Ambrane Wise Eon Max Smartwatch Review: A pretty capable smartwatch considering the price

Pros:
– Big display
– Bluetooth call function works really well
– Pretty accurate SpO2 and heart rate sensors
– Light and comfortable to wear
– Standard-sized straps
– Simple and easy-to-use UI for both, the watch and the app
– Great battery life

Cons:
– Colours can seem a little washed out
– Sleep tracking is very unreliable
– Sports tracking can be a hit or a miss
– Crown has very limited functionality

Rating: 3/5
Price: Rs 1,299

Budget smartwatches have actually gotten pretty good over the years, at least in terms of design, no matter how basic they may be. However, most of them, have one glaring issue – instead of functioning as smartwatches, they function as fitness trackers. Moreover, most of them have some major issues in keeping track of your activities, making them woeful as fitness trackers.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

Ambrane’s Wise Eon Max Smartwatch, in this regard, is a rather decent piece of wearable that does most of the things that its makers advertise and ticks most of the boxes that first-time smartwatch buyers want from their device.

It has a pretty good display, has an amazing battery life, has a bunch of different workout modes and does most of its tracking pretty well. However, it ails from most of the issues that befall a budget smartwatch.

Design and Built Quality
The Wise Eon Max watch has a rectangular shape and a physical button located on its right side. Despite having a glossy finish, it doesn’t attract many fingerprints or smudges, and all of its edges are smoothly curved. The build quality is also pretty good. The watch has an IP68 rating which means it can resist dust and water, but we aren’t confident enough to take it out for a swim. You can wear it while strolling in the rain, but it’s not advisable to wear it while diving into a pool.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

The watch’s polycarbonate shell makes it relatively lightweight, weighing about than 160 grams including the straps. Its pre-installed silicone straps are comfortable to wear all day and do not cause skin irritation. They have a standard locking mechanism, and the Ambrane branding only appears on the strap. As the straps have a standard width, they can be replaced with any third-party straps that are of the same width.

The speakers for the Bluetooth calling feature are on the left-hand side, while on the right-hand side, you get the crown. The crown’s functions are limited – you can use it to wake the watch up or put it to sleep. It doubles up as a back button in certain scenarios, and in certain workouts, it can be used to act as a pause or a lap button. Rotating the crown doesn’t do anything, which is a wasted opportunity.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

Specifications and Display
The Ambrane Wise Eon Max Smartwatch comes with a 2.01-inch Lucid Display and has a resolution of 240 x 283 pixels. Lucid Display, is just Ambrance’s fancy way of marketing their LCD displays and isn’t anything groundbreakingly different. Having said that, the display gets pretty bright and “lucid,” and poses no issues to visibility, even under direct and intense sunlight. Ambrane claims that the Wise Eon Max has a peak brightness of 550 nits and it looks like the number might be accurate.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

The display itself looks quite large. There are some bezels around the display. The bezels around the top and the side are pretty thin and actually not that bothersome. The chin, however, has a very thin bezel, which is always a telltale sign of a budget smartwatch.

To Ambrane’s credit, the bezels that we see on the watch and what we see on the box are somewhat similar, unlike most other smartwatch brands.

Although the company did not mention the presence of scratch-resistant glass or an oleophobic coating on the screen, we did not observe any scratches on the screen after using it for three weeks.

The colours shown on the display are good enough – the display does get bright, but the colours do not get as vibrant, and look a little washed out. The display itself is sharp enough, something that most other smartwatch brands somehow miss at this price point.

One major downside of the display panel that Ambrane is using for this watch is its advertised 60Hz refresh rate. No matter how you set it up, it just doesn’t feel smooth. Scrolling through apps or in between faces felt jittery from the first day itself. Also, do keep in mind that you do not get an always-on-display. Having said that, the flick-to-wake feature works well most of the time.

Sensors and Tracking
Ambrane says that the Wise Eon Max can track over 100 different sports. However, in some way or the other, all of these supported sports are some variation of walking, running and cycling. The good thing is it does support a few other sports as well, like badminton and football etc. But were the readings accurate?

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

Well, this is a bit of a mixed bag if we’re being honest. The Ambrane Wise Eon, like all other smartwatches at this price point, is pretty accurate in certain activities, but surprisingly woeful in certain.

For example, its heart rate monitor and oximetre are pretty accurate and were off by just one point from a trusted oximetre that we have been using for years now. However, it had some pretty weirdly inaccurate readings for sleep. During our testing, the smartwatch showed that we had slept for less than 2 hours, despite sleeping for 7 hours or more, on two separate occasions. It also has a blood pressure monitoring feature, which again, wasn’t very accurate, but gives you a rough idea about the range.

Furthermore, the readings for a number of exercises can be a hit or a miss. It always underreports the distance covered by a significant margin, and it either overcounts or undercounts reps and steps by a noticeable margin.

Also, for those interested, the watch supports Menstrual Tracking, although to what accuracy, it would be hard to tell.

Software and UI
The watch’s user interface is pretty straightforward and easy to navigate. To access the settings, you can swipe down on the home screen, and to check notifications, swipe up. When you swipe left, you can view various widgets such as step count, heart rate, sleep data, SpO2 level, etc. Swiping right on the home screen displays shortcuts to some of the most recent widgets and a couple of other functions. Users can also add more widgets directly from the watch.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

However, as we said the user experience while browsing through the watch is pretty jittery, mainly perhaps because of the display.

You have the choice of selecting a small icon grid or a list format to display all the functions of the watch in the app drawer. Similar to other watches in this price range, you cannot install any extra applications.

To sync the watch to your smartphone, you need to download the Da Fit app. The setup process is smooth and easy, but the app itself is relatively simple. The app provides a summary of your daily activity, including step count and sleep data, along with health metrics such as heart rate and blood oxygen level. It tracks all of your data well but doesn’t give you an in-depth analysis. The app also has a pretty intuitive and easy-to-navigate interface.

You can also add a ton of other watch faces through the app, and design some of your own,
using photos from your gallery.

You also get a couple of games to vile away your time, which, on a watch of this size, is actually pretty cool.

Bluetooth Calling
The Wise Eon Max features Bluetooth 5.0 for its calling capabilities, allowing you to make calls directly from the watch using its built-in microphone and speaker. The watch also includes a dialer so users can place calls directly from the watch. Users will need to pair their watch to their phones for that. As for call quality, it is surprisingly loud and clear. The speakers on the watch get pretty loud as well.

