HP Pavilion Gaming 15 and Omen 15 First Impressions

By

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July 23, 2018

HP has unveiled their latest Pavilion Gaming 15 and Omen 15 laptop in India. As the name suggests the newly launched laptops are targeted towards the gaming youth in the country. The new gaming laptops by the company come with thin bezels and nifty features such as a three-phase motor fan for cooling. The HP Pavilion Gaming 15 laptop starts at a price of Rs 74,990 while the HP Omen 15 Gaming laptop starts at a price of Rs 1,05,990. At the launch event held in New Delhi we were able to play around with the devices a bit, here is how we felt about them.

HP Pavilion Gaming 15

The laptop is a great machine to game on.

HP’s Shadow Black Finish looks discrete

The HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is the company's newest entry-level gaming laptop in India. It is targeted towards people needing a more all-around performance. The laptop sports a 15.6-inch full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The Pavilion Gaming 15 comes with the 8th generation Intel Core processors. The laptop comes with a RAM configuration of DDR4 8GB. It features an NVIDIA GeForce 1050Ti to satisfy your gaming needs. Along with that, you get a Backlight Keyboard and killer looks. For your audio purposes, the laptop has a Bang and Olufsen speaker. Whats interesting is the laptop sports a unique 3D geometric grill which the company claims to increase sound performance while enhancing looks.

HP Pavilion Gaming 15: First Impressions

The HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is targetting the audience looking for an affordable gaming laptop they can work on. The Pavilion Gaming 15 look great and feel amazing in the hand. They are on a little heavy side but it does the job. The laptop sports HP’s Shadow Black finish design.

Although the laptop is a bit heavy and looks bulky, it is still fairly portable. We got to test out its performance on a game of Player Unknown Battlegrounds. The performance of the laptop was great and it was able to maintain 60fps easily. We weren't able to run any tests on the Laptop that would allow us to track the fps but the experience was smooth. The display was vibrant and can support up to 144Hz as claimed by the company. The keyboard had a fairly good key travel making the keyboard experience good.

HP Omen 15

The overall look and feel of the laptop is amazing

The Omen 15 has crazy looking back design

The HP Omen 15 is the company's newest gaming laptop in India. It is targeted towards people needing a more all-around performance and not only gaming. The laptop is available in 15.6-inch display size with UHD resolution supporting up to 144Hz. The Omen 15 comes with the 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor based on the Haswell infrastructure. It comes with a16GB of DDR4 RAM and can be upgraded up to 32GB of DDR4 RAM. The base model of the laptop sports an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti. The graphics performance can be further improved by upgrading to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or 1070. For the audiophile in you, the laptop has a Bang and Olufsen speaker.

HP Omen 15: First Impressions

The HP Omen 15 is targetting the audience looking for an affordable gaming laptop they can work on. The Omen 15 looks great and feel amazing in the hand. It is on a little heavy side but it does the job. The laptop sports brushed top and an anodized aluminium frame.

Although the laptop is really heavy and still fairly portable. We got to test out its performance on a game of Player Unknown Battlegrounds and Counter-Strike. The performance of the laptop was amazing and it was able to maintain 60fps really easily. We weren't able to run any tests on the Laptop that would allow us to track the fps but the experience was smooth. The company claims that the laptop can easily break the 100fps mark and we will take their word on it until we can test it out. The display was vibrant and can support up to 144Hz as claimed by the company. The keyboard had a fairly good key travel making the keyboard experience good. However, we expected more with the Omen 15.

The Omen 15 starts at Rs 1,05,990 while the HP Pavilion Gaming 15 starts at Rs 74,990 and will be available both online and offline starting this August.

Best five camera smartphones with AI capabilities (July 2018)

By

Brahmjot Singh

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July 23, 2018

oppo, find x, oppo find x, specifications, price, not to buy, why not to buy — Here is a list of the top five camera smartphones available in India which utilise Artificial Intelligence to take better images.

We have recently seen a lot of development happen in the Artificial Intelligence space and the integration of the technology with smartphones. The major AI feature that most of the smartphone manufacturers are focusing on is improving the camera capabilities of their smartphones. We went ahead and compiled a list of the top five camera smartphones that utilise AI features to enhance the photography game of the devices.

