Apple today launched the Apple Store app in India, providing customers with a personalised way to shop for Apple’s lineup of products and services. Customers across the country can download the app on the App Store and shop directly from Apple while receiving personalised recommendations that enhance their shopping experience, said the company.
The Apple Store app introduces multiple tabs designed to enhance the shopping experience and help customers make the most of their Apple products.
The Products tab serves as a central hub for discovering the latest Apple products, accessories, and services. It also provides easy access to key Retail programs, such as Apple Trade In and financing options, making it simple for customers to explore and compare offerings.
The For You tab delivers a personalised shopping journey, offering timely and relevant recommendations tailored to each user. It also organises saved or favourited items for quick access, streamlining the purchasing process.
After a purchase, the Go Further tab connects customers with Apple’s knowledgeable Specialists for online Personal Setup sessions. Customers can also access short video tutorials and sign up for complimentary Today at Apple sessions at their local Apple Store. These sessions are designed to inspire and empower users to fully unlock the potential of their devices according to Apple.
Further, shoppers can customise their Mac with a more powerful chip, extra memory, or additional storage, as well as engrave their AirPods, iPad, Apple Pencil Pro, Apple Pencil (2nd generation), and Air Tag for free with a mix of emoji, names, initials, and numbers in a choice of eight languages. And soon, they will also be able to schedule a fun digital gift message, bringing even more personalisation options.
The Apple Store app provides options for easy delivery and pickup, so customers can get their new Apple products quickly and conveniently. Apple’s first two stores in India opened in April 2023 in Delhi and Mumbai, and future Apple Store locations are planned in Bengaluru, Pune, Delhi-NCR and Mumbai.
Realme announced the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G in India yesterday and it’s a direct competitor to the Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G which was announced back in December in India. The new devices start at a similar price point, so here’s a specs comparison between the two to help you choose your next smartphone purchase.
Display
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets a 6.83-inch quad-curved AMOLED Display with 1.5K Resolution and offers 10-bit colour depth, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 100% P3 colour gamut coverage, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1500 nits peak brightness and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also has 20000-level automatic brightness adjustment and Gorilla Glass 7i protection.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ sports a 6.67-inch 1.5K ResolutionAMOLED Display with a Refresh Rate of 120Hz, Dolby Vision, 12-bit colours, 3000 nits peak brightness, 240Hz touch sampling rate, 1920Hz PWM dimming, and HDR10+ support. It is protected with Gorilla Glass Victus 2.
Both of the devices have a similar panel if we talk of resolution and refresh rate. But if we talk of brightness, Redmi’s panel is much brighter than Realme’s. Further, it also has stronger protection with Gorilla Glass Victus 2. On the other hand, Realme has a bigger display with narrower bezels. We’d say it’s a tie in this segment as both of them have their own advantages and it’s up to the buyer to make their preference.
Performance & Software
The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Processor powers both devices. While Realme’s handset has up to 12GB RAM and up to 256GB storage, Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G gets up to 12GB RAM and up to 512GB storage. Redmi does charge a premium for offering a higher storage version but at least there’s an option for users who are willing to pay that premium in exchange for higher storage than 256GB where the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G maxes out. Purely on that basis, we’d say Redmi’s Note is a better offering if you need more storage.
In terms of software, both run on their respective skins based on Android 15. While you may have a preference for one of the software skins, know that Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is again a better choice as it offers 3 major OS updates and 4 years of security patches. On the other hand, Realme only offers two years of software updates and three years of security patches.
If you are buying a phone based on how long it’s supported by the brand in terms of updates, then Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is the way to go.
Cameras & Battery
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets a 50MP f/1.8 Sony IMX896 sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), paired with a 50MP f/2.7 Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP f/2.2 ultra Wide-Angle camera. For selfies and video chats, there is a 32MP f/2.0 Samsung camera on the front. It packs a 6000mAh battery with 80W fast wired charging.
The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ features a triple camera setup with a 50MP f/1.5 Light Fusion 800 primary sensor, an 8MP f/2.2 IMX355 ultra-wide angle sensor, and a 50MP telephoto sensor with 2.5x optical zoom. The smartphone also has a 20MP selfie camera. The Note 14 Pro+ packs a 6,200mAh battery and comes with 90W Fast charging support.
Both devices get a similar camera setup in terms of sensor type. We won’t comment on which one has better cameras as we haven’t tested them side-by-side. Redmi’s device gets a bigger battery and faster charging as well, which again makes it a better pick out of the two.
