HP Omen 16 Review: Great Cooling, Performance And Display For Rs 13 Lakh

Not only does the HP Omen 16 improve upon its previous design flaws but it does so with a clear focus on maintaining the laptop's famous cooling performance. The use of the AMD Ryzen 7840HS processor further expands the usability of HP Omen 16 in terms of efficiency. And on top of that HP's engineering and design capabilities keep it competitive to other identically specced gaming laptops and even surpassing them in terms of thermal efficiency. The easy-to-use HP Omen firmware, a highly colour-accurate display, and a great keyboard trump the fact that its quad-speaker setup and trackpad are what my Gen Z neighbour would call "mid" by modern standards.

In the dynamic landscape of gaming laptops, where flashy designs once ruled the roost, subtlety, and elegance are emerging as the defining traits. The AMD-powered HP Omen 16, priced at Rs 1.31 lakh, is a testament to this shift, offering a sleek, understated look that veers away from the stereotypical gamer aesthetic. Beneath this polished exterior lies a powerhouse, equipped with the formidable AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, ensuring a gaming experience that's both immersive and smooth. Its versatility is further highlighted by an ample selection of ports, making connectivity a breeze, and a design that facilitates easy repairs. However, is everything about the Omen 16 is praiseworthy? Potential buyers might be slightly deterred by some lackluster additions to the laptop. As with any product, the Omen 16 presents a blend of the impressive and the imperfect, warranting a closer look for those in search of a gaming laptop that balances performance with aesthetics.

HP Omen 16 Review: Design, Keyboard, Trackpad And I/O

HP's redesigned Omen 16 showcases a deeper base and forward-positioned lid hinges, introducing a "trunk" at the rear, reminiscent of designs by Lenovo and MSI. This trunk, primarily for exhaust, centralizes ports like HDMI 2.1, 2.5Gbps RJ45 Ethernet, and 5Gbps USB-A 3.0. Sides feature expanded vents, with two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a 3.5mm jack on the left, and another USB-A on the right. HP omitted the SD card reader in 2023's model, making a Thunderbolt dock a potential solution.

The laptop, with Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E (Intel or Realtek based on configuration), allows easy headset pairing. Its all-black matte finish enhances the RGB keyboard and adopts a brand badge over the previous Omen logo. While sturdy, some parts feel less rigid. The reimagined port trunk aids cable management.

Front-facing speakers ensure clarity, while a top-bezel webcam, upgraded from 720p to 1080p, caters to modern needs but might be underwhelming for professional streamers. The absence of an IR sensor for Windows Hello might irk some. The keyboard remains consistent with the prior model. While HP's flat, chiclet-style keycaps aren't my favorite, I admire the layout and font. Navigation keys are conveniently grouped, with shortcuts to the Omen and Calculator apps. My version has per-key RGB lighting, enhancing key lettering, adjustable via the Omen app. I effortlessly typed extensive content on this platform. The spacious spacebar, profound key travel, and solid actuation are commendable. The previous Omen 16's touchpad had a less satisfactory click, but this issue seems resolved. The touchpad, though slightly smaller, is accurate and gives a sturdy click. Although the laptop's primary focus is gaming, its keyboard and touchpad configuration also suit professional use.

Also read: HP Omen 16 Gaming Performance Review

HP Omen 16 Review: Display And Speakers

The HP Omen 16 I reviewed comes with an FHD 16:9 aspect ratio display with 165Hz maximum refresh rate support. In the previous generation, HP offered at least a QHD display in high-end Victus laptops priced at around Rs 1.15 lakh. So is this screen a downgrade? Well, not exactly. Even though this screen does not support QHD resolution it is highly colour accurate instead thanks to a Delta E score of just 1.5. You can easily use this screen for graphic designing and colour correction in videos and photos, provided you're creating content in the sRGB colour space. 

Speaking of that, the screen sports 98% sRGB and 75% DCI P3 colour space coverage, which has become pretty standard across gaming laptops in general. The screen peaks at 303 nits of brightness which is slightly more than advertised at HP at 300 nits. The viewing angles of the screen are also good and the HP's use of an anti-glare coating on the screen is another really helpful addition. 

The laptop houses front-facing dual speakers on its wedge base, angled to ensure clarity even when placed on a desk, protected by a perforated grille. An additional grille between the keyboard and screen seems more for thermal management than audio. The stereo speakers, while not matching the volume of the quad speakers on the Alienware x16 R1, still offer decent balance. However, the sound quality diminishes during gaming because of the prominent fan noise.

HP Omen 16 Review: Performance And Gaming

Powered by the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS the HP Omen 16 flexes its muscles with high Performance Per Watt and a high TGP RTX 4060 GPU. I started the performance test with the Cinebench R23 multicore test and the HP Omen 16 scored 17681 with a throttle difference of just 1495. For comparison, the Lenovo Legion 5i had dropped the lowest performance during throttle tests, followed second only by the HP Omen 16 for a high-end processor. 

