Dell XPS 13 Plus Review: Minimalism turned to 100

By: Rohit Yadav

|

Updated on: 30-Aug-2022

2,360 views

Follow Us:

2,360 views

Dell XPS 13 Plus Specifications

Design

The new Dell XPS 13 Plus is like no other laptop. The updated design might be polarizing when it comes to the functionality but none can deny the sheer charisma of the laptop. The XPS 12 Plus comes with an immersive InfinityEdge display and a high-quality metal build.

The borderless haptic touchpad gives it the appearance of being a laptop from the future. There are no visible lines separating the touchpad instead there is a seamless glass palm rest. Additionally, the top of the keyboard has light-up buttons instead of capacitive function keys that can switch between the usual Function keys or media keys. The keyboard itself has been changed. With bigger keys and no more room between them, it spans from one edge of the laptop to the other. There is white backlight for the keys. Although I have to admit that I kind of like it, it is something to be aware of. The keyboard has a strange accuracy to it, perhaps because the keys are so large and go edge to edge. The power button also doubles as a fingerprint reader.

In the end, the Dell XPS 13 Plus's outside appearance isn't all that different from XPS 13 notebooks from earlier generations. The Platinum model is a case in point. The Graphite model has that colour on the lid, which hasn't before been seen on an XPS notebook.

When talking about the size and weight, Dell XPS 13 Plus is comparable to its rivals like the MacBook Air, Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 and others.

Display

With the InfinityEdge display, Dell has managed to squeeze a large 13.4 inch display in such a small form factor. Unlike other thin and light laptops that have a chin at the bottom of the screen, Dell XPS 13 Plus has extremely slim bezels in all four corners.

Dell XPS 13 Plus is offered in multiple display choices around the world including an 4K OLED screen. Sadly the OLED display is not available in India as of writing this review, rather you get a UHD+ LCD display with touch support. The InfinityEdge display can reach 500 nits of maximum brightness and has a Anti-Reflect coating to reduce the reflections on the screen. Though any LCD panel can not match the OLED when it comes to the contrast but XPS’s LCD panel has excellent contrast and colour reproduction.

The touchscreen on the XPS is fast and responsive due to which performing various multi touch actions were a breeze. It should be noted that the screen easily gets smudged and needs to be cleaned regularly.

Dell XPS 13 Plus Performance

The thin and light design might deceive many people into thinking that the Dell XPS has to skim on performance for that sleek design, but due to advancements in the processors the thin laptop provides a pro level of performance. The 12th Gen Intel i7-1260P powering the device had no problem in opening any app, there were no hiccups when bouncing between multiple apps or managing the tens of Google Chrome tabs.

When it comes to graphics the inbuilt Intel Iris Xe graphics can run some games just not very well, it might be that the Xe graphics have not been properly optimized. In most of the graphic intensive works the Dell XPS 13 Plus fell short of the Apple Macbook Air M2 and sometimes even the older M1 powered Macbooks. Because of the 28 W processor in the laptop we did see a dip in performance when the device overheated.

Heat and Noise

As we saw the XPS did lose several things for the slim and futuristic design. The good news is despite all the size restrictions by removing the function row Dell managed to put bigger fans in the chassis which according to the company manages a 55% increment in airflow. During light work, the XPS remained quiet and cool though there was a hit in performance when doing any heavy and long tasks.

Port Selection

This will be the shortest section of the review. The Dell XPS 13 Plus only features two USB-C ports on either side. That is it, Dell has even skipped on a headphone jack. Though for Dell’s credit there was a USC-C to 3.5mm and a USB-C to USB-A dongle in the box.

The good thing here is that both the USB-C ports are full fledged Thunderbolt 4 ports, that means each port has a bidirectional bandwidth of 40 Gbps. The lack of port might be a dealbreaker for some but it has to be said that the clean sides and minimum ports give the XPS a clean and attractive look.

Webcam

The Dell XPS 13 Plus is among the only few Intel EVO branded laptops to feature a 720p camera. Despite the low resolution the picture quality of the camera was amazing. The peashooter camera managed to do an amazing job capturing colours. It accurately captured the reds and greens without overblowing them.

Although there is a fair amount of noise and I would have prefered a 1080p camera, the Dell XPS’s 720p camera is easily usable for video calls. Despite the small bezel size Dell has managed to cram an Infrared sensor for Windows Hello.

Battery

The XPS 13 Plus managed to impress in all but one category, by no means the laptop has a bad battery life but when compared to the incredible battery life of its competitors it felt short by a margin. Where the M2 powered MacBook Air was able to last more than 15 hours in our daily workflow, the XPS managed to only last a little over 8 hours.

