Gadget
OPPO A58 Review: Is this budget-friendly phone good for photos?
OPPO has been a market leader in the budget and mid-range segment for a long time. Whether it’s the innovative design of the camera or even the price-performance match, OPPO has always brought something that made it stand out from the rest. The brand recently launched the OPPO A58 in Bangladesh in September 2023. With a stylish design and powerful AI camera, the smartphone has much to attract budget buyers. Let’s have a detailed look.
Key Specifications of OPPO A58
Design and Build Quality
Being a budget smartphone, the choice of a glass front and an all-around plastic body was expected. Yet OPPO brought their flare with a frosted finish on the back and the dual tone strip carried on vertically below from the camera sensor.
The stripe has “INNOVATIVE AI CAMERA” written on it with tiny fonts. OPPO left no stones to get their branding right. The front features a center punch-hole display with a thick bottom chin. Being a budget device, it’s evident that OPPO cut corners in display symmetry.
The device has a physical footprint of 165.65 mm by 75.98 mm by 7.99 mm with 192 gm weight. Being a plastic-built smartphone, it's on the lighter end and doesn’t add much heft while using it on one hand.
Read more: OPPO A78 Review: Is it a balanced mid-range phone?
Coming back to the physical features, the smartphone supports dual SIM, and micro SDXC. It even has stereo speakers on board. The power button on the A58 doubles as the fingerprint scanner. There’s a USB Type C port on the bottom from yesterday with the 2.0 configuration. The 3.5 mm headphone jack also remains on the A58 which will be a useful feature for many. And as for the colorways, users will get a choice between Glowing Black and Dazzling Green.
The Display
The display on the OPPO A58 is a 6.72-inch LTPS LCD panel with FHD+ resolution at 2400 by 1080 pixels. It brings the display pixel density to 391 ppi and the screen-to-body ratio to 91.40%. Even though the ratio is high, there is a noticeable chin at the bottom of the device. Being an LCD panel, the device may feel a bit washed out or the blacks might not feel as dark as that of the AMOLED ones. But this is also one of the tradeoffs with a budget smartphone.
The panel itself is 8-bit which captures up to 16.7 million colors. There are two color modes on the display – vivid and gentle. The vivid mode provides up to 100% DCI-P3 and the gentle mode provides 100% sRGB output. The touch sampling rate goes up to 180 Hz which is good news for gamers.
Read more: Honor Pad 8 Review: A budget-friendly capable Tablet
Outdoor visibility won’t be a major issue with the A58 as the typical brightness goes up to 550 nits. Under direct sunlight, the panel can push up to 680 nits of brightness. Overall, the display performance of the A58 is satisfactory. For a budget smartphone, it's hard to beat this setup unless there’s AMOLED.
The Camera
There is a 50MP main sensor with f/1.8 and 75.5° field of view. The main camera is complemented by a 2MP depth sensor with f/2.4 aperture. The depth sensor is mostly here for marketing purposes to sell the A58 as a dual-camera phone. Almost all of the camera performance is exclusively limited to the main sensor.
In the test, the camera performs pretty well. There wasn’t any direct feature related to AI on the stock camera app. Shots under direct sunlight look natural with a cooler tone. Due to the cooler tone, the greens and the blues tend to pop a bit more than the reds. The dynamic range on the main camera was also pretty good as it maintains a good ratio of shadow and exposure. The portrait mode has also had an improvement. The edge detection in each shot was spot on every time.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra Review: A Gamer's Delight
There’s also an 8 MP generic front shooter on the A58.
The videography of the A58 is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. The camera is capable enough to push up to 4K but the limited processing power is why budget smartphones still come at 1080P max.
OPPO A78 Review: Is it a balanced mid-range phone?
In the ever-evolving landscape of smartphones, OPPO has consistently carved a niche for itself by offering devices that strike a balance between impressive features and affordability. The OPPO A78 was officially released in Bangladesh in September 2023. In this comprehensive review, this article will dive into every aspect of the OPPO A78, from its design and display to its performance and camera capabilities
Key Features of OPPO A78
Design
The OPPO A78 5G boasts a decent design but lacks the substantial feel of mid-range and high-end Android counterparts. It weighs in at a mere 180g, significantly lighter than its counterparts like the Pixel 7 Pro at 212g. This lightweight 160.01 mm by 73.23 mm by 7.93 mm build makes it comfortable to hold but may raise concerns about durability.
At the top, there's a small teardrop notch, and while the bezels around the sides and the chin at the bottom are noticeable upon unboxing, they tend to fade into the background during use.
Read more: September 2023 New Smartphone Release: Top 10 Most Anticipated Phones in Bangladesh
The display is labeled as 'toughened glass' by Oppo, but it falls short of the sturdiness of Gorilla Glass found in pricier devices. It does come with an IPX4 rating, offering protection against splashes but not immersion in water.
A fingerprint scanner is positioned under the power button on the right side, which is responsive but less convenient for left-handed users compared to the under-screen scanners found in higher-end products. Alternatively, users can opt for the quick and efficient face-unlock feature.
The OPPO A78 5G comes in three color options: black, purple, and blue. However, there's a noticeable color difference between the majority of the back and the ovular composite panel housing the cameras. Unfortunately, this design choice makes the phone feel less premium, and running a fingernail across it produces an undesirable high-pitched scratch, reminiscent of a tazos coin.
Read more: Walton Xanon X20 Review: Is it a value-for-money gaming phone?
On a positive note, the A78 5G keeps the headphone jack alive, although its placement at the bottom rather than the top of the phone might not be everyone's preference. There's also room for a microSD card alongside the single SIM card slot for expandable storage.
Honor Pad 8 Review: A budget-friendly capable Tablet
Honor had a distinct history of providing affordable yet capable gadgets back when it was part of Huawei. Fast forward to 2023, Honor is now owned by a Shenzhen-based state-controlled enterprise. But the value proposition of Honor as a utility-focused, cost-effective brand remains. Last year the company launched the Honor Pad 8 on 22nd July. It’s a mid-range tab aimed to be a budget-friendly alternative to higher-end Android tabs. So how does it fare compared to other Android tabs? And does it compare in any way with the iPad? Let’s find out.
