Innholdsfortegnelse for September 2023 i T3 India

PANTHEONE OBSIDIAN Taking its name from the rock that forms when lava is rapidly cooled, Pantheone’s Obsidian is crafted from handmade resin. And just like its namesake, its look is defined by both sharp angles and flowing curves, making it as much a sculptural showpiece for your living room as a speaker. But it’s not a case of style over substance – there’s plenty going on beneath the surface. Nestled in a bass-reflex chamber, its high excursion mid-bass driver kicks out some serious bass for a speaker of this size. Meanwhile, a pair of tilted silk dome tweeters produce unerringly precise stereo sound with immaculately clear and detailed high frequencies. Couple this with its multi-room functionality, seamless streaming options and fully wireless playback and it’s the kind of speaker that…

I’m really rather cross that Panasonic has killed off its recordable Blu-ray disc. They stopped producing them in February, citing falling demand for the discs, which they’d started making back in 2006. You might be surprised that I’m angry about the demise of what might seem old, clunky and largely irrelevant technology. Today we have the cloud and streaming media available anytime, anywhere in high definition. Surely the tech’s ripe for retirement anyway? The problem is that, despite their drawbacks, Blu-ray discs are still very good at a number of tasks for which there’s no real replacement. Take physical media for films and TV. Sales of movies on Blu-rays and DVD may be nosediving, but we’ve seen how content gatekeepers have started to change content they feel might be offensive…

T3 India as a magazine/ezine rightly focuses on products that are new and under development. This, of course, does not suggest or imply that everything old is bad and outdated. The pace at which technology moves, demands that we cover all product developments for our readers. In few cases, this means going back to the past. Look at the worldwide revival of turntables. Only 20 years ago, the turntable was consigned to the dustbin. Today, pressing plants are hard pressed to meet the demand. The area where retro is most in demand is music – both Western and Indian, and T3 India seeks to address this gap. We hope you enjoy this section.…

GHYLL SCRAMBLING Like canyoning but for masochists, ghyll scrambling involves fighting against both gravity and water flow as you clamber, squeeze, jump and swim through ghylls (the Cumbrian word for mountain gullies and ravines), up-climbing waterfalls and crags en route to the source of the stream. TRY: LA SPORTIVA TX CANYON BOOTS The TX Canyon boots from La Sportiva are specifically made for canyoning and ghyll scrambling. The soles offer superb grip on wet rocks, while the quick-drying uppers have multiple drainage valves. ₹18,500, lasportiva.com DEEPWATER SOLOING More rope-free climbing, deepwater soloing (DWS) takes place on crags that overhang water, which supplies a safety net (of sorts) if you miss a hold and fall. Many climbers regard free soloing (climbing without any protection) as the most pure form of the…

SKYRUNNING Running through the clouds is a breathtaking experience, and the development of skyrunning in the 1990s turned this peak-punching pursuit into a sport with defined rules. To be considered a bone fide skyrun, a route has to take in terrain that’s 2,000m above sea level, with a minimum average climbing rate of 6% and at least 5% of the course must have an incline of 30% or steeper. TRY: HYPERSHELL OMEGA You can’t wear one in a race, but the Hypershell Omega exoskeleton is a high-tech, hip-based, battery powered, AI-equipped harness that propels runners up the most merciless mountain sides at up to 20 times their usual capacity. ₹32,000-₹64,000, hypershell.cc HIGHLINING The art of slacklining involves walking along a length of narrow, flat webbing, typically suspended between two low-lying…

Dell Inspiron 7620 2-in-1 The Dell Inspiron 7620 2-in-1 has enough about it to pass whatever tests you want to put it through: a uni laptop needs to cover both work and play well of course, and the 2-in-1 form factor, spacious 16-inch screen, and high-end Intel processors certainly do that. You can even add in Nvidia GeForce graphics if you need additional gaming grunt. Whether you’re using the touchscreen to annotate documents, the tent mode configuration to watch lectures online (or stream movies), or the spacious keyboard and trackpad to work your way through a tricky essay, the 7620 isn’t going to disappoint.  From ₹85,000, dell.com THE ACCESSORIES Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 If you’re using your laptop to get creative then the Huion Inspiroy Dial 2 graphics tablet can…

