Tech
February 2024 Video Games: Exciting Virtual Games Scheduled for Launch
As February 2024 unfolds, the gaming realm braces for an exhilarating wave of releases, showcasing a mix of beloved franchises and promising newcomers. Following the expectations of the gamers, this month promises an exciting array of virtual gaming experiences. Whether a game boasts a concrete release date or falls within the broader "February 2024" timeframe, this article has you covered.
Most Awaited Video Games Set to Release in February 2014
Boxes: Lost Fragments
Boxes: Lost Fragments a game developed by Big Loop Studios and published by Snapbreak, thrusts players into the role of a legendary thief lured into a grand mansion filled with mysterious puzzle boxes. What initially seemed like a routine heist turns into a gripping struggle for freedom and answers as the player discovers the mansion's extraordinary nature.
Set to Release on February 1, 2024, the game draws inspiration from the best room escape games, offering a diverse set of original puzzle levels. Each level not only presents a challenge to players' resolve and skills but also a visual delight, featuring beautiful and unique environments that enhance the mysterious narrative.
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With no user reviews available, "Boxes: Lost Fragments" invites players to explore this uncharted territory, promising a captivating and immersive experience for those who enjoy solving intricate puzzles in a grand and lavish setting.
Granblue Fantasy: Relink
Granblue Fantasy: Relink, crafted by Cygames, Inc., invites players to embark on a thrilling skyward journey. The game will be released on February 1, 2024. As captain, players navigate the Sky Realm with Vyrn the dragon and Lyria, wielding mysterious powers. The narrative unfolds in the Zegagrande Skydom, where primal beasts guard islands, and the Church of Avia adds intrigue.
The game offers real-time combat with a diverse party of four skyfarers, each boasting unique weapons and skills. Engage in solo quests or team up in 4-player co-op for epic battles and rare loot. Accessible assist modes cater to various skill levels, ensuring a captivating experience for all.
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Explore the rich lore through Lyria's journal and delve into crew members' backstories with Fate Episodes. While the Community Hub lacks user reviews, "Granblue Fantasy: Relink'' promises an action-packed odyssey in a visually stunning world.
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash
Jujutsu Kaisen Cursed Clash, developed by Byking Inc. and published by Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc., immerses players in an action-packed 2-on-2 fighting game set in the world of JUJUTSU KAISEN. Coming on February 2, the game invites players to master the Jujutsu skills of their favorite sorcerers and cursed spirits.
The gamers can engage in intense 2 vs. 2 cursed technique battles, strategically combining attacks for joint attacks. Iconic characters like Yuji Itadori and Satoru Gojo bring their unique cursed techniques to the game.
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Grow stronger in battle, unlocking powerful techniques and latent abilities to conquer the escalating challenges. Experience the climax with fully developed characters, where players dynamically clash in super dreadnought cursed technique battles reminiscent of the anime's intensity.
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League, developed by Rocksteady Studios and published by Warner Bros. Games, is an action-adventure and third-person shooter game set to release on February 2, 2024. As a spin-off of the Batman: Arkham series, the game follows four supervillains—Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Harley Quinn, and King Shark—tasked with stopping the alien invader Brainiac and eliminating the Justice League.
With an open-world design, players can freely roam Metropolis either solo or cooperatively in multiplayer mode. The game features unique character abilities, an expansive skill tree, and post-launch content updates. Directed by Sefton Hill and Axel Rydby, "Kill the Justice League" promises a thrilling addition to the Arkhamverse.
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HELLDIVERS 2
In "HELLDIVERS 2," a high-octane third-person shooter developed by Arrowhead Game Studios, players become the last line of defense for the galaxy. Scheduled to be released on February 8, 2024, and published by PlayStation PC LLC, the game immerses you in a fast-paced interstellar war for freedom.
The gamers can join the Helldivers, an elite force, and engage in strategic missions with squads of up to four members. The intensity rises with friendly fire risks, emphasizing the importance of teamwork. Access diverse loadouts, requisition rewards, and face off against relentless alien threats. The fate of the Galactic War hangs in the balance – victory hinges on collective action.
Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden
The haunting realm of 'Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden is a captivating Action-RPG awaiting to be released on February 13, 2024, by developers DON'T NOD and published by Focus Entertainment.
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In the supernatural landscape of 1695 New Eden, follows the story of lovers turned Banishers, Antea Duarte and Red mac Raith. After a disastrous mission, Antea becomes a spirit, triggering a quest for liberation. Solve mystical cases, battle supernatural entities, and face morally ambiguous decisions that impact the fate of both the living and lingering souls. With a compelling narrative, explore a world rich in lore and ancient secrets, wielding both magic and weaponry.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: The Flagship Benchmark for 2024
Every year, Samsung starts with its flagship lineup for the year which becomes the standard for all flagships to follow. This year, Samsung followed the legacy by announcing the S24 series on 17th January 2024. The S24 Ultra, the latest and greatest in the lineup, is an incremental update over last year’s S23 Ultra. But there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. Let's take a look at the features, pros, cons, and price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra.
Key Specifications of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Design and Build Quality: Refined to Perfection
Samsung has always been true to the “Don’t fix it if it isn’t broken” ideology. From the back, the S24 Ultra looks identical to the outgoing S23 Ultra. However, the front side has been revamped in favor of a completely flat screen instead of the curve. And this year, it’s all titanium on the frame with seven different colorways to choose from.
The device comes in at 162.3 mm by 79 mm by 8.6 mm, a smidgeon smaller and slimmer than last year’s flagship. The front glass has been bumped up to Gorilla Glass Armor with the back featuring the standard Victus. The Ultra is also a tad bit lighter at 232 g thanks to the aluminum build. That’s about it when it comes to design changes.
Read more: iQoo 12 Pro Review: Flagship phone for gamers
The quad camera, stylus, sim slot, and the Type C port are all where they used to be from last year. The IP68 water resistance is also there as is standard on most flagships these days. The flat screen is, however, the biggest change and it might prove to be the game changer for the S24 Ultra as it is generally preferred over a curved one.
The Display: Samsung’s Supremacy Bumped Up to New Heights
If there’s one thing Samsung flagships have consistently done right, it has to be the display. The S24 Ultra takes that a notch up even with its minor updates.
The flat 6.8-inch screen is what Samsung is calling their Dynamic LTPO AMOLED 2X. The flat screen has a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and upgraded 2600 nits of peak brightness. The panel holds a 1440 by 3120 pixels resolution with an uncommon 19.5:9 ratio and 505 ppi density. Being flat on all sides, the screen-to-body ratio comes in at 88.5%.
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This year Samsung has added an extra layer of anti glaring coating on the Gorilla Glass Armor. The result is a bright, crisp, and sharp display that is just pure joy to navigate.
The Camera: A Utilitarian Approach
The quad camera on the S24 Ultra features a 200 MP f/1.7 24 mm wide angle main shooter. The sensor is complemented by a 10 MP f/2.4 67 mm telephoto and 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120-degree ultra-wide camera. The periscope lens has been updated to a 50 MP, f/3.4, 111mm lens from a 10 MP one. The new periscope sensor can shoot up to 5x instead of 10x on the last generation.
The cameras are stacked with features like multi-directional PDAF, Laser AF, OIS, and many other technical prowess. The result is a camera that can churn out 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60/120fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, and 1080p@960fps all the while maintaining HDR10+ quality.
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On the front side, S24 Ultra sports a 12MP (f/2.2) selfie shooter. It can capture a maximum of 4k videos at 30 and 60fps.
It’s difficult to pinpoint what exactly changed in terms of picture quality. The typical Samsung processing is on full show with sharpened images and great dynamic range. The night mode or Nightography as Samsung calls it, uses AI to identify different subjects within an image and direct exposure accordingly.
Samsung has also partnered with Instagram and Snapchat for a direct feed upload for lossless image sharing on their platforms. Simply put, Samsung slightly upped the bar for an already great camera system.
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Processor and Performance: A New Level of AI Integration
The S24 Ultra is running the latest Qualcomm SM8650-AC Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor based on the 4 Nm architecture. This is the first time a Snapdragon processor has beaten the current Apple flagship silicone for mobiles. On top of that, the S24 Ultra is using a customized version of the chipset for an even greater performance boost.
