gadget
iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers
iQOO, a sub-brand of Vivo, is known for its high-performance gaming phones. The iQOO 12 Pro was launched in China on November 14, 2023. This device is a shift from the brand’s traditional gaming-centric lineup. The 12 Pro appeared as a high-capacity phone with enhanced gaming capabilities. This shift suggests a broader appeal beyond the gaming community, making it a more versatile option for a wider audience. Let’s take a look at what it offers.
Key Features & Specs of iQoo 12 Pro
Design
The iQoo 12 boasts a sturdy design with dimensions measuring 164.6 mm by 75.4 mm by 8.6 mm (or 8.8 mm). Weighing in at 205 g or 210 g (7.23 oz), it accommodates dual Nano-SIM cards with dual stand-by capability.
Its exterior exhibits flat metallic sides with curved corners, and the glossy rear panel. Although slightly slippery, it is offset by the included TPU cover, enhancing grip and preventing fingerprint smudges.
Read more: vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera
The camera module, a rounded square on the left side, is encircled by a metallic ring with a ridged edge. The display boasts slim bezels and a central hole-punch cutout for the selfie camera.
Notably, the phone showcases the BMW Motorsport logo subtly at the rear bottom and attains an IP64 rating for dust and splash resistance, a first for the series, ensuring resilience against the elements.
Display
The iQOO 12 Pro features a LTPO AMOLED display, boasting 1 billion colors and an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, complemented by HDR10+ support and a peak brightness of 3000 nits.
The 6.78-inch screen with a resolution of 1440 by 3200 pixels and a 20:9 ratio provides a sharp pixel density of approximately 518 ppi.
Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?
The upgrade from Samsung's E6 to E7 panel is notable, particularly in the doubled HDR window brightness. Users should be aware that the default resolution is set to 1080p, and adjusting it to UHD in the settings enhances the screen's sharpness.
The fingerprint recognition, although ultrasonic and functional, takes a step back from the larger recognition area of the iQOO 11 Pro, presenting a minor drawback in the overall design.
Cameras
The iQOO 12 Pro incorporates a triple-camera setup featuring a 50 MP (f/1.7) wide lens, a 64 MP (f/2.6) periscope telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and a 50 MP (f/2.0) ultra wide lens.
The camera system showcases capabilities such as dual-LED flash, HDR, and panorama, supporting video recording up to 8K at 30fps and offering versatile options at lower resolutions. Notably, the dynamic range across all three lenses is impressive, avoiding over-sharpening issues. The camera excels in capturing details, especially in macro mode, providing the flexibility to use the ultra-wide or telephoto lens for varied perspectives.
Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability
However, certain limitations persist, such as the telephoto lens usage in low light and unresolved issues like purple-fringing with telephoto lenses highlight some gaps in comparison to leading photography-focused phones.
On the front side, the iQoo 12 Pro bears a 16 MP (f/2.5) selfie shooter. However, the front-facing camera can record only at 1080p 30fps without image stabilization, impacting its suitability for vlogging.
Performance and Hardware
The iQOO 12 Pro is powered by the Qualcomm SM8650-AB Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, built on a 4nm process, featuring an octa-core CPU configuration with Cortex-X4, Cortex-A720, and Cortex-A520 cores. Accompanied by the Adreno 750 GPU, the device offers robust performance.
The 12 Pro is supported by memory options of 256GB/512GB/1TB storage and 16GB RAM, utilizing UFS 4.0 technology. The absence of a card slot for external storage should be noted.
Read more: OPPO Find N3 Review: A New Standard for Foldable Smartphones
The iQOO 12 Pro's performance in resource-intensive games like Genshin Impact demonstrates stability with a trade-off of higher power consumption compared to some counterparts.
Software
Operating on Google's latest Android 14 OS with Vivo's Funtouch OS 14 overlay, the iQOO 12 Pro ensures a user-friendly experience. This device facilitates lock screen customization and enhancements to multitasking, RAM utilization, and motion blur effects during app operations.
The promise of three years of OS and security updates, followed by an additional year of security updates, adds to the device's longevity. However, users may encounter occasional notifications from the pre-installed V-Appstore, which encourages trying out new apps and offers customization options that can be manually managed.
Some pre-installed apps like Netflix, Spotify, Snapchat, Facebook, and PhonePe are present but can be easily uninstalled.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection
Battery and Charging
The iQOO 12 Pro is equipped with a sizable 5100mAh non-removable battery. Its notable charging capabilities include a rapid 120W wired charging, boasting a 26-minute fill-up time.
Additionally, the phone supports efficient 50W wireless charging, providing a convenient alternative. For reverse wireless charging, the device offers a 10W capability.
Despite the substantial battery size, the overall endurance is comparable to other phones when engaging in resource-intensive activities like gaming. iQOO maintains a commendable consistency by ensuring their charger includes a USB-C port and supports PD 65W charging, offering a practical and universal charging solution.
Pros and Cons of iQoo 12 Pro
Pros
- Elegant design with BMW Motorsport logo- Large display with a high refresh rate- Versatile triple-camera setup- Powerful processor- Ample storage- Fast charging with wireless, and reverse charging facility- Useful ports.