₹10999 onwards, poco.in We reviewed the POCO M6 Pro 5G, 8GB RAM & 128GB Forest Green unit. POCO has brought out a 5G phone that ticks off many features at an attractive price range that surely heats up the competition. Powered by the SNAPDRAGON 4 GEN 2 processor, the POCO M6 PRO delivers smooth and responsive performance for everyday tasks, multitasking, and even long hours of gaming. Apps launch quickly, and the overall user experience is fluid. The 90Hz refresh rate makes things smooth in the 17.2 cm FHD+ Corning Gorilla Glass Display. The 5000 mAH battery lasts almost a full day of basic usage (in 5G) and can be charged by the included 22.5 W USB-C fast charger. The IP53 rating gives the assurance of protection against dust with…

If you’re looking for the very best tech available today, you’ve definitely come to the right place. Best of the Best is the most useful gadget-buying guide you will ever encounter. To create it, we’ve extensively tested the best tech the world has to offer, to bring you rock-solid recommendations for your home life, daily commute and the tech you use all the time. In 21 different categories, we’ve chosen the top three products, so you can choose one that’s just the right mix of features and budget for what you need. These rankings come from real testing by our team of experts – they’re the products we’d choose for ourselves, and we can’t recommend any higher than that.…

ONEPLUS NORD CE 2 ₹23,999, oneplus.in Based on the Nord 2, but cheaper, OnePlus gets all the fundamentals right. Anyone on a budget who wants a small, light phone with decent battery life and a good display will be happy. REDMI NOTE 11 PRO+ 5G ₹20,999, mi.com/in Top-of-the-line Redmi Note phone with a high-resolution 108MP camera, an ultra-bright AMOLED display, a 2-day battery life with fast charging support and 5G enabled. MOTOROLA G72 ₹14,999, motorola.in A sub-15k phone that gives a pOLED display, 108MP camera, an efficient MediaTek processor, and a 5000mAh battery packed in a water-repellent body REALME 10 PRO 5G ₹18,999, realme.com A phone that will turn everyone’s head around with its shimmery hue options and packs in decent hardware, including a 108MP sensor, 120Hz display and a…

SAMSUNG CRYSTAL UHD ₹45,999, samsung.com/in A 4K LED TV with impressive specs and picture quality will have you thinking it costs a lot more than it does. With its Crystal 4K processing technology, your content is going to look super-sharp. VU GLOLED TV ₹42,999, vutvs.com It comes with a ‘Glo Panel’ that boasts 400 nits of brightness and a colour gamut of 94% for improved colour reproduction. It also comes with an integrated 104W soundbar to complement the visuals. XIAOMI SMART TV X55 ₹39,999, mi.com/in Affordable 4K TV that brings the best HDR experience with Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG support. Paired with a pair of 30W speakers, the TV’s smartness is courtesy of Android TV running under the PatchWall interface. ONEPLUS Y1S PRO ₹39,999, oneplus.in The 4K TV focuses…

DJI MAVIC MINI approx. ₹36,000, dji.com Arguably the first high-quality camera-carrying drone for the masses, the Mini is surprisingly fast, nimble and stable in flight, and weighs 1g shy of the CAA’s 250g registration regulation. DJI MAVIC AIR 2 approx. ₹75,000, dji.com Everything about this drone shouts BUY ME. The camera is a cracker capable of shooting 4K footage at 60fps, while a completely redesigned controller is another major improvement. RYZE TELLO ₹12,990, amazon.in This is a bargain – it uses DJI tech inside for flight stability, has a camera that takes HD video or 5MP snaps, and hovers still for selfies. It can fly indoors or out, though is too light for windy days. DJI MAVIC 2 PRO ₹1,10,000, dji.com This pro-spec drone is almost impossible to crash, and…

This month, we are excited to feature two of the year’s most highly anticipated foldable phone launches: Samsung (the veteran of folding phones) with the Galaxy Z Flip 5 and Motorola (the OG of flip phones) with the Motorola RAZR 40 Ultra. These phones are pushing the boundaries of the foldable phone category with their fully functional displays even when folded. We firmly believe that foldable phones are here to stay, and we predict that all major brands will have strong products in this category by next year. In our Horizon fitness section, we have an inspiring Indian endurance story that we are thrilled to share. We plan on featuring more stories like this in the coming months, highlighting the incredible endurance accomplishments of individuals in India. Additionally, we have…

