T3 India

Entertainment

Lava Agni 3 Clutter breaking mid segment phone- Review

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 WORDS VISHAL PIPRAIYA

“Whaaaaaaat?” is the first thing that comes to mind upon opening the phone box, as the Agni image on the lid lights up. It’s the coolest unboxing experience I’ve had…, and this showmanship is only a precursor for things to come. But how much does the show translate into actual phone usability? Let us find out. LAVA is one of the last standing Indian Smartphone Manufacturers and the Agni 3 is truly an attempt to fly the Indian Flag high and appeal to the patriotic sentiment in all of us. The dual 5G SIM device is available in two colour variations: Pristine Glass (Off White Cream) and Heather Glass (Bluish Purple), with options of 8GB RAM paired with either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Weighing in at 212g, the phone has a premium smudge free glass back finish that will appeal to everyone. The device comes with a class-leading IP64 dust and water resistance rating with drop protection up to 1m. T he curved display adds to the high-end feel, though a lot of brands have moved on from that trend. It still makes the phone seem to be from a higher price category than it is. The 6.78-inch AMOLED display with 1200nits peak brightness is a noteworthy feature of the Agni 3. It offers vibrant colours, deep blacks, and excellent viewing angles.

The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth scrolling and responsive touch input. However, the curved edges of the display can sometimes lead to accidental touches, which can be frustrating. T he absence of scratch resistant glass like Corning Gorilla is also bothersome as the curved glass does not allow for easy application of any tempered glass protector. T he WOW factor that everyone is impressed by is the first in-country 4.41cm Secondary AMOLED Display on the back of the phone next to the camera assembly. Cleverly named Agni Instascreen. It is the most extraordinary feature and a sure shot conversation starter. Additionally, the Instascreen features a cute digital pet named Firey. The screen can be used to display notifications, control music playback, and access widgets like stopwatch and timer. The most compelling feature is the ability to take selfies with the Primary 50MP camera with the Instascreen allowing you to accurately compose the shot. Another remarkable feature that I truly wish other brands would emulate is the dedicated physical key on the right side of the phone above the power key. This action key can be customised to perform various functions, such as launching apps, turning on the flashlight, taking screenshots, or recording videos. T he ease & accessibility this key brings to everyday tasks is simply brilliant.

The 2.5 Ghz Mediatek Dimensity 7300X processor is no laggard and provides solid performance for everyday tasks and light gaming. It does struggle with graphic-intensive games and occasional frame drops but for casual gamers it should be sufficient. T he Lava Agni 3 has a Triple Rear camera setup. A 50MP Primary camera with Sony sensor & OIS+EIS, an 8MP telephoto camera with 3X Optical Zoom+EIS and a 8MP Ultrawide camera. In good lighting, the main camera produces decent shots with accurate colours and a reliable amount of detail. Low-light performance, however, is where it falters. The ultra-wide camera delivers average shots but the 3x Optical Zoom lens is useful for getting close with a distant subject. On the selfie side, the 16MP front camera does an acceptable job, especially with portrait shot but it’s quite redundant considering the Primary Lens can double up as the selfie camera when used via the Instascreen, the camera software has all the regular feature set one would expect including a Dual View Video Mode. Another thing to love about the phone is the bloatware free Android 14. There is a promised software update until Android 17 along with security updates for 4 years. The absence of clutter, advertisements, and additional applications (aside from the stock Google ones) is refreshing and stands out as a stark contrast to the other phones in the market.

The Lava Agni 3 is equipped with a 5000mAh battery that can easily last a full day of moderate use. The phone also supports 66W fast charging, which can take the phone to a full charge in little more than an hour. The phone comes with a promised Free Home Device Replacement promise while under warranty. This is outstanding for its category and validates the confidence Lava has in its product quality.

