Are these upgrades enough to make the smartphone worth buying, or is there more to it than meets the eye? Read our Vivo X Fold 6 review to find out whether it justifies its hefty Rs 2,19,999 price tag, making it the most expensive Android foldable in the country yet.

Verdict

The Vivo X Fold 6 is a pricey proposition, but it certainly has a lot going for it. Between its sharp, vibrant displays, flagship-grade processing power, genuinely productive software, and the most capable camera system seen on a foldable in India, it gets most things right. However, faster-than-ideal battery drain under demanding workloads and a noticeable inner crease keep it just short of absolute perfection.

Design: new colour adds freshness

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The Vivo X Fold 6 retains its predecessor's design, with a new Nebula Teal finish adding a touch of freshness. It feels reasonably manageable despite its 226g weight and the well-distributed weight. However, unfolding the device can be cumbersome without the bundled case, and it isn't the slimmest foldable around.
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The Vivo X Fold 6 is nearly identical to its predecessor, the X Fold 5 (review), in terms of design and form factor. The only notable change is the addition of a new colour variant, Nebula Teal, which is quite a looker. The frosted glass back adds a dual-tone effect when you tilt the phone, with the finish changing as light hits it from different angles.

Vivo bundles a matching case with the phone, which I recommend using as it improves grip and makes unfolding the device easier. You have to press your thumbs firmly against the sides of the phone to unfold it, which can be inconvenient at times. The case makes the process more comfortable while also offering some protection against minor falls and drops.

Speaking of protection, the Vivo X Fold 6 comes with IP58, IP59, IPX8, and IPX9 ratings, offering comprehensive resistance to dust and water. However, we wouldn't recommend taking it into a swimming pool or to the beach. The handset weighs 226 grams, placing it between the Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra and the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, making it manageable. 

[comparative-benchmark type="1000" products="41818,41935,42221,41155," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Vivo has slightly adjusted the X Fold 6's form factor by reducing the display sizes slightly compared to its predecessor. However, it still isn't the slimmest foldable on the market. Samsung holds that distinction, with its foldable measuring 4.1mm when unfolded and 8.9mm when folded, compared to 4.4mm and 9.4mm, respectively, on the Vivo X Fold 6.

The fingerprint scanner is on the right spine of the phone, under the power button, and unlocks the device instantly. The phone also features a volume rocker and a customisable shortcut button to mute the device, launch the camera app, turn the torch on or off, enable voice recording, and more.

Display: sharp but not creaseless yet

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The Vivo X Fold 6 offers vibrant, sharp displays with a 120Hz refresh rate, high peak brightness, and HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support. The dual stereo speakers further enhance the multimedia experience. That said, the inner screen is not entirely creaseless yet.
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[comparative-benchmark type="2000" products="41818,41935,42221,41155," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The Vivo X Fold 6's display specifications remain unchanged from its predecessor, except for the peak brightness. The handset features an 8.01-inch foldable display and a 6.51-inch cover display, both of which use LTPO AMOLED panels with a 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support, and a peak brightness of 5,500 nits. While the foldable display offers a resolution of 2,312 × 2,504 pixels, the cover display has a resolution of 2,528 × 1,120 pixels. 

The Vivo X Fold 6 uses an upgraded hinge mechanism rated to withstand over 6,00,000 folds, similar to its predecessor. However, I wish Vivo had put more effort into making the crease as seamless as the OPPO Find N6 (overview), where it is almost indistinguishable to the touch. While the crease isn't particularly prominent or bothersome, you can still feel the slight indentation on the inner display of the Vivo X Fold 6 where it folds.

Other than that, there are no major concerns with the X Fold 6's displays, which feature appropriately sized bezels for a foldable. Both screens get sufficiently bright for outdoor use, even under direct sunlight, while HDR10+ and Dolby Vision support make content viewing an immersive experience. However, for a truly immersive viewing experience, it is better to watch content on the cover display or use the foldable display in its partially folded form, as most video content isn't optimised for the inner screen's 4:3 aspect ratio.

Dual stereo speakers back up the experience and can get sufficiently loud without compromising quality.

Performance: on par with competing foldables

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The Vivo X Fold 6's MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition SoC puts it on par with competing foldables. It handles everyday tasks and demanding workloads effortlessly, with excellent thermal management and minimal temperature increases during gaming. While there are a few software optimisation issues, the hardware delivers an impeccable experience.
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Coming to the key upgrades, the Vivo X Fold 6 is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition SoC, paired with 12GB of LPDDR5X Ultra RAM and 512GB of UFS 4.1 storage. Vivo has not only switched from Qualcomm to MediaTek but has also opted for a relatively new processor. In fact, the Dimensity 9500 (with practically no difference from the Super Edition) also powers Vivo's conventional X300 and X300 Pro smartphones, putting the X Fold 6 on par with them in terms of processing hardware. This also brings the smartphone's performance up to par with other flagship foldables, rather than sitting a notch below like the X Fold 5 did last year.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="41818,41935,42221,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The Vivo X Fold 6 manages thermals efficiently and never gets uncomfortably warm under heavy loads. We ran the Burnout CPU Throttle test on the smartphone, where it delivered a respectable 44 percent stability score. To further assess its thermal performance, we played BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile for 30 minutes each. The temperature increased by just 2.9 degrees Celsius, making it more thermally efficient than even conventional smartphones in the same segment.

[comparative-benchmark type="10" title="Geekbench single-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="41818,41935,42221,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

[comparative-benchmark type="11" title="Geekbench multi-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="41818,41935,42221,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

I've been using the Vivo X Fold 6 as my daily driver for almost a week, constantly switching between the cover and foldable displays. The smartphone handled everything effortlessly, without a hint of lag or stutter. While there are a few optimisation issues, those can be pinned on the software. The phone's hardware remains impeccable.

[comparative-benchmark type="888" title="Burnout Score" caption="Burnout assesses CPU throttling and sustained performance under heavy load (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="41818,41935,42221,," values="44,31.8,34.6,,"][/comparative-benchmark]

Software: smart multitasking

[pdp-expert-review]
OriginOS 7 Fold makes the Vivo X Fold 6 a genuine productivity powerhouse rather than a mere novelty. Despite minor UI quirks (like clunky split-screen setup) and a mandatory native AI, its robust desktop-level multitasking, seamless PC integration, and stellar 5-year OS update policy deliver a highly capable and future-proof foldable experience.
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The Vivo X Fold 6 runs Android 17-based OriginOS 7 Fold, which builds on OriginOS 7. We recently went hands-on with OriginOS 7 and even compared it to last year's OriginOS 6, which you can read here. For the X Fold 6, the recipe remains the same, but a few features have been added specifically for the form factor. Hence, the moniker OriginOS 7 Fold.

Origin Workbench returns and is one of the better multitasking features on a foldable phone. It lets you work with five apps simultaneously for a near-desktop experience. One app occupies the main screen, while the other four appear as thumbnails and remain active, allowing you to keep track of their activity and switch between them seamlessly. I still wonder why the shortcut to launch Origin Workbench, which involves swiping in from the bottom-right corner of the screen, isn't enabled by default.

[caption id="attachment_718659" align="aligncenter" width="2312"] Origin Workbench[/caption]

This multitasking feature complements the split-screen mode, which now supports up to four apps at once. The layout is dynamic, allowing you to adjust the size of each app, although the experience isn't as intuitive as it sounds. I would have preferred a drag-and-drop gesture to add multiple apps to the split screen. Instead, you need to tap the three-dot icon at the top of an app's window and select 'Add apps' to go beyond two apps. The apps remain active and support cross-app content sharing, which is handy if you want to drag photos and videos from, say, WhatsApp to Google Drive, Instagram, and more.

For added convenience, split-screen app combinations are grouped and can be accessed next to the dock at the bottom of the screen. The dock also provides quick access to recent apps and activities, including Origin Workbench. In addition, the handset lets users switch between split screens and Origin Workbench seamlessly, so they can keep working in whichever layout is most convenient.

[caption id="attachment_718658" align="aligncenter" width="2312"] Split screen[/caption]

Another handy feature is the swipe down for notifications and quick settings on the foldable display. Unlike the cover display, they combine and appear from the left, right, or middle, depending on where you swipe down.

The X Fold 6 also supports Vivo's Office Kit app, available for download on Macs and Windows PCs, which lets you mirror the smartphone's screen to a computer for remote access and easy sharing of content between devices. The phone comes with its AI assistant, Jovi, to generate images, text, and more. Interestingly, you can't turn the assistant off in the settings. Google's Gemini is present too and lets you do even more, like searching what's on the screen with Circle to Search.

Overall, the handset ensures the foldable display is more than a novelty and genuinely usable, with smart multitasking options. On top of that, the new custom Android skin delivers plenty of customisation and personalisation options. To keep it up to date with the latest features, the Vivo X Fold 6 will receive five major Android updates and seven years of security patches.

Hopefully, a future update will address the occasional jitter in animations when switching between the cover and main display. I also wish more apps were optimised for the form factor, including quick-commerce apps, down the line.

Cameras: promising

[pdp-expert-review]
The Vivo X Fold 6 remains one of the most promising foldables for camera enthusiasts. While its cameras exhibit slight colour inaccuracies across sensors, they consistently capture fine details, even in shadowy areas.
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The Vivo X Fold 6 features a triple rear camera setup comprising a 200MP OIS Samsung ISOCELL HPB primary sensor, a 50MP 3x OIS Sony LYT602 telephoto sensor, and a 50MP Samsung ISOCELL JN1 ultrawide unit. For selfies and video calls, the handset has a 20MP camera on both its cover and main displays. This is the most capable camera system you will find on a foldable in India yet, and it largely delivers sharp results across all three rear sensors. 

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While the handset may fall short on absolute colour accuracy, its colour tones are pleasing to the eye. Vivo's image processing also tends to brighten shadowy areas to bring out finer details, sometimes at the expense of natural shadow retention. Google's Pixel 11 Pro Fold may be a better alternative if you want near-accurate colours and better contrast, but the Vivo X Fold 6 outshines it in all other departments. Here's a quick comparison between the two phones across scenarios to give you a better perspective.

Daylight

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Vivo-X-Fold-6-daylight-1.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Google-Pixel-11-Pro-Fold-daylight-1.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo X Fold 6" after="Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold"]

The Vivo X Fold 6's primary camera captures images with well-controlled highlights, punchy colours, and fine details. However, the smartphone tends to boost colours, particularly reds and greens, to make images more visually appealing, often at the expense of colour accuracy. The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold outshines the Vivo in this regard, delivering more accurate colours and images with a greater dynamic range.

Ultrawide

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Vivo-X-Fold-6-ultrawide.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Google-Pixel-11-Pro-Fold-ultrawide.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo X Fold 6" after="Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold"]

A similar pattern emerges when switching to the ultrawide cameras on both smartphones. That said, Vivo produces higher-contrast images, making them well-suited for social media. The handset also outperforms the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold in terms of detail and exposure in shadowy areas. However, the Pixel's colour processing produces more lifelike images while preserving a wider range of shades.

Portrait

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Vivo-X-Fold-6-portrait.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Google-Pixel-11-Pro-Fold-portrait.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo X Fold 6" after="Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold"]

Despite having the beauty effect turned off, the Vivo X Fold 6 continues to apply subtle skin enhancement, making portraits appear slightly brighter than they naturally should. The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold captures more accurate skin tones, colours, and contrast, but struggles with fine detail and edge detection. In comparison, the Vivo X Fold 6's telephoto camera captures finer details and separates subjects from the background cleanly, with no noticeable distortion around the edges.

Selfie

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Vivo-X-Fold-6-selfie.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Google-Pixel-11-Pro-Fold-selfie.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo X Fold 6" after="Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold"]

The Vivo X Fold 6 processes selfies in much the same way as portraits, adding a warm tone that makes them pleasing to the eye. However, this comes at the expense of facial details, which appear smoothed out, while the background tends to be overexposed. The Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold, in contrast, preserves details in both the foreground and background while capturing more accurate skin tones.

Low light (night mode)

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Vivo-X-Fold-6-low-light.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Google-Pixel-11-Pro-Fold-low-light.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo X Fold 6" after="Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold"]

In low light, the Vivo X Fold 6 has a clear edge over the Pixel 11 Pro Fold, with better control over light flares and exposure. Its superior primary camera also helps it retain more detail and keep noise in check compared to its counterpart. However, the Google smartphone maintains the upper hand in dynamic range and scene reproduction accuracy.

Overall, the Vivo X Fold 6 remains one of the most promising foldables for camera enthusiasts. While its cameras exhibit slight colour inaccuracies across sensors, they consistently capture fine details, even in shadowy areas. The punchy colour tones also make images visually appealing and ready for social media. The handset further offers a range of shooting modes, colour styles, and AI-powered camera features, including Four Season Portraits, Festival, and Fantasy modes.

Furthermore, the device supports up to 4K at 30 fps Dolby Vision, 4K at 120 fps, and 8K at 30fps video recording from the rear camera, which can also be used to record selfie videos with the cover display acting as a viewfinder. Like the Vivo X300 series, the X Fold 6 supports the Telephoto Extender kit, sold separately.

Battery: charges quickly but lacks optimisation

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The Vivo X Fold 6 packs a large 6,900mAh battery, which takes less than an hour to charge. While battery life is decent for everyday use, with up to two days possible on lighter workloads, gaming leads to higher-than-ideal drain. It could benefit from further battery optimisation under demanding workloads.
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The Vivo X Fold 6 houses a 6,900mAh battery, backed by 80W wired FlashCharge and 40W wireless FlashCharge support. The wired charging solution, with a compatible charger included in the box, takes less than an hour to fully charge the largest battery on a foldable in India. This is another achievement for the device, as many rivals take considerably longer to reach a full charge. But how long does a full charge last on the Vivo X Fold 6?

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="41818,41935,42221,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

In our PCMark battery test, the Vivo X Fold 6 had a runtime of 17 hours and 40 minutes, 8 minutes less than the Google Pixel 11 Fold Pro's 4,800mAh battery. The battery level while streaming a 60-minute YouTube video and playing games for an hour dropped by an average of 8 percent on the Vivo smartphone, which is again higher than the drain on the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold. 

The battery drain was noticeably higher during gaming, indicating that the Vivo X Fold 6 could benefit from further battery optimisation under demanding workloads. While the smartphone is designed to handle intensive tasks such as heavy multitasking, if you abstain from prolonged gaming, you can expect up to two days of battery life between charges if your usage is limited to everyday tasks such as browsing, streaming, scrolling through social media, casual gaming, online shopping, and occasional navigation.

Final verdict

The Vivo X Fold 6 competes with the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold and the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra, both of which start under Rs 2,00,000 (at the time of writing this review) and come from more popular brands. While the Vivo X Fold 6 is the most expensive of the three, it attempts to justify its premium price tag with a superior camera setup, a larger battery, and faster charging support.

However, a comparison with the Google Pixel 11 Pro Fold (review) highlights areas where the Vivo smartphone could benefit from further refinement, particularly in battery optimisation and colour accuracy. It also lacks the ecosystem integration and DeX mode that the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra (review) offers.

Nevertheless, the Vivo X Fold 6 takes an ambitious approach. Rather than undercutting its rivals on price, it prioritises top-tier performance with a flagship-grade chipset that handles demanding workloads effortlessly. Its software further complements the hardware with productivity-focused features such as Origin Workbench and split-screen multitasking.

The phone also benefits from sharp, vibrant displays and a versatile triple-camera system that captures detailed images across all its sensors, even if true-to-life colour accuracy takes a back seat to punchier visuals. The large 6,900mAh battery, which can last close to two days with regular use, alongside fast charging support further adds to its appeal.

If you can count on Vivo's software updates to iron out its minor rough edges, the X Fold 6 is an easy recommendation, as long as it fits your budget.

Editor's rating: 8.4/10

Reasons to buy

• Sharp, vibrant inner and outer displays, excellent for media consumption.
• Breezes through heavy workloads and intensive multitasking.
• Useful multitasking tools like Origin Workbench and smooth split-screen support.
• Images look sharp, punchy, and highly detailed across all lenses.

Reasons not to buy

• Battery optimisation could be better under demanding workloads.
• The cameras have slight inaccuracies in colours.
• Most expensive Android foldable smartphone yet.

With both smartphones targeting a similar audience, we compare the Vivo V80 (review) and OPPO Reno 16 (review) across key aspects to help you decide which one better suits your needs.

Vivo V80 vs OPPO Reno 16: design

Both Vivo V and OPPO Reno series place a strong emphasis on design. The Vivo V80 features a prominent camera island, dubbed the Floating Camera Module, which houses the rear camera sensors and an LED flash. Its design may remind some users of the iPhone 17 Pro or iPhone 18 Pro. The V80 is available in three colour options: Sunrise Anthem, Horizon Blue, and Stellar Black.

The OPPO Reno 16, meanwhile, takes a different approach with a 3D planet-inspired pattern and a shimmering finish that changes with the viewing angle. This effect is particularly noticeable on the Starry White variant. Twilight Violet offers a more understated appearance, while Stellar Purple has a more pronounced, bubbly shimmer.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-reasons-to-buy-e1791787252526.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/08/OPPO-Reno-16c-design-shot.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

In terms of ergonomics, the Reno 16 is the more compact option, thanks to its 6.3-inch display, compared to the Vivo V80's 6.59-inch screen. If you prefer a smaller phone that is easier to handle, the Reno 16 is the better choice. However, if you want a relatively compact design without compromising too much on screen size, the Vivo V80 is worth considering. Both phones are lightweight, feature flat edges, and are comfortable to hold and use.

Durability is another point of difference. The OPPO Reno 16 carries IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, offering broader certified protection against dust and water. The Vivo V80, meanwhile, comes with IP68 and IP69 ratings.

Ultimately, the choice comes down to your design preferences, preferred form factor, and durability requirements. The Reno 16 is better suited to those who favour a smaller phone with distinctive finishes and more extensive ingress-protection ratings, while the Vivo V80 caters to users who prefer a slightly larger display and a bold camera-centric design.

Vivo V80 vs OPPO Reno 16: display

The Vivo V80 and OPPO Reno 16 both offer vibrant AMOLED displays with adaptive refresh rates, ensuring smooth scrolling and an enjoyable viewing experience. However, the Vivo V80 has an edge in terms of screen size, refresh rate, and peak brightness. It features a 6.59-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 2,750 × 1,260-pixel resolution, a 144Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support, and up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness. While you can manually set the refresh rate at 144Hz, all apps are capped at 90Hz or 120Hz, and only select titles like Clash of Clans support it. So the visual scrolling experience is largely 120Hz. Otherwise, the display delivers crisp details, punchy colours, and fluid animations, making it well-suited for everything from everyday browsing to watching videos and gaming.

The OPPO Reno 16, meanwhile, sports a smaller 6.32-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with a 2,640 × 1,216-pixel resolution, a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, 3,600 nits peak brightness, and HDR10+ support. It offers vivid colours and a pleasing viewing experience for streaming content, gaming, and scrolling through social media. Its smaller size also makes the phone easier to handle, particularly for users who prefer a more compact form factor.

The Vivo V80 might seem to have an advantage here, thanks to its higher refresh rate and peak brightness. But real-life differences may not be very noticeable, so unless you're too concerned about the numbers, either should be fine. Both offer smooth, vibrant screens, so the choice largely comes down to screen size.

Vivo V80 vs OPPO Reno 16: performance

Both the Vivo V80 and OPPO Reno 16 are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset. While it is a capable mid-range processor, it feels underwhelming at this price point, where buyers might expect a newer and more powerful SoC. On paper, this should translate to similar performance on both phones, but our testing revealed some differences.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="" products="42040,41823,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Starting with benchmarks, the OPPO Reno 16 scored higher than the Vivo V80 on both AnTuTu and Geekbench. While benchmark scores don't always reflect real-world performance, the difference was noticeable in everyday use as well.

[comparative-benchmark type="11" title="Geekbench multi-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="" products="42040,41823,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The Vivo V80 handled routine tasks such as social media browsing, switching between apps, and multitasking comfortably overall, but we encountered occasional stutters and lags during use. The OPPO Reno 16, in comparison, delivered a smoother and more consistent experience across the same tasks. This makes it the more reliable option for everyday use and could be a deciding factor for buyers choosing between the two.

[comparative-benchmark type="10" title="Geekbench single-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="" products="42040,41823,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

That said, neither phone is particularly suited to demanding workloads, so users looking for performance-focused devices may want to explore alternatives in this price segment.

Vivo V80 vs OPPO Reno 16: battery

The Vivo V80 packs a 7,200mAh battery, the largest yet on a V-series smartphone, while the OPPO Reno 16 houses a slightly smaller 6,700mAh unit. However, the benchmark results tell a different story. In our PCMark battery test, the Reno 16 lasted 23 hours and 48 minutes, significantly longer than the Vivo V80, which clocked 18 hours and 36 minutes. This suggests that the Reno 16 has better battery optimisation, despite having a smaller battery.

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="" products="42040,41823,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

In real-world usage, however, both phones deliver reliable endurance. They comfortably last an entire day with typical activities such as browsing social media, streaming content, and using mobile data. Depending on your usage, you may even be able to squeeze out some battery life into the following day.