Read more: Tecno Phantom V Flip 5G: What does it offer?
Cons
- Slippery glossy rear panel- Limited fingerprint recognition area- Low video recording capacity by the front camera- Telephoto lens limitations, purple-fringing issues- Occasional V-App Store notifications- No card slot for external storage- Higher power consumption in resource-intensive games
Price of iQoo 12 Pro
The iQOO 12 Pro is not yet officially available in Bangladesh. In China, the iQOO 12 Pro 16GB+512GB Legend Edition is priced at CNY 5499.00, equivalent to BDT 84626. The conversion rate used is CNY 1 = BDT 15.39. The official price of iQoo 12 Pro in Bangladesh may increase due to diverse issues.
Conclusion
The iQOO 12 Pro offers a complete package with attractive features such as elegant design, vibrant display, standard cameras, performance-driven robust processor, etc. Running on Android 14 with Funtouch OS 14, the device promises extended software updates. Its powerful battery supports rapid wired, wireless, and reverse wireless charging.
Read more: Xiaomi 14 Pro Review: What’s special about it?
On the whole, iQoo 12 Pro strikes a balance between gaming and photography-centric features, distinguishing itself from traditional "gaming phones."
Benco V91 Review: Android experience at BDT 10000
Benco is a subsidiary of the Chinese electronic giant INONE Group. The brand has been operational since 2009 and specializes in entry-level to mid-range smartphones. Benco is getting popular day by day for their value-for-money devices. Recently, Benco launched V91 under their V series lineup. The phone is now available in Bangladesh. Let's check out the smartphone in detail.
Key Specifications of Benco V91
Design and Build Quality
Benco V91 is positioned as an ultra-budget smartphone. As a result, there are certain cut corners to accommodate an overall passable Android experience.
Starting from the design, the V91 is a major overhaul from last year’s V90. The rectangular camera housing with a fingerprint on the back has been replaced with a circular camera grid and a dual-tone finish. The fingerprint scanner has now been moved to the power button. The matte frosted back is made of plastic with the frame also following suit.
Read more: Honor 90 Lite Review: Performance within Budget
Dimension-wise, the smartphone comes in at 162.94 mm by 74.69 mm by 8.99 mm with 195 g weight. There isn’t any specific information on the screen-to-body ratio but it isn’t exactly pleasing. The front panel has a water drop notch display with a thick bottom bezel. It looks quite out of place by 2023 standards but that’s just one of the gripes of entry-level smartphones.
The smartphone has the usual ports and buttons with a dedicated microSD slot and a headphone jack. However, the secondary mic for noise cancellation is missing on the V91.
The Display
The display on the V91 is a 6.56-inch HD+ IPS LCD panel with 720 by 1640 pixels with 269 ppi density. The panel has 90.14% color accuracy which is on the higher spectrum among HD+ LCD panels.
Read more: Honor X8a Review: Is it a value for money smartphone?
The inclusion of a 90 Hz refresh rate is praiseworthy. The higher refresh rate alleviates the display experience and somewhat compensates for other lacking. As for the visibility, Benco didn’t provide any rating on the nits of the panel. But visibility felt alright indoors as well as outdoors. However, users would have to squint a bit under direct sunlight.
Overall, the panel won’t be a disappointing experience considering its price. The only drawback however would be its design.
The Camera
There is a triple-camera setup on the Benco V91. However, only the main 13 MP AI camera with f/2.0 aperture gets the specifications. There are two more 2MP sensors in the camera housing.
Read more: Infinix Note 30 5G Review: Know the Pros and Cons
As for the main sensor, it gets the job done for casual photography. Images had good details with an average dynamic range. There were a few exposure issues as the shadows became completely dark at times. The image quality also deteriorated in indoor and artificial lighting conditions. Pictures taken without the flashlight had noticeable grains in them.
There is also an 8 MP front camera which can take some decent selfies.
The videography on the Benco V91 is rated at 1080P at 30 fps. However, the lack of proper stabilization both internal and software doesn’t produce good quality videos on the V91.
Processor and Performance
The processor on the V91 is Unisoc T606. The octa-core processor is coupled with ARM Mali-G57 MP1 GPU. Both the processor and the GPU are entry-level ones with modest performance.
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In day-to-day tests like browsing the web, watching videos, and browsing social media, the processor performed fairly well. There weren’t any noticeable lag or glitch and the 90 Hz made it a smooth scrolling experience.
As for gaming, the V91 isn’t made for graphics-intensive 3D games. Yet it was able to run games like PUBG and Asphalt 9 with basic settings. However, the device became hot after about 20 minutes of gaming.
One of the best features of V91 is its Operating System. Typically, budget-friendly smartphones tend to use the lightweight Android GO as their OS. Unlike them, the V91 comes with a full-fledged Android 13. Even though the OS uses a custom skin, there wasn’t any bloatware to bog down the experience.
Overall, the V91 was able to provide a decent user experience considering its price.
Read more: vivo Y17s Review with Price in Bangladesh
Battery and Charge Time
The battery on the Benco V91 is a 5000 mAh Li-poly one. It also comes with an 18W fast charging feature.