Also, there are no issues with calls getting dropped or unwarranted delays when you take calls using the watch. If you’re looking for a smartwatch under Rs 2000 with the ability to make and take calls, then going for the Ambrane Wise Eon Max is a no-brainer.

Battery Life
Ambrane claims that the 280 mAh battery that you get with the Wise Eon Max will last you about 10 days. During our testing, we found that to be pretty accurate. Even with extensive usage and a lot of calls taken using the smartwatch, we had to charge our smartwatch just once a week.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

Do note that this was with the brightness level set to 1, which to be fair, is pretty bright enough. If you spend a lot of time outdoors, then you’ll have to crank the brightness up all the way. This will have a serious impact on the battery life.

Verdict
All in all, the Ambrane Wise Eon Max is a pretty decent “smartwatch” for people seeking a cheap option that has most of the basic features such as step counting, heart rate monitoring, and notification alerts. The reason why we put the term smartwatch in inverted quotes, as stated before, is that most smartwatches at this price point are actually glorified fitness trackers.

As for the Wise Eon Max, it performs and tracks just adequately enough. Even though it has a few issues, most of them can be ignored considering what you pay for it. On top of that, it provides excellent battery life, has a pretty big display and works really well in Bluetooth calls. If you’re looking for a budget smartwatch, especially for its Bluetooth calling features and don’t want to spend a lot on it, Ambrane’s Wise Eon Max presents a strong case for itself.

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Ikodoo Buds One TWS Earbuds Review: Decent first attempt, but can do better

Pros:
– Sounds much better after a lot of tweaking
– 10-band equaliser to create custom sound profiles
– Comfortable in-ear fit, compact charging case
– Decent battery life, wireless charging support
– IP55 dust and fluid resistance
– In-ear detection, volume control on the buds

Cons:
– Default sound output is incredibly dull and lacks detail
– Erratic ANC; Transparency mode could have been better
– Pricing needs to be more competitive

Price: Rs 4,999
Rating: 3.5/5

A new audio brand, Ikodoo recently launched their first pair of TWS earphones in India called Buds One. And it seems like the company is looking to take on none other than the OnePlus Buds Z2, one of the best under Rs 5,000 at the moment. Incidentally, Ikodoo also has a product called Buds Z, but that’s an entry-level product, which we will not reference again in this review. Coming back to Buds One, it does have features similar to its OnePlus counterpart and some more. But can that translate into comparable performance or better? Let’s find out.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

Ikodoo Buds One: Design and Comfort (7/10)
The design of the buds isn’t unique, and they look like any other TWS buds with stems. The stems here are a bit longer than what we are used to in this segment in recent times. While I can live with the long stems, the shiny glossy finish makes them look plasticky. We got the grey variant for review which manages to mask the smudge marks to an extent. There is no clear demarcation for the touch zones at the back of the buds but it’s not too hard to figure out either. The build quality is quite sturdy despite the buds being quite light. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The oval-shaped case isn’t too heavy either, and even better, it has a smooth matte finish and a compact footprint making it pocketable. You get a charge status LED at the front and a USB-C port for charging as well as a Bluetooth pairing/reset button at the base. There’s also something that looks like an IR receiver next to the port, but it’s probably a speaker that beeps when trying to locate the case from the app. The case also supports wireless charging using Qi-certified chargers; a feature not present on the OnePlus Buds Z2.

The buds are IP55-rated dust and splash resistant, but there’s no ingress protection for the charging case; the Buds Z2 case does. The earbuds have silicone tips that sit nicely in the ear canals offering decent passive noise isolation, and the buds are comfortable to wear for long hours. The fit is snug and they don’t pop out of the ear during a workout or a jog. Two more pairs of ear tips are present in the bundle in case the preinstalled medium-sized tips don’t fit well.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

Ikodoo Buds One: Features and Specifications (8/10)
Each earbud on the Ikodoo Buds One is fitted with a 13.4 mm dynamic driver to handle all frequency ranges, and three microphones for calling and active noise cancellation (ANC). You also have wear detection sensors that pause the audio when you remove a bud from the ear and resume when you put it back in. The buds accept double tap, triple tap and touch-and-hold gestures. You can also slide on the earbuds vertically to jump tracks or to increase or decrease the volume; a very useful addition that’s missing on the Buds Z2.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The companion Ikodoo app allows a bit of customisation of controls but not much. But the default controls are well thought out and one may not need to change them. Touch-and-hold lets you cycle through ANC modes – Noise cancellation on, Talk-thru (Transparency) and Ambient aware (a fancy name for normal mode). The app also provides you with a 10-band equaliser that lets you tweak the sound output, without which this product would have been unusable.

Speaking of the app, while it gives you access to a lot of settings of these earphones, it isn’t the most intuitive and can do with a bit of change in nomenclature. It also asks for a lot of unnecessary permissions on Android phones which you can decline. The Ikodoo Buds One is Bluetooth 5.2 compliant and supports SBC and AAC audio codecs. It flaunts a lower-than-usual 48 ms latency figure in game mode and claims to reduce ambient noise by 50 dB when you switch on ANC.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

Ikodoo Buds One: Performance (6.5/10)
The wireless range is as advertised with a strong connection up to 10 metres with a clear line of sight. These buds are fairly loud around 60 per cent volume level when indoors, and I had to push it to 70 per cent when outdoors. The sound quality of these buds is a curious case. But before we move on to that, a quick word on something the brand advertises for this product. Vifa, a 90-year-old audio brand from Denmark, has contributed in some way to the creation of the Ikodoo Buds One. I doubt they have anything to do with the tuning of this product though.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The default sound signature of the Buds One is as dull as it comes void of any detail and with excess of loose bass. There is massive masking not just in mid but also high-end frequency ranges. I was quite shocked with the output given its price tag. This sound quality would have been bad for something half its price too. Thankfully, there’s a companion app that offers a 10-band equaliser which lets you literally recalibrate the output here. You also get five sound presets, but they are no good and not worth writing about.

After spending a good amount of time trying various permutations and combinations on the equaliser, the Buds One finally sounded significantly better. Mind you, they do not produce a segment-defining audio quality, but way better than what they sound out of the box or after selecting any of the presets. Whatever adjustments you make on the equaliser are saved as a custom preset. Unlike OnePlus products, you cannot have more than one custom preset here.