Huawei P20 Pro

Huawei P20 Pro comes with a triple camera set up at the back consisting of a 40-megapixel, a 20-megapixel and an 8-megapixel sensor. The device might just be one of the best camera smartphones available in the market till date. The attractive set of cameras are backed by the smartphone's software that brings in some AI features which allows for advanced scene detection. The P20 Pro is powered by the Hisilicon Kirin 970 processor coupled with 6GB of RAM. The smartphone is available in India at a price of Rs. 64,999.

Also Read: Huawei Nova 3 to soon be available in China: Here are some alternatives in India

Asus ZenFone 5Z

Unlike the most AI smartphones, the ZenFone 5Z does not only include camera AI feature but also packs in more features. The latter smartphone comes with AI Intelligent charging technology which increases the battery life of the device. The AI cameras on the ZenFone 5Z can also detect more than 16 scenes in order to get a better picture. The flagship phone comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC. It is available at a starting price of Rs. 29,999.

Also Read: Asus ZenFone 5Z first impressions: A worthy competitor to OnePlus 6

Honor 10

Honor 10 comes with AI enabled from as well as back cameras. The smartphone uses its smart AI capabilities to bokeh effect on the images taken from the 24-megapixel selfie shooter. The rear cameras use the AI to detect the scene. The Honor 10 also comes with an Independent NPU that gives it these AI powers. Honor 10 is currently priced at Rs. 29,999 for the 6GB+128GB variant.

Also Read: Honor to soon launch the Honor Play gaming smartphone: Here’s what you need to know

Oppo Find X

Oppo recently launched the Oppo Find X in India for a price tag of Rs. 59,990. The smartphone comes with an AI-Enhanced 25-megapixel selfie shooter. The 20MP+16MP dual-camera setup at the back which also includes AI capabilities. The Find X comes with flagship grade specifications including the powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC.

Also Read: Top 5 reasons not to buy the Oppo Find X

Vivo Nex

Vivo just launched the Vivo Nex in India. The smartphone also comes with a ton of AI features. The Nex is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset. The device is currently priced at Rs. 44,990.

Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 6GB variant to go on sale on July 26: Here are some alternatives with 6GB RAM

By

Brahmjot Singh

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July 22, 2018

Asus recently announced that the much awaited top-of-the-line variant of the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 will go on sale starting July 26. The top-end variant comes with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone is available at a starting price of Rs. 10,999 while the 6GB variant will be available for Rs. 14,999.

Specifications

As far as the specifications are concerned, the Asus ZenFone Max Pro M1 features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1080x2160 pixels and an 18:9 aspect ratio. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 SoC coupled with 6GB of RAM. For storage, the ZenFone Max Pro M1 gets 64GB of onboard storage which is further expandable using a microSD card. The smartphone runs on stock Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. All of this is backed by a massive 5,000mAh battery.

On the optics front, the top-end variant of the ZenFone Max Pro M1 gets a dual-camera setup at the back consisting of a 16-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and a 5-megapixel secondary sensor. Up front, there is a 16-megapixel selfie shooter.

Alternatives

If you just can't wait for July 26 or you want more options in a similar price tag with 6GB RAM, here are some alternatives.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro

Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 Pro was the first smartphone to introduce 6GB RAM under the Rs. 20,000 price bracket. At Rs.16,999, the Redmi Note 5 Pro comes with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of onboard storage. The smartphone is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 chipset and features a 5.99-inch IPS LCD display with FullHD+ resolution and an 18:9 aspect ratio.

Oppo RealMe1

If 64GB of internal storage is not enough for you, look for the Oppo RealMe1. The RealMe1's top-end variant offers 6GB of RAM paired with 128GB of onboard storage. The dual-SIM handset is powered by the MediaTek MT6771 Helio P60 chipset. The device features a 6-inch FulHD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. The 6GB+128GB variant of the Oppo RealMe1 comes with a price tag of Rs. 13,990.

