TECH NEXT: Smartphone built for Netflix binges, speaker that packs a boom

Displays over 6-inches are the norm in 2019 as smartphones become our primary screens where all our digital Content converges. This year Samsung launched two Samsung Galaxy Note — the 6.3-inch Galaxy Note 10 and the 6.8-inch Note 10+ that we put under the scanner.

Samsung nails the form factor. It’s a massive 6.8-inch display, and yet not too unwieldy. It’s marginally thinner and lighter than its predecessor (Note 9). Samsung achieves this by pushing the screen-to-body ratio over the 90 per cent threshold. Build quality is top notch, we checked out the Aura Glow version that creates brilliant reflective patterns as light bounces on its shiny surface. The 6.8-inch Dynamic AMOLED display packs close to 500 pixels per inch (1440 x 3040 pixels 19:9 aspect ratio). This is all you need to binge watch your favourite shows on the go. But, you’ll need to plug into the headphones in the box or go wireless. Samsung becomes the latest brand to omit the 3.5mm headphone slot in its flagship device.

The 10MP selfie camera is packed into a tiny cut-out that sits in the top centre of the large display. The device also features a triple cam set up that combines with a depth vision camera. The video camera with Samsung’s new improved stabilisation feature makes a big impact, especially with moving subjects.

Heavy duty hardware is a given in Samsung’s Note devices. The Note 10+ is propelled by the new Samsung Exynos 9825 Processor that teams up with 12GB of RAM. While we checked out the 256GB internal memory version, there’s also a 512GB variant; both these come with external storage (up to 1TB). The 4300 mAh battery didn’t disappoint even as we put into overdrive with video and camera usage. It comfortably lasts a whole day. And then there’s the S-Pen, that comes with a whole new set of tricks, that Note loyalists will dig. The Note 10+ fires on all cylinders and is one of the best smartphones your money can buy now. (Rs 79,999 onwards. The Note 10 starts at Rs 69,999)

Bose Home Speaker 300: Bose adds a new speaker to its home speaker line-up. This diminutive speaker punches way above its size in terms of sound quality. It weighs less than a kilogram and is just over 6-inches tall. The acoustic package delivers powerful bass and true 360-degree sound. The Bose Home Speaker 300 is wrapped in a beautiful aluminium design. A new update now adds Google Assistant functionality (aside from Amazon Alexa) to the entire Bose Home speaker range. In addition to both personal assistants, Bose smart speaker owners can use Apple AirPlay 2 for simple streaming from Apple devices.  (Rs 26,990)