One saving grace for the Dell XPS 13 Plus was the ability to fast charging, the Express Charge technology can charge the device from 0 to about 80% in an hour. The lack of ports hurts the XPS here too, using one of the two USB-C ports for charging does not leave much room for many accessories.

Verdict

With the XPS 13 Plus, Dell is certainly ready for the future with the minimalist and sleek design. The thinness of the laptop doesn't interfere with the performance of the device. The jaw dropping edge to edge display is amazing to look at. No matter how good the display is, the polarizing design might not be for all. The ultra-minimalist aesthetics will be mesmerising for most including me.

But for the ones who are looking for a more traditional laptop experience will be better off with the likes of Acer Swift 5 and Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 and if you are inclined towards the Macs, the M2 MacBook Air is an excellent choice, even the older M1 powered MacBooks will be an excellent choice if you can get them on offer.

Dell XPS 13 Plus Price in India

The Dell XPS 13 Plus price in India is Rs 1,74,490 for the base variant powered by the Intel i5 1240P while for the i7 1260P powered laptop you need to shell out Rs 1,94,490.

Apple Set to Launch First Foldable iPhone in 2026

By: Bhumika

|

Updated on: 03-Dec-2024

21,564 views

Follow Us:

21,564 views

Apple is gearing up to enter the foldable smartphone market, with reports suggesting that the company plans to launch its first foldable iPhone in the second half of 2026. This move will mark a significant milestone for Apple, as it will be stepping into a space already dominated by rivals like Samsung, Huawei, and Motorola. The foldable iPhone is expected to set new benchmarks for the industry, with Apple’s reputation for combining exceptional hardware and software likely to create waves in the smartphone world.

A Growing Foldable Market

The foldable smartphone market has been evolving steadily in recent years, particularly due to innovations by brands like Samsung. Samsung’s Galaxy Z series has been a major force in pushing foldable devices into the mainstream. Over the years, Samsung has enhanced the design and durability of its foldable smartphones, which has led to their growing popularity.

However, despite the overall progress in this category, recent reports have pointed to some difficulties for foldable smartphones. A report from the Display Supply Chain Consultants (DSCC) reveals that foldable smartphone sales experienced their first year-over-year decline in 2024. After years of consistent growth, the market is expected to face a 4% drop in 2025, with demand for foldable panels stagnating at around 22 million units. Despite this, the DSCC report highlights that Apple’s entry into the foldable market could reignite interest and boost demand once again.

What to Expect from Apple’s Foldable iPhone

Apple is known for its attention to detail and its ability to combine cutting-edge technology with sleek, premium designs. The foldable iPhone is expected to feature an innovative folding mechanism, possibly integrating elements from its existing iPhone lineup. The device is likely to boast a flexible OLED display capable of enduring hundreds of thousands of folds without significant wear, addressing one of the major concerns that have plagued foldable smartphones so far.

In terms of hardware, Apple’s foldable iPhone is expected to come with the latest high-performance chips, top-tier cameras, and all the premium features that Apple devices are known for. The device will likely run on iOS, ensuring seamless integration with Apple’s broader ecosystem, which includes services like iCloud, Apple Music, and Apple Pay. This tight integration between hardware and software is expected to provide an exceptional user experience.

Impact on the Foldable Smartphone Market

If Apple successfully launches a foldable iPhone, it could significantly change the landscape of the foldable smartphone market. As the brand’s loyal customer base eagerly awaits this new product, Apple’s involvement could spark renewed interest in foldable devices. While Samsung and other manufacturers have pioneered this technology, Apple’s reputation and innovation could bring a new level of attention and demand to foldable smartphones.

In conclusion, Apple’s foldable iPhone, slated for release in late 2026, could be a game-changer in the foldable smartphone market. While it holds the potential to rejuvenate interest in foldable devices, its impact on the broader market and its competitors remains to be seen. Apple’s entry into this category will be closely watched, as it could redefine how we view foldable smartphones and how the market develops in the coming years.

iQOO 13 Launched in India: A Powerful Smartphone with Cutting-Edge Features

By: Bhumika

|

Updated on: 03-Dec-2024

20,123 views

Follow Us:

20,123 views

The iQOO 13 is officially available in India, showcasing the power of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Packed with advanced features like a 50MP triple camera setup, a large 6.82-inch AMOLED screen, and a robust 6,000mAh battery, this smartphone offers an unbeatable combination of performance and design for those looking for the best.

iQOO 13 Price and Where to Buy

The iQOO 13 is available for sale starting December 11, 2024. The base model (12GB RAM + 256GB storage) is priced at ₹54,999, while the 16GB RAM + 512GB storage variant is priced at ₹59,999. You can choose from the Legend and Nardo Grey color options.