Pricing and Availability

  • ₹22,999
  • lavamobiles.com

Panasonic LUMIX G97 hits markets

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Panasonic Life Solutions India, announces the launch of the LUMIX G97, the latest addition to its renowned Micro Four Thirds lineup. Designed to redefine creative possibilities, the LUMIX G97 empowers photographers, videographers, and content creators with cutting-edge features tailored to modern demands.

Commenting on the launch, Mr. Fumiyasu Fujimori, Managing Director, Panasonic Marketing India, PLSIND said “Under the tagline of Motion.Picture.Perfect, LUMIX aims to become an essential partner for creators who are passionate about expressing themselves through photography and videography.  India’s content creator ecosystem has been rapidly expanding, driving significant growth in the camera market. The new LUMIX G97 represents a perfect blend of advanced technology, user-centric design, and versatility, catering to the evolving needs of photographers and videographers.”

 Mr. Hardeep Sarna, Business Chief, Imaging Business Group, Panasonic Life Solutions India & SAARC said, “At Panasonic, we are committed to empowering creators with innovative tools that inspire creativity and enhance their craft. The new LUMIX G97 offers Vertical Video Shooting, catering to the growing demand for content optimized for social media platforms. With this feature, creators can seamlessly produce engaging vertical content without additional editing. It also offers 4K capabilities packaged in a lightweight design. Additionally, the Record Frame Marker enables precise framing across various aspect ratios, making it easier for users to customize their content for different platforms and creative requirements. To enhance convenience, the G97 features USB Type-C connectivity for faster charging and data transfer, along with Bluetooth v5.0 for seamless wireless control and effortless content sharing.”

The LUMIX G97 will be available starting February 2025 at LUMIX Lounges, dealers across India, and Panasonic’s authorized D2C site. It is priced at ₹84,990 for the 12-60mm lens kit (DC-G97MGW) and ₹94,990 for the 14-140mm lens kit (DC-G97HGW).

Superb picture quality

  • The 20.3MP CMOS sensor, combined with the high-performance Image processor, delivers superb image quality with vibrant colours and sharp details
  • Equipped with LUMIX Photo Style feature, users can fine-tune their images with a variety of colour effect options, ensuring every shot matches your creative vision
  • The Live View Composite feature is also included, providing the ability to combines multiple exposures in real time to create stunning light trails, star trails, or illuminated scenes without overexposing the background

Smooth performance

  • The LUMIX G97’s 5-stop 5-axis Dual I.S.2*1 system ensures unrivalled stability, so your photos and videos remain sharp even in challenging conditions
  • With 4K PHOTO capabilities, you can capture bursts of high-resolution photos at 30fps, ensuring you never miss a fleeting moment. The perfect shot from burst footage, making this feature ideal for fast-moving subjects or spontaneous scenes.

Versatile video features

  • Record in crisp 4K at 30p with no time limitations, experiment with slow-motion (max.4x) or quick-motion (max.8x) in FHD and create cinematic content with 12-stops of V-Log L
  • Dedicated headphone and microphone jacks ensure total audio control while recording

Intuitive operation and reliable design

  • With a 1,840k-dot free-angle LCD and 2,360k-dot OLED Live View Finder, the LUMIX G97 makes it easy to frame and focus your shots accurately, even in bright conditions
  • The durable dust/splash-resistant construction is ideal for everyday creators looking for a camera that can reliably handle a variety of situations. Built-in Bluetooth® v5.0 and Wi-Fi makes sharing and remote control effortless, while USB Type-C charging adds convenience

Marshall Major V: Your own private auditorium – Review

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WORDS-KHAMIR BHATIA

 To begin with, the sound, is simply excellent. It’s like being in your own private auditorium. Once you tuck yourself into the headset and the music starts playing, you’re pretty much transported to another world. The clarity and precision of the sound even at low volumes is such that one is able to identify different layers in the music. Almost like being in the recording studio as the music was being created. The structure of the headset itself is of the highest quality materials with a combination of a smooth and rugged finish. The headband has sufficient cushioning to not feel like a weight on one’s head and the ear cups, while small and square in shape, too have sufficient padding to get a snug fit on the ears. That said, if one walks barefoot with the headset on and the music playing then one does hear the echoing effects of ones footsteps. And with the kind of cupping provided, the vibrations from ones own movement are captured within the ear cup compromising the experience of the music itself. These are best enjoyed when stationary.

