I am introducing cryptography.
Cryptography is used to secure and protect data during communication. Encryption is a process which transforms the original information into an unrecognizable form. Decryption is a process of converting encoded/encrypted data in a form that is readable and understood by a human or a computer.
Intel has confirmed that it will be making changes to the branding of its Core series of processors. Starting with the upcoming Meteor Lake releases later this year, Intel processors will be renamed in a manner that drops the ‘i’ from the Core i(x) branding.
Meteor Lake, which will be the first client processor manufactured on Intel’s new 4 process node, represents a significant milestone for the company.
Intel will utilize Foveros advanced 3D packaging technology, enabling a chiplet design that improves power efficiency and graphics performance. Notably, Meteor Lake will also introduce Intel AI Boost, marking the inclusion of a dedicated AI engine in an Intel client processor for the first time.
Intel has unveiled its new branding strategy for the upcoming release of its Meteor Lake architecture-based CPUs. The company will be dropping the “i” from the naming convention of its consumer Core processors.
For example, the current “Core i7” will become “Core 7.” In addition to this change, Intel will introduce “Ultra” variants of each tier, creating a Core Ultrac(x) tier of processors alongside Core 3, 5, 7, and 9.
The specific details about Core Ultra processors are limited at this time, with Intel only mentioning that they will be aimed at “cutting-edge, premium offerings.” Considering that Meteor Lake will debut Intel’s AI Boost engine, it is reasonable to speculate that the Ultra versions might be the first to incorporate this feature.
Interestingly, Apple also uses the “Ultra” designation for its top-of-the-line CPUs, leading to speculation about potential similarities between the two.
The introduction of Core Ultra processors could signify a return to the high-performance spirit of Intel’s discontinued X-series “Extreme” processors, a rebranding that includes the company’s K-series unlocked processors, or the launch of a line of Core processors with improved integrated graphics (possibly using the next-gen Arc architecture instead of Xe) or integrated Movidius Vision Processing Units. It is also possible that Core Ultra processors could combine some of these features.
Ideally, Intel will limit the new naming conventions to be applied only to its upcoming Meteor Lake architecture and future generations, without retroactively incorporating them into older architectures.
It has been observed that Intel often uses the same naming conventions for budget laptop chips released towards the end of a year, even if they are technically based on previous-generation architectures.
Furthermore, Intel intends to move away from generational marketing, implying that the Meteor Lake chips, for example, will not be labeled as “14th gen.” However, the specific architecture will still be identifiable in the part name, and Intel does not plan to make changes to the existing conventions of the way that CPUs are named. For instance, Core i9 13900, will become the Core 9 14900 and the Core Ultra 9 14900.
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Pros
– Vegan leather back
– Uses the same display as the Pro+ variant
– Has the same SoC as the Pro+ variant
– Battery management and battery life
– Impressive dual camera setup
– Great speakers
– Seems to be better tuned and optimised than the Pro+ variant
– Almost as good as the
Cons
– Tons of bloatware and ads
– No ultrawide camera
Price: Rs 27,999 for the tested 12GB + 256GB variant (starts at Rs 23,999) Rating: 4/5
The Realme 11 Pro has an older sibling, the Realme 11 Pro+. Despite their similarities, the 11 Pro offers a more budget-friendly option by cutting back on certain features. It features a dual-rear camera setup instead of a triple-camera system, a lower resolution selfie camera, and supports 67W fast charging instead of the impressive 100W of its sibling, the Pro+.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Realme’s positioning of the Realme 11 Pro is a bit complex. Not only is the 11 Pro a massive upgrade over last year’s 10 Pro, it is also an upgrade over the 10 Pro+. And, barring a few things, there isn’t much of a difference between the 11 Pro and the 11 Pro+, especially when it comes to performance.
In this review, we try to assess whether the sacrifices made in the Realme 11 Pro take too much away from the experience, how it fare against its elder sibling, and if someone goes for the more budget-friendly option out of the two, what exactly do they give up on
Realme 11 Pro 5G review: The Design
Differentiating between the Realme 11 Pro and Pro+ can be challenging at first glance, but careful examination of their camera modules can reveal the distinction. The Realme 11 Pro has a subtle engraving in small letters that reads ‘100MP OIS camera’, while the Realme 11 Pro+ reads a ‘200MP OIS camera’. Plus, the Realme 11 Pro has two cameras instead of three, so in the camera module, there is a dummy placeholder.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Other than this, there’s no difference whatsoever in the design of the device. Whether it’s the dimensions, ports, finish, or colour options, both devices are virtually identical. We received the Sunrise Beige colour variant, which in the vegan leather, looks and feels great.
Realme 11 Pro 5G review: The Display
The Realme 11 Pro is equipped with the same 6.7-inch curved OLED display that we find on the Realme 11 Pro+. It has the exact same peak brightness of 950 nits and the same refresh rate of 120Hz. Even the bezels and curved edges are the same. Like the Realme 11 Pro+, the 11 Pro has a Widevine L1 certification, allowing it to stream content in FHD resolution.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
However, it’s important to note that, unlike the 11 Pro+ models, the regular 11 Pro smartphone does not currently support HDR capabilities on popular streaming platforms like Netflix.
The display, clearly, is the best in its segment, especially if you’re going for the base variants, which comes in at Rs 23,999.
Realme 11 Pro 5G review: The camera
It is when we come to the cameras that we get to see some major differences between the Realme 11 Pro and the Realme 11 Pro+. The Realme 11 Pro gets a dual camera setup at the rear.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The Realme 11 Pro is equipped with a 100MP OIS primary sensor, which is a downgrade from the 200MP sensor found in the Pro+ model. Additionally, it features a 2MP portrait unit. The primary sensor produces 12MP images by default, which are excellent when photos are shot in the daylight. The colours pop out and the dynamic range is pretty good. However, when zoomed in, the level of detail may appear slightly underwhelming.
Nevertheless, the overall results are satisfactory. In low-light conditions or indoor settings, noise tends to become noticeable. However, the phone manages to preserve details quite well. The device also offers a night mode, which reduces noise in images, but it has the tendency to overprocess and smooth everything out.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The primary camera of the Realme 11 Pro captures daylight photos with remarkable precision and vivid colours. It offers a dynamic range comparable to high-end flagship devices, benefiting from its large sensor that allows ample light to illuminate landscapes accurately.
The Realme 11 Pro offers a digital zoom capability of up to 20x, but the company claims that the in-sensor 2x zoom can capture lossless images. However, when using this mode, some warmth is taken out of the picture, and upon closer inspection, there are noticeable watercolour-like effects on foliage, which can degrade the overall image quality.
In the Street mode, there are two options available: 26mm and 52mm, which correspond to 1x and 2x zoom. One particularly enjoyable feature in the Street mode is the auto-zoom effect. By simply tapping on the subject, the focus locks and the camera gradually zooms in. This not only looks cool but also reduces the need for precise subject tracking and pinching the screen. The portrait mode also performs well, producing a good blur effect to enhance the subject separation.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The 16MP front camera captures acceptable selfies with good detail and accurate skin tones, especially in well-lit conditions. However, there is a slight issue with oversharpening, which can make the images appear artificially sharp. In low-light situations, the camera’s performance is average, and the resulting images may lack the desired level of quality.
Realme 11 Pro 5G review: The performance, software experience and UI
The Realme 11 Pro 5G is powered by the same MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which we find in the high-end 11 Pro+. Our test unit was equipped with 12GB RAM and 256GB ]internal storage. Again, there is the option to virtually add another 12GB of RAM.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Surprisingly, the Realme 11 Pro, fared marginally better than the Realme 11 Pro+ across a bunch of benchmarks. To ensure that our results weren’t contaminated for some reason, we reran the benchmarks on the Realme 11 Pro+ and had the same results.
But, as we have always said, benchmarks are only indicative of what performance is like. In day-to-day usage, the Realme 11 Pro is exactly the same as the Realme 11 Pro+.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
During our experience, we found that the Realme 11 Pro provides smooth gameplay when playing games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty Mobile, when set to the high graphics settings, at a consistent 60fps. We didn’t encounter any issues or performance issues during gameplay.
The Realme 11 Pro 5G runs on RealmeUI 4.0, which is based on Android 13. The user interface offers an impressive range of features, and easy customization options, and provides a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
You get Dolby Atmos support in the stereo speakers-powered audio setup, here as well.
The software experience, of the Realme 11 Pro, is marred by bloatware and ads, just like it happens with the Realme 11 Pro+. We have a detailed dive about this in our review of the Realme 11 Pro+, which you can check out here.
All things said and done, we have to say that RealmeUI 4.0 is actually intuitive, customisable, and overall easy to use.
