I am a speedcuber. I wear a ring on my finger. These two facts are, occasionally, in conflict. But more on that later. Three weeks ago I started wearing the Oura Ring 4 on my left ring finger, and somewhere between the first sleep report and the third readiness score, I realised I had been thinking about health tracking completely wrong. I had been obsessed with the output: steps, calories, workout duration. The more interesting story, it turned out, was happening while I was doing absolutely nothing. While I was asleep.

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First impressions

The ring arrives in a small, considered box alongside a magnetic charging puck and a USB-C cable. The puck is compact, grey in colour, and takes up almost no space on a night stand. Setup is straightforward. Download the app, tap the ring to your phone, done.

The hardware feels premium in a quiet way. All-titanium construction, inside and out, with sensors that sit flush against your finger rather than pressing into it.

That said, the ring is noticeably thick. If you have never worn a ring before, or are used to a slim band, it will feel a little foreign for the first few days. It is not uncomfortable exactly, just present in a way that takes some adjustment. By the end of the first week I had largely stopped noticing it.

For context, I use a Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic as my daily driver. I like it. It does a lot. But I have never fully gotten used to wearing a watch all the time, and I almost never sleep with it on. The strap is not particularly breathable and in Mumbai's humidity, you start sweating faster than you would expect. Mid-workout, the watch sometimes feels like it needs to come off. The ring never once gave me that urge.

The sleep gap that changed my mind

I want to lead with the most important thing this ring did in three weeks of testing, because it is the argument the rest of this review builds around.

On one particular night, my Galaxy Watch logged my sleep at 5 hours 36 minutes. The Oura Ring logged 6 hours 45 minutes. That is over an hour of sleep the watch simply did not register. For a device that is supposed to tell you how recovered you are, that is not a rounding error. It is a fundamentally different picture of your night.

Now, I can tell you which device was closer to the truth on that particular night because the watch's own app shows a straight hour of no data recorded around 1:30 am. I was asleep. I would know if I wasn’t asleep. The watch just was not paying attention. Ring-based optical sensing has a stronger research track record for sleep staging than wrist-based tracking regardless, largely because the finger has cleaner blood flow signal and is less prone to movement artefacts. But on this night the case made itself. The ring was there. The watch was not.

The practical consequence of this matters more than the spec difference. A health tracker that gives you incomplete sleep data is quietly giving you a distorted readiness score every single morning. You are making decisions about how hard to push in a workout, or whether to have that third coffee, based on numbers that do not fully reflect what your body went through the night before. The ring fixed that for me. It also got me in the habit of trying to get a better sleep score that has caused me to be the most well-rested I have been in a long time

The actual cost

The ring starts at Rs. 28,900 for the silver and black variants, going up to Rs. 39,900 for the premium finishes. Add the subscription at Rs. 599 per month after the first free month, and you are looking at roughly Rs. 35,000 in year one for the base model. Without the subscription you only get three days of data history and the three headline scores, which strips out most of what makes the ring worth owning. Budget for it from the start.

One practical note for Indian buyers: get the sizing kit first. It costs Rs. 999 and will save you from the considerably worse situation of getting the wrong size on a Rs. 28,900 purchase and that cost also get adjusted in the final price of the ring.

The app is genuinely beautiful

Built around three scores you see every morning: Readiness, Sleep, and Activity. Readiness is the one I became slightly obsessed with. It pulls together resting heart rate, HRV balance, body temperature, sleep quality, sleep regularity, previous day activity, and respiratory rate to tell you how ready your body is to take on the day. Each contributing factor is tappable so you can understand exactly why your score landed where it did. It is not a number you can easily manufacture by just sleeping more or working out harder, which means when it moves, you pay attention.

The sleep breakdown sits underneath that. You get your sleep stages charted across the night: REM, light, deep, and awake, alongside body movement, breathing regularity, disturbance timestamps, and HRV tracked across the full night. After two weeks of consistent use, longer-term patterns start appearing like sleep debt over the past 14 days and stress resilience trends.

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After two weeks it also surfaces your cardiovascular age, which estimates arterial stiffness relative to your actual age. Mine came in 3.5 years older than I am, sitting within the ideal range. I will be honest, I do not fully know how much weight to give that number. Oura derives it from HRV and resting heart rate patterns over time, so it is not arbitrary, but it is also not a cardiology report. I found it useful as a directional signal rather than a hard verdict, something to watch trend over months rather than act on immediately.

There is a meal logging feature where you photograph your food and the app breaks down protein, fibre, added sugars, fats, and carbs. It is a nice addition and, more often than not, it detects the food accurately but is peripheral to what the ring does best. 

Oura also has an AI advisor that reads your data and offers personalised suggestions. It works, it is fine, and I would not miss it if it were not there. The data itself is the interesting part. The chatbot layer on top of it felt like it was trying a little too hard.

Where it falls short

The Oura Ring 4 is not trying to be a sports watch and should not be judged like one. But the gaps are worth knowing about clearly.

Step counting is noticeably less accurate than the Galaxy Watch. It tends to overcount or undercount depending on the activity. For workouts, the watch gives you pace, distance, and cadence. The ring gives you none of that. If you run, cycle, or swim and care about performance metrics, you will still need a watch. The ring sits firmly in the wellness category: sleep, recovery, stress, and fatigue. Outside that lane it does not pretend to compete.

The ring also has no vibration motor and no LED display, so there are no notifications, no alarms, no glanceable stats. Entirely passive. Some people will find this freeing. Others will find it limiting. Know which one you are before buying.

And then there is the speedcubing problem. I solve cubes competitively and wearing the ring on my left ring finger means it rubs against my middle and index fingers during solves, which messes with my grip and affects my times. I now take it off before sitting down to cube. A minor inconvenience in the grand scheme, but worth knowing if any of your hobbies involve precise finger movement.

Battery life

Rated at eight days. In three weeks of real use I consistently hit seven days per charge, with the charger taking about an hour to top it back up. Compact puck, USB-C, no complaints. It is one of the better battery experiences in wearables and one of the least interesting things to write about, which is exactly how battery life should be.

So, who is it for?

The Oura Ring 4 is not a fitness tracker that also does sleep. It is a recovery and wellness tracker that also logs your workouts. That distinction sounds small but it reframes everything about how you use it. You stop asking what you burned and start asking whether you were ready to burn it in the first place.

If you want a smartwatch replacement, look elsewhere. If you want pace and cadence and GPS routes, look elsewhere. But if you want to understand what your body is actually doing when you are not watching it, and you want a device comfortable enough to wear through every workout, every night of sleep, and every sweaty Mumbai afternoon without once wanting to take it off, this ring makes a serious case for itself.

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Buying a good smartphone under Rs 20,000 is not as simple as it sounds, especially in 2026 when smartphone prices are getting hiked left, right and centre. Still, there are many options available in the market with good features, which makes it really difficult to choose the right one. With every new release, brands are trying to offer better displays, good cameras and big batteries. With that, iQOO is placing its latest bet in this segment with the Z11x 5G, priced starting at Rs 18,999. At first glance, the iQOO Z11x looks simple and clean, and its large 7,200mAh battery quickly stands out. But a good first impression doesn’t always tell the full story.

I used the iQOO Z11x 5G for a few weeks to see how it performs in real life. Here’s my full review, covering design, display, performance, camera and battery.

iQOO Z11x: Build and design 

The iQOO Z11x comes in two colour options: Prasmic Green and Titan Black. I got the latter option for the review. It features a clean, simple look with a matte finish that doesn’t attract fingerprints.

On the back, there is a squoval-shaped camera module that houses the dual-lenses and flash, along with a small Dynamic Light ring. This light glows for notifications, incoming calls, etc. One thing you’ll notice right away is the size. The iQOO Z11x is a slightly big and heavy phone. Maybe for some users, one-handed usage for long periods could be a problem. That said, the curved edges and flat sides help with grip. In terms of build, the phone uses plastic for both the back and the frame, which is expected in this price range. But it doesn’t feel cheap.

Overall, the iQOO Z11x keeps things practical. It doesn’t impress you with a bold design, but it offers a clean look, a comfortable grip and a sturdy build that gets the job done.

iQOO Z11x: Display

The iQOO Z11x comes with a 6.76-inch FHD+ (2344 × 1080) LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and a resolution. The company claims the display can go up to 1,200 nits of brightness.

Using Calman and the Spectracal C6 Colourimeter, we tested the colour accuracy of the display. The phone achieved an average Delta E of 1.2, suggesting the panel is quite colour accurate. I also found the display, despite being an LCD, to be vibrant. YouTube videos and OTT content look very good on the screen, offering an enjoyable experience. The display also covers around 98.8 per cent of the colour gamut and maintains a good balance between red, green and blue tones.

In our lux meter test, the screen reached a peak brightness of 1,320 nits in auto mode, which is slightly higher than the company’s claim. In daily use, it does its job fine. It is not the brightest out there on a harsh sunny day, but for the price, it offers adequate brightness. The 120Hz refresh rate adds to the smoothness, so general animations, scrolling and the times you interact with the screen feel fluid. 

Overall, for under Rs 20,000, the iQOO Z11x offers a good viewing experience, and there’s not really much to complain about here.

iQOO Z11x: Performance

The iQOO Z11x is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Turbo and comes with up to 8GB LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB storage. Do note that the storage is non-expandable. But, on the bright side, it’s UFS 3.1 storage you are getting here, which is a solid deal.

Which brings me to the actual performance of the iQOO Z11x, and in day-to-day use, it performs quite well. I didn’t notice any lag while doing the general stuff like texting, scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube videos, or switching between apps. Everything feels smooth and responsive for the most part.

For those who care about benchmarks, the Z11x puts up strong numbers as well for a phone in its price range. It scored 9,68,962 on Antutu, which is higher than some phones in this price range. For comparison, the Poco M8 5G, which was launched recently in a similar price segment, scored 8,52,479. On Geekbench 6, the phone managed 1,057 in the single-core test and 2,790 in the multi-core test.

On the software side, the iQOO Z11x runs on OriginOS 6.0 based on Android 16. iQOO promises two years of major Android updates and four years of security updates. While this isn’t the best compared to some rivals, it’s still decent for a phone at this price.

iQOO Z11x: Camera

Now, let’s talk about the cameras. The iQOO Z11x comes with a dual rear camera setup, featuring a 50MP main sensor and a 2MP bokeh sensor. On the front, there’s a 32MP camera for selfies. What I would say is that the camera setup is not perfect, but it does a fairly solid job for the price.

Starting with the main camera, it captures good detail in daylight. Images look sharp enough, and colours are generally pleasing. However, I did notice that the phone tends to push deeper blacks, which adds a bit more contrast to photos. Some people might like this punchy look, but if you prefer more natural or balanced tones, it’s something you’ll notice.

Low-light performance is better than expected for a phone in this segment. The camera manages to retain decent detail, and colours don’t completely fall apart. There is some noise, but the results are satisfying and good enough for social media.

Selfies are handled by the 32MP front camera, and it does a satisfactory job. Photos come out with decent detail, and skin tones look natural without going overboard on beautification. It’s reliable for video calls and social media posts.

Overall, the iQOO Z11x delivers a camera experience that’s quite dependable for its price. It may not impress in every situation, but for everyday photography, it gets the job done well.

iQOO Z11x: Battery

The iQOO Z11x packs a massive 7,200mAh battery and supports 44W wired charging. With such a large battery, endurance is easily one of the phone’s biggest strengths. In everyday use, the battery life is excellent, no questions asked. On a full charge, the phone can comfortably last over two days with casual usage. Even with slightly heavier use, you won’t find yourself reaching for the charger by the end of the day.

In the PCMark battery test, the phone lasted for more than 29 hours, which is seriously impressive for this segment. However, charging is not as fast as you might expect. Using the bundled 44W charger, the phone takes around 1 hour and 30 minutes to go from 0 to 100 per cent. Considering the battery size, it’s understandable, but it still feels a bit slow in 2026.

To give you a better idea of real-world usage, the phone dropped just 3 per cent after 30 minutes of video streaming. Even while using power-hungry apps like Google Maps, the battery drain is minimal as the phone loses only about 4 per cent after an hour of navigation.

iQOO Z11x: Verdict

The iQOO Z11x is a phone that focuses on what really matters for most users. Its biggest strength is the battery life, which easily lasts up to two days on normal use. Performance is smooth, and the display is vibrant, even though it’s not an AMOLED panel. That said, the phone is not perfect. The camera is decent but not outstanding, and the charging speed feels a bit slow given the phone’s humongous battery.

That said, in this day and age, with the component prices rising and phones getting more expensive, there’s not much to complain about here, given the iQOO Z11x is a sub-Rs 20,000 device. 

So, if you want a phone with long battery life, smooth performance and a reliable everyday experience, the iQOO Z11x makes quite a strong case for itself. 

If the Nord 5 (review) was OnePlus putting its foot down, the Nord 6 is the company kicking the door wide open. The OnePlus Nord 6 with the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4, a colossal 9,000 mAh battery, a 165Hz display and durability credentials that rival rugged phones, is no longer a mid-range phone pretending to be something more. It is something more. Starting in the Rs 35,000–45,000 segment, the Nord 6 feels like OnePlus declaring war on any price bracket that tries to contain it. But does the experience match the claims? Let's find out.

OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Build and Design

The Nord 6 takes the design aesthetics of the Nord 5 and pushes it into flagship territory. Where the Nord 5 traded the Nord 4's metal design for a sleeker silhouette, the Nord 6 draws clear inspiration from OnePlus' own number series.

At 8.5mm thick and 217g, the Nord 6 is marginally thicker than the Nord 5's 8.1mm profile, but that's entirely justified by the enormous 9,000 mAh battery it houses. The frame and the rear panel is crafted out of plastic while the camera deco housing is made from aluminum. The weight distribution remains well-balanced and the phone sits comfortably in hand without feeling unwieldy.

There are three colour options in the lineup: Fresh Mint, Quick Silver and Pitch Black. I’ve been using the Fresh Mint colour which looks vibrant without being loud. The Quick Silver has a metallic sheen with two lines running along the periphery, while Pitch Black is understated, clean and fingerprint-friendly.

The Plus Key returns on the left side, continuing its role as a dedicated Mind Space AI shortcut button. It's still not the beloved alert slider of old, but the utility it offers including quick access to Mind Space, AI Search and Gemini makes it more than a worthy replacement, especially as OxygenOS 16's AI features grow more capable.

In terms of durability, the Nord 6 carries IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings. That's protection against dust, water immersion and even high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. OnePlus has also thrown in MIL-STD-810H military-grade certification and Crystal Guard display protection (which OnePlus claims is on par with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus Plus). There's also a Sandstone Magnetic Case (bought seperately) for those who want OnePlus' iconic tactile finish with magnetic accessory compatibility, including the optional 27W Ice-Cooled Magnetic Back Clip for extended gaming sessions.

OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Display

The Nord 6 has a 6.78-inch 1.5K AMOLED running at up to 165Hz with support for 10-bit colour, 100% sRGB and DCI-P3 coverage and a peak brightness of 3,600 nits.

In our brightness testing, the Nord 6 peaked at 2,770 nits in auto mode and hit 1,920 nits with manual brightness maxed out, with SDR content peaking at 915 nits. That's a significant step up from the Nord 5's 1,560 nits (auto) and 1,280 nits (manual) and it translates directly into tangible outdoor visibility improvements.

We put the Nord 6's Natural display profile through rigorous Calman testing with a SpectaCal C6 HDR2000 colorimeter and the results speak for themselves.

In the ColorChecker Analysis, the Nord 6 delivered an average deltaE of just 1.3 with a maximum deltaE of 2.5 (at the white point). For context, a deltaE below 1 is considered indistinguishable to the human eye and anything under 3 is considered excellent. This means the colours you see on screen, whether you're editing photos for Instagram, colour-grading video or just browsing, are remarkably faithful to their source.

The Grayscale Multi analysis returned an average dE2000 of 1.7, an average CCT of 6863K (very close to the D65 standard of 6500K, with only a slight cool bias), a contrast ratio of 138,968:1 and an average gamma of 2.26 which is nearly textbook for the 2.2 target. The black luminance registered at a vanishingly low 0.005 cd/m², delivering the kind of inky blacks and punchy contrast that makes OLED technology shine.

Compared to the Nord 5, which scored an average deltaE of 0.5 (max 1.9) in its Natural profile, the Nord 6's numbers are slightly higher but still firmly in the "excellent" bracket. The real-world difference is negligible and the Nord 6 more than compensates with its dramatically higher brightness, the bump to 165Hz and the addition of Sunburst HDR technology for enhanced outdoor readability.

Touch response is rated at 3,200Hz with a dedicated Touch Reflex chip and Aqua Touch 2.0 ensures the screen responds accurately with wet, sweaty, or oily fingers. There's also 3,840Hz PWM dimming for reduced eye strain during extended late-night sessions.

In short, this is one of the best displays you'll find anywhere near this price and honestly, it's competitive with panels costing twice as much.

OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Performance & Software

The Nord 6 takes another meaningful leap in raw performance, powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 and OnePlus has paired it with LPDDR5X RAM (8GB or 12GB) and UFS 4.1 storage (256GB only, no 512GB option), creating a hardware package that punches well above its price.

Here's how it stacks up in benchmarks:

The 85% CPU throttling score indicates the Nord 6 maintains excellent sustained performance, edging out the Nord 5's 84% and suggesting OnePlus' massive 33,147 mm² heat dissipation area (up from the Nord 5's 7,300 mm² vapour chamber) is doing serious work behind the scenes.

In daily use, the Nord 6 is blisteringly fast. App launches are instantaneous, multitasking between heavy apps like Google Maps, Instagram, Chrome and the camera is seamless and the UFS 4.1 storage (a jump from the Nord 5's UFS 3.1) makes file transfers and app installs noticeably snappier.

Gaming Performance

The Nord 6 is the segment's first phone to deliver steady 165 FPS gameplay on AAA titles and our testing confirms the claim holds up:

These numbers are exceptional. The near-perfect smoothness scores across titles like BGMI and COD Mobile mean you're getting a visually fluid, stutter-free experience that genuinely rivals flagship gaming phones. OnePlus also supports 165 FPS in Free Fire, Free Fire MAX, Mobile Legends: Bang Bang, Brawl Stars, Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, among others.

The gaming experience is further enhanced by the dedicated 6-axis gyroscope (±4,000 DPS) for precision aiming, a Spatial Audio Booster for directional audio cues and the aforementioned optional 27W Ice-Cooled Magnetic Back Clip for sustained thermal management during marathon sessions.

The G2 Wi-Fi chip, shared with the OnePlus 15, deserves a mention here too. It delivers stronger reception through walls and congested networks, with up to 1.6x reduced latency in gaming scenarios which is a tangible advantage for competitive online play.

Software

The Nord 6 runs on OxygenOS 16, based on Android 16 and is clean, fast and thoughtfully designed. The animations are fluid, the interface is bloat-free (save for a few removable pre-installs) and the AI integration via Mind Space and Gemini feels more natural and useful than ever. The 4+6 year update commitment (four Android OS upgrades, six years of security patches) continues to set the standard for the segment, with the system rated 'A' for fluency through 72 months.

OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Battery Life

If the Nord 5's 6,800 mAh battery was impressive, the Nord 6's 9,000 mAh silicon-carbon cell is outright ridiculous in the best possible way. OnePlus claims 2.5+ days of moderate use, with up to 26.9 hours of YouTube streaming and 16.6 hours of Google Maps navigation on a single charge.

In our PCMark Work 3.0 battery test, the Nord 6 recorded a staggering 33 hours and 26 minutes, more than double the Nord 5's already excellent 15 hours and 35 minutes. This is power bank territory crammed into an 8.5mm phone.

In real-world use, battery anxiety simply doesn't exist with this phone. A heavy day of social media, camera use, navigation and streaming will still leave you with charge to spare at bedtime. For lighter users, three days between charges is entirely achievable.

Charging remains at 80W SUPERVOOC, same as the Nord 5 and takes the larger battery from 0 to 100% in roughly 60–65 minutes. It's not the fastest charging in the segment, but OnePlus has made a clear trade-off: endurance over speed and it's the right call. A quick 5-minute top-up delivers about 2.5 hours of YouTube streaming.

Bypass Charging returns with upgrades for 2026, routing power directly to the chipset during gaming to keep thermals low and extend long-term battery health. What’s new with this generation is 27W wired reverse charging and for good reason. With a 9,000 mAh cell, the Nord 6 can genuinely serve as an emergency power bank for your earbuds, smartwatch or even another phone.

OnePlus Nord 6 Review: Cameras

• Main Camera: 50MP Sony LYTIA-600, f/1.8, 1/1.953" sensor, 0.8μm pixels, 26mm equivalent, dual-axis OIS + dual-axis EIS, PDAF, 5P lens
• Ultra-wide: 8MP OmniVision OV08F, f/2.2, 1/4" sensor, 1.12μm pixels, 16mm equivalent, 112° FoV, 5P lens
• Front: 32MP Samsung Galaxy Core sensor, autofocus, 4K 60fps video

The Nord 6's main camera sensor shifts from the Nord 5's Sony LYT-700 (1/1.56") to the Sony LYTIA-600 (1/1.953"), which is a smaller sensor on paper. However, the dual-axis OIS (up from the Nord 5's triple-axis) and OnePlus' refined HDR and natural-colour algorithms help maintain and in some scenarios, improve image quality. The daylight shots remain sharp, well-exposed and colour-accurate, with good dynamic range that preserves highlights and pulls detail from shadows.

The low-light performance benefits from the improved stabilisation system. Static scenes are rendered with impressive clarity and controlled noise, though complex mixed-lighting situations with moving subjects can still produce some softness which is a limitation shared by most phones in this segment.

The 2x in-sensor zoom continues to deliver clean, usable crops and the digital zoom range extends to 20x (up from the Nord 5), though results beyond 4x remain best suited for casual use.

The selfie camera takes an interesting turn: it drops from the Nord 5's 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN5 to a 32MP Samsung Galaxy Core sensor. On paper, that sounds like a downgrade, but the addition of autofocus and 4K 60fps video recording on the front camera, features the Nord 5 lacked, makes this a net positive for content creators and video callers.

The ultra-wide remains an 8MP affair with a slightly narrower 112° field of view (down from the Nord 5's 116°). It's functional in good light but continues to be the weakest link in the camera system, especially after dark.

Verdict

The OnePlus Nord 6 is the most complete mid-range phone OnePlus has ever built. It doesn't just incrementally improve over the Nord 5, it leaps forward in nearly every meaningful department. The 9,000 mAh battery is segment-redefining, the Snapdragon 8s Gen 4 with 165 FPS gaming makes the benchmark debate moot for everyday users, the display is flagship-grade along with its durability credentials make it the heavyweight in this category.

The absence of a 512GB storage option is a missed opportunity, the ultra-wide camera still feels like an afterthought and the selfie camera's downgrade, while offset by autofocus and 4K video, may raise eyebrows.

But these are footnotes in what is otherwise a dominant performance. The Nord 6 doesn't just compete in the Rs35,000–45,000 segment, it sets the terms of competition. If you want raw benchmark bragging rights, there may still be alternatives. But if you want the phone that does everything well, lasts for days, games like a flagship and is built to survive years of daily use, the Nord 6 is the phone to beat. OnePlus hasn't just raised the bar for the Nord series, it's raised it for the entire mid-range category.

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus might have come out of the blue, but it feels like the desktop Arrow Lake part that should have arrived first. It’s not exactly the clean-sheet rethink of Intel’s mainstream performance formula but it certainly does come across as a more assertive version of it. The Core Ultra 7 270K Plus brings the core count up to 24 with an 8-Performance plus 16-Efficiency core layout, keeps boost clocks high, and leans on platform refinements such as faster die-to-die communication and Intel’s new Binary Optimization Tool to shore up gaming and responsiveness. From our testing, the 270K Plus is clearly competitive in productivity, and far more convincing than the first wave of desktop Core Ultra chips, even if it still does not flatten AMD’s best X3D parts in every gaming scenario. However, when you put the pricing and performance together, you’ve got an underdog in the making.

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Specifications

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus is part of the desktop Arrow Lake refresh part launched on 23, March 2026. It packs 24 cores and 24 threads, split between 8 Performance cores and 16 Efficient cores, with a maximum turbo frequency of 5.5 GHz. The P-cores top out at 5.4 GHz, while the E-cores reach 4.7 GHz. Cache allocation is healthy too, with 36 MB of Intel Smart Cache and 40 MB of total L2 cache. Base power is rated at 125 W, while maximum turbo power reaches 250 W, which immediately tells you this is not a timid mid-range part.

Memory support goes up to DDR5-7200, the CPU exposes 24 PCIe lanes across PCIe 5.0 and 4.0, and it continues to use the LGA1851 platform. There is integrated graphics on board, plus a 13 TOPS Intel AI Boost NPU, while total platform AI throughput is rated at 36 TOPS. On sheer specification density, this is closer to an enthusiast chip wearing a slightly more sensible price tag.

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Test Rig

The review unit was tested on Gigabyte’s Z890 AORUS PRO ICE motherboard with 64GB of G.Skill Trident Z5 memory running at 7200 MT/s in a 2x 32 GB configuration. Storage duties were handled by a Kingston Renegade PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD, while cooling came from the Corsair iCUE Link Titan X360 RX LCD, which is a sensible pairing for a desktop processor that can pull up to 250W at full tilt. Power was supplied by the Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 V2. It is a well-balanced, modern test platform that gives the 270K Plus the kind of memory bandwidth and thermal headroom it needs to show what it can do without obvious platform bottlenecks getting in the way. Here’s the full specs:

• CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus
• Motherboard: Z890 AORUS PRO ICE
• RAM: 2x G.Skill Trident Z5 32 GB 7200 MT/s
• SSD: Kingston Renegade PCIe Gen 4.0 SSD
• Cooler: Corsair iCUE Link Titan X360 RX LCD
• PSU: Cooler Master MWE Gold 850 V2

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Performance

Cinebench 2024

Cinebench 2024 is based on Maxon's Cinema 4D software, designed to evaluate a processor's performance in rendering complex 3D scenes. It tests both single-core and multi-core capabilities, highlighting how efficiently a CPU handles multi-threaded tasks common in professional rendering workflows. The benchmark utilizes modern instruction sets and large datasets, providing an up-to-date assessment of CPU performance in contemporary applications.

Cinebench R23

Cinebench R23 is the older version based on the same Cinema 4D engine and it too measures a processor's ability to render photorealistic 3D scenes. Though replaced by Cinebench 2024, we retain it to compare against processors launched a few years prior. It also focuses on both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, simulating real-world tasks relevant to content creators and professionals in 3D rendering.

Blender

The Blender Benchmark assesses a processor's performance by rendering scenes using Blender, a popular open-source 3D creation suite. It evaluates both CPU and GPU capabilities in handling complex rendering tasks. This benchmark provides insights into how well a processor performs in real-world 3D modeling, animation, and rendering scenarios. An interesting aspect is that it highlights the efficiency of different CPU architectures in multi-threaded workloads, as Blender can effectively utilize multiple cores. It's particularly useful for professionals and enthusiasts relying on Blender, indicating how hardware upgrades might impact workflow efficiency and rendering times.

V-Ray

V-Ray is another benchmark that measures a processor's performance in rendering but it uses the V-Ray engine, widely used in visual effects, architecture, and design industries. It tests both CPU and GPU rendering capabilities, focusing on multi-threaded performance and handling complex calculations involved in ray tracing. CPUs with higher core counts and multi-threading technology tend to excel here as V-Ray efficiently utilises available threads.

WinRAR

WinRAR Benchmark evaluates a processor's performance in data compression and decompression tasks, common in file archiving and management. It tests single-threaded performance, memory bandwidth, and latency, as these factors influence compression speed. While WinRAR isn't fully optimized for multi-core CPUs, processors with higher Instructions Per Cycle (IPC) and clock speeds perform better. For more modern algorithms, we use 7-Zip.

AIDA64

AIDA64 Memory Benchmark measures the memory bandwidth and latency of a system, highlighting how quickly data transfers between the CPU and RAM. It tests read, write, and copy speeds, providing insights into the efficiency of the memory subsystem, including RAM speed, timings, and memory controller performance. AIDA64 also has benchmarks to evaluate how well a processor can handle AES, ZLib and SHA3 encryption and decryption tasks.

y-cruncher

The y-cruncher benchmark computes mathematical constants like Pi to a high number of digits—in this case, 2.5 billion—testing a processor's multi-threaded performance and memory subsystem under heavy computational load. It stresses the CPU's integer and floating-point units, cache hierarchy, and memory bandwidth. It's particularly useful for evaluating system stability under sustained heavy workloads, making it valuable for users who are overclocking their systems.

Procyon Office

The Procyon Office Benchmark measures a processor's performance in real-world office applications like the Microsoft Office suite, testing tasks such as document editing, spreadsheet calculations, and presentation creation. It focuses on both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, providing insights into how a CPU handles everyday productivity tasks.

Mozilla Kraken & Google Octane

Mozilla Kraken and Google Octane are JavaScript benchmarks evaluating a processor's performance in executing complex web-based scripts, reflecting real-world web application usage. It tests single-threaded performance and the efficiency of a CPU's instruction pipelines in handling dynamic scripting languages.

Procyon AI Computer Vision

The UL Procyon AI Computer Vision benchmark measures the performance of AI inference engines to understand how well processors can handle machine-vision tasks using popular neural networks.

3DMark Time Spy (iGPU)

3DMark Time Spy is a DirectX 12 benchmark evaluating graphics performance. We use it primarily to test the relative performance of the iGPU to discrete GPUs and where iGPUs stand amongst their peers. With both companies improving their integrated graphics stack, it allows us to measure how well the iGPU performs and if it can handle popular eSports titles.

Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus Thermals and Power

Thermally, the Core Ultra 7 270K Plus behaved better than its power envelope might suggest. In this setup, CPU package temperature averaged 57°C and peaked at 80°C, which is a tidy result for a desktop chip rated to turbo up to 250W.
Power figures were more revealing. Average package power came in at 230W, with a peak of 250W, effectively brushing right up against Intel’s official turbo ceiling. That tells the story of this processor rather neatly. The 270K Plus is willing to spend power to hold performance, and it expects the rest of the platform to keep up. The upside is that thermals remain manageable with a competent 360 mm liquid cooler. The downside is obvious too: this is not a chip for bargain cooling or casual airflow planning. It runs under control, but it absolutely likes to eat. Intel officially rates the part at 125 W base and 250 W maximum turbo power, and these readings line up very closely with that behaviour.

Verdict

The Intel Core Ultra 7 270K Plus lands as a much more convincing desktop Core Ultra processor than the 265K ever was. It looks stronger on paper, feels better balanced in the current desktop market, and brings the sort of multi-threaded weight and platform features that make sense in a premium mainstream build. It fixes several of the earlier chip’s weak spots, especially in productivity and in gaming uplift versus the original Arrow Lake desktop parts, though AMD’s X3D lineup still keeps a grip on the outright gaming crown in a fair number of titles. That said, this test unit’s thermal and power behaviour shows that Intel has achieved its gains by letting the chip run hard and demanding proper cooling. For builders who want a modern Intel desktop processor with high core counts, fast DDR5 support, integrated graphics, NPU capability and plenty of headroom for serious work, the 270K Plus is easy to take seriously. It is not flawless, but it is finally compelling.

I live in a typical DDA LIG flat. The living room TV is almost always occupied, mostly playing regional shows, news, or devotional content. If I wanted to watch something else, I had to rely on my laptop. It works, but it never feels as immersive as watching it on a big screen. That got me thinking: what if I could get a bigger screen for my bedroom? A TV was the obvious option, but then another question came up: what if I try a projector instead? There may be many of you in the same or a similar situation, considering or curious about a projector. Well, I spent time researching the category and also spoke with Rajeev Singh, Managing Director at BenQ. 

Around the same time, the company sent over the BenQ TK705STi, a premium 4K HDR short-throw projector priced at Rs 2,25,000. This is not an impulse buy for most people. But it represents what a high-end projector experience looks like today. So even if you are exploring cheaper options, this should give you a benchmark.

The BenQ projector came in for a few weeks, and here's my experience with it. Read on to find out if it made sense for me.

Design, setup, and connectivity

The BenQ TK705STi has a compact boxy cube form factor with 229.2 x 168.2 x 249.7 mm dimensions. It is made of a premium polycarbonate shell that looks and feels like metal. Also, possibly because of the plastic build, the thing weighs only 3.8 kg and can be moved between rooms without much effort. The power adapter is bulky and one more thing to carry along with the main machine.

The projector has built-in stands on top and bottom. On the base, there are three legs which can be rotated to lengthen their height. If you take them out completely, you can use the holes to mount it on a ceiling. You'll have to buy the ceiling mount separately. Neat! Meanwhile, to eject the top stand, you have to hold the projector upside down and press the oblong button on the back of the projector. At first, I didn't understand that these were cleverly stashed in. I followed BenQ's guides on YouTube to know how they work. Well, you can also refer to the videos on the company's official channel in case you have any doubts.

Prop it opposite a vacant wall or screen, connect it to a power source and use the remote to turn it on and manage the rest of the controls. The light and slim black controller resembles TV remotes. It has the buttons to control the projection's zoom, orientation, volume, and navigation. You also get Google Assistant and hotkeys for streaming platforms like Netflix, YouTube, Prime Video and Live TV. BenQ also allows remote control via a smartphone app. More on that later.

On the left side of the projector, you get the basic controls to use the projector. On the back side, you will see pores for heat dissipation. This silver colour, metallic finish and pores give it a very Apple Mac Pro-like industrial design. It looks very upstate.

Also Read: Hisense U7Q Mini LED TV review: Practical option under Rs 70,000 with fair trade-offs

On the back of the device, below the grille, there is a small cavity, where all of its ports are situated. You get the power port, 12V trigger, two HDMI 2.1 ports (one of which supports eARC 7.1 channel for soundbar), a 3.5mm audio output jack, USB-A 2.0 port for media sticks, and a USB-C (DP/PD charging at 30W) port. You can connect a laptop or handheld console like Nintendo Switch through this port for both display and charging purposes.

For wireless connectivity, it has dual-band Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) and Bluetooth 5.2. There is also support for Apple AirPlay and Google Cast, if you plan to cast something from your phone to this projection.

Software and performance

In regular use, I would just plug it in and play some content on YouTube or any of the streaming apps I subscribe to. The projector takes a few seconds to boot and reach the main Google TV homescreen. This is a familiar and simple UI. During the course of my usage, the projector received a 1.13GB system OTA update with some bug fixes and also a recent Android security patch.

I didn't encounter any major bug or hiccup. The UI and navigation felt smooth. I found the MediaTek MT9676 quad-core chipset paired with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage, fine. On a high-end TV that costs this much, I would expect stronger hardware, but this is the most you get on projectors around the Rs 200,000 price range.

As soon as we start the BenQ projector, the orientation is corrected. You can manually adjust it, but the auto keystone correction is fine if the machine is set flat on a surface. You can use the built-in stands to better angle the projection. TK705STi uses a ToF sensor and a built-in camera to understand how far it is placed from the wall, and corrects the orientation and focus.

Once that's all set, you can watch the content you like. Over long-term use, I didn't hear any noise. If you touch around the ventilation area, you'd find it a little warm. So, it handles heat and noise quite well. So, you can comfortably watch movies, series or even play games at 4K 60 fps. The rated input lag is 5ms, which should feel instant and ideal for fast-paced games. You also get ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode) to prioritise speed over graphics. Overall, this should be suitable for casual console gamers.

Audiovisual quality

The BenQ TK705STi is branded as a 4K short-throw projector. It uses a 0.47-inch DLP projection chip/system and possibly pixel shifting to achieve a UHD (3840×2160) resolution. It can project up to a 150-inch image from a range of 2 meters (about 6 feet). You can zoom out for a smaller-sized image, too. At smaller sizes, the picture looks sharper. The larger sizes, like 100 or 150 inches, are immersive, but sharpness and contrast fall slightly short of a good 4K TV.

It supports brightness of 3,000 ANSI lumens, and in a well-lit room, projected on an off-white wall, the image looks washed out. It is visible, but for something worth enjoying, you'll have to turn off the light in the room.

There is out-of-the-box support for 4K HDR playback on Netflix. You can watch HDR content on formats like HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG. The sharpness, details and contrast don't match the 4K TV I have, but it is still respectable. I had a fine experience bingeing the last few episodes of Fallout S02 on Amazon Prime Video. This was an HDR10+ content, and the difference was noticeable. But in the underwater scene in Mission: Impossible- Final Reckoning, where Tom Cruise’s character tries to escape from the falling submarine, the colours look fine, but I could not clearly make out the edges of the submarine, and there were some instances of banding in a few areas.

I was watching all content in Cinema mode, which has close-to-natural colours, among the available presets. This BenQ projector features 98% coverage of the Rec 709 gamut, which is the standard colour space for most streaming content.

Like in TVs, here too, I had MEMC turned off as I don't like the TV-serial-like smoothness in movies and other content I watch. But, if you like that, you can enable it in the expert display settings.

As for audio, the dual 8W speakers are loud enough for room use, and dialogue comes through clearly. The bass, however, is only average. If you have a soundbar, it is better to connect it via HDMI to get fuller, uncompressed audio. Like picture modes, here too, I preferred the Cinema mode.

Should you buy the BenQ TK705STi?

The BenQ TK705STi projector is not trying to replace every TV. It is trying to solve a specific problem, getting a very large screen in a space where a traditional setup is not practical. Whether it makes sense depends on how you plan to use it.

If your situation is similar to mine, wherein you need a personal screen in the bedroom, but don't want to dedicate a space for a TV, a projector starts to make sense. You can place the BenQ projector on a table, project a 100-inch screen from a short distance, and have a private viewing setup without installing a large TV on the wall. When you don't want to use it, you can easily move it to a different spot.

While using the TK705STi, its Google TV interface, native Netflix support, and smooth day-to-day performance make it easy to use. You get 4K visuals with natural colours, good brightness for its class, and decent detail at typical viewing distances. It also works well if you are a console gamer. The low input lag and stable 4K 60 performance make gameplay feel responsive.

However, it is not built for competitive high refresh rate gaming. And for watching anything, the lighting conditions in the room matter a lot. For the best experience, you'll need to use it in a dark environment, which may not be something you always prefer. Also, if you are used to a good 4K TV, you will notice that sharpness, contrast, and black levels are not at the same level, especially at larger screen sizes. The audio output from its built-in speaker may also leave you wanting more. Well, the ports choice is plenty to plug in accessories or auxiliary devices like a speaker.

So, the BenQ TK705STi is a loaded projector and the best you can get for the asking price of Rs 2,25,000. It is worth considering if you understand what it is designed for. It doesn't beat a TV on all fronts. Instead, it offers a kind of convenience; a large, immersive screen in spaces where that would otherwise be difficult to achieve.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar review.

Also Read: BenQ EW270Q gaming monitor review: 2K at 200Hz under Rs 20,000

Samsung has come a long way with its flagship lineup. I still remember the time when choosing between Samsung phones was difficult and often a debate between the Note series and the S series. The Note stood out for its big and phablet-like design and the S Pen, while the S series always had an image of being an all-rounder, something which could do everything without leaning too much in one direction. Of course, things were not always this clean. We have seen Samsung experiment a lot in the past with Minis, Edge variants and even Duos.

But for me, things started to make more sense around 2017, when Samsung brought the ‘Galaxy S8 Plus’. The idea was simple: a bigger screen, better battery, but without the extra baggage. I ended up buying that phone and I still remember how smooth it felt and honestly, I would not mind seeing that curved display making a comeback.

Since then, I have used many Plus models as my primary devices, including the Galaxy S20 Plus and now the S23 Plus. And one thing that is consistent is how these phones manage to deliver a flagship experience without needing the Ultra tag and additional features.

Cut short to 2026, Samsung has introduced the Galaxy S26 series. The lineup looks familiar, but expectations are higher this time, specifically with claimed upgrades across performance, camera, design and of course, the higher price tag. Given my history with the Plus models, I decided to stick with the middle variant again and see how it holds up this time around and here is my take.

Galaxy S26 Plus: Design

Starting with the obvious, Samsung seems to be in no hurry to change its design formula. You get the same familiar glass-and-metal sandwich design, with Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on both the front and back, paired with an Armor Aluminium frame. The dimensions and 190-gram weight keep it firmly in line with previous Plus models. This means it is a large phone, but one that remains relatively slim and easy to carry. Adding on, it also carries an IP68 rating, so it is well protected against dust and can handle the occasional splash or accidental dip in water.

In everyday use, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus feels exactly how a flagship should. The in-hand feel is premium, the weight distribution is balanced and the slim profile makes it comfortable to hold for long periods. That said, if you have used the Galaxy S24 Plus or S25 Plus, this one will feel familiar, because in many ways, it is.

This time, Samsung has made a small visual tweak. The rear now has a new oval camera island that houses the triple camera setup, with flash sitting off the right side. It is not a big design change, but if you look with focus, you will notice the difference. But one practical downside, however, is a slight wobble when the phone is placed on a table or flat surface.

The finish, especially in colours like Cobalt Violet, looks premium and stands out without being too loud, but does attract smudges fairly easily, so you will likely end up using a case most of the time.

Galaxy S26 Plus: Display

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus has a big and, obviously, beautiful 6.7-inch screen that is hard to fault. It is sharp, bright and smooth, the kind of display that makes everything from casual scrolling to binge-watching feel fun. The 120Hz refresh rate keeps things fluid and the screen is smart enough to dial that down automatically to save battery when you do not need it.

Outdoors, the display holds up well. Samsung claims 2,600 nits of peak brightness and in real use, glare and harsh sunlight rarely pose a problem.

We also ran the Calman test using the SpectraCal C6 colorimeter and the results easily back up the claims I made above. Colours were accurate, whites are natural and blacks are deep. For most users, this means photos look true to life and videos look exactly as the creator intended. Speaking of the numbers, Average DeltaE 2000 was 2, Max DeltaE was 4.8, Gamut Coverage: 100% sRGB, Peak Brightness was 707 cd/m² (measured) and Black Luminance was 0 cd/m².

This means that what you will see on this screen is pretty much what is real. Skin tones, landscapes, documents, all rendered cleanly without any tint or colour push. In simple words, the display does not try to impress with oversaturated colours and just looks correct. I can say this because I spent some time watching YouTube, Netflix and a few matches of IPL 2026.

Galaxy S26 Plus: Performance

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus comes with the company’s in-house chip, but as has been the case with Samsung for a while now, the experience depends on where you are using the device. In India and most global markets, the phone offers an Exynos 2600 chipset built on 2nm fabrication, while regions like the US and China get the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. Both are flagship-grade chips and are paired with modern CPU architecture and capable GPUs. It runs Android 16 with One UI 8.5, backed by an impressive promise of up to seven major Android updates.

Coming to day-to-day usage, the device feels like a proper flagship. Scrolling through Instagram, navigating through apps, or clicking photos while on the go, the device does not disappoint. Animations are also fluid, app launches are fast, and a general sense of polish makes the phone feel snappy.

Gaming performance is also reliable. The phone handles titles like BGMI without major frame drops. However, thermal management is an area where the device shows its limits under heavy load. During our testing, the slim aluminum frame became noticeably warm during extended sessions. This is something power users and gamers will notice when the hardware is pushed to its peak for long periods.

The Galaxy S26 Plus also posted steady numbers in a range of benchmarks. In Antutu, the device scored 31,57,198, along with 2,777 in Geekbench single-core and 9,718 in multi-core tests. In GPU-heavy workloads, it managed 6,810 in 3DMark Wildlife Extreme, while PCMark Work 3.0 returned a score of 20,367. Again, these are solid numbers, keeping it competitive within this price bracket.

However, sustained performance is where the Galaxy S26 Plus finds its ceiling. In our CPU throttling test, the device retained around 63 per cent of its peak performance. This indicates the system is prioritising stability by dialing back performance under extended load to manage the thermals, which is a common trade-off in thin and modern flagships.

Galaxy S26 Plus: Battery

Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus sticks with a familiar battery. It packs a 4,900mAh battery, paired with 45W wired charging, 20W wireless charging and 4.5W reverse wireless charging. On paper, this is identical to what we saw in the previous generation, which means expectations are more about consistency than improvement.

In real-world use, the battery performance is reliable. In our PCMark Battery Life test, the device lasted 19 hours and 40 minutes. With a typical mix of social media, camera use, streaming and some gaming, the phone lasts well without requiring a mid-day top-up.

Charging speeds remain decent, but again, unchanged. Using Samsung’s 45W charger, the Galaxy S26 Plus takes around 72 minutes to go from 0 to 100 per cent. Wireless charging support adds convenience and reverse wireless charging can still come in handy for topping up accessories like earbuds or smartwatches.

Galaxy S26 Plus: Camera

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus carries forward a camera setup that feels very familiar on paper. You get a triple-camera system headlined by a 50MP primary sensor, supported by a 10MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. Features like OIS across key lenses, Super Steady video and support for up to 8K video recording with HDR10+ ensure that this is still a flagship-grade imaging system, at least in terms of capability.

In real-world use, the main camera continues to be the most reliable of the three. Daylight shots come out sharp, with good detail and balanced colours that do not feel overly processed. It’s the kind of camera you can trust for everyday photography without needing to tweak settings.

Low-light performance has also seen some improvement compared to previous generations. Images are brighter, cleaner and often capture more detail than what your eyes might pick up in darker scenes, which makes night photography more usable than before.

The 3x telephoto lens remains a strong point. It delivers natural-looking colours, decent subject separation and fairly clean edge detection. For casual portrait photography, you can expect a good job.

On the video side, Samsung continues to impress with its feature-rich experience. The features like Horizon Lock are genuinely useful, especially for handheld or on-the-move shooting, helping keep footage stable and level. The ability to shoot in 8K gives users flexibility, although these modes are still more niche than everyday features.

The selfie camera is also decent for everyday use. You may see the portrait edge detection occasionally appearing a bit soft. But, overall, it gets the job done.

Samsung’s AI-powered editing tools are also quite useful. Features like object removal and generative edits are fun to use and work reasonably well for casual edits, but results can be inconsistent and sometimes lean towards looking slightly unnatural.

Galaxy S26 Plus: Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S26 Plus feels like a phone that’s confident in what it is, sticking to a formula that works. It delivers a well-rounded flagship experience, focusing on reliability and balance in an increasingly competitive segment.

On one hand, there is a lot to like here. The design remains premium and durable, maintaining a classic aesthetic that has aged well. The display continues to be one of Samsung’s strongest assets: accurate, bright and consistently reliable across different use cases. In day-to-day usage, the phone performs exactly as you would expect from a flagship, with smooth navigation, stable gaming performance and a software experience that feels polished and long-term ready, especially with the promise of 7 years of software updates.

However, you also need to see that the Galaxy S26 Plus prioritises refinement over some drastic and radical change. Performance, while strong, is tuned for efficiency, and the slim chassis means the device manages sustained loads by balancing output. The camera system, despite being reliable and capable, stays true to the hardware seen in previous generations. It delivers good results, providing a familiar experience for users upgrading from older Plus models. Battery life is also dependable, maintaining the standard set by its predecessors.

Ultimately, the Galaxy S26 Plus is a safe, dependable flagship. It doesn’t try to reinvent the formula, and for many users, that consistency will be a strength. It may come across as a device that is perfecting its current ground, making it a solid choice for those who value a predictable, high-quality experience over experimental features.

Delhi is finally starting to warm up, and I don't say this in a happy mood. Currently, in early April, the temperature is around 32°C, and ceiling fans have begun to fall short. At the same time, switching on an AC for long hours still feels excessive. In my case, we use air coolers at our home. My relation with air coolers goes back a long way to my childhood and a time when we didn't have ACs. I’m sure many of you can also relate to this. While the old school coolers were big chunky metal boxes placed outside the windows, taking up a lot of space in our balconies sometimes, the new ones are lighter and more portable. They come in different sizes, shapes and colours to match our indoor space and ambience. 

I already have a 90L and a 43L cooler for two of our rooms. And I recently got this Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 desert cooler from the brand, which, as the name suggests, is also a 90L cooler. I used it in two rooms, sized about 14x10 ft and 18x12 ft, for several days and nights. So, in case you are wondering if it makes sense to buy a room cooler this big this summer, let me take you through my experience.

Design and first-time setup

As I have already mentioned, the Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 is a big 90L cooler. But at 24kg (without water inside) it is not too heavy. I unpacked it with my brother's help. The side panels with the honeycomb filter came in pre-installed. I only had to screw in its trolley stand. That's it. Simply move it towards a power socket and plug it in. With the four sturdy wheels at the bottom, the cooler is very portable.

Filling the 90-litre tank took about 7 minutes using a continuous water source. Well, based on the force of the water, this could change a bit. There is a long, roughly 10-inch translucent water level indicator on the front of the tank area. It is legible, and you also get an 'Overflow' sticker as a marking to avoid overfilling in a hurry. Instead of a sticker, if it had been an engraving, that would have been better.

Another minor qualm is with how tightly the refill inlet and side panels are fitted. This small tray in front of the cooler, through which you insert a pipe to fill the tank, is tough to pull out. Similarly, when I tried pulling out the back panel, it was very tight. These things may loosen up with time, but it's just something you ought to know. The first time you try to open them, in case they feel jammed, just apply some force, and they will open.

But, overall, the Kenstar cooler's build quality is solid. As mentioned already, the wheels can handle the weight of the filled cooler well. A lean guy like me could also move it around with a tinge of effort. Still, while moving it around, be careful of its stature. You don't want to hit and damage the corners of your wall or anything. In any case, if its placement is decided, you shall push down the wheel brake/lock/stopper. The stopper is metallic with angular edges, and you don't want to accidentally scrape your leg on it.

Back to the cooler design, the Maha Kool HC 90 comes in this cool, slate grey colour, which has a very muted and industrial feel to it. This is less likely to appear dirty compared to a white or some bright coloured coolers. Whether it suits your indoor decor is a different question. I leave that decision to you.

The honeycomb pads are of a turquoise blue shade and blend well with the grey-toned chassis. Rest everything from the 45cm fan, and the vertically movable flaps match the aesthetic. You only have the Maha Kool 90 branding, 5-star BEE rating sticker and the Kenstar logo around the three rotary knobs. These knobs situated on its forehead are for: Power (On/Off), Function (Swing, Cool-Swing, Cool, Off) and Speed (High, Medium, Low, Off), respectively. Nothing fancy. They just work reliably. No remote included, and honestly, I don't feel the need.

