Using earbuds or headphones for extended periods puts your hearing at risk. We bet you’re already aware of this, but we doubt you know about Hyphen Aria air conduction earbuds. These unique earbuds aim to provide you with a more natural way of listening, something that won’t harm your ears. The company says Hyphen Aria earbuds are like “a built-in surround sound system in your ears.” These innovative hearables are now available for crowdfunding on Kickstarter. Here are the details.
Hyphen Aria Eabuds offer safe listening without compromising on sound
Hyphen Aria earbuds offer a more biological way of listening. Unlike traditional earbuds, Hyphen Aria sit outside the ear canal. This is claimed to ensure improved air circulation and helps to facilitate self-cleaning through the production of earwax. The earbuds come with a compact design, weighing just 8g. There’s also a patented Gravity Hook that should provide stability and make the earbuds compatible with different ear shapes.
These ear-friendly hearables also don’t compromise on sound quality, says the company. They precisely deliver sound waves to your ears by a 14.88mm custom driver. The power is rated to be 20W and the earbuds are also fitted with a composite membrane. The calling experience should also be not bad as the Hyphen Aria come with ENC (Environmental Noise Cancellation) and dual mic algorithm that apparently cancels 90% of the background noise, providing 35dB noise reduction.
Hyphen Aria is also rated IPX4 for dust and water resistance. Talking about the battery life, these earbuds can last you around 33 hours with the case. They support USB-C and 15W Qi wireless charging.
The earbuds are also priced competitively. Hyphen Aria has a retail price of $149 but the effective Kickstarter price is $129.
DJI has recently teased the upcoming release of its new product, the DJI Air 3 drone, on its official Weibo account with the theme “Dual cameras in position, protagonist returns.” DJI has not disclosed any information about the new product, but according to previous leaks, the new product is likely to be the DJI Air 3 drone. The announcement is scheduled for July 25, 2023.
DJI Air 3 to feature dual-cameras
Compared to its predecessors, the Air 2 and Air 2S, the Air 3 is expected to be a major upgrade. According to leaks, one of the most significant improvements is the introduction of a dual-camera system, similar to the high-end Mavic 3 series. The Air 3 will feature an f/1.7 main camera with a focal length equivalent to 24mm and an f/2.4 telephoto lens with a focal length equivalent to 70mm. This dual-camera setup will provide more versatility and better photo quality, particularly for capturing distant subjects.
While the Air 3’s dual-camera system is similar to the Mavic 3, it does not seem to have the Hasselblad branding that the Mavic 3 cameras feature. However, DJI has a strong reputation for producing high-quality cameras, so the Air 3’s imaging capabilities are still expected to be impressive.
According to the Verge, battery upgrades are also expected for the Air 3. It is speculated to have a 4241mAh or 62.6Wh battery, representing a 30% increase over the battery found in the DJI Mavic Air 2. This larger capacity battery should result in an extended flight time, which currently stands at a maximum of 34 minutes for the Air 2.
The Air 3 will come with a new RC-N2 controller, which is anticipated to enhance the overall flying experience. Pricing details have been hinted at through an Amazon listing spotted by WinFuture, with the DJI Air 3 and RC-N2 controller expected to be priced at around $1,213. ‘Fly More’ bundles, which include extra batteries and accessories, are anticipated to cost between $1,512 to $1,739.
With the official announcement only a week away, the DJI Air 3 drone is shaping up to be a considerable improvement over its predecessors, especially with the dual-camera setup and augmented battery capacity. These enhancements are poised to significantly improve both photo capture capabilities and flight times, setting the Air 3 up to be a significant contender in the drone market.
WhatsApp, the popular messaging app from Meta, has recently launched a new feature that simplifies initiating chats with unknown individuals by allowing users to search for their phone numbers directly within the app.
According to WABetaInfo, this handy addition aims to provide a more convenient and private way for users to engage in conversations without the need to save unknown contacts in their address book. The feature is now accessible to users who have updated their WhatsApp applications to the latest versions on both iOS and Android platforms.
Credit: Sinch
How to Use the New WhatsApp Feature: Chatting with Unknown Numbers
To use this feature, tap on the “start new chat” button in the chat list and enter the unknown number in the search bar. WhatsApp will first search if the number is in your list or not, if not then it will search outside your contacts list.
By extending its search functionality beyond the user’s existing contacts, WhatsApp ensures that conversations with unfamiliar numbers are made easier. This feature eliminates the need for third-party apps or the official click-to-chat APIs, simplifying the process for users who previously encountered limitations in initiating chats with unknown individuals.
