Category: Videos

Unboxing The Moto G6
The sixth generation of Motorola’s highly acclaimed Moto G series has launched in India. The Moto G6, initially launched back on Apilr 19th in Brazil has made its way to India for a starting price of Rs 13999. The Moto G6 is the successor to the Moto G5s which was launched in August 2017 and it will go on sale via Amazon exclusively.

Buy The Moto G6 Here

The Moto G6 is a significant upgrade over the Moto G5s in terms of design and build quality. During the Moto G5s launch, there were premium smartphones with the 18:9 aspect ratio but, not many budget devices had adopted the feature. Since then, however, the 18:9 aspect ratio has become the norm across the board. The Moto G6 follows the norm as well and has thin bezels around the display with an 18:9 aspect ratio.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the Moto G6
- Moto G6
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Wall Charger
- USB-C Cable
[section label=”First Impressions”]

A few years ago, most budget smartphones were flimsy and had a plastic build. That slowly transitioned into a metal unibody which is much more sturdier, if not the best-looking. 2018 appears to be the year of embracing the glass build quality. Honor did it with Honor 9 Lite and now Motorola has also adopted the all-glass design. The Moto G6 features Corning Gorilla Glass3 on the front and back with an aluminium frame. With the new design, the G6 will be a fingerprint magnet which means a skin or a case is highly recommended for people who like to keep their smartphones clean and pretty.

The G6 has a 5.7 inch LCD display with a 2160×1080. This translates into an 18:9 aspect ratio and thankfully for many, it doesn’t have a notch. Even though it has an 18:9 aspect ratio, the bezels are not the thinnest and it has a 74.4% screen-to-body ratio which is not very high.

Under the hood, the smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 450 chipset which has eight 1.8GHz Cortex A53 Cores (14nm) and is basically the rebranded Snapdragon 625. The Adreno 506 GPU adds the graphical prowess with either 3GB or 4GB RAM option bundled with a 32GB or 64GB storage option. The storage is expandable via a microSD card which will use up the second SIM slot.

The Moto G6 does get the USB C charging capabilities along with a 15W charger, which is bundled with a 3000mAh battery. The G6 will run close to stock Android 8 Oreo out of the box in typical Motorola fashion. There were talks of Motorola adopting Lenovo’s custom skin for the G and E series in 2018 but, it turned out to be a hoax.

At the back is a dual camera setup, consisting of a primary 12MP RGB sensor with an f/1.8 aperture along with a 5MP depth sensor with an f/2.2 aperture. Much like previous smartphones from the company, users can apply a depth-of-field effect to a photo after it is shot, thanks to the saved depth information. Users will also get effects like a selective black-and-white mode, a time-lapse feature, face filters, motion photos and visual search for objects and landmarks. The front houses a 16MP camera with an f/2.2 aperture and an LED flash.

The Moto G6 feels like a worthy upgrade over the Moto G5s. At this price point, however, the consumers also have the options of going for the Redmi Note 5 Pro or the Zenfone Max Pro which are powered by the Snapdragon 636. The G6 does have a better design with its a–glass build but, it’ll be interesting to see how the smartphone is received by the Indian consumers.
June 4, 2018
Top Tech: 10 Products By Xiaomi Not Easily Available In India

For anyone who has followed the new in recent years knows about Xiaomi. The Chinese tech giant has been highly successful in India thanks to its budget smartphones. While India mostly witnesses Xiaomi’s smartphone prowess, the company has a much more diverse portfolio in its native country. One look at the Xiaomi China website and you’ll know all the crazy consumer products the company offers in China. From smart scooters to smart shoes, Xiaomi pretty much has it all. Gearbest, an international e-commerce website sells a lot of Xiaomi products and we have a list of top ten Xiaomi products that are not easily available in India!

Xiaomi Candle Light

This smart light from Xiaomi has a minimalistic design and a few smart features. The cylindrical shape of the light allows it to be compatible with all sorts of setups in a room or an office. The transparent top can be rotated to increase or decrease the brightness of the light. In case the light is away from a user, the light can be connected to the Mi Home app and the settings can be changed remotely using the app.

Buy The Xiaomi Candle Light Here

Mitu Robot Kit

For everyone wondering what a robot is doing on this list, read on. This is Mitu Robot Kit by Xiaomi that can be connected to your phone and controlled. The blocks can be used to make all sorts of robots and then indulge in either robot fights or just some fun playing around a with a robot you built yourself!

Buy The Mitu Robot Kit Here

Xiaomi Induction Cooker

Xiaomi’s product portfolio is diverse indeed! The Xiaomi Induction Cooker is meant to give the user granular level of control over the heat that cooks the food. It has 99 different fire levels to precisely control the cooking temperature. The cooker can even be controlled using Mi Home app, making it even easier for users to control the cooking time and temperature remotely.

Buy The Xiaomi Induction Cooker

Amazfit Bip

Smartwatches have very quickly become the tech accessory to own in today’s world. A smartwatch allows users to track their fitness and even access mobile notifications without really searching for their smartphones all the time. While the Apple Watch Series 3 even has cellular feature now, it is also very pricey. The Amazfit Bip is a smartwatch that does a lot of things correctly. It has a heart rate sensor to give users an accurate data of their fitness and health. It connects to your smartphone using the Mi-Fit app which helps users access their notifications using the watch.

