Gadgets
Review: POCO X3 NFC

The Poco X3 NFC smartphone is a beautiful device to hold and use. In terms of the design, the smartphone offers some premium look and feel, though the shell of the phone is made up of hard plastic, with a metal frame running around the edges. While the body itself has a nice glossy finish, it seldom attracts fingerprints, which is a good thing.

On the front, the phone comes with a 6.67-inch touchscreen display that offers a resolution of 1080-by-2400 pixels, with a pixel density of 395 pixels per inch (ppi). You also get an aspect ratio of 20:9.

On the right of the device, you get the volume buttons and the power button, which also doubles up as a fingerprint scanner. On the left edge, you get the dual-SIM slot, one of which also doubles up as a microSD card slot.

On the top, there is an IR blaster and a noise-canceling microphone, while at the bottom, you get the 3.5mm audio jack, the USB-C charging port, a second noise-canceling microphone and the speaker grille.

Under the hood, the POCO X3 NFC is powered by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 732G processor. It also comes with 6GB of RAM and 64GB od storage space, which can be further expanded using the microSD slot we spoke about earlier.

The POCO X3 NFC runs Android 10 as its operating system of choice, with MIUI 12.0.4 skin running on top of it. The phone is powered by a 5160mAh battery and the phone also supports POCO’s proprietary fast charging.

As far as the cameras are concerned, the POCO X3 NFC comes packed with a quad camera setup. Now, this includes a 64-megapixel primary camera with an f/1.73 aperture; a second 13-megapixel camera with an f/2.2 aperture; a third 2-megapixel camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a fourth 2-megapixel camera with an f/2.4 aperture.

The rear camera setup also has autofocus. You also get a 20-megapixel camera on the front for selfies, with an f/2.2 aperture.

The phone weighs just 215-gms and colour options include Cobalt Blue and Shadow Black. We have reviewed the Cobalt Blue variant.

In terms of connectivity, you get Wi-Fi, GPS, NFC, Infrared, USB Type-C, 3G, and 4G.

You also get a bunch of sensors on the phone that include accelerometer, ambient light sensor, gyroscope, proximity sensor, and fingerprint sensor.

Performance on the POCO X3 NFC was a breeze. It was able to handle all the jobs we threw at it. The phone comes with two different refresh rates for its display to choose from.

Performance on the 60Hz was good, though you do see some performance boost when you switch over to 120Hz. Your gaming sessions become better, too.

Camera performance is also very good, considering the price point this smartphone is available at.

The camera offers a wide range of modes such as Night, 64MP, Short Video, Vlog, Slow Motion, Time-Lapse, Front & Back, Long Exposure and Clone.

We certainly were impressed by the performance of all the modes, including the the fun little mode called Clone.

Images taken under good lighting conditions and day time, turned out very good.

Under low light conditions and shots during the night were also very good.

The brilliant photo and video quality offered by the POCO X3 NFC is quite evident from the sample images included in this review.

For a very affordable price point of AED 708, the POCO X3 NFC is a budget-friendly smartphone that can appeal to a wider audience looking for a dependable smartphone that also offers the goodness of NFC technology.
Price: AED 708

Accessories
Apple’s Beats Unveils Powerbeats Pro 2 with Heart-Rate Monitoring

Apple Inc.’s Beats division has unveiled the long-awaited Powerbeats Pro 2, which features noise cancellation, a heart-rate monitor, and a revamped design aimed at athletes. This new model incorporates capabilities seen in Apple’s AirPods, such as transparency mode for better external noise awareness and the H2 chip for enhanced sound quality. Additionally, it offers improved spatial audio for a 3D listening experience and comes with a smaller, wireless charging case.
The heart-rate monitor is a notable first for Apple-designed earbuds, expanding the company’s health-related features, and utilizes technology found in the Apple Watch. Despite a slow holiday season for Apple’s wearables business—with sales in the division falling nearly 2% to about $11.8 billion—the introduction of these new earbuds is anticipated to drive interest and sales.
Priced at $250, the same as the previous model, the new Powerbeats Pro 2 will be available in black, orange, purple, and a color called quicksand. This price point matches the AirPods Pro 2, although the Powerbeats may be more appealing to athletes due to their secure ear hooks.
Apple Vice President Oliver Schusser, who oversees Beats as well as the company’s sports, TV+, and music initiatives, hailed the new Powerbeats as “the most impressive product in Beats’ history.” Acquired by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion, Beats remains the company’s largest acquisition to date.
The heart-rate monitor will be compatible with fitness apps like Peloton, Nike Run Club, Ladder, and Slopes, with data integration into the Apple Health app. The earbuds will also be compatible with Android devices. Apple is reportedly working on AirPods with heart-rate monitoring, though they are still many months away from release.
In terms of battery life, the Powerbeats Pro 2 holds an advantage over AirPods, with 10 hours of usage on their own and 45 hours with the charging case, compared to six hours for AirPods alone and up to 30 hours with the case. However, AirPods continue to offer unique features, such as a new hearing aid functionality.
Gadgets
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G Review: A Powerhouse Packed with Premium Features