Realme 11 Pro 5G review: The battery life
The Realme 11 Pro is equipped with a 5,000mAh battery, which offers sufficient capacity to last an entire day on a single charge, even with moderate gaming and occasional navigation. In my usage, which involved streaming, web browsing, and gaming, I was able to achieve around six hours of screen-on-time with the device.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
During our regular usage, with the display set to 70 per cent brightness, the Realme 11 Pro can deliver over 8 hours of screen-on time and more than 15-16 hours of overall usage time.
This includes various activities such as video watching, web browsing, gaming, email handling, and video calls. The device’s battery life is impressive and can easily keep up with extended periods of usage without requiring frequent recharging.
While the Realme 11 Pro lacks the 100W fast charging support found in its higher-end counterpart, the Pro+, its 67W fast charging solution still provides satisfactory performance. Using this, the device can be fully charged from 0 to 100 per cent in well under an hour, ensuring quick and convenient charging.
Realme 11 Pro 5G review: The verdict
The Realme 11 Pro is priced at Rs 23,999 in India, about Rs 4,000 cheaper than the Realme 11 Pro+. This pricing makes the Realme 11 Pro a bargain, given that it performs just as well as its elder siblings in most aspects. The 100MP primary camera, although not as headline-worthy as the 11 Pro+’s 200MP sensor, is also pretty impressive.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Having said that, the lack of an ultra-wide camera is a notable drawback as it limits the phone’s ability to capture a wider field of view and include more details in photos. The excessive bloatware gives the interface a slightly cluttered appearance. Despite these shortcomings, the Realme 11 Pro remains a solid choice that offers reliable performance and overall satisfaction.
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Pros
– Vegan leather back
– Super impressive display
– Impressive 200MP camera
– Great speakers
– Great battery life and fast charging
Cons
– Tons of bloatware and ads
– Photos taken under scant artificial lighting can be a hit or a miss
– Ultrawide camera needs to be better optimised
Price: Rs 29,999 for the tested 12GB + 256GB variant (starts at Rs 27,999) Rating: 4/5
Realme, for quite some time now, has been launching some of the best mid-level budget phones under their number series. Despite a few shortcomings, the Realme 10 Pro+ from last year was a pretty good phone. The year before that, Realme had a solid, bankable device with the 9 series. Back then, however, only the top-tier devices in these series were worth considering.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
This year though, things are a bit different. Both the devices in the series, the Realme 11 Pro+ and the Realme 11 Pro are almost the same. Barring a few areas on the spec sheet, and of course, its pricing, it’s really difficult to tell the Pro+ version apart from the Pro.
Just like last year Realme is marketing this year’s offering from the number series, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G as a smartphone that offers a high-end experience and design that is typically associated with devices that typically cost three to six times more.
The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G boasts a wide range of features, impressive specifications, and eye-catching aesthetics that are sure to grab attention. However, it also has a few chinks in its iron, especially its software. So, how does the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G perform overall, and is it a worthwhile purchase for those in search of a new smartphone? How does the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G stand today, at a time when the Indian budget smartphone market has become even more competitive and fierce?
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The design
First things first, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G is one of the best-looking devices that has been released this year and is bound to win some design award or the other. Realme has collaborated with Matteo Menotto, a fashion designer who has worked with brands like Gucci and Bulgari, for the 11 Pro series.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Both the devices in the series look exactly the same. You get a premium-feeling vegan leather back that has this 3D-woven mesh running down the middle. You also get this intricately done seam of stitches that make it feel hand-crafted. For colour options, you get to choose from three colours – Sunrise Beige, Oasis Green, and Astral Black. For the Realme 11 Pro+, we had the Oasis Green colour. Do note, that the black variant doesn’t have the metallic mesh running down the middle. Still, we feel that even the black variant is majestic to look at.
Thanks to the vegan leather used for the back panel, there’s no chance of this turning into a fingerprint magnet. What will be interesting to see is how long the leather back last before it starts to fray. Do keep in mind that the beige-coloured variants will start picking up stains, especially if you’re not careful with them.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Like the Pro+ variant from last year, the Realme 11 Pro+ as well as the Real Me 11 Pro has a curved display that looks and feels majestic. Yes, they are a little tricky to live with, considering how difficult it is to find tempered glass for these, but that shouldn’t be a major issue as Realme has services to help you get the screen replaced should you need it.
The display of the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G features a hole punch design to accommodate the front-facing camera. The bezels surrounding the screen are extremely thin, especially on the sides, creating a nearly bezel-less look.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The side bezels are remarkably slim, almost non-existent, while the bottom bezel measures an astonishingly thin 2.33mm. Realme has achieved this thin bezel design, combined with a curved display, at an affordable price point by utilizing a new packaging process called COP ultra. We also get an under-the-display fingerprint scanner.
On the right side of the device, you’ll find the power buttons and volume rockers. The left side has no buttons, and the top edge is equipped with a set of microphones.
Moving to the bottom, there is a speaker grille that houses one of the stereo speakers, along with the presence of a USB Type-C port. Additionally, the dual-SIM slot is also located at the bottom. However, it’s worth noting that the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G does not support a microSD card for expandable storage.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Going back to the rear, we see a huge camera island in the shape of a circle. This seems to have become a design choice that many brands are going for, considering just how big camera sensors have become. The central camera has the primary 200MP sensor, whereas the right camera houses the 8MP ultrawide. On the left, we get a 2MP macro sensor.
In the Realme 11 Pro, you don’t get an ultrawide or a micro setup. Instead, on the right you get a 2MP portrait camera.
Despite being lightweight and slim, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G has a sturdy build and feels solid when held. Overall, in terms of aesthetics, the device is surely going to turn heads and be a great conversation starter.
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The display
The Realme 11 Pro+ features a display similar to the one found in the Realme 10 Pro+ released last year, although with some minor adjustments. The screen is a curved 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a resolution of 1080X2412 pixels, an aspect ratio of 20:9, and a peak brightness of 950 nits. With a refresh rate of up to 120Hz and a touch sampling response of 360Hz, users can enjoy a smooth and responsive experience. The display also covers the full P3 colour gamut, providing vibrant and accurate colours.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Additionally, the device incorporates a 2160Hz PWM dimming mode, which enhances colour accuracy even at low brightness levels. It boasts an HDR10+ certification and can reach a peak brightness of 950 nits, ensuring clear and vivid visuals even in direct sunlight. The display’s impressive contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1 and support for 10-bit colour depth further contribute to its crisp and vibrant appearance.
To prioritize user comfort, the display has hardware-level low blue light certification, reducing eye strain. Moreover, it holds the Rheinland Strobe Free Certificate, confirming its flicker-free performance.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The device also features an in-display fingerprint sensor known for its exceptional speed and accuracy, accompanied by stylish animations. When it comes to the curved glass design, the display boasts a 61-degree curvature. Realme has made significant improvements to minimize false touch issues commonly associated with curved displays by implementing the updated X-touch Anti-mistouch Algorithm. This algorithm significantly reduced accidental touches compared to other premium smartphones with curved displays.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The fact that Realme is using a display from their last year’s device isn’t necessarily a bad thing. They spent over $15 million in developing the display, and it is still a pretty solid panel. In fact, we will go as far as to say that it is one of the best displays in a smartphone at this price point.
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The camera
The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G gets a triple camera setup at the rear. The primary camera has Samsung’s 200MP ISCOCELL HP3 sensor with a f/1.69 aperture. Then there is the 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera.
The 200MP sensor is actually quite bigger in size than anything that Realme has ever used before. And, compared to other budget smartphone cameras with 200MP sensors, which use an older ISOCELL HP1, the HP3 has larger individual pixels, which makes it better at capturing light.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The primary camera of the Realme 11 Pro+ captures daylight photos with remarkable precision and vivid colours. It offers a dynamic range comparable to high-end flagship devices, benefiting from its large sensor that allows ample light to illuminate landscapes accurately.
By default, the phone takes 12.5MP pixel-binned shots, which combine 16 pixels into one to achieve exceptional detail. However, the UHD 200MP mode captures full-resolution shots, providing a significantly larger area for cropping at the expense of dynamic range. Additionally, the Realme 11 Pro+ offers 2X and 4X zoom options, utilizing cropping from the primary camera’s viewfinder. While this feature is convenient, a dedicated telephoto sensor would be necessary for true photographic improvements.
Regarding camera features, the phone includes a Street mode that enables portrait-style images at various focal lengths. The same mode also offers an auto-zoom toggle to bring you closer to the subject without physically moving the camera. You can manually adjust the focus according to your preferences or rely on the camera’s autofocus. However, the final output may not always meet your expectations, but further experimentation could yield more favourable results.
