New In Tech: Earbuds, and Phones That Flip, Fold and Apparently, Do ‘Nothing’

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip4

Launched with much fanfare at their annual Unpacked event, Samsung have launched two new phones (Galaxy Z Flip4 and Galaxy Z Fold4), a watch (Galaxy Watch5 and Watch5 Pro) and earbuds (Galaxy Buds2 Pro) in the market this month. Of particular mention are the phones, because they see the tech giant foray more aggressively into the space of foldable screens. It might look like a puzzling tech development at first, but with more companies also following suit, 2022 might just be the year that phones start getting peculiar (again, like when we had gaming and music phones) but in a good way.

Price: TBD (India), $999 (U.S.)

Google Pixel Buds Pro

Designed in a way that can give Android OS users almost equal bragging rights as those using Apple AirPods, the latest from Google is their wireless earbuds – Google Pixel Buds Pro. Reviews so far have suggested that one drawback might be that they’re not the most suitable earbuds to pop in when you’re exercising, but the Pixel Buds Pro are quite subtle in appearance. Although just a notch below wireless earbuds from the likes of Sony, these offer a pristine listening experience and superb noise canceling.

Price: ₹19,990

Nothing Phone (1)

When Nothing – run by Carl Pei, a co-founder of OnePlus – launched its earbuds, the Ear (1) last year, it accrued a lot of attention in the tech world. The next move was arguably the most important one and Pei didn’t disappoint when he announced the launch of Nothing Phone (1). The smartphone is not exactly an iPhone-killer, but it ticks all the boxes when it comes to a rock-solid and reliable (and honestly, mid-level) smartphone. It might look and feel like an iPhone, but it still packs in enough performance to qualify as a good phone for gamers and anyone who wants a reliable camera.

Price: ₹31,999 (8GB RAM + 128GB Storage) | ₹37,999 (12GB RAM + 256GB Storage)

Apple Macbook Air M2

The wedge shape of the Apple Macbook Air has been its distinctive build, but that has changed with the M2, for the first time in 14 years. Improving upon the M1, reviews suggest the Macbook Air M2 is equipped with a much better screen and camera, plus formidable battery life. Then again, as is the case with a lot of newer Apple products, the freshest pick is often the most expensive. But this is a thin, light and, thus, very portable version of one of the world’s best multi-purpose computers right now. As an added bonus, the speaker system is integrated between the keyboard and the display (for the first time in Macbooks) and supports their Spatial Audio Technology.

Price: ₹1,19,900 onwards

OnePlus Nord Buds CE

Continually hitting the tech market with a new range of products, OnePlus now not only has a new phone (the OnePlus 10T) but also a more affordable set of wireless earbuds to go with its accessibly priced OnePlus Nord phone series. The OnePlus Nord Buds CE has A.I. noise cancellation, 20 hours of listening time and support for fast charging. Over on the app for the earbuds, the Sound Master Equalizer feature offers up four custom EQ presets and a manual EQ.

Price: ₹2,299