T3 India

Girish Mallya

COROS PACE PRO – Review

by

Coros is really making a run at the fitness watch market. The Pace Pro leapfrogs the company’s excellent Pace 3 with a tougher exterior which doesn’t affect its lightweight 37g form, and a new satellite chipset that now links to multiple orbiting location systems simultaneously. The biggest bump, though, is to the processor, which more than doubles the power of the previous generation. Coros says the zoom speed, by way of an example, is three times faster than that of its Apex 2. Responsiveness is the most vital feature of any smartwatch, so we’re thrilled about that upgrade. We’re similarly excited by the battery, rated for 20 days in smartwatch mode or a very reasonable 31 hours with every feature turned up to max. Best of all, though, is the affordable price.

Pricing and Availability

  • ₹35,000
  • coros.com

ASTON MARTIN DB12 – Review

by

Borrowing notes from James Bond’s DB5 from Goldfinger, like the silver birch paint finish and perforated black leather seats, Aston Martin’s special edition (which comes from the company’s limited-run division, aptly named Q) is absolutely lavish. There’s actual gold on the cabin controls, weaved into the carbon fibre detailing, and on the gear selector. There’s an eight of hearts embroidered into the sun visor. There’s a goodie bag with each of the 60 Goldfinger Editions which includes a slice of 35mm film from the original movie. Yes, this is all very, very silly, and even the most ardent fan will likely think it’s a bit much, but let’s not forget that there’s a DB12 underneath it all. We’d happily get over a little overt bling if we were lucky enough to put foot to throttle.

Pricing and Availability

  • £TBC
  • astonmartin.com

KIA SYROS – Review

by

Words Srinivasan S

The moment you lay eyes on the Kia Syros, it’s clear that this isn’t just another compact SUV. Its bold, upright stance and muscular design give it a commanding presence, while its compact dimensions make it perfect for navigating tight city streets. The Syros is a head-turner, and its quirky yet attractive design is sure to make it a favorite among urban drivers.

Exterior Design

Kia’s Design 2.0 philosophy shines through in the Syros. The SUV’s high squared shoulders, chiseled bonnet, and upright posture give it a robust and confident look. The front fascia is dominated by the signature Digital Tiger Face grille, flanked by Ice Cube MFR LED headlamps and starmap LED daytime running lights (DRLs). These elements not only enhance visibility but also add a futuristic flair to the design. The side profile is equally striking, with streamlined door handles, integrated spoilers, and 17-inch dual tone alloy wheels that add a touch of sportiness. At the rear, the L-shaped LED tail lamps and shark fin antenna complete the modern, premium look. The dual-pane panoramic sunroof is a nice touch, letting in plenty of natural light and adding to the SUV’s airy feel.

Interior Design and Features

Step inside the Syros, and you’re greeted by a cabin that feels both premium and practical. The 76.2 cm Trinity Panoramic display is the centerpiece of the dashboard, combining the infotainment system and instrument cluster into one seamless interface. This setup not only looks futuristic but also makes it easier to access key information while driving. The Syros introduces rear ventilated seats—a segment-first feature—that ensure passenger comfort during India’s scorching summers. While the ventilation is limited to the base of the seat, it’s still a welcome addition. The rear seats are also adjustable, offering both reclining and sliding functions to optimize comfort and cargo space. Storage is another area where the Syros excels. The cabin is dotted with clever storage solutions, including armrest storage, front door bottle holders, a rear AC console tray, and retractable cup holders. These small but thoughtful touches make the Syros a practical choice for everyday use. Other notable interior features include an air purifier, an 8-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, and 64-color ambient mood lighting. These elements add to the overall premium feel of the cabin. The Syros also supports wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, ensuring seamless smartphone integration. One of the most refreshing aspects of the Syros is its use of tactile, mechanical buttons and knurled dials for controls like AC and volume. At a time when many car manufacturers are moving towards touch-sensitive panels, Kia’s decision to stick with traditional buttons is a breath of fresh air. The controls are well-marked, easy to use, and satisfying to operate, making the driving experience more intuitive and enjoyable. Performance During our test drive on the Delhi-Mumbai expressway, the Syros handled smoothly, with confident acceleration and stable handling. The suspension setup does a good job of absorbing bumps and potholes, ensuring a comfortable ride even on rough roads. The higher trims with automatic transmission come with paddle shifters, adding a sporty touch to the driving experience