Even without using the dedicated Night mode, low-light images captured by the Realme 11 Pro+ exhibit impressive detail and well-balanced exposure levels. Activating the Night mode adds noise reduction and a subtle touch of oversharpening, enhancing the overall quality. The camera’s fast shutter and focus speeds are commendable, even in challenging lighting conditions.
The performance of the ultrawide shooter could benefit from some improvements. While it doesn’t match the image quality of the primary camera, it’s reasonable to expect comparable colour accuracy. Unfortunately, the ultrawide camera falls short in terms of dynamic range and colour temperature, failing to accurately reproduce the scene being captured. The macro sensor performs adequately for close-up photography but struggles in moderately low light conditions.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Lastly, the 32MP front-facing camera captures selfies with decent facial details, but it can sometimes suffer from oversharpening, a common issue with Realme devices. All-in-all the Realme 11 Pro+ excels in image quality thanks to its impressive 200MP primary camera, overshadowing any limitations of its secondary cameras.
Click here for some unprocessed and uncompressed images from the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G.
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The performance, software experience and UI
The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G is a highly capable smartphone powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which is an improved and refined version of the MediaTek 1080 SoC. Our test unit was equipped with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of UFS 3.1 internal storage. Additionally, there is the option to virtually add another 12GB of RAM.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
While it may not achieve record-breaking benchmark scores, in our day-to-day usage involving intensive gaming and multitasking, it performed exceptionally well.
We experienced smooth gameplay with games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty Mobile, even when set to the highest graphics settings at a consistent 60fps, without encountering any issues.
The Realme 11 Pro+ 5G runs on RealmeUI 4.0, based on Android 13. The user interface offers a wide range of impressive features, easy customization options, and a user-friendly and intuitive experience.
The device demonstrates excellent RAM management, allowing apps to remain in the background without any need to enable the virtual RAM feature.
Regarding audio, the handset boasts impressive stereo speakers that deliver high-quality sound with minimal interference, even at high volumes thanks to Dolby Atmos.
When we come to the software, things start to get a little hairy. But first let’s look at the positives. The device runs RealmeUI 4.0, which is based on Android 13, and it adds a few new features as compared to the previous iteration. For instance, while playing music from Spotify, the always-on display offers audio controls and recommendations. Users can also track the delivery status of their food or the status of their cab when they place an order. You can also use the fingerprint scanner to get your heart rate, although, we are not too sure how accurate it is. Furthermore, Realme allows you to hide or pixelate private details from chat-based screenshots before sharing them.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
There is a ton of bloatware and advertisements, and we mean a ton. Even before you’re done setting up the device completely, you are greeted with “suggestions” to get a few additional apps installed. Furthermore, each time you install an app, you are greeted by a window that suggests you try a different app as well. When you pull up the app drawer, there again, you will see a ton of ads.
Furthermore, you get inundated with ads in your notification panel for some app or other. Luckily, Realme gives you the option to opt out of Glance as you’re setting the device up. You still get those “Hot Apps”, “Hot Games” and “Hot Free Games” folders. Luckily, the app recommendations this time are far better and won’t embarrass you.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
We get that when manufacturers are forced to price their devices this competitively, they are forced to look for some extra buck elsewhere. We understand the need to include a few preinstalled apps. However, Realme has been pushing it for some time now.
Having said that RealmeUI 4.0 is very intuitive, customisable, and overall easy and friendly to use.
Coming back to the performance of the device, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G comes with WiFi 6, BlueTooth 5.2 and USB Type-C 2.0 port for connectivity. The device also comes with both SA and NSA bands.
In our 5G tests, we achieved impressive speeds of approximately 400-500 Mbps even when situated around 500 meters away from a tower, with various obstacles such as buildings and shrubbery obstructing the signal. This demonstrates the strong and reliable connectivity capabilities of the device, even in challenging environments.
Additionally, during our prolonged testing, which involved watching videos and playing a short gaming session of Call of Duty Mobile, we observed only a slight decrease in battery level. This indicates that the device has efficient power management.
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The battery life
The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a substantial 5000mAh battery, which, combined with the highly refined SoC and optimized operating system, delivers phenomenal battery life. During our testing, which involved an hour of heavy gaming, extensive video watching using the stereo speakers, and the display set to 75 per cent brightness, we experienced a battery drain of approximately 13-15 per cent.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
In our regular usage where we set the brightness of the display at 70 per cent brightness, we easily got over 8 hours of screen-on time and more than 16 hours of overall usage time. During this time, we watched a couple of videos and shows, browsed the web and social media, gamed a little, sent a ton of email, and held a couple of video calls.
Another impressive feature of the Realme 11 Pro+ is its SuperVOOC wired charging capability, which supports 100W charging. In our tests, we found that the device charges from zero to 100 per cent in under 30 minutes, providing breakneck charging speeds.
Realme 11 Pro+ 5G review: The verdict
Considering its price range of Rs 25,000 – Rs 30,000 or potentially even lower, the Realme 11 Pro+ offers a compelling package that sets new standards for budget smartphones. Realme has done an exceptional job with this device, ticking many of the right boxes and even introducing some new ones for budget phone evaluation. It truly stands out.
It’s quite remarkable that a budget device like this exudes a cool and premium feel, both in terms of looks and build quality. The curved AMOLED display adds to its charm, creating the illusion of a high-end flagship smartphone.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Of course, there are some flaws. Bloatware remains a concern, and it would be beneficial if Realme addressed this issue. Performance, while not chart-topping, is still solid and should not pose any significant complaints unless you are an avid gamer or an extremely heavy user.
Overall, the Realme 11 Pro+ 5G is an excellent device that hits the sweet spot for many users. We confidently recommend it to those seeking a mid-range smartphone, as it offers a great balance of features, performance, and value for money.
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WhatsApp has introduced a new feature in their latest beta updates, known as video messages. This feature is available to both iOS and Android users, enabling them to share brief videos lasting up to 60 seconds with fellow users.
An important aspect highlighted by WABetaInfo is that these video messages are always end-to-end encrypted, ensuring that neither WhatsApp nor any external party can access them.
Currently, the feature is limited to a select group of beta testers, but it will gradually be rolled out to more users in the following weeks. However, users can only exchange video messages with other beta users who have updated their app versions.
To determine if their application includes the new feature, users can tap on the microphone button in the chat bar. If the button transforms into a video camera icon, they can begin sending short video messages. When sending or receiving such messages, users need to enlarge them to listen to the accompanying audio.
While direct forwarding of video messages within the app is not possible, WhatsApp clarified that users can still save them through screen recording since they are not sent using the view once mode.
According to WhatsApp, when users receive a video message, they will be able to ascertain that it was recently recorded, thus enhancing its authenticity.
For this new feature, the compatible updates are WhatsApp beta for iOS 23.12.0.71 and WhatsApp beta for Android 2.23.13.4. Users can download the latest beta versions through the TestFlight app for iOS and the Google Play Store for Android.
A recent report from McKinsey Global Institute has stated that generative artificial intelligence is projected to contribute up to $4.4 trillion annually to the global economy. This optimistic forecast highlights the economic impact of this rapidly evolving technology.
Generative AI includes chatbots like ChatGPT, Google Bard, which are capable of generating text in response to prompts, and have the potential to significantly increase productivity by automating 60 per cent to 70 per cent of workers’ tasks.
The report, spanning 68 pages, predicts that half of all work could be automated between 2030 and 2060. McKinsey’s previous forecast had indicated that AI would automate half of all work between 2035 and 2075. However, the emergence of powerful generative AI tools has accelerated the timeline for this transformation.
The report states that generative AI has the capacity to reshape work dynamics by augmenting the capabilities of individual workers through task automation.
Tech companies have been investing billions of dollars in this technology, fueling excitement and debate about its implications for jobs and the global economy.
While some experts predict that AI will displace human workers, others argue that these tools can enhance individual productivity. Goldman Sachs recently released a report warning about potential worker disruption caused by AI, while a study from Stanford and MIT highlighted how generative AI could increase the productivity of call centre operators.
Most economic studies on generative AI primarily focus on its potential benefits, without fully considering other risks associated with the technology, such as the spread of misinformation and loss of human control.
Lareina Yee, a partner at McKinsey and co-author of the report, suggests that generative AI can provide “superpowers” to highly skilled workers by summarising and editing content.
The report also acknowledges the challenges that industry leaders and regulators must address, particularly regarding concerns about misleading and inaccurate content generated by AI tools.
If you have a budget of Rs 50,000 for a smartphone, you get a lot of good options to choose from. From the latest to a generation old premium phones, the choice keeps getting difficult. Selecting just five handsets from the options available wasn’t an easy task for us either. To compound the problem further, the price of certain more expensive smartphones has dropped under 50K this time. Taking all factors into consideration, here are your top 5 smartphones within a budget of Rs 50,000 this month.