On paper, the 8 Gen 3 features 1x3.39GHz Cortex-X4 & 3x3.1GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.9GHz Cortex-A720 & 2x2.2GHz Cortex-A52 chips with Adreno 750 GPU.
S24 Ultra runs on One UI 6.1 on top of Android 14.
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There’s a new heat-dissipating tech on the Ultra which does an excellent job at keeping the phone cool, even under heavy duress. Games like PUBG, Genshin Impact, and Asphalt 9 ran smoothly without any frame drops whatsoever.
But what’s interesting about Ultra is the incorporation of Galaxy AI. The S24 Ultra heavily incorporates AI for photo editing, note-taking, translation, and even quick image search using the S pen.
The smartphone is now able to transcribe recordings, make summaries, and optimize photos even before the shutter is clicked. There’s so much to grasp here that Samsung has its twinkling assistant to guide users wherever they can use AI on the phone.
Read more: Asus ROG Phone 8 Review: 2024’s First Flagship Gaming Device
Battery and Charge Time: A Two-Day Battery Capacity
The battery on the S24 Ultra is a 5000 mAh one with 45W wired fast charging and 15W wireless Qi charging. The wired brick can take the smartphone up to 65% in 30 minutes. There’s also 4.5W reverse wireless charging similar to the S23 Ultra.
In terms of use, the S24 Ultra will comfortably last a day and a half.
Pros and Cons of Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
Pros:
- Gorgeous flat-screen - Updated build quality - Utility-focused camera updates - Great battery - A new bar in performance - Galaxy AI.
Read more: ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device
Cons:
- Minute incremental update over the S23 Ultra- It is a bit pricey.
Price of the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra
The S24 Ultra comes in at 12/256 GB, 12/512 GB, and 12 GB/ 1 TB configuration. The official price of the variants are 1,29,999 INR, 1,39,999 INR, and 1,59,999 INR. The price roughly translates to about 1,71,806 BDT, 1,85,022 BDT, and 2,11,454 BDT respectively (1 INR =1.32 BDT).
Verdict: The Best Money Can Buy
The S24 Ultra is a glaring testament to the best of what Android can offer. With its slightly updated design, build quality, camera, and processor, the S24 Ultra feels like a minor update over the previous gen. However, the high level of AI integration combined with the flat screen makes the S24 Ultra unique in its way.
At over 1300 USD, the S24 Ultra isn’t for everyone, certainly not for those who already own an S23 Ultra. But there’s no doubt that the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra will be the flagship standard for 2024.
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OPPO Find X7 Ultra: A deep dive into this photo-phone
Released on January 12, 2024, in China, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra has emerged as a camera-focused flagship smartphone, showcasing an array of impressive features and top-tier capabilities. Oppo has spared no expense in equipping this device with all the essential features one would anticipate from a high-end smartphone. From its cutting-edge camera system to its sleek design, the Oppo Find X7 Ultra aims to set a new standard in the world of flagship smartphones. Let’s take a look into the details of this phone.
Features and Specs of OPPO Find X7 Ultra
Design
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra boasts a familiar yet striking design, reminiscent of its predecessor, the Find X6 Pro. Featuring a dual-tone color scheme and a distinctive circular camera bump playfully nicknamed the "camera Oreo," the phone stands out in the market for its aesthetic appeal.
The rear, crafted from colored vegan leather, curves gracefully around the camera, preventing abrupt visual interruptions. The Orange and Blue variants showcase a ceramic-like top, while the Black variant features metal-like details and stitched vegan leather.
The device's ergonomic design, despite its sizable metal and glass build, impresses with a thin 9.5mm profile and a manageable weight of 221g.
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The vegan leather back enhances grip, ensuring a comfortable hold, and the cleverly designed camera bump doubles as a resting spot for fingers. Overall, the OPPO Find X7 Ultra's unique design, coupled with practical elements, contributes to an enjoyable and visually appealing smartphone experience.
Display
The OPPO Find X7 Ultra features a stunning 6.82-inch LTPO AMOLED display, boasting a remarkable resolution of 3168 by 1440 pixels with around 510 PPI density. The adaptive refresh rate ranges from 1 to 120Hz, ensuring a seamless user experience.
