Gadgets

Nokia Brings the XR20, 6310, C30 and Audio Accessories in the Region

Published

2 months ago

July 27, 2021

HMD Global has today announced three new phones and a new audio portfolio. Built to survive anything life can throw at you, the Nokia XR20 can withstand much more than you’ll ever demand of it. The Nokia C30, a hero device to the C-series, features the largest screen and battery yet. Nokia 6310 is a new member of the Originals family, a reimagined noughties classic. Today also marks the biggest Nokia accessory launch to date, with new lifestyle audio products streamlined into four distinct lines – Go, Micro, Comfort, and Clarity.

Florian Seiche, CEO, HMD Global, said, “We are tapping into consumer pain points around durability and longevity. We did a global trend report8 and found that 73% of consumers want to keep their phone for longer and would if their devices were maintained over time. At HMD, we are empowering people to avoid early device replacement and encouraging a more sustainable consumption through our longevity promises. We are delighted to announce the Nokia XR20 – a life-proof phone with our trademark sleek, Nordic design that we built for both consumers and enterprises. Today we also grow our refreshed X-series and C-series with two shining examples of what these ranges stand for. Our goal is to provide people with products they will love, trust and want to keep for longer.”

Extreme temperatures, 1.8m drops, 1h underwater, and more, the new Nokia XR20 is built for conditions far harsher than the rough and tumble of everyday life. This life-proof phone is concealed in a sleek, timeless design. So, whilst you’re probably never going to stretch your phone to the extremes of its capabilities, you can be reassured that the Nokia XR20 can endure more than you’ll ever demand of it.
Featuring one of the strongest of screens for extra peace of mind: Corning Gorilla Glass Victus – it’s amongst the toughest of glass out there.

To test its durability, Brazilian football legend Roberto Carlos and female world champion freestyler Lisa Zimouche put the new Nokia XR20 through a series of tough tests. From dunking it in icy water to being kicked, flipped, and spun screen-first across a concrete gravel football pitch. Carlos even recreated his famous banana shot from the 1997 Brazil vs France match to test the device’s durability – three Nokia XR20s were positioned on a goal post for the football sensation to hit in a free kick shootout.

Roberto Carlos, Brazil World Cup winner and Real Madrid legend, said, “I’ve been asked to recreate my ’97 free kick many times over the last twenty years, but never like this before, so I had to accept the challenge. Surely a mobile phone couldn’t survive the wrath of a football. I didn’t think the Nokia XR20 could have withstood the power of my kick. I may not be professional anymore, but I know I still pack a punch, so it was an impressive result.”

Future-proof means freshness that is not just for the day you unbox your smartphone. In addition to the existing X-series longevity promises, the Nokia XR20 comes with four years of monthly security updates, and three years of OS upgrades. The Nokia XR20 has a reliable 48MP+13MP dual-camera with ZEISS Optics, OZO spatial audio, and innovative imaging solutions. The all-new SpeedWarp mode lets you capture a whole lot of adventure in a compact, exciting montage. Pushing the boundaries of the mid-range, it also comes with 5G speeds, 15W wireless charging, and superior durability that you’ll love.

Introducing two firsts to the Nokia smartphone portfolio, the new Nokia C30 is a hero of the popular C-series. It comes with the largest battery and biggest screen yet on a Nokia smartphone. The ever increasing demand for larger screens sees the current 82% of consumers who are looking for smartphones between 6” and 7” in size grow to 96% by 2025. The huge 6.82” HD+ display on the new Nokia C30 is here to supply what fans have been asking for.

Hard-working individuals and busy days ask for a battery that can keep up. On the Nokia C30, it’s been supersized to an impressive 6000 mAh, giving you enough energy to work up to three days on a single charge – so you can upskill, stream, and connect to those that matter most. Complemented by the quality feel that only a truly durable build can provide. The Nokia C30 is wrapped in a sturdy polycarbonate shell that you can trust, giving you a device that will last. The newest member of the Originals family celebrates the iconic Nokia 6310 with a fresh new take. The Nokia 6310 is a classic reimagined for today’s connected users. Bringing advanced accessibility, optimised ergonomics, and battery for weeks, it honours everything that Nokia phones stand for. And yes – it still has Snake.

With accessibility at its core, the refreshed larger push buttons and ample display make screen time more effortless and enjoyable. The new zoomed-in menus and larger font options improve readability and text messages can be listened to for ease of use. Introducing a revamped Nokia audio portfolio, the new accessories bring fans reliable sound on the go. Streamlined into four new, distinct lines – Go, Micro, Comfort, and Clarity – each range brings maximum value via unique propositions.

