Tag: Design

  • Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

    Samsung launched the Galaxy S25 Edge in India in May 2025 at Rs 1,09,999 for 12 GB/256 GB. It is a design-first phone: a titanium frame just 5.8 mm thick and a weight of 163 g, despite carrying a 6.7-inch QHD+ display. It sits between the S25+ and S25 Ultra in price, which made its value case harder than its looks.

    Picking it up is the selling point. It feels lighter than the smaller S25 in some hands and slips into pockets that the Ultra strains. The screen is a sharp 1440 x 3120 panel with a 120Hz adaptive rate, and the Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy delivers the same speed as the other S25 models, although sustained gaming makes the thin body warm.

    To get so slim Samsung cut the telephoto, leaving a 200 MP main and 12 MP ultrawide. The 200 MP sensor's crop handles 2x well, but it cannot match the zoom of the cheaper S25. The 3900 mAh battery and 25W charging are the clear compromises, and heavy users will need a top-up by evening. Its closest rival in concept was the later iPhone Air, not the regular flagships.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 109,999 (base variant)
    India launchMay 2025
    SegmentFlagship
    Display6.7-inch, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, LTPO, 120Hz, 1440 x 3120
    ProcessorSnapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB / 512 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras200 MP main + 12 MP ultrawide
    Front camera12 MP
    Battery3900 mAh
    Charging25W wired, wireless
    Software at launchAndroid 15, One UI 7
    5GYes
    Water/dust ratingIP68
    Headphone jackNo
    Weight163 g
    ColoursTitanium Silver, Titanium Jetblack, Titanium Icyblue

    What we like

    • Remarkably thin and light
    • Large sharp QHD+ display
    • Flagship performance
    • IP68 despite the slim build

    What could be better

    • No telephoto camera
    • Small battery for a 6.7-inch phone
    • Priced above the S25+
    • Gets warm under sustained load

    Who should buy it

    Style-conscious buyers who value a light, slim phone over battery life and zoom.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (May 2025). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Oppo Reno 11

    Oppo launched the Reno 11 in India in January 2024 with a focus on portrait photography and a refined design. Unlike most phones at its price, it included a dedicated telephoto camera for 2x portraits. It competed with the Vivo V29, Samsung Galaxy A35 and OnePlus Nord CE 4 for buyers who valued camera quality and looks.

    The 6.7-inch curved AMOLED display at 120Hz offers good colours and brightness. The Dimensity 7050 is a modest chip that handles daily tasks and light gaming well but is outpaced by rivals at the same price. The slim body with a wave-patterned back looks distinctive. ColorOS 14 on Android 14 is smooth and feature-rich, with useful AI editing tools introduced over time.

    The 50 MP main camera with OIS, 32 MP 2x telephoto and 8 MP ultrawide make for a flexible setup, and portraits are the standout. The 32 MP selfie camera is also capable. The 5,000 mAh battery with 67W charging lasts a full day. Against the Vivo V29, it offered a telephoto lens, while the Vivo had a sharper screen and IP68 rating.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 29,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2024
    SegmentMid-range
    Display6.7-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2412
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 7050
    RAM8 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP main with OIS + 32 MP 2x telephoto + 8 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, ColorOS 14
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursWave Green, Rock Grey

    What we like

    • Dedicated 2x portrait telephoto
    • Curved AMOLED display
    • Smooth ColorOS 14
    • Distinctive design

    What could be better

    • Dimensity 7050 is weak for the price
    • No meaningful IP rating
    • Ultrawide is average

    Who should buy it

    Portrait lovers who want a telephoto lens in a stylish mid-range phone.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Oppo Reno 11 Pro

    The Reno 11 Pro launched in India in January 2024 alongside the Reno 11, stepping up to a faster Dimensity 8200 chip and a better main camera sensor. It targeted buyers in the 40,000 rupee range who prioritised portrait photography and design, competing with the OnePlus 12R, Vivo V29 Pro and Samsung Galaxy A55.