This panel supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, showcasing up to 1 billion colors. With a theoretical max brightness of 4,500 nits, real-world usage reaches up to 1,600 nits in regular conditions and up to 2,600 nits with HDR content.
Protected by Gorilla Glass Victus 2, the curved display delivers outstanding sharpness, vibrant colors, and deep blacks.
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The slight variation in bezel thickness is subtle, with a screen-to-body ratio exceeding 90%. Users praise the panel for its responsiveness, smooth operation, and overall excellence, making it one of the top displays currently available.
Camera
The phone boasts a powerful quad-camera setup that takes your photography experience to the next level. The main camera system includes four lenses: a 50 MP wide lens with an f/1.8 aperture for crisp and detailed shots, a 50 MP (f/2.6) periscope telephoto lens with 2.8x optical zoom, another 50 MP (f/4.3) periscope telephoto lens with an impressive 6x optical zoom, and a 50 MP (f/2.0) ultra-wide lens with a wide 123 ̊ field of view.
With multi-directional phase detection autofocus (PDAF), laser autofocus, and optical image stabilization (OIS), these cameras ensure sharp and stable images. The Hasselblad Color Calibration feature enhances color accuracy, making your photos vibrant and true to life.
On the video front, the rear cameras of the device support 4K recording at 30/60fps, 1080p at 30/60/240fps, and features like gyro-EIS, HDR, 10‑bit video, and Dolby Vision.
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The selfie camera, a 32 MP (f/2.4) wide lens with PDAF, captures stunning self-portraits and supports a maximum of 4K video recording at 30 and 60fps featuring gyro-EIS.
Why iPhone users should turn on the new Stolen Device Protection
You’re in a crowded bar when a thief watches you unlock your iPhone with your passcode, then swipes it. That sinking feeling hits when you realize it’s gone, along with priceless photos, important files, passwords on banking apps and other vital parts of your digital life.
Apple rolled out an update to its iOS operating system this week with a feature called Stolen Device Protection that makes it a lot harder for phone thieves to access key functions and settings. Users are being urged to turn it on immediately.
Here’s how to activate the new security option and why it’s so important:
The software update for iPhones and iPads includes the essential new feature designed to foil thieves from wiping phones for resale or accessing Apple ID or other important accounts. Stolen Device Protection is a new setting that’s included with the latest iOS release, version 17.3.
Apple says the feature, buried in your iPhone’s settings, adds an extra layer of security for users. It addresses a vulnerability that thieves have discovered and exploited: allowing them to lock victims out of their Apple accounts, delete their photos and other files from their iCloud accounts and empty their bank accounts by accessing passwords kept in the Keychain password manager.
Apple is introducing the feature as anecdotal evidence suggests phone thefts are surging. Stories of stolen phones abound on Reddit groups and in news articles in places from Los Angeles to London, where police say pickpocketing, “table surfing” and moped snatching are common tactics.
The Wall Street Journal reported last year how criminals watched people use their passcodes to gain access to their personal information after stealing their phones.
HOW DOES STOLEN DEVICE PROTECTION WORK?
Stolen Device Protection keeps track of a user’s “familiar locations,” such as their home or workplace, and adds extra biometric security hoops to jump through if someone tries to use the device to do certain things when it’s away from those places.
It also reduces the importance of passcodes, which thieves can steal by peering over someone’s shoulder or threatening and forcing victims to hand them over, in favor of “biometric” features such as faces or fingerprints that are a lot harder to duplicate.
Let’s say the bar thief that snatched your iPhone tries to erase its contents and settings to sell it. With Stolen Device Protection turned on, the phone will now require a Face ID or Touch ID scan to verify that person is the rightful owner.
And that’s the only way — the new feature doesn’t let someone use the passcode or any other backup method.
Other actions that will trigger this feature if it’s not at a familiar place include using passwords saved in Keychain or payment methods saved in Safari, turning off Lost Mode, applying for a new Apple Card or using the iPhone to set up a new device.