Safety

Kia has equipped the Syros with a comprehensive suite of safety features, making it one of the safest options in its segment. The inclusion of Level 2 Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) introduces 16 adaptive features, such as Forward Collision Avoidance Assist, Lane Keep Assist, and Smart Cruise Control with stop-and-go functionality. These features not only enhance safety but also reduce driver fatigue on long journeys. Standard safety provisions include six airbags, Electronic Stability Control, Hill Start Assist, and a 360-degree parking camera. The reverse camera is crisp and clear, and the surround view monitor, blind-spot monitor, and parking collision avoidance reverse feature make parking in tight spots a breeze. Kia has paid special attention to both driving and parking safety, incorporating 13 driving safety features and 3 parking safety features. This focus on safety underscores Kia’s commitment to passenger protection. Positioning The Syros carves out a niche between the compact and mid-size SUV segments. While it shares some similarities with the Sonet, it also competes with higher trims of the Tata Nexon and Hyundai Venue. Its premium features and compact dimensions make it an attractive option for buyers eyeing models like the Kia Seltos, Hyundai Creta, or Honda Elevate. The Syros is positioned as a premium subcompact SUV, offering a blend of style, technology, and performance that’s hard to beat. Its strategic positioning allows it to appeal to a broad spectrum of customers, from young professionals to small families. Conclusion The Kia Syros is a well-rounded subcompact SUV that ticks all the right boxes. Its bold design, techpacked interior, and practical performance make it a strong contender in its segment. With segment-first features like the Trinity display and rear ventilated seats, the Syros is perfect for urban drivers looking for a stylish, feature-rich SUV that doesn’t compromise on space or safety. Kia has once again proven its knack for creating vehicles that resonate with Indian consumers. The Syros is a smart, stylish, and practical choice for city driving, offering a premium experience without the premium price tag. Whether you’re navigating crowded city streets or cruising on the highway, the Syros is a capable and comfortable companion. The Kia Syros is a game-changer in the subcompact SUV segment. It combines bold design, advanced technology, and versatile performance into a package that’s hard to resist. If you’re in the market for a compact SUV that stands out from the crowd, the Syros should be at the top of your list.

Availability

kia.com

Apple Watch Series 10 – Review

by

The screen’s the star of the Apple Watch 10. It’s not just bigger for numbers’ sake: the 46mm size (larger, even, than the screen on the Apple Watch Ultra 2) makes it noticeably more useable even with fiddly apps like the calculator. The new LTPO-3 wide-angle OLED tech is wicked bright, crisp, vibrant and visible at extreme angles – it’s great, especially as you literally watch the seconds tick by when it’s updating at 1Hz. The watch itself is 1mm thinner than the Series 9, which is more impactful than it sounds, and it looks super elegant, particularly in the new titanium with Slate f inish. Plenty still to test, with faster charging, a boosted speaker and new health functions just below the new S10 processor on the list, so we’re excited to get more in-depth

Pricing and Availability

  • ₹ 46,900
  • apple.com

iPHONE 16 PRO / PRO MAX – Review

by

This is a big release, even if the changes might be rather small. At first it’s big in terms of size: as soon as we held the new Pro Max, which is something of a doppelganger for the previous generation, the screen struck us. At 6.9 inches, it’s Apple’s largest display ever, and while the device is microscopically larger than the last gen, that extra space has mostly come from the bezel rather than an embiggened case. The same trick has been pulled off on the 6.3-inch screen of the Pro model. Apple’s reps tell us they’ve rerouted screen traces from the edge to underneath the display; we have to assume the bezel’s days will be numbered soon enough. The entire range, including the non-Pro version, gets a new button, Apple’s Camera Control, which sits just below the power button.

It’s a recessed technology-stuffed tactile/haptic combo button similar to the shutter button you’ll find on an SLR – but one which you can press lightly, hard, or swipe to quickly gain access to different photography features. It might just change how you use your iPhone, and it took us all of 20 seconds to figure out. Apple wasn’t quite ready for us to test the full extent of the new Apple Intelligence AI features which are on the way, but those we did try – photo Clean Up in particular – worked smoothly, and Siri’s new glowing look is a treat. GOING WITHOUT PRO So what of the standard iPhone, which starts at B79,900 Well, it gets a couple of extra side buttons this time around, with the new Camera Control joined by the classic action button which trickles down from the Pro models. Otherwise, everything’s pretty much as we’re used to. It’s a powerful, familiar phone which looks and feels like an iPhone. That’s no bad thing, and we found it snappy enough despite being stuck with a 60hz screen. There are outward updates, with some colourful new colour schemes and a redesigned camera bump, and this also gets the A18 chipset to help it fly; while the big changes seem to have come to the Pro models, the regular iPhone definitely hasn’t been left out. How it fares head-to-head with last year’s model, though, remains to be seen.

New Processor

Our limited preview time wasn’t enough to go all-in on AAA games, but the brand new A18 Pro chipset tore through the Apple Intelligence tasks we tried, and the phone generally felt snappy. Its new heat management system apparently makes things more efficient, too – we think it’ll be a challenge to push this too far.

Camera Bump

 Both the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max carry the Apple’s new 5x tetra prism zoom, along with a new 48MP ultra-wide sensor. We were able to take some sample shots which looked good on screen, and the 48MP main camera’s faster shutter speed was evident, though we’ll have to wait for our full review to really analyse the photographic results.

Pricing and Availability

  • ₹1,19,000
  •  apple.com