You’ll allow Guru the brief indulgence of revealing his indulgences, because you don’t have a choice. He’s the one with the keyboard, after all. Indulgence number one has been a number of almost certainly slightly-too-expensive NIO Cocktails (from B2,000 for a box of three), delightful pre-mixed booze concoctions that come flat-packed through your letter box. They are universally delicious, and so strong your socks will fly off like you’re in a cartoon. Add a little lemonade if you’re as lily-livered as Guru. The same kind people that repeatedly sent Guru alcohol appropriately also attempted to ply him with pretzels, in this case the vegan oven-baked delights of Olly’s Pretzel Thins (about B125 for a tiny bag). Sadly for them, results were mixed: the Salted flavour is pretty nice, but Guru…

I blame the Nike Vaporfly 4% for the current state of the running shoe market. Blame might be a strong word, but Nike’s high-stack racer is certainly the shoe we associate with ushering in the era of Super Shoes. Now, six years later, when most sports manufacturers launched their own version of the Super Shoe, we’re seeing a new kind of beast pricking up its ears: the Super Trainer. Super Trainers are like Frankenstein’s monster, essentially an amalgam of Super Shoes and daily trainers. They often have ‘illegally’ tall stack height – over 40mm under the heels, meaning they can’t be used on races organised by the World Athletics Organisation – an embedded carbon plate, as well as a comfortable upper, traditional lacing, and a durable midsole foam and outsole.…

FASTPACKING The bastard love child of thru-hiking and trail running, fastpacking involves completing multi-day long-distance walks in a fraction of the time it takes typical trekkers to do them. Fastpackers travel light and move fast, trotting the flats, running the downs and striding the ups, and wild camping when darkness falls. TRY: LIFESTRAW PEAK SERIES STRAW Nothing is heavier to carry than water. With a microfilter that provides protection against bacteria, parasites, microplastics, silt, sand and cloudiness, the LifeStraw Peak Series Straw enables you to drink directly from virtually any water source. ₹2,100, lifestraw.com BIKEPACKING The bikepacking revolution over the last decade has taken multi-day bike-based camping trips off road and on to wild trails. Kit keeps getting lighter and smaller, and myriad ingenious bags help you strap everything you…

1 NOKIA G22 Nokia’s G22 bucks the smartphone trend of disposability. It can be completely disassembled for a straightforward battery swap or screen replacement, its back cover is entirely made of recycled plastic, and even the battery runs for three days, meaning you’ll save energy on regular charges. Trade in an old phone and you’ll even save on its already impressive price. ₹18,000, nokia.com 2 ROKA LONDON FINCHLEY A You’re going to need somewhere to put your sustainable tech, so why not a bag primarily made out of recycled PET bottles? That’s the tough, spacious and really rather fancy rolltop Finchley A. And Roka is a company that puts sustainability at the top of its banner, using vegan-friendly materials and heading for net zero carbon in five years. From ₹6,900, rokalondon.com 3 PAPER…

MacBook Air M2 15-inch The MacBook Air now comes in a 15-inch configuration for the first time, which means it’s a little bit less portable while offering significantly more space for websites, documents, video conference calls, and everything else you have to get up on screen while you’re in the (home) office. The battery life will last all day and then some too. There’s plenty of power packed into the latest Apple M2 chip inside the 15-inch MacBook Air, while macOS continues to go from strength to strength too. With Apple being Apple, you know there’ll be plenty of accessories and high-quality apps available as well, covering just about every laptop need. From ₹1,50,000, apple.com THE ACCESSORIES Studio Display The Studio Display costs a substantial amount of money – even…

₹54,900, ecovacsindia.in This is one useful device that eluded us for a long time. Some were promised, but never arrived. A robotic vacuum cleaner is one of the hottest products in Indian home and lifestyle category, with multiple players entering the scene. Ecovacs is a Chinese robotics brand, and the Deebot N10 is their latest Indian debutant. The Deebot N10 is a two-in-one device that combines vacuum and mopping. Robotic vacuum cleaners are all shaped the same, and the Deebot N10 is no different. The unit is available in white colour. Unboxing and setting it up is quite simple, and it comes with a comprehensive user manual. Other contents in the box include the compact charging dock, power cord, two brushes, mopping plate and mopping pad. You will find the…