Using the equaliser, I lowered the mid and upper bass and boosted some of the midrange and high-end frequencies to get a more balanced output with better detail. At least that restored some clarity in the mids and some sparkle in the highs without losing out the bass punch. The soundstage here is not too broad and the sound feels centred. The detail in the audio is average at best even after the sound tweaks. The OnePlus Buds Z2 sounds noticeably better in comparison. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

In comparative terms, the sound quality (post tweaks) of the Buds One is closer to the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 which sells for 60 per cent of its price. Of course, the Ikodoo has more features to offer, which brings me to my next point – ANC. The company touts a 50 dB number for noise reduction, which is probably the highest in the segment in theory. For the record, the OnePlus Buds Z2 promises 40 dB, while the Realme Buds Air 3 claims 42 dB, and the latter still offers the best ANC under 5K in India. 

Unfortunately, the implementation of ANC on the Buds One seems erratic. While it does reduce some ambient sounds indoors as well as outdoors, there is a constant hiss like a wind noise that can be heard when ANC is enabled. It isn’t as big a factor once you start playing the audio loud enough, but the hiss shouldn’t exist. The company can fix it with a firmware update if they choose to, but there wasn’t one available at the time of writing.

The transparency mode or TalkThru as it is called here is pretty decent, though not as good as on the Buds Z2 (which is the best in the segment). It does offer you a choice between boosting all ambient sounds or ‘Vocal enhancement’. Both modes do a fair job but the sound does not feel very natural, nor are the vocal frequencies enhanced enough in either mode. I did not face any latency issues here though I had no means of measuring if it actually goes as low as the advertised 48 ms. More importantly, there was no noticeable lag between the video and audio when streaming content. 

Ikodoo Buds One: Call quality (6.5/10)
The Ikodoo Buds One call quality is generally acceptable. The voice clarity is perfectly fine indoors with people on the line clearly audible to each other. When outdoors, the Environmental Noise Cancellation algorithm and the mics do a fair job of suppressing the wind and traffic noises, but cannot reduce the human chatter in the background. While my voice was transmitted with good clarity in busy areas outdoors, often voices of people a few yards away were also heard by the person on the line causing a bit of distraction.

Ikodoo Buds One: Battery life (7/10)
The overall battery backup of the Buds One is pretty decent, especially without ANC. The company claims 8 hours for the buds and 27 hours overall with the charging case without ANC, and the numbers drop to 6 hours and 21 hours respectively with ANC switched on. With ANC switched on full time, the buds lasted a little under 5 hours at 60 to 70 per cent loudness. And with ANC off, I could push them closer to six and a half hours. The case can recharge the buds twice more with a bit of juice left in the tank. That takes the total battery backup between 16 to 22 hours depending on your use of ANC. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

These are acceptable numbers though not chart-toppers, especially with ANC switched off, which is what users might end up doing till the company fixes the ANC hiss with a firmware update. These earbuds support quick charging, and 10 minutes of charge gives you close to 2 hours of playtime with ANC turned off. The case and buds can be charged fully in about two hours using a wired charger. Wireless charging is supposed to take an hour extra, something we did not test.

Ikodoo Buds One: Price and verdict
The Ikodoo Buds One is priced at Rs 4,999 with a one-year warranty. That is exactly the price of the OnePlus Buds Z2. Yes, this Ikodoo product does offer a couple of extras like wireless charging and volume control on the buds, but the Buds Z2 is a far better performer overall, be it sound quality, ANC or even battery life. To complicate matters further, the Realme Buds Air 3 sells for a thousand bucks lower and offers better ANC than both, and sound quality that sits right between those two earbuds, but closer to the Z2.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

I got the impression that Ikodoo tried to add too many features to the Buds One to justify its price tag rather than focusing on the basics. In the process, the product ended up clashing with the aforementioned OnePlus and Realme products which are hard to beat. It would have served the company better to drop a few features like wireless charging, make the pricing more attractive and target the OnePlus Nord Buds 2 instead which sells for Rs 2,999. Their performance is actually comparable. At 5K, it is hard to recommend the Buds One ahead of the options available in India in that budget.

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Canon launches Powershot V10, its first camera designed specifically for vlogging; check details here

Canon recently unveiled the PowerShot V10, a sleek and portable camera specifically tailored for smartphone users who prioritize video recording. This compact and fashionable camera combines Canon’s advanced imaging technologies with a slim, user-friendly design, delivering seamless and superior-quality footage.

Canon is making a bold move in its attempt to revive the compact camera segment, which some consider to be outdated. The focus of their latest release, the PowerShot V10, is aimed squarely at content creators and vloggers.

This camera stands out with its array of features, including three microphones, a flip display, a retractable stand, a 1-inch CMOS sensor, and the ability to record in 4K resolution. The launch of the Canon PowerShot V10 in India brings an exciting new option to the market, catering specifically to the needs of content creators and vloggers.

Canon Powershot V10: Features and specification
The Canon PowerShot V10 is a remarkably compact camera, measuring just 63.4mm x 90.0mm x 34.3mm and weighing only 211 grams. Its design, reminiscent of the flip video cameras of the past, features a flip display and a retractable stand. This compact size makes it an ideal choice for content creators and vloggers. Regardless of whether users create long-format or short-format content, the PowerShot V10 caters to all types of creators.

Equipped with a one-inch-type sensor and a fixed 19mm equivalent f/2.8 lens, the camera offers 13.3MP effective pixels for movie recording and 15.1MP effective pixels for still images. It is capable of capturing impressive 4K videos at up to 30 fps and produces stunning, low-noise footage with vibrant colours, thanks to its high-quality lens.

The camera has many features such as face tracking autofocus, specified frame autofocus, a movie digital image stabilizer, and the ability to record videos for up to one hour. Additionally, there is a built-in large-diameter three-element microphone that offers noise cancellation, ensuring clear and high-quality audio.

Canon has included 14 colour filters, a Movie Auto ND filter, and 14 aspect ratio markers in the PowerShot V10, providing users with creative options for their videos. The camera also supports direct live streaming to Facebook or YouTube via the Camera Connect app, allowing for convenient and hassle-free sharing of content. The same app enables the seamless transfer of videos and still images from the camera to a smartphone.

In terms of connectivity, the Canon PowerShot V10 offers Wi-Fi (IEEE802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth LE 4.2, HDMI Micro, a 3.5mm stereo mini jack, and a single card slot. It features a USB Type-C port for charging, which also doubles as a plug-and-play USB connection to utilize the camera as a portable web camera.

Canon Powershot V10: Price in India
The PowerShot V10 has been officially launched in India with a price tag of Rs 39,995. Although the camera has been launched, it will be available for purchase starting in June 2023. Interested buyers can find the camera at Canon stores as well as various offline and online retailers. Canon is offering the PowerShot V10 in a stylish black and silver colour option.

