Auto | Pure EV ePluto 7G: Trying out an India-made electric scooter

Pure EV ePluto 7G is one of the most popular electric scooters in India.

After months of speculations, White Lotus Group Nepal, the authorized distributor of Pure EV scooters, finally introduced ePluto 7G to Nepali consumers.

Whenever we think of escooters, we assume it to be a Chinese product. Moreover, our mind automatically tells us it to be unreliable.

However, this escooter fits neither of the bills.

Pure EV is an Indian product designed at IIT Hyderabad. It is committed to driving the future of e-mobility and energy storage systems.

Pure EV ePluto 7G, Pure EV’s flagship product, is priced at Rs 249,000.

We were fortunate to test the product for an in-depth review. Before that, we got an opportunity to test ride it for a few hours.

Recollecting that short experience, these are our first impressions of the Pure EV ePluto 7G:

Pure EV ePluto 7G Specifications

  • Motor: 1.5Kw
  • Battery: 2.5KWh
  • Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
  • Range: 120Km
  • Top Speed: 60Kmph
  • Charging Time: 4-6hours
  • Tyres: 90/100-10 – Disc & Drum
  • Tubeless Tyres: Yes
  • Braking Type: Regenerative Braking
  • Colors: Red, Black, Blue, Grey, White, and Yellow

Pure EV ePluto 7G first impressions

Design

Pure EV ePluto 7G sports a familiar design. It takes on the mantel of the classical scooter, more specifically the Vespa.

ePluto 7G’s front section employs the retro theme with a circular headlamp, flat apron, and eye-popping colors.

However, there are modern and premium touches to it as well.

It has LED lights and an all-digital instrument console. Likewise, it gets a fair amount of chrome around the headlamp housing, front fenders, and apron.

The rest of the body follows the retro look with graceful curves.

The seat gets large cushions to improve ride comfort.  However, there isn’t enough space for two at the same time.

When directly compared to a Vespa LX 125, it is slightly difficult to find a styling difference between the two, except for the front fender.

In ePluto 7G, there is a slightly raised front fender that creates a visible difference between the two scooters.

Pure EV ePluto 7G is available in six different colors: red, black, blue, grey, white, and yellow.

Performance

Pure EV ePluto 7G is powered by a 1.5KW motor with a 2.5KWh battery. It can generate a peak power of 2.2KW with a claimed top speed of 60Kmph. Its makers say it can achieve 0-40kmph in just five seconds.

Moreover, it provides a 90-120km range on a single charge with 5-6 hours of average charge time.

Unlike other competing Chinese scooters, the ePluto 7G features a larger capacity patented battery technology. So, the overall range is drastically increased by using the massive battery to power the 1.5kW motor.

Pure EV ePluto 7G feature highlights

  • Retro design
  • 0 to 40 kmph in 5 seconds
  • 60 kmph Top Speed
  • 120km Range
  • 12 degree gradeability
  • 10-inch alloy wheels
  • 5-inch wide LCD screen with multiple speed modes
  • High torque motor
  • Anti-theft provision with smart lock
  • Regenerative braking
  • LED lights

First ride experience

Pure EV ePluto 7G packs in a good motor, large battery, and decent features.

Furthermore, it puts more emphasis on where things count: the battery and range.

With the onboard motor, it can easily achieve an average speed of up to 60kmph. Despite offering such speeds, the range still stands at an impeccable 90-120km.

So, it will be interesting to test those claims out in the real world.

Talking about the initial impressions, there is a slight delay in power delivery after opening up the throttle.

Unfortunately, all three modes suffer from slight delays. So, I’m more interested to know if there would be any real-world issues.

The performance seems to get an incremental increase with time, rather than a punchy push.

Perhaps, the 1.5kW motor has its disadvantages.

Again, we have only ridden ePluto 7G for a few hours, so take it with a grain of salt.

Moving on to the LCD display, it holds good enough information. In comparison with the competition, this one feels more static and limited.

Looking at the spec-sheet, there are a fair bit of features on offer, but they are yet to be tested.

In any case, one thing does jump out: the rear suspension. It feels rather soft, one of the softest ones we have ever tested.

If you didn’t know, the suspension should be a mix of soft and stiff to improve its real-world performance.

