BSNL has announced the launch of a new prepaid plan. The state-run telecom operator has launched Rs. 797 voucher plan for those who want to or wish to retain the number as their secondary number. For the unaware, the telecom operator offers several plans and vouchers to customers for the same reason so that they can keep their number activated.
It is worth noting that the newly launched BSNL plan is designed for users who love to watch movies online and play games, including Free Fire Max, Battlegrounds, and more.
BSNL Rs. 797 Plan Details
The BSNL Rs. 797 plan offers benefits for 395 days. Under the newly launched plan users will get extra 30 days of validity. However, customers will get benefits for 60 days only. After that, users have to choose talktime or new data plans so that they make calls and browse the internet.
The BSNL Rs. 797 is providing 2GB of data per day, 100 messages per day, and unlimited calling for only 60 days. But, speed will be reduced to 80 kbps and SIM will remain active. Notably, the BSNL data voucher is also listed on the company’s website and the application.
BSNL 4G And 5G Rollout
Apart from the new plan, the telecom operator is planning to launch 4G and 5G services on August 15th, 2022. “While we were doing our proof of concept (PoC), we were also working on 5G. As far as the 5G NSA is concerned, we will launch the BSNL network by August 2022. So, they can really start service, it will be 4G plus 5G,” Rajkumar Upadhyay, Executive Director, and Chairman, C-DoT said ET’s 5G Congress 2022.
OnePlus started its innings in the mobile space as a flagship killer and within a short span logged itself amongst the top contenders in the premium smartphone race. OnePlus had also recently expanded its venture in the affordable smartphone space with the Nord smartphone lineup. But, the demand for high-end flagship phones isn’t slowing down despite the availability of budget Nord phones. In India as well, OnePlus has a strong presence in the flagship smartphone segment. This year’s first high-end device in the country from the brand comes in the form of the OnePlus 9RT 5G.
The OnePlus 9RT 5G is primarily an upgraded version of the OnePlus 9R which debuted alongside the standard OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro in India last year. And when we speak of upgrades, it’s a subtle change that both the OnePlus 9RT 5G and OnePlus 9R have in terms of hardware and design. An octa-core Snapdragon 888 processor, 50MP triple cameras combined with frosted glass design makes it all premium.
The OnePlus 9RT India price has been set at Rs. 42,999 for the base model with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage model, while the 12GB RAM and 256GB storage variant can be purchased at Rs. 46,999. But with the upcoming OnePlus 10 Pro in India, does the OnePlus 9RT still makes for a good choice? Or you should wait for the next OnePlus flagship? This OnePlus 9RT 5G detailed review will help clear the confusion.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 4 out of 5.
Pros:
Bright and vivid display enhances viewing experience
Powerful camera performace
65W fast charging
Cons:
No IPX certification for water and dust resistivity
Dated Android OS
OnePlus 9RT 5G Review: Subtle Yet Premium Appeal
The OnePlus 9RT 5G doesn’t bring an entirely new design language and has a strong resemblance to the previous-gen OnePlus 9 series phones. The frosted glass back panel layered with Corning Gorilla Glass 5 gives this handset a distinctive appeal. We have received the Hacker Black color variant which has a mix of matte and shimmering texture that is feather smooth to touch. So, the premium factor isn’t limited to the looks here but also the touch and feel.
It really gets difficult to resist using the OnePlus 9RT without any case or cover. Besides, the rear panel is smudge resistant and isn’t a fingerprint magnet. This definitely is a respite for users who love to flaunt their handsets without any added skin. But since the back panel has glass layering, we would suggest you use the case that ships with the retail box.
The placement of keys and ports are also tactical. The volume keys are placed on the left panel, while the right spine accommodates the power key along with the alert slider. This physical key to keep toggle between the silent, vibration, and ringtone mode is personally one of my favorite features. This is primarily due to the fact you don’t have to unlock the device every time you wish to put your device on silent mode.
