enhancements. The videography on the A70 is rated to be 1080P at 30 fps.  Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability Processor and Performance  The processor on the itel A70 is Unisoc T603. The octa-core processor is an entry-level chip that is designed for basic use. The processor handles day-to-day tasks like browsing the web, social media, or watching YouTube videos pretty well. The processor isn’t really made for gaming as there were a lot of heating and frame drops on 3D games. Considering the low processing power, itel has opted for the Android 13 Go edition for the A70. It is a lightweight OS with basic Android features.  Overall the performance of the itel A70 is satisfactory if the price is taken into account. Battery and Charge Time  The battery on the itel A70 is 5000 mAh. There is an included 10W wired charger with the device. Expect to get an all-day battery out of the A70 on a full charge with moderate use.  Pros and Cons of itel A70  Pros:  - Stylish design - Dynamic bar - AI features on the camera - Good battery life. Read more: Honor X6a Review: A minimalist budget-friendly phone with standard features Cons:  - Basic Android experience - Below-par processing power  Price of the itel A70  Itel A70 is available in the 4/128 GB variant in India. The price of the A70 is 7,490 INR or 9,899 BDT (1 INR = 1.32 BDT). However, the official price is expected to differ once the device becomes officially available in Bangladesh.  Verdict  For a sub-10,000 BDT device, the itel A70 gets a lot of the things right. There are obvious cut corners in the form of processing power. But that is well compensated with a good display and camera.  It's hard to expect anything more from a budget-friendly device. For what it's worth, the A70 can be a great starter android for casual users.  Read more: Infinix Smart 8 Review: Affordable Excellence in Entry-Level Smartphones

The youth-focused smartphone brand realme got popularity for their affordable devices. The brand is now entering the mid-range phone market. In this wave, the realme GT5 was launched on September 4, 2023, in China. This smartphone is grabbing attention for its eye-catching design and impressive core performance. Let’s take a look into the features and functionalities that define the realme GT 5, exploring its strengths and any potential areas for improvement. Key Features and Specifications of realme GT5 Design The realme GT5 exhibits a streamlined design, measuring 163.1 x 75.4 x 8.9 mm and weighing 205 g. The silver mirror color scheme and contemporary back design contribute to its overall aesthetic appeal. Constructed with a glass front, aluminum frame, and glass back, the device emanates a premium quality.  Featuring dual SIM capability (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), it incorporates practicality into its design. The integration of the camera module with the back panel is seamless, enhancing the device's visual appeal. The middle frame, coated with metal, ensures a tactile and visually pleasing experience, enhancing the comfort of holding the realme GT5. This smartphone distinguishes itself through a sophisticated and considerately designed appearance, suitable for both hand-held use and display. The seamless transition between the camera and back panel, coupled with a 1.5K T7+ screen dimming scheme, enhances both aesthetics and functionality.  Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones Display The realme GT5 is equipped with a 6.74-inch AMOLED display, featuring a resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels and a 20:9 ratio (~451 ppi density). The screen supports a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR10+, reaching a peak brightness of 1400 nits.  The minimized bezel design eliminates the plastic bracket, creating a flat display with slightly curved edges outside the display area. The Tianma-manufactured display utilizes diamond pixels for clarity. Notably, the brightness measurement in Bright HDR Video Mode reaches 905 nits, aided by the Pixelworks X7 chip enabling frame interpolation for smooth video playback up to 120FPS.  The user can choose between 1.5K and 1080p screen resolutions, with a customizable refresh rate for each application. The touch sampling rate, measured at 120 Hz, demonstrates responsiveness, complemented by an in-screen fingerprint sensor providing highly accurate authentication, despite the device being limited to Widevine L3. Performance and Software Running on Android 13 with realme UI 4.0, the realme GT5 is powered by the Qualcomm SM8550-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor (4 nm). Its octa-core CPU configuration includes a Cortex-X3 core at 3.2 GHz, two Cortex-A715 cores at 2.8 GHz, two Cortex-A710 cores at 2.8 GHz, and three Cortex-A510 cores at 2.0 GHz. The Adreno 740 GPU contributes to smooth graphics performance.  Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection The device is available in configurations of 256GB with 12GB RAM and 512GB with 16GB RAM, catering to diverse storage needs.  With its robust processor, the realme GT5 delivers reliable performance. This device excels in handling high-configuration games, delivering a lag-free gaming experience. Camera The realme GT5 is equipped with a versatile triple-camera setup on its main camera module. The primary lens boasts 50 MP with an f/1.9 aperture, providing a wide 24mm perspective. It features 1.0µm pixel size, PDAF, and OIS for enhanced focus and stabilization.  