Feel limited by your laptop’s screen size? The Portable Monitor Flex 14 in offers a quick and easy way to expand your desktop real estate.

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in stands out with a premium build and versatile triple-monitor setup, accommodating 11″ to 18″ laptops. Quick to install and compatible with various systems, it offers solid 1080p performance, good colour rendition, and excellent image quality.

Pros

• +Simple to use
• +Solid build and high-quality materials

Cons

1. -Limited to 1080p resolution
2. -sRGB Colour space
3. -Heavy

THE PORTABLE MONITOR FLEX 14IN: ONE-MINUTE REVIEW

One of the biggest issues with working on a laptop is the relatively small screen size. Even with a larger 16″ screen, the actual real estate quickly disappears as soon as you open more than one window or app. The solution is The Portable Monitor Flex 14in, which is quite unlike any other compact portable monitor.

Firstly, the build quality is designed to partly match the space grey and metal casing of the best MacBook Pro laptops, a design also reflected in many PC laptops. However, while it tries to blend in colour and material with Apple’s design ethos, it doesn’t quite match the quality of Apple’s product design. That’s not to say it’s not well-made; it’s just not as refined as you’d expect from an Apple product

However, it is ingenious. It has dual monitors that fold out on either side of your MacBook 14in or any other laptop, as long as the laptop has a USB Type-C port to connect the display. The power and monitor cable are combined, and if you need extra power, a second USB Type-C port on the monitor allows you to connect it directly to a portable power source or a wall socket.

On the first run with the monitor, a few drivers are needed to ensure the smooth operation of the monitors. Thankfully, The Portable Monitor includes a USB key with all the drivers needed for Mac, PC, and Android, as well as cables.

Once installed, you can connect the monitor and run both monitors from that single cable. This setup does increase the drain on your battery, but you can plug in an external power source if needed.

The OSD menu offers many adjustments over brightness, contrast, sharpness, and other settings. You can also adjust directly through your normal computer settings.

We’ve tested plenty of the best monitors for MacBook Pro, and we can say the quality of the display is excellent in use. On the other hand, this needs to be considered a secondary and tertiary display, especially for MacBooks with their P3 color space and high resolutions. However, the display quality is great and ideal for positioning palettes, browsers, Word documents, and music players that usually get hidden away.

The other major benefit is the articulation of the screens, allowing you to position them in a triangle, so if you’re in a meeting, you can flip the screens around so that people on your left and right can see what you’re discussing.

Overall, it’s a great product, not quite as refined in design as some of the best portable monitors we’ve tried, and the displays should be seen as secondary if you work in the creative sector due to the 1080p resolution and maximum sRGB colour space. However, when it comes to functionality, especially for expanding your workspace and whenever you need to show what you’re doing to others, the flexibility in the positioning of the monitors and the increased workspace is a huge benefit.

THE PORTABLE MONITOR FLEX 14IN: PRICING AND AVAILABILITY

How much does it cost?

$599 / £476

When is it available?

Now

Where can you get it?

It is available for sale in the US, UK and Australia

The Portable Monitor Flex 14in is widely available and can be brought directly from the official website.

Designed as a fold-out monitor system to complement your laptop, the Portable Monitor Flex 14in consists of three sections that fold out, with two monitors attached to a central stand.

The whole unit is made from decent-quality metal that reflects that of the Space Grey MacBook Pros. The build is solid enough, with thick hinges on the monitors that enable the screens to adapt to laptops from 13″ to 16″ without issue, even though the monitor is designed for 14″ screened laptops.

While the overall build is good, there’s a lack of precision, and the finesse of good product design seems to be missing. The component parts are all there, and it does work well, but when folded, there’s space and flex between each of the folded sections where you really feel it should all lay flat. Likewise, the metal stand that folds out is good and solid, but again, there’s some flex when it’s packed away rather than sitting flush in its recess.

In use, the stand folds out, and then the two monitors fold out so that a laptop can be slipped in between the two monitors. The large hinges can then be adjusted to accommodate the size of the monitor that your laptop has. Once all is in position, the USB cable can be attached directly to power and connect the laptop to the monitor.

While these days we’re used to plug and play, it should be noted that before this monitor system can be used, you’ll need to install the drivers. Thankfully, these come in the box with the monitor and take only a few moments to install. Once in place, you can then plug in the monitor and start to configure the screens as needed. On a Mac, this involves delving into the screen options and arranging the monitors so that one sits on the left and the other on the right of the laptop screen, all nice and easy.

Using the Portable Monitor Flex as a triple monitor system is just one use for this device. An equally useful use is in meetings where others need to view your screen. Rather than crowding around, you can fold the Portable Monitor Flex 14in into a triangle of monitors behind your laptop screen, meaning that if you and your colleagues are sitting around a table, you can all view what’s going on. Effectively, then, it’s one of the best monitors for a dual set-up (or even a triple set-up).

Finally, if you just need one monitor rather than two, a quick tap of the mode button allows you to switch one of the screens off or position it in portrait orientation, which can be useful for reviewing documents and content online.

THE PORTABLE MONITOR FLEX 14IN: PERFORMANCE

The initial setup is quite straightforward, with the dual monitor folding out and supported by the stand at the back. The design allows for several usage configurations: as an extension of your laptop’s screen with one on either side, as a triangle of screens behind your laptop screen for others to view your work, or as a single vertical or horizontal screen.

Each configuration can be quickly switched between, with the metal build and large solid hinges providing plenty of flexibility for easy adjustment and positioning. Before you plug in for the first time, the monitor’s software driver needs to be installed. This one-time procedure takes just a couple of minutes and is extremely straightforward, although it is unusual in today’s plug-and-play environment.

As you switch between the different configurations, the screen modes can be selected using the on-screen displays, with = and + symbols on each monitor, allowing you to adjust and change the settings as needed. Likewise, all the usual options and settings are available through the laptop’s OS. By default, the monitors are set to a low resolution, so increasing this to the maximum 1080p is one of the first adjustments that should be made.

Once set up, the screens perform well with a clear, crisp image and plenty of adjustment over the colour and tone. Although the monitor can only display sRGB, it can be adjusted to match well with the MacBook Pro’s monitor. However, the quality of the output means they are great for office documents, browsing the internet, and displaying palettes. Still, they should be avoided for tasks requiring precise colour or tone adjustments.

Overall, the monitors are easy to use, and the additional workspace is definitely a huge advantage. However, if you’re considering this as a screen extension for use on a train, the size—both packed away and when folded out and in use—is a bit obstructive. This solution is more suited for hot desking, moving between offices, or having meetings where flexibility is needed. They’re a great idea and work well in the right environments. The screen quality is good but should not be seen as on par with a P3 high-resolution MacBook screen. These are fine for document review and screen expansion but not for tasks that require absolute colour accuracy.

SHOULD I BUY THE THE PORTABLE MONITOR FLEX 14IN?

The initial idea of this dual-screen system, which sandwiches your laptop screen between two 14″ monitors, sounds and looks great, and in practice, it does work well. However, while the quality of the materials and manufacturing is good, the precision of the product design is somewhat lacking, and this is something that carries through in its use.

