The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 delivers class-leading 52dB ANC, 54-hour battery life, low-latency gaming and punchy sound, making it one of the best budget TWS earbuds in India.

OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Review: 52dB ANC, 54-Hour Battery & Premium Sound Under ₹3,500

With 52dB ANC, 54-hour battery life, 12mm titanium drivers and gaming-friendly latency, the OnePlus Nord Buds 4 punches well above its price.

The OnePlus Nord Buds 4 combines powerful 52dB ANC, excellent audio quality, ultra-low gaming latency and a massive 54-hour battery life, making it one of the best budget TWS options available today.

How often do you see a budget earbud actually live up to its hype? The affordable wireless audio market moves at a crazy pace, but the Nord lineup usually keeps OnePlus a step ahead in India. Now, they are trying to tighten their grip on that top spot with the new OnePlus Nord Buds 4.
Priced at ₹3,099, the spec sheet looks seriously impressive on paper. We are talking about a segment-leading 52 dB active noise cancellation, punchy 12mm titanium drivers, and a massive 54-hour total battery life. OnePlus also completely refreshed the design for this generation and threw in an AI standby suite.&nbsp;
I spent a full week running the Astral Teal version as my main daily driver. After taking them through chaotic morning commutes and long typing marathons at my desk, here is how they actually handle the real world.
<h2>Design &amp; Comfort</h2>
Anyone familiar with older Nord Buds is going to find the new look a bit jarring. OnePlus completely ditched the smooth, rounded pebble shape of the Buds 3 case, choosing a much sharper, boxier aesthetic instead. Even with the total redesign, you still get a clear hint of the usual family resemblance when looking at the actual earpieces.
The charging case gets a clean, matte texture that feels way more premium than its price suggests. The best part? It completely fought off fingerprint smudges and oily marks during my whole testing phase. I spent my time with the Astral Teal version. It looks incredibly sleek, offering a fresh, modern vibe without screaming for attention. If colorful audio gear isn't your thing, there is always the standard Stellar Black option.
As a whole package, the case is feather-light and slips easily into a coin pocket. Flip it over, and you will find the Type-C port right next to a flush physical pairing button on the bottom rim. The earbuds themselves feature a subtle, glittering marble finish on the stems, which feels like a direct nod to the pricier <a title="OnePlus Nord Buds 3 Pro review &amp; comparison with CMF Buds Pro 2" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oneplus-nord-buds-3-pro-review-comparison-with-cmf-buds-pro-2-1721547762672" target="_blank">OnePlus Buds 3 Pro</a>.
The absolute highlight, though, is the sheer comfort. Weighing just 4.3 grams per side, these are practically lighter than anything else I have reviewed lately. OnePlus apparently scanned over a thousand different ears to map out this specific shape, and honestly, the research paid off. I noticed zero weird pressure points. In fact, I wore them straight through a grueling four-hour writing and editing session and entirely forgot they were plugged in. They hold up just as well for workouts, locking tightly in place through heavy sweat and outdoor runs. Plus, the IP55 rating means they easily survive sudden rain storms or gym grime without an issue.
<h2>Audio Quality</h2>
The internal hardware is where the Nord Buds 4 actually show their true potential. Most cheap wireless earbuds try to fool you by just pumping up a muddy, artificial bass boost that completely ruins the rest of the track. It makes it incredibly hard to catch quiet details, like a faint guitar riff or subtle backing harmonies. OnePlus completely avoids that trap, delivering a much cleaner balance thanks to its 12mm titanium-coated dynamic drivers.
To really put them to the test, I ran the buds through a diverse playlist covering quite a few genres. When playing bass-heavy hip-hop and electronic tracks like Boomshakalaka, Mercy, Mirchi, or Not Like Us, the drivers kicked out a punchy, deep low-end that added plenty of energy without drowning out the rest of the mix. That said, the sub-bass can feel a bit loose sometimes, meaning tiny instrumental details occasionally get lost in complex, chaotic songs.
On the flip side, the mid-range genuinely shines on vocal-forward acoustic tracks and simpler melodies like Raabta, Photograph, Say You Won&rsquo;t Let Go, or Love Yourself. Vocals sound crisp, upfront, and full-bodied rather than thin or distant. The instrument separation is also quite impressive for the price, preventing strings and percussion from blending into a messy blur.
For entertainment and gaming, <a title="OnePlus Nord CE6 Lite Review: The Smartest Budget Buy of 2026? " href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oneplus-nord-ce6-lite-review-the-smartest-budget-buy-of-2026-1778499359462" target="_blank">OnePlus</a> includes 3D Spatial Audio along with a specialized Game Sound Spatial Audio engine to improve directional awareness. This makes it a lot simpler to pinpoint footsteps and environmental cues while playing.
More importantly, the earbuds tackle audio delay exceptionally well. OnePlus claims a low latency of 47ms. While I cannot measure that exact figure in a lab setting, my real-world gaming tests showed that the on-screen action and corresponding sound effects stayed completely in sync. If you want to tweak the sound further, you can use the Master Tuning options and fully adjustable EQ profiles inside the companion HeyMelody app to match your personal listening preferences.
<h2>ANC and Call Performance</h2>
The headline upgrade this time around is the jump to 52dB Active Noise Cancellation. OnePlus claims this offers a massive 200% improvement over what the older Nord Buds 3 could manage, and honestly, you can feel that difference immediately in daily use. When you step into a chaotic marketplace or a busy office workspace and toggle the ANC on, the ambient noise just fades into the background. The tech does a stellar job of cutting out low-frequency rumbles from engines and the constant hum of office conversations.
However, don't expect absolute, dead silence from these. Sharp, sudden spikes in sound, like a high-pitched metallic clang or a loud table slam, will still cut through the barrier, even if they end up sounding quite muffled. It works beautifully for locking in and focusing during a long writing session, though I did notice that familiar cabin pressure sensation after keeping it pinned to the maximum setting for a couple of hours. Because of that, you will definitely want to give your ears a quick break every now and then.
When it comes to voice calls, the earbuds rely on a three-microphone array per side, working alongside an AI algorithm designed to suppress wind noise up to speeds of 25 km/h.
I tested the microphone setup by hopping on a call with a friend who always gives me completely blunt feedback. When I was sitting in a perfectly quiet room, he said everything sounded fine. But the overall call quality drops off significantly the moment you step out into a noisy environment. I tried handling a conversation during my evening metro commute with loud commuters around me and the train tracks rattling away. While the ANC kept things quiet on my end so I could hear him perfectly, the experience was pretty unpleasant for the person on the other end. My voice made it through the line, but the microphones simply couldn't filter out the heavy, chaotic background roar of the train ride.
<h2>Connectivity and Controls</h2>
On the wireless side, these earbuds run on Bluetooth 6.1, and the connection stayed completely solid without a single dropout during my testing phase. If you use them with a compatible OnePlus phone, there is a Smart Bluetooth feature that stretches the outdoor range up to 250 meters. Setting them up is incredibly fast right out of the box because you get both Google Fast Pair and Microsoft Swift Pair support.
The dual-device pairing feature was a lifesaver for my daily workflow, allowing me to switch between two sources instantly. If you are watching a video on your laptop and a phone call rings through, the audio automatically routes to your phone. It saves you from ever having to dig into your Bluetooth menus to swap devices manually. Managing the finer details is straightforward too, as the companion HeyMelody app gives you all the essential tweaks and custom settings you need.
The touch sensors on the earbud stems respond quickly to inputs, but the smarter software tools are what actually caught my attention. OnePlus included an AI on Standby suite that adds some genuinely practical features. The AI Translate tool gives you real-time translation, which is super useful when navigating places where you do not speak the local language, even if the translation accuracy is not totally flawless just yet.
You can also pull up your phone's digital assistant, whether you use Google Gemini, standard Google Assistant, or Siri, with a quick touch shortcut to check the weather, set alarms, or look up trivia on the fly. As for audio formats, things stay pretty basic here, with the earbuds sticking to the standard AAC and SBC codecs.
<h2>Battery</h2>
The battery life on these things is honestly fantastic. You get a 62 mAh battery tucked into each earbud, plus a 530 mAh reservoir inside the charging case. If you just leave the active noise cancellation switched off, you can squeeze a massive 54 hours of total playback out of the package.
Using the main features will obviously change those numbers. Keep ANC off, and the standalone buds run for about 13 hours straight. If you turn the noise cancellation on full blast, that single-charge runtime drops to roughly 6.5 hours, giving you around 27 hours total when you count the case refills. OnePlus also got a T&Uuml;V Rheinland certification for the battery, which bodes well for longevity since it promises healthy performance even after 1,000 charge cycles.
The fast charging completely killed off any battery anxiety for me. Leaving them on a Type-C cable for just ten minutes gives you a whopping 11 hours of playback. I didn't even bother timing how long a full zero-to-hundred percent charge takes because they just never died during my week of heavy testing. I would simply plug the case in for fifteen minutes while grabbing a morning coffee or showering, and that quick top-up easily handled my entire workday and a two-hour commute. When you are constantly on the move, that kind of reliability means everything.
<h2>Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?</h2>
If you have three grand to spend on wireless earbuds, save yourself some time and just grab the OnePlus Nord Buds 4. At ₹3,099, the sheer value you are getting here is honestly wild. The sound coming out of those 12mm drivers is incredibly crisp and punchy, and the noise cancellation actually holds its own against stuff that costs twice as much.
It is not perfect, of course. The microphones will definitely choke if you try to take a call from a loud, rattling metro car. But honestly, who cares when the rest of the package is this good? The fit is so light that you can leave them in all afternoon without any ear ache. Plus, gaming mode keeps the audio perfectly tight with zero lag, and that absurd 54-hour total battery life means you can basically lose your charging cable for a week. If you want solid silence and massive battery life on a strict budget, picking these up is an absolute no-brainer.

Redmi Turbo 5 packs a premium build, Dimensity 8500 Ultra, 7540mAh battery and 100W charging. Is it the best phone under ₹40,000?

Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Premium Hardware, Aggressive Pricing

The Redmi Turbo 5 combines a premium glass-and-metal design, capable cameras, strong gaming performance, a massive 7540mAh battery and 100W charging, making it one of the most compelling smartphones currently available under ₹40,000.

Smartphone prices have been creeping up steadily, and it's hard to ignore. Things that were once standard in the ₹25,000&ndash;₹30,000 range have gradually shifted to ₹40,000, ₹50,000, or beyond. So when Xiaomi priced the Redmi Turbo 5 at ₹35,999, it naturally caught my attention.
Because the spec sheet alone makes it look like it should cost considerably more. You're getting a glass-and-metal build, a crisp 1.5K AMOLED display, LPDDR5X Ultra RAM, UFS 4.1 storage, a 7540mAh battery, 100W charging, and the Dimensity 8500 Ultra handling the processing. That's a strong lineup at any price point.
Which raises the obvious question: where has Xiaomi cut corners?
After spending time with the device, the answer is surprisingly reassuring. There are a few compromises here and there, but the Turbo 5 feels far more complete than its price would suggest. Redmi positions it as their fastest phone yet, and while the performance holds up, that's not the whole story. This is a well-rounded device that delivers across most of the areas that actually matter.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Pricing</h2>
Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Turbo 5 at ₹35,999 for the 8GB RAM and 256GB storage variant, while the 12GB RAM model is priced at ₹38,999 under the company's introductory launch offers.
Buyers can sweeten the deal further with an instant ₹2,000 discount on select SBI, ICICI, and Axis Bank credit cards. Once the promotional pricing ends, the two variants will retail at ₹37,999 and ₹40,999, respectively.
The smartphone is available in Turbo White, Nitro Blue, and Asphalt Black colourways, with sales beginning on June 19 through Amazon, mi.com, and authorised retail outlets.
In my opinion, pricing is one of the Turbo 5's biggest strengths. Given the premium build, large battery, fast charging, and overall hardware package on offer, this feels like a smartphone that could easily have been priced significantly higher.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Design</h2>
Before I even switched the Redmi Turbo 5 on, the design and build had already won me over. Xiaomi has done an excellent job with the fit and finish, and this is one of those phones that immediately feels more expensive than its asking price.
The Turbo 5 uses a glass-and-metal construction, with Gorilla Glass 7i protecting the display, reinforced glass at the rear, and an aluminium frame tying everything together. It's a combination that's usually reserved for pricier devices, and it gives the phone a reassuringly solid feel.
What I liked most, however, was the rear finish. The matte glass not only feels great in the hand, but also does a fantastic job of resisting smudges. Even after a few days of constant use, it never turned into the fingerprint magnet that so many glossy phones become.
Xiaomi has also shown some restraint with the camera design. Rather than a giant camera module dominating the rear panel, the Turbo 5 gets two neatly integrated camera rings that help the phone stand out without looking flashy.
Speaking of flashy, the Pixel Matrix lighting around the cameras adds a touch of fun. It can react to incoming notifications, music playback, charging, and gaming events. It's not a feature you'll buy the phone for, but it does give the Turbo 5 a bit of personality.
Perhaps most impressive is how Xiaomi has packaged everything. Despite carrying a huge 7,540mAh battery, the phone remains relatively slim at 8.18mm and weighs 204g. Add IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K protection into the mix, and you end up with a device that feels every bit as premium as it looks.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Display &amp; Audio</h2>
The Redmi Turbo 5 carries a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, and after a few weeks with it, this is easily one of the device's strongest suits.
Sharpness is immediately apparent. Text renders cleanly, images hold plenty of detail, and the 120Hz refresh rate keeps everyday navigation feeling smooth and responsive throughout.
Where it really earns its keep, though, is during media consumption.
The display packs 12-bit colour depth, which translates to support for over 68 billion colours. It's not something you actively notice, but it does make gradients look smoother and images appear more lifelike overall.
I watched a fair amount of Netflix and YouTube on this, and Dolby Vision content looks genuinely impressive. Colours are rich and well-saturated, contrast holds up well, and HDR scenes carry a sense of depth that actually adds to the experience rather than just checking a box.
Outdoor visibility has been equally strong. Xiaomi quotes a peak brightness of 3500 nits, and while that's not something I can verify independently, I had zero issues using the phone under Delhi's punishing afternoon sun. The display stayed perfectly readable throughout.
On the audio side, the stereo speakers put in some solid work. Volume levels are generous, and they handled everything from YouTube to gaming without complaint during my testing. The sound profile isn't the most refined I've come across, but for day-to-day media use, they're more than adequate.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Cameras</h2>
Heading into this review, the cameras weren't something I expected to spend much time praising. Xiaomi has clearly built the Turbo 5 around performance, so I assumed photography would take a back seat. It didn't, quite.
The setup consists of a 50MP Sony primary sensor and an 8MP ultrawide. Nothing that looks exceptional on a spec sheet, but the main camera produces images that are genuinely easy to like.
A lot of that comes down to Xiaomi's processing approach. Rather than cranking up saturation and HDR to make shots look dramatic, the Turbo 5 leans toward balanced, natural-looking output. Detail retention is good, dynamic range holds up well across most situations, and colours feel accurate without looking flat.
Daylight shooting is where it's most convincing. Landscapes, street photography, portraits, the main camera handles them all with consistency, and the results rarely need much post-processing before they're worth sharing.
The ultrawide is a step down, as expected with an 8MP sensor. It gets the job done when you need a broader frame, but detail falls off noticeably compared to the primary camera.
Low-light performance also held up better than I anticipated. The camera manages noise reasonably well, retains a decent level of detail, and tends to render warmer tones that make night shots look more natural than clinical.
Turbo Snap, Xiaomi's burst mode, was something I ended up using more than expected. It's fast enough to be genuinely useful when shooting moving subjects, and it works without much fuss.
Video tops out at 4K 60fps with HDR10+ support. Footage carries the same natural quality as stills, with colours that look good without being overdone.
The 20MP front camera rounds things off well. Sharpness isn't class-leading, but skin tones look natural and the overall quality is solid enough for social media and calls.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Performance</h2>
Performance is likely the primary reason most people will look at the Turbo 5, and it holds up well. The Dimensity 8500 Ultra chipset sits at the core, backed by LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and UFS 4.1 storage, a combination that looks strong on paper and follows through in practice.
Benchmark numbers back that up, with the phone comfortably clearing the two-million mark on AnTuTu, placing it among the more capable devices in this price range.
Numbers aside, though, the real-world experience is what counts.
Day-to-day use feels snappy and responsive throughout. Apps open without hesitation, multitasking stays smooth, and I didn't run into any meaningful slowdowns across my testing period. Whether I was switching between social apps, streaming content, editing photos, or keeping a heavy browser session going, the phone kept pace without complaint.
Gaming performance holds up just as well. BGMI runs at up to 120fps, and during a sustained half-hour session, frame rates averaged around 116fps with no significant drops or stutters to speak of.
Thermal management is worth calling out too. Even after longer gaming sessions, the phone stayed cool and comfortable, something that isn't always a given at this price point.
Is it the outright fastest option available here? Not quite. But after extended use, it's clear the Turbo 5 delivers well beyond what most users will actually demand of it day to day.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Review: Software</h2>
The Turbo 5 runs HyperOS 3 on top of Android 16, and the experience is largely positive. If you've spent time with a recent Xiaomi phone, the interface will feel familiar from the start.
There's plenty on offer feature-wise. HyperIsland, extensive customisation options, and AI tools woven throughout the system give you a lot to work with. The AI editing features inside the Photos app are genuinely useful, and Gemini integration is a welcome addition for anyone who leans on AI tools regularly.
The interface stays smooth and responsive day-to-day, and I didn't run into any notable bugs or glitches throughout my testing.
The one area that still needs work is bloatware. There's a fair number of pre-installed apps that most users will want to clear out fairly quickly.It's something Xiaomi has been called out on before, and it remains an issue here.
On the software support front, things look more reassuring. Four Android version updates and six years of security patches is a commitment that gives the Turbo 5 some genuine long-term value.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Battery &amp; Charging: Two-Day Battery Beast</h2>
If there's one area where the Turbo 5 truly stands apart, it's battery life.
The 7540mAh cell is large by any measure, and the real-world endurance matches the spec. Throughout my testing, I consistently hit seven to eight hours of screen-on time even with fairly demanding usage. For most people, this is a comfortable two-day phone. Lighter users could realistically push it further.
What makes it better is that Xiaomi hasn't traded charging speed for capacity. The Turbo 5 supports 100W HyperCharge, and the charger is still included in the box &mdash; something worth noting as that becomes increasingly rare. A full charge from near empty takes around an hour, and even a quick 10 to 15-minute top-up is enough to see you through the rest of the day without worry.
The addition of 27W reverse wired charging is a thoughtful touch, letting you top up accessories or another phone when needed.
<h2>Redmi Turbo 5 Verdict: Easy Recommendation</h2>
Two weeks with the Redmi Turbo 5 make it pretty clear what Xiaomi is on about this one.
The performance is excellent, gaming is smooth, charging is fast, and the battery life is among the best I've seen at this price. But what stayed with me most was how well-rounded the whole package is.
You're getting a premium glass-and-metal design, a great Dolby Vision display, dependable cameras, flagship-grade memory and storage, solid durability, and a software support commitment that keeps the phone relevant well into the future.
The ultrawide camera isn't particularly impressive, and the bloatware situation in HyperOS still needs addressing. But these feel like minor footnotes against everything else the Turbo 5 gets right.
At ₹35,999, this is one of the more compelling smartphones available right now. In a market where prices keep climbing and value keeps shrinking, Xiaomi has put together something that feels genuinely aggressive, and more importantly, it feels like a return to what made Redmi worth paying attention to in the first place.
If you're shopping in the ₹35,000 to ₹40,000 bracket, the Redmi Turbo 5 is an easy recommendation.

The Realme Watch S5 offers a 60Hz AMOLED display, built-in GPS, Bluetooth calling, offline music playback, and up to 20 days of battery life. Read our full review to see if it's worth ₹7,999.

Realme Watch S5 Review: AMOLED Display, GPS & 20-Day Battery Life

With a bright AMOLED display, accurate GPS, offline music support, and excellent battery life, the Realme Watch S5 stands out as one of the best smartwatches under ₹8,000.

The Realme Watch S5 combines a premium circular design, bright AMOLED display, accurate GPS, offline music playback, and exceptional battery life, making it one of the strongest smartwatch options under ₹8,000.