While using a softer suspension setup might absorb the bumps well, it reduces stability at higher speeds.

Maybe Pure EV found a different way to achieve that.

We will be sure to test it out just in case.

Tech | Samsung Galaxy A32: Stylish mid-range with decent specs

Samsung Galaxy A32 is a mid-range phone which comes as an upgrade to the Galaxy A31.

The phone was recently launched in Nepal and is priced at Rs 31,999 (6/128GB). Unlike its predecessors, it comes with a high refresh rate display and a 64MP camera.

How does it feel so far? I'll tell you all about it i.

Fresh Design

Unlike the A52 and A72, Samsung has gone for a glossy finish on the A32. The camera module is also slightly different as it does not have a camera bump on the rear.

The rear panel is made up of plastic but it feels premium to touch. It does catch fingerprints easily though.

On the front, it gets an Infinity-U notch that we have seen on affordable Galaxy phones. I would have liked it better if they had gone with the Infinity-O display. The fingerprint sensor is also embedded inside the display and it is better than previous iterations of the phone.

90Hz Super AMOLED display

Samsung has gone for the 6.4 inches FHD+ Super AMOLED panel on the A32 with a 90Hz refresh rate.

The 90Hz display provides smooth scrolling and supports 90Hz in most apps such as Facebook.

And, the display itself is a good with vivid colors and deep blacks.

Helio G80 Chipset

Samsung is using the MediaTek Helio G80 chipset on the Galaxy A32. And, it is completely underwhelming for a phone of this range.

Helio G80 has Octa-core (2×2.0 GHz Cortex-A75 & 6×1.8 GHz Cortex-A55) CPU and Mali-G52 MC2 GPU. It is a good chipset but I expected a better chipset on the A32. Well, it can keep things smooth during normal tasks such as UI navigation, app opening, and multitasking.

You can also play games in low to medium settings. I've been testing PUBG Mobile on low settings and it can run it pretty well.

Familiar Camera Setup

  • Rear Camera: 64 MP, f/1.8, 26mm (wide), PDAF
    • 8 MP, f/2.2, 123˚, (ultrawide), 1/4.0", 1.12µm
    • 5 MP, f/2.4, (macro)
    • 5 MP, f/2.4, (depth)
  • Front Camera: 20 MP, f/2.2, (wide)

Samsung has employed a quad-camera setup on the A32. It uses a 64MP sensor, an 8MP ultrawide sensor, a 5MP macro sensor, and a 5MP depth sensor.

Similarly, it has a 20MP sensor on the front for selfies.

Images with the primary 64MP camera have good details, the colors look saturated as ever and the dynamic range looks decent.

Similarly, the 8MP ultrawide angle camera looks decent. The color profile is similar to that of the main sensor and has a nice field of view. A 5MP macro sensor for the price is really good but the quality is only average.

With the front camera, the A32 can capture a fair amount of details with good skin tones.

Decent Battery

  • Non-removable Li-Po 5000mAh battery
  • Fast charging 15W

Samsung A32 has a 5000mAh battery and its makers claim it will last for up to two days. I have used this device for only a day so I'll see if it can deliver on that promises in my full review.

The box comes with a 15W charging which is not the best you can get for the price.

Software        

A32 runs on One UI 3.1 on top of Android 11.

The overall software experience is similar to that of the A52 and A72.

It also gets swipe right to Google News which is standard on all of the latest Samsung phones. However, Samsung has excluded some of the features like Dex on the A32. Likewise, it also doesn't get the Link to Windows feature.

Conclusion

So, Samsung Galaxy A32 is a decent budget phone but the Helio G80 looks underwhelming for the price.

It’s design feels fresh compared to the A52/A72 and it has a good camera setup along with a big battery. The only thing I'm worried about is the chipset.

Tech | Stylish and snappy

Coolpad has been launching quite a few budget phones in Nepal and Cool 10A is one of the recent additions.

Cool 10A (2/64GB variant) comes with a price tag of Rs. 12,495 and it is one of the most stylish- looking smartphones for the price.

Along with that, it provides 64GB storage as well. So, Is Cool 10A a good budget phone? Find out in our impressions.