The bottom panel has the USB Type-C port along with the speaker grille and the hybrid SIM slot. Using this OnePlus flagship phone with a single hand is a decent experience. The handset has a tall form factor but is easy to use with general tasks that are limited to web surfing and media playback. Any extensive usage such as gaming will require both your hand’s easy operability. It would have been a complete package if it came along with an IPX certification.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Review: Bright And Vivid Display Panel
OnePlus has been following a standard norm of packing its flagship phones with high-end displays. The OnePlus 9RT 5G is packed with a 6.62-inch display which delivers 1080 x 2400 pixels FHD+ screen resolution and has an aspect ratio of 20:9. OnePlus has packed the same Samsung E4 AMOLED panel as the standard 9R here. So, the performance delivery by the panel isn’t much different on both units. The 9RT’s AMOLED display is crisp with color production and is surely a treat for users who prefer binge-watching shows and movies on smartphones.
However, the default color temperature is slightly better here compared to the previous generation OnePlus phones. It isn’t a warmer tone you get on the OnePlus 9RT 5G’s display rather you see balanced color output. The 9RT panel has good viewing angles, but you might notice slight color shifts if you are viewing the panel from different edges.
But this isn’t any major concern that might hamper your viewing experience. The Samsung panel further offers 339 PPI pixel density and a 120Hz refresh rate that allows for smoother frame transitions with every app. The brightness levels are high here. So, you wouldn’t have any difficulties with viewing content under direct sunlight. The viewing experience isn’t solely good for video consumption but also a gaming.
OnePlus 9RT Review: Overall Performance And User Experience
The OnePlus 9RT is amongst the top flagships that are driven by the Snapdragon 888 processor. This is Qualcomm’s last year’s premium octa-core chipset that is built on a 5nm fabrication process. Now the OnePlus 9RT 5G is prowess in itself. Throughout its usage, we didn’t experience any lags or hiccups with performance. Power delivery has been at a peak despite multiple intensive apps is running in the background.
Enhancing the chipset’s capabilities with performance delivery is the supported Adreno 660 GPU and 8GB/12GB RAM configuration. The high RAM capacity makes sure the handset doesn’t flinch easily with heavy tasks, while the Adreno series chipset helps with rendering high-end graphics swiftly.
Besides, you can always go for the high-end 12GB RAM model which will make sure there aren’t any issues with multitasking and also a gaming. That said, the gaming experience has also been superior with the OnePlus 9RT 5G. I have tested the performance with several graphics-intensive games including Shadow Fight 4 and Real Racing 3.
The company has also tucked in a Haptic motor that enhances the gaming experience by delivering better vibration feedback. We also didn’t experience any device warm-up or heat-up issues despite prolonged usage. This includes consistent web surfing and media playback. The device’s temperature is stable throughout the usage.
The built-in liquid cooling vapor chamber helps keep the temperatures in check while extensive gaming. Likewise, the RAM capacity, the OnePlus 9RT 5G’s storage configuration are also dual. You can either select the basic 128GB model or can opt for the 256GB storage model. It is worth adding that the 9RT 5G also doesn’t support any expandable storage. So, if storage crunch has been your concern, you should go for the high-end 256GB storage variant.
Where the OnePlus 9 Pro lags behind is the firmware. The device ships with Android 11 OS instead of the latest Android 12 OS. While Android 11 OS isn’t completely dated, it has been a while since Google had introduced the Android 12 OS already, installing the newer Android version would have made more sense.
So, expect a similar user experience as older generation OnePlus phones including the remaining OnePlus 9 series phones (vanilla OnePlus 9 and the OnePlus 9 Pro). As of now, OnePlus hasn’t officially confirmed when it plans to release the Android 12 OS stable update to the OnePlus 9RT. One of the bugs which I would like to highlight is with the in-house calendar app. While the device is able to open Google calendar successfully, the OnePlus calendar app fails to load each time. That’s the case despite a reboot.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Review: How’s The Imaging Performance?