Mid-range smartwatches usually follow a predictable, boring formula: slap on a square plastic chassis, copy a premium design, and call it a day. That is exactly why the new Realme Watch S5 feels like a massive breath of fresh air. Priced at ₹7,999, this wearable skips the usual lazy clone approach to deliver a traditional, circular timepiece aesthetic that immediately punches above its weight class.
But a sleek frame is pointless if the actual user experience is clunky. On paper, Realme is promising a stellar mix of everyday utility, niche software tricks, and a display that genuinely aims to outclass the competition. After putting it through a solid week of extensive real-world testing, including unpredictable downpours and brutal outdoor heat, here is my honest breakdown of whether this budget tracker is truly worth your money.
<h2>Design &amp; Build Quality</h2>
Realme has gone for a circular design with this one, instead of the basic squarish designs that we normally see at this price point. &nbsp;The design neatly blends clean matte borders with a polished, glossy ceramic-like top texture finish which offers a smooth, polished texture that feels premium to the touch while retaining excellent durability. I reviewed the Rock Grey colour variant, and without a doubt it feels way more premium than the price tag suggests.&nbsp;
Realme went with a triple action setup here. It features a functional rotating crown on the top right side, along with two secondary tactile buttons. These are not gimmicky at all; they make navigating the menus incredibly efficient, even when you have sweaty fingers mid-workout.
Flip it over, and you are greeted by a clean sensor array that sits flush against the skin.&nbsp;
Despite this premium look, Realme has managed to keep the actual watch body down to an impressive 11.8mm thickness.&nbsp;
Holding it in my hand, the sheer weightlessness of the thing caught me off guard. The actual watch itself is featherweight, at just 32g, and even when you attach the 22mm silica gel straps, it only reaches 49.63g on the scale. It handles daily wear just fine, but it feels a bit basic. I remember reviewing the <a title="Realme Watch 5 Review: A budget smartwatch that gets the basics right" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-watch-5-review-a-budget-smartwatch-that-gets-the-basics-right-1765360859988" target="_blank">Realme Watch 5</a> a while back, which came with a wavy textured strap. That one was not exactly luxury either, but given the budget price tag it fell under, the quality made total sense. For this model, a fabric strap would have been a much nicer touch.
As for durability, the Realme Watch S5 boasts a 5 ATM water resistance rating. While I never actually took it swimming, Delhi's wildly unpredictable weather gave me a fantastic real-world test anyway. A sweltering, sunny afternoon suddenly gave way to a massive rainstorm right in the middle of my outdoor run. I had to bolt for cover while the watch took a serious soaking from heavy rain splatters. It did not skip a beat.&nbsp;
After a solid week of rough, everyday use, the display and body are still completely scratch-free.
<h2>Display</h2>
The display panel is easily my favourite part of this watch. Realme picked a 1.43-inch circular AMOLED screen, and living with it every day has been great. The 466x466 resolution keeps text looking sharp, but the true star of the show is that 60Hz refresh rate, and the fact that the watch is actually able to push that. Most wearables at this price point do come with a 60Hz display, but they stutter like crazy when you navigate the menu. With this one, the interface is genuinely fluid. Clearing out a messy wall of notifications or tapping through apps feels fast and responsive.
Outdoor visibility completely nailed my real-world testing. The panel cranks up to an impressive 1500 nits of peak brightness. I took the watch out to the Delhi Zoo under a brutal midday sun, and I could read everything instantly without squinting or cupping my hand over the watch. I enabled the AOD the exact moment I unboxed it, and it stays perfectly clear even in direct, harsh daylight.&nbsp;
The Smart Night Vision feature is another massive win. Checking the time at 3 AM in a pitch-black bedroom will not sear your retinas, because the display automatically switches into a soft red theme that drops down to a gentle glow.
<h2>Comfort and Fit</h2>
When it comes to daily comfort, this watch absolutely nails it. It feels great right out of the box. Since the body is way lighter than your average smartwatch, it takes just a few minutes before you completely forget it is even on your wrist. It stays firmly in place too, without sliding around or wobbling when you shift into a fast sprint.
As mentioned earlier the Rock Grey version I have been wearing uses a flexible 22mm silica gel strap. It is soft, feels durable, and handles everyday wear quite nicely. My only real gripe is that sweat tends to pool underneath on hot, humid days, which can get a bit annoying.&nbsp;
Luckily, the straps are fully swappable, so you can easily pop on a fabric band later if you want. I even kept it on overnight for a couple of days, and it never felt bulky or intrusive in bed. Wear it 24/7 for steps, workouts, or sleep, and comfort won't be a problem at all, apart from the sweaty-feeling.&nbsp;
<h2>UI &amp; Companion App</h2>
Navigating the watch itself is a breezy experience. Swiping across the 60Hz AMOLED screen feels intuitive, and the app launcher is organised logically. The watch links up with your smartphone via the Realme Link app, and its dashboard acts as your central hub. It cleanly catalogues your historical health metrics, archives workout routes, and lets you manage incoming call settings. It also houses an expansive cloud store for downloading multi-functional, minimalistic, or illustrative watch faces.
You can sync them over and store a bunch directly on the device. While that sounds excellent on paper, actually setting them up gets annoying. Despite having so many options, the total lack of true customisation is a letdown. Aside from tweaking the basic colour accent or repositioning the time bar, you barely get any flexibility. On top of that, the whole data syncing process feels noticeably sluggish.
You also get four app options that you can install on the watch in addition to the Link app. Three of them are basic games, such as Tic-Tac-Toe and Beat the Gopher, but it is interesting to see that flexibility. Unlike a lot of budget wearables I have tested, where the software feels constantly clunky and frustrating to use, the interface here is refreshingly snappy. It does not try to blow you away with flashy, heavy visual animations, but it handles daily tasks without breaking a sweat, which is honestly a massive win for a budget watch.&nbsp;
<h2>Features Overview</h2>
The Realme Watch S5 comes packed with a mix of everyday and niche features that aim to elevate it past a basic, boring notification mirror. One of the standout inclusions here is the One-Touch AI Assistant. A simple press-and-hold triggers a clean, colourful voice interface that lets you bark quick commands or inquiries.
​Beyond the standard Bluetooth calling setup, you get a few unique additions like an Independent BT Intercom feature for direct local communication and a Game Guardian Mode for tailored stats during mobile gaming sessions.
​But my absolute favourite addition is the standalone offline music playback feature. It comes with a 200MB storage capacity, which means you can sync your local music files directly from your phone onto the watch. This is an absolute lifesaver if you are travelling on the metro with a weak internet connection, or if you simply want to leave your phone at home during a morning run. I actually tested this out during a short morning walk. I paired the watch directly with the Realme Buds Air8 Pro that I reviewed just a few days ago, and the audio streaming was perfectly seamless and stable, leaving me entirely hands-free.
<h2>Health Tracking Features</h2>
Realme calls its integrated sensor package the "Precision Bio-Tracking" system. It provides continuous 24/7 monitoring of your vital signs using an advanced optical array. The watch handles continuous Heart Rate monitoring, continuous Blood Oxygen (SpO2) saturation checks, and regular Stress Monitoring based on heart-rate variability.
The sleep suite is equally thorough, offering a scientific sleep analysis breakdown that tracks deep sleep, light sleep, and sleep continuity. For everyday utility, you get an Ambient Noise Guard that monitors decibel levels around you to protect your long-term hearing health, alongside integrated Women&rsquo;s Health Tracking for logging and projecting biological cycles directly within the app.
Now, if you want to know how accurate these health sensors really are, let me just give you a quick reality check. I am obviously not a doctor, and I definitely do not have clinical-grade lab gear lying around to test these data points.
​The only feature I can honestly speak for is the sleep tracker, which did a fantastic job nailing the exact times I fell asleep and woke up throughout the week.&nbsp;
But let us keep things real. At the end of the day, you should only ever treat the health numbers on any budget wearable like this as a casual daily baseline, not a real medical report.&nbsp;
<h2>Sports Modes &amp; Workouts</h2>
For fitness enthusiasts, the Watch S5 packs a whopping 110 sports modes with auto-recognition for core movements like walking, running, elliptical training, and rowing machines. But, do keep in mind, that it takes the watch a good bit of time to actually realise what you&rsquo;re doing.&nbsp;
Furthermore, the watch includes flagship-tier 5ATM water resistance (tested up to 50 meters of water pressure) along with "Wet Hand Touch" screen optimisation, meaning you can take it into the swimming pool to track your lap times.&nbsp;
Realistically, most people aren't even going to use half of these, but it&rsquo;s still nice to know that options exist.&nbsp;
<h2>GPS Performance</h2>
The built-in GPS is one of the most accurately working features of the Watch S5. You can head out for a run, walk, or cycling session without carrying your phone, and the watch will still record your route and distance properly, and by proper I mean the exact path and route you took.
For anyone who prefers outdoor workouts, this is a big plus. A lot of budget watches either skip GPS altogether or mess it up badly, this one actually does the job well enough to rely on.
You can also install maps on the watch separately through the Realme link app. While it's a nice inclusion, I won't recommend relying on it as it still requires a lot of improvement.
<h2>Battery and Charging</h2>
Battery longevity is where the <a title="Realme Pad 3 5G review: A productivity tablet that finally makes sense" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-pad-3-5g-review-a-productivity-tablet-that-finally-makes-sense-1768998783752" target="_blank">Realme </a>Watch S5 completely flexes its muscles, offering three distinct battery profiles depending on how intensely you utilize its hardware features. The massive 460mAh cell handles heavy drain exceptionally well.&nbsp;
If you go by what Realme&rsquo;s claiming, the Watch S5 offers up to 20 days of battery life. That may sound a bit unrealistic, but honestly, considering my own experience, I would not deny the claim.
Now, obviously, I have not tested it for a full 20 days yet, but it has been nearly 10 days since I first unboxed the watch for review. Even through a 10-day journey of constant exploration and extensive testing, I have never had to plug it in to charge, and it is still going strong. So, for people with normal everyday usage, I would not be surprised if they actually get to use it for the full 20 days.
Charging is handled via a proprietary magnetic charging cable included in the box, which refuels the device in about two hours. It's an uncomfortable setup but manageable.
<h2>Final Verdict: Should you buy it?</h2>
At ₹7,999, the Realme Watch S5 is an incredibly easy recommendation if you want a reliable everyday smartwatch that actually looks like a premium, classic timepiece. It completely hits it out of the park with its fluid 60Hz AMOLED screen, exceptional battery life, and surprisingly dependable built-in GPS. Little additions like local offline music storage add serious real-world value that you rarely find at this price point.
It is far from perfect, though. The slow, rigid watch face syncing process is frustrating, and the companion app needs some small optimisations. But if you can look past those minor software gripes, the fluid user interface, robust build quality, and killer display visibility make it one of the absolute best options in its segment. It is a highly practical, functional daily driver that easily justifies its price tag.

The Realme P4R 5G packs a massive 8000mAh battery, Dimensity 6300 chipset, 144Hz display, and 50MP camera. Read our detailed review to find out if it's the best battery-focused phone under ₹20,000.

Realme P4R 5G Review: 8000mAh Battery Beast With 3-Day Backup

With an 8000mAh battery, 45W fast charging, military-grade durability, and a capable 50MP camera, the Realme P4R 5G prioritizes endurance above everything else. Here's our full review.

The Realme P4R 5G prioritizes battery life with its huge 8000mAh cell, delivering up to three days of usage. While the HD+ display and modest performance have limits, it's an excellent endurance-focused budget phone.

Buying a budget phone today, has started to feel like choosing between the lesser of two evils. Most brands just mix and match the same boring parts, giving you a device that can survive a tough day, but the camera experience and performance leave a lot to be desired. Not compromising on some key aspect is pretty rare at this price point. That&rsquo;s where the Realme P4R takes a slightly different approach.
Instead of trying to please everybody with a generic spec sheet, Realme picked one massive feature and ran with it, aiming squarely at people who are completely sick of carrying power banks.
It is an aggressive move, but doubling down on one specific strength always means making sacrifices somewhere else. The real question is whether those compromises break the phone or if this thing actually works as a daily driver. Let&rsquo;s find out.
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Pricing</h2>
The Realme P4R starts at ₹18,999 for the base 6GB+128GB variant, with launch offers and bank offers dropping the price down to ₹16,999.
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Unboxing &amp; Design</h2>
Unboxing the Realme P4R 5G is a fairly familiar ritual. It comes in the classic Realme setup: a bright yellow box packed with all the essentials. Inside, you get the standard paperwork, a transparent TPU protective case, a SIM ejector tool, a white one-metre Type-C cable, and a full-sized 45W SUPERVOOC charging brick.&nbsp;
The design looks far more premium than you would expect for the price. The back panel features a matte finish with a subtly placed Realme logo. The rectangular camera module is accented by an aluminium alloy housing that offers solid scratch resistance and a premium touch.&nbsp;
Fortunately, the back panel provides a fingerprint-resistant experience, which is a massive win, though I noticed it attracts dust quite easily. Because of that, I would suggest you put on that bundled case as soon as you take it out of the box.
I reviewed the Silver Glare variant, which sports a highly refined look. It looks metallic at first glance, but it's a plastic build. It catches the light beautifully, causing soft, shifting reflections that never look loud or tacky. If you prefer other finishes, Realme also offers Titanium Glare and Lavender Glare options.&nbsp;
When a spec sheet brags about an 8,000mAh battery, you instantly prepare yourself to lift a literal brick.&nbsp;
But, Realme managed to shave the thickness down to just 8.88mm. It does pack a noticeable heft at 224 grams. Of course, it's not light, but for a battery this size, it is genuinely impressive. Honestly, I have stopped being surprised by Realme's engineering prowess; they have truly mastered the art of packing massive cells inside slim chassis, and I appreciate that consistency.&nbsp;
The physical layout puts the volume rockers and the snappy power button, which also doubles as your side -mounted fingerprint scanner, on the right edge. The left side remains entirely flush, while the bottom frame houses the Type-C port, a microphone, the single ultra-linear mono speaker, and a hybrid SIM tray that accepts two SIMS and also lets you expand storage with a microSD card up to 2TB.&nbsp;
As for durability, the Realme P4R gets IP65 dust and water resistance, paired with an official MIL-STD-810H military-grade drop protection rating. Combined with a Panda-1681 reinforced glass up front, it handles accidental spills and drops without breaking a sweat.
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Display</h2>
You get a massive 6.8-inch display panel on the Realme P4R 5G. A footprint that large is awesome for kicking back and watching videos, but the chunky 4.97mm bottom chin and 2.45mm top bezel quickly snap you back to budget reality. Still, thanks to the modern punch-hole cutout up front, the screen-to-body ratio stays at a respectable 90.4%.
The actual pain point is the resolution. Stretching a basic HD+ grid over a sprawling 6.8-inch LCD panel means making some clear sacrifices. Since the pixel density sits at just 254 PPI, the display isn&rsquo;t as sharp as I&rsquo;d like. Text can look a bit fuzzy around the edges, small app icons miss out on clean definition, and high-res photos feel soft. Still, given that the device can be picked up for as low as ₹16,999, I can give this a pass.
Surprisingly, outdoor use is where this screen changes the narrative. Realme claims a high brightness mode of 1,200 nits, and using the phone under a blazing midday sun backs up that stat completely. Reading quick texts or tracking maps outside was effortless. They also included full-brightness DC dimming, which does wonders for saving your eyes from fatigue during midnight scrolling sessions.
<a title="Realme P4 Power 5G Review:29 Hours later, it still wouldn&rsquo;t die" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-p4-power-5g-review-29-hours-later-it-still-wouldn-t-die-1769672775457" target="_blank">Realme </a>hypes a 144Hz refresh rate on the retail box, but the real-world utility is pretty amusing. That ultra-smooth fluidity only kicks in for a handful of apps where you do not even care about high frame rates, in apps like Calculator or Compass.
If you do not mind the softer resolution, it is a decent panel for daily media consumption, especially when you consider the price. Netflix streams and YouTube videos run perfectly fine, though keep in mind you will not be getting any HDR playback capabilities. Since the phone relies on a single mono speaker, just make sure to grab your Type-C headphones or wireless earbuds for a decent audio experience.
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Camera</h2>
Realme opted for a clean dual-camera look on the back, which is headlined by a 50MP main sensor, while an 8MP punch-hole camera handles your selfies up front.
In bright daylight, this main shooter punches well above its weight class. Photos come out crisp, packing plenty of fine detail and a surprisingly balanced dynamic range.&nbsp;
I was also pretty pleased with the portrait mode. Where most budget-friendly phones aggressively smooth out faces until everyone looks like a plastic doll, the P4R keeps things grounded. It actually preserves real skin textures and uses its updated processing to keep highlights and shadows looking natural. That said, edge detection is a bit of a hit or miss. Every now and then, the software accidentally blurs out the actual borders of your subject, which messes up that nice background separation.
Nighttime shooting is an alright experience, but details definitely take a hit once the lights go down. Colours tend to get overly saturated in the dark, giving your nighttime shots a heavily processed, artificial vibe.&nbsp;
On the features side, the camera app is loaded with options like Street, Cinematic, Slo-Mo, Time-Lapse, Hi-Res, and a Pro mode that lets you shoot in RAW. You do lose out on dedicated optical zoom, but you can stretch the digital zoom up to 10x. It is not going to blow any photo purists away, but it drops clean, social-media-ready images without much fuss.
The 8MP selfie camera is strictly run-of-the-mill. It does the job for casual video calls, but do not expect the depth, colour accuracy, or sharpness of the rear lens.
Video options top out at 1080p at 30fps for both sides. It is nothing ground-breaking, but it works fine for catching quick memories. Even without optical image stabilisation, the rear video footage stays relatively steady. You will spot a few minor jitters here and there, but for a budget device, the clips are perfectly usable for Instagram or Snapchat.&nbsp;
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Performance</h2>
Let us be completely practical about the performance. If you are looking for a hardcore gaming device, the Realme P4R 5G is not it. It runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip. If you have been following smartphones for a while, then you would know that this octa-core processor is built to sip battery and keep heat low, not to break speed records.
While it scores modestly on synthetic benchmarks, in day-to-day use, the phone does not feel sluggish at all. Swiping around the interface is snappy, apps fire up quickly, and background multi-tasking runs without any lag, especially on the 6GB RAM variant which supports dynamic RAM expansion to pull an extra 8GB from the UFS 2.2 storage.
Gaming is where you will notice the hardware limitations. When you jump into titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile, the device maxes out at a stable 60 FPS under moderate settings, even supporting up to HDR Ultra graphics on PUBG. During my testing, the first hour of gaming went by smoothly without major stutters. However, if you push past that one-hour mark, frame drops definitely start creeping in as the chip throttles.
On the bright side, the thermals are great. It handles heat dissipation perfectly, so you will never feel any uncomfortable hot spots on the phone while using it.
All in all, for a budget phone, the performance that you get from the P4R, is pretty respectable.&nbsp;
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Software and UI/UX &amp; AI features</h2>
Booting up the Realme P4R 5G for the first time reveals a simplified skin of Realme UI 7.0 running on top of Android 16. Dig a little deeper into the system settings, and you will notice it actually shares a lot of its core DNA with ColorOS 16.0. The visual layout is clean and easy on the eyes. Animations feel fluid when you jump between menus, app scrolling does not stutter, and the whole interface feels significantly faster and more stable than what the brand used to offer in its older budget lineups.
The biggest headache here is the sheer amount of junk apps waiting for you on the home screen right after setup. Realme pre-installs a ton of third-party bloatware, including popular apps like BlockBlast, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Netflix, and Spotify. If you want a perfectly clean workspace, plan on spending ten minutes manually binning them all, though it is a relief that you can fully delete almost every single one of them. On the update front, Realme offers a solid commitment by promising a minimum of 4 years of security patches and system functionality upgrades.
For on-the-go editing, the native gallery app includes a built-in AI Editor. It sits right next to the usual cropping and tuning options, allowing you to quickly clone out photobombers or touch up random images without downloading extra tools.
You also get a quirky physical addition on the back panel called the pulse light. This small RGB element is incredibly handy if you spend a lot of time in quiet work meetings. You can turn your phone face down on the desk, customize the flash patterns, and still catch urgent notification alerts without making a sound.
<h2>Realme P4R 5G Review: Battery and charging</h2>
Here comes the biggest highlight of the Realme P4R 5G. The phone centres its entire identity around an enormous 8,000mAh lithium-ion polymer battery. As I mentioned earlier, this is obviously not new for Realme anymore. They are clearly leaning hard into extreme endurance lately, consistently pushing massive capacities to market. We also saw a similar battery capacity in their previous budget lineup, the <a title="Realme 16T 5G Review: Battery anxiety officially cancelled" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-16t-5g-review-battery-anxiety-officially-cancelled-1779439487282" target="_blank">Realme 16T</a>. Honestly, the Realme P4R feels like a twin brother to that model, carrying over identical core specifications but wrapping them in a completely fresh design.
During a week of punishing daily testing, my routine packed in hours of continuous YouTube playback, heavy navigation, photo sessions, constant push notifications, and gaming. I quickly realised I could stop checking my battery percentage entirely. When Realme calls this a three-day phone, they are actually delivering it. Lighter or average users can realistically stretch a single charge across three full days without changing their habits.
Even when the battery drops to its final moments, the device stays alive efficiently. Long-term degradation has also been heavily factored in.
When you do have to charge it up, the included 45W SUPERVOOC fast-charging brick is a solid performer. It took me around 107 minutes to fill this absolute tank from 1% to 100% via wired charging. That might not be lightning quick, but, given the sheer physical size of this 8,000mAh battery, an hour and forty-five minutes for a full charge is incredibly reasonable.
Finally, you get wired reverse charging support up to 5W, letting you treat the phone like a standard power bank to charge up wireless earbuds or help out a friend with a dying device using a simple Type-C cable.
<h2>Final Verdict: Should you buy it?</h2>
Starting at ₹18,999 before offers push the price even down, the Realme P4R 5G is a pretty solid budget device that focuses on one key attribute: unyielding battery endurance. If you are a field professional, an outdoor enthusiast, or someone buy-and-forget minded who is completely spent on battery anxiety, this phone is a tank that stands in a lane of its own.&nbsp;
However, the compromises are clear as day. If you care about competitive gaming, sharp streaming visuals, or immersive stereo sound, the basic HD+ resolution, mono speaker, and modest Dimensity 6300 chip will feel limiting.&nbsp;
The stellar daylight performance of the camera, military-grade drop resistance, add genuine daily utility.
Ultimately, if you can overlook the softer screen, its absolute freedom from the wall charger makes it a wildly practical recommendation, especially at this price point.&nbsp;

The Asus Zenbook S14 pairs a gorgeous 3K OLED display, Core Ultra 9 performance and exceptional battery life in a 1.2kg body.

Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Premium OLED Laptop With Excellent Battery Life

<h3 data-start="1823" data-end="1984">A beautifully built 1.2kg ultraportable with a superb OLED display, excellent battery life and enough power to handle demanding productivity workflows with ease.</h3>

Asus has quietly become one of the most reliable names in the premium thin-and-light laptop space. While plenty of brands have chased the ultraportable dream, few have managed to consistently balance design, performance, battery life, and display quality as well as Asus has with its Zenbook lineup.
The Zenbook S14 continues that approach. Despite weighing just 1.2kg, it packs some serious hardware, including Intel's latest Core Ultra processors, a gorgeous 3K OLED display, a sizeable 77Wh battery, and configurations with up to 32GB of RAM. On paper, it ticks almost every box you would expect from a modern premium ultraportable.
The catch, of course, is the price. The range starts at ₹1,34,990 for the Core Ultra 5 model with 16GB RAM, while the Core Ultra 9 variant begins at ₹1,99,990. The top-end version I tested, equipped with 32GB RAM and 1TB storage, comes in at ₹2,49,990.
That raises the obvious question: is it worth the asking price?
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Design</h2>
The Zenbook S14 makes a strong first impression, but not because of its specs sheet. What immediately caught my attention was the finish on the lid. Asus has spent years refining its Ceraluminum material, and the version used on the 2026 Zenbook S14 feels like the most polished iteration yet.
I first got a look at Ceraluminum on an Asus laptop at IFA Berlin in 2024, and even back then, it felt like something genuinely different. Two years later, the material feels even more mature. The surface has a distinctive texture that not only gives the laptop character but also does a fantastic job keeping fingerprints at bay. It adds a bit of grip too, which is always appreciated on a machine this slim.
Speaking of slim, the Zenbook S14 measures just 1.1cm thick and weighs only 1.2kg. Despite those dimensions, it never feels fragile. The chassis is impressively rigid, with very little flex anywhere on the body. It also meets the US MIL-STD 810H durability standard, which adds some reassurance for anyone carrying it around daily. The CNC-machined Ceraluminum construction plays a big role in making the laptop feel this solid.
Asus has also taken a more understated approach to the overall design. The decorative lines that once gave older Zenbook models a more artistic look have disappeared, replaced by a cleaner and more restrained aesthetic. The subtle Zenbook branding on the lid and the small Asus arrow on the trackpad are about the only visual flourishes you'll find.
One of the more interesting design details sits just above the keyboard. The geometric grille looks like part of the speaker setup, but it actually forms part of the cooling system. Underneath sits a vapour chamber that helps keep temperatures under control without adding unnecessary bulk.
The hinge deserves a mention as well. It opens to around 120 degrees, feels sturdy throughout its range of motion, and does a good job holding the display exactly where you position it. While the lid itself has a little flex, it never feels flimsy, nor does the screen wobble when you're typing.
Port selection is surprisingly good for such a thin laptop. You get USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, HDMI 2.1, a 3.5mm audio jack, and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports that also handle charging via the bundled 68W adapter. Wireless connectivity includes Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0. My only real complaints are the lack of an SD card slot and the fact that both USB-C ports sit on the left side, limiting charging flexibility.
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Display</h2>
If there's one area where the Zenbook S14 immediately impresses, it's the display. Asus has equipped the laptop with a 14-inch 3K OLED panel, and after spending time with it, I'd easily rank it among the best displays in this category.
The specifications are excellent to begin with. You get a 2880 x 1800 resolution, a taller 16:10 aspect ratio, a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, and up to 500 nits of typical brightness, with HDR content capable of reaching 1100 nits. More importantly, the real-world experience lives up to the numbers.
Everything from colours to contrast looks fantastic. Images appear vibrant without feeling oversaturated, blacks are properly inky, and the OLED panel delivers the kind of depth that makes content look genuinely premium. The display covers 100% of the DCI-P3 colour space, is Pantone Validated, supports 1.07 billion colours, and carries VESA DisplayHDR True Black 1000 certification. The rated 1,000,000:1 contrast ratio is immediately noticeable, especially when watching movies or working with photos.
The viewing experience is equally impressive. Thanks to the slim bezels and 90% screen-to-body ratio, the display feels immersive whether you're streaming shows, watching sports, or simply browsing the web. The anti-glare coating also does a surprisingly good job reducing reflections in bright environments.
Asus has included TUV Rheinland and SGS Eye Care certifications as well, which help make extended work sessions easier on the eyes. Touch support adds another layer of versatility, and stylus compatibility will be useful for note-taking, sketching, or quick annotations.
If I had one complaint, it's that the touchscreen surface tends to pick up fingerprints rather quickly. If you're regularly interacting with the display, you'll probably find yourself reaching for a microfibre cloth more often than you'd like.
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Keyboard &amp; Trackpad</h2>
Asus has been making some of the best laptop keyboards in the business for a while now, and the Zenbook S14 continues that trend. Despite its slim profile, the keyboard feels comfortable and easy to adapt to. In fact, I was back to my usual typing speed almost immediately, which is always a positive sign.
The chiclet-style keys offer decent travel and a reassuring amount of feedback. Key spacing is good, and although there is a slight amount of deck flex, it never became noticeable during everyday use. Naturally, the layout feels a little tighter than on a larger laptop, but that's simply the trade-off that comes with a compact 14-inch machine. Whether I was writing articles, replying to emails, or working through long documents, the keyboard remained consistently comfortable.
The trackpad is where things become a little less straightforward. The large glass surface feels smooth and responsive, and gesture navigation works flawlessly. Asus' Smart Gesture shortcuts are genuinely useful too, allowing quick control over brightness and volume.
However, the sheer size of the touchpad occasionally led to accidental touches, and I found the physical clicks lacked the crisp tactile feedback I'd have preferred.
The speakers are decent for a laptop this size. They're perfectly fine for video calls, YouTube videos, and casual streaming, but if you're watching a film or listening to music, a good pair of headphones will still provide a noticeably better experience.
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Webcam and Speakers</h2>
One feature I genuinely expected to see on a laptop at this price point was a fingerprint scanner, but Asus has skipped it entirely. Instead, authentication is handled through Windows Hello facial recognition using the infrared webcam. Fortunately, the system works reliably and unlocks the laptop quickly.
The 1080p webcam itself is quite good. Image quality is sharp, HDR performance is handled well, and it adapts nicely to changing lighting conditions, making it more than capable for video calls and online meetings.
Asus has also added a few useful extras. Presence detection can automatically lock the laptop when you walk away and wake it when you return. The webcam can be disabled using the F10 key, although I would have preferred a physical privacy shutter for added reassurance. Studio Effects and AI noise cancellation are also available through the MyAsus app, helping improve call quality.
The speakers are surprisingly capable for such a slim machine. They deliver clear, detailed audio with a touch more bass than expected, though headphones still offer the better listening experience.
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Performance</h2>
The Zenbook S14 I tested is powered by Intel's Core Ultra 9 386H, and for the kind of laptop this is, I never found myself wanting more performance. It may not be Intel's absolute top-tier mobile chip, but in everyday use, it feels exceptionally fast.
Everything from launching apps to editing photos in Photoshop happened without delay. I even pushed the machine with some 4K video editing, and it handled the workload comfortably. Just as importantly, thermals remained excellent throughout. Even under sustained load, the chassis stayed surprisingly cool.
Where the Zenbook S14 really shines is in multitasking. My workflow usually involves far too many browser tabs, multiple Office documents, Slack, Outlook, music streaming, Lightroom, and Photoshop running simultaneously. The laptop handled this chaotic workload effortlessly, with no noticeable slowdowns.
Helping matters are 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 1TB of storage, which make the machine feel ready for years of demanding productivity work.
The benchmark results back up the real-world experience. The laptop scored 489 and 2951 in Cinebench 2026 single-core and multi-core tests, respectively. Geekbench returned scores of 2855 and 16632. CrossMark delivered an overall score of 2150, while PCMark came in at 8340. Creative workloads were handled particularly well, with PugetBench scores of 8009 in Photoshop, 4303 in Lightroom Classic, and 27274 in DaVinci Resolve 21.
Gaming, however, isn't the Zenbook's primary focus. The integrated Intel graphics are perfectly adequate for everyday tasks and light gaming, but anyone expecting a dedicated gaming machine should look elsewhere. Cloud gaming services can help, but native gaming performance remains limited.
The platform also includes an NPU capable of 49 TOPS, allowing the Zenbook S14 to comfortably support Microsoft's Copilot+ AI features and other on-device AI workloads.
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Battery</h2>
Battery life is easily one of the Zenbook S14's strongest features. Asus has paired a sizeable 77Wh battery with Intel's efficient Core Ultra platform, and the results are excellent. During my testing, with brightness set to around 80%, I regularly managed between 12 and 13 hours of screen-on time. Given my fairly demanding workload, that's an impressive result. Lighter users should have little trouble stretching that figure to 15 hours or more.
Charging is handled by a bundled 68W USB-C adapter, which takes the battery to roughly 50% in just over half an hour and completes a full charge in around 90 minutes. In short, this is a laptop that's genuinely comfortable to use all day without carrying a charger.
<h2>Asus Zenbook S14 Review: Conclusion</h2>
The Zenbook S14 feels like a laptop that has been carefully thought through from top to bottom. Asus has combined a premium design, a fantastic OLED display, excellent battery life, and more performance than most users will ever need into a package that weighs just 1.2kg.
What stood out to me most was how effortless the overall experience felt. The Core Ultra 9 386H paired with 32GB of RAM breezes through demanding workloads, while the 77Wh battery comfortably lasts through a full day of work. The Ceraluminum chassis feels sturdy and premium, and the display is easily one of the best you'll find on an ultraportable.
There are a few compromises. The missing SD card slot is hard to ignore, the oversized trackpad can occasionally be a little awkward, and gaming isn't really this machine's forte. The ₹2,49,990 price tag also places it firmly in premium territory.
Still, if productivity, portability, battery life, and everyday performance are your priorities, the Zenbook S14 is an easy laptop to recommend.

The Xiaomi 17T combines Leica-tuned cameras, a 50MP 5X periscope zoom lens, a stunning AMOLED display, strong performance, and excellent battery life at ₹59,999.

Xiaomi 17T Review: Leica Cameras, 5X Zoom and Flagship Features Under ₹60,000

With a Leica-tuned camera system, 50MP 5X periscope lens, gorgeous AMOLED display, and long-lasting battery, the Xiaomi 17T delivers a premium photography experience without flagship pricing.

The Xiaomi 17T prioritizes photography with its Leica-tuned cameras and 50MP 5X periscope lens, while also offering a great display, strong battery life, and dependable performance at ₹59,999.

The Xiaomi 17T arrives at a moment when smartphones that sit just below the ultra-premium tier are quietly creeping up in price with each new generation. Capabilities that once comfortably fit within a ₹60,000 budget are now being pushed further up the pricing ladder, often surfacing only on devices that cross the ₹80,000, ₹90,000, or even ₹1 lakh threshold. This makes the hunt for a genuinely premium experience, without going all the way to the top, much harder than it used to be.
The Xiaomi 17T, starting at ₹59,999, makes a strong case for itself in this context. It brings a Leica-tuned camera setup led by a 50MP 5X periscope telephoto lens, a refined design, a capable display, a sizeable 6,500mAh battery, and performance that should handle most everyday demands with ease.
After using it as a daily driver for a couple of weeks, the 17T comes across as a device built around a camera-first philosophy, rather than one purely chasing spec-sheet wins. Whether that singular focus is enough to justify its price is the real question.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Pricing</h2>
Xiaomi appears to have landed on exactly the right number with the 17T. At a time when mid-to-premium smartphones are becoming progressively harder to justify on price alone, the 17T stands out as a refreshingly well-calibrated option for what it puts on the table.
The variant I reviewed, 12GB LPDDR5X RAM paired with 256GB of UFS 4.1 storage carries a price tag of ₹59,999. Factor in the launch offers currently available, and that figure effectively drops to ₹54,999. Those who need the added breathing room of 512GB storage will be looking at ₹64,999, though introductory pricing brings that down to ₹59,999 as well.
When you consider the full picture, like the Leica-tuned optics, a proper 5X periscope telephoto, flagship-level processing power, and a substantial battery, the value proposition here is difficult to argue with. At its effective starting price, the 17T becomes one of the easier recommendations in its segment.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Design</h2>
Few phones at this price have made as immediate an impression on me as the 17T. The design conversation in this segment has largely been dominated by chunky, circular rear camera arrays, but Xiaomi has charted its own course; a compact, geometric camera block that sits flush and purposeful on the back. The result is something that looks expensive without being loud about it. The violet unit I had on hand was a head-turner, though never in a garish way.
Xiaomi has used a matte polycarbonate rear that handled daily grime far better than glossy or glass alternatives tend to. Rivals may offer glass backs around this price, but you genuinely would not notice the difference here. The build quality stays solid throughout. A flat frame with metal-like finishing and gently rounded corners rounds out a form factor that remains pleasant to grip across long periods.
At 8.2mm of thickness and a 200g weight sits in a sweet spot; heavy enough to feel like a serious piece of hardware, light enough that marathon gaming sessions, photography-heavy outings, or full days of use never leave your hand feeling strained.
Xiaomi has been thorough on the protection front too, IP68 dust and water resistance is a welcome inclusion, and Gorilla Glass 7i keeps the display from picking up unnecessary damage. A metallic housing around the cameras adds a dash of character without disrupting the overall restraint of the design.
The connectivity is also as complete as it could get: NFC, IR blaster, eSIM, Bluetooth 6.0, Wi-Fi 6E, and USB 2.0 are all on board. The optical under-display fingerprint reader delivered consistent, snappy unlocks across my entire review period.
<a title="Xiaomi 17 Ultra Review: The Camera Phone to Beat in 2026" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/xiaomi-17-ultra-review-the-camera-phone-to-beat-in-2026-1773215036737" target="_blank">Xiaomi</a> has played this one well. The 17T gets a premium identity, holds together with confidence, and handles the basics without a single misstep.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Display</h2>
The 6.59-inch 1.5K LTPS AMOLED screen on the 17T turned out to be one of the device's most impressive attributes during my extended use. Pixel density sits at roughly 460ppi, and the sharpness on offer is immediately apparent. Text are crystal clear, images hold fine detail, and even routine tasks like scrolling through a feed feel extremely polished.
Plus, the 120Hz refresh rate keeps interactions feeling light and immediate, whether that's navigating through a fast-paced game, scrubbing through photo edits, streaming video, or just moving between apps. Nothing ever felt sluggish or stuttery.
Where the display really distinguished itself was in how it handles colour. The 12-bit panel supports upwards of 68 billion colours, and that range is genuinely perceptible when you put quality photographs or HDR content in front of it. Colour transitions are smoother, tones feel more convincing without veering into oversaturation, and the overall image quality has a naturalism that I found particularly useful when evaluating camera output and editing photos for social media.
Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support means the panel is well-equipped for streaming too. Watching the latest season of From on Prime Video was a genuinely enjoyable experience. Contrast held up well, colours stayed vivid, and bright highlights had real punch to them. Peak HDR brightness reaches 3,500 nits, and outdoor legibility holds up accordingly. Even in harsh afternoon sun, the screen remained easy to read without any squinting required.
We also get a bunch of TUV Rheinland certifications which should ensure long-term comfort, covering low blue light output, flicker-free operation, circadian-friendly display modes, and broader eye-care provisions. These rarely make headlines, but their value shows up during prolonged daily use.
The stereo speakers do a pretty solid job, though they are clearly not the main event here. For the asking price, this ranks among the strongest displays I have encountered this year. My one gripe is that Xiaomi has gone with an LTPS panel rather than LTPO. At this price, an LTPO panel would have been a welcome inclusion.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Cameras</h2>
Xiaomi has absolutely nailed the camera experience on the 17T, especially considering the prie. The centrepiece is a 50MP periscope telephoto with 5X optical zoom, the kind of hardware that typically shows up on phones costing significantly more. Having it here, at this price point, is what gives the 17T a genuine leg up on most of its competition.
The three-lens array pairs that periscope telephoto with a 50MP primary sensor and a 12MP ultrawide, with Leica's tuning applied across the board. The main camera holds its own, but the telephoto is where the 17T finds its identity.
Optically stabilised and covering a 115mm equivalent focal length, the periscope lens is the kind of hardware that changes how you actually use a phone camera. In-Sensor Zoom technology allows for what Xiaomi calls 10X optical-grade lossless zoom, and AI Ultra Zoom stretches that ceiling to 120X. Realistically, keeping things between 5X and 10X is where the results are strongest, and in that window, the output is hard to fault.
In good light, the system is a pleasure to shoot with. Detail is plentiful, dynamic range is well-managed, and colour rendering leans toward accuracy rather than impact. This is where Leica's influence is most apparent. The 17T is not trying to produce images that look immediately striking on a small screen. It is after something more considered. Controlled highlights, honest skin tones, and a tonal quality that holds up when you look more carefully. It is closer in spirit to what a dedicated camera produces than what most phones at this price deliver.
The telephoto was the lens I gravitated toward most throughout the review period. At 5X, the level of sharpness and surface detail in images is excellent. At 10X, the camera retains far more information than you might reasonably expect. Buildings, street scenes, subjects pulled from busy backgrounds, the telephoto handled all of it with a consistency that made it genuinely enjoyable to use.
Portrait shooting benefits from six selectable focal lengths running from 23mm through to 115mm, a range that provides real creative latitude. Leica's processing keeps portraits grounded, and realistic. The separation between subject and background is clean, skin tones stay accurate, and the sense of depth reads as natural rather than computed.
There is a cinematic quality to the results without any of the artificial sheen that often comes with heavily processed portrait modes. The 12MP ultrawide does not have the same resolving power as the primary sensor, but it integrates well into the system. Colour rendering stays consistent across lenses, and overall quality sits comfortably above what the specification might lead you to expect.
One unexpected highlight was telemacro shooting. The periscope lens can focus at distances as close as 30cm, and the close-up results it produces, complete with natural background falloff, make a compelling argument against the low-resolution dedicated macro sensors that still populate many smartphones at this price.
On the processing side, Xiaomi's AISP engine draws on FusionLM, ToneLM, PortraitLM, and ColorLM to handle image refinement. What matters is that the processing stays measured. Images are improved where needed, but the camera stops short of manufacturing a result that looks nothing like the scene in front of it.
Stage Mode turned out to be more than a marketing feature. Designed around concert and live event shooting, it activates automatically when the camera recognises the right conditions and is optimised specifically for 5X and 10X zoom. In the kind of challenging mixed lighting that trips up most phone cameras, it made a visible difference to image cleanliness.
Video capability extends to 4K at 60fps with HDR10+ support, and Leica Live Moment processing gives footage a more filmic character. Up front, a 32MP selfie camera delivers reliable stills and handles video calls well, though front-facing video tops out at 4K 30fps rather than 60fps.
In low light too, we get the same restrained processing philosophy. Rather than aggressively pushing exposure to make night shots look dramatic, the 17T focuses on keeping noise controlled, preserving the atmosphere of a scene, and holding colour accuracy. The results will not grab attention the way some competitors' night modes do, but they look better, natural and feel more honest. Combined with the periscope telephoto, it adds up to one of the most rewarding camera experiences available at this price.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Performance</h2>
Under the hood, the 17T runs on MediaTek's Dimensity 8500-Ultra, a 4nm chip backed by 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 4.1 storage. The specifications fit comfortably within what this segment calls for, and day-to-day use reflects that. The phone feels as capable as those numbers imply.
Over the course of testing, the experience held up without complaint. Applications opened without hesitation, switching between tasks felt weightless, and there was no point at which the phone gave any indication of struggling. Photo editing, video recording, heavy multitasking, extended social media sessions, none of it gave the 17T any trouble worth noting.
Benchmark figures back up that real-world impression, with the device posting just over 2.02 million points on AnTuTu. There are phones in this bracket that score higher, but those gaps on paper rarely amount to anything you would actually notice in use.
That is also the right lens through which to understand what Xiaomi is doing with the 17T. This is not a phone built to top performance charts. It is a camera-focused device that happens to keep pace with more performance-oriented competition in everyday situations, and for the vast majority of users, that is entirely sufficient.
Thermal management plays a meaningful role in sustaining that experience. The 3D IceLoop cooling system does a solid job of keeping heat in check during demanding use. Extended gaming, prolonged camera sessions, and lengthy 4K recording runs all failed to push the phone into uncomfortable territory.
Gaming holds up well in practice. BGMI currently runs at up to 90fps, and given what the chipset is capable of, 120fps support through a future update would not be a surprise. Ultimately, benchmark numbers capture only a fraction of what makes a phone feel good to use over time. Assessed on that basis, the 17T earns its marks. It stays quick, smooth, and reliable across weeks of daily use, and for most people, the performance headroom here should remain relevant for years.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Software</h2>
Out of the box, the 17T ships with <a title="Xiaomi 17 Review: Is This the Best Compact Flagship of 2026?" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/xiaomi-17-review-is-this-the-best-compact-flagship-of-2026-1773907772069" target="_blank">HyperOS 3</a>, and time spent with it makes one thing clear: Xiaomi's software has come a long way. The interface carries a tidiness and sense of organisation that earlier versions lacked, and while customisation options remain plentiful, nothing about the experience feels excessive or thrown together.
Two features stood out during regular use. HyperIsland brings a more considered approach to managing notifications and background processes, making the whole thing feel less like a chore. HyperConnect, meanwhile, is particularly valuable for anyone already invested in the Xiaomi ecosystem, knitting together phones, tablets, wearables, and other devices into something that actually functions cohesively.
Artificial intelligence gets considerable attention here. The HyperAI suite comes bundled alongside Google's Gemini, covering a broad range of productivity and smart assistance functions. The camera system draws on this further, with AI Scene Recognition, AI Ultra Zoom, and the AISP imaging engine all operating in the background to lift image quality without requiring manual input.
Through extended daily use, HyperOS 3 stayed smooth, stable, and responsive. There is a lot packed in, but the software presents itself with enough restraint that it never feels like it is competing for your attention.
On the updates front, Xiaomi is committing to four years of Android OS upgrades and six years of security patches. Some competitors have stretched those timelines further, but this remains a reasonable promise that should keep the 17T in good standing for a while yet.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Battery</h2>
Among everything the 17T gets right, battery life ranks near the top. The phone houses a 6,500mAh Silicon Carbon cell, which is not the largest capacity on the market given that several competitors have now crossed the 7,000mAh threshold, but the real-world performance tells a more nuanced story than raw numbers suggest.
On a typical day, battery anxiety simply was not part of the experience. Even during heavier use involving photography, navigation, gaming, and social media, the phone made it through from morning to night without issue. Lighter days occasionally stretched into a second day before a charge became necessary. Screen-on times of six to seven hours were a consistent outcome throughout testing.
When you do need to charge the phone, the bundled 67W HyperCharge adapter brings the battery back to full in under an hour, which is a reasonable turnaround for a cell of this size. The 17T also supports 22.5W reverse wired charging, a useful addition for topping up accessories or a second device when needed.
<h2>Xiaomi 17T Review: Verdict</h2>
The Xiaomi 17T is a phone that knows what it wants to be. Rather than spreading itself thin across every possible use case, it puts its energy into delivering a premium photography experience, and on that front, it largely delivers.
The 50MP 5X periscope telephoto is the feature that defines the device. It genuinely shifts the way you approach mobile photography, offering real optical reach that holds up under scrutiny rather than papering over the gaps with heavy digital processing. Leica's tuning keeps the output honest, detailed, and full of character. The display makes going through and editing shots a genuine pleasure, and the 6,500mAh battery is large enough to support a full day of intensive use without complaint.
There are areas where concessions have been made. BGMI is currently capped at 90fps, wireless charging is absent, the 12MP ultrawide trails the best in class, and Xiaomi's software support window is not the most generous in the segment.
That said, for anyone who puts mobile photography at the centre of what they want from a phone, the Xiaomi 17T makes a compelling case for itself at this price.