Verdict
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is priced at Rs 29,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 31,999 for the 8GB + 256GB trim, and the 12GB + 256GB version is priced at Rs 34,999. The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G is available in three variants: 8GB + 128GB priced at Rs 30,999, 8GB + 256GB model at Rs 32,999, and 12GB + 512GB model priced at Rs 35,999.
We’d suggest you pick Redmi’s Note 14 Pro+ 5G over Realme 14 Pro+ 5G due to all the advantages we mentioned above unless you specifically want Realme’s handset for its software or cameras. Redmi’s handset has some additional features as well, such as NFC support and an IR blaster, both of which are lacking in Realme 14 Pro+ 5G.
Samsung is all set to announce the Galaxy S25 series later next week and while we have already learnt that things aren’t majorly changing in terms of design, Samsung is making a big leap in terms of software with One UI 7. New leaks further suggest that Samsung will release exclusive Gemini features for Galaxy S25 series as well.
The leak comes from tipster @chunvn8888 on X who shared screenshots of the extensions of Samsung apps that are available in Gemini. As per those screenshots, Samsung Calendar, Samsung Notes, and Samsung Reminder will be available as extensions to enable within Gemini, much like how Google’s own apps work as extensions in the AI assistant.
Once you enable them, you’ll be able to perform a limited set of tasks through each extension. This will enable deeper integration of Gemini within Samsung’s One UI. However, it is also not known how this will affect Bixby, considering it is also scheduled to get a major revamp as it is supposed to get AI support.
It is further unclear whether these extensions will be released as exclusive Gemini features for Galaxy S25 series only, or whether it would come to older devices also. However, the tipster suggests there’s possibility for the latter to happen. A separate leak by Technoblog shows that a new hotword to activate Gemini with voice may also be coming, where you could say Hey Google Gemini instead of Hey Google to activate Gemini with your voice.
Earlier last month, another leak suggested that Google could offer various tiers of Gemini Advanced subscriptions for free to buyers of Galaxy S25 series phones. All of the strings spotted in an APK teardown had a Samsung reference, and it spotted further clues aligning these strings to the Galaxy S25 series. The three trial durations mentioned in the strings correspond to the different models in the Galaxy S25 series. The Galaxy S25 could get three months of Gemini Advanced for free, the Galaxy S25 Plus could get six months, and the Galaxy S25 Ultra could get a year’s worth of Gemini Advanced subscription for free.
Just as the year begins, there are a plethora of premium smartphones under Rs 70k to choose from in India, and it could get slightly overwhelming for consumers to decide their pick amongst these options. Here we are with a buying guide, listing below the best premium smartphones under Rs 70k which we feel justify their price tag due to one or the other set of features. We’ll also list out the reasons why the particular smartphone made it to this list and why you may pick it over the others.
Vivo X200: Rs 65,999
The Vivo X200 launched earlier last year but packs some top-of-the-notch specifications in the display segment, processor, RAM, storage, battery, or cameras. Cameras are the highlight of the Vivo X200. Multiple user reviews and reviews from experts suggest that Vivo has done quite an excellent job when tuning the device’s cameras.
While we haven’t tested the device personally, the reviews we have seen so far from X200 users on platforms like X are generally positive, especially regarding optics. However, you may not consider it if you appreciate a polished and refined software experience as FunTouch OS 15 just doesn’t cut it, at least for now. While it may be filled with features and is based on the latest version of Android, that doesn’t mean the overall experience matches its competitors.
So there you have it—you can buy the Vivo X200 if you are looking for a camera-centric phone, would appreciate raw performance in scenarios such as gaming, or want to consume a lot of media. However, skip it if you prefer a seamless, smooth, and stable software experience.
Oppo Find X8: Rs 69,999
The Oppo Find X8 also launched in November last year but boasts specifications that are some of the best available in any Android smartphone right now in the market. It has the latest flagship chipset from MediaTek, a big silicon carbon battery, fast charging and wireless charging support, a great set of cameras, and software that provides one of the smoothest experiences we have ever seen on an Android device. When we reviewed the device, we liked how well the software was optimised and how versatile its cameras were. Furthermore, Oppo is also improving the device in both these areas with regular updates.
It’s hard to find a flaw in the Find X8, but if we were to nitpick, the device’s only drawback is that it doesn’t offer the best available features at its price point, which some of its competitors do, such as an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor or a QHD display. Despite that, we feel its an all-rounder due to how well the device is made and the rest of its specifications.
In conclusion, the Find X8 is a solid choice for those seeking a well-rounded Android experience. However, if having the latest and most advanced specifications is your priority, you may want to explore other options.