In the PC Mark 10 extended test though, the HP Omen 16 bested the HP Victus 16 and the pricier Lenovo Legion 5i Pro with a combined score of 9494 points. However, the Gen 4 SSD on board the HP Omen 16 is slightly slower than the one found in the other two laptops. But I reckon the real-world difference will be negligible as I noticed no measurable difference in real-world gaming scenarios. 

Speaking of gaming, the HP Omen 16 is neck to neck compared to the Acer Nitro 5 which also has the exact same configuration. The HP Omen 16 takes the lead from the Acer Nitro 5 in games like Assassin's Creed Valhalla and Shadow of the Tomb Raider. But the Nitro 5 bests the HP Omen 16 in Civilization and Dirt 5. So it is a mix-match game where both these performers come within spitting distance of each other. But one clear advantage the HP Omen 16 has is in terms of thermal performance. 

In the Acer Nitro 5, the fans spin at maximum speed even when set on auto and are noticeably louder than the ones on the HP Omen 16, despite, as we have seen, offering similar performance. But that's not to say that the fans on either of these laptops are not objectively loud. They are, just like fans in every other high-end gaming laptop. Additionally, the HP Omen does have a MUX switch allowing you the option to switch between hybrid and discreet display modes. And you do notice the performance difference when you switch between these two. 

I also tested Bethesda’s latest Sci-Fi adventure Starfield on the HP Omen 16 and despite the game’s stupendously high hardware requirements, the laptop ran the game at 40-50FPS at medium settings. Keep in mind that it is a game that even the Xbox Series X is only able to run at a locked 30FPS. Moreover, Nvidia is yet to release a DLSS update for the Starfield and it will definitely improve the game’s performance a lot more. 

Also read: Exclusive: HP Omen Transcend 16 Leaks Show Team Up with HyperX for Game-Changing Innovation

HP Omen 16 Review: Verdict 

In the evolving realm of gaming laptops, where brash designs once dominated, refined elegance is now the benchmark. The HP Omen 16, priced at Rs 1.33 lakh, epitomizes this evolution with a sophisticated aesthetic that deviates from traditional gamer flair. Under this refined shell, the AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU work in tandem to deliver a gaming experience that's seamless and engrossing. While its design modifications, including a rear "trunk" and centralized ports, elevate functionality, the laptop's high-quality display offers impressive color accuracy ideal for design work. However, its speakers, while balanced, can't outshine competitors' volume and are affected during intense gameplay due to fan noise. Performance metrics highlight its competitive edge, rivaling the Acer Nitro 5 closely, albeit with superior thermal performance. With an undeniable focus on balancing aesthetics and power, the HP Omen 16 presents itself as a compelling choice, with certain areas excelling and others requiring some reconsideration for those discerning in their gaming laptop selection.

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You can already use hand gestures on your Apple Watch: Heres how

During the 'Wonderlust' event on September 12, Apple unveiled not only the most awaited smartphone series of the year, the iPhone 15 series, but also introduced the Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2. The new Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2 come with significant upgrades. Notably, Apple introduced a double tap gesture feature that enables a truly hands-free experience, utilising both the index finger and thumb. It’s worth noting that this feature is already available in older Apple Watch models -- sort of.

According to ZDNET, to use hand gestures, you need an Apple Watch Series 4 or newer, Apple Watch SE, or Apple Watch Ultra, or newer running on the latest version of WatchOS. 

Also read: Apple Watch Series 9 and Watch Ultra 2: India price and new features

How to enable hand gestures in Apple Watch?

Step 1: Open the Settings app on your Apple Watch.

Step 2: Find the Accessibility option by scrolling down and tap on it.

Step 3: After that tap on AssistiveTouch and enable it. 

Step 4: Then select the Hand Gestures option and enable it to turn on the feature.

Now, you will see a list of four hand gestures on the screen that the Apple Watch recognises. The four hand gestures that the AssistiveTouch capability recognises are: Pinch, Double-pinch, Clench and Double clench.

At Digit, we tested out these hand gestures on Watch Series 8, and they worked well.

Also read: Apple iPhone 15 Series: What You Need to Know Before You Buy

How is AssistiveTouch different from the new double-tap gesture feature?

AssistiveTouch originally emerged as an accessibility feature, designed to empower individuals who face challenges in physically interacting with their Apple Watch's touchscreen. This feature enables users to operate their wearable device using the same hand they are wearing it on. It extends its functionality beyond mere double-tapping, incorporating various hand gestures like a single tap using the pointer finger and thumb, and fist clenching once or twice.

Meanwhile, the double-tap feature on Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2 serves as a versatile control mechanism. This double-tap gesture allows users to manage the primary button in an app so it can be used to stop a timer, play and pause music, or snooze an alarm. The gesture can be used to answer and end a phone call, and even to take a photo with the Camera Remote on Apple Watch. This double tap gesture is enabled by the faster Neural Engine in Apple Watch Series 9, which processes data from the accelerometer, gyroscope, and optical heart sensor with a new machine learning algorithm.