Both smartphones support fast charging, with the Vivo V80 offering 90W charging and the OPPO Reno 16 supporting 80W. The difference in charging times is marginal, though. The V80 took around an hour to charge from 20 to 100 percent, while the Reno 16 took approximately 62 minutes.

Overall, both phones offer comparable battery experiences in everyday use. The Reno 16 has the advantage in our battery endurance test, but the Vivo V80 counters with a larger battery and slightly faster charging. Your choice will depend on whether you prioritise measured battery life or battery capacity and charging speed.

Vivo V80 vs OPPO Reno 16: cameras

The Vivo V80 and OPPO Reno 16 both offer versatile camera systems with 50MP primary, telephoto, and front cameras, along with AI-powered photography tools. However, they differ in their ultrawide cameras and zoom capabilities. The V80 features Zeiss-backed optics, comprising a 50MP main camera, a 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. The Reno 16, meanwhile, gets a 50MP Sony LYT-600 primary sensor, a 50MP ultra-wide camera, and a 50MP Samsung JN5 telephoto camera with 3.5x optical zoom.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-cameras.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo-reno-16-cameras.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Both phones also offer several AI editing and creative features, including portrait effects and tools to enhance photos and videos. For example, the Vivo V80 offers more than 30 AI-powered creative features, AI Diwali Portrait 2.0, and 4K Cinematic video recording. The Reno 16 comes with features such as AI Remix Collage and AI Portrait Glow.

In real-world testing, the Vivo V80's colour science favours punchy colours and high contrast in daylight. Its 3x telephoto camera performs well for portraits and focal length variety, but pushing into digital zoom leads to a noticeable loss of detail. Low-light performance is also a weak spot, with significant noise reducing clarity, though the phone handles exposure and lens flares impressively well.

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The OPPO Reno 16, in comparison, prioritises a more natural look, delivering accurate skin tones, well-preserved details, and good dynamic range across most shooting conditions. Even in portrait shots, you can see that the Reno 16 delivers natural bokeh and precise edge detection. In low-light shots, the Reno 16 captures sharper images with better detail retention. The handset also produces images with more natural colours and overall realism compared to the Vivo V80.

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Overall, the OPPO Reno 16 is the more consistent camera phone, particularly for those who prefer natural-looking images with reliable detail and colour accuracy. The Vivo V80 is a worthy alternative for users who favour punchier colours and stronger contrast in their photos.

Vivo V80 vs OPPO Reno 16: software

The Vivo V80 runs Android 17-based OriginOS 7 out of the box, while the OPPO Reno 16 ships with Android 16-based ColorOS 16. Both offer long-term software support, with Vivo promising four OS upgrades and six years of security updates, compared to OPPO's five OS upgrades and six years of security patches. This balances out the software update policy, as both phones would be updated to the same final software version, which is Android 21.

OriginOS 7 focuses on visual customisation, with fluid Dynamic Glow animations, translucent interface elements, and interactive Pet Pals themes featuring cats and dogs. ColorOS 16, meanwhile, puts greater emphasis on AI-powered productivity. Features such as Mind Pilot bring Gemini, Perplexity, and ChatGPT into one interface, while the AI Snap Key saves on-screen content to Mind Space. Other tools include AI Bill Manager, translation features, and AI-powered photo editing.

Overall, the OPPO Reno 16 is better suited to users who want AI tools and productivity features. The Vivo V80 is a better fit for those who enjoy visual customisation, playful interface elements, and getting the latest Android version out of the box. Both offer solid long-term support, so the choice largely depends on which software experience better suits your needs.

Verdict

The Vivo V80 and OPPO Reno 16 cater to similar buyers but have distinct strengths. The Vivo V80 starts at Rs 62,999 for 8GB + 128GB, while the Reno 16 costs Rs 66,999 for 8GB + 256GB. The 8GB + 256GB variant of the V80 is actually more expensive, costing Rs 69,999.

The Reno 16 has a more compact design, delivers smoother everyday performance despite sharing the same Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, and captures more consistent photos with better detail, skin tones, and dynamic range. It also lasted longer in our battery test. The Vivo V80, meanwhile, offers a larger 6.59-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate, a bigger 7,200mAh battery, and faster 90W charging. Its cameras also produce punchier colours and stronger contrast.

On the software front, you get the latest Android 17-based OriginOS 7 on the V80 and playful customisation options, while the Reno 16 offers AI-focused tools through ColorOS 16. Both promise six years of security updates.

Overall, the OPPO Reno 16 is the better all-rounder for performance, cameras, storage, and battery endurance. The Vivo V80 is worth considering if you want a brighter, higher-refresh-rate display, a larger battery, faster charging, and a lower starting price.

Performance: No need to throw in the towel

Let's get straight to the fun stuff. The ASUS TUF Gaming 16 packs an Intel Core i5-14450HX processor with 10 cores, 16 threads, and a maximum boost clock of 4.8GHz, paired with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5050 Laptop GPU featuring 8GB of GDDR7 memory. The GPU gets an 85W power budget, including 15W of Dynamic Boost, making this a fairly sensible combination for gaming at 1920 x 1200. Just don't expect it to bully every AAA game into running at maximum settings. Even TUF has its limits.

Putting the laptop through our benchmarking gauntlet, including Cinebench, PCMark, Geekbench, and more, the TUF Gaming 16 puts up a respectable show. The combination of Intel's HX-series processor and the RTX 5050's 85W power budget delivers a solid showing across CPU and GPU benchmarks. It's not exactly reinventing the gaming laptop wheel. Still, the hardware combination gets the fundamentals right, which is more important than having a spec sheet that looks like a marketing team assembled it on three energy drinks.

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For context, I compared it with the Dell Alienware 15, which pairs an AMD Ryzen 7 260 with a higher-powered, 95W version of the RTX 5050. The results are pretty much what the spec sheet reads: the ASUS edges ahead in CPU-heavy workloads, while the Alienware flexes its extra GPU power in graphics benchmarks. Gaming performance follows a similar pattern, with Dell's machine holding a modest lead.

The difference isn't massive, though, so the TUF Gaming 16 isn't exactly getting left in the dust. It's more of a friendly neighbourhood rivalry than a one-sided beatdown.

Thermals and upgradeability: No TUF choices here

Keeping all that hardware from melting into a puddle is a cooling system featuring dual Arc Flow fans, three heat pipes, and enlarged rear exhausts. The fans get noticeably enthusiastic under demanding workloads, particularly in Turbo mode, so a headset might be appreciated by everyone within earshot.

On the upgrade front, ASUS gets brownie points for two DDR5 SO-DIMM slots supporting up to 64GB RAM and two M.2 PCIe 4.0 SSD slots. The included 16GB RAM will do for most gaming and everyday tasks, although 32GB makes more sense for heavier multitasking and creative workloads. The 512GB SSD, meanwhile, is about as spacious as a Mumbai apartment once a couple of modern AAA games move in. Thankfully, the second M.2 slot makes adding more storage straightforward, without evicting the original SSD.

Design and build quality: Stealth mode, activated

The ASUS TUF Gaming 16 sports an Off Black plastic chassis with a restrained, industrial design that doesn't scream gamer. Honestly, I like that ASUS has kept the aesthetics relatively understated, without excessive lighting or aggressive gaming flourishes. It looks perfectly at home on a college desk or in an office meeting, rather than a gaming convention. Sometimes, subtlety is the ultimate flex.

At 2.2kg, the laptop isn't exactly a featherweight, but that's par for the course for a 16-inch gaming machine. Its thickness ranges from 19.4mm to 26.9mm, making it reasonably portable for its class, provided the bag can accommodate its size. ASUS also advertises an anti-fingerprint coating on the lid and keyboard deck, which is a welcome addition on a dark-coloured laptop. I wouldn't say it was entirely successful against fingerprints, but it does accumulate far fewer smudges compared to most of the other laptops out there, so I will give ASUS some credit for this.

The plastic construction doesn't have the premium feel of an all-metal chassis, but during my usage, the laptop felt reassuringly solid, with little apparent flex and a firm hinge. ASUS also promotes military-grade durability across its TUF lineup, which is always nice to have. Overall, the build feels practical and sturdy enough for everyday use, without pretending to be something it isn't.

What about the connectivity, though?

As far as connectivity goes, the TUF Gaming 16 offers a practical selection of ports, including two USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A ports, one USB 2.0 Type-A port, a USB-C port supporting 10Gbps data transfer, DisplayPort output and power delivery, HDMI 2.1 FRL, Gigabit Ethernet, and a 3.5mm audio jack.

The placement deserves a mention, too. ASUS puts the HDMI output, Ethernet connection, and power connector at the rear, keeping thicker cables away from the sides where a gaming mouse needs room to move. It's a small design decision, but one that makes a desk setup tidier, especially when an external monitor is involved.

Display and audio: Colour me impressed, brightness me less so

The ASUS TUF Gaming 16 features a 16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS-level display with a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 144Hz refresh rate, and 100% sRGB coverage. It's a welcome combination that makes the laptop more than just a gaming machine, offering extra vertical space for browsing, documents, and editing timelines alongside smoother gameplay.

During my usage, the display's colour reproduction makes for a pleasant viewing experience, while the 144Hz refresh rate keeps motion looking smooth in fast-paced games. The 100% sRGB coverage is also handy for photo editing and content creation, although colour-critical work would benefit from proper calibration measurements. After all, covering the right colours and displaying them accurately aren't quite the same thing.

Brightness, however, is where the TUF could do better. With a rated peak brightness of 300 nits, the panel works well enough indoors but doesn't offer much headroom in brightly lit environments. It's perfectly serviceable for everyday use, but a brighter screen would have made the experience considerably sweeter. You can't have your TUF and eat it too, apparently.

Audio comes courtesy of bottom-firing stereo speakers, with AI noise cancellation, Hi-Res-certified headphone output, and a 3.5mm combo jack rounding out the package. The speakers should handle casual videos and everyday use, but don't expect earth-shattering bass or cinematic explosions. For competitive gaming, a decent headset remains the better bet. Those enemy footsteps aren't going to hear themselves.

Keyboard and touchpad: WASD is where the heart is

ASUS has equipped the TUF Gaming 16 with a backlit chiclet keyboard, a dedicated number pad, full-size arrow keys, and highlighted WASD keycaps. The latter are a small but welcome touch, making the movement keys easier to identify during gaming sessions. The keyboard uses single-zone backlighting rather than per-key RGB, keeping things functional without turning the laptop into a miniature nightclub.

The number pad is useful for spreadsheets and data entry, although it shifts the main typing area slightly to the left. ASUS also includes a dedicated Copilot key and shortcuts for system controls, while Armoury Crate provides access to performance and fan profiles. These features are more useful than they might sound, particularly when switching between everyday work and gaming.

The integrated touchpad handles routine navigation, and its Windows precision-gesture support should make scrolling and multitasking straightforward. Most gamers will connect an external mouse anyway, but a touchpad still needs to behave itself during everything that happens between gaming sessions. Nobody wants to wrestle with a cursor just to open a browser.

Battery life and everyday usability: The charger is your co-op partner

The ASUS TUF Gaming 16 packs a 63Wh battery and ships with a 150W charger, alongside support for up to 100W USB-C Power Delivery. In our testing, the laptop lasted almost 8 hours in the PCMark 10 Battery Video Loop test, which is pretty good for a gaming laptop. However, in a more realistic use-case scenario with Photoshop and web browsing, the laptop struggled past the 4-hour mark.

Of course, the inclusion of USB-C charging is handy for browsing, office work, and lighter tasks, but don't expect it to replace the bundled charger when gaming gets serious. The 150W adapter remains your best bet for squeezing out maximum performance. If spending an entire day away from a power outlet is part of the plan, a more power-efficient laptop might be a better co-op partner.

Verdict: TUF love, with a small asterisk

The ASUS TUF Gaming 16 pairs the Core i5-14450HX and RTX 5050 well for 1920 x 1200 gaming, backed by a 144Hz display, capable cooling, sturdy build, and upgradeable RAM and storage. The 512GB SSD, 300-nit screen, and average battery life are compromises, but this is a solid pick for gamers who also need a laptop for college, productivity, and occasional creative work. Just keep the charger handy.

The bigger question is value. At Rs. 1,59,990, the TUF Gaming 16 faces stiff competition. The Dell Alienware 15 and HP Victus fb3185AX offer higher-powered RTX 5050 GPUs paired with the Ryzen 7 270, while the HP also packs 24GB RAM. The Lenovo LOQ 83JE01FTIN goes a step further with a more powerful Core i7-14700HX and a 1TB SSD, although its display is slightly smaller at 15.6 inches. Ultimately, the TUF Gaming 16 is a capable all-rounder, but at this price, it needs the right deal to stand out from the crowd.

Editor's Rating: 8 / 10

Pros:

• Solid, sturdy build quality
• Smooth 144Hz display
• Capable gaming performance
• Excellent RAM and storage upgradeability

Cons:

• Limited 512GB SSD storage
• Average battery life

What's in the Box

The unboxing is a pretty standard affair. You get the earbuds, the charging case, four sizes of ear tips (which is a great inclusion), and the standard documentation—Warranty/Warning and QSG/Safety Sheet. It's nice to see four pairs of ear tips, giving you more flexibility to find the perfect fit. A missing charging cable is a bit of a bummer, but we live in a day and age where you are bound to have a USB-C cable lying around.

Design, Build, and Smart Case Magic

The JBL Live Beam 4 comes in a bunch of different colours: Orange, Black, Sand, Green, Silver, and Blue. JBL sent the Orange one for review, and it looks quite complementary to the orange iPhone 17 Pro Max. The case is well-built and quite compact. It may not be the smallest case out there, but it's small enough to fit in my pocket without hassle.

I personally prefer a slightly bigger case; its ring box design is ideal for single-handed use. Flipping the lid open and closed has a satisfying weight to it, though the case may feel a bit heavy to some. I prefer the slight heft because I like to feel the case in my pocket rather than scrambling to check if it's still there. The case also supports wireless charging, and it boasts up to 40 hours of total playtime, which is a huge plus. The earbuds themselves feature an IP55 water and dust resistance rating, making them perfectly safe for workouts.

Moving on, let's talk about the display on the case. Whether you feel it is gimmicky or not is a personal preference, but there are a bunch of features and controls you can execute directly from the case rather than resorting to your phone, which is a welcome change.

Let's get the worst thing about the case out of the way first: the display is super bright, even on the lowest brightness setting in a pitch-dark room. I am someone who puts the kids to sleep and slips on my earphones for some podcast time in the dark. The minute I touch this case, it's like someone lit up the Bat-Signal in the room. It isn't an issue most will face, but I wish the display could get a lot dimmer. This is a nitpick, of course. On the other end of the spectrum, if I need a flashlight in the middle of the night, I don't need to reach for my smartphone; the case display works beautifully as one—a nice touch for ageing people like me who don't want to kick a toy lying on the floor in the dark.

When the display is locked, you have a bunch of wallpaper and clock options to choose from. One of the screens shows you the precise charge level of both the buds and the case, which is super handy. I don't usually charge my TWS very often, and only when the case and buds are dead do I reach for the charger, so having this info front and centre is incredibly helpful. Slide to unlock the display, and you are greeted with a host of controls. You can manage music playback, volume, Ambient sound controls, the equaliser, spatial audio, case display settings, and more. If you don't want to resort to your phone for basic controls, and if you, like me, hate the whole "tap and double-tap the earbud stem" routine, this case display is a godsend. I found myself using it more and more, effectively bypassing touch controls entirely.

Overall, this is the first time I am using a pair of TWS with a display on the case, and I find the features on offer to be far more useful than a mere gimmick.

Audio Performance and Customisation

Let's move to the actual use of the TWS: the audio quality. The JBL Live Beam 4 pack 10 mm dynamic drivers, support Hi-Res Audio Wireless via the LDAC codec, feature Bluetooth 5.3 with multipoint connection, and sound really good for a mixed-use case.

While I preferred the "Studio" equaliser from the preset list (which also includes Bass, Club, Extreme Bass, Vocal, and Jazz), I found that leaving the equaliser off entirely gave the best, most neutral-sounding audio. You can, of course, customise the EQ if you prefer.

There is also a "Spatial Sound" feature with three options: Movie, Music, and Game. The Movie mode gives you a more expansive feel when watching content, but this is a setting I mostly kept off. For both movies and music, I preferred the natural channel separation.

A really cool feature is the Private Call mode, where you can remove one earbud, hold it close to your mouth, and use it as a mic. This makes it easier to talk softly while ensuring your voice is heard clearly on the other end—a small but brilliant touch. You also get Sound Settings to adjust the vocal tone of the person on the other end, and Voice Settings to adjust how you sound to them. Again, some may find these gimmicky; I used them for a while and then switched them off.

Media Consumption & Everyday Use

Coming to the core sound performance, these earbuds sound fantastic. Let's break down the performance across movies, podcasts, and music.

I watch a ton of movies on my phone. I binge-watched the entire season of Lanterns on JioHotstar, and it was a highly enjoyable experience with clean vocals, very good channel separation, and excellent dynamic range. Even in a movie like Top Gun: Maverick, during the dogfight at the end of the film, the channel separation of the planes panning from left to right was very pronounced. I actually preferred this natural tuning over the built-in "Spatial Sound" mode. The same goes for the race at the 11-minute mark in Ready Player One—very clear dialogue amidst all the chaotic action.

Whether you are watching shows like Young Sheldon, The Grand Tour, Mirzapur, or Slow Horses, dialogue clarity mixed with background scores and good separation is crucial, and that works exceptionally well here. The same applies to podcasts: clear vocals, great clarity, and excellent stereo separation.

When it comes to music, the earbuds impress once again. I listened to a lot of Alan Walker, Teddy Swims, Coke Studio, classical music, and more. The tuning naturally leans slightly on the bassier side, but it never gets muddy or uncomfortable. The "Studio" EQ mode helps flatten this out, but I still found switching the EQ off completely sounded best for my liking. This is subjective, of course, and you may prefer tweaking the settings.

I am someone who doesn't prefer ANC (Active Noise Cancellation) on TWS, and I generally keep it off during long content consumption sessions. I found myself using the earbuds mostly with ANC off, but even when turned on, it wasn't the absolute best at drowning out the noises around me.

There is also a setting called Personi-Fi, which plays a series of individual tones in each ear and asks you to confirm when you can no longer hear a particular tone. The process takes a good five minutes and gives you a detailed report of your specific hearing capabilities, customising the audio output to suit your exact ears. Considering how subjective audio is, this is an incredible touch to ensure the audio sounds the best it possibly can for you.

Verdict

Overall, "feature-packed with great sound output" is the best way to describe the JBL Live Beam 4. They are comfortable to wear for long hours, deliver very good sound with deep customisation options, and offer stellar battery life. The case display, which I initially dismissed as a gimmick, turns out to be genuinely useful. The only downside is that the ANC isn't as strong as some of its direct competitors. If you are in the market for a pair of TWS under Rs. 15K, you should absolutely consider the JBL Live Beam 4. The fact that it is available in a few funky colours is definitely the cherry on top.

Editor's Rating: 8.8 / 10

Pros:

• Useful smart charging case display
• Excellent, clear audio quality
• Deep customisation features
• Comfortable for long listening sessions
• Fun colour options available

Cons:

• Case display doesn't dim enough for pitch-black environments
• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) falls slightly behind the competition

Living Flow Design: seamless transitions, bounciness and luminous effects

ColorOS 17 takes OnePlus' Flow Motion from OxygenOS 16 to a higher level. For instance, when using the Flux Clock widget, from your first interaction on the fingerprint scanner to unlocking the phone and reaching the home screen, the clock seamlessly reacts based on where it's positioned. While this animation is available in specific clock styles, the entire UI is filled with flowing elements grouped under 'Living Flow Design'.

A major highlight of Living Flow Design is its responsiveness to taps and swipes. During my brief time with ColorOS 17, every element, from the quick settings panel to Live Alerts, three-dot menus, and overlay buttons, illuminates on interaction, creating impressive immersion. Lively, bouncy animations and translucent visuals match the luminous effects across the UI, which can be witnessed by pressing and stretching a menu or button with high intensity. As soon as you release your finger, the element returns to its original state while delivering a soothing bounce.

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While this was just a gist of Living Flow Design, ColorOS 17 adapts to the new design language in multiple areas:

Seamless page and pop-up transitions

In first-party apps such as Settings, Photos, Notes, Recorder, and more, moving from one page or section to another uses a morphing animation for seamless behaviour. You can see this on the 'Home screen & Lock screen' page when selecting sections like Wallpapers, Icons, and others. Similarly, tapping any three-dot menu triggers a flying-like animation before revealing the options list.

Floating navigation bar

Following the current trend, ColorOS 17 transforms the bottom navigation buttons into a floating bar in system apps. Like iOS 27 and One UI 9, the navigation bar appears over the content when you scroll through an app. This is most noticeable in the Clock app, where the text behind the bar blurs out.