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WhatsApp now accessible on smartwatches through Wear OS; check how

In a latest development for smartwatch enthusiasts and WhatsApp users, the Meta-owned instant messaging application will now support Wear OS, an Android operating system that is particularly designed to connect smartwatches with mobile phones. As per the latest reports, Wear OS is said to be compatible with the latest update of WhatsApp beta and several users have also claimed of being able to access their WhatsApp through their smartwatches. The app which presently includes features like chat, video calling, voice calling, and UPI transactions, the latest feature will enable users to stay connected more conveniently and further access their messages directly from their smartwatches.

“After installing the latest WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.10.10 available on the Google Play Store, some users noticed that the app was listed to be compatible with their smartwatch, in particular, with Wear OS,” a WABetaInfo report stated. It also divulged details on how the entire system works.

How to connect WhatsApp with smartwatches?

In order to link a WhatsApp account to a Wear OS device, users may follow the given steps. Notably, you need to be a beta tester in order to download the update.

1. First, go to Google Play Store and update your WhatsApp to the latest beta version for Android 2.23.10.10 update.

2. Next, to link the smartwatch app to your WhatsApp, your phone will ask for an 8-digit code, as displayed on the watch.

3. After putting in the code, all the chats will be safely synced across the devices.

While users can download the update as a beta tester, it is yet to be made available for the WhatsApp Business app.

The report, while speaking about the latest updates also states that accessing WhatsApp on Wear OS holds major significance as it will expand the app’s reach beyond smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Considering the increasing popularity of smartwatches, it will help users to be able to use WhatsApp in a more convenient way.

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Best phones under Rs 30,000 (May 2023): OnePlus 10R 5G, Poco F4 5G to Samsung Galaxy A34 5G

Generally, the segment of Flagship Killers starts at a slightly higher price point. But this month we have quite a few handsets that can be termed as that within the budget of Rs 30,000 itself. We have phones with high-quality AMOLED displays with high refresh rates, flagship-grade processors, impressive cameras with features like optical image stabilisation (OIS) and more. 5G is a staple now, and all handsets are ready for that network. Time to look at the best half a dozen phones you can get your hands on under Rs 30,000 this month.

Best phones to buy under Rs 30,000 in India

Realme GT 2/ Realme GT Neo 3/ OnePlus 10R 5G
Let’s start with the two Realme phones that have a lot in common and just two key differences. The Realme GT 2 is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 888 SoC, while the relatively newer Realme GT Neo 3 is powered by Mediatek’s Dimensity 8100 chip, which is comparable in performance. While the former has a 6.62-inch AMOLED display, the latter has a slightly larger 6.7-inch AMOLED screen that supports 10-bit colour depth. Both screens are HDR10+ compliant, have a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

You get the 256 GB internal storage variant of the GT 2 in this budget, but the stocks seem to be dwindling. However, you can get the 128 GB version of both phones comfortably with 8 GB RAM. Needless to say, the GT 2 offers better value given that its price is 3K lower. The camera department is identical for both with a 50MP primary camera with OIS that captures some impressive shots in different modes and lighting. It is accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide snapper and a 2MP macro camera. The 16MP front camera handles selfies and video calls quite well. 

Both phones have 5000 mAh batteries that keep them going for over a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled fast chargers can juice them up fully in a little over half an hour. Realme GT 2 as well as Realme GT Neo 3 run Android 12 with Realme UI 3.0, and you can expect Android 13 updates on both phones. What is a OnePlus phone doing here, you ask? Well, the OnePlus 10R has the exact specs and design as the Neo 3, and is currently selling under 30K. So if you prefer OnePlus over Realme, that’s the one for you.

Realme GT 2 price in India: Rs 24,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

Realme GT Neo 3 price in India: Rs 28,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

OnePlus 10R 5G price in India: Rs 29,999 for 8GB RAM/ 128GB storage

iQOO Neo 6 5G
Now, let’s move on to two phones with slightly slower processors but double the internal storage, starting with the iQOO Neo 6 5G. It is powered by a former flagship-grade Snapdragon 870 chip, and you can get its top variant with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage under 30K. It has a 6.62-inch HDR10+ compliant Full HD+ AMOLED display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits and a 120 Hz refresh rate for flicker-free performance.

The rear camera department on the iQOO Neo 6 5G is helmed by a 64MP primary camera with OIS, and accompanied by an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. Its 4700 mAh battery lasts close to a day and a half of moderate use, and the company bundles an 80W fast charger that promises to charge half of it in just 12 minutes, and fully in a little over half an hour. The phone runs Android 12 with FunTouch UI 12, and the company has promised two more major Android updates in the future for this device.

iQOO Neo 6 5G price in India: Rs 28,999 for 12GB RAM/256GB storage

Poco F4 5G
Just like the Neo 6, the Poco F4 5G is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 SoC, and you can purchase its top variant with 12 GB RAM and 256 GB internal storage in this budget. It has an impressive 6.67-inch Full HD+ AMOLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and HDR10+ plus Dolby Vision compliance. The display has 1300 nits peak brightness and is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. It has an attractive design and is quite slim measuring just 7.7 mm in thickness.

Photography on the Poco F4 5G is handled by a 64MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultra-wide shooter and a 2MP macro camera. The 20MP front camera is quite good for selfies and video calls. Its 4500 mAh battery lasts over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 67W fast charger can juice it up fully in less than 40 minutes. This phone runs Android 12 with MIUI 13, and is one of the rare phones to offer a 2-year warranty in India.

Poco F4 5G price in India: Rs 28,999 for 12GB RAM/256 GB storage

Samsung Galaxy A34 5G
Here’s one for the brand-conscious buyers, which may not have the same processing muscle as the phones above but does offer some interesting features. The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G is powered by a midrange MediaTek Dimensity 1080 chip, and you get 8 GB RAM and 128 GB internal (expandable) storage to go with it. It is one of the rare phones in this budget to offer IP67 ingress protection making it dust and water-resistant. It has a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with 120 Hz refresh rate, 1000 nits of peak brightness and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

The camera department offers a combination of a 48MP primary camera with OIS, an 8MP ultrawide snapper and a 5MP macro camera to capture quality photos in various modes. The 13MP selfie camera at the top of the screen gets the job done reasonably well. Its 5000 mAh battery lasts over a day and a half of moderate use and supports 25W fast charging. The Samsung Galaxy A34 5G runs the latest Android 13 with the company’s One UI 5.1.