Kenstar Maha Kool 90: Cooling experience

Since it isn't that hot in Delhi now, I was using the Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 at its lowest settings. But that gives an idea of the bare minimum experience we can expect. So, I ran it in Cool-Swing settings and sometimes Cool with the speed at low mode. Sometimes, for testing, I had it on simple Swing and also ran it on higher speeds.

Regardless of the speed, cooling starts quickly. It does its job of cooling the air in the room within a few minutes. You feel it more if you are sitting adjacent to the cooler and facing the direct airflow. I am used to speed as I already have a 90L model from a competing brand. But this one's size is bigger, and the performance is slightly better. My brother, who has the smaller 43L cooler, noticed the difference the first time we switched it on.

Kenstar has equipped this biggie with its proprietary ProForce cooling technology. That, with the double-bearing motor and the 18-inch fan, claims a 50ft throw. That's peak figure, possibly achievable in lab conditions, and in a real-world closed room, at about 15 ft, you feel the force of the air the most. If you move further, say at around 20ft, you'll need to turn on the Medium mode, and if you move past that, you'll need the High mode. The max, I could feel the cool air up to 22ft.

If you are in proximity, the higher speeds feel aggressive for this temperature. But, I am sure, they will come in handy soon. Oh, well, most of India is going to have sizzling hot and humid months ahead.

You can adjust the direction of the wind to some extent using the vertical and horizontal louvres (the flaps). The horizontal louvres have two halves. The one facing the user is fixed, and its other interior half is movable. This design choice may be for the durability of the flap, but it may bounce off some of the air. But since the cooler's big opening on the front, the airflow should still be plenty.

Speaking of airflow, the honeycomb pads on the three sides are said to be better than regular aspen pads. The latter are the pads made out of wood shavings, which you may have seen on older coolers.

In case it is your first time using a cooler, know that ventilation matters a lot for its operation. With windows closed, the room could feel humid during heavy summers. Keep a door or window open, so that the cooling stays effective and you feel more comfortable.

Also Read: Haier 1.6 Ton Kinouchi 5 Star Intelli Smart Split AC Review – A reliable performer with smart convenience

Other usage aspects

One thing that stood out was water consumption. Remember, the Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 is a 90L cooler, and I have been using it in mildly warm weather. Say, I use it for an afternoon nap, taking about 4 hours, the water level would drop by less than an inch on the indicator. A full night's sleep would mean the water level dips by an inch. So, it can easily last multiple days and nights of use. The cooler isn't very aggressive with water usage in these conditions. But its mileage may vary over time.

Still and all, its size is an advantage over smaller coolers.

The big cooler with higher speeds also means louder noise. The 'brrr' sound, which is typical of a cooler, gets stronger as you move from low to medium to high. Unlike an AC, there is a constant presence with the sound of the fan and water circulation. Again, it is common with coolers, and despite it, your sleep won't be affected.

It is just that if you are using a light blanket, it will likely get pushed around. But that's also my fight with physics and not this particular cooler's fault.

What it is missing, though, is an ice chamber on the top, a mosquito net, and humidity control. My other cooler has an ice holder, but I hardly use it and don't think it makes a major difference in extreme summers. I haven't experienced a humidity controller yet. So, can't comment on its effectiveness or the lack of it here. Finally, I doubt whether the external filters and nets impact the air throw. All in all, I don't really miss these absent features.

Last but not least, the Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 is rated to consume 230W of power, and it is compatible with an inverter, in case you live in an area with frequent power cuts or fluctuations. The BEE 5-star rating is assuring for its power efficiency and long-term savings due to this. Speaking of this, the 5-year warranty on the motor and pump is good to have. But you will be eligible for it only if you register for it within the first three months of purchase. Something to keep in mind!

Should you buy Kenstar Maha Kool 90?

The merits are clear. The Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 is a high-capacity cooler with strong airflow, good air circulation, a large 90L tank that lasts long, and simple, reliable controls. It cools very well, runs on low power, and is easy to move around despite its size. The sturdy wheels and water level indicator are practical features.

So, in regular use, it delivers where it matters. For larger rooms or spaces with good ventilation, it should fit well. If you don’t have an AC or don’t want to run one, you can use such a cooler for spot cooling in a dry, low-humidity climate. 

There are a few things to be aware of, though. The airflow can feel strong in smaller rooms, especially if you are close to it. While it's working, there is some noise, especially as you go higher in speed. It doesn't have bells and whistles like an ice chamber or a mosquito net. And the water inlet tray is a little hard to pull out, at least in my unit.

However, these do not take away from the core experience, i.e., cooling. As a cooler under Rs 15,000, the Kenstar Maha Kool HC 90 offers solid, dependable performance. If you want a big cooler for your domestic or commercial space, it is worth considering. And if you want something smaller, you may check out other models from the brand.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: Best desert air coolers in 2026: Top picks for powerful summer cooling

The timing of the Samsung Galaxy A37 launch couldn’t have been more peculiar. For all we know, the Galaxy A3x devices have usually launched in the ballpark of around Rs 35,000. All of a sudden, in 2026, the top variant of the new A37 is priced at over Rs 50,000. You read that right. The Galaxy A37 5G price in India starts at Rs 41,999 for the base 8GB RAM + 128GB storage, while the 8GB + 256GB option costs Rs 47,499. The top-end 12GB RAM + 256GB storage is priced in India at Rs 52,999. But, all of this isn’t simply a price hike; there’s more to it. Let me explain.

If you have been living under a rock, the prices of components have significantly risen because of the growing demand in AI. Processors, memory chips and the likes, cost a lot more in 2026, compared to last year. In fact, by the end of 2025, when news started coming that phone prices would be going up, I remember reading about what Xiaomi Group President, Lu Weibing, had to say. In his official statement from November 2025, he clearly warned that all phones would get expensive in 2026. Following this, when phones started releasing earlier this year, I also remember the Realme 16 Pro (currently priced starting at Rs 35,999) being called out for being overpriced. What followed was a flurry of devices that have been released in 2026 up until now, all of them attached with a good enough price hike that you just can’t ignore. None has been spared.

Which brings us back to the Galaxy A37. Yes, the prices have increased, but we also have to understand that, sadly, this is the new normal. Unless and until the component pricing situation is sorted, the prices will keep on going up. For instance, the phones, which used to cost around Rs 10,000, are suddenly priced at around Rs 15,000-16,000. The ones costing around Rs 30,000 now cost around Rs 40,000 and so on.

Yes, phone brands could also take a hit on their profits so that the consumer doesn’t have to bear the brunt of it. But that’s a conversation for another day.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy A57 in Digit Test Labs: Slimmer, smarter, but is it enough

For now, with the price hike situation out of the way, if you have a budget of around Rs 40,000 to Rs 50,000, and if you are planning to get the Galaxy A37, what exactly makes it special? There are quite a lot of things that I like about this phone, and some I don’t. Here’s my full review.

Galaxy A37: How good is the in-hand feel?

To straight away answer the question in the subhead, the in-hand feel is quite good. As I mentioned in my first impressions of the Galaxy A37 (read it here), I am quite impressed with the phone’s ergonomics and how it looks.

The design unification strategy is seen in full swing here. The Galaxy A37 got the looks of the flagship S26 series, but you can get this one at a relatively affordable price. I absolutely love the lavender purple finish here. I think the black colour is also quite cool. Unlike the flagship S series, which has a matte rear panel, the Galaxy A37 features a mirror-like glossy rear finish. The purple version, since it’s a light colour, does a very good job of hiding the smudges. I am not so sure about the black colour, though. You’ll have to slap a case on it.

The button placement is just where I want it, and they have good tactile feedback. The optical fingerprint sensor has the perfect placement. Of course, I would’ve loved it if it could be placed slightly above, as Samsung places its ultrasonic fingerprint readers in the S series phones. But this still works. Also, the haptics are pretty nice and crisp.

And, partly the reason why my experience is positive with this phone also lies in the fact that I am coming from the Galaxy A35. That changes it all. Because, while an A36 user may not be able to see a big difference here, folks who have older models will definitely appreciate the attention to detail. For instance, something I also mentioned in my first impressions (second shameless plug), the Galaxy A37 is quite slim, which totally adds to how the phone sits in the hand. The edges around the corners are soft. The glass back (protected by Gorilla Glass Victus+) adds to the premiumness. I also didn’t miss the metal rails here. Of course, that would’ve been a plus, but the polycarbonate frame is what I feel also helps in keeping the weight in check. At the same time, it feels dense, so definitely a good quality frame we are looking at here.

Overall, design-wise, there are no complaints. The Galaxy A37 looks good, the choice of materials is great, and the button placement also works. The dust and water resistance is also bumped to IP68.

Now, only if the chin at the bottom bezel were also uniform as the rest of the front profile, that would’ve sealed the deal. Which brings my attention to…

The display and the typical Samsung experience

One area where Samsung always excels is in the display and the overall multimedia experience. On the Galaxy A37, we are looking at this gorgeous 6.7-inch Full HD+ panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. And this is the kind of screen that doesn’t brag about having a crazy 5,000 nits brightness or some other fancy tech, which only sounds good in name. Instead, it simply delivers.

Is it sharp? Yes. Does it offer good colour and contrast? Well, the natural and vivid screen modes are calibrated for 100 per cent sRGB and DCI-P3 colour spaces, respectively. My point is, colours look fantastic on this panel, and by the way, you get all the extra goodies such as eye comfort and vision booster.

Also, when it comes to the brightness, I am not going to talk about the peak numbers. We all know, brands can always brag about having 4,000 nits, 5,000 nits, 6,000 nits and so on as peak brightness, but that’s only for a very small window of the screen or even just a pixel. In fact, I don’t even know what the peak brightness of the Galaxy A37 is or if Samsung even tells us that. What I know is that I tested the phone’s display in the Digit Test Labs, and it reached a solid 1,937 nits of HDR brightness. Yes, there’s support for HDR10+ as well, just in case you thought otherwise.

Basically, the Galaxy A37 offers a brilliant display experience. You’ll love it if you enjoy watching content on your phone. For that matter, the stereo speakers are also very solid and get quite loud without sounding shrill.

Galaxy A37: How’s the performance in day to day use?

Without beating around the bush, the Galaxy A37 performs reasonably well in day to day usage. But you also need to ask yourselves, what’s the definition of a solid performance? Because, let’s clear this out, this is a mass market device. While you do get devices in this price segment that offer stronger hardware, the question remains: which phone is the end consumer actually buying?

In recent years, the Galaxy A3x and A5x phones have generated good interest, and I say this in terms of actual sales numbers too. The primary reason for this is the reliability and the familiarity that come with a Galaxy smartphone.

In the case of the Galaxy A37, it is powered by the 4nm Exynos 1480 chip, paired with up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB UFS 3.1 storage. I would’ve loved to see UFS 4.0 storage here, but UFS 3.1 is also good enough, and with the LPDDR5X RAM combined, the speed and responsiveness, especially coming from the A35 or even the A36, is pretty noticeable. In my personal experience, I’ve never experienced an A3x phone being this fast and responsive.

In day-to-day use, app opening times, along with app switching, are fast. Animations and transitions are fluid and snappy. Basically, you just feel the smoothness whenever you’re interacting with the screen, hitting a menu, scrolling in the browser and so on.

There’s One UI 8.5 atop Android 16 here, with a promise of 6 years of software updates (main OS + security patches). It’s a familiar user experience for me, especially when my main phone is a Galaxy S26 Ultra. Of course, when I say a familiar user experience, it doesn’t mean all the features from the S26 series are present here. Think about it like this: the Galaxy A37 brings a lot of those essential features over from its flagship S26 siblings, especially when it comes to how the software looks and feels.

For instance, I use a lot of AI Select on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. For those who don’t know this feature, you can imagine it as Circle to Search (which is also here, by the way), but on steroids. Or the voice transcription feature in the recorder app. You don’t know how handy it becomes to record interviews and not rely on third-party apps for transcriptions. The Galaxy A37 does it for free. Then, there’s the new and improved Bixby, which understands natural language. And I know, it can’t match the finesse of a Gemini or ChatGPT, but it is not intended to. For on-device stuff like looking for a setting, or changing the alarm, or putting a reminder, the general stuff, Bixby now does it better and faster, by just giving a simple voice command. It’s quite convenient.

As for the gaming prowess, the AMD Xclipse 530 GPU offers decent mid-range gaming performance. I won’t call it the best in the segment; if you want that, you buy one of the Chinese gaming-focused phones. But, for its target consumer, who would mostly want their phone for casual gaming, the Galaxy A37 would suffice. In my testing, the Galaxy A37 was able to run games such as Asphalt: Legends, BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile, at 60 fps, with minimal frame drops during long sessions. Do note that the GPU is capable of 90 fps gaming too, but that totally depends on the game updates and developer optimisation.

Galaxy A37: Primary and selfie cameras do the heavy lifting

The Galaxy A37 sticks with a triple-rear camera system: a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide, and a 5MP macro snapper. For selfies, you get a 12MP front-facing camera. On the video front, both the front and rear setups support up to 4K at 30 fps.

On paper, this is essentially the same hardware we saw on last year’s Galaxy A36. However, the real magic happens behind the scenes with the improved ISP, thanks to that Exynos 1480 chip. Because of that extra brainpower, I found the performance from the main and selfie cameras to be quite reliable.

In good light, you really can’t complain. I found that the camera consistently nails it when it comes to preserving fine details and punchy colours. The dynamic range is also spot on; even when I was shooting directly against the sun, the sensor did a fine job of lifting the shadows so the darker areas didn't just turn into a black blob.

I’m also happy with how it handles people. Skin tones look natural and accurate, though I did notice the edge detection in portrait mode can sometimes be a bit aggressive with the sharpness. It’s not a deal-breaker, but it’s there if you look closely.

Low-light performance is surprisingly decent, too. I’m mostly talking about the main sensor here, but I love how it keeps things looking natural rather than over-processing the night into day.

That said, the ultra-wide camera is just ‘okay’. The plus side is that the colour science almost matches the main lens, as in you won't see a jarring shift in tones when you zoom out. It gets the job done in good light, but once the sun goes down, the images definitely start to look a bit soft.

As for the selfie camera, it’s a solid performer. My facial textures stayed intact without that weird, oversharpened ‘digital’ look, and skin tones remained true to life.

Why the 5,000mAh battery just works

I think with the battery capacity in phones, Samsung phones have hit a ceiling. The Galaxy A37 comes with a 5,000mAh unit under the hood, paired with 45W charging. First things first, this battery, paired with the optimisation that comes with the Exynos 1480 chip, makes it an easy one-day phone. And I am sure you may question, why doesn’t Samsung go with a higher capacity silicon-carbon battery like its competitors? For starters, the silicon-carbon tech is still in the nascent stage, and its long-term durability is still somewhat of a question. Instead, something that I also mentioned in my review of the Galaxy S26 Ultra is that Samsung’s lithium-ion solution is a proven one. We know it’ll hold up for three or four years without a massive drop-off.

Of course, as I just mentioned, this is easily a one-day phone. And that’s what really matters. Once fully charged in the morning, it can easily give you great mileage throughout the day without battery anxiety. Also, with 45W wired charging, it takes a little over an hour for the phone to fully charge, 67 minutes to be precise (as tested). But, even if you charge your phone for about 30 minutes, that too replenishes the tank from 0 to about 65 per cent, which is more than enough to last you a full work day.

Galaxy A37: Final verdict

Look, there is no getting around the fact that this is a massive price jump for an A3x device. But once you actually hold the thing, all of it starts making sense. For starters, the Galaxy A37 shares enough DNA with the S26 series that it doesn’t feel like an ‘affordable’ alternative anymore. Also, between the IP68 rating and a display that’s genuinely great for content consumption, the Galaxy A37 feels solid and premium in a way that many mid-rangers usually don't.

Of course, if raw benchmark scores are something that matters to you most, then you’ll find faster Chinese handsets that offer more ‘bang for your buck’ on paper. But for most of the folks out there, the Galaxy A37 is simply the reliable pick that won’t give you a headache. The One UI software experience is clean, the main camera is surprisingly consistent, and the battery life easily gets me through a full day.

In short, the Galaxy A37 is a polished, predictable daily driver that’s easy to live with, if your wallet can stomach the new normal.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: A strong premium pick, especially for Galaxy users

I have been a longtime Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 user, and it works great with my Galaxy S23. So, when I got the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro from the brand, I switched. I have been using the newcomer for a few weeks now, and although my first 24-hour impressions have been positive but incomplete, I now have a lot more to share. The new pair is priced at Rs 22,999, and Samsung is pitching it as its premium earbuds for the year with a dual-driver setup, enhanced ANC, and deeper integration with Galaxy devices through high-resolution audio support and easy software customisation. And so the test was to see how well it competes in this price range. 

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have been my close companion for a week now, and here's my review of how they fare in sound quality, noise handling, battery life, connectivity, and overall usability in the real world.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Design and comfort

As mentioned in my first impressions piece, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro have a distinct design. That includes its squricle case with a transparent lid and the earbuds themselves with their flat stem and brushed metal finish. So far, the buds look just as new due to this finish and like I said in my impressions, the case has a jewellery-box-like aesthetic, which by the way, is a bit thick but won’t hamper everyday portability.

As for the earbuds, they are quite lightweight and stay securely in the ear. These are among the few earbuds I felt comfortable wearing while commuting or stepping out.

Samsung offers its premium earbuds in multiple colours: The black colour that we have, a white variant and a pink gold option for a warm and elegant look. You are not limited to one colour, like in the case of the AirPods.

Samsung's case has the brand logo and an LED indicator on the front, and the back has a USB-C port and a pairing/resetting button.

Although the case is not easy to open one-handed, the lid opening and closing action feels more premium and satisfying.

Besides looks and comfort, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro pinch and swipe-based controls are easy to manoeuvre. I feel this approach is better than the tap/press-based controls, as you don't have to push the earbuds deeper into the ear.

And finally, for durability assurance, Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are IP57 rated, which means they can take some rain, sweat, splash and even accidental submersion.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Connectivity and performance

I paired the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro with my Galaxy S23, a Pixel 10, and my MacBook Air 13 (M1). No issues with the setup process. In everyday use, the general connectivity and range were stable over Bluetooth 6.1.

Once set up, on Samsung phones like the Galaxy S23, you can control the earbuds' settings through the Bluetooth menu itself. And on non-Samsung phones, you'll have to access the settings through the Wearables app and the Galaxy Buds module, both of which are available on the Google Play Store.

The Samsung phones also offer more features like 360 audio, loudness normalisation, Ultra High Quality (24-bit/96kHz audio via Samsung's codec), Adapt Sound, and app sound settings. This isn't a deal breaker though, as their absence doesn't spoil the Buds 4 Pro sound experience.

There are ample toggles and controls in the Wearables app. My only qualm is that the pinch and hold controls are limited to switching noise modes, triggering Google and opening Spotify. I would appreciate it if Samsung added an option to change volume or playback with this action. The pinch and swipe controls are intuitive enough, but I don't mind more options. Samsung software is known for an abundance of options.

But the one feature I miss the most is standard Bluetooth multipoint. Samsung allow auto switching, but it works between devices signed in the same Samsung account. This affects users who work across non-Samsung laptop and phone setups.

Other features, like in-ear detection, 360 Sound with head tracking, Auracast, the 9-band equaliser, and the different preset profiles, worked reliably. No problem. I appreciate Samsung for the Loudness Normalisation feature and the Adapt Sound option, as I'll take anything that saves my ear health. Stop using earbuds isn't an option for me. Lol.

Also Read: Noise Master Buds 2 review: Do they stand out in a competitive market?

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Sound quality

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro come with a dual-driver or 2-way speaker setup. There is a woofer for handling bass and a tweeter for handling treble. Samsung phones get the proprietary codec-based UHQ sound, but if you stream on Spotify or YouTube, this won't make a notable difference.

What matters, though, is the engaging sound you get out of the box on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. It offers sharper detail and stronger separation than AirPods Pro 3 (review), but it can feel slightly aggressive at times.

Both earbuds handle high frequencies well, with a good amount of detail in the upper range. On the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, highs come through sharper and more pronounced. In tracks like 'November' by Max Richter and 'Goshintai' by Radwimps, the violin reaches higher and feels more cutting, while in 'Dawn Of The Iconoclaust' by Dead Can Dance, the upper vocal layers feel more spread out and elevated.

In the low end, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro deliver tighter and more impactful bass. In 'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish, the hits feel sharper and more defined, and the claps in 'Rang De Lal' from Dhurandhar land with more force.

With complex tracks like 'Pull Me Under' by Dream Theater, the AirPods tend to blend elements together, where beats can slightly overpower vocals. The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro offer better separation, making it easier to pick apart instruments and notice finer details. Even distortion is well controlled on the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro in songs like 'Centuries' by Fall Out Boy.

In another dense track like 'Selkies' by Between the Buried and Me, the Galaxy Buds capture more instrument detail than the AirPods, but at times this can feel slightly overwhelming or a bit harsh on the ears.

Still, I'd say the tuning handles vocals well, and instruments carry ample details. The soundstage is spacious with good positioning. And if you are streaming videos or playing online games, the latency is also under check. I didn't face any syncing issues in my use.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Noise cancellation and call clarity

This was one area I was most interested in testing, as I tend to use my earbuds a lot at the office, while commuting, etc. And I must say, the ANC performance on this buds is strong. I was listening at the max setting most of the time and occasionally dabbled around with the adaptive mode.

The Galaxy Buds 4 Pro dampen low-frequency noise very well, such as traffic, AC hum, and general background chatter. But, there is slight dark noise pressure, and some voices and sudden sounds can still come through. This is noticeable when you look for it with the music off. So, it shouldn't be a problem.

On the other hand, the Ambient Sound mode is also impressive. There is minimal hiss, but conversations and surrounding sounds come through pretty clearly. It is therefore highly usable.

As for calls, I again have good things to say. Samsung uses a 6-mic setup and AI-based voice isolation, which enables clear calls for both parties.

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: Battery life and charging

Battery life is decent. In our internal test with AAC, 80 per cent volume and ANC off, we got around 6 hours 45 minutes of runtime. Since some people may listen to stuff at a lower volume, the Buds 4 Pro could even last longer up to the 7-hour mark, too. Likewise, the mileage may vary as ANC and other settings are changed. Anyways, it should be plenty for a workday.

And thanks to the charging case, you can get anywhere between 26 and 30 hours of total playback depending on the settings you choose. Again, this is longer than what Apple claims with the AirPods Pro 3.

You can use a USB-C charger to quickly top it up or use a wireless charger. So, again, you've got options.

Should you buy Galaxy Buds 4 Pro?

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are a solid upgrade and a well-rounded option in the premium segment. They offer a distinct and comfortable design, engaging and impactful sound, strong noise cancellation, great call quality, and a feature-rich app with meaningful customisation.

Well, some of these features work best or work at all with a Samsung device. Or you could say the full experience unlocks on Samsung phones. And overall, the restrictions are less limiting than Apple's. Also, I would have appreciated it if Samsung had given more control options.

But what you get here is more than enough for most users. You get granular EQ support and features like Auracast that something like the AirPods Pro 3 doesn't offer. So, if you want lively and enjoyable sound, a strong feature set, and dependable performance, you can consider the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, and if you have a Samsung phone, that becomes an easy recommendation. 

Keep reading Digit.in for more audio reviews.

Also Read: OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro review: Well-balanced TWS earbuds under Rs 5,000?

For a decade, the Redmi Note was the easiest phone recommendation in India. You didn't need to think too hard about it because you got good specs at aggressive price. But in 2026, Xiaomi seems less interested in winning spec-sheet arguments and more focused on building a phone people actually keep for years. The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is the clearest expression of that manifesto. It’s got a bigger battery, better durability, longer software support and a simplified camera system. It starts at Rs 37,999 and here’s why it should be on your radar.

Design and Build

The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ is a big phone. The 6.83-inch display makes it tall and wide and there's no getting around that. But despite packing a larger screen and a substantially bigger battery than last year's Note 14 Pro+, it's actually slimmer at 8.1mm compared to 8.8mm. That's a noticeable difference when you hold both back to back. It doesn't feel bulky or top-heavy, which is impressive given the 6,500mAh battery inside.

The quad-curved front gives it a more premium visual identity than any Redmi Note before it. The back panel is clean and modern and depending on the colour variant you choose, there is a matte finish design with Mirage Blue and Carbon Black and a textured back design with the Coffee Mocha model. The result is a phone that looks like it belongs at a higher price than it actually commands.

Durability is where Xiaomi has pushed hardest this generation. You get IP66, IP68, IP69 and IP69K ratings. In addition, there’s Gorilla Glass Victus 2 up front and improved internal reinforcement. This is a phone that's been designed with the understanding that people drop things, spill things and don't always treat their devices like museum pieces. If you're someone who keeps a phone for three or four years, this kind of build quality compounds in value over time in ways that a faster processor or an extra camera lens simply doesn't.

Display

The 6.83-inch AMOLED panel runs at 1.5K resolution with 120Hz refresh, HDR10+, Dolby Vision and 3840Hz PWM dimming. In testing, peak brightness hit around 2,800 nits in auto mode, which makes outdoor readability comfortable even under harsh sunlight. Contrast is, as expected from OLED, essentially infinite. The blacks are pitch perfect and the panel's gamma tracks at 2.24, almost dead on the 2.2 target. Shadows render smoothly without looking crushed or artificially lifted.

Colour gamut coverage sits at 99.1%, so content looks vivid and saturated. This is a display that makes movies, photos and even everyday UI elements feel alive. Pair that with the Dolby Atmos stereo speakers and you've got a largely enjoyable media consumption experience for the price.

The default colour temperature runs at 7,432K, which is meaningfully cooler than the 6,500K standard. You'll notice a blue tint in whites, greys and lighter UI elements. The average colour DeltaE is at 2.9, which is within the "good enough for most people" range, but the max error spikes to 7.2 at the white point, again correlating with that cool tint pulling lighter colours off target.

The fix is to switch to Original Colour Pro or a warmer colour profile in settings that reins in the blue cast significantly. But it's worth knowing that the out-of-the-box experience leans noticeably cool and if you care about accuracy, you'll want to spend a minute in display settings before you start using the phone in earnest.

Camera

This is where Xiaomi has made its most controversial decision. Where the Note 14 Pro+ gave you a 50MP main, 50MP telephoto and 50MP ultrawide, the Note 15 Pro+ ditches the telephoto and simplifies to a 200MP Samsung HPE main sensor paired with an 8MP ultrawide. Zoom duties are handled entirely through in-sensor crop. If you relied on optical zoom for portraits, street photography or any scenario where you need to reach into a scene, this is a real loss for those who used it.

Xiaomi's argument (and you can read more about it here) is that the 200MP sensor with advanced pixel binning and multi-focal processing can compensate and most people were not using the telephoto lens anyway.

Daylight performance is strong, where the colours are punchy and vibrant without tipping into the unnatural. Reds stay deeply saturated while retaining texture and surface detail. Dynamic range is a highlight as the camera handles high-contrast scenes with confidence, keeping bright skies in check while properly exposing subjects in shadow. The detail and sharpness across architectural shots, landscapes and street scenes are impressive, with clean edge-to-edge rendering and no visible chromatic aberration.

Indoors, noise control is excellent and dark backgrounds stay clean while subjects remain sharp. White balance handling under mixed artificial lighting is reliable, which is one of those things that sounds minor until you try to photograph something in a bookstore or a museum and the whole image turns orange or green.

In low light, the highlight roll-off is smooth and bright light sources don't blow out surrounding detail. Fine textures, like floral patterns on architecture or intricate metalwork, resolve clearly even in dim conditions. Night mode output is usable and sometimes genuinely impressive.

The zoom situation is better than expected. At 2x, the in-sensor crop produces sharp, detailed images with virtually no degradation. At 4x, there's a slight softening that's visible if you pixel-peep, but the output remains highly usable for social media and casual sharing. It holds up in low light better than you'd expect from a digital crop at this price. That said, it's still not a replacement for a dedicated telephoto lens. If zoom flexibility is important to your photography, phones like the Realme 16 Pro+ still offer that hardware advantage.

The portraits benefit from the f/1.7 aperture's natural bokeh. Subject isolation is good, skin tones are accurate and the fall-off from sharp focus to background blur looks gradual rather than computational. The 32MP selfie camera, upgraded from 20MP on the previous generation, handles daylight well.

Performance and Software

The Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 is not a flagship chip and it's not trying to be. What it delivers is stable, predictable performance that doesn't collapse under sustained load. Long gaming sessions, multitasking, video recording, the phone stays composed throughout. Xiaomi's new IceLoop liquid cooling system, replacing the vapour chamber from the Note 14 Pro+, does a credible job of keeping thermals in check. Even when pushed, the phone doesn't aggressively throttle or heat up in a way that affects usability.

If raw gaming performance is your absolute priority, other phones at this price will push harder in benchmarks. But for everyday use, this chipset does its job without drama.

The internal hardware LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage are functional and perfectly adequate today. But at Rs. 37,999, faster memory and storage would have added meaningful headroom for the years of software updates Xiaomi is promising.

HyperOS 2 feels cleaner and more refined than previous versions. AI features like transcription and call noise reduction are present without being intrusive. Xiaomi has committed to four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, up from three and four on the Note 14 Pro+. That's a meaningful improvement and it signals that Xiaomi is serious about the long-term ownership story. eSIM support has also been added this generation, which is a welcome addition.

Battery and Charging

Battery life is one of the strongest aspects of this phone. The 6,500mAh silicon-carbon cell, up from 6,200mAh on the Note 14 Pro+, delivers all-day endurance without any anxiety. In the PCMark Battery Life test, the phone ran for over 17 hours on a single charge. In daily use, casual users will comfortably stretch into a second day and heavy users won't need to think about a charger until evening.

The charging has been bumped to 100W wired, up from 90W last year, getting you from zero to full in about 55 minutes. Reverse wired charging is available for accessories or emergency top-ups for another device. There's no wireless charging, which is expected at this price and not really a miss in this segment.

Verdict

The Redmi Note 15 Pro+ isn't built to dazzle you and Xiaomi has made deliberate trade-offs here. Dropping the telephoto lens and sticking with older RAM and storage standards are real compromises that will matter to certain buyers.

But what this phone does well, it does with a consistency and maturity that previous Redmi Notes didn't always manage. The camera is reliable across conditions. The battery life is exceptional. The display is big, bright and enjoyable. The build quality is impressive for the segment. And the software support commitment gives you a realistic path to keeping this phone for three, four, maybe even five years.

At Rs 37,999, the Redmi Note 15 Pro+ wants to earn your trust over time. That's a different kind of value proposition than what Redmi Notes used to offer and for a lot of people, it might be exactly the right one.

For years, Samsung has been refining its Galaxy S series lineup, and with the standard Galaxy S26 model, that approach is even clearer. And this year, more than just refining, Samsung has also made a couple of changes. First, it has dropped the 128GB variant completely. Yes, the Galaxy S26 now starts at 256GB in the base variant, officially, which sounds great on paper. But do note it also brings a Rs 7,000 price jump compared to the Galaxy S25. Because I am not sure how many of you folks noticed, but last year, after the S25 went official, Samsung later introduced a 128GB variant specifically for India, so that it could be more accessible for buyers. 

To give you the exact cost, the Galaxy S26 price in India starts at Rs 87,999 for the base 12GB + 256GB option, while the 512GB storage variant is priced in India at Rs 1,07,999.

Personally speaking, getting the 256GB variant as the entry point on a flagship phone is always a good move. What’s even better is that I’m someone who loves compact phones. Something I can comfortably use with one hand, and that’s exactly where the Galaxy S26 fits perfectly into my daily lifestyle. 

I’ve been using the Galaxy S26 for a little over two weeks now, and here’s what I think about it.

Galaxy S26 Design: It’s familiar yet distinct

For me, Samsung has nailed the design this time. Don’t worry, I don’t mean to imply that the Galaxy S26 is dramatically different from its predecessors, as the device still carries that compact flagship feel. It's lightweight, slim and easy to use with one hand. At just 7.2mm thick, it looks and feels very sleek, and this time, Samsung managed to increase the battery size by 300mAh compared to the Galaxy S25.

Overall, the Galaxy S26 feels very premium in hand. It has an aluminium frame, and both the front and back glass are protected by the Gorilla Glass Victus 2. The matte finish on the black looks clean, although it still attracts fingerprints, so I had to wipe it quite often.

I’ve been using the Cobalt Violet colour of the phone, which looks absolutely fantastic. Samsung also offers the Galaxy S26 in multiple other colours, including Black, White, and Sky Blue. There’s also Silver Shadow and Pink Gold, which are Samsung exclusive.

Apart from the colours, the visual change this year is at the back. As I mentioned, the company has nailed the design with this phone. Seen that camera plateau on the S26 Ultra? Samsung has given it on the standard S26 and S26 Plus too, giving all three phones a unified look. Although I would admit, it looks similar to the camera module on the Galaxy Fold 7.

That said, because of the raised camera module, the Galaxy S26 wobbles quite a lot on a flat surface, so typing on this device while it rests on a desk would be tough.

You still get IP68 water and dust resistance, but not IP69, IP69K, which some competitors are starting to offer. The stereo speakers are loud and clear, the typing experience is good as you’d expect from a compact phone, and the ultrasonic fingerprint scanner remains fast and reliable.

Galaxy S26 Display: Samsung doing Samsung things

I can easily say, this is one department where Samsung never disappoints me, and the Galaxy S26 continues that streak.

You get a 6.3-inch FHD+ LTPO display with an adaptive 1-120Hz refresh rate. Samsung calls it the Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel. Compared to the S25’s 6.2-inch panel, this one is slightly larger. Also, right from the start, you can tell that this is a gorgeous screen. It is sharp, the colours pop and contrast levels are excellent.

I watched a couple of movies on this screen, and the experience felt cinematic in terms of the colour reproduction. The blacks are deep, and everything looks pleasing.

Outdoors visibility is also excellent. I have been using the Galaxy S26 in Delhi’s summer, and the display remained visible throughout. I never had to squint my eyes to see the display.

Of course, I have to test this display in our Digit Test Labs. In the brightness test, the display reached a peak brightness of 2650 nits, which is very impressive.

In the Calman colour test, it recorded an average Delta E of 2.2. Now, this is not class-leading because I’ve seen displays that got an average Delta E of as low as 0.6. But beyond the numbers, in real-world usage, the display looks bright and crisp, and that’s what really matters.

Also, in the Colour gamut test, it covers 99.9 per cent of the sRGB colour space, which again is excellent to say the least.

Galaxy S26 Performance: One of the strongest contenders in its class

The Samsung Galaxy S26 is the first phone in the world to come with a 2nm chipset, the Exynos 2600. In terms of raw power, this is a flagship processor without a doubt. It delivers strong benchmark numbers, and we’ll get to that in a moment. In everyday usage, too, it feels fast and responsive.

Now, in terms of managing the thermals, it does a pretty good job most of the time for most tasks. You see, while playing games on the Galaxy S26 for extended periods, the phone tends to warm up. For instance, after around 30 minutes of gaming, you can feel the rise in temperature on the back. And this is something that also showed up in the CPU throttling test, where the phone scored a 57 per cent stability. This suggests that, while the phone is capable of handling the load, it does so at the cost of performance consistency to keep the heat in check.

However, other benchmark scores were much better. In Antutu, it scored 3.1 million, which is great. In Geekbench 6, it scored 3,137 in single-core and crossed the 10,000 mark in multi-core score. In the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme test, it got an overall score of 7,201. Again, these are top-tier numbers that only a flagship phone in 2026 can achieve.

So, coming back to the gaming performance, it has been mostly amazing. For context, you can play BGMI at 120fps with stable performance. In Call of Duty Mobile, you can play at 120fps as well, with smooth gameplay and minor frame drops. However, in Genshin Impact, there are certain scenarios where you’ll notice frame drops, but hey, you can still expect stable gameplay with an average 55fps performance.

Galaxy S26 Cameras: Quite a reliable shooter

The Galaxy S26 comes with a triple camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 10MP 3x telephoto lens. On the front, you get a 12MP selfie camera, which now offers a slightly wider field of view.

In daylight, the main camera performs very well. Images turn out detailed, sharp and vibrant. Speaking of colours, Samsung’s image processing makes them pop, giving photos a more social media ready look. The main sensor also handles dynamic range quite well.

In tricky lighting, though, images tend to look slightly soft, with a bit of brightness, especially when you’re trying to capture faces. 

I also tried capturing moving subjects, but even a slight movement often resulted in missed shots or blur.

The 3x telephoto lens takes great pictures, offering good edge detection and an ample amount of background blur. The ultra-wide lens, too, captures good outdoor shots with decent detail and strong contrast.

Selfies turn out well, with good details, sharpness, and proper exposure. I particularly like the selfie camera’s low-light performance, as the lens captures a good amount of detail in the output. For instance, in this photo, you can also see that it didn’t add any blue tint to the sky, giving a more natural result, as I would prefer.

In terms of video recording, the main camera can shoot up to 8K at 30fps with stable footage. The ultra-wide and telephoto lenses can record videos up to 4K at 60fps, and the front camera also supports 4K video at 60fps.

Galaxy S26 Software: Useful AI features

The Galaxy S26 runs on One UI 8.5 based on Android 16, and the overall experience is clean, smooth and optimised. As one would expect, Samsung continues to deliver the AI features, and once again, with the S26 series, they are actually useful.

One of the new additions is Now Nudge. While I’m texting using the Samsung keyboard, the feature understands what’s happening on my screen and suggests actions accordingly. I only wish the feature gets rolled over to other third-party keyboards too, like Gboard.

Then there’s Now Brief, which gives you a personalised summary throughout, including your schedule, news, YouTube videos and even weather-based outfit suggestions.

Google also updated its Circle to search for the S26 series. You can identify multiple things in a single frame, like you can identify the shirt, pants and shoes individually in one go. You don’t have to circle one thing at a time. 

The Gallery app also gets AI features, where you can change outfits, edit backgrounds, or even add new elements to the images. The feature is called Photo Assist, and if you thought Generative Edit was good. You have to try this one out.

Finally, if you buy the Samsung Galaxy S26, Samsung is promising 7 years of Android updates along with 7 years of Security patches. In terms of future-proofing, this phone is all covered.

Galaxy S26 Battery: It’s okay, but not the best

Alright, this is the department where the Galaxy S26 feels behind the competition. Credit where credit is due, Samsung has increased the battery capacity to 4,300mAh from 4,000mAh on the Galaxy S25. Also, there’s only so much you can do with a compact phone if you want to keep it as light and as slim as the S26 is.

In real-world usage, the Galaxy S26 lasts about a full day with moderate use. My typical usage involves a lot of doomscrolling on Instagram, watching YouTube videos, using other social media apps and all of that. I was mostly left with around 10% battery by the end of the day. So, the max you can expect out of this one is a full day of use on a single charge. Or you’ll have to charge it mid-day if you’re a heavy user. 

Granted, if you want better battery life, you can go for the S26 Plus, or even the Ultra, if you want to go all in. But, I guess, that’s the price of getting a compact one. 

For those who care about numbers, in the PCMark battery drain test, it performed surprisingly well and gave 16 hours and 30 minutes of screen on time.

In terms of charging, the phone supports 25W wired charging and takes around 1 hour and 16 minutes to go from 0 to 100 per cent. By the way, competitors are offering much faster charging at lower price points. The phone also supports 15W wireless charging.

Galaxy S26 Verdict: Polished, capable and dependable

The Galaxy S26 has not reinvented anything, but as I mentioned at the beginning, it is extremely refined. After using it for more than two weeks, I am happy to report that the Galaxy S26 offers a solid user experience and is quite dependable. It gets almost everything right without trying too hard. Of course, the phone’s greatest KSP has to be its compact form factor. But even the other things, like the display, are excellent, and the performance should be strong enough for most users.

Yes, there are compromises for sure, like the battery life may not be class leading, or the charging may not be the fastest. But if you want a compact flagship (mind you, there are only a handful of them) that delivers a premium experience without going into Ultra territory, the Galaxy S26 is a great option to consider. At Rs 87,999, it may not be perfect, but it is polished, capable and dependable in all the ways that actually matter.

People often ask me for the best truly wireless earbuds recommendation under Rs 5,000. To be frank, the sub-Rs 5,000 TWS space is one of the most competitive segments right now, where brands are actively trying to bring premium features down to mass-market pricing. OnePlus, for instance, has several options in this price range, and now, the company has launched yet another addition to the list, for Rs 3,999, or Rs 3,799 if you count in the introductory offer, the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro. On paper, the new Buds 4 Pro tries to tick almost every box, including 55dB ANC, LHDC support, spatial audio, and Bluetooth 6.0. That, my friend, is an enticing bouquet of specs and features, but also something that can be found in its rivals like the Realme Buds Air 8. 

In this review of the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro, you can find my experience with the earbuds in everyday use, and in the process, it may also help you decide whether it’s worth buying for the asking price. 

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro: Quick verdict

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro offers a balanced, feature-rich experience under Rs 5,000. It gets the basics right with good sound, reliable call quality, strong battery life, and useful features like ANC and dual-device connectivity. While the Realme Buds Air 8 sounds more aggressive and offers stronger ANC, the OnePlus is more comfortable for long listening. It is a safe, well-rounded choice for everyday use.

Design and comfort

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro has a rounded rectangular case, almost pebble-like, with OnePlus branding and an LED indicator on the front. There's nothing on the back. But on the base, you get a USB-C port and a pairing/reset button. Our grey coloured review unit looks sober. I am sure the black one also shares the understated look.

The case is small, comfortable to hold and doesn't bulge much from my jeans pocket. With the buds inside, they weigh around 43 grams.

The earbuds themselves are only 4.4 grams, and along with the small stem and silicone ear tips, they stay put in my ears. I am usually wary of wearing earbuds on the move, but I didn't have that worry with these. They can be comfortably worn for hours at a stretch. For a week or so, they are constantly in my ear while working, commuting on the metro and at home. They weren't loosening during light workouts, too.

Speaking of workouts, the IP55 rating means the Nord Buds 4 Pro can take some sweat, light splashes while washing your face and even some dust and rain outside.

The stem's narrow dimple and the sliding gesture to volume control are a great touch.

Overall, there is nothing fancy about the design. It looks sober and is functional, which is what matters.

Connectivity and controls

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro carry audio via Bluetooth 6.0, and the connection has been stable. You can easily pair them with Google Fast Pair, and I had no difficulty pairing them with an iPhone and a MacBook Air. Thanks to dual-device connectivity, you can listen to two devices at the same time, and this worked reliably between my Android phone and MacBook.

The company claims low latency up to 47ms, and enabling Game Mode in the HeyMelody app, I faced no latency issues while casual gaming and video streaming.

On non OnePlus and Oppo phones, the HeyMelody app is where you can find and change ANC, Transparency mode, dual connection, OnePlus 3D Audio, EQ profiles, Spotify Tap, touch controls, AI Translate, upgrade firmware, and track earbuds if lost or misplaced. The interface is straightforward. So, I had no problem navigating.

As for navigating the earbuds' functions, the app offers ample choices. You get to tweak controls for single tap, double tap, triple tap, slide on, and touch-&-hold on both sides. As already mentioned, the sliding on the dimple to lower/raise volume works fine.

All good here.

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro: Sound quality

At the core of the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro is a 12mm dynamic driver, which is relatively large for this category. Its rival, the Realme Buds Air 8, comes with a dual driver setup, consisting of dedicated drivers for bass and treble.

Also Read: Noise Master Buds 2 review: Do they stand out in a competitive market?

It has an elevated bass tuning with punchy, warm low end, ample rumble, and, in fact, there's bass presence almost every time. But you can still make out vocals and instruments. Don't expect too much detail in the high notes. But, overall, it is a safe, fun, and engaging sound.

In comparison, the Realme Buds Air 8 is more expressive and impactful with more open soundstage and clearer instruments in a track like Sultans of the Swing by Dire Straits, and tighter and more controlled bass output in Main Aur Tu from Dhurandhar 2. Vocals of Arijit Singh in Phir Se, also from Dhurandhar 2, sound closer, more textured and a bit processed. In November by Max Richter, the Realme renders high-frequency details with better clarity and sharpness, giving the track a more atmospheric feel.

The OnePlus delivers these notes too, but they do not feel as defined or as close. It feels softer and more balanced.

There is support for LHDC 5.0 codec-based high-resolution sound, provided you have a compatible phone. We tried it on the OnePlus 15R, which supports this. In practice, the difference is slightly noticeable, even with high-quality local files like FLAC. It doesn't make a night-and-day difference if you stream via platforms like Spotify.

There is also EQ support, which lets you tweak the sound profile. You can choose between the given presets or create your own custom EQ. There wasn't a major difference between the Balanced and Serenade profiles to my ears. The Bass presets work.

The Nord Buds 4 Pro includes spatial audio support, too, which is called OnePlus 3D Audio. It creates a wider soundstage that feels engaging to use.

Overall, sound quality is tuned for mainstream users. It is engaging, slightly bass-heavy, and works well across genres.

Active noise cancellation and calls

OnePlus claims up to 55dB noise cancellation on the Nord Buds 4 Pro, which is among the highest numbers in this price range.

In everyday use, the noise cancellation does a good job of reducing common ambient sounds like conversations, construction noise, a running fan, or even an open tap. The Realme Buds Air 8 felt slightly more aggressive, but some may find that overbearing. The OnePlus implementation is more agreeable.

Now, among the ANC settings, the Moderate mode works best in most situations. The High mode uses real-time adaptive cancellation, which adjusts based on your surroundings. This can be useful, but in constantly changing environments, it may feel a little annoying. Some users may still prefer this dynamic approach.

Transparency mode also does its job well and does not sound artificial, which can be an issue on some earbuds. That said, it does not amplify ambient sound as clearly as higher-end options.

The OnePlus earbuds are very useful for calls. Thanks to the beamforming mics and noise reduction algorithm at work, the call quality is clear and audible, even outdoors.

Battery life and charging

The company claims up to 13 hours on the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro (with AAC and ANC off at 80% volume). One of the earbuds died around the 13-hour mark, and the other lasted an hour more. While there is some inconsistency between them, I will still take it. Moreover, with the case, you can expect to get a total of around 54 hours of runtime.

With ANC on, you can expect lower numbers, but still enough to last a full day of mixed use.

Charging time is around 60 minutes for the earbuds and 90 minutes for the full case. There is fast charging support, and the claim is up to 13 hours of playback with just 10-minutes of refuel. These are impressive figures.

Should you buy OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro?

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro is a value-heavy pair of earbuds that offers a bit of everything. It doesn't particularly stand out, especially with the Realme Buds Air 8 also competing in the same space. But it is trying to be good at everything that matters, and mostly succeeds. That makes the Nord Buds 4 Pro an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a well-balanced TWS under Rs 5,000.

The Nord Buds 4 Pro gets the basics right. The sound is engaging without being messy, call quality is dependable, design is simple and comfortable, the Hey Melody app interface is user-friendly, and battery life is more than sufficient for daily use.

The ANC is very strong, but doesn't feel as aggressive as the Realme pair. That works in the Nord Buds' favour as it feels less fatiguing, especially for long listening. The same applies to the sound signature. Realme Buds Air 8 may be more dramatic and exciting, but OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro is easier to listen to for longer periods, which makes it the safer pick for most users.

Other features like Transparency mode, LHDC support, OnePlus 3D Audio, adaptive features, in-ear detection, and dual-device connectivity offer good utility and make the overall package feel more complete.

So, you shall consider the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro if you want a fuss-free, feature-rich pair of earbuds that work well across music, calls and everyday use. However, you can skip it if you are chasing the most aggressive value for money or a more exciting sound signature.

Either way, there’s not much to complain about at Rs 4,000. The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Pro are quite well-balanced in its segment.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.

Also Read: OnePlus Nord Buds 3r review: Affordable TWS buds that don’t compromise on quality

What should you expect from a Rs 70,000 laptop in 2026? When I put that question to friends and family at a recent get-together, the answer was quite similar: reliable performance and dependable battery life. And it makes all the sense in the world as these two things matter most on a typical workday, when you are juggling between emails, calls, spreadsheets, and whatnot. But a good laptop in 2026 needs to go beyond just the essentials. Design and display, build quality, portability, and even how quietly it fits into your daily routine, all matter as well. And the Apple MacBook Neo, which I have been using as my daily driver for nearly a week, has ticked almost all of these boxes. 

So when I pulled out the NEO toy in town in front of my peers and mentioned that this has been my daily work machine, and I use it for some light gaming as well. And, it costs less than an iPhone 17; the reaction was major curiosity. How could a laptop this compact and relatively affordable keep up with a demanding routine such as mine? 

Over the next few hours, I walked my folks through exactly that. And now, let me do the same for you. Here’s a detailed look at the MacBook Neo and why it is one of the best laptops you can buy right now if you are looking forward to entering the Apple ecosystem for the very first time.

Also read: Apple MacBook Neo base variant with 1TB storage? A modder just made it possible

Premium design and non-backlit keyboard

For years, a MacBook has been synonymous with being a premium-looking laptop that is meant to be carried into any board meeting with confidence. But with the Neo, Apple is clearly hoping that the laptop isn’t just carried to board meetings, but classes as well. Yes, the relatively affordable MacBook Neo also has students as its target consumers and that is clear from the exciting colour options that we have. I have been testing out the Citrus colourway and the moment I unboxed the device, it stood out in the classiest way possible. There is a subtle shine all around the body, and the iconic Apple logo sits neatly in the centre on the lid. To no surprises, Apple deserves full marks for the Neo’s look and build. 

Now, one of the best things about the Neo is how compact it is. Compared to a 13-inch M1 MacBook Air, the Neo is slightly thicker, but also smaller. Despite that, both weigh the same. The result is a machine that feels solid, portable, and well-packed for its size. It also fits easily into most of my bags, and I have even swapped my large tote for a much smaller backpack I picked up from Disneyland two years ago. It may technically be a kids’ backpack, but it works perfectly here. 

Coming to the build quality, there is absolutely nothing to complain about. The new laptop maintains Apple’s reputation and will have you thinking how can this premium device cost less than Rs 70,000. 

When you flip open the Neo, you will be greeted with the keyboard and touchpad. The unit that I received is the base variant, which does not have a Touch ID button at the top right. Instead, there is a button to lock the laptop and unlock it by entering your password. Over the years, I have grown accustomed to Touch ID and not having it looks sort of incomplete. But then, if you are a first-time MacBook user, this ideally shouldn’t matter much.