[caption id="attachment_718568" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Floating navigation bars[/caption]

Progressive blur in more areas

In OxygenOS 16, progressive blur was largely limited to the App Drawer and Photos app. ColorOS 17 raises the stakes by bringing this visually appealing design to more apps, such as Settings, Clock, Notes, File Manager, and more. For the uninitiated, progressive blur mimics natural camera depth-of-field (bokeh), helping users distinguish what is in the foreground versus the background.

Glassy quick settings panel

While the core functionality of the quick settings panel hasn't changed much, since it still doesn't offer the flexibility to resize the quick toggles into various layouts found on iOS 27 or One UI 9, the Gaussian blur has taken a back seat in favour of a more transparent effect paired with contour glow on the borders of the toggles. Similarly, notifications use the same Luminous effects found throughout the UI. Expanding or collapsing them uses an elastic effect.

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Redesigned Live Alerts

Like the quick settings panels, the Live Alerts interface has received a new translucent, Luminous design treatment. Like the Siri AI Dynamic Island design, Live Alerts on COS 17 feature a gradient-like finish that fades to transparency toward the bottom. Furthermore, the Music Live Alert displays a glowy seekbar with shaded border effects that match the album art's colour. Personally, I found this highly impressive, and it seems someone put serious dedication into it.

[caption id="attachment_718561" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Revamped Live Alerts design[/caption]

In conjunction with Live Alerts, the Live Space interface introduced with ColorOS 16.5 on the lock screen has received some love as well. In full-screen mode, the song's album art now stretches edge to edge with meticulous blur effects on the borders, while the playback buttons and the same glowy seekbar sit on top of the album art. In my opinion, ColorOS 17 probably has the most beautiful-looking expanded media player of any Android skin currently.

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Tweaked sidebar transparency and animation

If you thought the sidebar reveal animation on OxygenOS 16 was extraordinary, wait till you try ColorOS 17. While the generic layout stays the same, the swipe-from-the-edge animation to open the sidebar feels more extensive and charming, paired with nice glassy translucency effects.

[caption id="attachment_718562" align="aligncenter" width="900"] Updated sidebar transparency[/caption]

Customisation: just got better

Since OxygenOS 16 and ColorOS 16 introduced a host of customisation options, such as large lockscreen clock fonts, dark theme icons, enlarged icons, and revamped accent theming by ditching Google's Monet theming, ColorOS 17 simply improves on the existing functionality. This totally makes sense since the personalisation options were already sufficient, to the point that other software skins need to catch up to ColorOS' level.

[caption id="attachment_718565" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] New lockscreen clock, weather theme[/caption]

As for what's actually new, the large lockscreen clock fonts finally get the option to display a colon (:). To add it, simply drag right from the corner, or drag left to remove the colon. Like HyperOS, ColorOS 17 also adds lockscreen weather themes that react to local weather in real time and display effects such as rain, fog, sun, and others.

On the home screen, as noted above, ColorOS 17 adds a slew of Flux Clock widgets, while the rest of the personalisation options stay the same. However, coming from OxygenOS 16, you'll find OnePlus has dropped the distinct OxygenOS icons refined over the years in favour of ColorOS app icons.

New game manager UI

When summoning the game manager and going to the "Me" section, you'll find a brand new 'Esports' theme, which revamps the look and feel of the UI, making it look more futuristic and sci-fi. Since switching, I haven't gone back to the previous theme.

Remembering OxygenOS: just a few traces left

Over the years, OnePlus added small details to OxygenOS that gave it its own identity, even after merging with and using the ColorOS codebase since 2021. This included using its own app icons, a custom two-tone monochrome theme, 'Never Settle' easter eggs scattered throughout the UI, and more. Fast forward to ColorOS 17, and OnePlus has dropped most core OxygenOS elements, especially the cosmetic ones.

This includes the "Never Settle" text in the world clock, the "Never Settle" animation in Calculator when entering "1+=", a major highlight of OxygenOS 16's unveiling, and the special tone that played when dialling "1+" in the Phone app. Similarly, OnePlus ditched the OG OxygenOS camera icon. Fortunately, the iconic red "1" hour clock in the lock screen and status bar has been retained, while a particular Clock widget continues to display the "Never Settle" text.

Performance boost: several under-the-hood improvements

As with every major OS upgrade, ColorOS 17 includes several under-the-hood performance improvements. With this iteration, a new rendering architecture called Luminous Rendering Engine has been introduced, which promises up to 25 percent less RAM usage for rendering key scenarios and up to 30 percent less rendering load. While I won't dive deep into jargon, this means the system is optimised to use less memory to render smooth, flowing animations.

In real-world scenarios, every swipe on ColorOS 17 is silky smooth and responsive, and I expected nothing less. Whether you're opening or closing apps, unlocking the phone, or scrolling through Photos, the system delivers fluid interactivity. Easily one of the best out there.

OnePlus AI: major AI advancements made

What's a major OS upgrade in 2026 without new AI features and advancements, right? So ColorOS 17 not only builds on existing AI features, but also adds new features to help users with their workflow and daily productivity.

The biggest new addition this time around is AI Mind Pilot, a prompt-based system that combines ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini to deliver relevant results based on the given query. What makes this special is its 'Agent Mode', which, as the name suggests, is an Agentic AI that can execute tasks based on the prompts. It can work around by accessing local files, photos, and documents to organise, collect, or modify them.

When I asked it to create a collage from the flower photos in the gallery, it completed the task in a few minutes and delivered a usable result. Similarly, it can look through files and photos and pull out the information you need, simply by typing or speaking. I can definitely see this coming in handy for sorting a large chunk of files into a folder, or finding specific information or notes in PDFs and documents, as I tried out in the screenshots below.

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Introduced over a year ago with the OnePlus 13s, AI Mind Space can now proactively scan saved content and suggest reminders and departure countdowns, such as for flights or trains, through Live Alerts and the AI Suggest home screen widget. Next up is the OSee app. Built into ColorOS 17, OSee helps users scan and look up information quickly with AI. For example, if you point the camera at an apparel item, it'll pull up styling suggestions for how to pair it with other clothing. Consider this an advanced version of Google Lens, but from the house of OnePlus and OPPO.

[caption id="attachment_718570" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] OSee in action[/caption]

Closing thoughts

After using ColorOS 17 for well over three weeks, I can safely say I had the most enjoyable experience using a software skin since ColorOS 16 and OxygenOS 16. True to its nature, the update again delivers a noticeable uplift in smoothness and fluid interactivity, especially with the addition of Living Flow Design, given how it flawlessly transitions between pages, menus, and sections within the UI. The elasticity, bounciness, and luminous elements make things feel lively, while the new translucency effect creates more depth than the Gaussian blur in OxygenOS 16.

On the AI front, the company has also put in dedicated effort by introducing Agent Mode in Mind Pilot, which can dig deep into the system and pull out, sort, and organise information in a few minutes. Neat stuff here. Lately, agentic AIs are entering the picture, such as Google's Gemini Spark and Grok Bot, so it makes sense for OnePlus to implement its own system-level AI agent. Then there's OSee, which finds information by just pointing the camera. Both implementations should proactively assist users in their professional and personal lives, especially for routine tasks.

Overall, while core OnePlus users may miss the cosmetic additions and easter eggs from OxygenOS, ColorOS 17 as a whole delivers an immaculate experience in usability, personalisation, and AI functionality. Since it continues to carry OxygenOS' philosophy of being fast and smooth, it'll genuinely leave anyone impressed after a few minutes of use.

Design (9/10)

Instantly likeable, unlike increasingly polarising designs by competitors, the Audi Q3 has a grown-up look about it, and it indeed has added to its dimensions literally too. Unmistakably Audi, with a big octagonal grille with a smart pattern, albeit in plastic, split headlamps with the customary cutting-edge Digital LED Matrix lighting system and a sculpted look that adds muscle at all the right places. Around the rear, it now gets a full-width light bar, illuminated Audi rings and a more sculpted tailgate, creating an effect that is more substantial than before, without losing the compact proportions that make the Q3 particularly appealing in Indian cities.

Tech (7.5/10)

The cabin is where the transformation becomes most apparent, with Audi's new Digital Stage dashboard combining the 11.9in instrument cluster and a 12.8in MMI infotainment display into a sweeping, curved arrangement, giving the Q3 a distinctly more contemporary feel. Thankfully, the India-spec car also gets niceties like acoustic glazing for the windows, a panoramic sunroof and configurable ambient lighting. Wireless phone mirroring along with support for Google Maps in the cluster is genuinely useful. The icons on the touchscreen system are easy to hit targets and the navigation is fairly simple too, making it a joy to use while on the move. Climate control lives on the touchscreen at all times, though changing fan speed is a two-touch process. Compared to most other systems, though, this is refreshingly light on bloatware and unnecessary tech, for the sake of tech.

The lack of a third, passenger-side screen being a case in point. Audi has stuck to the essentials while retaining crucial controls on physical buttons that feel clicky and tactile, like the volume knob. Even the buttons on the steering wheel, while they may appear to be capacitive, have a reassuring click feel and sound to them when toyed with. The gear selector is now a stalk behind the wheel, freeing up space in the centre console for a wireless smartphone charger, USB-C ports and two cup holders.

The Digital Matrix LED headlights are quite the showpieces. They can shape the beam around other traffic, project a lane light onto the road and play custom welcome animations. The Zenith variant also gets a richly informative head-up display and nine airbags as standard.

ADAS is standard on both variants, the Nova and Zenith, with adaptive cruise, front emergency braking, driver fatigue monitoring, rear seat alert and Park Assist Plus. There is no 360-degree camera, though, which is an odd miss at this price. Ventilated seats are absent too, but strangely, heating has been retained from the European spec cars. Finally though, the usually low-res reversing camera has been improved with a high-brightness, high-resolution unit and also gets a wash function.

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Then there is the Sonos sound system, a 12-speaker, 420W setup exclusive to Zenith. It offers plenty of customisation between the different DSP presets and custom soundfield options like Live and Stage, but at heart the sound lacks depth and refinement. You do get soundstage is nicely diffused, a decent pseudo-surround effect, and Podcast mode adds real clarity to voices, yet on music, the mids lack warmth and the highs lack openness. The Nova variant, on the other hand, gets a 10-speaker, 260W Audi system instead.

Drive (8.5/10)

The 2.0 TFSI makes 204hp and 320Nm from 1500rpm, enough for a 0-100km/h sprint in 7.1 seconds, making it the most powerful petrol in the segment and the only one with quattro all-wheel drive. There is some turbo lag below 2000rpm, but get past that initial hesitation and the Q3 feels quick, with plenty of performance for overtaking and highway cruising. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission is smooth in traffic, but the drive select modes make little difference to throttle response. Permanent quattro means traction is never in question, and you can push it around fast, long corners with a lot more confidence than others in the segment. Along with the high levels of cabin insulation and superb ride quality on the perfectly set-up suspension for India, there isn't much you'd be left wanting for as a driver of the Audi Q3.

A great quality-of-life feature is the Progressive steering that reduces effort at low speed full locks for U-turns and parking while adding weight at highway speeds. It feels quick and natural, enhancing the driveability even further.

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Verdict

There's more than enough proof here that even an entry-level Audi can still feel like an Audi, and the Q3, when launched officially on the 16th of October, will hardly have an entry-level price tag. It's extremely well-built, spacious in the second row, decently specced and most importantly, feels analogue in an increasingly digital world, and that is an attribute we should be celebrating. There are a couple of gaps in the spec sheet, no 360-degree camera, no ventilated seats and a Sonos system that underdelivers on its badge. But in every aspect of its driving and perceived luxury, it delivers in spades. Expected to cost around Rs 55 to 60 lakhs, it will take on the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA with the most power and the only quattro in the class. It's our pick of the lot!

Editor's Rating: 8 / 10

Verdict

The OPPO F35 Pro stands out for its interesting-looking and highly durable design. Beyond that, the handset also makes its case with a sharp display, long-lasting battery life, and reliable performance. The cameras may have gained an edge with the addition of an ultrawide lens, but the results lack sharpness. Moreover, the F35 Pro's software support feels limited compared with that of its rivals.

Design: stylish & well-built

[pdp-expert-review]
The OPPO F35 Pro may not bring major design changes over its predecessor, but its eye-catching finishes, solid build and seamless construction give it a premium in-hand feel. Multiple IP ratings and claimed military-grade shock resistance further boost its durability.
[/pdp-expert-review]

In my initial impressions, I felt the phone's design was worth talking about. OPPO hasn't changed much from its predecessor, the F33 Pro, but the phone still feels fresh and eye-catching. We received the Twilight Brown and Sunrise Orange colour options. The latter looks vibrant with a pattern design, while the Twilight Brown features a subtle sunset-like effect around the camera module that immediately draws attention.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-review03.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-FI03.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Sunrise Orange" after="Twilight Brown"]

The camera module also gets a glossy finish, while the rest of the rear panel has a matte texture, adding character to the smartphone. However, the F35 Pro can attract smudges, so you may need to wipe it down from time to time to keep it looking pristine. While the phone features a plastic unibody design, OPPO has done a good job of neatly covering the edges and corners, resulting in a seamless finish and an impressive in-hand feel. At 210 grams, the phone also feels well-balanced, and its solid build leaves little to complain about, with no creaking or noticeable flex when pressure is applied from the sides.

Additionally, the OPPO F35 Pro is tightly sealed and has been tested to meet IP66, IP68, IP69, and IP69K ratings, meaning it can withstand high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. The phone also offers military-grade shock resistance, which should help it survive minor drops and falls.

For I/O, the OPPO F35 Pro features a USB Type-C port sandwiched between the speaker grille and the SIM-ejector tray on the bottom edge. The phone also has a secondary speaker mounted at the top, behind the earpiece. For security, the F35 Pro sports an optical in-display fingerprint scanner, which may take a fraction of a second to unlock but is pretty accurate.

Display: sharp visuals backed by dual speakers

[pdp-expert-review]
The OPPO F35 Pro offers a sharp and vibrant viewing experience, with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, HDR10+ support and good colour customisation. The 144Hz mode is limited to select games, while the speakers get loud but lack clarity at higher volumes.
[/pdp-expert-review]

For the viewing experience, the OPPO F35 Pro sports a 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, up to a 144Hz refresh rate, and 1,800 nits of HBM brightness. The display is sharp, vibrant, and punchy, with either vibrant or natural tones, which can be tweaked in the settings. The display comes with HDR10+ support, letting you stream compatible content on supported platforms such as YouTube with improved contrast, brighter highlights, and a wider range of colours.

While the phone boasts an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, it is only compatible with select games. Most of the time, the smartphone runs at 120Hz across the UI and supported apps for fluid animations and graphics. The OPPO F35 Pro ships with dual speakers for stereo output, with a 300 percent audio boost mode, which does amp up the loudness but lacks clarity. I appreciate the feature but was happy to stick to a 70-80 percent volume level for a balanced audio experience.

Battery and charging: excellent endurance

[pdp-expert-review]
The OPPO F35 Pro delivers excellent battery endurance, comfortably lasting more than a day even with demanding usage and potentially stretching into a second day with lighter use. The 80W charging is reasonably fast, although the 20–100 percent charging time of around 75 minutes feels a little long for a battery this large.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The OPPO F35 Pro houses an 8,000mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC fast charging. A compatible charger is provided in the box, which can juice up the device from 20 to 100 percent in an hour and 15 minutes. While charging can be a bit time-consuming, it is worth the wait. A full charge easily lasted on the PCMark battery test for more than 17 hours, with 20 percent juice still left in the tank.

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42457,41180,42053,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Furthermore, during our internal testing, the handset consumed an average of 7 percent battery after an hour each of YouTube video streaming and gaming. This translates to respectable endurance, with the smartphone easily lasting me more than a day on a single charge. If your usage is limited to everyday activities, the F35 Pro should comfortably see you through to the end of the second day as well.

Cameras: consistent colours

[pdp-expert-review]
The OPPO F35 Pro offers a well-rounded camera experience, with consistent colours and natural-looking results across different lighting conditions. While portrait, selfie, and low-light performance are particular strengths, the handset generally falls short in terms of detail and dynamic range.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The OPPO F35 Pro packs a dual-rear camera setup, comprising a 50MP OIS main sensor and an 8MP ultrawide lens. The front camera is a 50MP wide sensor with the same 4K video recording capabilities as the primary camera. To gauge the smartphone's camera system, we compared the results with the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ and here is how it performed.

Daylight

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-daylight.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Motorola-Edge-70-Pro-Plus-daylight.jpg" offset="0.5" before="OPPO F35 Pro" after="Motorola Edge 70 Pro+"]

The OPPO F35 Pro captures colour-accurate images with respectable contrast; however, its detail is underwhelming, and its dynamic range falls short of the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+.

Ultrawide

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-ultrawide.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Motorola-Edge-70-Pro-Plus-ultrawide.jpg" offset="0.5" before="OPPO F35 Pro" after="Motorola Edge 70 Pro+"]

OPPO maintains the same colour consistency across its primary and ultrawide lenses. As a result, the OPPO F35 Pro results are closer to reality. That said, distortion and graininess remain higher than on the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+.

Portrait

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-portrait.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Motorola-Edge-70-Pro-Plus-portrait.jpg" offset="0.5" before="OPPO F35 Pro" after="Motorola Edge 70 Pro+"]

The OPPO F35 Pro relies on its primary camera for portraits, and it does a much better job than the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ main camera. The handset captures images with near-accurate skin tones and colours, while also preserving facial details and cleaner edge detection and bokeh compared to the Motorola smartphone.

Selfie

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-selfie-1.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Motorola-Edge-70-Pro-Plus-selfie.jpg" offset="0.5" before="OPPO F35 Pro" after="Motorola Edge 70 Pro+"]

In selfies, too, the OPPO F35 Pro outshines the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ with more accurate skin tones. The OPPO smartphone also comes close to its counterpart in terms of detail and dynamic range.

Low light (night mode)

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/OPPO-F35-Pro-low-light.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Motorola-Edge-70-Pro-Plus-low-light.jpg" offset="0.5" before="OPPO F35 Pro" after="Motorola Edge 70 Pro+"]

In low-light conditions, the OPPO F35 Pro comfortably outperforms the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+. The handset not only does a better job of controlling artificial light flares but also preserves more detail without overprocessing colours, resulting in a more natural-looking scene.

Overall, the OPPO F35 Pro offers a capable camera setup that delivers consistent colours and natural-looking images across different lighting conditions. Its portrait and selfie cameras are particular strengths, and its low-light performance is also impressive, especially when handling artificial light and preserving detail. The selfie camera can also go wide for group selfies, letting you fit more than two people in the frame easily.

However, the main camera falls short in detail and dynamic range, while the ultrawide camera struggles with distortion and graininess.

[smartslider3 slider=2198]

Moreover, the 4K 30fps video recording on the front camera is an added strength and ensures consistent output.

Performance and software: smooth & feature-rich

[pdp-expert-review]
The OPPO F35 Pro handles everyday tasks with ease, but demanding workloads can expose some performance limitations. As for software, it is smooth and feature-rich, but the limited two-year OS and three-year security update policy is an area where the F35 Pro falls behind its competitors.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The OPPO F35 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Max SoC, paired with 6GB/8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 128GB/256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, which can be expanded further. We received the 8GB + 128GB variant for review. The handset handled most everyday tasks, including light multitasking and editing, with relative ease. That said, it isn't quite as swift as some of its rivals. It showed noticeable stutters and slight lag during more demanding tasks.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42457,41180,42053,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

[comparative-benchmark type="11" title="Geekbench multi-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42457,41180,42053,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The handset also features a 5,000mm2 vapour chamber cooling system to manage thermal load and, to some extent, prevent throttling. However, heavy users may find the Redmi Turbo 5 and Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ better options in this segment. Both smartphones deliver significantly better benchmark performance in apps such as AnTuTu and also support higher graphics settings and frame rates in games such as BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile.

[comparative-benchmark type="10" title="Geekbench single-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42457,41180,42053,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

We couldn't get the third-party app running on the OPPO F35 Pro to calculate the average FPS while gaming. The handset managed to run BGMI and Call of Duty: Mobile for an hour, with only a minor increase in temperature of around 4 degrees Celsius on average. However, OPPO's built-in gaming monitor recorded a refresh rate of just 30 fps while playing these games. This suggests the advertised 144Hz refresh rate is largely reserved for lighter games, such as Subway Surfers, which this phone can handle.

On the software front, the OPPO F35 Pro runs Android 17 with ColorOS 16.5, rather than the newer ColorOS 17. Still, the overall experience feels closer to ColorOS 17, with smoother animations, resizable widgets, a persistent Google Search bar at the bottom of the home screen, more circular icons instead of squircle-shaped ones, and a redesigned volume slider with a Live Caption option, among other changes. There is a bit of jitteriness here and there, but that can be excused given its relatively affordable price tag.

The OPPO F35 Pro is promised two years of major OS upgrades and three years of security updates, which falls short of the segment standard of three years of OS upgrades and four years of security updates.

[comparative-benchmark type="3000" products="42457,41180,42053,," pias="67,63,46,,"][/comparative-benchmark]

Final verdict

The OPPO F35 Pro is priced in India starting at Rs 45,999, which is worth considering even if it comes across as a well-rounded smartphone that gets several important things right. Its stylish and durable design gives it a premium feel, while the sharp AMOLED display, excellent battery life, and reliable everyday performance make it a capable daily driver. The cameras also deliver consistent colours and natural-looking results, with portrait, selfie, and low-light photography standing out as particular strengths.