The Realme Buds Air8 Pro delivers flagship-grade sound, powerful ANC, crystal-clear calls and excellent battery life at ₹6,999.

Realme Buds Air8 Pro Review: Best Premium TWS Under ₹7,000?

With dual-DAC audio, strong ANC, excellent call quality and 50-hour battery life, the Realme Buds Air8 Pro punches above its price.

The Realme Buds Air8 Pro combines flagship-grade sound, effective ANC, excellent call quality and massive battery life, making it one of the strongest premium TWS options under ₹7,000.

The Realme Buds Air Pro series is well known for offering high-end features at accessible prices. Now, the new Realme Buds Air8 Pro look to push those limits directly into premium territory. At ₹6,999, these earbuds try to shake up the mid-range market by delivering top-tier capabilities usually found only on flagship models.
With a dual-driver setup, separate dual-DAC hardware tuning, and smart bone-conduction call tech, the specifications look incredible. However, paper specs do not always mean a perfect real-world performance. I used the Master Black version as my main daily pair for a week, testing them during hectic subway commutes, heavy workouts, and focused music sessions to see if they actually live up to the hype.
<h2>Design &amp; Comfort</h2>
The <a title="Realme Buds Air 7 Pro Review: Premium Sound, Killer Looks, Budget Price" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-buds-air-7-pro-review-premium-sound-killer-looks-budget-price-1749725394345" target="_blank">Realme Buds Air</a>8 Pro makes it obvious right away that this lineup is growing up. They have finally dropped the plasticky, budget vibe of the older generations for something that actually feels premium. To get here, Realme brought back industrial designer Naoto Fukasawa to shape the look of the case and the buds.
The charging case swaps out the old all-matte styling for a mix of textures. The main body stays matte, but the top has this flat, "plateau-style" lid with a shiny, mirror-like finish and a tiny logo. Testing the Master Black version, I really liked the contrast&mdash;it gives the whole package a very clean, stealthy look.
For the physical layout, you get a Type-C port right on the top edge of the case. The reset button is hidden inside, sitting right between the two earpieces.
The buds themselves are incredibly light. They match the case by dropping a glossy, reflective strip right down the stems against a matte housing. Shape-wise, they fit the ear canal naturally and block out a good amount of noise on their own. I wore them for three or four hours straight during long writing stints and honestly forgot they were even in. They do not budge during fast outdoor runs or sweaty workouts either.
An IP55 rating means rain and sweat are not an issue. Do not jump into a pool with them, but they handled humid afternoons and accidental splashes without breaking a sweat.
The big catch is that all that gloss comes with a headache. The shiny lid and stems collect fingerprints the second you touch them, so you are constantly wiping them down. Even worse, despite being pretty careful, those glossy parts picked up fine micro-scratches within just a few days, which definitely hurts that premium vibe over time.
<h2>Audio Quality</h2>
The internal speaker configuration is where the Buds Air8 Pro actually leave competitors behind. After more than six years of playing and analyzing music, I always lean on my own ears instead of trusting a spreadsheet or digital benchmark score.
If you pay close attention to your music, you know great wireless buds need to pick up the easily missed details. I am always listening for quiet guitar riffs tucked into a bridge, a synth note panned hard to one side, or the precise stereo spacing that gives a track its atmosphere. Plenty of options at this price try to impress you by forcing a heavy, fake bass boost that just muddies everything else. The Buds Air8 Pro skip that trap, focusing on a clean, balanced output that preserves the true character of the track.
Realme does this using what they call a Premier Coaxial Dual-DAC Driver System. It combines an 11mm dynamic woofer for low-end kick with a 6mm micro-planar tweeter for crisp high frequencies. Crucially, each driver has its own dedicated DAC chip to keep frequency tuning independent and sharp. For high-res wireless playback, the buds use the LHDC 5.0 codec, supporting 24-bit/192kHz streaming at bitrates up to 1Mbps.
I threw a chaotic mix of genres at these to see how they handle different setups. Listening to old classics like Hemant Kumar&rsquo;s Jaane Woh Kaise or Lata Mangeshkar&rsquo;s Lag Ja Gale, the vocals stayed incredibly crisp and forward, capturing the raw performance without sounding hollow or distant. The distinct left-to-right instrument panning on the remastered version of The Beatles' Hey Jude came through with a genuinely wide sense of space.
Switching to modern hip-hop like Divine's Azadi, Khatta Flow by Kr$na and Seedhe Maut, or Kendrick Lamar's Not Like Us, the 11mm woofer dropped a tight, punchy low-end groove that never bled into the mid-range. Even with dense, instrument-heavy arrangements like Coke Studio's Paar Channa De or Afreen Afreen, the overall separation held firm, keeping the percussion layers and traditional strings from merging into a single blur.
If you like tweaking your audio balance, you can open the Realme Link app to dial in custom EQ profiles. The sub-bass can occasionally feel slightly loose on exceptionally busy tracks, but that is a tiny detail only sound purists will catch. For a standard consumer earbud, the sheer clarity here punches well above the price tag.
<h2>ANC &amp; Call Quality</h2>
The specs sheet for the Buds Air8 Pro claims an impressive 55dB ultra-depth noise cancellation and a 5000Hz wide bandwidth. When you actually turn ANC on, it immediately wraps you in a thick blanket of silence. Taking these on regular metro commutes and through chaotic, packed markets, they easily isolated my environment by drowning out low-frequency engine rumbles and heavy traffic hums.
It does not create a total vacuum, though. In real-world conditions, I would say it cuts out about 70 to 75 percent of ambient noise. Sharper, sudden sounds like mechanical keyboard clacks or crinkling paper manage to slip through, even if they are heavily muffled. While it is perfect for locking into a playlist or focusing on a task, I felt a noticeable "cabin pressure" or ear fatigue after using the ANC for a few hours straight. Because of this, I would not advise keeping any ANC earbuds in for too long. You also have to change modes yourself using the stems or the companion app, since there is no smart, automatic switching based on your environment.
The real win here is the call quality. Realme packed three microphones into each earbud alongside a dedicated Voice Processing Unit that uses bone conduction to pick up jaw vibrations. I tested this by calling a friend who usually hates the audio quality of whatever review units I am testing. I dialed him right from the middle of a roaring metro crowd, and he was completely stunned by the clarity. He literally told me it sounded like I was sitting in a quiet office. Even so, the actual texture of the voice still has some room for improvement. Realme promises a 90dB drop in background clutter and handles wind up to 10m/s. Whether I was down in a subway station, walking outdoors, or gaming in a quiet room, my voice stayed perfectly forward and clear.
<h2>Connectivity, Controls, and AI Features</h2>
On the connectivity front, the Buds Air8 Pro run on the Bluetooth 6.1 standard, maintaining a steady connection anywhere within a ten-meter radius. Syncing is instant thanks to Google Fast Pair. The ability to link three devices at once is incredibly handy, allowing you to hop your audio between a phone, tablet, and laptop without going through the pairing process every single time. It handles standard SBC and AAC codecs, alongside high-res LHDC 5.0 streaming.
You will need the Realme Link app to manage everything. Testing the buds alongside a <a title="Realme 16T 5G Review: Battery anxiety officially cancelled " href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-16t-5g-review-battery-anxiety-officially-cancelled-1779439487282" target="_blank">Realme phone</a> really highlights how tight the brand's ecosystem has become. The app opens up deep customization, from personalized EQ settings to remapping touch inputs. The stems respond well to taps and slides for on-the-fly adjustments like changing volume, though a quick double-tap can occasionally misfire if you are in a rush.
The automated features work without a hitch. Smart wear detection stops your media the second you pull a bud out, and you can even set them to pick up phone calls automatically when you lift an earpiece from the case. Realme also rolled out its NEXTAI features in the app. The standard voice assistant takes care of basic queries, but it still feels a bit half-baked, occasionally scrambling words or misinterpreting commands.
The standout feature is definitely the built-in AI Translator. It supports over 30 languages, and the live, face-to-face translation modes translate conversations with impressive accuracy. Lastly, a dedicated Game Mode targets mobile players. Realme claims a low 45ms latency, and while I cannot measure the exact milliseconds, in-game sound effects and action stay perfectly in sync.
<h2>Battery &amp; Charging</h2>
Realme advertises an all-week battery capacity with these earbuds, and my real-world testing proves that claim is pretty accurate for day-to-day use. With the charging case included, you get a massive 50 hours of total playback in normal mode, which easily beats the typical industry standard.
Of course, mileage depends entirely on your setup. If you leave ANC off and stick to the standard AAC codec, the individual buds deliver an impressive 12 hours of continuous music. Turning on full active noise cancellation drops that single-charge longevity down to six hours. If you want top-tier audio quality and switch to high-res streaming via the LHDC codec with active noise cancellation enabled, the battery drains much faster, capping out at about five hours on a single charge and 20 hours total with the case.
The Type-C charging speed is where the setup becomes incredibly convenient. I never bothered to time how long a full zero-to-hundred charge takes because the battery never actually died on me. Plugging the case in for just ten to fifteen minutes provided more than enough power to survive an entire workday, including a boring two-and-a-half-hour commute. For a pair of wireless earbuds, that is practically all you can ask for.
<h2>Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?</h2>
Priced at ₹6,999, the Realme Buds Air8 Pro move away from the budget category and step right into the competitive mid-range market. Luckily, the actual hardware performance completely backs up the higher cost. The coaxial dual-driver configuration and separate DACs deliver a remarkably clean, detailed soundstage that anyone who listens closely to music will appreciate.
The shiny, high-gloss details definitely attract smudges and tiny scratches over time, but that is a small cosmetic issue compared to the excellent performance underneath. Thanks to bone-conduction technology for crystal-clear calls, a huge 50-hour total battery capacity, and fast charging that saves you in a rush, they make a fantastic daily companion. If you want high-end sound separation and powerful noise blocking without spending over ten thousand rupees, these are highly recommended.

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra combines dual periscope cameras, a massive 7050mAh battery, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and stunning Hasselblad-tuned photography into one seriously powerful flagship.

Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: The Most Exciting Camera Flagship of 2026

With dual periscope zoom lenses, a giant 7050mAh battery, Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and cinematic Hasselblad-tuned cameras, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra delivers one of the best flagship experiences of 2026.

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra delivers stunning Hasselblad-tuned cameras, flagship-grade performance, insane battery life, and one of the most exciting Android experiences of 2026.

Top-tier smartphones have started to feel a bit boring and stale this year. We all know the drill by now: the exact same flat edges, the identical oversized camera bumps, generic AI marketing talk, and pictures that look a bit too artificial. Most premium devices are practically interchangeable at this point, but the Oppo Find X9 Ultra actually stands out from the crowd.
This is Oppo's direct challenge to the Vivo X300 Ultra, but the strategy here is totally different. Vivo wanted you to mess around with extra modular gear and clip-on lens attachments to get the best shot. Oppo, on the other hand, figured a true flagship should give you maximum performance straight out of your pocket without the extra gimmicks.
I have been using the Find X9 Ultra as my main device for over two weeks now, and I think Oppo made the right call. It is a massive phone, it feels incredibly heavy, and that Rs 1,69,999 price tag will absolutely make your eyes water. But Oppo clearly had one goal in mind: build an absolute beast of a camera phone without cutting corners on the rest of the flagship experience. They got incredibly close.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Design &amp; Build</h2>
The massive camera housing on the <a title="Oppo Find X9 Pro Review: Massive Battery, Pro Cameras, Big Price &mdash; Worth It?" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oppo-find-x9-pro-review-massive-battery-pro-cameras-big-price-worth-it-1763717438502" target="_blank">Oppo Find X9</a> Ultra grabs your attention immediately, but the real story is how this thing feels in your hand. I have been testing a steady stream of slick, glass-backed flagships lately, so switching to the Tundra Umber version was a massive surprise. The textured vegan leather back feels incredibly soft and grippy. Instead of sliding around, the phone stays firmly planted in your palm, which is a massive relief given how large the hardware actually is.
Make no mistake, this is a hefty device. It weighs 235 grams and measures 9.1mm thick, putting it right in the same size bracket as rival heavyweights like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and iPhone 17 Pro Max. The Vivo X300 Ultra is slightly thinner but carries a bit more weight. Still, Oppo nailed the ergonomics here. The balance is spot on, and that textured rear panel saves your wrists during long periods of doomscrolling or shooting. Oppo also ditched the curved edges for a flat screen and an industrial aluminium frame, making the daily experience feel much cleaner and more precise.
Over on the back, Oppo embraces the camera-centric look rather than trying to downplay it. The main housing is round, but the lenses inside sit in a sharp hexagonal layout that catches the light nicely. A clean metal bar cuts across the lower half of the back panel, balancing out the look so the top doesn't visually overpower the rest of the chassis.
The layout isn't entirely perfect. Because the camera housing extends quite low on the back, my index finger kept brushing against the glass elements when I held it naturally. You will also have to deal with a lot of wobbles if you type while your phone is resting on a desk.
The physical controls are where things get fun. The dedicated shutter button is easily one of my favourite features. It is pressure-sensitive, letting you zoom smoothly just by sliding a finger across it, which beats tapping a screen any day. One press pulls up the camera, and a double-tap snaps the photo. On the opposite frame, the customizable Snap Key handles shortcuts nicely.
The durability is rock-solid too. You get a rare combo of IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings alongside Gorilla Glass Victus 2 up front, so you can toss it into a bag without stressing. Every single piece of this hardware feels like it serves a clear purpose.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Display &amp; Audio Quality</h2>
For the display you are looking at a massive 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED panel running at 3168 x 1440, and honestly, the sharpness is spectacular. Fine print and dense photos look incredibly clean. They are hyping up a 144Hz refresh rate this generation, but don't expect to see that all the time. For normal apps and swiping around, the software locks things at 120Hz and aggressively scales down to 1Hz when you stop scrolling to save your battery. That full 144Hz speed is pretty much exclusive to a handful of supported games.
The overall panel quality is top-tier. Colours feel vibrant without hitting that fake, glowing look some competitors love, and the viewing angles are perfect. If you work outdoors, the 1800 nits in HBM, or high brightness mode handles direct noon sunlight without a struggle, while HDR peak brightness pushes up to 3600 nits. Dolby Vision and HDR10+ content look incredible here.
Late-night users will appreciate the 2160Hz PWM dimming, which keeps screen flicker from giving you a headache in the dark. The ultrasonic fingerprint sensor underneath is incredibly fast too. Setup takes seconds since you just glide your thumb around the glass instead of tapping repeatedly.
As for the sound, the built-in stereo speakers get plenty loud. Vocals stay perfectly intelligible when gaming or watching videos, and there is a surprising amount of lower-end thump so music never feels hollow.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Performance &amp; Benchmarks</h2>
Oppo threw in the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, backed it up with 12GB RAM, and gave you 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. Yes, those are massive numbers, but the real magic is how well Oppo has optimised the software. Everything just flies. You can jump between a dozen heavy apps without a single hint of lag, and mobile games run beautifully.
The cooling setup is what actually impressed me during testing. I looped the 3DMark Wild Life Extreme stress test to see where it would choke, and the phone topped out at 43 degrees Celsius. That is a fantastic result when you realise the <a title="Vivo X300 Ultra Review: This Flagship Is Basically a Mirrorless Camera" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/vivo-x300-ultra-review-this-flagship-is-basically-a-mirrorless-camera-1778668885531" target="_blank">Vivo X300 Ultra</a> runs noticeably hotter under the same heavy load. The stability settled right around 69 per cent, which is perfectly normal behaviour for this generation of chips.
If you care about synthetic benchmark scores, it is basically a tie between the two flagships. The Oppo scores slightly higher on AnTuTu and Geekbench multi-core runs, while the Vivo takes a tiny win in single-core metrics. Honestly, you will never notice a difference outside of a lab because both feel lightning fast. The glass around that massive camera module does get a bit warm if you shoot 4K video for twenty minutes, but it never throttles or stutters. Also, the typing experience is excellent. The X-axis vibration motor gives you these crisp, tiny taps that make texting incredibly satisfying.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Battery Life &amp; Charging</h2>
Oppo did something crazy with the Find X9 Ultra by packing a massive 7,050mAh silicon-carbon battery inside. It is easily the biggest cell you can get on an Ultra flagship right now, and the real-world performance is ridiculous. Even during long days packed with heavy camera use, active GPS maps, 5G data, and streaming audio, this phone refuses to die before bedtime. If you are a light user, hitting two full days of juice is entirely possible.
They talk up a custom PowerCore Battery Management Chip to justify the efficiency, but the main takeaway is simply that the stamina rules. For charging, Oppo bundles a 100W SuperVOOC brick in the box. A complete zero to 100 per cent charge takes roughly 45 minutes. That might look a bit slower on a spec sheet compared to rival brands, but remember you are filling a significantly larger tank here, so the actual real-world difference is completely unnoticeable.
Generic USB-PD chargers will still juice this thing up at 55W speeds, which actually beats out what most flagships can do with their official chargers. You also get 50W wireless charging speeds, though Oppo did skip out on Qi2 magnetic alignment this year.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Camera Test</h2>
Let&rsquo;s be real, the only reason you are even considering this phone is that massive, unapologetic camera bump on the back. After shooting with it relentlessly, I am just going to say it: Oppo has put together what might be the most fun and versatile camera system on any phone right now.
The spec sheet is frankly ridiculous. You get a massive 200MP main camera, another 200MP shooter locked at a 3x zoom for portraits, a 50MP ultrawide with autofocus, and a second periscope lens hitting a native 10x optical zoom. It sounds like pure marketing overkill, but the actual shooting experience is incredibly seamless.
The best part about this setup is that your photos do not look like they came from a smartphone. Most flagships lately are obsessed with hyper-realistic, clinical sharpness, which just makes images look flat, cold, and boring. Oppo went a totally different route. The processing here has an actual artistic character without looking fake. Colours are rich, the contrast is deep and punchy, and the images feel cinematic right out of the gallery. Hasselblad's tuning adds this gorgeous warmth that makes you want to keep clicking.
The main 200MP sensor is an absolute beast. It handles difficult lighting without breaking a sweat, highlights stay under control, and the details are incredibly clean. I love how it handles harsh afternoon sun because it finds a beautiful middle ground instead of blowing out the sky or turning shadows into pure black. Even the ultrawide stands out because the built-in autofocus lets you capture close-up macro shots that are actually sharp.
But the zoom lenses are why you buy this phone. That 3x portrait lens quickly became my absolute default camera. Portraits look incredible because the larger sensor creates a beautiful, natural background blur before the software portrait tricks even kick in. Compared to the Vivo X300 Ultra, which goes for a very flat and natural look, the Oppo shoots portraits with much brighter tones and heavier contrast.
The 10x optical zoom is just as wild. Usually, pushing a phone past 5x zoom gives you a muddy mess unless the lighting is perfect. The X9 Ultra completely surprised me here. The 10x shots are genuinely sharp and usable every day for street photography or distant architecture. Plus, the sensor is large enough that images do not fall apart into noise when you step indoors.
Video is just as solid. Switching lenses while recording is perfectly smooth, and you can shoot 4K Dolby Vision across every single lens. If you want total control, the Master Mode lets you tweak ISO, white balance, and RAW settings manually. Oppo did not build a scientifically perfect camera phone here. They built one that takes beautiful, moody photos, and honestly, that is way better.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Software &amp; AI</h2>
Oppo is shipping the Find X9 Ultra with ColorOS 16 built on top of Android 16, and honestly, this is easily the most refined software experience they have ever delivered. The system animations feel incredibly fluid, and jumping between active apps is completely seamless. To be frank, compared to the Vivo X300 Ultra and its highly convoluted OriginOS 6 setup, ColorOS 16 is much cleaner and way easier to live with on a daily basis.
Now, Oppo definitely copied a few homework assignments here. Their new Live Space notification layout is clearly inspired by Apple's Dynamic Island. There is also a massive focus on translucent menus, chasing that trendy liquid glass aesthetic everyone loves right now. Still, I do appreciate that it stays out of your face.
The embedded AI features also remain blessedly quiet until you ask for them. The audio recorder transcribes conversations and labels different speakers in real time, Mind Space automatically files away your screenshots, and you get quick text summarisation throughout the system. It is mostly invisible utility, which is exactly how software should be.
They also fixed the camera interface, using swipe gestures to hide advanced settings so your viewfinder stays clean. On the lockscreen, notifications now collapse into tiny, tidy capsules, and full-screen album art looks brilliant.
As for updates, Oppo is promising five major Android platform updates and six years of security patches. It is not class-leading anymore, but it is more than enough coverage for most people.
<h2>Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: Verdict</h2>
The Oppo Find X9 Ultra feels like the absolute peak of the giant Ultra phone trend. Oppo clearly had no interest in creating a subtle or minimalist flagship. Instead, they went completely over the top, packing in a massive battery, a giant camera module, dual periscope lenses, and incredibly fast charging. They wanted a no-compromise camera phone, and honestly, they pulled it off.
What stands out most is how balanced the actual phone feels despite all that heavy hardware. The cameras are obviously the headline story, but the rest of the device holds its own. The battery life is top-tier, the display looks beautiful, thermals stay completely under control, and ColorOS is finally clean enough that it does not ruin the experience.
Oppo's distinctive image processing will not please everyone since it favours a contrast-heavy, moody look over the flatter profiles from Google or Vivo. But after shooting hundreds of pictures, the conclusion is obvious: these photos just look incredibly exciting.
The phone isn't perfect. The massive camera bump gets in the way of your fingers and the update schedule lags slightly behind Samsung. But none of those complaints matters when you look at the bigger picture. The Find X9 Ultra manages to make using a flagship smartphone feel genuinely fun again, and that is a massive achievement.