Unlike many devices that are simply plug and play, this monitor requires drivers to be installed for use, an unusual step in today’s world. However, once the drivers are installed, everything else is straightforward with an easy setup and connection.

In use, these monitors really come into their own, and through the test, I’ve used them to display emails, music, palettes, and 3D slicer applications, while I’ve used the main laptop screen for tasks that require color accuracy and higher resolutions.

The fact that these have a color space of sRGB and a maximum resolution of 1080p isn’t an issue in practice, and the extra screen space they provide is a huge benefit for all sorts of situations. However, the size and design of the Flex 14″ portable monitor mean that these are not something I would use on a day-to-day basis if I was traveling around or to be used on a train or similar. However, if I was going to a meeting where I knew others would need to see the screen or was hot-desking, then these would be a huge benefit. Overall, it’s a great product, with the feeling that a little more finesse in the product design would elevate this to an absolute essential for many.

Buy it if…

You’re a frequent traveller and multitasker – If you often work remotely and juggle multiple applications, the Portable Monitor Flex 14″ enhances productivity by expanding your digital workspace with its dual-screen setup.

You’re a meeting maestro – Perfect for professionals who present or collaborate in meetings. The monitor’s ability to configure into a triangle view makes sharing your screen with colleagues seamless and effective.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re an aesthetics aficionado – If design precision and a high-end look are paramount to you, the Flex 14’s lack of design refinement compared to premium products like Apple’s may be disappointing.

You’re a resolution and color critic – If your work requires ultra-high resolution and precise colour accuracy, the 1080p sRGB screen of the Flex 14″ may not meet your professional standards.

The post The Portable Monitor Flex 14-inch Review appeared first on Review Products.

Oppo’s Enco lineup of true wireless earphones has been a relatively quiet success for the company, and has received largely positive feedback from the community, including myself. While the premium Enco X2 headset is among the best that you can guy for around Rs. 10,000 or so, the Enco Air series is a bit more of a hit-or-miss situation. While the regular ‘Air’ variants haven’t quite matched up to the hype, the ‘Pro’ headsets have generally been good picks when it comes to features and performance for the price.

Following up on the somewhat ordinary Oppo Enco Air 3 (which was launched in early 2023) is the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro. The successor to the Enco Air 2 Pro is considerably more expensive at Rs. 4,999, but promises big improvements in the specifications sheet and performance to make up for the increase in pricing, including advanced Bluetooth codec support and bamboo-fibre diaphragms for the drivers. Is this enough to help the Enco Air 3 Pro retain Oppo’s perceptional leadership of the budget true wireless segment in India? Find out in this review.

The case of the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro has a USB Type-C port for charging

Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro design and features

We don’t often see massive design changes in generational updates when it comes to true wireless earphones, and that’s indeed the case with the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro. Apart from minor changes, the Enco Air 3 Pro largely resembles the Enco Air 2 Pro to the point where it’s hard to tell the two apart. The newer earphones are available in a new green colour option which isn’t available on the Enco Air 2 Pro, though.

The earpieces of the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro have a stem design with rounded out sides all around, and distinct ‘L’ and ‘R’ indicators cut into the earpieces for easy visibility. Unlike the basic Enco Air earphones which have an outer-ear fit and no ANC, the Enco Air ‘Pro’ lineup features a proper in-canal fit, which allows for effective active noise cancellation. The earphones are light and comfortable, and come with a charging cable and three pairs of silicone ear tips of different sizes in the box.

As before the controls are touch sensitive, with lightly indicated areas near the top of each earpiece stem. It’s less than ideal, because the small size of the touch area makes it easy to make mistakes. You can set various gestures to control various functions of playback, noise cancellation, voice assistant, and volume, with different gestures capable of being mapped to different functions.

It’s a reasonably detailed set with plenty of room for customisation, but given the propensity for touch miscues, you might want to keep it a bit simple and deactivate certain gestures such as single-tap entirely. While I’m not entirely against touch controls, the zone definitely needs to be bigger than what’s on the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro earphones.

Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro True Wireless Earphones Review

The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro earphones are IP55 rated for dust and water resistance, so you’ll be able to use them for workouts safely, and even in somewhat wet conditions such as light rain. The charging case of the headset has the Oppo logo at the front, an indicator light just below the logo, the USB Type-C port for charging at the bottom, and no pairing button.

You can put the headset into pairing mode with a long-touch gesture on both earpieces at the same time. Additional features on the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro include support for Google Fast Pair, app-based features such as Oppo Alive Audio (virtualised Spatial surround sound) and Golden Sound (customised frequency compensation based on the specific hearing of each user).

Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro app and specifications

The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro expectedly features app and feature customisation support, but how it appears and is accessed depends on the device you’re using. If you’re on a supported OnePlus or Oppo smartphone, you’ll see the ‘app’ appearing in the Bluetooth settings of the phone, making for easy access that visually matches the user interface completely. If you’re using other devices, the HeyMelody app offers access to the full feature set on both iOS and Android.

oppo enco air 3 pro review app Oppo

On some OnePlus and Oppo smartphones, app features for the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro appear within the Bluetooth settings menu

Within the app and settings, it’s possible to access various features and customisation options such as equaliser presets, ANC levels and personalisation, enable multi-point connectivity for up to two devices, locate the earbuds with a loud noise, and conduct a fit test. You can also go through the process and enable or disable Oppo Alive Audio (spatial surround sound virtualisation) and Golden Sound (tailored sound profile based on your specific hearing characteristics).

Best Active Noise Cancelling (ANC) Headphones and Earphones in India

Multi-point connectivity worked well on an iPhone and Android device simultaneously. Bluetooth codec selection maxed out on both devices and pleasantly allowed LDAC support on the Android smartphone, unlike on many other similar headsets which limit the codec to AAC when connecting two devices simultaneously. Connectivity was stable on the whole even with this enabled.

Notably, the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro uses a bamboo fibre diaphragm for the drivers, unlike the typically metal diaphragms used on most earphones. The headset has 12.4mm dynamic drivers, a frequency response range of 20-40,000Hz, and a sensitivity rating of 107dB. For connectivity, the earphones use Bluetooth 5.3, with support for the SBC, AAC, and LDAC Bluetooth codecs.

Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro performance and battery life

While Oppo’s budget lineup has typically been device agnostic in terms of performance, the Enco Air 3 Pro takes a big step in setting itself up as made for certain devices. Support for the LDAC Bluetooth codec is fairly wide across Android devices, and this ensures a considerably different sound quality experience when using the earphones with an Android smartphone. Although the sound isn’t bad with the AAC codec (on iOS), there’s an audible difference here.

Understanding Bluetooth Codecs on Wireless Headphones and Earphones

The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro’s bamboo fibre drivers are touted as a major factor in improving the sound quality on the earphones, but I didn’t really perceive this as being the reason for the improvement in performance. Sound quality with the AAC codec and software enhancements switched off seemed largely on par with what I’ve heard on similarly-priced true wireless headsets.

The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro has bamboo fibre diaphragms for the drivers, along with support for the LDAC Bluetooth codec

Instead, it all comes down to the software implementations, in my opinion; LDAC Bluetooth codec support and the Golden Sound customised profile seemed to make a more notable difference in improving the sound quality, as compared to the competition. Indeed, there aren’t too many options with LDAC support at under Rs. 5,000, so the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro stands out in this regard.