Samsung Galaxy A34 5G price in India: Rs 27,999 for 8GB RAM/128GB storage

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Apple iPhone 14 Pro Long-term (Six Months) Review: Style and substance at a stiff price

Pros:
– Premium design and rugged build
– IP68 ingress protection
– Excellent performance across all cameras
– Topnotch video quality
– Sharp OLED display with a variable refresh rate
– A16 Bionic chip is a solid performer
– Multiple OS updates guaranteed

Cons:
– No bundled charger, no real fast charging
– Telephoto camera underwhelms in low light
– Expensive

Rating: 4/5
Price: Rs 1,19,999 onwards

The most popular Apple product in India currently is the Apple Store they recently opened here amid a lot of fanfare. Now that all the random clapping and selfies have subsided on my social timeline, it is time to look back at a slightly older product from the company, the Apple iPhone 14 Pro. We have been using the device for a good six months and would like to share the experience with you through this long-term review.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Design: Elegant, sturdy, and compact but feels heavy
You already know what the iPhone 14 Pro looks like, so I will skip the details like the placement of buttons and ports. Barring the dated notch at the top of the screen being replaced by a Dynamic Island here (more on that later), the design is pretty much identical to that of the iPhone 13 Pro. The phone is built like a tank when it comes to sturdiness, thanks to its stainless steel frame. You also get IP68-rated protection against dust and fluids.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

It weighs in excess of 200 grams and does feel heavy in hand due to its compact size. It should be able to survive a few drops, though I did not test that aspect given its price tag. I did drop it accidentally on my toe from a foot above, and the swelling took a day or two to subside.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The glass back and the rounded corners give it a touch of elegance that you associate with Apple devices. Even better, the matte finish at the back makes it smudge resistant. However, the glossy metal frame does attract a lot of fingerprints and smudge marks and needs to be wiped from time to time.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Display: Sharp high-res display with a variable refresh rate
The screen size is the same as its predecessor, and the resolution is only marginally higher, but you now get an LTPO display with a variable refresh rate.

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro sports a 6.1-inch LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED display with a resolution of 2556 x 1179 pixels and a peak brightness of 2000 nits. It is HDR10 and Dolby Vision compliant with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz for flicker-free operation. 

The refresh rate automatically throttles between 1 Hz to 120 Hz depending on the content being displayed on the screen. For instance, the screen refreshes faster when scrolling through content for a smoother motion, and the refresh rate drops in the lower two digits when watching a still image on the screen to save battery.

It probably drops closer to 1 Hz when using the always-on display on the lock screen, which explains why the battery reserves aren’t impacted much even when the feature is switched on.

The screen sharpness, colour reproduction and contrast are excellent. Given the size of the screen, a single-handed operation is still an option; I don’t get to say this about most phones these days… for the past few years actually.

One thing missing here, and something nobody will miss is the famous notch at the top of the screen which was introduced in the iPhone X. Well, it hasn’t vanished completely but has transformed into a pill-shaped cutout on the screen called Dynamic Island. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

Such a fancy name for an aberration; only Apple can pull off something like this, and pull it off it does. Technically, the Dynamic Island is pretty much the notch with some parts missing which detaches it from the top edge and makes it an ‘island’.

While it is an improvement over the dated notch, Apple could have come up with something more innovative after half a decade. But instead, they have tried to make this limitation cool and fun, and believe it or not, it actually works. More on that in the OS section.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Performance: A16 Bionic chip is potent with ample headroom for the foreseeable future
Unlike the non-Pro models from the 14 series, the iPhone 14 Pro is powered by Apple’s latest A16 Bionic chip and is accompanied by 6GB RAM and a choice of internal storage ranging from 128GB to 1TB.

Unlike Android phone makers, Apple has never played the specifications card when it comes to processing hardware, and I won’t bore you with synthetic benchmark scores and stuff like that. But I would like to add that the Bionic A16 is an incredibly powerful processing hardware with ample headroom for the foreseeable future.

There has been absolutely no slowdown after six months of use. Day-to-day tasks like browsing, chatting, switching between multiple apps, photography or gaming are simply as smooth as they were on day one. It looks well poised to handle another 3 or 4 major OS updates that the iPhone 14 Pro is expected to receive over the years. The phone runs perfectly cool during general use. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

It does get a little warm after half an hour of gaming, but there’s no cause for concern. The hardware is powerful enough to let you play all the recent games on it at the highest settings at a solid frame rate. You get two speakers on this phone – one behind the earpiece and the other along the bottom edge.

They are amply loud and offer good clarity with acceptable stereo separation. You don’t get a 3.5 mm headphone jack here, and you will need a separate adapter if you intend to use your old wired headphones. 

Alternatively, there’s Bluetooth 5.3 here to connect wireless earphones and speakers. High-end codec support is still limited to AAC; this really needs to change soon. You get dual-band WiFi with support for a/b/g/n/ac/6 standards. The call quality and reception have been perfectly fine on this phone; well, as good as your network provider can manage these days. 

Like all Apple flagship phones over the past several years, the iPhone 14 Pro does not have a fingerprint scanner, and Face ID takes care of your biometric security needs. Face ID is easy to set up, and is brisk at its job.

You can even configure it to recognise your face with a mask on; a useful addition during and after the pandemic era. I cannot say for sure if it is better than its previous generation in reality, but it is certainly more secure than the face unlock feature on most Android phones.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Battery performance: Decent battery life, slow charging, no bundled charger
The battery life of the iPhone 14 Pro sees a marginal improvement over the 13 Pro, probably because of a slightly higher capacity battery used here, among other things. The 3200 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for over a day of moderate use comfortably.

When at home on WiFi all the time, it even lasted close to two days with standard use and no gaming involved. Your mileage may vary depending on your usage pattern. The battery’s health is still 100 per cent after six months of use, which is great.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro supports wired and wireless charging but the company does not bundle a charger in the package; no surprise there! The charging speed is nowhere close to what some of the Android phones (not sold under the Google brand name) offer these days. The peak fast charging supported using a USB-PD charger stands at 27W. Thus, chargers offering more than 30W output won’t charge it any faster. 

We tried a handful of compatible chargers over a period of time, and the fastest charging time we recorded was about 90 minutes to take the phone from 5 per cent to 100 per cent. We achieved that using a 30W USB-PD charger and the bundled USB-C to Lightning port cable (yes, Apple provides one in the package).