Key Specifications of Honor Pad 8
Design and Build Quality
The designs of pads in general are more or less the same across the spectrum. Just like the Honor Pad 7, the Pad 8 also has a rectangular design with thin bezels and a camera on the side. The front is made from glass whereas the frame and the back are made from plastic.
Dimension-wise the Honor Pad is 278.54 mm by 174.06 mm by 6.9 mm with 520 gm of effective weight with the battery. The pad is on the lighter side considering its dimensions. The even weight distribution adds a layer of comfort to the user experience of the device.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Plus Review: What are the major upgrades?
There is no SIM support on the Honor Pad 8. Meaning users would have to depend on Wi-Fi only for connectivity. Another drawback of the Pad 8 is the lack of a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Even in 2023, a headphone jack in tabs is a pretty common sight. However, the Pad 8 is missing out on one. The lack of a headphone jack is complemented by 8 speakers all around the device. Users will get a surround sound stereo experience with the pad.
The power and volume buttons are situated on the right of the device. There aren’t any external ports on the device other than the Type C port as the device doesn’t support micro SDXC as well.
The Display
The display on the Honor Pad 8 is a 12-inch LCD panel. Two distinct things stand out the most the moment you look at the panel. And that’s the thin bezels and their symmetric distribution. The bezels are 7.2 mm thick on the left and right end giving it a reminiscent look of the new iPads and the Tab S from Samsung.
Read more: Xiaomi Mi Pad 5: An Ideal Tablet to Replace iPad
The 12-inch display has 1.07 B color support with 1200 by 2000 pixels of resolution and an impressive 84.5% screen-to-body ratio. The 5:9 aspect ratio makes for 194 ppi density. Even though the pixel density is on the lower end, the aspect ratio makes it a clear and crisp display. Users would have to squint to spot individual pixels on the Pad 8. The typical brightness of the Pad 8 reaches up to 350 nits. There’s no dedicated HBM mode on the pad so it might be a bit difficult to navigate the display under bright and direct sunlight.
The pad also supports Widevine L1 for HD streaming OTT content. The sharp resolution and large panel make it an impressive media consumption device. Unfortunately, the Pad 8 doesn’t come with a high refresh rate panel. Users are stuck with a 60 Hz refresh rate on the display.
The Camera
There’s not much going on with the camera on the Honor Pad 8. This isn’t just a case with the Pad 8. Rather tabs in general do not focus on the camera end as smartphones are leading the charge in the photography department.
Read more: Apple iPad, iPad Pro 2022 Review: World’s most advanced tablets
The Honor Pad 8 has two cameras – one on the front and one on the back. Both the shooters are 5 MP with the exact same spec at f/2.2 aperture, 27mm (wide), 1/5", and 1.12µm sensor size.
The back camera can shoot video up to 1080P at 30 fps. As a bonus, the back camera has autofocus. That’s about it when it comes to the camera spec on the Pad 8.
In terms of performance, the Pad 8 can take some generic shots. These are, by no means, even comparable to entry-level smartphones. It’s more suited for a quick scan of documents or video calls.
Read more: Symphony SYMTAB 80 Review: Budget Tablet for Regular Use
Processor and Performance
The Honor Pad 8 is powered by Snapdragon 680 based on the 4 Nm chipset. The octa-core processor has a 4 A73 2.4GHz and 4 A53 1.9GHz chip design. The processor is coupled with Adreno 610 GPU.
On paper, the 680 is a lower mid-range processor from Snapdragon. So it would be a bit extreme to expect gaming-level performance from the Pad 8. Even then, the device was able to run all the leading 3D game titles like PUBG, Asphalt 9, and COD with moderate graphics settings. However, there were slight stutters and frame drops here and there. The Pad did a good job at heat management. The device didn’t excessively heat up even after an hour of continued gaming.
The Pad 8 comes with Android 12 onboard with Magic UI 6.1. The OS has been customized to suit Pad usability with iPad OS-like design. There’s a dock on the home screen with the recently used app list. The device also supports a split screen with two apps and an additional floating app. So in effect, users will be able to use up to three apps at the same time. It’s an impressive feature given the limited processing power of the Pad 8.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Pad Review: Budget Tablet Worth Consideration
Overall, the performance of the Pad 8 is more than satisfactory. The tab is geared to be a utility device for day-to-day tasks like reading, split screen use, casual browsing and media consumption.
Battery and Charge Time
The Honor Pad 8 comes with a 7250 mAh battery on board. The battery is coupled with 22.5W fast charging. With a full charge, the device can last around 10 to 100 hours of continued use. The higher battery performance is partly due to the Wi-Fi-only connectivity on the device.
Pros and Cons of Honor Pad 8 Tab
Pros:
· Large bright display
· Lightweight design
· Utility-focused OS customization
· Long battery life
· Decent front camera for video calls.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review: Is It Worth the Price?
Cons:
· Only Wi-Fi connectivity
· No expandable storage
Price of Honor Pad 8 Tab
The 4/128 GB variant of the Honor Pad 8 is officially available in India. The price of the Pad 8 is 17,999 INR which roughly amounts to 23,684 BDT (1 INR = 1.32 BDT). However, the official price differs in Bangladesh due to several regulations like import duty and local tax.
Final Words
The Honor's latest tablet Pad 8 is the perfect mid-range tab that brings a good balance of performance and price. It brings a great display, processor, and battery on board. The plastic build of the device might be a letdown but it’s an understandable trade-off considering the price and overall performance. On the whole, Honor Pad 8 can not compete with the high-end tabs from Honor or other brands. But this Tablet makes a niche of its own as an efficient and affordable option.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra Review: A Gamer's Delight
Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra Review: A Gamer's Delight
Since Redmi became the independent sub-brand of Xiaomi, the concept of value for money has become an integral part of its identity. Xiaomi’s Redmi flagship phones have consistently delivered exceptional performance. From the K20 series to the K60 lineup, each of these phones provides top-notch specifications at an astonishingly competitive price point. This trend persists with the introduction of the Redmi K60 Ultra. While K60 Ultra was released on August 15, 2023, it was available in Bangladesh on August 25. Let’s see the details of this phone.
