Specifications: Mediatek Helio P60 processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage (expandable, hybrid SIM slot), 6.18-inch FHD+ IPS LCD (2246 x 1080 pixels, 19:9 aspect ratio), 16MP + 5MP rear AI camera with flash, 16MP front AI camera with screen flash, IR assisted face unlock, rear fingerprint scanner.
Pros: Premium glass and stainless steel frame, cheapest phone with wireless charging, fast fingerprint scan, clean version of Android 8.1, IR assisted face unlock works fast.
Cons: Overpriced, video recording capped at 1080p, hybrid SIM slot (3 choose 2), no 3.5mm audio out, no supplied soft case.
AI is a now buzzword for smartphones and Panasonic is jumping on the bandwagon too. The company has recently launched two new flagships with AI features: Eluga X1 and X1 Pro. Both look identical and have almost the same specifications, with the addition of Qi wireless charging on the Pro.
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Wireless charging is something unique at this price. There are two colours available (silver or dark grey) and Panasonic wants to play up the premium build quality of these phones. They have glass backs and stainless steel frames which is also unusual for this price range. Our review is based on the X1 Pro. It has a conventional design: curved back, vertical dual camera, central rear fingerprint and a 6.18-inch IPS LCD screen with notch.
The bezels are quite substantial — we expected them to be thinner at this price. On the plus side, it has a USB type C port but the 3.5mm audio out is gone. The box includes the device, USB C cable, 10W charger, documentation, plastic screen guard (not pre applied), USB C to 3.5mm dongle and a pair of 3.5mm earphones. We liked the clean version of Android on the X1 Pro. There’s no bloatware and there are some nice features like call recording, gesture navigation and IR assisted face unlock (works in the dark too).
Other cheaper phones with IR assisted face unlock include the Poco F1 and Vivo V11 Pro (Vivo has in-display fingerprint too). If you head to the settings area on the X1 Pro, you can hide the notch — but it’s not done very efficiently. If you enable it, you have to swipe down from the top left of the screen to enable it. And while hiding the notch, all notifications move down too — this makes the screen a lot smaller.
If you’re looking to maximize battery life, there is an extreme mode in which only essential apps and those selected by you will run. If you’re interested, the X1 Pro has Facemoji for the front camera. You can choose between six animated characters that mimic your facial expressions. This is not unique and can be added to any Android phone with apps.
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Oppo Find X, Xiaomi Mi 8 & Other Upcoming Phones Worth Getting Excited About
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July is turning out to be one of the most interesting months for smartphone launches. We’re going to see a lot of action across price segments says Karan Bajaj, as he does a round-up of the most interesting ones.
In Pic: Oppo Find X (L) and Xiaomi Mi 8 (R).
July is turning out to be one of the most interesting months for smartphone launches. We’re going to see a lot of action across price segments says Karan Bajaj, as he does a round-up of the most inte..
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The Find X was launched just a few weeks ago and India is expected to be amongst the first lot of countries to get it. The Find X has a beautiful glass body with a motorized camera module. The front has a 6.4-inch curved Amoled display (without a notch) giving it a screento-body ratio of 93%. Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage and a 3,730mAh battery. The motorized camera module hides a 16MP + 20MP dual rear camera and a 25MP front camera. It also has a 3D face scanning face ID feature (with infrared emitters, similar to the iPhone X) and VOOC fast charge support. Other features include dual SIM slots, USB Type-C port and Android 8.1.
Expected Price: Rs 60,000 onwards(Image: oppo.com)
The Find X was launched just a few weeks ago and India is expected to be amongst the first lot of countries to get it. The Find X has a beautiful glass body with a motorized camera module. The front ..
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The Zenfone 5Z will be the second smartphone to be available in India with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. It has a 6.2-inch IPS display in 19:9 aspect ratio with a resolution of 2246 x 1080 pixels. The phone is expected to be launched with 6/8GB RAM and 64/128/256GB storage options. In the camera department, it has a 12MP + 8MP dual camera setup with OIS on the rear and a 8MP front camera. Other features include 3,300mAh battery with fast charge support, Hybrid dual SIM slot, expandable storage, rear fingerprint scanner, USB Type-C port, and Android 8.0 with Face unlock. Asus seems poised to take on OnePlus and we therefore expect them to undercut OnePlus prices by a significant margin, making it one of the cheapest Snapdragon 845 phones around.