Accompanying this is an 8 MP ultrawide lens with an f/2.2 aperture, offering a 112˚ field of view. Additionally, a 2 MP macro lens with an f/2.4 aperture is included for close-up shots. The camera system is complemented by features such as Dual-LED dual-tone flash, HDR, and panorama mode. The video capabilities include recording at 4K@30/60fps and 1080p@30/60fps with gyro-EIS.  Read more: Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G: What does it offer? On the front, the selfie camera is a single 16 MP lens with an f/2.5 aperture, providing a wide 25mm perspective. It features HDR and panorama modes, with video recording capabilities at 1080p@30fps with gyro-EIS. The realme GT5's camera system offers a range of functionalities suitable for diverse photography and videography needs. Battery and Charging The realme GT5 is powered by a non-removable Li-Po battery with a capacity of 5240 mAh. Notably, it supports rapid charging with an impressive 150W wired charging capability, utilizing Power Delivery (PD). The advertised feature claims a swift 1-50% charge in just 7 minutes, providing efficient and quick replenishment of the device's battery. Pros and Cons of realme GT5 Pros -Comfortable grip for a smooth user experience-An attractive array of shades-Ultra-fast charging-Stunning customizable LED indicators-Configurable up to 24GB RAM, 1TB storage Cons -Plastic frame-Compromised camera performance-Aggressive background app management-No wireless charging. Read more: Xiaomi 14 Pro Review: What’s special about it? Price of realme GT5 The phone is priced at CNY 2999 or BDT 46,102 for the 12GB+256GB（150W）version. The conversion rate here is 1 CNY equivalent to 15.37 BDT. However, the price of realme GT 5 may vary in Bangladesh. Verdict The realme GT5 is great for gaming. It charges super fast, making it perfect for heavy use.  The camera section may disappoint many realme fans. Some contemporary flagships or even mid-rangers like Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro are offering better camera configuration at a much lower price range. Wireless charging could make this package a better deal.  However, those looking for a speedy charging device with overall reliable performance can consider this phone. Read more: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Review: Flagship Phone with Slim Foldable Design

The journey of Honor as a smartphone brand started with their entry into the budget-friendly and mid-range smartphone market. Honor launched the X6a on 28th July 2023 in India. The Honor X6a comes as an update over last year’s Honor X6. Let’s have a detailed look into it.  Key Specifications of Honor X6a  Design and Build Quality  The design of the Honor X6a is quite minimal. The device has a plastic frame and back with a glass front. The sensors protrude from the back panel. The frosted finish on the Cyan Lake variant refracts light which gives the smartphone its unique look. Those looking for an even more minimal option, the Midnight Black can be an option with a matte black finish.  Dimension-wise, the X6a comes in at 163.32 x 75.07 x 8.35 mm with 188 g of weight. The smartphone comes with standard ports and button choices including a headphone jack and a dedicated micro SDXC slot. The power button on the X6a doubles as the fingerprint scanner. The front of the device has a water-drop notch display with a sizable chin at the bottom. Being an ultra-budget smartphone, the large chin isn’t entirely unfounded.  Overall the flat style design with frosted finish adds a new dimension to the X6a.  Read more: itel S23+ Review: Budget-friendly phone with AI-assistant The Display  The display on the Honor X6a is a 6.56-inch TFT LCD panel with HD+ resolution. The panel has a 720 x 1612 pixel layout with 260 ppi. However, the most distinctive feature of the display is the 90 Hz refresh rate. It’s great to see even ultra-budget smartphones are offering faster refresh rate displays.  The panel also supports up to 16.7 M colors. It has a slightly different aspect ratio at 20.15:9. It can be due to the large chin at the bottom which brings the screen-to-body ratio to around 83%. The multi-touch gesture support can accommodate up to 10 touch points at the same time.  Speaking of usability, the display looked great for a budget smartphone. The default color was a bit on the warm side but that can be easily calibrated from the settings. For anyone coming from a 60 Hz panel, the faster refresh rate would be easily noticeable.  Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones The Camera  There is a triple camera setup on the X6a even though there are 4 distinct sensor housings on the back. One of the sensor spaces actually houses the flashlight which helps to bring that square symmetrical look at the back. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 wide-angle sensor with PDAF. The complementing camera modules are a 2 MP f/2.4 macro and a 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor. In effect, the X6a is carried mostly by the main camera as the macro and depth sensors aren’t very useful in any way.  Being a budget smartphone, the camera on the X6a was quite impressive. The main camera was able to capture some great shots in daylight conditions. One of the key issues with budget-friendly smartphone cameras is the loss of dynamic range. However, the X6a did a good enough job of preserving it throughout every shot. The portrait shots also came out pretty well. There were slight edge detection issues at times which will hopefully be solved with a software update. Read more: Honor X5 Plus Review: A decent budget-friendly phone