Coolpad Cool 10A First Impressions

Cool Design

  • 165 x 76 x 8.8 mm
  • Dual Sim (Nano)
  • 90Hz

Coolpad Cool 10A has good aesthetics to be fair. The plastic rear has a textured finish, so it is not prone to fingerprints and smudges. And, the gradient finish makes it stand out in the entry-level segment.

At the back, there's a fingerprint sensor and dual camera module with a flash. The power and volume buttons are on the right. Whereas there's a triple-slot tray for dual nano sim and a micro-SD on the left, at the bottom, there's a mic, a micro-USB port, and a speaker.

Cool 10A’s good design doesn't make it feel that it it’s an entry-level smartphone.

Overall, the plastic build feels durable and the phone can be easily used with a single hand as well.

Display

  • 6.517 inches LCD Panel
  • HD+ resolution

Cool 10A's display panel punches higher than what I had initially expected. Even though it is an HD+ panel, the display feels sharp.

While the colors are not impressive, the display is more than good enough for content viewing. And, the brightness doesn't disappoint too. You can use it outdoors as well.

Camera

  • Rear Camera: 13MP
    • 0.3MP
    • Video: 1080p@30fps
  • Front Camera: 5MP
    • Video: 1080p@30fps

Cool 10A has a dual camera on the rear with a 13MP main sensor and a 0.3MP main sensor.

Main sensor

For a budget phone, the Cool 10A has an average image quality. Images do not have a good dynamic range and they look flat.

Some images also have that oversaturated and oversharpened look. Furthermore, the shutter speed also feels a bit slow.

The additional 0.3MP sensor doesn't have a designation as it is apparently an AI sensor. So, it could be helping the main sensor by providing extra information.

Interestingly, it does have night mode and slow-mo features. We will talk about these features in detail in our full review.

Front camera

Now on to the front camera, the 5MP sensor takes decent selfies under good lighting. And, the Auto HDR also does a good job of controlling background highlights.

There's no portrait mode for the front camera but surprisingly it does have night mode.

Video

Coolpad Cool 10A can capture up to 1080p 30fps videos with the rear camera and 720p videos from the front. We will discuss the video quality in our review article.

Performance

  • Unisoc SC9863A chipset
  • Octa-core (4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 & 4×1.2 GHz Cortex-A55) CPU
  • IMG8322 GPU
  • 64GB 2GB RAM, expandable up to 128GB

Cool 10A is equipped with a Unisoc SC9863A chipset paired with 2GB of RAM and 64GB internal storage.

SC9863A is an octa-core chipset with 8 cortex-A55 cores in two clusters. The performance cores are clocked up to 1.6GHz and the efficiency cores are clocked up to 1.2GHz. It also uses IMG8322 GPU.

On paper, the CPU and GPU are equivalent to that of the MediaTek G25 but it is not an efficient chip as it is made in a 28nm process.

The phone feels smooth and snappy for an entry-level phone and it can run games like Altos Odyssey without any difficulties. I'll further test PUBG mobile and COD mobile for our full review.

Battery and Charging

  • Non-removable Li-Po 4900mAh battery
  • 10W charging
  • Micro USB

It's strange but the company has been promoting Cool 10A's battery capacity as 4000mAh when it has a 4900mAh battery.

The battery life is pretty good for a budget phone. Under normal conditions, Cool 10A provides a day of usage, but it doesn't have fast charging support.

Software

  • Android 11
  • Stock OS

One of the good things about Cool 10A is the stock OS. Well, it runs on Android 11 with slight modifications, and it looks like Cool 10A is using the Android Go skin.

Some Android Go apps like Google Go, Gallery Go, and Assistant Go are pre-installed. Furthermore, it does not have an app drawer and there are only 6 themes to customize your experience.

Though the UI is barebone stock Android, the optimization is really good.

Follow Up

Cool 10A is looking like a good budget option if you want a stylish and snappy phone.

I like its design and the display is surprisingly good. I was not expecting the Cool 10A to be slick and smooth but the Unisoc chipset combined with barebone UI provides a good experience.

Well, this is only our first impression. I will be testing out its camera performance and endurance further in our full review. But, it has impressed me so far.

Auto | Super Soco CPx: Performance powerhouse for a price!

Super Soco CPx maxes out on almost all aspects.