Best phones to buy under Rs 50,000 in India
OnePlus 11R 5G
We are quite pleased with the OnePlus 11 series of phones. While the flagship OnePlus 11 5G offers more bells and whistles, the more affordable 11R 5G offers excellent value for money, and also borrows a handful of features from its more premium sibling, which also includes the design. This stylish phone looks just like the 11 5G from the front and back, barring the placement of the front camera and the absence of a Hasselblad logo at the back.
The OnePlus 11R gets a 6.74-inch curved display too with an unusual (higher than Full HD) resolution of 2772 x 1240 pixels. You get a standard Fluid AMOLED display here instead of the more premium LTPO3 variant on the 11. This HDR10+ compliant screen supports 10-bit colour, 120 Hz refresh rate and can get up to 1450 nits bright. This phone is powered by Qualcomm’s previous flagship Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, and you can get its top variant with a generous 16 GB RAM and 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage in this budget.
While it doesn’t have the variety in the camera department present in the OnePlus 11, its 50MP primary camera with OIS is quite impressive, despite the lack of Hasselblad’s colour tuning. The support cast is modest with an 8MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro camera. A 16MP selfie camera handles selfies and video calls well. Its 5000 mAh battery can last for a day and a half of moderate use, and the bundled 100W charger promises to juice it up in less than 30 minutes. The OnePlus 11R 5G runs OxygenOS 13 based on Android 13, and one can expect more OS and security updates in the future.
Motorola Edge 30 Ultra
The top variant of the Motorola Edge 30 Ultra is the first surprise entrant in this list. This Moto flagship too is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip and is accompanied by 12 GB RAM and 256 GB of internal storage. You get a 6.67-inch Full HD+ 10-bit P-OLED display with a 144 Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 1250 nits. This HDR10+ compliant display is protected against scratches by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass 5. The phone launched with Android 12, and an Android 13 update is available for this phone. Like all Motorola phones, you get a near-stock user interface.
The camera department is quite impressive here. You get a 200MP primary camera with OIS, a 50MP ultra-wide shooter and a 12MP telephoto camera for 2X optical zoom. Thus, you have all the key bases covered. You also get a 60MP front camera to cater to the selfie enthusiasts. The Motorola Edge 30 Ultra’s 4610 mAh battery keeps it powered for well over a day of moderate use, and supports 125 Watts wired and 50 Watts wireless fast charging.
Samsung Galaxy S22 5G
The Samsung Galaxy S22 5G is currently available under 50K on Amazon India; our second surprise. Samsung’s last-generation flagship phone has a compact design with an IP68 rating for dust and fluid resistance. The phone sports an aluminium frame and has Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ at the front and back. It has a 6.1-inch Full HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a peak brightness of 1300 nits, HDR10+ compliance and 120 Hz refresh rate. The Galaxy S22 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s previous flagship Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, and you get its 8 GB RAM and 128 GB storage variant in this budget.
The photography department consists of a 50MP primary camera with dual pixel PDAF and OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide camera with Super Steady video support and a 10MP telephoto camera with OIS for 3X optical zoom. The camera performance is excellent as expected, and can record videos in 8K resolution too. A 3700 mAh battery keeps the phone powered for a day of moderate use and supports 25W fast charging as well as 15W wireless charging. It debuted with Android 12 and Samsung’s One UI 4.1; the Android 13 update has started rolling out.
Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G
The top variant of Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G can be comfortably purchased in this budget. The phone is packed with great features starting with a 6.73-inch LTPO 2.0 10-bit AMOLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a QHD resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels. The screen is compliant with HDR10+ and Dolby Vision and can get up to 1500 nits bright. It is protected by a layer of Corning Gorilla Glass Victus. The phone is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 SoC, and you get a choice between 8 GB and 12 GB RAM along with 256 GB UFS 3.1 storage well under 50K. The phone launched with Android 12 with MIUI 13, and an Android 13 update with MIUI 14 has started rolling out.
The rear camera department has three 50MP cameras with the primary module offering OIS, the ultrawide providing you with 115 degrees FOV and a telephoto camera for 2X optical zoom. The 32MP front camera handles selfies and video calls quite well. The Xiaomi 12 Pro 5G also boasts of features like a quad-speaker system tuned by Harman Kardon and superfast charging. Its 4600 mAh battery lasts over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 120W charger claims to charge it fully in just 18 minutes. The phone also supports 50W fast wireless charging.
iQOO 9 Pro 5G
Last but by no means the least, we have another fully loaded flagship device that used to sell for more than 50K not long ago. Like several phones in this list, the iQOO 9 Pro 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, and you get 8 GB RAM and 256 GB storage to go with it. You also get a 12 GB RAM variant, but it is not worth spending extra 5K on. The phone has a sharp 10-bit 6.78-inch HDR10+ compliant AMOLED display with a resolution of 3200 x 1440 pixels and 120 Hz refresh rate. The phone now runs Android 13 with FunTouch OS 13.
The rear camera department here is quite versatile too. You get a 50MP primary camera with Gimbal OIS, accompanied by another 50MP ultra-wide camera with auto-focus and 150-degrees FOV. There’s also a 16MP telephoto camera with OIS that provides 2.5X optical zoom. A 16MP front camera takes care of selfies and video calls. The iQOO 9 Pro 5G’s 4700 mAh battery lasts over a day of moderate use, and the bundled 120W fast charger claims to charge it fully in just 20 minutes. This phone too supports 50W fast wireless charging.
Pros
– Excellent Battery life
– Premium-looking sleek design
– Impressive main camera
– Vibrant Super AMOLED, 120Hz display
– Samsung’s software update policy
Cons
– 25W charging, with no charging brick in the box
– The back panel gets very smudgy and is a properly fingerprint magnet
– A ton of bloatware and ads
– Missing 3.5mm headphone jack, a common feature in the segment
Price: Rs 29,999 for the 8GB + 256GB variant Rating: 4/5
Samsung has launched yet another device in the already saturated mid-range smartphone segment in India, the Galaxy F54. This device comes just months after the launch of the Galaxy A34, and the Galaxy A54, almost on its heels. It seems that Samsung has adopted a strategy to completely saturate the Indian smartphone market with various series of devices that focus on a specific aspect or the other.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
With the Galaxy A54, it seems that the focus is on the cameras and the looks of the device.
Having said that, the Galaxy F54 delivers a pretty solid and rounded user experience with its versatile features. Its camera system works well in most conditions, it has a huge battery that effectively lasts for a complete day, and it performs admirably in everyday tasks, ensuring seamless functionality. Plus, it has a premium, almost retro look to it. The design is by and large similar to what we have seen from Samsung’s devices this year. All in all, this is a device that many people will consider.
So where does the Samsung Galaxy F54 5G stand? Is it a solid choice for its price, or is it a device that will be ignored, especially when you consider that you literally have N number of options to go for, especially at this price point?
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: The design
The Samsung Galaxy F54 follows the same design language that we have seen in other Samsung devices from this year, which started with their premium flagship S23 series.
Needless to say, in terms of design, the Samsung Galaxy F54 5G looks pretty premium. It is when you pick up the device and feel the materials that were used that you get the sense that it actually is a mid-level budget smartphone.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Our test device was a lovely looking silver-coloured one, with an iridescent finish. The rear panel of the Galaxy F54 5G is made using polycarbonate, which has a glossy finish. The silver colour variant looks a lot like the older flagships from Samsung that had the iridescent finish – it changes colours and takes up a mix of pretty, cool, looking hues from a rainbow.
The downside, however, is the fact that more than any other Samsung device that we have tested this year, the Galaxy F54’s back panel is the biggest fingerprint magnet. It is very susceptible to fingerprints and grease marks. This takes away a lot of the premium appeal of the look. You will need to carry a microfibre cloth in your pocket and wipe the device every 15-20 minutes if like me you too are irked out by grease marks on your phone.
The frame or the railing is made of plastic too and is silver in colour. Because it is curved, it makes holding the device much easier.
Other than the silver colour, which Samsung is calling Stardust Silver you have the option to go for the dark blue, or Meteor Blue option. While the Stardust Silver looks more premium, the blue colour feels easier to live with, although that too catches fingerprints very easily.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
On the front of the display, we get to see a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED panel. The display has a glass panel on the front, but we are not sure if it is a Corning Gorilla glass or something else.
The display also has a centred punch-hole cutout that houses the front-facing camera. We are actually glad that Samsung went for a cutout punch-hole instead of using a teardrop design for the front-facing cameras as the hole-punch cutout gives the device a premium-looking feel from the front,
While the device does feature some bezels, they are very thin by Samsung’s standards. Moreover, these bezels maintain equal proportions across all sides of the device, resulting in a balanced and harmonious look. Notably, the chin of the device does not draw attention and blends seamlessly with the overall aesthetic, ensuring a cohesive and visually pleasing look.
