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Category: Smartphones & Gadgets

  • Leica love goes the distance: Xiaomi 14 CIVI review

    Somewhat greater than 100 years in the past, Leica Camera, a German model, tried its first 35 mm movie prototype. Fast ahead to now, and you’ll have the iconic pictures model’s lenses and visible aesthetic in your smartphone, particularly for those who’re contemplating the Xiaomi 14 CIVI.

    Design

    Visually, there isn’t a lot distinction between the Xiaomi 14 and the Xiaomi 14 CIVI. The digital camera island is round in comparison with the rounded rectangle in the Xiaomi 14. It’s additionally marginally lighter ( 10 grams), taller, and slimmer than the Xiaomi 14. You get three color choices and finishes: Cruise Blue, Matcha Green, and Shadow Black. I’ve received the black variant for review, and it appears pretty minimal, with a clean matte end on the again. 

    There’s a 6.55-inch AMOLED show protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2. I’m not going into nice element about the show and multimedia expertise because it’s not vastly completely different from the Xiaomi 14 expertise. 

    Camera

    The predominant starrer of the Xiaomi 14 CIVI is the pictures expertise enabled by the unique Leica Summilux lens. The major digital camera setup features a 50 MP Light Hunter 800 major sensor with OIS. It’s supported by a reasonably competent 12 MP ultra-wide digital camera which gives a 120-degree subject of view and a 50 MP 2x telephoto digital camera.

    One of the extra dramatic pictures a colleague captured on the Xiaomi 14 CIVI was an ultrawide shot of a depressing, overcast night with the publicity turned down only a notch. In daylight, too, the digital camera delivers some sharp, vivid outcomes. The digital camera app has the possibility of toggling by the Leica Vibrant and Leica Authentic kinds . Leica Authentic stays true to the unique color tones of the topic captures, at occasions imparting only a bit of heat so as to add some character to the photographs. In sure conditions, the Leica Vibrant mode makes the body look washed out when it comes to vibrancy and particulars. For instance, a photograph taken in an adjunct retailer with vibrant objects on the cabinets and many indoor lighting overhead made the body look somewhat washed out on this mode however not in the Authentic mode.  

    In daylight and non-crowded frames, each ship barely completely different however largely pleasing snaps. 

    The portraits I took have been fairly beautiful, too. It won’t seize pores and skin texture as precisely as the Google Pixel 8a, however the barely glossed-over consequence (even with the filters off) additionally appears aesthetically pleasing. The bokeh impact in portraits might be adjusted post-capture as properly. 

    The entrance digital camera is a rare-to-find “twin selfie” 32MP ultra-wide and wide-angle digital camera. It’s been designed to facilitate higher group selfies and is supplied with a particular AI Group Selfie Mode. Both the entrance and rear cameras are very correct with pores and skin tones, with ample filters and results to mess around with. There’s the amusing and efficient Pocket Mirror function, too, for those who want a fast make-up examine on the go. 

    Tech Specs

    The smartphone runs on the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chipset, which powers the likes of Motorola Edge 50 Ultra and Nothing Phone (3). The review unit I used has 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage.

    Multitasking was clean for the most half throughout informal gaming, checking emails, listening to Spotify, and taking photographs and movies. 

    There’s the hyped-up new HyperOS, primarily based on Android 14, which gives some actually fascinating options. I cherished the again faucet gestures, which let me toggle by silent mode with a two-tap on the rear panel and launch Google Assistant once I faucet thrice. You can customise it to different preset capabilities for those who’d like. There’s a useful sidebar function for those who swap apps quite a bit, along with floating home windows with suitable apps, which might be moved round and resized or hidden. A bit beneath ‘Settings’ that encourages new customers to take a look at the particular options could be an incredible addition to an OS with extra to supply than meets the eye at first. 

    Battery

    The Xiaomi 14 CIVI is powered by a 4,700mAh battery, which saved me firm by a working day with out about 20-30 p.c nonetheless left at the finish of the day. My utilization was reasonable, as described earlier. With the 67W turbocharger, the smartphone takes a lower than an hour to totally cost. 