Key Features of Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra
Design
In the K60 Ultra mobile phone, Redmi has made a significant change by removing the plastic brackets on all four sides of the screen. The immediate result of this change is a noticeably enhanced screen-to-body ratio.
At the bottom of the phone, the adoption of the COP packaging process and the ultra-slim border create a visual effect where the bottom appears almost as wide as the left and right sides of the screen. weighing 204g, its dimensions are 162.2 mm by 75.7 mm by 8.5 mm.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Plus Review: What are the major upgrades?
The K60 Ultra phone has three cameras on the back. The main camera is really good because it’s the same kind as the one in the Mi 13. There are also two other cameras for wide-angle and close-up shots. On the top right corner of the camera, there’s a special light that helps take better pictures in different lighting. Right next to it, there’s a sensor that helps the camera work better, too.
On the top of the phone, there’s a really good speaker all by itself. To the right of it, there are sensors for a remote control and two microphones that help block out noise.
At the bottom of the phone, there’s another speaker that works together with the one on the top to give you stereo sound. To the right of it, there’s a port where you can plug in your charger and headphones, a microphone, and a slot for your SIM card.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Pro Review: Worth the Price?
Display
The K60 Ultra boasts a 6.67-inch OLED display with a typical brightness reaching up to 2600 nits. What sets it apart is its impressive peak brightness of 2600 nits, surpassing even the most premium flagship devices like the iPhone 14 Pro Max and Galaxy S23 Ultra.
Even more significant is the screen’s 1.5K resolution at 2712 x 1220 pixels. Because of this high resolution, you can enjoy an exceptionally immersive, detailed, and vibrant viewing experience with the phone.
Furthermore, it doesn’t skimp on performance, sporting a 144Hz refresh rate that ensures a seamlessly smooth gaming experience.
Read more: Apple iPhone 15 Review: What's New?
Camera
The Redmi K60 Ultra has a top-notch camera setup. It features a 50 MP main camera with an IMX800 sensor. This sensor comes with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which helps you take sharp and clear photos without blurriness.
In addition to the 50 MP main camera, the phone also has an 8MP ultra-wide camera and a 2MP macro lens.
On the front, there’s a 20MP selfie camera that takes high-resolution selfies. Plus, there are various camera modes to help you get the best possible photos.
In daylight photos, the Redmi K60 Ultra captures colors that look true to life, and it gets the white balance just right. When paired with Xiaomi Imaging Brain 2.0, it gives the photos a distinctive atmosphere and mood. Even though it doesn’t have a telephoto lens, the picture quality remains excellent with high resolution.
Read more: realme 11x 5G Review: Budget 5G Phone with a Great Camera
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review: Is It Worth the Price?
The iPhone 15 Pro Max sets a new standard for smartphones, boasting innovative materials and top-tier camera capabilities. While it comes at a slightly higher price and lacks true fast charging, these are minor issues in an otherwise exceptional device. It was unveiled alongside its siblings on September 12, 2023, with pre-orders starting on September 15 and shipping on September 22. This article will dive into its impressive features and specifications.
Key Features of Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max
Design
The 2023 Pro-level iPhone from Apple showcases significant design changes and specifications. It replaces the stainless steel frame with a brushed titanium one, offering toughness, corrosion resistance, and reduced weight.
Notable design alterations include contoured edges, making the phone more comfortable to hold and a thinner bezel that enhances the appearance of the Super Retina XDR display.
Read more: September 2023 New Smartphone Release: Top 10 Most Anticipated Phones in Bangladesh
In terms of dimensions, the iPhone 15 Pro Max measures 76.7 x 159.9 x 8.25mm, slightly smaller and thicker than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which measured 77.6 x 160.7 x 7.85mm. It is worth mentioning that the new model is almost a millimeter thicker.
The iPhone 15 Pro Max is 19 grams lighter than its predecessor, weighing 221g compared to the iPhone 14 Pro Max's 240g. This weight reduction is attributed to the use of a titanium body and a new recycled aluminum frame.
A significant functional change is the adoption of a USB-C port, which, while slightly larger than the previous Lightning port, enables 10 Gbps high-speed data transfers (note that the included cable is not high-speed).
The iPhone 15 Pro Max offers a selection of stylish color options, including Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, and Natural Titanium.
Read more: Vivo V27 5G Review: Is it worth buying?
Display
The iPhone 15 Pro Max boasts a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen with some noteworthy improvements. Apple reduced the bezel size surrounding the display, creating a visually larger screen and making the Dynamic Island appear smaller. The display maintains the same resolution as its predecessor, at 2796 x 1290 pixels and a pixel density of 460ppi. Essentially, it offers the same pixel count but with a more immersive feel.
The screen is both beautiful and bright, featuring a maximum brightness of 2000 nits, ensuring excellent visibility even in bright outdoor conditions. Its wide color gamut delivers rich visuals, and the impressive 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio allows for deep blacks, enhancing the viewing experience for various content, including photos, games, apps, websites, and videos.
With ProMotion support, the iPhone 15 Pro Max offers smooth scrolling for web pages and impeccable performance in video playback and gaming. Its adaptive refresh rate, which can go as low as 1Hz when power conservation is required, makes it suitable for always-on functionality while maintaining energy efficiency.
The device also features an Always-On display mode, which remains visible but conserves power. This mode is especially handy for quickly checking the time during the night.