Half an hour of charge fills up about 55 per cent of the tank. We also tried a Raegr RapidLink 1160 charger with 65W output, and the charging time was in the same ballpark as what a 30W charger clocked. We didn’t stop at that. We also borrowed a not-so-old Apple 20W charger. 

The good part is it only takes about 10 to 15 extra minutes to charge the iPhone 14 Pro fully. So in case you have that one already, there is no need to invest in a new charger right away. If not, a good 30W USB-PD charger from a reliable brand is advisable. Older Apple chargers and those offering less than 20W output take forever to charge this phone.

Another thing to note is ‘USB-PD’ is the keyword, so popular 30W/65W/100W+ fast chargers that charge certain Android phones in no time may only offer 10W output when used with an iPhone, and won’t charge it fast enough.

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Camera performance: Good variety, great performance in photos and videos both
You get three cameras at the back that cover all the key bases. You get a new 48MP primary camera with optical image stabilisation (OIS) and dual-pixel PDAF, a 12MP telephoto camera with OIS for 3X optical zoom and a 12MP ultra-wide camera with 120-degrees FOV and dual-pixel auto-focus.

The ultra-wide camera also doubles up as a macro camera. You also get a 12MP front camera for selfies and FaceTime. Each of the cameras has a distinct KRA, and they excel in their respective departments.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The main camera captures impressive shots in bright as well as low light conditions. The colours feel slightly saturated at times, which has been the case with iPhones over the years, but a lot of users prefer it that way.

In comparison, similar images captured on the Google Pixel 7 Pro have colours a lot closer to the actual subject, but ironically when you compare images from the two phones side by side, many may vote in favour of the iPhone 14 Pro, unless they have the subject in front of them.

The contrast is excellent, and the same goes for the level of detail and dynamic range. The low-light performance is equally impressive with great detail and low noise. When the light drops below a certain level, the phone automatically switches to Night Mode which brightens up the image just enough without compromising on the details.

That is applicable to the ultra-wide camera too, which happens to be one of the finest around. In good light, the image quality is comparable to the main camera, and it can hold its own in low light too.

As I mentioned earlier, the ultra-wide camera lets you capture macro shots too from up close. When you get closer to a subject, the phone automatically switches to macro mode. The macro shots come out quite well with very good detail, colour and exposure. This is one area where you can see a noticeable improvement in comparison to the iPhone 13 Pro.  

The portrait shots have always been impressive on iPhones over the years, and they are great here too with near-perfect foreground and background separation. You now get 2X and 3X zoom options that are worth a try.

I quite liked the 2X option in addition to the standard 1X mode for portraits. It works well not just with humans but also flowers, other objects and birds. Furry animals can be a hit or a miss though. Also, it is best to take portrait shots in well-lit conditions.

On the subject of zoom, it is time to move on to the telephoto camera that provides you with up to 3X optical zoom. The presence of OIS compensates for minor shakes quite well, resulting in impressive clicks, especially in good light.

The colours and details are excellent in captured shots in well-lit conditions. The results aren’t as impressive when the light drops. While it is still usable in low light, the images feel noisy and have average detail. 

You also get digital zoom up to 15X but I wouldn’t bother going beyond 5X. This is an area where the Pixel 7 Pro wins with its 30X digital zoom backed by crazy good AI and ML algorithms. The 12MP front camera does a very great job with selfies, with fairly natural skin tones and a broad FOV. Needless to say, it excels in FaceTime and video calls. Just like the rear cameras, the front camera can also record videos in 4K resolution at up to 60 fps.

Video recording has been the forte of iPhones for years now and the iPhone 14 Pro carries the legacy forward with excellent video capture across the board that’s best in the segment. Each camera can record 4K videos at 24, 30 or 60fps, and can shoot 1080p slow motion videos up to 240fps.

While I tried using all the cameras for videography, I settled on the main camera for the best results. In addition to OIS and EIS, you also get 10-bit HDR and Dolby Vision support. The captured 4K footage is sharp, with lively colours and wonderfully stabilised.

Click here for lots of unedited photos clicked on the Apple iPhone 14 Pro.

OS and user interface: Love it or hate it, it’s still iOS
This can be a separate series of articles in itself if time permits. But I will try and keep it short here. Nor will I get into the Android vs iOS debate. Both are perfectly polished operating systems and people like what they like at the end of the day. I will just touch upon a couple of things that caught my eye while using this device.

For starters, iPhone 14 Pro launched with the iOS 16 and now runs the latest version of the OS – 16.4.1. For iPhone users, there is no new learning curve here as you get the standard user interface. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

The UI is smooth and lag-free as it has been. While iOS 16 doesn’t bring forth anything drastically different as compared to its predecessor, there are some evolutionary updates in several departments. The OS combined with the aforementioned Dynamic Island presents something fresh on the 14 Pro.

I already told you about the island bit, and iOS 16 takes care of the dynamic part. It smartly adds things on either side of the screen cutout with a black backdrop and even below it to create an optical illusion of the island growing bigger or smaller or changing shape. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Ameya Dalvi

Certain apps like the music player use a black background to encompass the island, giving an impression that the phone has a completely notch-less display; that’s quite smart! You now get an always-on-display for the lock screen that isn’t power-hungry at all.

It dims the screen brightness, drops the refresh rate and displays the basic info without draining the battery much. Notifications management has also seen an improvement in the new OS. I still miss an app drawer though to clear the clutter on the screen.

Final words: 
The overall experience with the Apple iPhone 14 Pro over the past six months has been positive and enjoyable. Would I buy the phone for myself? Well, I am not that rich yet. The iPhone 14 Pro debuted at Rs 1,29,999 for the 128GB storage variant going all the way up to Rs 1,79,999 for the top variant with 1TB storage. The selling price has come down by a good 10K over the past six months, which is good, but it’s still a stiff price tag.

So should you buy it? If you have that kind of money to spend on a phone, then why not! The Apple iPhone 14 Pro is equipped with a powerful A16 Bionic chip that should take care of things for close to half a decade with new OS updates coming in.

Then you have the rugged and signature Apple design, stutter-free software experience and last but not the least, the cameras. The camera department has all the key bases covered from macro to ultra-wide to optical zoom, and the cameras excel in capturing photos and videos both.

Though you will be paying a huge sum, you do get something special to brag about. And as weird as this may sound, it actually makes better sense to spend those tens of thousands extra and buy the 14 Pro instead of buying the iPhone 14 at its current price. The iPhone 14 is pretty much the iPhone 13. All the novelties were reserved for the Pro models this time. 