On the right edge of the device, you will find the power button, which also doubles up as the fingerprint scanner and the volume rockers. The left side houses the SIM tray which uses a hybrid style, allowing you to either insert two SIM cards or one SIM and a microSD card.
Moving to the bottom of the device, there is a USB Type-C port, a speaker grille which houses the mono speaker, and a microphone, enabling connectivity and audio output. Lastly, on the top, there is a secondary microphone for capturing audio and for noise cancellation purposes.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The three rear cameras are arranged linearly towards the left, along with the LED flash. There’s no camera island as such that houses the camera. Instead it is just sitting on the rear panel. Each camera has a metal deco ring which only adds to the premium appeal of the device.
All in all, the Galaxy F54 looks very premium, barring its tendency to become smudgy and fingerprint cover mess from the back. And giving credit where credit is due, Samsung has taken care of some aspects of sustainability. The SIM tray and the buttons are made of recycled plastic. They also claim that no hazardous material has been used in the device, and that the device ships in a box that mostly uses recycled paper.
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: The display
The Galaxy F54 5G boasts a pretty impressive display that surpasses the usual expectations that people have from devices at this price point. It even fulfills most of the criteria one would anticipate from a high-end, nearly flagship-level device that would cost way more.
Featuring a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED Plus panel, the display has a maximum refresh rate of 120 hertz and a maximum brightness of 950 nits. The resolution is set at 1080 x 2400 pixels, presenting a 20:9 aspect ratio. Additionally, the display is HDR10+ certified, ensuring enhanced dynamic range.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The Galaxy F54’s display has all the qualities of a typical Samsung display – vivid colours, sharp visuals, and something that offers an enjoyable viewing experience. The colour reproduction is fantastic and vibrant, providing aesthetic satisfaction. Although the black levels may not be as intense as those observed in higher-end Samsung devices, they still achieve satisfactory darkness. Both gaming and content consumption benefit from razor-sharp clarity.
Overall, the F54’s display sets a high standard for reliability in a smartphone within its price range and may even outperform some more expensive alternatives.
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: The camera
The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G has three cameras on the back and one on the front. The main camera has a 108MP sensor and an f1.8 lens, as well as a much better, more comprehensive, and enhanced OIS and VDIS or Video Digital Image Stabilization.
Following that is an ultrawide 8MP camera with an f2.2 lens, followed by a 2MP macro camera with an f2.4 lens. At the front, there is a 32MP selfie camera that performs admirably.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Daylight shots from the 108MP sensor are pretty good, and the camera captures a good amount of detail, creating well-exposed photos with good dynamic range and detailing.
Samsung tends to apply a warmer tone and vibrant colours to their photos, aiming for a visually pleasing effect rather than natural colours. This approach enhances the appeal of the shots, especially for sharing on social media platforms.
The 8MP ultrawide angle camera offers a wide field of view and captures detailed and clear shots during daylight hours. However, its performance diminishes in low-light conditions, which is expected. On the other hand, the 2MP camera doesn’t contribute any significant advantages and serves a rather basic purpose.
The Galaxy F54 produces impressive results when capturing images at night as well. However, there are some instances when Samsung’s software processes things a little too much once you’re out of ambient lighting.
The selfies taken with the Galaxy F54 exhibit an impressive level of attention to detail. Although there may be occasional oversharpening, it doesn’t really bother most times. The camera accurately reproduces skin tones, ensuring a natural appearance. Like other Samsung smartphones, the front-facing camera tends to slightly overexpose faces especially when it is a little dark.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
In terms of video recording capabilities, the Galaxy F54 offers some versatile options. It supports 4K video recording at 30 fps on both the front, rear and ultra-wide cameras. The rear camera can also shoot videos at 1080p and 60 fps. Both the ultra-wide and main cameras have basic normal stabilization, while the main camera further benefits from improved optical image stabilization (OIS). The video digital image stabilization (VDIS) has also been enhanced, contributing to better video stability. Furthermore, the device features a dedicated Super Steady mode, which utilizes the ultra-wide camera to capture highly stable 1080p at 30fps footage.
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: The performance, software experience and UI
The Galaxy F54 5G is equipped with Samsung’s Exynos 1380 SoC, which utilizes the 5nm manufacturing process, along with a Mali-G68 GPU. In day-to-day usage, the device operates smoothly, but it can become slightly warm to the touch during sustained heavy tasks like gaming. Also, The Exynos 1380 isn’t a gaming SoC and neither is Samsung marketing the Galaxy F54 as a gaming device.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Our device was equipped with 256 GB of internal UFS 2.2 storage and 8GB of LPDDR5X RAM. Samsung’s RAM Plus feature allows for the virtual expansion of the RAM by an additional 8GB. Additionally, the device includes a dedicated microSDXC slot that supports cards up to 1TB in capacity.
The F54 performs well in benchmark tests and daily usage. While it handles multitasking smoothly, some issues may arise during gaming. Games like Asphalt 9 and Call of Duty Mobile run effortlessly at medium settings, consistently achieving 60fps. However, after approximately half an hour of gameplay, the device becomes noticeably warm, though not to an alarming extent.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
In terms of connectivity, the Samsung Galaxy F54 supports WiFi, and Bluetooth 5.3, and features a USB Type-C 2.0 port. The device has just one speaker, the one at the bottom. We also don’t get a 3.5mm jack. You do get support for Dolby Atmos.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
There is some pretty significant bloatware, including apps from Samsung’s ecosystem. However, the Samsung Galaxy Widget is particularly egregious as it keeps on serving some ad or the other. Although it can be disabled it has to be done by going deep inside the menu. This is especially frustrating considering we also have Glance, another atrocious piece of bloatware.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The Samsung Galaxy F54 comes with the OneUI 5 operating system, which is based on Android 13. Despite being a mid-range smartphone, the Galaxy F54 incorporates some of the best features available in Samsung’s One UI. There are some notable features including AI-based Photo Remaster and Eraser which allows users to remove shadows, reflections and other unwanted aberrations and objects from photos.
Like all their other devices, Samsung will be giving the Samsung Galaxy F54 4 major Android OS updates and 5 years of security updates.
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: The battery life
The Galaxy F54 excels in terms of battery life, thanks to its powerful 6,000mAh battery. In our testing, the device lasted close to 2 days with light usage and a full day with heavy usage. The battery optimization is impressive, allowing the device to maintain its battery life even with a heavy UI and multiple background processes running. As a result, the device does not drain its battery quickly and provides reliable battery performance.
At 70 per cent brightness, you can easily get more than 10-12 hours of screen time and more than 22 hours of usage time. Our regular usage consisted of texting, calling, a few photography sessions, accessing the internet, playing a few video games, checking emails, holding office conference calls, and of course, binge-watching some videos etc.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
We wish Samsung works on their fast charging for the more budget segment of their lineup. 25W charging just doesn’t cut it anymore. Usually, it took us about 2 hours to get the device charged from zero to 100 per cent, using a 65W third-party charging brick. When using an official 25W Samsung charging brick, the charging time gets cut down significantly somehow. However, we reckon not many people would have a 25W charging brick from Samsung lying around, which, BTW, costs about Rs 1,999.
Samsung Galaxy F54 5G review: The verdict
The Samsung Galaxy F54 5G is a reliable mid-level smartphone that lives up to its promises. It boasts an impressive set of cameras and performs well, despite the presence of the Exynos SoC, which may raise eyebrows in this price range.
However, the market at this price point is highly competitive, with several brands offering devices that boast slightly better specifications on paper. Realme, Poco, and other brands are strong contenders in this segment.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
What sets Samsung apart from the competition is its reliable after-sales service, which is difficult to surpass. Additionally, Samsung has committed to providing four major Android updates and five years of security updates, ensuring long-term software support.
At Rs 29,999, the Galaxy F54 may initially seem slightly overpriced. However, there are areas where the premium price is justified. That being said, if the Galaxy F54 were priced more competitively and didn’t directly enter the territory of its current competitors, it would be much easier to recommend without any reservations. Nonetheless, the Galaxy F54 remains a solid choice for those seeking a capable and premium-looking device.
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Intel has unveiled the Intel Arc Pro A60 and Pro A60M as the latest additions to its professional range of graphics processing units (GPUs), known as the Intel Arc Pro A-series.
These new products represent a significant leap in performance within the Intel Arc Pro family and are specifically tailored for professional workstation users. They offer up to 12GB of video memory (VRAM) and support for four displays with high dynamic range (HDR) and Dolby Vision support.