Read more: Honor 90 Review: A New Standard in Midrange Aesthetics
Performance and Software
The iPhone 15 Pro Max features the A17 Pro chip, a substantial improvement over the A16 Bionic found in its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. Built on a more efficient 3nm process, the A17 Pro offers enhanced performance and potential battery life gains. Its CPU delivers a 10% speed boost, while the six-core GPU is not only 20% faster but also introduces support for on-hardware Ray Tracing.
Benchmark results affirm Apple's performance claims, with the A17 Pro clocked at 3.78GHz, surpassing the A16 Bionic (3.46GHz) and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra (3.36GHz).
Gaming on the iPhone 15 Pro Max demonstrates its prowess, providing console-quality gaming experiences. Resident Evil: Village, for example, delivers impressive visuals on the 6.7-inch display, though on-screen controls for console games may feel cramped, necessitating a physical controller. Despite minor pixelation issues in some areas, the gaming experience remains smooth and responsive.
In everyday tasks, the iPhone 15 Pro Max excels, maintaining a highly responsive user experience. It handles activities like editing multiple 4K 60fps clips in iMovie without performance hiccups.
Read more: Infinix Zero 30 5G Review: Mid Range Phone with ChatGPT Assistant Support
In terms of software, the iPhone 15 Pro Max runs iOS 17, which, while relatively light on updates, introduces quality-of-life enhancements. StandBy mode transforms the device into an efficient bedside clock and information hub. Features like Contact Posters and Name Drop enhance convenience. iOS 17 also enhances FaceTime interactions with new gestures for added interactivity during calls.
Apple iPhone 15 Plus Review: What are the major upgrades?
Apple recently announced their much-awaited iPhone 15 series in the “Wanderlust” event held at Apple Park, California on September 12. The event introduced a revamped Pro series with some interesting upgrades all across the board, especially the standard 15 and the 15 Plus. With a large display and a new front design. There’s a lot that the iPhone 15 Plus brings to the table. Let’s have a detailed look at what’s changed and what’s improved.
Key Specifications of iPhone 15 Plus
Design and Build Quality
The external design of the new iPhone 15 Plus has been slightly changed from the previous generation. It has much to do with the sharp edges, which have now been replaced with a more rounded one. Apple is calling it their “Contoured” design, which is a fancy way to describe a minor upgrade.
The next thing that’s apparent is the USB Type C port on the bottom. Apple has finally made the switch to Type C meaning the days of the lightning cable on iPhones are finally over. That is at least, for the iPhone 15 series and onwards. However, the Type C is still 2.0 on the 15 Plus, meaning reading and writing speeds would be much slower compared to the newer 3.0 found on the Pro model.
Read more: Honor 90 Review: A New Standard in Midrange Aesthetics
The display has also been upgraded from the last generation. This year, users will get the Dynamic Island display first introduced in last year’s pro model. The change has much to do with the design itself as the 15 Plus is not getting the same specs as the Pro model.
Dimension-wise, the 15 Plus comes in at 160.9 mm by 77.8 mm by 7.8 mm with 201 gm weight. Apple is using Corning-made glasses for both the front and back of the device. The front glass comes with Ceramic Shield protection. The back glass now has a color-infused design which gives it a very light and toned-down look. Other than the black, the blue, green, yellow, and pink color variant looks like a lighter shade of their original color.
The 15 Plus will come with a nano sim and e-sim support for international release. The USA model will have dual e-sim support with the Chinese variant coming with dual nano-sim support. The device also has IP68 water and dust resistance. Apple claims that the device can survive up to 6m underwater for 30 minutes.
Read more: September 2023 New Smartphone Release: Top 10 Most Anticipated Phones in Bangladesh
The Display
Similar to last year’s 14 Plus, the 15 Plus comes with a Super Retina XDR OLED display. The panel supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision for HD-quality content streaming. The HBM mode goes up to 1000 nits with the peak hitting at 2000 nits. That is a massive 800 nits upgrade from the 14 Plus.
The 6.7-inch display with an 88% screen-to-body ratio has a flat symmetrical design on the front which gives it an aesthetic look. The display has a resolution of 1290 x 2796 pixels which makes for an uncommon 19.5:9 aspect ratio and 460 ppi. The glass front is protected by Ceramic Shield glass.
The performance of the display is as usual stellar here. The colors look sharp with great contrast all around. The upgraded peak brightness makes it even better than the already amazing outdoor legibility seen on the iPhone 14 series. The Dynamic Island also makes for a useful upgrade over the last generation. Apple has included a lot of useful features over the last year on the Dynamic Island like turn-by-turn map direction, active timers, Uber waiting time, and many more. It's great that non-Pro users will be able to experience these perks as well.
Read more: Walton Xanon X20 Review: Is it a value-for-money gaming phone?
However, the major drawback with this otherwise stellar display is the refresh rate. The 15 and the 15 Plus still come with a 60 Hz refresh rate which is a massive letdown by 2023 standards. Apple has kept the high refresh rate only for the Pro models this year too.
The Camera
Like last year, there’s a dual diagonal camera on the back. The main sensor has been upgraded to 48 MP from last year’s 12 MP. The sensor has an f/1.6 aperture with sensor-shift OIS and 100% focus pixels.
The main sensor is complemented by a 12 MP 2 times telephoto lens with the same f/1.6 aperture. It enables the sensor to achieve lossless optical zoom of up to 4 times and digital zoom of up to 10 times.
The front side has the same 12 MP f/1.9 aperture sensor from last year.
Read more: Vivo V27 5G Review: Is it worth buying?
This year, Apple has infused a lot of cutting-edge camera tech on the 15 Plus, owing to the upgraded sensor that is now on par with the main sensor on the Pro model. Users will be getting true tone flash, a photonic engine, smart HDR 5, next-generation portraits and depth controls, photographic styles, and many more.
The camera samples from the launch event looked right on par with the flagships out there. The real-world performance remains to be seen.
The videography on the 15 Plus remains the same as last year. There’s 4K at 24,25,30 and 60 fps. The cinematic mode is also here with 4K HDR at 30 fps. The action mode which can shoot hyper-stabilized videos at 2.8K is also here. The sensor shifting OIS coupled with an improved main sensor will provide some excellent videography, probably the best among any smartphones of 2023.