The Honor X series has been the brand’s entry-level and mid-range line of smartphones. The X series has always brought a compelling price-performance balance that has aided in its huge popularity. Honor launched X5 Plus in Bangladesh on 16th August 2023. Apart from the large screen, the Honor X5 Plus brings some exciting features. Let’s check them out.  Key Specifications of Honor X5 Plus  Design and Build Quality  The X5 Plus is sort of a semi-update to the X5 released earlier this year. As a result, the X5 Plus carries a lot of the design elements forward with several internal updates. There are subtle changes in the design on the X5 Plus with the back having a frosted glass hue. However, the back is still plastic which just looks like glass. The camera housing now has a refractive glossy finish which stands out in direct light. As for colors, users will be getting a choice of Cyan Lake or Midnight Black. Dimension-wise the devices come in at around 163.32 mm by 75.07 mm by 8.35 mm with 188g of effective weight. The lightweight design and the rounded edges give an impressive hand feel to the device. The device has all the ports and buttons in their usual place. Except for the sim slot which is placed at the top of the device. Apart from the two stand-by nano sims, there is a dedicated micro SDXC slot as well. It’s a useful addition considering the internal storage is only 64 GB.  Read more: Xiaomi 14 Pro Review: What’s special about it? The power button on the right also doubles as the fingerprint scanner on the X5 Plus. There is also the usual bottom-firing speaker, Type C port, and the ever-disappearing 3.5 mm headphone jack at the bottom of the device. Being an entry-level smartphone, there is a noticeable chin at the bottom of the smartphone. Other than that, the X5 Plus is a well-built solid device that will withstand heavy and rough usage.  The Display  The display on the X5 Plus is a 6.56-inch TFT LCD panel with HD+ configuration. The resolution stands at 720 by 1612 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 269 ppi density. The slightly larger display on the X5 Plus allows for the screen-to-body ratio to be bumped up to 84.3%.  As mentioned before, the front chin stands out as an eyesore in 2023. But given the ultra-budget positioning of the X5 Plus, it only makes sense that Honor had to cut corners.  Read more: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Review: Flagship Phone with Slim Foldable Design However, it's not all gloomy with the display. Even as a TFT panel, the screen showed good contrast and balance. The blacks weren’t completely washed out and there wasn’t also any noticeable blue tint. What’s even better is that users will be getting a 90 Hz refresh rate on the X5 Plus.  It’s not a great display by any means. But for its price, it doesn’t get any better than this.  The Camera  There is a dual camera module on the X5 Plus. The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 wide-angle shooter with PDAF. There is no OIS and EIS for stabilization. Pictures during the daytime came out pretty well. There were good details in the images with post-processing color pop. The boosted colors rendered a better result as the color reproduction was almost always on point. However, the camera failed to replicate the same in shades or under artificial lights. The dynamic range was also average with passable details.  Read more: vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced? The story continues the same in low light conditions as well. There were noticeable noises in the pictures and most shots came out softer than one would like. The shutter speed on the night mode is pretty slow. But if one can keep a steady hand, the images would come out far better than they usually do.  There is an additional 2 MP f/2.4 depth sensor. It aids a bit in the portrait shot but nothing other than that.  The front-facing 5 MP shooter can be considered generic at best.  Videography is rated at 1080P at 30 fps.  But without any form of stabilization, the results aren’t really passable per se.  Read more: Top 10 Smartphones Coming to Bangladesh in November 2023