The Realme 16T 5G delivers insane 3-day battery life, IP69K durability, solid cameras, and reliable performance, but compromises on display sharpness.

Realme 16T 5G Review: 8,000mAh Battery Beast With IP69K Durability & 3-Day Backup

With an 8,000mAh battery, IP69K durability, and solid cameras, the Realme 16T 5G is built for endurance-first users.

The Realme 16T 5G delivers exceptional 3-day battery life, rugged IP69K durability, and solid cameras, though its HD+ display and gaming limits hold it back.

Realme is leaning hard into massive power cells to fix our daily battery anxiety, but this latest release is more than just a big stat meant to win a specs argument. The Realme 16T 5G forms its whole identity around a giant 8,000mAh battery capacity.
After using it heavily for a week as my main device, I can tell you the endurance is incredible. However, once you get past that monster power cell, you find a really interesting mix of features that might catch you off guard.
With the current smartphone market serving up some truly chaotic pricing structures, does this marathon runner do enough to prove it belongs in your pocket? Here&rsquo;s my take on the Realme 16T 5G.
<h2>Unboxing &amp; Design</h2>
Realme bucks the trend of the "accessory-free" trend by actually putting useful things in the box. Instead of using the environment as an excuse to skimp, they include all the essentials. You get a clear protective case, a SIM tool, a Type-A to Type-C cable, and a 45W charging brick.
On paper, an 8000mAh battery sounds like a recipe for a massive brick. You expect a heavy power bank that happens to run Android, but the physical design tells a completely different story. It measures just 8.88mm thick. Yes, you will notice the 224-gram weight in your hand, and nobody would call this device light. However, for a power cell this massive, the ergonomics are spectacular. The flat frame and excellent balance mean it never feels clumsy during single-handed use. It just feels solid.
The Starlight Black version has a classy matte texture that looks far more expensive than its actual retail price. It handles light gracefully, shifting shades without looking loud. If black feels too boring, you can grab the Starlight Red or Aurora Green options instead.
Up top, the aluminum alloy camera module adds great scratch defense and a high-end feel. The major annoyance here is how quickly the rear panel picks up oily smudges. It is a total fingerprint magnet, so keeping that bundled case on is highly recommended.
The physical buttons crowd the right side, giving you the volume controls and a fast power-button fingerprint scanner. The left side is completely bare, leaving the bottom to house the Type-C port, mic, SIM tray, and a lone mono speaker.
The real triumph is how tough this chassis is. Realme went all out, landing IP66, IP68, IP69, and industrial-grade IP69K certifications for water and dust resistance. Paired with MIL-STD-810H military drop testing, this thing is a literal tank that handles rough drops and deep spills without breaking.
<h2>Display</h2>
Realme went big with a 6.8-inch display on the 16T 5G. While the sheer size is great for streaming videos, you are immediately greeted by thick bezels and a pretty chunky bottom chin. It is a visual dead giveaway that you are holding a budget phone.
The real surprise comes when you step outdoors. Realme advertises a peak brightness of 1200 nits, and it actually holds up under harsh sunlight. You will not find yourself squinting at text messages or struggling with Google Maps on a bright day. They also threw in DC dimming, which is a nice touch for saving your eyes from fatigue during late-night scrolling.
The catch is the resolution. Stretching a basic HD+ resolution over a massive 6.8-inch panel is a big compromise. At a meager 254 PPI, everything lacks sharpness. Text has a slight fuzz to it, app icons look soft around the edges, and high-res images lose their crisp detail. Honestly, even for a budget device, a Full HD+ panel should have been the standard here.
Then there is the refresh rate. The box boasts a 144Hz refresh rate, but the reality is honestly hilarious. That ultra-smooth 144Hz is entirely restricted to just three basic system tools: the Calculator, the Voice Recorder, and the Compass. For everything that actually matters, like your Twitter feed, web browsers, and the home screen, the phone drops right back down to basic speeds.
If you can laugh off that weird software restriction, the screen is perfectly fine for basic entertainment. YouTube and Netflix stream without issues, though you can forget about HDR support. Just remember to plug in some earbuds or use wireless headphones, because that built-in mono speaker will not do your movies any favors.
<h2>Camera</h2>
Realme went with a 50MP Sony IMX852 main camera and a 2MP depth sensor on the back.
Daylight performance is an easy win. The main sensor captures plenty of detail, keeps skin tones looking realistic, and handles tricky lighting with a balanced dynamic range. It easily competes with anything else in this price bracket.
Portrait mode is where things get interesting. Most budget phones turn faces into smooth plastic dolls. Realme actually avoids that wax-work look, keeping natural skin textures visible while using its software to balance highlights and shadows. The edge detection isn't flawless, though. It still misses a few spots around the hair.
At night, the camera is fine for quick social media posts, but the images lose sharpness quickly. The software also tends to overcompensate by aggressively boosting colors in low light, which makes night shots look a bit fake.
The best part of the design is a weird little physical feature. There is a tiny selfie mirror built right into the camera housing, just like we saw on the standard <a title="Realme 16 5G Review: Endurance Meets Everyday Use" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-16-5g-review-endurance-meets-everyday-use-1775124066780" target="_blank">Realme 16</a>. It sounds like a total gimmick, but it works perfectly as an analog viewfinder. It means you can easily frame up a shot and use the high-quality 50MP rear camera instead of shooting blindly. You can even trigger the shutter just by waving your hand at the glass.
That mirror is crucial because the actual 16MP front camera is just average. It is fine for basic video calls, but it cannot match the depth, color, or detail of the main rear sensor.
For video, both sides max out at 1080p at 30fps. It is nothing to write home about, but it works for casual clips. The rear video stabilization is decent. You will see some minor jitters here and there, but the footage is clean enough for daily social media use.
<h2>Performance</h2>
Let&rsquo;s be real about what this phone can actually do. If you want a serious gaming machine, look elsewhere. The Realme 16T 5G runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 chip. It is a processor built strictly to save battery and keep things cool, not to break speed records.
For the benchmark crowd, it pulls around 6.1 lakhs on AnTuTu. Over on Geekbench 6, it scores 733 in single-core and 1,813 in multi-core testing.
In the real world, daily performance is perfectly fine. Swiping through Realme UI 7.0 feels snappy, apps load up fast, and jumping between standard daily apps happens without any annoying lag.
You only find the limits when you push the hardware with heavy gaming. Titles like BGMI, Free Fire, or Call of Duty start out strong at 60 FPS. Testing showed that the first hour stays completely smooth. Keep playing past that point, though, and you will definitely notice frame drops starting to creep in.
On the plus side, heat management is excellent. The massive internal vapor chamber does a great job moving warmth away, so the back panel never gets uncomfortably hot in your hands.
<h2>Software, UI/UX &amp; AI Features</h2>
The Realme 16T 5G runs Realme UI 7.0 right from the start. The software looks clean and polished, highlighting new visual tweaks like Ice Cube Icons and a blurred Misty Glass Control Centre. Animations glide along nicely, scrolling remains stable, and the entire interface feels much tighter than older iterations.
Of course, being a budget device means dealing with pre-installed bloatware. You will need to dedicate about ten minutes to uninstalling the unwanted apps if you want a clean setup.
When it comes to longevity, Realme takes care of you by promising 3 years of Android operating system upgrades alongside 4 years of security patches for this phone.
The phone is also packed with some handy productivity features, including AI Popout, AI Instant Clip, and AI StyleMe. It is impressive to see brands in 2026 trickling down these premium artificial intelligence capabilities to phones that do not cost a fortune.
<h2>Battery &amp; Charging</h2>
This section is where the Realme 16T 5G makes its biggest statement. The entire device centers around a massive 8,000mAh Titan Battery. Realme is clearly obsessed with extreme endurance right now, pushing giant capacities into the market just like they did with the 10,001mAh cell on the <a title="Realme P4 Power 5G Review:29 Hours later, it still wouldn&rsquo;t die" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/realme-p4-power-5g-review-29-hours-later-it-still-wouldn-t-die-1769672775457" target="_blank">Realme P4 Power</a>.
After a week of throwing everything at this phone &mdash; hours of YouTube streaming, heavy GPS mapping, camera sessions, and gaming &mdash; I completely stopped worrying about the battery percentage. The marketing calls this a three-day phone, and honestly, that is accurate. Average users can easily coast through three full days on a single charge without rationing their usage.
The phone refuses to give up even when you hit the final 5%. Turning on the Ultra Saving Mode cuts background tasks to the absolute bone to keep the phone alive on standby. Realme claims that final sliver of power can stretch up to 45 hours on standby with the screen off, which is wild.
Realme is also promising a 7-year battery health guarantee, claiming the cell will retain over 80% of its original capacity across seven years. Because the battery is so large, you simply plug it in less often. Fewer charging cycles mean the chemical aging process slows down dramatically.
When you do need to top up, the bundled 45W charging brick holds its own. A quick five-minute plug in the morning gives you a 7% boost, which buys you a few hours of standby. It takes about 48 minutes to hit 50%, and a full zero-to-hundred charge wraps up in a little over an hour and fifteen minutes. Honestly, for a battery of this scale, that is a great result.
You also get an All-Scenario Bypass Charging feature in the software to keep the phone cool by sending power straight to the motherboard. Plus, the wired reverse charging support means you can use a Type-C cable to turn the phone into a functional power bank for your wireless earbuds or a friend's dying device.
<h2>Price and availability</h2>
The Realme 16T has been launched at ₹29,999 for the 6 + 128 GB variant. But, you can also get this at ₹26,999 with some launch offers.&nbsp;
<h2>Final Verdict: Should You Buy It?</h2>
The Realme 16T 5G hits its main target perfectly. If you are constantly stressing over low battery or need a tough device that can handle the elements, it really has no direct competition.
Just keep in mind that it will not satisfy power users or anyone who demands a premium, razor-sharp screen.
For a budget phone, you are getting insane three-day battery life, serious IP69K water resistance, and great daytime portraits thanks to that clever rear mirror. The price is a little high for the overall specs, but it remains a solid value.
If you can live with the basic display and software limits, it is a very easy choice. It makes total sense for students on a budget or older relatives who just want a reliable phone that never dies.

The Oppo Find X9s brings strong cameras, smooth performance, ColorOS 16, and a huge battery. But is it worth ₹79,999? We find out.

Oppo Find X9s Review: The Balanced Flagship?

The Oppo Find X9s focuses on balance, bringing a strong set of cameras, polished software, premium design, and an excellent battery life.

The flagship smartphone race has become incredibly intense, particularly on the Android side of things. Brands are no longer just competing on raw performance or camera specs. The goal now is to create a phone that feels premium in every possible way, whether that&rsquo;s design, battery life, software smoothness, or long-term usability. With the Find X9s, Oppo seems less interested in showing off and more focused on refining the overall experience.
What impressed me most during my time with the phone was not one headline-grabbing feature, but the way everything comes together so naturally. The hardware feels elegant, the display is sharp and immersive, the Hasselblad-backed cameras are reliable across different situations, and ColorOS 16 feels mature and polished throughout daily use.
While some rivals may offer bigger numbers or more aggressive specifications, the Find X9s succeeds by feeling consistently refined. It delivers the kind of balanced flagship experience that simply works without demanding attention all the time.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Pricing: How much does it cost?</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s has arrived in India with a starting price of Rs 79,999 for the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant. Buyers looking for more storage can opt for the 512GB version, which has been priced at Rs 89,999. With this pricing, Oppo is clearly positioning the Find X9s in the premium flagship segment, where it goes up against devices from Samsung, Vivo, and OnePlus.
Oppo has also confirmed that the Find X9s series will officially go on sale starting May 30. The smartphone is expected to be available through major online platforms as well as authorised retail stores across the country.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Design: A flagship design that feels polished</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s instantly feels like a proper premium flagship the moment you pick it up. Oppo has gone with a flat-frame, flat-panel design this year, but thankfully, the edges are gently rounded, so the phone never digs into your hand during longer use. It feels sleek, modern, and surprisingly comfortable despite being a large flagship device.
The matte glass back has a soft, smooth texture that feels refined in hand, while the aluminium frame gives the phone a sturdy and premium finish. At 7.99mm thick and weighing 202 grams, the Find X9s manages to strike a nice balance between solid build quality and everyday comfort. It never felt too heavy or awkward during my usage.
One feature I genuinely ended up liking was the new Snap Key. Oppo allows you to customise it for different shortcuts like opening the camera, turning on the flashlight, taking screenshots, or accessing Plus Mind tools. I mostly used it for productivity shortcuts, and over time, it became something I relied on more than expected.
I&rsquo;m also a fan of Oppo&rsquo;s squircle-style camera module. It looks cleaner and more elegant compared to the oversized circular modules we&rsquo;ve been seeing lately, while still giving the phone a strong flagship identity.
On the durability front, Oppo has packed in IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, along with SGS five-star drop protection, making the Find X9s feel properly built for long-term use.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Display: A panel built for content lovers</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s features a 6.59-inch 120Hz display, and I genuinely enjoyed using this panel throughout my time with the phone. The 1.5K resolution keeps everything looking crisp and detailed, whether you&rsquo;re endlessly scrolling through Instagram, reading articles, gaming, or binge-watching videos late into the night.
Even though Oppo uses an LTPS panel instead of LTPO here, the overall experience still feels smooth and premium in daily use. Animations are fluid, touch response feels snappy, and I never found myself missing LTPO during regular usage. Brightness is another major highlight. The panel reaches up to 1800 nits in High Brightness Mode, while local peak brightness goes all the way up to 3600 nits. Outdoor visibility under Delhi&rsquo;s unforgiving afternoon sun never became an issue.
What stood out to me most was the colour tuning. The display supports 10-bit colours and Dolby Vision, including Dolby Vision playback on Netflix, which makes movies and HDR videos look rich, vibrant, and immersive without going overboard on saturation. Whether it was YouTube, Netflix, or casual gaming, the Find X9s delivered a genuinely enjoyable multimedia experience.
The ultrasonic fingerprint scanner embedded under the display also works brilliantly. It&rsquo;s quick, reliable, and unlocks the phone almost instantly.
Oppo&rsquo;s stereo speakers are equally solid. Audio gets loud enough, vocals sound clean, and there&rsquo;s enough depth to make gaming, videos, and music enjoyable, even if the bass could still use a little more punch.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Cameras: One of Oppo&rsquo;s best camera systems yet</h2>
The cameras are easily the biggest highlight of the Oppo Find X9s, and after using the phone extensively, I can confidently say Oppo has built a seriously impressive camera setup here. The Find X9s packs a triple 50MP system featuring a main camera, telephoto lens, and ultrawide shooter, all backed by Hasselblad tuning. And honestly, the difference is immediately noticeable.
In daylight, the phone captures excellent photos with plenty of detail, strong dynamic range, and colours that look rich without becoming overly saturated. I really liked how balanced Oppo&rsquo;s image processing feels this time. The photos look polished and social-media ready, but still natural enough to avoid that fake HDR-heavy look some flagships struggle with.
The telephoto camera is another standout. Sharpness remains consistently impressive even at higher zoom levels, while colour consistency between lenses is handled brilliantly. Oppo also avoids aggressive over-processing, which helps preserve texture and detail in zoom shots.
The ultrawide camera performs surprisingly well too. Details remain sharp, colours stay balanced, and the overall image quality holds up nicely even in tricky lighting conditions. In low light, the Find X9s continues to impress with controlled highlights, good sharpness, and clean-looking images without excessive noise reduction.
Portraits are another strong area for the phone. Edge detection is clean, skin tones look natural, and the background blur has a smooth, polished flagship-like quality to it.
For videos, the Find X9s supports up to 4K 60fps recording with Dolby Vision support. Stabilisation is excellent, colours look cinematic, and footage overall feels refined and consistent. I still would have liked to see 8K recording at this price point, though.
Even the 32MP selfie camera does a solid job, producing balanced selfies with natural skin tones and accurate exposure.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Performance: Smooth, reliable, and built for gaming</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s is powered by the Dimensity 9500s chipset, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM and up to 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. While there are a few phones in this segment that post slightly higher benchmark scores, I never once felt the Find X9s was lacking in real-world performance.
Day-to-day usage feels properly flagship-grade. Apps open quickly, multitasking remains smooth, and the overall experience stays consistently fluid even during heavier workloads. Whether I was editing photos, jumping between multiple apps, or handling demanding tasks, the phone remained fast and responsive throughout.
Gaming performance also ended up being better than I expected. Most games comfortably run around the 90FPS mark, but enabling AI frame interpolation pushes supported titles up to 120FPS, which noticeably improves smoothness during gameplay. More importantly, thermal management is genuinely solid here. Even during extended gaming sessions, the Find X9s only became slightly warm and never reached the point of feeling uncomfortable or heavily throttled.
Sure, benchmark-focused users may notice some competitors scoring higher in apps like Antutu, Geekbench, or 3DMark, but honestly, the real-world experience still feels extremely polished and flagship-like.
Connectivity is also very future-ready. Oppo includes support for WiFi 7, NFC, eSIM functionality, and Bluetooth 6.1, which is newer than what many rivals currently offer. The only thing that feels a little outdated is the USB 2.0 Type-C port, especially considering the premium pricing of the phone.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Review: ColorOS 16 finally feels truly refined</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s runs on ColorOS 16, and honestly, this feels like one of Oppo&rsquo;s cleanest and most polished software experiences yet. The UI feels fluid, animations are consistently smooth, and the entire system has a lively responsiveness that makes daily usage genuinely enjoyable.
Oppo also gives you plenty of room for customisation. From lock screen styles and icon packs to animations and interface tweaks, there&rsquo;s a lot you can personalise without the software ever feeling messy or overloaded.
The biggest highlight, though, is the AI integration. Features like AI Mind Pilot actually feel useful instead of existing purely for marketing buzzwords. What makes it interesting is how intelligently the system routes tasks between different AI models depending on what you&rsquo;re trying to do. During my usage, it felt quick, smart, and surprisingly practical.
The Luminous Rendering Engine also deserves mention because it keeps the overall UI experience feeling consistently smooth and polished. Combined with the deeper Hasselblad integration inside the camera app, the entire software experience feels cohesive and properly flagship-grade.
For long-term support, Oppo is promising 5 years of Android updates alongside 6 years of security patches, which definitely adds strong long-term value to the Find X9s.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Battery: Excellent battery life for power users</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s packs a huge 7,025mAh battery, and the battery life genuinely impressed me during daily use. Even with fairly heavy usage involving gaming, camera sessions, social media, streaming, and navigation, the phone comfortably lasted through an entire day without giving me battery anxiety. Oppo has managed to strike a really nice balance between endurance and overall usability here.
Charging speeds are solid as well. The phone supports 80W SuperVOOC fast charging, which takes it from 0 to 100 percent in roughly 55 to 60 minutes. It may not be the absolute fastest charging solution in this segment, but it still feels quick enough for most users. Oppo also includes reverse wired charging support for accessories, which is always a handy addition.
<h2>Oppo Find X9s Verdict: Worth the money?</h2>
The Oppo Find X9s feels like Oppo is finally perfecting its entry level flagship formula. Instead of relying on one flashy gimmick or headline-grabbing feature, the phone focuses on delivering a balanced experience across almost every area, with cameras clearly taking centre stage.
After spending time with the device, I genuinely enjoyed using it as a daily driver. The design feels premium yet comfortable, the display is vibrant and immersive, and the camera system is easily one of the strongest parts of the entire experience. Hasselblad&rsquo;s tuning gives photos a more natural and refined look, while both the telephoto and ultrawide cameras remain consistently reliable across different lighting conditions. Video quality is excellent too, although 8K recording support would have made the package feel even more complete at this price.
Performance may not dominate every benchmark chart, but in actual usage, the Find X9s feels extremely fast, fluid, and dependable. Gaming performance is solid, thermal management is impressive, and ColorOS 16 ended up being one of the biggest surprises for me. Features like AI Mind Pilot actually feel practical instead of existing purely as AI marketing filler.
Battery life is another massive strength. The large 7,025mAh battery comfortably powers through a full day of heavy usage without any stress.
Overall, the Oppo Find X9s feels like a polished, camera-focused flagship for people who want a premium experience without dealing with major compromises.