Pros and Cons of Benco V91
Pros:
- High refresh rate - Standard user experience - Headphone jack - Reliable battery life
Cons:
- Mediocre camera.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Review: What are the key upgrades?
Official Price of the Benco V91 in Bangladesh
The Benco V91 is available in 4/128 GB and 8/128 GB variants. The official prices of these variants are 9,999 BDT and 10,999 BDT respectively.
Verdict
Benco V91 is an incremental update over last year’s V90. It brings quite a few noticeable changes in terms of design and performance. The fast refresh rate and the easy-to-navigate UI make the V91 a perfect daily driver budget-friendly Android. However, the camera could’ve been a bit better.
Overall, this entry-level smartphone offers a standard package for regular tasks. It can be said that the highly affordable price of the Benco V91 can make it an easy choice in the ultra-budget market.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
vivo X100 Pro Review: A New Standard for Camera
vivo recently launched its flagship smartphone for the year, the vivo X100 Pro on 21st November. While the X100 Pro is an incremental update over the X100 Pro, it brings in several groundbreaking tech that posits it to be the best from vivo in 2023’s end. Here’s everything you need to know.
Key Specifications of the vivo X100 Pro
Design and Build Quality
The design of the X100 Pro takes a slightly different approach from the X90 Pro. There is no dual-tone bar at the back and neither is the camera housing positioned asymmetrically. Rather the design elements of the X100 Pro bring uniformity and minimalism all around.
The X100 Pro has a dimension of 164.05 x 75.28 x 8.91 mm for the Startrail Blue and Asteroid Black variant. The leather-finished Sunset Orange comes in at 164.05 x 75.28 x 9.05 mm. The weights of the variants are 225 g and 221 g respectively.
Read more: Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G Review: What’s New?
The frosted glass back finish combined with an aluminum frame, a fresh new camera ring, and the customary curved panel make the X100 pro easily stand out as a premium flagship.
The Display
The display on the X100 Pro is easily one of the best in the flagship category. The 6.78-inch LTPO AMOLED panel has a 2800 x 1260 FHD+ resolution. Additionally, the panel supports 1B colors, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and up to 3000 nits of peak brightness thanks to the new VM7 light-emitting material. vivo has pushed the existing HBM to a new high with the X100 Pro which makes the display distinctly clear even under direct sunlight.
The curved display along with the punch-hole camera design makes way for an 89.8% screen-to-body ratio. Now coming to the performance metrics, the display supports 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and 105% NTSC color saturation. In effect, the display on the X100 Pro is easily one of the top contenders for the best display of 2023.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
The Camera
The camera system is where the X100 Pro takes a decisive lead from the X90 Pro. The main camera on the X100 pro is a 50 MP f/1.8 aperture lens with a 1-inch sensor. And if that wasn’t enough, there is another 50 MP f/2.5 shooter with a 100 mm periscope and another 50 MP f/2.0 119˚ ultrawide lens. The uniformity in resolution brings out some of the best pictures on mobile devices.
The “Xtreme Imagination” branding on the back is a testament to the Zeiss optics and their impeccable performance. While pictures came out great in daylight, things took a dramatic improvement in low light thanks to the large main sensor. Images had good contrast and exposure and accurate colors which is what Zeiss is famous for. Custom Zeiss features like Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, and 3D LUT imports are also available on the X100 Pro.
There is a 32 MP front camera on the X100 Pro which provides a similarly great result. The videography on the X100 Pro brings 8K, 4K, and 1080P thanks to OIS and gyro-EIS. The 4K resolution also supports cinematic mode with hyper-stabilization.
Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?
Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G Review: What’s New?
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo was launched in India on September 21, 2023. In 2023, the Moto Edge series saw significant enhancements in features and capabilities. This trend continues with the Neo. Let’s take a look at the key specs, pros, cons, and price of the Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G.
Key Features of Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Design
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo boasts a design that closely mirrors the Edge 40, maintaining a sleek and premium appearance with a curved rear panel and display.
The device, measuring 159.6 mm by 72.0mm by 7.9mm and weighing 170g to 172g, features a glass front and a plastic frame and back. Notably, the plastic frame distinguishes it from the regular Edge 40, which employs an aluminium frame.
Neo maintains an impressive IP68 dust/water resistance (up to 1.5m for 30 min), highlighting its durability. The front integrates Nippon Electric Glass with a discreet punch hole for the selfie camera.
Read more: Honor 90 Lite Review: Performance within Budget
The phone's side panels house standard elements, such as a USB-C port, loudspeaker, microphone, power button, and volume buttons. The colour options, inspired by Pantone catalogue shades, include the visually appealing Caneel Bay version with a vegan leather back, resistant to fingerprints, offering both style and a comfortable grip.
Overall, the Edge 40 Neo 5G combines a recognizable design with practical features, including a lightweight build and environmentally conscious choices in materials and packaging.
Display
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo features a 6.55-inch P-OLED display, striking a balance between size and usability. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3.