One notable advantage of this feature is its ability to enhance user privacy. Previously, individuals tended to save unknown contacts in their address books to view their WhatsApp profile photos and easily identify them in the future. However, such contacts often remain stored even after their purpose has been fulfilled. By allowing users to search for phone numbers without saving them, WhatsApp presents an additional layer of privacy, ensuring a more streamlined messaging experience.
For businesses, this update enables more efficient and direct communication with customers. They can promptly respond to inquiries, provide personalized assistance, and foster stronger relationships. By eliminating the need for customers to save contacts or use third-party applications, businesses can streamline their customer support operations and enhance overall customer satisfaction.
This feature is also beneficial for smaller businesses, freelancers, or entrepreneurs who heavily rely on WhatsApp for communication and client interactions. They can easily connect with potential clients or customers by sharing their phone numbers directly, expanding their reach, and establishing new connections.
This feature is not limited to beta users, it is now widely available to all users who have installed the latest stable updates of WhatsApp for iOS and Android. The latest WhatsApp for Android update can be obtained from the Google Play Store, while iOS users can update their app through the App Store app.
After recently launching the Samsung M34 5G smartphone in India, the brand seems to be working on a new entry-level device called the Galaxy A05. As the name suggests, the smartphone will belong to the next generation of budget devices that are due to debut soon. The Galaxy A05 has been spotted on the Wi-Fi Alliance website.
The Galaxy A05, identified by model number SM-A055F-DS, has received Wi-Fi Alliance certification. The certification confirms that the device will be named Galaxy A05 and will come equipped with Android 13 as its operating system. Additionally, it will support both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi bands. No further information on the device is available as of yet, so let’s take a look at its predecessor to get an idea of what to expect.
Samsung Galaxy A04 specs
The Samsung Galaxy A04 boasts a 6.5-inch display with an Infinity-V notch and HD+ resolution. On the front, there’s a 5-megapixel selfie camera, while the back houses a dual-camera system with a 50-megapixel primary camera (f/1.8 aperture) and a 2-megapixel depth sensor, accompanied by an LED flash.
Under the hood, the device runs on Android 12 OS layered with One UI Core 4.1, powered by a MediaTek Helio P35 octa-core processor. It comes with 4 GB of RAM and offers either 64 GB or 128 GB of storage space, with expandability through a microSD card slot. The Galaxy A04 is fueled by a 5,000mAh battery, ensuring reliable performance throughout the day. Connectivity options include dual-SIM support, 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Last week, IDC reported a decline in global smartphone shipments in the second quarter of this year. Now as per the latest research from Counterpoint’s Market Pulse service, the smartphone market also declined globally in Q2, 2023 i.e the period from April to June. It also marked the eighth consecutive quarter of year-on-year decline. The shipments dipped by 8 percent YoY and 5 percent QoQ basis during the second quarter. Read on to know more below.
Global smartphone shipments fall in Q2, 2023
As per the Counterpoint data, all markets experienced a decline in smartphone sales. However, the most significant drops were in developed countries like the US, Western Europe, and Japan with double-digit declines. On the contrary, China, India, the Middle East, and Africa recorded a smaller decline in shipments. The reason for the contraction in smartphone shipments is attributed to longer replacement cycles, innovation convergence, and a growing demand for refurbished devices.
As per the data from Counterpoint, all OEMs recorded negative year-on-year growth. Vivo declined 17 percent followed by Xiaomi and Samsung with 12 percent. Apple and OPPO had the lowest decline in terms of growth with 2 and 3 percent respectively.
In the second quarter of 2023, Samsung led the market with 22 percent share followed by Apple with 17 percent share. Xiaomi was third in the list with a 12 percent market share whereas OPPO and Vivo bagged the fourth and fifth spots. The report adds that Samsung benefited from the strong performance of Galaxy A-series globally whereas Xiaomi sought growth in other markets beyond China and India.
Although the global market declined for the eighth straight quarter, there was a silver lining. The premium segment (wholesale price above $600) continued to grow due to consumers seeking superior experience and accessible financing options. Nearly 20 percent of smartphones falling in this category were sold. Apple capitalized on this trend and recorded 50 percent YoY growth in India.
Counterpoint Research expects a market recovery in the upcoming quarters due to healthy inventory levels, newer models, and consumer upgrades.
Earlier this month, OnePlus launched the highly anticipated Nord 3 5G smartphone in the global market. The device has an impressive spec sheet including a 1.5K AMOLED display, a 50MP OIS triple camera setup, and a Dimensity 9000 processor. Now, the brand has started seeding a new software update for the device that comes with many improvements and the latest security patch.