Read more: Oppo Reno10 5G Review: Is it a balanced phone?
Apple iPhone 15 Pro Review: Worth the Price?
The iPhone 15 Pro, along with the iPhone 15 Series, was introduced during Apple's September 12, 2023 event. Pre-orders for the iPhone 15 Pro began on September 15. What are the new features of 15 Pro? Can it hold the legacy? Let’s take a look into the key specs, pros and cons of the Apple iPhone 15 Pro.
Key Features of Apple iPhone 15 Pro
Design
The iPhone 15 Pro distinguishes itself from its predecessor, the iPhone 14 Pro, primarily in terms of design and functionality. Notably, Apple has opted for a revamped design, shedding the sharp edges that characterized the iPhone 14 Pro in favor of a sleek titanium 146.6 mm by 70.6 mm by 8.3 mm frame. This redesign not only enhances the phone's aesthetics but also makes it lighter with 187g weight and more comfortable to hold, addressing concerns raised by users about the previous model's edges.
The iPhone 15 Pro retains features such as the Dynamic Island and brushed glass rear panel, with the latter being safeguarded by Apple's Ceramic Shield for added protection.
Read more: Infinix Zero 30 5G Review: Mid Range Phone with ChatGPT Assistant Support
Beyond the design changes, the iPhone 15 Pro introduces functional updates. The traditional physical mute switch is replaced with an Apple Watch Ultra-style Action button, which is highly customizable and allows users to trigger up to nine different actions, providing quick access to various functions.
Another significant modification is the replacement of Apple's proprietary Lightning port with a USB-C port, aligning with the universal USB-C standard. While this change does not affect charging speed, it enables faster data transfer speeds of up to 10GBps, making it easier to connect the iPhone 15 Pro to other devices like a MacBook Pro.
Display
The iPhone 15 Pro maintains its predecessor's 6.1-inch Super XDR OLED screen, featuring Apple's ProMotion technology that adjusts the refresh rate from 10 Hz to 120Hz based on the displayed content. It features resolution of 1179 by 2556 pixels, with 19.5:9 ratio and about 461 ppi density.
The Dynamic Island digital cutout, now present in all models, is accompanied by nearly bezel-less edges.
Read more: Honor 90 Review: A New Standard in Midrange Aesthetics
The screen remains exceptional, boasting a maximum brightness of 2,000 nits and exceptional responsiveness. The reduced bezel size enhances the immersive experience. However, when compared to the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR display, it falls slightly short.
In summary, the iPhone 15 Pro features a top-tier display, maintaining its predecessor's excellence while making minor improvements.
Cameras
In terms of its camera setup, the iPhone 15 Pro incorporates three lenses: a 48 MP primary camera, a 12MP ultra-wide camera, and a 12MP 3x telephoto camera.
Notably, Apple has reserved the 5x optical zoom telephoto camera exclusively for the iPhone 15 Pro Max, creating a significant technological distinction between the two models for the first time. Nevertheless, the iPhone 15 Pro continues to stand out as one of the leading camera phones available.
Read more: September 2023 New Smartphone Release: Top 10 Most Anticipated Phones in Bangladesh
On the front, the iPhone 15 Pro employs the same 12MP TrueDepth camera like the ancestor iPhone 14 Pro.
Although there is limited opportunity to extensively test this camera array, it is expected to perform at least on par with the iPhone 14 Pro. Some noteworthy enhancements in image processing include the new default 24MP shooting mode. This mode combines the best aspects of the 12MP and full 48MP capabilities of the main camera, delivering impressive detail and accurate representation of environments, fabrics, and skin tones. Additionally, the iPhone 15 Pro now has the capability to recognize image depth in any photo, allowing users to convert it into Portrait Mode and easily adjust the focal point from one subject to another. This feature renders direct Portrait Mode shooting less necessary.
However, the absence of the more powerful 5x optical zoom, which is available on the iPhone 15 Pro Max, raises questions about the iPhone 15 Pro's overall appeal. It's unfortunate that Apple did not extend this valuable technology further down its product line.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
Apple iPhone 15 Review: What's New?
The highly anticipated Apple iPhone 15 was officially announced on September 12, 2023. With its cutting-edge features and sleek design, the iPhone 15 is set to make its mark in the world of smartphones. This article will delve into what the iPhone 15 has to offer and why it's generating such excitement in the mobile phone market.
Key Features of Apple iPhone 15
Design
The iPhone 15 model’s dimensions are 147.6mm by 71.6mm by 7.8mm weighing 171g. The latest iPhone shares almost similar dimensions and weight with its predecessor, the iPhone 14 (146.7 by 71.5 by 7.8 mm; 172g).
It features a color-infused glass back and has replaced the Lightning port with a USB-C port. The aluminum frame of the iPhone 15 has been redesigned to provide a more comfortable grip by smoothing out sharp edges.
Read more: Infinix Note 30 Pro 5G Review: Powerful camera at an affordable price
The iPhone 15 comes in five pastel colors, including black, blue, green, yellow, and pink. The color-infused glass back seamlessly integrates the camera bump, enhancing its overall aesthetics.
Notably, the USB-C port enables compatibility with modern MacBooks and iPads, streamlining the charging process for users who own these devices. However, the iPhone 15 lacks the new Action Button found in other models.
The Ceramic Shield on the back of the phone still houses a diagonal dual-camera system. On the front, it incorporates a Dynamic Island on the screen, replacing the notch found in previous models. Apple maintains its reputation for IP-rated protection, surpassing the IP68 certification for dust ingress and ensuring reliable water resistance.
Read more: Xiaomi 13 Ultra Review: Does this flagship phone offer any ultra feature?