D-Lifestyle, the authorized distributor of Super Soco in Nepal, launched its flagship product a few months ago.

It is loaded in style, features, and performance.

However, it comes with a price tag equivalent to premium two-wheelers” Rs. 4.59 Lakhs (Single-Battery) to Rs. 5.89 Lakhs (Double-Battery) to be exact.

Why is it so expensive? More importantly, is it worth it?

After using the Super Soco CPx as my daily ride for over a week, this is what I found”

Super Soco CPx Review

Eye-Catching Design

Super Soco CPx has been designed from the ground up, implementing multiple characteristics into its design.

CPx aims to be sporty, aggressive, modern, and futuristic. It combines those multiple elements into its style.

As a result, considering its performance, you end up with an electric scooter that is both practical and eye-catching.

Maxi-Scooter Feel

So far, we have reviewed two maxi-scooters: Yamaha NMax 155 and Suzuki Burgman 125. Both share a common theme for their larger frame and muscular character.

Super Soco CPx follows on their footstep. Even though this is not technically a maxi-scooter, it feels like one.

The front section is bulkier with textured panels, which are further enhanced by the sporty decals.

It gets an independent handlebar, complete with menacing dual LED headlamps and a large windshield.

Compared to the front section, the side styling is even more aggressive.

It gets a large road presence with its exposed carbon steel frame, 3D CPx emblem, metal foot pegs, and comfortable seats.

CPx also comes with larger and thicker tubeless tyres that are aggressively styled on their own. These elements proudly showcase its sporty character.

The length is longer than one might expect from an electric.

It features one of the longest and most comfortable seats. The seating material is well-cushioned, and a perfect companion for long rides.

Powerful Performance

Super Soco CPX is powered by a 4000W EEC engine that can generate a max torque of 171Nm. It is capable of an impressive top speed of 95Km/h. Moreover, it comes with a 60V45AH battery with a 15A fast charger.

Super Soco Nepal claims that it takes around 3.5 hrs to fully charge the battery and the vehicle provides a range of 100km. Unlike its entry-level cousin, CPX comes with a fast charger as standard!

Honestly, these are impressive specs, even for a 150cc equivalent scooter.

Super Soco is also offering a 3-year warranty on the battery and a 2-year warranty on the motor.

Features Loaded

Super Soco packs in loads of features. It should be unsurprising, given its premium asking price.

Braking Performance

Super Soco CPx comes with dual-disc brakes. Like the affordable Super Soco CUx, the CPx also comes with Combi-Barking System (CBS) as standard.

While I would have loved to see any kind of ABS here.

But after experiencing the braking performance, I think CBS is also fine. However, Super Soco should have included ABS for the price.

Suspension

Super Soco CPx gets a front telescopic and rear centralized mono-shock.

The suspension feel is nice.

It balances well between the soft and hard settings. In real-world conditions, the scooter is perfect for both off-road and city-road conditions.

Battery and Range

Super Soco CPx comes with a 60V45AH battery. It comes with a 15A fast charger, capable of full charge in just 3.5 hours.

As claimed, the fast charger is capable of charging the battery in 3-4 hours.

There is a unique holder, located under the seat, for both the charger and battery. Additionally, there is an extra slot for a second battery.

After a full charge, a rider can choose from three different modes: Mode 1, Mode 2, and Mode 3. Each mode increment increases power and torque.

In real-world settings, we got an average range of 75-80Km. We got this range after continuously toggling between the three modes.

While this range might not sound impressive, it will be after considering performance.

Nonetheless, you can easily get the claimed range of 100km if you ride it economically in Mode 1.

Anti-Theft Security System

Super Soco CPx comes with a state-of-art anti-theft security system. It can be activated or deactivated from its unique key.

When the security system is active, it sounds like an alarm whenever there is an unauthorized movement of the scooter.

If the unauthorized movement continues, then it locks the wheel that prevents it from any further movements.

Other Interesting Features

Super Soco CPx comes with another list of cool new features like light-sensing LED Headlight, stylish LED tail lamp, smart cockpit dashboard, USB-charging, and keyless go.

The LCD dashboard is super informative, providing necessary rider telemetry. However, it lacks the necessary switch, taking slight hits on its user-friendliness.