As for alternatives, you have the usual suspects from the Samsung Galaxy S23 series and the Google Pixel 7 Pro with comparable performance. In fact, the Pixel 7 Pro is going for Rs 69,999 at the moment, which is a great price for what it offers, but you will have to make do with 128GB of internal storage.

You will end up saving a good Rs 50,000 in comparison to an iPhone 14 Pro with similar storage, and the camera performance of the two is equally impressive (photos, not videos). For a better deal on the iPhone 14 Pro, you may have to wait for the festive sales, but the wait might be worth it.

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Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: An impressive all-rounder in the budget smartphone segment

Pros
– Excellent battery life
– Aesthetics and design
– Segment only 5 nm-based CPU
– One of the cheapest 5G phones in the market, with 13 bands
– Impressive main camera
– Comes with a 3.5mm jack

Cons
– Single speaker
– No OIS in any of the cameras
– No IP rating
– No charging brick in the box
– Bezels and bottom chin
– Macro and depth cameras don’t do much

Price: Rs 14,990 for the 6GB + 128GB variant
Rating: 4/5

The budget segment of the Indian smartphone industry has always been a very exciting category, with device manufacturers constantly typing to one-up each other with some quirky and nifty offerings. Samsung’s Galaxy M14 5G is one such offering.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

While the device may look like any other budget offering from Samsung may appear simple at first glance, however, it perfectly embodies Samsung’s recent strategy to offer something compelling at every price point. You get some pretty decent specs for the price, an unparalleled battery life, and a pretty impressive main camera – the three most important factors that make a smartphone. 

All of this makes the Galaxy M14 5G a pretty impressive, value-for-money option for anyone looking to buy a smartphone that just works, and world really well. Samsung may have focused on the essential factors that make a budget smartphone desirable and checked most of the boxes with the Galaxy M14 5G.

With a price of Rs 14,990 for the top-tier 6GB + 128GB model, which can be obtained for even less after discounts and promotions, this device has the potential to be one of the cheapest 5G smartphones under Rs 15,000. There are also cheaper alternatives, including a 4GB + 128GB variant for a thousand rupees less. 

The Galaxy M14 5G boasts impressive features, and solid specifications, and is an excellent option for individuals looking for a phone that can get the job done without too many distractions. So, how does the Galaxy M14 5G perform, and is it worth your hard-earned money?

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: The design
The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G has a simple yet elegant appearance. We tested the icy silver colour, which looked particularly stylish due to the glossy back panel made of plastic which has an iridescent effect. Though the glossy finish does attract some fingerprints, the iridescent effect helps to mask them. The device is available in smoky teal, berry blue colours.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

The bezels on the front display particularly the bottom chin are noticeable, which makes the screen appear smaller despite the sizable 6.6-inch display. The front-facing camera is situated behind a teardrop notch. On the right, we have the volume rockers and power button, which also doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The left side has no buttons and houses the SIM tray, which also has a slot for a microSDXC card in addition to two SIM slots.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

The bottom of the device features a speaker grille that houses one of the speakers and a USB Type-C port. Surprisingly, the device also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack. On the back, there are three vertically-aligned cameras and an LED flash, giving the device a premium and minimalistic appeal from the rear thanks to the absence of a camera island.

Samsung’s recent design philosophy of using the same design language for all devices gives even the budget-friendly Galaxy M14 5G a premium and stylish appearance, similar to its more expensive devices like the Galaxy A34. Of course, there will be some minor variations, a couple of elements removed in the more budget-friendly devices. These elements are typically reserved for more expensive ones, higher up the fiscal food chain. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

Despite its all-plastic construction, the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G feels solid and built like a tank. That being said, it is light and easy to hold thanks to its curved edges. Overall, the device has a simple and elegant aesthetic, but its lack of an IP rating is a drawback in terms of design and build quality.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: The display
The bezels of the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G may give the impression that the display is subpar, but that’s not the case. The device features a 6.6-inch FHD+ LCD display with a resolution of 1080×2408 pixels, in a 20:9 aspect ratio. The screen has a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth user experience. The refresh rate can be turned down to 60Hz. The display also comes with Corning Gorilla Glass 5.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

There’s also Eye Comfort Shield which is a useful feature that reduces the amount of blue light emitted by a screen, making it especially helpful at night. It significantly reduces eye strain and promotes faster and better sleep, especially if you have the tendency to scroll through social media just before you sleep.

The Samsung Galaxy M14 5G provides a satisfying viewing experience as the colours are vivid and bold. However, it lacks the option to adjust colour presets in settings for those who prefer a more natural tone. On a positive note, the device supports Widevine L1, which enables users to stream Netflix movies and TV shows in 1080p quality.

In most scenarios like casual gaming, content viewing, and browsing social media indoors, the display of the Galaxy M14 functions smoothly. However, in direct sunlight, the screen may appear slightly washed out. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

Despite being an LCD panel, the display is satisfactory for the majority of users. Like other Samsung devices, the screen is clear and vivid, and unless you’re familiar with AMOLED displays, you won’t detect a significant contrast ratio or black level difference. Users who are used to LCD panels on other phones will appreciate the refinement and saturation of the Galaxy M14 5G’s display.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: The camera
Although the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G has a triple camera setup at the rear, only the main camera with its 50MP sensor and an f1.8 lens are worth talking about. The other two cameras are 2MP each, one for macro and the other for depth. At the front, we have a 13MP camera for taking selfies.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

The primary camera of the device is equipped with PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus) and captures impressive pictures, especially in well-lit conditions. The photos are rich and sharp, displaying plenty of details. However, in certain situations with suboptimal lighting, the pictures may appear over-processed. While the dynamic range is satisfactory, we believe that Samsung can further enhance it with an optimized camera update.

In low-light conditions, the camera struggles and the images tend to be more grainy, but still usable. The Night mode does improve the picture quality to some extent, but the photos are noticeably processed. Also, the camera is slower when capturing pictures in Night mode compared to normal shooting settings. Nevertheless, this is a common issue with most smartphones in this price range.

If you want to capture photos with a pleasing bokeh effect, you can use portrait mode and carefully focus on the subject. The camera also offers various filters for those who enjoy experimenting with their pictures. The main 50MP camera bins its shot to 12MP by default, so do keep that in mind. 