Buy The Amazfit Bip Here

Mi Band With ECG

The US$ 128 Mi Band does a lot more than your average fitness band. While smartwatches are useful, not everyone prefers the feel of a watch. That gap is filled by fitness bands that are light and relatively more affordable. The Mi Band with ECG, as suggested by the name, has the ability to measure the ECG of a user. This can be very helpful for users who have to constantly keep a track of it due to the health reasons.

Buy The Mi Band With ECG Here

Smart Coffee Tumbler

It’s all about smart products and touch screens everywhere. Xiaomi makes a tumbler that incorporates both! The tumbler has a display on top to keep a track of the temperature of whatever it is that you’re drinking. The tumbler looks good with a leather band and is made of stainless steel.

Buy The Smart Coffee Tumbler Here

Xiaomi Electric Shaver

The Chinese tech giant even makes grooming products and that is not even surprising anymore. The electric shaver from Xiaomi is made of stainless steel and has a 360-degree cutting movement. Interestingly, the shaver charges via a USB C port (not even available in most smartphones these days) and can last for up to 30 days.

Buy The Electric Shaver Here

Multi-Port Charger

Multi-port USB chargers are the need of the hour for most users these days. With a lot of consumers owning more than one mobile device, it becomes imperative to use multi-port chargers. However, the only thing worse than no charger is a slow charger. Xiaomi’s 5-port USB charger fixes that by providing QC 3.0 charging speeds along with a USB C port as well.

Buy The Multi-Port Charger Here

Smart Plug

A lot of people in India are adopting the smart home technology. Smart plugs are affordable, convenient and an easy step into the world of smart home. The Xiaomi Smart Plug connects to a user’s Mi Home app and lets users remote switch on or off the plug. Users can even set timers, which can come in handy to people who still fear that they’ll overcharge their smartphones or other mobile devices.

Buy The Xiaomi Smart Plug Here

Car Inverter

These car inverters from Xiaomi convert the lighter socket into a charging hub for all sorts of devices. While car chargers only allow for phones to be charged (via USB), these car inverters do much more. They have a socket to charge anything with a plug, like a laptop. This can come in handy for users who work a lot on the go and don’t necessarily drive themselves around town.

Buy The Car Inverter Here/Buy The Alternate Car Inverter Here

June 1, 2018

Air Nano By CrazyBaby Full Review

[section label=”Video”]

Ever since Apple got rid of the headphone jack on the iPhone 7, the interest in Bluetooth earbuds has increased a lot. To counter the lack of the headphone jack, Apple launched the AirPods, a pair of truly wireless earbuds which have been well-received. Many companies followed that up by launching their own take on truly wireless earbuds. Air Nano By CrazyBaby is truly wireless earbuds that are priced at US$ 99 (Rs 6700 approx.) and are available in a bunch of different colours.

We have had the Air Nano By CrazyBaby for about two months. The earbuds are comfortable and come with a carrying/charging case of the same colour as the earbuds. With 5 minutes of charge, the case can provide up to 90 minutes of battery life for the earbuds which can be useful during crunch times. After a full charge, the earbuds provide up to 3 hours of music playback or 4 hours of talk time.

Unlike a majority of wireless earbuds, the setup process for Air Nano is very simple. You don’t have to pair the two earbuds with each other, which is a case for many earbuds in the market. The earbuds have Bluetooth 5.0 and a user has to simply turn them on and pair them with their smartphone. iPhone users will be able to see the battery life of the earbuds in the notification bar on top.

Buy the Air Nano here

[section label=”Specifications”]

Specifications

Specifications	Air Nano
Price	US$ 99 (Rs 6700 approx.)
Size	Capsule: 27.5mm in diameter, 88mm in length Headphone: 14mm in diameter, 23.5mm in length
Driver Diaphragm	998 Carbon Nanotube
Driver Unit	0.22 inch (5.5 mm) Custom-made Hi-Fidelity Micro Drivers
Frequency Response	8Hz to24kHz
Impedance	16 Ohms
Sensitivity	98dB SPL/1mW
Colours	Black/White/Red/Purple/Pink/Matte Gold/Austin Yellow/Morandi Blue/Atlantis Green/Volt Green

May 31, 2018

Unboxing The OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition
On December 14th, almost a month after launching the OnePlus 5T, OnePlus unveiled the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition. It was a limited edition smartphone in association with the Star Wars: The Last Jedi film. On May 17th, one day after globally launching the OnePlus 6 in London, the Chinese smartphone maker launched the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition in India. The limited edition smartphone is in association with the recently released Avengers: Infinity War film.

OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition

The smartphone will be available in variant only, with 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. In India, the device will retail for Rs 44999 via Amazon from May 29th. The special edition smartphone will also come in a different style of box.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition
- OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition
- Wall Charger
- Type C Cable
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Documentation
- Special Avengers Case
- Medallion
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

OnePlus has gone out of its way to make this smartphone a special buy for Marvel fanatics. Every OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition will retail with a special Avengers case, in our package was an Iron Man case. Every retail box will also have a gold coloured medallion. The company has announced if you collect 6 medallions, there is a special prize in store for you. The company has, however, not announced what the prize will be.

The build quality, specifications are exactly the same as the regular OnePlus 6. However, with the OnePlus 6 Avengers Infinity War Edition, the back of the device has a carbon fibre finish underneath the glass. This look is reminiscent of the Carbon Fibra back panel which was available for the OnePlus One and OnePlus 2. The OnePlus continued to sell a snap-on case for its other devices with the carbon fibre finish. Like what OnePlus did with the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition, we expect the OnePlus 6 Carbon Fibre to be launched in other countries without the Avengers branding.

