Gadgets
Review: Poco X4 Pro 5G
The new Poco X4 Pro 5G is sort of a departure from what the X series stood for – a smartphone series with near-flagship specs. However, the Poco X4 Pro 5G does offer some good mid-range specs.
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
The phone also has a noticeable heft to it, when you hold it – it has a rectangular form factor with rounded edges, similar to the design cues seen on smartphones sold by the “fruit company”. Dimensions include a height of 164.19mm, a width of 76.1mm, and a thickness of 8.12mm. The X4 Pro 5G weighs around 205-gms and sports an oversized camera module at the rear.
On the right edge, you get the volume rockers and a recessed power button that also doubles up as a fingerprint scanner. On the top edge, you get the 3.5mm audio jack, a stereo speaker grille, a noise-cancelling microphone, and the IR blaster. On the lower edge, you get the stereo speaker grille, a second noise-cancelling microphone, a USB Type-C charging port, and a dual SIM tray which also takes in a micro SD card to expand the storage capacity of the device.
The X4 Pro 5G is available in three colour options – Laser Blue, Laser Black, and Poco Yellow. We received the Laser Black variant for this review.
DISPLAY
On the front, you get a 6.67-inch FHD+ AMOLED DotDisplay that offers a resolution of 2400-by-1080 pixels. You get a contrast ratio of 4,500,000:1, a brightness level of 2047, 700 nits of maximum brightness, and 1200 nits for the peak brightness. The refresh rate is rated at 120Hz and the display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5. There’s also SGS Eye Care on the display to keep your eyes protected from blue light.
HARDWARE
Under the hood, the Poco X4 Pro 5G is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 chipset, which is made up of a Quad-Core Qualcomm Kryo 660 CPU running at 2.2Hz, and a Qualcomm Adreno 619 GPU. This is coupled with 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS2.2 storage, which can be further expanded by inserting a micro SD card into the dual SIM slot.
The phone comes with a 5000mAh battery and it also supports 67W turbocharging, which can charge the phone to 90% of its capacity in 32 minutes.
CAMERA
The appearance of the Poco X4 Pro 5G is quite unique, thanks to its oversized camera module, which takes up almost 1/3rd area of the rear of the device. This camera module includes a 108MP main camera which offers an aperture of f/1.9, an 8MP ultra-wide camera that offers a 118° field of view and an aperture of f/2.2, and a 2MP macro camera that offers an aperture of f/2.4.
Video and photography features include panoramic selfies, super macro video, and dual video. In terms of video recording, the rear camera can record footage at a resolution of 1080p at 30fps, and at a resolution of 720p at 30fps. The front camera is rated at 16MP with an aperture of f/2.4, and can record video footage at a resolution of 1080p at 30fps, and at 720p resolution at 30fps.
PERFORMANCE
The phone support 5G and wireless connectivity offered include Bluetooth 5.1 and Wi-Fi protocols 802.11a/b/g/n/ac. As mentioned earlier, the phone comes with stereo speakers and is also Hi-Res Audio certified. The phone runs on the Android 11 operating system with MIUI 13 running on top of it. The overall user experience of MIUI is pretty good, though it does come with a bit of bloatware, which can be easily uninstalled.
Inside the box, you get the Poco X4 Pro 5G, the 67W Turbo Charger, a USB Type-C Cable, a SIM Eject Tool, a Protective Case, the Quick Start Guide, and the Warranty Card. Using the phone was quite fluid, thanks to the solid specs. No lags or stutters were encountered while either switching between various apps, playing games, or watching movies and videos.
The camera performs really well under any lighting conditions. It does not matter if it’s day or night, the camera performed consistently across the board. Night photography is enhanced, thanks to the phone’s Night Mode. The phone also comes with a 108MP mode that captures more detail and enhances the images as you zoom into the image captured. The Dual Video mode will especially be useful for content creators and vloggers.
VERDICT
For a price of AED 1349, the Poco X4 Pro 5G is a true value for money device. Though it does not offer flagship-like specs, it does perform quite well as a mid-range device.