Go: ultra-high value products offering the highest quality at the lowest possible prices
Micro: meeting the demand for the compact form factor
Comfort: a result of consumers seeking optimal comfort in wearables
Clarity: top-of-the-range quality earbuds integrating the latest tech

Arriving hand in hand with the Nokia XR20, the new Nokia Clarity Earbuds Pro gives high-performance sound with the build quality and battery life that can keep up. The powerful combination of dual-mic environment noise cancellation (ENC), Qualcomm cVc, and active noise cancellation (ANC) captures and eliminates background noise for superb call and music clarity. Alex Lambeek, Global Head of Accessories, HMD Global: “Much like our smartphones, the excellence in Nokia accessories is a result of industry-leading testing for quality. The invaluable insight from our Nokia smartphone community combined with regional insights across the globe has allowed us to grow our ecosystem of companion products to an impressive portfolio. It’s supported by a network of strong partnerships like Binatone that allow us to provide the best for our growing fanbase. Inspired by nature and packaged in paper and soy-based ink to protect it, each new line delivers premium lifestyle experiences at accessible price points.”

Today also marks the beginning of two new partnerships with industry-leading providers. Spotify will give Nokia smartphone owners access to 70 million tracks and 2.6 million podcasts out of the box. Stephen Taylor, CMO, HMD Global, said, “We’ve always been proud to partner with the industry’s best for our fans. Today we add two more names to this extended family of leading brands that allow for the most innovative experiences for Nokia phone owners. Every partnership further enhances what we stand for and we collaborate with those we trust, so you can, too.”

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Gadgets

Xiaomi Announces the 11T, 11T Pro, and a Refreshed 11 Lite 5G NE

Published

3 hours ago

September 19, 2021

Chris Fernando

Xiaomi has announced the launch of three new smartphones – the 11T, 11T Pro, and a refreshed 11 Lite 5G NE. The new smartphones come with new photography and videography features such as the “Cinemagic” mode on the Xiaomi 11T and Xiaomi 11T Pro. The Xiaomi 11T Pro is the first smartphone to launch globally with the company’s 120W Xiaomi HyperCharge technology. The company claims that the technology will enable a 100% charge in just 17 minutes.

The smartphone also features the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 mobile platform with AI features, and a triple camera set up with a pro-grade 108MP wide-angle, 2x tele-macro, and a 120° ultra-wide-angle lens. You also get capabilities with one-click AI Cinema modes, 8K recording, HDR10+, and DisplayMate A+ rated 6.67-inches FHD+ 120Hz AMOLED that is equipped with TrueColor and Dolby Vision. The smartphone also comes with Reading Mode 3.0 and dual speakers powered by Harman Kardon.

The Xiaomi 11T comes with Cinemagic mode and features a high-resolution triple camera, along with a suite of AI-powered tools to boost creativity and productivity. The Xiaomi 11T also comes with a triple camera setup, featuring a 108MP high-resolution wide-angle, 120° ultra-wide angle, and 2x telemacro camera. The smartphone combines this with its one-click AI cinema modes to distill the tricks of professional cinematographers such as Time Freeze, Night Time-Lapse, Magic Zoom, and other types of complicated shots into just a single click while the faintest of sounds is brought to life in cinematic fashion with Audio Zoom.

Its 6.67-inches 120Hz flat AMOLED display equally delivers HDR10+ with stunning sharpness and crystal clarity, over 1 billion colours, a smorgasbord of eye care features, and up to 480Hz touch sampling rate. The phone is powered by MediaTek Dimensity 1200-Ultra chipset, a massive 5000mAh battery, and 67W wired turbo-charging that gets to 100% in only 36 minutes.

The Xiaomi 11 Lite 5G NE features an ultra-thin and lightweight body, measuring a mere 6.81mm and weighing 158g. The design is further accentuated by a razor-thin 1.88mm on both top and side bezels, as well as four choices of stylish colours. While Truffle Black, Bubblegum Blue, and Peach Pink are making a return, Xiaomi is adding a brand-new colour called Snowflake White, which is a matte and frosted white.

Accessories

Review: Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless Mouse

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2021

Chris Fernando

As part of its Champion Series, Corsair announced its latest Sabre RGB Pro Wireless Mouse on the market today. The company sent the new mouse to us in advance for a review. And after using the mouse for a couple of days, we are glad to report that it exceeded our expectations.

The new mouse joins the league of the Sabre RGB Pro, which was launched earlier in 2021. The new Sabre RGB Pro Wireless is very lightweight and packs in an ergonomic design, that offers a competitive advantage to gamers. The mouse itself offers wired and wireless connectivity to laptops and PCS.

In terms of wireless, you get two options – either through Bluetooth or through Slipstream Wireless. The advantage of using Slipstream Wireless is that the technology transmits inputs at sub-1ms speeds, delivering mouse movements and clicks up to two times faster than a conventional gaming mouse, while also ensuring exceptional wireless signal quality throughout your gameplay.