It has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T.

It runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is 8GB of RAM and 256GB onboard storage. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test. There is a special Avengers theme which is a dark theme with gold accents. There are also exclusive Avengers wallpapers pre-installed. It would have been really cool to have an Avengers font as well but, that is not available yet.

The dual-camera setup on the back includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

The OnePlus Avengers Infinity War Edition is a collector’s dream and looks really good as well. It has the sturdiness of the OnePlus 6 and the carbon fibre underneath the glass gives it a distinguished look among the increasingly similar-looking flagship smartphones.
May 17, 2018
Unboxing The OnePlus 6
OnePlus has finally lifted the curtains off of the OnePlus 6 at an event in London. The OnePlus 6 will launch in India on May 17th where the pricing details will be announced. The OnePlus 6 follows up the successful OnePlus 5T, which was launched in November, about five months after the OnePlus 5 launch. Makes you wonder whether the OnePlus 6T is just around the corner!

The base model of the OnePlus 6 is priced at US$ 529 (Rs 35,800 approx.), the 8GB RAM/128GB model will retail for US$ 579 (Rs 39200 approx.) while the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant will cost you US$ 629 (Rs 42500).

OnePlus has really made the OnePlus 6 a feature-packed smartphone, addressing the main complaints that users had with previous OnePlus smartphones. Even before the launch, OnePlus confirmed that the new flagship device will have an all-glass design and even have some sort of water resistance.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLXzejzQM8Y[/embedyt]

Inside the box of the OnePlus 6
- OnePlus 6
- Documentations
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Wall Charger
- USB C Cable
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

Just like every other OnePlus smartphone, you do not get any earphones inside the box. OnePlus has, however, launched a new pair of Bluetooth earbuds which should be available in India soon. The moment you take the OnePlus 6 out, you realise that this isn’t anything like a previous OnePlus device. The smartphone has a glossy finish thanks to an all-glass design. The aluminium frame gives it a solid build, maintaining a superior build quality we have known OnePlus smartphones to have. The back of the device is a fingerprint magnet and it is strongly suggested that you use a case or a skin.

The 3.5mm headphone jack retains its place on the bottom of the smartphone next to the USB C port. The OnePlus 6 is now water resistant as well but, the exact rating has not been confirmed yet. The alert slider has been shifted on the right-hand side with the power button, while the volume rockers sit on the left-hand side.

The OnePlus 6 has a 6.28 inch Optic AMOLED display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The aspect ratio is 19:9 which means it is slightly taller than the OnePlus 5T. The notch has also become very common among Android smartphones but, users will have an option to hide the notch via software.

The 6 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset which has an octa-core processor clocked at 2.8GHz. Coupled with the flagship chipset is either 6GB or 8GB of RAM with three storage options of 64GB, 128GB and 256GB. The storage is still not user-expandable just like every other OnePlus device. The fingerprint sensor is still placed on the rear but, it has a more oval shape this time around.

Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery with DashCharge support. DashCharge continues to be one of the fastest charging technologies and could be the reason why OnePlus did not think that wireless charging was necessary here. Out of the box, the OnePlus 6 will run Android 8.1 Oreo with OxygenOS on top. The smartphone will have gesture support which we tested on the OnePlus 5T during its Beta test.

The OnePlus 6 has a dual-camera setup on the back similar to the OnePlus 5T. The setup includes a 16MP Sony IMX 519 sensor and a 20MP Sony IMX 376K sensor. Both are RGB sensors and have an f/1.7 aperture with OIS, another first for a OnePlus device. The cameras also record 4K videos at 60fps which is a great feature for content creators. To the front of the smartphone is a 16MP Sony IMX 371 sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and EIS which records 1080P videos.

We will be testing out the OnePlus 6 in details for our full review. The Honor 10, launched on May 15th, also has a glass back and a dual-camera setup. Would like to see a comparison between the two smartphones? Let us know in the comments!
May 16, 2018
Unboxing The Honor 10
Honor has launched the Honor 10 at an event in London. The Honor 10 will be available in two variants. The Honor 10 will be available in only one variant in India. The smartphone will have 6GB RAM and 128GB storage and will be priced at Rs 32999. The Honor 10 will be available via Flipkart exclusively.

Succeeding the popular Honor 9, the Honor 10 has flagship specifications and an all-glass design. The smartphone also features a notch on the display like a lot of other modern-day Android smartphones. The colour variants are also very interesting with the Honor 10. Two of the colour variants have a dual-tone colour of blue and pink and in the images at least, looks pretty fantastic. The fingerprint reader like expected is not embedded inside the display, instead, it is an invisible ultrasonic fingerprint sensor that can also detect a wet finger.

[section label=”Unboxing Video”]

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the Honor 10
- Honor 10
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Wall Charger
- USB C Cable
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

The Honor 10 takes a lot of design cues from the Huawei P20 Pro. The notch on the display is the same size as the P20 Pro and the all-glass design is reminiscent of the Huawei flagship smartphone. Right off the bat, you’ll realise that this a slippery phone thanks to its build quality. The glass finish means that the back of the device is also a fingerprint sensor. It is best adviced to either use a case or a skin for a better grip.

The front of the smartphone is dominated by the 5.84 inch IPS LCD display with a 2280 x 1080 px resolution. The notch can be hidden using software which will turn the display into an 18:9 aspect ratio.