₹28,999/- Oneplus.in The Nord CE3 5G smartphone has numerous features in common with its predecessor, the OnePlus Nord 3 5G. These include a triple camera setup with a 50MP primary sensor, a 5,000mAh battery, support for 80W fast charging, and a display with a 120Hz refresh rate. These are just a few of the noteworthy similarities between the two devices. The display on the Nord CE3 has a 6.7-inch Fluid AMOLED panel with FHD+ resolution, 120Hz refresh rate, 2,160Hz PWM dimming, and HDR10+ support. While the Nord CE3’s display lacks dynamic refresh rate and has slightly thicker bezels compared to the Nord 3, the overall viewing experience and color quality are vibrant. In terms of content consumption, the Nord CE3 supports Widevine L1 certification, allowing seamless FHD streaming on platforms…

₹99,999 onwards, samsung.in Samsung continues to push the boundaries in the folding phones space with the Galaxy Z Flip 5. They have been at the forefront of innovation in the folding phone space, with the Galaxy Z flip and Z fold phone series. We reviewed the graphite colour Galaxy Z flip 5, with 8gb RAM and 256gb storage device and 3700mAh battery. It has a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, along with 6.7 inch foldable dynamic AMOLED 120Hz main display and 3.4inch Super AMOLED gorilla glass cover display. It comes with a 12MP main camera and a 10MP selfie camera, both are capable of shooting in 4K. Both the main and selfie camera produces good results for stills and video, the folding feature makes it a great asset for vlogging.…

APPLE IPHONE 14 PRO MAX ₹1,39,000, apple.com/in The iPhone 14 Pro removes the notch in favour of a ‘dynamic island’, adds an always-on display and top-notch features such as upgraded cameras. The 6.7-inch Max has better battery life too. SAMSUNG GALAXY S22 ULTRA ₹1,09,999, samsung.com/in Combining everything we loved about the Galaxy Note series with the specs from the Galaxy S series, the S22 Ultra has an S Pen, a 6.8-inch screen, a top-tier camera, and storage options up to 1TB. GOOGLE PIXEL 7 PRO ₹84,999, flipkart.com Google’s 2022 flagship features astounding cameras that deliver great results. Google’s second-gen Tensor processor is also super fast and crunches through tasks with ease. APPLE IPHONE 14 PLUS ₹89,900, apple.com/in If a ‘dynamic island’ or an extra camera is not a priority, the…

OPTOMA CINEMAX P2 ₹4,29,999, optoma.com/in This second-gen ultrashort throw projector delivers a fantastic 4K viewing experience overall. Image quality is superb, and you can get a 120-inch picture with the projector placed around a metre from the wall. LG CINEBEAM HU915QE ₹5,90,000, lg.com/in CineBeam HU915QE is a solid ultra-short throw projector that delivers an amazing home cinema experience with excellent projection and audio quality and smart functionality. VIEWSONIC M2 ₹79,999, viewsonic.com/in The perfect 1080p option for big-screen fun and games. It requires next to no warm-up, runs cool and is maintenance-free. Images are sharp and detailed, and colour performance is similarly outstanding. BENQ GS50 ₹89,990, benq.co.in A full HD projector that loves outdoors with its splash and drop-proof (up to 2.3m) design. Included USB stick makes the projector TV support…

GOPRO HERO8 BLACK ₹30,150 gopro.com GoPro’s latest sees updates everywhere. Four virtual lenses get you the ideal field of view for what you’re shooting, and next-gen video stabilisation keeps it stable and crisp. INSTA 360 ONE X2 ₹49,990, insta360.com This 360-degree camera offers dual lens 5.7K capture with Flow State Stabilisation and Steady Cam mode for stable footages. It offers 360-degree audio and is waterproof up to 10 metres. DJI OSMO ACTION ₹22,850, amazon.in With a cool front display but missing SuperView mode and live streaming, DJI’s cam is ideal for extreme sports types and vloggers. Image stabilisation is excellent, and it’s easy to use. GOPRO MAX ₹42,999, gopro.com Addresses the issues that marred GoPro’s original 360-camera – the Fusion – and boasts some of the Hero8 Black’s excellent video…