Meanwhile, the keyboard is placed neatly on the chassis and I had no issues switching from my MacBook Air 15-inch to this one. In less than a day, I could type without having to look down at the keyboard. The keys are super responsive and have a tactile feel that results in a satisfactory experience. They are also silent, so even when you’re typing with full gusto, others at the workplace won’t hear you. 

Perhaps the only tradeoff that can be felt in terms of the keyboard is that it is not backlit. And when you work or study late at night, this can be an issue. In my case, buying a small mini USB LED light solved this problem. You can get one too from Amazon. There are plenty of options. But of course, having a backlit keyboard would still have been a huge win here. 

The touchpad is decently sized and utilises the chassis perfectly. However, it is also a physical one, not the one with haptic feedback. So the moment you press it to click, it moves. 

Finally, let’s talk about the port options. There are two USB-C ports on the left and either can be used for charging. However, if you want to connect an external display, you can use only one port. And this isn’t mentioned on the surface, but you will be notified of it once you insert the external display’s cable into the wrong port. Apart from this, there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack for connecting wired accessories. 

The iconic MacBook Display 

People all around the world trust MacBooks’ display when it comes to colour accuracy. Designers, photographers, video editors, and anyone working with visual elements will easily recommend a MacBook to their peers. But can you expect the same display quality in Apple’s most affordable laptop yet? Absolutely. 

The MacBook Neo’s display can show up to 1 billion colours and sticks to the sRGB colour space. It does not extend to wider gamuts like DCI P3. Now, will that really impact a student or someone using it for everyday work? In most cases, no. But for users dealing with colour-critical work, it could make a difference. 

So, for users who want to use this device to get through their workday, consume OTT content or even indulge in some light gaming, the display is fantastic. 

Great overall performance 

If the word gaming in the previous paragraph made you raise your eyebrow, you’re not alone. Since the MacBook Neo is powered by an A18 Pro chip, which is found on iPhone 16 Pro and has just 8 GB of RAM, you won’t really expect it to excel at gaming. But it does a pretty good job. Now, of course, you can’t expect heavy titles to work flawlessly here. There are better laptops for that kind of stuff, and the Neo doesn’t even come close, let alone being a proper competitor. But for light gaming and stuff, it holds up decently well. 

I played Shadow of the Tomb Raider, Overcooked 2 and Hollow Knight Silksong on the device and the overall experience was better than what I was expecting. 

Delving a bit into details, the laptop was able to run Shadow of the Tomb Raider at around 30 fps with medium graphics settings, motion blur turned off, and resolution set to 1440 x 900. There were a few minor stutters here and there, which is expected at these settings, but nothing that made the game unplayable. 

When I switched to the lowest graphics preset, it immediately made things smoother, with frame rates jumping to around 40 to 45 fps in the initial sequence before settling back to the 30 fps range. Moreover, pushing the settings back to medium again dropped performance closer to 20fps, which makes it clear that this is a game best enjoyed at lower settings on the Neo.

Despite the fluctuations in frame rates, which is acceptable considering how demanding the Shadow of the Tomb Raider is, what stood out to me was consistency. Even after around 25 minutes of gameplay, the frame rate briefly dipped to 19 fps but quickly recovered and stabilised between 30 and 40 fps. Cutscenes were flawless and overall, the experience remained surprisingly playable. 

Now switching to where the Neo is king: less demanding games. 

Hollow Knight: Silksong ran at a smooth 60 fps with no hiccups at all, and the same goes for Overcooked 2. These are the kinds of games that felt perfectly at home on this machine and kept me hooked for hours. The system also automatically switches to Game Mode the moment you launch a title, which helps optimise performance in the background. That said, due to the 8 GB RAM, some recent titles like Inzoi will simply be unplayable. So before you buy a game to play on this laptop, do check out its minimum requirements. 

I will put this again. The MacBook Neo is not a gaming laptop, nor is macOS designed in a way like the Windows platform to take advantage of high-end games. That said, for the light kind of stuff, the things that the laptop supports, a casual gamer will deal with this machine just fine.

Apart from this, in terms of the day to day performance, the A18 Pro chip holds up pretty well. For normal workloads, it does its job as expected.

In fact, at one point, I had around 20 Chrome tabs open alongside multiple apps, and the system showed no signs of slowing down. Moreover, I also switched from Steam to Google Chrome (with a game running in the background) and the MacBook Neo didn’t appear to be stressed at all. In addition to this, app launches are quick and switching between is a breeze.

In raw numbers too, the MacBook Neo does a decent job. In the Geekbench CPU benchmark, it outperformed the M3 MacBook Air 15-inch in the single-core test. The M3 MacBook Air scores 2980 points while the Neo scores 3406 points.

I also ran Cinebench R23, Cinebench 2024, 3D Mark Wild Life Extreme, Solar Bay and Blackmagic disk speed test on the device. And the results are as follows, reflecting a strong performance for a sub-Rs 70,000 laptop. 

Cinebench R23: 4981 (multi-core), 1571 (single core)

Cinebench 2024: 309 (multi-core), 134 (single core)

Geekbench CPU test: 7941 (multi-core), 3406 (single-core)

Blackmagic disk speed test: Read - 1584 MB/s, Write - 1385.2 MB/s

3D Mark Wild Life Extreme: 3729

Solar Bay: 6841

Two things that deserve special mention are the laptop’s speakers and webcam. For me, these two were the unexpected highlights. Talking about the webcam first, the laptop comes with a 1080p camera and it shines with all its glory during video calls. It made me look sharp and clear while I was attending virtual meetings and honestly, I loved the overall appeal. 

As for the audio, the MacBook Neo comes with dual side-firing speakers that do their job well.  Even while playing Hollow Knight in a busy office environment, I could easily hear in-game audio without feeling like the speakers were struggling. The sound quality was also crisp and clear, with the right amount of bass. In fact, when I played the opening cutscene of the game at full volume, it was enough to grab the attention of people around me, which says a lot about how well the speakers perform. 

Apart from gaming and my usual work, I also edited a birthday-special video for my sister on the device (which is what the gathering in my family was about). I edited the entire 15-minute video using Final Cut Pro and it was smooth sailing throughout. So you can also use the Neo for some light video editing on the go.

Impressive Battery and thermals 

Now, the whole purpose of a laptop as compact as the Neo is that it can be taken anywhere. This also means that it has to come with a strong battery life so that you don’t find yourself looking for a charging point everywhere. 

With the MacBook Neo, Apple promised a battery life of 11 hours of wireless web browsing. And it indeed is true. I logged in to work at 8 am sharp and used the MacBook Neo at 50 per cent brightness for 9 hours. When I was about to leave for home, the laptop still had 20 per cent battery left.

During this time, I used Google Docs, 10-15 Google Chrome tabs, and even watched a video or two. I never turned the laptop to low power mode and neither did I turn the brightness down. With these two enabled, the laptop will easily last beyond 10-11 hours as well. 

While gaming too, I noticed a 5 per cent battery drop after playing continuously for 20 minutes. This is better than what several budget gaming laptops offer.

When you talk about charging, it takes roughly 4 hours to charge the device, as it ships with a 20W adapter.

The Neo also comes with a fanless design like the MacBook Air. And yet, you won’t feel it getting too hot to handle. While I was running benchmark tests, the surface temperatures never rose above 29.2 degrees Celcius. The touchpad remained even cooler, at 27 degrees. Even while gaming, the surface temperatures stayed within limits. 

Apple Intelligence and other features

The laptop comes with all standard Apple Intelligence tools, including text summarisation and rewriting, smart reply and notification summaries, image generation, and even Siri with ChatGPT support. I set up Siri the moment I received the device and used it to brainstorm ideas, weekend plans and much more.

When I asked Siri to help me brainstorm ideas for a new gaming mouse, it asked if it could work with ChatGPT for the same. Once I enabled ChatGPT, I got a list of ideas right on my home screen. I can only think of students who can use this feature to research, create, and so on. 

Now I have been an avid member of the Apple ecosystem and also own an iPhone, AirPods, iPad and Apple Watch. And the Neo also works smoothly with every other device belonging to the Apple ecosystem.

For instance, you can Handoff a task from your MacBook Neo to an iPhone, copy/paste via Universal Clipboard, and even mirror or control your iPhone screen on the Mac. Settings, photos, files, and other data sync through iCloud just as on any Mac. At the time of writing this review, I am writing on my older M3 MacBook Air 15-inch while the Neo is sitting on my desk, showing me the option of opening the Google Chrome tab that is open on my MacBook Air. 

Should you buy the Apple MacBook Neo?

Now, coming to the question that might be on your mind: should you go ahead and spend Rs 69,900 on Apple’s latest MacBook? The answer depends on what you actually need from your laptop. 

The MacBook Neo delivers the core Mac experience at a price point that is new for Apple. Thus, it is the best way to experience macOS if you aren’t willing to spend around Rs 1 lakh on a new device. The laptop also boasts a relatively strong day to day performance, excellent battery life, reliable display, and a design that lives up to Apple’s reputation.  

With that being said, there are also certain compromises that include the non-backlit keyboard, absence of touch ID in the base variant and only having an 8 GB RAM option, raising a question in terms of future-proofing. However, for students, first-time Mac users, or anyone looking for a reliable laptop in this budget, the Neo makes a very solid case for itself. It gets the essentials right and comes with Apple’s reliability. And for some people, that’s enough.

Also read: Apple MacBook Neo in Digit Test Labs: For the first time Mac users

Ever since I started gaming, I have mostly been a console player. That changed about 2 years ago when I began playing on PC, and suddenly, I understood what all the hype was about. But that shift also meant getting used to a keyboard and mouse setup, especially for long gaming sessions. Over time, while testing different gaming mice, I realised that two things matter the most and those are battery life and weight. You do not want a mouse that constantly needs charging, and you definitely do not want one that starts hurting your hand after a few hours.

For the last two weeks, I have been using the EvoFox Banshee 2, a gaming mouse that promises a lot for under Rs 2,000. It brings features like tri-mode connectivity, a PixArt sensor, and even a built-in display. But does that all come together to give players a good overall experience? Read on to find out. 

Also read: Apple MacBook Neo in Digit Test Labs: For the first time Mac users

Design and build

The EvoFox Banshee 2 gets a lot right when it comes to design. The white colour stands out immediately and feels refreshing. Then there is the EvoFox branding sitting at the centre. And while the overall design is fairly clean, there are decals on the buttons, including a small “Play with power” text on the right button. I personally prefer a cleaner look, so this felt slightly unnecessary, but if you like louder aesthetics, you might like what you see here.

There is also a textured scroll wheel and two side buttons that protrude slightly, making them easy to access during gameplay. Finally, there is RGB lighting on the logo and the scroll wheel, which adds a bit of personality without being too distracting.

The best part about the design, in my opinion, is the built-in LCD display placed at the centre. It shows DPI levels, battery percentage, and connectivity mode in real time. This is genuinely useful as you do not have to rely on software or guess your settings while using the mouse.

Coming to build quality, this is where the Banshee 2 stays true to its price. It does not feel premium, but it also does not feel cheap. The materials feel sturdy enough for regular use, and there is no immediate sense of fragility. It sits in that middle ground where you are getting a product that feels reliable without paying a premium.

Battery and performance

Now let’s talk about one of the most important aspects - battery life. In my usage, which included around eight hours of daily use, the mouse lasted a full three days before I had to plug it in. By the end of the third day, I was actively looking for the charger. The good part is that it charges quickly as well, reaching about 50 percent in under an hour. So while the battery is not the best, it is far from a dealbreaker.

In terms of performance, the EvoFox Banshee 2 does a good job for its price. It uses the PixArt 3311 sensor, which promises reliable tracking and consistent performance. I tested it across games like Resident Evil, Red Dead Redemption 2, Doom, and Helldivers, and for casual gaming, it holds up well. I also gave the mouse to my brother, who regularly plays CS:GO, and even he was comfortable using it in his sessions.

Coming to the clicks, they are responsive and have a noticeable clicky sound, which you would expect. The scroll wheel also feels precise and easy to control.

The mouse supports up to 12,000 DPI, with five preset levels including 600, 1600, 3200, 6400, and 12000. I mostly stuck to the default 1600 DPI, which worked well for me.

But if there’s one thing that you will notice the moment you hold the mouse, it is weight. At around 96 grams, it is slightly on the heavier side, especially for esports players who are used to ultra-light mice. Now if you are into competitive gaming, this might affect your experience. But for casual gaming, the weight feels stable and manageable.

Ergonomics and connectivity

Ergonomics are important, especially if you are spending hours gaming, and the EvoFox Banshee 2 does a good job here as well. It fits comfortably in the hand, and there is a dedicated thumb rest on the side, which makes a noticeable difference during longer sessions. I did not experience any discomfort while using it for extended periods.

Connectivity is one of the strongest features of this mouse. It supports tri-mode connectivity, including wired, 2.4GHz wireless, and dual Bluetooth. This makes it easy to switch between multiple devices, whether you are gaming on a PC or working on a laptop.

The mouse also features smart polling rate management, offering up to 1000Hz in wired mode, 500Hz in 2.4GHz mode, and 133Hz in Bluetooth mode, balancing performance and battery life. You also get six programmable buttons with onboard memory, allowing you to store macros and settings directly on the mouse.

The software support lets you customise DPI levels, lighting, and button functions based on your preference. It also works across Windows, Mac, Linux, and ChromeOS without needing additional drivers, which adds to its overall convenience.

Should you buy it?

You should consider the EvoFox Banshee 2 if you are looking for a budget-friendly gaming mouse that offers a good mix of features and performance. It is not meant for hardcore esports players, and if you are into competitive gaming, you might want to look at lighter and more premium options.

However, for casual gamers and everyday users, this mouse delivers a solid experience for under Rs 2,000.

Also read: Asus TUF gaming laptops of 2026 announced: 5 things to know

I’ve been living with the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra for a while now, and the ‘new phone’ smell has officially worn off. After my first 48 hours with the device, I was mostly charmed by the ergonomics and the slick Cobalt Violet finish of my review unit. But a premium flagship phone, especially the kind that starts at Rs 1.4 lakh, isn't defined by a weekend; it’s defined by the small wins and the annoyances that crop up over time in daily usage. Also, you read that right, the Galaxy S26 Ultra price in India starts at Rs 1,39,999 for the base 12GB + 256GB variant. The 12GB + 512GB and 16GB + 1TB options are priced in India at Rs 1,59,999 and Rs 1,89,999, respectively.

I’ve used the Galaxy S26 Ultra as my daily driver for work and play, and I’ve genuinely put it through the wringer to see if it actually deserves that ‘Ultra’ tag. Let’s dive into the full review.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra after 48 hours: First impressions and what stands out?

Risking it all for the Cobalt Violet finish

I’ll start with this: I haven't put a case on this phone. In fact, I am a believer in using phones without cases, always. I know, it sounds like a recipe for a heart attack. I remember dropping my Galaxy S23 Ultra on a concrete floor, only to turn it over and find that the back glass had cracked from the side. But despite that incident, even after the phone was repaired, I used it without a case. My point is, when I’ve spent a good amount of money on a thing of beauty, I want to flaunt it. And it isn't just about flaunting the looks; the Galaxy S26 Ultra has these subtle, rounded edges that make the 6.9-inch frame actually manageable. As I noted in my initial impressions, the phone doesn't dig into my palm when I’m scrolling through Instagram past midnight.

The Cobalt Violet finish is a masterstroke. Honestly, I wasn’t too impressed with it when I saw it in the leaks. But, after using the device for the past few weeks, the finish has certainly grown on me. It’s got this deep, metallic lustre that looks professional and industrial without being boring. Again, I believe the white one is the best finish, and I have seen it in person; it looks stunning. But the violet has a classy vibe that has grown on me. Also, because I’m not using a case, I also appreciate how slim this thing actually is.

However, there is a catch. Because it’s so slim and the camera island is so pronounced, the phone wobbles if you try to use it while it's lying on a desk. It’s a bit of a design trade-off. I’ve personally adapted by just… not using it on a table. If it’s in my hand, the weight distribution is perfect. If it’s on a flat surface, it’s annoying. Pick your poison.

The Privacy display: A true quality of life feature

The headline feature of the Galaxy S26 Ultra this year is the Privacy Display, and I’m just going to say it: I can’t go back to a normal phone screen now. For those still wondering whether Samsung just slapped a software filter on this, it’s a hardware-level implementation that controls light dispersion at the pixel level.

How do I use it? I’ve set it to trigger automatically for WhatsApp, Instagram, and my gallery. Since I am always surrounded by someone or the other, at work and in public spaces, the ‘zero peeking’ tech kicks in effortlessly. So, if someone is standing right next to me, they see a dark screen, while I can see my chats or photos clearly. And, if I need maximum protection, I simply enable the ‘Maximum privacy protection’ toggle for the full throttle mode, and it becomes virtually impossible for anyone to see what I’m doing from the sides. Now, that’s what you call innovation.

Now, in doing so, does the display take a hit? Yes. Are the viewing angles as wide as they used to be? Nope. And there’s also a slight drop in brightness when the privacy mode is active. But honestly, who uses their phone from an angle, like sideways? So, when you’re looking at it head-on, and that’s how a phone is supposed to be looked at, it’s still the best 10-bit panel in the game: vibrant, sharp, and gorgeous. For me, the trade-off for actual privacy is a price I’m more than willing to pay.

One UI 8.5 and the AI goodness

One UI 8.5 is, in my opinion, the most mature Android skin out there. Because it’s not just about the big features, they are all here. But it’s also about the aesthetics and the ‘feel’ of the OS. The animations and transitions in One UI 8.5 are buttery fluid, and little touches like being able to deeply customise the control centre or having a native time zone converter in the clock app are some of the small attention to detail that make a big difference.

Then there’s the AI. I’m still waiting for that ‘agentic’ future we saw in the demos. The stuff where I can just tell Gemini to book me an Uber or order my usual dinner while I’m doing three other things. But the tools we actually have right now have moved past being just party tricks.

Here are some of the things I found really useful.

• Samsung Voice Recorder: This is the best voice recorder app on any phone, period. I recently recorded an 18-minute interview on the S26 Ultra, and it transcribed the whole thing, separated the speakers perfectly, and allowed me to export the text in seconds. Basically, with this phone, I don’t need to create different Google accounts just to log in to Otter.ai for transcription purposes. Everything is sorted natively on this phone.

• Photo Assist: This is a much better implementation of Generative Edit. It’s faster, and the ‘Creative Studio’ mode can actually turn my rough S Pen doodles into usable art.

• AI Select: While I still mostly use Circle to Search to find information, I’ve also started to use AI Select a lot to take action on my screen content. In One UI 8.5, paired with the S Pen, AI Select is my one-stop tool to capture, edit and extract content for immediate use.

Which reminds me, the S Pen is also back in my daily routine. And not just for the AI Select stuff, but with the S26 Ultra, I’m back to signing PDFs and taking handwritten notes. It just feels natural.

My one major gripe with the software? Samsung, why is there still no native app locker? Secure Folder exists, and it’s a cool privacy feature to have. But it’s kind of an overkill for when I just want a simple fingerprint on my personal apps. It’s the one missing piece in an otherwise perfect software experience on any smartphone out there.

The Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 powerhouse

The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a beast when it comes to performance. I’ve been putting it through some serious load, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, combined with the massive VC cooling system, is a dream. Sure, it gets warm when you’re pushing it, but it never gets hot. And that’s what really matters.

For testing purposes, I’ve been playing COD and BGMI at 120fps, and it’s very smooth. Wuthering Waves at 60fps looks incredible on this display. But the real fun I’ve been having on this phone is with the emulators. I have a bunch of PlayStation ports installed on the S26 Ultra, and on one instance, I spent four hours straight playing God of War: Ghost of Sparta (revisiting the classic), and the phone didn't even flinch. That session only took about 35% of the battery.

Also, here are some benchmark scores for those who care about numbers:

• Geekbench: 11,159 (multi-core), 3,658 (single-core)
• Antutu: 34,91,536
• 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme: 7,012 (Vulkan)
• 3D Mark Solarbay: 12,456 (Vulkan)
• 3D Mark SolarBay Extreme: 1,029 (Vulkan)

On top of this, the heat management is impressive. Even with the temperatures starting to climb here in the NCR region, the phone stays relatively cool during my typical day. I can spend hours on WhatsApp, Instagram, YouTube, X or jumping between Chrome and Keep without the back glass or the aluminium frame ever feeling uncomfortable.

Camera: Still the king of versatility

I’ve been genuinely impressed with how Samsung has handled the tuning on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. As for the hardware, we are looking at a 200MP main, 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP 5x telephoto and a 10MP 3x telephoto. For selfies, there’s a 12MP front camera.

Now, in the last year or two, we’ve seen brands like Vivo and Xiaomi really dial it in with their still photography, but there’s a consistency here with the Samsung. In fact, even with my iPhone 17 Pro Max. This consistency, I feel, still makes them the default, safe choice for most people.

I am putting up a few photos of similar scenes taken on both devices. On the iPhone, the images lean into that neutral, natural look with a slightly warmer white balance that I’ve always appreciated.

iPhone 17 Pro Max photo samples

But in typical Samsung fashion, the Galaxy S26 Ultra just hits differently for my taste. Below are the same scenes, but now from the S26 Ultra's camera. Which phone do you think did it better?

Galaxy S26 Ultra photo samples

Of course, it isn't that one is objectively ‘better’ than the other; it’s about what you prefer to look at. I personally love that punchy vibrancy Samsung brings to the table, along with a slightly cooler white balance that makes the images pop. I’ve been looking at comparison shots from both, and honestly, you can’t go wrong with either. It really just comes down to your personal aesthetic.

Galaxy S26 Ultra photo samples

That said, when you move past the ‘look’ and into the tech, the Galaxy S26 Ultra starts to pull away. The new f/1.4 aperture on the primary sensor performs quite well in all sorts of light. The shots are cleaner and have good amounts of detail and depth. Then there’s the zoom. Whether it’s 3x, 5x or 10x, Samsung is still the one to beat here. The versatility you get from those lenses is something you just don’t get on most phones out there.

Galaxy S26 Ultra photo samples

On the video front, it’s a bit of a split decision. Samsung’s Horizon Lock stabilisation is magical and it’s legitimately unlike anything I’ve seen on another phone. It stays level even when things get shaky. However, if I’m being honest, the iPhone 17 Pro Max is still my go-to for video in a general scenario. There’s just a gold standard feel to how iPhones handle overall video recording, especially the lens switching, that Android phones haven't quite mastered yet.

So, while the iPhone stays in my pocket for video, the Galaxy S26 Ultra is always my go-to primary camera for stills. For the way I see things, it just gets it right more often than not.

Efficiency over raw capacity

Samsung is playing it safe again with a 5,000mAh battery on the Galaxy S26 Ultra. I’ll be honest, I would’ve loved to see them finally jump on the silicon-carbon bandwagon. They could have made the phone even slimmer with the same capacity, or kept the current footprint and crammed in a much larger cell. But there is a flip side to that ‘safe’ play. While silicon-carbon is the trendy new tech, its long-term durability is still a bit of a question mark. Samsung’s lithium-ion solution is a proven one. We know it’ll hold up for three or four years without a massive drop-off.

I actually saw this play out with a friend recently. He’s been using a OnePlus 13s for about ten months, and that thing has a massive 5,850mAh silicon-carbon battery. Initially, he was quite pumped about it, but now he’s complaining that it’s struggling to even last a full day. He’s already looking to upgrade just to get his battery life back. And this definitely made me wonder if these newer high-capacity silicon-carbon batteries in phones these days can actually go the distance or not.

Coming back, in my experience, the Galaxy S26 Ultra remains a very comfortable one-day phone. The optimisation is so good that I can leave it unplugged overnight without worrying about it draining by morning. On my moderate days, I’m usually heading to bed with about 40% left in the tank. Even on heavy days, the kind where I’m leaning on gaming or watching Netflix for hours at night, I’m still seeing about 20% by the time I hit the charger.

And speaking of chargers, the jump to 60W is a huge win. I’ve been using my 65W Asus PD charger, and I can get a full top-up from nearly empty in under 40 minutes. Since I rarely let my phone actually die, a quick 15-minute charge in the morning is usually more than enough to get me through the entire day.

Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra: Final Verdict

Some phones have all the raw hardware in the world and come with bold claims, yet buyers just settle into using a flagship for making calls and watching reels. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is not one of them. I feel it’s going to appeal to a lot of folks, especially those who want to get work done. In my case, I use this phone to sign documents, and I am literally playing PS2 games via an emulator on this thing. Then there’s the Privacy display, which makes sure that the things I want private on my screen, my chats, my photos, my notifications, are not visible to people peeking from the sides. When you talk about the AI stuff, the voice recording, the native transcription feature, and AI Select, the list goes on; you see, there’s a lot this phone can actually do effortlessly.

Yes, it is expensive, and it does come with its fair share of criticisms. For instance, the lack of a native app locker still feels like a glaring omission in 2026, and the S Pen doesn’t have Bluetooth connectivity. But coming back to the fundamentals, the sheer peace of mind the Galaxy S26 Ultra offers in terms of battery reliability and camera consistency is hard to find anywhere else.

If you’re coming from an S24 Ultra or older, you’re going to appreciate the attention to detail and the upgrades. The Galaxy S26 Ultra is a powerhouse that doesn't scream for attention but earns it every time you pick it up. It’s the king of the hill, not just because it’s a Samsung, but because it’s the most complete package you can buy today.

Also read: Samsung Galaxy S26 in Digit Test Labs: What’s actually new this year?

Every time I get an affordable or mid-range pair of earbuds, I am curious how they stand out. The titular Noise Master Buds 2, launched a few weeks ago in India, at an introductory price tag of Rs 7,999, featuring Sound by Bose tuning, LHDC high-res audio support, adaptive ANC rated up to 51dB, spatial audio with head tracking and a distinct design. Well, the predecessor, the Master Buds, also has many of these features and specs. However, some differences are very obvious right away, and during my review time, I wanted to see how well they come together in actual use. Let's see if they hold up to the ambitious Master tag.

A distinctive case and comfortable earbuds

Noise Master Buds 2 has a case that looks similar to the predecessor, but it is still distinct from other TWS earbud cases. Shape-wise, it is a half-rounded square with the flat top portion as the lid and the USB-C port on the rounded bottom. There is a Noise logo along with Sound by Bose branding on its head.

Our review unit's Carbon (black/dark grey) colour with the metal paint finish offers a sophisticated look. You can also pick them in Mercury (silver) and Aurum (golden) colours.

On the front, there is a circular metal disc with an LED strip positioned at 1 o'clock. That LED tells you the active, charging and pairing state. The disc isn't mechanical and doesn't offer any functional value. It is just there for a look, which is the signature of Noise's Master series.

The case is made out of plastic but feels decently solid. It can be slid into jeans or a jacket pocket, but there will be a slight bulge.

Opening the lid reveals the earbuds sitting neatly in their slots. The hinge feels sturdy, and the magnets hold the earbuds securely in place while charging. 

The earbuds themselves follow a familiar stem-style in-ear design. They are lightweight, weighing around 5.2 grams each, which makes them comfortable for extended listening sessions. Noise includes interchangeable silicone ear tips and ear wings in the box. After trying a couple of combinations, I settled on a fit that felt secure enough for use in the office, metro, and home. However, the ear wings tend to slip out of position over time. When that happens, the earbuds lose their secure fit and do not sit properly in the ears. It also makes placing them back into the case slightly inconvenient, as they do not align easily with the charging cavities. Because of this, the ear wings feel like a hassle at times.

Still and all, when they stayed put in my ears, I could continue wearing them for hours without noticeable fatigue. So, good points for that. And like the predecessor, these are also IPX5 water-resistant. So, they can withstand heavy rain, splashes, and sweat. Just don't submerge them in water.

Decent connectivity and controls with some quirks

Pairing the Noise Master Buds 2 is straightforward thanks to Google Fast Pair support. When you open the case near an Android phone, a prompt appears automatically to connect the earbuds. This makes the initial setup quick and convenient. By the way, I also didn't have any problem connecting it to my MacBook and iPhone.

Speaking of which, thanks to dual-device connectivity, I could easily switch between all these devices. But the audio handoff or routing doesn't always work as intended. Occasionally, audio would wrongly play from one of these devices' speakers instead of the earbuds.

The earbuds also paused audio or video on their own a few times, without any input from me. Not sure about the reason.

The Noise earbuds also support in-ear detection. This did work as expected, though. You have to enable this in the companion app.

Another feature that has to be manually enabled is Motion Control. For this, the earbuds use a built-in six-axis IMU sensor to detect head movements. It is meant to allow you to control playback or answer calls by nodding or shaking your head. But it didn't work for me, and I toggled it off.

So, I relied on touch controls instead. You can personalise them to a great extent. You see, I couldn't always register the triple-tap to change playback to the previous or next track. So, I set this function to a double-tap sequence. Likewise, you can set your preferred controls.

The Noise Audio app is central to managing many of these features. Through the app, you can toggle ANC modes, adjust the equaliser, enable spatial audio, configure touch gestures, and locate misplaced earbuds using the Find My Device feature.

The app interface looks modern and is fairly simple and easy to navigate. The built-in AI assistant worked well in my test. I only asked about the weather conditions and what to wear. It answered promptly and was actively responding to my follow-up queries. Moreover, you can anytime call the device assistant like Gemini and get responses through that. Sweet!

Also Read: Sennheiser HD 500 BAM microphone review ft. HD 560s headphone: Clear, convenient, and modular upgrade

Clear vocals, clean tuning

The Noise Master Buds 2 use a custom 10mm dynamic driver made from a PU and PEEK composite material. According to the company, this combination is designed to reduce distortion and improve efficiency. They support LHDC 5.0 Hi-Res audio and can provide 24-bit/96kHz streaming over Bluetooth.

Noise has also partnered with Bose for sound tuning. I used the earbuds in the Sound by Bose EQ profile only. I was listening mostly at 60-80% volume with ANC on. I used a pair of OnePlus earbuds in the sub-Rs 7,000 price range for comparable testing. The Noise earbuds aren't as loud as the OnePlus pair.

The bass is present with ample oomph and rumble. But, while listening to Ari Ari from Dhurandhar 2, I noticed the beats and drops in the track sounded tighter and fuller in the OnePlus pair. But as a standalone pair, Master Buds 2 can give you an enjoyable time in pop and electronic tracks.

The vocals are clear and forward. This could come in handy when listening to songs, podcasts, dialogue-heavy movies, etc. The instruments were also clear, although sometimes they felt thin. This is evident in the presentation of violin strings in Stumble Then Rise by Silver Mt Zion. In this track, the high notes are also very audible.

In similar tracks with complex instrument play, sounds start to feel compressed together. But considering the price they are coming for, that's not a biggie.

Last but not least, Noise has added another special feature for its Master series users within the Noise Audio app: Spatial audio with head tracking. They give you a feeling of audio anchored to the source device. It is fun, but I don't enjoy listening like that for long. But you may like it. I'd say it is worth trying for the curiosity alone.

Reasonable ANC and call quality

The Master Buds 2 offer adaptive active noise cancellation rated at up to 51dB. The adaptive mode works, but I chose to use the Max ANC setting because the adaptive mode kept changing the noise cancellation in a distracting way.

I wore it in the office, at home, while commuting in the metro, in auto rickshaws, and the ANC on the Buds 2 performs quite well for everyday environments. It does not completely eliminate all sound, especially sudden or sharp noises, but it significantly lowers the overall noise level. And that is what I want from an ANC earbud.

I can't share the same satisfaction with Transparency mode. It allows outside sound to pass, more than the Noise Cancellation Off mode, but the sound wasn't very natural. I used it to stay aware of my surroundings, on less busy roads, but didn't feel like using it for long.

As for calls, the experience was fine. Both parties could hear each other clearly, and the six-mic system with ENC algorithms does a good job of filtering out moderate background noise.

Battery life and charging

With ANC off, the earbuds lasted around 6.5 hours in our battery drain test. The music was continuously playing at 80% volume on my Galaxy S23 (source device). With the case, the brand claims around 30 hours of playtime. The mileage would vary if you use ANC.

Still at moderate volume, I figure you could comfortably get through most of a workday without worrying about battery life.

The earbuds also support fast charging. A full 0 to 100 top-up is rated to take around 1.5 hours. The company also says a quick 10-minute charge can provide up to six hours of playback with ANC off.

The charging case uses a USB Type-C port, in case you are wondering.

Should you buy Noise Master Buds 2?

The Noise Master Buds 2 try to do a lot, and to some extent, they succeed. After using them across work, commute, and casual listening, they come across as a fairly well-rounded pair, but not without a few rough edges.

They are comfortable to wear for long hours, the design stands out without being gaudy, the app gives enough controls and features without feeling complicated, and battery life is reliable. The sound is clean with clear vocals, instrument separation, decent bass, and high notes. It works for casual listening to music, podcasts, and movies in your everyday life. ANC is also effective enough for daily office noise and commuting.

But as I spent more time with them, a few issues started to show. The ear wings shift out of place, which affects both fit and ease of putting the buds back into the case. Dual-device connectivity is useful, but the audio handoff is not always consistent. Some features, like Motion Control, do not add much in real use. The sound, while clean, can feel thin and less energetic.

These are not major drawbacks, but they become more noticeable at the Rs 7,999 price. Also note that this is an introductory price, so the cost may go up later. So, the Master Buds 2 make sense if you like the design, want a comfortable pair with useful features, and are fine paying around this price.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: Realme Buds Air 8 review: Safe and sensible TWS under Rs 4,000

I’ve spent the last two weeks with the Asus Zenbook Duo 2026, a 14-inch laptop that feels like it shouldn't really work as a daily driver, but somehow does. For the longest time, I have used laptops like most people use laptops. There’s a screen, you have a crowded taskbar, and the constant ‘Alt+Tab’ shuffle, or in a Mac’s case, ‘CMD+Tab’ shuffle to find the window I actually need. Now, when it comes to portable laptops, the natural instinct that comes to mind is this question: What are the sacrifices here? For instance, my daily driver is a 13-inch MacBook Air, a great laptop in its own right. But, time and again, there’s this feeling - the screen is not as big as a Pro, or maybe I had more real estate to run multiple windows of the same app. Basically, a human can never be fully satisfied.

Then the Asus Zenbook Duo UX8407 arrived.

I’ll be honest, I wasn't immediately sold. I remember when a colleague tested the previous UX8406 almost two years ago; it looked like a nice experiment, but it still felt a bit ‘first-gen’. Don’t get me wrong, Asus has been using the Zenbook Duo moniker for quite a few years, and back in 2021, I even used one of the initial models. But that one was nothing like this one we are talking about right here.

Also read: Nothing Phone 4a vs OnePlus Nord 5: Style vs Raw power

This 2026 refresh is the first time I’ve actually lived with a ‘proper’ dual-screen setup myself, and it’s a big shift. After having used the Zenbook Duo, I can say that this isn't just a gimmick strapped onto a laptop; it’s how I actually want to get through my workday. Also, knowing the fact that my review unit will be returned soon, going back to a single screen feels a bit like trying to work with one hand tied behind my back.

The hinge and the ‘seam’ problem

The biggest issue with dual-screen laptops has always been the physical gap between the panels. If you’re going to give me two displays, they need to feel like one, and not like two tablets awkwardly stuck together, if you know what I mean. This is where the UX8407 really steps up. Asus has designed the hinge in such a way that the two 14-inch panels sit almost flush against each other.

When you use the built-in kickstand to stack the screens vertically, that gap is so small it basically disappears when you’re focused on your content. It creates this tall viewing experience that is, quite frankly, addictive. I found myself snapping Chrome to the top and Docs to the bottom, and for the first time, I didn't feel like I was compromising on space. The build itself uses a Ceraluminum finish, which has this stony, matte feel that is much nicer than standard metal. The good thing is that it’s tactile, resists the oily fingerprints that usually show up on other types of materials, and feels sturdy enough to survive the daily wear and tear.

Those gorgeous (but reflective) OLEDs

If you’re going to spend what will likely be Rs 2-2.5 lakh for this Core Ultra 9 variant of the Zenbook Duo UX8407, the screens have to be the headline. Asus has gone all out with dual 14-inch Lumina Pro OLED touchscreen panels. They’ve bumped the refresh rate to 144Hz, which makes scrolling and animations feel incredibly smooth, actually smoother than the iPhone 17 Pro Max and the S26 Ultra I carry around.

The colour accuracy is professional-grade. In the Digit Test Labs, I ran a Calman test and got an Average Delta E of 1.02, which is basically perfect. It covers 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut, so watching anything on these screens - Netflix, YouTube, Prime or simply gawking at it - is a treat. The blacks are deep, and with 500 nits of brightness, the contrast is punchy. The only real downside is the reflection. Asus added an anti-reflective layer, which helps with overhead office lights, but these are still glossy glass panels. If you’ve got a bright light source or a window behind you, you’re going to see your own reflection during dark movie scenes.

A keyboard that doesn't feel like an afterthought

One of my worries when the Zenbook Duo first arrived was the keyboard. You see, usually when a laptop gets this ‘creative’ with the form factor, the typing experience suffers. Here, the keyboard is a detachable Bluetooth folio that sits between the screens when the laptop is closed. With this one, you can actually use it as a normal laptop, having the screen up top along with the keyboard. Or, you can use like me - sitting back, with both screens set like a tower, and using the keyboard propped on my lap or the table.

I’ve spent a good while typing out scripts and articles on this, and it’s actually really nice. The keys have a good 1.4mm of travel and a ‘mushy’ feel in a good way, soft on the sound but tactile enough that I didn't miss my mechanical deck. It’s quiet, so while typing, it isn’t the keyboard that attracts unwanted attention. Also, it’s magnetic, too, so as I said, when you want to use this machine as a normal laptop, the keyboard snaps right onto the bottom screen. The trackpad is smooth and responsive, though I found myself reaching out to touch the screens to scroll through pages more often than I expected.

Performance: Is Panther Lake enough for a dual-screen setup?

Under the hood, the Asus Zenbook Duo UX8407 is powered by the Intel Core Ultra X9 388H, which is part of the new Panther Lake family. This is paired with 32 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and an integrated Intel Arc B390 GPU. Since there’s no dedicated NVIDIA or AMD chip inside, I was curious to see if it would struggle with my typical workflow. It didn’t. In fact, it handled everything I threw at it with ease. To give you an idea of the muscle here, this chip features 16 cores and 16 threads with a boost clock of up to 5.1 GHz. But the real secret sauce for the future is the NPU, which now pushes up to 50 TOPS. Of course, in the present times, we’re still in the early days of AI features actually being useful. But at the same time, having that much dedicated power for background tasks means the main CPU can stay focused on what you're actually doing on the machine.

I ran a few benchmarks to see where it sits:

• Cinebench R23: 15,586 (multi-core) / 2,093 (single-core)
• TimeSpy: 7,079
• Night Raid: 43,426
• FireStrike: 12,374
• Wild Life Extreme: 2,685

In real-world terms, it feels every bit as snappy as you’d expect from any high-end ultrabook. When you compare it to the previous generation's Meteor Lake chips, Panther Lake feels like a proper step up in fluidity. I never felt the performance slow down, even with both screens active, running different workflows at the same time. The 32 GB of RAM plays a huge role here, especially when you're multitasking across two displays. In fact, I even played some Tekken 7 to kill time, and it ran perfectly without any hiccups or frame drops. The new Arc graphics architecture in Panther Lake is surprisingly capable. Of course, you won’t be playing heavy AAA titles at max settings, but it’s more than enough for casual gaming and smooth 4K video playback. For writing, browsing, and heavy multitasking, it flies. The PC Mark 10 Work score of 7,385 confirms that it’s more than capable enough for a demanding user.

Living with two screens: The actual use case

The real value of the Zenbook Duo UX8407 isn't in the numbers; it’s in how you use it. Over the last two weeks, I’ve settled into three main ways of working.

1. The vertical stack: This is how I used it 80% of the time. I’d have my research or a video on the top screen at eye level and my primary work window on the bottom. Fun fact, I also felt it’s been a solid implementation for my neck too, because I’m not constantly looking down.
2. The reading mode: Turning the laptop 90 degrees into portrait mode gives you two long, skinny screens side-by-side. This makes it perfect for reading long PDFs or scrolling through Chrome and X at the same time.
3. Multitasking: Being able to run two instances of the same apps, like two different Chrome windows, on separate physical screens makes cross-referencing so much easier.

The audio is also worth a mention. It’s a six-speaker setup tuned by Harman Kardon, with two tweeters firing forward from the hinge. It’s much fuller and louder than the older bottom-firing speakers, making it great for watching Netflix without needing headphones.

The 99Wh battery has solid endurance

Asus managed to fit a 99Wh battery into this 14-inch chassis, which is massive. In the PC Mark 10 battery test, it lasted about 802 minutes, which is roughly 13.5 hours. Obviously, using both OLED screens at high brightness will drain the battery faster, but in laptop Mode, the endurance is fantastic. Even using both screens for a full workday, I rarely had to put the machine on charge before the day was done.

Asus Zenbook Duo UX8407: Final verdict

The Asus Zenbook Duo UX8407 is a specialist tool, but it's one that actually works. It’s going to appeal a lot to folks who feel limited by a single screen but need to stay mobile. However, it’s likely going to be expensive, and it will be compared to the traditional premium laptops of the world, like the MacBooks, the Dells and the HPs. But do note, neither of those can give you this much screen real estate in a backpack.

Of course, it’s not all dual-screen magic, though. There are some very real compromises you’re making for this form factor. First off, this isn't a laptop in the traditional, lap-friendly sense. If you’re using both screens with the kickstand, you need a flat, stable table. Then there’s the weight. At around 1.65kg with the keyboard, you definitely feel it in your bag. Compared to my MacBook Air, it feels noticeably heavier. Also, while those OLED panels are stunning, they are incredibly glossy. Even with the anti-reflective layer, I spent a fair bit of time adjusting the positioning of the laptop, just to stop the lights around me from washing out the bottom screen.

So, after two weeks of using this Zenbook Duo as my primary machine, the ‘cool factor’ has worn off, but the utility hasn't. If you’re someone who mostly writes, watches videos, does some light gaming, and multitasks between apps for cross-referencing, you’re going to absolutely love this machine and its performance. For me, after living with the Zenbook Duo for two weeks, going back to a single screen feels like a massive downgrade.

Also read: Dell Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250 Review

I own a smartwatch, and although it comes with all the usual health and activity tracking features, I wear it only when I am out and about. That means for a large part of the time when I am at home, I do not wear it and therefore do not benefit from those features. Moreover, the watch lasts only about a day on a charge, so I have to remember to charge it before leaving the house. That is one stress the watch’s stress tracker does not account for, especially since I am not always wearing it.

So yes, a smartwatch is technically 'wearable,' but I do not always wear it.

Enter the smart ring from a domestic brand called Gabit. Although it has been available in the market for some time now, priced around Rs 13,775, I guess it's never too late to start healthy habits. And I wanted to see whether a smart ring can be a better wearable for me than a smartwatch. The company sent me a review unit and here's my experience after dailying it for several weeks.

Dandy durable design in daily use

The Gabit ring follows the typical design language of most smart rings today. It uses a titanium outer shell with a resin interior that sits against the skin. Titanium keeps the ring light and durable, while the resin layer prevents skin irritation during long wear.

The black ring looks bold and noticeable on my right index finger. You can customise the colour and size while ordering the ring online through the Gabit website.

You don't have to worry whether the ring fits you well, as the company sends a sizing kit with plastic rings first. If you wear the sample ring for a day at least, you will know how that size suits the changing finger size throughout the day based on temperature, hydration, activity, etc.

I got a size 9 ring. The standard ring dimensions on the Gabit website are around 8mm wide, about 2.7mm thick and approx 4g in weight. It is light, and those dimensions are normal for a smart ring, but it is still wider than a traditional ring. It doesn't bother me mostly, but I do notice its presence while washing my face. Bystanders and my dog also notice the new accessory on my hand. Sometimes the sensors inside glow up, which also gives away its smart ring identity.

Inside the ring are three small sensor nodes. These bumps press the sensors against the skin. The idea is to keep the optical sensors flush with the finger to reduce light leakage and improve data accuracy.

Even with those minor sensor protrusions, the ring is comfortable to wear. I wore the ring during sleep, workouts, and daily tasks without discomfort.

In daily wear, it is obvious that the ring will hit or rub against different surfaces. In my case, having a dog also meant it occasionally playfully bit the ring. Titanium is strong, and the matte black coating did not get scratched or damaged, but after a few weeks of use, I noticed that in one area, the coating had lost some of its sheen. Lighter colours may not have this problem, and you could buy the silicone protective case from the brand, which is sold separately.

Also Read: I used the GoBoult Mustang Stallion smartwatch for a week and here’s my experience

Consistent tracking and crowded app UI

The proximal phalanx region, the base portion of the finger where a ring typically sits, is known to have good blood perfusion. Dense capillary networks run close to the skin here. Sensors placed on the inner side of the ring, facing the palm side of the finger, can therefore detect changes in blood volume more effectively. Compared with the wrist, the skin in this area is thinner, and the vessels are closer to the surface, which can help improve the accuracy of optical readings. I compared the health measurements from this ring with a smart watch tied to my wrist.

The Gabit ring uses three main sensors:

• Optical PPG sensor for heart rate and blood oxygen
• 3-axis accelerometer for movement tracking
• Skin temperature sensor

Starting with step counting, it measures precisely or close to what my Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 was showing. The calorie count varied by a few kcals. Not bad.

In daily use, heart rate readings were consistent and sometimes deviated by a few beats per minute (BPM) compared to my Galaxy watch.

Stress monitoring also provided comparable results to my watch.

The ring also records skin temperature data, and I have largely consistent data. The built-in PEP assistant tells me this means my body is effectively managing its temperature. In case there are random or irregular fluctuations, that could mean illness, the body is under stress, or hormonal cycles. But the app doesn't automatically predict or give insights. You have to manually use the PEP assistant, and like most AI tools, this can make mistakes. So, use your due diligence.

Sleep monitoring is one of the main reasons people buy smart rings. A ring is lighter than a watch and less likely to disturb sleep. The Gabit ring automatically tracks sleep using movement, heart rate patterns, and temperature changes.

The app shows:

• total sleep duration
• sleep debt
• consistency
• sleep stages like wake after sleep onset (WASO), deep sleep, REM sleep and light sleep
• resting heart rate
• sleep score, a grade like Poor, Good, and Excellent.

Sleep duration usually matched my actual bedtime and wake-up time. But the awake time could be slightly off.

Besides this, you can also test VO2 Max, log the food you consume to calculate calorie intake, compare it with calorie deficit, and get your recovery score on the Gabit app homescreen. By the way, the Gabit ring doesn't support SpO2 or blood oxygen reading.

You can set the app appearance to day (light) or night (dark) mode, create tribes with fellow Gabit users and connect with these accountability partners of yours, set goals, and shop Gabit ring accessories, other Gabit and Nack (a Gabit company) nutrition products. The home screen also shows banner ads for Nack nutrition and other Gabit products.

So, the Gabit ring relies heavily on its companion app. So, there is a lot of information densely presented. Besides that, those ads and tabs also fight for your attention. For some, this interface can seem crowded and overwhelming.

And of course, a limitation by design is that you need to use the phone app to manually run some tests, and you will need a stable internet connection to sync all the logged data and analysis properly.

Reliable battery life

Like I said in the intro, battery life is one of the big reasons I wanted a smart ring over a smart watch. The Gabit ring uses a very small lithium-ion battery between 14.5mAh and 21.5mAh, depending on size. And the company claims 7 to 10 days of battery life. In my testing, with regular syncing and workouts, I was getting by the weekdays.

I didn't have to charge it often like some smartwatches. And when the Gabit app gives you a low battery alert via its homescreen or a phone notification, you can place the ring in the bundled case. The case can be topped up with a USB-C charger and takes about 2 hours to fully fill the tank. A bit slow, but I don't mind, as even if the ring is without any charge, it is still wearable as a ring, you know. You can't do the same with a smartwatch.

The battery life is close to what many of the leading smart rings offer, but there are outliers like the Boat Valour Ring with up to 15 days of claimed runtime.

Should you buy a Gabit ring in 2026?

In daily use, the Gabit ring does a reliable job of passive health tracking. Heart rate readings are mostly consistent, sleep duration tracking works well, and the ring is comfortable enough to wear through the day and night. The titanium build feels durable, and battery life lasting most of the week is a practical advantage over many smartwatches that need daily charging.

The biggest benefit of the device is exactly that simplicity. You wear it, forget about it, and check the insights on the app later. You can use the app to manually run some of these tests and see all stats and results. The Gabit app UI and analytics could be improved.

If you are serious about workouts or athletic training and need deeper actionable insights, the Gabit ring may feel limited. There are no dedicated workout or sports modes, and heart rate readings can occasionally drift during intense movement. Athletes or fitness enthusiasts who rely on precise training metrics may still prefer a high-end smartwatch or fitness tracker.

However, if you are a regular user who wants a lightweight, continuous health tracker under Rs 15,000 that blends into everyday life, the Gabit ring is worth considering. It makes the most sense for people who like the idea of continuous health tracking but do not enjoy wearing a smartwatch all the time.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: Sennheiser HD 500 BAM microphone review ft. HD 560s headphone: Clear, convenient, and modular upgrade

Alienware has spent years building gaming desktops that try to feel less like generic towers and more like statement pieces. With the 2025 Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250, that formula has been refined rather than reinvented, and that too in a rather heavy-handed manner. This is a machine that exists at the very top end of the market, built around Intel’s Arrow Lake platform and Nvidia’s Blackwell graphics architecture, then wrapped inside a chassis that looks purpose-built for a no-compromise setup. In this custom configuration, Dell aims to deliver flagship desktop performance, keep temperatures under control, and do it without sounding like a vacuum cleaner.

At this level, raw benchmark numbers are only one part of the story. Plenty of high-end desktops can throw serious hardware into a case and post big numbers, but fewer systems manage to combine speed, acoustics, thermal control, sensible internal access, and a feature set that actually feels thought through. The AAT2250 aims to do exactly that. It is a carefully tuned flagship desktop that tries to justify its premium in everyday use as much as it does in peak performance.

This particular configuration pairs Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090, backed by 64GB of DDR5-6400 memory and a Hynix 2 TB NVMe SSD. On paper alone, that is enough to put it in truly elite company. In practice, the system’s strengths go beyond the headline parts list. The chassis has been redesigned around airflow and acoustic efficiency, internal access is easier than on many boutique systems, and the I/O mix is strong enough to support both gaming and serious creative work. The result is a desktop that feels unapologetically high-end, but also unusually mature in how it approaches the basics.

Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250 Specifications

The Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250 reviewed here is a custom 2025 configuration built around Intel’s Core Ultra 9 285K processor. That is paired with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 5090 graphics card with 32 GB of VRAM, making this a system designed for 4K gaming, heavy creator workloads, GPU-assisted rendering, and local AI use cases. Memory is configured at 64GB of DDR5-6400 in a 2x32GB arrangement, while primary storage is a Hynix 2 TB NVMe SSD, specifically the SK Hynix PCB01 Gen 5 drive in this unit.

The platform is based on a custom Z890 ATX motherboard, backed by a 1500 W Platinum-rated power supply. Cooling is handled through a 360 mm liquid cooler for the processor, alongside large 180 mm RGB intake fans and 140 mm RGB fans in the chassis. Networking includes 2.5Gb Ethernet and Killer Wi-Fi 7. For expansion, the system supports three M.2 SSD slots in total, one Gen 5 and two Gen 4, plus two SATA bays for 3.5-inch or 2.5-inch drives.

Display output comes from the RTX 5090 and includes one HDMI 2.1b and three DisplayPort 2.1 outputs. Front and top I/O includes two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, and separate 3.5mm headphone and microphone jacks. Around the back, the motherboard adds two Thunderbolt 4 ports, two more USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports, one USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A port, five USB 2.0 Type-A ports, optical S/PDIF, line-in, line-out, and 2.5Gb Ethernet. Overall, the Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250 is a full-fat enthusiast desktop intended to handle almost any modern workload without compromise.

Features

Alienware’s feature set with the Area-51 AAT2250 feels much more deliberate than on many premium desktops that rely too heavily on brand cachet. At a glance, the machine does tick the obvious boxes: high-end CPU, flagship GPU, strong connectivity, RGB lighting, fast networking, and support for modern storage standards. The more important part, however, is how these features come together into a system that feels designed for long-term ownership.

One of the strongest aspects here is the I/O layout. Front-facing USB connectivity remains useful on a desktop, especially for creators and gamers who constantly plug in external SSDs, controllers, capture devices, or headsets. The inclusion of multiple rear USB ports, dual Thunderbolt 4, and 2.5Gb Ethernet gives the system real flexibility in professional environments too. It can sit equally comfortably in a gaming room, an editing bay, or a home office connected to a fast NAS.

The networking hardware is another plus. Wi-Fi 7 and 2.5GbE may not matter to every buyer today, but together they make the system feel ready for the kind of high-speed home networking setups that are becoming increasingly common. Anyone running a NAS, moving large media files, or working with cloud-heavy production workflows will appreciate not having to think about network bottlenecks.

Storage support is equally sensible. The included SK Hynix PCB01 Gen 5 NVMe SSD is already mmore than fast enough for virtually any real-world gaming scenario, but the fact that the primary M.2 slot supports Gen 5 speeds means the platform is not boxed in. Alienware has also provided room for additional M.2 drives and SATA storage, which matters on a premium desktop where users are likely to expand over time rather than replace the whole machine after a couple of years.

Then there is the serviceability angle. Alienware has printed QR codes directly onto internal components that link to official repair and upgrade videos. It sounds like a small thing, but it is the kind of practical detail that makes a product easier to live with. Many brands talk about user-friendliness. Fewer bother to support it with genuinely useful touches like this.

The caveat is that this is not a completely standard ATX ecosystem experience. The custom Z890 board uses a proprietary 10-pin power connector rather than the conventional 24-pin layout. That means swapping the PSU or motherboard independently is not as straightforward as it would be in a fully standard DIY tower. This is not a deal-breaker, but it is worth knowing. Alienware has made the machine more serviceable and more upgrade-friendly than before, but it has not abandoned proprietary design decisions altogether.

Build Quality

Build quality is one of the clearest areas where the Area-51 AAT2250 feels like more than just a pile of premium parts. The chassis has a sense of identity, which has always been part of Alienware’s appeal, but here it also feels more functional than ornamental. The revised Legend 3 design focuses heavily on airflow and acoustics, and that practical emphasis shows in daily use. And you should ideally get a back brace before lifting the Area-51 AAT2250, it’s about 34.5 kgs. If you’re from across the Pacific, then that’s 76 lbs. A back-breaking 76 lbs. This gives you an idea of how structurally rigid this unit happens to be.

The tool-less access system is especially well executed. A single rear screw unlocks the latch, after which both the transparent side panel and the metal panel can be removed using dedicated buttons. That makes internal access much easier than on a lot of high-performance desktops, particularly for users who may want to add storage or clean out dust without wrestling with awkward panel clips.

Inside, the layout appears designed to support both thermal efficiency and visual neatness. Large fans, liquid cooling, and cable routing all contribute to a chassis that looks purposeful rather than cluttered. The large front intake fans are particularly important because they help move substantial air through the case without needing to spin aggressively. That, in turn, contributes to one of the machine’s most impressive qualities: how restrained it sounds under load.

Alienware has also avoided the trap of making the system feel delicate or over-styled. The tower still looks premium and distinctly Alienware, but it does not come across as a purely decorative object. It feels like a serious desktop that just happens to have a striking aesthetic.

There are, however, some design choices that may divide opinion. The proprietary motherboard power arrangement does slightly reduce the sense of full enthusiast freedom. Likewise, the memory support is limited to two DIMM slots and tops out at 64GB DDR5-6400 in this implementation, which Alienware has done in the name of higher clock stability. That makes sense from a tuning perspective, but it does reduce flexibility for buyers who prefer the broader expansion possibilities of standard enthusiast motherboards. We’re pretty certain that Alienware would have had more slots if DDR5, as a memory standard, had been more stable.

Even with those caveats, the overall construction is impressive. The chassis feels thoughtfully engineered, access is refreshingly straightforward, and the internal design has clearly been built around the realities of cooling a machine at this performance tier.

Performance

Performance is where the Alienware Area-51 AAT2250 fully justifies its flagship ambitions. With an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K and GeForce RTX 5090 at its core, this system is designed to dominate modern gaming and handle demanding creative workloads with ease. The benchmark results reflect exactly that.

At 4K Ultra settings, gaming performance is predictably formidable. Shadow of the Tomb Raider runs at around 157 FPS, which is an absurdly high result for a title still useful as a GPU stress point at this resolution. Guardians of the Galaxy pushes even further to roughly 177 FPS, reinforcing just how much overhead this system has for visually rich games at 4K. Even much heavier modern titles remain highly playable. Monster Hunter Wilds, running at 4K Ultra with ray tracing set to High and DLAA enabled, delivers around 53 FPS. That is a demanding scenario, and the result underlines how this machine handles punishing current-generation workloads without flinching.

Cyberpunk 2077 remains the clearest showcase for what the RTX 5090 brings to the table. Running in RT Overdrive mode, native performance sits at around 34 FPS, which is already a reasonable illustration of how extreme the setting is. Switch on DLSS 4 and Frame Generation, though, and the number rockets to around 288 FPS. 

Synthetic performance is similarly strong. Geekbench 6 scores of 3,149 in single-core and 21,929 in multi-core place the Core Ultra 9 285K firmly in elite desktop territory. Cinebench 2024’s multi-core score of 2,313 further reinforces the point that there is serious CPU performance here for rendering, encoding, and heavy multitasking. The 3DMark Steel Nomad stress test result, which stayed 99 per cent consistent over 20 runs, is particularly encouraging because it points to stability under sustained load rather than a single flashy benchmark run.

That stability aligns with the desktop’s thermal behaviour. Under heavy load, the RTX 5090 typically settles in the low 70s Celsius, while the processor stays in the low 50s during gaming thanks to the 360mm AIO cooler. Those are excellent results for a system with this class of hardware. More impressive still is how little acoustic noise accompanies them. The AAT2250 has been described as whisper quiet or barely audible even under load, and that is a significant achievement. High-end desktops often make users choose between performance and noise. Alienware seems to have found a far better balance here.

The large 180 mm intake fans clearly play a central role in that equation. By moving a lot of air at lower RPMs, they help the system maintain thermal control without the aggressive fan profiles that often make flagship gaming desktops unpleasant in quieter rooms. There is a reported brief chirp or spin-up noise during boot, which Dell characterises as normal behaviour for high-wattage RTX 50-series cards. In context, that feels more like a quirk than a genuine issue, particularly as it does not appear to define the machine’s behaviour once up and running.

Storage performance is exactly where it should be for a premium Gen 4 NVMe SSD. The included SK Hynix PC811 delivers around 6,994 MB/s sequential reads and around 6,023 MB/s writes. Those are strong figures and more than enough to keep game load times, file transfers, and application launches feeling fast. The presence of Gen 5 support on the primary M.2 slot is useful from a future-proofing standpoint, though the real-world gaming gains from moving beyond a good Gen 4 drive remain modest for now.

Outside pure benchmarks, the Area-51’s broader usefulness is easy to understand. The RTX 5090’s 32GB of VRAM and the CPU’s 24-core design make this an extremely capable workstation for local AI models, high-resolution video editing, and GPU-accelerated production work. It is a desktop that can serve as both a dream gaming machine and a serious creative tool, which is exactly what buyers at this end of the market are likely to want.

Verdict - Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250

The Alienware Area-51 Desktop AAT2250 is an exceptionally capable flagship desktop that gets the big things right. It delivers enormous 4K gaming performance, excellent CPU throughput, strong storage speeds, and unusually polished thermal and acoustic behaviour for a machine packing this much hardware. Just as importantly, it does so in a chassis that is easier to open and maintain than many rival premium systems.

There are limitations. The use of proprietary power connections on the motherboard means this is not as open-ended as a fully standard DIY build, and the two-DIMM memory layout reduces long-term flexibility somewhat. However, it will be a while before you’d consider more memory given that you’re getting 64 GB to boot. Buyers looking for absolute component freedom may still be better served by a custom-built tower. But that criticism needs context. Alienware is trying to make the most modular enthusiast chassis on the market while delivering a refined, high-performance desktop that feels premium, looks distinctive, runs cool, stays quiet, and remains reasonably approachable to upgrade.

On those terms, the AAT2250 succeeds very well. This is a desktop that feels engineered rather than merely assembled. The combination of the Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 5090, quiet cooling system, strong I/O selection, and sensible internal access makes it one of the more convincing ultra-premium gaming desktops in its class. For buyers who want a top-tier desktop without the uncertainty of sourcing and tuning every part themselves, the Alienware Area-51 AAT2250 makes a very strong case for itself.

Most of the folks use a single pair of headphones to jump between music, video calls, occasional gaming, and editing timelines. And if you own a wired headphone without a built-in microphone, you may want to invest in a mic attachment. While reviewing the HD 505 Copper, I felt the need for a built-in mic. Gladly, a brand like Sennheiser has a wide range of audio products, including the Sennheiser HD 500 BAM. It is a boom arm microphone that is compatible with select HD 500 series headphones. You just have to replace the default wire with the mic cable, and your headphone becomes a wired headset that can be used for gaming, calls, etc. But how good is the mic? We shall find that out below.

For the purposes of testing, Sennheiser sent us a unit of this mic and a pair of HD 560S headphones. Since the HD 560S is an older pair but still considered one of the safest entry points into open-back neutral listening, we shall still see how it fares in 2026 and how the two devices work in conjunction.

How HD 500 BAM works

The HD 500 BAM is a boom arm microphone compatible with headphones such as the Sennheiser HD 560S, HD 550, HD 505, etc. It plugs into the same 2.5mm locking port on the earcup where the regular audio cable connects. You have to twist and release the default cable and insert this one, and lock it with a twist.

Further, the mic cable consists of:

• A fixed boom arm microphone
• An inline control module with volume adjustment
• A physical mute switch
• A standard 3.5mm end for connection to laptops, PCs or audio interfaces

Also Read: HyperX SoloCast 2 review: Better than a headset mic, but what else?

There is no software layer, no drivers and no app. It is entirely plug-and-play. So, if you have a compatible headphone, you can easily convert it into a headset for serious listening. You do not need a separate gaming headset or USB mic for communication. The HD 500 BAM merges both worlds.

There is also a splitter in the box for those desktops with separate headphone and microphone jacks.

Design and integration with HD 560S

Visually, the Sennheiser HD 500 BAM blends well with the HD 560S. The plastic finish and black colour match the headphone’s design. The earmuffs are soft, and you get two extra replacement muffs. The whole appearance is sober, not flashy, which aligns with Sennheiser’s broader design language in this segment. On the cuboid-shaped inline control module, there's the brand logo.

The boom arm is slim and flexible. It can be positioned close to the mouth without entering your field of vision. Once adjusted, it stays in place during long calls or gaming sessions. But if you want to position it differently, you can.

The cable length is adequate for desk setups, and the quality is also fine. It doesn't add much to an already light headphone. The whole setup is suitable for multi-hour usage. I used it with my laptop and phone.

The inline control module sits mid-cable, closer to the chest region. The volume wheel and mute switch are easy to access and tactile. The mute button can come in handy during meetings, gaming sessions, etc.

Microphone performance in real-world use

In testing across video calls, voice notes and multiplayer gaming sessions, the Sennheiser HD 500 BAM delivered clear, understandable audio. I don't generally like my voice out of regular microphones, but from this, the voice comes through cleanly without sounding thin. Teammates in online matches reported consistent clarity.

Compared to a built-in MacBook Air M1 microphone, the difference is immediately noticeable. The boom arm allows you to place the mic closer to your mouth, if you want. But even at a distance, the vocal presence was ample. Some background noise does seep through, but it is still way reduced. I say if you are recording a podcast professionally, you will still want a standalone mic solution.

Using it with open-back HD 560S means both me and the other person could hear loud ambient noises.

For work calls, it performed reliably on platforms such as Zoom and Google Meet. There was no distortion at normal speaking volumes. People did ask me to keep it not directly in front of the mouth. So, positioning the mic slightly to the side is advised.

Audio from HD 560S remains clear and spacious

In my testing, the Sennheiser HD 500 BAM did not noticeably alter the sound signature of the HD 560S. The headphone retained its neutral tuning, wide soundstage and tight bass response.

The low-frequency beats in Bass Dhol by Raf Sappera and Skrillex sound focused. The midrange clarity is evident in tracks like Hurt by Johnny Cash. Music also sounds spacious in all these tracks, but that and instrument separation are notable in tracks like Far From Any Road by The Handsome Family.

Over time, the HD 500 BAM shifted how I used the HD 560S.

Previously, I would switch between headphones for music and a separate headset for meetings. With the boom mic attached, the HD 560S became an all-day device. I could edit audio, take calls, join a gaming session and return to focused listening without changing headphones. I am sure this arrangement will suit a remote worker, a digital creator, and many other professionals.

But it makes sense only to those of you with a select list of Sennheiser headphones. And because of the HD 560S' open-back design, if you work in a noisy environment, both your listening and your microphone input will suffer.

Sennheiser HD 500 BAM: Should you buy it?

If you already own the Sennheiser HD 560S or a compatible 500-series model, the HD 500 BAM can turn a pure listening headphone into a capable wired headset.

For gamers who value spacious audio and clarity over bass-heavy tuning, the HD 560S is particularly appealing and the HD 500 BAM ensures your voice is heard clearly. The combination could appeal to remote professionals, especially those in creation and editing workflows.

This is not a complete replacement for specialised gear, and the HD 500 series doesn't offer active noise cancellation headphones. It is not for everyone. But if you are someone who values neutral sound, works from a quiet room and wants a clean wired setup, the HD 500 BAM can be a clear, convenient and modular upgrade. 

Keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.

Also Read: Sennheiser HD 505 Copper review: Studio-style clarity under Rs 20,000

I have used every Nothing device, starting from the Phone 1 to the Phone 3a Lite, and I will admit that I do quite like what the company is doing, especially in terms of innovations, as well as what works for them. Of course, what really always catches me is their design. This time as well, the company has brought something new to their design called ‘Glyph Bar’. But this time, the Nothing Phone 4a, succeeding the Phone 3a, comes in a slightly different position. I say this because things are a bit more complicated, as there is a price jump from the Nothing Phone 3a. And at this price point, the expectations are naturally higher. At around Rs 30,000, users are not just looking for something that looks different, but also expect a phone that performs well across the board.

I’ve been using this device for the past two weeks as my daily driver. The real question becomes clear: Does the Nothing Phone 4a deliver enough for its asking price? Let’s find out.

Nothing Phone 4a: Design and build

Design has always been the main characteristic of Nothing phones, and the Phone 4a continues that legacy. The transparent back panel remains the centrepiece where you can see the components and visible screws. Nothing (no pun intended) out of the ordinary for Nothing, but I will say that the Phone 4a gives the look that still feels unique in this crowded smartphone market.

That said, the back panel now feels more minimal. Instead of the full Glyph light, Nothing has introduced a Glyph Bar on the right side of the camera module. This strip contains 63 mini-LEDs arranged across seven segments. This strip can be customised within the settings, allowing users to adjust brightness levels. One of the more satisfying touches is the way the LEDs react when you adjust the volume. Another small detail is the red square indicator in the Glyph Bar, which lights up when recording begins, just like its bigger sibling, the Nothing Phone 3.

The back has a glossy finish, which looks good but tends to attract fingerprints. You can avoid smudges by using the back cover, which comes in the box itself.

From a build perspective, the Phone 4a feels solid in hand. The frame is sturdy, and the button placement has been changed as well. The volume rocker now sits on the right side, making it easier to reach in everyday use. The Essential Key has also moved to the left side, because earlier in Nothing Phone 3a, users had complaints about it getting accidentally pressed. So, that’s been fixed.

The front of the Phone 4a is protected by the Gorilla Glass 7i and the device is certified with an IP64 rating for dust and water resistance.

Overall, the Nothing Phone 4a remains one of the most eye-catching phones in its segment. Whether this design appeals to you is subjective, but there is no denying that Nothing has built out a clear identity for itself.

Nothing Phone 4a: Display

The Nothing Phone 4a features a 6.78-inch 1.5K LTPS AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate that can drop to 30Hz. In daily use, the display feels smooth and responsive. Partly the reason behind the smoothness is Nothing OS 4.1 atop Android 16. The company promises 3 years of main OS updates paired with 6 years of security patches. But, more on the software in a later section. For now, when it comes to this phone’s display, I used it for all kinds of stuff. Chrome, video-calls, emails, Instagram and Twitter, switched between apps, and all felt fluid. Of course, along with the high-refresh rate screen, Nothing OS animations are also very smooth and polished.

Now, to test the display, I took the Phone 4a to our Digit Test Labs, where the display performed well. In the Calman Colour Test, the panel recorded an average Delta E of 2.4, which is okay. In the Colour Gamut test, the display achieved 99.9% coverage. Brightness is another strong point. In our testing, the panel reached 2,640 nits of peak brightness, making it easy to use under direct sunlight.

While these were the simulated tests, I am also happy to report that in real-world use, watching content, be it YouTube videos or OTT, on the panel is an enjoyable experience. The AMOLED display delivers deep blacks, the contrast is strong, and the overall clarity is excellent. I watched Taskaree on Netflix, and I enjoyed watching that series on this display. Putting it there once again, in everyday usage, the Phone 4a’s display feels sharp, bright and colourful.

Nothing Phone 4a: Camera

On the rear, the Nothing Phone 4a has a triple camera setup that includes a 50MP primary sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto camera.

In daylight, the primary camera captures photos with vibrant colours. The images have a pleasing contrast that makes them social-media-ready. When capturing a human subject, the camera brightens up the subject’s face, which can sometimes make the image a bit processed. But, images as a whole come out great with good detail preservation.

Portrait photography is one of the stronger areas for the Phone 4a. The dedicated telephoto lens allows for more natural background blur. The edge detection is also accurate most times, and the bokeh effect is creamy.

The ultra-wide camera performs well, too. The sensor captures images with details and there is not much of a colour shift compared to the main camera.

On the front, Nothing Phone 4a comes with a 32MP selfie camera. The selfies turned out to be natural with a good amount of detail. The portrait selfies also perform well, with pleasing background blur.

Nothing Phone 4a: Performance and software

Under the hood, the Nothing Phone 4a features the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 processor. This is paired with up to 12 GB of LPDDR4X RAM and up to 256 GB of UFS 3.1 storage. In day to day usage, the device feels stable and smooth. Now, while I see a bunch of phones in this budget, the beauty of using this particular phone is the solid software optimisation. Fundamentally, it is still very close to stock Android, all while having the proprietary Nothing goodness that doesn’t really get in the way to bog down the fluid experience.

Generally, app opening times are quick and where it matters, in tasks like browsing, messaging, calling and streaming, everything works with absolute ease. Again, Nothing’s software animations also make the phone feel more responsive. The approach here remains one of the cleanest in the industry and everything feels minimal yet meaningful. And because of this tight software and hardware integration, the interface is smooth and doesn’t feel sluggish despite this being a mid-range smartphone.

That said, I do want to add a couple of bits about the Essential Key. Now, for those who don’t know, this button allows you to quickly take notes or access the Essential Space. However, personally, I still don’t find it particularly useful. I think it needs some polish, and some more customisation. Maybe, it could be more beneficial if this key was customisable but I guess that defeats the whole purpose of it being here.

But, moving on from the software, let’s talk some numbers. I am sure, while the software and hardware optimisation is what really matters and Nothing nails it, there are people who would still want to know how good or bad a phone scores on benchmarks. And I did run a few of them so that you can have a fair idea.

In Antutu, the Phone 4a achieved a score of about 1.02 million. In Geekbench, it recorded 1,255 in single-core and 3,365 in multi-core score. In the 3DMark Wildlife Extreme test, the Phone 4a scored 1,110, while the CPU throttling test showed stability of 94%.

Going by the benchmarks, one thing’s clear that this phone is not for gaming; but let’s put it this way that it performs reasonably well. You can play BGMI at up to 120fps, while CODM supports up to 90fps gameplay. Again, the gameplay experience on this device wasn’t without its fair share of frame drops and stutters. But, for a mid-range phone, which is not a gaming flagship, I’d again say, the Nothing Phone 4a performs reasonably well for its price.

Nothing Phone 4a: Battery and charging

The Nothing Phone 4a is equipped with a 5,400mAh battery, which is also the biggest ever battery on a Nothing Phone. But, beyond the spec, this is an all-day phone. It runs cool, the optimisation is good, and the Snapdragon 7s Gen 4 chip isn’t the most power-hungry chip, so that really adds to the phone’s advantage. In everyday use, the Phone 4a easily lasts through a full day with moderate to heavy use and this is including calling, texting, social media browsing, video streaming and the usual stuff.

Charging speeds are decent as well. The device supports 50W fast charging. I charged the device from 0 to 100%, and it took about 60 minutes.

Of course, there are phones in the mid-range segment with batteries as high as 10,000mAh. Does the Phone 4a match that kind of endurance? No. That said, it can easily survive a full day of use without giving you that battery anxiety and then fully top-up in a decent amount of time before you leave for work the next morning. Isn’t that what really matters?

Nothing Phone 4a: Verdict

Summing up, the Nothing Phone 4a feels like a more confident step for the brand. Sure, at a starting price of Rs 31,999, it is launching at a higher asking price than the Phone 3a. But, for what it’s worth, the design remains the core strength here and the phone feels balanced. To count its wins: the display is bright, the cameras are quite versatile, and the software remains one of the cleanest experiences you can get on any Android phone across segments. But dialling back, the pricing does place the Phone 4a in a more competitive segment.

Granted, interested buyers could be looking for more raw performance in a phone at this price point. But, for what it offers, and to the audience this device is appealing to, the Nothing Phone 4a feels different in a sea of options and prioritises usability.

For over a decade, the Redmi Note series has been the default recommendation for the Indian middle class. It wasn’t always the flashiest phone, but it was the one that was reliable enough, the one you bought for your parents, your college-going cousin or yourself when you needed utility over vanity. 

But the market in early 2026 is hostile. The sub-25,000 segment is no longer just about "value"; it is a spec-war where brands are tossing around flagship-tier hardware to see what sticks.

Into this fray walks the Redmi Note 15. On paper, it is playing a safer game. It isn’t trying to out-benchmark the performance-focused sub-brands or dazzle with design gimmicks. Instead, it doubles down on the dependability factor with lighter weight, better endurance, a cleaner camera setup and software that suggests Xiaomi expects this phone to stay in someone’s pocket for years and not mere months.

So, in a segment that’s obsessed with proving how fast a phone can be for five minutes, is there still space for a phone that just wants to be steady? That’s exactly what the Redmi Note 15 sets out to answer.

Design and Build

Pick up the Redmi Note 15 and the first thing you notice about it is that it has gone on a diet. One of the biggest complaints with the previous Note 14 was its heft; at 190g and 8mm thick, it felt substantial, sometimes borderline bulky. The Note 15 trims the waistline down to 7.35mm and drops the weight to 178g.

That 12-gram difference might sound trivial on a spec sheet, but in hand, this is a phone that doesn’t tug at your pocket or fatigue your fingers if you spend hours replying to emails, reading, or navigating with one hand on public transport.

I am using the Mist Purple variant and while the frame remains plastic, it has a clean finish. There’s no flex when you press down near the centre and the matte finish resists fingerprints better than glossy backs in this segment.

The camera module is large and square, with the 108MP branding slapped across. The layout is symmetrical, but when placed on a table, there is a slight wobble, though it’s not exaggerated.

The Note 14 settled for an IP64 rating, but the Note 15 bumps this to IP66, protecting it against "powerful water jets." Effectively, this means you can use it in heavy rain or spill a drink on it without panic. It’s worth remembering that lab certifications aren’t magic shields, but this phone is meant to survive clumsiness.

However, there is a casualty in this slimming process. The 3.5mm headphone jack, which was present on the Note 14, is gone. For the loyalists who held onto the Note series specifically for wired audio, this is the end of the road.

Display

We are at a point where bad displays are rare, but mediocre ones are everywhere. The Note 15 stretches the canvas slightly, moving from the 6.67-inch panel of its predecessor to a 6.77-inch AMOLED.

The Note 14 peaked at 2100 nits, which was already respectable. The Note 15 pushes this to a theoretical 3200 nits. Let’s be clear about what that number means: that is a localised peak for HDR content, generally done at 1% window, not what you get when you open your email. However, in daily use, the panel holds its own and in our lab testing, the display brightness peaked at 1670 nits.

I used the phone under direct afternoon sun and maps, notifications and text remained legible without forcing the brightness slider to max manually. The auto-brightness behaviour is reasonably aggressive, which helps. 

The 120Hz refresh rate is standard, but the touch sampling rate (up to 480Hz in gaming) makes the UI feel stickier and more responsive to your thumbs than the Note 14’s panel. 

In our Calman Grayscale Multi test, the display delivered a contrast ratio of 114,774:1. Black luminance measured at 0.005 cd/m², which is effectively inky. That shows up immediately when you watch darker content or browse through night-mode photos. Blacks don’t float into grey, they sit deep and stable and shadow-heavy scenes carry more depth instead of looking washed out.

Colour accuracy is stronger than I expected at this price. The average colour error in the ColorChecker analysis came in at 1.3, with a maximum of 3.7 at white. That tells us the panel is tuned with care. Skin tones look believable and UI elements don’t carry strange tints. Whites sit close to the D65 target, with an average CCT of 6673K, which is slightly cool but not distracting.

In the Colour Gamut test, the display covers 95.6% in the u'v' space. It does not support HDR10+, which is a limitation if you consume a lot of HDR streaming content. Still, for standard SDR content, the screen looks vibrant without tipping into oversaturation. Reds and greens are controlled, blues don’t bleed into cyan and the overall presentation feels coherent rather than artificially boosted. For everyday viewing, social media, streaming and reading, the Redmi Note 15’s panel is confidently above average in its segment.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, we saw the Note 14 relying on the MediaTek Dimensity 7025 Ultra, a 6nm chip that was decent but occasionally ran warm under load, but the Note 15 swaps teams, opting for the Qualcomm Snapdragon 6 Gen 3.

There is, however, one bottleneck that Redmi refused to fix: UFS 2.2 storage. Both the Note 14 and Note 15 are stuck on this older storage standard. In 2026, the lack of UFS 3.1 is noticeable when you are installing large updates or moving gigabytes of file data. It’s a cost-cutting measure that won’t bother you today but might make the phone feel slower in two years.

In our testing, the phone scored 858,119 on AnTuTu. Geekbench returned 1022 in single-core and 2953 in multi-core, while PCMark Work 3.0 came in at 10,508. These are respectable mid-range figures, but they don’t compete with performance-focused devices in the same bracket.

For messaging, calling, browsing, payments, YouTube and light multitasking, the Note 15 feels stable. App launches are predictable. Social media scrolling remains smooth thanks to the 120Hz panel. Switching between apps doesn’t produce the stutter that used to plague older budget chipsets. There’s no sense of strain during casual use.

In our CPU Throttling test, the Note 15 maintained 93% of its peak performance. That’s strong stability for this segment. The phone warms up under load, but it doesn’t spike unpredictably. You won’t see dramatic frame drops after ten minutes of use. Instead, performance gently stabilises at a lower plateau. 

Gaming is where the boundaries become clearer. Titles like BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile are playable at balanced settings and frame pacing stays mostly consistent during shorter sessions. But if you push heavier games or extend sessions past 25–30 minutes, performance settles. It doesn’t collapse into lag, but you can feel the ceiling. This chipset is tuned for efficiency, not sustained high-frame bursts.

The phone ships with HyperOS 2, based on Android 15. The promise of 4 years of OS updates is generous and suggests Redmi expects you to keep this phone for the long haul. HyperOS 2 itself is fast and visually dense. There are deep customisation options, aggressive battery controls, smart tools and AI integrations. It also carries Xiaomi’s usual load of pre-installed apps and occasional promotional notifications. You can disable or uninstall most of them, but it takes a few minutes of housekeeping after setup. Once trimmed down, the interface feels fluid and reasonably polished.

Camera

The Note 14 played it safe with a 50MP main sensor. The Note 15 returns to the "megapixel wars", deploying the new 108MP Samsung ISOCELL HM9 sensor. 

Daylight photos lean vibrant and warm. Reds and magentas carry extra saturation. In flower shots, especially deep reds like Ixora petals, the colour almost glows. It looks striking on a phone screen, though if you look closely, the red channel sometimes sits close to clipping. Fine texture within the petals can get slightly compressed because contrast is pushed high.

Group portraits show this tendency clearly. Skin tones are rosier, slightly polished. Faces appear lively and bright, almost pre-filtered. There is mild smoothing applied, enough to soften the texture without turning faces into plastic. It is the kind of output designed for instant sharing. If you prefer neutral, flatter colour science, you will notice the embellishment. If you want something that looks ready for Instagram without editing, this approach works in your favour.

Contrast is a defining trait here. The Note 15 keeps blacks deep and highlights punchy. Scenes with strong sunlight have weight and drama. The downside is that some shadow detail can get swallowed up in darker corners. In high-contrast subjects like car grills or textured metal, subtle mesh details may not be preserved as carefully as on more neutral cameras.

The 3x in-sensor zoom is the practical advantage of the 108MP sensor. Cropping into the Shiva statue at 3x shows a tighter frame and more dramatic compression. Background trees appear closer, giving the subject a stronger presence. Detail holds up reasonably well for a digital crop, though darker foliage reveals some fine noise, especially in shadow-heavy greens. It’s not a telephoto lens, but for this price bracket, the reach is genuinely useful.

Portrait mode pushes blur strength aggressively. Background separation is creamy and obvious. Edge detection is mostly clean around hair and shoulders, but the transition from sharp subject to blur can feel abrupt in certain lighting. In some group shots, the subject appears almost cut out from the background. It’s effective, though slightly artificial if you look closely.

Selfies follow the same philosophy. The 20MP front camera produces bright, polished output. Skin is smoothed lightly, tones are warm and backgrounds retain decent colour. The dynamic range is respectable. In bright daylight, the sky keeps a bit of its blue instead of washing out entirely. Occasionally, this balancing act results in faces looking slightly processed, especially when backlit.

The 8MP ultra-wide remains the weaker lens. In the ultrawide shot of the Shiva statue, the overall colour temperature shifts cooler, with a faint blue or magenta tint. Centre sharpness is acceptable, but corners soften quickly. Trees and fine textures near the edges lose definition and distortion becomes visible if you inspect lines closely. It is usable for group shots and landscapes in good light, but it is clearly secondary.

Video recording now supports 4K at 30fps over the Note 14, which was bizarrely capped at 1080p video recording. It’s a basic requirement that is finally met.

Battery and Charging

Redmi has packed a 5520mAh battery into this chassis, which is a decent increase over the 5110mAh cell in the Note 14.

On a typical day involving constant notifications, streaming, camera use and social media scrolling, the phone ends the night with room to spare.

The result is a true two-day phone for moderate users. The combination of the efficient 4nm Snapdragon chip and this larger cell comfortably outlasts the Note 14. I pulled the phone off the charger at 7 AM, used it heavily and still had around 30% left when I got home at 8 PM.

The 45W charging remains unchanged from the previous generation. It takes about 68 minutes to go from zero to full. It’s functional, but when competitors are offering 80W or 100W bricks in the box, sticking to 45W feels a bit conservative. There is also 18W reverse wired charging support, which is useful in specific situations, like topping up earbuds or another phone briefly.

Verdict

The Redmi Note 15 is not an exciting phone. It doesn't have a leather back and it doesn't break any benchmark records. But excitement is often the enemy of longevity.

Compared to the Note 14, this is a refined and mature update. It prioritises comfortable design, viewing experience, battery endurance and main-camera consistency over raw horsepower. 

If you are holding onto a Note 14, the differences might not force an immediate upgrade. But for anyone on an older device, the Note 15 proves there is still value in staying consistent.

Also Read: Redmi Note 15 Pro series and Xiaomi’s strategy to win back India’s mid-premium buyers

As something I also noted in my first impression of the iQOO 15R, the sub-Rs 50,000 smartphone space hasn’t felt all that interesting lately. Not that devices have suddenly disappeared in this segment, but ever since component prices have increased, smartphone pricing has been all over the place. As a result, phones in this segment don’t come with that ‘flagship killer’ instinct there once was. In the midst of all this, where phones with top-tier hardware have started costing upwards of Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000, it’s good to see a phone like the iQOO 15R breathe fresh life into the sub-Rs 50,000 price segment.

When I first tested this phone in the Digit Test Labs, it felt like iQOO had tried to solve a common problem buyers have: not all high-end phones should be insanely expensive. Also, my early impressions of the iQOO 15R were positive. After spending more time with it, using it as my daily phone and, along the way, putting it through its paces in the Digit Test Labs, my initial impressions have only grown stronger. Will it be too much to say that this phone doesn’t just exist for the sake of it? It feels deliberate. Here’s my full review.

Also read: iQOO 15 review: From flagship killer to full-fledged flagship

A phone that feels right the moment you pick it up

Let me start with something simple. The size.

In 2026, a 6.6-inch phone, or 6.59 inches to be precise, almost feels modest, especially in the performance segment. Now, most of these phones are usually big and heavy. The iQOO 15R is not that. It sits comfortably in the hand. It doesn’t feel top or bottom-heavy. The weight distribution is well balanced, and that is what matters most.

The Triumph Silver unit I have uses a glass back and a metal frame. It feels premium. The chequered pattern adds personality without being loud. I mean, I find it interesting rather than having a plain finish, but this is something that can be subjective. The camera module, though, follows iQOO’s usual styling, but the lens placement gives it a slightly refreshed look, as compared to. Some may even be reminded of the styling on the Nothing Phone 2a. It’s subtle, but it adds character.

There’s also an IP69 rating here, which gives peace of mind. You don’t expect that level of protection in this price band all the time.

Now here’s where things get interesting. Its most obvious rival is the OnePlus 15R. Pricing overlaps for the 12 GB + 256 GB and 12 GB + 512 GB variants. But iQOO goes one step further by offering an 8 GB + 256 GB option at Rs 44,999. That makes the entry point lower.

And yes, the naming is bold. Both are called 15R. Someone like me, who lives and breathes tech, will know the difference between the iQOO 15R and the OnePlus 15R. But an average buyer walking into a store with a Rs 50,000 budget might not. Again, I’m not undermining either phone, but confusion is possible. Interestingly, that may also mean both brands eat into each other’s audience. So, I am really not able to decide whether it’s a smart move or an oversmart one. Either way, the iQOO 15R nails the basics right.

Gorgeous display, powerful performance

The 6.59-inch AMOLED display is genuinely one of the best in this segment. It’s a 1.5K panel with a 144Hz refresh rate. Bezels are slim and uniform. Indoors, it looks sharp and vibrant. Outdoors, it holds up very well. Now, the company talks about 5,000 nits peak brightness, which is more of a technical claim. In our testing at the Digit Test Labs, it reached 1,825 nits. That aligns closely with the promised 1,800 nits in High Brightness Mode. More importantly, it is a well-tuned panel. Colours on this 10-bit panel look rich without being overdone. Contrast is strong. Scrolling is, of course, fluid. It’s an LTPS panel, but a very efficient 144Hz LTPS implementation.

Under the hood, you get the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 paired with LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. My review unit has 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage. On benchmarks, it delivers the kind of top-tier numbers that you’d expect from the 8 Gen 5 chip. But it does heat up while doing so, and this is expected when you’re stressing the chip continuously.

• Antutu - 3052146
• Geekbench - 2706 (Single-core), 8678 (Multi-core)
• 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme - 3421 / Avg. fps: 20.49

However, in real-world use, it’s a different story. Playing games such as COD: Mobile and BGMI at native 144fps, and Genshin Impact at 60fps, only made it lukewarm, which shows that while the thermals shoot up during synthetic benchmarks, in real-world use, the phone keeps things under control. Moreover, performance stays consistent, and that’s what actually matters.

Another thing that makes or breaks my smartphone experience is haptic feedback. On the iQOO 15R, haptics are tight and precise. There’s also an ultrasonic fingerprint reader, which is rare and welcome at this price. It’s fast, accurate, and just feels more premium than optical solutions.

The move from FuntouchOS to OriginOS 6 has helped. After having used and tested a bunch of OriginOS-powered phones, I am certain that the change in direction in terms of software is more than just the naming. The general experience, including smooth animations and fast app launches, has been great. Granted, there is bloatware, but most of it can be uninstalled. AI features like Circle to Search, AI summarisation, AI eraser and photo enhancement tools are present. Nothing out of the ordinary for this segment, but all the essentials are covered.

Battery life steals the show

Here’s the part that genuinely impressed me. The 7,600 mAh battery. This is one of the largest on any phone around, unless you count something like the Realme P4 Power with its 10,000 mAh unit. So, packing this large battery into a relatively compact body is impressive on the part of iQOO.

In my usage, the iQOO 15R comfortably lasted two full days on moderate use. And I’m not a light user. I stream YouTube and Netflix. I use WhatsApp calls, including video. I browse, scroll Instagram, use Google services, click photos and play games. Twice during testing, I pushed it without charging and ended the second day with around 15% still left. The results in PCMark’s battery test were also impressive, as the phone delivered 28 hours, which is excellent.

If you drive to work and use Android Auto, you may rarely see it dip below 50% on a typical weekday. For people who are always near a charger, there’s no battery anxiety, and for those who are not, this phone is reassuring.

Cameras that get most things right

The iQOO 15R uses a 50 MP Sony LYT700 primary rear camera, an 8 MP ultra-wide and a 32 MP front camera.

The main camera does a very good job. In daylight, photos are detailed with good colour balance. HDR handling is strong. Even tricky backlit shots come out well. The 2x digital crop from the main sensor is also surprisingly usable.

The ultra-wide camera is where things dip slightly. Detail levels are lower, and there is noticeable colour disparity compared to the main sensor. It’s fine for occasional wide shots, but it’s not class-leading.

The front camera performs well, especially in HDR-heavy scenarios. Selfies captured against the sun retain good detail. Low-light shots are decent, though not exceptional.

Honestly, when it comes to the camera system, I would have really preferred a telephoto lens instead of the ultra-wide. A dedicated telephoto camera would have completed the near-flagship feel. Again, not that it's a deal breaker, but it feels like a missed opportunity.

One more thing I kept thinking about is the USB port. With this much performance, a USB 3.2 port instead of USB 2.0 would have been nice for external display output and faster data transfer. If you’re building a performance-focused phone, small additions like that could elevate the experience further. But is it too much to ask?

iQOO 15R: Final verdict

I have been using the iQOO 15R for close to 20 days now, and as I mentioned earlier, this phone doesn’t just exist for the sake of it; it feels deliberate.

To count its pros, the iQOO 15R brings flagship-grade performance into a comfortable size. It delivers one of the best displays in its class. Battery life is excellent. The software experience is smooth. Haptics and the ultrasonic fingerprint sensor add polish.

Yes, the ultra-wide camera could be better. A telephoto lens would have made more sense. USB 3.2 would have been a welcome addition. But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, for someone who wants serious performance around the Rs 50,000 price point, this phone makes a lot of sense. And with the added 8 GB + 256 GB variant at Rs 44,999, it becomes even more accessible.

The iQOO 15R feels like iQOO remembering what made its earlier flagships exciting. Not just power for the sake of it, but power in a form factor you can afford and actually live with every day.

Also read: HyperX SoloCast 2 review: Better than a headset mic, but what else?

As someone who’s a fan of story-mode titles, I have never really felt the need of a microphone. Unlike multiplayer games, story-mode titles don’t really require communication and what really matters is immersion. Of course, it is only during an occasional match with friends that I actually feel the need to plug in a mic. That, or during a very random karaoke session with my sister where we end up singing and recording just for laughs. Then there are moments when I need to record a quick voiceover for an Instagram reel, and all of a sudden, audio quality suddenly becomes far more important than I would like to admit.

Now, for the longest time, I relied on a basic headset mic. It worked, but it never sounded particularly clean or full. Since I do not play competitive titles every day, spending a large amount on a professional-grade mic never made sense to me. I wanted something affordable, easy to use, and reliable. And when I got the chance to review the HyperX SoloCast 2, it just ticked a lot of boxes. It is simple to install, comes with a physical mute button, and most importantly, it sits comfortably under Rs 5,000. 

At the time of writing, it is retailing for Rs 4,499 on Amazon, which makes it a very approachable upgrade over a standard headset mic. So, should you upgrade your gaming setup with this microphone? Read on. 

Also read: Nvidia might soon put its own chips in consumer laptop, all details

HyperX SoloCast 2: Top specifications

Before we dive deeper and talk about various aspects of the mic, here are some of its key specifications:

Capsule Type: 14mm electret condenser
Frequency Response: 20 to 20,000 Hz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Sensitivity: -7.8±3 dB (1 V/Pa at 1 kHz)
Resolution and Sample Rate: 24-bit / 96 kHz
Connectivity: USB-C
Adjustable Gain: Software
Software: HyperX Ngenuity
Dimensions: 6 x 2.08 inches
Weight: 365.7g
Release Date: August 2025

Installation and design

Setting up the HyperX SoloCast 2 is quite simple. I just had to plug the USB-C cable into my PC, wait a few seconds, and it was ready to go. I didn’t have to deal with any driver drama, a confusing setup wizard, or even a mandatory software installation just to get started. 

Coming to the design, the SoloCast 2 mic features a clean cylindrical body finished in matte black, which gives it a minimal and modern look on the desk. It does not try too hard to stand out, yet it still feels premium for its price. If you are familiar with HyperX products, you will instantly recognise the brand’s signature red LED indicator. The light glows to show that the mic is active, making it very clear when you are being heard. Apart from adding a subtle pop of colour to an otherwise stealthy setup, it is genuinely useful, especially for first-time users who just want a quick visual confirmation that the mic is on and working.

Talking about the build quality, the mic feels sturdy in hand and despite its compact size, it does not feel cheap. One of my favourite aspects is the built-in stand. It is integrated into the body and allows you to tilt the mic towards your face. For budget-conscious users, this matters. You do not have to immediately invest in a boom arm or any other stand to make the mic usable.

The base is stable enough for desk use, and it saves both money and space. Yes, the height is slightly low for ideal positioning, but for casual gaming and quick recordings, the included stand does the job well.

Software and features

The SoloCast 2 works with HyperX Ngenuity software, which is where you can tweak gain, apply noise reduction, and adjust EQ settings. On paper, it sounds comprehensive. In reality, it feels basic. The controls are there, but the overall experience is not particularly polished. More importantly, all gain adjustments have to be done through the software because there is no physical knob on the mic. And that, in my opinion, can be a bit of a hassle. 

Also, even if you do understand how audio settings work, having to open software every time you want to tweak gain is not very convenient. And if you don’t usually spend hours fine-tuning audio profiles, the whole idea can feel slightly intimidating. 

Moreover, there is no headphone jack for real-time monitoring. That means you cannot plug in your headphones directly to hear how you sound. For beginners experimenting with voiceovers or singing clips, this could have been helpful. It is a small omission, but one that limits flexibility.

The good part is that the mic does include a large tap to mute button on the top, which is more handy than you might realise. During gaming or while taking calls, I could instantly mute myself without fumbling for shortcuts whenever my mom yelled at me that dinner was ready and I should turn my PC off (sigh).

Performance

Now, the most important aspect of any device is, of course, performance. And given its price, the SoloCast 2 scores well in this area. I tested it during sessions of Phasmophobia and Battlefield 6, and my friends said I sounded clearer and better than usual. They could hear me easily during those intense sessions and never complained about the voice quality.

That said, it is still a sensitive condenser mic with a cardioid pattern. It does pick up background noise. My keyboard clicks were audible, and any desk movement came through unless I was careful. Mounting it closer to my mouth improved the voice-to-noise ratio significantly, but with just the built-in stand, you need to be mindful of placement.

For occasional voiceovers, it delivered clean recordings with decent depth. I also have a silly hobby of singing karaoke songs and recording them just for fun. The SoloCast 2 handled that well too. It is not a studio microphone, but for casual covers and playful experiments, it was more than adequate. The 24-bit / 96 kHz support gives it enough headroom to sound detailed without feeling compressed.

Should you buy the HyperX SoloCast 2?

The HyperX SoloCast 2 is for gamers like me who spend most of their time in story-driven titles but occasionally play multiplayer games too and want clearer audio on Discord without setting up a complicated rig. It also suits anyone who records voiceovers once in a while and prefers not to tangle with bulky equipment or confusing audio controls.

Meanwhile, if you are building a professional setup, you will probably want something with more control, hardware gain adjustment, and direct monitoring. Keep in mind, this is not a studio-grade microphone and it also doesn’t pretend to be.

At an asking price of Rs 4,499, the HyperX SoloCast 2 strikes a sweet balance between price and performance. It is easy to use, sounds noticeably better than a headset mic, and includes a genuinely useful mute button. Yes, it picks up background noise and lacks hardware controls, but for the money, it delivers where it matters.

Also read: GTA 6 price in India: All the leaks and rumours so far

I’ve spent the last week with the HyperX Pulsefire Fuse on my desk, putting it through everything from late-night Valorant sessions to tedious afternoons in Photoshop. At 2,900, it’s positioned right in the heart of the "bang-for-your-buck" territory. It’s a crowded space, and while this mouse certainly does the basics well, I found myself constantly weighing its utility against some of my long-term favorites like the Logitech G304 or the Razer DeathAdder V2 X. It’s a solid piece of kit, but as I discovered, "solid" doesn't always mean it's the right fit for every hand.

Also read: Sony INZONE KBD-H75: The gaming keyboard that made me excited to write again

Design and Build

The Pulsefire Fuse sports a clean, symmetrical look that feels modern without being over-the-top. One of the practical touches I noticed is the top cover; it pops off quite easily thanks to a magnetic latching system. Underneath, you’ll find the AAA battery slot and a storage nook for the 2.4GHz wireless dongle. While this internal storage is fairly standard for wireless mice nowadays, it remains a reliable way to ensure you don’t lose your receiver while traveling.

At 75 grams with the battery included, it’s definitely on the lighter side. I’m glad HyperX skipped the honeycomb "holed" look here; the solid shell feels sturdy and stays cleaner over time. The scroll wheel feels great with no noticeable issues, providing a reliable tactile response. However, there’s a catch to that "ambidextrous" shape. While the shell is symmetrical, the side buttons protrude quite a bit from the left side. If you’re a left-handed user, your pinky is going to constantly rub against those buttons, making it a pretty awkward experience. Additionally, the mouse skates are good and feel pretty in-line with other mice in this price range.

Technical Specifications

Performance

In terms of raw tracking, the Pixart PAW3311 sensor didn't give me any trouble. Whether I was clearing corners in Valorant or exploring the world of RDR 2, the movement felt consistent. The mouse comes with four default DPI steps: 400, 800, 1,600, and 3,200. Like most modern sensors, this one can technically reach 12,000 DPI, which is far more than I’d ever need for practical gaming, but it's good to have the overhead. For my actual playstyle, 800 DPI remains the absolute sweet spot.

I took a closer look at the sensor's consistency, and the results were interesting. While it aims for a 1000Hz polling rate, my testing showed that the updates can be a bit "all over the place". Occasionally, it would take more than a millisecond to register an update, creating some inconsistency in the data. However, I want to be clear: in actual gameplay, I didn't feel any issues. The sensor still felt pleasantly good and responsive, even if the raw numbers aren't perfectly uniform.

The dual-mode wireless is a nice convenience. I spent most of my time on the 2.4GHz connection, but having Bluetooth as a backup is great for saving battery. The Kailh switches under the main buttons are crisp, and the scroll wheel has a nice, defined notch to it.

Software and Customization

To really dial this mouse in, you’ll need to download the HyperX Ngenuity app. Compared to the massive, often bloated ecosystems like Razer Synapse, Logitech G HUB, or Corsair iCUE, Ngenuity is surprisingly lightweight. It doesn't try to be a social network or a game launcher; it just sits in the background and does its job.

The most useful feature is the on-screen feedback. Whenever I hit the DPI cycle button, a small notification pops up on my monitor to confirm which setting I've toggled to. It’s a small touch, but it’s far more convenient than squinting at a tiny LED on the mouse itself. You can also use the software to remap the side buttons or the scroll wheel click.

While it lacks the hyper-granular surface calibration or "smart tracking" features you find in high-end Razer software, it covers all the essentials. You can customize the four DPI stages, tweak the subtle RGB lighting, and save your preferences to the onboard memory. It’s a "set it and forget it" tool that avoids the constant updates and login prompts that plague other brands, making it feel much less intrusive than G HUB or Synapse.

Drawbacks

This is where the Pulsefire Fuse and I started to have some creative differences. The ergonomics are very specific; the mouse has a very low-profile, flat design. If you have larger hands, this can feel quite unnatural, as if your palm is hovering without support. It really feels like a mouse built for a claw grip; for my hand, it felt awkward.