The update labeled OxygenOS 13.1.0.543 is now being rolled out in India, Europe, and other global markets. There are two firmware versions for this update: CPH2491_13.1.0.543(EX01) for the Indian market, and CPH2493_13.1.0.543(EX01) for the European and global markets. The update includes the July 2023 Android security patch and various system improvements.
The update brings enhanced camera performance and stability, as well as improved cellular call stability to the OnePlus Nord 3 5G. Users can also expect better battery performance and overall system stability after applying this update. You can check out the official changelog below.
OnePlus Nord 3 5G OxygenOS 13.1.0.543 changelog
System • Integrates the July 2023 Android security patch to enhance system security. • Improves system stability and performance. • Improves battery life.
Communication • Improves phone call stability.
Camera • Improves the stability of Camera. • Improves camera performance.
An upcoming Tecno POVA smartphone has been spotted in a video clip. It has been shared by tipster Ishan Agarwal. The clip gives us a glimpse at the upcoming offering. However, the exact name and launch timeline of the forthcoming Tecno POVA remains a mystery.
Upcoming Tecno POVA to come with LED light on the back panel
As seen in the video, the upcoming Tecno POVA phone will feature an LED light strip on the back panel around the camera module. Ishan says that the new functionality will be called ‘Arc Interface’ and the LED strip will light up on receiving notifications. The lights can also be seen in various colors.
The functionality looks quite cool, however, it’s not the first time we’ve spotted it on a Tecno phone. Last year’s Tecno POVA 3 also had a vertical light strip on the back panel. The upcoming POVA phone has a glossy finish camera module with two sensors and an LED flash unit. The right side of the back panel seems to have a carbon-fiber-like pattern.
Tecno already launched the POVA 5 in the global markets last month and the brand is teasing the POVA Neo 3. However, it remains to be seen which device will feature the LED light strip. Notably, both phones have the same back panel design, however, the POVA 5 does not have any LED strip.
We will have to wait for more details about the upcoming mysterious POVA device.
Nubia launched the Red Magic 8S Pro and the Red Magic 8S Pro+ smartphones in China earlier this month. Now, the former has made its way to the global markets. It packs slightly different specifications than its Chinese counterpart and is a powerful device. Read on to know more about it below.
Red Magic 8S Pro specifications and features
The Red Magic 8 Pro has a boxy form factor with the volume rocker and power key on the left side. The right edge features gaming-centric shoulder trigger buttons including a Red-colour slider. The back panel has vertically stacked triple rear camera sensors. It also has a built-in fan with RGB lights on the back panel.
In terms of display, the Red Magic 8S Pro features a 6.8-inch AMOLED screen bearing a resolution of 2,480 x 1,116 pixels, 10-bit color depth, a 1,300 nits brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. The screen is also integrated with a fourth-generation 16MP under-display camera technology. On the optics front, the triple camera setup on the rear comprises a 50MP main sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro unit.
Under the hood, the Red Magic 8S Pro houses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 Leading Version. It has a higher clock speed of 3.36GHz. The chipset packs up to 16GB LPDDR5x RAM and up to 512GB UFS 4.0 storage. The device is equipped with an ICE 12.0 cooling system and a 2068mm³ super large vapor chamber (VC) for heat dissipation. The smartphone is backed by a 6,000mAh battery unit with support for 65W fast charging.
Other features on the Red Magic 8S Pro include dual speakers, 3 mics, and an X-Axis Linear Motor. The device also has an integrated fingerprint scanner that also doubles up as a heart-rate monitor. Connectivity options on the device include Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 7, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm jack.
The Red Magic 8S Pro is offered in Midnight, Platinum, and Aurora editions. The former carries a price tag of EUR 649 / $649 in Europe and America respectively for the 12GB + 256GB variant. The other two editions are priced at EUR 779 / $779 for the 16GB + 512GB configuration. The smartphone will be available for purchase from the brand’s official website starting August 3rd whereas from Amazon it will be available from August end.
Instagram’s companion app, Threads, has introduced rate limits in response to increasing spam attacks, drawing comparisons to Twitter’s similar measures. Elon Musk amusingly called it a copycat move. Initially implemented temporarily on Twitter, the rate limits were later eased for Twitter Blue subscribers and verified accounts. Threads has not specified the duration of its rate limits yet.
Spam Attacks: A Growing Concern on Threads
CEO Adam Mosseri stated that while the move was prompted by a surge in spam attacks, Threads is ready to assist users facing limitations. However, comment spam has notably risen on Threads, with users reporting bot responses on almost half of their posts. This persistent issue threatens the app’s momentum, having achieved an impressive milestone of 100 million users within five days of its launch.