    Verdict

    For these not keen to pay exorbitant quantities of cash for flagship digital camera chops, the Xiaomi 14 CIVI is an efficient possibility. The LEICA lens and filters actually do make the pictures and movies stand out, creating a novel aesthetic

    Price – ₹42,999

    Pros – Really good digital camera, distinctive LEICA-tuned pictures aesthetics, first rate battery life 

    Cons – Bloatware, incessant notifications at occasions

    (*14*)

  • Max performance, on a budget? Realme GT 6T review

    Realme has often impressed me. They ship actually spectacular and useful options at a value that doesn’t burn a gap within the pockets. The newest Realme GT 6T is a mid-range smartphone that goals to strike a stability between fashion and performance. Let’s see how effectively it fares. 

    Design

    I’ve obtained the shiny Fluid Silver variant of the Realme GT 6T for review. It sports activities a two-tone design on the again – principally matte, with the digital camera island positioned on a reflective floor. The large digital camera module stands out on the rear panel. There’s a Razor Green variant, too, which seems extra interesting. With a modern physique, it weighs about 191 grams and feels gentle sufficient within the hand. 

    Display

    The Realme GT 6T sports activities a 6.78-inch show providing as much as 120 Hz refresh charges. The cellphone is impressively brilliant below direct daylight. I cued up the newest Bridgerton episode, ‘Joining Of Hands’, by which a pivotal character is unravelled and a stunning marriage ceremony takes place. The wealthy brocades, elaborate hairdos, and the never-been-out-in-the-sun complexions come by way of properly on the show. The twin audio system sound crisp with ample depth, contemplating that is a mid-range gadget.

    Camera

    The main digital camera setup consists of fifty and eight MP cameras. The images are what I’d count on of a good smartphone on this value vary. Daylight snaps are crisp with life-like color saturation. The contrasts are dealt with effectively for probably the most half. For instance, in a picture of foliage, the intense sky peeks in bits and might sound barely  overexposed, however not considerably sufficient to smash the snap. The footage seize ample element and supply a respectable dynamic vary as effectively. There are ample modes to mess around with – twin video for vlogging, time-lapse, lengthy publicity, slo-mo, a customisable professional mode, and extra. The 32 MP entrance digital camera additionally delivered some respectable selfies with the wonder mode turned off. Of course, the outcomes would possibly look extra nice when  the filter is minimally used. 

    The smartphone can shoot  4K movies at 30fps, whereas the default is 1080P footage at 30fps. In the movies I shot within the daytime, the outcomes have been crisp, with correct color tones and minimal shakes. 

    Tech Specs

    Realme GT 6T runs on the Snapdragon 7+ Gen 3 chipset, which powers the OnePlus Nord CE 4 and Motorola Edge 50 Pro. There’s Android 14 below the hood, with Realme UI 5.0 providing the interface. Features similar to floating home windows and a Smart Sidebar make it simpler for many who get a lot of labor executed on their smartphones on the transfer. The firm says a complicated Iceberg Vapor Cooling System ensures the cellphone doesn’t warmth up throughout gaming periods. During 30-minute gaming periods, the cellphone barely obtained heat. To review, I’ve obtained the 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage variant, and there are three extra mixtures you may select from. All of them are moderately priced. 

    Battery

    A large 5,500 mAh battery powers the smartphone. It’s a distinctive dual-2,750mAh cell related in sequence to help high-power quick charging. The smartphone took nearly half an hour to cost absolutely with the 120 W SUPERVOOC charger. It’s a large win so far as battery nervousness goes. 

    Verdict

    Realme has persistently launched moderately priced feature-packed smartphones through the years. The Realme GT 6T isn’t any completely different. It provides a nice show, respectable audio, wonderful battery life, quick charging, and a digital camera that doesn’t disappoint if you already know what to anticipate from a mid-range smartphone setup. Above all, due to what it provides, it’s moderately priced. My solely gripe is that the design might have been extra premium. But if that’s not your precedence, the Realme GT6T is a nice mid-range smartphone. 