I also struggled with the texture on the sides. It’s a rough finish intended for better grip, but after a bit of use, I found myself wanting to go back to the non-textured finish of my DeathAdder V2 X. Furthermore, the side buttons themselves were a bit of a chore; they were rather stiff, and I had to move my thumb slightly uncomfortably just to reach them.

Lastly, the battery life was a bit underwhelming. I had to change the cell after just over a week of use. When you compare that to competitors that can go much longer, the Fuse feels a bit more demanding for a daily driver.

Verdict

The HyperX Pulsefire Fuse is a dependable, no-frills mouse. It’s light, the sensor is accurate at my preferred 800 DPI, and the build quality is respectable for the price.

However, it doesn't quite do enough to knock the heavyweights off their pedestals. For my hands, the Logitech G304 or the Razer DeathAdder V2 X still feel like more complete packages with better ergonomics and a smoother feel. If you have smaller hands and use a claw grip, it's a decent alternative, but it wouldn't be my first recommendation. If you have smaller hands and strictly use a claw grip, the Pulsefire Fuse is a decent alternative, but it wouldn't be my first recommendation for everyone.

When Sony announced they were partnering with the tactical masterminds at FNATIC to build a keyboard, I expected a cold, calculated tool for clicking heads. I unboxed the INZONE KBD-H75 hoping for a high-performance peripheral that would make my Valorant stats look slightly less embarrassing.

What I didn't expect was to find a new daily driver for my actual job. For someone who spends eight hours a day in a Google Doc, this keyboard was a revelation. It turns out that when you build a keyboard for the world’s best gamers, you accidentally build a masterpiece for anyone who lives at their desk.

Also read: Corsair Sabre V2 Pro Ultralight: Does this 36-gram mouse live up to the hype?

Design

The Sony Inzone KBD-H75 presents itself as a no-nonsense gaming peripheral from the moment I opened the box. The unboxing experience is minimal but adequate, containing just the essentials. The keyboard itself, a braided Type-A to Type-C cable, user documentation, warranty information, and two Sony stickers.

This is a 75% layout keyboard, striking that sweet spot between compact efficiency and functional completeness. The build quality impressed me immediately; with its solid aluminium body, this is a remarkably constructed piece of hardware that feels incredibly premium in my hands. It carries a reassuring weight of 1050g, ensuring it stays firmly planted on my desk even during high-intensity sessions. Sony has equipped it with a gasket-mounted design complemented by internal foam dampening, which contributes significantly to both the acoustic profile and the typing feel.

The attention to detail extends to the touchpoints. The keyboard features doubleshot PBT keycaps, which are far more durable than standard plastic and won't develop a greasy shine after months of heavy use. Underneath, the board features swappable switches, offering a level of future-proofing and customization rare in big-brand boards. For aesthetics, you get fully addressable per-key RGB lighting with clear shine-through legends that provide excellent visibility without being overly garish.

A textured volume knob sits in the top right corner, adding a tactile element to media control. However, the design isn't without its quirks. While it features an incline setting, I found the limited adjustment range can lead to wrist fatigue during long writing marathons. Additionally, the KBD-H75 is wired-only, which may disappoint those hoping for wireless flexibility.

Specs and features

The Sony INZONE KBD-H75 packs impressive specifications that position it firmly in the high-performance gaming category:

• Layout: 75% form factor
• Switch Type: Sony proprietary purple Hall Effect switches with double-rail stabilizers.
• Actuation Point: Fully customizable from 0.3mm to 3.4mm.
• Polling Rate: Up to 8000Hz.
• Connectivity: Wired (Type-C) with Ultra Low Latency Mode.
• Memory: 5 Onboard Profiles for setting-portability.
• Keycap/Switch Compatibility:
  • Keycaps: Compatible with Cherry MX-style stems (standard 6.25u spacebar).
  • Switches: Not compatible with mechanical switches. Hot-swappable with select N-pole down magnetic switches (e.g., Gateron Jades), though software calibration is optimized for Sony Purples.
• Special Features: Rapid Trigger technology, gasket mount, foam dampening
• Lighting: Per-key RGB with clear shine-through legends
• Connectivity: Wired (Type-C)
• Software: INZONE Hub

The hall-effect switches use magnetic sensors rather than physical contacts. This provides several advantages including adjustable actuation points and Rapid Trigger functionality. Let me explain what these features actually mean for your gaming and typing experience.

Customizable Actuation Points: Traditional mechanical switches actuate at a fixed distance – usually around 2 mm. With the KBD-H75's hall-effect switches, I can set the actuation point anywhere between 0.3 mm and 3.4 mm in 0.1 mm increments for each individual key. This means I can make my WASD keys super sensitive at 0.8 mm for quick movement in games, while keeping typing keys at a more traditional 2.0 mm to prevent accidental presses when writing. It's precision tuning at its finest.

Rapid Trigger: This is where things get really interesting for competitive gaming. Rapid Trigger essentially eliminates the traditional reset point requirement. On a standard keyboard, after pressing a key, you need to release it past a certain point before it can register again. With Rapid Trigger enabled, the key resets the moment you start lifting your finger, even if it's just a fraction of a millimeter. This allows for incredibly fast consecutive inputs, which is crucial for techniques like counter-strafing in shooters or quick direction changes in any fast-paced game.

Ultra Low Latency Mode: While the 8000Hz polling rate handles the speed of communication with your PC, this dedicated mode ensures the internal processing of the keyboard is optimized for the absolute fastest response time possible. It effectively strips away any digital "lag" between the magnetic sensor detecting your move and the signal being sent. When every millisecond counts in a 1v1 duel, this mode ensures the hardware is never the bottleneck.

Also read: ASUS ROG Pelta Wireless Gaming Headset Review: A lightweight champion with a heavy price tag

Onboard Profiles: Sony understands that pros often move between setups. The KBD-H75 can store up to five onboard profiles directly in its memory. This means I can spend hours perfecting my RGB, actuation points, and Rapid Trigger settings in the INZONE Hub at home, save them to the board, and then plug it into a work laptop or a tournament PC and have it behave exactly the same way without ever needing to install the software again.

Typing Experience

As someone who writes for a living, I have never enjoyed typing on a document more than I did with this keyboard. That's not hyperbole, the typing experience on the KBD-H75 is genuinely exceptional.

"Buttery" may be overused as a descriptor in keyboard reviews, but it's genuinely the most accurate way to describe how Sony's purple switches feel under my fingers. These switches incorporate double-rail stabilizers that ensure each keystroke feels tight and consistent. The combination of the gasket mount and internal foam creates a beautifully dampened bottom-out that's forgiving on my fingers during extended typing sessions.

There's just enough resistance to provide tactile confidence when I'm pressing keys, but the linear magnetic design keeps things smooth and effortless. It's firm yet easygoing – a balance I didn't know I needed until I experienced it.

Perhaps most impressive for a gaming-focused keyboard is how quiet it is. Unlike many mechanical gaming keyboards that announce every keystroke to everyone in my vicinity, the KBD-H75 maintains a relatively subdued acoustic profile. This makes it viable for office environments without drawing unwanted attention or annoying my colleagues. I can use it at work without any issues.

Long writing sessions feel effortless, and the consistency across all keys makes touch typing a pleasure. For the typing experience alone, this keyboard has earned a permanent spot on my desk.

Gaming Performance

Developed in collaboration with FNATIC Esports, the KBD-H75 delivers on its competitive gaming promises with genuinely impressive performance.

I tested the keyboard across multiple titles – Valorant, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, and Final Fantasy XIV – and the customizable actuation and Rapid Trigger features proved their worth immediately. Setting a 0.8mm actuation point kept my inputs incredibly swift and responsive, while the extra-short Rapid Trigger reset point enabled precise jiggle peeking around corners in Valorant. The counterstrafing felt tight and responsive in 1v1 situations, though it couldn't quite compensate for my aim that still needs work.

You might not think a Hall Effect board matters for a single-player action game like Fallen Order, but the linear magnetic design made parrying feel incredibly deliberate. The lack of a physical "click" or tactile bump meant there was no mechanical delay in my blocks. It felt fluid, I could apply pressure to a key with total confidence, knowing exactly when Cal would ignite his saber.

The 8000 Hz polling rate and outstanding latency performance combine to create a keyboard that feels instantaneous. There's no perceptible delay between when I press a key and when the action registers on screen, which is exactly what competitive gaming demands.

During intensive Final Fantasy XIV raid sessions, the linear switches provided just enough resistance to prevent accidental key presses while remaining soft enough to avoid finger fatigue during long play sessions. The firm yet easygoing keystroke character strikes an excellent balance for extended gaming marathons. My keystrokes felt both firm and confident, allowing me to apply pressure without wearing out my fingers.

Software Experience

The INZONE Hub software provides the necessary tools to customize the KBD-H75, though it's relatively straightforward rather than feature-packed.

The software allows me to configure two layers: the default key mappings and the FN layer. This is particularly useful since the 75% layout means there aren't any extra macro keys, so being able to assign macros and unique actions, including mouse controls, to any key significantly expands functionality. The FN layer becomes especially valuable when I can customize it to suit my specific needs.

Performance settings can be tweaked per key, allowing me to set those individual actuation points anywhere between 0.3 mm and 3.4 mm in 0.1 mm increments. This granular control is excellent for optimizing specific keys for different purposes – maybe I want my WASD keys more sensitive for movement while keeping other keys at standard actuation distances to prevent typos. RGB customization is comprehensive, with full per-key control over the lighting effects and colours.

My one major gripe? You still can't rebind that volume knob. It’s stuck on volume duty, which feels like a missed opportunity for the more creative types who might want to use it for timeline scrubbing or zooming.

Verdict

The Sony INZONE KBD-H75 is an exceptional keyboard that excels at both gaming and typing, a rare achievement in peripherals that often prioritize one over the other.

For competitive gamers, the hall-effect switches, Rapid Trigger technology, 8000 Hz polling rate, and customizable actuation points deliver genuinely elite performance. The FNATIC collaboration has resulted in a keyboard that provides every technical advantage you didn’t know you might need, even if it can't substitute for practice and skill development.

However, where the KBD-H75 truly surprised and delighted me is in its typing experience. The buttery smooth switches, excellent stabilization, and thoughtful dampening create one of the best typing experiences I've had on any keyboard. As someone who writes professionally and spends hours working with text, this keyboard transformed what's usually a mundane task into something I genuinely enjoy. The best thing about this keyboard, for me personally, was discovering just how much pleasure I could get from simply typing.

The excellent build quality, relatively quiet operation, and beautiful RGB implementation round out a package that feels premium and well-considered. The wired-only connectivity is the main limitation, potentially ruling it out for those who prioritize cable-free setups or need to switch between multiple devices regularly.

Priced at ₹31,990, the Sony INZONE KBD-H75 sits in premium territory, and it's a price point that demands careful consideration. However, if you're looking for a single keyboard that can handle serious gaming while also being a joy to use for work, the investment feels justified. It's rare to find a gaming keyboard you'll actually want to use for writing, but the KBD-H75 achieves exactly that balance. Whether I'm grinding ranked matches or writing lengthy documents, this keyboard has become indispensable to my daily routine – and that dual-purpose excellence could be worth the price assuming you are willing to compromise on the lack of wireless connectivity.

Also read: Best Gaming Keyboards for every budget

The Vivo V-series has always been known for its camera and design. Every generation takes the design quotient up a notch and features camera upgrades. With the Vivo V70, that focus hasn’t changed. What has changed, though, is how balanced the phone feels overall. After using the Vivo V70 as my primary device for two weeks, it’s clear that this is no longer just a ‘camera phone’ with compromises around it. It feels far more rounded than previous V-series devices. During my time with the Vivo V70, I also spent time comparing it with another phone offering almost identical hardware on paper, just to understand where Vivo’s tuning makes a difference. And that’s exactly what this review focuses on: how the Vivo V70 performs when you actually live with it, beyond the spec sheet. Let’s dive in.

Vivo V70: Design and features

The Vivo V70 looks clean and understated, but there’s enough personality here to keep it from feeling boring. I used the Passion Red colour variant, and depending on how light hits the glass back, it subtly shifts shades, which looks genuinely premium. The phone uses a glass back and comes in at just 7.59mm thickness, which is impressive considering the massive battery packed inside.

At 194 grams, it’s not the lightest phone around, but the weight distribution is done well, so it never feels top-heavy or uncomfortable during long usage sessions. That said, the matte glass back does make the phone slippery, so using the included case is something I’d strongly recommend.

Durability is a strong point here. The Vivo V70 comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings, which means it can handle water, dust, and even high-pressure water exposure. You also get a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, which is faster and more reliable than optical scanners, especially when your fingers are slightly wet.

One small annoyance is that the phone wobbles a bit when placed flat on a table due to the camera bump, but again, you can fix it by using the phone cover.

Vivo V70: Display

The Vivo V70 comes with a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and while that might not sound headline-grabbing on paper, the actual tuning here is very well done. The panel uses a P3 wide colour gamut, has a pixel density of 459 PPI, and Vivo claims a local peak brightness of up to 5,000 nits.

To understand how good this display actually is, I ran it through our Digit Lab tests. In the Calman colour accuracy test, the Vivo V70 recorded an average Delta E of 1.1, which is already very good and indicates accurate colour reproduction. In the colour gamut test, the phone covered 99.1 % of the colour space, which explains why content looks rich without appearing oversaturated.

In the brightness test, the Vivo V70 peaked at around 3,160 nits, and in real-world usage, outdoor visibility is excellent. Even under direct sunlight, the display remains readable and comfortable to use.

However, what really matters is how the screen performs in daily usage. With the display set to natural colour mode, the Vivo produces vibrant yet controlled colours, making it great for watching content.

I watched Dark on Netflix, and shadow details, contrast, and colour consistency were handled really well. This is one of those displays that quietly impresses the more you use it, especially for media consumption.

Vivo V70: Performance

The Vivo V70 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, paired with 8 GB LPDDR5X RAM and 256 GB UFS 4.1 storage. In daily usage, the phone feels smooth and responsive. App launches are quick, multitasking is reliable, and I didn’t face any noticeable lag or stutter during regular usage.

I also ran a full set of benchmarks to see how it performs. On Antutu, the Vivo V70 scored around 1.43 million. In Geekbench, it recorded 1,078 in the single-core and 2,901 in the multi-core. In the CPU throttling test, the phone maintained around 93% stability, which shows that sustained performance is handled well. In the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme benchmark, the device achieved an overall score of 1,506.

For gaming, I tested BGMI and Call of Duty Mobile. In BGMI, the Vivo V70 supports gameplay at up to 60fps, and the experience was stable with minor frame drops. In Call of Duty: Mobile, the phone can go up to 90fps, and again, performance remained smooth. That said, at this price point, some competitors are already offering 120fps support in both BGMI and CODM, so if gaming is your top priority, that’s something worth keeping in mind.

Overall, performance on the Vivo V70 is solid and reliable, but it’s clearly tuned more for consistency than pushing extreme frame rates.

Vivo V70: Camera Performance

The Vivo V70 is clearly a camera-focused phone, and to understand how good it really is, I compared it directly with the Realme 16 Pro Plus. The reason for this comparison was simple, both phones use almost similar hardware specifications, run on the same processor, and target users who care about photography in the mid-range segment.

The Vivo V70 comes with a triple camera setup featuring a 50MP OIS main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP OIS telephoto camera, all tuned in collaboration with Zeiss. The Realme 16 Pro Plus, on the other hand, offers a 200MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP telephoto lens.

On the main camera, the Realme’s 200MP sensor clearly shows its strength when it comes to details. In one picture, you can easily see the wall texture more clearly on the Realme 16 Pro Plus. In another photo, if you check the floor, the Realme captures finer details on the surface. The Vivo, however, tends to add a bit more blue to the sky and slightly punchier colours overall.

Camera samples in the top row are shot on the Vivo V70, with the bottom row featuring images taken on the Realme 16 Pro Plus.

When it comes to human subjects, while the Realme does capture good detail, the Vivo’s photos look more appealing and more social-media ready straight out of the camera.

Portraits are where the Vivo V70 really pulls ahead. Portrait shots from the telephoto lens look excellent. In one sample, you can see that the Realme was not able to capture hair strands properly. In another image, the subject looks more like a cutout on the Realme, while the Vivo absolutely nailed the shot with better edge detection and natural separation.

In low-light photography, after taking multiple samples, the Vivo V70 consistently captured more detail and better exposure compared to the Realme 16 Pro Plus. The difference is clearly visible in the images.

Ultra-wide performance is also better on the Vivo, even though both phones use 8MP sensors. The Realme tends to soften images, while the Vivo manages to retain more detail.

On the front, both phones feature 50MP selfie cameras. In normal mode, the Realme adds a bit more brightness to faces, but its portrait mode has better edge detection.

For video, both phones support recording up to 4K at 60fps, and the output is decent but not class-leading.

Vivo V70: Battery Life and Software

Despite being just 7.59mm thin, the Vivo V70 packs a large 6,500mAh battery, and that combination works really well in real-world usage. On moderate to heavy use, the phone easily lasts a full day, and with lighter usage, stretching into the second day isn’t difficult.

To put a number on this, I ran the PCMark battery test, and the Vivo V70 scored an impressive 25 hours and 27 minutes. That’s a strong result, especially considering the phone’s slim profile and relatively compact size compared to other big-battery phones.

Charging is another highlight. The Vivo V70 supports 90W fast charging and goes from 0 to 100% in about 60 minutes. Given the battery size, that charging speed makes the phone very convenient for daily use, especially if you’re someone who tops up quickly before heading out.

The Vivo V70 runs OriginOS 6 based on Android 16 out of the box. The UI feels smooth, fluid, and visually clean, with plenty of customisation options. While there is some pre-installed bloatware, most of it can be removed, and the overall experience remains fast and stable.

Vivo is promising four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, which is reassuring for long-term users and puts the V70 ahead of many competitors in this segment.

Vivo V70: Verdict

The Vivo V70 is a phone that knows exactly what it wants to be: a camera-first smartphone that no longer forces you to compromise elsewhere. It delivers excellent portrait photography, reliable low-light performance, a vibrant display, strong battery life, and fast charging, all wrapped in a slim and premium design.

It may not score the best benchmark scores or feature the most aggressive specs, but in real-world usage, it feels polished, dependable, and thoughtfully tuned. On top of everything, the phone looks gorgeous and is definitely going to appeal to users who value design and aesthetics. If your priority is photography and a well-rounded daily experience, the Vivo V70 is one of the strongest options you can buy right now.

The Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 is one of those laptops that makes sense the moment you stop judging it as “just another 14-inch Windows machine” and start looking at what it’s actually trying to be, which is a thin, premium, corporate-friendly ultrabook (if we’re still using that term) that leans hard into three things at once, namely portability, battery life, and a modern AI-ready platform. In the particular configuration given to us, Dell has gone with Intel’s Core Ultra 7 268V on the Lunar Lake-MX platform, paired it with 32GB of LPDDR5X memory, a fast-enough 512GB Samsung NVMe SSD, Intel’s latest Wi-Fi 7 BE201, and an OLED panel that is far more ambitious than the average business laptop display. The unit is running Windows 11 Pro (24H2) as well, which is relevant because Microsoft’s current AI and security push is deeply OS-tied.

That mix is interesting because it lands in a price bracket where buyers can reasonably ask for everything. At a little over ₹2.4 lakh for this custom configuration (with the base range starting closer to ₹1.5 lakh), the Dell is sitting in the same conversation as the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon class and premium HP EliteBook models. This is the part of the market where “nice” is not enough, you expect meaningful engineering advantages: a display you actually enjoy staring at, a keyboard you can type on all day, conference-call hardware that does not make you sound like you’re speaking into a tin can, and performance that is consistent rather than flashy for five minutes and compromised thereafter.

What makes the PA14250 particularly interesting is that Intel’s Lunar Lake approach changes the tone of the performance discussion. Instead of chasing the highest multi-core score at any cost, the platform tries to deliver strong single-core responsiveness, respectable multi-core throughput, and better efficiency under real workloads. Business laptops spend a lot of their time off the charger, and because premium thin-and-lights cannot rely on brute cooling to cover up power-hungry silicon, it helps if you have an efficient processor. So, does this Dell justify its premium positioning as an all-rounder, or is it a beautiful corporate machine that makes you pay extra for the design language and the badge? We’ll soon find out.

Specifications

The Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 review unit runs Windows 11 Pro and is built around Intel’s Core Ultra 7 268V on the Lunar Lake-MX platform, using an 8-core layout (4 performance cores plus 4 low-power efficiency cores). It is paired with 32 GB of LPDDR5X memory and a 512 GB Samsung PM9C1a TLC NVMe SSD. Graphics are handled by the integrated Intel Arc 140V GPU, delivering modern DirectX performance without a discrete chip. Wireless connectivity comes via Intel’s Wi-Fi 7 BE201, supporting the latest high-bandwidth, low-latency networks. The display is a 14.0-inch 16:10 OLED touchscreen made by LG Phillips (panel model 140WT1 OLED, LGD07A0), with a 2880 × 1800 resolution, 243 PPI pixel density, glossy finish, HDR support, 60 Hz refresh rate, and 10-point capacitive touch. Power comes from a 3-cell 60Wh battery, charged using a 60 W ultra-light adapter. For calls and security, it includes an 8MP HDR webcam with IR for facial authentication, plus a power button that doubles as a fingerprint reader. The recycled magnesium chassis weighs 1.3 kg and offers two Thunderbolt 4 ports (one each side), HDMI, USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1, and a 3.5 mm audio combo jack.

Build quality

The PA14250 communicates “premium” in a way that suits a business machine: not through flamboyant styling, but through restraint and materials that feel chosen for utility as much as aesthetics. The recycled magnesium chassis is a good foundation for a 14-inch ultrabook because it can deliver stiffness without pushing weight upward, and in this category stiffness is not just about durability. It’s about the confidence to use the laptop one-handed, to type energetically, and to throw it into a bag without feeling like the lid needs kid-glove treatment.

The matte texture on the top cover is the sort of detail that makes daily ownership better. Glossy lids can look impressive under lights and miserable after five minutes of handling. Matte finishes tend to hide fingerprints better, age more gracefully, and fit the understated identity of a professional laptop. There’s also a psychological benefit, in the sense that you’re getting a business laptop that is too “precious” can feel like it belongs on a desk, not in motion. The PA14250’s finish suggests it expects to be carried.

At 1.3kg, portability is a genuine strength rather than a spec-sheet boast. This is a weight that makes a difference in routine, especially for commuters, frequent travellers, or anyone moving between desks and meeting rooms. It also means the laptop can comfortably coexist with the other things work bags accumulate: chargers, notebooks, a mouse, dongles (even if fewer are needed here), and the inevitable “just in case” accessories.

Structural quality matters most in the areas that thin laptops often get wrong - the keyboard deck, lid rigidity, hinge behaviour and handling by the corners. The configuration and performance characteristics suggest the chassis and cooling solution are not being pushed beyond what the form factor can sustain, and that tends to correlate with better long-term mechanical feel. A laptop that runs too hot, too often, frequently becomes a laptop that feels less solid over time because heat cycling is unfriendly to thin structures.

Rather than going all-in on USB-C minimalism, Dell includes HDMI and a USB-A port. That choice implies a laptop designed to reduce friction for real work setups: meeting rooms, existing peripherals, and environments where “just use a dongle” is not the default behaviour.

Overall, the PA14250’s build quality aligns with what premium business laptops should aim for: light, stiff, practical, and not visually exhausting.

Performance

Performance on a laptop like the PA14250 should be read through two lenses. The first is “how fast does it feel in the work that actually happens”, the second is “how consistent is that speed under sustained load without turning the machine into a noisy, hot compromise”. Benchmarks can cover the first lens well and partially cover the second, but the real judgement comes from how the numbers align with the thermal and power characteristics of the chassis.

The PA14250’s results suggest a well-balanced platform. CPU benchmarks indicate strong single-core speed and solid multi-core capability for an ultrabook class device. The integrated Arc 140V GPU produces unusually capable results for a business laptop, supporting light creative workloads and casual gaming without the need for a discrete GPU. Storage performance is comfortably modern, with strong sequential throughput and reasonable random performance that should translate to snappy app behaviour. Battery life is a standout, especially for an OLED configuration.

CPU performance

Cinebench R23 posts 1,926 in single-core and 10,082 in multi-core. Similarly, Cinebench 2024, often a better reflection of modern rendering pipelines, returns 122 single-core and 573 multi-core. The single-core score is particularly meaningful for the everyday experience of Windows laptops. It correlates with fluid UI, browser performance, and the general sense that the machine is reacting instantly rather than thinking about it. In a premium business device, strong single-core matters because the laptop spends most of its time in lightly threaded or mixed workloads rather than pegged at full multi-core utilisation.

The multi-core score of 10,082 indicates that the Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 is not a one-trick pony. It has enough throughput for heavier bursts for tasks such as large file compression, code compilation on moderate projects, batch photo exports, and the sort of multi-app multitasking that can stress weaker ultrabook CPUs. It is not, however, trying to outmuscle larger laptops built around higher-TDP silicon. That matters because sustained, high-load workflows such as long video exports, heavy 3D rendering, and continuous scientific computation will always favour machines with larger cooling solutions and higher power budgets.

Geekbench 6.4.0 scores 2,811 single-core and 11,145 multi-core. Geekbench can be sensitive to architecture and platform behaviour, but here it reinforces the broader picture which is excellent single-threaded capability for everyday work, and enough multi-threaded performance to avoid feeling constrained when workloads become heavier.

In practice, that makes the PA14250 a strong candidate for typical professional workloads: Office suites, extensive browser sessions with many tabs, communication apps, light to moderate content creation, and development work that is not dependent on sustained all-core processing for long periods. It also suggests the laptop should handle demanding multitasking well, which is often the real “performance test” for business users.

NPU performance

Local AI inference results highlight how much the software stack influences performance on this platform. Using ONNX on the CPU, the scores are 2,450 for single precision, 1,243 for half precision, and 4,976 for the quantised test. Switching to OpenVINO on the CPU lifts those numbers to 3,149 (single), 2,225 (half), and 8,178 (quantised), with the largest gain coming from quantised inference which is expected.

Intel’s OpenVINO path is extracting noticeably more throughput than a more generic ONNX route, particularly in the kind of quantised workloads that are common in practical, efficiency-focused on-device AI deployments. This is why tweaking the model matters and raw TOPS isn’t really a great indicator of how well you’ll experience AI tools on your PC. In real terms, that can mean faster processing for supported local AI features, such as transcription, background effects, noise suppression, and certain assistive tools inside productivity or creative apps without getting massive models.

One important limitation remains: these are CPU-based inference scores, so they do not isolate the NPU in the way an NPU-only benchmark would. Even so, they are still useful because many Windows applications and enterprise AI workflows continue to run inference through CPU runtimes for compatibility reasons. The best-case experience on the PA14250 will come when software is tuned to use optimised execution paths (OpenVINO here), rather than relying purely on generic inference pipelines.

Graphics performance

Integrated graphics is one of the most quietly important parts of the PA14250’s performance profile. Business laptops have historically treated iGPUs as display engines first and performance devices second. The Arc 140V results here suggest something different: a capable integrated GPU that can meaningfully contribute to creative workloads, GPU-accelerated productivity features, and casual gaming.

Time Spy is a particularly useful indicator because it is a DirectX 12 test that tends to reflect more modern rendering behaviours than older benchmarks. A 4,436 score in a thin, 14-inch business laptop is a strong signal that the iGPU is not merely adequate, it is genuinely capable.

Fire Strike at 9,170 reinforces the idea that even in older DirectX 11-centric workloads, the integrated graphics has enough power to deliver decent results. Night Raid at 33,107 suggests strong performance in lighter, more integrated-friendly scenarios, which can translate to smooth UI compositing, accelerated workloads, and some esports or older titles running comfortably at sensible settings.

Wild Life and Wild Life Extreme scores are useful as cross-platform indicators, often aligning with the kind of GPU behaviour seen in mobile-adjacent workloads and some modern app acceleration scenarios. Scores of 27,953 and 7,735 respectively point to a GPU that can handle sustained graphics loads better than typical business iGPUs of the past.

The practical implication is that the PA14250 is more flexible than most laptops in its category. It should handle light photo editing, GPU-accelerated filters, hardware-accelerated playback, and multiple external displays without strain. For casual gaming, the 60Hz panel sets an upper bound on perceived smoothness, but the GPU capability suggests many titles will be playable at reasonable settings, particularly if the goal is stability rather than maximum visual flair.

Storage performance

The Samsung PM9C1a 512GB SSD delivers the kind of performance expected from a modern premium laptop. CrystalDiskMark results in about 6161 MB/s for read speeds and similar write speeds. The sequential numbers are strong and will benefit large file transfers, application installs, and workloads involving big media assets. The random numbers, particularly the 4K Q1T1 results, are important for everyday responsiveness: boot behaviour, app launching, and the countless small file operations that happen under the hood in Windows. The results here are healthy, and they should translate to a laptop that feels quick and consistent in daily use.

PCMark 10 Full System Drive returns 2,176. PCMark’s storage test is valuable because it uses traces designed to reflect real usage patterns rather than pure synthetic throughput. A good score supports the interpretation that the SSD behaviour will feel snappy in practical workflows.

The one potential complaint is capacity rather than speed. At this price tier, 512GB can be limiting depending on workload. For office productivity, it is usually fine. For heavy content creation, large local media libraries, or multiple development environments, it can become tight quickly. The performance, though, is not the bottleneck.

Display performance

The display is a major part of the Dell Pro 14 Premium’s identity. A 14.0-inch OLED panel with 2880 × 1800 resolution, 16:10 aspect ratio, HDR support, and touch input is not the sort of screen typically associated with corporate laptops. It’s the sort of screen that changes the daily experience of using the machine, even for people who do not think of themselves as “display snobs”.

Resolution and pixel density are a practical win. Text looks sharp and clean, and UI elements have a crispness that reduces visual noise during long sessions. The 16:10 aspect ratio provides more vertical room, which matters constantly in real work i.e. more lines of text, more rows in spreadsheets, less scrolling, and better split-window layouts.

The panel is glossy, which is a trade-off. Gloss tends to enhance perceived contrast and colour richness, but reflections can be an issue in bright environments. In typical office lighting it is manageable, and in controlled indoor settings it can even be preferable. In unpredictable bright spaces, it can become more situational.

Refresh rate is 60 Hz. In the premium market, higher refresh panels are increasingly common, and 60 Hz is not going to satisfy people who have become used to 120 Hz smoothness. That said, 60 Hz is still absolutely fine for productivity, and it can be a sensible choice for battery life, especially with OLED in play.

Touch support adds flexibility. It is not transformative in the way it is on a convertible, but it is useful for quick interactions, presentations, and certain browsing and document workflows. On a premium OLED panel, it also feels more natural, because touch responses pair well with the panel’s clarity and contrast.

Overall, the display feels like a genuine premium differentiator, and it is one of the strongest arguments for this specific configuration.

Thermals

Thermal behaviour is where a laptop like this either proves it was engineered thoughtfully, or exposes itself as a thin shell around components it cannot manage. The Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250’s thermal behaviour is best described as “fine”, with typical temperatures around 48°C and the system hitting limits during benchmarks.

That pattern is consistent with a well-tuned thin-and-light. Under everyday workloads, it stays within comfortable thermal bounds. Under stress, it reaches the thermal or power limits that are inevitable in a slim chassis. The real test is what happens when those limits are reached: whether the machine becomes unpleasantly hot to use, whether fan noise becomes distracting, and whether performance becomes erratic.

Acoustically, it does not do anything that sticks out like a sore thumb. Hitting limits during benchmarks is not inherently a flaw, it is often the outcome of a deliberate tuning choice to maintain user comfort, avoid extreme fan ramps, and keep sustained performance predictable rather than spiky.

In a corporate context, this is usually preferable. A laptop that is slightly less aggressive in chasing short-term benchmark peaks can deliver a better long-term ownership experience: quieter operation, less heat soak, and fewer annoying moments where the machine suddenly sounds like it is trying to take off during a meeting.

Wireless connectivity

Speaking of wireless capability, the Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE201 is a current-generation solution designed for high throughput and improved latency characteristics on compatible networks. In practical terms, the best measure of wireless is consistency i.e. stable connections, predictable roaming in office environments, strong performance in congested networks, and the ability to make the most of newer routers and access points as they become common. Wi-Fi 7 capability also helps future-proof the laptop for a multi-year lifespan, which matters in this price tier. In that context, the BE201 is exactly what a premium business laptop should ship with.

Webcam

The PA14250’s webcam setup is one of its strongest practical advantages. An 8MP HDR camera with IR support represents a significant leap over the 1080p webcams that still dominate even expensive laptops. The higher resolution improves detail and clarity, particularly in the kind of compressed video conferencing environment where weaker cameras can look soft and noisy. HDR helps in challenging lighting situations common in offices and homes, such as bright backlighting from windows or uneven overhead lighting. The result is a more presentable image with less effort.

IR support enables Windows Hello facial recognition, which improves the daily login experience, particularly when paired with a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button. Multiple biometric options matter more than they sound, because they reduce friction across varied real conditions: low light, different angles, masks, or moments when one method is simply more convenient than the other. In a world where professional presence is often mediated through a webcam, this feature lands as a meaningful upgrade rather than a luxury.

Battery life

Battery life is arguably the headline performance result here, especially given the OLED display. PCMark 10 Battery Life reports 14 hours 36 minutes. That is a strong outcome for a premium 14-inch laptop with a high-resolution OLED touchscreen. It suggests the platform is doing its efficiency job well, and that Dell’s tuning is prioritising sustained mobility rather than leaving battery life as a footnote.

It also indicates that the PA14250 is likely to be genuinely all-day capable for many working patterns, depending on brightness, network conditions, and workload. Heavy video calling, for example, can drain battery faster because it keeps multiple subsystems active (camera, microphone, networking, and often AI effects). Even allowing for that variability, starting from a 14 hr 36 min baseline in PCMark is a reassuring indicator.

Value for money

The Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 in this customised configuration is priced in a bracket where “value” cannot mean “cheap”. It has to mean “worth it for the right buyer”. At roughly ₹2.4 lakh for this configuration (with the base range closer to ₹1.5 lakh), the machine is priced alongside premium business icons, including the ThinkPad X1 Carbon class and high-end HP EliteBook models. In that segment, the buying logic often shifts from raw performance-per-rupee to a broader calculus which includes considerations such as portability, screen quality, call experience, battery life, connectivity, and the feeling that the laptop is not adding friction to the workday.

The Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 makes a good case because several of its strengths are immediately tangible. The OLED 2880 × 1800 display is a daily quality-of-life improvement. It is sharper, richer, and more pleasant for long work sessions than typical business IPS panels, and the 16:10 aspect ratio is a productivity advantage. Touch support adds an extra layer of convenience rather than being a gimmick.

The webcam setup is a genuine differentiator. An 8MP HDR + IR camera is exactly the kind of feature that can justify a premium in 2026 because it directly improves the quality of calls, which are now a core part of professional life. This is the sort of upgrade that is visible to others, not just to the person using the laptop.

Battery life is another compelling justification. 14 hours 36 minutes in PCMark 10 with an OLED configuration is the sort of result that changes how the laptop is used. It reduces charger anxiety, makes travel easier, and enables full-day work away from a desk.

Performance is well-judged for the form factor. CPU results show strong single-core speed and respectable multi-core capability. Integrated graphics is unusually capable for a business laptop, and storage performance is comfortably modern. Thermals and acoustics are described as controlled and unremarkable, which is exactly what many business buyers want.

The compromises are more about preferences and configuration choices than about outright flaws. The display is 60 Hz, which may feel behind the curve to people who have become accustomed to higher refresh panels. Storage capacity at 512 GB may be limiting for certain professional workloads, even if the drive itself performs well. NPU capability is future-facing, but the practical benefits depend on software adoption, which varies.

Taken as a whole, the PA14250 offers value for buyers who prioritise mobility, display quality, conferencing performance, and battery life at least as much as they prioritise peak multi-core performance. For those buyers, the premium pricing aligns with features that are used daily, not just boasted about occasionally.

Verdict

The Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 gets the fundamentals right for a modern premium business ultrabook. At 1.3 kg with a recycled magnesium chassis, it’s genuinely easy to carry, and the port selection is refreshingly practical. Performance is well-balanced rather than showy, with strong single-core results that keep day-to-day work feeling quick, and enough multi-core headroom for heavier bursts. Integrated Arc graphics is unusually capable for this class, making light creative work and casual gaming more realistic than on typical business laptops. The standout features are the 14-inch 16:10 OLED touchscreen and the 8 MP HDR + IR camera, aside from the long battery life. 

At around ₹2.4 lakh in this configuration, the Dell Pro 14 Premium PA14250 is not trying to be the obvious pick for everyone. It is aiming at professionals and organisations that value a premium daily experience which are - excellent screen quality, strong conferencing hardware, modern connectivity, and battery life that supports real mobility. For that audience, it delivers a cohesive, well-tuned package that feels expensive for reasons that show up every day, not just on a spec sheet.

With the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D, the company is essentially doing something it has been doing for a while now, iterate from a position of comfort. The Ryzen 7 9800X3D was already a bit of a cheat code for high-refresh gaming, so the 9850X3D’s job is not to reinvent the formula, it’s to sand down the rough edges and squeeze a little more out of the same basic idea. And on paper, that’s exactly what AMD has done: the same 8-core, 16-thread Zen 5 setup, the same X3D cache configuration, the same 120W class power envelope, but with higher boost clocks and what AMD claims are small, repeatable gains in the kinds of games that are sensitive to frequency and frame-time consistency. 

If that sounds familiar, it should. This while packaged as a new tier of performance that forces everyone else to respond overnight, is actually a refinement aimed at enthusiasts who already know why X3D chips matter. The bigger question is whether the uplift is meaningful enough to justify its place next to the 9800X3D, and whether its pricing and availability in India land in the right spot.

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Specifications

In a way, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is best understood as a better-binned, slightly faster take on the Ryzen 7 9800X3D. It keeps the familiar 8C/16T configuration and the same cache layout that makes these chips so good for gaming: 96MB of L3 (32MB native plus 64MB stacked 3D V-Cache) paired with 8MB of L2, giving a combined 104MB cache pool. The key improvement here is with the clock speeds. AMD advertises up to 5.6G Hz boost, which is 400 MHz higher than the 9800X3D’s rated boost. Power, at least on the spec sheet, remains sensible for what this is. The chip sticks to a 120W TDP class, and most AM5 boards should support it with the usual BIOS update routine, which keeps the platform consistent for folks looking to upgrade. Let’s take a closer look at the AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D ‘s Specifications

The price line deserves context: in the US, AMD’s launch price is USD 499, while Indian listings at the time of writing have shown street pricing around the mid-₹50K range (with a higher listed MRP on some retailers). Treat that as “current market noise”, not a fixed truth, because supply tends to decide the real number. 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Performance

The Ryzen 7 9850X3D is built for one job first: gaming. The higher boost clock is the main lever, so most of the uplift shows up where games are CPU-limited, frame rates are already high, and small frequency shifts can translate into better 1% lows and slightly higher averages. 

Outside gaming, the performance is more subtle. With the same core count as the 9800X3D, multi-threaded heavy lifting tends to scale similarly, with modest improvements in select workloads thanks to the higher clocks and tuning refinements rather than any big architectural jump. 

Cinebench 2024

Cinebench 2024 is based on Maxon’s Cinema 4D software, designed to evaluate a processor’s performance in rendering complex 3D scenes. It tests both single-core and multi-core capabilities, highlighting how efficiently a CPU handles multi-threaded tasks common in professional rendering workflows. The benchmark utilises modern instruction sets and large datasets, providing an up-to-date assessment of CPU performance in contemporary applications.

Cinebench R23

Cinebench R23 is the older version based on the same Cinema 4D engine and it too measures a processor’s ability to render photorealistic 3D scenes. Though replaced by Cinebench 2024, it’s still useful for comparing against processors launched a few years prior. It also focuses on both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, simulating real-world tasks relevant to content creators and professionals in 3D rendering.

Blender

The Blender Benchmark assesses a processor’s performance by rendering scenes using Blender, a popular open-source 3D creation suite. It evaluates how well the CPU handles complex rendering tasks and multi-threaded workloads. For an 8-core X3D chip like the 9850X3D, results tend to be strong for its class, but higher-core-count CPUs will still pull ahead when raw thread count is the deciding factor. 

V-Ray

V-Ray is another benchmark that measures a processor’s performance in rendering but it uses the V-Ray engine, widely used in visual effects, architecture, and design industries. It tests multi-threaded performance and handling complex calculations involved in ray tracing. CPUs with higher core counts tend to shine, but the 9850X3D’s higher clocks help keep it competitive within the 8-core bracket. 

WinRAR

WinRAR Benchmark evaluates a processor’s performance in data compression and decompression tasks, common in file archiving and management. It leans on single-threaded performance, memory bandwidth, and latency. With the 9850X3D, expectations should be modest uplift versus the 9800X3D rather than a new class of result, because core count and cache layout remain unchanged. 

AIDA64

AIDA64 Memory Benchmark measures the memory bandwidth and latency of a system, highlighting how quickly data transfers between the CPU and RAM. It tests read, write, and copy speeds, providing insights into the efficiency of the memory subsystem, including RAM speed, timings, and memory controller performance. AIDA64 also has benchmarks to evaluate how well a processor can handle AES, ZLib and SHA3 encryption and decryption tasks.

y-cruncher

The y-cruncher benchmark computes mathematical constants like Pi to a high number of digits, testing a processor’s multi-threaded performance and memory subsystem under heavy computational load. It stresses the CPU’s integer and floating-point units, cache hierarchy, and memory bandwidth. In broader test suites, the 9850X3D has shown measurable improvements versus the 9800X3D in some y-cruncher runs, which is a good sign for compute-heavy stability and sustained boosting behaviour. 

Procyon Office

The Procyon Office Benchmark measures a processor’s performance in real-world office applications like the Microsoft Office suite, testing tasks such as document editing, spreadsheet calculations, and presentation creation. It focuses on both single-threaded and multi-threaded performance, providing insights into how a CPU handles everyday productivity tasks. In practice, this is one of those areas where small frequency gains can show up as “feels a bit snappier”, even if the charts do not look dramatic. 

Mozilla Kraken & Google Octane

Mozilla Kraken and Google Octane are JavaScript benchmarks evaluating a processor’s performance in executing complex web-based scripts, reflecting real-world web application usage. It tests single-threaded performance and the efficiency of a CPU’s instruction pipelines in handling dynamic scripting languages. With a higher top-end boost, the 9850X3D is positioned to edge ahead here, though the difference is rarely night-and-day in real browsing. 

Procyon AI Computer Vision

The UL Procyon AI Computer Vision benchmark measures the performance of AI inference engines to understand how well processors can handle machine-vision tasks using popular neural networks. While the 9850X3D doesn’t add a dedicated NPU, broad third-party testing has still shown uplift versus the 9800X3D in this benchmark category, which is likely down to clock behaviour and platform consistency rather than a new hardware block. 

3DMark Time Spy (iGPU)

3DMark Time Spy is a DirectX 12 benchmark evaluating graphics performance. It’s useful here mainly for checking where the integrated Radeon graphics land relative to other basic iGPUs, particularly for diagnostics and as a fallback display output. It’s not why anyone buys an X3D chip, but it’s still worth sanity-checking.

7 Game Average

While 3DMark is an excellent synthetic benchmark, it’s not really indicative of real-world gaming performance, which is why the 9850X3D lives or dies by actual game testing. AMD itself positions the chip as a small uplift over the 9800X3D, with the most obvious gains showing up in frequency-sensitive and esports-style titles rather than GPU-bound AAA scenarios. 

Core to Core Latency - AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D

Core-to-Core Latency measures the time it takes for data to transfer between different cores within a CPU. It highlights the efficiency of the processor’s inter-core communication pathways and cache coherency mechanisms. The key structural advantage here is that the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is a single-CCD, 8-core part, so there’s no cross-CCD penalty to worry about, and scheduling tends to be simpler than on multi-chiplet, higher-core-count designs. That is one of the quieter reasons these 8-core X3D chips often feel so consistent in games, beyond the obvious cache advantage. 

AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D Thermals and Power

With a 120W TDP class rating and an 8-core layout, the Ryzen 7 9850X3D is generally easier to cool than the 16-core X3D parts. That does not mean “tiny cooler and forget it”, because sustained boost behaviour still benefits from thermal headroom. A decent 240 mm to 280 mm liquid cooler is a sensible pairing if the goal is stable clocks and low noise under load, which aligns with third-party recommendations and typical testing setups. 

Power behaviour is also more predictable than the 170W-class flagships. The upside is that it’s easier to build a balanced system around it, especially for gaming rigs where the GPU is already the primary power draw. The flip side is that anyone shopping for workstation-first throughput should still be looking at higher core counts, because the 9850X3D’s performance ceiling in heavy multi-threaded work is fundamentally bounded by 8 cores, regardless of how clever the cache stack is. 

Verdict

The AMD Ryzen 7 9850X3D is what a “refresh” should look like when the base product is already strong. It keeps the platform consistent for AM5 users, holds the same cache configuration that makes X3D chips so effective in games, and adds a higher boost ceiling that translates into small, repeatable performance gains in the scenarios that care most. 

The awkward bit is positioning. At $499 in the US, it’s priced like a premium iteration rather than a bargain replacement, and in India the street pricing settles close enough to the 9800X3D at INR 54,999 which is close enough to make the newer chip the obvious pick but it’s not the obvious choice and a lot of folks will still be getting the 9800X3D.

For gamers building a high-end rig aimed at high-refresh 1080p and 1440p (or anyone chasing frame-time consistency in competitive titles), the 9850X3D makes a lot of sense if it lands at the right price. For creators who routinely lean on heavy multi-threaded rendering or encode workloads, the smarter move is still going up the stack to a Ryzen 9 class chip, because cache can’t conjure extra cores out of thin air. 

You can follow a pattern for almost anything in life, but surely not for those hectic working days. And as a journalist, I have plenty of them. Some mornings begin quietly with a cup of coffee and a half-written feature, while others spiral into chaos with back to back calls, last-minute edits, and dozens of Google Chrome tabs fighting for attention. In the middle of all this, the one thing that absolutely can’t give up (apart from me) is my laptop. It has to be light enough to carry everywhere, powerful enough to handle multitasking without slowing down, and reliable enough to last an entire day without sending me hunting for a charging point. 

Another aspect that is just as important is the display. When your job involves staring at text, images, and timelines for hours on end, screen quality becomes as important as everything else. And when I got the Asus Zenbook 14 for review, I decided to use it as my daily driver for a week to find out if it can survive my intense working style and still look good while doing it all. 

The Zenbook lineup has always been positioned as Asus’ premium thin and light offering, and the 2026 Zenbook 14 continues that tradition. Before we talk in depth about the laptop, here are some of the key specifications.

Asus Zenbook 14 2026: Top specifications

Processor: AMD Ryzen AI 5 430

Display: 14-inch 3K OLED touchscreen

Graphics: AMD Radeon 840M

RAM: 16 GB

Storage: 1 TB

Price: Rs 1,15,990

Now, the Asus Zenbook 14 is loaded with all the bells and whistles you would expect in 2026. But does it actually deliver in real-world usage? Let’s find out.

Asus Zenbook 14 2026: Design and keyboard

At first glance, the Zenbook 14 looks exactly what you expect from a Zenbook. It is slim, lightweight, and clean, without trying too hard to stand out. The familiar glossy lines on the lid are still here, adding just enough character without feeling loud. Asus branding sits neatly in the corner and never feels distracting.

The Jade Black colour variant I tested looks refined and mature, making it suitable for office environments as well as cafes and co-working spaces. Now I personally love black colour on laptops way too much and might therefore be a little biased here. If you like experimenting with your laptop’s colour choices, the Zenbook 14 sadly doesn’t have many options.

Coming to portability, it is one of the Zenbook 14’s strongest suits. Weighing just 1.2 kg, it is genuinely easy to carry around all day. I slipped it into a tote bag, carried it between meetings, and even worked with it on my lap without ever feeling uncomfortable. So if you move a lot during the day, this is the kind of laptop you will appreciate very quickly. 

In terms of build quality, the chassis feels solid and well-built, with no noticeable flex on the keyboard deck or the base. Even when applying pressure on the lid, the laptop holds its shape well, which inspires confidence in its durability. But with that being said, the hinge mechanism could have been better. Opening the laptop with one hand is not as smooth as it should be on a premium machine. The base tends to lift slightly, which can get mildly annoying, especially when you are trying to quickly open the laptop on a Monday morning. It is not a dealbreaker, but it is something you notice almost immediately if you are used to smoother hinge designs.

In terms of ports, Asus has taken a practical approach. On the right side, you get an HDMI port, two USB Type-C ports, including one for charging, and a headphone jack. On the left, there is a single USB Type-A port. For most office users, this should cover the basics. I had no trouble connecting external displays, storage drives, and accessories. However, once the laptop is plugged in for charging, you are left with only one free USB Type-C port, which can feel limiting if you rely on multiple Type-C accessories. In my case, I occasionally had to juggle connections or reach for a hub.

The keyboard is one of the highlights of this laptop. It is compact yet comfortable, with well-spaced keys and satisfying tactile feedback. As someone who types for several hours every day, this matters a lot. The keys have a slight clicky sound, which I personally enjoy because it helps me stay focused while typing. 

I usually use my M3 MacBook Air 15-inch as my daily driver and absolutely love its keyboard. But switching from that to the Zenbook 14 was also quite simple. Within a day,  I was typing at full speed without having to look down. The keyboard is also backlit, which is perfect for late-night work sessions, and there is a dedicated Copilot key for quick access to AI features.

The touchpad is smooth, accurate, and generously sized. It registers gestures reliably and feels pleasant to use for long periods. One interesting feature is the built-in NumberPad that lights up on the touchpad when you press longer on the top right corner. This turned out to be more useful than I initially expected, especially when working with figures and symbols during editing and planning. The only challenge was remembering that the feature existed in the first place.

Asus Zenbook 14 2026: Display and camera

The display of the Asus Zenbook 14 is another feather in its cap. You get a 14-inch 3K OLED screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. Colours look vibrant, blacks are deep, and text appears crisp, making it excellent for reading and writing. During internal testing, the display showed 137.5% sRGB coverage with an average Delta of 1.1, which means colour accuracy is spot-on. Brightness levels are suitable for office environments, and I found myself using it comfortably at around around 70% most of the time. The screen size also feels just right for work, easy to carry around without feeling cramped. Personally, I feel laptops with 14-inch screens have been a game-changer in the productivity laptop space. 

