Three smartphones worth buying now
Among all the smartphones that were launched this year, we decided to pick the best of OnePlus, Oppo, and Asus
The months from July-October have always been a smartphone launch fiesta in Bangladesh. Had it been any other year, the hype would have been all about the iPhone now. But this year, the iPhone's launch event got delayed due to the pandemic and having said that, the void has been filled by some exciting launches from Android phone makers such as Oppo, OnePlus, Asus, and Samsung amongst others.
Today, we will take a look at some of the new phones that were launched in the country during this time period, ranging from entry-level to the premium segment. The list includes highly anticipated and popular phones like the OnePlus Nord, ASUS ROG Phone 3, and Oppo Reno 4.
OnePlus Nord
Starting the journey in 2013, OnePlus gained the industry attention as the "flagship killer". The OnePlus Nord, however, is neither a flagship device nor a flagship killer. It is unique in its own way and it is the first mid-range smartphone from OnePlus so far.
In terms of design, the smartphone is similar to OnePlus 8. The front and back of the device is made with glass and has a Corning Gorilla 5 protection. However, there is one problem; the frame is made of plastic yet it seems reasonable because of the price tag it comes with. Also, if you want to listen to music, you are in bad luck; there is no 3.5mm jack on the device. Thus, you will have to rely on the type-C port if you want to listen to music using a wired device.
With its price starting at Tk39,000 (unofficial), the specifications of OnePlus Nord include Snapdragon 765G SoC, a 6.44-inch fluid AMOLED 90Hz display, 48MP quad rear camera, 32MP + 8MP dual selfie cameras, and a 4,115 battery that feeds on 30W warp fast charge. The phone runs Android 10-based OxygenOS out of the box and sports in-display fingerprint scanner for security.
Oppo Reno 4
With its camera centric features, the Oppo Reno series has managed to accumulate a huge fan base in Bangladesh. In this wake, on August 8, Oppo released their latest mid-range phone - Oppo Reno 4 in Bangladesh.
Oppo Reno 4 will steal your attention on the first look. Though it comes with a plastic frame and back, one good thing about this phone is that it will not shatter into shards if you accidentally drop it. However, as everyone is providing glass backs and aluminum frame, the phone cannot keep pace with its rivals.
The device is also extremely lightweight and the camera quality is also exceptionally good. It can take great pictures at night and shoot videos up to 4K resolution at 30fps. The camera sensor is also competent with digital video zooming and sports slow motion features as well.
The handset has a 60Hz refresh rate 6.4-inch FHD+ display, Qualcomm SM7125 Snapdragon 720G GPU, and an impressive 30W VOOC 4.0 fast charging technology to charge the 4,015mAh battery in no time.
The Reno 4 comes with quad cameras at the back – headlined by 48MP primary sensor, and 32MP shooter on the front for selfies and video calling. The smartphone runs with Android 10 out of the box and sports an in-display fingerprint scanner for security. The smartphone (8GB/128GB) variant is priced at Tk34,990.
However, the users think the device is overpriced. Some users gave their feedback that the camera looks gorgeous initially but it has actually downgraded its camera from the first Reno device and its predecessor Reno 3. It has reduced its camera MP, and also does not have any optical image stabilisation or periscope. But, some appreciated the plastic back instead of glass.
Asus ROG phone 3
If you are a smartphone gamer and are looking for an excuse to buy your next gaming device, this is the ideal phone for you. Asus ROG 3 bears a 6.59-inch display enriched with AMOLED panel. Due to the high contrast ratio and HDR 10+ technology, the display provides extremely good viewing experience. However, the phone has a thick bezel which is considerable because it assists in controlling actions during gaming.
Some gamers often complain about the cooling system yet this phone stays cool even after hours of gaming. This smartphone carries a GameCool 3 cooling system run by an advanced 3D vapor chamber along with a heat sink. Eliminating hotspots, these vents can remove the inner-heat during heavy gaming sessions. On the side-mounted port, ROG Phone 3 is connected with an external cooling fan as well. It can lower down the surface temperature up to 4°C by pushing the airflow over the hotspots on its casing.
If you are concerned about the battery of the phone, it is powered by a 6,000mAH battery and to charge it, you will get a 30W quick charger right in the box.
Asus ROG Phone 3's basic variant (8GB/128GB) unofficially costs around Tk70,000 in Bangladesh.