    Price 

    ₹30,999 (8GB +128GB)

    ₹32,999 (8GB+256GB)

    ₹35,999 (12GB+256GB)

    ₹39,999 (12GB+512GB)

    Pros – Vivid show, respectable digital camera, good battery life and quick charging

    Cons – Design can really feel a bit plasticky

  • Wearables device segment sees slower growth in March quarter but players remain bullish on outlook

    The wearable device segment witnessed sluggish growth developments in the March quarter but players stated they proceed to have a bullish outlook. As per estimates launched by IDC, India’s good wearable device market grew by merely 2.1 per cent in March quarter (Q1 2024) year-over-year (y-o-y) to 25.6 million items after rising by double digits consecutively since This autumn 2017.

    Responding to businessline’s queries, Amit Khatri, Co-Founder, Noise, stated, “The wearables trade in India continues to develop. Although it exhibits a single-digit growth price, this displays the market’s maturation and the broadening adoption of wearable expertise somewhat than stagnation. With elevated market penetration through the years, the growth price naturally varies.”

    • Also learn: India has the potential to grow to be an export hub for home equipment, wearables: Sunil Vachani, President, CEAMA

    Khatri identified that the good wearable ecosystem is “very dynamic”, and players might want to adapt and continually revamp their methods to maintain. “We have demonstrated optimistic growth, with the very best growth price of 19 per cent in comparison with different manufacturers. We are dedicated to sustaining this momentum by means of our strategic focus on superior innovation, consumer-centricity, and premiumization,” he said.

    IDC’s report indicated that India’s smartwatch shipments declined for the primary time since This autumn, 2018 by 7.3 per cent to 9.6 million items y-o-y in Q1 2024 (vs Q1 2023). Meanwhile, wristband shipments grew by 17.5 per cent over Q1 2023 and the earwear segment grew by 8.3 per cent. The report has flagged early indicators of slowdown in the smartwatch segment in India this 12 months, whereas earwear shipments are anticipated to develop by “mid-single-digit”.

    “We are very optimistic and bullish in regards to the wearables segment. We foresee a powerful growth trajectory over the following few quarters, pushed by our upcoming revolutionary product launches,” stated Arnav Kishore, Founder and CEO, Fireboltt. He added that the corporate is focusing strongly on strategic investments in R&D to make sure sustained growth and supply customer-centric options. 

  • Wearables device segment sees slower growth in March quarter but players remain bullish on outlook

    The wearable device segment witnessed sluggish growth traits in the March quarter but players stated they proceed to have a bullish outlook. As per estimates launched by IDC, India’s sensible wearable device market grew by merely 2.1 per cent in March quarter (Q1 2024) year-over-year (y-o-y) to 25.6 million models after rising by double digits consecutively since This autumn 2017.

    Responding to businessline’s queries, Amit Khatri, Co-Founder, Noise, stated, “The wearables trade in India continues to develop. Although it exhibits a single-digit growth charge, this displays the market’s maturation and the broadening adoption of wearable know-how quite than stagnation. With elevated market penetration over time, the growth charge naturally varies.”

    • Also learn: India has the potential to grow to be an export hub for home equipment, wearables: Sunil Vachani, President, CEAMA

    Khatri identified that the sensible wearable ecosystem is “very dynamic”, and players might want to adapt and always revamp their methods to maintain. “We have demonstrated constructive growth, with the best growth charge of 19 per cent in comparison with different manufacturers. We are dedicated to sustaining this momentum via our strategic focus on superior innovation, consumer-centricity, and premiumization,” he said.

    IDC’s report indicated that India’s smartwatch shipments declined for the primary time since This autumn, 2018 by 7.3 per cent to 9.6 million models y-o-y in Q1 2024 (vs Q1 2023). Meanwhile, wristband shipments grew by 17.5 per cent over Q1 2023 and the earwear segment grew by 8.3 per cent. The report has flagged early indicators of slowdown in the smartwatch segment in India this 12 months, whereas earwear shipments are anticipated to develop by “mid-single-digit”.

