India

Redmi 9 Prime review: The best for baseline needs

The prime preference!

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Xiaomi has gradually launched the Redmi 9 series in India, and we see a new phone in the portfolio every month. The Redmi brand has developed a reputation for being reliable, and it has helped the Xiaomi become number one in India. Now, the brand has launched the Redmi 9 Prime, and it costs just INR 9,999 (US$ 137).

It’s an affordable phone that’ll go against the likes of Narzo 10 and Redmi Note 9. Being a developing market, the price plays a very crucial role, and the company has managed to grab the sub-10,000 sweet spot.

But consumers expect more in every department. Can this inexpensive phone be your GadgetMatch? Let’s find out!

A functional design

The phone is built out of plastic and has a unibody design. Unlike the usual norm, there’s no glossy back or reflective surface. We have a Mint Green unit, and Xiaomi has cleverly leveraged its Aura 360 design language. I specifically love the color because it looks unique and fresh.

The design also reminds me of the POCO X2 because it has a circular ring around the horizontal camera array. Outside the ring, the plastic has radial grooves that run all around the back of the phone. To be honest, I prefer the simple plastic design because it feels solid to hold and doesn’t slip easily.

I’m not proud to say this, but I did drop the phone a couple of times onto hardened concrete. Thankfully, it survived all drops and left behind no scars. If you’re prone to dropping your phone, the Redmi 9 Prime won’t give you a mini heart attack every few days. The inherent design also tries to protect the display by creating a new layer of plastic that thoroughly covers the front.

Even though the phone weighs 198 grams, the in-hand feel is exceedingly ergonomic due to proper weight distribution. The matte design will eliminate fingerprint smudges and often entice you to use the phone without a case.

The power button and volume rockers are located on the right while the SIM tray is on the left. The bottom has the usual speaker grille, 3.5mm headphone jack, and USB-C port for charging. Lastly, the top has an IR blaster.

Display with a tiny water-drop notch

It has a 6.5-inch LCD display with Full HD+ resolution and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. Usually, phones support HD+ resolution in this price segment, so I’m glad Xiaomi is pushing the glass ceiling and hasn’t become too comfortable with its leading position.

I don’t have any complaints from the display as it’s sufficiently bright and has average viewing angles. The bezels are tiny and you get a punch-hole cut-out for the front camera.

How does it perform?

An octa-core MediaTek Helio G80 processor powers the Redmi 9 Prime with a Mali G52 GPU. MediaTek’s G-series processors are usually made keeping gamers in mind, and this phone successfully follows the legacy. My unit has 4GB of RAM but could load PUBG Mobile on HD graphics. I noticed a few lags and stutters after an hour of constant gameplay, which is excellent for this device.

If you’re looking for a phone that can game on a budget, this should be your first preference. Heating is minimal and bound to happen over extended hours of gaming. However, the phone glides through day-to-day tasks like emails, WhatsApp, Instagram, and Slack. I tried working on the phone with a couple of tabs open and constant app switching. The phone never ran out of steam.

The smartphone industry has reached a bare minimum level, where even an entry-level phone can replace a flagship. Obviously, the minor additions that exponentially improve user experience are missing, but will you even notice them? For an affordable price, the Redmi 9 Prime redefines what we should expect from future phones.

Backing these internals is a 5020mAh battery that supports 18W fast charging. However, the in-box charging brick supports only 10W, and you can buy a fast charging adapter separately. The phone easily lasted me a day with heavy usage and two hours of video streaming. It takes nearly 2 hours and 50 minutes to charge the phone with the in-box 10W adapter.

Just like all Redmi branded phones, this one also ships with MIUI out-of-the-box. There aren’t any significant bugs, and the experience is streamlined across all Redmi phones. There’s a lot of bloatware, but it’s nothing surprising.

Quad rear cameras on a budget

It has a quad rear camera setup that consists of a 13-megapixel primary sensor, an 8-megapixel wide-angle lens, a 5-megapixel macro lens, and a 2-megapixel depth sensor. We’ve seen a similar setup on many Xiaomi phones earlier, and it performs just like you’d expect it to.