Running everything under the hood is the company’s own flagship SoC, the HiSilicon Kirin 970. That is coupled with 6GB of RAM and 128GB storage. The flagship chipset can handle anything you throw at it and day-to-day usage is a breeze. The Honor 10 runs a highly customised version of Android 8.1 Oreo. For users who crave an app drawer and stock Android, there is always the Pixel Launcher.

Powering the smartphone is a 3400 mAh battery which charges via a USB C port. It is worth noting that despite having a glass back, the smartphone does not support wireless charging. It is SuperCharge compatible which should charge the phone faster than usual.

Honor has also touted AI capabilities of the Honor 10. AI seems to have become a very marketable term for smartphone makers these days. According to Honor, AI 2.0 can detect dynamic pictures more accurately. The phone’s AI 2.0 can also process Prisma-like image effects twice as fast as the iPhone X.

The smartphone has a dual-camera setup on the back, consisting of a 16MP RGB sensor with an f/1.8 aperture and a 24MP Monochrome sensor. The rear cameras record 4K videos at 30fps. The notch on the display, along with the sensors and an earpiece, also houses a 24MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture. The front-camera only records 1080P videos at 30fps.
May 15, 2018
Unboxing The OPPO Realme 1
Realme is an OPPO sub-brand which will launch its first smartphone in India, the Realme 1 on May 15th. The device will be an Amazon-exclusive and its product page has a few details about the smartphone listed already. The smartphone has a starting price tag of Rs 8990 for the 3GB RAM variant.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the OPPO Realme 1
- Realme 1
- Wall Charger
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Micro USB Cable
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

The most striking feature of the Realme 1 is its back panel. The smartphone has a “Diamond Black” back which looks quite impressive as it reflects light differently from a different angle. This is thanks to the diamond-like cuts on the metal. It is worth noting that the back has a plain texture and that the cuts are not physical. The smartphone definitely feels hefty and won’t be the most lightweight smartphone you pick up.

To keep up with the competition, the Realme 1 has an 18:9 aspect ratio even though the bezels are quite visible and not the thinnest you’ll ever see. However, the smartphone does not have a fingerprint sensor, which is truly astonishing considering smartphones that cost Rs 7000 also have a fingerprint sensor these days.

The Realme 1 has a 6 inch display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. The smartphone runs on the MediaTek MT6771 Helio P60 chipset coupled with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The onboard storage is expandable via a microSD card in case you run out of the 128Gb storage provided. Powering the smartphone is 3410 mAh battery which charges via a micro USB slot.

The Realme 1 runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box with ColorOS 5.0 on top. The custom skin is very similar to skins by Chinese smartphone makers, there is no app drawer and you’ll barely notice the version of Android because of the heavy customisation. There OPPO Cloud for people to store their data on the internet instead of their devices. Clone Apps will let consumers use two separate accounts of the same app, which can come in handy for a lot of people.

Must Read: Unboxing The Huawei P20 Lite

The smartphone also misses out on a dual-camera setup, again, a feature that has become the norm. It has a 13MP camera on the back along with an 8MP front-facing camera.

The OPPO Realme 1 looks apart from the competition but misses out on a few key features. Stay tuned for a full review of the Realme 1!
May 15, 2018
Unboxing The Huawei P20 Lite
Huawei launched the Huawei P20 Lite along with the P20 Pro in India on the 24th of April. The Huawei P20 Lite is a budget offering from Huawei which yet again, runs on the Kirin 659 chipset. However, there are a lot of new features and design changes that make it an exciting prospect, especially at its price of Rs 19999. Both the smartphones went on sale via Amazon on 7th May and there will be more sales in the coming weeks.

The P20 Lite truly feels like a ‘Lite’ version of the P20 Pro. The Huawei P20 Pro has been grabbing all the spotlight with its Twilight colour variant and the triple-camera setup on the back. However, the P20 Lite appears to be the smartphone to get with its design and price in India.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the Huawei P20 Lite
- Huawei P20 Lite
- Earphones
- Wall Charger
- USB C Cable
- Clear Case
- Sim Ejector Tool
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

There will be a few documents in the retail unit which we did not have in our box.

The Huawei P20 Lite has a striking design that isn’t matched by many smartphones in this price category. It has an all-glass design with an aluminium frame that has the same colour as the glass so it doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb. The dual-camera setup on the back is placed vertically which, ever since the iPhone X was launched, has become the norm. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the back in the middle at a very comfortable position. Thanks to its different texture, it is also very easy to recognise the fingerprint sensor when it is in your pocket.

The power button is situated on the right-hand side of the device along with the volume rockers. The left-hand side houses the SIM tray and that is it. The headphone jack (yes, it’s there) and the USB C port are situated at the bottom of the smartphone.

The 5.84 inch LTPS IPS LCD display is powered by a 3000 mAh battery with support for SuperCharge. The smartphone has an unusual 19:9 aspect ratio thanks to that notch. This means that even after stretching a YouTube video, it won’t use the entire screen real estate. However, on the brighter side, the notch will be hidden at all times while consuming visual content.

The P20 Lite runs on the HiSilicon Kirin 659 chipset which is coupled with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The storage is expandable via hybrid microSD card slot.

The P20 Lite has a 16MP primary sensor with an f/2.2 aperture coupled with a 2MP depth sensor. On the front is a 24MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture. Both the front and back cameras record 1080P videos while the front camera also has 3D Portrait Lighting, similar iPhone’s Portrait Lighting.