Editorji is a popular short video news and information platform based in India. It was founded in 2018 by Vikram Chandra, one of India’s leading journalists, and has risen to prominence in the digital news space in a relatively short span of time. The platform is primarily designed for mobile devices, with applications available for Android and iOS.

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'Nothing' has launched its first true wireless earbuds in India - the Nothing Ear 1, and they offer premium features at an accessible price point. Nothing Ear 1 features active noise cancellation, wireless charging and a transparent design. Other Nothing earbuds specs include IPX4 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.2, and up to 34 hours of combined battery life. Nothing Ear 1 price in India is Rs. 5,999. To know about Nothing Ear 1 sound performance, and more - watch our Nothing Ear 1 review on editorji.
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'Nothing' has launched its first true wireless earbuds in India - the Nothing Ear 1, and they offer premium features at an accessible price point. Nothing Ear 1 features active noise cancellation, wireless charging and a transparent design. Other Nothing earbuds specs include IPX4 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.2, and up to 34 hours of combined battery life. Nothing Ear 1 price in India is Rs. 5,999. To know about Nothing Ear 1 sound performance, and more - watch our Nothing Ear 1 review on editorji.

Nothing Ear 1 TWS Earbuds Review

'Nothing' has launched its first true wireless earbuds in India - the Nothing Ear 1, and they offer premium features at an accessible price point. Nothing Ear 1 features active noise cancellation, wireless charging and a transparent design. Other Nothing earbuds specs include IPX4 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.2, and up to 34 hours of combined battery life. Nothing Ear 1 price in India is Rs. 5,999. To know about Nothing Ear 1 sound performance, and more - watch our Nothing Ear 1 review on editorji.
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'Nothing' has launched its first true wireless earbuds in India - the Nothing Ear 1. Nothing Ear 1 price in India is Rs. 5,999. To know about Nothing Ear 1 sound performance, and more - watch our Nothing Ear 1 review on editorji.
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'Nothing' has launched its first true wireless earbuds in India - the Nothing Ear 1, and they offer premium features at an accessible price point. Nothing Ear 1 features active noise cancellation, wireless charging and a transparent design. Other Nothing earbuds specs include IPX4 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.2, and up to 34 hours of combined battery life. Nothing Ear 1 price in India is Rs. 5,999. To know about Nothing Ear 1 sound performance, and more - watch our Nothing Ear 1 review on editorji.
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The Oppo Enco Air5 packs 52dB ANC, excellent sound quality, Bluetooth 6.1, dual-device pairing and up to 54 hours of battery life. Here's our detailed review after a week of testing.

Oppo Enco Air5 Review: Best Budget TWS Under ₹3,500 With 52dB ANC & 54-Hour Battery?

With impressive ANC, balanced audio, outstanding battery life and premium comfort, the Oppo Enco Air5 punches well above its ₹3,099 price tag. Here's our full review.

The Oppo Enco Air5 delivers excellent sound, class-leading 52dB ANC, 54-hour battery life and reliable comfort, making it one of the best value-for-money wireless earbuds under ₹3,500.

Hunting for a decent pair of affordable wireless earbuds can feel like a total nightmare right now, especially if you have never bought them before. The market is absolutely packed with random brands making massive promises on paper, only to completely fall flat the second you put them in your ears. Oppo usually plays a very different game, preferring to double down on useful, real-world features rather than cheap, gimmicky specifications.
The brand-new Oppo Enco Air5 lands in this crowded space at a launch price of ₹3,099. Instead of chasing flashy tricks, the company is focusing entirely on things you will actually notice during a long workday, like a massive battery life, smart noise control, and a shape that will not hurt your ears. I spent the last seven days putting these buds through a packed, chaotic routine to see if they can truly cut it as a dependable pair of daily drivers.
<h2>Oppo Enco Air5 Review: Design &amp; Comfort</h2>
Pop the Oppo Enco Air5 out of its box, and you can tell right away that the design team wanted to steer clear of the usual boring, generic budget earbud templates. I spent my time testing the Lavender Purple option, and the choice of colour is a massive win. It uses a muted, pastel-like hue that feels clean and contemporary without looking like a loud, plastic toy.&nbsp;
Oppo went with a smooth matte texture across the entire exterior this time around. This choice works beautifully to keep oily fingerprint smudges completely out of sight. Down on the bottom edge, the standard Type-C port sits right alongside a tiny, flush physical pairing button.
Oppo styled this case to match the visual language of the new <a title="Oppo Reno 16 Review: Oppo's Most Complete Reno Yet" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oppo-reno-16-review-oppo-s-most-complete-reno-yet-1782978859580" target="_blank">Reno16</a> smartphone lineup. It features a pebble-shaped design, and the case measures just a bit over 62mm wide, making it incredibly pocket-friendly. It slides right into a tight pocket without creating a weird bulge. Closing the hinge of the top lid is also incredibly smooth and satisfying.
The actual earpieces rely on a tiny, ultra-compact cavity shape. They weigh a mere 4.3 grams per side, and the contouring sits naturally in your ear canal. During my long testing sessions where I kept them in for four to five hours straight, I did not experience any annoying ache in my ears. They also stayed firmly locked in place whether I was pacing around outdoor streets or working at my desk. The fit instantly reminded me of the <a title="OnePlus Nord Buds 4 Review: Affordable Earbuds Done Right " href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oneplus-nord-buds-4-review-affordable-earbuds-done-right-1782375847906" target="_blank">OnePlus Nord Buds 4</a> I reviewed a while back; the overall ergonomics feel almost identical.
You get a solid IP55 dust and sweat resistance rating on the buds themselves to handle sudden rain or tough workouts. Just keep in mind that the case does not share this protection, so remember to wipe the stems dry before docking them.
<h2>Oppo Enco Air5 Review: Audio Quality</h2>
A lot of budget audio brands simply flood the soundstage with bloated, muddy bass to mask cheap hardware. The Enco Air5 sidesteps this issue by using a substantial 12mm dynamic driver. Oppo claims this setup delivers double the amplitude of the previous Enco Air4, and the real-world performance bears that out.
When throwing vocal-heavy tracks like Gehra Hua by Arijit Singh, I Think They Call This Love by Matthew Ifield, or Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez at these buds, the clarity is impressive. Mid-range vocals are pushed forward, staying cleanly separated from the low-end frequencies. The upper-mids are equally polite, avoiding any harsh, hollow peaks even at higher volumes.&nbsp;
Instrument separation is another area where these buds punch above their price tag. On dense tracks with layered acoustic strings and traditional percussion, the left-to-right stereo panning stays distinct rather than collapsing into a single, blurry mess, though a little congestion can creep in during chaotic musical climaxes.
The low-end is deep and punchy, yet it stays remarkably disciplined. Listening to GreenLight by Pitbull, Satan by Yo Yo Honey Singh, or All Black by Raftaar reveals a solid sub-bass rumble that anchors hip-hop and electronic tracks without drowning out midrange details. Still, it is not flawless. True bassheads might find the low-end a bit too flat, as it lacks that extreme sub-bass kick some genres demand. It is a signature better suited for acoustic and vocal-driven tracks than pure EDM, though that is a matter of personal taste.
On the tech side, the buds stick to standard AAC and SBC codecs. The companion app features a Sound Master EQ with three profiles: Ultimate Sound, Pure Vocals, and Thundering Bass. For deeper customization, you get a 10-band Pro Equalizer to tweak specific frequencies and share custom profiles.&nbsp;
Finally, Oppo Alive Audio adds a spatial algorithm that successfully broadens the horizontal and vertical soundstage, offering a nice surround simulation for movies without needing expensive head-tracking tech.
<h2>Oppo Enco Air5 Review: ANC and Call Quality</h2>
Oppo has made a massive leap with the active noise cancellation on the Enco Air5, especially given its price point. Each earbud features a clever triple-microphone setup. Two of these external mics are tasked solely with picking up environmental sounds, allowing the system to achieve a flagship-level 52dB of maximum noise reduction. Compared to the older <a title="Oppo Enco Buds3 Pro+ Review: ANC That Actually Works Under ₹2,500" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oppo-enco-buds3-pro-review-anc-that-actually-works-under-2-500-1766497263765" target="_blank">Enco</a> Air4, which maxed out at 32dB, this is a substantial upgrade.
In daily use, the difference is night and day. Inside a typical office space, the ANC works like a charm, blocking out more than 80% of the ambient hum to create a remarkably peaceful backdrop. It even held its own when put to the test in bustling markets and during peak rush hour on the Delhi Metro, offering a level of quiet that is genuinely stellar. For controls, you can manually cycle through High, Moderate, and Low modes, or switch on Smart Mode to let the software automatically adapt as you move from a quiet workspace to a hectic street intersection.
Voice calls, however, are where the hardware hits its limits. To be fair, if you are sitting in a quiet room or a low-chaos environment, the performance is perfectly fine. Conversations are clear on both ends, and the person on the other line will notice that background noise is pushed right down, keeping your voice front, centre, and natural. But things take a turn in chaotic environments. The moment you step into heavy noise, the mics struggle to isolate your voice, making for a somewhat unpleasant experience for the person on the other end of the line.
<h2>Oppo Enco Air5 Review: Connectivity and Controls</h2>
Oppo packed the Enco Air5 with modern Bluetooth 6.1, which brings along a massive quality-of-life feature: Dual Device Connection. This lets the buds stay tied to two different machines simultaneously, switching tracks between Android, iOS, and Windows without breaking a sweat. In my daily routine, I could easily stream a video on my laptop and jump straight into an incoming call on my main phone. There was no need to fiddle with menus, and the audio never dropped out.
If you do not use an Oppo phone, the HeyMelody app is an absolute must. It serves as your control center, housing all the sound profiles and feature toggles in one spot.
The touch pads on the stems are snappy and pick up gestures easily. Single taps are disabled initially to avoid accidental brushes, but you can turn them on later. As it stands, a double-tap skips forward a track, a triple-tap plays the previous song or triggers specialized tools, and a long press switches between Transparency and Active Noise Cancellation. You can map these gestures however you like.
You also get a handy shortcut called "Tap to Launch" that pulls up your voice assistant on the fly. Interestingly, the stems can even act as a wireless clicker to snap photos with your phone camera. If you travel a lot, the built-in AI Translate option is a fascinating tool, even if it still feels a bit primitive. It sets up a two-way chat where you speak into the buds and the other person talks into your phone. It is a highly practical ecosystem that makes daily use much easier.
<h2>Oppo Enco Air5 Review: Battery</h2>
The endurance on the Oppo Enco Air5 is easily a major selling point, standing out in a crowded market of small wireless earbuds. Oppo stuffed a 62mAh battery inside each lightweight earbud, alongside a healthy 530mAh reservoir inside the companion charging cradle.
If you look at the official numbers, running these with active noise cancellation turned off at half volume on the AAC codec should net you a massive 13 hours of continuous playback from a single session. When you combine that with the backup juice waiting in the case, the total up-time hits a whopping 54 hours.
Turning ANC on drops those estimates, but things stay incredibly practical. You can expect about 6.5 hours of standalone use out of the earbuds, stretching to a total of 27 hours before you need to hunt down a wall outlet. During my hands-on testing, my real-world mileage lined up remarkably well with those metrics.
Oppo also secured an official TUV Rheinland Battery Health Certification for this pair. This rating guarantees the cells will hold onto more than 80% of their original capacity even after surviving 1,000 full charge cycles. It is a reassuring touch, meaning the hardware is built to last for years of heavy daily use rather than degrading significantly after your first year of ownership.
To top it off, refuel times are quite fast. Getting the earpieces from empty to full takes just 55 minutes, while plugging in the whole package gets everything completely topped up in roughly 90 minutes.
<h2>Final Verdict: Should you buy it?</h2>
Priced at ₹3,099, the Oppo Enco Air5 makes a serious case for buyers who are tired of weak build quality and dead batteries. Oppo really nailed the fundamentals, offering an incredible 54-hour total runtime alongside a certified battery lifecycle built to last way longer than typical budget options.
If your daily rotation is packed with bass-heavy festival EDM, the flatter low-end might feel a bit tame. However, for acoustic playlists, casual podcast listening, or daily commuting, the mix of forward vocals and genuine 52dB noise reduction is an absolute bargain.
The microphones do struggle to stay clear during a loud metro commute, but the seamless dual-device pairing and real-time translation features are highly practical bonuses. For anyone seeking pure dependability and excellent silence without spending a fortune, picking these up is a remarkably easy decision.

Samsung Galaxy A27 review: Samsung delivers reliable cameras, a gorgeous AMOLED display, polished One UI 8.5 and long-term software support.

Samsung Galaxy A27 Review: Reliable Mid-Range Choice

<h3>The Galaxy A27 skips the specifications race and instead focuses on refined software, dependable cameras, a vibrant AMOLED display and six years of software support, making it a compelling everyday smartphone despite a few compromises.</h3>