Price: AED 1349
Poco X4 Pro 5G AED 1349
Summary
The appearance of the Poco X4 Pro 5G is quite unique, thanks to its oversized camera module, which takes up almost 1/3rd area of the rear of the device. This camera module include a 108MP main camera which offers an aperture of f/1.9, an 8MP ultra-wide camera that offers a 118° field of view and an aperture of f/2.2, and a 2MP macro camera that offers an aperture of f/2.4.
User Review
( votes)Gadgets
Huawei Watch D2 Review: Elevating Health Tracking and Design to New Heights
The Huawei Watch D2 is a remarkable upgrade from its predecessor, the Watch D, with significant improvements in health monitoring features, design, build quality, battery life, and overall performance.
Design
The Huawei Watch D2 boasts a sleek and modern design that is both stylish and functional. Built using premium materials, including a durable stainless steel case and a high-quality silicone strap, it ensures comfort and longevity. The vibrant 1.8-inch AMOLED display with high resolution provides clear and sharp visuals even in bright sunlight.
The touchscreen is responsive and easy to navigate. You can choose from a variety of watch faces and customisable widgets to tailor the watch to your style and preferences. The watch is water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming and other water-based activities.
Health Monitoring
The Huawei Watch D2 excels with its advanced health monitoring capabilities, making it an ideal choice for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals. One of the standout features is the electrocardiogram (ECG) capability, which allows you to monitor your heart’s electrical activity and detect potential heart issues such as atrial fibrillation.
The watch includes a built-in blood pressure monitor which is powered by an ultra-narrow airbag with a mini pump that pumps in the air like conventional BP monitors. This provides convenient and accurate readings directly from the wrist.
Continuous blood oxygen level tracking is essential for understanding overall cardiovascular health. With continuous heart rate tracking, you can monitor your cardiovascular health and receive alerts for any abnormalities. The Watch D2 also offers detailed sleep analysis, including deep, light, and REM sleep stages, helping you understand your sleep patterns and improve rest quality.
The smartwatch also monitors stress levels and offers guided breathing exercises to help manage stress. It also supports a wide range of workout modes and provides detailed data on steps, calories burned, and other fitness metrics.
Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring
With the HUAWEI Watch D2, you can start an Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) plan at any time. The device offers vibration reminders for daytime monitoring, which can be set to start automatically or manually. Getting a reading is simplified into three easy steps. You can customise the monitoring frequency with options like 15, 20, 30, 45, and 60 minutes, with a default setting of 30 minutes.
During the night, the watch takes automatic measurements to ensure continuous health monitoring. ABPM reports provide insights into blood pressure-related risks. Additionally, the Health Glance feature offers easy access to 9 indicators, including ECG, arterial stiffness, and pulse wave arrhythmia, all with just a tap.
Family Health Management
With the HUAWEI Watch D2’s Family Health Management feature, you can stay connected and keep track of your loved ones’ health effortlessly. Through the Health Community, you can privately share vital health data such as blood pressure, activity levels, heart rate, sleep patterns, and more. This ensures that everyone’s well-being is monitored and managed effectively.
Additionally, the watch provides health data alerts to help you stay vigilant about your family’s health. For instance, you might receive a notification that says, “Mom’s blood pressure is abnormal,” with an option to touch for more details. This way, you can respond promptly to any health concerns and ensure your family remains healthy and informed.
Performance
The Huawei Watch D2 delivers impressive performance across all its features, thanks to powerful hardware and optimised software. It runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 5.0 operating system, which is smooth and intuitive. Navigation is seamless, and the watch responds quickly to touch inputs. The watch supports Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring easy pairing with smartphones and other devices.
It also includes NFC for contactless payments. The Huawei Health app provides a comprehensive dashboard for all health and fitness data, making it easy to track progress and set goals. The app also allows for customisation of the watch’s features and settings.
Battery Life
Battery life is a critical aspect of any smartwatch, and the Huawei Watch D2 excels in this department. It offers 5 days of battery life on a single charge, depending on usage, a significant improvement over the Watch D. This ensures you can rely on your watch for extended periods without frequent recharges.