Oppo Enco Air 3 True Wireless Earphones Review

Coming to the sound quality and performance itself, the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro uses its software tricks and codec support to deliver a reasonably balanced and detailed sound that is admittedly rare in the budget space for true wireless earphones. Competing products typically use a reasonable level of tuning alone to make a compelling pitch (heavy bass and the like), making Oppo’s approach a bit more unique.

The detail levels come as a result of the obviously superior bandwidth handling capabilities of the advanced Bluetooth codec, combined with a rather good soundstage that provides a decent amount of spatial virtualisation. Listening to Dua Lipa’s Dance the Night with the LDAC Bluetooth codec in operation, the sound felt spacious and enjoyable, never pushing too hard even at high volumes. Instead, the sound was encouraging, almost as if it was getting me to try and pick out the elements.

The Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro is IP55 rated for dust and water resistance

This cheerful disco-inspired track from Barbie sounded neither too aggressive, nor to forward, instead striking the right balance between drive and comfort. The lows didn’t hit too hard, but this was only a good thing in a segment that is dominated by earphones that come with typically punchy and attacking bass.

Much of this detail is helped along by the Golden Sound enhancement, which conducts a listening test to tailor the sound for specific hearing characteristics of the wearer. Once completed, the sound changes a bit with the profile enabled; it sounded a fair bit more luxurious and open-feeling when enabled, and I usually kept it on after that.

Switching up to the slower but more hard-hitting Am I Dreaming by Metro Boomin’ from the Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack, the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro was able to adapt and deliver a bit more rumble when needed. However, it also highlighted the very audible U-shaped sonic signature, with the mid-range considerably lower in response than the lows and highs.

Speaking of the highs, the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro seems to push these frequencies a bit too much. I didn’t tend to notice it much at low volumes, but the sharpness was a bit tiresome at high volume levels. This largely depends on what you’re listening to — Dance the Night revealed this, while Am I Dreaming didn’t quite sound as harsh because of the track’s nature.

Active noise cancellation on the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro is fairly basic, and suitable primarily for indoor use to cancel out basic household sounds and make listening just a bit easier. It’s helped along by reasonably effective noise isolation through the in-canal fit, and customisable ANC modes also help in optimising the performance for specific settings. I found the mild mode to be the most balanced and effective indoors; the other modes didn’t particularly help in noisy outdoor scenarios.

Call quality is decent indoors and satisfactory outdoors, but I didn’t find the voice and microphone quality good enough to want to use the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro for very long calls or online meetings.

Battery life is acceptable enough for a headset in this price segment; I got around 4 hours of listening on the earpieces and a little over three charges from the case, when using ANC and the LDAC Bluetooth codec, with the volume at around the 50-60 percent level. This translated to a total run time of around 17-18 hours of listening per charge cycle — not exceptional, but not too bad either.

Verdict

Oppo is among the best in the budget true wireless segment right now, and the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro largely lives up to the reputation created by the brand’s wide range of affordable TWS products. That said, at Rs. 4,999, it’s a fair bit more expensive than earlier products in this segment, and only just about classifies as a budget product based on reasonable definitions and price segmentation. The performance and features on offer do justify the pricing, so it’s worth a recommendation.

While you do get a fair bit more on the Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro than what competing products offer for the price, I wouldn’t go as far as to call it revolutionary or exceptional. Nonetheless, it’s easily my pick for the best pair of true wireless earphones for Rs. 5,000, although I’d be more inclined to suggest options such as the Oppo Enco Air 2 Pro and OnePlus Nord Buds 2, which offer a bit more bang for your buck.

The post Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro Review: Same, but Different (In the Right Ways) appeared first on Review Products.

In the era of true wireless earphones, the old-school neckband style feels a bit dated and overbearing in some ways. That said, the form factor comes with various advantages, the biggest of which is reasonable pricing for the features and performance on offer. OnePlus continues to promote this form factor, and its latest neckband-style wireless earphones take a proven winner one step further.

The OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC is exactly what the name suggests — the rather capable Bullets Wireless Z2, but with active noise cancellation as an added feature.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC first impressions: Familiar design

There’s really not much to tell the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC apart from its non-ANC predecessor; the two headsets look and feel the same. This includes the flexible neckband, physical controls, USB Type-C charging port, and magnetic power control. Like before, linking the two earpieces together magnetically turns the headset off, and separating them turns it on.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 Review

Interestingly, you get some app-like controls (within the Bluetooth settings) if you pair it to a compatible OnePlus smartphone, including the ability to cycle between ANC and transparency modes, equaliser presets (including the ability to create a fully customised preset for yourself), and a very small degree of customisation for the physical buttons on the neckband. It will take some time to build muscle memory, but the controls are convenient enough once you’ve figured it out.

The earpieces being attached to wires admittedly feels a bit weird to me in 2023, but the advantages of a neckband-style headset are hard to look past. Things such as battery life, fast charging, and the tuning and ANC performance tend to benefit from this form factor, as does pricing and the value-for-money proposition. I’ll tackle all of this in more detail in my review.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC first impressions: Decent active noise cancellation

The big change here is the addition of active noise cancellation, while the sound and sonic performance remain largely the same on the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC, as expected. This means that you can expect the sound to be punchy and bass-driven, as well as loud and occasionally fatiguing if you listen to a lot of bass-heavy tracks.

Of course, the key feature of active noise cancellation is what makes all the difference here. For a price of around Rs. 300 over that of the regular Bullets Wireless Z2, you get decent active noise cancellation on the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC. It’s not exceptional or comparable to premium-grade ANC in my initial listening impressions, but it’s definitely better than the kind of basic active noise cancellation you’d get on similarly-priced true wireless earphones.

Battery life is something I’ll explore in detail in my full review, but I did have a chance to try out the fast charging, which is on par with the rather impressive 20-minute charging time offered by the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2.

As mentioned, I’ll be writing my full review of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC soon, but it’s safe to say that there aren’t too many products like this anymore. The neckband form factor for wireless earphones retains significant advantages when it comes to pricing, and the Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC is arguably the best you can buy at around Rs. 2,500 or so, especially now that it comes with active noise cancellation.

The post OnePlus Bullets Wireless Z2 ANC First Impressions: Familiar but Better appeared first on Review Products.

Smartphone brands entering the accessories space is not a new thing, and many such as Xiaomi, Oppo, OnePlus, Samsung, and Apple have established product ranges in the true wireless audio segment. The latest to give it a shot is Poco, which operates in India as a sub-brand of Xiaomi, and has been a noteworthy player in the mid-range smartphone segment. The company’s first audio product is firmly an entry-level offering.

Priced at Rs. 1,199 in India, the Poco Pods true wireless earphones isn’t too complex or feature-rich, but they don’t cost a lot either. This headset is as basic as it gets, but perhaps that’s exactly what some might need. Find out if the Poco Pods is indeed worth the price, and if it’s the best affordable true wireless headset you can buy right now.