The primary camera clicks very good pictures in broad daylight and details are flawless. But the dynamic range on both, the primary as well as wide-angle isn’t sufficient. The depth sensor works in tandem with onboard artificial intelligence to add a bokeh effect. It’s able to detect edges smartly, and a majority of portraits look satisfactory.

Unlike the usual norm, there’s no night mode on this one. It also misses out on various shooting scenarios like Pro, short video, and more. The front camera captures sharp images and can automatically apply beauty mode according to your preference.

Is this your GadgetMatch?

If you’re looking for a balanced phone that’ll get work done, provide entertainment on the go, and click decent pictures, this phone is for you. Gamers will love the phone because it can handle anything you throw at it. The large battery also ensures you’re not glued to the wall indefinitely.

Digital learning and work-from-home have become common concepts due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and this phone is a game-changer that’s bringing a Full HD+ screen at an affordable rate.

If you’re looking for a secondary backup phone, this will be my first choice because it isn’t heavy on the pocket, has a large battery that won’t drain out soon, and can practically run every app a flagship can.

Editor’s Note: This article was earlier titled Redmi Note 9 Prime. It has since been corrected to reflect the correct device name — Redmi 9 Prime.

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India

TECNO’s POVA 8 5G is both futuristic and future-ready

8000mAh battery, Sony LYTIA 600 camera, Alive Matrix display, and more

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June 11, 2026

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TECNO POVA 8 5G
Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Four months after the POVA Curve 2 5G, TECNO adds the POVA 8 5G to their performance-focused arsenal.

Futuristic vibe

TECNO’s POVA 8 5G continues the series’ signature sci-fi-inspired design language. The latest smartphone features sharp geometric elements and a semi-transparent rear panel.

TECNO POVA 8 5G

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

One of its standout features is none other than the new Alive Matrix Display. It’s a customizable light panel on the back that can display 49 pre-loaded lighting effects for incoming calls, notifications, charging status, gaming sessions, and more. Prospective users can also personalize scenarios to match their style and could actually store many more customized effects aside from the pre-loaded ones.

Beside that LED display lies the 50MP main rear camera based on Sony’s LYTIA 600 (or LYT-600) sensor. The said sensor offers improved light capture for brighter and more detailed photos. It also supports 2x lossless zoom. Up front, you’ll get a 13MP front-facing shooter.

Sony LYTIA 600

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Powering the device is MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 SoC. That’s paired together with TECNO’s in-house G1 Signal Enhancement Chip and SE1 Wi-Fi Enhancement Chip — making it a triple chipset smartphone.

TECNO says these chips help improve connectivity in challenging environments such as elevators and basements while boosting Wi-Fi reception.

The phone also features a 144Hz display with TÜV Rheinland Low Blue Light Certification and military-grade durability.

Last but definitely not the least, its 8000mAh battery that can last as much as two days. For some measure, TECNO says the phone can last up to 85+ hours of music playback, 29+ hours of YouTube streaming, 26+ hours of WhatsApp, or 14+ hours of playing Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB).

Future-ready

Aside from the beastly battery packed inside, TECNO is also bringing several practical AI tools to the POVA 8 5G.

Among them is AI YouTube Summary. This turns lengthy videos into concise notes with key points and timestamps. The device also features AI-powered noise cancellation that helps isolate the speaker’s voice during calls, recordings, and meetings.

8000mAh Battery

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

For photography, AI LightMaster 2.0 can remove unwanted reflections, lens flare, and shadows. The phone also supports uploading Live Photos directly to Instagram as Boomerang.

In select markets, users can even access AI Health features that estimate metrics such as heart rate, blood oxygen levels, and respiration through facial scanning technology.

TECNO POVA 8 5G

Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

Further solidifying its future readiness, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades and three years of security updates.

The company is also bundling three years of FREE 256GB cloud storage for POVA 8 5G users. Eligible markets can also receive a 3-month Google AI Plus trial which includes 2TB of cloud storage.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO POVA 8 5G debuts first in India and is available in 16-Bit White, Terminal Green, and Plasma Orange colorways.

UPDATE: In India, the POVA 8 5G is currently offered in 6+128GB and 8+128GB configurations for INR 29,999 and INR 31,999 respectively.