Threads’ challenges mirror those faced by Twitter, which imposed viewing limits following a severe outage caused by data scraping and system manipulation. Initially setting different limits for verified and unverified users, Twitter later increased these limits, particularly for verified users. Critics argued that Twitter’s bot problem wouldn’t exist if the platform hadn’t significantly reduced its engineering staff.
For Threads, the main challenge lies in effectively addressing bot and spam issues, especially since the app is currently unavailable in Europe due to strict data privacy regulations. This situation has significant implications for influencers who rely on social media platforms for visibility and monetization. Platforms must provide a spam-free environment for influencers to thrive.
As Threads implements rate limits, finding a balance is crucial. While combating spam is important, the measures should not overly hinder legitimate content creators from effectively engaging with their audience. This saga serves as a reminder to social media platforms about the ongoing battle against spam and the significance of maintaining user-friendly environments.
Xiaomi will be launching the Redmi 12 smartphone on August 1 in India. The brand has already teased the three color options of the Redmi 12 coming to India which are Pastel Blue, Jade Black, and Moonstone Silver. The brand has now revealed that the smartphone will also be available to purchase on Flipkart.
The Redmi 12 will be available for purchase on Amazon, Xiaomi India website, and Flipkart. As per the Flipkart landing page, it will sport the largest display ever seen on a Redmi device, possibly the biggest among the numbered series. While it’s already accessible in various regions outside India, let’s explore its specifications.
Redmi 12 specs
The Redmi 12 is a mid-range 4G smartphone that comes powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 SoC. As for the display, the device features a 6.79-inch IPS LCD panel with Full HD+ resolution, a peak brightness of 550 nits, and a smooth 90Hz refresh rate. The device also has a fingerprint sensor mounted on the power button.
The global model of the device features 8GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. It has a triple camera setup on the back, featuring a 50-megapixel main lens, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP macro sensor. For selfies, it offers an 8-megapixel front camera. With MIUI 14 based on Android 13, users can expect a user-friendly interface and a great overall experience.
The Redmi 12 comes with notable features like a 3.5mm headphone jack, an IP53 rating for water and dust resistance, and a 5000mAh battery that supports 33W fast charging.
Honor is set to launch a new tablet in India soon. The upcoming offering is the Honor Pad X9 which debuted globally earlier this month. It will arrive as the successor to the Honor Pad X8 that launched last year. Ahead of the launch, e-commerce platform Amazon has put up a banner of the upcoming tablet. However, the exact launch date has not been revealed.
Honor Pad X9 to launch in India soon
The Amazon banner of the Honor Pad X9 reveals that the brand will offer a free Flip cover for the tablet. It is likely expected to be a limited-period launch offer. The tablet is teased to offer extra vision and extra entertainment. It is confirmed to feature an 11.5-inch display bearing a 2K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The device will be equipped with six surround speakers and pack a large storage. The rest of the details of the Honor Pad X9 remain unclear at the moment.
Since the Honor Pad X9 has debuted in the global markets, we can expect the Indian variant to pack the same specifications. It has a pill-shaped camera module on the back panel housing a single 5MP sensor and on the front, there is a 5MP selfie snapper. Internally, the Honor Pad X9 is equipped with a Snapdragon 685 processor. It packs 4GB RAM and 128GB onboard storage. The tablet draws its power from a 7,250mAh battery unit with support for 22.5W fast charging, Software-wise, it runs on Android 13 based MagicOS 7.1 out of the box.
We should learn the India pricing and availability of the Honor Pad X9 in the coming weeks.
Xiaomi is gearing up to launch a bunch of new products soon. The company’s President Lu Weibing recently confirmed that the highly anticipated MIX Fold 3 model will launch sometime in August 2023. But it appears that this device might not be released alone next month.
Xiaomi gears up for multiple launches in August
According to a new report, the company is planning on launching other new products next month as well. The other devices in question include the Xiaomi Pad 6 Max and the Redmi K60 Ultra. The Chinese tech giant is apparently planning on launching the new Xiaomi Pad 6 Max. This upcoming tablet was recently spotted on the Bluetooth SIG listing, which hints at its imminent launch. Previously, the Pad 6 Max had even surfaced on the 3C certification database as well.
Similarly, the Redmi K60 Ultra is also expected to launch in August. The new report states that the MIX Fold 3 and Pad 6 Max will be launched in separate events in China, with the smartphone model expected to launch in early August ahead of the MIX Fold 3. Furthermore, the software for the MIX Fold 3 and Pad 6 Max is already live on the official MIUI server.