While it misses out on extra features like cruise control and hazard lights, it manages to get a reverse switch.

The feature will allow riders to auto-reverse the CPx effortlessly.

My Experience with Super Soco CPx

Mode One Performance

I was already impressed with CUx.

It had set the stage for my initial expectation for Super Soco CPx. Unlike CUx, CPx carries a high asking price.

So, there should be no room for complaints.

While the eScooter misses out on features like ABS and under-seat storage, it puts most of the cost into its performance.

The 4kw motor makes it the most powerful eScooter in Nepal. After testing its performance on an open highway, we believe it!

Riding Modes, Achieved Top-Speed

Mode 1, 40Kmph - 46Kmph

Mode 2, 50Kmph - 60Kmph

Mode 3, 60Kmph - 70Kmph

It was more than capable in its Mode 1. In city roads or daily commutes, Mode 1 should be enough.

Surprisingly, the performance was unhinged despite the 115Kg kerb weight.

The punchy engine only added to its cornering ability. Plus, the scooter remained stable and sturdy in almost all conditions.

Cost-Savings

Surely enough, Super Soco CPx comes with mind-blowing performance. Despite that level of performance, it still manages to be efficient and cost-effective.

Super Soco CPx consumes 2-3 units for a full charger.

In comparison, CPx can be considered even more efficient after taking its performance into factor.

It provides more range than the CUx, more performance, and more features.

Conclusion: Is It Worth It?

Like a painting or digital art, the worth of this bike depends on the eye of the beholder.

Super Soco CPx packs in a punch in almost all aspects: Power, style, performance, and features.

It shows us what the future of e-mobility holds; a performance that is noise-less and vibration-less. While the pricing might be a hindrance now, it might not be the case in the future.

That being said, some of us want an electric scooter as well as a power performer.

If you care about it, more than the range or battery, then Super Soco CPx is the one for you.

Auto | Super Soco CUx: First ride impression

After its unveiling at the last NADA Auto Show, Super Soco has finally entered the Nepali market. D-Lifestyle, the authorized distributor of Super Soco Scooters in Nepal, is currently offering two variants, both of which are different from the more stereotypical e-scooters.

The Soco CUx has an eye-catching styling, punchy motor, and cost-effective battery. So far, the first hour of riding has been a different experience.

I think ‘different’ is a massive understatement, especially for this kind of premium e-mobility it is offering. We are currently testing both the scooters for a full review. In the meantime, we have gathered enough experience to write
about our first impressions.

The Super Soco CUx’s price tag in Nepal ranges from Rs. 239,000 to Rs. 249,000.

Minimalistic design

While stereotypical electric scooters try to replicate the design of their petrol counterparts, Super Soco CUx goes the other way. Rather than introducing something we have already seen, CUx comes with a completely new design. It is fresh, minimalistic, and modern!

Super Soco has been designed to offer both style and independence. It does so with grace in its sleek and agile body. The entire body is made up of high-quality plastic, bringing the entire weight down to just 65kg!

On the front, it demands attention with its ‘eye of wisdom’ headlight. Moreover, the side indicators are also neatly integrated within the headlamp. From the side, the unique style is further enhanced with its sleek design.

The footboard is simple but narrower. Moreover, there is a simple storage cubby and USB charging port conveniently provided. Talking about narrower stuff, the seat is small.

Moving on to the rear section, it gets another unique tail-lamp, also called the ‘wings of flying’ where the side indicator is neatly integrated within the tail-lamp housing. It comes with a dual-tone finish, typically expected from premium two-wheelers. The red-black combination is nicely completed.

You can easily choose from other colors like Grey, White, Silver, Gold, Matt Black, and Blue. With a bunch of attractive colors, it is a sight to behold!

Punchy motor

Super Soco CUx is powered by a 2788W motor that can generate a maximum torque of 115Nm. It comes with a 60V30AH battery with an expected range of 85km. Furthermore, it is capable of a top speed of 75km/h. It takes an average charging time of 3.5 hours, with an average of 2000 life cycles. We will surely put this claim to test!

Super Soco also provides a charging cable, which is easily pluggable at a normal home socket. Moreover, there is a neat space under the seat for the charger. Unfortunately, this limits any kind of storage space under the seat.