    “We are very optimistic and bullish concerning the wearables segment. We foresee a powerful growth trajectory over the following few quarters, pushed by our upcoming modern product launches,” stated Arnav Kishore, Founder and CEO, Fireboltt. He added that the corporate is focusing strongly on strategic investments in R&D to make sure sustained growth and supply customer-centric options. 

  • Wearables device segment sees slower growth in March quarter but players remain bullish on outlook

    The wearable device segment witnessed sluggish growth trends in the March quarter but players said they continue to have a bullish outlook. As per estimates released by IDC, India’s smart wearable device market grew by merely 2.1 per cent in March quarter (Q1 2024) year-over-year (y-o-y) to 25.6 million units after growing by double digits consecutively since Q4 2017.

    Responding to businessline’s queries, Amit Khatri, Co-Founder, Noise, said, “The wearables industry in India continues to grow. Although it shows a single-digit growth rate, this reflects the market’s maturation and the broadening adoption of wearable technology rather than stagnation. With increased market penetration over the years, the growth rate naturally varies.”

    • Also read: India has the potential to become an export hub for appliances, wearables: Sunil Vachani, President, CEAMA

    Khatri pointed out that the smart wearable ecosystem is “very dynamic”, and players will need to adapt and constantly revamp their strategies to sustain. “We have demonstrated positive growth, with the highest growth rate of 19 per cent compared to other brands. We are committed to maintaining this momentum through our strategic focus on advanced innovation, consumer-centricity, and premiumization,” he stated.

    IDC’s report indicated that India’s smartwatch shipments declined for the first time since Q4, 2018 by 7.3 per cent to 9.6 million units y-o-y in Q1 2024 (vs Q1 2023). Meanwhile, wristband shipments grew by 17.5 per cent over Q1 2023 and the earwear segment grew by 8.3 per cent. The report has flagged early signs of slowdown in the smartwatch segment in India this year, while earwear shipments are expected to grow by “mid-single-digit”.

    “We are very optimistic and bullish about the wearables segment. We foresee a strong growth trajectory over the next few quarters, driven by our upcoming innovative product launches,” said Arnav Kishore, Founder and CEO, Fireboltt. He added that the company is focusing strongly on strategic investments in R&D to ensure sustained growth and offer customer-centric solutions. 

  • Average selling price of smartphones in first quarter in India stagnates for first time in three years: Report

    The common selling price of smartphone items bought in India stagnated for the first time in three years in Q1 2024, in response to knowledge offered by the International Data Corporation (IDC), India. “Smartphone ASPs (common selling price) remained flat YoY and QoQ at $263, ending the streak of sturdy ASP rise for the final a number of quarters,” the organisation famous in its report on Tuesday. 

    IDC informed businessline that the ASP of smartphone gadgets had been rising for the previous 12 quarters or the final three years. In Q1 2021, the ASP for a smartphone machine was $176, nevertheless, as newly-moneyed Indians jumped on the bandwagon of premium smartphones, it boosted the common price at which these gadgets had been purchased in the nation. This is whilst fewer Indians are shopping for smartphones in the entry section. 

    • Also learn: Despite headwinds, Chinese smartphones proceed to dominate India market
    Sales of increased finish smartphones declines

    What seems to be inflicting stagnation in the first quarter of 2024 is that gross sales of sure increased finish smartphone segments have declined this time round. Upasana Joshi, Senior Research Manager, Client Devices, IDC India stated, “The extremely premium finish and the mass stomach of the market has proven development, whereas the mid-premium and premium finish has declined, and so has the entry-level. Hence the ASP is nearly flat.”