However, the OPPO F35 Pro falls behind rivals such as the Redmi Turbo 5 (review) and Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ (review) in raw performance, handling demanding workloads, and software support. The OPPO smartphone's cameras also struggle to deliver the level of detail and dynamic range offered by its competitors.

That said, the OPPO F35 Pro stands out with its strong offline presence, something many alternatives lack. So, if you still prefer the good-old way of buying smartphones from brick-and-mortar stores, the OPPO F35 Pro makes a strong case for itself.

Editor's rating: 8.1/10

Reasons to buy

• The design has an eye-catching finish, solid build, and seamless construction.
• The display is sharp and vibrant, and it supports a smooth 120Hz refresh rate across the system UI and supported apps.
• The battery life is excellent, comfortably lasting more than a day even with moderate to demanding usage.
• The cameras excel with consistent colours, good portrait, and low-light photography.

Reasons not to buy

• The primary camera struggles with detail and dynamic range.
• Demanding workloads can expose some performance limitations.
• Two years of OS upgrades and three years of security updates fall short of what its competitors offer.

On paper, the Z670SP has plenty to shout about, including a native 144Hz refresh rate, 720 local dimming zones, Dolby Vision IQ and front-firing speakers. I've been using it alongside my personal Lumio Vision 9 QD-MiniLED (2025) and PS5, so those are my reference points here. How does it fare? Let's find out.

Design

The Toshiba Z670SP looks clean and premium, thanks to a bezel-less design and a metal unibody. While the sides and top are near bezel-less, the lower bezel is rather chunky, and that's because it houses the front-firing speakers. You'll find the Toshiba branding on the left and the Regza branding on the right, along with an LED power ring. The stands are solid metal and straight rather than angular, which adds to the premium feel.

One thing to keep in mind if you're planning to use the in-box table-top stands rather than wall-mounting the TV: a 75-inch TV needs a wide table. I didn't have a long enough TV table to prop it up on, so I had to keep it on the floor.

Over at the back, the power input is on the left and the rest of the ports are on the right. There are four HDMI ports, but they're not all equal. HDMI 3 and HDMI 4 are HDMI 2.1-compliant and support 4K at 144Hz, while HDMI 1 supports 4K at 60Hz. The eARC port is HDMI 2, which also tops out at 4K at 60Hz, and it's the one you should use for a soundbar. If you plan to hook up a gaming PC or console, use HDMI 3 or 4 with an HDMI 2.1 cable to get the highest possible refresh rate.

Display

Now, the display is the main attraction here. The Z670SP is rated for up to 1,300 nits of peak brightness, and it's definitely a bright TV. For those unaware, a Mini LED TV uses a backlight made up of lots of tiny LEDs grouped into local dimming zones that can be dimmed independently. One of the benefits is that it can deliver strong brightness and deep blacks, close to what you get on an OLED TV, provided the panel is a good one. And Toshiba uses one of the better VA panels out there.

In my experience, the Z670SP delivers impressive contrast in movies and TV shows, with good black levels and good shadow preservation in darker scenes. There was very minor black crushing, which was barely noticeable. There's also some mild blooming (the glow around bright objects against a dark background), but the 720 full-array local dimming zones, paired with the Regza Engine ZRi processor, do a solid job of controlling light bleed.

You get a bunch of picture presets, but I'd recommend Filmmaker mode for movies and shows. The TV also supports Dolby Vision IQ, which automatically kicks in on Dolby Vision content. Even better is switching to Dolby Vision plus Filmmaker mode, which gives you the best of both worlds: bright, crisp visuals with the right colour tones, frame rate and no motion smoothing, just as movies are meant to be viewed.

The Z670SP also handles SDR/1080p upscaling well. I watched The X-Files (a 1993 show) on JioHotstar, and it looked sharp and smooth, something even my Lumio Vision 9 struggled with, especially in darker scenes.

Now, MEMC (motion smoothing) is enabled by default, and it offers a very nice experience when watching sports. But you should absolutely disable it when watching movies or TV shows, as the picture motion can look unnatural.

For gamers, the TV supports native 144Hz, along with VRR and ALLM. But it's worth noting that you won't be able to make full use of it if you own a PS5, as I do. The PS5 supports up to 120Hz, and that's the maximum I could achieve on the Toshiba TV after enabling Game Mode Pro. That said, I had a great time playing F1 2025 at 120Hz. Performance was absolutely smooth, and colours looked great.

Sound

The Z670SP has 54W of sound output and a four-speaker system, and the front-firing design delivers the full breadth of audio directly to you. The TV supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X as well. I was pleasantly surprised by the audio quality. The speakers can get extremely loud, and I found myself hovering around 15 to 20 percent volume for the most part.

It's not just about loudness, though. There's plenty of clarity, with dialogue coming through clearly and decent separation so it doesn't get muffled by background music. The bass is good enough for my liking, but if you want a noticeable thump, you'll want to hook the TV up to a subwoofer.

Performance and software

This is where the Z670SP stumbles. The TV ships with 2GB of RAM, and that's instantly noticeable. This isn't the fastest TV out there, and I admit I'm a little spoiled after using the Lumio Vision 9. I think it's the performance benchmark right now, and it stays snappy even after a year. I don't feel confident saying the same about the Toshiba TV as it ages. Scrolling through the UI or switching between streaming apps feels sluggish.

[gallery link="file" size="full" td_select_gallery_slide="slide" columns="2" ids="718407,718408"]

On top of that, you get VIDAA OS rather than Google TV, and I'm not a big fan of this UI. Firstly, you're greeted with large banner ads every time you land on the home screen. Secondly, while you'll see a long list of supported apps as you scroll, it still looks limited compared to the Google Play Store. The usual suspects are all there, including Netflix, Prime Video, JioHotstar, Apple TV and YouTube, but I couldn't find F1 TV, for example, and I like watching F1. I also prefer Google TV's recommendations on the home screen, which feel more organic and user-friendly than what VIDAA shows me.

If you mostly stick to the standard set of streaming apps, you shouldn't have a problem. Other features include AirPlay and HomeKit support, a far-field voice remote, Bluetooth 5.4 and Wi-Fi 5, along with a suite of REGZA Intelligence AI features.

Lastly, you get a fairly long remote with the TV, with hotkeys for Netflix, Prime Video, and YouTube. You also get dedicated News, VOD, Music, and Sports buttons that launch third-party apps like Haystack News (news), DAZN (sports), and Spotify (music). I never used these buttons as I never felt the need to subscribe to these ad-supported third-party apps. I feel remotes in the age of smart TVs should get more compact, but that's just me.

Verdict

Starting at Rs 79,990, the Toshiba Z670SP gets the important things right. The Mini LED panel is bright, with impressive contrast and good black levels; upscaling is handled well; native 144Hz is a bonus for gamers; and the front-firing speakers are loud and clear enough that you may not feel the need for a soundbar straight away. The premium metal build adds to the appeal.

Where it falls short is the software. The sluggish UI, banner ads and limited app selection of VIDAA are a letdown, and I'm not convinced it will age well with just 2GB of RAM. If you care most about picture quality, sound and gaming, and you stick to the usual streaming apps, the Z670SP is a solid pick. But if a snappy Google TV experience matters to you, look elsewhere, like the Lumio Vision 9.

The Lumio Vision 9 (review), priced at Rs 73,000, is a direct competitor to the 65-inch Toshiba Z670SP. It delivers noticeably faster performance, a cleaner and more approachable Google TV OS, a more intuitive TLDR app, and impressive audio quality, among other things.

Editor's rating: 8.4 / 10

Pros:

• Bright Mini LED display with impressive contrast and black levels
• Loud, clear front-firing speakers
• Native 144Hz (120Hz on PS5) with VRR and ALLM
• Premium metal unibody design

Cons:

• Sluggish UI with 2GB of RAM
• VIDAA OS with banner ads and a limited app selection
• Mild blooming around bright objects

Keep reading this Google Pixel Watch 5 review to find out more.

Design

The Google Pixel Watch 5 retains the same design DNA as its predecessors, dating back to the first-generation model. That's not necessarily a bad thing, as it gives the watch a distinct identity that I appreciate. However, Google should have included knitted fabric bands in the box rather than fluoroelastomer ones. Even in their second generation, these bands don't feel particularly sweat-friendly. I felt uncomfortable wearing the watch for extended periods, especially after a workout, as sweat trapped under the band irritated my skin.

Google sells its polyester yarn bands separately for Rs 6,999, but it should include them by default or offer them as a free alternative. This would better align with Google's positioning of the Pixel Watch 5 as an everyday wearable designed for comfortable use, even in humid weather.

Beyond the band, the wearable feels as durable and premium as you'd expect. It features an aluminium frame sandwiched between glass layers, including a 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5 dome covering the AMOLED display. Despite regular use, including intense workouts, the watch has remained scratch-free and free of paint chips.

The Pixel Watch 5 is available in four colour options: Polished Silver, Champagne Gold, Satin Pyrite, and Matte Black. Our Matte Black review unit looks highly professional paired with its Obsidian Active Black Band. The watch comes in 41mm and 45mm dial sizes. The 41mm variant I tested suited my wrist perfectly, and at just 31 grams (without the band), it is exceptionally comfortable to wear all day and in bed.

Display and Controls

The watch features a circular LTPO AMOLED display with a dynamic refresh rate ranging from 1Hz to 60Hz to conserve battery life. At 320ppi, visuals are sharp, and the 3,000-nit peak brightness ensures flawless visibility under direct sunlight. The highly responsive panel produces rich colours and maintains vibrancy at extreme viewing angles. It earns a perfect 10 out of 10 in this category.

Alongside the touch screen, the right side houses a digital crown and a secondary button. The versatile crown allows you to power the watch on or off, open the app drawer, return to the home screen, scroll through menus, and take ECG readings. Meanwhile, the secondary button opens the recent actions menu. I rarely used this button as it sits flush against the domed chassis, making it difficult to find by touch, and its tactile feedback leaves much to be desired.

Fortunately, Google's "Double-pinch" gesture and Gemini integration render the physical button mostly unnecessary. Double-pinch lets you tap your thumb and forefinger together twice (on the hand wearing the watch) to pull up notifications, scroll through the UI, or make selections. The gesture works seamlessly and proved incredibly convenient for starting activity tracking or checking summaries mid-workout.

If you prefer not to use gestures, Gemini handles the rest. The AI assistant is deeply integrated into the system, pulling real-time information from the internet with reliable accuracy. It easily manages everything from starting a workout to answering complex queries. To activate it, simply lift your wrist; a brief flash of light at the bottom of the display indicates Gemini is listening. Alternatively, you can use the standard "Hey Google" command. Every interaction is backed by haptic feedback that feels as precise and satisfying as a high-end smartphone's, making the watch a joy to use.

Connectivity and App Support

The watch offers Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity and syncs data with its companion app in near real time. It includes NFC for contactless payments, an Ultra-Wideband (UWB) chip for precision tracking, dual-frequency GNSS for location accuracy, and Satellite SOS.

The Pixel Watch 5 supports devices running Android 12 or newer. I paired the wearable with my Pixel smartphone, which includes the new Google Health app out of the box. While the watch works with other Android devices, some controls are slightly limited outside the Pixel ecosystem.

iPhone users aren't entirely left out. The Pixel Watch 5 can sync with the Google Health app on iOS, provided the watch was initially set up using an Android device. As long as you sign in with the same Google account, the iOS app fetches activity data directly via the cloud. This cloud-first approach eliminates the frustratingly long Bluetooth sync times that plague many competing smartwatches.

[caption id="attachment_718337" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Google Health app on iPhone[/caption]

The Google Health app, a refreshed version of the Fitbit app launched earlier this year, integrates Gemini to translate colour-coded graphs into plain-English summaries. However, the sheer density of information can feel overwhelming on a standard smartphone screen (though it scales perfectly on a foldable). Google should consider collapsing granular details behind a "Read more" toggle. This would declutter the primary interface while preserving deep data for power users.

[caption id="attachment_718336" align="aligncenter" width="696"] Google Health app viewed on a large screen[/caption]

I also wish the app surfaced weekly and monthly comparisons upfront, rather than burying them in deeper menus. This is a minor nitpick, which may not bother many. Overall, the Google Health app experience is highly intuitive. Pixel Watch 5 buyers receive a free three-month Premium subscription, which unlocks adaptive fitness plans, coach assistance, advanced AI features, and deeper tracking insights absent from the free tier.

For an in-depth analysis of the app, you can read our Google Health review.

Health Tracking

Health tracking is undoubtedly the watch's strongest asset. Covering ECG, sleep, recovery, breathing, and complex workout metrics, it tracks with remarkable precision. While Google emphasises that the Watch 5 is not a medically certified device, its day-to-day readings proved highly reliable. It recorded roughly 1,300 steps per kilometre, a standard stride estimate, and entirely avoided registering "ghost steps" while I slept.

That said, the real value of the Pixel Watch 5 lies in its processing power. Backed by the Snapdragon W5 Gen 2 Accelerated chipset, a Cortex-M55 co-processor, and 3GB of RAM, the watch handles heavy lifting with ease. It features 64GB of storage and hardware-level Gemini integration, enabling offline controls, custom AI watch face generation, and seamless "raise-to-talk" capabilities. On the software front, Wear OS 7 introduces refined Material Design elements and noticeably smoother animations.

Google claims a significant performance leap over the previous generation, and the real-world experience confirms it. Everything from launching apps to managing notifications feels instantly responsive. Gemini analyses activity data rapidly, generating plain-text summaries within seconds. Unlike other wearables, I never had to sift through raw heart rate zones or raw data to understand my body's performance.

Like high-end Garmin watches, the Pixel Watch 5 generates a daily "Readiness Score" based on sleep and previous activity levels (requiring 7 to 10 days of continuous wear to calibrate). However, this score often felt slightly off-putting for me. Despite learning my baseline over several weeks, the watch frequently advised me to take it easy and avoid pushing myself. Early on, these warnings created a psychological placebo effect, causing me to unnecessarily tone down my workouts. When I eventually ignored the watch and pushed hard at the gym, I felt perfectly fine.

I primarily use the watch for casual lifestyle tracking, so these conservative estimates weren't a dealbreaker. (Athletes should obviously consult a healthcare professional rather than treating a smartwatch's conservative algorithms as medical gospel.)

Another minor flaw is the automatic activity detection. Even budget smartwatches can consistently detect when I wake up, but the Pixel Watch 5 occasionally remained stuck in Bedtime mode long after I was out of bed. I noticed similar inconsistencies with automatic workout detection, which missed the start of a few routines. Hopefully, Google can tighten these algorithms via a future firmware update.

Battery and Charging

The watch houses a 332mAh battery in the 41mm model and a 465mAh cell in the 45mm version. While this is a marginal capacity increase over the Watch 4, Google's battery life claims remain unchanged: up to 30 hours with the Always-On Display (AOD) active, and up to 48 hours in battery-saver mode. During the initial calibration period, I only managed about 24 hours per charge. Once fully settled, however, the watch easily hit Google's 30-hour claim, stretching to nearly two full days with lighter use.

Charging takes around 40 minutes to go from 0 to 100 percent using the proprietary dock, matching the impressive speed of its predecessor. The side-oriented charging posture, carried forward from its predecessor, is a smart design choice, making it easy to check the time or interact with the screen. The watch also displays a dynamic "time until full" estimate, which takes the guesswork out of top-ups.

Verdict

In India, the Google Pixel Watch 5 starts at Rs 42,900. If you are a Pixel smartphone user who has been on the fence about buying the company's smartwatch, this generation is an excellent starting point. Its standout health-tracking capabilities, smooth performance, intuitive Gemini integration, and bright, responsive display make it a compelling everyday wearable. The revamped app experience also makes complex health data easier to digest, while reliable battery life and fast charging keep you off the wall outlet.

That said, the default fluoroelastomer band can become uncomfortable during extended wear, and the automatic activity detection needs to be more consistent. The daily Readiness Score may also feel overly conservative for users who prefer to push their physical limits during workouts. Nevertheless, the pros easily outweigh these minor cons.

While the Pixel Watch 5 can be recommended to other Android smartphone users, even with a limited feature set, many would not want to compromise at this price. That may not be Google's core audience. Instead, the company seems to be focusing on building an ecosystem for Pixel users, and the Watch 5 is a great addition.

Editor's rating: 9/10

Pros

• Bright, sharp and responsive display
• Accurate health and activity tracking
• Smooth performance and useful Gemini integration
• Good battery life with fast charging

Cons

• Bundled band can feel uncomfortable during extended use
• Automatic activity detection needs improvement

New customisation options

Customisation is one of the areas where OriginOS 7 has seen a rather substantial change this time around. Vivo has introduced a bunch of new themes that go beyond simply changing your wallpaper or icons, with some of them actually reacting to how you interact with the phone.

The Wiggle Theme, for instance, makes your wallpaper wobble, spring or ripple when you move the phone around. It is a small touch, but it makes the lock screen feel a little more alive, though it's tricky to show in a picture.

Then you have Pet Pals, which is probably the one to go for if you want something more interactive than your basic wallpaper backgrounds, with little animal characters that move around and react differently when you unlock the phone.

For me, the Glint Theme, in particular, was the highlight, though. You can use it with your own custom wallpapers as well, and if there are light elements in the image, they come through rather nicely when you tilt the phone. The iridescent effects, light beams and patterns shift with the angle, which gives the lock screen a nice bit of depth without feeling too over the top.

There are also system-level stickers through StickIt, which you can use across the lockscreen, wallpaper and AOD to customise your phone even more. Overall, I like what Vivo is doing here, and if customisation is your thing, OriginOS 7 gives you quite a bit more to play around with.

UI design changes

The UI design changes in OriginOS 7 are a little more nuanced, so we compared it with OriginOS 6 to make the changes easier to spot. Vivo has broadened its transparency and glass effects, but instead of forcing one look, you now have three levels to choose from: opaque, transparent, and glass. As you'd expect, they gradually increase the amount of transparency and glass-like effects across the UI.

In that sense, the older OriginOS 6's UI sits somewhere around the opaque or transparent end of the spectrum, while OriginOS 7 gives you more control over how much of that glass effect you actually want. I quite like this approach since not everyone is going to enjoy an overly transparent UI.

You also get more options to customise the notification panel, giving you more control over how the controls and information are laid out. It isn't a major overhaul, but these smaller changes do make the interface feel more personal and give you more control over how OriginOS 7 looks on your device. 

Productivity enhancements: better notes app, AI recordings

The largest suite of changes in this new version is undoubtedly the productivity enhancements. The Notes app, for instance, has become more capable and also brings with it some new animations.

You can turn handwritten notes, whiteboards, slides and even mind maps into editable text using AI. I tried using it on a takeout bill, and it worked just fine, even adding the design formatting, which made me quite satisfied.

There are also more ways to summarise and organise your notes, unlike the rather basic options in OriginOS 6. I used these features quite often, and they make the app feel much more robust than it used to be.

The Recorder app has also received a major upgrade, with automatic transcription, speaker recognition and AI-generated summaries. The transcription now automatically identifies speakers and attributes the text to them, formats it and adds sub-heads, which is a lifesaver if you find editing your transcripts bothersome.

Another nice add-on is the PDF reader, which now comes with a dedicated reader mode as well. As someone who reads books quite often, this is something I really enjoyed, as reading PDF files on the phone wasn't a great experience before.

The new AI Search can find files and notes based on what you remember rather than requiring the exact file name. These are all fairly simple additions, but they are the sort of things I found myself using in everyday situations, which is a good sign in my books.

[caption id="attachment_718335" align="alignnone" width="1000"] Reader mode[/caption]

There are also upgrades to Jovi and the Call Assistant, but I haven't been able to test those yet since my Vivo X200T (review) is still waiting for the OriginOS 7 update. So, I'll reserve judgement on those for now.

Origin Workbench

Another productivity feature worth mentioning is Origin Workbench, which is essentially a multitasking hub. You can keep up to five tabs open at the same time and jump between them rather easily, which makes it useful when you're working on multiple things at once.

Navigation is straightforward, and the fluid animations make moving between tabs feel smooth. I haven't used it much during my testing, but I can see it being helpful when I need to work on a bunch of things at once, especially if you like keeping multiple tasks open.

Smoothness and security

A lot of the other changes in OriginOS 7 happen under the hood, so they are harder to quantify. Vivo has worked on animations, memory management and system optimisation to keep the experience smooth when switching between apps and handling multiple tasks. The new Origin Smooth Engine also adds more fluid, spring-like animations across the UI.

There are also several security measures, including protection against malicious apps, unsafe links, spam calls and insecure Wi-Fi networks, along with daily security scans and tighter permission controls.

These aren't features you'll necessarily notice every day, but they are important additions that should make the overall experience smoother and more secure.

Final thoughts

From my perspective, OriginOS 7 is more about refining what Vivo built with OriginOS 6 and making changes to improve the user experience. OriginOS 6 brought some fairly fundamental changes to the design and overall feel of the software compared to Funtouch OS, while this new version builds on that foundation with more features and better ways to use them.