There’s also a second layer designed to slow down thieves trying to access critical security settings. If someone tries to, say, sign out of an Apple ID account, change the passcode or reset the phone while it’s in an unfamiliar location, they’ll have to authenticate using Face ID or Touch ID, wait an hour, then do a second facial or fingerprint scan.
Changing an Apple ID password, updating Apple ID security settings, adding or removing Face or Touch ID, and turning off the Find My device feature or Stolen Device Protection also will trigger this feature.
“The security delay is designed to prevent a thief from performing critical operations so that you can mark your device as lost and make sure your Apple account is secure,” the company said. “When your iPhone is in a familiar location, these additional steps will not be required and you can use your device passcode like normal.”
Can AI Replace Artists?
Think of a world where art co-exists with generative art. The music that we listen to, the art that we gaze and the sculptures that we admire could one day be a creation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than solely being a human product. The thought sparks ideas of opportunity as well as concerns for the future. Will generative AI replace what makes art human? Let’s try to find some answers.
AI in Art: A Rising Threat?
The history of humans creating art predates civilization itself. In fact, the oldest recorded art dates back 45,500 years! Compared to that, AI integration, or more commonly generative art is barely a year or two old.
The use of tech in art has, however, been prevalent for a few decades now. For all of this time, tech and human creativity co-existed to bring art to different verticals. But with AI, there’s a new dimension, a new advancement that simplifies the process. The democratization of art, as many call it, is also a means of exploitation that undermines what separates human art, the use of creativity in its true sense.
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Let’s look at how AI impacts different art verticals to get a better understanding.
Xiaomi POCO X6 Pro Review: Is It a Value for Money Midranger?
The onset of 2024 marked a notable increase in smartphone launches, particularly within the midrange category. In this wave, the reputed smartphone brand Xiaomi released the POCO X6 Pro in India on January 11. While retaining some key elements from its ancestor, the device brings several innovative features. Let’s take a look at the key specs, pros, cons, and price of Xiaomi POCO X6 Pro in Bangladesh.
Key Features of POCO X6 Pro
Design
The Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro exhibits a sleek design, measuring 160.5 mm by 74.3 mm by 8.3 mm and weighing 186 g or 190 g. With a glass front (Gorilla Glass 5) and options for a plastic or eco-leather back, it combines elegance with durability. The device is dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) and carries an IP54 rating for dust and splash resistance.
The glass finish on the back is visually striking, though prone to fingerprints. The rear camera island is seamlessly integrated, ensuring stability on flat surfaces. The flat plastic frame with a metallic finish houses power and volume buttons on the right, a secondary speaker, a secondary microphone, an IR blaster on the top, a USB-C port, a primary speaker, a primary microphone, and a removable SIM slot on the bottom.
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The flat display dominates the front with thin bezels, facilitating a seamless user experience, while the phone's lightweight construction and modest thickness enhance its overall appeal.
Display
The Xiaomi Poco X6 Pro flaunts a remarkable 6.67-inch AMOLED display, boasting a 1.5K resolution (2712 by 1220 pixels) and an impressive 120Hz refresh rate. With a 12-bit color depth offering 68 billion colors, the visuals are vibrant. The display supports HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, delivering stunning contrast and color accuracy. It reaches up to 1800 nits peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility in bright outdoor conditions and enhancing the viewing experience for HDR content. Corning Gorilla Glass 5 provides robust protection.
In practical use, the display is responsive and features accurate touch recognition. POCO introduces convenience with the ability to operate the display with wet fingers. The inclusion of various pre-set color schemes, including "Original Colour PRO," ensures natural and calibrated color reproduction. Overall, the POCO X6 Pro's display stands out for its clarity, vibrancy, and adaptability to various scenarios, promising an optimal visual experience.
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Camera
The Poco X6 Pro boasts a versatile triple-camera setup, headlined by a 64 MP wide sensor with an impressive f/1.7 aperture, 25mm focal length, and optical image stabilization. Accompanying it are an 8 MP (f/2.2) ultrawide lens with a 120˚ field of view and a 2 MP (f/2.4) macro lens.
While the main camera excels in good lighting conditions, providing detailed and vibrant captures, the ultrawide lens proves effective for expansive cityscapes. However, the macro lens falls short of expectations.