With a Full HD+ resolution of 1080 by 2400 pixels with 20:9 aspect ratio and 402PPI. Its screen delivers vibrant and natural colours, particularly when shifted from the default Saturated colour mode.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
The standout feature is its 144Hz refresh rate, though the practical benefits of such a high refresh rate may be debated. The display supports HDR10+, ensuring compatibility with high dynamic range content, and boasts a peak brightness of 1300 nits under HDR conditions.
Neo's display offers a canvas for multimedia consumption, complemented by stereo speakers. Though lacking in low-end punch, its stereo speakers provide clear and loud audio. The addition of Dolby Atmos support enhances the audio experience when using headphones. However, users may sometimes experience false palm pressing due to the dual-curved nature of Neo’s display.
Performance and Hardware
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7030 chipset, a notable addition to the Edge family. The octa-core processor features a 2+6 configuration, with two high-performance Cortex-A78 cores clocked at 2.5GHz and six energy-efficient Cortex-A55 cores reaching 2.0GHz. This device runs on Android 13 OS.
Accompanying this is the Mali-G610 MC3 GPU, offering capable performance in the mid-range segment. The phone is equipped with 6GB or 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM combined with 128 or 256GB of storage.
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In benchmark tests, the Edge 40 Neo demonstrates solid performance, with GeekBench scores of 1038 in single-core and 2515 in multi-core, along with a 1964 OpenCL score for the GPU.
The provided sensors include a Proximity Sensor, Ambient Light Sensor, Accelerometer, GyroscopeLight Sensor, SAR sensor, Sensor Hub, Mobile Hotspot, Magnetometer (e-Compass), On-screen fingerprint reader, and ThinkShield for mobile.
Cameras
The camera setup on the Motorola Edge 40 Neo closely resembles that of the Edge 40, with some notable distinctions.
The rear camera configuration includes a 50MP wide main lens with an f/1.8 aperture, a 1/1.5" sensor size. This primary rear camera utilises the OmniVision OV50A sensor, offering a large 1/1.55" optical format for detailed 12.5MP photos.
Read more: vivo X100 Review: The Flagship Killer of 2023
In daylight, the Neo produces vibrant 12.5MP images with good contrast and detail, while the 50MP Ultra-Res mode enhances definition. This sensor has an optical image stabilisation (OIS) mode.
The ultra-wide-angle lens stands at 13MP with an f/2.2 aperture and 120˚ field of view. It employs a 13MP SK Hynix HI1336 sensor. The ultrawide camera can capture photos with commendable detailing.
Night Vision mode performs well, and the Portrait mode, featuring three focal lengths, captures impressive results.
The front camera boasts a 32MP resolution with an f/2.4 aperture. Selfies default to 8MP resolution but can switch to the full 32MP mode, showcasing excellent detail, natural skin tones, and a wide dynamic range.
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Video capture capabilities include 4K recording at 30fps for the rear and front cameras, with additional frame rate options at lower resolutions.
Battery and Charging
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo is equipped with a substantial 5,000mAh battery, offering extended usage with ease. With average usage, the phone reliably lasts about 36 hours.
68W TurboPower fast charging is one of the best features of the Edge 40 Neo. The device can reach 50% battery capacity in just 15 minutes, and a full charge in approximately 40-45 minutes.
Pros and Cons of Motorola Edge 40 Neo
Pros
- Sleek and lightweight premium design- Robust performance- Competent camera capabilities- Vibrant display- Fast Charging.
Read more: itel A70 Review: A standard entry-level phone
Cons
- Curved screens may cause occasional false input issues- Limited software support duration.
Price of the Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G
The variant of Edge 40 Neo with 128GB storage and 6GB RAM has been released in India, priced at INR 27,699 or BDT 37,011 in Bangladesh, with a conversion rate of INR 1 = BDT 1.32. The official price of the Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G in Bangladesh may vary due to tax and other issues.
Verdict
The Motorola Edge 40 Neo offers a good package. It can deliver reliable performance driven by the Dimensity 7030 chipset, a vibrant 144Hz pOLED display, IP68 water resistance, LPDDR5 RAM, generous internal storage, and 68W fast charging. The 50 MP main camera impresses with detailed shots in various lighting conditions. Motorola's clean software approach enhances the user experience, making the Motorola Edge 40 Neo 5G a compelling choice in its price category.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
The Shenzhen-based Chinese mobile phone manufacturing company Tecno Mobile was founded in 2006. This brand is popular for producing affordable devices that offer reliability and durability. In this wave, Tecno released their new budget-friendly device Spark 20C in December 2023. Let’s take a look into the key features, pros, cons, and price of Tecno Spark 20C.
Key Features of Tecno Spark 20c
Design
The Tecno Spark 20C boasts a commendable display that enhances the user experience with its well-balanced dimensions. Measuring 163.7 mm by 75.6 mm by 8.6 mm, the device strikes an equilibrium between a sizable screen and ergonomic design, ensuring a comfortable grip.
The display, featured on the glass front, with a plastic back and frame. The combination of its design elements offers a substantial viewing area that creates a harmonious blend of form and function within an affordable price range.
