Gadgets round-up, March 2024: iPad Pro, Vivo V30 series, Realme 12+, OnePlus Watch 2 & more gadgets news this month
1. March 12 launch | iQOO Z9 features, tentative India price leaked ahead of launch: iQOO had positioned this device as the segment’s first with an 50MP Sony IMX882 camera with OIS capability for blur free images. The smartphone costs Rs 19,999 in India.
2. MacBook Air M2 became Rs 20,000 cheaper, and now starts at Rs 99,000 (down from Rs 1,19,900 earlier). Apple said students and teachers could buy the laptop for Rs 89,900 upwards from Apple’s official channels.
3. New iPads in March: Two new iPad Pro models are expected to come to market soon. Both models are expected to have an M3 chip at their core and feature an OLED display, thinner enclosure and redesigned camera bump. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman wrote he expected the launch as early as March 2024. However, the launch has been pushed, and the iPad Pros are now expected to launch in early April.
4. Vivo V30 series specs leaked before the March 7 India launch; key features that drummed up some excitement included immersive display with 120Hz refresh rate (6.78 inches), and dual rear cam with a 50MP primary lens, a 50MP ultra-wide angle lens and a 50 MP selfie camera. The Pro version was to offer a triple rear cam with three 50MP lenses.
5. Realme 12+ launch on March 6: Realme’s new smartphone was teased on Flipkart, where it was suggested it would boast a versatile power button and the segment’s first VC Cooling system. Based on leaks online, the smartphone was expected to land just under Rs 20,000 - on launch, the Realme 12+ 5G cost Rs 20,999 for the 8GB RAM/128GB variant and Rs 21,999 for the 8GB RAM/256GB storage variant.
6. OnePlus Watch 2 | First impressions: The first smartwatch from OnePlus since 2021, the OnePlus Watch 2 has features like stress monitoring and SpO2 tracking. From Apple to Samsung, smartwatch makers are working on hacks to pack more wellness features into watches. The OnePlus Watch 2 runs on Wear OS. Prices start at Rs 24,999.
7. Google Pixel 8 series wins best smartphone at the Mobile World Congress 2024: Google’s Pixel 8 beat phones from Apple, Samsung and OnePlus to win the Global Mobile Awards (GLOMO)at the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona. Google’s Pixel 8 and Pixel 8 Pro launched in October 2023.
8. Made-in-India brand Ambrane's AeroSync Quad a 4-in-1 wireless charger cum power bank costs Rs 1,999, and lets you to wirelessly charge your earbuds or smartphones using a 5W wireless base. It also doubles as a mobile charging stand for horizontal or vertical charging modes. It's compact, so you can carry it while travelling. And you can charge the power bank fairly quickly through a 20W fast input via the Type-C port.