Powerful Performance and Stunning Display

The iQOO 13 features a 6.82-inch 2K AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate, providing a visually immersive experience whether you’re gaming or watching content. Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset and up to 12GB of LPDDR5X RAM, this phone handles demanding tasks and multitasking with ease.

With a 50MP primary camera, a 50MP ultra-wide lens, and a 50MP telephoto camera, the iQOO 13 excels in photography, offering crisp and vibrant images. The 32MP front camera ensures stunning selfies, making this phone a versatile choice for content creators.

All-Day Power and Fast Charging

With a massive 6,000mAh battery, the iQOO 13 ensures all-day usage, while the 120W FastCharge technology means you can charge your phone quickly, getting you back to what matters. This smartphone also comes with an infrared transmitter to control appliances, and its IP68/IP69 ratings provide water and dust resistance, making it a durable choice for daily use.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The iQOO 13 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, offering fast and reliable connections. It also comes with a variety of sensors, including an accelerometer, ambient light sensor, and proximity sensor, enhancing the overall user experience.

Conclusion

The iQOO 13 is a premium device designed for those who need performance, reliability, and cutting-edge features. From its high-end processor to its powerful camera system and fast charging capabilities, the iQOO 13 is ready to meet all your needs. Available starting December 11, this phone will elevate your smartphone experience.

Honor Launches New 300 Series with Snapdragon Chips and Fast Charging

By: Bhumika

|

Updated on: 03-Dec-2024

21,901 views

Follow Us:

21,901 views

Honor has launched its new 300 series smartphones in China, which include the Honor 300, Honor 300 Pro, and the high-end Honor 300 Ultra. These smartphones come with impressive specs, including fast processors, OLED displays, and quick charging features, making them stand out in the mid-range market. The series starts at CNY 2,299 (around Rs 26,770) and offers several memory and storage options.

Price and Availability

The phones are already available for pre-order in China, with the sale starting on December 6th. While there has yet to be official information about the launch in India, the previous Honor 200 series launched in India about a month after its debut in China, so we might see these phones in India soon.

Here’s a quick look at the pricing for each model:

Key Features

All three models have great displays, fast processors, and long-lasting batteries. Here’s a breakdown of what makes each model special:

Honor 300: This is the base model, offering a dual rear camera setup with a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. It’s powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3 processor and comes with a 6.7-inch OLED display. The phone supports 100W fast charging and has a 5300mAh battery. It’s available in several colors including white, purple, and black.

Honor 300 Pro: This model is a step up, with a triple rear camera setup. The main camera is also 50MP, but it comes with an extra 50MP telephoto camera for zooming. The 300 Pro uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and has a slightly larger 6.78-inch curved OLED display. It supports both 100W wired charging and 80W wireless charging. This model also has Wi-Fi 7 for faster internet speeds.

Honor 300 Ultra: The Ultra is the top-of-the-line model with the best features. It includes a 50MP periscope telephoto camera for 3.8x optical zoom, and it supports an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner. Like the Pro, it also has Wi-Fi 7, but it comes with more storage options, including a 1TB version. It has the same 6.78-inch OLED display as the Pro but also packs extra features for better camera and display performance.

Specs for the Honor 300 Series

• Display: All models come with OLED displays. The Honor 300 has a 6.7-inch screen, while the Pro and Ultra have 6.78-inch screens. All models offer a 120Hz refresh rate and a peak brightness of 4000 nits for great outdoor visibility.
• Processor: The Honor 300 is powered by the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, while the Pro and Ultra models feature the more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.
• Battery and Charging: All three phones have a 5300mAh battery, with 100W fast charging support. The Pro and Ultra models also support 80W wireless charging.
• Cameras: The Honor 300 has a 50MP main camera and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. The Pro and Ultra models come with additional telephoto cameras for zooming.

Conclusion

The Honor 300 series offers excellent value for money with powerful features like fast charging, great displays, and high-quality cameras. The series has something for everyone, whether you need a more affordable phone or want top-tier features in the Ultra model. While the phones are currently available in China, we can expect them to make their way to other markets soon.

iQOO 13 Launching Tomorrow in India

By: Bhumika

|

Updated on: 02-Dec-2024

22,145 views

Follow Us:

22,145 views

Key Highlights:

• Launch Date: iQOO 13 is launching in India tomorrow, December 3, 2024.
• Design: The phone features unique RGB lighting and a sleek, sturdy build with IP68/IP69 rating.
• Display: 6.8-inch 144Hz AMOLED screen with a 2K Ultra Eyecare display.
• Processor: Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, the second phone in India with this processor.
• Battery and Charging: 6,000mAh battery with 120W fast charging support.

iQOO is all set to launch its new flagship phone, the iQOO 13, in India tomorrow, December 3, 2024, at noon. Ahead of the official release, the company has teased several features that make this device stand out.