Read more: Honor 90 Lite Review: Performance within Budget
Display
The Tecno Spark 20C features an impressive 6.6-inch IPS LCD with a notable 90Hz refresh rate, providing users with a smoother scrolling experience. The display's resolution of 720 by 1612 pixels and 20:9 ratio ensures vibrant colors and sharp clarity, yielding a pixel density of approximately 267 ppi.
The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 84.6%, maximizing the available display area for an immersive visual experience. This specification combination underscores the device's commitment to delivering advanced display features, including enhanced refresh rates and optimal resolution, making the Tecno Spark 20C a compelling choice for users seeking a superior viewing experience.
Cameras
The main camera of 20c boasts an impressive 50 MP wide lens complemented by a 0.08 MP auxiliary lens, ensuring the capture of sharp and detailed images. The inclusion of Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) guarantees swift and accurate focusing, enhancing overall performance. Notable features such as Dual-LED flash and HDR further contribute to a standard photography experience allowing well-lit and balanced shots in diverse lighting conditions. The main camera also supports video recording at 1080p and 30 frames per second, delivering stunning video quality.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
The 8 MP selfie camera, equipped with Dual-LED flash, caters to avid selfie-takers, ensuring well-lit and clear selfies.
Considering its price range, the Tecno Spark 20C offers a comprehensive and user-friendly camera system, allowing users to capture satisfactory photos with clarity and details.
Performance and Hardware
Spark 20C is powered by the Android 13 operating system. Its Mediatek chipset and Octa-core 2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU work in tandem to facilitate swift multitasking and efficient app launches, ensuring optimal performance whether engaging in video streaming, gaming, or handling multiple applications concurrently.
Storage versatility is a standout feature, with the microSDXC card slot offering expandable storage options. Complementing the generous internal storage choices of 128GB with either 4GB or 8GB RAM, the Tecno Spark 20C accommodates a wealth of apps and media. This configuration facilitates smooth performance, even during resource-intensive tasks.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
Battery and Charger
The Tecno Spark 20C is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery. It comes with 18W wired charging.
Pros and Cons of Tecno Spark 20C
Pros
-Impressive Display-High-Resolution Cameras-Ample Storage Options-Durable Build-Long-lasting Battery.
Cons
- Limited Video Resolution- Plastic Build- No Mention of Water Resistance- No Wireless Charging- Moderate Pixel Density.
Read more: Walton NexG N8 Review: Budget-friendly phone with essential features
Price of Tecno Spark 20C
The Tecno Spark 20C has officially made its debut in Bangladesh. Priced at BDT 14,499, the 128/16GB RAM variant provides ample storage. Alternatively, the 128/8GB RAM model is available at a slightly lower cost of BDT 12,999, catering to those seeking a balance between storage capacity and affordability
Conclusion
The Tecno Spark 20C impressively blends essential features with affordability, making it a standard choice in the entry-level smartphone segment. Its standard display, refresh rate, camera system, storage, etc offer a reliable user experience.
The device's storage versatility, durable build, and long-lasting 5000 mAh battery with 18W wired charging enhance its overall appeal. While it has some limitations, such as the plastic build, low video resolution, etc.
Overall, Tecno Spark 20C's competitive pricing in Bangladesh positions it as a reliable and user-friendly smartphone. This device can be a good pick for users seeking a feature-rich yet budget-friendly option under BDT 15000.
Read more: Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing in December 2023
Honor 90 Lite Review: Performance within Budget
The Shenzhen based consumer electronics company Honor was founded in 2013 as a sub-brand of Huawei. The brand was sold to Shenzhen Zhixin New Information Technology Co. Ltd in November 2020. Honor phones are popular for good features with reasonable pricings. In this wave, Honor has released 90 Lite. Let’s take a look tinto the key specs, pros, cons and price of Honor 90 Lite phone.
Key Features of Honor 90 Lite
Design
The Honor 90 Lite boasts a sleek design, measuring 162.9 mm by 74.5 mm by 7.5 mm and weighing a mere 179g. Its flat sides and large, low-bezel screen provide a generic yet practical front, while the distinctive shimmer of its Black, Silver, or Cyan back panel, coupled with cropped-circle camera bumps, adds a unique touch.
The device features a plastic back with a subtle shine, resembling a fusion of glass and metal. The phone's matte frame houses a USB-C port at the base, a power button/fingerprint scanner combo, and a volume rocker on the right side. On the left, the SIM card tray accommodates dual Nano-SIM cards but lacks SD card support.
Read more: Honor X6a Review: A minimalist budget-friendly phone with standard features
The mono speaker, located next to the USB-C port, can be easily covered during gaming, affecting audio quality. Regrettably, the absence of a headphone jack further diminishes audio options, marking sound as one of the 90 Lite's weaker aspects.
Despite a relatively slender 7.48mm profile, the phone's flat frame, without curved edges, provides a sturdy grip. Notably, Honor has streamlined the packaging, omitting a charger and case but including a pre-fitted screen protector and charging cable.
Display
The Honor 90 Lite features a 6.7-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, showcasing slim bezels on three sides and a noticeable chin below the screen. The Wide Full HD resolution and 19.9:9 aspect ratio deliver sharp visuals at 1080 by 2388 pixels, providing an immersive viewing experience.
Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability
While lacking the deep blacks of OLED panels, the LCD technology offers respectable viewing angles. The smooth 90Hz refresh rate enhances overall display performance. However, the phone's brightness may be insufficient in extremely sunny conditions.
Cameras
The Honor 90 Lite comes equipped with a triple camera setup featuring a 100 MP main lens with an f/1.9 aperture, a 5 MP (f/2.2) ultrawide lens, and a 2 MP (f/2.4) macro lens, accompanied by a depth-sensing lens.
The main lens performs well in optimal lighting conditions, capturing vibrant and sharp photos. However, night mode tends to introduce excessive blurring, and the camera struggles in less-than-ideal lighting.
Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?
Notably, the 2 MP macro lens surprisingly produces good quality photos, showcasing detail in close-up shots. The zoom capability, though, falls short, resulting in blurred and less sharp images. Portrait mode works effectively, creating a pleasing separation between the subject and background.
The selfie camera, at 16 MP (f/2.5), delivers satisfactory results for its price, but lacks the sharpness of higher-end models. While the main lens stands out, there's room for improvement in the overall quality across all lenses.
Performance and Hardware
The Honor 90 Lite delivers solid performance with its 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, and the MediaTek Dimensity 6020 5G chip 7nm. The phone operates smoothly without freezing or stuttering, meeting expectations for its price range. The mid-range Dimensity processor performs well for everyday tasks, but users may experience limitations with more graphically demanding applications like heavy gaming.
Read more: itel A70 Review: A standard entry-level phone
However, in its price range, Xiaomi Redmi Note 13 Pro offers better performance with Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 (4 nm) chipset.
The phone's unique feature, Honor RAM Turbo, allows for the expansion of RAM by allocating GB from the ROM memory, enhancing multitasking capabilities. Benchmark tests reveal performance similar to the Samsung Galaxy A14, although charging speed is slightly slower. When compared to its higher-end counterpart, the Honor 90, the pricier model excels in graphics tests but has a shorter battery life.
Software
The Honor 90 Lite operates on Android 13, overlaid with the Magic UI 7.1 layer, which bears a striking resemblance to Huawei's OS, given their historical association. Notably, Honor maintains full compatibility with Google services, a crucial aspect for users.
Read more: Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing in December 2023
The device comes with a set of pre-installed apps, including some peculiar games and Honor's own applications in the MyHonor section. The interface is visually pleasing, characterized by vibrant colors and simplicity. Users have the flexibility to uninstall any unwanted apps. Google's applications replace those pre-installed, though users can choose to install them manually.
The device features "Honor Share," reliable file sharing with compatible devices. The launcher is straightforward, with all installed apps appearing on a single home screen. Honor commits to three years of security updates and confirms two years of Android updates, ensuring reasonable software support for the Honor 90 Lite.
Battery and Charger
The Honor 90 Lite offers a 4,500 mAh battery coupled with a 35W fast-charging capability, though it doesn't include a charging brick in the box. To maximize the fast charging feature, users need to purchase a separate 35W-rated charger.
Read more: vivo X100 Review: The Flagship Killer of 2023
Testing the charging speed, the phone reached 29% in 15 minutes and 57% in 30 minutes, aligning well with average expectations for its price range. Despite the lack of an included charger, the Honor 90 Lite's charging times are deemed acceptable, providing a substantial battery boost in just 30 minutes.
Pros and Cons of Honor 90 Lite
Pros
- Main camera captures standard quality photos- Decent display - Good storage capacity.
Cons
- Limited zoom functionality with subpar results- Lack of 4K video recording capability- Secondary cameras exhibit room for improvement- Absence of a charger in the packaging.
Read more: Walton NexG N8 Review: Budget-friendly phone with essential features
Price of Honor Lite 90
The Honor 90 Lite is not officially sold in Bangladesh. However, in Malaysia, the cost for the 8GB+256GB version is RM 1,099.00, which is equivalent to BDT 25,899. To put it simply, the exchange rate is RM 1 = BDT 23.57.
Verdict
The Honor 90 Lite emerges as a well-priced handset catering to budget-conscious users seeking competent performance. Despite some shortcomings, such as the lack of OLED and audio limitations, the phone excels with its versatile UI, capable processor, and impressive 100MP main camera.
On the whole, Honor 90 Lite is a standard budget-friendly phone for regular tasks.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
Xiaomi Redmi K70 Review: Mid-range phone with flagship features
On November 29th, 2023, Xiaomi unveiled three new devices, including the Redmi K70. This device appears as a worthy successor to the Redmi K60, boasting several enhancements over its predecessors. Xiaomi has managed to deliver notable improvements in K70 while keeping its price at a mid-range level. Let’s take a look at the key specs, pros, cons, and price of the Redmi K70.
Key Features of Xiaomi Redmi K70
Design
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 combines a sleek and lightweight design, weighing 209g and measuring 160.9 mm by 75 mm by 8.2 mm. The dual Nano-SIM capability enhances network flexibility, catering to diverse user needs. The subtle design changes include a modified photo module block, a distinct texture on the glass panel, and a reduced steel size relative to the display frame.