The biggest improvements are in customisation and productivity, with more ways to personalise the phone and a much wider set of tools that can be very useful in everyday life. Features like the upgraded Notes and Recorder apps, AI Search and Origin Workbench give you more things to do across the software suite, rather than simply changing how the UI looks.

It may not feel like as big a visual jump as OriginOS 6, but after spending time with it, I think OriginOS 7's priorities are in the right place: refinement over novelty. Vivo has built on the previous version and added more depth, which is probably the right approach for a second-generation overhaul.

The focus of our story is the Boltt Ace 5G, the brand's key launch, which starts at Rs 11,999 and offers a rather balanced set of features for anyone looking to purchase a new budget 5G phone. In this review, we'll discuss how it performs on a daily basis, its camera output, battery life, and, finally, whether the device is worth the price or not.

Short verdict

The Boltt Ace is an impressive first attempt at a budget 5G phone from a new brand. It ticks the basic boxes with its 120Hz display, snappy software and reliable everyday performance. The 6,000mAh battery should also last an entire day for most users. However, there are some drawbacks: the cameras need some tuning, and the charging speed is slow. For the price, however, the phone gets a lot more right.

Design: it is a bit heavy 

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Ace 5G is a fairly large and hefty phone, with a practical design that includes well-placed buttons and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The plastic build feels budget-friendly, though, and the lack of an official IP rating is a drawback. There are some clear trade-offs, especially when it comes to weight and durability.
[/pdp-expert-review]

At 17cm tall and 8.5mm thick and weighing about 233 grams, the Boltt Ace 5G is a fairly large and hefty phone. It is a bit more chunky and denser than quite a few of its rivals, which are about 20 grams lighter on average. The plastic rear panel has a glossy finish, while the frame is also plastic, and it does feel like most budget phones do. So, it is best to temper your expectations if you're looking for something premium.

There are six colour options to choose from, including Arctic White, Sky Blue, Burgundy Bliss and Midnight Black. You'll notice right away that the camera island resembles that of the iPhone 18 Pro, if the burgundy colourway wasn't a clear enough nod. I received the white variant, and it has a rather plain design with a light grey electric bolt logo at the bottom.

The power and volume buttons sit right within your thumb's reach, and that gets some brownie points in my book. You also get a dedicated 3.5mm headphone jack, which has become a sight for sore eyes. All good things, if you think of it in terms of practical day-to-day use.

[comparative-benchmark type="1000" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

One major drawback here is that the phone only offers splash resistance and doesn't have an official IP rating. Most phones at this price offer IP64 or higher, so you'd need to be more careful around water with the Boltt Ace. Wrapping up this segment, the Boltt Ace is designed well enough to make everyday use easy, but it is substantially heavier than its competitors and not as resistant to water and dust, so there are some clear trade-offs here.

Display: good enough for most

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Ace 5G's 6.79-inch 120Hz display offers a smooth experience for everyday use, with a large screen that works well for videos and social media. The HD+ resolution is a reasonable compromise at this price, although colours could have been punchier. Outdoor visibility is also average, especially under direct sunlight.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The 6.79-inch IPS LCD is one of the key aspects of the Boltt Ace 5G, especially since you get a 120Hz refresh rate. Scrolling through social media and moving around the UI feels quite smooth, while the large screen is also useful for watching YouTube videos or your favourite OTT shows. The display delivers a good overall experience, on par with most other phones.

The main compromise here is the HD+ (720×1640) resolution, which is standard in the price segment and gets the job done. Colours are decent enough, although they aren't as punchy as I'd like, so I'd recommend setting the display to vibrant mode.

Outdoor visibility is a little more mixed. The 600-nit peak brightness works well enough indoors and in the shade, but direct sunlight can make things harder to see. I also noticed that the auto-brightness feature takes a little time to kick in when moving between different lighting conditions.

[comparative-benchmark type="2000" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Overall, the display gets the basics right. The 120Hz refresh rate adds a nice touch of smoothness, while the large screen works well for everyday content. It isn't the sharpest panel around, but given where the Boltt Ace 5G sits, this feels like a reasonable compromise for a first-generation effort.

Performance and software: reliable for everyday use 

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Ace 5G delivers reasonable everyday performance with the Unisoc T8200. Gaming is fine for simpler titles, but demanding games expose its limits. The near-stock Android software helps keep things clean and responsive; however, it lacks the polish of more established brands.
[/pdp-expert-review]

At its core, the Boltt Ace runs on the Unisoc T8200 and comes with up to 8GB RAM and 128GB on-board storage, expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card. The Unisoc T8200 isn't a powerhouse, but it does a good enough job for everyday use, and at this budget, that is more than enough given the current market landscape.

Despite those challenges, the Boltt Ace 5G manages to keep things running reasonably well. Yes, there's a general sense of sluggishness when you move between apps and tasks, but I didn't face anything too untoward.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

I moved between my most-used apps, browsed through the UI and handled the usual day-to-day tasks without running into any major issues. Now naturally, things can get a little less smooth when you have several apps open in the background, but it never reached a point where the phone felt difficult to use, especially for this price. 

[comparative-benchmark type="10" title="Geekbench single-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

We also ran some benchmarks to see how the chipset performs under more demanding conditions, and the results were largely in line with other phones using the same processor.

[comparative-benchmark type="11" title="Geekbench multi-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Let's talk about gaming, which is an aspect where you can see the phone's limitations more clearly. In Call of Duty: Mobile and BGMI, the experience wasn't as smooth as I'd like, but they were still playable. These also happen to be rather demanding titles, and you won't feel the pinch as clearly if you switch to simpler 3D games. 

The Boltt Ace 5G runs a near-stock version of Android, and that works well for the hardware. The software feels clean and quick, with very few additional apps or UX elements to weigh down the Unisoc T8200 SoC. There are some animations and a few nice touches, but the overall experience lacks the finesse you get from more established brands. Some elements feel rather basic, and there are still areas that could use more polish. But I wouldn't say that it is bad for a first-generation product. 

[comparative-benchmark type="3000" products="42383,42318,41369,," pias="29,34,33,,"][/comparative-benchmark]

At this price, however, I am all for prioritising swift and clean software over aesthetics, which the phone does. The Boltt Ace 5G may not have the most refined software experience, but it keeps things simple and responsive, which matters more for everyday use. The phone is also stated to receive 3 OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches, which is excellent at this price point. 

Cameras: a point-and-shoot experience 

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Ace 5G's cameras are functional enough for casual use, with the 64MP main camera delivering satisfactory detail in good lighting, although the hazy output may not appeal to everyone. Night photography is a clear weak spot, while the 8MP selfie camera does a decent job with skin tones and detail in good lighting.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Boltt Ace 5G gets a 64MP primary camera, a 2MP macro sensor and an 8MP selfie camera. The camera app itself is quite responsive - a little too much, I'd say, since there's no actual feedback when you press the capture button and it immediately takes the shot, which can be rather jarring at times. In good lighting, the main camera captures a satisfactory amount of detail and is good enough for casual photos. 

The daylight images come out slightly hazy and lack the level of contrast you may have come to expect. I don't mean that in a bad way, as I, for one, rather enjoy the slightly "ethereal" output. It reminds me of older digital cameras, but from a technical aspect, the contrast and exposure balance could have been better. 

[smartslider3 slider=2199]

Night-time photography is not really something I'd bank on with this phone. The device is unable to focus properly on objects unless you're in a well-lit environment. Even the dedicated night mode isn't of much help here.

The 8MP selfie camera is best suited to video calls and the occasional selfie or two. It captures details well in good lighting, although facial features appear a bit smooth, and it can sometimes lose focus on the subject. The skin-tone rendition is reasonably well done, so good job there. 

Overall, the Ace 5G's cameras are mostly there for functional use and aren't something the phone can flaunt on its own. To give you a better idea, I compared its cameras against the Lava Virat V1 5G (review). Check it out below:

Daylight

In regular outdoor shots, neither phone outputs a result that would reflect the actual scene. The Boltt Ace's image has much higher contrast and a slight greenish hue to the whole image. The Lava Virat, instead, renders a washed-out image that severely lacks contrast, and the image appears too exposed. Zooming in closer, you'll see the Boltt Ace delivers a sharper, more detailed image. 

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Ace-daylight-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-daylight-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Ace" after="Lava Virat V1"]

Portrait

The performance of both phones remains largely the same even in portrait shots. They share the same colour profiles as their daylight shots, so there's not a lot to talk about there. What is different, however, is that even in portrait mode, the Lava phone doesn't offer good edge detection compared to the Boltt Ace, and the latter's facial details are better too. The Ace is thus a better portrait shooter. 

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Ace-portrait-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-portrait-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Ace" after="Lava Virat V1"]

Selfie

In selfies, the Boltt Ace can often end up losing focus on the subject's face, which was the case here. The overall image still has decent colours but appears blurry due to focus loss. Lava Virat's shot is much sharper, almost overly so, and makes the image appear harsh to the eyes, but it does have better contrast compared to its rival. 

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Ace-selfie-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-selfie-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Ace" after="Lava Virat V1"]

Lowlight

There's no easy way to capture satisfactory low light shots on either phone when the environment isn't properly illuminated. Both the phones deliver noisy, blurry output, but the Lava Virat still manages to retain a reasonable amount of detail and emulate the scene. The Boltt Ace fails entirely on that front, and its cameras are not ideal shooters when there's no proper lighting. 

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Ace-lowlight-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-lowlight-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Ace" after="Lava Virat V1"]

Battery: a full day of power for most users 

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Ace 5G's 6,000mAh battery delivers decent endurance, with around 6 hours of screen-on time, leaving 10-20 per cent by the end of the day in my usage. The 18W charging is the bigger compromise, taking about 2 hours and 20 minutes to fully charge. Overall, battery life is on par with the segment.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Boltt Ace 5G packs a 6,000mAh battery, which is more than enough to get through a full day of regular use. It scored just a little over 9 hours in our PCMark battery test, which was rather surprising, but benchmarks can often act strange when testing new phones, so we'll chalk it up to that. During regular use, I did get decent battery life out of it, so we can safely ignore benchmark shenanigans.

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

I mostly used the phone as a secondary device for listening to music, watching a couple of hours of YouTube, messaging on WhatsApp and playing racing games. After roughly 6 hours of screen-on time on average across two days, I still had around 10-20 per cent battery left by the end of the day, which is a good result in my books and on par with the broader segment. 

[comparative-benchmark type="4000" products="42383,42318,41369,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The phone supports just 18W charging, and I expected I'd have to wait a decent amount of time to charge it fully. And wait, I did. It took me about 2 hours and 20 minutes to go from 20 to 100 per cent. That's very slow, so I'd suggest charging the device overnight or planning ahead and putting it on charge earlier in the morning before you head out. Since you still get a healthy amount of life out of it, charging it once a day should suffice for most users.

Final Verdict

For a first attempt at a budget 5G phone, the Boltt Ace 5G does a lot of things well. Apart from the cameras, it delivers across most of the areas that matter in this segment, with a smooth 120Hz display, reliable everyday performance, clean software and decent battery life. You also get an excellent long-term software update policy, and at Rs 14,999 for the 8GB RAM variant, it is priced quite reasonably considering the current market, which is becoming increasingly rare in the budget segment.

Its closest rival, the Lava Virat V1 5G (review), offers 6GB RAM at the same Rs 14,999 price and broadly similar hardware and everyday performance. That makes the Boltt Ace 5G a pretty good deal, especially for buyers who want to upgrade but are working within a tight budget.

The cameras are also the main area where I'd like to see improvement in the next generation. For now, if you're on a strict budget of around Rs 10,000-15,000 and want a reliable 5G smartphone, the Boltt Ace 5G is something I would recommend. 

Editor's Rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy:

• The 120Hz display feels smooth and responsive.
• The clean software keeps the everyday experience quick and simple.
• Everyday performance is reliable for the price.
• The 6,000mAh battery delivers decent battery life.

Reasons not to buy:

• The camera performance could be better, particularly in low light.
• The phone takes well over 2 hours to charge completely. 

Rounded ergonomics with a bit of heft

The Ai+ Nova 2 Power distinguishes itself from the crowd by housing a plateau-like camera island, which comprises dual camera lenses, an LED flashlight, and a ring-shaped light called 'NxtHalo Ambience Light'. The ring light can be configured to indicate incoming calls, notifications, and charging status. As for the rear panel's appearance and finish, we received the Nova 2 Power in the Midnight Black colourway, which reflects a shade of dark blue when viewed from an angle.

The device is offered in several other colours, including Blue Fusion, Deep Purple, Golden Blue Fusion, and Ocean Green. The Midnight Black variant sports a reflective, glossy panel that tends to pick up smudges and fingerprints during extended use. Hopefully, you can easily wipe the marks away with a cloth or by rubbing the phone against shirts or jeans.

While the extended rounded corners keep the phone from digging into your palms, the Ai+ Nova 2 Power weighs on the heavier side at 222g. Having tried similarly priced phones, such as the iQOO Z11 Lite and Realme C100x, the Nova 2 Power feels noticeably hefty to hold for long durations. Noteworthy design additions include an orange-accented power button for a personal touch and a dedicated top-firing speaker for stereo audio output.

Modern-looking display

The latest smartphone from Ai+ flaunts a 6.75-inch HD+ IPS LCD display with a 120Hz refresh rate. As noted above, the rounded corners give the device a modern look, while the punch-hole cutout provides more screen real estate and less visual distraction than a teardrop notch. In my brief time, scrolling through the UI and interacting with the display was fluid thanks to the high refresh rate.

What more does the Ai+ Nova 2 Power offer?

The Ai+ Nova 2 Power runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 SoC, the same chipset found in higher-priced phones such as the Infinix Hot 70 Pro and Lava Virat Curve. In our testing, the chipset delivers an AnTuTu score of around 7,50,000, indicating strong mid-range performance for medium-intensive gaming and multitasking.

Under the hood, the Ai+ Nova 2 Power runs on the Android 16-based NxtQ v1 custom skin. The software's key features include omitting pre-installed apps, additional marketplaces, and recommended notifications. This is evident in the app drawer, which, when opened, shows only essential first-party and Google apps. As for the look and feel, NxtQ carries several reminiscences of OriginOS, such as the status bar, Settings layout, PIN code screen, and more.

For optics, the Ai+ handset houses a 48MP Sony IMX582 main camera paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens, an extremely rare addition to a sub-Rs 20,000 smartphone this year. This should give the phone an edge over its competitors in the segment, most of which lack a dedicated ultrawide lens for capturing a wider perspective.

The Nova 2 Power is powered by a 7,000mAh battery, which can be topped up quickly with the bundled 33W charger that supports output via a Type-C port.

Closing thoughts

With the MediaTek Dimensity 7100 processor, the Ai+ Nova 2 Power stands out as one of the most capable 5G smartphones under Rs 20,000 for performance. While we haven't tested its capabilities in depth yet, the processor is positioned above more popular chipsets in its price class, such as the Dimensity 6300/6400 and Unisoc T8200.

Then comes the large 7,000mAh battery and snappy software; the 120Hz display should make daily use enjoyable. The 48MP primary camera, paired with an 8MP ultrawide lens, offers photography flexibility for casual users and enthusiasts. With that in mind, the Ai+ Nova 2 Power has an edge over close rivals like the iQOO Z11 Lite and Moto G37 Power, thanks to a more advanced processor and a more utilitarian ultrawide lens, making it a worthwhile choice for users who care about these features.

Our full review of the Ai+ Nova 2 Power should be up in a few days, with all the crucial details and findings on how it actually fares across multiple aspects. So stay tuned!

The Tab S12+ starts at Rs 1,29,999 for the 12GB + 256GB variant, while the 12GB + 512GB model costs Rs 1,49,999. Meanwhile, the larger Tab S12 Ultra starts at Rs 1,49,999 for 12GB + 256GB and goes up to Rs 1,69,999 for the 12GB + 512GB version. Yes, you read that right: the S12+ with 512GB costs exactly the same as the base Ultra, which makes the "Plus or Ultra?" question more interesting than usual. For reference, the Tab S10+ came out in 2024 with a starting price of Rs 90,999, so the new tablets are also victims of the ongoing global memory supply crisis.

I'll focus on the Tab S12+ in this article, sharing my early impressions of the new upgrades before an in-depth review comes out.

At 5.3mm thick and 553g (555g for the 5G model), the Tab S12+ is thinner and lighter than the Tab S10+ it replaces, which is no small feat considering it also gets a bigger display and a bigger battery. What surprises me more is the IP68 rating. Samsung says it can survive up to 1.5 metres of freshwater for 30 minutes, and the included S Pen gets the same rating. Did anyone ask for a waterproof tablet? Not really. Is it nice to stop worrying about the odd spill next to your laptop? Absolutely. You get two colour options, Gray and Silver, which is Samsung's way of saying the tablet isn't here to be noticed.

The Tab S12+ gets a 12.6-inch Dynamic AMOLED 2X display with a 2800 x 1752 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, a touch larger than the Tab S10+ and with slimmer bezels. Slimmer doesn't mean ultra-thin bezels here. It's still noticeable, but I don't mind it as it provides just enough width to rest your palm on.

Samsung quotes a peak brightness of 1,600 nits (1,000 nits in High Brightness Mode), and Vision Booster adjusts brightness in real time based on the lighting around you. It's the same display technology and brightness as the Ultra's panel, only smaller, and honestly, 12.6 inches looks like the more practical size for most people, easier to carry around and use on a lap. Audio also gets a bump, with four-channel spatial audio on the quad speakers, twice as many channels as the previous generation.

The Tab S12+ runs on the MediaTek Dimensity 9500, a 3nm chip that's two generations ahead of the Dimensity 9300+ in the Tab S10+. It's paired with 12GB of RAM, 256GB or 512GB of storage and, rarely for a flagship these days, a microSD slot that supports up to 2TB cards. If you're coming from the Tab S10+ or older, the performance jump should be noticeable. There's also a new 3D Vapour Chamber that Samsung says dissipates heat better than the flat one in the Tab S10+, which should help keep performance steady during long editing or gaming sessions. I'll be putting that claim to the test in the full review.

The Tab S12+ ships with Android 17 and One UI 9, and Samsung promises up to seven years of updates, which is a solid duration for a tablet you'd likely keep on your desk for years. You can split the screen into three panes with Multi Window, jot down notes with the S Pen in Samsung Notes while a lecture plays, and let Note Assist summarise them. There's a six-month trial of Google AI Pro too, and the optional Pro Keyboard has a dedicated Galaxy AI key that lets you choose between Bixby, Gemini and Perplexity.

The S Pen comes in the box, which is nice at this price. But that's it. The keyboards (the Pro Keyboard and Book Cover Keyboard Slim) and the 45W charger, however, are sold separately.

Samsung has packed a 10,600mAh battery into the Tab S12+, bigger than the 10,090mAh inside the Tab S10+, and claims up to 21 hours of video playback on a single charge. Charging maxes out at 45W, and Samsung says it takes about 95 minutes to go from empty to full with the 45W adapter. I'll test the charging claims in my full review. I'd have liked Samsung to include that adapter in the box, given what it's asking for.

On paper, the Galaxy Tab S12+ looks like a proper upgrade for anyone using the Tab S10+ or an older tablet: a bigger, brighter display in a slimmer, lighter body, a far more powerful chip and a bigger battery, plus the IP68 rating and seven years of updates. That makes the price hike easier to swallow, though at Rs 1,29,999 it's still a lot of money for a tablet. It's also a very different choice from the Ultra. The Ultra has a 14.6-inch display, an 11,600mAh battery, Wi-Fi 7 (the Plus gets Wi-Fi 6E) and an extra 8MP ultrawide camera on the back, which is a lot of extra tablet for Rs 20,000 more at the same storage.

The questions I'll be answering in my full review are the ones that matter most with a tablet this expensive. Does the Dimensity 9500 deliver in real-world use, especially when you're running three apps side by side? Can the 10,600mAh battery live up to that 21-hour claim? And, most importantly, is the Plus the sweet spot, or should you spend the extra on the Ultra? Stay tuned.

Reasons to buy the Vivo V80

Premium, good-looking design

Vivo's V-series has been known for its design, and the V80 continues that philosophy, bringing a refreshed look from its predecessor. The Vivo V80 features a new camera design, which the brand calls the ‘Floating Camera' module. It's a slightly elevated camera plateau with a transparent finish. The design looks premium and sleek at the same time. You can get the V80 in three colours: Sunrise Anthem, Horizon Blue, and Stellar Black.

The V80 also offers a relatively compact form factor with its 6.59-inch display size. The phone has rounded corners and a flat frame. Because of its size, the V80 acts as the perfect bridge between a compact phone and a large one. The smartphone is also quite durable, with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, along with 360-degree all-round drop resistance certification.

Reliable battery life

The V80's battery capacity is one of its highlights and is also the largest yet on a V-series smartphone. The Vivo V80 comes with a 7,200mAh battery, which easily lasts an entire day and can even stretch a bit more till the next day. If your usage mostly includes social media browsing, video streaming, 5G, gaming, and all, the phone should still power through one whole day without needing to charge in between.