    According to the IDC press be aware, “The mid-premium section (US$400<US$600) section declined by 46 per cent in unit phrases to a 3 per cent share, down from 6 per cent a yr in the past. OnePlus led with a 38 per cent share, adopted by Vivo and OPPO. The premium section (US$600<US$800) held a 2 per cent share and declined by 21 per cent in unit phrases. Key fashions had been the iPhone 13, Galaxy S23FE/S23, iPhone 12 and OnePlus12. Apple’s share declined YoY to 45 per cent, whereas Samsung was an in depth second with a 44 per cent share, up from 16 per cent a yr in the past.”

    • Also learn: Apple loses high phonemaker spot to Samsung as iPhone shipments drop, report says

    Apple led development in the tremendous premium section, which is telephones price $800 or extra. Overall, Apple grew by 19 per cent in Q1 2024. 

    According to the IDC report, India’s smartphone market shipped 34 million smartphones in 1Q24, with 11.5 per cent development YoY (year-over-year), making it the third consecutive quarter of development in shipments.

    “The first few months of the yr have offered momentum for the smartphone market in India. However, the second half of the yr shall be essential. IDC estimates modest general annual development in the mid-single digits for 2024,” Navkendar Singh, Associate Vice-President, Devices Research, IDC, stated.

  • Apple apologises for iPad Pro ‘Crush’ ad, Ad Age says

    Apple apologised on Thursday after an commercial for its newest iPad Pro mannequin sparked criticism by displaying an animation of musical devices and different symbols of creativity being crushed, Ad Age journal reported.

    “Our objective is to all the time have fun the myriad of the way customers specific themselves and convey their concepts to life by iPad. We missed the mark with this video, and we’re sorry,” Ad Age quoted the iPhone maker as saying.

    An Apple spokesperson declined to remark however directed inquiries to the Ad Age report.

    • Also learn:Google and Apple now threatened by the US antitrust legal guidelines helped construct their know-how empires

    The commercial titled “Crush” has over one million views on Apple’s YouTube channel and was shared by CEO Tim Cook on social media platform X. It reveals quite a lot of inventive instruments and objects resembling a digicam, guitar, piano and paint being destroyed by an industrial crusher.

    Then the crusher reveals the newly unveiled iPad, symbolising how a lot the brand new thinner mannequin encompasses.

    Online commenters criticised the advert as insensitive and an unwelcome departure from the corporate’s historic positioning of its model as nonconformist, human-friendly and an antidote to a dystopian, colourless world.

    In a publish on X, actor Hugh Grant stated the advert confirmed, “The destruction of the human expertise courtesy of Silicon Valley.”

    The Cupertino-California primarily based tech big unveiled the pill on Tuesday with a brand new chip for synthetic intelligence computing because it rushes to meet up with its huge tech rivals in a race to dominate the rising know-how.

    Apple stated the iPad Pro, which turned out there for order on Tuesday, has upgraded shows and is “the thinnest Apple product ever.”

  • Security in Samsung A Series Smartphones: A Prime Concern for Consumers

    With the rising pattern of shoppers utilizing cellphones to do monetary transactions and retailer helpful paperwork, Samsung says ‘safety’ is immediately the prime concern for shoppers whereas shopping for telephones – not solely in the upper premium section but additionally in the mid-premium section. The firm has launched safety features in its A sequence smartphones, mentioned Akshay Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India.

    Security concern

    Security in the ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 is a serious function that not many speak about. Consumers immediately use smartphones for all the pieces, together with monetary transactions. “When we spoke to shoppers in varied surveys, over 70 per cent of them and at occasions even increased, individuals had been involved about smartphone safety and privateness. They are contemplating this earlier than buying the smartphone. It was a stark quantity,” he advised businessline.

    “It was by no means stark, say a few years in the past. We used to present high-security options to premium smartphones priced at ₹70,000 and above and shoppers are likely to need that type of safety to guard their helpful paperwork. But, submit Covid, shoppers are utilizing smartphones for all the pieces, together with monetary transactions, digital financing, UPI, digi-locker and use of options like digital conferences and work at home have elevated multifold. All these required enhanced safety features,” mentioned Rao, who was in Chennai on Wednesday to launch Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 smartphones.