OnePlus has been a hit amongst the Indian audience for offering a complete package in terms of smartphone hardware. The brand has good expertise with camera hardware that is evident with most of its flagship range of phones. The optics used by the OnePlus 9RT 5G includes three cameras at the rear and a single selfie snapper. We’ll start off with the rear camera performance. The OnePlus 9RT 5G is packed with a 50MP main camera with an f/1.7 aperture.
It is a Sony IMX766 primary lens that comes with OIS (Optical Image Stabilization), EIS (Electrical Image Stabilization) and is combined with a 16MP ultrawide sensor that has an f/2.2 aperture and 123-degree FoV. The camera setup also features a 2MP sensor with an f/2.4 aperture for macro photography.
The camera hardware is slightly upgraded compared to the standard OnePlus 9R. The main difference is the primary sensor which is bigger than the 48MP sensor used on the standard OnePlus 9R. The shots captured have solid detailings when captured in broad daylight. The above-captured click is one good example of the high level of detailing that the OnePlus 9RT main camera. The edge detection is good. The images don’t get dilapidated at any given point, even when you zoom the image.
The imaging experience is decent with low-light shots. There is a dedicated Night Mode that improves the quality of shots captured at night or in areas that aren’t well lit. You might not be able to see any major differences in the output but definitely low levels of noise or grains in the captured shots.
The OnePlus 9RT 5G’s camera app has a dedicated Hi-Res mode which enhances the clarity levels. You can also access several other shooting modes such as Expert, macro, panorama, and Portrait. The rear cameras are capable of shooting 1080p and 720p slow-motion videos at 240 fps and 480 fps respectively. Additionally, the cameras can also record 1080p@30fps time-lapse videos.
The cameras don’t disappoint with the performance of the remaining shooting modes. The dedicated ultrawide sensor captures the widest frames without distorting the structure. The portrait shots are also well defined. The background blurs don’t look artificial. The dedicated large wide-angle sensor captures widest of the frames. So, no complains there. The stabilization with video recording is good.
OnePlus 9RT 5G Battery Backup
The OnePlus 9RT 5G has the exact same battery hardware as the standard OnePlus 9R. The handset draws its juice via a 4,500 mAh battery unit. This might be a smaller sized unit compared to most of the premium mid-range phones that offers atealest 5,000 mAh battery.
However, the power delivery is ample and the device lasts more than half a dayon a single charge. You can expect a screen run time of 7- 8 hours with moderate usage. The OnePlus 9RT features 65W fast charging which refules the handset under an hour.
OnePlus 9RT Final Verdict: Should You Buy Or Wait For The Upcoming Model?
The OnePlus 9RT 5G is undeniably one of the most powerful packages that you can buy under Rs. 50,000 in India. The only drawback in our opinion is the missing latest Android version, i.e, Android 12 and an IPX certification. It is a workhorse in terms of performance, but with the latest model coming, it would be wise to wait. That’s because the OnePlus 10 Pro has better set of camera hardware and also a new-generation flagship processor. But, if you want to save on some bucks later on without any compromises with performance, the 9RT 5G would be a good fit.
iQoo announced the launch of a new smartphone in India. The iQoo Z6 5G is the successor of the iQoo Z5 that was launched for Rs. 23,990. The newly launched device comes with a 50MP camera, 6.58-inch 120Hz display, and Snapdragon 695 processor. The device will be available on Amazon India from March 22.
iQoo Z6 5G Smartphone: Specifications
The newly launched iQoo Z6 sports a 6.58-inch full HD+ display, 120Hz along with a resolution of 2408×1080 pixels and 240Hz touch sampling rate. In addition, the device comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 695 processor that is paired with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.
The storage can be increased up to 1TB via a microSD card. The device runs Android 12-based Android 12 Funtouch OS 12. There is also a five-layer liquid cooling system for gaming.