At a price of Rs 19999, the P20 Lite’s competition is dated. The design and build quality is somewhat matched by the Moto X4 which also has a glass build but that is about it. The P20 Lite might be the smartphone to get at this price but, we will leave that judgement for our in-depth review.

[section label=”Unboxing Video”]

Unboxing Video
May 8, 2018
Unboxing The Asus Zenfone Max Pro
Asus has officially launched the Zenfone Max Pro in India at an event in Delhi. The Zenfone Max Pro will go on sale in India via Flipkart. The Asus Zenfone Max Pro will be available in two variants in India for now, one with 3GB RAM and 32GB storage and the other with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage You can buy it by clicking here. At the launch, the company also announced that a 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant with better camera capabilities will be launched at a price of Rs 14999. However, no specific timeline for that launch was mentioned.

The new smartphone has a few interesting features and specifications and at this price, it will compete with the Redmi Note 5 Pro in this highly congested budget smartphone segment in India.

Asus, with the Zenfone Max Pro, is taking a different approach towards to the budget segment of the Indian smartphone market. There are a few aspects of the smartphone that will an “Asus-first,” especially for India. The Zenfone Max Pro launch is also a world first launch, just like the Redmi Note 5 Pro was.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro:
- Asus Zenfone Max Pro
- Documentation
- Micro USB Cable
- 10W Wall Charger
- Sim Ejector Tool
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

Right off the bat, the Asus Zenfone Max Pro exuberates a sense of familiarity. The aluminium unibody design is prevalent across the budget category of smartphones and the Zenfone Max Pro is no different. The 18:9 aspect ratio and thinner bezels mean that a 5.99 inch display fits into the body of a regular 16:9 smartphone with a 5.5 inch display. Fair to say that the 18:9 aspect ratio has become the norm even in sub-15K smartphones. It is worth noting that even though the bezels are thin, they are still substantial and not as thin as some of the flagship devices.

Another interesting feature of the Asus Zenfone Max Pro is its OS. So far, we have become accustomed to the heavily customised ZenUI on all Asus Android smartphones. However, with the new Asus Zenfone Max Pro, the company has decided to go for stock Android OS. Now, it is not Android One, which means it is not completely stock OS and there are a few pre-installed apps as well. However, it is much lighter than ZenUI which should bode well with the powerful Snapdragon 636 chipset.

The back of the smartphone also houses a vertically placed dual-camera setup which looks uncannily similar to the Redmi Note 5 Pro. It appears that this trend of vertically placed dual-camera setup on the side of the smartphone also took off with the iPhone X. The dual-camera setup consists of a depth sensor which will be used for portrait mode shots. It has a 13MP primary sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and the depth sensor is a 5MP camera. The front of the device houses an 8MP camera with an f/2.0 aperture and an LED flash.

At a starting price of Rs 10999, the Zenfone Max Pro, despite its specifications matching the Redmi Note 5 Pro, will compete with the Redmi Note 5. Maybe, the launch of the Zenfone Max Pro will push Xiaomi into launching a follow-up to the Mi A1.
April 23, 2018

Huawei P20 Pro vs Samsung Galaxy S9+ vs iPhone X Vs Moto Z2 Force: Camera Shootout!

Huawei recently launched its 2018 flagship Android smartphone, the Huawei P20 Pro. Apart from its design which is inspired by the iPhone X, the most exciting feature of the device is its camera capabilities. The P20 Pro is the first-ever smartphone to have a triple-camera setup on the back. Its global price is EUR 899 (Rs 71000 approx.) but, it is expected to have a lower price tag in India.

Over the years, camera performance of a smartphone has taken precedence over other features. A crappy camera can be the downfall of an otherwise great smartphone. The Essential Ph-1 is a great example of that. Similarly, a great camera can uplift a smartphone with other visible flaws. The 2016 Google Pixel smartphones did not have a great design, add-on features like wireless charging or water resistance. However, they had the best camera on the market which overshadowed much of their flaws.

So, we took the top flagship smartphones on the market right now and put their cameras through the paces. The smartphones in question here are the Huawei P20 Pro, the Galaxy S9+, Apple iPhone X and the Moto Z2 Force.

Camera Samples

Huawei P20 Pro

Apple iPhone X

Samsung Galaxy S9+

Moto Z2 Force

Specifications

Huawei P20 Pro	Samsung Galaxy S9+	Apple iPhone X	Moto Z2 Force
EUR 899	64GB: Rs 65900 256GB: Rs 72900	64GB: Rs 82999 256GB: Rs 97999	Rs 34998
6.1 inch OLED	6.2 inch Super AMOLED	5.8 inch Super Retina OLED	5.5 inch P-OLED
2244 x 1080 px 18.5:9 Aspect Ratio 1:1,000,000 Contrast Ratio	2960 x 1440 px 18.5:9 Aspect Ratio 529 ppi	2436 x 1125 px 19.5:9 Aspect Ratio 458 ppi	2560 x 1440 px 16:9 Aspect Ratio 534 ppi
4000mAH SuperCharge	3500 mAh QuickCharge 4.0	2716 mAh Fast Charging	2,730 mAh TurboCharge
HiSilicon Kirin 970	Exynos 9810	A11 Bionic with a neural engine	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
6GB	6GB	3GB	4GB
128GB Expandable Up to 256GB	64GB/256GB	64GB/256GB Non-Expandable	64GB Expandable Up to 256GB
40MP RGB f/1.8 8MP Telephoto Lens f/2.4 20MP Monochrome Lens f/1.6	12MP Wide-Angle f/1.5 12MP Telephoto f/2.4	12MP Wide-angle: f/1.8 12MP Telephoto: f/2.4	12MP RGB 12MP Monochrome f/2.0
4K @ 30fps 720P @ 960fps	4K @ 60fps 720P @ 960fps	4K @ 60fps 1080P @ 240fps	4K @ 30fps 1080P @ 120fps
24MP f/2.0 3D Portrait Lighting	8MP f/1.7 Auto HDR	7MP f/2.2 Portrait Lighting	5MP f/2.2 Dual-tone LED flash
Fingerprint Sensor Face Unlock	Fingerprint Sensor IP68 Certification Wireless Charging Intelligent Scanner	Face ID Wireless charging	Fingerprint Sensor Moto Mods