Apple iPhone 16: Rs 69,999
The iPhone 16 is for Apple fans. It surely doesn’t match its Android competitors in terms of specifications and is far behind in almost every area. Despite that, it made it to this list of best premium smartphones under Rs 70k because of Apple’s software experience and for those who prefer an iPhone. Moreover, the base iPhone models saw a reasonable upgrade last year when compared to the Pro model. They got the latest Apple A-series chip upgrade, the camera control button, and Apple Intelligence support, which surely will attract buyers. The iPhone 16 acts as a great entry point into the iOS ecosystem also.
However, you may want to skip it and hop onto the Android bandwagon if having the latest specifications is your thing. The 60Hz display of the iPhone 16 may bother you in the long run, along with 128GB storage which is quite less by today’s standards of flagships, and the slow charging times as well. Additionally, while it can be addressed, the iPhone 16 software delivered one of the buggiest iOS experiences we’ve encountered on an iPhone.
To sum up, buy the iPhone 16 if you are already in the Apple ecosystem, want an iPhone only, or switch to an iPhone, want decent cameras paired with good performance. Skip it due to the inferior specifications compared to the other devices available in the same price range.
OnePlus 13: Rs 69,999
The final handset on the list is OnePlus 13, which debuted only earlier this month in India. The OnePlus 13 is the smartphone in this list with the least amount of flaws. It has everything a flagship smartphone should have: an ultrasonic fingerprint sensor, a QHD display, the latest flagship chip from Qualcomm, extended software support, wireless charging support, a huge 6000mAh silicon carbon battery, and whatever else you can think of.
Skip the device only if you don’t prefer its design or if you are someone who wants a camera-centric device. Aside from these, we don’t think the OnePlus 13 should disappoint you in any way.
The Realme 14 Pro series 5G has been launched in India, including the Realme 14 Pro 5G and the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G. The 14 Pro 5G packs a MediaTek Dimensity Chipset while the Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets the Snapdragon processor. Here are all the other details of the new devices.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G, Realme 14 Pro 5G: Price, Availability
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G is priced at Rs 29,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 31,999 for the 8GB + 256GB trim, and the 12GB + 256GB version priced at Rs 34,999. There’s a Rs 2,000 bank discount on the 8GB RAM models and a Rs 4,000 bank discount on the 12GB RAM model. The device will be available in Suede Grey, Pearl White, and Bikaner Purple shades from January 23 on Realme’s website, mainline stores, and Flipkart.
The Realme 14 Pro 5G starts at Rs 24,999 for the 8GB + 128GB model, Rs 26,999 for the 8GB + 256GB version. There’s a Rs 2,000 bank discount available on both variants. It will go on sale alongside the 14 Pro+ 5G on the same platforms in colours including Suede Grey, Pearl White, and Jaipur Pink.
The pre-booking for the device has begun today, January 16, and will end on January 22 at 12:00 AM. You can pre-book the devices via the same platforms they’ll be available to purchase from.
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G, Realme 14 Pro 5G: Specifications
Realme 14 Pro+ 5G
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G and the 14 Pro 5G get a 6.83-inch quad-curved (dual-curved in Pro) AMOLED Display with 1.5K Resolution and offers 10-bit colour depth, 2160Hz PWM dimming, 100% P3 colour gamut coverage, 120Hz refresh rate, up to 1500 nits peak brightness and 240Hz touch sampling rate. It also has 20000-level automatic brightness adjustment and Gorilla Glass 7i protection. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 Processor powers the Pro+ model while the Dimensity 7300 Energy chip powers the Pro version.
Realme 14 Pro 5G
The Pro+ packs up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage while the Pro maxes at 8GB RAM and 256GB storage. The handsets pack a 6000mAh battery where the Pro+ supports 80W fast wired charging and the Pro supports 45W fast charging.
The Realme 14 Pro+ 5G gets a 50MP f/1.8 Sony IMX896 sensor with optical image stabilisation (OIS), paired with a 50MP f/2.7 Sony IMX882 periscope telephoto sensor with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and an 8MP f/2.2 ultra Wide-Angle camera. For selfies and video chats, there is a 32MP f/2.0 Samsung camera on the front.
The Realme 14 Pro 5G has a 50MP Sony IMX882 sensor with OIS paired with a 2MP f/2.4 Monochrome sensor. There’s a 16MP f/2.4 sensor on the front for selfies.
The smartphones run on Android 15-based Realme UI 6.0 out of the box. Additional features include an in-display fingerprint sensor and dual stereo speakers. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6, 5G, GPS, USB-C port and Bluetooth v5.2 in 14 Pro+ and Bluetooth v5.4 on 14 Pro. The 14 Pro+ 5G and the 14 Pro 5G are also IP66 + IP68 + IP69 rated and have dual stereo speakers as well.