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="" products="42040,41823,41718,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The smartphone also scored well in our PCMark battery testing, running for 18 hours and 36 minutes. Its battery drain after watching YouTube videos or playing games for 30 minutes is also quite standard for its segment. In addition to this, the V80 comes with 90W fast charging support, which is among the fastest speeds in this segment. Overall, the V80 offers reliable battery endurance and charging capabilities that make it a good option for both regular and power users. 

Versatile cameras

Cameras are a major factor for the Vivo V80 as it offers Zeiss optics, which is available on the flagship lineup as well. With the V80, you get a triple-camera setup featuring a 50MP main camera, 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. For selfies, you get a 50MP front camera. This setup is quite versatile for anyone who likes photography. You also get cinematic styles for 4K video, multi-focal portrait modes, and AI Creative Camera, which lets you apply different styles such as Travel, Stage, and Anime. There's also a new Diwali Portrait 2.0 feature.

The Vivo V80's cameras produce detailed images with punchy colours and good contrast in well-lit conditions. The 3x telephoto camera is useful for portraits and closer zoom shots with different focal lengths. But if you push beyond 3x zoom, the details may not be very good since it's digital zoom. The Diwali Portrait 2.0 feature also helps by enhancing the subject and colours, giving it a more striking look, which can be useful during the festive season. 

Reasons to skip the Vivo V80

Performance needs improvement

The Vivo V80 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, which is the same one found in the V70. This not only means no generational upgrade but also results in lower benchmark scores compared to similarly-priced rivals or those priced even lower, like the iQOO 15R and OnePlus 15R. In real-world use, the phone is generally capable, but we did notice some occasional stutters while multitasking or using the camera app. So, if you're someone who needs a phone with fast performance, alternatives might be a better choice. 

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="" products="42040,41310,41823,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Low-light photography is weak

While the Vivo V80's cameras are quite impressive, its low-light performance might be underwhelming. The phone struggles with exposure and light flares, and the images also lose out on detail. Another issue is with retaining accurate colours and realism, which might make the photo look slightly unnatural. Even with night mode enabled, there isn't much improvement when compared with rivals like the OPPO Reno 16. 

The iPhone 18 Pro Max (and its more compact 18 Pro sibling) is very much an incremental upgrade. Apple is presumably saving the big changes for its 20th-anniversary iPhone coming out next year. Until then, the new Pro Max offers a few nice upgrades to keep buyers satisfied, including a new 2nm chip, variable aperture, a bigger battery, faster charging, and a Burgundy colour that lets people know you're rocking the new Pro Max.

Verdict

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is a brilliant phone but an iterative upgrade nonetheless. The A20 Pro chip, faster charging, and the variable aperture are all nice-to-haves, but you'd need to squint to notice most of them in daily use. If you own the 17 Pro Max, you can sit this one out, unless you're getting a really good trade-in value at the Apple Store and really want that new Burgundy colour. If you're holding a 15 Pro Max or anything older, this is the iPhone to buy, and that holds true even with the Duo lurking around the corner.

Design: same same, but Burgundy

Some brands look to make their phones lighter and thinner year on year; Apple isn't one of them. If you want a thin and light phone, you can buy the iPhone Air. The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max aren't aiming to please with design, but with durability. Hence, the 18 Pro Max that we got for review looks identical to its predecessor. Apple hasn't changed the measurements even in the slightest (both measure 163.4 x 78.0 x 8.75 mm). Moreover, Apple made this year's Pro Max heavier by 18 grams (249 grams compared to the 17 Pro Max's 231 grams).

So how does one tell the new 18 Pro Max from the old 17 Pro Max? Why, the colour, of course. Apple has understood consumer buying behaviour down to a science: bring in a brand-new colour that instantly lets people know you're carrying the latest iPhone. Last year's colour was Cosmic Orange; this year it's Burgundy. This new wine colour is the one buyers were lining up outside Apple stores for on sale day. It's the colour that screams, "Look ma, I've got the new iPhone!"

[caption id="attachment_717604" align="aligncenter" width="1528"] One of the ways to identify the new Pro Max is by the new Burgundy colourway[/caption]

Glacier is another new colour - albeit less exciting for buyers - to tell the new iPhone from the old. And then you have the safer, less appealing options like Black and Silver. We got the iPhone 18 Pro Max in Silver. I know, I know, you'll probably think "boring!" right? But here's my unpopular opinion. I actually like this Silver colourway. I like it more than last year's Silver. Because Apple has made sure this Silver is truly Silver on the back, including the rectangular glass portion, which was White on the 17 Pro. I like colours that don't attract attention and can confuse people into thinking I own an older iPhone, especially thieves on bikes!

Display: same great screen, smaller island

On paper, this is last year's screen. It's the same 6.9-inch OLED with a 2868 x 1320 resolution at 460ppi, the same 1-120Hz ProMotion refresh rate, and the same brightness figures: 1,000 nits typical, 1,600 nits for HDR and 3,000 nits peak outdoors. If you were hoping for a brighter or sharper panel, Apple is probably saving it for next year. Everything else is still good: the screen is big, bright, colourful and buttery smooth, and the coating keeps fingerprints in check.

What has changed is the Dynamic Island. By moving the Face ID infrared camera under the display, Apple has shrunk the cutout by roughly a third, and the island can now run three Live Activities at once, up from two. Is that a reason to upgrade? Of course not. But if you're the sort who follows a cricket score, a food delivery and a cab at the same time, it's a quietly useful change, and the top of the screen simply looks cleaner. And while we're talking about the display, the audio deserves a quick mention too. The stereo speakers are loud and well balanced, and the haptics remain the best in the business.

Cameras: variable aperture, limited drama

Apple left the camera hardware alone this year, with one exception. You still get the same trio of 48MP cameras (main, 0.5x ultrawide and 4x telephoto) and the 18MP Center Stage selfie camera, but the main camera now has a mechanical variable aperture. Six blades open and close to give you four settings: f/1.48, f/1.8, f/2.8 and f/4.0. For context, the widest setting is a good deal wider than the fixed f/1.78 on the 17 Pro Max.

During the keynote, I was quite intrigued by the mechanical variable aperture. It seemed impressive that Apple managed to introduce a tiny physical aperture that mimicked a dedicated DSLR or mirrorless camera lens. But not every setting felt extremely useful to me.

The wider f/1.48 is the part that actually earns its keep for me, letting in more light for impressive low-light photos and video. It also creates a shallower depth of field, blurring the background for a more pronounced subject separation. Stopping down is mostly for fun: close the aperture to f/4 and bright lights turn into proper starbursts, and slow the shutter to half a second and you get motion blur straight out of the camera, no Live Photo workaround needed. But the sensor is tiny, and the main camera can't focus all that close, so the difference between f/1.48 and f/1.8 is barely there, and stopping down helps only in the odd close-up.

Lens Aperture is part of the new Pro controls, which add shutter speed, white balance and a histogram to the Camera app, and they work in video too. It's a welcome step for Apple, but the execution is clumsy. The controls are tucked away in the camera drawer, hard to reach one-handed, can't be rearranged or mapped to the Camera Control button, and you set (and reset) each one separately. There's still no manual ISO either. Honestly, the more useful addition is Smart focus tracking: double-tap a subject and the camera stays locked on it across all lenses, which is a gift if you love to capture your pets or kids. Apple Reference Image is a smart idea too. It lets you save the raw sensor data as a sort of digital negative, so you can prove a photo wasn't altered later. A good start against AI fakes.

I enjoyed using the new Photographic Style 3.0, which now adds Texture and Grain modifiers to pre-existing styles. So you'll find new presets like Quiet + Film and Cool Rose + Soft Skin rather than simply Quiet and Cool Rose. You can also customise these presets further to adjust the intensity of soft skin, glow, film, or grain. I mostly used the presets as is and never really found enough time to customise them before a shot, and I absolutely loved Quiet + Film and Cosy + Film, which added grain to make images look like they've been taken on old-school analogue cameras.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/iphone-18-pro-max-cozy-film-filter-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/iphone-18-pro-max-quiet-film-filter-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Cozy + Film style" after="Quiet + Film style"]

Strip all that away and what you're left with is last year's excellent camera system. The main camera is superb in daylight and low light, with wide dynamic range and restrained, natural colours, and the 2x crop stands out. The 4x telephoto is good, and portraits look a little better than before. The ultrawide is the weakest of the three, especially in the dark, where Night mode rarely kicks in, and you often end up with grainy shots (not the nice kind of grainy I spoke about earlier). Against the Galaxy S26 Ultra, the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivered pleasing colours, good detail, and the best portrait performance of the three, especially in subject separation and the bokeh effect. But the S26 Ultra came out as the overall winner, with the Pixel 11 Pro XL coming in second in our three-way comparison.

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The iPhone 18 Pro Max's video capabilities remain the benchmark, with rock-solid stabilisation, Dolby Vision across the board, and Cinematic mode now going up to 4K at 60fps. If zoom is what you care about, though, the Galaxy S26 Ultra's dual telephotos and the OPPO Find X9 Ultra's 10x lens are still worth a look.

Performance and software: fast, but you won't feel it

The A20 Pro is built on a 2nm process and packs a 6-core CPU (two super cores and four efficiency cores), a 7-core GPU with Neural Accelerators and a dual 16-core Neural Engine. It's among the fastest chips you can put in a phone right now, and you can see this in its Geekbench single-core and multi-core performance. The catch is that last year's A19 Pro was already fast enough, so apps open and animations flow at roughly the same pace as before. Think of the A20 Pro as an investment for years four and five, not a reason to upgrade today.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="39073,41607,41434,41205," ][/comparative-benchmark]

[comparative-benchmark type="10" title="Geekbench single-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="39073,41607,41434,41205," ][/comparative-benchmark]

[comparative-benchmark type="11" title="Geekbench multi-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="39073,41607,41434,41205," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Gaming is where the extra muscle and the larger vapour chamber (the reason this phone is heavier, remember) make sense. Heavy games run without stuttering, and the phone only warms up noticeably when downloading huge game files or charging. Under sustained stress, CPU performance holds up well, though the GPU does throttle like every other phone's.

Software-wise, iOS 27 is a polish job done right. The Liquid Glass design now has a transparency slider, so it's far less of a readability headache than last year, and the system feels snappier, with extra-large widgets and more icon customisation thrown in.

[caption id="attachment_717878" align="aligncenter" width="530"] Siri is now much more conversational, and has context and screen awareness.[/caption]

The big addition is Siri AI, which is built on Google's Gemini models, apparently (yes, the irony is rich). It's far more conversational and capable than the old Siri, understands what's on your screen, and has its own app. It's still in beta, available in English to start, and works best with Apple's own apps for now. Here's the thing, though: none of this is exclusive. iOS 27 and Siri AI also come to the 17 Pro Max, so software alone isn't a reason to buy the 18 Pro Max. Apple doesn't put a number on updates, but with iOS 27 reportedly running on phones as old as the iPhone 11, you can expect many years of them for the 18 Pro Max.

Battery and charging: a little more juice, a lot more speed

The 18 Pro Max gets a bigger cell, thought to be around 500mAh larger than last year's, and Apple claims up to 43 hours of video playback, up from 37. In real use, the gain is modest at best, somewhere between nothing and an extra hour or so of screen time. Either way, a heavy day is no problem, but this isn't a two-day phone. I found it closer to 1.5 days on a single charge.

[caption id="attachment_717613" align="aligncenter" width="357"] A fully charged iPhone 18 Pro Max would drop to around 40% by the end of the day, leaving enough for half the next day[/caption]

Charging is where I became happier. Apple says you'll get 50 percent in around 15 minutes with a 60W-capable adapter, compared to 20 minutes with a 40W adapter last year, and the claim largely holds up, with the device taking under an hour to charge from 20 to 100 percent. That makes it one of the quickest-charging iPhones yet. The catch is that Apple still doesn't bundle a charger, and you need to buy a 60W adapter separately to get those speeds. Wireless charging, meanwhile, is more or less the same. MagSafe is still capped at 25W, and with a bigger battery to fill, it won't feel any faster than before.

Final verdict

The iPhone 18 Pro Max is one of Apple's most incremental updates in years, and I still think it's the best iPhone you can buy. The build is tough, the screen and camera system are among the best around, video is unmatched, performance is unrivalled, and charging is finally quick. The gripes are fair, though: it's heavier, it costs more with a starting price of Rs 1,79,900, the camera hardware barely changed, and the headline variable aperture is more novelty than necessity.

So who should buy it? Anyone coming from an iPhone 15 Pro Max or older will find this an easy upgrade, as will video shooters and tinkerers who'll make the most of the new camera controls. If you're on a 15 Pro, check your battery health first, because a battery replacement may be the cheaper fix. And if you own a 16 Pro, 17 Pro or 17 Pro Max, it might be wise to wait for Apple's 20th anniversary iPhone next year. But if you're getting a really good trade-in value for your old Pro Max, don't let me stop you. For everyone else, last year's 17 Pro Max is still a smart buy, and you can still find it at authorised resellers, while Android fans should look at the Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra and OPPO Find X9 Ultra.

Where does that leave the iPhone Duo? On paper, it's the more exciting phone, but it starts at Rs 2,99,900, a full Rs 1.2 lakh more. For that, you give up the telephoto camera, Face ID and the Pro video tools, and get a shorter battery life. The Duo might be the iPhone everyone talks about, but the 18 Pro Max is still the more complete one, in my view.

Editor's rating: 8.7/10

Pros:

• Noticeably better battery life and wired charging speed
• A20 Pro delivers stellar performance, and the larger vapour chamber keeps the phone mostly cool
• Improved cameras across the board, especially in low-light scenes
• While it comes with a familiar design, the build is as sturdy and durable as it can get

Cons:

• At Rs 1,79,900, it is more expensive than its predecessor with not a lot of significant upgrades
• At 249 grams, the iPhone 18 Pro Max is heavier than ever, and wrist fatigue is a real thing
• Camera Control is something I still find myself not using much, and it doesn't allow you to adjust the new Lens Aperture

Design (9 / 10)

There is something refreshingly unfussy about the Sonodyne Bandish G2 and Malhar G2. At a time when wireless speakers increasingly look like black plastic monoliths designed to disappear into a room, the Sonodyne duo are designed to be shown off. The Bandish G2 (Rs 40,000) and Malhar G2 (Rs 55,000) are a different proposition. Both wear a proprietary curved wooden enclosure in natural wood, and the sculpting serves a larger acoustic purpose too, beyond the mid-century styling.

The curved cabinet suppresses internal resonance by means of non-parallel sides and breaking up standing waves caused inside the cabinet by the transducers. Another positive side effect of this shape is better structural rigidity, and Sonodyne has really upped their game here compared to the previous gen models. Barring the naming convention, they share nothing in common! The Bandish is the compact one at 191 x 350 x 181mm and 4.5kg, while the Malhar is bigger and heavier at 250 x 440 x 220mm and 7.5kg. Controls for volume, bass, treble, input selection, and power sit on top of the cabinet, backed by a full-function IR remote, but we can't help but want a detachable remote control that could've sat in the same spot as the control panel since they're roughly the same size. Both models ship with a snug-fitting fabric grille, but I think they look more purposeful and prouder without it, with the drivers on show.

Tech (7 / 10)

Both are true stereo designs, the Bandish G2 being the smaller model with a 5" glass-fibre woofer and two 1" silk-dome tweeters with neodymium magnets, driven by 120W of Class D power. The Malhar G2 bumps it up to a 3-way design with a 6.5" woofer, two 3"  glass-fibre midrange drivers and the same tweeters, fed by 200W. Both are bass-reflex designs with dual rear ports so you may need a deep-ish shelf to accommodate them comfortably, so as to not block off any breathing room for the rear-firing ports. There is a Duet mode that allows you to connect a second unit of the same model for a wider stereo presentation and potentially a real soundstage too. Due to the lack of any wireless chops or an app at the moment, the pairing and syncing process is a ballet of manual button pushing for now. Connectivity covers Bluetooth 5.4, HDMI ARC, optical, USB and aux and comes with a dedicated Movie Mode and physical bass and treble controls for quick changes to the tonal balance.

Performance (7.5 / 10)

The upgraded transducers are tuned for neutrality and accuracy in the midband, and it is obvious from the very first track I streamed from my phone, which happened to be a beautiful acoustic cover of Bohemian Rhapsody by John Adams. There was a real presence and immediacy to the voice, without being shrill or strident. Moving on to another rousing cover of Clapton's unforgettable Layla by Marcin showed off the ability to handle transients, and the Malhar could dig deep into the lower octaves to give this track the propulsion it demanded. The larger model, with its added midrange drivers, offers extra headroom and keeps things composed as the volume climbs. For classic rock and 80s pop, it turned out to be a real banger of a speaker with no distortion or unruly vibrations from the cabinet to taint the experience.

Neither is shy on power output or peak volume, and being able to tune the speaker to your room with physical bass and treble controls is a real advantage. But the one attribute I kept wanting from both the models was more "air" and "sparkle" at the top end, and I don't mean the kind of sizzle you introduce by turning up the treble control. While there was a genuine sense of stereo-ness from a single chassis, especially palpable in the Malhar, neither speaker managed to project the sound out-of-the-box, and that final degree of openness is what I am referring to.

On paper, the Malhar's dedicated midrange drivers, larger woofer and deeper extension point to a fuller, more expansive sound better suited to bigger rooms, while the Bandish is the easier fit for smaller spaces. That's exactly what they deliver, with the convenience of adding a Movie Mode that accentuates the mids for a perceptibly more forward dialogue, making it easier to watch Guy Ritchie content without subtitles.

Conclusion

Sonodyne's second-generation wireless speakers are proper hi-fi in a wooden box rather than a plastic plaything. Sonodyne has taken a decidedly hi-fi approach to the wireless speaker category and its acoustic tuning reflects that philosophy too. There is no showboating here, with an evolved sonic presentation that is well suited to every genre. All it needs is a stable Wi-Fi platform to bring it up to 2027 standards and a little bit of energy in the highs for it to break free from the confines of the very pretty box. They both set the foundation for a serious stereo pair, with handsome cabinets, tone controls and a balanced sonic signature being key reasons to buy.

Editor's Rating: 7 / 10

Pros:

• Handsome natural wood cabinets
• Physical bass and treble controls
• Balanced sonic signature

Cons:

• Lacks AirPlay support
• Needs more top-end shine
• Stereo pairing not app-based

Verdict

The Vivo V80 gets key things right, from its premium design and excellent 144Hz AMOLED display to its versatile Zeiss camera setup and a large 7,200mAh battery. OriginOS 7 also adds plenty of personality and long-term software support. However, performance isn't its strength, especially at Rs 62,999, where rivals offer more powerful hardware. If your priorities are design, cameras, battery life, and a polished display, the V80 is worth considering. 

Design, display: refreshed look, still pretty!

[pdp-expert-review]
The refreshed Floating Camera design gives the Vivo V80 a more premium appearance, while its compact form factor and 144Hz AMOLED display make it comfortable for everyday use. The display is bright, vibrant, and smooth, although the jump from 120Hz to 144Hz isn't particularly noticeable in regular usage.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Vivo V80 gets a refreshed design that the brand calls the ‘Floating Camera' module. It features a large camera plateau with a transparent finish that adds to the phone's premium appeal. Personally, I like the design, and it makes the V80 look more expensive than it is. The phone is available in three colours: Sunrise Anthem, Horizon Blue, and Stellar Black.

Despite the design changes, the V80 retains the relatively compact form factor of the V70, with rounded corners and a flat frame. This remains a sweet spot for those who want a more compact phone without compromising much on screen size. We have the Horizon Blue variant, which looks pleasingly appealing in person. The V80 is also built to withstand the elements, with IP68 and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance, along with 360-degree all-round drop resistance certification.

Up front, the V80 features a 6.59-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate and up to 5,000 nits of peak brightness. The panel is crisp, vibrant, and smooth, making everyday scrolling and content consumption a pleasant experience. The refresh rate is an upgrade over the 120Hz panel on the V70, although the difference may not be very noticeable in day-to-day use. At the moment, even games such as Clash of Clans are among the few that can take advantage of the full 144Hz refresh rate. That said, the V80 still offers an excellent display that gets plenty bright and feels suitably premium for its segment.

Performance: capable, but not class-leading

[pdp-expert-review]
The Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 handles everyday tasks and gaming well, but occasional stutters and sluggishness hold the V80 back. At this price, rivals such as the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15R offer more powerful chipsets and better performance.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Vivo V80 runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7 Gen 4, the same chipset as the V70. Interestingly, the V80 scored slightly lower than its predecessor on AnTuTu, and also trailed the OPPO Reno 16, which uses the same chipset. The gap becomes more noticeable against rivals such as the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15R, which are priced lower while offering more powerful chipsets and better overall performance.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42040,41823,41310,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

In everyday use, the V80 is generally capable, but I did notice occasional sluggishness, particularly while multitasking or opening certain apps such as the camera. This may be because the phone ships with OriginOS 7, making it the first Vivo smartphone to ship with the latest software version. Some of these minor performance quirks may be addressed in future updates, though they could also be specific to our review unit. For the most part, the V80 handles everyday tasks and gaming without major issues, but its performance isn't quite as impressive as some of its more powerful rivals.