April 9, 2018

Unboxing The Nokia 7 Plus
HMD Global has officially launched the Nokia 7 Plus in India at a price of Rs 25999. The smartphone will be up for preorders from the 20th of April via Amazon exclusively. Subsequently, the Nokia 7 Plus will go on sale on the 30th of April. Unlike a lot of other smartphones, the Nokia 7 Plus is only available in 4GB RAM/64GB storage variant. However, it will retail in two colours, Black with Copper and White with Copper, both of these look extremely premium and well built.

Nokia has had a rocky start ever since making its return to the smartphone industry under a new management. In 2017, the company launched quite a few but, pricey budget smartphones in India. The brand Nokia picked up momentum when the Nokia 8 was launched in India at a very competitive price.

With the launch of the Nokia 7 Plus, the once celebrated phone brand has entered untested waters. At a price of Rs 25999, the Nokia 7 Plus will try to fill the gaping hole in a segment where the Moto X4 is a lone warrior. The company has moved on from an older-looking design and refreshed its highly successful (in China) Nokia 7 for the global market.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

Inside the box of the Nokia 7 Plus :
- Nokia 7 Plus
- Clear Case
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- Earphones
- Wall Charger (Fast Charging compatible)
- USB Type C Cable
[section label=”Initial Impressions”]

The Nokia 7 Plus is a welcome refresh from HMD Global and that is visible the moment you hold the device. It has a metallic unibody design with a matte finish to the back which does not look cheap at all. On the contrary, it looks extremely premium and should give others in this range a run for their money.

Another significant change in the Nokia 7 Plus is the placement of the fingerprint sensor. Up until now, HMD Global either placed the fingerprint sensor on the front or decided to have a phone sans fingerprint sensor. However, with the bezels considerably shrunken on the 7 Plus, the fingerprint sensor resides on the back. However, it is very centrally positioned which means it is easy to reach and is distinguishable.

While the 7 plus sports a taller display with thin bezels, they aren’t the thinnest by any stretch, in fact, the phone has a significant forehead and chin. The Nokia 7 Plus has a 6 inch IPS LCD display with a 2160 x 1080 px resolution. The bezels are visible on all the sides of the device but, after a few minutes of usage, your eyes and mind get used to the black space around the display. Thanks to its taller 18:9 aspect ratio the 7 Plus, even with its 6 inch display is easy to use and unless you have tiny hands, the one-handed usage should not be an issue.

The Full HD+ IPS LCD display is bright and vibrant. It has great viewing angles and the 18:9 aspect ratio means the display can fit more content while the overall size of the smartphone has not changed drastically. The single bottom firing speaker is a let down hence, we suggest using external speakers or headphones for any sort of media consumption.

The Nokia 7 Plus runs stock Android 8 Oreo OS and also supports the Android One program. This means the smartphone will receive timely software and security updates for at least a couple of years. Just like the previous Nokia devices, it runs stock OS which means no bloatware. However, there are a few people who prefer a custom skin like MIUI over stock OS. For them, apps like the Nova Launcher is the only way to heavily customise their UI.

Under the hood, the Nokia 7 Plus has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 chipset. In fact, it is the first ever smartphone launched in India that is powered by the chipset. The 2.2 GHz octa-core processor handles day-to-day tasks extremely well. The stock OS and lack of any sort of bloatware also help its cause. The smartphone feels snappy to use and handles gaming quite well.

The Nokia 7 Plus has a dual-camera setup on the back. The primary wide-angle sensor is a 12MP camera with an f/1.75 aperture coupled with a 13MP telephoto lens with an f/2.6 aperture. In our brief testing, we found the camera app to be a bit laggy and even while recording videos, the app stutters a bit.

With an impressive build and stock Android out of the box, the Nokia 7 plus promises to be an exciting seller in the market. However, India being extremely price sensitive, sales might change that opinion. Stay tuned for our full review!

[section label=”Unboxing Video”]

Unboxing Video
April 6, 2018
Unboxing The Huawei P20 Pro
Huawei’s P20 Pro may be a flagship for the company if you ignore their glossy limited edition Huawei Mate RS, but for a lot of others, it is a direct stab at flagship Android phones. The Huawei P20 Pro also makes a unique proposition with a triple rear camera setup which makes it unique for the flagship market too.

[section label=”Initial Impressions”]While we had leaks aplenty the phone managed to live up to expectations with the design and feature set. The design is extremely close to that of the iPhone X. While the notch is smaller the metal frame sandwiched between the glass front and back looks extremely good.

The company wanted to retain the fingerprint sensor on the front which means that you get a large chin. But, at least a very usable fingerprint sensor. The fingerprint sensor also allows for the navigation to be moved off the screen.