You also get up to 90 hours of battery life that lets you play wire-free for days between charges. In terms of design, the Sabre RGB Pro Wireless features a similar design seen on the wired version. The Wireless variant though has a bit of heft to it when compared with the wired variant.

You get standard left and right-click buttons, with a slight groove in them for comfortably holding two fingers. You also get a bit of texture to the material on both the left and right-click that keeps your fingers from slipping. Forward and back buttons flank the left side of the mouse, and there is a DPI quick-select button just below the scroll wheel.

Inside the box, you get the Sabre RGB Pro Wireless mouse, along with the Slipstream Wireless receiver, a USB Type-C charging cable, the quick start guide, the warranty info and the safety instructions. Getting started with the Sabre RGB Pro Wireless is effortless. Connect the Slipstream Wireless connector to your PC or laptop and switch on the mouse in Slipstream mode, and you are good to go.

The mouse weighs just 79-gms – so rapid movements and lightning-quick reflexes are not a problem. The mouse also comes packed with professional-grade gaming mouse elements, such as the first-ever Corsair Marksman optical sensor. The mouse also comes with the highest dpi in any Corsair mouse to date at 26,000-dpi. This makes sure you get very precise movement.

The mouse is also compatible for use with Corsair’s very own iCUE software. With this app, you can customise dynamic RGB backlighting, remap buttons, create macros, and adjust DPI settings. All of these can be stored onto three onboard profiles. On the bottom of the Sabre RGB Pro Wireless, you will find a switch to move between Slipstream (RF), charging/wired, or Bluetooth modes and a button above that to initiate pairing for the latter.

Both types of wireless connections worked without issue during our review. However, while gaming, it’s better to use the dongle and Slipstream, as it delivers lower latency at sub-1ms. The mouse was comfortable overall to hold and use.

During our review, we put the Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless to test with a couple of games including Watch Dogs Legion, GTA V, and Doom Eternal. The mouse was very comfortable, quick to respond, and reliable. The buttons were very comfortable as well to use and the sensor on the mouse was very responsive.

The Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless Mouse comes with an impressive sensor, a very aesthetic and comfortable design, Slipstream Wireless technology, good overall performance, and a 26,000-DPI.

The pricing of AED 429, is a bit steep. However, if you are looking at top-notch performance, with very good connectivity options, the Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless mouse comes across as highly recommended. It thus walks away with the Gadget Voize Editors’ Choice award!

Price: AED 429

Corsair Sabre RGB Pro Wireless Mouse AED 429

Final Rating

Summary

Inside the box, you get the Sabre RGB Pro Wireless mouse, along with the Slipstream Wireless receiver, a USB Type-C charging cable, the quick start guide, the warranty info, and the safety instructions. Getting started with the Sabre RGB Pro Wireless is effortless. Connect the Slipstream Wireless connector to your PC or laptop and switch on the mouse in Slipstream mode, and you are good to go.

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Features

14-inch 2021 Laptop Guide: The Top Picks for Your Next Laptop in the UAE

Published

3 days ago

September 16, 2021

Chris Fernando

For a long time, the majority of laptops fell into one of three camps. There were 13-inch laptops meant for portability, 17-inch laptops for people who needed large displays, and 15-inch laptops for everyone else! Nevertheless, every now and then some brands would buck the trend with a 14-inch laptop, which provides the portability of an ultra-slim machine with enough screen space to be productive.

Whether you are looking for a laptop for gaming or a creative workstation for content creation or simply an everyday laptop for this back-to-school season, one of the first things you would consider is price and the best possible features. Ideally, the top 14-inch laptops should be packing serious internals and hardware ranging from quality processors to amazing graphic cards while still keeping things nice with a minimalist, thin, and light design, and would not break the bank either. Here, we have rounded up some of the top 2021 14-inch laptops that you could get your hands on in the UAE.

HUAWEI MateBook 14

Specifications:
Display: 14-inch 2K eye-comfort FullView display
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core Processor i5/i7
Battery and charging speed: 56Wh large battery + 65W SuperCharge
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Weight: 1.49kg Aluminium Alloy
Size: 307.5mm ×223.8mm ×15.9mm

Huawei’s latest all-rounded sleek laptop features a 2K eye-comfort FullView display with a resolution of 2160-by-1440 pixels, and a pixel density of 185 pixels per inch (ppi), and with support for 100 percent of the sRGB colour space, 1500:1 contrast ratio and peak brightness of 300 nits. In terms of performance and workload, this 2K all-rounded laptop does not disappoint. The 11th Gen Intel Core Processor powers the HUAWEI MateBook 14 for heavy computing and getting work done smoothly.