The Poco Pods have a proper in-canal fit with good noise isolation, and a decently-sized charging case

Poco Pods design, features, and specifications

The Poco Pods headset has what I consider a very generic look and feel (it looks a lot like the Redmi Buds 4 Active), but this isn’t a bad thing. The earpieces are light and fairly durable, with a proper in-canal fit and stem design. The headset is available in a single black-and-yellow colour option — Poco’s signature colour scheme. If that wasn’t enough, the large Poco logo on the front of the all-black charging case sufficiently makes the point.

The earpieces have touch-sensitive areas for controls, but the lack of app support on the Poco Pods means that the controls are fixed and non-customisable. A double-tap gesture will let you answer calls or play and pause music, while a triple tap on either side cancel the call or skip to the next track. You can’t skip to the previous track from the earphones; you’ll need the paired smartphone to do that.

A long press on both earpieces simultaneously will activate or disable the low-latency mode. There are a couple of other gestures meant to put the headset into forced pairing mode or factory reset the Poco Pods, but you can simply put the earphones into pairing mode by disconnecting all other connected and paired devices. On the whole, the system functions are fairly easy and uncomplicated, as you’d expect from a true wireless headset which doesn’t have app support.

The charging case has a small indicator light at the bottom, alongside the USB Type-C charging port. The fit on the earpieces is decent, and the Poco Pods come with environmental noise cancellation, which promises better performance on calls. The sales package includes a total of three pairs of silicone ear tips of different sizes, but no charging cable is included in the box.

As mentioned earlier, there is no app support on the Poco Pods, but I wouldn’t go as far as to call this a drawback on a headset in this price range. Fortunately, you do get the basics such as USB Type-C charging, as well as the benefits of features such as environmental noise cancellation and 60ms low-latency for use when gaming.

The Poco Pods is available in just a single colour for now; black and yellow

The Poco Pods headset has 12mm dynamic drivers, and uses Bluetooth 5.3 for connectivity, with support for only the SBC Bluetooth codec — a disappointing spec even at this price. Usefully, either earpiece can be used individually if you like, with the other securely stored in the charging case and not affecting stable connectivity for the earpiece in operation.

Poco Pods performance and battery life

I tend to keep my expectations tempered when it comes to affordable true wireless earphones; you’re paying almost entirely for the form factor here, and saving on paying premiums for the ‘fluff’, so to speak. The Poco Pods largely deliver that straightforward true wireless experience, but the sound quality is perhaps not as good as it could have been, even considering the affordable pricing.

Detailed tuning might be too much to expect here, but the crux of the Poco Pods’ shortcomings can be pinned on its codec limitations. The SBC codec doesn’t quite allow enough bandwidth for the earphones to work with, and this can be heard in the sound quality. It sounds unrefined at times, although it doesn’t reach a point of being unpleasant even at high volumes. It’s listenable considering the price, and useful if you just need earphones to help you tune out your surroundings.

The earpieces of the Poco Pods are light and comfortable, with non-customisable touch controls

 Starting with David Guetta’s Stay (Don’t Go Away), the sound initially sounded alright when the track itself wasn’t pushing too hard, but as the attack picked up, the Poco Pods started to sound a bit muffled. I wouldn’t go as far as to call it muddy or too harsh, and the sound might even appeal to those who enjoy hearing a bit more from the bass frequencies.

Certain genres and types of tracks are admittedly better suited to this kind of tuning and sound, with many of Croatia Squad’s distinctly beat-driven tracks sounding rather enjoyable on the Poco Pods. The progressive and rather straightforward attack of Make Your Move by Croatia Squad was perhaps the best example of how a niche (or genre, in this case) can be found to bring the best out of even affordable wireless earphones. The lack of detail in the track was evident, but matters less with certain tracks and genres such as this.

Call quality is acceptable and workable enough for both indoor and outdoor use; microphone performance is decent in quiet rooms, but suffered a bit outdoors despite the presence of ENC. Low-latency mode didn’t seem to make much of a difference in audio latency on basic mobile games.

Battery life is decent on the Poco Pods, with the earphones running for around five hours on a single charge of the earpieces, and the charging case offering over three full additional charges, for a total run time of around 22-23 hours per charge cycle, which is a bit lower than the claimed time of 30 hours. This is somewhat expected given the lack of features and codec support, but users will obviously find this good enough for practical all-day listening.

Verdict

The Poco Pods true wireless headset delivers largely what you expect from a headset in this price range — nothing more, and nothing less. The earphones are basic, but reasonably well set up for the kind of music that most budget buyers might want to listen to. Don’t expect too much detail, and use these for casual listening, particularly when out and about thanks to the decent passive noise isolation. Battery life is decent as well.

There is plenty of competition in this price segment, but Poco’s first effort in the true wireless audio space is a commendable effort. Perhaps the only real drawback is the lack of support for the AAC Bluetooth codec, but all things considered this is a worthwhile pair of earphones if you have a very tight budget.

The post Poco Pods True Wireless Earphones Review: Inexpensive and Easy Going appeared first on Review Products.

In a sea of budget smartwatches, Fire-Boltt’s Phoenix Ultra stands out. This is mainly because of two factors — its price and design. The smartwatch is currently available in India at Rs. 2,199 makes it one of the most affordable smartwatches to sport a classic watch design and metal body, which feels familiar and appears more like a traditional timepiece than a smartwatch. I was a bit excited to see how it was possible to deliver such a device at this price point, but after a couple of weeks of use, I think know how it pulled it off.

Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra price, design and specifications

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra is currently available in single option which is officially priced at Rs. 2,999, but can be purchased for as low as Rs. 2,199 from online retailers. Fire-Boltt provides the smartwatch with a silicon strap, an extra magnetic metal loop strap, and a two-pin magnetic charger in the box.

The smartwatch is available in three case finishes – steel, black and gold. These finishes come with various strap combinations in the box. I received the steel finished case with a magnetic blue metal strap and soft grey silicone strap.

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra has a metal case and a 3D-curved display glass

At a glance, the steel finish of the 44mm case sure looks classy and very similar to traditional timepieces. For an entry-level smartwatch, the finish of this metal case is surprisingly good and devoid of any sharp or rough edges. The back of the case is made of plastic with the sensor laid out dead-centre and the metal charging contacts closer to the edge above it. The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra weighs 55g without the strap and also has an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance.

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra with both metal and silicon straps is quite comfortable and does not feel heavy. The 22mm silicone strap has a quick release mechanism for attaching itself to the case. The metal loop strap has a strong magnet to hold the watch in place. During the review period, the watch never came undone no matter which strap I used.

Fire-Boltt also offers an extra magnetic metal loop strap in the box

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra has a rather basic 1.39 inches LCD display with a resolution of 240 × 240 pixels and a standard 60Hz refresh rate. It is surrounded by some really chunky bezels and the display in my unit seemed misaligned as the bottom bezel was a lot thicker than the rest.

The smartwatch has only one button and pressing it either wakes the display and shows the watch face or turns the display off. If you are in any other menu or app in the watch interface, pressing the button gets you back to the watch face directly.

Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra software and performance

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra offers a very basic software interface. While it lacks any support for third-party apps, even the basics aren’t covered here. For example, there’s no way to set the display timeout on the watch, which is set to five seconds by default. There’s no basic calculator app either. I could not even check the charging status of the watch.