Top 5 older flagship smartphones that can still perform well in 2018: From Galaxy S8 to iPhone SE

By

Devesh Arora

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July 22, 2018

As smartphones are becoming one of the most important parts of our lives, they are also getting expensive. The latest Samsung or Apple flagship smartphones cost upwards of Rs. 50,000 and that is not a price tag that everyone can afford. But why should someone settle in for a mid-range smartphone when we can get flagships from the year 2017 or 2016 that can still compete against the smartphones from 2018.

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung has launched its 2018 flagship, the Galaxy S9. Though the Galaxy S8 was launched a year ago, it can still stack up against today's smartphones. The S8 not only packs in enough power but also comes with a ton of features such as Samsung Pay, Always-on Display. Samsung Galaxy S8 is available for as low as Rs. 37,990 via online as well as offline markets.

Google Pixel

Google Pixel was launched back in 2016 but it is still as powerful as most of the current gen flagships. The smartphone has been updated to stock Android 8.1 Oreo and will be one of the first Android devices to get the Android P update. The Google Pixel was crowned as one of the best camera phones of 2016 and it still captures images better than something like the OnePlus 6. The 32GB variant of the Google Pixel XL is available for just Rs. 39,500 via Flipkart.

LG G6

LG recently launched the G7 ThinQ but the company hasn't brought the device to India yet. However, as the LG G6 is now old, the price of the smartphone has significantly dropped. The LG G6 features one of the best dual-camera setups with a wide-angle sensor. The G6 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 SoC paired with 4GB of RAM. The smartphone is available for as low as Rs. 28,400.

Apple iPhone 7

iPhone 7 Red — Apple iPhone 7 and 7 Plus are also available in RED edition

Apple iPhone X and the iPhone 8 are quite expensive right now. However, phones like the iPhone 7 have seen massive price drops since launch. The Apple iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus still run the latest iOS versions without any lag or stutters. The smartphone will receive updates for another 3 years. iPhone 7 is available in India at a starting price of Rs. 47,999.

Apple iPhone 6s

Apple iPhone 6s was launched back in 2015 and it still manages to hold up against today's flagships. Yes, the smartphone looks outdated due to those big chunky bezels. However, the smartphone still runs the latest available iOS version and will be updated for at least 2 more years after the iOS 12 update. You can grab an iPhone 6s for as low as Rs. 34,999 via Flipkart.

We do not suggest down to the iPhone 6 or the iPhone SE. Although these phones can perform quite well in 2018, they are not as future proof and they will become nearly unusable in the coming 2 years.

10.or D gets updated to Android Oreo: 10.or G and 10.or E next in the line

By

Devesh Arora

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July 21, 2018

10.or E software update — 10.or G and the 10.or E will soon receive the Android 8.1 Oreo update according to the company.

10.or recently rolled out Google's Android 8.1 Oreo update for their entry-level 10.or D smartphone. The OEM is now working on bringing the update to the 10.or E and the 10.or G as well. Back in May 2018, the company pushed out SMS messages to its customers via Servify telling them that the update is on its way and should hit the devices by July. By the first week of July, 10.or D became the first smartphone to be updated to Google's Android 8.1 Oreo. This made the 10.or G and E owners more eager to get the update.

10.or. android oreo, update — We got the message from the company on July 17

10.or recently pushed another message via Servify stating that their engineers are working hard and they will be rolling out the much-awaited update as soon as possible. The message also states that the company will keep the users informed when the update is ready.

Also Read: Top 5 upcoming smartphones in 2018: From Pixel 3 to the Mi A2

These messages sent by the company shows how concerned they are towards their customers, unlike some other companies, that sell the device and forget about the customers. Though the company made its users wait for a long time before ushing out the update, this also means that they are working hard to make sure that the update arrives without any bugs or issues.

Also Read: 10.or D In-depth Review: The best ultra-low-budget phone ever?

As per these messages, the company should roll out the update for the remaining devices by the end of this month or within the first week of August.

Top 5 upcoming smartphones in 2018: From Pixel 3 to the Mi A2

By

Devesh Arora

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July 21, 2018

samsung, galaxy note 9, 2018 — Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is one of the most awaited smartphones of 2018

The year 2017 was pretty exciting when it comes to the world of smartphones. We saw a lot of innovation from different companies. The smartphones are becoming bezel-less and bokeh effects are one of the major things in a smartphone camera. As the year 2018 has begun and already a few smartphones are out, there are still some flagships to arrive from companies like Google, Apple and Samsung. Here are the top 5 smartphones we are eagerly waiting for.