Interesting features

Super Soco CUx is an entry-level electric scooter. Despite the low price point, it packs in enough features to make it a viable daily commuter.

First ride experience

So, I have been riding the new Super Soco CUx for the past hour or two. During my time with the e-scooter, there was a fair bit of surprise for me.

When you consider the price, you don’t expect much. There were two things that really took me by surprise: agility and the torque-feel.

Starting off with agility, the boasts a width of 727mm making it one of the narrower of the bunch. While this does decrease the practicality of the scooter, the cornering and maneuvering are taken to a whole new level. You feel in control!

It will be interesting to see how it will perform in real-world scenarios. Aside from superior road control, the practicality is yet again hindered with the small seat. It is barely enough to fit a large individual,
trying to ride it with two large individuals is pushing it. For a single rider, it is comfortable with its bump-absorbing suspension. However, if there are two riders, one needs to compromise on comfort.

Talking about the performance, we will try to test it further by switching between the three modes. According to a Super Soco representative, the torque is heavier on Mode-3.

Furthermore, the testing on a steep hill is yet to be done. All in all, it will be interesting to see just how far we can push this budget focused Super Soco offering.

Tech | Redmi SonicBass: A neckband wireless worth the money

Mi Nepal launched a neckband wireless earphone Redmi SonicBass in the country few months ago. It is now priced at Rs. 2,099 and is available in black.

I used the Redmi SoniceBass Wireless for a few days days, and here's what I experienced.

Redmi SonicBass Wireless highlights:

•        12 hours of playback time
•        Superior sound with pro bass
•        Environmental noise cancellation
•        IPX4 splash and sweat proof
•        Bluetooth 5.0
•        Voice control
•        Neckband design

Design       

Redmi SonicBass Wireless is a neckband style wireless earphone. As it is made of plastic, the material doesn't look premium. Furthermore, the matte finish doesn’t make it stand out among competitors.

The control module is on the right along with buttons for volume control and power. There's an LED to indicate charge status--it uses micro USB for charging.

The ear tips are fine and provide good isolation. But I didn't find the neckband comfortable as it didn't fit well. It is light but the neckband can fall out during intense cardio, especially when lying down facing upwards. But it does have an IPX4 rating which makes it usable under rain and humid conditions.

Audio quality

There isn’t any information as to what kind of a driver Redmi SonicBass uses. Redmi just mentions that it has a Pro Bass. So what does it sound like?

The bass is boosted. The lows are fine but the bass is not as strong as I had hoped. The mid-tones sound good and the vocals shine through other instruments. You will have a good time if you're listening to pop songs. I had a good time listening to rock numbers by Audioslave as well.

But you won't be pleased with its highs if you're listening to something like Mr.Brightside by The Killers. The highs lacked the details and sounded distorted.

Controls

There's a multi-function button that also functions as a power button and then there are volume buttons on the control module. The controls are as follows.

•        Multifunction Hold: Play/ Pause, Answer Call/ Reject Call
•        Volume Buttons Long Hold: Previous/Skip

The buttons do feel a bit flimsy but it's alright for earphones at this price range.

Connectivity

Redmi SonicBass uses Bluetooth V5.0 so it boasts the standard range of 10m. I didn't have any problem with its connectivity. I didn’t face any connection or audio drops within its range.

Surprisingly, it has a multipoint feature and can connect to up to two devices at a time. I really like this feature as I was able to seamlessly switch between my phone and my laptop.

Battery

Redmi SonicBass has a 120mAh battery. Xiaomi claims that it can last up to 12 hours. I tested it out and it gave me around 11 hours of playback on 100% volume. So, you could get 12 hours out of it if you use 80% volume.

Still, its battery life is impressive. It takes about 2 hours to fully charge the Redmi SonicBass as it uses 2.5W charging. However, you do not get any kind of charger in the box.

Should you buy it?

Redmi SonicBass is a decent wireless earphone for the price. For Rs. 2,099, it has satisfactory sound quality, comes with an IPX4 rating and has a multipoint feature.
It is lightweight but I was not convinced of its fit. The earphone would hang out of my neck when I moved quickly.

Also, I did not feel comfortable wearing it for a long time. On 100% volume, my ears felt uncomfortable.