    Comprehensive safety

    Features like show and digital camera had been all the time given focus and getting improved for the buyer, safety is the place the largest leap comes in. Security in smartphones is among the prime elements immediately in shopping for smartphones, he added.

    Samsung Knox Vault Security that was launched in one of many Samsung’s S sequence smartphones, now comes for the primary time in A-Series making flagship degree safety accessible to extra individuals. The hardware-based safety system affords complete safety towards each {hardware} and software program assaults. It can assist shield probably the most crucial knowledge on a tool, together with lock display credentials, comparable to PIN codes, passwords and patterns, he mentioned.

  • Security in Samsung A Series Smartphones: A Prime Concern for Consumers

    With the rising development of shoppers utilizing cellphones to do monetary transactions and retailer priceless paperwork, Samsung says ‘safety’ is at the moment the prime concern for shoppers whereas shopping for telephones – not solely in the upper premium section but in addition in the mid-premium section. The firm has launched safety features in its A collection smartphones, mentioned Akshay Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India.

    Security concern

    Security in the ₹30,000 to ₹50,000 is a serious characteristic that not many speak about. Consumers at the moment use smartphones for the whole lot, together with monetary transactions. “When we spoke to shoppers in numerous surveys, over 70 per cent of them and at occasions even larger, folks have been involved about smartphone safety and privateness. They are contemplating this earlier than buying the smartphone. It was a stark quantity,” he advised businessline.

    “It was by no means stark, say a few years in the past. We used to offer high-security options to premium smartphones priced at ₹70,000 and above and shoppers are likely to need that form of safety to guard their priceless paperwork. But, publish Covid, shoppers are utilizing smartphones for the whole lot, together with monetary transactions, digital financing, UPI, digi-locker and use of options like digital conferences and earn a living from home have elevated multifold. All these required enhanced safety features,” mentioned Rao, who was in Chennai on Wednesday to launch Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 smartphones.

    Comprehensive safety

    Features like show and digicam have been all the time given focus and getting improved for the patron, safety is the place the largest leap comes in. Security in smartphones is without doubt one of the prime elements at the moment in shopping for smartphones, he added.

    Samsung Knox Vault Security that was launched in one of many Samsung’s S collection smartphones, now comes for the primary time in A-Series making flagship degree safety accessible to extra folks. The hardware-based safety system presents complete safety towards each {hardware} and software program assaults. It will help shield probably the most important knowledge on a tool, together with lock display screen credentials, similar to PIN codes, passwords and patterns, he mentioned.

  • Samsung expects 75% of total handset sales to come from 5G smartphones in 2024

    South Korean tech large Samsung expects round 75 per cent of its total handset sales to come from 5G smartphones in India this 12 months in contrast to round 61 per cent final 12 months.

    Announcing the launch of Galaxy A55 5G and Galaxy A35 5G right here on Tuesday, Akshay Rao, General Manager, MX Business, Samsung India, stated, “During the primary three months of this calendar 12 months we’ve rolled out eight handsets, all of that are 5G units. We launched as many as 19 units final 12 months and of that 16 had been 5G.”

    21 laptop market share

    Rao stated the South Korean main garnered round 21 per cent market share in phrases of quantity in India’s 5G smartphones market in 2023. “For the general market, quantity was largely flattish final 12 months, though there was some upside in income pushed by premiumisation. In phrases of quantity we had been no. 1 with about 18 per cent market share. Even in 5G, we had been no. 1,” he stated.

    In the mid-premium phase (₹30,000-50,000), which has been the quickest rising, the corporate additionally had the best market share of round 31 per cent.

    “The pillars have been laid final 12 months. We will double down on these and go ahead on the premiumisation entrance and 5G entrance. We have been in India for 28 years. We are dedicated for the long term. We need to ship merchandise and produce in some significant improvements for our customers. Both of A55 and A35 units have been manufactured with the philosophy of bringing in flagship applied sciences at reasonably priced worth factors,” Rao added.

    The firm stated Galaxy A collection has been the highest-selling smartphone collection in the nation for the final two years.