FITBIT CHARGE 5 ₹19,999 fitbit.com Health & Fitness Tracker with Built-in GPS, Stress Management, Sleep Tools, and changes in your skin’s sweat level which may indicate your body’s response to stress. GARMIN VIVOSMART 4 ₹13,490 garmin.co.in Fitness and health monitoring include heart rate, all-day stress tracking, relaxation breathing timer, VO2 max, Body Battery energy monitor and more. ONEPLUS SMART BAND ₹2,799 oneplus.in Value for money fitness tracker, including blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), Heart Rate & Sleep Tracking, 5ATM+Water & Dust Resistant MI SMART BAND 5 ₹2,999 mi.com Works 14 days on a single charge, 4X7 Sleep monitoring along with REM, plus stress monitoring with guided breathing exercise to lower the stress level…

GARMIN FORERUNNER 245MUSIC ₹32,490, garmin.com The ultimate phone-free GPS running watch for the price-conscious runner. The battery can last up to seven days in smartwatch mode and six hours in GPS mode with music. GARMIN FORERUNNER 945 ₹59,925, garmin.com The Forerunner 945 has retained the look and feel of the 935, but inside it has been completely revamped. There are new GPS chips and heart-rate sensors, plus on-board maps. POLAR VANTAGE V approx. ₹45,000, polar.com A peculiar flagship smartwatch, this has some unique features that might arouse the runners out there, especially the running power metric, measured on the wrist. GARMIN FORERUNNER 45 ₹17,490, garmin.com This lower mid-range watch from Garmin gets the basics right: it has an optical heart rate sensor, built-in GPS, supports smart notifications and the Garmin…

APPLE HOMEPOD MINI ₹9,900, apple.com/in It delivers unexpectedly big sound for a speaker of its size. It works seamlessly with iPhone to control your smart home. AMAZON ECHO DOT ₹4,499, amazon.in It’s a voice-activated smart speaker - even from a distance. Alexa can speak both English & Hindi, and new features are added automatically BOSE HOME SPEAKER 500 ₹39,000, bose.co.in This Bose speakers offer the widest soundstage available in a smart speaker with a wall-to-wall stereo sound. It supports Amazon Alexa, which means you can ask questions to Alexa or control the device via voice. MARSHALL UXBRIDGE VOICE ₹24,999 marshallheadphones.com/in It combines the legendary sound of Marshall with the helpfulness of Alexa. This speaker delivers a clean and precise audio experience.…

FREERUNNING For freerunners and parkour practitioners, streetscapes present an irresistible playground full of opportunities to put their jumping, vaulting, swinging and flipping skills to the test. Using a box of tricks that can be traced back to martial arts and gymnastics, traceurs traverse urban zones in the fastest, most efficient and aerodynamic way possible. TRY: VANS ULTRARANGE EXO The durable Vans UltraRange EXO shoes are literally made for this sport, with reverse waffle lug outsoles for urban terrain grip, a co-moulded UltraCush midsole for cushioning that doesn’t dampen all surface feel, and extra support for the feet. ₹10,000, vans.com LONGBOARDING Beloved by becalmed and land-locked surfers, longboards feature a much bigger deck than a standard skateboard, softer wheels and an extended wheelbase, and they are designed for cruising streets and…

Acer Chromebook Spin 514 The benefits of Chromebooks are now well established: these lightweight laptops are essentially windows onto the web, so you never need to worry about keeping your stuff backed up. Sign in with a Google account, and you’re instantly up and running. With the Spin 514, Acer builds on that foundation rather well, with a 360-degree hinge on the screen that means you can fold it right over and use the device as a makeshift tablet. Fold it half the way back and you can prop it up in tent mode – handy for watching videos or making video calls. It’s an eminently flexible and versatile piece of hardware, available at a very reasonable price. From ₹60,000, acer.com THE ACCESSORIES Acer Wireless Optical Slim Mouse If you’re…