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note series has always been a crowd-pleaser, offering flagship-level features at a mid-range price. The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G continues this legacy, delivering a compelling package that excels in design, performance, and innovation.
Design and Build Quality
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G boasts a sleek and modern design that feels premium despite its affordable price tag. The phone features a glass back with a matte finish, which not only looks elegant but also resists fingerprints. The phone also features high-strength aluminium composite frame, giving it a sturdy and premium feel.
The device is surprisingly lightweight at 190 grams and has a slim profile, making it comfortable to hold and use for extended periods. The IP68 rating ensures protection against dust and splashes, adding to its durability. The placement of buttons is ergonomic, ensuring ease of use.
Display
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G features a 6.67-inch CrystalRes AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, offering buttery-smooth scrolling and animations. The screen supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, which delivers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, making it ideal for media consumption and gaming.
With a peak brightness of 3000 nits, the display remains visible even under direct sunlight. The in-display fingerprint scanner is fast and accurate, adding to the overall premium experience. Whether you’re watching movies, playing games, or browsing, the display is one of the standout features of this device.
Camera
The camera setup on the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is impressive for its price range. The device features a 200MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.65 aperture, utilising 16-in-1 binning to create one large 2.24μm pixel. It has a 1/1.4” sensor size and a 7P lens. Additionally, it includes an 8MP ultra-wide camera with an f/2.2 aperture, and a 2MP macro camera with an f/2.4 aperture. The camera capabilities include dynamic shots, motion tracking focus, lightning burst, film frame, portraits, document mode, night mode, dual video, and steady video.
The primary camera captures stunning, detailed photos with accurate colours and excellent dynamic range, even in low-light conditions, thanks to Xiaomi’s advanced Night Mode. The ultra-wide-angle lens is great for capturing landscapes, while the macro lens adds versatility for close-up shots.
The device also boasts a 20MP front camera with an f/2.2 aperture, featuring a soft-light ring, AI beautify, night mode, portrait mode, palm shutter, and selfie timer. For front camera video recording, it supports 1080p at 30/60fps and 720p at 30fps. The front camera does a good job in both the photography and videography department.
Internal Specs and Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra chipset, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G delivers flagship-level performance. The MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra is built on a 4nm manufacturing process. It features an octa-core CPU with a clock speed of up to 2.5GHz, and it is paired with a Mali-G615 MC2 GPU.
Paired with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the device handles multitasking, gaming, and demanding apps with ease. The 5G connectivity ensures future-proofing, while the Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.4 support add to the device’s versatility. Gaming performance is quite food, with the device handling titles such as Genshin Impact and Call of Duty Mobile at high settings without breaking a sweat.
AI Features
Xiaomi has integrated several AI-powered features into the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, enhancing the user experience. These features make the device smarter and more intuitive, catering to both casual users and tech enthusiasts.
AI Erase Pro lets you easily remove unwanted clutter from your photos with just a tap, making it magically disappear. AI Image Expansion allows you to extend your image beyond its original frame seamlessly, while AI Bokeh adds a beautiful background blur to make your image subject stand out. With AI Cutout, you can identify and separate image subjects from the background, and AI Film helps you create short vlogs and videos by recommending tailored templates and soundtracks based on your chosen photos and videos.
AI Beautify enhances your photos with gender recognition and pro-level beauty features for richer and more natural effects. AI Ultra-Clear Portrait provides sharp and detailed portraits with improved face clarity. Gemini Extensions connect Gemini to other Google apps and services, while Image Generation lets you create stunning images. The Gemini Overlay offers quick access to context-aware help with what’s on your screen, enabling you to easily search and get information with just a click or circle around an image.
Battery and Charging
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is equipped with a 5110mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of heavy usage. The device supports 45W turbo charging, allowing you to quickly top up the device without any hassle.
Overall Performance
The combination of the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra, ample RAM, and optimised Xiaomi HyperOS ensures a smooth and lag-free experience. The device handles everything from everyday tasks to intensive gaming with ease. The 120Hz display and 5G connectivity further enhance the overall performance, making it a future-ready device.
Verdict
The Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is a stellar offering in the mid-range segment, delivering flagship-level features at an affordable price. Its premium design, stunning display, versatile camera system, and powerful performance make it a standout choice for anyone looking for a feature-packed smartphone.
The inclusion of AI features and 5G connectivity ensures that the device remains relevant for years to come. If you’re in the market for a mid-range smartphone that punches above its weight, the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is an excellent choice.
Price: AED 1200
Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G
AED 1200
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Final Rating
Summary
The camera setup on the Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G is impressive for its price range. The device features a 200MP main camera with Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) and an f/1.65 aperture, utilising 16-in-1 binning to create one large 2.24μm pixel.
User Review
( votes)
Gadgets
Huawei to Launch HUAWEI Mate XT Tri-Fold Smartphone Globally in Kuala Lumpur

HUAWEI is set to debut the Mate XT, the first commercial tri-fold smartphone, globally in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on February 18, 2025. Previously available only in China, this innovation combines a tablet-sized screen with a smartphone form factor, potentially creating a new category of handheld devices. The Mate XT offers single, dual, and triple-screen modes, enhancing productivity and leisure.
At the same event, Huawei is expected to unveil the HUAWEI MatePad Pro 13.2”, featuring a complete office suite and detachable HUAWEI Smart Magnetic Keyboard, aimed at setting a new standard for tablet productivity. The launch may also include the HUAWEI Band 10 and HUAWEI FreeArc, a new open-ear earbud with an earhook design.
With these new releases, Huawei aims to revolutionize consumer gadgets, integrating digital and real-world experiences. The event promises to showcase groundbreaking devices and mark a significant step in tech innovation.
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