Connecting via bluetooth to the MacBook wasn’t seamless as was the case with android devices. It required several bluetooth on/off attempts to finally connect. Takes some amount of ‘practice’ / getting used to realise which is the power button vs the volume vs the pause/play one. Folding it into a compact form to store when not in use wasn’t the easiest to figure out as some part of it would jut out making one adjust continuously. The battery life on this is tremendous though and it literally goes on and on. Some kind of timer or indicator to suggest taking a break would be very handy. Ears do start sweating and there is a feeling of exhaustion when one listens to it for extended periods of time. It’s a great substitute for tv or any other speakers especially if one wants the privacy. Makes for a fantastic travel companion given the compactness and battery life.

Specifications

  • DRIVERS 40 mm, dynamic
  • DRIVER SENSITIVITY 106 dB SPL (100 mV @ 1 kHz)
  • DRIVER IMPEDANCE 32 Ω
  • FREQUENCY RESPONSE 20 Hz – 20 kHz
  • WEIGHT 186 g / 6.56 oz PLAYTIME 100+ hours of wireless playtime
  • TIME TO FULL RECHARGE 3 hours with USB-C

Pricing and Availability

  • ₹14,999
  • marshall.com

Usha iChef Blender Heater: A truly multipurpose kitchen utility – Review

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WORDS-ELLORA DASGUPTA

The Usha iChef Blender Heater is a multifunctional kitchen appliance designed to enhance the culinary experience by streamlining cooking as well as blending tasks. With its revolutionary Quadra Noise Reduction technology, the iChef operates up to fifteen decibels quieter than traditional mixer grinders, setting a new standard in its category. It features Japanese-grade stainless steel blades for precise blending, a premium borosilicate jar with six flow breakers for efficient mixing, and six intelligent presets, including unique steam cleaning and reheating functions. Additionally, the double-insulated grinder jar offers versatility for various culinary needs. Powered by a robust 1000 W Motor & 1300 W Heating Element, it’s made of 100% copper and designed for a range of kitchen tasks, from soup making, blending, and pureeing to dry and wet grinding, and even keeping baby food warm. It stands out as an innovative and versatile kitchen companion that not only simplifies cooking and blending tasks but also prioritizes user comfort with its quiet operation to any modern kitchen.

Pricing and Availability

  • ₹22,990
  • ushacook.com

Casio GBM-2100-1A- A premium watch from Casio G-Shock series – Review

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WORDS- KHAMIR BHATIA

At first glance, just out of the box, the stainless steel dial with a green display gives it a very sophisticated look, but as you pull it out of the box and see the black rubber like resin straps some of that polished look wears off. It’s quite weighty despite the slim design thanks to all the buttons tucked in and around the dial instead of them protruding out.

The folds in the strap that attach itself to the dial provide for a comfortable and snug fit giving it a feel of an accessory attached to the hand instead of one dangling of it. The weight and width of the dial does take a little while getting used to especially around furniture edges and railings as you could end up hitting the watch against them if you’re not careful. The dial itself has a lot to offer but if you have reading glasses with the most basic of a number then it is difficult to read the display. While there are several features to this watch, it’s not intuitive, making it difficult to operate the watch. Simplicity isn’t what this watch is going for quite clearly but the learning curve involved in order to just utilise some of its features makes it a task list item, instead of it just seamlessly becoming part of your everyday life. The solar powering feature similar to Citizen Ecodrive is the standout feature of this watch, beyond the attractive dial.

Pricing and Availability

  • 19,995
  • casio.com