Design and Build Quality

The iQOO 13 will come with a modern design featuring a Halo light around the camera area, giving it a unique and stylish look. It’s made with a durable aluminum frame and strong glass panels. The phone is water and dust-resistant, holding an IP68/IP69 rating. It’s also quite slim, measuring just 8.13mm in thickness. Users can choose between two colors: Legend Edition (White) and Nardo Grey.

Display

The iQOO 13 will feature a large 6.8-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. This makes it great for gaming and smooth navigation. The phone also comes with a Q10 2K Ultra Eyecare display that helps reduce strain on your eyes.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the phone packs a Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, the second device in India to feature this powerful chip. It will run on Android 15 with four years of software updates, which ensures a long-lasting experience. The phone offers multiple storage options, ranging from 256GB to 1TB, and up to 16GB of RAM, allowing for fast performance and plenty of space for apps and media. It also comes with UFS 4.0 or 4.1 storage, making data transfers super quick.

Battery and Charging

The iQOO 13 is equipped with a 6,000mAh battery, which ensures long-lasting usage. On top of that, it supports 120W fast charging, meaning you can charge it up quickly. The phone uses the latest third-generation Silicon Anode battery for improved efficiency and longer life.

Camera Setup

For photography, the iQOO 13 features a triple rear camera system, with three 50 MP cameras for wide-angle shots, telephoto zoom (2x), and ultrawide photos. It can shoot videos in 8K resolution, and the front camera is 32 MP, perfect for vlogs and video calls in 4K quality.

Expected Price and Competition

While iQOO has not revealed the exact price, it's expected that the iQOO 13 will start around ₹55,000 for the base model with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage. This is similar to the iQOO 12's price of ₹52,999. The device will compete with other flagship models like the Realme GT 7 Pro, Vivo X200, and OnePlus 13.

The iQOO 13 will go on sale through Amazon India, where the company has already set up a dedicated page for the phone.

Stay tuned to see how this device performs in the real world after its launch tomorrow!

https://www.instagram.com/reel/DC6UvihvR1y/?igsh=MXc2cHV6cWJ5OWVseA==

OnePlus 13R Specifications Leaked on Geekbench, Launch Soon

By: Bhumika

|

Updated on: 30-Nov-2024

22,431 views

Follow Us:

22,431 views

The upcoming OnePlus 13R is expected to launch soon, with its specifications revealed through a recent Geekbench listing. The device, likely to succeed the OnePlus 12R, has been spotted on the benchmarking platform, offering a glimpse into its key features.

Key Features and Specifications (Expected)

The OnePlus 13R, identified with the model number CPH2645 on Geekbench, is speculated to come with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, providing powerful performance. This chipset is also used in the flagship OnePlus 13, and the 13R will likely be a slightly more affordable version of the flagship model.

According to the Geekbench listing, the OnePlus 13R will be equipped with a minimum of 12GB RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking capabilities. The device will run Android 15 with OxygenOS 15 skin, offering the latest software experience out of the box. In terms of performance, the OnePlus 13R has posted impressive Geekbench scores, achieving 2,238 points in the single-core test and 6,761 points in the multi-core test, showing a notable improvement over its predecessor, the OnePlus 12R.

Additional Leaked Specifications

Further certifications from the FCC reveal that the OnePlus 13R will feature a 5,860mAh battery with 80W fast charging support. The device will also support Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, and NFC, further enhancing its connectivity options.

Reports suggest that the OnePlus 13R could be a rebranded version of the OnePlus Ace 5, which is expected to launch in China soon. If this is true, the OnePlus 13R might feature a 50MP + 8MP + 2MP camera setup and a 16MP selfie camera. However, the global version could have slightly downgraded specs, such as a smaller battery and lower charging speed compared to the Ace 5, which is rumored to offer a 6,300-6,500mAh battery with 100W fast charging.

Conclusion

While the official launch details for the OnePlus 13R remain unknown, the leaks and certifications suggest it will be unveiled soon. It will likely cater to users seeking a high-performance device at a lower price point than the flagship OnePlus 13. More details will likely surface in the coming days as the launch nears.