The device also has a triple camera at the back, including a 50MP primary camera, 2MP macro sensor, and 2MP bokeh camera. The company also said the 2MP Bokeh is only available in 6GB and 8GB variants only. There is a 16MP camera on the front. Moreover, the iQOO Z6 5G comes with a 5,000mAh battery, Bluetooth 5.1, a 3.5mm jack, fingerprint sensor, and 5G connectivity.
iQoo Z6 5G Smartphone: Price And Availability
The 4GB of RAM and 128GB variant will cost you Rs. 13,999, whereas the 6GB+ 128GB of storage is priced at Rs. 14,999. On the other hand, the high-end variant is priced at Rs. 15,999. In addition, the company is providing a discount of Rs. 2,000 on the HDFC Bank Credit cards and EMI. Additionally, the company is providing Rs. 15,000 off on exchange and no-cost EMI options
India’s largest conglomerate, Tata Group, is reportedly planning to launch its own unified payments interface (UPI) -based app next month.
It will offer customers a range of features such as peer-to-peer payments, bill payments, and merchant payments.
This is a big move for the Tata Group, and it could potentially shake up the digital payments landscape in India.
All UPI-based payments are going to face tough competition as Tata Group is planning to launch a UPI-based app in India soon. Notably, Phonepe, Google Pay, WhatsApp Pay, Paytm, and Amazon Pay, are the popular UPI payment apps in the country.
As per the Economic Times report, the Tata Group is looking for clearance from the National Payments Corporation of India to start Unified Payments Interface services in India. The report also claims that the company has applied for third-party application providers and is expected to start service in April.
The report suggested that the digital commerce wing of the Tata Group is also discussing with ICICI Bank for its UPI-based digital payments platform in the country. In addition, the company is in discussion with a private bank for the upcoming services.
As per norms, non-banking firms have to join hands with banks to start their UPI-based payments in the country. In fact, companies prefer to join hands with multiple firms so that customers do not face any issue or disruption while using UPI services.
The development comes at that time when the company has shared its plans to bring a super app known as Tata Neu and plans to launch during IPL season.
“They (Tata group) want to have this ready by the time Tata Neu is launched so more UPI payments can be enabled across the super app with ease,” ET reported.
Tata Neu app will allow users to use all apps that are designed by Tata Digital’s app, including Croma, Tata Cliq, 1mg, and Bigbasket. It also provides flight booking services within a single application. Furthermore, the company is expected to make an official announcement on April 7.
Google’s Android OS is a massive platform for mobile apps. The search giant has created a dedicated space from where you can download numerous apps for different tasks called the Play Store. Despite several security checks, malware and viruses often make their way to the Google Play Store disguised as authentic apps. Joker Malware has been one of the most notorious malware that has been infecting Android devices for a long. But now another such dangerous malware called Escobar is targeting Android users. Below are the details:
Escobar Malware: What Is It?
The latest Android malware targeting users across 18 different countries has been reported by BleepingComputers. As per the report, Escobar isn’t entirely new spyware, rather it’s an older trojan virus with a new name. This is primarily a banking trojan virus that targets Android users and steals their confidential details.
The Escobar trojan virus was earlier infecting Android devices as Aberebot malware. However, along with the new name, the malware is also said to have grown stronger. The advanced Escobar malware now collects crucial user information including SMS, call logs, notifications, and Google Authentication codes.
This malware getting access to the Google Authentication codes is definitely a concerning situation for the users as it allows them to get a hold of the users’ private details. Notably, the aforementioned user details that is collected by the banking trojan are uploaded to a C2 server. Currently, the exact source or the country of origin of the Escobar malware remains unspecified.
The only available information is that this new Google malware has targeted users in 18 countries by far. As many as 190 different financial institutions have been impacted by the latest malware.
How Can You Stay Protected?
Google does keep a constant check on such viruses and malware disguised as real apps. The company also takes strict measures to keep the Play Store protected and also timely removes these threats from its platform. But if you want to stay protected from such apps, one of the best ways is to download authentic antivirus applications on your respective Android devices.
Also, try not to download any random third-party app. If in case you wish to try a new app, make sure you have checked its star ratings and also user reviews. Only go ahead with the installation once you are sure the app isn’t fake or is offering a good user experience.