The three cameras on the Huawei P20 Pro are, however, the most naturally noticeable feature of the phone. A massive 40 MP shooter makes for the primary camera with an f/1.8 aperture with an additional 20 MP (f/1.6) camera. The third 8 MP 3x optical zoom, telephoto lens equipped, shooter makes a good mix for excellent portraits and zoomed in shots. The camera gets a natural 3x zoom and a 5x hybrid zoom which allows for lossless zoomed in pictures. The front gets a 24 MP wide selfie camera.

[section label=”Unboxing”]

The unboxing experience is not very special for the Huawei P20 Pro, however, you do get a complete set of accessories
- Huawei P20 Pro
- Documentation
- USB Type C Earphones
- USB C to 3.5mm Adapter
- Sim Ejector Tool
- SuperCharge Wall Charger
- USB Type C Cable
The software experience of the phone is what makes the P20 Pro an interesting product. For starters, you get Android 8.1 out the box, with a promised update to Android 9 soon after release. The notorious notch can be hidden in software by making the status bar black, something which “no notch nazis” would like a lot.

You can customise the OS quite a lot, from removing the navigation keys to duplication of commonly used apps. The camera app is also quite extensive with lots of shooting options. The phone also shoots and records H.265 video at 4k which is good as most phones still use dated codecs.

The Huawei P20 Pro will come to India in April. Pricing is expected to be lower than the Euro 899 price it was launched for globally. The launch of the P20 Pro will also mark the return of the brand Huawei into India which stopped sales mid-2016.

[section label=”Unboxing Video”]

Huawei P20 Pro Unboxing Video

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iODL1MBpCYE[/embedyt]
April 2, 2018
Top Tech And Accessories Under Rs. 500

[embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9gI9yFnrPw[/embedyt]

It doesn’t take a lot of money to buy really good tech and accessories. iGyaan is back with its Top Tech series and we have a look at the top tech under Rs 500. Please note that the prices may fluctuate time and again.

Portable Light

This is a compact portable light with magnetic properties. The device needs 3 AAA sized batteries to operate, which has an LED light with variable brightness levels. One can hang this to a backpack using a built-in clamp. Similarly, this device can stick to any metal surface. This can also be used as an emergency lamp. There is a stroke flash mechanism, which comes handy in emergency situations. What more can we expect for Rs 325?

Engraving Pen

Don’t try to tattoo yourself using this tool, as it is made for engraving smoother materials like wood. The device operates on two AA sized batteries (sold separately). The company claims that the device can be used to engrave on Wood, Plastic, Glass, and even metal. However, considering the speed of the motor the engraving might not be that effective on materials like metal and glass. It does work well on a wooden surface, as demonstrated in our video. This is a bang for your buck deal for Rs 250 rupees.

Sticky Pad

The two dissimilarly shaped sticky pads will cost Rs 380. These pads can stick to any surface including Glass, Wood, and Plastic. One can easily pop-on a smartphone or a power bank in a second. As these are based on glue, the pads might accommodate dust. However, remove the pad from the surface and rinse it with water to remove debris.

Screwdriver Set

If you are a DIY guy, then this Rs 449 priced device will come in handy in different scenarios. This is a precision screwdriver set with 25 screwdriver heads and a magnetic body. Similarly, the user can adjust the tightness of the bit and the body by screwing mechanism. From outside, the package looks like a pouch. However, inside it houses different screw bits.

Hybrid SIM adapter

If you have a smartphone with dual hybrid SIM slot, then this tool will come handy to use two SIM cards and a micro SD card simultaneously. We tried this on a Xiaomi Redmi 5 and it worked as advertised. However, make sure to get a genuine or you might screw-up your smartphone. For a price of Rs 200, you will get a dedicated micro SD card slot.

Card Pocket

This comes in handy for those who forget to carry their wallets and not their smartphone. This is a self-adhesive card pocket for mobiles and tablets. For the price, it has a premium build quality. The card pocket is available in multiple colours, which can stick to a smartphone’s back or a case.

Survival Compass

This is a multi-tool tech package with plenty of features. The kit is priced at Rs 399 and has a temperature sensor, humidity sensor, and a compass. Inside the tool, it has a reflector and a magnifying glass built on a tiny scale. Additionally, there is a flashlight, which will come handy when you are trucking in a jungle. The best of the tool is the survival whistle, which can create a high pitch noise.

Philips SHE3700RD Earphones

In a budget of Rs 500, you’ll be hardpressed to find a better pair of earphones. Philips, especially, is known for its audio devices and the Philips SHE3700RD earphones do not disappoint. The earphones do miss out on aniline microphone which can be a bummer for a few people. However, these earphones are an ideal blend of looks and sound quality at this price.

Outdoor Match Kit

You would’ve have seen n number of matchboxes in your lifetime. But, nothing like these, we bet. The outdoor match kit come in a plastic container, which can light up the fire even in a wet situation. These have a longer burning time compared to a typical matchstick and a great tool for your next trucking. These are priced at Rs 265, which is a bit high compared to other accessories.

S-Biner

Our last top tech pick comes handy for those, who travel a lot. These S-biners can be used to attach your luggage to one another. These S-biners come in a pair and will cost you Rs 475, which can carry load up to 45 KG. Similarly, these biners will be available in different colours and different capacities.

March 21, 2018
Unboxing The Xiaomi Redmi 5
Xiaomi started 2018 with two great budget smartphones, the Redmi Note 5 and Redmi Note 5 Pro. While the Redmi Note 5 is essentially the Redmi 5 Plus that was launched in China, many expected the Redmi 5 to never hit the Indian shores. That, however, changed on the 14th of March when Xiaomi held a live stream event and launched the Redmi 5 in India.