The HUAWEI MateBook 14 falls under the range of Super Device Products, which Huawei recently launched. This laptop can connect wirelessly with compatible tablets like the all-new 12.6-inch HUAWEI MatePad Pro and with monitors like the HUAWEI MateView via a USB-C cable providing you with futuristic multi-device collaboration and cross-device file sharing with simple drag and drop between the trio.

The new HUAWEI MateBook 14 Leverages the distributed capabilities of the Super Device to boost productivity and creativity. You can wirelessly project the 12.6-inch HUAWEI MatePad pro to the HUAWEI MateBook 14 to enjoy the new features of the Tablet-PC Multi-screen Collaboration that come with three modes; Mirror, Extend, and Collaborate. Based on Huawei’s distributed technologies, Multi-screen Collaboration features help bridge the gap between Windows and Android operating systems at the ground level, enabling seamless cross-device collaboration, file sharing, and multi-screen control.

Under Multi-screen Collaboration, the recently launched HUAWEI nova 8 can be connected with the HUAWEI MateBook 14 to form a powerful Super Device. Once connected, the laptop can access mobile files, and open up to three folders while the smartphone can function as the PC’s thumb device, making cross-device file management easier than ever.

Moreover, you can connect the laptop with the HUAWEI MateView via cable to have an extra screen providing you with an immersive viewing space while also wirelessly projecting the screen of the 12.6inch HUAWEI MatePad Pro onto the HUAWEI MateBook 14. The benefit of having this trio set up is the easy swapping of wireless and wired connections which lets you easily switch between work mode and personal mode.

Besides aesthetically pleasing designs and high performance, battery life is also an essential part of the user experience. The 56Wh high capacity battery in the HUAWEI MateBook 14 works together with Huawei’s smart power management solution to maximise battery life. The versatile in-box 65W USB Type-C power adaptor supports multiple power output standards for not only fast notebook charging, but also HUAWEI SuperCharge when connected to compatible Huawei smartphones. Moreover, when needed, Power off Reverse Charging enables the new 14-inch notebook to act as an emergency power bank for charging other devices.

HP Pavilion 14-DW1002NE

Specifications:
Display: 14-inch display
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core Processor i7
Battery and charging speed: 40Wh Battery + 45W Express Charge RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Weight: 1.72Kg Metal Body
Size: 324.30mmx 222.80mmx 18.94mm

HP’s Pavilion x360 14-dw1002ne comes with a 14-inch touch-screen display with a screen resolution of 1920-by-1080 pixels. You get to see more content with 178° wide-viewing angles and a vibrant picture. In addition, with touchscreen technology, you can control your PC right from the screen.

The HP Pavilion x360 14-dw1002ne is fitted with the 11th Generation Intel Core i7 processor for getting things done fast with good performance and stable connectivity. Battery life and charging speeds are key factors when deciding the top laptops available in the market. HP’s Pavilion 14-DW1002NE comes with a 40Wh battery which lasts long.

Meanwhile, the 45W HP’s Express Charge can provide users with 50% bbattery power in approximately 45 minutes. In terms of computing and processing convenience, this laptop comes fitted with 8GB RAM and 512GB internal storage (SSD) for sleek multitasking. This combination is ideal for running several programs smoothly.

Lenovo Yoga Slim 14 ITL05

Specifications:
Display: 14-inch touch-screen
Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i7
Battery and charging speed: 60.7WhBattery + 65WExpress Charge
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Weight: 1.36Kg Metal Body
Size: 320.6mm x 208.18mm x 14.9mm

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 14 ITL05 comes with a 14-inches touch-enabled display with an FHD+ screen resolution of 1920-by-1080 pixels. Edged with razor-thin bezels, the 14-inches display offers stunning clarity, colour, and detail, and 300 nits of brightness. Optimised with machine-learning technologies, the Lenovo Yoga Slim 14 ITL05 offers ultra-responsive, intuitive performance in a remarkably thin and light laptop.

When fully charged, Lenovo claims the Lenovo Yoga Slim 14 ITL05 will run all day—for up to 14 hours. In addition, when you need a boost, switch to Intelligent Cooling mode, which is co-engineered with Intel, for an extra 15-20% battery life. Alternatively, there is Rapid Charge Pro, which gets you back to 80% capacity within an hour. The 60.7Wh battery can be charged up to 50 percent in 30 minutes with standby mode or while powered off.

Moreover, with up to 16GB RAM and 512GB internal memory storage you are guaranteed smooth computing and multitasking regardless of the workload. There are many 14-inch laptops in the UAE market covering a gamut of budgets and use cases. While some can be happy with a system good enough for web surfing, others need a laptop that can handle tasks that are more intensive.

So there you are! The top picks for 14-inch laptops in UAE for 2021. Take your pick.