Cameras: versatile and feature-rich

[pdp-expert-review]
The Zeiss-branded triple-camera setup delivers good results, with the 3x telephoto particularly useful for portraits and zoom shots. The camera experience is further enhanced by features such as multi-focal portraits, cinematic video styles, and AI Creative Camera.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Vivo V80 features a Zeiss-branded triple-camera setup comprising a 50MP main camera, 50MP telephoto lens with 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP ultra-wide camera. For selfies, there's a 50MP front camera. The hardware is largely unchanged from the V70, but Vivo has added several camera features, including cinematic styles for 4K video, multi-focal portrait modes, and AI Creative Camera, which lets you apply different styles such as Travel, Stage, and Anime. There's also a new Diwali Portrait 2.0 feature.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/IMG_20260924_124602-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/IMG_20260924_130009-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Before Diwali 2.0" after="After Diwali 2.0"]

In everyday use, the V80 delivers a capable and versatile camera experience. The main camera produces detailed images with punchy colours and good contrast in well-lit conditions. The 3x telephoto camera is particularly useful for portraits and closer zoom shots with different focal lengths. However, the details may not be very good since it's digital zoom. The Diwali Portrait 2.0 feature also helps by enhancing the subject and colours, giving it a more striking look. 

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We put the Vivo V80's cameras up against the OPPO Reno 16 to see how they compare.

Daylight

In daylight, both phones are fairly evenly matched, with each having an edge in different areas. The Reno 16 delivers better detail and sharpness, while the Vivo V80 produces more accurate colours and better contrast. The Reno 16 also has a slight advantage in dynamic range and exposure.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-daylight-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo_reno_16_daylight_10000-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Ultra-wide

In ultra-wide shots, the Vivo V80 continues to deliver better colours and contrast, while the Reno 16 maintains its edge in detail. The Reno 16 also handles dynamic range and distortion better, giving it an overall advantage in this category.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-uw-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo_reno_16_uw_10000-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Portraits

In portraits, the two phones take noticeably different approaches. The Reno 16 opts for a more natural look, while the Vivo V80 produces punchier colours. This gives the Reno 16 an edge in skin tones and overall colour accuracy. Both phones, however, do a good job of retaining the sunlight on the subject's face. Details and clarity are closely matched, with the V80 holding a slight advantage. The Reno 16, meanwhile, delivers more natural bokeh and more precise edge detection.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-portrait-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo_reno_16_portrait_10000-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Selfies

The same trend continues with selfies, with the Reno 16 delivering more natural skin tones and better colour accuracy. Both phones are closely matched in terms of detail and clarity, while the Reno 16 has a clear advantage in dynamic range.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-selfie-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo_reno_16_selfie_10000-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Low-light

In low-light shots, the Vivo V80 does a better job of controlling light flares and exposure than the Reno 16. However, the V80 introduces more noise, while the Reno 16 captures sharper images with better detail retention. The Reno 16 also delivers more natural colours and overall realism, giving it the edge in this category.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-lowlight-scaled.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo_reno_16_lowlight_10000-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Night mode

With Night Mode enabled, the Reno 16 shows a significant improvement in controlling light flares and exposure. It also captures better details with less noise, while the Vivo V80 sees only a marginal improvement. Colours remain largely similar on both phones with Night Mode enabled.

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/vivo-v80-night.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/oppo_reno_16_night-scaled.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Vivo V80" after="OPPO Reno 16"]

Overall, the Reno 16 has the edge in camera performance, particularly for detail, dynamic range, skin tones, portraits, and low-light photography. The Vivo V80, however, holds its own with better colour and contrast in daylight and ultra-wide shots, along with slightly better portrait detail. For those who prefer a more natural and consistent camera output, the Reno 16 is the better choice, while the V80 is worth considering if punchier colours and strong exposure control are higher on the priority list.

Battery life: a clear strength

[pdp-expert-review]
The 7,200mAh battery comfortably lasts a full day and can stretch into the next, while the 18-hour-plus PCMark result highlights its endurance. With 90W fast charging, the V80 is well suited to users who prioritise battery life and quick top-ups.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Vivo V80 packs a 7,200mAh battery, the largest yet on a V-series smartphone. Battery life is one of its strengths, comfortably lasting through a full day of regular use and leaving enough charge to stretch into the next day. This includes typical usage such as social media browsing, video streaming, and 5G connectivity.

The V80 also performed well in our PCMark battery test, lasting an impressive 18 hours and 36 minutes. A 30-minute YouTube session drained just 4 percent, which is fairly standard, while gaming resulted in a slightly faster drain compared to some rivals. It's still nothing particularly concerning given the large battery capacity.

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42040,41823,41718,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

It supports 90W fast charging, among the fastest speeds in this segment. Overall, the V80's battery endurance and charging capabilities make it well suited to both regular and heavy users, with little reason to worry about running out of charge during the day.

Software: fun, feature-packed

[pdp-expert-review]
OriginOS 7 brings a refreshed interface, fluid Dynamic Glow animations and playful Pet Pals themes, alongside four OS upgrades and six years of security updates. However, the software still feels like it needs some refinement, with occasional stutters and sluggishness observed during our testing.
[/pdp-expert-review]

Vivo V80 runs OriginOS 7 out of the box. This is the latest software version, running Android 17 and the first Vivo phone to do so. The smartphone also gets 4 OS upgrades and six years of security updates, making it secure for the long term. OriginOS 7 brings subtle refinements like Dynamic Glow, which adds fluid animations that make touch elements bounce, stretch, and flow based on finger movement. The liquid, glass-like translucent material comes in three profiles—Real, Natural, and Soft—and lets users adjust elements such as the Quick Settings panel, navigation bars, and buttons from clear to tinted.

My favourite part of OriginOS 7 is the new Pet Pals themes. The series features three adorable cat and dog themes, with interactive elements that make the lock screen feel more lively. For instance, the pet blows a kiss when you unlock the phone and puts on headphones when you listen to music. Throughout the day, you may also spot it playing or eating. It's a small but delightful touch that makes the overall experience more fun and engaging.

It's worth mentioning, though, that OriginOS 7 is still fresh and new and might need refinement with more updates. We mentioned this in the performance section as we experienced noticeable stutters while navigating and multitasking on the phone. 

Final Verdict

The Vivo V80 gets most of the important things right, combining a stylish and relatively compact design with a vibrant 144Hz AMOLED display, versatile Zeiss cameras, and excellent battery life. The 7,200mAh battery is a particular highlight, while OriginOS 7 adds plenty of customisation and fun features, backed by four OS upgrades and six years of security updates. The camera setup is also capable, especially for portraits and zoom shots, though the OPPO Reno 16 has an edge in detail, dynamic range, and low-light photography.

One drawback is performance, as the Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 doesn't quite match what some similarly priced rivals offer, and occasional software stutter further detracts from the experience. At Rs 62,999, the Vivo V80 makes the most sense for buyers who prioritise design, cameras, battery life and display quality. However, if performance and gaming are higher on your priority list, alternatives such as the OnePlus 15R and iQOO 15R offer more powerful hardware and are worth considering.

Editor's rating: 8/10

Reasons to buy

• The phone has a premium, good-looking design with a compact hand-feel.
• The 7,200mAh battery is reliable enough for regular and power users. 
• It has a versatile, feature-rich Zeiss-branded triple-camera setup.

Reasons to skip

• Performance could have been better, as the chipset is slightly underwhelming for this price point.
• Its low-light performance isn't great, and details can look grainy. 

I haven't experienced the Apple Vision Pro because it never launched in India, but based on my time with the Vivo Vision Discover Edition, I imagine the experience would feel quite similar, only heavier. The Vision Discover Edition looks nearly identical to Apple's MR headset, with a large visor-like display at the front, mesh panels on the sides, a separate battery pack, and a nose guard at the bottom. However, Vivo has done well to keep the headset relatively light at 398 grams, compared with the Apple Vision Pro's 750–800 grams.

My limited time with the Vivo MR headset made me appreciate its weight, which feels nicely balanced and is well supported by the dual-loop strap with Velcro and an adjustable grip. You can also customise the fit with four different light seals and eight foam padding options. For people who wear glasses, the Vivo Vision also supports prescription lenses, allowing them to enjoy a clearer view without compromising their vision.

The right temple of the Vision MR headset features a digital crown on the top edge that also doubles as a Home button, while the bottom houses the volume rocker. The headset has an array of cameras and sensors that track your eye and hand movements, letting you interact with the device, navigate the UI, launch apps, play games, and more. In the demo area, I could select apps with my eyes, pinch to launch them, zoom in and out of maps, and interact with the 3D characters on the screen pretty seamlessly.

Furthermore, the Vision provided a 360-degree immersive environment for multitasking and a giant 120-foot virtual theatre screen for watching videos. Vivo claims the headset even lets you view spatial images in depth and play mixed reality games that blend into the room around you. Built-in speakers further enhance the experience.

The Snapdragon XR2+ Gen 2 SoC and dual 8K binocular micro-OLED displays handle all this for sharp visuals. In addition, the Vision Discover Edition comes with a separate, pocketable battery pack, roughly the size of a power bank, that connects magnetically to the headset via a proprietary cable.

"With the vivo Vision Discovery Edition, its first Mixed Reality (MR) headset, Vivo takes its premium experience beyond the smartphone and into spatial computing," said the company at its Next 2026 event.

It is unlikely that the headset will go on sale in India, with no details about its pricing, which was exactly the case when Vivo introduced it in China. That said, Vivo X Fold 6 customers in India can enjoy priority walk-in access to experience the Vision Discover Edition at select partner stores. This access is available until January 5th, 2027, at 15 Vivo Exclusive Stores across 10 cities, including Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Coimbatore, Indore, Dehradun, Delhi, Patna, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Mumbai.

Vivo X Fold 6 in-box content

• Vivo X Fold 6 in Nebula Teal
• Nebula Teal case
• 80W PD charger
• USB Type-C to Type-C cable
• SIM ejector tray
• Documents

Design: familiar

If you have used or are currently using the Vivo X Fold 5, the X Fold 6 will look familiar and offer a similar in-hand feel. For those who haven't, the smartphone features a book-style form factor with an aluminium frame sandwiched between glass layers. The back panel houses a large circular camera module, which has become a trademark of Vivo's flagship smartphones.

On the front, the smartphone sports a 6.51-inch AMOLED display with a centred punch-hole cutout, razor-thin bezels, and curved corners, except for those near the hinge. The secondary display is a foldable 8.01-inch AMOLED panel with visibly thin bezels and a corner-aligned punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera. The handset measures 157.16 x 74.26 x 9.4mm when folded, making it slimmer and more compact than Vivo's X300 Ultra.

When unfolded, the X Fold 6 measures 145.6mm in width and is just 4.4mm thick. While it still cannot beat the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra in terms of thinness, the Vivo smartphone is not far behind. We had a comfortable experience using the smartphone in both folded and unfolded states. When folded, its in-hand feel is similar to that of a regular slab-style smartphone. Moreover, the smartphone weighs 228 grams, which is pretty impressive for a foldable with the biggest battery.

Other highlights of the Vivo X Fold 6 include a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, stereo speakers, a USB Type-C port, and a shortcut button in addition to the power button and volume rocker. Out of the box, the button functions like an alert slider, letting you toggle between ring and vibration modes with a single tap or hold, and turn on the flashlight with a double tap. Additionally, the Vivo X Fold 6 is IP58, IP59, IPX8, and IPX9 certified, ensuring protection from minor dust and high-temperature water jets.

As for the hinge, Vivo claims it is rated to survive over 6,00,000 folds and unfolds.

Vivo X Fold 6 specs at a glance

Moving on to the hardware, Vivo has made a few notable changes to the X Fold 6 under the hood. The handset is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 9500 Super Edition SoC, which should bring its performance more in line with other flagship foldables - something its predecessor failed to do. Furthermore, the OEM has upgraded the battery capacity from 6,000mAh to 6,900mAh, making it the largest battery on a foldable smartphone. It will be interesting to see how it fares in real-world usage. The handset is also backed by 80W Flash wired and 40W Flash wireless charging support for quick top-ups.

In terms of optics, the Vivo X Fold 6 replaces its predecessor's main camera with a more capable 200MP Samsung HPB sensor with OIS. It is paired with a 50MP ultrawide camera and a 50MP 3x telephoto lens with OIS. The upgraded camera setup, backed by Zeiss, should bring the foldable's photography capabilities on par with, if not ahead of, regular slab-style smartphones. We will be putting the cameras through their paces, so stay tuned for our full review.

Meanwhile, both the main and cover displays feature a punch-hole cutout for the selfie camera, which houses a 20MP sensor. Both inner and cover displays are LTPO AMOLED type with 120Hz dynamic refresh rate, HDR support, and up to 5,000 nits peak brightness. Contrary to the global variant, the Vivo X Fold 6 in India ships with the latest OriginOS7 layered atop Android 17 out of the box.

Thoughts...

The Vivo X Fold 6 comes with a Rs 2,19,990 price tag, making it significantly more expensive than its predecessor and even pricier than the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra. That said, the Vivo foldable makes a strong case for its premium with a more capable camera setup and a larger battery, two areas that could give it an edge over the competition. If photography and battery life are your priorities when buying a foldable, the Vivo X Fold 6 looks a compelling proposition on paper and could be worth considering.

Design: Familiar looks, bigger battery, & new colours

The first thing I noticed after picking up the OPPO F35 Pro is its slightly taller form factor compared to its predecessor. This is primarily due to the larger 6.78-inch display, which pushes the phone's height to 162.6mm, while its width stands at 77.6mm. In comparison, the OPPO F33 Pro measures 158.4 x 75.2mm in height and width and features a smaller 6.57-inch display.

While the OPPO F35 Pro is only marginally wider, its weight has increased to 210 grams from 194 grams. The handset doesn't feel particularly heavy in hand, and I don't mind the for the extra battery, which the F35 Pro brings on board. The handset packs an upgraded 8,000mAh battery, backed by 80W SuperVOOC wired charging.

As for the design, it remains largely unchanged, with the new colours being the main difference. The OPPO F35 Pro is available in Sunrise Orange, Wave Blue, and Twilight Brown. I have the Twilight Brown variant with me, and it certainly lives up to its name. The camera module has a glossy glass finish, with a subtle hint of orange along the bottom edge, creating an effect reminiscent of the sun setting.

Unlike the other colour variants, the Twilight Brown version doesn't feature a pattern on the back panel. Instead, it has a matte finish and actually looks more black in person. The brown shade is more noticeable around the camera module. During my limited time with the device, I did notice it picking up a few fingerprint smudges, which were more visible on the camera module.

The edges are flat and easy to gripe. The right spine of the phone houses volume rocker and speaker grille, while the USB Type-C port for charging and data transfer is mounted on the bottom edge sandwich between the SIM-tray and a speaker grille.

Here's what you get under the hood

As for the hardware, the OPPO F35 Pro boasts a 6.7-inch AMOLED display with 1.5K resolution, up to 144Hz refresh rate, and 1,800 nits of peak brightness. The smartphone bears razor-thin bezels on all four sides, a centre punch-hole for the selfie camera, and an in-display fingerprint scanner for security. The brightness feels on the lower side, but the display seems capable of vibrant visuals and smooth animations. The handset maintains responsive touch even in wet conditions.

At the core of the OPPO F35 Pro is the 5G-capable MediaTek Dimensity 7360 Max SoC, paired with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. While the standard Dimensity 7360, rather than the Max variant, has powered several mid-range smartphones, including the Vivo V70 FE and Vivo S2, it has proven reliable for everyday tasks. The OPPO F35 Pro should feel no different, and to ensure it doesn't throttle a lot under intense load, there is a large 5000mm2 SuperCool VC System to keep its thermals in check.

Software-wise, the OPPO F35 comes pre-loaded with the ColorOS 16.5, based on Android 17. In terms of optics, the phone features a dual-rear camera setup comprising a 50MP primary sensor with OIS and an 8MP ultrawide lens. While it may not be the most versatile camera setup in the segment, it is good to see an ultrawide lens, which was missing on its predecessor.

OPPO has also upgraded the front camera to a 50MP sensor with a 100-degree FoV and 4K video recording support, allowing you to get consistent output across the front and rear cameras.

To keep the display running, the phone houses an 8,000mAh battery with 80W SuperVOOC wired charging support. OPPO claims that the smartphone delivers six years of battery durability, retaining over 80 percent of its original capacity even after up to 1,800 charge cycles. Additionally, the OPPO F35 Pro supports 5G++ connectivity and AI LinkBoost 4.0 for stable network performance even in challenging or weaker-signal environments.

We will be testing all that and more in the full OPPO F35 Pro review, so stay tuned for that.

Thoughts...

The OPPO F35 Pro is priced in India starting at Rs 45,999. This puts it up against the Motorola Edge 70 Pro+ and Redmi Turbo 5, which are more feature-packed and even powerful in some departments.

The OPPO F35 Pro stands out for its durability, large battery capacity, and capable front camera. If these aspects matter more to you than other features, the OPPO F35 Pro could be worth considering. However, if you already own the OPPO F33 Pro, there is little reason to upgrade, and you can comfortably wait for another F-series generation.

Design (7 / 10)

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Sonodyne's SAMA 7000 lands in Indian stores this week, and the first thing you'll notice is how little it announces itself. It's a slim black bar, almost 44in wide and only 2.5in tall, allowing it to fit perfectly between the chicken legs of most 65in (and above) televisions. Dressed up in a discreet black body that feels hefty and superbly constructed, the aluminium front grille hides a basic scrolling-type single-line display to give you visual cues on inputs and sound modes. Sitting in the middle of the line-up of three new models, the SAMA 7000 is a 5.1.2 channel Dolby Atmos-capable soundbar, and the top-firing drivers positioned on either end of the chassis give it away. These two raised sections on the top deck are the single biggest physical difference between this and the SAMA 5000 that started this whole category for Sonodyne back in 2025.

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The 10-inch wireless subwoofer shipping alongside it is a properly sized box, not the compact plastic cube that comes with many mainstream brands, and it's a huge step up from Sonodyne's own last-gen model. There's no physical connection between the subwoofer and the soundbar, and the wireless syncing happens instantaneously, and all you need is a power outlet close to the sub. With its genuinely intentional physicality, it elevates this new generation of Sonodyne soundbars into the serious big-boy category.

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Tech (7 / 10)

Moving up to genuine 5.1.2 channels and a generous 850W of system power, the SAMA 7000 is a pretty well-featured unit. HDMI eARC carries 4K Dolby Vision passthrough, and the decoder list covers Dolby Digital, Dolby Digital Plus and Dolby TrueHD, so there's little a UHD Blu-ray player or a compatible streaming app can throw at it that it won't decode natively. There's Bluetooth, Aux and Optical besides HDMI that complete the connectivity suite. Although a considerable section of the iPhone-using community may miss the presence of wireless streaming niceties like AirPlay or even Bluetooth Apt-X support. An on-screen display is missing too, which means switching between Movie, Music and Voice modes, or toggling Dolby Virtual on and off is validated by a scrolling confirmation on the front panel display through the perforations of the speaker grille. While the remote covers most of the controls, the only level you can actually dial in yourself is the subwoofer's, not the up-firing height channels.

Sound (8.5 / 10)

If you're using an iPhone to play music via Bluetooth or have an Apple TV hooked into the system, ensure that the ‘Reduce Loud Sound' option in the settings is turned off. It severely restricts dynamics and is switched on by default. Housekeeping aside, experiment with the placement and positioning of the subwoofer to get a seamless blend between the bar and the sub, and you're in for a serious treat. The SAMA 7000's wireless subwoofer is genuinely punchy, with headroom to spare in anything short of a very large living room.

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In Music mode, brighter recordings can push high-frequency energy a little too hard in reflective rooms, and it's worth toggling Dolby Virtual on to rein in that top-end excess when it happens. Where the SAMA 7000 does not compromise is dialogue. Clarity and speech intelligibility are excellent, and given that legibility is the primary job of any soundbar, Sonodyne has nailed the brief. Switch to a film soundtrack and the scale on offer is genuinely surprising, especially for a single-chassis bar, the soundstage feels expansive and enveloping rather than boxed into the TV cabinet. The top-firing speakers will, of course, be most effective when you have a ceiling that isn't 15ft high and does add genuine space and envelopment besides the obvious convenience of not having to invest in additional speakers and wiring. At this price, that kind of immersion is a staggering feat, and it is the SAMA 7000's strongest argument for itself.

Conclusion

At Rs 74,999 with the very capable subwoofer included, the SAMA 7000 sits in the middle of Sonodyne's Dolby Atmos soundbar range, a full Rs 15,000 above the 5.1 SAMA 6000 and Rs 25,000 short of the flagship 7.1.4 SAMA 8000. Judged purely on scale and dialogue clarity, SAMA 7000 is the more sensible buy, and arguably the sweet spot in the entire lineup.