    The 6.7-inch curved AMOLED display at 120Hz is sharp and vibrant, though the OnePlus 12R offered a brighter, sharper LTPO panel. Dimensity 8200 provides strong performance for gaming and multitasking. The slim body and pearl-like finish on the white variant were highlights. ColorOS 14 on Android 14 felt smooth and offered useful customisation options.

    The 50 MP Sony IMX890 main camera with OIS, 32 MP 2x telephoto and 8 MP ultrawide deliver excellent portraits, and the 32 MP selfie camera is strong. The 4,600 mAh battery with 80W charging gets through a day but is smaller than rivals. Against the OnePlus 12R, it offered better portraits with a dedicated telephoto, but OnePlus was faster and had a bigger battery at a lower price.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 39,999 (base variant)
    India launchJanuary 2024
    SegmentUpper mid-range
    Display6.7-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2412
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 8200
    RAM12 GB
    Storage256 GB
    Expandable storageNo
    Rear cameras50 MP Sony IMX890 main with OIS + 32 MP 2x telephoto + 8 MP ultrawide
    Front camera32 MP
    Battery4600 mAh
    Charging80W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 14, ColorOS 14
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo
    ColoursPearl White, Rock Grey

    What we like

    • Sony IMX890 main camera with OIS
    • Excellent portraits with 2x telephoto
    • Dimensity 8200 performance
    • Elegant pearl finish

    What could be better

    • Smaller 4,600 mAh battery
    • OnePlus 12R is faster for less
    • No meaningful IP rating

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who prioritise portrait photography and elegant design over raw speed.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (January 2024). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.

  • Realme Narzo 60 Pro

    Realme launched the Narzo 60 Pro in India in mid-2023 as the most premium phone the online-first Narzo line had carried so far. The pitch was looks first: a curved AMOLED display, a vegan leather back on some colours and a large circular camera island that borrowed heavily from the number-series design language. It went up against the Redmi Note 12 Pro, the iQOO Z7 Pro and Samsung's Galaxy M-series in a very crowded bracket.

    The 6.7-inch curved panel refreshes at 120Hz and is the highlight of daily use, with deep blacks and comfortable brightness indoors. Inside, the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 is a modest 6nm chip that handles social apps, streaming and casual games without fuss, though demanding titles need lower settings. Realme UI 4.0 on Android 13 felt clean for the price, but early units shipped with a fair number of preinstalled apps that buyers had to clear out.

    The 100 MP main sensor produces detailed daylight shots, while the 2 MP depth unit adds little and there is no ultrawide, which rivals such as the Redmi Note 12 Pro offered. Battery life from the 5,000 mAh cell is a solid full day, and 67W charging refills it quickly. Buyers who wanted a curved, premium-looking phone without paying Nothing or OnePlus prices found it appealing; spec-sheet hunters looked elsewhere.

    Key specifications

    Launch price (India)Rs 23,999 (base variant)
    India launchJuly 2023
    SegmentMid-range
    Display6.7-inch, Curved AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2412
    ProcessorMediaTek Dimensity 7050
    RAM8 GB / 12 GB
    Storage128 GB / 256 GB / 1 TB
    Rear cameras100 MP main + 2 MP depth
    Front camera16 MP
    Battery5000 mAh
    Charging67W wired
    Software at launchAndroid 13, Realme UI 4.0
    5GYes
    Headphone jackNo

    What we like

    • Curved 120Hz AMOLED display looks premium
    • 100 MP main camera is sharp in good light
    • Fast 67W charging
    • Vegan leather finish stands out

    What could be better

    • No ultrawide camera
    • Dimensity 7050 is ordinary for gaming
    • Preinstalled apps out of the box

    Who should buy it

    Buyers who want a curved-screen phone with a premium look on a mid-range budget.

    Specifications and price are as at the India launch (July 2023). Prices change after launch – check current prices before buying.