Verdict
The HUAWEI Watch D2 is a standout smartwatch that brings substantial upgrades over its predecessor. With advanced health monitoring features such as ECG and blood pressure monitoring, it offers comprehensive health tracking that’s ideal for fitness enthusiasts and health-conscious individuals. Its sleek design, premium build quality, and vibrant AMOLED display ensure both style and functionality.
The impressive battery life, lasting up to 5 days, makes it highly practical for daily use. Enhanced connectivity, intuitive user interface, and seamless app integration further elevate its overall performance. Whether you’re upgrading from the Watch D or looking for a versatile and reliable health-focused smartwatch, the HUAWEI Watch D2 is an excellent choice that won’t disappoint.
Price: AED 1599
Huawei Watch D2 AED 1599
Summary
The Huawei Watch D2 delivers impressive performance across all its features, thanks to powerful hardware and optimised software. It runs on Huawei’s HarmonyOS 5.0 operating system, which is smooth and intuitive.
User Review
( votes)Components
CORSAIR Intros MP700 ELITE Series PCIe 5.0 M.2 SSDs
CORSAIR has announced the immediate release of the MP700 ELITE series of PCIe 5.0 SSDs. These new drives bring the next generation of storage technologies to mainstream markets, offering incredible performance and reliability at a more affordable price point.
The MP700 ELITE boasts incredible sequential read speeds of up to 10,000MB/sec and sequential write speeds of up to 8,500MB/sec, powered by the cutting-edge PCIe 5.0 x4 controller. This leap in performance ensures users can experience faster boot times, quicker game loads, and seamless file transfers, taking their overall computing experience to new heights.
Featuring High-Density 3D TLC NAND, the MP700 ELITE series provides the perfect blend of performance and endurance, keeping your system running smoothly for years. With support for Microsoft DirectStorage, these drives can communicate directly with your graphics card, significantly reducing load times for compatible games and enhancing gameplay.
Utilizing the compact M.2 2280 form factor, the MP700 ELITE is available both with a heatsink for desktop motherboards, and also without a heatsink for use with integrated motherboard cooling and in compatible laptops. Moreover, backward compatibility with PCIe 4.0 and PCIe 3.0 platforms ensures that a wide range of users can benefit from this advanced technology. A PCIe 5.0 platform, such as Intel’s 800-series or AMD’s 800-series is required for the highest throughput.
With a comprehensive five-year warranty and the CORSAIR SSD Toolbox software for advanced drive management, the MP700 ELITE series stands as a testament to CORSAIR’s commitment to innovation and customer satisfaction. The CORSAIR MP700 ELITE series is available in 1TB and 2TB capacities.
Components
Cooler Master Releases the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White
Cooler Master, a leading provider of PC components, gaming peripherals, and tech lifestyle solutions, has today announced the release of the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White, an all-new colourway for their premium liquid cooler. This flagship AIO cooler features the company’s first LCD display and showcases the most advanced cooling technology to date.
Key features and benefits of the MasterLiquid 360 Ion White include:
- Gen X Dual Chamber Design: Dual chambers work together for the most efficient cooling.
- 2.1-inch IPS LCD Screen: The pump features a 2.1-inch LCD screen, fully customizable via the MasterCTRL software.
- Mobius 120P ARGB Fans: Equipped with three white Mobius 120P ARGB fans for unmatched cooling performance.
- Personalization and Compatibility: Built-in features such as controllable ARGB lighting and automatic PWM adjustment are compatible with all major motherboards and allow for in-depth personalization.
- Easier Installation: Preinstalled Mobius 120P ARGB fans and a simplified bracket design make installation simpler and faster.
The MasterLiquid 360 Ion White is the liquid cooler to watch for in the next generation of PC building. With the ideal combination of flagship performance and customization possibilities, as well as an all-white aesthetic for an entirely different look, the Ion is a cooling powerhouse you just can’t look away from.