The MIX Fold 3 carries the codename Babylon (MIUI FOLD 14.1 based on Android 13 out of the box.). On the other hand, the Pad 6 Max will feature the codename Yudy, which is also based on Android 13. Notably, the launch timeline is also in line with our previous report that hinted at a Q3 2023 launch.
Tokyo-based gadget company Gloture has unveiled its latest innovation, WearCool, designed to provide relief from scorching summer temperatures. As the sweltering heat persists, Gloture aims to offer a practical solution for individuals who need to venture outside for work, school, errands, or travel.
Gloture WearCool features:
WearCool takes the form of a belt and employs an ingenious design to combat the heat. While its appearance might resemble fitness products promising unreal results, this device focuses on delivering bursts of cool air to the upper body, rather than stimulating abdominal muscles through electrical pulses.
The portable air conditioner belt incorporates a heat-absorbing PCM (phase-change material) within its casing, alongside a series of fans. These fans expel air upwards through the vents, ensuring a continuous flow of refreshing breeze. Weighing just 488 grams, the WearCool device propels air at speeds of up to five meters per second, creating a pleasant cooling effect.
To enhance user convenience, Gloture provides a mobile app that features both Japanese and English interfaces. This app enables users to control fan speed and select specific fan configurations, choosing between utilizing all fans or only those located at the front or back of the device.
WearCool boasts an impressive maximum battery life of 17 hours, ensuring prolonged usage throughout the day. With an assumed seven hours of sleep, WearCool serves as a reliable option for staying cool from morning to night. Moreover, the high-stretch flexible waistband accommodates individuals with waist sizes ranging from 70 to 105 centimeters.
WearCool is now available through Gloture’s online shop, Modern G, for 32,500 yen ($235). With its focus on practicality and effective cooling, WearCool aims to provide a much-needed respite from the scorching summer heat, allowing individuals to continue their outdoor activities without discomfort.
The OnePlus Ace 2 Pro is expected to launch soon in the Chinese market. However, a new leak has revealed the key specifications of this device as well as hinting at its possible launch timeline. So here are all the details.
OnePlus Ace 2 Pro Specifications
The news arrives from a tipster on Weibo (a Chinese microblogging website). The tipster claims that the OnePlus Ace 2 Pro will sport a tall 6.74-inch curved OLED display that offers a 1.5K resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. Under the hood, the device is equipped with Qualcomm’s flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 SoC that is paired with up to a whopping 24GB of RAM and 1TB of internal storage.
On the rear, the tipster claims that the upcoming smartphone will feature a triple camera setup, which consists of a 50-megapixel Sony IMX890 primary sensor along with an 8-megapixel and 2-megapixel shooter. Meanwhile, the front houses a 16-megapixel selfie camera. A large 5,000mAh battery pack will reportedly power this device, which supports up to 150W fast charging.
The Chinese smartphone maker is expected to launch the OnePlus Open (its first foldable phone) in the global market in August. However, the Ace 2 Pro model might also be arriving in the Chinese market during this month. Keep in mind that this is just a leak, so take this report with a pinch of salt for now and stick around for more updates.
In February, OnePlus introduced the Keyboard 81 Pro mechanical keyboard to the world. After approximately five months, the brand has now made the keyboards available for purchase in various regions.
OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro price & availability
The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro is now available for sale on the official website. From July 18 to July 24, there will be an early access sale at Rs 17,999 in India. The open sale begins on August 7, 2023. For customers in the US and Canada, the keyboard will be available from July 26, starting at $219.
OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro specs
The OnePlus Keyboard 81 Pro is the brand’s first mechanical keyboard, featuring a unique design with comfortable and springy thermoplastic elastomer marble-mallow keycaps.
With its lightweight aluminum body and gasket, typing feels enhanced, and the sound is satisfying. Notable features include a built-in holder, hot-swappable switches, and open-source firmware. It’s compatible with macOS, Windows, and Linux, thanks to collaboration with Keychron.
The keyboard offers both Bluetooth and wired connectivity options, easily switchable with a toggle key resembling an Alert Slider. Bluetooth 5.1 ensures a wireless range of up to 10 meters, and the 4,000mAh battery provides up to 100 hours of usage at the lowest brightness. Charging and wired connection are through a USB Type-C port, with a full recharge time of about 5 hours.
Realme has just announced the ‘early bird sale’ for the Realme C53 in the Indian market. The company’s latest smartphone is the first model in the budget category to feature a massive 108-megapixel camera. So here’s all you need to know about this sale.