The mid-range smartphone market has never been more competitive. Whether your budget is around ₹25,000 or stretches closer to ₹30,000, you'll find plenty of options promising better cameras, larger batteries, faster charging and more powerful processors. Standing out has become increasingly difficult, especially as rising component costs and memory prices have made meaningful upgrades harder to deliver without increasing prices.
After spending time with the Galaxy A27, it became clear to me that Samsung isn't trying to win the specifications race. Instead, it has focused on the areas where the Galaxy A series has traditionally excelled. You get a refreshed design, a 120Hz Super AMOLED display, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset and One UI 8.5 based on Android 16.
On paper, several rivals offer more impressive hardware. But Samsung is betting on its polished software experience, reliable cameras and unmatched long-term software support instead. So, after using the Galaxy A27 as my daily driver, is that enough to justify its asking price? Let's find out.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27 Design: Familiar Style, With Some Thoughtful Refinements</h2>
Samsung hasn't dramatically changed its design language over the past few years, and the Galaxy A27 continues that trend. It looks and feels very similar to last year's Galaxy A26. That's not necessarily a bad thing, because the previous design was already comfortable to use, but if you were expecting a major visual refresh, you won't find one here.
The Galaxy A27 uses Gorilla Glass Victus+ for both the front, and back glass, along with a plastic frame. In the hand, it feels reassuringly solid and more premium than many mid-range phones with plastic rear panels.&nbsp;
At 7.8mm thick and weighing 200g, it isn't the lightest device around, but I never found it uncomfortable to hold during extended use. The flat frame offers a secure grip, while the slightly raised section on the right houses tactile power and volume buttons that are easy to locate without looking.
The side-mounted fingerprint scanner is quick and accurate most of the time, although at this price, I was expecting an in-display scanner. Every now and then, I noticed a slight delay when waking the phone, along with a somewhat sluggish unlock animation.
Around the back, Samsung has retained the familiar pill-shaped camera module, although it now gets a colour-matched border that blends more neatly into the rear panel. It's a subtle tweak, but I think it gives the phone a cleaner, more polished look.&nbsp;
Not everything is an improvement, though. The IP64 rating is actually a downgrade from the Galaxy A26, which feels like an odd decision.&nbsp;
My biggest complaint, however, is the haptics. The standard vibration motor lacks the crisp feedback I've come to expect at this price point.
Getting back to the positives, you get a hybrid SIM slot, so you can add a microSDXC card, &nbsp;making the overall experience feel a whole lot more positive than what others in this price range have started offering this year.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27 Display &amp; Audio: Excellent Visuals, Ordinary Sound </h2>
The Galaxy A27 features a 6.7-inch Full HD+ Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, support for around 16 million colours, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ protection. On paper, it offers the sort of specification sheet you'd expect from a competitive mid-range smartphone, combining a high-resolution panel with smooth scrolling and a durable layer of protection.
After using it for a while, I came away fairly impressed with the screen itself. Samsung continues to deliver some of the best AMOLED panels in this segment, and that shows here. Colours look rich without appearing overdone, blacks are suitably inky, and contrast remains excellent whether you're watching videos, browsing social media or simply reading articles. The move to a modern punch-hole cut-out also makes the front look cleaner than older Galaxy A-series devices.
That said, the bezels are thicker and less symmetrical than I'd have liked, especially that bottom chin. The A27&rsquo;s competition, from practically every other major manufacturer at this pricepoint, comes with slimmer bezels. Another surprising omission is the lack of an Always-On Display, which feels unusual on an AMOLED phone.
Audio, meanwhile, is handled by a single bottom-firing speaker. It gets loud enough for casual use, but the sound profile is heavily biased towards vocals and higher frequencies, leaving music and movies without much bass or depth.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27 Cameras: Reliable and Consistent</h2>
The Galaxy A27 features a triple-camera setup comprising a 50MP primary sensor with OIS, a 5MP ultrawide camera and a 2MP macro lens, while selfies are handled by a 12MP front-facing camera. On paper, it isn't the most exciting camera system in this segment, but after using it extensively, I found Samsung's focus on consistency more valuable than headline-grabbing specifications.
The 50MP primary camera is easily the star of the show. In daylight, it captures detailed images with natural-looking colours and well-controlled dynamic range. Samsung has resisted the temptation to oversaturate photos, so the results look realistic without appearing dull. I was particularly happy with the portrait mode, which produced accurate skin tones, dependable exposure and surprisingly clean edge detection, even around trickier subjects like curly hair. The background blur is software-generated, but it rarely looks distracting.
I also enjoyed shooting close-ups. Whether I was photographing flowers or everyday objects, the main camera retained plenty of detail and reproduced colours faithfully without relying on excessive sharpening or heavy processing.
The 5MP ultrawide camera is useful when you need a wider perspective for landscapes or group photos, although the drop in quality is immediately noticeable. Images lose fine detail, and softness around the edges becomes fairly obvious, so I generally preferred sticking to the primary camera whenever possible.
Low-light performance turned out to be better than I expected. The main sensor keeps noise under control, handles artificial light sources well and preserves a respectable amount of detail in darker scenes. Indoor shots also maintain a pleasing balance between highlights and shadows.
For video, the rear camera supports recording at up to 4K at 60fps or 1080p at 30fps. Footage is sharp, and the electronic stabilisation does a respectable job of smoothing handheld movement, even if some rivals still perform better.
The 12MP selfie camera is another highlight. I consistently got sharp selfies with accurate skin tones and good HDR performance, making it a dependable option for video calls and social media.
Overall, I found the Galaxy A27 to be a reliable everyday camera phone. It won't be my first recommendation for photography enthusiasts, but if your priority is predictable, natural-looking results across most situations, it gets the job done well.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27&rsquo;s Performance: Reliable, Day-in, Day-out</h2>
The Galaxy A27 is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 chipset, paired with LPDDR5X RAM and UFS 3.1 storage. In day-to-day use, I found the phone to be perfectly capable of handling the basics. Apps launched quickly, multitasking felt smooth enough, and routine tasks such as messaging, web browsing, streaming videos, checking social media and using navigation apps never posed a problem. The fast UFS 3.1 storage also helps keep loading times short, making the overall experience feel responsive.
Even when I had multiple apps open, switched between emails, social media and Chrome tabs, or jumped into a video call, the Galaxy A27 kept up without any major hiccups. For the average user, there's more than enough performance on offer.
Where the phone begins to fall behind is under heavier workloads. At this price, several competing smartphones now ship with newer Snapdragon 7-series processors that offer noticeably stronger CPU and GPU performance. If raw power or gaming is high on your priority list, there are better options available.
Gaming, in particular, isn't the Galaxy A27's biggest strength. Casual titles run without any issues, but more demanding games require lower graphics settings to maintain smooth gameplay. During my testing, frame rates generally hovered between 50 and 55fps on smoother graphics presets. It's certainly playable, but it doesn't deliver the sort of performance I'd expect from the most powerful phones in this segment.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27 Software: OneUI 8.5 Continues To Lead The Pack</h2>
If there's one area where the Galaxy A27 genuinely stands out, it's the software experience. The phone ships with One UI 8.5 based on Android 16, and after using it for a while, I was reminded why Samsung's software remains one of the biggest reasons to buy its smartphones. It isn't just polished, it's packed with genuinely useful features that many competitors still don't offer.
Most of Samsung's familiar ecosystem features are present here, including Samsung Wallet with NFC tap-to-pay, Secure Folder, Good Lock, Edge Panels, Multi Window, Smart Switch and Samsung Knox. I particularly appreciate Good Lock, which lets me customise everything from the lock screen and quick settings to gestures and animations. If you enjoy tweaking your phone, there are very few Android skins that offer this level of flexibility.
Samsung has also brought a healthy dose of AI to the Galaxy A27. You get Gemini, Circle to Search, Object Eraser, AI Select, custom photo filters, Gallery editing suggestions, Voice Transcription and Read Aloud in Samsung Internet. The Now Bar is another welcome addition, displaying live information such as media controls, navigation directions and sports scores without needing to unlock the phone. There's even Direct Voicemail built into One UI, allowing calls to be sent to voicemail without relying on your carrier's service.
Bixby is still available, although it doesn't offer the more advanced AI capabilities found on Samsung's flagship Galaxy S series devices.
Perhaps the biggest advantage, however, is Samsung's long-term software commitment. The Galaxy A27 is promised six major Android upgrades along with six years of security updates, which is exceptional for a phone in this price range. When I combine that with One UI's smooth performance, clean interface and extensive feature set, it's easy to see why I consider the software to be one of the Galaxy A27's strongest selling points.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27 Battery &amp; Charging: Dependable, But Slow Charging</h2>
The Galaxy A27 packs a 5,000mAh battery with support for 25W fast charging. While that capacity is perfectly respectable, it's no longer class-leading. Several Chinese rivals in the same price segment now offer significantly larger batteries, giving them an edge when it comes to outright endurance.
Even so, I had little reason to complain during everyday use. With a mix of web browsing, WhatsApp, Telegram, social media, music streaming, phone calls and a bit of casual gaming, I consistently ended the day with around 20 to 25 per cent battery remaining. Screen-on time generally ranged between seven and eight hours, which is a noticeable improvement over the Galaxy A26.
Charging, however, remains the weaker part of the experience. Using a 70W charger, the phone still took roughly 90 minutes to go from empty to full, making it one of the slower-charging devices in its segment.
<h2>Samsung Galaxy A27 Verdict: A Well-Rounded Phone That Gets The Essentials Right</h2>
After using the Galaxy A27 as my primary phone, I came away with the feeling that Samsung has focused on getting the fundamentals right rather than chasing flashy specifications. It isn't trying to offer the biggest battery, the fastest charging or the most powerful chipset in its class. Instead, it's built around a polished software experience, dependable cameras, a vibrant AMOLED display and the kind of long-term software support that very few brands can currently match.
That isn't to say it's without flaws. The Snapdragon 6 Gen 3 is perfectly adequate for everyday use but falls behind several rivals when it comes to gaming and sustained performance. The IP64 rating is a step backwards from its predecessor; the single speaker is average, the haptics feel inexpensive, and 25W charging began looking dated aeons ago in this segment.
Even so, I don't think the Galaxy A27 is aimed at spec hunters. If your priorities revolve around stability, clean software, reliable cameras, useful AI features and the confidence of six years of Android and security updates, Samsung has put together a phone that's easy to recommend. It may not top benchmark charts or win every specification battle, but it delivers a refined, dependable experience that I think many buyers will appreciate long after the excitement of launch day fades.

The Oppo Reno 16 delivers flagship-grade cameras, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 performance, a 6,700mAh battery, premium design, and refined ColorOS. Read our full review.

Oppo Reno 16 Review: Premium Compact Phone With Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, Four 50MP Cameras & 6,700mAh Battery

The Oppo Reno 16 combines four 50MP cameras, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, a premium compact design, excellent battery life, and polished software. Here's our detailed review.

The Oppo Reno 16 impresses with flagship-grade cameras, premium compact design, Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 performance, refined ColorOS, and excellent battery life, making it one of the strongest premium Android phones in its segment.

Reno devices usually carve out their own space by pairing sharp aesthetics with cameras that punch way above their price class. While Oppo uses the flagship <a title="Oppo Find X9 Ultra Review: A No-Compromise Ultra Phone" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/gadget-review/oppo-find-x9-ultra-review-a-no-compromise-ultra-phone-1779876430160" target="_blank">Find X</a> lineup to show off its wildest innovations, the Reno family focuses on nailing the middle ground: style, photography, and smooth daily performance.
The Reno 16 sticks right to that formula rather than chasing pointless upgrades. It arrives with a refreshed look, a massive battery bump, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip, four separate 50MP cameras, and a handful of practical AI tools that help out without getting annoying.
I ran the Reno 16 as my primary daily driver for nearly two weeks, and it honestly impressed me. The build feels incredibly premium, the cameras are easily the best part of the hardware, and ColorOS feels faster and tighter than before. It is not totally perfect, and you will run into a few compromises. The real question is whether it is actually worth your money.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Pricing</h2>
Oppo has priced ₹61,999 for the base 8GB + 256GB version of the Reno 16, while stepping up to the 12GB + 256GB variant pushes the price tag to ₹67,999. That is a massive price increase compared to the older Reno 15 lineup that hit shelves just a few months back. The ongoing global RAM supply shortage is definitely playing a big role in this price bump, though Oppo has traditionally positioned the Reno family at a premium price point anyway.
If you are looking to pick one up, retail sales kick off on July 9. The phone will be available across major platforms including Flipkart, Amazon, Oppo&rsquo;s official online and physical stores, along with standard retail partner outlets.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Design</h2>
Oppo always gets the styling right with their Reno lineup, and the Reno 16 keeps that streak going. My unit came in Stellar Purple, and it looks every bit as premium as the price suggests. The back features a ribbon-like pattern that plays with light, giving off a subtle, shifting shimmer depending on the angle. It catches the eye without being flashy, and the matte texture is fantastic at keeping fingerprint smudges away. That said, if I were choosing, I would go for the Starry White option. The floating 3D Pop Planet effect on that version just looks a bit more unique, though this purple one is a close second.
The build is another high point. Oppo went with an aerospace-grade aluminum frame here, so the device immediately feels rigid the moment you pick it up. I also like how the camera housing smoothly transitions right into the rear glass rather than looking like a separate piece slapped on afterward. It is a tiny detail, but it makes the hardware look far more polished.
The footprint is what really won me over, though. Compact Android phones are a dying breed, so using the Reno 16 feels like a breath of fresh air. This purple version measures just 8.22mm thick and weighs an easy 182 grams. You still get a 6.32-inch screen for gaming or streaming, but the actual chassis is small enough to manage comfortably with one hand.
Flat edges and a balanced weight distribution make a massive difference in daily comfort. Even the camera bump is kept surprisingly lean. It sticks out just enough to house the four lenses, but never makes the device feel top-heavy or awkward.
They didn't skimp on toughness either. You get full IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K certifications, which is about as comprehensive as it gets for this price tier. Finally, there is the new physical AI Snap Key. It is marketed for Oppo's AI tools, but I found it way more practical to map it as a custom button to quickly turn on the flashlight, open translation apps, or fire up the camera.
Ultimately, it is just a pleasant phone to live with. It looks sleek, feels durable, and nails the core features without overcomplicating things.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Display &amp; Audio</h2>
Oppo loaded some great screen specs into this smaller frame. You get a 6.32-inch flexible AMOLED panel featuring a 1.5K resolution, 460PPI, a smooth 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, and a 10-bit panel. The company claims a peak brightness of 3,600 nits, with 1,800 nits hitting in high brightness mode. The spec sheet is definitely stacked, but thankfully, using it in the real world actually lives up to the hype.
The panel catches your eye immediately because it just looks incredibly clean. It is sharp, colors look vibrant without looking artificially boosted, and the contrast is exactly what you want from a quality AMOLED. Everything I watched on Netflix, checked out on YouTube, or browsed through on Instagram stayed crisp and well-calibrated. I really liked how the display treats skin tones. Faces look natural instead of getting pushed toward weirdly warm or hyper-saturated tones, which makes video playback feel way more realistic.
The narrow bezels deserve a nod too. They keep the front looking clean and give you a more immersive feel than you would expect from a compact phone. Despite the 6.32-inch size, I never wished for a bigger canvas. It hits a sweet spot between comfortable one-handed use and an enjoyable viewing experience.
That variable 120Hz refresh rate keeps everything fluid. Toggling between apps, scrolling social feeds, and moving around ColorOS feels snappy and fast. Brightness is another area where this phone shines. Even under the brutal Delhi afternoon sun, the screen stayed perfectly readable while I was replying to texts, reading articles, or framing up camera shots.
The built-in stereo speakers pair nicely with the display. They get plenty loud, give you good stereo separation, and keep vocals clear during movies or gaming. They are not replacing a solid pair of wireless earbuds, but for daily use, they are easily among the better setups in this price tier.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Cameras</h2>
The camera system remains the absolute headline feature for the Reno series, and the Reno 16 definitely doubles down on that legacy. Oppo went with an incredibly versatile quad-camera array featuring four individual 50MP sensors. This includes a Sony LYT-600 main shooter with optical image stabilization, a 3.5x optically stabilized telephoto lens, an autofocus-enabled ultrawide camera, and a 50MP front-facing selfie snapper boasting a wide 100-degree field of view. It is an impressive hardware mix for this price bracket, and it regularly churns out high-quality images.
The primary lens handled the bulk of my daily photography chores. It captures punchy, lively colors without crossing into over-saturation, preserves plenty of fine detail, and handles dynamic range brilliantly by balancing bright skies against deeper shadow areas. The phone rarely trips up on exposure, even when handling challenging backlight.
The 3.5x telephoto camera stands out just as much. It shines for portrait work, offering a far more flattering and natural perspective for faces than standard wide lenses. It also lets you pull distant subjects closer without the massive drop in clarity that usually plagues mid-range zoom lenses. Oppo uses what they call Natural Tone processing here, ensuring skin tones look accurate and fine facial details stay sharp without aggressive, artificial beauty filtering.
The rear ultrawide sensor completes the package. It matches the primary camera remarkably well in color balance and exposure, while its built-in autofocus allows it to handle close-up macro shots. Low-light results are equally respectable. Instead of overexposing night scenes to look like daytime, the software retains the actual atmosphere while cleaning up noise and pulling out enough shadow detail to keep the image looking grounded.
Up front, the 50MP selfie camera proves just as reliable. The broader field of view is ideal for capturing groups, the autofocus system keeps your subjects sharp, and the processing stays pleasantly realistic.
Video capability is another massive plus. You can shoot 4K footage at 60fps with HDR across all four cameras, allowing for smooth, color-consistent lens switching mid-shoot. The electronic stabilization holds steady, and built-in options like Dual-View Video 2.0 and Pop Cam provide excellent utility for creators. If you want the best camera setup in this segment, this remains the primary reason to buy the phone.
<h2>Oppo Bubble: A Clever Accessory</h2>
The Oppo Bubble looks like pure social media bait when you first see it. Give it some time, though, and it proves surprisingly practical. This little attachable screen lets you preview yourself through the rear cameras, which means you get to use the phone's best lenses for selfies.&nbsp;
Solo content creators and vloggers will find this incredibly handy. You can set the device on a tripod, check your composition on the Bubble, and trigger the shutter from a distance without constantly walking back to check the screen. It is just as useful for group photos, letting everyone see they are actually in the shot before you click. The Oppo Bubble is priced at ₹7,999.
Is it a mandatory purchase? Not really. But while most phone accessories end up forgotten in a drawer, this one fixes a genuine problem. It is easily one of the coolest add-ons launched with the Reno 16.&nbsp;
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Performance</h2>
Oppo picked Qualcomm&rsquo;s Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chip to run the Reno 16, throwing in up to 12GB LPDDR5X RAM and 512GB UFS 3.1 storage. Look, it won't beat premium flagship silicon in a shootout, but it really doesn't need to. This setup is built for reliable, everyday speed, not for bragging about benchmark graphs. To keep things stable, Oppo uses Qualcomm&rsquo;s Adaptive Performance Engine 4.0 and AI HyperBoost 3.0, mostly to handle thermals and battery draw quietly in the background.
Testing the hardware gave us an AnTuTu score of roughly 1.43 million. Over on Geekbench, the phone managed a 1,229 single-core score and 3,893 in the multi-core test. That is exactly where this Snapdragon chip should land, and those stats translate perfectly into real life. The phone never stuttered when I was jumping between open apps, answering emails, checking feeds, or editing photos. Tasks load quickly, multitasking feels seamless, and ColorOS keeps the general interface feeling fast.
Gaming was plenty of fun too. I played a lot of BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile, and the phone ran both games without hitting a single wall. The frame rate hovered right between 88 and 89fps during BGMI matches, which kept the action feeling incredibly smooth. I didn't notice any annoying touch lag either, even when the shooting got frantic.
Heat management is another win here. The top half of the back panel definitely warms up when you play for a long time, but it never gets too hot to hold comfortably. Honestly, for a phone this thin and compact, that is a solid design achievement.
You can definitely buy a faster phone at this price point if you only care about chasing peak benchmark scores. But for regular daily use, I never felt like this device lacked power. <a title="Oppo Reno 16 Series To Feature AI Snap Key, IP69K Protection, and Stunning New Design" href="https://www.editorji.com/tech-news/mobiles/oppo-reno-16-series-to-feature-ai-snap-key-ip69k-protection-and-stunning-new-design-1782213376939" target="_blank">Oppo</a> focused on smooth, consistent performance over flashy marketing metrics, and honestly, that is the right call for most buyers.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Software</h2>
ColorOS has been on a good run lately, and the version 16.1 software here just confirms it. It is clean, snappy, and generally knows when to stay out of the way. While plenty of other Android skins tend to bury you in unnecessary features, this UI strikes a great balance between deep functionality and clean simplicity.
That level of polish is immediately obvious when you use the phone. Apps launch instantly, UI animations glide along smoothly, and bouncing between heavy tasks feels effortless. During my testing period with the Reno 16, I did not run into a single random freeze or interface glitch. It just stays consistently fluid.
As expected for a phone launching in 2026, the device leans hard into AI capability. The good news is these tools feel genuinely useful rather than just marketing filler. Take the physical AI Snap Key, which quickly became a regular habit for me. I mostly mapped it to bring up the camera, but it works just as well for saving quick data to AI Mind Space, taking voice notes, or firing up other custom shortcuts. Speaking of AI Mind Space, it proved surprisingly practical. I ended up using it constantly to sort screenshots, quick notes, and random bits of web info that usually get lost in the shuffle.
The Google Gemini integration feels just as seamless. Features like Circle to Search, real-time live translations, and AI text composition tools feel native to the interface rather than like software slapped on at the last minute.
Customization is another high point. You can tweak the lock screen, home screen layout, or the always-on display without the menus feeling messy. Oppo also promises five major ColorOS updates and six years of security patches, giving you real long-term peace of mind. Ultimately, ColorOS 16.1 stands out as a massive win for the hardware. It is polished, highly dependable, and stands tall as one of the best software skins on the market right now.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Battery &amp; Charging</h2>
The 6,700mAh silicon-carbon battery inside the Reno 16 is a massive win, and it quickly turned into one of my favorite features. It completely kills off any sort of day-to-day battery anxiety.
Even on heavy days packed with camera testing, social feeds, streaming, GPS maps, and a bit of gaming, I still headed to bed with plenty of juice to spare. If you are a lighter user, stretching this thing to last a second full day should be an absolute breeze. Honestly, even during my busiest test days, I never once had to scramble for a wall outlet before turning in for the night.
When the percentage finally drops, the bundled 80W SuperVooc brick fuels it back up in a hurry. Even with such a massive cell under the hood, waiting around for a charge never feels tedious. Just plugging it in for a few minutes before you head out the door gives you more than enough juice to last the rest of the day comfortably.
<h2>Oppo Reno 16 Review: Verdict</h2>
My time with the Reno 16 proves Oppo focused exactly where it counted. They skipped the usual race for empty benchmark points or flashy marketing gimmicks that nobody actually uses. Instead, they put their energy into things that make a difference in regular daily use, resulting in a phone that is incredibly simple to recommend.
The camera array remains the primary selling point. The lenses are versatile and highly dependable, churning out great results whether you are shooting landscapes, portraits, selfies, or videos. When you mix that photography performance with the compact, high-end build, an excellent screen, killer battery life, and a highly refined software skin, the whole package comes together beautifully.
Granted, you can buy faster silicon in this price range, so hardcore gamers might want to look at other options. For the vast majority of buyers, though, that slight drop in raw speed is very easy to overlook.

DailyObjects Node review: We test this modular wireless charging ecosystem with MagSafe, detachable power bank and Apple accessories.

DailyObjects Node Review: Premium Modular Wireless Charger

We tested the DailyObjects Node to see if its modular design justifies its premium price.

The DailyObjects Node isn't just another wireless charger. Its modular design, premium build and clever detachable power bank make it one of the most thoughtfully designed charging ecosystems we've tested.