However, I like what it is offering with the price tag.

Auto | Riding the most expensive electric scooter

Super Soco CPx is the flagship Super Soco scooter in Nepal. As expected from a flagship product, the Super Soco CPx is loaded in style, features, and more. However, there is one small hiccup. It comes with a price equivalent to premium two-wheelers.

Super Soco CPx price in Nepal is Rs 459,000 to Rs 589,000. If you are anything like me, you might find the pricing a bit... much. I know, I did.

Setting apart my personal bias, I decided to be more practical. For the Super Soco CPx, I decided to use it as my daily driver over my petrol-guzzling scooter. I will report more on that front in the Super Soco CPx full review. Until then, this is my initial impression.

Super Soco CPx First Ride

Design 

Let's start our list of the most eye-catching parts of the scooter, the design.

It has been designed from the ground up, especially with city-wide commutes in mind. So, the design is aggressive but practical. Inspired by the maxi-scooter, CPx feels like one too. The front section is bulkier with textured panels, complete with an independent handlebar. Moreover, the setup is further enhanced thanks to the menacing-looking dual LED headlamps and a large windshield.

Moving to the side portion, the styling gets even more aggressive. The aggressive tires, exposed chassis, metal footpegs, and comfortable seats are hallmarks of CPx. Moreover, the side indicators are LED and integrated within the body.

These elements proudly showcase its sporty character. Moreover, the 3D emblem is a nice touch. Staying on the side profile, the length of the scooter is more apparent. It features the longest seats I have ever seen. Additionally, it is well-cushioned and comfortable. The rear section gets a metal bar, which also serves a practical purpose. Interestingly, there is a single-strip LED tail lamp along with a tire hugger. Compared to the rest of the e-Scooter, it feels simple but effective.

Performance 

Super Soco CPX is powered by a 4000W EEC engine that can generate a max torque of 171Nm. It is capable of an impressive top speed of 95Km/h. Moreover, it comes with a 60V45AH battery with a 15A fast charger.

Super Soco Nepal claims a charging time of 3.5hrs and a claimed range of 100Km. Honestly, these are impressive specs, even for a 150cc equivalent scooter. So, it will be very interesting to put all of these claims to the test. It should be noted that Super Soco is offering a three year warranty on the battery and a two year warranty on the motor.

First ride experience 

I was already impressed with CUx, an entry-level Super Soco e-Scooter. So, my initial expectations were high for CPx, a more powerful sibling as well. Especially with its high asking price, there was no room for mistakes.

With that, I tested it out for the few hours or so. The performance is amazing… taking us by a complete surprise.

There are three Modes, each mode more powerful than the next. However, Mode one was quite literally enough for the streets of Kathmandu. With kerb weight coming in at 115kg, the scooter might feel a little bit on the heavier side. However, it did not affect the overall cornering ability. Plus, the scooter remained stable and sturdy in the initial ride conditions.

There are two things I loved the most: punch feel and comfortable seats. If I remember correctly, I liked both of those elements in its younger brother, CUx as well. Interestingly, these elements are more refined in Super Soco CPx.

Super Soco has improved on other elements like larger performance motor, premium built quality, larger battery, and more range. It should be noted that these are claimed improvements.We will be sure to test out every claim for our full review. Until then, this has been our first ride impression of Super Soco CPx.

Super Soco CPx specifications

  • Motor: 4000W
  • Battery: 60V45AH
  • Peak Torque: 171Nm
  • Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
  • Range: 100Km (200Km in Double)
  • Top Speed: 95Kmph
  • Charging Time: 3.5hours (Fast Charging)
  • Tires: 100/80-16 – Disc
  • Tubeless Tires: Yes
  • Braking Type: Combi Braking System
  • Weight: 115Kg (135Kg in Double)
  • Colors: Silver, Black, Grey

Samsung Galaxy M12: High refresh rate experience on a budget

Samsung Galaxy M12 is the latest phone to enter Samsung's 2021 lineup of M-series smartphone. It starts at Rs. 18,499 for the 4/64GB variant and is a one-of-a-kind budget smartphone. Why? Because it is the only phone with a 90Hz display under Rs. 20,000.

But is the high refresh rate display good enough to make it a good budget phone? Well, you will find out in our review of the Samsung M12.

