2019 sees Honor and Xiaomi launch new, improved gadgets

Honor’s predilection for blue is well known. This device comes in a new interpretation of blue and it’s a showstopper. The sky blue variant swings from silver to blue with the same psychedelics that we’ve come to expect from Honor. Although the back appears to have been crafted with glass, it’s actually plastic and keeps the phone quite light.

The Honor 10 Lite’s design aesthetics ensure this device stands out in the cluttered and ultra-competitive sub Rs 15,000 price band. Huawei’s new processor — the Hisilicon Kirin 710, is at the heart of this device. It’s complemented by 4GB or 6GB of RAM (there are two versions and three colour options) and 64GB of internal memory. A hybrid, dual SIM slot allows you to expand the memory up to 512GB but you’ll have to sacrifice the second SIM. The device didn’t stutter during our multi-tasking and intense gaming tests. The 3400 mAh battery also kept up — you should comfortably manage a whole day. There’s no fast charging though and the device opts for a Micro USB charger at a time when most devices have switched to USB Type-C.

Honor introduces a ‘dew drop’ notch that pushes the screen: body ratio over 90%. This device is all-screen, the 6.21-inch display (1080 x 2340 pixels) is quite vibrant. We were not blown away with the results from the front and rear cams. The rear cam combines two lenses (13MP and 2MP) and comes with a host of AI modes while the 24MP selfie cam offers multiple levels of beautification through its AI engine. The Honor 10 Lite’s form factor and battery make it a serious contender in the budget segment. (Rs 13,999 onwards).

If you’re hooked on Netflix and would like an audio boost to make your binge watching sessions more immersive. A good soundbar is a clever addition to make up for your TV’s audio limitations. It’s why the Mi Soundbar has our attention aside from its sleek presence. It certainly doesn’t possess the audio credentials of premium soundbars from the likes of Bose but it comes at a fraction of the price of one of those soundbars.

The Mi Soundbar offers multiple connectivity options from Bluetooth to Optical ports that work with older televisions. There’s no dedicated remote though. You’ll have to make do with the two physical buttons on the device to manage the volume output. Neither can you tweak the equaliser settings; you are stuck with the out of the box pre-sets. This Soundbar features eight drivers (two 20mm dome speakers, two 2.5-inch woofers for extra bass and four passive radiators). The extra bass doesn’t just impact your movie watching experience, you can hook up your smartphone via Bluetooth and stream your favourite music. (Rs 4,999)