IIt’s the season for gifts and shopping—Diwali. That’s good news if you’re in the market for new gadgets – e-commerce stores have multiple deals. At the right time, there are also many new products on the market.
If you want to buy a new smartphone, there are many options. The new iPhones are still in play; my favorite of the new batch is the iPhone 14 Plus, which promises a mix of class-leading battery life that lasts a day and a half and packs better cameras than 2021’s “pro” iPhone. It also delivers amazing performance that will last at least 3 years, all in an elegant and iconic shape. As this is the most affordable new iPhone, starting at Rs 79,999. That’s steep, but a cashback offer of Rs 7,000 for HDFC cardholders helps.
For Android FansSamsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 3 from 2021 is the smartphone offer of the season. It now starts at Rs 59,999, which is a reduction of Rs 25,000 from the launch price of the phone. It also helps that Flip 3 is a foldable and capable phone.
New Google Pixel 7 is also a great option for people considering its starting price of Rs 59,999, which can be further reduced to Rs 49,999 through cashback offers on Flipkart. It’s the Android phone of the year with its stellar camera, AI chops, and sleek design. And if that’s too much, the previous year’s Pixel 6a shouldn’t be discounted as it’s also available at a discounted price of Rs 34,199.
Considering that 5G has just been launched in India, the Xiaomi Redmi 11 Pro+ 5G is like the de facto gateway drug to the super-fast networks that are being rolled out in India. It has performance, a big screen and great cameras coupled with 5G connectivity. Starting at Rs 22,999, this is one of the best deals for an entry-level 5G phone in India right now.
Moving away from smartphones, the Asus Vivobook 14 X1402 with the 12th generation Intel Core i5 processor, it’s an incredible deal. It is a fast laptop, with a compact and elegant design. It also has a beautiful display with an 82% screen-to-body ratio. It starts at Rs 47,990, well below its price of Rs 62,990.
Audiophiles will appreciate the Sonodyne Alaap speaker. At Rs 16,000, it delivers unparalleled sonic fidelity in an old-school wooden cabinet that supports both wireless and wired connectivity. There’s no app, but rather an old-fashioned remote control. There’s no smarts, but if you care about sound, it works brilliantly as a sound system or as something to boost your TV sound. If you buy two, you can pair them and have a bigger soundstage too.
Read also: iPhone to Xiaomi—5G rollout is still a long way off in India. But Airtel, Jio won’t tell you
Steller looks, good speakers on TV
Speaking of TVs, if you just want the best, there’s no escaping the Samsung Frame TV. It provides QLED technology, which isn’t top-notch but excellent in most conditions and has a high refresh rate that gamers can appreciate. It’s based on Samsung’s Tizen operating system, and the software is fast and smooth. It also supports Apple’s AirPlay protocol, so it will work well with gadgets from the Cupertino-based stable. The TV is available in 43, 50, 55, 65 and 75 inch options with prices ranging from Rs61,990 and Rs294,990.
But if you need an affordable smart TV, Xiaomi leads the industry for good reason. Its 4K OLED Vision TV with a 55-inch screen is now available at Rs 94,999, which is half the original cost. Remember that OLED screens are very expensive and Xiaomi’s new TV looks stellar and is backed by good speakers.
If you want to go for something more basic, then the Xiaomi Smart TV X series is the one, starting at Rs 26,999 for the base 43-inch model.
Read also : Listen: Looking for noise-canceling headphones? The most serious will cost at least Rs 5,000
Post Diwali Air Purifiers
The Diwali season also means, especially in northern India, that pollution levels become problematic. Air purifiers are the need of the hour. Xiaomi’s Mi Air Purifier 3 is a reliable option to Rs 9,999, which is slightly lower than its Rs 12,999 version.
Swedish brand BlueAir isn’t as popular as Dyson or Philips, but its Joy S air purifier is the best on the market. It’s expensive (Rs 36,000) but still cheaper than Dyson’s options while offering better cleaning ability.
(Editing by Ratan Priya)