Display
The iPhone 15 boasts a 6.1-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2556 by 1179 pixels and a 60Hz refresh rate. While many had hoped for a higher refresh rate, it remains at 60Hz, unlike the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max, which feature a variable 120Hz refresh rate. This keeps the standard iPhone 15 behind competitors in terms of screen smoothness.
Nevertheless, the Super Retina XDR OLED display offers a visually pleasing experience, with Apple claiming it to be slightly brighter this year, with a peak brightness of 1,200 nits rising to 2,000 nits. The display maintains the same resolution as its predecessor, resulting in a pixel density of 460 pixels per inch (ppi). Essentially, the display on the iPhone 15 is comparable to the previous two generations of non-Pro iPhone displays.
One notable change to the 6.1-inch screen on the standard iPhone 15 is the absence of a notch. Instead, it features the Dynamic Island, a feature previously exclusive to the Pro models. This makes the Dynamic Island a standard feature across the iPhone 15 lineup for 2023.
Read more: Oppo Reno10 Pro+ 5G: Premium mid-ranger on the go
The Dynamic Island on the iPhone 15 offers all the capabilities it had on the Pro models, and there is potential for iOS 17 to introduce additional functionality over time, even though no new functionalities were announced during the launch event.
Performance
In the iPhone 14 series, Apple introduced a noticeable division by equipping the base iPhone 14 with the same Apple A15 Bionic chip as the previous year, while reserving the more powerful and power-efficient A16 Bionic exclusively for the iPhone 14 Pro and Pro Max. This trend of a two-tiered processor strategy continues into 2023.
The iPhone 15 now features the A16 Bionic chip, which was introduced in the previous year, while the 15 Pro models are equipped with the potentially more capable A17 Pro.
Read more: Infinix Zero 30 5G Review: Mid Range Phone with ChatGPT Assistant Support
In terms of performance, the iPhone 15 appears to be highly responsive, akin to the iPhone 14 Pro, thanks to the A16 Bionic chip. This processor has consistently demonstrated fast performance, and it's expected to perform similarly in the iPhone 15.
Storage options have remained unchanged from the previous year, offering a baseline capacity of 128GB, a mid-tier option of 256GB, and a top-tier choice of 512GB. Notably, the Pro models now start with double the storage capacity compared to their predecessors.
Software
iOS 17 may not bring substantial enhancements compared to the more feature-packed iOS 16, but it does introduce several noteworthy improvements that enhance the user experience on the iPhone 15.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy A34 5G Review with Price in Bangladesh
Some key features include Contact Posters and NameDrop, real-time location sharing (referred to as Check In) within Messages, automated nudity blurring in Messages and AirDrop, Live Voicemail with transcription, Interactive Widgets, and the addition of StandBy mode, which was initially thought to be exclusive to iPhones with always-on displays but is also available on the iPhone 15. It's important to note that without an Always-On display, tapping the screen is necessary to view the iPhone 15's display in Standby mode.
Despite running iOS 17, the iPhone 15 retains a familiar feel compared to the iPhone 14. However, the introduction of the Dynamic Island brings a refreshing element to the user experience. The Dynamic Island can display various information depending on user activities, such as directions, music controls, or Uber ride status.
Read more: Vivo V27 5G Review: Is it worth buying?
realme 11x 5G Review: Budget 5G Phone with a Great Camera
realme has made its name in the East Asian market as one of the go-to budget and mid-range smartphone brands. The company has maintained its value-for-money proposition and always brought something unique for the users. In line with their innovative lineup, realme recently launched the 11x 5G in India on 30th August 2023. The device brings a revamped design with a new processor. Let’s have a detailed look at realme 11x 5G and see what else has changed from the previous iteration.
Key Specifications of realme 11x 5G
Design and Build Quality
realme launched the 11 and 11x as the direct successor to their highly popular realme 10. It seems this year, the brand is trying to bring unison in all their lineups ranging from the GT, Narzo as well as the C series. The overarching design element brings a flat design which realme is calling their S-curve Gradient Design with a large camera housing on the back.
The 11x comes with a plastic back, aluminum frame, and glass front protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The back panel has a distinct refractive frosted finish that gives it a glass-like look. From the looks of it, the device exudes premium quality all around. There’s nothing to worry about accidental smudges or scratches as the device comes with a clear case on the box.
Read more: September 2023 New Smartphone Release: Top 10 Most Anticipated Phones in Bangladesh
The dimension of the 11x is 165.7 x 76 x 7.89 mm and the weight is 190 gm. All the ports and buttons are standard on the 11x with the power button which doubles as the physical fingerprint scanner, volume rocker, Type-C charging port, and the ever-important headphone jack. There’s a dedicated slot for the micro SDXC which is another useful addition as the user can now have dual stand-by sims.
Overall the design and the build quality of the 11x is impressive. It doesn’t quite feel like a sub-250 USD device by the looks and that’s probably one of its strong suits.
The Display
The display on the realme 11x is an IPS LCD one with 6 level refresh rate. The choice of an LCD panel might be a deterrent for many but the panel itself doesn’t fall very short of AMOLED competitors. The 6.72-inch Dynamic Ultra Smooth panel has an FHD+ resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels. This brings the pixel density on the 20:9 aspect ratio to 392 ppi. As the specs suggest, the panel is a sharp and crisp one that will suffice for most users.
Read more: Walton Xanon X20 Review: Is it a value-for-money gaming phone?
Additionally, the display has a 120 Hz refresh rate, 550 nits of typical brightness, and 680 nits of HBM. The HBM allows for perfect legibility under direct sunlight even though it is an LCD panel. Like other entry-level budget smartphones, the display unfortunately doesn’t have a symmetrical design. The lower chin reduces the screen-to-body ratio to 86.6%. Regardless, it doesn’t look out of place thanks to the sleek colors and the updated center punch hole design.
Overall, the display won’t compete with an AMOLED panel. But in effect, users would be hard-pressed to find faults or lacking in day-to-day use.