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra needs to be disconnected from the charger in order to view the watch face, which is the only place that displays the battery status. Setting an alarm, timer or stopwatch requires one to enter the settings menu, which is a layer down from the main menu.

The display on the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra seems to be misaligned

Navigating this simple software interface is quite easy using swipe gestures, which is why the usefulness of the crown is reduced to simply powering the display on or off as the flick-to-wake gesture also works just fine.

Moving to the companion app, it’s as basic as the smartwatch’s UI and is available for both iOS and Android smartphones. The Da Fit app has three main sections — Today, device settings and My (which is basically the user’s profile). Setting up the app using an Android smartphone was a fairly easy experience, its just that you have to keep the app locked in the phone’s Recents menu to keep receiving notifications on the watch.

The Da Fit companion app has a simple interface

The Today page display’s readings from the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra which includes step count, sleep, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, along with exercise records. The device settings section lets you change the watch face, adjust notifications, set alarms etc. There is an important section called Others buried deep in here that let me set the time format, unit system, DnD timings, continuous heart rate setting intervals, and most important of all, the auto-lock or display sleep setting, which is not accessible on the watch.

One can use GPS connected exercises like outdoor runs or walks only via the Da Fit mobile app as the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra does not have built-in GPS. What I did find odd is that the watch will never sync data to the app unless you enter the mobile app and swipe down to refresh the data in the Today section.

The watch face gallery has a handful of preinstalled watch faces (including one of Mahendra Singh Dhoni), but opening up the online gallery using the mobile app gave me access to plenty more downloadable ones, which appeared a lot more interesting. However, I did not manage to download and install a watch face even though these were barely 159kb in size. During this time, neither smartwatch nor the app is accessible, which can get frustrating.

It’s hard to tell which app a notification comes from on the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra

Notifications from the smartwatch are truncated. But it’s hard to tell which app they’re coming from as there is no clear iconography to indicate the same. Setting a timer on the smartphone will also push constant notifications for each passing second, filling up the notifications menu on the smartwatch.

Health tracking is another reason why most users go in for a smartwatch these days. Sadly my experience with the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra was far from great. To begin with the watch only offers two automated health monitoring features. The first one is sleep monitoring, which attempts to deliver detailed sleep stage data or reports like deep sleep, light sleep, REM sleep and more.

However, I found this data to be far from accurate as the watch often counted my time resting in bed (before falling asleep) as time spent sleeping due to which the resulting data turned out inaccurate. Continuous heart rate monitoring was another automated health-tracking feature and it is customisable letting you choose the interval.

Regular heart rate measurements were inaccurate, inconsistent and quite unreliable when compared to the measurements provided by a standalone oximeter. SpO2 readings were a bit more reliable but still not consistent.

The Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra offers up to 123 fitness tracking sport modes. I tried out the basic step tracking feature using the Walking exercise mode and the watch managed to detect 505 instead of 500 steps, which seemed fine for a smartwatch at this price point. However, this is not a smartwatch I would choose for health and fitness tracking.

The Bluetooth calling feature works as expected and setting up the feature did not require me to pair the watch twice with the Android smartphone either. The caller could be heard loud and clear and wasn’t able to tell that I was calling from a smartwatch.

The magnetic charger fits snuggly in place while charging the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra

In terms of battery life, I found that the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra could deliver on its claimed battery life of seven days. This is possible mainly because the watch barely offers any auto-health tracking features since a majority of them have to be activated manually. Even data syncing does not take place automatically. Day to day battery drain was around 15-20 percent which included one short workout routine and sleep tracking. The automated heart rate monitoring, despite throwing up a warning, did not seem to affect battery life drastically provided I set it to 30 minute intervals. Charging the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra does take a while. When connected to a 33W charger, it took around two hours.

Verdict

It is difficult to beat the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra when it comes to looks at this price, and that is sadly the only reason why could consider one. For everything else, there are much better options in the market.

If you are looking for accurate health-tracking features in a wearable, then the basic fitness band like the Amazfit Band 7 (Review) is definitely a more reliable option (at a lower price). Those looking for something fancier or closer to a smartwatch (with features like a larger display, Bluetooth calling and automated health tracking features), will find the new Redmi Watch 3 Active, a much better choice at Rs. 2,999. If you are looking for a premium-looking smartwatch, the OnePlus Nord Watch (Review) surely seems like a better choice at Rs. 4,999.

The post Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra Review: Got the Looks, but What About the Rest? appeared first on Review Products.

Samsung has recently been less innovative than Apple, not only with its wearables but also with its high-end smartphones. The recently released Galaxy S23, S23+, Galaxy Z Flip 5, and Galaxy Z Fold 5, all of which bring qualitative performance and imaging advancements, serve as a case in point. Samsung has continued this trend with the Galaxy Watch 6 series for users of the Galaxy Watch 5 and Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. There is a new chipset; one display is more extensive and has a rotating bezel back, and the health and fitness tracking is more individualized.

On paper, there seems to be little incentive to upgrade to the new models, mainly since its feature set doesn’t provide much that is novel. But thanks to these tiny improvements, the Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic are somewhat better. And that is enough to convince upgraders who aren’t too thrilled with their current wristwatch or those who are just shopping for their first WearOS-powered wearable to buy the new versions.

Price and features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

There are two models of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series. The Galaxy Watch 6 is the regular model, and it comes in the same 40mm and 44mm case sizes as the Galaxy Watch 5. The pricing of the Bluetooth variants is Rs. 29,999 and Rs. 32,999, while the price of the cellular variants is Rs. 33,999 and Rs. 36,999.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic is an additional option, and it comes in 43mm and 47mm case sizes. It is priced at Rs. 36,999 and Rs. 39,999 for the Bluetooth versions and Rs. 40,999 and Rs. 43,999 for the cellular versions, respectively.

Compared to what Apple offers, Samsung’s finish options remain highly constrained. The Galaxy Watch Classic is available in Silver and Black, while the Galaxy Watch 6 includes options for Silver and Graphite cases. I received the 44mm Graphite Galaxy Watch 6 and the 47mm Silver Galaxy Watch 6 Classic for review.

Design and features of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 features the same style and button layout as the previous generation and has an aluminum body with flat sides. The display is the only thing that stands out, and it has gotten bigger because Samsung chose to use a smaller bezel this year.

It can be difficult for the average consumer to distinguish between the Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Watch 5, and Galaxy Watch 6. This is because the design has mostly stayed the same over the past two generations, which does cause it to get a touch stale in its third year.

Compared to the ordinary Galaxy Watch 6 model (left), the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic (right) features an updated look.

On the other hand, the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, which has returned after a year-long hiatus, appears slightly refreshing. Samsung chose to forego the Classic model last year in favor of the new Pro model. The target market for the Pro and the new Classic is different. The Galaxy Watch 5 Pro still features the largest battery of the current and previous models, making it a solid rival to Apple’s Watch Ultra variant. Except for a longer battery life and a titanium case, it did not differ significantly from the ordinary Galaxy Watch 5 model’s functionality.

Samsung’s replacement for Apple’s digital crown, the rotating bezel, is a prominent feature of the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic. It performed as predicted during the testing period and is what separates the two versions.