Intel has unveiled the Arc Pro A60 and Pro A60M, the latest additions to their professional range of GPUs, the Intel Arc Pro A-series. The GPUs come with up to 12GB VRAM and supports up to 4 displays supporting high dynamic range (HDR) and Dolby Vision support
Featuring integrated ray tracing hardware, graphics acceleration, and machine learning capabilities, the Intel Arc Pro A60 GPU combines smooth viewports, cutting-edge visual technologies, and robust content creation within a traditional single-slot form factor.
Supported uses and applications The Intel Arc Pro A-series graphics present a fresh option in the workstation GPU market. Compared to existing Intel Arc Pro products, the Intel Arc Pro A60 and A60M offer double the number of PCIe lanes (16), twice the memory bandwidth at 384 gigabytes per second, twice the dedicated AI Xe Matrix Extensions (XMX) engines (256), and twice the number of ray tracing units (16).
They also include comprehensive support for media encode and decode, including AV1. These features make the Intel Arc Pro GPUs highly suitable for computer-aided design and modelling (CAD/CAM), AI inferencing tasks, and media processing in dedicated business environments, that heavily rely on programmes like Autodesk, Bentley MicroStation, Dassault Systemes SOLIDWORKS, Nemetscheck VectorWorks, PTC Creo and a bunch of others.
Intel’s workstation GPUs are not only designed for professional workstations but also optimized for media and entertainment applications. These GPUs excel in running rendering and ray tracing libraries within the Intel oneAPI Rendering Toolkit, enabling the creation of visually stunning and immersive experiences with exceptional performance and fidelity. Popular applications like Blender benefit from the optimization, allowing users to leverage the capabilities of Intel’s GPUs to achieve high-quality rendering and realistic ray-traced graphics on a large scale.
Availability The Intel Arc Pro A60 GPU designed for workstation desktops will soon be released and made available through Intel-authorized distributors in the coming weeks. On the other hand, the Intel Arc Pro A60M GPU intended for mobile systems will be offered by original equipment manufacturers (OEM) partners, but its availability is expected in the coming months.
Additionally, HP has already introduced workstation designs featuring the Intel Arc Pro A40 GPU, and they are currently available. Dell and Lenovo are expected to launch their own workstation designs featuring the Intel Arc Pro GPUs in the third quarter of 2023.
It’s worth noting that the Intel Arc Pro GPU family has undergone validation for compatibility with Intel NUC 13 Extreme small form factor (SFF) PCs. These PCs feature powerful 125W unlocked 13th Gen Intel Core processors, providing users with a compact yet high-performance computing solution.
The GPUs come with up to 12GB of (VRAM), support for four displays with HDR and Dolby Vision® support.
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Realme has once again made a splash in the Indian smartphone market by introducing the highly anticipated Realme 11 Pro series. This series comprises two models, the Realme 11 Pro and Realme 11 Pro+. Both phones have already been launched in China, where it created a lot of excitement due to their exceptional features and design.
Realme’s latest 11 Pro and 11 Pro+ offer a bunch of cool features. However, it is the design of the devices, the hardware they pack and the Realme 11 Pro+’s 200MP camera that makes it an option worth considering.
The Realme 11 Pro+ stands out with its revolutionary 200-megapixel primary camera. This camera allows users to capture stunning photos, including impressive shots of the moon, thanks to the dedicated Moon mode. It’s worth noting that Realme is the first smartphone brand to bring Moon mode to a non-flagship device.
The Realme 11 Pro+ sets a new precedent in the mid-range category by incorporating a feature previously seen only in flagship devices
Realme 11 Pro: Specs and features
Featuring a magnificent 6.7-inch AMOLED display, the Realme 11 Pro offers a full HD+ resolution and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate. With slim bezels, this display is designed to provide vibrant colours delivering an immersive viewing experience.
The Realme 11 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 SoC, which was officially announced on May 2. This chipset ensures efficient performance and smooth operation.
Running on the latest Android 13 operating system, the Realme 11 Pro comes with Realme UI 4.0 as its custom interface, offering a unique and user-friendly experience with its intuitive features and design.
In terms of photography, the Realme 11 Pro sports a dual rear camera system. It features a primary 108MP sensor with optical image stabilization, enabling fast and stable photography. Additionally, there is a 2MP macro unit for capturing detailed close-up shots. On the front, a 16MP camera is housed within a drill-hole slot, perfect for capturing selfies and engaging in video calls.
To keep you powered throughout the day, the device is equipped with a substantial 5,000mAh battery. It also supports 67W fast charging, allowing for quick and convenient charging times, ensuring you spend less time tethered to a power source.
Realme 11 Pro+: Specs and features
The Realme 11 Pro+ boasts a generous 6.70-inch touchscreen display with a Full HD+ resolution of 2400×1080 pixels. It is powered by the high-performance octa-core MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor and is paired with 12GB of RAM, ensuring seamless performance and efficient multitasking.
Running on the latest Android 13 operating system, the phone comes with a substantial 5000mAh battery that supports fast charging, ensuring extended usage without frequent recharging.
When it comes to photography, the Realme 11 Pro+ impresses with its triple camera setup on the back. It features a remarkable 200-megapixel primary camera, along with an 8-megapixel camera and a 2-megapixel camera. For capturing stunning selfies, there is a single 32-megapixel front camera.
The device operates on Realme UI 4.0, which is based on Android 13. It provides a user-friendly interface and offers ample storage with its built-in 256GB capacity, expandable via a microSD card. The Realme 11 Pro+ supports dual Nano-SIM cards
In terms of connectivity, the Realme 11 Pro+ offers various options including Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth v5.20, NFC, and USB Type-C. It is equipped with multiple sensors such as an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, compass/magnetometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and an in-display fingerprint sensor for convenient unlocking and enhanced security.
Realme 11 Pro Series: Pricing and offers.
The Realme 11 Pro starts at Rs 23,999 for the 8GB + 128GB variant. There is also an 8GB + 256GB storage variant available for Rs 24,999. The 12GB + 256GB storage variant is priced at Rs 27,999.
The Realme 11 Pro+ on the other hand has a base configuration of 8GB + 256GB storage, priced at Rs 27,999, and the higher variant with 12GB + 256GB of storage, priced at Rs 29,999.
The Realme 11 Pro+ goes on sale from 15 June, whereas the non-Pro variant will be available from 16 June. The devices will be available at realme.com, Flipkart certain retail stores.
Both series are available in three attractive colours: City of the Rising Sun, City of Green Fields, and Starry Night Black.
As for launch offers, the Realme 11 Pro+ – 8GB + 128GB – gets Rs 2,000 as a bank discount, and another Rs 2,000 off on exchange.- The 12GB + 256GB variant only gets a Rs 500 off on exchange.
As for launch offers, the Realme 11 Pro’s 8GB + 128GB gets Rs 1,500 as a bank discount, whereas the 256GB variants only get Rs 500 off on exchange.
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The Samsung Galaxy F54 has made its debut in India with a price tag of just Rs 30,000. Offering a host of features, the Galaxy F54 boasts a large battery, a display with a high refresh rate, a mid-range Exynos chip, and support for fast charging.
The Galaxy F54 is a budget-friendly option priced under Rs 30,000 and offers all the essential specifications that one could think of for a device at this price point. Powered by an Exynos 1380 chipset and featuring a 108MP camera, the Galaxy F54 has an introductory price of Rs 27,999
The Galaxy F54 is a budget-friendly option priced under Rs 30,000 and offers all the essential specifications that one could think of for a device at this price point. The Galaxy F54 is specifically designed for users seeking an aesthetically pleasing smartphone with enhanced camera capabilities and improved performance.
We take a look at its specs, features, pricing and launch offers
Samsung Galaxy F54: Specifications and features
The new Samsung Galaxy F54 features a massive 6.7-inch screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, utilizing an AMOLED panel and running at Full HD+ resolution. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5, ensuring durability against damage. However, it does not come with a pre-applied screen protector. The design of the rear camera is reminiscent of the flagship Galaxy S23 phone.
Powered by Samsung’s in-house Exynos 1380 chipset, which also powers the recently launched Galaxy A34, this 5G phone operates on the latest Android 13 operating system right out of the box. Samsung guarantees 4 years of Android OS upgrades and 5 years of security patches, which is an impressive commitment.
In terms of photography, the newly released Samsung Galaxy F54 incorporates a triple camera setup on the rear panel. It comprises a 108-megapixel primary sensor with OIS support for stabilized videos, along with an 8-megapixel ultra-wide camera and a 2-megapixel macro sensor. The front camera sports a 32-megapixel sensor housed within a single circular cut-out.
Under the hood, a substantial 6,000mAh battery powers the device, ensuring over a day’s worth of usage. The phone supports 25W fast charging, although this falls slightly behind the offerings of other phones in the market. Notably, the handset does not come with a charger, requiring consumers to purchase one separately or utilize an existing one.