Editor's Rating: 7.5 / 10

Pros:

• Expansive soundstage
• Excellent dialogue clarity
• Punchy, capable wireless subwoofer

Cons:

• Lacks wireless streaming like AirPlay
• Missing on-screen display interface
• Remote could've been backlit

Design and Fit

The LinkBuds Clip feature an open-back, clip-on design that attaches to your ear similar to a piece of jewellery. It takes a little getting used to, but once positioned, it provides a highly secure fit, even without the optional rubber inserts. The charging case matches this aesthetic by resembling a small ring box.

They come in colours like green, black, and lavender, and feature an IPX4 water resistance rating to handle light rain. However, the case lacks wireless charging, so you're limited to the USB-C port on the back.

Sound and Performance

These open-back earbuds are not designed for audiophiles seeking deep bass, nor are they suited for noisy environments like flights. Instead, they deliver clear vocals and good channel separation, making them excellent for podcasts and background music during work.

The LinkBuds Clip (model WF-LC900) are powered by 10mm drivers and support DSEE (Digital Sound Enhancement Engine) to upscale compressed audio. They also utilise Bluetooth 5.3 and support dual-device connection (Multipoint), allowing you to seamlessly switch between your phone and laptop during the workday.

At full volume, the earbuds get fairly loud, yet they manage sound leakage exceptionally well. Unless you are in a dead-silent library, people nearby will not be able to eavesdrop on your music or calls.

Microphone and Battery Life

The microphone performs adequately for office calls, though heavy background commotion can make your voice sound muffled to the person on the other end. To combat this, Sony integrated AI-powered Voice Pickup Technology to help isolate vocals, though extreme real-world noise may still present a challenge.

Battery life is a strong point. You can expect 7 to 8 hours of mixed usage on a single charge, and up to 40 hours total with the charging case. This makes them highly reliable for an entire workday of continuous listening and meetings.

Verdict

Priced at approximately Rs 19,000, the Sony LinkBuds Clip are a premium investment for a very specific use case. If you are willing to trade immersive, audiophile sound for all-day comfort and environmental awareness, these are excellent companions for your workday.

Editor's Rating: 8 / 10

Pros:

• Keeps you completely aware of your surroundings
• Secure, jewelry-like clip-on fit
• Minimal sound leakage
• Excellent battery life
• IPX4 water resistance

Cons:

• Sound quality sacrifices deep bass due to the open-ear design
• The charging case does not support wireless charging

Design: there's a vegan leather option now

Unlike its predecessor, the Redmi 17C does give you a vegan leather colourway, named Coffee Brew. It is a rather apt name since my first impression of this device reminded me of the Mocha brew I had the other day, so nicely done there, Redmi. The phone is mostly flat, with slightly rounded corners to make it more comfortable to hold. The sides and the camera island are in a metallic bronze shade that complements the faux leather rather well.

The phone has a tall presence, which is only natural since it has a 6.9-inch display, along with some very visible bezels and a slight bottom chin. But, as is tradition, you get these bezels on a budget phone, so I'm not too bothered by them. The selfie camera is also notched, which feels dated.

On the bright side, the phone is very well balanced, and you don't really feel the heft despite its 211-gram weight. All in all, the device does feel rather good in hand, particularly so if you prefer taller displays.

To top it all off, there's an IP64 rating, which makes it resistant to dust and occasional water splashes. That's good enough for me at this price.

Display: plenty of screen for anyone

A 6.9-inch display is still unusual to me, but for anyone who uses their phone as their primary content machine, it is undoubtedly a boon. The display isn't as sharp since it's only an HD+ panel, and could noticeable if you are coming from FHD+ panel. You do get a 120Hz refresh rate, however, and that helps smooth things out, quite literally.

I set the custom refresh rate to 120Hz, and it makes a massive difference. Motion across the device and its UI is immediately more fluid and makes it pleasing to the eye. The colours on this panel are quite good too in the default Vibrant colour preset.

The Redmi 17C feels convenient to watch content for hours without any fatigue, which could be due to TUV Rheinland low-light, Flicker free, and Sarcadian eye-protection protocols in place, which surprisingly enough can be missing in phones at this price. 

My only real qualm so far is the mono speaker, since I'm so used to stereo output, and not having that takes some time getting used to. If you're coming from a stereo phone, you will notice the difference at once.

A short overview of the rest of the features

The Redmi 17C doesn't really try to go all-in on one particular feature or aspect. That is largely what I've derived from the specification sheet and my experience so far. The phone has just enough muscle to get through your day with a Dimensity 6300 and about 6GB of RAM and just enough space so that you don't run out of space soon at 128GB internal storage. If you do use up the space, don't fret just yet, the storage is expandable up to 1TB with a microSD card.

You get a 50MP rear shooter and an 8MP selfie camera, which is mostly there to help you click everyday moments with clarity and reliability. You don't get extensive camera hardware to move beyond that, since even video capture is limited to 1080p @30fps. Given the volatile smartphone market and the phone's current price, that is in line with the segment. A true test of the phone's camera capabilities will only be in the full review. 

The battery is about 6,000mAh and comes with a 33W bundled charger. It isn't the biggest capacity in this segment, and it doesn't need to be. One should easily expect roughly a full day of use out of it for moderate users. With the 33W charging support, you can expect a reasonable top-up time of around 1 hour for a full charge, although we'll know the exact time during our tests. 

Finally, talking about software, you get HyperOS 3 out of the box. While the brand hasn't specified the software update policy just yet, the Redmi 15C (review) was promised 2 OS upgrades and 4 years of security patches, so we can expect the same level of commitment here. The OS itself is rather feature-rich with multiple AI productivity features, customisation options and more. 

Initial thoughts

The Redmi 17C starts at Rs 20,999 for the 4GB + 128GB variant and Rs 22,999 for the 6GB + 128GB variant. The phone's specification sheet, on its own, is nothing noteworthy, but think of it like building blocks. The device is trying to set a reliable foundation for everyday use, with a processor that should handle most basic tasks, a decent point-and-shoot camera system, a good amount of storage and a large, smooth display.

The phone is targeting users who want a phone they can use day after day without asking too much of it. With the current smartphone market and the surrounding turbulence caused by ever-increasing costs, major upgrades across generations have largely vanished. For users who tend to hold onto their phones for longer, the Redmi 17C could offer a fairly straightforward option without trying to do anything too ambitious.

A full comprehensive review of the smartphone will tell us how it actually performs in everyday use. For now, though, the Redmi 17C has made a reasonable first impression.

How successful the OEM's smartphone venture will be, only time will tell. For now, let's take a look at the Boltt Evo, an entry-level 4G smartphone from the brand priced at around Rs 10,000. Who should consider buying the handset? Read our Boltt Evo review to find out.

Design and display

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Evo offers a fairly basic design and display experience, with its 120Hz refresh rate being the main highlight. However, its heavy build, fingerprint-prone back, and mono speaker setup hold it back. Overall, it is best suited for buyers seeking a smartphone with a smooth display rather than a well-rounded multimedia or gaming device.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Boltt Evo is a tall device, measuring 170mm in height, but thankfully, its 77.71mm width and flat edges make it comfortable to hold. However, weighing over 230 grams, it is quite heavy for a phone with a plastic build. This makes the Boltt Evo less convenient to use for extended periods.

The overall design language of the smartphone is fairly basic, with a glossy, glass-like back panel that easily picks up fingerprints and smudges. The phone houses a squircle-shaped camera module with three camera rings, although only one of them houses a functional camera. The same is true for the speakers. For some reason, Boltt has added three grilles that seem to be for the speakers: one on the top and two at the bottom, flanking the USB Type-C port.

However, only the grille to the right of the USB port outputs audio, making it a mono-speaker setup, which is standard for this price range. The speaker gets decently loud but can sound slightly muffled at maximum volume. The phone also features a 3.5mm headphone jack, which could provide a better listening experience.

Moving on, the Boltt Evo is available in five colour options: Arctic White, Berry Red, Lavender Bloom, Midnight Black, and Sky Blue. We received the Sky Blue variant for review, which gives the phone a cool, understated look. For security, the phone features a side-mounted fingerprint scanner that does an acceptable job of recognising and unlocking the device accurately. That said, the power button and volume rocker offer muted feedback, which can result in you pressing them for longer than intended.

As for the display, the Boltt Evo sports a 6.79-inch LCD panel with an HD+ resolution, up to a 120Hz refresh rate, chunky bezels, and 600 nits of peak brightness. While these are fairly basic specifications, they are acceptable for a smartphone priced around Rs 10,000. The 120Hz refresh rate is the highlight, and it delivers a noticeably smoother experience, at least across the system UI and select apps.

Interestingly, users can also customise the refresh rate and set it to 90Hz, rather than being limited to just 60Hz and 120Hz. This is a useful addition that isn't available on many smartphones, including some that are priced slightly higher. I didn't find the refresh rate dropping even with a little bit of multitasking. This doesn't mean gaming will be an enjoyable experience, and the following section tells you exactly why.

Performance and software

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Evo handles basic tasks reliably but struggles with smoothness during app launches and multitasking. Its clean Android 16 software is a highlight, although limited AI features and modest update support keep the overall experience fairly basic.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Boltt Evo is powered by a 4G-capable Unisoc T7250 SoC, paired with 4GB/6GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 64GB/128GB of eMMC 5.1 storage. The storage can be expanded by up to 1TB using a microSD card, but the card shares the hybrid secondary SIM slot. This means users who rely on two SIM cards will have to choose between expandable storage and dual-SIM functionality.

[comparative-benchmark type="1" title="AnTuTu score" caption="AnTuTu assesses a smartphone's CPU, GPU, memory, and overall user experience (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42384,42318,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

Coming to the performance, the handset is a reliable choice for basic usage, including calls, messages, streaming, and social media usage. Then again, don't expect the smartphone to be snappy or smooth. I found the smartphone to be stuttering and taking a little over a second to launch apps. Users can switch between apps and do a bit of multitasking, but not with a bunch of tasks going on in the background. This is pretty common for an entry-level smartphone, and so are the benchmark scores of the Boltt Evo.

[comparative-benchmark type="10" title="Geekbench single-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42384,42318,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

[comparative-benchmark type="11" title="Geekbench multi-core score" caption="Geekbench assesses the efficiency of the CPU's single and multiple cores (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42384,42318,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

It's worth appreciating the software experience on the smartphone. The Boltt Evo runs Android 16 out of the box, and the OEM has done well to keep the software experience relatively clean, without heavy customisation or a bunch of pre-installed apps that could further impact performance. Instead, the interface stays close to stock Android, making it look clean, uncluttered, and relatively smooth.

There is Google's Gemini onboard for AI capabilities, but the phone lacks built-in tools for live translation, writing assistance, and even Google's Circle to Search. Since the phone relies on Google Photos for its gallery, you can use its AI-powered tools to edit images after backing them up.

The Boltt Evo is future-proof with one major OS upgrade and a couple of years of security updates, which is pretty standard for the segment. Connectivity options include Dual SIM, 4G LTE, dual-band Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth v5.0.

Cameras

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Evo's camera hardware looks promising for the segment, although its real-world performance could use some fine-tuning. The selfie camera delivers more consistent results in good lighting, while the rear cameras can improve in areas such as detail, colour accuracy, and exposure.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Boltt Evo ships with a dual rear-camera setup, which consists of a 50MP primary sensor and a 2MP auxiliary lens. Up front, the handset sports an 8MP camera in the punch-hole setup. The hardware looks pretty impressive for the segment, but the real-world performance leaves me wanting more. The handset smooths out details, oversaturates colours, and struggles with overexposure. Only the selfie camera feels a bit reliable, and that too in well-lit environments. The rear cameras can do better with a little bit of fine-tuning to take on competitors such as the Lava Virat V1.

Here's how the Boltt Evo performs against the Lava smartphone across scenarios:

Daylight

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Evo-daylight.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-5G-daylight.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Evo" after="Lava Virat V1"]

In daylight, the Boltt Evo produces images with punchy colours that may look appealing at first glance. However, a closer look reveals a lack of detail and inconsistent highlight and exposure control. The Lava Virat V1 5G, on the other hand, performs better in these areas and produces images that look more natural and true to life.

Portrait

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Evo-portrait.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-5G-portrait.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Evo" after="Lava Virat V1 Pro"]

For portraits, both smartphones offer near-identical edge detection and bokeh effects. However, the Lava Virat V1 5G has an edge in colour accuracy and detail. The Boltt Evo tends to add artificial tones, making colours more vibrant but less true to the actual scene.

Selfie

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Evo-selfie.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-5G-selfie.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Evo" after="Lava Virat V1 Pro"]

The Boltt Evo outshines the Lava Virat V1 5G in selfies. It retains colours better than its counterpart, resulting in more lively-looking images. However, background exposure and dynamic range could have been better.

Low light

[twenty20 img1="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Boltt-Evo-low-light.jpg" img2="https://static.hub.91mobiles.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2026/10/Lava-Virat-V1-5G-low-light.jpg" offset="0.5" before="Boltt Evo" after="Lava Virat V1 Pro"]

Let's be honest: these aren't the kind of smartphones that will shine in low-light photography. The Boltt Evo struggles with controlling light flare and noise, while colour accuracy also takes a hit. The Lava Virat V1 5G doesn't excel either, but it does a better job of keeping artificial light flare under control and retaining some finer details despite the graininess. The Night mode, which doesn't activate automatically on either smartphone, isn't anything to write home about.

Battery and charging

[pdp-expert-review]
The Boltt Evo offers solid battery capacity and can comfortably last a day with basic usage. However, its 18W charging is slow, taking over three hours for a full charge, while heavier usage can drain the battery before the day ends.
[/pdp-expert-review]

The Boltt Evo houses a 6,000mAh battery with support for 18W wired charging, which is on par with other smartphones in this segment. A compatible charger is included in the box, but it takes more than three hours to charge the smartphone from 20 to 100 percent. That can be a tedious wait, although once fully charged, the handset should comfortably last more than a day, even if the PCMark battery test and our internal tests suggest otherwise.

[comparative-benchmark type="3" title="PCMark Battery score (in hours)" caption="PCMark battery test measures phone battery life from 100% to 20% (higher is better)" highlight="product_1" products="42384,42318,,," ][/comparative-benchmark]

The Boltt Evo lasted close to 11 hours in the PCMark battery test, which simulates a series of everyday activities. Meanwhile, an hour of video streaming and gaming resulted in a 24 percent drop in battery level. These numbers don't particularly speak in favour of the smartphone's endurance, but given its performance and intended use case, the battery life should be sufficient for regular usage.

Basic and limited usage should see the smartphone comfortably lasting an entire day. The standby time was also pretty decent during our time with the device. However, extended navigation, streaming, and multitasking could leave you high and dry before the end of the day.

Verdict

The Boltt Evo is a decent first attempt from Fire-Boltt at entering the smartphone market. However, it arrives at a time when brands are making compromises on features to keep their smartphones affordable, and the Boltt Evo is no different. The phone's design is anything but appealing; the cameras lack detail and accuracy; and the performance feels adequate only for basic usage.

There is no 5G support either. While this is understandable for a phone launched in 2026 at around Rs 10,000, offering 5G could have helped the Boltt Evo stand out from the competition. For now, you will have to spend an additional Rs 2,000 to get the Lava Virat V1 5G (review) or opt for its elder sibling, the Boltt Ace.

The Boltt Evo has been launched in India at a starting price of Rs 10,999. It makes sense for buyers who prioritise a smooth display, clean software, and basic everyday usage over performance, photography, or multimedia.

Editor's rating: 7.8/10

Reasons to buy

• The 120Hz refresh rate delivers smoother visuals and animations.
• The software is clean with no unnecessary third-party apps and ads.
• The 6,000mAh battery delivers reliable all-day backup with basic usage.
• Selfie camera captures decent images in daylight.

Reasons not to buy

• Rear cameras need improvement in details, exposure, and dynamic range.
• Despite its plastic build, the handset weighs on the heavier side.

Design: nothing flashy

The earbuds use a conventional in-ear design with nominal-sized stems, giving them an understated look, especially with the all-black finish. The compact, pebble-shaped charging case weighs just 41g and also sports a matte black exterior, with iQOO branding and an LED light on the front, while the bottom features a Type-C port. When you open the lid, you find a yellow interior that matches iQOO's branding. Unlike others in the segment, such as CMF Buds Neo, the iQOO Buds come in a single Flame Yellow colourway.

As for durability, the case has endured visible wear and tear from being taken in and out of jeans and bag pockets and occasionally placed on hard surfaces. The earbuds' glossy finish hasn't picked up any scuffs or scratches, though. This suggests the case needs careful handling if you want to keep the earbuds looking new for long. While we haven't tested how the buds fare against liquid exposure, such as water and sweat, they're IP64 rated to mitigate damage. Overall, the design is functional and portable, but the durability may not be the best in its class.

Comfort and fit: doesn't leave you fatigued

The earbuds weigh just 3.8g and feature an ergonomic shape with silicone tips that create a secure yet pressure-free fit. During my use, I could wear the iQOO Buds for two to three hours straight without fatigue while watching shows or movies. Since the TWS doesn't feature ANC, the passive isolation from the tips helps provide a proper seal, though loud sounds such as traffic horns and metro announcements were still audible.

Specifications and features: offers the essentials

The iQOO Buds support Bluetooth v6.1 with multipoint connection, meaning you can connect to two devices simultaneously and switch between them without disconnecting the other. In my experience, this feature worked flawlessly as I was able to instantly switch audio from my phone to my MacBook and resume media on either device.

As a brand that places heavy emphasis on performance and gaming, the iQOO Buds feature up to 42ms ultra-low latency mode for supported iQOO and Vivo smartphones, which should result in minimal audio delays in intensive games like BGMI and CODM.

For calls, the iQOO Buds automatically trigger AI Call Noise Reduction, letting users take calls in noisy environments by minimising wind interference, while the two microphones on each earbud prioritise vocals so the person on the other end can hear clearly. As for the actual calling experience, the iQOO Buds delivered clear, ample sound during calls.

iQOO has also added its own flair to the pop-up menu that appears on the phone's screen when you open the buds' lid. Exclusive to iQOO and Vivo smartphones, the battery pop-up menu can be customised using different pre-defined cat and dog themes. Users can furthermore customise this interface using their images and stickers.

Even though these are affordable earbuds, the iQOO Buds offer touch controls, such as double-tap, triple-tap, and touch-and-hold, to play and pause music, skip tracks, and take calls with a tap. You can tweak the touch controls, along with other settings and options, in the vEarphones companion app, available for Android phones and iPhones, while the app's core functions are built into the system on iQOO and Vivo devices.

Speaking of which, the vEarphones app has a minimal, well-defined look, with menus and options that are easy to identify at a glance. Unlike competitors such as Realme's Link app, it doesn't prompt users to sign in to use its functions. Some of the key additions of the app and the iQOO Buds themselves include Find My iQOO Buds to locate the earbuds by sound, Remote Camera Control, and triggering assistants like Gemini on Android smartphones.

Sound experience: suitable for everyday use

The iQOO Buds feature 10mm drivers, AAC and SBC codecs, and a PU+PEEK polymer diaphragm, paired with DeepX 4.0 Sound Effects featuring multiple sound profiles. Per iQOO, the Vivo Golden Ears acoustics team developed these profiles using advanced audio algorithms.

As for sound quality and experience, the iQOO Buds, even in the 'Standard' sound profile, are bass-focused, which is generally the case with most budget TWS. While the trebles (highs) are clear and lively, I felt their impact could be improved. The mid-range frequencies are done well for the price, with the vocals sounding near-perfect and crisp. I noticed this across several Mitraz songs. You can also use a 10-band EQ by selecting the 'Custom sound effect' to tweak the frequencies to your taste and preference.

One key feature the iQOO Buds lack is ANC, which is available on the similarly priced CMF Buds Neo. Also, they don't automatically pause or play music when you remove or insert the buds, which could be a deal breaker for some.

Battery and charging: lasts for days on a single charge

The company claims the buds can offer up to 12 hours of continuous playback on a single charge and up to 50 hours total with the charging case. During my time with the iQOO Buds, the case's battery lasted for around a week when using the earbuds frequently during travels for one to two hours a day and watching movies or shows during the night.

To top up the battery, I used Vivo's 90W adapter to juice up the iQOO Buds. Starting at 8 percent, the case's battery reached 72 percent in just over an hour, giving it enough power to last for a couple of days on casual to medium usage.

Final verdict

The iQOO Buds do a great job of focusing on the essentials that matter the most under Rs 2,000. While the charging case may not be durable enough to avoid regular wear and tear, these TWS offer easy portability thanks to their compact size and lightweight design. The pair also impresses with its battery life, comfort and a secure fit, low latency for gaming, and, most importantly, well-tuned vocals. The lows and highs leave room for improvement, though.

The lack of Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is a trade-off, for which you'll have to spend an extra Rs 300 on the CMF Buds Neo. Nevertheless, the iQOO Buds are a strong pair of earphones for everyday use, such as commuting, workouts, gaming, and long listening sessions that don't break the bank.

Editor's rating: 8.6/10

Pros

• Compact and lightweight design.
• Comfortable to wear for long durations with a secure fit.
• Bass-forward with well-tuned vocals.
• Solid battery endurance.

Cons

• Charging case gets scuffed relatively easily.
• The low and high frequencies could be improved.
• Misses out on Active Noise Cancellation (ANC).