Realme C53 early bird sale starts July 19
As per official notes, the Chinese smartphone maker will begin the early bird sale on July 19, between 6 PM and 8 PM in India. The device will go on sale on the company’s official website and Flipkart. For early buyers, Realme is also offering a discount of 1,000 INR for its 6GB + 64GB variant of the Realme C53. There are bank offers available on ICICI, HDFC, and SBI bank debit and credit cards, along with EMI options as well.
Talking more about the smartphone, it is set to launch with a 7.99mm Ultra Slim Shiny Champion Design with a 90Hz display on the front. The Realme C53 will offer 12GB of Dynamic RAM expansion and up to 128GB of internal storage. A large 5,000mAh battery pack powers this device, which supports 18W SuperVOOC fast charging.
Other notable features include a side mounted fingerprint scanner, dual rear cameras, a water drop notch, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and an Octa-core processor under the hood. So for those interested, mark the date on your calendar and get ready for the two hour sale window.
Back in January, Samsung unveiled the ViewFinity S9 monitor at CES. Now, seven months later, the brand is finally ready to bring this monitor to market shelves.
The Samsung ViewFinity S9 monitor is set to have a global release on June 26, 2023, but launch dates may differ depending on the region. In the United States, it will be available from August onward, sold on Samsung.com and at select retailers for USD $1,599.99.
Samsung ViewFinity S9 monitor specs
Samsung’s ViewFinit S9 boasts a 27-inch display with a 5K resolution. This model is specifically designed for creative professionals like photographers and graphic designers. With its high 5,120 x 2,880 resolution and wide color gamut of 99 percent DCI P3, it delivers outstanding detail and precise color reproduction, achieving an average Delta E ≦21 color accuracy.
Additionally, the monitor features a built-in Color Calibration Engine, ensuring precise screen color and brightness. Users can further fine-tune settings such as white balance, Gamma, and RGB color balance through the Samsung Smart Calibration application on their smartphones, enhancing accuracy. The matte display minimizes distractions caused by reflections and glare, providing a comfortable working environment.
The ViewFinity S9 series is equipped with USB Type C and Thunderbolt 4 ports, allowing easy connection to cameras and other devices. This facilitates smooth file transfers and high-resolution video sharing between storage devices and PCs. The monitor also includes a 4K SlimFit camera that supports native video conferencing through apps like Google Meet, adding to its versatility.
Xiaomi, the Chinese smartphone giant, is changing its approach in India to prioritize offline sales through retail outlets. The Xiaomi India president revealed that this shift in strategy is to reinvigorate its smartphone sales and catch up with its competitor Samsung.
India has experienced a surge in e-commerce sales through platforms like Amazon and Flipkart, enabling Xiaomi and other smartphone brands to expand their market presence in one of the world’s fastest-growing smartphone markets, which boasts 600 million users. However, despite the online growth, offline retail remains the dominant channel, accounting for the majority of smartphone sales in the country.
Currently, Xiaomi already has a strong presence in 18,000 offline stores across India. Now, the company plans to further increase its offline footprint to capitalize on the untapped potential of retail. Muralikrishnan B., Xiaomi’s India head, acknowledged the company’s relatively lower market position in the offline segment, noting that competitors have been executing their strategies well and enjoying a larger market share.
Source. mi.com
To regain its market share, Xiaomi intends to collaborate with phone vendors and offer a wider range of products such as Xiaomi TVs and security cameras, leveraging the less intense competition in these areas. Expanding beyond its existing 18,000 outlets, Xiaomi aims to extend its store network in India. Muralikrishnan also acknowledged the issue of stores prominently displaying rival brands alongside Xiaomi products, which the company plans to address to strengthen its marketing efforts.
Recent data from Counterpoint Research reveals that Xiaomi has slipped behind Samsung in terms of market share in India, with Samsung currently holding a 20% share compared to Xiaomi’s 16%. To enhance its offline presence, Xiaomi plans to hire more store promoters who engage and pitch Xiaomi phones to buyers inside retail outlets. The company aims to triple the number of promoters to 12,000 by the end of the following year, compared to early 2023 levels.
By shifting its focus towards offline sales and expanding its retail network, Xiaomi aims to revive its smartphone sales in India and narrow the gap with Samsung. Recognizing the significance of physical stores in the Indian market, Xiaomi aims to capture the attention of consumers through brick-and-mortar channels and strengthen its competitive position.
Realme’s Narzo series has always tried to offer consumers a good value for their money. Some models in the lineup have been better than the others, but the two new phones released this year are both solid options. The higher-end Realme Narzo 60 Pro punches above its weight with a sleek design and a whopping 1TB storage. But the Realme Narzo 60 5G, which I’ve been using for a while now, is also a great value at its price point.