Additionally, the phone does not include a bundled case. It incorporates a side-mounted fingerprint sensor rather than an in-display sensor, as seen in the Galaxy A54 smartphone. The Galaxy F54 features a single speaker at the bottom and does not provide basic IP rating support.
Samsung Galaxy F54: Pricing, availability and launch offers
In India, the Samsung Galaxy F54 is available for an effective price of Rs 27,999 for the 256GB storage variant. It’s important to note that this is an introductory launch price, and the retail price will be Rs 29,999. The phone will be open for pre-orders on Flipkart at 3:00 PM in a few hours, and it will soon be available for sale on the same platform. Additionally, it will be sold through select retail stores in India.
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Pros:
– The sheer brute performance
– The CherryMX Mechanical keyboard
– Expandability and upgradability in terms of Storage and RAM
– PCIe Gen 5 M.2 Storage slot
– Excellent thermal management
– The subtle but aggressive aesthetics
– The 4K 144Hz MiniLED display
– Great selection of ports and I/O
– Choice of materials could have been better
Cons:
– The price
– Average webcam considering the other specifications and the price
– Too bulky, even for a gaming laptop
Price: Rs 6,71,990/- Rating: 4.75/5
Last year, when we reviewed the MSI Titan GT77 UHS, we were very impressed by it. Powered by the Intel i9-12900HX & the NVIDIA RTX 3080Ti Laptop GPU, it was very easily, the most powerful computer that we had used last year. In fact, we had stated in our review that most people don’t have full-fledged desktops that could go toe to toe against the Titan GT77.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Well, MSI is back with another iteration of the Titan GT77 and is more bonkers than ever before. At first glance, it seems that not a lot has changed – it still has that patently bonkers gamer aesthetics, and backbreaking heft and bulk from last year. Look closely though and you’ll see that the newest generation of the Titan GT77 is a beast that has reincarnated in a much more stronger avatar. MSI seems to have taken all the numbers from last year’s Titan GT77, and have turned it up to 11.
The newest MSI Titan GT77 is a true enigma in this regard. The Titan GT77 continues to be a legitimate desktop replacement, delivering desktop-level performance in a reasonably portable form factor. Yes, there are a few gaming laptops that have the same sort of specifications that the new MSI Titan GT77 comes with, but they have some omissions or others, that leaves a sour taste in your mouth, especially when you know that there exists a machine, that makes absolutely no compromises when it comes to sustained performance, not just in gaming but other intensive tasks as well.
As always with the Titan GT77, while you can use this machine for intense gaming and experience impressive results, its true purpose lies in tackling far more demanding tasks. Who exactly and what task? Well, that’s exactly the question we will tackle in this review of the MSI Titan GT77 and explore the intended audience for this desktop replacement laptop.
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Specs and features
The unit we tested was the MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI, featuring an Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU. Our specific configuration included 64GB (2x32GB) of DDR5 RAM in a dual-channel setup, running at 4800MHz. However, it’s worth noting that the laptop supports up to 128GB RAM thanks to an additional two So-DIMM slots
Retail units of the MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI will be equipped with an Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU, which has slightly more powerful cores, up by 100Mhz. This is supposed to aid in lighter, more office-oriented tasks.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
As for the GPU, we had the laptop variant of the NVIDIA RTX 4090, offering 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM. The laptop-grade GPU has a total of 175W of power to play with, so you know that the GOu is well-fed. Additionally, the laptop includes Intel’s UHD Graphics for lighter tasks.
The display on our test unit was a 17.3-inch UHD 4K (3840X2160) MiniLED display, boasting an impressive refresh rate of 144Hz, and certification for HDR1000.
In terms of storage, our unit came equipped with 2 PCIe Gen 4 SSDs of 2TB for a total of 2TB. The MSI Titan GT77 features three M.2 slots, one of which supports PCIe Gen 5.
For wireless connectivity, you get a Killer AX1690i module that supports WiFi 6E as well as Bluetooth 5.3.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Powering the device is a non-removable 4-cell, 99.99Wh battery, accompanied by a 330W charging brick with a proprietary connector.
For security features, the Titan GT77 offers an IR camera and fingerprint-based biometrics, a webcam shutter for the integrated camera, and Firmware Trusted Platform Module(TPM) 2.0.
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Design and build quality
Like last year, The design of the latest generation of the MSI Titan GT77 is far from understated. MSI is actually continuing with the same design that we saw last year, which makes one thing very clear – the Titan GT77 has a legacy and a lineage that MSI feels should be recognisable at once.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The laptop sports an all-black colour scheme and has a very aggressive styling. The prominent vents on the sides and back clearly are the first identifiers of the performance beast that’s lurking under the chassis, even when you switch the RGB lighting off. The rear exhaust vents feature customizable RGB lighting, allowing users to assign different colours to each vent outlet using the SteelSeries GG app.
The MSI Titan GT77 is built like a tank – you can feel the heft just by looking at it. Weighing over 3.3 kilograms on its own it may seem heavy on its own. The power brick to keep this beast juiced up, weighs another 1.4 kilograms. However, considering its purpose as a true desktop replacement and the performance it delivers, the weight becomes more reasonable.
The laptop features a metallic top lid that houses the display. The lid is sturdy and shows minimal flex, and is slightly recessed from the edge of the clamshell, creating a noticeable protrusion at the rear.
Additionally, the lid showcases the illuminated MSI shield logo, enhancing its gamery vibes. It is attached to a robust yet solid hinge that can be easily opened with one hand, preventing unnecessary swaying of the panel As for the bezels, the left, top, and right edges boast thin bezels, while the bottom edge contains a thicker bezel with the MSI logo.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The interior of the laptop is primarily composed of plastic, but it doesn’t feel cheap. However, the choice of materials could have been better as the entire laptop is a fingerprint magnet. This clean and sharp aesthetics of the device are easily besmirched by the user’s fingerprints, and no matter how hard you try, you can’t clean up the laptop with a microfibre cloth every 5 minutes.
The keyboard shows virtually no flex, and on the left and right sides of the keyboard, there are 2W speakers. Towards the bottom-left corner of the keyboard, we see the Cherry MX branding, again, illuminated with RGB.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
The bottom of the laptop consists of two parts. The top half is made of metal, most likely aluminium, allowing for better heat dissipation due to the presence of well-positioned vents. The other half is constructed of plastic. Additionally, two 2W woofers can be seen on the bottom of the laptop.
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Keyboard and trackpad
The MSI Titan GT77 is equipped with a low-profile mechanical keyboard developed by SteelSeries, incorporating Cherry MX switches. From the feel and sound of it, it seems to be a Cherry MX Brown switches. This results in one of the finest laptop keyboards available, offering a delightful typing and gaming experience. Additionally, there is a dedicated numeric keypad on the right-hand side, albeit with slightly smaller keys, which enhances typing convenience. It’s important to note that the keys on the numpad, function row and arrow keys may not feel as tactile as the Cherry switches and have a more membrane-like sensation.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Similar to other keyboards featuring Cherry MX switches, the key switches on the Titan GT77 offer excellent actuation and a satisfying tactile feel. The keyboard is equipped with per-key RGB backlighting, allowing users to customize the lighting according to their preferences. The included SteelSeries GG software also allows users to easily create and manage custom profiles, making it one of the most user-friendly configurators.
The trackpad on the laptop is notably large and lacks physical buttons. It functions as a standard multi-gesture trackpad, providing responsive and precise control. The surface of the trackpad feels smooth and pleasant to touch, and it has very precise palm rejection, which is particularly beneficial considering its size. Furthermore, it is very accurate. MSI need not have gone for such a good trackpad for the Titan GT77, considering that a majority of the users will be using a mouse with it anyway. Having said that, we’re glad that MSI did go for it.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Webcam and speakers
The MSI Titan GT77 still uses a 720p camera which is housed in the thin top bezel of the display. the fact that some people may think of using the webcam to stream, it would have been preferable to see at least a 1080p sensor instead. Further still, considering what people will pay for the laptop and the fact that it is the best of the best when it comes to specifications, a 4K sensor would have been ideal.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Having said that, the image and video quality produced by the webcam is decent enough to serve general purposes, like attending a meeting or a video call. Like last year, the camera gets some IR capabilities, which makes it great for biometrics. One thing that has been added to this year’s GT77 is a physical web shutter for increased privacy.
The built-in microphone, unlike the webcam, performs well and is suitable even for streaming. During video calls, it effectively isolates the speaker’s voice from any surrounding background noise.