The front-facing camera is a 13MP sensor, and it delivers decent results considering the price of the device. The fixed-focus camera captures plenty of details, and the colours are accurate. However, the camera has a tendency to overexpose the face slightly to brighten it up, which is a common issue with most smartphones in this price category.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

When it comes to video recording, the Samsung Galaxy M14 5G can shoot 1080p videos at 30 frames per second on both the 50MP main sensor and the front camera. However, the electronic image stabilization (EIS) is not very effective.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: The performance, software experience and UI
Equipped with an octa-core Exynos 1330 CPU and a Mali-G68 MC4 GPU, the Samsung Galaxy M14 is a capable smartphone that delivers snappy performance for day-to-day tasks. Our test unit had 6GB RAM and 128GB of internal storage, expandable up to 1TB via a microSDXC card. The Galaxy M14 is the only device in its segment to feature a 5nm CPU. 

Additionally, Samsung’s RAM Plus allows for an additional 6GB of physical memory. While the device’s benchmark scores are not record-breaking, it performed well in our day-to-day usage, even during intense gaming sessions and multitasking.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

The Samsung Galaxy M14 handled lighter games like Alto’s Odyssey smoothly and could even manage more demanding games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty Mobile at 60fps, albeit with low graphics settings. The device runs on OneUI 5.1, based on Android 13, straight out of the box, offering users the latest Android features. The OneUI 5 interface is well-designed, and we particularly enjoyed the Voice Focus feature, which cancels out background noise during phone calls.

The Samsung Galaxy M14 does come with some bloatware in the form of Samsung’s own apps, which at this pricepoint is expected, and somewhat acceptable to a certain degree. The connectivity options that we get are impressive. The device has WiFi, Bluetooth 5.2, and a USB Type-C 2.0 port, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, the device’s mono speaker at the bottom and lack of speakers at the top may disappoint some users when consuming content or gaming without headphones.

The Samsung Galaxy M14 supports both SA and NSA bands, with a total of 13 5G bands, covering the most popular 5G frequencies. During our 5G tests, we were able to easily achieve 450Mbps at a distance of 500 meters from a tower.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: The battery life
The battery life of the Galaxy M14 impressed us, and we have only positive things to say about it. With a 6000mAh battery and an LCD panel and a relatively undemanding CPU, the battery life is quite impressive. At 70 per cent brightness, the screen on time easily surpasses 10-12 hours, while the usage time exceeds 14 hours. Samsung claims that the battery can last for two days on a single charge, and our testing confirmed this.

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

While the Galaxy M14 supports 25W wired charging, it does not come with a charging brick, only a USB-C to USB-C cable. This is surprising at this price point, considering that other budget smartphones support much faster charging times, and, also come with a compatible charging brick.

Samsung should have at least provided a USB-A to USB-C cable. Having said that we, have to say that we are overall thoroughly impressed by the battery life was consistently good throughout our testing, and we typically had around 30-35% battery remaining at the end of the day.

Samsung Galaxy M14 5G review: The verdict
The Samsung Galaxy M14 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious consumers who want a 5G smartphone from a reputable brand. Despite being priced at less than Rs 15,000, the device offers many features that make it a good value for the money. 

Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das

While other manufacturers may offer more features and slightly better hardware at this price point, they are marred by quality issues and often have poor after-sales service.

One of the standout features of the Galaxy M14 is Samsung’s commitment to providing two years of Android OS updates and four years of security updates. The device’s performance is also quite solid, and most users won’t encounter any issues unless they are pro gamers or ultra-heavy users.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy M14 is a reliable and affordable smartphone that we confidently recommend to anyone looking for a trustworthy brand that has been around for decades.

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Samsung launches new 8K TV Models In India, including a 98-inch variant, check price and availability

After introducing it earlier this year at CES 2023, Samsung has finally officially launched the premium Neo QLED TVs in India. This year, the business unveiled new 8K TV models in a range of sizes, including a new 98-inch model. It has been selling 98-inch TVs that can display 4K resolution but not greater resolution.

The newest Neo QLED TVs from Samsung include an Infinity Screen and Infinity One design, allowing for an ultra-slim profile. The Neo QLED 8K TVs will be available in sizes of 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch, with prices beginning at Rs 3,14,990.

The newest Neo QLED TVs from Samsung include an Infinity Screen and Infinity One design, allowing for an ultra-slim profile. Samsung’s sophisticated Neural Quantum technology, which we’ve seen in previous models, drives the recently introduced Samsung Neo QLED TV. The chip powers the Quantum Mini LED-lit TV’s 14-bit processing and AI upscaling.

The new Neo QLED 8K and Neo QLED TV lineup focus on increased connection, security with Knox Vault, personalization, gaming experience, and sustainability. Samsung expects to double its revenue in 2023 as a result of this new series.

The Neo QLED 8K TVs will be available in 65-inch, 75-inch, and 85-inch sizes for Rs 3,14,990. The Neo QLED 4K TVs will be available in panel sizes ranging from 50 to 85 inches, with prices beginning at Rs 1,41,990. Until May 25, 2023, Samsung is also providing a free Samsung Soundbar HW-Q990 worth Rs 99,990 with select Neo QLED 8K TVs and a free Samsung Soundbar HW-Q800 worth Rs 44,990 with Neo QLED 4K TVs. 

“In the QLED TV segment, which is synonymous with premium TVs, we saw growth of 2X between 2020 and 2022,” Mohandeep Singh, Senior Vice President of Samsung’s Consumer Electronics Business, told Business Today. We expect to rise by 2X in 2023, owing to the forthcoming Neo QLED 8K and Neo QLED TV lines. Furthermore, the QLED 8K TV market grew 2X in 2022 and is expected to grow 3X in 2023.”

For example, between 2020 and 2022, sales of Samsung TVs larger than 55 inches increased by 150 per cent. 65-inch and larger TVs increased by 230 per cent, while 75-inch and larger TVs increased by 300 per cent. Samsung anticipates a 2X increase in 55-inch and larger TV sales in 2023 over the previous year.

Surprisingly, Samsung maintains that demand for premium smart TVs is not limited to metros and major cities. Tier 2 and other smaller cities are growing twice as quickly as major cities.  “Over the last few years, two major trends have emerged: consumers are opting for larger screens, upsizing, and embracing premium TVs like never before.” 

We’ve also witnessed an increase in the number of young people purchasing expensive QLED TVs in recent years.  “The average age of a premium TV buyer has steadily decreased, from 38 in 2020 to 34 today,” Singh continues.

Samsung will also expand its retail approach in order to increase its market share. Samsung plans to increase the number of QLED TV retailers in the country from the current 2,500 to 5,000 this year. 

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