Price: Rs 29,999 onwards
(Image: asus.com)
The Zenfone 5Z will be the second smartphone to be available in India with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor. It has a 6.2-inch IPS display in 19:9 aspect ratio with a resolution of 2246 x 1080 p..
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NEX is the other unique phone expected to arrive in India this month. Doing away with the screen notch, the phone has an 8MP selfie camera module that pops out on top. It has a 6.59-inch amoled display giving it a screen to body ratio of 91%. The phone comes in two variants: NEX A and NEX S — we expect Vivo to only launch the topend NEX S in India because they’re gunning for the premium market. The NEX S runs a Snapdragon 845 processor, 8GB RAM, 128/256GB storage and has a 4,000mAh battery with fast charge support. It also has a under screen fingerprint scanner, 12MP + 5MP dual rear camera with OIS, dual SIM slot, USB Type-C port and Android 8.1.
Expected Price: Rs 50,000 onwards
NEX is the other unique phone expected to arrive in India this month. Doing away with the screen notch, the phone has an 8MP selfie camera module that pops out on top. It has a 6.59-inch amoled displ..
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Xiaomi’s previous premium device in India was the Mi Mix 2, launched last year. The company has announced the Mi 8 in China as their new flagship and it is expected that the phone will launch in India this month. The Mi 8 features a notched 6.2-inch amoled display in 19:9 aspect ratio and a 7000 series aluminium frame. It comes with an 3D Face unlock similar to the iPhone X (with infrared), rear fingerprint scanner, dual SIM support and runs the latest MiUI 10 based on Android 8.1. Hardware includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB RAM, 64/128//256GB storage and a 3,400mAh battery with Quick Charge 4.0 support. It has a 12MP + 12MP dual camera setup with OIS and dual pixel phase detection autofocus on the rear while the front has a 20MP selfie shooter. The Mi 8 is also the first phone in the world with dual-band GPS (purported improved accuracy of 3 to 5 times).
Expected Price: Rs 35,000 onwards
Xiaomi’s previous premium device in India was the Mi Mix 2, launched last year. The company has announced the Mi 8 in China as their new flagship and it is expected that the phone will launch in Indi..
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Motorola’s E range of smartphones have always focussed on the budget conscious buyers. The upcoming smartphone in the range, Moto E5 Plus, features a 6-inch 18:9 aspect display with a resolution of 1440 x 720 pixels and weight of 197 grams. The primary reason for the 197 gram heft is probably the massive 5,000mAh battery. Other specifications include a Snapdragon 425 processor, 2/3GB RAM and 16/32GB storage. Motorola has also paid extra attention to the camera on the E5 Plus — it has a 12MP rear camera with f2.0 aperture, phase detection and laser autofocus. On the front, it has a 5MP camera with LED flash. Other features include fast charge support, dual SIM slots, expandable storage, rear fingerprint scanner and Android 8.0.
Expected price: Rs 9,000 onwards
Motorola’s E range of smartphones have always focussed on the budget conscious buyers. The upcoming smartphone in the range, Moto E5 Plus, features a 6-inch 18:9 aspect display with a resolution of 1..
Performance from the Helio P60 is good — but not good enough for the price. We’ll explain in the conclusion. Battery life from the 3,000mAh battery is good enough but not great. Even the camera performance is just about OK. We’ve seen way better results from cheaper phones like Mi A2. It’s very hard to recommend the X1 Pro at the asking price of Rs 27,490 (market price at the time of writing). This holds true even if you get the free wireless charging pad (special offer).
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The one unique feature it has (wireless charging) is something that most people may not use. On the other hand, you can get the Poco F1 with Snapdragon 845, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage and dual camera for just Rs 23,999. Vivo V11 Pro and Oppo F9 Pro with the tiny notch (and many more features) are cheaper. If you can stretch a bit, even the Asus Zenfone 5Z with SD845 or the gorgeous, all-screen MiMIX 2 are within reach (Rs 30k). If you really want wireless charging, get the X1 Pro. But if not, any of these other options will be a better choice.