If there is one drawback to the screen, and I am really nitpicking here, it is that, being an OLED panel, reflections can be an issue here. Especially if you are sitting with a bright light source right behind you. Coming to the touchscreen part, it feels more like a bonus than a necessity. I often forgot the screen was touch-enabled, except for when I accidentally shut all my Google Chrome tabs while I was trying to adjust the screen. 

The webcam also surprised me in a good way. Video calls look clear and sharp, and face login worked flawlessly every time. For those who work from home or attend frequent virtual meetings, this is a small but meaningful win.

Asus Zenbook 14 2026: Performance and benchmarks 

Under the hood, the Asus Zenbook 14 is powered by the AMD Ryzen AI 5 430, paired with 16 GB of LPDDR5 RAM and a 1 TB SSD. In day to day usage, performance feels exactly as you would expect from a premium productivity laptop. Apps open quickly, multitasking is smooth, and the system remains responsive even with multiple programs running simultaneously. I regularly ran Google Chrome with several tabs, Microsoft Word, Excel, File Manager, Edge, and Notepad all at once, without experiencing any slowdowns.

The benchmark testing results also reflected this performance.  To test the CPU, I ran PC Mark, Geekbench and Cinebench on the laptop. And while the numbers aren’t exactly ground-breaking, they are solid for a productivity laptop around the Rs 1 lakh mark. 

In the PC Mark benchmark test, the laptop scored 6,111 points overall with 10,260 in Essentials, 11,925 in App Start-up and 9,464 in the Video Conferencing test. It also scored 9,223 points in productivity, 11,337 in spreadsheets and 7,504 in Writing. 

In the Geekbench benchmark test, the single-core score stood at 2,372, while the multi-core score was 7,413. Coming to the Cinebench R23 benchmark test, the laptop scored 6,413 points in multi-core and 1,696 points in the single-core test. It also didn’t lose much performance in the throttle test. 

For graphics, I ran multiple 3D Mark tests, including Time Spy, Fire Strike, Night Raid, and Wild Life. And considering the laptop relies on integrated graphics, the numbers are quite justified. 

The storage performance was excellent. The Crystal Disk Mark benchmark test showed super-fast read and write speeds, and in PC Mark’s full system SSD test, the laptop scored 2,124 points.

Asus Zenbook 14 2026: Battery, thermals and audio

Battery life is another area where the Zenbook 14 scores full marks. The laptop can last up to 2 working days, depending on the number of hours and the nature of your job. If you work continuously for 15 hours, then no, the battery won’t last for two working days. But if you are on your laptop for roughly 7-8 hours a day, you won’t need a charger that often. Also, if you are watching a lot of YouTube videos, keep your brightness at max, and keep the backlighting on your keyboard on; the battery drain will be faster. 

Coming to thermals, they also remain well managed and will rarely be an issue. During my usage, the surface temperatures stayed between 25 and 30 degrees Celcius in key areas during heavy stress tests. On the other hand, internal CPU temperatures peaked at around 89 degrees Celcius during an extended Cinebench run. This is acceptable for a thin and light laptop. In everyday use, heat was never noticeable, and the laptop remained comfortable to use even during long sessions.

Audio, however, is a weak point. While dialogues sound clear during video calls, the speakers lack bass and volume. As a result, watching shows or movies on the device feels underwhelming unless you use headphones or external speakers. This is something to keep in mind if media consumption is a big part of your usage.

Asus Zenbook 14 2026: Should you buy it?

So, should you buy the Asus Zenbook 14? If you are looking for a lightweight office laptop that offers reliable performance, an excellent display, and outstanding battery life, the answer is yes. But do keep in mind that the laptop is not perfect. The hinge could be smoother, the speakers could be better, and an extra Type C port would have been a welcome addition. But as a work machine that quietly gets things done without drama, the Zenbook 14 delivers. 

Priced at Rs 1,15,990, Asus Zenbook 14 2026 earns a solid 8 out of 10, and for workdays that never seem to slow down, that consistency is worth paying for.

Also read: This Asus laptop is available for under Rs 30,000, and it can reach your home in under 5 minutes

The Hisense U7Q is a 65-inch QD Mini LED TV that launched in India in June 2025 at Rs 79,999 and is now retailing for around Rs 69,999. It came in for the Digit Zero One Awards and was a runner-up for the best-value Mini-LED TV. But there was more to say about the TV than the picture-based metrics on which we decided the best value TV winner. It is specced to impress with a 144Hz refresh rate screen, MEMC, VRR, AMD Freesync Premium, Dolby Vision IQ and HDR 10+ Adaptive format support, Filmmaker mode, a few AI-based enhancements, 4 HDMI 2.1 ports, Vidaa OS, built-in Alexa voice assistant support, 47W 2.1 channel three-speaker setup tuned by Devialet, including a sub-woofer and Dolby Atmos support. In this review, after a long time of use, we will share our assessment of how good this TV is for the asking price.

Respectable visuals, rich in gaming features

The Hisense U7Q uses a 4K 8-bit+ FRC panel. It is a Mini LED LCD type with full-array local dimming. You can buy it in 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch, 85-inch, and 100-inch models. We got the 65-inch variant, and it is a big enough panel for engrossing movies, shows and any other content in a standard Indian room.

Hisense has added support for HDR formats like Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR10+ and HLG, which is impressive considering some brands exclude certain formats in this range.

In peak HDR brightness testing at a 25% window, the U7Q reached 620 nits, which is lower than some newer Mini LED rivals but still sufficient for most HDR content in living-room lighting. Black levels measured 0.11 nits, which explains why the TV delivers reasonably deep blacks for an LCD, though not OLED-like. In colour coverage tests, the panel reproduced 94.48% of UHDA-P3, 71.7% of BT.2020, and 98% of BT.709, with an average Delta E of 3.1. These figures point to strong SDR performance, though HDR colour volume is not class-leading.

For comparison, the Lumio Vision 9 (review) posts stronger raw numbers in several areas. It measured 903 nits peak brightness at 25%, significantly brighter than the Hisense. Colour coverage is also wider, with 98.04% UHDA-P3, 82.12% BT.2020, and 100% BT.709, alongside an excellent average Delta E of 1. On paper, the Lumio clearly leads in colour accuracy and peak luminance.

In everyday viewing, the Hisense U7Q offers a comfortable field of view. In a well-lit room, reflections are visible, but they do not significantly interfere with the on-screen image. Colours and contrast do not consistently pop, but the presentation remains stable and easy to watch over long sessions. Filmmaker Mode is available and useful if you want a more authentic picture profile that aligns closer to the creator’s intent in movies and shows.

The overall colour temperature leans slightly warm. At times, blues can appear faintly greenish. In certain scenes, colours may look a bit washed out, and subjects on screen do not always stand out strongly due to limited depth and fine detail. These impressions became more noticeable when the TV was viewed alongside a pricier Sony Bravia 5, which offers greater clarity and image separation. That said, at its price, many buyers may not mind the U7Q’s softer, less dramatic presentation. Skin tones are handled well, and importantly, there were no obvious blooming artefacts during our viewing, which is a positive. In the high-speed dogfight in Top Gun: Maverick, the TV also handled motion well.

When it comes to sports content, motion performance is less convincing. During fast-paced cricket matches, the ball occasionally appeared to skip slightly, creating a faint trailing effect. With older SD shows such as Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, detail levels were modest. You may be left wanting more texture or clarity in lower-resolution sources.

While the Lumio Vision 9 wins on colour accuracy and brightness benchmarks, the U7Q handles a wider range of HDR formats and also offers a fuller gaming feature set, including higher refresh rate support, VRR, ALLM, and better console compatibility. These shape how responsive and smooth the TV feels during actual gameplay.

Also Read: Panasonic Shinobi Pro PX950 Mini LED TV review: Bright 4K HDR performance at a premium price

As for gaming, U7Q has a strong feature set. With HDMI 2.1 support, high refresh rate capability, VRR, AMD Freesync Premium and ALLM, the TV handles modern consoles and PCs confidently. Input lag is low enough. Fast-paced shooters feel responsive, and racing games like Gran Turismo 7 benefit from smooth motion and consistent frame pacing. Colours in HDR gaming feel limited, though.

The TV supports popular console features and switches into game mode automatically when a compatible device is detected. For casual and even moderately competitive gamers, the U7Q offers excellent value in this price range.

Strong design and port selection

The Hisense U7Q has a clean, understated design. The bezels are slim, and the panel looks modern without trying to stand out unnecessarily. The central stand design provides good stability and leaves enough clearance for a soundbar. Build quality feels solid for the price, with no obvious flex or creaking during installation.

Port selection is practical. The TV offers multiple HDMI ports, including HDMI 2.1 for gaming, along with USB ports, Ethernet, optical audio out, and antenna input. HDMI 2.1 support includes features such as ALLM and VRR, which are important for console and PC gamers. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity are stable, and pairing external devices was trouble-free during testing.

Port placement is mostly rear-facing with some side access, making wall mounting manageable. Cable management is basic but functional.

The remote is very long. The grey colour, brushed metal finish, and disc-like navigation ring in the middle give it a distinct look, but some may find it gaudy. It is battery-powered and has no charging option.

Useful UI and audio

The Hisense U7Q runs on Linux-based Vidaa OS, which remains one of the most user-friendly smart TV platforms. The screen powers on and turns off with a unique 'curtain effect'. The home screen uses a vertical feed that mixes theme-based rows with platform-led recommendations. Banner ads are present but not intrusive.

Navigation is smooth. The menu is present on the left sidebar. The settings menu is logically organised with different modes and settings. It also has dedicated sections for kids and gaming, with the latter including free-to-play, controller-free casual games.

Voice control is flexible but sign-in dependent. Vidaa supports Alexa, Google Assistant, and Vidaa Voice, but each requires logging in to the respective service. This gives users the freedom to choose whichever ecosystem they are already comfortable with, rather than locking them into a single assistant.

The built-in App Store has several apps, but not necessarily the popular names or the ones you want. For instance, it doesn't include VLC or Spotify.

The TV did get some firmware updates during the review period, which was reassuring.

Audio performance is respectable for a TV in this class. The built-in speakers deliver clear dialogue, decent bass and adequate volume for everyday viewing. Volume increase with every step doesn't feel satisfying. For films and sports, a soundbar will significantly improve the experience, but for news, shows and casual viewing, the built-in audio is sufficient.

Should you buy the Hisense U7Q?

At its current price of Rs 69,999, the 65-inch Hisense U7Q makes more sense today than it did at launch. It does not lead the segment in raw brightness, colour accuracy, or cinematic depth. Models like the Lumio Vision 9 offer better benchmark numbers, but TVs are not judged only by lab charts.

The U7Q's strength lies in how complete the package feels at this price. It supports every major HDR format, including Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive, offers a 144Hz panel with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium, and includes four HDMI 2.1 ports. Gaming performance is impressive, and the feature set is future-ready in a way many rivals are not. In everyday viewing, the picture may not dazzle, but it remains stable, comfortable, and easy to watch over long sessions.

Audio performance is also better than most TVs in this range, thanks to the 47W 2.1-channel setup tuned by Devialet. You may still want a soundbar for cinematic impact, but you are not forced into one immediately. Vidaa OS is smooth and functional, even if app availability is not as broad as Google TV.

So, yes, for the price you pay, there are some tradeoffs like limited app availability on Vidaa OS, a long and dated-looking remote, ghosting in sports content, average upscaling, and weaker details and HDR punch. If you want the brightest, sharpest, most cinematic image, look elsewhere. But if your budget caps at Rs 70,000 and you value gaming features, HDR format compatibility, and respectable visuals, you can consider the Hisense U7Q. It offers a balanced mix of performance and features.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: Haier M92 QD- Mini LED TV review: Promising features, mixed execution

BenQ's recent monitors have leaned into a clean white aesthetic across several models. The BenQ EW270Q, a gaming monitor, also share this design. No RGB strips or aggressive branding. Rather, its appearance feels more at home in a work-from-home setup than a gamer's or streamer's room. For an asking price of Rs 17,989 in India, the BenQ monitor offers a 200Hz refresh rate, 2K resolution, 5Wx 2 speaker setup, and a USB-C port with up to 65W power delivery. On paper, this combination looks quite ambitious. So, while using the EW270Q as a daily work monitor, a gaming display in the evenings, and a casual screen for movies and shows after hours, I aimed to test how it all actually holds up in real use.

Clean design with one cable for most work

The white finish on the stand and rear panel immediately sets the BenQ EW270Q gaming monitor apart. It looks nice on a light-coloured desk. I use it alongside my M1 MacBook Air, and it blends well with the grey tone of the Mac. Someone buying a sub-Rs 20,000 monitor may be a student, freelancer or a professional working from home, and they may like this look.

The stand and the screen come detached in the box. But joining them is very easy. You can follow BenQ's tutorial on YouTube. Once set up on the desk, you can change its position by tilting and swiveling. So, ergonomic: check.

The build quality is solid, too. BenQ has used strong plastic with a clean finish. The stand doesn't wobble. The base is wide and stable, and it offers an enclosure to place small items like a phone, TWS case, god idols or soft toys. Thoughtful design choice.

The bezels are negligible. You shouldn't have a problem using it in a dual-monitor setup.

You can turn on the monitor with a physical joystick button on the back. This, along with two other buttons are situated on the back of the right side of the display. With these three buttons, you can navigate the menu, change picture modes and select input options.

The monitor supports accessing these menus and controls through BenQ's Display Pilot 2 app. We'll read more about that in the following section.

Besides the buttons, the ports are also present on the back. There is a power socket, a DisplayPort (1.4), an HDMI (2.0) port, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones and external speakers. The HDMI and DP are inputs for desktops and consoles.

The highlight is the USB-C with up to 65W power delivery. For MacBook and Windows laptop users, this acts as one cable for handling display output and charging the laptop. The one cable solution reduces desk clutter. During work hours, I had the monitor connected to my MacBook with a single USB-C cable, and everything just worked. The input detection is rather quick.

Also Read: BenQ EW3290U review

Enough headroom for gaming

The BenQ EW270Q uses a 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) panel with a 200Hz refresh rate. In the sub-Rs 20,000 segment, most high-refresh monitors still top out at Full HD, or offer QHD at lower refresh rates. That's what makes this combination interesting.

During testing, I mostly used the EW270Q with a Sony PlayStation 5, which naturally caps refresh rate output depending on resolution. That meant I spent most of my time between 1080p 120Hz multiplayer sessions and 1440p 60Hz story-driven titles. While playing Ghost of Yotei, we had to tweak some settings and then were able to have clean motion and decent colours without noticeable lag. Gran Turismo 7 (GT7) also ran well.

The monitor’s 200Hz refresh rate, AMD FreeSync Premium support, and 1ms GtG response times can be utilised on a powerful PC, though. In fast-paced games, the extra headroom will provide a cleaner and more responsive experience.

I had set AMA to High. AMA premium resulted in bright halos around moving objects. The monitor is HDR10 compliant with a 1200:1 native contrast ratio. It offers 3 HDR profiles. I chose the vibrant Game HDRi mode, which is punchier than 'HDR' and 'Standard' modes. But, when it comes to the brightness test, the HDR mode turned out to be the best result of about 360 nits in a 25% window. With a matte finish on top, it seemed fine for gaming indoors.

In the Calman test, we got close to 95% UHDA P3 coverage (HDR) and 100% sRGB coverage (SDR). Blacks and contrast were just acceptable for the price point. For movies and shows, we preferred the Standard colour mode. The over 90% P3 colour gamut means you can use it for casual editing.

For work, QHD is a noticeable upgrade over 1080p. Text looks big and sharper on the 27-inch screen. And I appreciated the increased usable space for my browser tabs, documents, and other apps in use. The viewing angles aren't too wide. You will notice some colour desaturation from extreme off-axis viewing.

Useful speaker and easy-to-use UI

The BenQ EW270Q monitor wakes up quickly from sleep and doesn’t struggle with input detection, which helps in mixed setups where you switch between a laptop and a desktop.

The visuals are backed by a built-in 5Wx2 speaker setup. It is plenty loud for playing casual games, quick YouTube sessions, Netflix episodes, or catching up on a show. The bass has a very narrow and light thump. You may want a dedicated speaker or headphones for more detailed audio. But the built-in speaker saves you from always reaching for these external devices.

There is no remote. So, you have to access the back buttons to access the on-screen display (OSD) menu. It is easy to navigate. And if you want quicker access to some of these settings, you can download and use the Display Pilot 2 app on your Windows or Mac machine.

You also get quality of life improving features like eye-care protection filter, a Pomodoro timer and a Google search bar.

Should you buy the BenQ EW270Q?

At Rs 17,989, the BenQ EW270Q is a very competitive offering from the brand. The highlights are easy to spot. The 2K resolution on a 27-inch screen is sharp and vibrant for work and home use. The 200Hz refresh rate offers enough headroom for PC gamers who can push higher frame rates. A USB-C port for connecting to and charging modern Windows and MacBook machines is genuinely useful, especially for those who want a neat desk setup. The monitor's subtle white design also aids in a clean aesthetic.

In daily use, it transitions smoothly between productivity, gaming, and casual content consumption without forcing the user to compromise heavily in any single area. The built-in speakers, while basic, adds convenience for quick entertainment sessions, and features like Display Pilot 2 and eye-care tools improve everyday usability.

However, there are some limitations as you'd expect in this budget. HDR performance is more than functional, but brightness and contrast remain within expectations. For immersion, you'd want to look past the speaker setup.

Despite these compromises, the EW270Q makes strong practical sense for a wide category of users. It is particularly well-suited for students, hybrid workers, content creators starting out, and casual gamers who want one screen that handles both productivity and play. Laptop users who value USB-C charging and a clutter-free desk will likely find this monitor especially appealing.

Ultimately, the BenQ EW270Q delivers a well-rounded experience and will suit buyers looking for a QHD monitor that can support work during the day and gaming or streaming at night.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: LG G5 TV review: Best OLED TV for mainstream buyers

Last year, when Realme showed me its 10,000mAh battery concept phone, my first reaction was disbelief. Not because of the battery size alone, but because the phone looked surprisingly slim and practical. Still, it was a concept device, and concept devices often never see the light of day. Fast forward just eight months, and Realme has turned that idea into a real product. The Realme P4 Power arrives with a massive 10,001mAh battery, a quad-curved AMOLED display, a 144Hz high refresh rate panel, and a starting price tag of Rs 25,999. On paper, this feels less like a smartphone and more like a phone that secretly wants to be a power bank. Is it so?

After using the Realme P4 Power as my primary device for the past two weeks, I can confidently say this is one of the most interesting mid-range launches we have seen in a while. Not because it is perfect, but because it challenges what we normally expect from phones in this segment. Let’s break it down.

Realme P4 Power: Design & Build

When you hear ‘10,001mAh battery,’ you automatically imagine a thick, heavy brick of a phone. That is not what the Realme P4 Power feels like in daily use. Yes, it is not a compact phone, but it is relatively slimmer and lighter than you would expect for something carrying this much battery capacity. The curved edges play a big role here. The phone sits comfortably in the hand, and long usage sessions never feel fatiguing.

The unit I tested came in the Trans Orange colour variant. It is a bold shade, and Realme clearly wanted it to stand out. The colour seems inspired by the recent trend set by the iPhone 17 Pro series, but it still manages to look unique enough. If bright colours are not your thing, the phone is also available in Trans Silver and Trans Blue.

The back panel is plastic with a matte finish. It resists fingerprints well, but because the surface is quite smooth, the phone can feel slippery. Thankfully, Realme includes a case in the box, and I would strongly recommend using it.

One of the more interesting design elements is the area around the camera module. It has a slightly translucent, chip-like aesthetic that gives the phone a cool look without going overboard.

The frame is also plastic, but the build quality feels solid and dense. Buttons are clicky and responsive. The only real downside here is audio. You get a single bottom-firing speaker instead of stereo speakers. You see, the speaker is loud enough, but stereo separation would have made gaming and movie watching more immersive.

For security, there is an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. It is not the fastest scanner I have used, but it is reliable.

Durability is another strong point. The Realme P4 Power comes with IP66, IP68, and IP69 certifications, which means strong resistance against dust, water immersion, and even high-pressure water jets.

Realme P4 Power: Display

The Realme P4 Power features a 6.8-inch quad-curved AMOLED display with a 1.5K resolution and a 144Hz refresh rate. Without a doubt, this is a very good panel. Colours look rich without being overly saturated. Blacks are deep. Viewing angles are excellent. Whether you are scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube, or streaming movies, the display consistently looks pleasing.

I spent a good amount of time watching Netflix and YouTube on this phone, and the experience was enjoyable. The large screen size, combined with the slightly curved edges, gives content a more immersive feel.

Scrolling feels extremely smooth thanks to the 144Hz refresh rate. Animations are fluid, and there are no visible stutters in everyday use.

In our Digit Test Lab, the display achieved an average Delta E of 1.8 in colour accuracy tests, which is impressive for this price range. Colour gamut coverage stands at around 98.2% of DCI-P3, meaning the panel can reproduce a wide range of colours accurately.

Realme claims a peak brightness of 6,500 nits. In real-world testing, the display peaked closer to 3,200 nits. While that is lower than the marketing number, it is still plenty bright. I had no issues using the phone outdoors under direct sunlight.

If you care about display quality, the Realme P4 Power delivers well above what its price might suggest.

Realme P4 Power: Battery Life

Let’s talk about the main reason this phone exists. The Realme P4 Power packs a gigantic 10,001mAh battery. And yes, it lives up to the hype.

With heavy usage that included video streaming, gaming, social media, browsing, photography, and messaging, I consistently got around one and a half days of battery life on a single charge.

If you are a lighter user, two full days are easily achievable. What impressed me most is that this battery's performance does not come at the cost of comfort. The phone still feels manageable in daily use, which is a big win.

I also ran PCMark’s battery test, and the phone lasted 30 hours and 32 minutes, and still had around 20% battery remaining. That is an absurd number for a smartphone. In fact, our team also ran a real-world 100-0% stress test on the P4 Power, and the device lasted an astounding 13 hours and 17 minutes.

Charging is handled by an 80W fast charger, which is included in the box. Considering the battery size, charging speeds are respectable. It is not instant, but it is fast enough to top up the phone reasonably quickly.

In practical terms, this is the kind of phone you can charge once, forget about battery anxiety, and simply use. If battery life is your top priority, this phone is in a league of its own in this segment.

Realme P4 Power: Performance

The Realme P4 Power is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra processor. On paper, this is not a flagship chip, but phones are not used on spec sheets. They are used in real life.

And in real-world usage, the phone feels smooth. Day-to-day tasks such as messaging, social media browsing, video streaming, web browsing, and switching between apps are handled without hesitation. Apps open quickly, and multitasking feels stable.

I am someone who tends to keep many apps open in the background, and the phone rarely has to reload apps aggressively. That tells me memory management is tuned reasonably well.

Benchmark numbers roughly place the phone near the one-million mark on Antutu. Geekbench scores fall in the typical upper-midrange category. But more importantly, these numbers translate into consistent behaviour.

Gaming performance is good for the price. In BGMI, you can play at high frame rates, and gameplay feels smooth most of the time. Occasional dips can happen during very intense scenes, but nothing that ruins the experience.

Thermal behaviour is acceptable. During extended gaming sessions, the phone warms up, but it does not become uncomfortably hot. Performance remains stable, which suggests Realme has prioritised sustained performance rather than short bursts of high clocks.

Of course, this is not a phone meant for hardcore competitive gamers who want maximum graphics and frame rates. But for casual and moderate gaming, it performs well.

Realme P4 Power: Cameras

The Realme P4 Power uses a 50MP main camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide camera. For selfies and video calls, there’s a 16MP camera on the front.

In good lighting, the main camera produces photos that look pleasing and social-media ready. Colours are slightly on the saturated side, which you may or may not prefer; it depends on your taste. Detail levels are good, and images look sharp enough for everyday sharing.

Dynamic range is decent, though not class-leading. In high-contrast scenes, shadows can lose some detail, and highlights can occasionally clip.

Portrait mode is better than I expected. Subject separation is generally accurate, and background blur looks natural in most cases. Skin tones tend to look a bit processed, and there is some smoothing, but nothing extreme.

The 8MP ultra-wide camera is clearly a secondary option. It is useful for landscapes and group shots, but the details are lower compared to the main camera. The good news is that colour consistency between the two cameras is fairly good.

Selfies are fine for social media and video calls. There is some beautification and softening by default, which you can reduce in settings.

Video recording goes up to 4K at 30fps. The footage looks reasonably sharp, but stabilisation is average. If video recording is your main focus, there are better options in this price range.

Overall, the Realme P4 Power’s camera setup is reliable. It will not blow you away, but it should be good enough for most users.

Realme P4 Power: Software

The Realme P4 Power runs Realme UI 7 based on Android 16. The interface feels mature and smooth. Animations are fast, transitions are fluid, and general navigation feels responsive.

Realme has clearly worked on optimising background processes, because the phone remains smooth even after long usage. There are plenty of customisation options, including themes, icon packs, always-on display styles, and lock screen customisation.

Realme also bundles several AI-based creative tools aimed at content creators and social media users. In terms of updates, Realme promises three major Android updates and four years of security patches. That is reasonable for this price segment.

The biggest downside is bloatware. The phone comes with a noticeable number of pre-installed apps. Most of them can be uninstalled, but the out-of-the-box experience is not as clean as stock Android.

Realme P4 Power: Verdict

The Realme P4 Power is not trying to be the fastest phone. It is not trying to have the best camera. It is not trying to be a flagship killer. Instead, it focuses on one clear goal: deliver insane battery life without turning the phone into a bulky brick. And in that, it succeeds.

You get:

• Outstanding battery life
• A large, smooth, high-quality AMOLED display
• Stable everyday performance
• Decent cameras
• Good durability ratings

What you compromise on:

• No stereo speakers
• Average video recording
• Some bloatware
  

At a starting price of Rs 25,999, the Realme P4 Power offers something genuinely different in the mid-range market. It’s a very cliché thing to say, but if you are tired of charging your phone every night, if battery anxiety is a real issue for you, or if you simply want a phone that lasts and lasts, the Realme P4 Power is probably the most compelling option you can buy right now. It is, quite literally, a phone that’s no less than a power bank.

I always look forward to the Redmi Note series launches, simply because this is the lineup that most people actually buy. Because let’s be honest, while Xiaomi’s ultra-premium phones might be fan-favourites, they don’t actually sell in big numbers. And, the Note series is where Redmi usually gets its balance right. I have been using the Redmi Note 15 Pro as my primary phone for the past two weeks, and my experience with it has been… familiar, but in a good way. It feels like Redmi has focused more on polishing the core experience rather than chasing big headline upgrades. You still get a big AMOLED display, a 200MP main camera, and a massive battery, but the real question is whether these refinements translate into a better day-to-day experience, or if the Note series is starting to play things too safe.

Let’s break it down.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Design

If you have seen last year’s Redmi Note 14 Pro, the Redmi Note 15 Pro will look instantly familiar. Redmi has largely stuck to the same design language, and while that might disappoint users looking for something different, it makes sense from a brand identity perspective.

The Note 15 Pro features a squarish camera module at the back, a flat frame, and a clean overall look. The biggest change this year is the move from a curved display to a flat display. Personally, I see this as a positive move. Flat displays are more practical, easier to protect with screen guards, and generally better for gaming and daily usage.

The back panel is made of plastic, and so is the frame, but Redmi has done a decent job with the finish. The Silver Ash colour that I tested looks clean, subtle, and premium enough for this segment. The matte texture also helps in resisting fingerprints and smudges. Apart from Silver Ash, the phone is also available in Mirage Blue and Carbon Black.

Despite packing a massive battery, the phone does not feel excessively heavy. The weight distribution is good, and while the device is slightly wide, it remains comfortable to hold for long sessions. The buttons are placed in familiar positions, and the tactile feedback is solid, which is something many brands still get wrong.

You get dual stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos support. Redmi also advertises a 400% volume boost. Yes, it can get extremely loud, but at maximum volume, the sound quality takes a noticeable hit. Keeping it around 70 to 80% delivers the best balance between loudness and clarity.

Another classic Redmi touch is the IR blaster on the top, which allows you to control TVs, ACs, and other appliances. Durability is an area where Redmi has clearly stepped up. The Redmi Note 15 Pro now comes with IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications, offering strong protection against dust, water immersion, and high-pressure water jets. On the front, you get Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, along with slim bezels that give the phone a modern look.

There is an optical in-display fingerprint scanner. It works reliably, but it is not the fastest in its class. Face unlock is also present and works well in good lighting conditions.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Display

The Redmi Note 15 Pro features a 6.83-inch flat 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and this is easily one of the strongest aspects of the phone. The panel is sharp, colours look vibrant without being overly saturated, and viewing angles are excellent. Whether you are browsing social media, watching YouTube, or streaming shows, the display delivers a consistently pleasing experience.

I watched several episodes of Peaky Blinders on the Note 15 Pro, and the contrast, shadow details, and colour reproduction looked fantastic. The phone supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision on supported apps like Netflix, which further elevates the multimedia experience.

In our Digit test lab, the display achieved an average Delta E of 2.6 in the Calman Colour accuracy test, which is a solid result for this segment. Colour gamut coverage stands at 100%, meaning it can reproduce the full range of standard colours accurately.

Redmi claims a peak brightness of 3,200 nits, and in real-world testing, the panel reached around 3,120 nits. That is excellent. Outdoor visibility is not a problem, even under harsh sunlight.

The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling feel smooth, and adaptive refresh rate behaviour helps conserve battery when high refresh is not required. Simply put, if display quality is high on your priority list, the Redmi Note 15 Pro will not disappoint.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Performance & gaming

Powering the Redmi Note 15 Pro is the MediaTek Dimensity 7400 Ultra SoC. It is an upgraded chip compared to the previous generation, but it is not designed to be a performance monster.

For everyday usage, the Note 15 Pro feels fast and responsive. App launches are quick, multitasking is smooth, scrolling through social media, switching between apps, and browsing with multiple tabs open do not cause any stutters.

In gaming, the experience is good, though not flawless. In BGMI, you can play at 60fps, and while gameplay is mostly smooth, you will occasionally notice frame drops during intense moments.

In Call of Duty: Mobile, the phone supports up to 90fps, and again, performance is generally stable with minor dips. One positive aspect is thermal management. Even after extended gaming sessions, the phone does not get uncomfortably warm, which indicates decent heat control.

Benchmark scores provide a clearer picture of where this chip stands:

• AnTuTu: 9,37,605
  
• Geekbench Single-core: 1,052
  
• Geekbench Multi-core: 2,949
  
• 3DMark Wild Life Extreme: 1,009
  

These numbers place the Redmi Note 15 Pro in the upper-midrange category. It is powerful enough for most users, but hardcore gamers who want consistently high frame rates in demanding titles may want to look at phones with higher-end processors.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Camera performance

Redmi continues its love affair with high-resolution sensors, and the Redmi Note 15 Pro features a 200MP main camera paired with an 8MP ultra-wide lens. On the front, you get a 20MP selfie camera.

Starting with the main camera, the results are impressive in good lighting. Photos come out detailed, sharp, and with natural-looking colours. The dynamic range is solid, and highlights are generally well controlled.

The high-resolution sensor also allows for decent 2x and 4x zoom using sensor cropping. At these zoom levels, images retain good detail and remain usable.

Portrait mode at 2x produces good results. Subject separation is decent, and edge detection is mostly accurate.

The 8MP ultra-wide camera is usable, but it is clearly a secondary option. Details are not that great, but colour consistency between the two lenses is fairly good, which is nice to see.

Video recording is supported up to 4K at 30fps. However, video quality is not a strong point. Footage lacks the sharpness and stabilisation that some competitors offer in this price range.

The 20MP selfie camera does an acceptable job. Selfies look decent, but there is some softness, and the camera tends to add a bit of extra brightness to faces. For social media and video calls, it is fine, but it is not class-leading.

Overall, the camera system is going to impress folks who prioritise still images, especially from the main sensor. Videographers, however, may feel underwhelmed.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Software

Out of the box, the Redmi Note 15 Pro runs HyperOS 2 based on Android 15. While the software is smooth and feature-rich, I would have liked to see Android 16 on a phone launching in 2026.

That said, HyperOS 2 offers plenty of customisation options, fluid animations, and a responsive interface. You can tweak themes, icons, lock screen styles, and always-on display designs to suit your preferences.

There is some pre-installed bloatware, which is disappointing, but most of it can be uninstalled.

On the positive side, Redmi is promising four years of Android version updates and six years of security patches. This level of long-term support is becoming more common, and it is great to see Redmi adopting it as well.

Redmi Note 15 Pro: Battery and charging

Battery life is another major highlight of the Redmi Note 15 Pro. The phone packs a massive 6,580mAh battery, which is larger than what most competitors offer in this segment.

With heavy usage that includes gaming, streaming, social media, and photography, I consistently got around 9 hours of screen-on time. With lighter usage, the phone can easily last one and a half days on a single charge.

Charging is handled by a 45W wired fast charger, which is included in the box. The phone also supports 18W reverse wired charging, allowing you to top up accessories or another phone in an emergency.

In my testing, the phone charged from 0 to 100% in around 1 hour and 18 minutes. It is not the fastest charging solution on the market, but considering the large battery capacity, it is perfectly reasonable.

Pricing and Variants (India)

• 8GB RAM + 128GB storage - Rs 29,999
  
• 8GB RAM + 256GB storage - Rs 31,999

Verdict: Should You Buy the Redmi Note 15 Pro?

The Redmi Note 15 Pro is a classic Redmi device in the best possible way. It does not chase extreme specifications or gimmicks. Instead, it focuses on delivering a balanced, reliable, and polished experience. You get an excellent AMOLED display, solid battery life, a capable main camera, good performance for everyday use, strong durability ratings, and long-term software support.

However, it is not perfect. The processor is not the fastest in its class. Video recording quality could be better. The ultra-wide camera is okay. And launching with Android 15 in 2026 feels slightly outdated.

That said, if your priorities are display quality, battery endurance, and a good all-around experience, the Redmi Note 15 Pro makes a strong case for itself.

Also read: Best Xiaomi Phones

If you have been following OnePlus’ journey as I have, it’s hard to miss that the R-series has always carried an unusual responsibility within the brand’s lineup. This is the space where the brand has always tried to balance performance, usability and long-term reliability without drifting afar in any one direction. The OnePlus 15R continues in that vein.

At a starting price of Rs 47,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage model, rising all the way up to Rs 52,999 for the 512GB storage option, the OnePlus 15R finds itself in a segment with strong performers and where potential buyers are no longer forgiving of half-baked measures.

Design and Build

If you’ve seen or used a recent OnePlus R-series phone, the 15R will feel familiar the moment you pick it up. It’s got flat sides, a clean glass back, a camera module that sits quietly in the corner and symmetry that OnePlus has been refining for a few generations now.

The build quality is solid. You get an aluminium frame that feels rigid and the buttons have a crisp, confident click. This is the kind of phone you stop thinking about after a day or two because it doesn’t have a learning curve attached. It feels secure in hand even if you despise slapping a case on your phone as the flat edges help the ergonomics and the back panel resists fingerprints instead of turning it into a smudge magnet.

I’ve been using the Mint Breeze colourway which is soft, light and more conservative than say the Electric Violet variant which has a subtle texture running through the middle. The green colour has an almost hazy and muted texture that doesn’t catch your eye but it also doesn’t disappear visually when it’s lying face down on a desk.

The camera module is neatly integrated, raised just enough to house the two cameras and because of that, the phone doesn’t rock annoyingly on a table. At 218 grams, the weight distribution stays even, be it extended gaming sessions or camera use and it never feels top-heavy or tiring in the hand.

The 15R covers everything from splashes to harsher conditions with IP68 and IP69K water and dust protection and that makes the phone easier to live with.

Size-wise, the 15R plays to the middle of the market but if you’ve grown attached to compact phones like the OnePlus 13s, this won’t convert you. For everyone else, it settles into daily use easily.

Display

The OnePlus 15R has a large 6.83-inch AMOLED panel running at a FHD+ resolution (2800 × 1272 pixels). It’s a 10-bit panel with full DCI-P3 colour coverage, protected by Gorilla Glass 7i. It doesn’t get LTPO but supports adaptive refresh rates that scale from 60Hz all the way up to 165Hz in supported games such as Call of Duty Mobile, Clash of Clans and Real Racing 3. HDR formats are supported, including HDR10+ and HDR Vivid which translate into a premium viewing and gaming experience. The layer of Gorilla Glass 7i on top holds up well and resists minor scuffs in daily use.

In our display tests, the 15R’s display reaches around 1320 nits (manual) and peak brightness climbs to around 3100 nits which is closer to the claimed numbers. This means that outdoor visibility is not going to be an issue and HDR content doesn’t collapse into flat blacks in dark scenes.

Colour tuning in the professional mode is accurate with an average DeltaE of 1.1, so skin tones look natural, whites stay neutral and saturation remains consistent even when viewing the screen at an angle. If you prefer a more punchy look, OxygenOS gives you room to adjust colour profiles, but the default calibration is comfortable for reading, browsing and casual viewing. Colours are consistent with 100% colour gamut coverage whether you’re gaming, watching content, or just spending hours moving between apps.

In games that support higher refresh rates, motion is noticeably smoother, especially during fast camera movement or touch-heavy sequences, where input is closer to what’s happening on screen.

Performance

The OnePlus 15R is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 SoC paired with 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and upto 512GB UFS 4.1 storage options. That combination alone is the most consequential upgrade over the 13R and it does more than inflate benchmark scores. In my extended use, it became clear that this is a phone tuned for sustained performance rather than short power bursts.

In synthetic benchmarks, it performs as you’d expect from a performance-focused flagship. The 15R scores 2,892,035 in AnTuTu, 2,886 in Geekbench single-core, and 9,535 in the multi-core test. The PCMark Work test returns a score of 14,315, indicating strong productivity performance, while 3DMark Wild Life Extreme lands at 5,320.

Now, these are solid results, but a more telling figure comes from the CPU throttling test, where the 15R sustains around 92% of its peak performance on average in multiple runs which explains a lot about how the phone feels during longer sessions.

In daily use, the 15R offers extremely zen-like stability. Apps open instantly, switching between heavy workloads is effortless and OxygenOS 16 doesn’t pull back on performance to maintain thermal threshold.

Gaming performance is quite exceptional due to this tuning. In BGMI, the phone averaged around 159 FPS over a 30-minute session, with peak temperatures hovering at approximately 40.9 degrees Celsius, which is a bit warm but not uncomfortably so. Genshin Impact maintained a steady 120 FPS average while staying under 40 degrees. More importantly, there were no sudden drops in frame rates even during longer combat-heavy sections or touch response and the experience remained smooth. In long gaming sessions, the 15R feels less fatiguing and for most gamers, this stability will matter more than theoretical performance ceilings.

Battery and Charging

The 15R packs a large 7400 mAh battery and supports 80W fast wired charging and while the charging speed isn’t the headline grabber it once was for OnePlus, this combination ensures the phone keeps running efficiently.

In our battery drain test that lasts six hours and includes tasks like YouTube video playback, video recording, benchmark suite, gaming and social media doomscrolling, the 15R managed to retain 44% capacity which is a testament to its efficiency.

The 15R will comfortably get through a full day of use in mixed use that includes gaming, navigation, camera use and long stretches of screen time, with room to spare.

Charging from zero to full took around one hour and sixteen minutes which places the 15R firmly in the competitive zone rather than the leading edge. OnePlus no longer dominates this space, but the experience remains dependable and easy to live with.

Cameras

The OnePlus 15R doesn’t try to compete with camera-centric flagships with multiple cameras and extreme zoom ranges. Instead, it focuses on delivering a reliable main camera experience that’s tuned for those everyday casual photography needs. However, I feel the absence of a dedicated telephoto lens looks a bit questionable especially since the last generation had one.

The rear cameras consists of a 50MP Sony IMX906 main sensor with optical image stabilisation paired with an 8MP ultra-wide camera. On the front, there’s a 32MP selfie camera with autofocus. It can record up to 4K at 120fps videos from the rear camera with both OIS and EIS and support for high-frame-rate slow motion and time-lapse modes.

In daylight, the main camera produces clean, sharp and well-balanced images without pushing colours too hard. Dynamic range is handled sensibly, highlights stay under control, skies retain gradient instead of flattening out and shadow detail is preserved without looking artificial.

The DetailMax processing does its work quietly in the background, enhancing textures in foliage, pets or busy scenes without making the image look over-processed. There’s sharpening, but it’s controlled.

Portraits are particularly well executed. Subject separation feels natural, edge detection is clean, and the blur does not appear artificially layered.

Faces retain natural brightness even against strong backlighting, while skies and highlights avoid blowing out. 

Zoom is the one area where hardware limitations surface. Cropped 2x shots hold up well thanks to the 50MP sensor but the phone does not extend convincingly beyond that. 

Low-light performance is another strength. Neon signage retains colour integrity, highlights stay controlled, and individual light points remain distinct instead of merging into highlights.

The ultra-wide camera is serviceable and in good light, it works well enough for landscapes and group shots, with acceptable edge sharpness and limited distortion. As light drops, detail softens and noise becomes more visible.

The 32MP autofocus front camera delivers sharp images with consistent exposure and natural skin tones.

Verdict

The OnePlus 15R focuses on getting the fundamentals right and then stays consistent at that baseline once you start using it daily. 

There are compromises such as the absence of a telephoto camera that feel harder to justify at this price, especially when last year’s model offered one. Charging speeds are competitive but no longer class-leading. And while the design is polished, it plays it safe in a market where some buyers may want more personality from their devices.

But the strengths of the 15R more than make up for those shortcomings. The performance is solid and holds up under sustained use, battery life is dependable with enough headroom, display brightness and colour consistency have improved and the main camera is reliable without overprocessing.

At Rs 47,999, the 15R succeeds because it doesn’t ask you to make excuses for it. Rather, it moulds to your expectations and remains calm when pushed hard. This is not a phone that will impress you in the five minutes at the store counter but it earns that over time and that’s what the R-series continues to matter in OnePlus’ lineup.

Also Read: Motorola Signature review: A flagship that focuses on what matters

I never quite got around to reviewing the Realme Buds Air 7. I had borrowed a pair from a colleague, used them on and off for a while, and then life happened. Still, what stuck with me was how good they sounded for the price. That alone made me curious about what Realme would do next with this series. Fast forward a bit, and the Buds Air 8 arrived. Once again, they spent a fair amount of time with a colleague before finally landing on my desk. When I did get them, I made sure to live with them properly rather than rush through a few days of testing. As the saying goes, patience is a virtue. Or at least, that is what I kept telling myself.

Realme is pitching the Buds Air 8 as a meaningful step forward. You get a new dual-driver setup, active noise cancellation rated at up to 55 dB, LHDC 5.0 hi-res audio support, and claims of long battery life. I have spent enough time using them daily to see how much of that actually holds up. By the end of this review, you should have a clear idea of whether the Realme Buds Air 8 are worth Rs 3,799. Let’s get into it.

Premium touch with a practical fit

Realme continues its 'Master Design' and the Buds Air 8 case does not look or feel like generic AirPods-style clones. The case has a rounded-square form with heavily chamfered edges. The top portion has a vegan leather finish with a lustrous Realme logo. The rest of the body has a matte finish. The angular edges aren't sharp and offer good grip. The case is compact enough to easily slide into my jeans/pants pocket.

Inside the box, there is a glossier finish, and you'll see the buds nested in their cavities. Overall, I would like to add that the Realme Buds Air 8 box looks very much like a jewellery box, the one that you get with rings. You can pick it in gold, grey and purple colours. We have the grey one, and even that looks chic.

The earbuds follow a familiar stem-based in-ear design. They are light and stay comfortably in the ear canal for long sessions. During commutes, calls, and extended listening, they did not cause pressure build-up or fatigue. You can try out the different silicone ear tips provided in the box to find the right fit.

With a good fit, you will have decent passive isolation and also have an improved bass experience. Once sealed properly, the buds sit securely and do not loosen easily during walking or gym use.

The Buds Air 8 are rated IP55 for dust and water resistance. That matters more in India than it sounds. It can give some confidence with respect to handling sweat, dust, and unexpected rain. The case, however, is not water-resistant, so some care is still required.

Feature-rich and stable connection

The Realme Buds Air 8 features Bluetooth 5.4 for connectivity and offers a triple-device connection, which is rare at this price. You can stay connected to a phone, laptop, and tablet simultaneously, and switching between them is smooth. But note that this feature is disabled by default, and you'll have to enable it from the Realme Link app.

Speaking of which, the Realme Link app also offers options to control ANC levels, enable transparency mode, activate low-latency Game Mode, customise touch controls, adjust EQ, enable auto-play/pause, enable Spatial Audio and high-definition LHDC 5.0 codec. In case of touch controls, I wish Realme had given the option to assign function(s) to a single tap also.

The AI Chat feature in the Realme Link wasn't working as expected, but you can set touch control commands to invoke the voice assistant, like Gemini and get answers or device-related help. You can also activate the Game Mode, which claims to bring down latency to around 45ms. This should be good enough for casual gaming and video playback. Even without that, I was having no problems in these casual uses.

Bass-forward, clear vocals, and safe highs

The Realme Buds Air 8 packs a 11mm + 6mm dual driver setup. That 6mm driver is a dedicated tweeter for brighter treble. This hardware with LHDC 5.0 codec and Clear Bass EQ profile offers a sound that is bass-forward with clear vocals and safe treble.

The bass sounds full and present, and tracks like Bad Guy by Billie Eilish offer a satisfying sense of weight. Kick drums in Black Skinhead by Kanye West land with authority, and basslines in Stevie Wonder's Master Blaster feel rounded. Vocals are not buried in bass-heavy tracks; just surrounded by warmth. You would also enjoy pop tracks like Arijit Singh's Into You with this pair.

I had no problem listening to podcasts, YouTube videos and vocal-centric music with the Buds Air 8's tuning. Due to restrained treble, these offer fatigue-free listening. For more width, you can enable Spatial Audio mode. This, I must say, was one of the better implementations I have heard in this segment. Both vocals and instruments are pronounced in tracks like Riders on the Storm by The Doors.

In short, the Realme Buds Air 8 sound warm and engaging. The bass emphasis doesn't present all details as clearly as it should. But considering the budget, the details, sound staging and overall sound signature are fine.

Also Read: Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ review: The right ANC earbuds for everyday use?

Strong noise cancellation and reliable calling

Interestingly enough, I was using this pair alongside the newer Realme Buds Clip (review), the open-ear earphones. While open-fit earbuds have their place, I would still have an ANC earbud as my primary. The Buds Air 8 in particular claims up to 55dB ANC, and it does a good job in dulling down traffic chaos, office chatter, keyboard taps, and everyday home noises.

You can set the ANC to adaptive mode, which works based on your surroundings, but I preferred the Max ANC level. Transparency mode isn't very natural-sounding, but it lets you hear and be aware of your ambience without removing the buds.

Call quality is fine. As for the overall connectivity, the buds were getting disconnected from the Realme Link app quite often. This has to be an issue with my review unit, and since it didn't bother me in my daily use, I am just letting you know.

Long endurance and minor charging annoyances

Battery life is one of the Realme Buds Air 8’s biggest strengths. With ANC off, at 80% volume, and LHDC 5.0 enabled, I was getting close to 11 hours on continuous playback. That's lower than Realme's claim of 14 hours at 50% volume and normal mode. With ANC on and LHDC, the company claims 5.5 hours of runtime. So, set your expectation accordingly. The claimed total battery life is up to 58 hours with ANC off or 30 hours with ANC on.

Realme says the buds would take 1 hour, and both the buds and the case would take 2 hours to fully top up. During charging, I noticed the Realme Link app showed that one of the earbuds charged more slowly than the other one. The case supports USB-C charging, but you don't get a Type-C cable in the box.

Should you buy the Realme Buds Air 8?

The Realme Buds Air 8 make a strong case for themselves by getting the fundamentals right and then going a step further. In daily use, they feel like a mature, well-rounded pair of ANC earbuds. The sound is bass-forward, punchy, and works with most tracks. ANC is effective enough to meaningfully cut down traffic noise, office chatter, and household distractions. Battery life is strong, and features like triple-device connection and LHDC 5.0 support add real value at this price.

They don't have big compromises. But still, if I had to nitpick, detail, clarity and airiness take a back seat to bass and comfort. Transparency mode sounds functional rather than natural. The app experience can be inconsistent.

But taken as a whole, the Buds Air 8 deliver more than what most people expect under Rs 4,000. They are best suited for users who want strong ANC, loud and engaging sound, long battery life, and modern features without paying a premium. If you are upgrading from older budget earbuds or looking for a dependable daily ANC pair for commuting, work, and casual listening, the Realme Buds Air 8 are easy to recommend and currently one of the safest buys in their segment.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar audio reviews.

Also Read: Google Pixel Buds 2a review: Made for Pixel users, pleasant for everyone else

If you are looking for a new phone mainly for the camera, the sub Rs 40,000 bracket feels just right. But the real confusion begins the moment you see a slew of options, with all of them promising flagship-level photography. And yet, whenever this discussion comes up, I usually mention the Oppo Reno series. Over the years, Reno has quietly built a reputation as a phone you can travel with, something that stays dependable when you are constantly on the move, pulling out your phone for quick shots, videos and everyday moments. In my experience with Reno, and without sugarcoating it, this association has been more than just marketing talk.

This year, for a surprise, Oppo has shaken things up. The Reno 15 series is more layered, with the new Oppo Reno 15 Pro Mini sitting right in between the regular Reno 15 and the Reno 15 Pro. Prices have gone up, and so have the expectations. The 15 Pro gives you the ultimate camera phone experience, with the 15 Pro Mini also focusing on that compact design element. The standard Reno 15, on the other hand, takes the role of an all-rounder at its price point.

Of course, not everything is brand new with the Reno 15, and some decisions do carry over from the previous generation Reno 14.

While I have a lot to talk about the Pro models, I spent my time with the Reno 15, the variant most people are likely to buy. Instead of testing it in familiar surroundings, I took it with me to Sri Lanka and used it as my primary phone. No planned shoots, no controlled conditions, just long days, changing light, crowded streets, and the kind of travel where your phone has to keep up without complaint. That experience forms the basis of this review, and here’s what living with the Oppo Reno 15 was really like. Let’s dive in.