The Camera
The large circular camera housing on the back holds the dual sensors of the 11x. The sensors and the LED flashlight have been placed in such a way that it looks like an emoji face up close. The main sensor is a 64 MP f/1.79 wide-angle shooter with 25.1 mm focal length. The supporting sensor is a 2 MP depth sensor which aids in portrait shots.
Read more: Benco S1 Pro Review: Elegance within Budget
Smartphones under 250 USD these days tend to skip the ultrawide shooter in favor of an “unnecessary” depth/portrait sensor. While on paper the 11x is a dual camera device, in effect, users will be using the single main sensor only.
Coming to the picture quality, the performance of the main sensor in daylight was excellent. There was decent clarity in each frame with good dynamic range and details. The edge detection was also pretty good. However, pictures taken in portrait mode sometimes appeared to be a bit softer than the standard 1x shots. But in most cases, the camera did an excellent job of capturing perfect daylight pictures.
The picture quality also maintains consistency in low light or artificial lighting conditions. The camera captures the exposures well depending on the lighting scenario. There were not any noticeable grains or softness except for photos taken in extreme dark conditions.
Read more: Vivo V27 5G Review: Is it worth buying?
The front camera is an 8 MP AI shooter with an f/2.05 aperture. It produces passable results for social media and casual selfies, nothing beyond that.
The videography on the realme 11x is limited to 1080P at 30 fps. realme could’ve easily pushed the videography to at least up to 4K. But the lack of EIS or OIS somewhat ties down the prospect of stable higher-resolution videos.
Overall, the camera is easily the star of the device here as it packs a punch above the rest in its price range.
Read more: Oppo Reno10 5G Review: Is it a balanced phone?
Processor and Performance
The realme 11x boasts an all-new chipset from MediaTek. The Dimensity 6100+ based on the 6 Nm architecture is the latest lower mid-range processor from MediaTek which they introduced in their flagship Dimensity lineup.
It’s like how Snapdragon moved to the 7 Gen series to streamline its processors. In comparison, the Dimensity 6100+ can be considered slightly below the Snapdragon 695 and slightly above the Snapdragon 680.
The octa-core processor has 2 2.2 GHz Cortex-A76 & 6 2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 chip design with Mali-G57 MC2 GPU. The performance of the processor was just as expected from an entry-level or lower mid-range processor. It's hard to categorize the processor in a single group as the performance level is thinning at each level with each new processor iteration.
Read more: Infinix GT 10 Pro 5G Review: Is it a capable gaming phone?
The processor performed well in 3D titles like Genshin Impact, PUBG, COD, and Asphalt 9. Genshin Impact and PUBG were producing constant frames in mid-settings. A higher setting caused occasional frame drops here and there. But for day-to-day casual use, the device breezes through everything much in part due to the smooth animations and the 120 Hz display. The 6/8 GB of onboard RAM can be coupled with another 8GB of dynamic RAM converted from the ROM space.
The processor is coupled with the realme UI 4.0 based on Android 13. The UI has its share of bloatware but they can always be uninstalled at the user’s discretion. Overall, the performance of the device is exactly what you’d expect from a utilitarian smartphone.
Battery and Charge Time
The realme 11x has a 4880 mAh battery on board. The battery is coupled with 33W SUPERVOOC charging. It can take the device from 1 to 50% in just 29 minutes. In the test, the device was consistently churning out around 6 to 7 hours of SoT with normal use.
Read more: Honor 90 Review: A New Standard in Midrange Aesthetics
Pros and Cons of realme 11x
Pros:
· Sleek design
· Great battery
· Decent display
· Refreshing design
· Fast charging
· Dedicated microSD slot
Cons:
· Limited video quality
· Bloatware in UI.
Read more: realme C51 Review: Stylish Phone Under BDT 16000
Price of realme 11X
The realme 11x is available in two variants – the 6/128 GB one and an 8/128 GB one. The base variant comes in at 14,999 INR whereas the 8/128 GB comes in at 15,999 INR. The price roughly translates to about 19,822 BDT and 21,143 BDT respectively. However, due to tax and other issues the price may differ once it becomes officially available in Bangladesh.
Verdict
The realme 11x is another budget-friendly smartphone aimed at budget buyers. The device brings a great battery, excellent camera, a capable processor, and a revamped design that looks premium and sleek beyond its price point.
On the flip side, the video performance could’ve been a bit better considering the 64 MP main shooter on board.
So who is this device for? The device is aimed at anyone looking for a device that brings an amalgamation of performance and price. The realme 11x 5G is not a high-performance device by any means, but it can be a good choice as a daily driver smartphone.
Read more: Infinix Zero 30 5G Review: Mid Range Phone with ChatGPT Assistant Support
Infinix Zero 30 5G Review: Mid Range Phone with ChatGPT Assistant Support
The Infinix Zero series of smartphones has been the perfect upper mid-range smartphone from the brand. The lineup offers premium design and cutting-edge hardware technologies. In September 2023, Infinix launched the Zero 30 5G in China as a direct successor to the Zero 20. So how does it fare with its competitors? And what sets it apart from the rest? Let’s find out the key specs, pros, cons and price of Infinix Zero 30 5G in Bangladesh.
Key Specifications of Infinix Zero 30 5G
Design and Build Quality
With each iteration of the Zero series, Infinix seems to outdo itself in terms of design, build quality, and the overall look and feel of the device. The Zero 30 features a 164.5 x 75 x 7.9 mm dimension with 185 gm of weight. The lightweight build is attributed to the plastic frame and the vegan leather back (Rome Green). The frame of the phone has been gold tinted on the Rome Green and the Golden Hour color variant which gives it a unique look. The other color variant of choice for the users would be the Fantasy Purple one.
The back camera housing has also been significantly expanded to make up a large rectangular slab on the back. The housing almost goes from edge to edge but not quite. For people with OCD, the unusual side positioning of such a large camera housing may seem out of place.
The front and back of the device are both protected by Gorilla Glass 5 (Fantasy Purple and Golden Hour). Additionally, the device is IP53 dust and splash-resistant.