Samsung Galaxy S25 Slim renders have leaked online, giving away all its design details and the device looks like a usual Samsung smartphone but with a thinner overall form factor. The device won’t be arriving alongside other Galaxy S25 series smartphones next week but will come later in the year.
The Galaxy S25 Slim renders come from OnLeaks (via Smartprix), where you can see how the S25 Slim closely resembles the design of the rest of the S25 series. The device seems to have the same camera layout as the upcoming Galaxy S25 and S25+ with the thicker camera rings we first saw in the Galaxy Z Fold 6 earlier last year.
Further, the USP of the device is supposed to be its thickness, which reportedly is just 6.4mm. Even with the camera module included, it’s only 8.3mm thick. The screen size is about to 6.7 to 6.8-inches. There’s a metal frame and a glass back, while the bezels around the display are extremely narrow as well. On the bottom, there’s a single speaker grille, USB-C port, and a microphone. The screen is also flat, just like the rest of the S25 lineup.
As for the specs, the report says that the device will be powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, while the camera setup on the rear includes a 200MP HP5 primary camera, a 50MP JN5 ultra-wide angle camera, and a 50MP telephoto lens with 3.5X optical zoom. There’s up to 12GB RAM and the device will run on Android 15-based One UI 7.
As for the launch date, the Galaxy S25 Slim is expected to arrive in May 2025. While it may be showcased at the Unpacked event on January 22nd alongside the Galaxy S25, S25+, and S25 Ultra, it is unlikely to be released at that time.
Honor has unveiled its Magic 7 series in the European markets, constituting the Honor Magic 7 Pro, Honor Magic 7 RSR, and the Honor Magic 7 Lite. All three of them are 5G smartphones where the Magic 7 RSR and the Magic 7 Pro are powered by the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset. Here’s everything they have to offer.
Honor Magic 7 Pro is priced at EUR 1099.99 (approx Rs 97,000) for the 12GB RAM+512GB storage option. It is offered in Black, Breeze Blue, and Lunar Shadow colour options.
The Magic 7 RSR costs RM 6,999 (approx Rs 1,34,400) for the 24GB + 1TB model and comes in Purple and Grey shades.
Honor Magic 7 RSR and Magic 7 Pro sport a 6.8-inch full-HD+ (1,280×2,800 pixels) LTPO OLED display with 1600 nits global peak brightness, 5000 nits HDR brightness, HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield, and a 453 ppi. They run on a Snapdragon 8 Elite Chipset paired with Adreno 830 GPU, up to 16GB RAM, and up to 1TB of storage in 7 Pro and up to 24GB RAM and 1TB storage in 7 RSR. They run on Android 15-based Magic OS 9.0.
For optics, the Honor Magic 7 RSR and the Honor Magic 7 Pro have a triple rear camera unit, spearheaded by a 1/1.3-inch 50-megapixel primary sensor with variable Aperture of f/1.4 till f/3.0 and support for OIS. The camera setup includes a 50-megapixel f/2.0 ultra wide-angle camera and a 200-megapixel f/1.88 periscope telephoto camera with support for up to 100x Digital Zoom and 3x optical zoom. On the front, it has a 50-megapixel f/2.0 wide-angle camera and a 3D depth camera.
The Honor Magic 7 RSR packs a 5850mAh cell while the 7 Pro gets a 5270mAh cell in international models and 5850mAh cell in the European model. Both come with support for 100W wired and 80W wireless fast charging.
Connectivity options available on the Honor Magic 7 RSR and 7 Pro include 5G, Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth v5.4, GPS/AGPS, Galileo, GLONASS, Beidou, NFC, OTG, and a USB Type-C port. They get an IP69 + IP68 rated build for dust and water resistance, a 3D ultrasonic fingerprint sensor for biometrics, and stereo speakers with Honor Surround Sub-Woofer system.
The Honor Magic 7 Lite is priced at EUR 399 (approx Rs 30,000) for the 8GB RAM+512GB storage model. It is available in Titanium Black and Titanium Purple shades.
The Honor Magic 7 Lite features a 6.78-inch full-HD+ (1,224×2,700 pixels) AMOLED display, 4000 nits peak brightness, and 1.07 billion colours. It runs on Snapdragon 6 Gen 1 chipset alongside 8GB RAM and 512GB of storage.
The device gets dual rear cameras including a 108MP f/1.75 main camera and a 5MP ultra-wide angle f/2.2 sensor. There’s a 16MP f/2.45 sensor on the front. For connectivity, there’s Bluetooth v5.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac connectivity, NFC, GPS, and a USB-C port. It is backed by a 6,600mAh battery with 66W Fast charging support.