90Hz PLS IPS display

Sadly, the 90Hz refresh rate is the only thing that redeems Samsung M12's display. The screen isn't very sharp, the colors are dull and the brightness level is only average. But top marks for Samsung for optimized integration of high refresh rate display on a rather low-powered Exynos 850 chipset.

M12 is able to offer fluid scroll and animation in most apps. But, the notification shade and quick toggle area are permanently locked to 60Hz. Interestingly, it is also an adaptive display that can switch to 60Hz while the screen is not in use which is not the case on the more expensive A32.

The high refresh rate also gives it an impression of being a fast phone which it is certainly not.

The 720p display helps in this case as the GPU doesn't have to work as hard to keep things running at a high refresh rate. But it comes with a caveat as this panel is not even as good as the display of A12 when it comes to sharpness and overall quality.

Design

Samsung M12 is one of the good-looking M-series smartphones. If you look at the design of the M31 and M51, they look pretty plain but they have an impressive spec sheet. While the M12 doesn't have a top-of-the-line spec, it gets a really good design.

The rear panel has a dual-tone finish with a textured finish on the top half and a plain finish on the bottom half. It clearly looks like a mid-range phone rather than a budget phone.

M12 is a chunky phone weighing in at 221g and measuring 9.7mm thick. Thanks to this, it gets a very good battery life. The front bezels are what you expect from a budget phone at this price range, though it is becoming very old at this point and a refresh would be a welcome change in the new iteration.

Like most of the new phones, M12 has a side-mounted fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button. On the other side, it gets a triple-slot tray with two nano-sim and a MicroSD support.

Camera

Samsung Galaxy M12 has the same camera setup as its A-series counterpart, the A12. There's a triple camera setup on the rear with a 48MP ISOCELL GM2 main sensor, a 5MP depth sensor, a 2MP depth sensor, and a 2MP macro sensor.

For a budget phone, the M12 takes fairly good pictures with its 48MP main sensor especially during daytime outdoors. The details are fine and the dynamic range is pretty decent on the normal 12MP photos.  The 5MP Ultra wide-angle camera is average at best. As it captures photos with low detail, the textures get lost even in bright daylight.

Performance

Samsung Galaxy M12 keeps things neat and tidy when it comes to performance. Lag and stutter are noticeable when you're navigating through the interface or switching between apps, but it feels smooth most of the time.

Exynos 850 on M12 feels improved compared to last year's Galaxy A21s. Exynos 850 is clearly not a performance-oriented chipset. If you want good gaming performance at budget, M12 isn't the phone for you.

Battery and charging

With a 6000mAh battery and an efficient chipset, M12 can deliver two days of battery life on moderate use. It can easily last for more than a day even with heavy use.

Battery life is exceptional but the charging is pretty normal. A 15W fast charging support is decent at this price tag. It takes almost 3 hours to charge the phone from 0 to 100

Speaker and security

Like most budget phones, Samsung M12's speaker doesn't feel loud. It is good enough indoors without any ambient noise but the speaker will feel a bit tiny outdoors.

It is also a single bottom-firing speaker and doesn't get a stereo setup.

In terms of security, you get a fingerprint sensor that works really well. It is fast and consistent. The face unlock is also fast but it doesn't work well in poor light conditions.

Software

M12 runs on One UI Core 3.1 on top of Android 11.

With this, you get a very limited set of features as it doesn't come with a built-in screen recorder, always-on display, or secure folder. But, the integration of Google News on the home screen is a much welcome change. Except for the cut down on these features, the experience is pretty much the same as we get from mid-range M-series phones.

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy M12?

Yes! You should. And, I'm referring to those who want a high refresh rate experience on a budget but are willing to sacrifice gaming performance and a sharper display.

If you can look past its low-powered Exynos chipset, then it is an excellent option with a good camera, splendid battery life, and a smooth software experience.

While it's arguable if it's the best phone under Rs. 20,000. It is definitely one of the best phones under Rs. 20,000.

Pros

  • Good build
  • Good main camera
  • 90Hz panel
  • Impressive battery and fast charging

Cons

  • Display is not sharp
  • Low-light camera performance is not good
  • Not a performance-oriented phone