Google Pixel 3

Google Pixel 3 is one of the most awaited smartphones of 2018. The Googe Pixel 2 had the best smartphone camera in 2017 and did the magic with a single camera at the back which other OEMs failed to do even with dual-camera setups. The Pixel series is also quite popular among users who like pure stock Android operating system. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL is also rumoured to come with a notch up front.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Though the Pixel 2 was crowned as the best camera phone, the Note 8 applauded for being an overall great smartphone. Now it is time to see what Samsung will do to make an already almost perfect smartphone even better. Samsung has already sent out media invites for the Galaxy Note 9 launch event which is scheduled for August 9, 2018. As far as the design is concerned, there will be minor changes like the front bezels will be reduced and the fingerprint placement will change. The real changes will occur under the hood.

The Next iPhone

Apple iPhone X 2 — The 2018 iPhones will carry a similar design to the 2017 iPhone X

Yes, we are just calling it the next iPhone. As of now, there is a lot of confusion going on for the naming scheme of the upcoming iPhone or rather iPhones. Apple is said to launch three new iPhones this year. According to the leaks and rumours, there will be a 6.1-inch budget iPhone X, a 5.8-inch iPhone X and a massive 6.5-inch iPhone X Plus. All these iPhones will come equipped with next-generation FaceID.

10.or G2

10.or is a subsidiary of Amazon India. Lst year, the company launched three smartphones, the 10.or D, E and G. The 10.or G was the flagship and came with an impressive spec sheet and a price tag that shook its competitors. However, the smartphone's dual-camera setup at the back wasn't as powerful and the design soon became outdated. So, now we are expecting a successor to the 10.or G.

Xiaomi Mi A2

Xiaomi Mi A1 was the budget smartphone king as it came with some really great set of specifications and a software that got updates directly from Google. The Mi A2 will be the successor to the much popular Mi A1 and carry the same legacy of delivering a stock Android experience with an impressive set of hardware. The Xiaomi Mi A2 is expected to launch this month alongside the Mi A2 Lite.

Huami to launch Amazfit Bip and Stratos exclusively on Flipkart on July 24

By

Tech Desk

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July 21, 2018

Huami, a subsidiary of Xiaomi, is gearing up to launch two new smartwatches in India on July 24. The Huami Amazfit Bip and Amazfit Stratos are the two new smartwatches which will be exclusively sold via the e-commerce website, Flipkart. Flipkart has already generated a dedicated page on their website for the watches and listed the key features.

Huami Amazfit Bip

The Huami Amazfit Bip has a square design and looks quite similar to the Apple Watch. The company claims that the watch will deliver up to 45 days of battery life. The Bip uses dual-mode positioning which uses GPS and GLONASS at the same time to tell a more accurate location.

Also Read: MIUI 10 Global Beta First Impressions: Should you update?

Huami Amazfit Stratos

Amazfit Stratos, on the other hand, features a circular design. The smartwatch comes with ceramic bezels and 5 ATM water resistance. While the Bip is more like an activity tracker, the Stratos is a proper smartwatch which reduces its claimed battery life to a maximum of 5 days. The device also comes with internal storage which allows for storing music in the watch itself. Also, the watch features 3 buttons for controlling the UI.

As mentioned above, the Amazfit Bip and Amazfit Stratos will be launched on July 24 and will be sold exclusively via Flipkart. For pricing details, we will have to wait until the official launch. However, according to our guess, the Amazfit Bip will be priced at around Rs. 5,000 while the Stratos will have a price tag of less than Rs. 12,000.

Top five AI smartphones available in India (July 2018)

By

Devesh Arora

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July 20, 2018

Smartphone manufacturers have been focusing on including AI features on their smartphones. These features are making their way to the cameras and making improving the overall smartphone photography game. Companies like Asus, Huawei, Honor, Oppo and Vivo have all included AI enabled features on their flagship smartphones.