The plastic edging, while maintaining durability, reflects cost-saving measures. The device's thickness stands at 8.2mm, contributing to its ergonomic feel in hand. Although lacking weather-sealing for splash resistance, the Redmi K70 impresses with a manageable weight, compact dimensions, and a volumetric capacity of 98.95cm³, making it a practical and stylish choice for users seeking a balanced smartphone experience.
Read more: Most Hyped Smartphones Releasing in December 2023
Display
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 impresses with a visually stunning 6.67-inch OLED screen, boasting a 1440 by 3200 pixels resolution that ensures intricate details in visuals. With a 120Hz refresh rate, the display delivers seamless and fluid motion across various media, enhancing the overall user experience.
Notably, the screen achieves an industry-leading peak brightness of 4000 nits, setting a new standard for comfortable viewing even under bright sunlight. The incorporation of an AI algorithm elevates the display further by upscaling select apps and video games, ensuring crisp and vibrant visuals. The technology behind the screen includes OLED/AMOLED, offering vibrant colors.
With a pixel density of 526 ppi, the Redmi K70 ensures clarity and sharpness in image rendering. The support for HDR10 and HDR10+ technologies, along with Dolby Vision, enhances color depth and contrast for a lifelike visual experience. The inclusion of features like an always-on display and a touch sampling rate of 480Hz adds to the device's appeal, making the Redmi K70 a standout choice for those seeking a top-tier display in a smartphone.
Cameras
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 boasts an impressive camera setup, featuring a 50MP primary sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and 1/1.55-inch size for exceptional image quality. The main sensor is equipped with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), ensuring steady videos and sharp photos even in dynamic conditions.
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Complementing this, the 8MP ultrawide lens and 2MP macro sensor enhance versatility, enabling users to capture a wide range of scenes with detail and clarity.
The front camera sports a 16MP sensor, perfect for high-resolution selfies.
Noteworthy features include built-in optical image stabilization, continuous autofocus for video recording, and phase-detection autofocus for photos, ensuring sharp and clear shots.
With the main sensor, this device can shoot 8K footage at 24fps, 4K videos at 24/30/60fps, 1080p videos at 30/60/120/240/960fps, and 720p footage at 1920fps. It has a gyro-EIS feature.
The front camera is capable of capturing 1080p videos at 30/60fps with gyro-EIS.
The inclusion of slow-motion video recording, dual-tone LED flash, HDR mode, and manual exposure settings further elevate the camera capabilities, making the Redmi K70 a reliable choice for photography enthusiasts seeking diverse and high-quality imaging experiences.
Read more: Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?
Performance and Software
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 is powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 4nm processor, offering robust performance for games and applications, despite being one generation behind the latest Qualcomm chip. Its graphic section is equipped with GPU Adreno 740.
Paired with up to 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, the device excels in handling resource-intensive tasks and ensures smooth multitasking.
With internal storage options reaching up to 1TB of UFS 4.0 storage, the Redmi K70 provides ample space for fast data transfers and extensive file storage.
Running on Android 14, the device introduces advanced privacy features, including clipboard warnings, location privacy options, and camera/microphone privacy controls. Additionally, users can enjoy theme customization, personalizing their devices according to their preferences.
The Redmi K70's hardware specifications, coupled with the latest Android version, promise a seamless and feature-rich experience for users, making it a compelling choice in the smartphone market.
Read more: realme GT5 Review: A gaming phone with high capability
Battery and Charger
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 5000 mAh battery, ensuring a reliable power source for extended usage. What sets it apart is its exceptional charging capability, supporting a blazing-fast 120W wired charging system.
With PD3.0 and QC3+ compatibility, the device boasts an advertised 100% charge in just 18 minutes. This impressive charging speed adds convenience to the user experience, addressing power needs swiftly and efficiently, making the Redmi K70 a compelling choice for those seeking a quick and reliable charging solution.
Pros and Cons of Xiaomi Redmi K70
Pros
- Sleek and lightweight design- Up to 16GB RAM, up to 1TB storage- Android 14 with privacy features- 120W wired charging- 8K video footage.
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Cons
- Lack of weather-sealing- Plastic edging- Specific wide aperture details not provided
Price of Redmi K70
The Xiaomi Redmi K70 is priced at CNY 2499 in China, which translates to BDT 38786 in Bangladesh. The conversion rate between Chinese Yuan (CNY) and Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) is CNY 1 = BDT 15.52. So, if you're considering the cost in Bangladesh, it would be BDT 38786 based on the current exchange rate.
Summing Up
Redmi K70 with a well-balanced package with a sleek design, robust RAM, a powerful processor, and a smart display. The camera setup is also decent. One of the most remarkable features is 120W wired charging, promising a full charge in just 18 minutes. Its 8K video recording is also impressive. However, the device lacks weather-sealing and comes with plastic edging.
On the whole, Redmi K70 is a compelling choice for users seeking a feature-rich smartphone at a competitive price point. It won’t be overwhelming to say that Xiaomi Redmi K70 is a contender for the best mid-range smartphone of 2023.
Read more: vivo X100 Review: The Flagship Killer of 2023
realme launches 'Year-End Sale-Bration' campaign
realme has launched its "Year-End Sale-Bration" campaign to enhance the celebration of the holiday month and end the year with a blast.”