Oppo Reno 15: Design and build

Obviously, the first thing that gets noticed is the look. And this time, I saw something that really stands out. With the Reno 15, the company offered a new HoloFusion Technology, which adds a little glare to the panel and grabs attention. It has layered light effects on the glass back that catch reflections nicely as you move the phone, adding depth without looking flashy. And when you look at the camera, the Stellar Ring around the camera module blends neatly and adds character to the overall look.

Durability seems to be yet another focus rather than a checklist. The frame is made of aerospace-grade aluminium, paired with a one-piece sculpted glass back, and the phone carries IP66, IP68 and IP69 ratings, which is still rare outside flagship territory. Some practical touches, like Splash Touch and Glove Touch support, give some bonus points to the phone.

That said, while Oppo has introduced AI Mind Space features, I missed a dedicated physical button for quick access from a usability standpoint. However, you can still access it via gestures.

In daily use, the Reno 15 largely lives up to the claims. It feels comfortable and definitely premium while holding it, thanks to its 7.7mm profile. Weight distribution is not a problem, buttons are tactile, and overall, it makes you feel like you are holding a true flagship.

Oppo Reno 15: Display

The Oppo Reno 15 comes with a 6.59-inch AMOLED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate and support for HDR10+ video playback. With Gorilla Glass 7i on top, it feels like a complete package. Oppo claims up to 600 nits in regular use and 1,200 nits in bright conditions, which suggests it should be comfortable to use both indoors and outdoors. Right before I tell you the testing results, I can say this phone has one of the best displays in the segment, and the reason is fine-tuning.

In our display testing using Calman and Spectracal C6, we found that the panel covers the entire colour gamut, about 99.6%, which is something rare to see in this segment. More importantly, colours feel accurate and natural. The phone scored an average DeltaE of 1.2; most colour differences are so small that your eyes simply will not notice them. So, in daily use, you will find your photos, videos, Netflix and even UI elements look natural rather than punchy.

White balance is handled well too. Whites look clean and neutral, not bluish or overly warm, and greys do not pick up unwanted colour tints. As expected from an OLED panel, blacks are truly black, which gives the display strong contrast, something you will notice immediately when watching videos or using dark mode.

Brightness is another pleasant surprise. Real-world testing shows the screen can push much higher in direct sunlight, touching around 2,000 nits. In simple terms, the Reno 15 remains readable outdoors, not by blasting brightness, but by using good contrast and efficient panel tuning.

Oppo Reno 15: Performance

The Oppo Reno 15 5G is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, built on a 4nm manufacturing process. On paper, the company claims a meaningful generation uplift with the CPU offering up to a 27% improvement, the GPU seeing a 30% boost, and the NPU delivering a sizable 65% jump for AI-related workloads.

In everyday use, the Reno 15 largely behaves like a modern upper midrange phone. General tasks like app switching, web browsing, social media, navigation and image editing run smoothly, with no obvious stutters or slowdowns. Gaming performance is equally predictable rather than headline-grabbing. Titles like BGMI run lag-free at up to 90fps on low settings, and thermal management remains under control, but not during extended sessions. In CPU throttling tests, the phone maintains around 86% of its peak performance, which is an excellent and stable sustained output without aggressive thermal drop-offs.

But benchmark results place the Reno 15 squarely in familiar territory. It scores 1,239 in Geekbench 6’s single-core test and 4,053 in the multi-core run, while Antutu returns a combined score of 1,460,237. In GPU-focused workloads, the device records 2,096 in 3D Mark Wildlife Extreme and 10,731 in the Work 3.0 test.

While these numbers are fine, I expected better. The same Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip is already found in devices such as the Vivo V60, Realme 16 Pro Plus and even the previous-generation Reno 14.

That familiarity cuts both ways. On one hand, performance is dependable and well-understood, with no major surprises or weaknesses in day-to-day use. On the other hand, the lack of a meaningful chipset upgrade feels conservative, especially when competitors in a similar price bracket, such as the OnePlus 15R, offer flagship-class silicon like the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5.

Oppo Reno 15: Battery and charging

The Oppo Reno 15 is backed by a sizable 6,500mAh battery, a capacity that immediately places it ahead of many phones in its segment. Oppo pairs this with fast 80W wired charging.

On the PCMark Battery Life test, the Reno 15 lasted 21 hours and 30 minutes, which comfortably puts it in the territory of a day and a half of use for most people. During regular usage, mixing photography, social media scrolling, light image editing, gaming and navigation, the phone rarely induced battery anxiety. Even with moderate to slightly heavy use, it’s realistic to end the day with plenty of charge left.

Charging performance is equally consistent. In our testing, the Reno 15 went from 0 to 100% in about 75 minutes using a compatible fast charger. That said, there are a couple of omissions worth noting. The absence of wireless charging and reverse wireless charging feels noticeable at this price point.

Oppo Reno 15: Camera

On paper, the Oppo Reno 15 5G brings a camera setup that looks thoughtfully assembled for its asking price. The phone is led by a 50MP primary camera, supported by a 50MP telephoto portrait camera with a 3.5x optical zoom and an 80mm equivalent focal length, a range widely considered ideal for portraits. There’s also a high-resolution 50MP ultra-wide selfie camera with a 100-degree field of view, designed to handle both group shots and wider backgrounds without distortion. Oppo has paired this hardware with features like 4K 60fps HDR video recording across multiple focal lengths, enhanced stabilisation for both front and rear cameras, and a new colour pipeline called PureTone Technology, which the company says is tuned specifically for Indian lighting conditions and skin tones.

In real-world use, the Reno 15’s camera approach becomes clearer, prioritising consistency and realism in photos. I tested the phone outside controlled environments, including a day trip across varied locations in Sri Lanka, where lighting shifts quickly and scenes are rarely predictable. In daylight, the camera shows a clear preference for restraint. Colours stay grounded: greens don’t veer into neon territory, blues remain natural, and highlights, especially around water and reflective surfaces, are handled with care. There’s sharpening, but it’s applied sensibly, avoiding the artificial crispness that often ages poorly.

Portrait photography is one of the Reno 15’s stronger areas, and much of that comes down to optics rather than software tricks. The 3.5x telephoto lens produces portraits with natural-looking depth separation, clean edges, and stable skin tones across changing light. There’s no aggressive beauty processing at play, which helps faces look believable rather than polished.

The ultra-wide camera is also more usable than expected, with controlled distortion and consistent colour reproduction, making it genuinely useful for travel and group shots.

Low-light performance follows the same philosophy. Instead of pushing brightness aggressively, the Reno15 preserves the atmosphere. Shadows remain darker, highlights stay controlled, and while some grain is visible, textures are retained rather than smeared. It may not impress users who prefer night shots that look like daylight, but it does a good job of preserving the mood of a scene.

Oppo’s features feel more practical than flashy. AI Portrait Glow helps correct difficult lighting without flattening facial details. You also get the Popout feature, integrated into the Photos app, which offers an easy way to create interactive collages without third-party tools. They’re additions you may actually use, rather than features you try once and forget.

Oppo Reno 15: Verdict

The Oppo Reno 15 is a phone that makes sense the longer you live with it, even if it doesn’t try to win you over instantly. It sits in a crowded sub Rs 40,000 segment where differentiation is difficult, and Oppo’s approach this year is less about chasing extremes and more about delivering a balanced, dependable experience.

Its strongest pillars are clearly the display and the camera. The AMOLED panel is among the best-tuned screens in its class, prioritising colour accuracy and consistency over exaggerated punch. It’s the kind of display that works equally well for streaming, casual photo editing and everyday use, without drawing attention to itself for the wrong reasons. The camera follows a similar philosophy. Instead of dramatic processing, the Reno 15 focuses on predictability, natural colours and stable results across conditions. For travel and daily photography, that restraint works in its favour, even if it won’t always produce the most eye-catching shots on social media.

Performance is where the Reno 15 feels the most conservative. The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 is competent and reliable, but familiar. It handles daily tasks and gaming without complaint, yet it doesn’t move the needle forward in a segment where rivals are beginning to offer flagship-grade silicon. Battery life, however, is a clear win, delivering excellent endurance and reliable fast charging.

Ultimately, the Oppo Reno 15 isn’t trying to be the most powerful or the most experimental phone in its class. It’s aimed at users who value a good camera, a well-calibrated display, strong battery life, and a design that feels premium without being flashy. If those priorities align with yours, the Reno 15 makes a solid, if not groundbreaking, case for itself.

I’ve wanted to switch to open-ear earphones for a while. Not because they look trendy, but because my ears often ache. For a bit of context, I’ve been using in-ear buds for a long time. As a result, I’ve been having a subtle pain and pressure inside the ear canal, which has now become a recurring issue. So, I recently started using Realme Buds Clip for its design that lets sound in without sealing the ear canal. The added benefit is ambient awareness, which matters on Indian streets, office floors, and even crammed homes. But, this open-ear design comes with clear trade-offs, like don't expect ANC or isolation here. Pointing out that as a flaw isn't the purpose of this review. Instead, this piece tells you the practicality of the Buds Clip in everyday life. Let’s dive in.

Loving the lightweight build

The first thing you notice is how 'un-earbud-like' the Readme Buds Clip feel. Quite literally, there’s no silicone tip inside your ear canal. Instead, the Buds Clip sit around the concha and hooks gently, leaving your ear open to the world and your senses unobstructed. They look like one of those cuff earrings.

Wearing the Buds Clip with music on, you can still hear the surroundings a bit. And if you turn off the music, you can walk comfortably on a busy road without feeling its presence on the ear. An in-ear earphone, however light it may be, still muffles what you hear. You don't have that problem here.

Talking of lightness, this thing is only 5.3 grams. Very light, and you forget you’re wearing them right away. You can wear them for hours. It doesn't fall off with head jerks, or while pulling out a jacket or sweater you are wearing. They stay grippy without feeling tight or pinching. The comfort is genuinely pleasant!

Now, its appearance or your liking for it could depend on your style and taste. Some can pull it off or won't mind what others think. People notice it, for the novel design and out of curiosity, they may even ask what it is. To some, you may look funny also. But like I said, some don't mind, or better, they make it work. The Buds Clip come in two colours: Titanium Black and Titanium Gold. Personally, I’m glad to have received the black colour for this review, because pulling off that gold finish isn’t my cup of tea.

One personal qualm with the Realme Buds Clip is that loud street traffic and engine hum will still be audible, and can be annoying to hear alongside rock or anything loud and harsh you are already hearing. Agreed, that’s by design, but it is still something you should know. On the plus side, the buds support IP55 dust and water resistance, akin to the Buds Air 8, which makes them suitable for heavy workouts and outdoor use.

Also Read: Google Pixel Buds 2a review: Made for Pixel users, pleasant for everyone else

Stable connection and decent usability 

Pairing the Realme Buds Clip to my phone via Bluetooth worked fine. But the unit we got wasn't connecting to the Realme Link app on the Google Play Store. Instead, it was working with the Chinese version of the app. The UI and options are mostly like the Realme Buds Air 8. You get options like EQ mode with 4 presets and a custom creation option, spatial audio, AI Translate, Game Mode, dual-device connection (which you have to enable), and Touch Control edits (no single-tap given).

The controls are simple and responsive. But the unique form factor needs some getting used to. Some hits and trials to learn where to tap to activate touch controls. The thick part of the buds is where you have to tap.

The connection was stable, provided there were no hindrances like closed doors. Call quality was also decent. Again, because of the design, some leakage happens, and people can hear what you are listening to if they are close to you.

Open, airy, and safe sound

The sound signature matches the design philosophy: open, airy, and without deep isolation. I was listening in Clear Bass mode at 100% volume on my Galaxy S23 with Bass Boost+ enabled. Even then, loudness remains modest. Positioning the buds slightly differently can help, but they never get truly loud. For context, 80% volume on the Realme Buds Air 8 is louder than 100% volume on the Buds Clip. This is safe from an ear-health perspective.

Listening to Hotel California by The Eagles felt like the music was playing around me, not inside my head. Compared to the Buds Air 8, the Buds Clip has less body and presence. Instruments sound softer and less defined. Bass does not thump like sealed earbuds, but it has enough punch for an open-ear design, more so than some alternatives like the Nothing Ear (Open). Vocals come through clearly. You can hear texture and breath in Johnny Cash’s voice in Hurt, though the vocals are not pushed forward. Instruments often sit ahead of them. With tracks like Centuries by Fall Out Boy, the presentation stays energetic without becoming fatiguing. High-frequency detail is more restrained than in the Nothing Ear (Open).

On podcasts, audiobooks, and softer music, the Buds Clip tuning is completely adequate. On heavier tracks or bass-centric genres, you won’t get the same impact as in-ear buds, but that’s the compromise open-ear design asks you to make.

Spatial audio adds a slight sense of width, but it also pushes vocals further back and reduces clarity. I preferred keeping it turned off. There were no noticeable latency issues while watching videos or casual gaming. For what it’s worth, a 45ms Game Mode is available if needed.

Ambient awareness is built in by design, not something you toggle. That means you never feel cut off. This comes in handy in daily Indian environments, like on a crowded street or while waiting for a metro announcement. I could comfortably watch movies at home and still hear when someone talks to me. 

Passable battery life and charging

Endurance is not the Realme Buds Clip's strongest suit. That said, the battery life I got is respectable for this price. The buds run for about 5 hours and 30 minutes with AAC and 80% volume. That's on the lower end compared to ANC in-ear earphones like the Realme Buds Air 8 and even clip-style open-ear earbuds like the Huawei FreeClip.

Charging is done via USB-C and tops up the thing fairly quickly.

Should you buy the Realme Buds Clip?

In everyday use, Realme Buds Clip's open design proves genuinely practical. At low volumes or with the music off, you can fearlessly walk on busy Indian roads, move around the house, or sit in an office. You hear your surroundings naturally, without needing a transparency mode or toggles. For gyms, workspaces, and casual home listening, this feels safer and more relaxed than sealed earbuds.

The Realme Link app and features like spatial audio, 45ms low-latency Game Mode, dual-device connection, and the ability to change touch controls make them feel closer to Realme’s mainstream earbuds.

But that’s the point. The Realme Buds Clip are not for everyone, and that’s okay. Sound is airy and quite enjoyable, but not very immersive. Vocals are clear, instruments are softened, and the bass has punch for an open design, but not the weight you get from ANC earphones like the Realme Buds Air 8. Compared to in-ear options, the music also loses loudness and detail. 

There are also other practical limits you should be aware of. That design may not be for everyone, and because of it, some sound leakage is inevitable. Loud traffic and engine noise remain audible and can clash with what you are hearing. Battery life is on the lower side, too and less than some ANC and open-ear alternatives.

So, should you buy the Realme Buds Clip knowing these unavoidable trade-offs? Yes, if comfort, ear health, and situational awareness matter more to you than isolation. They make sense if you find in-ear earbuds fatiguing, or if you want something you can wear for hours without feeling disconnected from your surroundings. They are not meant to replace ANC earbuds for travel or immersive listening. But as a daily, low-stress alternative for gyms, offices, and home use, the Realme Buds Clip do exactly what they promise, and that alone gives them a clear place in the sub-Rs 6,000 market. 

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ review: The right ANC earbuds for everyday use?

Motorola has finally entered the mainstream flagship space in India with a brand‑new smartphone called Motorola Signature. Priced starting at Rs 59,999, this isn’t just another addition to one of the company's lineups; it’s the start of a whole new series aimed at filling a gap in Motorola’s premium portfolio that neither the foldable Razr line nor the value‑focused Edge series quite addressed.

In a recent conversation with Digit, Shivam Ranjan, Head of Marketing, APAC at Motorola, said that Signature offers a 'truly signature experience. It’s beyond premium. It focuses on creating the perfect fusion of design, innovative technology, and lifestyle experiences.’

On paper, the phone looks very promising, featuring a Sony LYTIA 828 main camera, the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, a 6.8-inch AMOLED display with up to 165Hz refresh rate and 6200 nits peak brightness, and several other flagship-level features. Notably, it is the second phone in India to ship with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset.

This review takes a closer look at how the Motorola Signature performs across design, display, performance, cameras, and battery life to see if it lives up to its flagship ambitions.

Motorola Signature review: Design and build

First, let’s talk about the design. The Motorola Signature comes in two colour options, and I got the Pantone Carbon variant for the review. The first thing you’ll notice when you pick it up is just how thin and light it is. At just 6.99mm, it feels sleek the moment you hold it, and at around 186 grams, it’s comfortably light for a phone with such a large display. It’s easy to use one-handed and doesn’t feel tiring during long sessions.

The phone features a linen-inspired texture on the back, and it gives a classy edge to the phone without trying too hard. It looks premium but understated, which is a good balance. The best part is that it doesn’t pick up fingerprints at all, so I didn’t have to keep wiping it down.

Another nice touch is the camera design. Instead of a separate, bulky camera island, the back material curves upward to meet the module. This creates a smooth, seamless look that feels very natural in the hand and avoids the awkward step you usually see on most phones. It also means the phone doesn’t wobble much when placed flat on a table.

In terms of build, Motorola has gone with an aluminium frame and Gorilla Glass Victus 2 on the front. The phone also comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings, along with MIL-STD-810H certification, so it’s well protected against dust, water, and everyday accidents. So, the Signature focuses more on comfort, clean design, and durability rather than flashy styling.

Motorola Signature review: Display

Let’s talk about the display now. The Motorola Signature phone features a 6.8-inch AMOLED LTPO quad-curved display with 1.5K resolution, up to 165Hz refresh rate, a claimed peak brightness of 6200 nits, and Dolby Vision support.

I tested the display using Calman and the SpectraCal C6 Colourimeter, which showed that it is tuned for 100% DCI-P3 gamut coverage. While the colour accuracy is on point, it is not at par with the current flagships. The display recorded an average DeltaE of 2.1, which is just below the level where most people would clearly notice a colour difference at a glance. To the average viewer, the colours will look essentially the same; however, a trained eye will still be able to make out that cooler tones are boosted. During a lux meter test, the display reached 2450 nits peak brightness. While this is way lower than the claimed brightness of 6200 nits, it is still enough to easily see the screen even in bright sunlight.

Well, in everyday use, the display feels bright, vibrant, and highly responsive, making everything from watching videos to scrolling through apps a smooth and enjoyable experience.

So, while the Motorola Signature’s display might not top the charts for absolute technical perfection, it remains a high-performance panel that will satisfy almost any user. 

Motorola Signature review: Performance

The Motorola Signature is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 processor, paired with up to 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB UFS 4.1 storage. Signature is the second phone after the OnePlus 15R to use this chipset, which already gives it an edge on paper.

In benchmark tests, the Signature delivers strong results. It scored 31,01,691 on AnTuTu, which is clearly higher than other phones in the same price range. For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE scored 19,02,139. It even managed to beat the OnePlus 15R, which scored 28,92,035 despite using the same processor. On Geekbench, the phone scored 2,892 in the single-core test and 9,498 in the multi-core test, once again staying ahead of the Galaxy S25 FE.

In real-world use, the phone feels fast and smooth. Everyday tasks like messaging, scrolling through Instagram, watching YouTube videos, or switching between apps worked without any lag. Casual games run easily, and even heavier games perform well. During testing, BGMI ran smoothly on high graphics settings, averaging around 118 FPS and even touching 120 FPS, which is impressive.

On the software side, the Signature runs Hello UI based on Android 16. The interface is clean and easy to understand, with no unnecessary clutter. Motorola has also promised seven years of Android updates and seven years of security updates, which adds long-term value. Overall, the Motorola Signature offers reliable and consistent performance.

Motorola Signature review: Camera

Now, let’s come to the cameras. The Motorola Signature features a triple rear camera setup, led by a 50MP Sony LYTIA 828 primary sensor with OIS. This is paired with a 50MP ultra-wide camera and a 50MP Sony LYTIA 600 periscope telephoto lens, offering 3x optical zoom and up to 100x digital zoom. On the front, there’s a 50MP Sony LYTIA 500 camera for selfies and video calls.

In bright daylight, the 50MP main camera captures sharp and detailed images with pleasing colours. The dynamic range is handled well, maintaining a good balance between highlights and shadows. There is a slight push towards higher contrast, but it doesn’t feel excessive; in fact, it gives photos a punchy, social-media-ready look without going overboard.

Portrait shots turn out well overall, with good subject separation and natural-looking background blur. That said, edge detection isn’t always spot on, especially around hair and finer details. Low-light performance is one of the stronger areas of this camera setup. Images look bright and fairly clean, with controlled noise levels and good sharpness. Details hold up well, and the camera manages to keep colours natural. Overall, the Motorola Signature delivers a reliable camera experience that works well across lighting conditions.

Motorola Signature review: Battery

The Motorola Signature does a good job when it comes to battery life. It packs a 5,200mAh battery, which offers long hours of usage and makes it a good option for users who don’t want to reach for the charger every night. In the PCMark battery test, the phone lasted 16 hours and 4 minutes, which is an impressive run time given the battery size.

More importantly, the real-world performance backs this up. With regular use (including messaging, browsing, emails, social media, and some video streaming) the phone easily lasted more than a day and a half, and it even came close to two full days on a single charge.

The bundled 90W fast charger took the battery from 0 to 100% in just 46 minutes, which means you can top it up quickly before heading out. In specific usage tests, the battery drain was minimal as well, dropping only 3% after 30 minutes of video streaming and 5% after an hour of Google Maps navigation. Motorola has also included wireless charging and reverse wireless charging, adding some extra convenience.

Verdict

The Motorola Signature is designed for users who want a sleek, reliable, and well-rounded flagship that feels premium in the hand. Its slim, lightweight design, vibrant display, and strong performance make it ideal for everyday use, media streaming and gaming. The cameras deliver good results, while the battery easily lasts over a day and supports fast charging for quick top-ups.

It may not offer the most colour-accurate display or the absolute best camera performance, but if you’re looking for a balanced, practical, and polished smartphone, the Motorola Signature is worth considering.

Also Read: Best Motorola Phones

At Digit, we test a lot of TVs to pick the ‘best TV’, and a key criterion is authenticity. Anything you watch on TV should not only look good but also respect the creator's intent. That said, the best award doesn't always tell the whole picture. The LG G5 also came to us as a participant in the annual Digit Zero One Awards and won the Popular Choice Award. Based on our use and tests, we concluded it will appeal to most regular mainstream buyers.

In India, the 65-inch evo G5 (OLED65G56LA) currently sells for around Rs 2,25,000 and competes against the ultra-premium OLED TVs from Samsung and Sony. The LG TV brings a meaningful panel upgrade called the 4-stack Primary RGB Tandem OLED TV, and claims peak brightness of up to 4,000 nits. So, while it was impressively bright in our use, what makes the G5 stand out is not just peak brightness, but how consistently beautiful it looks across different types of content. So, we watched a wide range of content on it, for testing purposes, of course (wink, wink) and here's our experience. 

Bright, vivid, and gorgeous display

Let’s start with the highlight feature of the G5: its premium four-layer tandem OLED panel. This uses two blue layers, including a new-gen deeper phosphor blue, and the stacked design shares load between these layers. This is said to result in 33% more brightness, 40% more colour brightness, and 20% more efficiency. 

The impact of the tandem panel is apparent almost immediately. In side-by-side comparisons with its rivals, the Samsung S95F and Sony Bravia 8 M2, the LG G5 appeared brighter and more impactful.

Also Read: Samsung S95F OLED TV review: Big, bright, beautiful, and one of the best

In our testing, the panel reached around 343 nits at a full 100%  window, 1,050 nits at a 25% window, and close to 3,000 nits in 1% window. On the other hand, you also get 0-nit black levels, as expected from an OLED.

Thanks to the increased brightness, the G5 will be suited as a primary living-room TV. Although it has a glossy finish, the reflections were handled well for the most part. It projects bright specular highlights, blacks look inky, and I didn't spot any glaring artefacts. Viewing angles were great, and the 4K TV presented impressive clarity and contrast. 

Only in closer inspection, Sony's Bravia 8M2 shows slightly more shadow texture in extremely dark scenes, for example, in the night camp attack of Godzilla Minus One and the submarine sequence of Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning. Still, in the overall image, LG presents more punch and presence.

As for colours in general, everything looks vibrant without looking artificial. Samsung S95F has the latter problem.

In lab measurements, the LG panel covers 99.6% of UHDA-P3, 81.68% of BT.2020, and nearly 99% of BT.709. Average Delta E measured 1.1 in HDR and 2.1 in SDR, which is comfortably within acceptable limits for non-calibrated viewing.

Compared with the Samsung S95F, the LG trails slightly in BT.2020 coverage and peak HDR punch in smaller windows. Ever so slightly, that is. And when it comes to skin tones and textures, LG's results are pleasant but not the most natural when compared to the Sony Bravia 8M2. The climax scenes of the first Knives Out movie are a good test to see how these three handle colours and skin tones.

LG supports Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, and HLG, but continues to skip HDR10+. We kept Dynamic tone mapping off in our testing.

The vibrant colour reproduction was also enjoyable in games like Ghost of Yotei. The colour of the skies, the reflection on water, and the detail on the black horse's fur, which changes the tonality based on light touching it, are all still in my mind. HDR gaming was a highlight in God of War Ragnarok, too.

LG gives a 120Hz native refresh rate, similar to its two OLED rivals. Motion handling is excellent. There was no perceivable blur or judder in everyday content and sports.

Likewise, I didn't face any input lag while playing Gran Turismo 7 on PS5. We didn't test Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. The TV also boasts 4K 120Hz HDR Cloud Gaming and support for high-end gaming features like up to 165Hz VRR, ALLM, Nvidia G-Sync, and AMD FreeSync Premium, VRR, and ALLM. You can tweak many of the settings in real-time with the Game Optimiser overlay.

So, in practice, the LG TV often looks the most impactful. Side by side, the Sony appears more restrained and technically accurate, while the Samsung looks more aggressive. Most viewers may prefer LG's tuning for mixed daily viewing.

Sleek, wall-mount only with versatile ports

LG G5 sports the Gallery design with a lustrous frame. The panel is very thin, and it comes only in a wall-mount option. However, for testing across different lighting conditions, LG provided a table-mount stand. Because of its thinness and Gallery design, it would sit flush against the wall, as a lifestyle art TV in your living room.

The connectivity options are plenty: four HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, Ethernet, Optical Digital Audio Output, and 1 RF input (Antenna/cable). All those HDMI ports support 4K at up to 165Hz via full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1. This is an advantage over Sony, which gives HDMI 2.1 on two ports only.

Two HDMI ports and one USB-A port are side-facing, which can be useful depending on your wall-mount arrangement.

Useful UI and strong sound

LG G5 runs on WebOS 25, and at the time of writing, it got the latest update version: 33.0.80. The company promises five years of platform updates, which is a solid commitment, second only to Samsung’s seven-year support window.

In the current state, WebOS feels mature and stable. The interface still includes ads and recommendations, but you can turn them off in the settings. The homescreen isn't a long vertical feed like some of the competing skins, but is well organised in the card-based layout in limited space. Performance is snappy enough.

WebOS packs choke-full of features like LG Gallery+ (including Google Photos integration), a remote office feature called Home Office, LG Channels including video on demand, live TV, Alexa voice support, quick access to Settings from a left sidebar, Home Hub: ThinQ, Google Home, AirPlay, Google Cast, Split screen with Multi View, Oled care: pixel cleaning, screen move, adjust logo brightness, and Smart tips and helping information about various menus and options across the UI.

The bundled Magic Remote's point-and-click navigation makes movements across screens easy, but sometimes it moves and clicks unintentionally, which can be annoying. It has the essential buttons and OTT hotkeys.

The built-in 60W speaker is very competent. In our comparisons, LG performed better than its rivals. It is good enough that you may not feel forced to buy a soundbar immediately. In case you buy one, the TV features Wow Orchestra that syncs audio between the TV and the soundbar.

Should you buy the LG G5 OLED TV?

The LG G5 is impressive in many areas. Its new four-layer tandem OLED panel delivers high brightness, strong contrast, and wide viewing angles. Colours are rich without looking artificial, and SDR and HDR performance are enjoyable in everyday use. 

The motion handling and gaming performance are also strong, with support for 4K at 120Hz and key gaming features such as VRR, ALLM, and cloud gaming. Port availability is generous and practical. Audio output from the speakers is loud and clear, and the WebOS interface feels mature, stable, and feature-rich. All of these come packed in a slim and attractive Gallery design.

There are areas where the G5 could improve, though. HDR10+ support is absent, which limits compatibility with some streaming content. In very dark scenes, reflections can still be visible due to the glossy screen. Colour coverage in smaller HDR windows trails some key rivals, and skin tones are not always the most natural compared to the best-in-class options. These points matter more when you consider the TV’s premium pricing.

Still, if you have the money for it, the G5 could make sense for you. While authenticity and creator intent matter, not every buyer is a purist. Many users simply want an enjoyable, consistent viewing experience across movies, shows, sports, and games. LG’s combination of a bright and visually engaging panel, strong sound, a healthy port selection, Gallery-style design, and a stable, mature software platform comes together well for these users. For mainstream premium buyers looking for an OLED that is easy to live with every day, the LG G5 makes a compelling case.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar stories.

Also Read: Sony Bravia 5 Mini LED TV Review: Bright, accurate and built for cinematic purists

Budget phones under Rs 20,000 almost always force you to pick your compromise. You either settle for a design that looks generic, or performance that feels average, or a display that looks like it belongs in 2022. That has been the pattern for years. The Poco M8 tries to break that formula by doing something more balanced. It aims to look more premium than it should, deliver a display that feels flagship-inspired, and still hold up in daily performance without obvious weaknesses.

I have used the Poco M8 as my daily phone for about two weeks, and what makes it more interesting is how closely it resembles the Redmi Note 15. That is not surprising since both come from Xiaomi’s playbook, and Xiaomi has never been shy about reusing good hardware across multiple product lines. The real question is whether the Poco M8 is simply a renamed Redmi or whether it stands on its own as a better value proposition.

Poco M8: Design and build

The Poco M8 immediately makes a strong first impression, and this is not typical for a phone in this price range. The Carbon Black variant stands out the most. The carbon-style stripes on the back give it a sporty look without feeling too loud. Poco also offers Glacial Blue and Frost Silver for buyers who prefer cleaner finishes.

Both the back and frame are plastic, but the finish is well done. It resists fingerprints and does not feel cheap in daily use. The bigger surprise is the physical profile. At 7.35mm thin and 178 grams, the phone feels lighter and slimmer than most of its rivals under Rs 20,000. The curved edges also help it sit well in the hand, and it ends up feeling more refined than expected.

Poco also makes a strong durability pitch. You get MIL-STD-810 certification and an IP66 rating for dust and water resistance. That combination is rare at this price, and it adds practical confidence for everyday use. Also, the call connectivity during my testing remained stable.

The only design choice that feels unnecessary is the camera module. Poco makes it look like a triple camera setup, but only two cutouts are functional. The third is a fake element. It adds nothing, and it is the sort of visual trick brands should stop using.

Poco M8: Display and audio

This is where the Poco M8 clearly outperforms what you expect from the segment. The phone comes with a 6.77-inch 1.5K 3D curved AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and it looks premium from the moment you turn it on.

Curved displays are subjective, and they are not always practical, but there is no denying the visual impact. The panel looks sharp, vibrant, and smooth. Scrolling feels fluid, animations look clean, and viewing angles are strong. For buyers who watch a lot of content, this is one of the best displays you can get at this price. Blacks are deep, and the contrast is solid. 

Poco claims 3,200 nits peak brightness. In my testing, the panel reached around 2,100 nits, which is still very strong. Outdoor visibility is not an issue. Colour accuracy is also handled well. In the Calman colour test, the display recorded an average Delta E of 1.3, and it covered 95% in the colour gamut test. These are impressive numbers for the price, and they show in real usage.

Audio is handled by stereo speakers with Dolby Atmos, and the phone allows volume to be pushed up to 300%. Sound quality is decent, not exceptional, but loudness is not an issue. There is also an IR blaster, a small addition that remains genuinely useful if you still use your phone to control appliances.

For authentication, the Poco M8 features an in-display fingerprint scanner. It is fast most of the time, though it can be slightly finicky sometimes.

Poco M8: Performance

The Poco M8 runs on the Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chip, which is a meaningful step up from the Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 seen in the previous generation. The unit I have features 8 GB LPDDR4X RAM paired with 256 GB of UFS 2.2 storage.

In regular day-to-day use, the Poco M8 performs reliably. Browsing, social media, streaming, and multitasking all feel smooth. There are no obvious stutters or slowdowns that make the phone feel cheap or underpowered.

Gaming, however, needs realistic expectations. BGMI runs fine, but the game is capped at 60fps, and there are occasional frame drops as well. Some phones in this segment offer 90fps options, so buyers who care deeply about competitive gaming should take note. The Poco M8 is not built as a performance-heavy gaming phone. It is built to feel stable and consistent.

Benchmark numbers align with that story. On Antutu, the phone scored 852K, slightly above Poco’s own claim of 825K. In Geekbench 6, the M8 registered 1,020 in single-core and 2,958 in multi-core. On the 3DMark Wild Life test, it achieved a score of 3,269. In the CPU throttling test, the device posted a solid 91% score, suggesting stable, sustained performance for its class.

Poco M8: Software

Out of the box, the Poco M8 runs HyperOS 2.0 based on Android 15, and the interface feels smooth. Xiaomi’s software has improved in polish over time, and day-to-day navigation remains responsive. That said, the downside is bloatware. There is a lot of it. The good thing is that most apps can be uninstalled, but the experience still feels busier than it needs to be. Also, with Android 16 already available, shipping a new phone with an year old software is kind of a miss. For what it’s worth, Poco promises four years of Android updates and six years of security patches, which is pretty solid for this price category.

Apart from this, AI features are included, such as Circle to Search and AI Magic Eraser Pro, which allows the removal of unwanted objects in photos, and these tools work as expected.

Poco M8: Camera

The Poco M8 keeps the camera hardware straightforward. You get a 50MP primary rear camera, paired with a 2MP depth sensor, and a 20MP front camera for selfies.

In daylight, the main camera performs well. Photos carry good detail, dynamic range is decent, and colours stay mostly natural. Human subjects are handled reasonably, although the phone does slightly brighten faces and introduce some softness.

Portrait mode is inconsistent. Edge detection is not its strongest area, and results vary depending on lighting. In good light, portraits are usable, but it is not a camera system built for portrait enthusiasts.

The selfie camera is average. It is not bad, but it does not stand out either. It delivers usable selfies for casual posting, which is what most buyers expect from phones in this segment.

Poco M8: Battery

Battery performance is another strong point of the Poco M8. The device packs a 5,520mAh battery with 45W fast charging, which is a decent improvement over the previous generation.

In the PCMark battery test, the phone delivered 21 hours and 55 minutes, which indicates strong endurance. In real-world use, you can comfortably expect a full day of usage, and lighter users can stretch it further.

The 45W charger is included in the box, and the phone charges from 0 to 100% in around an hour.

Poco M8: Verdict

The Poco M8 makes a strong case for itself under Rs 20,000. If you want a phone that looks good, feels premium in hand, offers a gorgeous AMOLED display, delivers solid battery life, and comes with long-term software support, this is one of the better packages in the segment.

It is not meant for hardcore gamers or camera-focused buyers. Gaming is stable but limited, and the camera system is competent rather than exceptional. But as a balanced everyday smartphone, the Poco M8 delivers where it matters most.

If design, display, and battery life matter more to you than peak gaming power, the Poco M8 is worth considering.

The Google Pixel lineup, be it smartphones or wearables, is known for a simple and clean experience. It has been a minute since we got the Pixel Buds 2a, but they follow the same thinking, designed to fade into the background while remaining proactively useful. They sat in my rotation as daily-use earbuds, and after extensive use, it became clear what they do well and where they fall short. At Rs 12,999, they sit in a crowded and unforgiving segment. This is where spec-heavy options like OnePlus Buds Pro 3 (review) and Nothing Ear (review) dominate conversations, and where buyers expect wireless charging, high-resolution codecs, and big battery numbers. Google, however, takes a different route: less hardware flexing and more focus on comfort, software, and ecosystem polish.

Clean and portable design

The Pixel Buds 2a case is plain white, which inevitably reminds you of AirPods, but the shape is more oblong and pebble-like rather than tall and boxy. It is one of the easiest to carry around. It is compact, light, and slips into a jeans pocket without creating a bulge. There is no Google or Pixel logo anywhere on the outside, giving the case a clean aesthetic.

The buds have a G logo, and the right orientation of that G helps in rightly placing them in the case. Another small usability issue is identifying left and right earbuds. They look identical at a glance. Thankfully, the L and R markings are placed on the side that faces your ear, which helps once you get used to checking before putting them on.

While the default ear tips felt slightly loose for me, switching to a smaller ear tip immediately improved fit. The earbuds themselves are very light. Once inserted, you have to twist them anticlockwise slightly to lock them in place.

Touch controls are very responsive, and you don't have to put much pressure to trigger the touch functions. Overall, they don't cause fatigue over long hours.

The Pixel Buds 2a are rated IP54 for dust and water resistance, but the case is only IPX4 rated. You need to be careful during monsoons, as that '4' means they can withstand splash only.

Basics for Android, A bit more for Pixels

Pairing the Buds 2a with a Pixel phone does make a qualitative difference. Advanced spatial audio, Super Wideband voice, and deeper assistant integration are all Pixel-exclusive. This creates a tiered experience. But these, I feel, are not super important features and pairing the earbuds with a non-Pixel phone like my Galaxy S23 and OnePlus 13 worked just fine.

You get only AAC and SBC codecs and no advanced codecs like LDAC, LHDC, etc, which its competitors like Nothing Ear (2024), JBL Live Beam 3, Sennheiser Accentum, EarFun Air Pro 4, and even budget options like Noise Master Buds offer.

Hands-free digital assistant support works through Google’s wake-word detection. You can trigger Gemini or Google Assistant without touching the buds. In practice, this works reliably and feels faster than many third-party implementations. It can be useful for navigation, quick queries, and reminders while walking, but I don't feel comfortable using this feature on Indian roads or indoors.

Another nifty ecosystem feature is Audio Switch. The device supports multipoint, but Audio Switch is different, as it lets you automatically move audio between signed-in devices like your Pixel phone, Chromebook, or Android tablet. Multipoint, on the other hand, allows the Buds 2a to stay connected to two devices at once, for example, a phone and my MacBook Air.

Wear detection works flawlessly. Music pauses instantly when you remove an earbud and resumes reliably when you put it back in.

The Pixel Buds app is simple. Too simple, some might feel. There are fewer toggles and customisation options compared to Samsung or Nothing. For instance, there are single tap, double tap, and triple tap gestures, along with press-and-hold. The downside is that these gestures are largely pre-configured. You cannot freely map everything the way you can with Nothing or Samsung earbuds. That said, the basics are covered.

So, the app is easy to use and rarely confusing. Even the Bluetooth menu on phones like the Galaxy S23 shows some quick-access toggles, if you don't want to use the app.

Also Read: Apple Beats Powerbeats Fit review: Secure workout earbuds that also work for everyday use

Warm, friendly sound

The Pixel Buds 2a deliver a warm, rounded bass rather than a sharp slam. On tracks like Kehlani’s 'Folded', the bass drops have depth and weight, but they do not hit aggressively. This works well for long listening sessions and modern R&B, but bass lovers may find it slightly soft compared to some options out there.

The midrange is where these earbuds shine. Vocals sound natural and forward without becoming shouty. This tuning works well for podcasts, calls, and Indian music where vocals carry emotional weight. Instruments like guitars and pianos have a body rather than an edge.

Treble is relaxed. There is no harshness, but also no sparkle. Cymbals and high-frequency textures sit in the background. This makes poor recordings easier to tolerate, but listeners who enjoy crisp detail may find it a bit dull.

So, they are for those who prioritise warmth, vocal clarity, and low-end depth over sparkle and openness.

Spatial Audio is available, but only when paired with compatible Pixel phones and supported content. In real-world use, it adds a mild sense of width and depth and is good for occasional fun.

Respectable ANC and call quality

Active noise cancellation is present, though it isn’t tuned to block out everything around you. In an office setting, softer sounds like murmurs, keyboard taps, and background chatter can still be heard to some extent, and on busy streets, sharper noises such as horns and whistles do come through.

Once music starts playing, however, the ANC feels far more effective for everyday use. Low-frequency sounds like engine hum and road rumble are reduced well, making daily commutes more comfortable. Running the Ear Seal Check in the app also helps improve consistency and is worth doing, especially after switching ear tips.

Transparency mode works reliably too. Voices sound natural with very little artificial processing, which makes it feel safe to use while walking outdoors, an important consideration in Indian traffic conditions.

Call quality is consistent across devices. On non-Pixel phones, calls sounded clear on both ends with no noticeable issues. Paired with a Pixel 8 or newer phone, features like Super Wideband and Clear Calling add an extra layer of clarity, making calls sound a bit cleaner and more focused.

Fine battery life and charging

Battery life is solid for everyday use, even if it isn’t class-leading. With ANC on, using the AAC codec and volume set at around 80%, the Pixel Buds 2a lasted close to 8 hours and 45 minutes in my testing. That comfortably beats Google’s own conservative claims, though there are rivals in this segment, such as the Galaxy Buds 3 FE, that manage longer runtimes.

A quick top-up is useful too. Around five minutes of charging is said to deliver roughly an hour of listening, while a full charge takes about two hours. Wireless charging isn’t supported, which some buyers may miss at this price, especially given how common it has become in this segment.

Should you buy Pixel Buds 2a?

The Pixel Buds 2a reflect what the Pixel lineup has always stood for: a clean, low-friction experience that prioritises essential features and usability. The earbuds are light, the case is chic and compact, and together they feel genuinely portable and comfortable. Their strengths fall into three layers. You get the must-haves like responsive touch controls, reliable call quality, accurate wear detection, and stable Bluetooth multipoint. Then there are the good-to-have features, such as Audio Switch and hands-free Google or Gemini Assistant. On top of that sit a few Pixel-only extras like Spatial Audio that add polish if you are inside Google's ecosystem.

What the Pixel Buds 2a do well becomes clearer once you live with them for a while, rather than judge them by a spec sheet. The sound tuning is easygoing and works well for long listening sessions. ANC and transparency are not class-leading, but they are consistent and effective enough for everyday commutes and office use.

Where the Pixel Buds 2a feels a little less competitive is on the pure feature front. At Rs 12,999, the absence of wireless charging and limited codec support are things buyers will inevitably notice. That said, the Pixel Buds 2a are clearly aimed at a certain kind of user. If you are using a Pixel phone and prefer comfort, stability, and seamless system integration, these earbuds fit that bill well. Even with other Android phones, they remain reliable, comfortable, and largely invisible in daily use. Of course, they may not win a spec-sheet battle, but for listeners who value ease of use and consistency, they still hold their ground. 

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

Also Read: CMF Headphone Pro review: Flashy design and fun sound at a compelling price

I’ve been using the Asus ProArt P16 Copilot+ PC for close to two weeks now, and I’ll get straight to the point. This is a very good laptop, but it is also a very expensive one at Rs 4,49,990. And that price changes the way you look at everything it does right, and everything it doesn’t. Actually, the pricing starts at Rs 3,99,990 for the RTX 5080 GPU version; however, the one I was reviewing is the highest-end one, with all the bells and whistles.

From what I have understood, the ProArt P16 feels like a machine that wants to sit perfectly between creators and power users, but not fully commit to either camp. That’s both its biggest strength and its biggest limitation. Here’s all the good and bad about Asus’ latest and greatest creator laptop and whether it’s worth your hard-earned cash.

Build, keyboard and daily feel

The first thing you notice about the Asus ProArt P16 is how solid it feels. The build quality is genuinely excellent. It feels dense, premium, and reassuring in the hand. There’s no flex where it shouldn’t be, and it very much feels like a laptop that’s built to last. That said, my review unit already had visible scratches on the lid when it reached me. This wasn’t wear from my usage, but clearly a unit that had done the rounds before landing with me, likely with another reviewer. Even so, it’s worth mentioning because the matte finish does seem prone to showing marks, and at this price, that’s something buyers should be aware of. It doesn’t affect functionality, but visually, it does take away from that pristine, premium feel you expect out of the box.

The backlit keyboard, thankfully, is a far more positive part of the experience. The keys are well spaced, have good travel, and feel confident under your fingers. It’s one of those keyboards that doesn’t try to impress immediately but quietly grows on you the more you use it, which is exactly what you want from a laptop that’s meant to get real work done.

The hinge is where the ProArt P16 shows some clear limitations. The screen only tilts back to around 130 to 140 degrees, and you notice that fairly quickly. On a desk, it’s absolutely fine, but if you’re using it on your lap or in tighter spaces, that limited angle can feel restrictive. For a premium creator laptop, a bit more flexibility would have been welcome. To be fair, the hinge itself feels solid and well-engineered. It’s smooth, sturdy, and allows for one-finger opening without the base lifting. Asus uses a ‘stealth hinge’ design here, and there’s a functional reason behind the limited tilt. The hinge is integrated into the cooling system, and restricting the angle helps ensure the rear exhaust vents aren’t blocked during use. Given the kind of high-performance hardware inside, that explanation makes sense.

Overall, the ProArt P16 feels extremely well built and thoughtfully designed, but it’s also very clear that Asus has prioritised performance and cooling over flexibility and pristine aesthetics. Whether that trade-off works for you will depend on how you plan to use it day to day.

Also read: MSI Prestige 16 AI review: Strong performance that gets the job done

Trackpad and speakers

The ProArt P16’s trackpad is large and nicely positioned, but it’s also one of the more confusing parts of the experience. It works well, it’s responsive, and it gives you plenty of room to move around. But it’s also extremely slippery. I’m not sure if that’s a Windows 11 thing or just how Asus has tuned it, but it never feels as precise or controlled as a MacBook trackpad. You’ll get used to it, but you’ll also always be aware that it’s not best-in-class. At this price, that comparison is unavoidable.

Speakers, on the other hand, are solid. They’re loud, clear, and have enough body to make videos, films, and even casual music listening enjoyable. No, they won’t replace a good pair of headphones, but they’re good enough that you won’t immediately reach for them either.

Display: Easily one of the highlights

The 16-inch OLED display with a 4K resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate is honestly where the Asus ProArt P16 makes its intentions very clear. The moment you open the lid, you can tell this is a screen the laptop is built around. To the naked eye, it looks genuinely superb. Colours have that rich and punchy look without feeling oversaturated. Blacks are deep, contrast is excellent, and everything looks incredibly sharp and clean. It’s one of those displays that makes even normal content look better than it has any right to. Whether you’re watching a film, editing photos, or just sitting there staring at the screensaver for no real reason, it’s a screen you enjoy spending time with.

What I liked is that it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and animations feel smooth, but it’s not something that screams for attention. You notice it more when you go back to a regular 60Hz screen, and suddenly everything feels a bit sluggish. For everyday use, it just adds to that sense of polish.

The Calman results back up what your eyes are telling you, which is always reassuring. Peak brightness touching 664 nits is impressive and means the screen holds up well even in bright rooms. Colour accuracy is strong too, with an average delta E of 1.2, which is comfortably good enough for serious work. You also get full 100% sRGB coverage, so anything meant for the web looks spot on. DCI-P3 coverage sits at 83%, which is decent, though not quite best-in-class for a creator-focused laptop at this price. On paper, that might sound like a compromise, but in real-world use, it’s not something that ever bothered me.

What really matters is how it feels day to day, and that’s where this display shines. It’s consistent, easy on the eyes during long sessions, and just very pleasant to work on. You don’t constantly feel the need to tweak settings or second-guess colours. You just get on with your work. For me, that’s the biggest compliment you can give a display and easily one of the strongest reasons to consider the ProArt P16.

Performance and benchmarks in real life

On paper and in benchmarks, the Asus ProArt P16 performs exactly like you’d expect from a high-end creator laptop. For starters, my review unit is powered by a 2.0 GHz AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 chip, with 12 cores and 24 threads. This is paired with up to 50 TOPS AMD XDNA NPU, a 24 GB GDDR7 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090 GPU, 64 GB LPDDR5X on-board RAM and 2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD storage.

PCMark 10 Extended scored 10,776, indicating that it can comfortably handle everyday productivity and creative workloads. Cinebench R23 scores of 1,957 for single-core and 20,930 for multi-core indicate that CPU performance is strong, particularly for sustained tasks such as rendering and exporting.

The GPU numbers are respectable, too. A Time Spy Extreme score of 8,532 anda Fire Strike Ultra score of 9,586 suggest there’s plenty of graphical power here. In real-world terms, that means creative apps, such as Premiere Pro, feel fast and responsive.

Gaming is where you have to pause for a second and reset your expectations, because on paper, this laptop looks far more gaming-friendly than it actually is. My unit has an RTX 5090 GPU, so naturally, you go in thinking this should be able to brute-force its way through pretty much anything. In practice, it’s a bit more nuanced than that.

I installed Spider-Man Miles Morales, Shadow of Tomb Raider, NFS Heat and GTA V, and to be clear, all of them ran well. These are very playable experiences. Frame rates were stable, visuals looked great, and at no point did the laptop feel like it was gasping for air. If you’re someone who occasionally fires up a game after work or during the weekend, the ProArt P16 will absolutely handle that without complaint.

But the thing is, this isn’t a laptop that’s tuned to chase big frame-rate numbers, even with a powerful GPU on board. The lack of a MUX switch plays a role here, as the system doesn’t always give the GPU a completely free run, the way dedicated gaming laptops do. On top of that, the overall thermal and power tuning is clearly geared more towards sustained creative workloads than short bursts of maximum gaming performance.

So while the RTX 5090 gives you plenty of headroom and ensures games run smoothly, it doesn’t automatically translate into sky-high fps, especially in newer or more demanding titles. The end result is that gaming on the ProArt P16 is enjoyable, just not thrilling in the way a proper gaming laptop can be.

Thermals and daily use

Under load, the Asus ProArt P16 does get warm, and it doesn’t try to hide it. It’s not the kind of ‘getting warm’ that immediately makes you panic or shut things down, but it’s enough that you’re constantly aware the system is working hard, especially around the underside and the area above the keyboard. Fan noise also becomes part of the experience once you start doing anything remotely demanding. The fans spin up fast, and they’re clearly audible. It’s not an unpleasant or high-pitched sound, but it is persistent. My suggestion would be to use a nice pair of headphones if you do long creative sessions, and if silence is important to you, that’s something to keep in mind.

