Entertainment
New year new phones
A new year has begun and the wall has a new calendar on it. Every New Year, people clamber to write the right resolution, to do something new or to own something they haven’t before, hoping it would bring new success or to simply add new delights to their lives.Bivek Khatiwada
A new year has begun and the wall has a new calendar on it. Every New Year, people clamber to write the right resolution, to do something new or to own something they haven’t before, hoping it would bring new success or to simply add new delights to their lives. If you are one of the people planning to buy a new smartphone this year then you are in luck. There are a bunch of cutting-edge smartphones that were recently launched and many more on the verge of being launched. Here are a few of those devices:
Newly launched smartphones
Nokia 1, Nokia 6, 2018 and Nokia 7 Plus
Among the three listed, Nokia 1 is the most affordable handset available at Rs 9,325. The smartphone is a budget-friendly device and incorporates 1GB RAM and 8GB of onboard storage. The handset possesses the Android Go version of Android Oreo. Thanks to the operating system, the device performs smoothly despite the mere 1GB RAM capacity. This is due to the optimisation of the Android Go interface. As for the cameras, the phone packs a 5MP sensor at the back and a 2MP sensor up front. Fueled by a 2105mAh battery, Nokia 1 also boasts a 4.5-inch display.
Nokia 6 was one of the most loved smartphones of 2017. Nokia 6 2018 is the successor to that handset with some great new features. Wrapped in a sturdy body, Nokia 6 2018 has a 5.5-inch Full-HD display and the Snapdragon 630 chipset. In terms of memory, the phone has an ample 3GB RAM and 32GB storage. Nokia 6 2018 also seems very capable in terms of photography with its 16MP camera that comes with a lens manufactured by Zeiss. Up front, there is an 8MP camera that’s great for selfies. Furthermore, the 3000mAh battery boosts the processing power of this device. The Nokia 6 is priced at Rs 29,399 and is available in most mobile stores for purchase.
Nokia 7 plus is the premium mid-range device priced at Rs 46,899. It comes with a tall 6-inch display, which boasts an 18:9 aspect ratio. To avoid minor cracks and scratches, the display is shielded with Gorilla Glass 3. The smart phone possesses a Snapdragon 660 chipset along with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. Along with the latest Android Oreo operating system, 7 plus also has a very capable 3800mAh battery.
In terms of photography, 7 plus does well with a dual camera setup at the back. The primary camera of 12MP is backed by another 13MP sensor. With this setup, the handset is capable of taking some remarkable images with ample details. The functionality of the dual camera setup cannot be overstated as it really helps capture some nifty portraits.
Huawei Y7 Pro 2018 and Y9 2018
Near bezel-less display with 18:9 is a hot trend among smartphones these days. And Y7 Pro 2018 and Y9 2018 are smartphones that flaunt said design features. In terms of display, Y9 has a 5.93-inch sized screen whereas its younger sibling has a taller 5.99-inch display. Powering the Y7 pro and Y9 are the Snapdragon 430 and Kirin 659 chipsets. Both devices have the memory configuration of 3GB RAM with 32 GB storage.
Cameras are the USP of these devices. Both of the handsets come with a dual camera setup of 13MP+2MP at the back. The twin rear cameras do well in terms of providing good depth effects and producing some pleasing portraits. Up front, there is an 8MP selfie shooter on the Y7 pro whereas the Y9 possesses a dual camera setup. The combination of 16MP and 2MP cameras at the back can cast Bokeh effects on the selfies taken by the Y9 2018. Packed with 3000mAh and 4000mAh batteries, the camera-centric Y7 Pro 2018 and Y9 2018 can be purchased at Rs 20,900 and Rs 25,900 respectively.
Vivo V9
With a tall 6.3-inch display, V9 flaunts the tallest display in the list. The display, however, has a notch on the top much like the iPhone X. The design of the Vivo V9 includes the bezel-less display with a 90 percent screen-to-body ratio. Powering the device is the Snapdragon 626 chipset backed by 4GB RAM and 64GB onboard storage.
With a dual camera setup of 16MP+2MP at the back, V9 promises some astonishing images. There is also a 24MP camera up front, which can deliver selfies with substantial details and clarity.
There is a 3260mAh battery providing ample power for quick processing. The device can be found in most mobile stores for the price of Rs 37,790.
Upcoming smartphones
Oppo F7
For the selfie enthusiasts, the F7 might be a tempting choice. Its AI-powered 25MP front camera is a rare feature among smart phones. The selfie shooter is capable of capturing amazing selfies with the help of added features such as natural facial beautification. The AI employed in the front camera focuses on removing the scars and blemishes from the face and at adding soft brightness to the images. The phone also has a 16MP sensor at the back.
With a screen size of 6.23-inch, Oppo F7 is a phablet powered by Helio P60 chipset. The display also has a notch similar to the iPhone X. In terms of memory, two variants of the F7 are available; one with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage and another with 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. Fueled by 3400mAh battery, this impressive looking smartphone has a facial recognition feature for quick unlocking. According to the company, we can expect the device to launch sometime soon this month.
Samsung Galaxy J7 Duo
With numerous J7 variants already existing in Samsung’s lineup, the J7 Duo is a confusing new addition. As the name cues, J7 Duo is a camera-centred phone with a dual camera setup at the back. The combination of 13MP and 5MP is for the depth effects and for adding Bokeh effects to the images. Up front, however, there is but a single 8MP camera.
Carrying a 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display, J7 Duo is yet another device with an Exynos 7870 chipset. The memory setup on the handset includes 4GB RAM and 32GB onboard storage, which can be further expanded to 256GB. On the software side, Galaxy J7 Duo is favoured by the latest Android Oreo and flavoured by Samsung’s home-baked Experience UI. Also, the device has ample juice (power) thanks to a 3000mAh battery.
Samsung Galaxy J7 Duo is a new device in the international market. The handset was launched in India on April 12. Curious about the launch of the smartphone in Nepal, we conversed with officials from Samsung Nepal who assured us that the device will be available in the market sometime this month. The official price of the phone is not known but by looking at the phone’s cost in international markets, you can expect the device to be priced at around Rs 27,000.