The audio output of the device consists of a pair of 2-watt speakers and a pair of 2-watt woofers, all facing the user. These speakers provide high-quality sound with a distinct mid-range, ample separation between high and low frequencies, and a satisfying bass presence. Throughout our testing, we encountered no instances of rattling, distortion, or any other undesirable problems when playing bass-heavy tracks. Although the maximum volume level is somewhat on the lower side, it can still reach sufficient loudness to fill a room, albeit it might leave some users slightly disappointed.
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Display
Last year, the unit we tested came with a 17.3-inch 1080P IPS display that had a refresh rate of 360Hz. The units available in India come with a 4K, 120Hz IPS display. This year, MSI has made some massive updates to the display. For the 2023 version, we get a 4K resolution, measuring 3840 x 2160 pixels, and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Additionally, there is an alternative option of a QHD IPS screen with a refresh rate of 240 Hz.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
Mini-LED screens ensure true black images without any backlight bleeding. MSI promotes over 1000 dimming zones, although some blooming may still be observed. When bright objects are displayed on dark backgrounds, the entire dimming zone illuminates, resulting in bright clouds. However, this effect is primarily noticeable when logos are displayed and not during gaming or regular usage. The average brightness is measured at 600 nits, and the low black value contributes to a remarkably high contrast ratio.
The panel supports HDR 1000, and our tests show that it has a maximum brightness of over 1000 nits. Users will need to manually activate HDR. Moreover, the different colour profiles that come with MSI’s True Color software cannot be used, and HDR cannot be utilized while on battery power. This is because Windows falls spectacularly short when it comes to implementing HDR.
Speaking of True Colour, the Titan GT77 comes equipped with the True Color software, which provides various preconfigured settings for colour spaces and situations such as gaming, office work, and movie viewing. Additionally, the software allows users to calibrate the screen according to their preferences.
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Performance in Productivity and Gaming
This is where the MSI Titan GT77 shines the brightest, and the main reason why the select few people who can actually afford this laptop, should go for it. Last year’s Titan GT77 was a beast when we were looking at its performance. The newer, 2023 version fo the GT77, is an even more powerful, and surprisingly, more efficient beast – but, a beast nonetheless.
The 2023 version of the Titan GT77 comes with an Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU which boosts up to 5.5 GHz, has 32 threads and 24 Cores, 8 of which are the top-tiered Performance Cores, and an additional 16 Efficiency Cores. The P-Cores boost all the way up to 5.5Ghz whereas the E-cores go all the way up to 4GHz.
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As far laptop grade CPUs are considered, this is bested only by the Intel Core i9-13950HX, which is what retail customers will be getting. Needless to say, it is the best of laptop CPU out there right now.
Even the Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU is a pretty powerful CPU. The only difference between the two CPUs is the 13980HX offers a 100 MHz higher maximum clock for the P-cores and lets go of the vPro support. vPro won’t help that much with gaming, but it does slightly help with work-related stuff. Nonetheless, the CPU again is a great example of just how raw power and efficiency can be packed into a single SoC. Intel does that using Intel’s hybrid architecture is.
As for the GPU, we get a laptop version of the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, again, the best that a laptop can be equipped with right now. The RTX 4090 in the MSI Titan GT77 boosts up to 2340Mhz and comes with 16GB of GDDR6 VRAM and a TDP of 175W. What this means is that the GPU has plenty of room to stretch its legs and perform as a 4090 should.
The net result is that the Titan GT77 truly is the king of performance among portable laptops. The Intel Core i9-13950HX crushes all benchmarks that you throw at it and is bested only by proper desktop-grade K-series CPUs from Intel. During our testing, it fared better than almost all other laptops that we tested this year, by quite a margin. And thanks to Intel’s hybrid architecture, it got some of the highest scores we have seen across benchmarks, both in single-threaded and multithreaded workloads.
The GPU too crushes every synthetic benchmark that is thrown at it. MSI has given the RTX 4090 a TDP of 175W. Both, the Intel Core i9-13950HX and the RTX 4090 are properly fed when it comes to power. Intel actually allows you to play with the clock speeds of the Core i9-13950HX using MSI Centre’s profiles. We did all of our testing of the laptop, benchmarking and gaming at its Extreme Performance to get the best out of the device.
Apart from keeping the giants properly fed, MSI has also ensured that the CPU and the GPU are adequately cooled. The Titan GT77 comes with a slightly updated version of MSI’s Cooler Boost Titan system that helps maximize the i9-13950HX’s and RTX 4090’s performance efficiency. This year, you get 4 fans and a heat sink with 8 pipes and 6 exhausts.
In benchmarks, the Titan GT77 tops nearly every benchmark that you run it through, as it should. In 3DMark Time Spy it scores 20140, in Cinebench R23 it scores, 2120 for the single core and 30065 for the multicore tests. In PCMark 10, it gets a very solid score of 8801, the highest we have seen in a laptop.
In Pugetbench, it has an overall score of 1213 for Photoshop, and 1530 in Lightroom. And, in Crossmark, it is 1864 for productivity, 2441 for creativity, 1623 for Responsiveness and an overall score of 2051.
We have only seen top-tier desktop CPUs and GPUs scores that are comparable to this. Having said that we have always maintained that benchmark numbers do not necessarily reflect how a device actually performs in real life. For that, you have to turn to gaming and other real-life applications.
We tested out games like Far Cry 5, Far Cry 6, Shadow of The Tomb Raider, Metro Exodus, and the recent Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2. We also played CS:GO, but did not include it in our test results, and the results were just ridiculous, but more on that later.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
As stated earlier, we did all of our testing, including the benchmarks using MSI’s Extreme Performance mode to extract the maximum possible juice from the processor and GPU package. As for in-game settings, we were at the highest possible presets, enabling DLSS where possible, and antialiasing. We tested the game at 1080P because that is what most gamers would go for given the size of the panel, and in 4K given that our unit had a 4K panel.
In 1080P Gaming, with the settings turned all the way up where we could have, and with DLSS on when possible, we had more than an awesome experience. In Far Cry 5, we were averaging 158 FPS, in Far Cry 6, we were getting a comfortable 142 FPS. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we were consistently getting an average of 212 FPS. Metro Exodus was giving us an ultra-smooth 131 FPS. And, in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (2022) we were averaging 174.
We get to see a similar story in 4K gaming as well. In Far Cry 5, we were getting 131 FPS, in Far Cry 6, we were getting a pretty smooth 87 FPS. In Shadow of the Tomb Raider, we were getting an impressive 101 FPS. In Metro Exodus, we were getting a very much playable 79 FPS. and, in Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 (2022) we were averaging a very healthy 83.
Coming to CS:GO, we were getting a ridiculous 600+ FPS at 2K with the details cranked up. We did not bother testing it on 4K, but rest assured, it should be somewhere between 300-400 FPS, at the minimum
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Battery
The Titan GT77 comes with one of the largest batteries to be ever fitted to a laptop. It has a 4-cell, 99.99W/hr battery, and a 330W charging brick. But because of the hardware that this laptop packs and the performance that it delivers, the Titan GT77 isn’t anything to write sonnets about. Still, it lasts a little longer than the last generation’s battery.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
On an average day of work, which consisted of a ton of writing, some photo editing, and quite a bit of content consumption on YouTube and Netflix, we got about 6-7 hours of usage at about 40-50 per cent screen brightness. Do note, that this was in Silent mode, which is another and on the Intel GPU.
During our extended battery testing, where we play a 4K Video on YouTube on 75 per cent brightness and 50 per cent volume, with all RGB lights on, the MSI Titan GT77 lasted just under 5 hours. This, from a laptop that is as performance-packed as this, is actually very impressive.
While gaming without the charger, the laptop conked off after 1 hour or so of gaming with reduced screen brightness. The performance did take a minor hit without the charger.
MSI Titan GT77 HX 13VI Review: Verdict
The MSI Titan GT77 is not a machine for everyone, not even the most avid of gamers. Unless you’re planning to take up e-sports and gaming as a career option, or are planning to get into AI/ML development or to render a lot of CAD designs or videos, this is not the laptop for you, For most games and purposes, it is an overkill.
So, who is the Titan GT77 designed for? We believe it is tailored for high-performing content creators, gamers, machine learning engineers, data scientists, and game developers who are frequently on the move and require a true desktop replacement that can be easily transported.
Image Credit: Tech2 | Mehul Reuben Das
As powerful as the Titan GT77 is it has a few drawbacks. We wish we had a higher-quality webcam, and that it wouldn’t have been priced this prohibitively. Nevertheless, once you experience the powerful synergy between the Core i9-13950HX processor and the RTX 4090 graphics card, these minor drawbacks fade into insignificance.
If you seek uncompromising and unrestrained performance, and if you have the financial means to invest in a laptop priced at around Rs 6.5 Lakhs, then look no further. This is the epitome of what laptops for serious professionals and professional gamers were always intended to be.
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