Specific pricing and availability in global markets are yet to follow along these four color choices: Arc White, Graphite Black, Echo Green, and Helios Orange.

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India

Nothing opens first India store in Bengaluru

New retail space blends self-expression, creator culture, and community play.

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February 14, 2026

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Nothing Store India
Photo by Michael Josh/GadgetMatch

Nothing has officially opened its first India store in Bengaluru, marking a major step in the brand’s global retail expansion.

Located in Indiranagar, Nothing Store Bengaluru spans 5,032 square feet across two floors. The space draws inspiration from 1970s assembly lines and workshops, translating Nothing’s rebellious design language into an interactive, hands-on environment built for the local community.

The store puts self-expression at its core. It is the only Nothing location worldwide where customers can personalise their products. A dedicated studio also supports creator unboxings and hands-on content, reinforcing the brand’s focus on co-creation.

The space includes a community hangout zone for events and meetups, alongside playful elements such as vending machines, claw games, and conveyor-belt displays. An in-house coffee shop, seating areas, and workshop spaces position the store as a cultural hub rather than a traditional retail outlet.


Nothing and CMF products are available in store, alongside official Nothing merchandise. The brand says the location will evolve over time through collaborations, workshops, and limited-run installations by local creators, reflecting the rhythm and voices of the city.

Bengaluru was chosen for its role as India’s innovation capital and its community of early adopters, creators, and cultural tastemakers. Indiranagar’s creative energy and lifestyle focus made it a natural home for Nothing’s first physical store in the country.

The Bengaluru opening builds on Nothing’s first store in Soho. The company has confirmed plans to open additional locations in New York and Japan.

Nothing Store Bengaluru opens on February 14, 2026, at 12:00 PM IST. It is located at 660/1, 100 Feet Road, 1st Stage, Indiranagar, Bengaluru. Regular store hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM daily.

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India

TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G packs an 8000mAh battery

The brand’s biggest battery in a smartphone yet

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February 13, 2026

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Graphics by Vincenz Lee | GadgetMatch

This 2026, TECNO is refreshing its performance-focused POVA lineup by adding a new member in it.

Big power without the bulk

Despite its slim and curved 7.42mm design (and weight of only 195g), the POVA Curve 2 5G arrives with TECNO’s largest battery yet — 8000mAh battery to be precise.

TECNO says the battery is TÜV SÜD-certified for long lifespan and is engineered to last up to six years. It’s also rated to operate in extreme temperatures ranging between as hot as 60°C (140ºF) or as cold as -20ºC (-4ºF).

If you’re already in a pinch, there’s the 45W fast charging with Bypass charging support in tow.

Durability was not compromised as it has a Corning Gorilla Glass 7i Front Glass protection, IP64 water and dust resistance rating, even SGS-certification for 1.5m drop protection.

Speaking of front, it features a curved 6.78-inch AMOLED display with a 144Hz refresh rate. Beneath that glass lies MediaTek’s Dimensity 7100 5G SoC.

On the software side, it runs the latest HiOS 16 (based on Android 16) with integrated AI tools in mind. That means AI-powered content summaries, writing assistance, call noise reduction, and automatic photo enhancements.

TECNO’s Ella AI Assistant has also been improved with more personalized interactions across the system. One-tap FlashMemo also exists for instantly capturing on-screen information. Moreover, Mind Hub organizes notes and AI-generated content in one place.

Lastly, connectivity gets a boost, too. With POVA Curve 2 5G’s dual-signal enhancement, it has an improved cellular and Wi-Fi performance in crowded or weak-signal environments. Interestingly, it also supports offline voice, text, and image communication up to 1.5km in open areas.

With all these in mind, TECNO promises two major Android OS upgrades.

Pricing and Availability

The TECNO POVA Curve 2 5G comes in three colorways: Melting Silver, Storm Titanium, and Mystic Purple.

It launches first in India this February 2026. Pricing is between INR 31,999 and INR 34,999 for the 8+128GB and 8+256GB configurations respectively.

It will also make an appearance at MWC 2026 this upcoming March 2 until March 5, 2026.

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