Tech Next: Of future-ready smart displays, phones for heavy-duty users

Xiaomi makes a play for the budget flagship space with its new top-of-the-line smartphone — the Redmi K20 Pro. Xiaomi is positioning this as the Alpha flagship, the best smartphone you can buy under Rs 30,000. A sales pitch that is being driven mainly by the best of breed Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor and a triple rear camera. 

Xiaomi has got the build right with a gorgeous glass slab;  the company calls it Aura Prime design. The phone weighs less than 200 gm despite its large screen and a robust 4000 mAh battery that will work even for heavy-duty users. The textures on the rear play out better on the brighter colour options, like the flame red, but it’s the elegant carbon black that might well be the popular choice.

 

The K20 Pro becomes one of the cheapest smartphones to be kitted with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Processor. You can choose from two storage variants — 6GB/128GB or 8GB/256GB. It’s certainly power-packed for intensive gamers and gets a further boost with Game Turbo 2.0 that reduces network delay and optimises touch latency. 

The Redmi K20 Pro is packed with a 20MP selfie shooter (it offers a clever panoramic selfie option) with a motorised pop-up cam that pushes the screen-to-body ratio beyond 90 per cent. The triple rear cam features a 48MP primary lens (f/1.8 aperture) and also incorporates a 13MP ultra-wide lens with a field of view above 124 degrees. There’s also a dedicated night mode that impacts low light photography. A 6.39-inch AMOLED display with a 19.5:9 aspect ratio is one of the highlights of the device. This display packs 403 Pixels per inch (PPI) and is great for videos on the go. It’s one of the many features Xiaomi gets right with the K20 Pro that delivers great value at its price tag. 

(Rs 27,999 onwards)

Blaupunkt BH21: The Bluetooth headset portfolio of Blaupunkt gets a new addition with an over-the-ear headset. The BH21 features the latest 5.0 BT technology and an innovative equaliser button that allows you to switch between audio modes — the Turbo Bass option adds serious thump. It’s comfortable, thanks to its super soft cushions for those long flights and extended usage with a 500 mAh battery. Blaupunkt claims a 24-hour battery life for each charging cycle. The BH21’s dual pairing mode  gives you the freedom to connect with two devices simultaneously. (Rs 2,999)

Echo Show 5: Add a screen to Alexa and get your first peek at a smart display. This one’s ideal for your work desk or bedside table. The newest member of the Echo Show family features a 5.5-inch display, rich sound, HD camera, and a built-in camera shutter. 

The Echo Show 5 lets you see visuals and do more with Alexa around the home. You can ask Alexa to play videos — whether it’s news channels or Prime Video, Alexa aces it. (Rs 8,999)