Xiaomi has introduced its new smartphone series on Tuesday. The smartphone maker has announced the launch of Xiaomi 12, Xiaomi 12 Pro, and the Xiaomi 12X. Besides, the series sports a 50MP triple camera, AMOLED display, Snapdragon processor, and fast charging capabilities.
The company launched two smartwatches, i.e. Watch S1 and Watch S1 Active and Buds 3T ProTWS earbuds. The Watch S1 features a 1.43-inch display, Bluetooth, more than 200 watch faces, NFC, 5ATM water resistance, 12 days battery life, and voice assistance. Also, Watch S1 Active comes with the same features along with colorful straps.
Notably, the Xiaomi 12 and Xiaomi 12 Pro are powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor, whereas Xiaomi 12X sports Snapdragon 870 processor. These phones come in three colour options: Blue, Grey, and Purple.
Xiaomi 12 Smartphone Details
The Xiaomi 12 comes with a 6.28 inch AMOLED display, 120Hz refresh rate, and runs MIUI 13 based on Android 12. It has 12GB of RAM and expandable memory up to 256GB. It has Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 processor. On the imaging front, the device has 50MP primary camera along with 13MP ultra-wide sensor and a 5MP macro lens. Besides, it has a 32MP selfie camera, 4,500mAh battery, and a 67W fast charger.
Xiaomi 12 Pro And 12X Smartphone: Details
The 12 Pro also features a 120Hz refresh rate and a 6.73-inch WQHD E5 AMOLED display. It comes with the same RAM, processor, and OS. Besides, the device sports a 4,600mAh battery along with a 120W fast charger. The device comes with a triple camera setup at the back, including 50MP and 3MP at the front. On the other hand, the 12X comes with the same features and uses a Snapdragon 870 processor that is paired with 8GB+ 256GB internal storage.
Xiaomi 12, 12 Pro, And 12X Smartphone: Price
The base variant will cost you $749, which is around Rs. 57, 200 for the 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage variant. The 12 Pro will cost you $999 that is around Rs. 76,300 for the same variant storage, whereas Xiaomi 12X is priced at $649 that is nearly Rs. 49,600.
Lava has launched a new smartphone for its customers in India. The Lava Z3 smartphone comes with a Mediatek’s Helio A20 processor along with some modest decent specifications for its price, including a 5,000mAh battery, 6.5-inch, and 8MP camera.
Besides, the device has a rear-mounted physical fingerprint sensor along with a patterned design on the rear. Let’s take a look at the specifications of the newly launched smartphone.
Lava Z3 Smartphone: Specifications
The Lava Z3 features a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel, 20:9 aspect ratio, 263 ppl pixel density, and HD+ resolution of 720×1600 pixels. It has Gorilla Glass 3 protection, a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a patterned design at the back.
The Lava Z3 comes quad-core MediaTek Helio G20 processor along with a speed of 1.8GHz. Besides, Helio G20 brings IMG PowerVR GE8300 GPU that is paired with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage that is expandable up to 512GB through a microSD card.
The Lava Z3 sports a dual-camera at the back, including 8MP primary camera along with a secondary unit. In addition, there is an AI dual camera, Beauty Mode, HDR Mode, Night Mode, and Portrait Mode. Besides, there is a 5MP camera on the front for video calls and a waterdrop notch.
The smartphone also has a 5,000mAh battery and runs Android 11 out-of-the-box. The smartphone has a USB-C port, dual 4G VoLTE, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, and a 3.5mm audio jack.
Lava Z3 Smartphone: Price In India
It is worth noting launched the Lava Z3 will cost you Rs. 7,499. Plus, there is a 3GB+32GB of storage inside. The smartphone also has Striped Blue and Striped Cyan. Also, the device is available on Flipkart and Amazon India from today.
If you are planning to buy a premium smartphone, especially Apple iPhone 12, then it is a good time as it is available at discounted rates. The iPhone 12 was launched for a starting price of Rs. 79,900 in 2020, but the company slashed the price of the device to Rs. 65,900. If you are planning to buy iPhone 12 at less price, then there is a great deal for you.