The rear camera system features LED flash, HDR, and panorama capabilities, capturing videos in 4K at 24/30fps and 1080p at 30/60fps with gyro-EIS.
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The 16 MP (f/2.4) front camera delivers satisfactory results, supporting HDR and panorama features and recording videos at 1080p/30/60fps. The front camera, though offering satisfactory performance, has HDR that lags behind the rear cameras.
Overall, the Poco X6 Pro's camera system offers a well-rounded photography experience with notable strengths and some limitations.
ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra Review: A Heavy-Duty Flagship Gaming Device
Chinese telecommunication company ZTE’s subsidiary Nubia Technology is a smartphone manufacturing brand, headquartered in Shenzhen. At the closure of 2023, the Smartphone industry witnessed the unveiling of Nubia's latest marvel, the Z60 Ultra. Drawing attention from mobile enthusiasts, it presents qualities in design, screen, photography, performance, and more that have become a focal point of discussion. Released on December 29, 2023, the ZTE Nubia Z60 Ultra proves itself to be an extraordinary device across the board. Now, let's embark on a thorough exploration of this standout device, known as the "Hexagonal Warrior."
Key Features and Specs of Nubia Z60 Ultra
Display
The Nubia Z60 Ultra flaunts an impressive design, measuring 164 mm by 76.4 mm by 8.8 mm and weighing 246g.
This device supports two SIM cards and boasts IP68 dust and water resistance. The back is crafted from a special glass that repels fingerprints, maintaining a clean and polished appearance.
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The rear camera setup, inspired by the universe, not only provides a visually unique layout but also improves grip during intense gaming sessions. The robust aerospace metal middle frame enhances durability, ensuring the phone can withstand accidental drops.
Departing from conventional camera placements, this phone features a flat wide-angle lens on top and a periscope telephoto lens below, challenging design norms for a distinctive look.
Drawing inspiration from Van Gogh's artistry, the Starry Sky edition showcases a mesmerising 3D-layered finish reminiscent of a captivating night sky. It has other colour options, which are black and silver.
While some may appreciate its mature and boxy aesthetic, it's essential to note its 8.78mm thickness and 246g weight, factors to consider for those who prefer lighter devices.
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Display
The Nubia Z60 Ultra presents a distinct design complemented by its standout 6.8-inch AMOLED True Full Screen. Boasting a resolution of 1116 by 2480 pixels with 400 PPI density and a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, the bezel-free display provides a visually immersive experience.
Notably, the front-facing camera is cleverly concealed beneath the screen using the UDC Ultra technology, ensuring an uninterrupted surface. The pixels above the camera are a mere 2.8um in size, enhancing the overall display quality.
While not the brightest or most vibrant, the flat and flawless nature of the screen is impressive. This unique design choice, coupled with features like HDR10+, DC dimming, and 10-bit colour depth, adds to the overall appeal of the Nubia Z60 Ultra, creating a device that stands out in the crowd.
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Cameras
With three rear cameras and one hidden under the screen, the Nubia Z60 Ultra offers versatility. The 50 MP (f/1.6) main camera with a 35mm lens ensures sharp photos with a natural bokeh effect. The ultra-wide 50MP (f/1.8) camera, using an 18mm lens, captures a wider field of view, while the 64 MP (f/ 3.3) telephoto camera features an 85mm lens. It achieves 5x optical zoom and 20x hybrid zoom.
The front-facing under-display 12MP camera facilitates unobstructed selfies and video calls, complemented by AI beautification and HDR modes.
The phone's photography features include night mode, portrait mode, and a special Starry Sky mode for capturing the beauty of the night sky. The Z60 Ultra's unconventional approach to camera focal lengths caters to photography enthusiasts, offering a unique perspective in both design and functionality.
The rear sensors can shoot a maximum of 8K video footage at 30fps. Besides, it can capture 4K and 1080p videos at different capacities. The front sensor can capture only 1080p footage at 30fps.