Samsung India has announced the launch of its new Bespoke AI 9 Kg Front Load Washing Machines. The launch comes after the debut of 12 Kg models back in August last year. The new 9 Kg washing machines range delivers the same powerful performance and advanced features in a more compact size, according to the brand.
Samsung Bespoke AI 9 Kg Front Load Washing Machines: Price, Availability
Available in Navy, Black, and Inox finishes, the new Samsung Bespoke AI 9 Kg front load Washing Machines are priced starting Rs 40,990. Consumers can avail up to 15% cashback. The new models are now available for purchase through Samsung.com, Samsung Shop App, retail stores, and other e-commerce platforms.
Samsung Bespoke AI 9 Kg Front Load Washing Machines: Features
The latest 9KG Front Load Washing Machines are aptly sized to manage large loads, offering efficient solutions for daily laundry like clothes, bedsheets, and towels. Equipped with advanced features, these machines include Super Speed for faster cycles, AI features like AI Energy Mode for up to 70% energy savings, AI Ecobubble for better fabric care and Hygiene Steam for a deep and hygienic clean.
Users can track daily, weekly, and monthly power consumption, with the feature even estimating monthly energy bills. If the bill surpasses a preset target, the App can activate energy-saving mode. Additionally, with SmartThings Clothing Care, users can create and save custom cycles based on recommended settings. The SmartThings Going Out mode lets users manage their laundry remotely, so they never have to worry about the laundry schedule.
AI Control simplifies laundry with a system that learns the user’s habits, suggesting personalized cycles, and keeping the user informed throughout the process. Another key and powerful innovation comes with Digital Inverter Technology (DIT) with which customers can experience quieter operation and long-lasting durability. Digital Inverter Technology utilizes strong magnets for a quieter and more powerful performance, but uses less energy than a Universal Motor.
In a bid to make collaboration more seamless in Photoshopt, Adobe is introducing a new feature called Live Co-Editing. The Live Co-Editing feature in Photoshop allows creators to simultaneously access and edit documents in real time. The company is also inviting users to try the feature in beta.
As announced by Adobe via a blog post, it is inviting users to sign up for beta testing of live co-editing feature in the Photoshop desktop (beta) and web apps. Through the feature, multiple creators can simultaneously access and edit documents from different computers — unlocking shared creativity and collaboration. This advancement, informed by community input, accelerates content creation, streamlines communication and improves creative collaboration for creators, teams and educators, as per the company.
Adobe highlighted some use cases of the Live Co-Editing feature in Photoshop, which include:
Multiple designers can simultaneously work on a Photoshop document, splitting tasks to tackle and complete projects more efficiently, together.
Creative teams at large enterprises can collaborate on highly matrixed projects, solicit stakeholder input and address feedback all in a single file.
Creators can collect client feedback more intuitively by inviting them to directly collaborate on a file, view edits and make comments.
Students can follow along live as educators demonstrate workflows and teach techniques in Photoshop. Comments and edits can be made directly in a student’s document by teachers to help enhance learning and contextualize feedback.
Adobe also highlighted some of the major Photoshop features it introduced last year. One of the major features was Generative Fill, Generative Expand, and Generate Similar which are now powered by the latest Adobe Firefly Image Model. The model is claimed to yield greatly improved photographic quality, better prompt comprehension to understand complex descriptions, and generation variety to explore different results.
WhatsApp has introduced new features for its app, potentially allowing for quicker ways to chat. One of the features allows you to double tap to react to WhatsApp Messages, a feature that has been available in Meta’s other social media platform, Instagram, for a long time now.
As announced via a Meta blog post, the four new features the company has introduced in WhatsApp include:
Camera effects: Now, when you take and send a video or photo in your chats, you can choose from 30 backgrounds, filters and effects to transform your shots.
Selfie stickers: You can now turn your selfies into stickers. To get started, tap the create sticker icon and you’ll see the camera option to take a selfie and create your sticker. This feature is available on Android now and coming to iOS soon.
Share a sticker pack: Spotted a sticker pack you know a friend will love? Now you can share them directly in your chats.
Quicker reactions: You can now double tap to react to WhatsApp messages as it quickly gives you an option to scroll through your most-used reactions.
These features not only allow for quicker ways to chat on WhatsApp but also allows for a more personalised and fun experience while chatting on the platform.
Meanwhile, back last year, the company introduced chat themes for WhatsApp beta users. With the WhatsApp Chat themes on Android, users will get an option within the app settings to select a default chat theme that will be applied to all chats. In addition, for users who want more variety, they can choose different themes for specific conversations within the chat info screen, making it easier to differentiate between personal, work, and group chats.