What’s fascinating about the Classic’s design is how Samsung reduced the width of that rotating bezel while still fitting in a display more prominent than the ones on the older Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and the more recent Galaxy Watch 5 Pro. Compared to earlier models, this slim bezel makes the stainless steel casing look cleaner and more modern. Another thing to note is the dual-tone finish, which combines polished and brushed stainless steel and has a luxurious appearance.

Both smartwatches feature an array of sensors on their backs.

Both types have two physical buttons with different purposes that can be programmed. Both watches’ quality and polish were satisfactory. Still, I preferred the average Galaxy Watch 6’s strap since it is softer and less rigid than the Classic model, making it more comfortable to wear. But I could easily switch straps between the two eyes because the 20mm straps on both watches are the same. I found the Classic’s thick 47mm case manageable while I slept.

This year’s specifications are comparable to the Standard and Classic variants. The same 5nm Exynos W930 chipset powers both devices, although they have 500MB more RAM than the previous generations. The watch is jam-packed with sensors, including an accelerometer, gyroscope, compass, heart rate monitor, temperature sensor (for skin temperature), barometer, and a 3D hall sensor determining where the spinning bezel is in space.

The 44mm and 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic variants may switch straps.

The 44mm Galaxy Watch 6 and the 47mm Galaxy Watch 6 Classic share a 1.5-inch super AMOLED display with sapphire crystal for protection thanks to the thin bezels on both wearables. The 425mAh battery capacity is the same for all variations of each model. Each model’s lesser variations include 300mAh batteries. All models and interpretations have been MIL-STD-810H certified and are 5ATM water resistant with an IP68 designation, making them just as durable as other contemporary clocks.

Performance of the Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 and Galaxy Watch 6 Classic

When necessary, the displays are said to be capable of reaching 2,000 nits of peak brightness (the same as the Apple Watch Ultra), and I can attest that they are sufficiently bright to handle all kinds of lighting circumstances. Both smartphones’ built-in speakers are loud enough to pick up calls and hear Google Assistant’s responses. Even with some wind blowing into the mic, it is still pretty clear to the caller. The watch’s LTE connectivity makes it an excellent option for staying connected on walks or jogs, allowing you to leave your smartphone at home. When the linked smartphone cannot be reached, both devices can connect to Wi-Fi networks.

You don’t need companion apps to get started because they are already preinstalled on Samsung devices. I also used both devices with a Pixel 7a regarding features and functionality. However, I noticed that the Camera Controller app vanished from the watch’s app menu because it can only be utilized with a Galaxy smartphone.

For the watch to work correctly with a Pixel 7a, you must install three apps (Samsung Health, Galaxy Wearable, and Samsung Smart Switch) and a plug-in. Once established, I discovered that the Samsung Health and Galaxy Wearable applications were well-designed, with all options located precisely where they should be. To make things more convenient, I hope that Samsung eventually merges its Health app into its Wearable app.

The Galaxy Watch 6 and the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic included software that I found enjoyable. However, the rotating bezel of the Classic gives it a tremendous mechanical feature (which is lacking from most WearOS-powered smartwatches these days). It takes it nearer to classic clocks. Instead of repeatedly swiping the display, which did become tiresome when using the Galaxy Watch 6, the rotating bezel’s geared clicks provide a quick way to scroll through menus. On the Galaxy Watch 6, you can scroll using the virtual touch bezel, but it’s still a fidgety experience and does not offer precise control like the actual rotating bezel.

Over the previous generation, overall software performance has significantly increased. There is no lag when navigating between tiles, watch faces, and other options, unlike with the Galaxy Watch 5 Pro.

The One UI 5.0 Watch user interface has seen some minor changes from Samsung. Although the choices are still somewhat limited compared to what you get on an Apple Watch, there are new watch faces that are highly customizable. With the help of a new battery tile, you can quickly check the battery life of all your Samsung devices. You can now make folders, a valuable method to remove all of those pointless apps off the main menu and make it easier to find what you need.

Without resetting the watch and restoring from a backup, you may now backup, repair, and even transfer your look to another phone (even an Android smartphone made by a manufacturer other than Samsung). Users may now secure their watches with a pin or pattern, rendering them worthless in theft.

The associated Samsung Health app provides intriguing insights when displaying data linked to sleep.

Enhanced sleep coaching is another addition to One UI 5.0, which I found intriguing, considering the thorough results and the additional data the companion app offered. I received the expected outcomes, which included reliable sleep-tracking data and the various sleep stages. With enough data, the sleep coaching tool performs reasonably well (it needs a seven-day break-in time to work its magic). The watch measures blood oxygen levels while you sleep and provides a sleep score and badges. Samsung has also used its temperature sensor well by recording your skin temperature while you sleep.

Additionally, the companion app detects when you stray from your typical sleep patterns and sends you a reminder the following day with a browser link to read up on why it’s not a good idea to do so. Even the regular stand-up reminders offer three quick workout mode suggestions that hardly take a few minutes to complete during the periods I’m stuck in my work chair.

When I use an Apple Watch, I do not feel as motivated to get up from my chair for a fast workout because these stretches are counted and accurately tracked. After a while, I started to feel as though my watch genuinely cared about me, which I’ve only seldom had with any of the smartwatches I’ve tested so far.

There are numerous workout modes on the Galaxy Watch 6 series, including one that may be customized.

The ability to design your custom activity, receive heart rate assistance throughout running exercises, and have personalized heart rate zones while running was another feature of Samsung’s personalized coaching that I loved. In essence, this aids users in getting more out of their exercise or workout.

Regarding the tracking components, the step tracking was precise and tallied 500 steps while walking. SpO2 tracking was accurate and reliable compared to a standalone pulse oximeter, but I had to sit down and bring my palm up to my chest while wearing the watch close to my heart to record it. The results of my heart rate were also accurate. In India, the ECG functionality and blood pressure monitoring are currently unavailable or inoperable.

However, I did have a few snags while using the watch. When switching from AOD to the watch face on a Samsung device, you may need to physically make the flick-to-view gesture because it isn’t as sensitive as the Apple Watch Series 8’s. Because the rotating bezel is better suited for Samsung’s watch OS and apps than for some Google and third-party apps or the Play Store, software interactions when utilizing it might become clumsy. The standard swipe gestures on the display undoubtedly performed better in these circumstances.

The Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 series includes the same charger as last year’s model.

Because they both have identical display sizes and battery capacity, my experience with battery life on the Galaxy Watch 6 series was consistent. However, a 1km GPS-connected walk or run will only use up approximately 3% of the battery, which is about 21% for my 7km brisk walks.

The watch lasted one day, 7 hours, and 20 minutes (or 31 hours, 20 minutes) with the AOD on, brightness set to auto (on a sunny day), continuous heart-rate monitoring, stress monitoring, and sleep tracking (with SpO2 and Skin temperature tracking). My standby time they were improved by around nine hours when AOD was turned off, giving me one day, 17 hours, and 2 minutes (or 41 hours, 2 minutes), which is comparable to a 45mm Apple Watch Series 8 in size. The smartphone charged as quickly as models from the previous year, reaching 50% charge in 30 minutes and 100% charge in 1 hour and 27 minutes.