The sale is only available in stores, and the campaign will end till the stock lasts, according to a press release.
Also read: vivo unveils Y27s smartphone
In the "Year-End Sale-Bration" realme C55 (6+128GB) is only available at Tk 19,999 for customers, it said.
The consumer electronics company is offering the realme C53 (6+128GB), for Tk 15,999.
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Customers can buy the C51 (4+64GB) with 50MP AI cameras for Tk 12,999, added the release.
Those seeking a device with a powerful processor but at a reasonable price can purchase either the C30s (2+32GB) for Tk 8,999 or the C30s (3+64GB) for Tk 10,999, it said.
vivo unveils Y27s smartphone
Smartphone manufacturer “vivo” has introduced its latest mid-range smartphone, the "Y27s,” in Bangladesh, specialising in gaming and video streaming.
Similar to the gaming experience of “Call of Duty” in the Y series, the Y27s enhances gaming and addresses battery life concerns through efficient charging, according to a press release.
Also read: vivo X100 Review: The Flagship Killer of 2023
This new smartphone is equipped with a 5,000 mAh battery and a 44-watt, powerful flash charger. The price of the vivo Y27s is set at Tk 22,999, it said.
With a full charge, the vivo Y27s can support continuous music playback for 18 hours, uninterrupted YouTube video viewing for up to 20 hours, and hassle-free enjoyment of Instagram or YouTube reels for a solid 12 hours.
The vivo Y27s smartphone is powered by the Snapdragon 680 processor and operates on the Funtouch OS 13 operating system.
Also read: vivo V29e 5G Review: Is this mid-range phone rightly priced?
The vivo Y27s features Extended RAM Technology 3.0, providing 8GB of RAM. Additionally, there is an option to expand the RAM by another 8GB. The smartphone comes with 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1 terabyte, said the release.
Available in Burgundy Black and Garden Green colours, vivo Y27s features a dual-camera ring design and a fantasy frame on the back side. With a 2.5D flat frame, the smartphone weighs just 192 grammes, and its thickness is only 8.17 mm, providing a comfortable grip, it sad.
It has a 6.64-inch multi-touch capacitive LCD display with a resolution of 2388 x 1080. This Full HD+ display offers a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a fantastic visual experience for watching video content. With a pixel density of 394 PPI and a 99% NTSC colour gamut, the display ensures vibrant and accurate colours, enhancing the enjoyment of video content.
On the camera front, the vivo Y27s features an 8-megapixel front camera and an impressive 50-megapixel rear camera, promising delightful photography experiences. The 2-megapixel bokeh lens adds a touch of artistry to selfies or portrait photography.
Also read: Vivo V29e: An entire studio in one Smartphone
Google Pixel 8 Pro Review: Is this the best Android phone of 2023?
One of the most anticipated Android releases for 2023 has been the Google Pixel 8 lineup. The Pixel series is often considered the best of what Android has to offer since it brings the true stock Android experience. The Pixel 8 Pro was globally released on October 12, 2023. Here’s what’s changed and what’s better in this year’s 8 pro.
Key Features of Google Pixel 8 Pro
Design
The Pixel 8 Pro is in no way a small phone. At about 162.6 x 76.5 x 8.8 mm and 213 g weight, it’s hard to call the 8 Pro a one-handed phone. The classic visor design is carried over from the last generation. This time, the visor has a glossy finish with the glass back having a matte finish. The durable build, flat symmetrical display along with IP68 rating ensures that the 8 Pro has all the standard features of a premium flagship.
Display
Speaking of the display, the 8 Pro features an LTPO OLED screen with 120Hz refresh rate HDR10+ support along with 1600 nits of HBM and 2400 nits of peak brightness. The resolution of the panel stands at 1344 x 2992 pixels with 489 ppi density. The display quality is impeccable as usual. The fluid response along with the minimalist stock android makes it a treat to interact with the display. The flat screen also has been a welcome addition over the 7 Pro’s curved panel.
Read more: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold5 Review: An Incremental Update Nearing Perfection
But let’s talk about what most people are excited about, the camera. Pixel phones have forever been known for their camera and post-processing magic. This year, the Pixel 8 Pro takes it a notch further with a higher level of ML and AI integration.
Camera
On paper, users will be getting a 50 MP (f/1.7) wide-angle main sensor, a 48 MP (f/2.8) telephoto, and a 48 MP (f/2.0) ultrawide sensor.
Initially, there were some hiccups with the camera but Google has promptly addressed those with a series of software updates. This year, the improvements aren’t really about the picture quality, but rather what the Pixel is capable of in post-processing.
From Magic Eraser, motion capture, and Best Take to completely changing the background using AI, the post-processing feels nothing less than unreal on the 8 Pro. Beyond that, the pictures themselves are more or less the same as the 7 Pro.
Read more: Honor X8a Review: Is it a value for money smartphone?
On the front side 8 pro offers a 10.5MP (f/2.0) selfie shooter.
Bothe the front and rear cameras are capable of shooting 4K video footage which is really praiseworthy.