For most of us, chargers are purely functional. We pay close attention to the phones we buy, spend hours picking out the right accessories for our desks and carefully curate the gadgets we use every day. Yet the one device that powers all of them is usually an afterthought, destined to disappear behind furniture or remain permanently plugged into a wall socket.
That contrast stood out to me while testing the DailyObjects Node ecosystem over the past month. Rather than chasing faster charging speeds or cramming in more features, DailyObjects seems to have taken a different approach. The idea here is to elevate the charger itself, transforming it from something you instinctively hide into an accessory that's designed to sit proudly on your desk or bedside table. It's an interesting proposition, but it also explains why the Node carries a premium price tag. You're paying for more than convenience. You're buying into a carefully designed ecosystem that places equal importance on aesthetics and practicality.
During my time with it, the Node became the default charging solution for my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods. Whether I was working at my desk, winding down for the night or heading out with the detachable power bank, it slotted naturally into my routine. What surprised me most wasn't how well it charged my devices, but how quickly I stopped thinking about charging altogether. By the end of the review period, the question had shifted from whether the Node was a capable charger to why so few charging accessories receive the same level of design attention as the expensive devices they're built to support.
<h2>DailyObjects Node: A Modular Take On Wireless Charging</h2>
Before diving into my experience with the DailyObjects Node, it's important to understand that this isn't your typical all-in-one wireless charger. Rather than offering a fixed setup, DailyObjects has built the Node around a modular platform that lets you assemble a charging station based on your own devices and habits.
Everything starts with your choice of either the 2-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock or the larger 3-in-1 Wireless Charging Dock, which serves as the central hub. From there, you can add interchangeable modules depending on what you want to charge or how you plan to use the system.
At the moment, the ecosystem includes four modules. There's the Wireless Charging Phone Stand, which also functions as a detachable 7,800mAh wireless power bank, the Apple Watch Charging Stand for compatible Apple Watches, the Wireless Charging Disk for AirPods and other Qi-enabled accessories, and the Portable Lamp, a rechargeable light that works both on and off the dock.
Although I had access to all four during my review, the 3-in-1 Dock can accommodate only three modules at once, so you'll have to decide which combination best fits your workflow. For me, the ideal setup would be the 3-in-1 Dock paired with the Phone Stand, Apple Watch Charging Stand and Wireless Charging Disk. At ₹16,496, it delivers simultaneous charging for an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods, which is likely how most Apple users would use the system every day.
That's not to say the Portable Lamp is an afterthought. In fact, I found myself swapping it in during late-night work sessions and while reading before bed. It's genuinely practical, but I'd treat it as an expansion rather than an essential first purchase.
That modularity is what separates the Node from conventional wireless chargers. Instead of forcing you into a predefined configuration, it allows you to build a setup that evolves alongside the devices you own, making the ecosystem feel far more personal and adaptable than most alternatives in this category.
<h2>DailyObjects Node Design: A Charger That You&rsquo;d Love To Show-Off</h2>
The first thing that caught my attention about the DailyObjects Node wasn't its charging capabilities. Instead, it was the way it completely broke away from the design language that most wireless chargers have followed for years.
Traditional charging docks are built to be invisible. They're typically made from plain plastic, finished in black or white, and designed to disappear behind a monitor or blend into a bedside table. That's largely because chargers have always been treated as purely functional accessories. As long as they powered your devices reliably, very little thought was given to how they looked.
DailyObjects has taken a noticeably different route. The Node's muted colour palette, geometric styling and soft matte finish give it the appearance of a premium desk accessory rather than another piece of consumer electronics. Throughout my time with it, whether it was sitting beside my monitor during the day or on my bedside table at night, it felt like it belonged there instead of looking out of place.
As the weeks went by, I found myself thinking less about it as a charger and more as part of my workspace. It sat alongside my keyboard, notebook and monitor just as naturally as any other desk accessory. That subtle shift is perhaps the biggest compliment I can give the Node. It succeeds in making an everyday object feel intentional rather than disposable.
Interestingly, it also became a conversation starter. On several occasions, friends and colleagues noticed the charging dock before they noticed the phone resting on it. That's not something I've ever experienced with a charger before, and it highlights just how effectively DailyObjects has reimagined an accessory that most of us rarely give a second thought.
<h2>DailyObjects Node Experience: Modularity With A Purpose</h2>
Modular products often sound more exciting on paper than they do in everyday use. I've tried plenty of gadgets that promised endless customisation, only for me to settle on a single setup after the initial novelty wore off. In many cases, modularity feels like a feature added for marketing rather than practicality.
The Node turned out to be different. Instead of swapping modules just because I could, I found myself changing them to suit what I was doing throughout the day. The flexibility felt natural rather than forced.
During working hours, I usually kept the Wireless Charging Disk attached so my AirPods could charge alongside my iPhone and Apple Watch. Come evening, especially when I was reading or working late, I'd replace it with the Portable Lamp. The swap takes only a few seconds, yet it changes the character of the setup surprisingly well.
The module I appreciated the most, though, was the Wireless Charging Phone Stand. At first, it appears to be a standard MagSafe-compatible charging stand. It was only after detaching it from the dock that I realised it also houses a 7,800mAh battery.
That clever integration completely changed how I used it. Instead of remembering to pack a separate power bank before leaving home, I simply lifted the stand off the dock and carried it with me. Once I returned, it clicked straight back into place and resumed its role as part of the charging station. It's a simple idea, but one that genuinely improves everyday convenience and demonstrates that the Node's modular design has a practical purpose rather than being a gimmick.
<h2>DailyObjects Node Charging: Fast, Reliable And Thoughtfully Designed</h2>
A premium charging ecosystem ultimately has to deliver where it matters most. Attractive design and modularity mean very little if the charging experience itself falls short. Thankfully, that wasn't the case with the DailyObjects Node.
The system supports Qi2.2 wireless charging with outputs of up to 25W, making it one of the quicker wireless charging solutions available for supported devices. In everyday use, however, I found reliability to be a far bigger strength than outright speed. Whether I was giving my iPhone a quick top-up during the day or leaving my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods charging overnight, everything was consistently ready when I needed it.
The magnetic connection deserves special mention as well. My iPhone aligned perfectly every single time, and I never encountered the frustrating situation where the phone shifted slightly during the night and stopped charging, something I've experienced with several magnetic chargers in the past.
Another well-executed feature is that every module includes its own USB-C port. You're not tied exclusively to the dock, so modules like the Wireless Charging Phone Stand or the Portable Lamp can be used independently by plugging them directly into a USB-C cable. That flexibility adds another layer of practicality to the ecosystem.
DailyObjects also bundles a braided 100W USB-C cable, though you'll need to supply a compatible 65W USB-C power adapter to unlock the system's full potential.
If I had one complaint, it would be the lack of detailed information on power distribution when multiple modules are charging simultaneously. It never affected my experience, but enthusiasts would likely appreciate that level of transparency. Even so, the Node succeeds because it makes charging feel effortless, dependable and largely invisible in everyday use.
<h2>DailyObjects Node Verdict: A Premium Idea With A Premium Price</h2>
The biggest obstacle standing in the Node's way is its pricing. Even the configuration I'd recommend costs ₹16,496, which is a substantial amount to spend on a charging accessory. If your only requirement is to charge an iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods overnight, there are far more affordable options that can accomplish the same basic task.
That's also what makes the Node different. It isn't trying to compete purely on charging speeds or convenience. Instead, you're paying for a combination of industrial design, modularity and the freedom to build a setup around the devices you actually own. Whether that justifies the asking price will depend entirely on what you expect from a charging station.
The only other area where I'd like to see improvement is the ecosystem itself. After spending time with the Node, it feels like the platform has plenty of room to expand. Modules such as a digital clock, a compact Bluetooth speaker or even other smart desk accessories would make the system even more compelling.
None of these criticisms significantly diminish the overall experience, but they do shape who this product is for. The Node is easy to appreciate for its design and ideas, even if its premium pricing means it won't be the right choice for everyone.
<h2>DailyObjects Node Review Verdict: More Than Just A Wireless Charger</h2>
When I started using the DailyObjects Node, I expected this review to revolve around charging speeds, magnetic stability and how well it handled multiple devices at once. While it performed well in all those areas, they quickly became the least interesting parts of the experience.
Throughout my testing, the Node reliably kept my iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods charged without demanding any attention. The detachable power bank proved genuinely useful, the modular design added real convenience instead of unnecessary complexity, and the overall build quality reinforced its premium positioning.
What makes the Node memorable, though, isn't any single specification. It's the way DailyObjects has reimagined an accessory that most of us rarely think about. Rather than simply building another wireless charger, the company has created a product that's designed to complement both your devices and the space they occupy.
That doesn't make it an easy recommendation for everyone. At well over ₹16,000 for a practical setup, it's undeniably expensive, and buyers focused purely on charging functionality will find more affordable alternatives.
However, if you value thoughtful design, appreciate products that adapt to your routine and want your desk accessories to feel just as refined as the gadgets they support, the Node offers something genuinely different. It's one of the few charging solutions that succeeds in making an everyday accessory feel considered, intentional and worth displaying instead of hiding away.

OnePlus N6 review covering its 8,000mAh battery, Dimensity 6360 performance, cameras, display, OxygenOS 16 software, pricing and whether it's worth buying under ₹25,000.

OnePlus N6 Review: Battery Beast With One Big Catch

The OnePlus N6 prioritises battery life, clean software and dependable performance over flashy specs. Here's why it may still be one of the best phones under ₹25,000.

<h3 class="PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer" data-start="1134" data-end="1300">The OnePlus N6 prioritises battery life, clean software and dependable performance over flashy specs. Here's why it may still be one of the best phones under ₹25,000.</h3>
<h2 data-section-id="10btkw6" data-start="1302" data-end="1315">&nbsp;</h2>

For the longest time, I've looked at OnePlus as the brand you turned to when performance came first. Whether it was blazing-fast charging, fluid software or class-leading speed for the money, that identity remained remarkably consistent across its phones. The OnePlus N6, however, heads in a noticeably different direction.
What makes this launch particularly interesting is that it marks OnePlus' first N-series smartphone for India, and unlike its mainstream siblings, it arrives without the familiar Nord branding. Rather than building a spec sheet around raw horsepower, OnePlus has focused on the basics that matter over months and years of ownership. You get an enormous 8,000mAh battery, a sturdy build, a clean software experience and hardware that's aimed at dependable everyday use instead of headline-grabbing benchmark scores.
At the same time, it's impossible to overlook how much DNA the N6 shares with the Realme P4R. They have plenty in common, yet after using both extensively and putting the N6 through our full review process, it became clear that OnePlus has made a few deliberate choices to give this phone its own character. Here's how it all comes together.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Variants And Price </h2>
OnePlus has priced the N6 at ₹22,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant, while the 6GB + 128GB model costs ₹24,999. That puts it squarely in India's fiercely contested sub ₹25,000 segment, where buyers are spoiled for choice.
Ironically, the phone it competes with most closely isn't from Samsung, Xiaomi or iQOO, but the Realme P4R. The similarities between the two extend well beyond the spec sheet, making them feel like products built from the same blueprint. The key difference is pricing, with the Realme undercutting the N6 by nearly ₹5,000.
As a result, the decision isn't simply about which phone offers better hardware. It's about which one delivers the more refined everyday experience, and that's where I believe the OnePlus N6 begins to justify its premium.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Design</h2>
The OnePlus N6 makes no attempt to disguise what it is. This isn't a phone that's chasing luxury finishes or eye-catching design trends. Instead, the emphasis is firmly on usability, durability and keeping the overall package sensible, something that becomes increasingly apparent the longer you use it.
Our Fresh Mint review unit reflects that philosophy well. The colour is subtle without being dull, while the flat edges and flat rear panel give the phone a clean, modern appearance. Rounded corners make it comfortable to grip, and the square camera island adds enough visual distinction to stop it from looking generic. Although the rear module appears to house three cameras, only the main sensor plays a significant role in day-to-day photography.
Anyone familiar with the Realme P4R will immediately notice the family resemblance. Beyond the redesigned camera housing, the two devices share an almost identical chassis, matching button layout, ports and overall ergonomics. It's fairly evident that both phones originate from the same underlying hardware platform.
The plastic frame and back panel might raise eyebrows in this price bracket, but they also make practical sense. Packing an 8,000mAh battery into a slimmer device is no easy task, and lighter materials help prevent the N6 from becoming unnecessarily cumbersome. Despite the huge battery, the phone never felt awkward or excessively heavy during extended use.
Durability is another area where OnePlus has invested its efforts. The ArmourShell protection system combines reinforced corners, internal shock absorption and strengthened glass, while MIL-STD-810H certification adds another layer of confidence. My only reservation is the IP65 rating. It offers protection against dust and water splashes, but an IP68 certification would have better matched the phone's otherwise rugged positioning.
The rest of the hardware is straightforward but functional. You get a responsive side-mounted fingerprint scanner, Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.3 and a hybrid SIM tray that also supports microSD cards, a feature that's becoming increasingly uncommon. I would've liked to see eSIM support and OnePlus' Action Key make the cut, but neither omission significantly affects the overall experience. The N6 isn't designed to feel luxurious. It's built to withstand everyday use, and in that regard, it succeeds.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Display And Audio</h2>
The OnePlus N6 sports a 6.8-inch LCD display with an HD+ resolution, a 120Hz refresh rate and a claimed peak brightness of 1,200 nits. While those numbers don't immediately raise any red flags, the actual experience leaves me with mixed feelings.
My biggest gripe is the resolution. At this price, I expected at least a Full HD panel. With several rivals already offering sharper displays, the N6's HD+ screen feels like a noticeable compromise. It's not something you'll constantly think about, but smaller text isn't as crisp and high-resolution videos lose some of their impact. If content consumption is a priority, you'll almost certainly notice the difference.
Thankfully, the panel gets a few important things right. The 120Hz refresh rate makes everyday interactions feel smooth, whether I was switching between apps, scrolling endlessly through social media or simply navigating OxygenOS. Brightness is another pleasant surprise. Even outdoors in bright daylight, the display remained easy to read, making maps, messages and notifications perfectly visible.
Being an LCD panel, however, it can't match the richer contrast or vibrant colours of an AMOLED screen. Blacks appear greyish in darker scenes, and the lack of HDR support means streaming content never looks quite as immersive as it does on competing devices.
The speaker setup follows a similar pattern. OnePlus has opted for a single bottom-firing unit instead of stereo speakers. Volume certainly isn't an issue, especially with the company's 400% Ultra Volume mode enabled, but the sound itself lacks fullness. Dialogue remains clear enough for YouTube videos, voice calls and social media clips, yet music sounds flat and films miss the sense of width that dual speakers create. It gets the job done for everyday use, but I'd still reach for a pair of wireless earbuds whenever I wanted a more enjoyable listening experience.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Cameras</h2>
OnePlus has kept things very simple when it comes to the N6's cameras. Despite the rear design suggesting a multi-camera setup, you're really working with a single 50MP primary sensor, while selfies are handled by an 8MP front-facing camera. It's a simple arrangement, but one that performs better than I initially expected.
In good lighting, the primary camera consistently delivers pleasing results. Photos come out with balanced colours that avoid looking artificially boosted, while dynamic range is good enough to preserve detail in brighter and darker parts of the frame. Sharpness is perfectly adequate for sharing on social media, and I found autofocus to be quick and dependable. For everyday photography, whether you're capturing food, pets or landscapes, the camera rarely lets you down.
The cracks begin to show once you move outside its comfort zone. Since there's no dedicated telephoto camera, zoom relies entirely on digital cropping, and image quality takes a noticeable hit as you magnify your shots. Night photography is similarly predictable. The camera can produce usable images after sunset, but finer textures soften considerably, noise becomes more visible and overall detail isn't particularly impressive.
Around the front, the 8MP selfie camera is functional without standing out. It captures decent-looking selfies in daylight, skin tones remain fairly natural and it's more than capable for video calls or the occasional social media post. That said, an 8MP sensor feels slightly behind the curve in this price segment.
Video recording tops out at 1080p at 60fps. While I would've welcomed the option to shoot in 4K, the higher frame rate does make handheld clips appear smoother, and that's likely to matter more to most buyers.
OnePlus also includes a healthy selection of AI editing features, including AI Eraser, AI Reflection Eraser, AI Unblur, AI Perfect Shot and AI Reframe. They can occasionally rescue a photo or tidy up unwanted distractions, but they're supplementary rather than transformative. As a whole, the N6's camera system is dependable instead of exciting, and for the audience this phone targets, that's probably the right balance.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Performance</h2>
The OnePlus N6 is powered by MediaTek's Dimensity 6360 processor, paired with LPDDR4X RAM and UFS 2.2 storage. That combination isn't going to turn heads, nor is it intended to. Instead of chasing benchmark records, OnePlus has focused on delivering a phone that feels consistently responsive during everyday use.
Throughout my testing, the N6 handled routine tasks without complaint. Whether I was juggling multiple apps, checking emails, navigating with Google Maps or spending far too much time scrolling through social media, the experience remained smooth and predictable. Credit for that goes as much to OxygenOS as it does to the hardware itself.
The Dimensity 6360 is only a modest upgrade over the Dimensity 6300 used in the Realme P4R, with the biggest difference being a slightly faster graphics processor. Unsurprisingly, benchmark results are almost identical. The N6 scored just over 615,000 in AnTuTu, while Geekbench produced scores of 781 in the single-core test and 1,964 in the multi-core test. Those figures won't impress power users, but they're perfectly in line with what this hardware is designed to offer.
Gaming performance is respectable without being exceptional. BGMI maintained close to 60fps during my testing, and the large 5,300mm&sup2; vapour chamber kept temperatures under control even during extended sessions. Bypass charging is another welcome addition, especially if you like gaming while plugged in.
The N6 isn't the phone I'd recommend to someone looking for flagship-level gaming or demanding workloads. However, if your daily routine revolves around messaging, streaming, browsing, navigation and the occasional game, it performs reliably. It may not be the fastest device in its class, but it delivers a stable, fuss-free experience, and that's exactly what OnePlus set out to achieve.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Software</h2>
Software has long been one of OnePlus' biggest selling points, and the N6 continues that tradition. It runs OxygenOS 16 out of the box, and while the platform has gradually adopted many elements from Oppo's ColorOS, it still manages to retain an identity of its own. The result is an interface that feels familiar, straightforward and easy to navigate.
Using the phone day after day, I never came across anything that felt unnecessarily complicated. Menus are logically arranged, animations remain fluid, and moving between apps or changing settings is effortless. Rather than drawing attention to itself, the software stays in the background, letting the hardware do its job without unnecessary distractions.
There are a handful of pre-installed applications, which is expected at this price, but the overall experience remains refreshingly restrained. I wasn't bombarded with spam notifications or constant prompts to try additional services, something that can't be said for many competing budget smartphones.
OnePlus is committing to two Android version upgrades and three years of security updates, while also claiming the N6 will continue to feel smooth for up to five years through ongoing software optimisation. Whether buyers keep the phone that long is another question, but it's good to see long-term usability being taken seriously.
For me, OxygenOS is still one of the strongest reasons to consider a OnePlus device. It's polished, responsive and refreshingly uncluttered, making the N6 an easy phone to live with every day.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Battery And Charging</h2>
Battery life is where the OnePlus N6 truly separates itself from much of the competition. Its massive 8,000mAh cell easily lasted two full days during my testing, and on lighter workloads, I was able to push it to nearly four days before reaching for the charger. If longevity is your biggest priority, this phone delivers in a big way.
A bundled 45W SuperVOOC charger takes roughly one hour and 45 minutes to fully recharge the battery. That's hardly class-leading, but it's a reasonable trade-off given the sheer capacity on offer. OnePlus also includes useful features such as bypass charging, reverse wired charging and Night Charging Mode, rounding off an impressively dependable battery package.
<h2>OnePlus N6 Review: Verdict</h2>
The OnePlus N6 doesn't try to be the most powerful phone in its class, nor does it promise flagship-level cameras or cutting-edge hardware. Instead, it focuses on delivering a consistent, fuss-free experience, and after using it as my primary device for a couple of weeks, I think that strategy largely pays off.
Not everything is perfect. The HD+ display feels behind the times in this price segment, the single speaker leaves plenty to be desired, and the cameras are competent rather than memorable. Even so, those shortcomings never overshadow the phone's core strengths. Outstanding battery life, dependable day-to-day performance, clean software and a reassuringly solid build make the N6 an easy phone to recommend for the right buyer.
Its biggest challenge comes from the Realme P4R, a device that shares much of the same hardware. If the gap between the two stretches to several thousand rupees, the Realme is difficult to ignore. However, even though the P4R is cheaper by about ₹5000, I'd happily spend the extra on the OnePlus. OxygenOS 16 feels more refined, and that's something you'll appreciate every day. If reliability matters more than raw specifications, the OnePlus N6 is a worthwhile buy.

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