The Doogee V31GT, crafted by the Chinese company Doogee, is a rugged phone released in China on September 23, 2023. Despite its initial appearance as a typical budget-friendly rugged phone, the V31GT stands out in the smartphone market with distinctive features. Representing a noteworthy advancement in Doogee's V series, it combines durability with unique functionalities, making it a compelling option in the evolving landscape of rugged smartphones. Key Features and Specification of the Doogee V31GT Design The Doogee V31 GT phone stands out with its robust build, resembling a tool with dimensions of 178.5 mm by 83.1 mm by 17.9 mm and a weight of 390g. Its Hybrid Dual SIM setup and IP68/IP69K dust/water resistance make it durable, surviving drops with a drop-to-concrete resistance of up to 1.8m.  The device sports dual speakers for practical stereo sound. On the back, a distinctive circular camera module houses a thermal camera, LED flash, main optical camera, and night vision camera, all protected by a robust rim. The handset, encased in black-coated metal with protective rubber, includes a fingerprint-sensing power button, textured volume buttons, a custom button, and a TF/SIM card slot.  Unlocking options include a fingerprint ID and 2D face ID. While lacking an always-on display, a small red/green LED signals a full charge effectively. Overall, it's a rugged, functional device with a unique design. Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection Display The Doogee V31 GT features a sizable 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, providing users with an expansive and engaging visual platform. Covering about 70.5% of the front, the screen strikes a balance between size and usability.  Measured diagonally, the display's 6.58-inch height contributes to a visual experience without sacrificing practicality. Sporting a resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels and a 20:9 aspect ratio, the display ensures clarity and detail, boasting a pixel density of around 400 ppi.  The use of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 adds durability, protecting against scratches. The multi-touch capable screen enhances user interactions on the Doogee V31 GT, making it a versatile tool for various tasks. Whether enjoying multimedia content or navigating the device, the display's size, resolution, and responsiveness contribute to a user-friendly and immersive experience. Cameras The Doogee V31 GT boasts a robust quad-camera setup on its rear, headlined by a 50 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture for detailed and bright photos. Accompanying this is a 24 MP (f/1.8) night vision lens with two infrared lights for low-light scenarios, an 8 MP (f/1.8) wide lens, and a unique 256 by 192 pixels thermal camera. This thermal camera adds a distinct capability to capture temperature variations in the environment.  Read more: Honor X8a Review: Is it a value for money smartphone? The array supports features like LED flash, HDR, and panorama, catering to various photography needs. On the video front, it can shoot in 4K at 30fps and 1080p at 30fps.  The front-facing selfie camera is a 32 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture, delivering detailed self-portraits, and it supports 1080p video recording at 30fps.  The Doogee V31 GT's camera system is designed to offer versatility, covering a range of photographic scenarios with its varied lenses and capabilities. Hardware and Performance The DOOGEE V31 GT boasts a powerful MediaTek Dimensity 1080 processor, featuring an octa-core solution clocked at 2.6 GHz. This includes 6 Cortex-A55 cores running at 2.0 GHz and 2 Cortex-A78 cores at 2.6 GHz. Complementing the processor is a Mali-G68 MC4 GPU.  Read more: Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G: What does it offer?

Samsung entered the foldable smartphone market back in 2019 with their Galaxy Fold. Since then, the brand has introduced a new foldable each year with incremental updates. This year, users will get the Z Fold5 with several new developments over last year’s fold. Samsung launched the Z Fold5 on 11th August in India. Let’s check out what’s changed from the Z Fold4 and how it stacks up against the competitors.  Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5   Design and Build Quality  The design of the Fold from its first generation to the current iteration has stayed fairly similar. The changes from the Fold4 to the Fold5 are so minute that it’s difficult to tell them apart unless looked at closely. The only visible design change on the Fold5 is the shift in the flashlight position.  However, the biggest change in the Fold5 is in the hinge mechanism. It is now made from armored aluminum with a dual rail structure. The new hinge mechanism allows the device to fold flat, unlike the wedge-shaped gap that was seen up until the last generation.  The unfolded dimension of the device is 154.9 mm by 129.9 mm by 6.1 mm while the folded dimension comes in at 154.9 mm by 67.1 mm by 13.4 mm. The relatively compact form factor makes for 235 g of effective weight on the Fold5. The aluminum frame and the plastic inner screen are the same as before with the outer screen and back getting the updated Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro Plus Review: Know the Pros and Cons Additionally, the device is IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 min). There is also stylus support like the last generation.  Overall, the design and build quality has seen a little update over the last generation. It’s the same refined Samsung design with some minor tweaks here and there.  The Display  The display on the Galaxy Z Fold5 is also similar to that of last year’s Fold4. The inner screen is Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X with 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ support. The 7.6-inch inner screen has an 1812 x 2176 pixels (QXGA+) resolution which accommodates 373 ppi. The near-symmetrical display also has an impressive 91.1% screen-to-body ratio. The inner display is brighter this time around on the Fold5. In a test, the manual brightness slider could go up to 800 nits, and in auto mode, it could go up to 1100 nits.  