At a starting price of Rs 7999, the Redmi 5 is a peculiar device for the India market. That doesn’t mean that it won’t sell because Xiaomi appears to have cracked the code for India. With three variants launched, there are a few options to consider. But, the base variant is expected to be the popular choice because the Redmi Note 5’s base variant essentially cancels out the other two models of the Redmi 5. Pricing:
- 2GB RAM/16GB storage: Rs 7999
- 3GB RAM/32GB storage: Rs 8999
- 4GB RAM/64GB storage: Rs 10999
So, does the Redmi 5 have enough firepower to have an impact on the increasingly congested budget smartphone segment of India? Let’s unbox the device and find out:
- Xiaomi Redmi 5
- Documentation
- Wall Charger
- Micro USB Cable
- Clear Case
First Impressions

Usually, the difference between a regular and a plus variant of a device is usually substantial, size wise. However, that is not the case with the Redmi 5 and Redmi Note 5 (Redmi 5 Plus). At a glance, the difference between the two is barely noticeable. The design and build quality of the Redmi 5 resembles the Redmi Note 5 with the same 18:9 aspect ratio. That being said, it still possesses considerable bezels which are even more prominent if you buy the Gold colour variant.

One of the two main differences between the Redmi 5 and Note 5 is the display. It has a 720P display which measures 5.7 inches.

Specifications

Under the hood, it has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 450 chipset, a 1.8GHz octa-core processor, Adreno 506 GPU, 2GB, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, 16GB, 32GB or 64GB of onboard storage which will be expandable via microSD card. In fact, the Snapdragon 450 is an underclocked Snapdragon 625 chipset, which is used in the Note 5.

There is a fingerprint sensor placed at the back of the phone just below the camera. However, that is mainly a signature Xiaomi decision and not due to the lack of bezels on the front. Powering the device is a 3300 mAh battery which, Xioami claims has a standby time of up to 12 days. The battery is charged via a micro USB slot which means no fast charging.

Xiaomi recently launched the Redmi Note 5 AI in China that, surprisingly, runs Android 8 Oreo. However, that is not the case in India as the Redmi 5 still runs Android 7 Nougat with MIUI 9 on top.

The device has a 12MP camera at the back with 1.25-micron pixel size. The camera surprisingly only records 1080P videos at 30fps. To the front of the device is a 5MP camera with Beautify 3.0, which is Xiaomi’s software for enhanced selfies. However, unlike the Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro, the device misses out on Face Unlock feature.

Buy The Redmi 5 Here
March 17, 2018
Unboxing The Samsung Galaxy S9+
Samsung has launched the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in India at a starting price of Rs. 57900. Both the smartphones will go on sale via Flipkart and Samsung.com from the 16th of March. However, the preorders began a day after its official global launch. The Samsung Galaxy S9+ and S9 succeed the highly popular S8+ and S8 from early-2017. So, do the new Galaxy S9 flagship smartphones have enough to replicate the success of 2017?

Let’s unbox the Samsung Galaxy S9+ and see what we get:
- Samsung Galaxy S9+
- Documentation
- Sim Ejector Tool
- AKG Earphones
- Wall Charger
- USB Type C Cable
Samsung Galaxy S9+ First Impressions

The first noticeable aspect of the S9+ is its familiarity. If you’ve ever held a Galaxy S8+, this device won’t feel all too different. The screen size is the same while the bezels have been ever so slightly trimmed. The infamous Bixby button retains its place on the left side of the Galaxy S9+. The power button can be found on the right while the volume rockers are situated just above the Bixby button.

Bixby Button

One of the most requested changes in the Galaxy S9+ and S9 is the placement of the fingerprint sensor. In our review of the Galaxy S8 and S8+, we mentioned the unusual placement of the sensor which prompted many users to use the iris scanner instead. This time around, the fingerprint sensor is placed below the camera module. While there was barely any difference between the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, things are a bit different this time around.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 has a single camera on the back while the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup, similar to the Galaxy Note8. Despite its large 6.2 inch display, it isn’t cumbersome to hold the S9+. One-handed usage will be tough for people with smaller hands and ghost touch is still an issue. Although Samsung has optimised its software to prevent accidental touches, it isn’t foolproof yet.

Samsung Galaxy S9+ Specifications

As is with its smaller sibling, the Galaxy S9+ has the same screen size as the Galaxy S8+. It sports a 6.2 inch Super AMOLED display with a 2960 x 1440 px resolution.

Under the hood, it is powered by the Exynos 9810 chipset.The Galaxy S9+ is available in 6GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/256GB models in India.

Intelligent Scan

Out of the box, the Galaxy S9+ runs Android 8 Oreo with Experience 9.0 on top. Powering the smartphone is a 3500 mAh battery, just like the Galaxy S8+. The smartphone will support wireless charging as well. Similar to its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ also has an IP68 rating for water and dust resistance.

The main difference between the two S9 models this year is in the camera department. Unlike its predecessor, the Galaxy S9+ has a dual-camera setup on the back. The Galaxy S9+ has one wide-angle 12MP camera with an f/1.5 aperture and the other is a 12MP telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. The telephoto lens is the same one found on the Galaxy Note8, which means it has OIS. On the front of the smartphone is an 8MP camera with an f/1.6 aperture and records 4K videos.
March 6, 2018