Tech Next: Samsung’s new phone series and HyperX Earbuds hit the market

 It’s why the brand’s M (M for Millennial) Series is one of its most significant launches in recent months.

The M Series makes its global debut in India and currently includes the M10 and the M20. These devices span critical price points in this fiercely competitive segment from Rs 7,990 to 12,990. We put the top-end M20 to the test.

The Galaxy M20 marks a new design approach for Samsung - the brand’s first notched display. Samsung calls it an Infinity V display. This device is all-screen with a screen: body ratio that crosses the 90% threshold. The 6.3-inch FHD + display (2340 x 1080 pixels / 19.5: 9 Aspect ratio / 409 PPI) is vibrant and one of our favourite features of the M20. It’s also among the best in this price segment. Samsung keeps the design fairly clean with a fingerprint sensor at the rear. The face unlock feature works as swiftly as the fingerprint sensor. The device is quite thick; you can attribute it to the massive 5000 mAh battery. Battery life is solid; you won’t reach out for your charger for more than a day even after extensive camera and multi-media usage.

An Exynos 7904 1.8GHz Octa-core Processor is at the heart of the M20. There’s a choice of 3GB/32GB and 4GB/64GB (the version we tested) versions and a dedicated slot for expandable memory (up to 512 GB). We pushed the device with our gaming and multi-tasking tests and the results were average. The camera was a mixed bag too. Samsung opts for a dual rear cam (13MP + 5MP) and also adds a wide-angle lens (with a 120-degree field of view) for the first time in this segment. The rear cam and the 13MP selfie cam performed well in ambient light but struggled somewhat in lowlight. The Galaxy M20 adds some spark to the budget segment with a crisp display and a brilliant battery, will that be enough for it to blaze the sales charts? We’ll know soon. (From Rs 10,990 onwards)

HyperX, the gaming division of Kingston puts the focus on gamers for its HyperX Cloud Earbuds. These buds offer rich sound quality with Hi-Fi capable 14mm drivers to deliver clear low, mid and high tones with enhanced bass for an immersive gaming experience. The earbuds include a rubberised, tangle-free cable connection that features a 90-degree angled plug specially geared for handheld mode.

The Hyper X Cloud Earbuds feature a comfortable design with soft silicone ear tips, giving gamers the ultimate in comfort and superior sound. The Cloud Earbuds also offer direct connectivity for voice chat functionality supporting Nintendo Switch with a slim in-line microphone that works equally well for calls with a single button control for calls and streaming media. These buds are compatible with Nintendo Switch as well as smartphones and tablets with standard 3.5mm connectors and come with a convenient carrying case for added protection. (Rs 5,999)