Verdict

Even while the new Galaxy Watch 6 has a few improvements over the previous model, there are few reasons to switch from a Galaxy Watch 5 (Review) unless you need more excellent software performance or somewhat more extended battery life.

Most of the hardware- and software-related improvements listed above will also be added to models from last year via the One UI 5.0 update, which Samsung has already started rolling out in several nations. In the case of the Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, things are different because it has a brand-new design as opposed to the recycled one on the ordinary model, which is refreshing.

The Galaxy Watch 6 Classic, which is the finest way to use a Galaxy smartwatch, is what I would select if I had to choose between the two. And since I don’t own a Samsung smartphone, this wearable is automatically my top pick for anyone searching for a high-end Wear-OS-powered gadget in India.

The post Samsung Galaxy Watch 6 Classic Review: Notable Upgrades appeared first on Review Products.

Although the Apple Watch series is aspirational and may be a bit pricey for many of us due to its price and positioning, it has increased interest in smartwatches. As a result, the market for budget smartwatches is growing, driven by several firms that use their knowledge of smartphones and Bluetooth connectivity to provide capable wearable technology at affordable rates. This includes Xiaomi, which unveiled the Redmi Watch 3 Active, a smartwatch focusing on health, which costs Rs. 2,999.

Regarding fitness tracking, my previous experiences with low-cost smartwatches could have been better; generally, low-cost devices are best suited for fundamental features like notification mirroring and watch face customization. In addition to checking the boxes for a low-cost smartwatch, it will be interesting to see if the Redmi Watch 3 Active can live up to its moniker and perform effectively as a fitness and health tracker. In this review, you’ll learn if the Redmi Watch 3 Active is worth the money.

Along with step tracking and other features, the Redmi Watch 3 Active can measure your heart rate and blood oxygen levels.

Design and technical details of the Redmi Watch 3 Active

The budget smartwatch market aims to provide as many functions as possible at an affordable price. Design and form are somewhat simplistic in this market, and the Redmi Watch 3 Active maintains this straightforward appearance. The absence of distinguishing features and emblems makes identifying this as a Redmi product at first glance challenging. You decide whether that’s good or negative, but the appearance is too plain and unremarkable.

Review of the Fire-Boltt Phoenix Ultra: Best Smartwatch Under 3,000 Rupees.

Nevertheless, it is valid, and some people might even prefer the shiny exterior complementing the 1.83-inch color screen. If you use a watch face with a black background, you won’t see the screen’s thick borders, and unless you pay great attention, the front will appear relatively uniform. A button that controls power unlocks the app drawer and awakens the screen from standby is located on the watch’s right side.

Fortunately, the screen can also be turned on by double-tapping it or by using the lift-to-wake motion, which involves turning your wrist to face you as you would ordinarily look at a wristwatch. By covering the screen with your palm, you may instantly switch it off. Alternatively, using the screen timeout feature, you can set the Redmi Watch 3 Active to go into standby mode.

The sole logo on the Redmi Watch 3 Active is located directly above the optical sensors on its underside, allowing blood oxygen levels and heart rate tracking. The magnetic charger attaches to the contact points below and connects to a USB Type-A port on the device’s opposite end; a power adapter is not included. The smartwatch’s interchangeable straps can also be detached from it at the bottom.

Charcoal Black and Platinum Grey are the two color choices for the Redmi Watch 3 Active. Although the latter may appear slightly better looking and more distinctive, the review unit supplied to me is the former. The smartwatch’s 5ATM water resistance certification and the default strap’s comfort level and waterproofness work hand in hand. The Redmi Watch 3 Active connects through Bluetooth 5.3, and when coupled with a smartphone, it supports Bluetooth calling. Of course, a speaker and microphone are built-in for this to function correctly.

Active software, user interface, and app for Redmi Watch 3

Compatibility with smartphone operating systems (and occasionally even inside the Android ecosystem) isn’t guaranteed on low-cost smartwatches, but the Redmi Watch 3 Active checks all the right boxes. The device supports the smartwatch on iOS and Android platforms and is compatible with the Mi Fitness app.

For my review, I used a OnePlus 9 Pro (Review) with the Redmi Watch 3 Active connected and the Mi Fitness app installed. The program manages the connection between the smartwatch and the smartphone using Bluetooth. It also establishes the link for voice calls and synchronizes notifications between the two devices. The app receives fitness and health information gathered on the watch to offer improved insights and analysis.

With widgets for activity, sleep, steps, heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and more, the software itself is well-presented. Additionally, you may begin exercises from within the app. Outdoor activities incorporate mapping into the monitoring; however, this depends on your phone for position information because the smartwatch does not enable location tracking. It’s simple to change the gadget’s settings and essential tools; overall, the app is functional and well-equipped for the device.

The Redmi Watch 3 Active boasts a wide selection of watch faces, just like any good wristwatch should. A wide array of downloadable options, arranged arbitrarily, is available in addition to the three default choices. The smartwatch may store up to two additional watch faces in addition to the three default choices, which can be deleted and updated as much as you like if you find one you prefer and download it using the app. There were a few good choices, but most were too bizarre for my tastes.

The Redmi Watch 3 Active is compatible with the iOS and Android-based Mi Fitness app.

Redmi Watch 3 Active battery life and performance

Regardless of price, almost all smartwatches offer the most basic form of fitness tracking. The Redmi Watch 3 Active tries to distinguish itself as a fitness-friendly alternative given its ‘Active’ label, but the accuracy and utility of this could be better on low-cost gadgets.

The Redmi Watch 3 Active doesn’t live up to its boasts, essentially in line with the rest of the inexpensive wristwatch market. Even though there are more than 100 tracking and sport modes with allegedly optimized tracking performance, most of these are specialized, making it difficult to determine whether the tracking data is reliable.

I focused on recording the fundamentals for my evaluation, particularly steps, heart rate, and blood oxygen levels. The Redmi Watch Active estimated 1,060 steps in our 1,000-step test while I physically counted 1,000, indicating a 6% inaccuracy rate. This is too far removed from the more precise step-tracking data that high-end devices can produce, but it is close to what other smartwatches in this price range deliver.

Similar issues arise with heart rate tracking, especially when taking a reading while moving around; the results are frequently too low or fluctuate erratically. The blood oxygen tracking and the heart rate reading, compared to the Apple Watch Series 7 for accuracy, were limited to standing still or sitting with my arm steady.

Water resistance for the Redmi Watch 3 Active is 5ATM.

The specifics of sleep tracking didn’t seem remarkably accurate or detailed; it was very simplistic and reasonable about the amount of time spent sleeping. Overall, health tracking on this can give consumers a rough understanding of what’s happening, but it’s far too erratic to be depended upon for anything significant.

The Redmi Watch 3 Active performs admirably overall, with the default user interface and apps generally functioning as expected. The Redmi Watch 3 Active’s screen is bright and adequate for the price, even though it isn’t quite as sharp and attractive as some of the competition in this market (which employs OLED displays).

I could wear the smartwatch all day, occasionally while sleeping, and use it for around seven days on a single full charge. If you turn off the continuous connection for calls and avoid using the Redmi Watch 3 Active for too many calls, you can extend the battery life a little.