Read more: Xiaomi Redmi K60 Ultra Review: A Gamer's Delight
Asus ROG Phone 8 Review: 2024’s First Flagship Gaming Device
Known for producing top-notch Android gaming phones under the ROG line-up, Asus has distinguished itself by creating purpose-built devices. In this wave, the Asus ROG Phone 8 made its debut at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2024 on January 8. Let’s take a look at the new features and upgrades in the latest ROG phone.
Key Features and Specs of ROG Phone 8
Design
The Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro introduces a more conventional design, weighing 225 grams and measuring 163.8mm by 76.8mm by 8.9 mm. With smaller bezels and a thinner 8.9mm profile, it offers a lighter and sleeker form factor.
Retaining AirTriggers on each shoulder, the phone forgoes motorised vents, gaining an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. Practical features like the 3.5mm headphone jack and side-mounted USB-C charging port remain intact.
Read more: Apple’s 2024 Line-up: A leap into the future with Vision Pro, OLED iPad Pro, and more
While still gaming-centric, the ROG Phone 8 Pro deviates from the bold aesthetics of its predecessors. The rear panel conceals the LED array when turned off, giving it a more ordinary appearance. Even the camera module adopts a simple, slightly raised square section in the top corner.
However, users may find it less striking compared to previous models. The design, seemingly aimed at broader appeal and usability, may risk alienating hardcore ROG Phone enthusiasts who appreciate the uniqueness of older models.
ROG Phone 8 is available in two colour options: Rebel Grey and Phantom Black.
Display
The Asus ROG Phone 8 boasts a 6.78-inch FHD+ (2400 by 1080 pixels) Samsung Flexible AMOLED display. The screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2. With a vivid colour range, it covers 107.37% DCI-P3, 145.65% sRGB, and 103.16% NTSC colour gamuts. This means sharp and vibrant visuals.
Read more: Apple's Vision Pro Headset: Everything You Need to Know
The brightness is impressive, reaching up to 1,600 nits HBM and a peak brightness of 2,500 nits. HDR10 support enhances the viewing experience, providing richer colours and contrast. The display offers a variable refresh rate from 1Hz to 120Hz, with a maximum of 165Hz for supported games, ensuring smooth visuals.
Noteworthy is the Always-On display feature, displaying essential information with tiny icons, like charging status, due to the absence of a thick top bezel. The 10-point multitouch supports glove touch, adding to user convenience.
While some may miss a QHD resolution, the FHD choice is likely a compromise for better power consumption, especially with the phone's higher refresh rate. Overall, the Asus ROG Phone 8's display promises an immersive and dynamic visual experience.
Read more: iQOO Neo 9 Review: A Flagship Grade Mid-Range Smartphone
Cameras
The Asus ROG Phone 8 comes equipped with a powerful rear camera setup for capturing stunning photos and videos. The main rear camera features a Sony IMX 890 50 MP image sensor with a large 1/1.56” sensor size.
Enhancing stability, the main camera incorporates Gimbal OIS (Optical Image Stabilization) and Quad Bayer technology, resulting in a 12.5 MP image with a 2 µm large effective pixel size. The wide F1.9 aperture and a 23.8mm equivalent focal length in a 35mm film camera ensure impressive low-light performance and sharp images.
Complementing the main camera is a 13 MP second rear camera with a 120° ultrawide-angle lens and a Free-form lens, providing diverse shooting perspectives. The equivalent focal length is 12.7mm in a 35mm film camera.
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Adding versatility, the third rear camera is a 32 MP lens with f/2.4 aperture, OIS, and 3X optical zoom. Utilising pixel binning technology, the actual output photo is 8 MP, and the equivalent focal length in a 35mm film camera is 65.3mm.
For selfie enthusiasts, the front camera boasts a 32 MP RGBW sensor with pixel binning for 1.4μm size (actual output photo: 8 MP). The equivalent focal length in a 35mm film camera is 22mm, ensuring clear and vibrant self-portraits. Overall, the camera setup on the Asus ROG Phone 8 promises a versatile and high-quality photography experience.
Best of Consumer Electronics Show 2024: The Top Picks
Like every year, the Consumer Electronics Show 2024 marked the start of an exciting year of tech ahead. From wearables to entertainment to even farming tech, CES brings about every form of consumer tech imaginable under one roof. From January 9 to 12, the event took place at the Las Vegas Convention Center located in the Nevada state of the United States. Let’s dig into the best picks from this year’s CES.