After using it for more than two weeks, I’ve been impressed with how smooth the Narzo 60 runs. It’s powerful enough for most users and also brings a sharp AMOLED display, a good battery, and a premium-looking design. All of this starts at just Rs. 17,999 in India. But hey, it’s not perfect (what is right?). There are several flaws that might be the deciding factor for some. In this review, I’ll try to answer the good, the bad, and the maybes of this newly launched Realme Narzo 60 5G to help you make an informed decision.
Disclaimer: Realme sent us the Narzo 60 5G smartphone for the purpose of this review and didn’t have input into its contents.
Design: It doesn’t look like a budget phone
This year’s Realme Narzo phones certainly don’t look cheap. The Realme Narzo 60’s design takes some inspiration from the Realme 11 series, with a round camera module that is becoming increasingly popular in the industry. While the Realme 11 Pro (review) and 11 Pro+ (review) have a more refined and premium design, the Narzo 60 5G still doesn’t look half bad.
Realme sent us the Cosmic Black finish of the phone, which has a shimmering appearance. The rear panel and mid-frame are flat, like an iPhone, and are made of polycarbonate. Before we discuss the design and display in detail, let’s see what’s in the box.
Realme gives you pretty much everything you need in the box. Here’s the list of items inside the retail package:
Screen protector (pre-applied)
TPU case
SIM ejector tool
33W charger
USB-C to USB-A cable
User manual
Warranty card
The Realme Narzo 60 has a slightly different design from its Pro sibling. The Narzo 60 Pro has a narrow frame with curved edges on the display and the back panel, while the Narzo 60 has a flat back and edges. The front panel on smartphone is also flat. The polycarbonate back of the device looks like metal, thanks to its glossy finish. I have the Cosmic Black variant of the device, but there’s also a Mars Orange version with a vegan leather finish.
You get a large circular camera module on the rear that houses two sensors and an LED flash. Fingerprints and smudges can be seen on the back at a certain angle but are far from prominent. They are quick to clean off so that won’t be an issue. The blocky design and sharp edges of the device make it look premium. However, this also makes it uncomfortable to hold for extended periods of time.
The right side holds the volume rocker along with the power button. The placement of the buttons is appropriate and I didn’t have to stretch my thumb to reach them. On the left, you have the SIM card and microSD card tray, and on the bottom, there are the USB-C connector, loudspeaker grille, and a nice-to-have 3.5mm audio jack.
The Realme Narzo 60 has a punch-hole cutout on the top-left corner of the display, protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. There’s an in-display fingerprint reader, which works fine in most scenarios. The bezels around the panel are thin, but the chin is particularly thick. This detracts from the look of the smartphone, but it is still a good-looking device overall.
The Narzo 60 is also quite lightweight, weighing in at just 183g.
A decent display and multimedia experience
Unlike last year’s Narzo 50, which uses an IPS LCD display, the Realme Narzo 60 gets a sharp 6.43-inch AMOLED panel. The screen looks fine in most situations. The FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2400 pixels) makes the content look crisp indoors with vibrant colors and deep blacks. The phone is also sufficiently bright with 1000 nits peak brightness and you get a smooth experience with a 90Hz refresh rate.
The screen refreshes between 60Hz and 90Hz by default, but you can also set it to either. I didn’t notice any stuttering in the animations or when scrolling, but I would have been more impressed with a 120Hz panel like the Redmi Note 12 5G. Also, the phone doesn’t support HDR content, which is a bummer.
I found the loudpeakers on the Narzo 60 5G to be a little underwhelming. Although, Realme has packed the device with Dolby Atmos dual speakers, it is just not loud enough. But the company makes up for that with a 3.5mm headphone jack that support 24-bit/192kHz audio.
Narzo 60’s Cameras has its Flaws
The large circular camera module on the back of Realme Narzo 60 is a bit of misleading. Sure, there’s a 64MP main sensor inside, but that’s the only one that’s really usable. The 2MP depth sensor is just there to take up space. But considering the price point, the camera performance of the Narzo 60 is not bad. The primary shooter takes vibrant, detailed photos in daylight. And thanks to the 2x In-sensor zoom, you can get even closer to your subjects without losing any quality.
2X2X
I found the zoom feature to be especially useful for portraits. The camera was able to capture sharp details on my subject’s face, even when I was zoomed in. The edge detection in the portrait mode is also quite good. But Realme’s software tends to sharpen the images a bit.