Read more: Benco S1 Pro Review: Elegance within Budget
Moving on to the ports and buttons, everything comes standard on the Zero 30. The Type C port, main speaker, and sim slot are located on the bottom with the power button and the volume rocker positioned at the right. The Zero 30 has an in-display fingerprint scanner for an added layer of security. Another great thing about the Zero 30 is the included stereo speaker which makes it an excellent device for music and media consumption.
The minimal yet premium design choices include the only subtle “zero” branding on the back. The Zero 30 looks much more premium than its sub-250 USD price tag and that’s a great thing for anyone looking for a stylish smartphone.
The Display
The display on the Zero 30 is a curved AMOLED panel with 1B colors, 144 Hz refresh rate, and 950 nits of peak brightness. However, the specs aren’t the first thing that the users would notice. The 6.78-inch display has an almost uniform bezel design on the front that takes the screen-to-body ratio to an unprecedented 90%.
Users would be hard-pressed to tell the difference between this panel and a flagship one thanks to the minimal curve and the symmetric bezel. The display has a resolution of 1080 x 2400 pixels with a 20:9 aspect ratio and 388 ppi density. Additionally, the display also supports Widevine L1 so users would be able to stream HD codec content directly from the streaming platforms.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Ultra Review: Is it really the ‘iPad killer’?
The display can be manually set to either 60 Hz, 120 Hz, 144 Hz, or auto mode. However, setting 144 Hz as a constant would drastically reduce the battery life.
Overall, the display is easily the strongest suit of the Zero 30. It is bright, crisp, and fluid to the touch which easily makes it the best in its price class.
The Camera
There’s a triple camera setup on the Zero 30 with the main sensor being a 108 MP wide-angle shooter with f/1.7 aperture, PDAF, and OIS. The supporting sensors are a 13 MP f/2.2 ultrawide shooter and a 2 MP depth sensor.
In a word, the high megapixel count doesn’t translate into higher photo quality. Pictures in the daylight looked decent with a decent amount of contrast and dynamic range. However, the shaded areas often appeared too dark or soft compared to the focus area. The green and reds were over-saturated which at times made it look artificial. The portrait mode performed decently but the edge detection near the hair seemed to be off at times. Other than that, the subject was well exposed with good details and sharpness.
Read more: Vivo V27 5G Review: Is it worth buying?
The camera however faltered in night and low light conditions. Pictures taken without the night mode had grains and noises with little to no exposure. The night mode made the situation a bit better but it wasn’t quite on par with other mid-range smartphones in this price range.
The Zero 30 has videography support of up to 4K at 30 and 60 fps. On paper, the main sensor has OIS support but it doesn’t trigger during 4K shooting. Whether it’s a software or hardware issue, remains to be seen. The 1080P at 30 or 60 fps videography has the OIS which produces passable results.
The front camera is a 50 MP f/2.5 sensor which Infinix is branding as their vlogging camera. Again, users would be able to shoot at up to 4K with the front camera but the output lacked stability and seemed to be on the choppier end.
Read more: Oppo Reno10 5G Review: Is it a balanced phone?
Processor and Performance
The Infinix Zero 30 is powered by Mediatek Dimensity 8020 based on the 6 Nm architecture. The processor has an octa-core design with 4x2.6 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4x2.0 GHz Cortex-A55 and Mali-G77 MC9 as GPU. In effect, the Dimensity 8020 is comparable with the Snapdragon 870 which makes it a great mid-range processor.
The performance of the chipset has also been on par with the benchmark standards. The processor scored 58738 on Antutu V10 and 3122 on GeekBench V6. In the test, the device could play all the leading 3D titles in the highest graphics settings with some frame drops here and there. At moderate settings, PUBG was able to support extreme frame rates which is a testament to the processor’s power.
However, the device also heated up quite fast. It wasn’t anything unbearable but the heat was noticeable. Another issue is with the UI itself. The XOS is still a bloatware-heavy OS with its ads and renditions. Thankfully, most of these bloatware can be uninstalled and the ads can be restricted.
Read more: Infinix GT 10 Pro 5G Review: Is it a capable gaming phone?
A fun new addition is the onboard AI assistant on the Zero 30. It uses ChatGPT to answer any queries of the users which is a handy little feature on its own. Infinix has also announced one year of OS updates and two years of security updates which quite frankly is very disappointing.
Other than the slight issues with updates and OS, the Zero 30 is a solid performer that will give any device in its price range a run for its money.
Battery and Charge Time
The Infinix Zero 30 5G comes with a 5000 mAh battery on board. There’s a 68W wired charging support that can take the device from 0 to 80% in 30 minutes. With an auto-refresh rate, users can expect to get around 6 to 7 hours of SoT with this device.
Read more: Walton Xanon X20 Review: Is it a value-for-money gaming phone?
Pros and Cons of Infinix Zero 30
Pros:
· 144 Hz Curved AMOLED Panel
· Premium design
· 68W fast charging
· Capable processor
· Stereo speakers on board
Cons:
· Bloatware filled OS
· Subpar camera performance.
Read more: September 2023 New Smartphone Release: Top 10 Most Anticipated Phones in Bangladesh
Price of Infinix Zero 30 5G
The price of Infinix Zero 30’s 12/256 GB version is around 24,999 INR or 33,000 BDT (1 INR = 1.32 BDT) in the Indian market. The device is yet to launch in Bangladesh. However, the official price of Infinix Zero 30 in Bangladesh may grossly differ once it becomes officially available.
Verdict
The Infinix Zero 5G brings a unique mix of design and performance which isn’t very common in this price range. The device has a premium look and feel to it which is complemented by the exceptional display, performance, and battery life.
On the flip side, the camera underperforms quite a bit which might be a deal breaker for many. If you can overlook the sub-par camera performance, then yes, the Infinix Zero 30 5G can be a great buy for anyone looking for a capable mid-range smartphone.
Read more: Honor 90 Review: A New Standard in Midrange Aesthetics