Apple iPhone 12 Smartphone Discounts Details
It is worth noting that Aptronix, which is reselling Apple smartphones in India has come up with this offer, where you can grab iPhone 12 for Rs. 24,900. The company is providing iPhone 12 at this price as you will get cashback, exchange offer, and discount. So, let’s find out the details of the deal.
Firstly, the company is providing Rs. 9,900 discount on the iPhone 12, which can be available without using any card and after the discount the iPhone 12 64GB model will cost you Rs. 56,000.
In case, you are using a credit card of ICICI Bank, SBI, or Kotak Bank, then they will get cashback of Rs. 5,000. After that, discount, the device will cost Rs. 51,000. Secondly, buyers will get a big discount if buyers exchange their old iPhone.
Aptronix also said that it is providing maximum value up to Rs. 23,100, if you are giving the iPhone 11. However, there is a condition as the device should be in good condition. This means that iPhone 11 should be in good condition or shape, then only buyers will get a return value of Rs. 23,100. In addition, the company is providing a bonus of Rs. 3,000, which means the total value is Rs. 26,100.
Oppo has been aggressive with new smartphone launches right from the starting of 2022 in India. The Chinese brand has already refreshed multiple devices in the A, Reno, and even the F series. Now, the company might announce a new K series phone in the country. The Oppo K10 is the possible variant that will be launched this month in India. The details have been shared by a new exclusive report by 91Mobiles.
Oppo K10 India Launch This Month
The report suggests the upcoming Oppo K10 India launch this month. The device will be launched as a successor to the Oppo K9. It will be a premium mid-range phone which will have 5G network support. Tipster Yogesh Brar has shared this information with the publication.
The tipster has reportedly spotted the Oppo K10’s Flipkart listing which hints at the upcoming launch. The Flipkart listing suggests more details related to the upcoming Oppo K series phone will be updated on March 16. We can expect the e-commerce retailer to reveal the launch timeline along with the key features. As per the publication, the device might debut this month in India.
Nevertheless, we haven’t heard any word from Oppo related to the upcoming Oppo K10 launch in India. But since the Flipkart listing has been leaked, there are possibilities the shared information is correct. We will share the updates once the company or the e-commerce portal or the company reveals.
As for the features and design, the rumor currently doesn’t have many details available. Only the upcoming model’s India launch is known. The hardware could be upgraded when compared to its predecessor. We are speaking of the Oppo K9 which was announced last year in China.
It can’t be said if the Oppo K10 will also feature a game-centric Snapdragon processor like the previous-gen model or the brand will switch to the MediaTek Dimensity series processor. We are also waiting to see what all camera and display upgrades the Oppo K10 gets over the Oppo K9 and which in price bracket this handset falls.
boAt, a popular Indian consumer tech brand has announced the launch of its ‘Made In India” smartwatch known as Wave Pro 47. It has ASAP Charge, customized fitness, 24×7 health monitoring, live cricket scores, and more.
boAt Wave Pro 47 Smartwatch: Specifications And Features
boAt Wave Pro 47 is equipped with a 1.69-inch display and brightness of 500 nits. It has 100 cloud-based watch faces and boAT allows all buyers to design custom faces via Crest app that is already available on Android and iOS.
Besides, the watch comes with fitness modes that will allow users to track their daily health. There is also a single button on the right side, a 24-hour Heart Rate monitor, Temperature Monitor, and an SPO2 monitor.
Additionally, you will find multiple sports modes that can track all activities like Boxing, Karate, Table Tennis, Pilates, Badminton, walking, treadmill, running, indoor cycling, CricketBasketball, Football, and more.
The smartwatch has IP67, water resistance, display cricket scores, and T20 games. There are also wellness Crew Guardians, Hydration alerts, Sedentary alerts, Fitness Buddies, and more.
Furthermore, the new smartwatch comes with an ASAP Charge feature. In addition, the company said that the smartwatch can last for a full day in just a 10-minute charge and can be charged fully in only 30 days. Besides, the smartwatch can last for seven days on a full charge.