2X
You ask about the low-light camera performance? Well, I don’t expect any mind-blowing photos from a budget phone in the dark. The main 64MP shooter on the Narzo 60 struggles to focus in low light, and even tapping on the viewfinder to try to focus the camera doesn’t always help. The dedicated Night mode can help to improve low light performance, but it’s not a perfect solution. I noticed the selfie camera manages to capture detailed shots without smoothening skin the too much.
Both the rear and front cameras can record 1080p video at 30fps. To sum up, the Realme Narzo 60 does a fair job in the camera department, as long as you can overlook the low-light performance. I would have liked an ultrawide camera, but that’s just me.
Performance and Software
I believe that if a smartphone performs well, shortcomings in the camera and display departments can be overlooked, especially on a budget-friendly phone. Many affordable phones struggle to keep up even with basic tasks. But the Realme Narzo 60 5G really surprised me with its smooth performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 6020 chip inside the smartphone handled most social media, YouTube, and other everyday tasks with ease. Apps load quickly and run smoothly.
The gaming experience on the device is also commendable. I played a lot of popular titles on the Narzo 60, including Battlegrounds Mobile India (BGMI), Call of Duty Mobile (COD), and Garena’s Free Fire. For what it’s worth, I also tried less-demanding games like Clash of Clans and Subway Surfers on the device. BGMI supported HD graphics with a high frame rate of 45 fps. While playing all of these games, I didn’t notice any lag, and the phone almost never got hot.
However, while playing BGMI, I did notice a gyroscope delay. When I enabled the gyroscope setting and tried to aim with the scope on, there was a delay. This made it difficult to play the game, but if you don’t use the gyroscope, you shouldn’t have a problem. It seems like a software issue that Realme could fix in a future update.
Benchmark scores of the Realme Narzo 60 5G can be seen below:
Geekbench 6AntutuCPU Throttling Test
The software experience on the Realme Narzo 60 is not the best out there. Realme UI 4.0, which is based on Android 13, is cluttered with native apps and bloatware. You can disable or delete most of them, but it’s still intrusive. For example, Game Center, App Market, and Theme Store frequently spam the notification shade with recommendations. However, you can disable these notifications in the settings.
Realme Narzo 60 packs a large 5,000mAh battery and supports 33W charging. It takes less than 2 hours to juice up from 0 to 100. The battery easily lasted me around two days with 8-9 hours of screen on time.
Coming to the Big question – Should you get it?
Now that I’ve walked you through all the pros and cons of the device, the question arises: should you get it or not? The Realme Narzo 60 5G is not a very significant upgrade over the Narzo 50 on paper. However, the phone impresses with its premium-looking design and a powerful processor. If you like to play a lot of games but don’t want to break the bank, the Narzo 60 5G could be a good option.
The phone is a good daily driver, thanks to its long-lasting 5,000mAh battery and decent charging speed. It competes with the likes of the iQOO Z7 (review) and the Redmi Note 12 5G (review), and even outperforms them in some aspects. All in all, the Realme Narzo 60 5G is decent all-rounder of a smartphone that offers good value at its price.
Realme Narzo 60 5G is available for purchase in the following configurations:
Last week, the Nothing Phone (2) made its global debut featuring an improved chipset, new camera sensors, and the highly anticipated Nothing OS 2.0. The device has started retailing in some regions through the Nothing Drop physical stores. Now, the brand has finally announced the online availability date for the Phone (2) in India.
The Nothing Phone (2) will go on open sale starting July 21 via Flipkart. The base variant (8GB + 128GB) is priced at Rs 44,999. The 12GB RAM + 256GB storage model will cost Rs 49,999. The highest 12GB RAM + 512GB storage model is priced at Rs 54,999 in India. When using an Axis Bank Credit and Debit Card, customers can avail a Rs 3000 discount.
Nothing Phone (2) specs
The Nothing Phone (2) features a more tricked-out Glyph interface with more functionalities than its predecessor. The device has a 6.7-inch LTPO AMOLED display that offers a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, a 1080 x 2412 resolution, and 1600 nits peak brightness.
Under the hood, the device has a Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 SoC processor paired with LPDDR5 RAM and USF 3.1 storage. In the camera department, there’s a 50MP Sony IMX890 main sensor with OIS and in-sensor zoom, similar to the OnePlus 11’s primary sensor. Additionally, there’s a 50MP ultrawide camera with the Samsung JN1 sensor and a 32MP Sony IMX615 front-facing camera with EIS for selfies.
The device is equipped with a 4,700mAh battery, supporting 33W wired and 15W wireless charging. It runs on Nothing OS 2.0, based on Android 13, which introduces new widgets, theme colors, folder layouts, and illustrated covers.
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