Turning it on through the Bluetooth settings is simple if that is something you plan to utilize. The Redmi Watch 3 Active will only activate for calls if you answer the call on the smartwatch itself. This is useful since, even with the connection active, answering a call on your linked smartphone rather than the watch guarantees that audio is diverted to the correct device. Call quality is acceptable for brief calls in comparatively quiet settings. You’ll find it too soft and annoying for prolonged calls or in noisy surroundings, and you’ll probably want to switch to your smartphone or good earbuds.

Verdict

The Redmi Watch 3 Active is a fitness-focused smartwatch, although there isn’t much evidence to support this. It still qualifies as a wearable device and is a capable budget option that effectively manages tasks like notifications and calls. It is attractive and comfortable, has an excellent screen and software, and can operate effectively for around seven days on a single charge.

As a result, there are a few issues, but the Redmi Watch 3 Active only offers a little that makes it stand out. If you’re looking for a new, inexpensive smartwatch that costs less than Rs. 3,000, consider this, mainly because Xiaomi products are known for their dependability and longevity.

The post Redmi Watch 3 Active Review: Average Joe Smartwatch appeared first on Review Products.

Noise, an Indian personal audio brand, is one of the top brands in its market, mainly because of its affordable prices and capacity to offer features that aren’t frequently found on low-cost goods. It’s a clever strategy that Noise has employed to solidify its position in some of the most well-liked and quickly evolving gadget categories, such as headphones and smartwatches. The most recent product follows this recipe for success by providing a feature generally seen on more expensive goods for less than Rs. 2,000.

The Noise Buds Venus genuine wireless headphones with active noise cancellation are priced at Rs. 1,899, making the once-expensive feature much more widely available. The Noise Buds Venus are among the most cost-effective true wireless earphones with ANC available right now, and they offer many benefits. Does this mean the Venus is the most incredible wireless headset you can get right now for less than Rs. 2,000? Learn more from this review.

Water resistance for the Noise Buds Venus earpieces is rated at IPX5.

Design, characteristics, and specifications of Noise Buds Venus

Most true wireless earphones on the market today have a very generic appearance. However, the Noise Buds Venus has a distinctive appearance that aligns with the brand’s artistic philosophy. The earpieces offer an intriguing mix of shiny and matte surfaces that complement the charging case’s design. The earbuds stand out compared to most of those in this price range, which often have an expensive appearance.

The Noise Buds Venus’ earpieces have touch-sensitive controls and an in-canal fit that guarantees effective noise isolation to support active noise cancellation. Although bulky and protruding, they weigh only 3.5g apiece and don’t seem particularly cumbersome when worn. Even with the standard, medium-sized ear tips, I found the fit comfortable, but additional pairs — a total of three — are included in the box for some fitting customization. A USB Type-A to Type-C charging cable and an instruction booklet are also included in the package, which you’ll need to get used to the controls.

trangely, no accompanying app supports the Noise Buds Venus’ more expensive capabilities, including active noise reduction and low-latency gaming mode. Environmental noise cancellation is also available, and the headset’s quad-microphone technology enables voice communications, ANC, and ENC.

Given the lack of app compatibility, the Noise Buds Venus controls are pretty straightforward and cannot be modified. Still, you may control all of these features directly from the earpieces themselves, for which you will require the instruction manual. The controls are simple enough to understand and rely on different combinations of taps to control everything, including playback, volume, ANC, and gaming mode. Eventually, you’ll become accustomed to them.

The Noise Buds Venus’ charging case is the perfect size—neither too big nor too small—and features a USB Type-C connection at the bottom and an indication light next to the company name. It is convenient enough to provide a reasonable amount of additional charges to the earpieces and supports fast charging. More on that later. It will fit conveniently in your pocket. The headset comes in four color options: black, brown, green, and ivory. In my opinion, all of these alternatives look good.

A USB Type-C port is located on the Noise Buds Venus charging case.

The Noise Buds Venus’ technical specs include 10mm dynamic speakers, Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity, and SBC and AAC Bluetooth codecs support. The earpieces’ water resistance rating is IPX5, meaning they can easily withstand small water splashes and sweat. Additionally, voice help is supported by calling the built-in voice assistant on the associated smartphone.

Battery life and performance of Noise Buds Venus

The Noise Buds Venus are true wireless headphones with active noise cancellation for less than Rs. 2,000, which is already a very astounding claim. However, it is even better that they perform pretty well. The earphones have been adjusted quite well for the budget, but some of it is also supported by technically sound specifications, including compatibility with the AAC Bluetooth codec and Bluetooth 5.3.

Good tuning is already half the battle won for the Noise Buds Venus, considering that most inexpensive wireless earphones tend to fall short here. I was taken aback by the straightforward and uncomplicated sound, maintaining a solid balance between nailing the sonic character and allowing for a reasonable amount of detail.

Friendly Fires’ “Paris (Aeroplane Remix)” sounded great when played moderately because it had just the proper amount of low-end assault and high-end shimmer. It pleasantly engaging listening experience that let me concentrate on the music without abrupt outside disturbances. Budget wireless earphones serve that purpose, and the Noise Buds Venus accomplishes this without exerting excessive effort.

Fortunately, there is no ‘target zone’ for volume where the Noise Buds Venus functions at its finest, and volume variations don’t influence the sound quality more than you’d expect. This was helpful since it allowed me to adjust the volume of the music I listened to based on how I felt or how calm the environment was. However, a book of 60 percent was generally sufficient for indoor listening, and I would increase it to about 70 percent for outdoor listening.

Review of the Venus noise buds Noise

Although the Noise Buds Venus lacks an app and offers active noise reduction, this is not a significant issue because all features can be accessed through the earpieces.

If necessary, the Noise Buds Venus can be pretty loud. However, I could hear some grit after the volume reached 90%. You won’t need to go that loud in everyday use because the Noise Buds Venus mainly keeps up with contemporary genres at even modest volumes. The Noise Buds Venus struggled a little with voice calls in noisy locations, but call quality is sufficient for most usage cases.

Indian market’s top active Noise-canceling (ANC) headphones and earphones

Given the high price of earbuds, active noise cancellation on the Noise Buds Venus is relatively simple and only slightly reduces ambient Noise, failing to cancel it out entirely. With ANC enabled, even basic indoor noises like a ceiling fan’s whirling could still be heard, while outdoor sounds were even less affected.

Nevertheless, even at low volumes, it makes music easier to listen to, so it’s not entirely without use. Consider ANC on this a bonus rather than a USP of the Noise Buds Venus, as it falls short of the performance level you obtain with even the comparably priced Oppo Enco Air 3 Pro.

For the price, the Noise Buds Venus has a respectable battery life. With ANC activated and the volume set to 60%, the earphones lasted about 5 hours per charge, and the charging case gave them an extra four charges. With mixed-use, you may still reach the amount of listening time I could obtain during testing, which amounted to about 25 hours every charge cycle. The casing supports quick charging; a 10-minute charge is expected to provide roughly 2 hours of listening time.

Verdict

Budget-friendly active noise cancellation True wireless headsets are typically quite simple, particularly for entry-level products. This is true even of the Noise Buds Venus, which offers a very rudimentary ANC experience that only improves the entire experience a little but is still great. The Venus is a decent set of earphones for the price, except for one minor drawback—the absence of an app.

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