The outer display is what Samsung is calling their  Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. It comes with a 120Hz refresh rate. The 6.2-inch display is tall and narrow with a 23.1:9 ratio at 904 x 2316 pixels. The HBM on the outer screen can also go up to 1150 nits. Read more: Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G: What does it offer? While the quality of the panel is impeccable as ever, Samsung couldn’t find a way around the crease. It is one of those drawbacks that foldable enthusiasts will have to put up with for the time being.  The Camera  There is a triple camera setup on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5. The camera system is almost identical to last year’s Fold4 with most of the changes happening at the processing end.  The main camera is a 50 MP f/1.8 sensor. It's a 23mm wide angle lens with standard OIS and PDAF. The secondary cameras are a 10 MP, f/2.4 telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 12 MP f/2.2 123 ̊ ultrawide sensor.  The main camera can take some amazing shots in daylight. Pictures had good details and contrast to them along with decent dynamic range. The images come out in 12 MP in the auto mode through pixel binning technology. Portrait shots came out pretty well through the main lens with great subject details and realistic background blur. The ultrawide and the telephoto lenses also did their part pretty well.  Read more: vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced? The image quality stayed consistent in artificial and low-light conditions as well. The variable shutter speed of the main lens assisted in taking well-exposed images with good details and colors in low light. The videography on the Fold5 is absolutely stacked with 8K@30fps, 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps (gyro-EIS), 720p@960fps (gyro-EIS) with all having HDR10+ support. 

Ever since its inception in 2013, Honor maintained a track record of producing affordable, value-for-money smartphones that disrupted the entry-level to mid-range smartphone market. While it was initially a subsidiary of Huawei, Honor is now owned by a state-owned enterprise under the control of the Shenzhen municipal government. Earlier this year, Honor released the X8a on 11th February 2023 in the global market. Let’s find out the key specs, pros, cons and price of Honor X8a.  Key Features of Honor X8a   Design and Build Quality  There isn’t much going on with the design of the Honor X8a given that it's a budget-friendly smartphone. Users will be getting a plastic device with a glass front. The frame and the back of the device have a matte finish which gives it a stealthy look. The rounded square camera housing and the punch-hole display with a minimal bottom bezel render an overall minimal look to the device.  Dimension-wise, the device comes in at 162.9 mm by 74.5 mm by 7.48 mm with 179 g weight. The relatively compact form factor coupled with the plastic build helps to keep the weight under 200 g.  Read more: Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G: What does it offer? There is also a small Honor branding on the back bottom of the device. The narrow chin at the bottom allows for an 89.6% screen-to-body ratio.  The fingerprint scanner and the power button are positioned in their usual place. The power button also doubles as the fingerprint scanner on the X8a. This device doesn’t have a micro SDXC slot. It also lacks the 3.5 mm headphone jack.  Overall, the design and the build quality of the X8a are nothing out of the ordinary.  The Display  The display on the Honor X8a is a 6.7-inch LTPS LCD panel with a 90 Hz refresh rate. LCDs have their limitations and the X8a isn’t free from them. The panel can capture 16.7 million colors.  Read more: Xiaomi 14 Pro Review: What’s special about it? The unusual 19.9:9 aspect ratio has 2388 by 1080 pixels with 391 ppi density. The content on the display looks relatively sharp with standard color balance. Its outdoor visibility feature lacks dedicated HBM.  The Camera  The main selling point of the Honor X8a is its 100 MP main camera with f/1.9 aperture. To be fair, the 100 MP resolution brings increased sharpness and overall great contrast to the images. The subject in focus had great details with the right amount of background separation. However, it somewhat lacked in terms of dynamic range. It asserts the fact that only megapixel count isn’t enough, the quality of the sensor also matters. Regardless, the pictures taken with the main camera in daylight came out pretty well.  The sensor struggled a bit in low light conditions There were noticeable exposure issues here and there at times. The main camera is accompanied by a 5 MP f/2.2 ultrawide shooter and a 2 MP f/2.4 macro shooter. The ultrawide sensor can take some decent shots during the daytime but its performance significantly drops in low-light conditions. Videography on the Honor X8a is limited to 1080p at 30 fps. This is mostly due to the low processing power of the device.  Read more: Xiaomi Mix Fold 3 Review: Flagship Phone with Slim Foldable Design There is a 16 MP f/2.5 selfie camera on board the Honor X8a. This generic selfie shooter is good enough for casual selfies.