Because of this, the ProArt P16 is also not a great laptop once you move beyond light tasks. Browsing, writing, or casual use is fine, but as soon as you start running anything demanding, such as exporting a video on Premiere Pro or gaming, keeping it on your lap for extended periods isn’t something I’d recommend. It’s very much a desk-first machine, and that feels intentional.

Used the way it’s meant to be used, though, the thermals make sense. On a desk, with proper airflow, the ProArt P16 behaves exactly like a powerful workstation-class laptop should. It maintains performance, doesn’t throttle aggressively, and feels stable even during longer workloads.

Asus ProArt P16: Should you buy it?

Here’s where it gets tricky. At Rs 4,49,990, the Asus ProArt P16 demands a lot from the buyer. It delivers premium build quality, an excellent display, strong performance for creative work, good speakers, and a keyboard that’s genuinely pleasant to use. But it also makes some choices that are hard to ignore at this price. The trackpad isn’t great for the money, gaming performance is only decent, there’s no MUX switch, and visible wear on the lid doesn’t inspire confidence in long-term aesthetics.

In a nutshell, the ProArt P16 is a very capable, very polished laptop that does most things well, but it doesn’t quite justify its price for everyone. If you’re a creator who values display quality, solid performance, and a premium feel over everything else, you’ll probably be happy with it. If you’re looking for the absolute best value, or a machine that also doubles as a serious gaming laptop, this isn’t the one.

It’s good. It’s powerful. It’s just not an easy recommendation at this price.

Also read: Samsung 9100 Pro 8TB Gen5 SSD review: Not afraid to take up space!

I've been watching the sub‑Rs 10,000 headphone market get crowded lately. The popular ones already tick the basics: ANC, long battery life, app support, decent sound. So, standing out usually comes down to how well a brand does one or two things better than everyone else. The newly launched CMF Headphone Pro, priced at Rs 6,999 in the introductory period, tries that with a unique design and up to 100-hour battery life. It also packs interesting specs like Hi-Res LDAC support, hybrid ANC up to 40 dB, Bluetooth 5.4, etc. And in my testing, I wanted to see if CMF’s feature sheet translates into real value at this price and whether the design and other choices by the Nothing sub-brand make sense. Let’s dive in.

Cute and comfortable design

The CMF Headphone Pro immediately grabs attention with its cute and flashy look. Our review sample is teal coloured with a glossy finish on the metal rail and earcups. Whenever I put it on, in the office, in the metro, or at home, people around me would glance at it or even ask about it. It has a distinct and intentional appearance. But that can be subjective, and not everyone's cup of tea. I would have preferred the light or dark grey variants instead.

There is a subtle 'CMF by Nothing' branding on the earcups. Both earcups also offer you a nice physical interface to easily control various settings and aspects:

• The roller wheel on the right earcup lets you lower or raise the volume. Pressing it, you can play or pause music and answer or drop calls. There are similar preset functions for double-press and triple-press. You can configure the press-and-hold function to switch between ANC and Transparency.
• Below this roller, there is a customisable button with some options.
• On the other hand, the left earcup houses a power cum pairing button and a slider to tweak the bass/treble level. The slider does work without needing the app, which is fun if you want a quick thump boost.

While a physical interface allows more precise and intentional control mechanisms, it may demand some learning curve. Besides the buttons, the right earcup has a USB-C port, and the left earcup has a 3.5mm headphone jack. CMF packs a 3.5mm aux cable in the box.

Coming to comfort, the large and plush ear cushions offer good over-ear seal, and the cushioned headband also sits finely on the head. At 283 grams, with a plastic, metal, and synthetic leather material combination, the headphone is light and comfortable in daily use. The clamp force is negligible. You can easily twist and swap those ear cushions. The respective L and R markings inside them let you replace them and also put on the headphones properly.

You can rotate the earcups flat. This could aid in packing and carrying them on your neck. But, no folding hinge here. The given IPX2 water resistance is also weak, but at least you get some assurance from sweat and drizzle, which many headsets in the range don't give.

Also Read: Nothing Headphone 1 Review: Visually daring, sonically reserved

Solid connection and configurable app

Pressing the pairing/power button on the left earcup for a few seconds begins pairing mode, and you'll get a fast pairing notification on nearby Android phones. The headphones have Bluetooth 5.4, and the connection stays stable. It supports the Dual Connection feature, letting you connect to two devices and switch playback between them. You'll have to pause one to start playing from the other. Not a flaw; just how it works. In any case, if you want it, you'll have to enable it within the Nothing X app.

The Nothing X app also lets you choose a higher-resolution LDAC codec, switch ANC levels, toggle Spatial modes (Concert/Cinema), calibrate personal sound profile, Find Headphones, enable Low Lag mode with less than 120ms latency claim, Standby mode, and a simple EQ with some presets. This is a very simple EQ interface with some useful presets, but far from a full parametric EQ.

There's no wear‑detection-based playback pause feature, which can be annoying if you remove the headphones from your ears and the music continues playing.

Good battery life, but odd charging behaviour

Battery life is arguably this headphone’s biggest bragging point. CMF claims 'up to 100 hours' of playback with ANC off and around 50 hours with ANC, AAC and at 50% volume. In my test, I got 37.5 hours with ANC, LDAC, and continuous playback at 80% volume. With ANC off and moderate use, you can eke out enough juice for a weekend outing. 

Fast charging is practical too. I tested by draining the battery down, and it took close to 1 hour and 30 minutes to fully charge the device with a white LED indication. CMF says a 5-minute quick charging could fetch you 4 hours of playback. Good for morning commutes.

The headphone charges via USB‑C. There’s no wireless charging here. You can’t use the headphones wired or wirelessly while they’re charging. At least wired should work, I feel. But honestly, I barely had to charge it at all in normal use. The battery meter in the app is accurate, so I always knew how much juice was left.

There is no USB-C audio support, either. So, no, you can't listen through the USB-C port. It is for charging only. What's weird, though, is that you can listen via the 3.5mm cable only if the headphone is powered on.

Another qualm is that it doesn't auto turn off when Bluetooth is connected to a device. So, hours later, when you pick it up, it will still be on. The auto standby mode mentioned before starts after 30 minutes only. It must not drain much battery, but the anxious me wished it had a quicker standby timer or an auto shut-down feature.

Fun and clear sound

I tested the CMF Headphone Pro across a wide range of tracks, focusing on bass, mids, treble, presence, and stereo imaging. The performance is strong overall. Its limitations only become clear when compared directly with flagship headphones. So that tells you it's quality.

In Dream Theater's Pull Me Under, guitar riffs, bass lines, and drums remain mostly distinct, and James LaBrie's vocals sound clear, but in the busy portions of the song, his sound feels slightly behind the guitar and other instrumental layers. This vocal performance is noticeable in Johnny Cash's Hurt, too.

The bass drops on Billie Eilish's Bad Guy are tight. Just a reminder, I was listening to the Pop EQ profile with the Bass slider at its lowest setting. But raising it does make the bass sound boomy, if that's your preference. For instance, in Jeremy Soule's Dragonborn (Skyrim game soundtrack), the war drums get a rumbling effect with the bass slider raised. The slider is handy for such quick toggles.

It offers a fairly wide stereo presentation with good detail in tracks like The Who’s Baba O’Riley. However, the staging in Dragonborn's epic hall and orchestral passages does not feel as extended or spacious as on a flagship model like the WH-1000XM6. Spatial modes such as Concert and Cinema add width and are enjoyable to use, but the effect is subtle rather than transformative.

So, with the CMF headphones, you will get a fun, energetic tuning with decent clarity. It performs well for the asking price.

Effective ANC and call quality

Active Noise Cancellation on the CMF Headphone Pro is quite effective for everyday use. I compared its ANC to our reference device, the Sony WH-1000XM6, and it was comparable in the indoor settings. Outdoors, some noise from heavy traffic or street noise seeps in. I used it mostly in the High ANC settings, but you can switch between Low, Medium and Adaptive levels.

As for Transparency mode, it is reasonably good but not as natural as Ambient mode on our higher-end reference device. My voice sounded a little distant or artificial to me in this mode.

For calls, the CMF did a decent job. Thanks to its 3 HD mics and Environmental Noise Cancellation (ENC), I was able to take calls comfortably using the headphone mic, and both people could hear each other properly.

Should you buy the CMF Headphone Pro?

After living with the CMF Headphone Pro for a few days, my takeaway is that it offers very strong value for the sub-Rs 8,000 mark. It looks intentionally playful and will appeal to people who like its cute charm or simply want something that doesn't blend into a sea of serious-looking headphones. Even its physical control layout can feel unfamiliar at first, but once you get used to it, the buttons and roller feel deliberate and handy. Comfort is handled well, too, with a lightweight, cushioned chassis and a relaxed clamp that works for long listening sessions.

The sound, while not neutral or flagship-grade, is engaging and easy to like. LDAC support adds flexibility for higher-quality streaming, and ANC is effective enough to make that experience calmer and private. More importantly, battery life is strong enough that this experience can last long without much charging anxiety.

When so many things are done right, it's natural to expect the same level of polish everywhere. But considering its price, there are some sensible but noticeable restrictions. You can't use the headphones while they’re charging, either wired or wirelessly. The 3.5mm wired mode only works when the headphones are powered on. The hinge isn't fully foldable. There's no wear-detection, and the IPX2 rating offers only basic splash protection, which is lower than what some rivals manage.

Still, the core experience remains strong for the price. So, the CMF's first headphones make the most sense for buyers who want something different from the usual serious-looking ANC headphones, and also value long battery life, comfort, and a fun, energetic sound. If that’s what you’re looking for, its compromises feel reasonable, and its strengths are easy to live with.

Also Read: Sennheiser HD 505 Copper review: Studio-style clarity under Rs 20,000

While researching for the top TWS earphones under Rs 3,000, I was genuinely surprised by how many good options exist in this segment. Of course, the competition is intense, and stepping into this crowded space, Oppo launched the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ at Rs 2,099 (now priced at Rs 2,499), with features like 12.4mm Dynamic Driver, Bluetooth 5.4, IP55 ingress resistance, and 32dB Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). The company already has the Enco Buds 3 Pro listed at Rs 1,799 in the same price bracket, but that model skips ANC. Naturally, I wanted to see whether ANC makes a meaningful difference in everyday use and, more importantly, whether it actually makes sense to spend extra on the new buds. 

After several weeks of using the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ for workout playlists, background work music, calls, commute podcasts, and evening wind-down music, I think I have a clear answer. Here's my experience.

Verdict

The Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ can be a sensible everyday TWS purchase under Rs 3,000, for they provide a balanced offering, rather than standout features. You get a familiar and comfortable design, reliable battery life and connectivity, and a bass-forward and enjoyable sound. ANC is the main addition and works well indoors, making them more complete than the Enco Buds 3 Pro. If noise cancellation matters, they make sense. If not, the cheaper Pro still offers better value.

Comfortable and functional design

We received the dark blue variant of the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+. A black colour option is also available, which I would have personally preferred. Regardless of the colour you choose, the earbuds themselves match the case. The build is entirely plastic, paired with silicone eartips, and the buds feel light and unobtrusive even during long listening sessions.

The charging case is compact enough to slip easily into a jeans pocket. Since I often toss it into my laptop bag or pockets alongside other items, some of them sharp, the case has held up well, with no noticeable scratches so far. The matte finish clearly helps here.

From a durability point of view, the IP55 rating is another reassuring touch. It offers some peace of mind if you end up wearing the buds in light rain or during sweaty outdoor workouts.

Beyond their lightweight and sturdy build, the in-ear design is comfortable and also does a good job of creating a decent passive seal.

One notable omission, however, is wear detection, a feature that the OnePlus Buds 3 Pro, priced at Rs 2,599, does include.

Straightforward setup and connectivity

The initial pairing begins as soon as you open the case for the first time. Thanks to Google Fast Pair, a pop-up appears on nearby Android devices, and all you need to do is tap it to connect.

For manual pairing later on, place both earbuds back into the charging case, open the lid, and press and hold the function button for two seconds until the white indicator light starts flashing.

Also Read: Apple Beats Powerbeats Fit review: Secure workout earbuds that also work for everyday use

The earbuds use Bluetooth 5.4, which remained stable throughout my testing. There is also support for dual-device connection, making it easy to switch between my OnePlus 13 and laptop during daily work and media use.

Codec support is limited to AAC and SBC. While AAC worked well in my usage, Oppo could have included more advanced options, especially considering that the more affordable Realme Buds T200 offers LDAC support.

Bass-forward and fun audio

Based on our in-house frequency tests, the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ has a bass-dominant sound signature, with recessed lower mids, a boosted upper-mid or presence region, and a relaxed treble.

Across my usual test tracks, the bass impact felt thick rather than tight, but still acceptable for the price. In songs like Dream Theatre’s Pull Me Under and Between the Buried and Me’s Selkies, dense sections can sound a bit mushed together, while in Hunter by Björk, some background details fail to stand out clearly. On the other hand, tracks like Kings of Leon’s Around the World sound energetic, and Fall Out Boy’s Centuries remains easy to listen to.

Put simply, these earphones sound forward and enjoyable, but not particularly precise, though that’s not something we’re really expecting at this price point.

This tuning works well for pop and EDM, and it’s perfectly fine for podcasts, softer indie and acoustic playlists, and everyday media consumption. If you plan to use them for gaming, it’s worth noting that they support low latency of up to 47ms.

Useful for calls, ANC, and customisation

Call quality is clear and legible, thanks to the dual-mic setup and AI-powered noise reduction. The in-ear passive seal also plays a part here.

Passive isolation, combined with up to 32dB ANC, does a decent job of cutting down everyday indoor noise. Outdoors, however, especially in heavy traffic or crowded areas, the ANC struggles to deal with sharper sounds such as vehicle noise and horns. In this price range, rivals like the Realme T310, CMF Buds 2a, and Boat Airdopes Prime 701 claim stronger ANC performance.

If you need to stay aware of your surroundings, there is also a Transparency mode that lets external sounds pass through. It does not sound particularly natural, but it’s fine as a basic, good-to-have feature.

The Enco Buds 3 Pro+ offers more than just noise modes. Using the HeyMelody app, you can quickly toggle between ANC, Transparency mode, or turn noise handling off directly from the home screen. The app also lets you switch between Original Sound (default), Bass Boost, and Clear Vocals via the Enco Master EQ. There is a usable spatial audio effect through Oppo Alive Audio on select phones, along with options to locate lost or misplaced earbuds and customise the touch controls.

You can map different actions to single tap, double tap, triple tap, touch and hold, and long touch and hold on both the left and right earbuds. That said, the touch controls do not always register unless you tap or hold the exact spot. The plasticky surface does not feel particularly reassuring to touch, but this never becomes an experience-breaking issue.

Reliable battery life

Battery endurance is a strong point here. Each earbud houses a 58mAh battery, with an additional 440mAh battery inside the charging case. In our continuous playback test at 80% volume, with ANC switched on and using the AAC codec, the earbuds delivered around eight hours of playback on a single charge. That is enough to comfortably get through a full working day.

The charging case provides additional top-ups, which should easily cover a weekend trip. According to Oppo’s lab tests, the case can deliver up to 43 hours of total playback with ANC turned off and volume set at 50%.

Fast charging is also supported. Oppo claims that just 10 minutes of charging can deliver up to four hours of AAC music playback at 50% volume with ANC off. A full charge for both the earbuds and the case, from 0 to 100%, takes roughly 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Should you buy Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+?

Oppo’s Enco series has built a solid reputation for delivering strong value, and the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ feels like a carefully positioned product aimed at a specific kind of buyer. The biggest upgrade over the Enco Buds 3 Pro is active noise cancellation, and in everyday use, it does make a noticeable difference indoors. If you spend long hours working inside, take frequent calls, or listen to podcasts and music in relatively controlled environments, the combination of a decent passive seal and 32dB ANC helps cut down everyday distractions. In that context, the Pro+ does feel more complete than the cheaper Pro variant.

That said, this is not a dramatic upgrade across the board. The overall design, comfort, connectivity, and core sound character remain familiar and functional. The tuning is still bass-forward and should sound fun to most listeners. Battery life is strong, comfort remains excellent for long sessions, and connectivity is stable with useful dual-device support. The app experience is also richer than what some rivals offer, especially with flexible touch customisation and EQ presets.

Against other options under Rs 3,000, the Enco Buds 3 Pro+ competes more on balance than on standout features. Yes, there are competitors from Realme and Boat that promise stronger ANC or offer advanced codecs like LDAC, but the real-world difference may not be night and day. In short, the Oppo Enco Buds 3 Pro+ makes sense if you want a comfortable pair of earbuds with usable ANC, reliable battery life, and an enjoyable sound signature. They may not be the most exciting option in the segment, but they are consistent, dependable, and easy to live with. And if ANC is not a priority, the cheaper Enco Buds 3 Pro remains worth considering.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

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Haier is a name most Indian buyers associate first with ACs, refrigerators, washing machines and other home appliances. That said, the company also manufactures smart TVs, and we received the Haier M92, a 65-inch QD-Mini LED smart TV, for review. It is priced at Rs 1,05,990 and packs interesting features, including Dolby Vision IQ, Google TV OS, and KEF-tuned sound with Dolby Atmos support. It also brings AI enhancements for visuals, audio, gaming and regular performance. I used it for the better part of a month, and during this course, I tested all these different aspects. So, what began with a mix of curiosity and healthy scepticism, let's see how it ended up.

Big Mini LED ambitions, but…

The Haier M92 is available in 65-inch and 75-inch sizes. We tested the 65-inch model with a 4K QD-Mini LED panel. Compared to a 55-inch Sony TV placed beside it, the Haier looks bigger and more cinematic. Viewing angles are fine as long as you don't sit too off-angle. Then, you will notice a drop in brightness and saturation. Also, sharpness isn’t quite at the level you expect from a 4K panel, and finer details sometimes feel softened. This was apparent while watching regular content like YouTube, sports content, and everything else.

Colours look pleasant, but HDR performance doesn’t always deliver the punch or precision you hope for. Considering the TV supports Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+, I was left wanting more.

In Calman testing, the TV hit 99.7% BT.709 coverage in SDR and 95.42% UHDA-P3 in HDR. However, the average DeltaE was higher than ideal. So, colour support is strong, but tuning needs work to present those colours more accurately.

Haier claims an ambitious 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio, supported by 448 local dimming zones. In our measurements, the IPS panel reached close to 900 nits brightness with an effective contrast of around 18,000:1. That is respectable, but not standout for Mini LED tech.

With local dimming disabled, whites look hazy, and blacks look washed out and appear more grey. In the submarine scene from Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning, the vessel and Tom Cruise lack clarity compared to a competing Mini LED panel from Sony. There is visible banding and not enough detail in darker scenes, something that also shows up during night sequences in The Revenant.

The panel shows Dirty Screen Effect (DSE) too. These look like faint, uneven patches on grey backgrounds and are noticeable on the YouTube UI. Some visual issues can be tuned using the built-in picture sliders and AI controls. But DSE is a hardware trait and may be specific to this unit, which still raises questions about quality control.

Even in gaming, it packs the sought-after specs like 144Hz native refresh rate, VRR (variable refresh rate), ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), and AMD Freesync Premium, and you can expect a reasonable experience.

Smooth UI, smart remote & strong sound

Google TV on the Haier M92 feels familiar and easy to use. Navigation between Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube and live channels is smooth. Animations are responsive, and Google Assistant handles hands-free voice searches without much delay. This is thanks to 4 GB RAM and 64 GB ROM under the hood.

The bundled remote is very handy and has hotkeys for settings, input options, Google Assistant, OTT apps like Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, etc. It also supports solar-based eco charging, which increases its value even more.

The UI is polished well, but one dialogue box showed 'Paring' instead of 'Pairing', which looked weird.

As for sound, the 50W speaker output is a pleasant surprise. It is a 2.1-channel system with Dolby Atmos, tuned by KEF, that offers clear dialogue, notable bass and a spacious presentation.

Handsome design, healthy IO

The Haier M92 has a clean, minimalist front with slim bezels that keep focus on the picture, subtle Haier branding and a KEF badge on the right corner. The build quality feels solid with a thick chassis, neat geometric finish on the back, and plastic holders to neatly channel the cables. Beneath the Haier logo, there is a physical mic mute switch for enhanced privacy.

Connectivity covers most needs. You get four HDMI ports with HDMI 2.1 bandwidth, USB-A ports (including one placed on the left edge), Ethernet, headphone out, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Wireless pairing and casting work smoothly.

Should you buy the Haier M92 TV?

The Haier M92 makes a strong first impression on paper. You get a large QD-Mini LED panel, Dolby Vision IQ, Google TV, 144 Hz support, HDMI 2.1 features, KEF-tuned speakers with Dolby Atmos and a tidy design that looks premium in the living room. Day-to-day use is smooth, the interface loads quickly, voice control works well, and the remote adds thoughtful touches like solar charging. For a brand better known for appliances, Haier clearly wants this TV to compete in the serious enthusiast space.

But living with it also shows the gaps. The panel does not always deliver the sharpness and HDR punch you expect at this price. Off-angle viewing takes a hit, blacks can look grey, and dark scenes lose detail. Measurements show decent brightness and coverage, yet colour accuracy isn’t tuned as tightly as rivals. Gaming support looks impressive on the spec sheet, but the real experience sits more in the 'fine' category than impressive.

Audio stands out as one of the TV’s strongest traits. The KEF tuning gives dialogue clarity, decent low-end, and a wider soundstage than most TVs in this bracket. Combined with fast Google TV performance and practical touches like good cable management and privacy controls, the Haier M92 still feels considered and capable. It is not an unfinished product, just one that prioritises features and convenience a little more than picture tuning.

So, should you buy it? If picture quality is top priority, there are competing Mini LED models that will satisfy you more. If, however, you just want a large screen for your living room with premium features, strong sound, smooth smart TV performance and a generally pleasant viewing experience without stretching into top-tier pricing, the Haier M92 could make sense.

As someone who reviews tech and is also an avid gamer with hundreds of titles sitting in my Steam library, storage is one of those components I can never seem to have enough of. Between modern AAA games that routinely exceed the 100 GB mark, large project files, and the need to keep multiple installations ready to go, running out of space is no longer an inconvenience. It is a workflow breaker. And that’s exactly why, when it comes to SSDs, I have always leaned towards the ‘larger the better’ school of thought.

When I got a chance to review the 8TB heatsink variant of the Samsung 9100 Pro SSD, I was quite excited to see how it turned out. First off, this is not an SSD designed for casual upgrades or modest game libraries. It is built for users who want everything in one place, fast and always accessible. With PCIe Gen5 speeds and an unusually high capacity packed into a single M.2 drive, the 9100 Pro aims to remove storage limitations altogether. But it is also quite expensive when compared to other SSDs. Now, the question is, should you invest in it? Read on, and let’s try to find the answer. 

Also read: Rollable screens to expanding frames: A look at Lenovo’s bold laptop concepts at CES

Samsung 9100 Pro 8 TB SSD: Specs

Before we delve deeper into the review, let’s take a quick look at the main specs of this SSD. 

Test system and setup

I tested the Samsung 9100 Pro 8 TB on my PC, which has the following configuration:

Motherboard: Asus ROG Strix X870E-E

Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 9800X3D

Memory: 32 GB G.Skill Trident Z5 DDR5-6000

Graphics card: Nvidia RTX 4070 Ti Super

Operating system: Windows 11

For context, I had previously had the Samsung 990 Pro 2 TB Gen4 SSD installed on my system as the primary drive. Hence, I am no stranger to Samsung SSDs and have a fair idea of what I can expect from this massive storage upgrade. 

Now, the Samsung 9100 Pro series starts at 1 TB and goes all the way up to 8 TB. I am testing the top-end variant here, which is very clearly aimed at professionals rather than everyday users. This is a PCIe Gen5 SSD, which means it can theoretically deliver far higher bandwidth than Gen4 drives. It is also fully backwards compatible, so you can run it in a Gen4 slot, but you will be capped at Gen4 speeds.

To actually experience what this SSD is capable of, a modern Gen5 platform is essential. On older systems, you are paying a premium without unlocking its full potential.

Design and build

At a glance, the Samsung 9100 Pro does not try to look flashy. The overall design is clean and functional, which is something I personally appreciate. Lower-capacity models in the lineup are single-sided, with all the components mounted on one side of the PCB. But the 8 TB model is different.

To achieve this capacity, Samsung has gone with a double-sided PCB for the first time in its consumer SSD lineup. That is because the highest-capacity NAND packages currently top out at 2 TB, so fitting 8 TB into an M.2 2280 form factor requires NAND chips on both sides.

The heatsink version I tested is clearly designed with practicality in mind. The updated heatsink is slim, compact, and finished with subtle grooves that give it a professional, almost industrial look. It does not scream for attention, but it feels purpose-built.

One thing worth noting is thickness. The 8 TB model is slightly thicker than the 1 TB to 4 TB variants. While the smaller models measure around 6.5 mm on top and 1.5 mm on the bottom, the 8 TB version measures roughly 8 mm on top and 2.45 mm underneath. Including the PCB, the total thickness comes to about 11.25 mm, compared to roughly 8.88 mm on the lower-capacity drives. Despite this, I had no issues installing it on my PC.

Software experience

The SSD comes with Samsung Magician software, which gives you everything you would realistically need. This includes drive information, health monitoring, firmware updates, built-in benchmarking, diagnostics, and secure erase tools.

Samsung’s Data Migration software is also extremely useful. It allows you to clone data from one Samsung SSD to another, even when the source drive is your OS drive. The only limitation is that it works exclusively with Samsung SSDs, but within that ecosystem, it works reliably.

You also get multiple performance profiles. The drive runs in Standard mode by default, with options for Full Performance, Power Saving, and a custom profile. For most users, Standard mode is the sensible choice. Full Performance mode offers only minor gains while introducing some meaningful compromises, which I will get into later.

The only real downside here is the interface itself. Compared to older versions, Samsung Magician now feels a bit more cluttered. Sidebar ads and promotional elements make the experience feel less clean than it used to be. This isn’t a dealbreaker, however, once you get used to it. The tool is quite polished otherwise.

Performance and benchmarks

In synthetic benchmarks, the Samsung 9100 Pro 8 TB performed admirably, and the same was reflected in real-world usage as well when I used my system to edit some photos and videos, play games, multitask, and a lot more. 

In Crystal Disk Mark, the Sequential read and write speeds were excellent, and the drive sits comfortably among the fastest consumer SSDs available today. The IOPS and latency scores too, were well within what you would expect from a flagship PCIe Gen5 drive, especially under mixed and random workloads.

In PCMark 10, the drive scored 7,702 in the Full System Drive benchmark and 7,108 in the Quick System Drive test. These scores mean that in everyday usage, tasks like OS booting, file transfers, application launches, and game loading will be quick and hassle-free.

In day-to-day use, the 9100 Pro 8 TB feels effortlessly fast. Boot times are near-instant, applications open without hesitation, and working with large files feels smooth and predictable. Moving large video files, handling backups, or managing massive datasets is where this drive truly shows its strengths.

For gaming, the experience is once again excellent. Load times are short, but the difference compared to a premium Gen4 SSD like the 990 Pro is subtle. With that being said, it is important to note that if gaming is your primary use case, you will not see a dramatic leap just by moving to Gen5 storage.

Thermals and power efficiency

As expected from a PCIe Gen5 SSD, thermals need attention. With the integrated heatsink and motherboard cooling in place, temperatures stayed within safe limits, though controller temperatures can run high during extended workloads.

Coming to power consumption, it is expectedly higher than lower-capacity models. But that is the trade-off you make when running more NAND at higher speeds. This is clearly a desktop or workstation-class SSD rather than something meant for thermally constrained systems.

Should you buy it?

The Samsung 9100 Pro 8 TB is not for everyone. It is expensive, and many high-end Gen4 SSDs cost far less while delivering excellent real-world performance. For casual users or gamers, those options make far more sense.

Where the 9100 Pro 8 TB earns its place is in capacity combined with speed. If you are a content creator working with high-resolution or 8K footage, a professional photographer dealing with massive image libraries, or a data-heavy user who wants everything on one ultra-fast drive, this SSD makes a strong case.

For everyone else, opting for a 4 TB variant or sticking with a premium Gen4 SSD will be the more cost-effective choice. In short, this is a focused, no-compromise storage solution built for users who know exactly why they need 8TB of PCIe Gen5 performance.

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When you think of Beats, bass and lifestyle are probably what come to your mind. But the Powerbeats Fit, which follow the Beats Fit Pro, are positioned very differently. Beats is pitching these as performance-first earbuds for people who move. Their sound is meant to keep your pace up in gyms and treadmills primarily. So, when the Beats earbuds landed on my desk, I was interested in seeing how they sounded and also how they lived up to the name. I also had the Sony LinkBuds Fit (review) with me, which I've compared to the Powerbeats Fit in the past. And while I have used them both during working out at home, commuting to work and back, and for everyday calls and music, here the focus stays on the Powerbeats buds. Here’s how they actually felt while using.

A stylish, secure fit

The Powerbeats Fit are an evolution of the old Beats Fit Pro, but wrapped in the 'Powerbeats' branding. That itself says a lot. This is the same family as Powerbeats Pro, just without the ear-hooks. Instead, it has the wingtip, which is said to be around 20% more flexible than before. In use, the Powerbeats' wingtips are long and can be easily tucked in.

While worn, they offer a good seal and stability. I never felt they would fall out. At times, however, that secure seal was causing a slight sensation of pain. At 5.78 grams each, it is a tad heavier than the LinkBuds Fit (4.9 grams). This isn't to say they are heavy, but I could definitely feel their presence.

Looks-wise, though, the Gravel Grey colour of our review unit was swish. You can pick it in three more colours, viz., black, orange, and pink. The case shares the colours and is rounded and easy to pocket.

The colours aside, the Beats 'b' logo on the earbuds and the case can be a fashion statement. The 'b' on the right bud is a multifunctional button. A physical button allows easy and precise control of the earbuds' various functions like calls, music and switching between ANC and Transparency mode. I like this, especially since a sweaty or moist finger doesn't necessarily work well with the touch controls. But pushing in the earbuds can put pressure and cause mild discomfort.

By the way, both buds and case are IPX4 rated. Sweat and rain are fine, but dust resistance and submersion ratings would have been welcome for runners hitting trails.

Keep things simple, works for Android and iPhones

On iPhone, this is plug and play. Flip open the lid, the pop-up appears, pair once, and you are done. To initiate manual pairing, put the buds back in the case and press the circular button for 5 seconds. Automatic switching between iPhone, iPad, and Mac works as expected. 'Hey Siri' is available hands-free. You also get Find My support, though not precision finding like newer AirPods cases.

The Powerbeats Fit still use the H1 chip, though, not the newer H2 found in AirPods Pro 2 and later. So, you are missing the H2 features like 2x better active noise cancellation (ANC), a newer adaptive transparency mode, and a longer runtime than the H1.

What's present is ANC, transparency mode, and Spatial Audio with head tracking.

And compared to the Sony LinkBuds Fit, you get fewer customisation options and features in the Beats app. Powerbeats Fit keep things simple with settings like Automatic Ear Detection, in-ear fit test, button controls, etc.

While connected to an Android, it is still a better option than the AirPods. You get the Beats app, which gives pairing help, firmware updates, battery info, ear tip fit test, and basic controls. Sure, you do lose some Apple magic like Personalised Spatial Audio, Find My and seamless connectivity, but the core experience holds together.

Reliable for calls and connectivity

The connection itself is stable. No dropouts on metro rides, walking between rooms in my house, etc. There is no true multipoint across different ecosystems, which Sony offers. But like we said in the previous section, within Apple’s world, auto-switching fills most of that gap.

Latency while watching YouTube and Netflix, and playing games, was fine.

Call quality is fine. Indoors, voices sounded clean and natural. Outdoors, some of the traffic and crowd noises were seeping in, more than on AirPods Pro 3 (with H2 chip).

Impactful audio and ANC

The H1 chip offers a stable and efficient listening experience. But, again, no high-fidelity codecs like LDAC or aptX here. It supports only AAC (HD) and SBC codecs.

As for the sound profile, Powerbeats Fit is energetic with boosted bass output, forward but thin vocals and guitar sounds, and a recessed and not very airy high.

Kick drums in Dream Theatre's Pull Me Under, and bass drops in Billie Eilish's Bad Guy hit with weight. Bass feels big but not deep. Still, EDM, pop, and hip-hop feel lively and fun. Vocals sound clear, for instance, Johnny Cash's voice in Hurt, but it lacks the warmth and personal feel. Certain vocals and acoustic instruments can sound harsh.

So, while it is impactful and entertaining, it is not for everyone and certainly not for purists. They are great for workouts, bass-driven playlists, and podcasts.

Compared to AirPods Pro, the Beats feel more aggressive and less refined. And compared to the Sony LinkBuds Fit, the Beats seal better, so the sense of punch and immersion is stronger, but Sony still sounds more relaxed.

Like AirPods, there is Personalised Spatial Audio here, which works with Apple devices only and is fun to use with Apple TV+ and compatible tracks.

ANC is great, but sharp noises like keyboard sound, movement of office chair wheels, etc, still break through. Its ANC is easier on the ears compared to the LinkBuds Fit. And since its design offers a good seal, there is good passive isolation too. Transparency Mode also works well and is useful for ambient awareness. So, the overall listening experience stays practical for daily outdoor commuting and activities.

Also Read: JBL Tour One M3 review: Good sound and smart features come at a price

Lasting endurance

Battery life is one area where Beats has tuned this right for active use. I was getting close to 13 hours at 60% volume and 8 hours with 80% volume. In both cases, ANC was on, and I was listening with AAC codec. Furthermore, the case is said to take the total to roughly 30 hours.

In real-world terms, I charged once mid-week and forgot about it. A 5-minute fast charge gives around an hour of playback, which genuinely saves workouts. And for fully charging the thing, it could take around 20 minutes. Charging is via USB-C. Wireless charging would have made a lot of sense at this price, but it isn’t here.

While its competitor from Sony also doesn't have wireless charging, the Beats earbuds offer more runtime and quicker charging than the competition.

Should you buy the Beats Powerbeats Fit?

Beats positions the Powerbeats Fit as earbuds for people who move. In daily use, that pitch holds up. The wingtip design keeps them in place and helps create a secure seal for passive isolation. With decent ANC, they let you focus on what you are doing, whether that is work or a workout. The physical buttons make it easy to control noise, calls, and music. And the tuning leans toward bass, which works well for punchy, motivational tracks you might use while training.

But they are not the lightest earbuds, and you may start to feel them after long sessions. The sound signature will not suit everyone. There is no EQ to adjust it either. Compared to its rival, the Sony LinkBuds Fit, the Beats app only covers the basics, and there is also no support for higher-resolution Bluetooth codecs. And compared to its cousin, the AirPods Pro 3, the Powerbeats Fit miss out on newer processing, stronger ANC and transparency, heart-rate tracking, live translation, wireless charging, and better IP57 protection.

Even with these trade-offs, the Powerbeats Fit still make sense if you train often, want earbuds that stay secure, and prefer a lively, energetic sound. They work with both Android and iOS, and if you use an iPhone, the setup and connection feel simple. The Powerbeats Fit don’t try to be everything. They try to be secure, comfortable enough, good-sounding, and straightforward. And in that very specific lane, they work.

Keep reading Digit.in for similar reviews.

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Being a journalist who writes about tech, I can get work done on almost any half-decent laptop. Entering into 2026, there is no shortage of capable machines to choose from, either. But when I look at a laptop through the lens of a creator, expectations change. Performance needs to be strong enough to handle demanding workflows, and the display has to be good enough not just for consuming content, but for creating it as well. Editing photos, reviewing footage, writing for hours, and juggling multiple tools at once is part of my daily routine.

That was the mindset I was in when the MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo arrived for review. I approached it less like a general-purpose work laptop and more like a potential creative companion. Over days of real-world use, switching between writing, image editing, video calls, and the occasional stress test, the Prestige 16 AI revealed its personality. It does not chase attention or try to impress in the first five minutes. Instead, it grows on you quietly through consistency. So, should you go ahead and invest around Rs 2 lakh on this laptop? Read on.

Also read: 5 cool Windows 11 tricks you should try right now

MSI Prestige 16 AI review: Design and Build

The first thing I noticed when I picked up the MSI Prestige 16 AI is just how understated it looks. It does not try to make a bold design statement, and in many ways, that feels intentional. The chassis feels solid without being overly heavy, and the dark grey finish, paired with subtle MSI branding on the lid, keeps things clean and professional. This is a laptop I would be perfectly comfortable carrying into a meeting, a cafe, or a co-working space without it standing out for the wrong reasons.

That said, if you enjoy laptops that experiment with bold designs or double up as style statements, this one might feel a little too safe. Personally, I did find myself wishing for a bit more character, and throwing on a colourful sleeve felt like the easiest way to give it some personality without taking away from its professional appeal.

In terms of build quality, the MSI Prestige 16 AI has a premium metal build that feels solid in the hand. However, the sturdiness is not uniform across the chassis. When the lid is shut, and you apply a bit of pressure, there is some noticeable flex. The 180-degree hinge also feels slightly delicate, and the display tends to wobble if you open the laptop too quickly. It is not a deal-breaker, but it does remind you that this machine prioritises thinness and portability over tank-like rigidity.

Despite being a 16-inch machine, it never felt bulky in daily use. Slipping it into a backpack did not feel like a commitment, and carrying it around the house or to work was surprisingly manageable.

Apart from this, it was the keyboard I spent most of my time with, and it is perfectly fine for long writing sessions. Key travel is comfortable, spacing is sensible, and after a few hours, I stopped thinking about it altogether, which is usually the best compliment. The touchpad is smooth, responsive, and large enough to not feel cramped during gesture-heavy navigation. I even found myself using the laptop without a mouse, and that’s something that I usually don’t resort to unless the touchpad is doing its job really well.

Display and ports

If your work involves working with videos and images, you will need a device that has spot-on colour accuracy. Thankfully, the MSI Prestige 16 AI delivers in that area. Using the laptop for photo edits, video previews, and even long writing sessions felt comfortable and reliable.

According to Calman results, the panel covers 97.2% of the sRGB colour space and an impressive 99.3% of DCI-P3, which immediately puts it in creator-friendly territory. What this means in day-to-day use is simple. Colours look consistent and believable, whether you are tweaking images, reviewing footage, or just consuming content between work sessions.

The Calman tests also showed an average Delta E of 1.7, which shows that even if there are any colour differences, they are hard to spot with the naked eye. Hence, you can rely on this laptop’s display for creative decisions. Brightness levels are also adequate for indoor use. I also used the laptop while sitting near a window and faced no issues in terms of brightness.

Coming to ports, MSI has been sensible with options, and I appreciated that more than I expected. Having a mix of USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and Ethernet meant I rarely had to reach for a dongle. Thunderbolt support also adds flexibility for docks and fast storage, and charging over USB-C makes life easier when travelling. With that being said, the placement of the ports is something I found to be a hindrance at times. Most ports are located at the back, and this meant I had to constantly get up from my seat to plug in or plug out the accessories connected to the laptop.

For someone who gets distracted easily, the port placement might cost a couple of extra working minutes. Looking at the bright side, though, the port placement at the rear helps in keeping your desk wire and clutter-free, as cables will just be hiding behind the laptop and can be easily tucked away.

Performance and battery

This is where the Prestige 16 AI really earns its name. Powered by Intel’s Core Ultra 9 185H processor, paired with 32 GB of LPDDR5 memory and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, the laptop felt consistently capable no matter what I threw at it.

In everyday use, performance felt effortless. App launches were quick, switching between heavy browser sessions, photo editing tools, and background tasks never caused stutters, and the system stayed responsive even when I was clearly pushing it. The score of the PCMark 10 Extended benchmark test stood at 7,810, which is a reflection of its behaviour. In the same benchmark, the score for essentials stood at 9,941, while Photo Editing and Video Editing scores were 12,850, and 6,64,8 respectively.

Talking specifically about rendering performance, it also held up well. Blender runs showed respectable output across different scenes, and the Rendering and Visualisation score in the PC Mark 10 benchmark was 12,906, which is again, quite strong.

I also ran the Cinebench R23 benchmark on the laptop to judge its overall performance. And the test confirmed strong multi-core performance for sustained workloads. Single-core performance remained snappy too, which helps keep everyday interactions feeling quick and fluid. The laptop scored 1,864 in the single-core test and 14,525 in the multi-core test.

In terms of graphics, the laptop shows a solid, if not spectacular, performance, and that is exactly where it needs to be. The Nvidia RTX 4060 laptop GPU is not here to chase ultra gaming settings, but it handles GPU-accelerated creative work with ease. The 3D Mark scores for various GPU benchmark tests were as follows:

TimeSpy: 5,776
TimeSpy Extreme: 2,751
FireStrike: 12,852
FiresStrike Extreme: 6,910
FireStrike Ultra: 3,699

The laptop also displayed strong storage speeds that were excellent, with fast read and write performance translating into quick boot times and instant file transfers. Memory bandwidth is equally strong, helping the system stay smooth under sustained load.

Overall, the performance feels deliberate and well-tuned. It is powerful without being noisy or unpredictable, which matters more than chasing headline numbers.

In terms of battery, the laptop comes with a large 99.9 Wh battery that easily carries through a full workday. I used the laptop at 70% brightness and only used it for Google Docs and YouTube. At the end of an 8-hour workday, I still had about 20% of the battery left. In the PC Mark 10 battery test, the laptop lasted around 8 hours at full brightness.

Gaming experience

Even though this is not a gaming laptop and does not even pretend to be one, I still felt compelled to try a few modern titles, largely because of the Nvidia laptop GPU powering it. And to be fair, the results were surprisingly decent. Most games, including the recently launched and GOTY winner Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, ran well on the Prestige 16 AI, but only after making one important adjustment: lowering the resolution.

At the native 3840 × 2400 resolution with medium graphics, the game hovered around the 30fps mark. It was running, and the visuals still looked good, but this is clearly where the laptop starts showing its limits. Dropping the resolution down to 1920 × 1200 made a noticeable difference. Frame rates jumped to around 80 to 90fps on medium settings, and even on high graphics, I was consistently seeing 60 to 70fps. The experience immediately felt smoother, and the game felt playable. When you go for more optimised titles like Doom and Valorant, there would be absolutely no issues.

The takeaway here is simple. This is not a machine built for 4K gaming, and it should not be treated like one. But if you are happy playing at 1080p or 1200p, most modern games will run smoothly without much fuss. And for a creator-first laptop, that is a nice bonus rather than the main attraction.

Speakers and camera

Alongside raw performance, the Prestige 16 AI also handles the everyday tools that most creators often rely on. The 1080p webcam is good enough for regular work calls and supports Microsoft’s Studio Effects along with Windows Hello facial recognition, both of which worked reliably during my use. Logging in with face unlock was quick and consistent, which is something I started appreciating more than I expected.

That said, image quality itself is fairly average. Colours tend to look a bit muted, and in low-light conditions, the camera struggles to maintain clarity. It gets the job done, but it is not going to impress anyone who lives on video calls or records content regularly. The physical privacy shutter, however, is a thoughtful addition and something I always like seeing on a work-first laptop.

The speakers follow a similar pattern. The dual bottom-firing units can get quite loud without introducing distortion, which is useful for calls or watching videos in a room. DTS audio processing adds a touch of spatial separation depending on the content, but bass is limited, as expected from a slim laptop. For casual listening and video conferencing, the audio quality is perfectly serviceable. For anything more immersive, I found myself reaching for headphones, which is likely what most users will end up doing anyway.

Should you get it?

The MSI Prestige 16 AI Evo is not trying to be everything for everyone. It is a focused, well-balanced laptop built for professionals, creators, and power users who value reliability over theatrics. And at Rs 2,12,990, it isn’t cheap either. So, consider this only if you have that much budget and want a laptop that offers strong performance and a large screen without being unnecessarily bulky.

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I usually stick to my MacBook screen for everything. Work, learning, streaming, editing, all of it happens on that single 13.3-inch panel. I never really felt the need for a bigger screen. In fact, I worried a second display would break my tunnel-vision focus. I wasn’t sure how my brain would handle splitting attention across two panels. But as part of my work, the laptop screen kept getting overloaded. Tabs, spreadsheets, slides, notes, drafts, video calls, Spotify and everything else were fighting for space. Then the BenQ EW3290U review unit arrived, and curiosity took over. I wanted to see whether a larger, 32-inch screen could actually fit into my routine without overwhelming it. A few weeks later, I had my answer. Yes, the EW3290U slightly changed how I work at my desk. I even took it home for a bit, and it quietly turned into my evening entertainment screen as well.

The BenQ EW3290U is a 32-inch 4K monitor priced around Rs 40,998. Here's an account of how it actually performs in daily use across design, display quality, colour, HDR, gaming, audio and whether it deserves a spot on your desk.

Clean design, good connectivity options

On the desk, the BenQ EW3290U doesn’t try to look aggressive or flashy. But it is still a charmer with its clean white finish, big matte screen with slim bezels and a minimal stand. The stand is sturdy and, importantly, adjustable. You can raise it (up to 11cm), tilt it (-5° to 20°), swivel it (20°/20°), and pivot it (90°/90°) until it meets your viewing requirement. I used to just keep it lowered until it sits exactly at eye level next to my laptop. This could fix a lot of neck strain. The monitor (with the base) weighs around 8 kgs, and so, it can be easily moved between desks, too.

The stand has a rectangular, open-frame base, where you can place items like a phone, dongles, miniature toys, idols, decor items, etc. And of course, the monitor's remote.

The cuboid remote is also white in colour, and the grey buttons offer a subtle contrast. It is very handy and comes with dedicated buttons for volume control, play/pause, fast forward, rewind, picture mode, audio mode, input options, power and more. I didn’t think I’d use the remote, but when you lean back to watch something after work, it feels obvious. Its batteries are bundled in the box.

Below the screen, you can find buttons for powering on/off the monitor and accessing its key modes and profiles.

And behind it, there is a healthy list of IO options. A USB-C with up to 65W PD charging and DisplayPort Alt Mode for displaying my laptop's secondary screen. The desk instantly looks tidier, and disconnecting takes two seconds instead of pulling out multiple cables.

There is another USB-C 3.2 with 5 Gb/s data transfer and 7.5W power charging. Then there are three HDMI 2.0 ports for consoles and streaming sticks, three USB-A ports (USB 3.2 Gen 1) for accessories, 5 Gbps data transfer, 7.5W power charging, and a headphone out port.

So, I basically had everything needed for everyday work and environment, and the connectivity options make it a good desk hub.

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Big and decent for work and movie watching

The 32-inch 4K IPS matte panel is the main reason to consider the BenQ EW3290U monitor. For work, it’s excellent. Text is sharp and legible, scaling feels natural, and if you are like me, your app windows finally have breathing room on this bigger screen. Lesser window Tetris!

The support for M-Book colour profile (in SDR) means it twins the colour profile of my MacBook Air just fine. Reflections are handled well. The matte finish diffuses most glare, and I never felt distracted in normal daytime lighting. But, the viewing angles could have been better.

The panel's brightness was touching 430 nits in our test. BenQ also offers TUV-certified eye-care protection features, including flicker, brightness, and blue-light control.

HDR support is modest. The EW3290U monitor supports HDR10 and BenQ’s HDRi processing. There are three HDR profiles for various scenarios, like Cinema, Game, and regular HDR. CinemaHDRi mode is similar to regular HDR and GameHDRi offers oversaturated colours. You can tweak the saturation, contrast etc in the settings, but since regular HDR looks the best out of the box, we stuck to it. In SDR content, if you select any of these HDR modes, the monitor offers an HDR simulated profile.

Nature colours and skin tones appear passable, SDR content was pleasing, and casual creators will be happy. The claimed contrast ratio is 1000:1. HDR offers a decent amount of details in highlights and shadows, but with brightness in the DisplayHDR 400 class and no local dimming, it cannot deliver the dramatic contrast you see on a good TV. Even my MacBook Air M1 offers sharper details, better clours, deeper contrast and blacks. While watching dark scenes in movies like Godzilla: Minus One, blacks lean towards dark grey. 

In the Calman test, with the BenQ EW3290U monitor’s regular HDR profile, the panel captured 98.1% gamut coverage in the BT 709 (SDR) profile and about 96% in the UHDA-P3 profile. The average deltaE was 2.4 in HDR. So, not for professionals or purists.

As for gaming, it is good for casual players. The monitor is locked to 60Hz, which is fine for story-driven titles. Visuals look sharp and vibrant, and the motion was smooth enough. BenQ has gaming modes and tweaks like AMA (Advanced Motion Acceleration) for smoother visuals, though I usually preferred sticking to the default settings.

Audio and software that serve the experience

What adds to its entertainment value is the 2.1 speaker setup with a built-in woofer. It delivers a seemingly fuller sound with good bass. Dialogue sounds clear. I never looked for an external speaker, but I didn't always feel a need to find one either. For a small workspace, it feels like the right balance.

In terms of software, it doesn't have a built-in OS or app library like the Samsung Smart Monitor M7. Through the remote or on-chassis buttons, you can primarily tweak HDR profiles, usage scenarios, audio modes, and some system settings like USB-C configuration, OSD options, etc.

BenQ does give you a desktop tool called Display Pilot, though, which lets you switch modes from the desktop instead of digging through menus. It may not feel like an essential, but it is good to have.

Should you buy BenQ EW3290U?

The 32-inch screen size and 4K resolution matter. Using the BenQ EW3290U as a second display helps me organise my work better. Email and notes live on my laptop. Anything related to reading, researching, editing tools like Canva and YouTube videos stays open on the bigger screen. There's less friction, less constant minimising, and fewer small annoyances throughout the day. Then, when the day ends, the same screen turns into a pretty decent entertainment setup. Respectable HDR, good colours, good sharpness, and sound that does not feel thin. Thanks to the M-Book colour mode and USB-C DisplayPort Alt Mode, it was a good companion to my MacBook Air. The rest of its connectivity options, a handy remote and its fully ergonomic design make the whole switch between work and entertainment easy and comfortable.

Yes, there are some limitations like IPS glow, average viewing angles, blacks appear dark grey, it is only 60Hz and not meant for competitive gaming. There is no smart OS like Samsung’s Smart Monitor series. But in practice, plugging in a laptop or streaming stick feels simpler, and you still get the apps you want.

There is also the fact that you can get cheaper 4K screens in the market. But this offers a great balance of design, visuals, and features. It focuses on entertainment and everyday usability. So, the BenQ EW3290U makes a strong case if you want a second screen that handles work through the day and movies at night without fuss.

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