HOW WE TEST In T3, we feature only the finest gadgets out there, and we believe that you – our loyal reader – deserve only the best tech in your life. We don’t want you to waste time, and money, on inferior products, and that’s exactly why our Tested section exists. In here you’ll find only the latest and hottest tech. Each product has been handpicked and tested by T3’s experts. We only choose people with special knowledge for each test, so you know you’re going to get an outcome based on many years of experience in their respective field. As well as our traditional five-star rating system (right), we also give out awards to particularly exceptional gadgets, using the line-up below - so when you spot one of these,…

₹111990, garmin.co.in Garmin has been a pioneer and a reliable name when it comes to navigation in many fields. Among the many devices made by Garmin, its sports watches have been sought after by athletes - be it runners, swimmers, cyclists and triathletes - for their reliability and long battery life, among other good features. Garmin has been pushing the boundaries to come up with new products for athletes and the Fenix 7X PRO (Sapphire Solar version) is the latest multisport watch in that line. We reviewed this unit over the past several weeks and liked the blend of traditional Garmin features and cutting edge innovation. There are several models in the Fenix 7 series and it would be a good idea to pay attention to the differences while choosing…

₹2,299, oneplus.in Most budget earbuds within the sub-Rs.3K range tend to exhibit a high degree of similarity, leaving minimal room for differentiation across brands. These products offer excellent value for their price point, incorporating a wide array of features at a modest cost. However, these earbuds, whether in terms of durability or battery life, typically don’t exceed a lifespan of two years. Furthermore, they commonly come equipped with a limited 6-month manufacturer warranty. The standout feature that sets the OnePlus Nord Buds 2r apart within the realm of budget earbuds is its brand identity and comprehensive after-sales service network. Should any issues arise within the warranty period, you can rely on a trustworthy source for repairs or replacements. Conversely, with unbranded or lesser-known brands, obtaining warranty services often involves a…

ONEPLUS 10R 5G ₹38,999, oneplus.in Butter smooth performance is guaranteed with the new Dimensity processor, 120Hz display and a super fast 150W Supervooc charging support. NOTHING PHONE (1) ₹27,999, in.nothing.tech A sleek-looking phone that lights up the room with its Glyph interface. Equipped with a high-refresh OLED display, a powerful 50MP camera and a new take on Android with Nothing OS. APPLE IPHONE SE (2022) ₹49,900, apple.com/in A near-flagship iPhone for a fraction of the cost. The SE delivers cutting-edge innards, with a superb camera and a speedy A15 CPU, all wrapped in a nice small-scale design that’s easy to pocket. SAMSUNG GALAXY S21 FE 5G ₹39,999, samsung.com/in A good phone to consider if you want a flagship-like performance at a fraction of the price. It has a 4500mAh battery…

SAMSUNG QN95B ₹1,94,990, samsung.com/in A Quantum Dot mini-LED TV with Shape Adaptive Light Control makes for particularly punchy HDR content. It boasts the best Neo QLED performance we’ve seen in a stylish, slim design. LG G2 ₹2,54,990, lg.com/in Offering exceptional image processing, incredibly bright HDR and superb visual accuracy, the G2 is LG’s very best OLED TV. The audio processing is standout too. It is pricey though. SONY BRAVIA A95K ₹4,79,000, sony.co.in The best OLED TV from Sony delivers excellent picture quality, thanks to the various optimisations underneath and is complemented with Acoustic Surface Audio+ that turns the display into a speaker. SAMSUNG QN900B ₹12,54,990, samsung.com/in The QN900B is a stunning 8K TV with an incredible picture and great connectivity. It’s big, bright and colourful. The 85-inch boasts high HDR…

PHILIPS HUE From ₹2,900, meethue.com Hue dominates the smart lighting sector for good reason: it’s a superb system with the widest range of bulbs and a simple, useful app. Rivals may be cheaper but they can’t compete with Hue’s variety. TP-LINK LB130 ₹1,999, tp-link.in Known for its routers but TP-Link offers decent smart bulb solutions and LB130 is their latest solution that does not require a hub to operate, It can be controlled over Wi-Fi and supports multicolour, circadian mode, voice control. MI LED SMART BULB ₹1,299, mi.com/in The Mi LED Smart Bulb is the newest entrant in the smart bulb segment that works with both Alexa and Google Assistant without the need of a bridge and offers a colour space of up to 16 million colours. SYSKA SMART LIGHT…