The Most Exclusive Tech Gadgets of CES 2024
Rabbit R1: A Standalone Personal Assistant
The concept of Rabbit R1 might be a bit complex for some. It’s essentially a $199 device meant to use your phone for you. And if you’re not scratching your head already, it essentially uses AI to navigate tasks on your phone which otherwise you’d have to do yourself.
Rabbit R1 uses a simple command button like ChatGPT where you speak a command and it gets on with the task using your smartphone as the base. For example, ordering food or booking a UBER. The possibilities are supposed to be limitless with this AI assistant. While many are still skeptical about its practicality, Rabbit R1 was a highlight at CES.
Signature Series T OLED from LG: A New Transparent OLED Tech
LG unveiled its Signature Series T OLED screen at CES 2024. And in short, this is probably what magic in tech looks like.
The transparent screen is mounted on a frame, which when turned off, looks just like a slab of glass. The screen can project everything a normal OLED panel can do except without a background. The result is an entirely new viewing experience which honestly feels surreal.
Read more: Apple's Vision Pro Headset: Everything You Need to Know
LG even incorporated a raisable black screen at the back for a more traditional viewing experience. The 77-inch screen provides ample real estate to enjoy any kind of content on it, even holographic ones!
Tecno Spark 20 Review: Budget-friendly phone with a smart look
Tecno Mobile, a Chinese company based at Shenzhen, was established in 2006, as a subsidiary of Transsion Holdings. In the recent years, this brand acquired huge reputation for producing value-for-money smartphones. Spak is the budget-friendly line up of Tecno Mobile. Recently, the brand has launched Tecno Spark 20, an affordable phone with an iPhone-inspired design. This device is now available in Bangladesh. Let’s explore its features in details.
Features and Specifications of Tecno Spark 20
Design
Tecno Spark 20 phone comes with 163.7 mm by 75.6 mm by 8.5 mm dimention. It boasts a larger camera island with three circled rings for the dual cameras and a quad flashlight. The glossy camera island may attract dust, contrasting with the fingerprint-resistant plastic matte finish.
The plastic frame houses a swift side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and while lacking an official IP rating, a rubber ring suggests water resistance to some extent. Dual speakers deliver a surprisingly balanced sound, complemented by a USB C port for charging and a microphone for calls. The comfortably held phone exhibits flat surface, and robust build quality without any creaks or flexing.
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The dynamic port, reminiscent of the iPhone's dynamic island, introduces a touch of sophistication, though its functionality is somewhat constrained.
The vibrant color options, like Neon Gold, Gravity Black, Cyber White, and Magic Skin 2.0 (Blue), Spark 20 presents an eye-catching play of light.
Display
The Tecno Spark 20 sports a 6.6-inch IPS LCD, featuring a commendable 90Hz refresh rate alongside a 720 by 1612 pixels resolution. The enhanced scrolling experience due to the high refresh rate is more perceptible. While the display is satisfactory for its price point, a higher 1080p resolution would have been preferable.
Its punch hole disrupts the display. Besides, it has noticeable bezels, especially the prominent chin at the bottom. However, these limitations are often found in the similarly priced devices.
Read more: Tecno Spark 20C Review: Standard phone under 15000 TK
It’s display customization options offer flexibility, allowing users to fine-tune colors. With a peak brightness of 500 nits under adaptive settings, the screen remains visible outdoors. The ability to stream YouTube videos at 2K resolution produces vibrant and sharp visuals. While responsive to touch and conducive to enjoyable gaming, a desire for a higher resolution lingers, leaving the overall display experience commendable for its budget-friendly nature.
Performance and Software
The Tecno Spark 20 runs on the MediaTek Helio G85 12nm, which, despite being an older chipset, performs well. The phone is smooth with no noticeable lag when using it, and apps open quickly.
Games also run fine, except for heavy ones. It handles everyday tasks like calls, texts, and content consumption without a hitch. Multitasking is decent, except for heavy games. Compared to the Spark 10 with the MediaTek Helio G37, there's an improvement in performance.
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