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Google Tensor G4 wont be a big upgrade over Pixel 8s Tensor G3: Report

With the release of the Pixel 6, Google unveiled its first Tensor chipset, aiming to grow independent of Qualcomm’s Snapdragon. Interestingly, these Tensor chips were developed in collaboration with Samsung and incorporate certain elements from Google, while drawing substantial inspiration from Samsung's Exynos chips. According to a recent report, this will remain the same, extending into the development of the forthcoming Tensor G3 and Tensor G4 chips.

According to a report by Android Authority, citing a “Google insider”, Tensor G4 in the Google Pixel 9 won’t be a very big upgrade.

Also read: Google may pray for AI to save Tensor G3 chip’s reputation in Pixel 8 phones

While Tensor G3 is known as “Zuma,” Tensor G4 is codenamed “Zuma Pro,” according to the report.

Also read: Smartphone or digital thermometer? Google Pixel 8 Pro will be both!

Google's minot Tensor G4 chip upgrade and beyond

The new chip is expected to still be semi-custom and co-designed with Samsung. Also, it will likely be a minor upgrade than initially planned. This is similar to how Tensor G2 was a small update over the original Tensor.

The report further mentioned that Google has also started working on the next-generation fully-custom Tensor chip codename “Laguna Beach” for 2025 Pixels, and the development board for this chip is codenamed “Deepspace.” 

Google initially had plans to introduce its 2024 Pixel series featuring a "fully custom" Tensor SoC, codenamed "Redondo," built using a TSMC process node. However, due to a missed deadline, the chip arrived too late for inclusion in the 2024 Pixel 9 series. 

Earlier, it was rumoured that the upcoming Tensor G3 chipset won’t have as good a performance as its other flagship counterparts. This could be a potential deal breaker, if true. But that’s not all, rumours also suggested that this Google chip will be coming with top notch AI under the hood, which would allow Google to still showcase some never-before-seen applications on the Pixel 8 smartphone later this year – and save its reputation. 

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WhatsApp will soon let you initiate group calls with up to 31 participants: Know more

Meta-owned instant messaging platform WhatsApp is reportedly testing a feature to initiate group calls with up to 31 participants, along with minor improvements to the calls tab. It is currently being tested on Android, as per the report.

According to a report by a known WhatsApp tipster publication, WABetaInfo, the messaging platform is rolling out a 31-people group calling feature, along with a revised interface for the calls tab.

Also read: WhatsApp to verify security codes for end-to-end encryption: Why it matters?

Credit: WABetaInfo

With the new changes to the calls tab, WhatsApp users will likely no longer see call links on this screen. Also, the floating action button is expected to be updated with a plus icon.

Meanwhile, the 31-person group calling feature is expected to help users easily connect with a larger group of participants.

Also read: WhatsApp will let you swap your face with cool avatars in video calls: Here’s how

While the messaging platform already allowed group calls of up to 32 participants in the past updates, users were only able to select 15 contacts while initiating a call.

The 31-person group calling feature, along with minor improvements to the calls tab, is currently available to a limited number of beta testers on Android, according to the report.

In our opinion, the ability to initiate group calls with up to 31 participants will allow for more extensive and inclusive group conversations. This can be especially useful for business meetings, virtual family gatherings, or connecting with a larger circle of friends.

Last week, it was reported that WhatsApp had started testing a new video avatar calling feature. This feature is expected to allow users to replace themselves with avatars during video calls. Given that WhatsApp is owned by Meta, it's worth noting that Meta introduced the real-time avatar calling feature for Instagram and Messenger in July. Hence, it was only a matter of time before WhatsApp would incorporate such a feature on the platform.

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Get the iPhone 15 for as low as 12,100 with the Apple Trade-in program

Apple is starting the pre-ordering of the iPhone 15 series today at 5:30 PM IST. Just some hours before the pre-order, Apple announced the trade-in offers for iPhone 15, which you can avail of by exchanging your iPhone, starting from iPhone 7. These trade-in offers are giving super exciting values that can be used to buy the iPhone 15 at a much lower price. This trade-in program has been lifted off to drive the iPhone 15 sale. Here’s how you can take advantage of this offer to buy the iPhone 15 at just ₹12,100.

Also read: Why you should buy the iPhone 15 or skip it altogether and save your money

Apple iPhones available for trade-in

Apple has offered some estimated amounts on its previous generation iPhones which start from the iPhone 7 for up to ₹6,080. Here they are:

iPhone 7 for up to ₹6,080 iPhone 7 Plus for up to ₹7,990 iPhone 8 for up to ₹8,550 iPhone 8 Plus for up to ₹10,690 iPhone X for up to ₹12,950 iPhone XR for up to ₹13,800 iPhone XS for up to ₹16,740 iPhone XS Max for up to ₹17,900 iPhone 11 for up to ₹21,200 iPhone 11 Pro for up to ₹27,030 iPhone 11 Pro Max for up to ₹30,900 iPhone SE (2nd Gen) for up to ₹10,520 iPhone 12 Mini for up to ₹21,000 iPhone 12 for up to ₹27,400 iPhone 12 Pro for up to ₹38,800 iPhone 12 Pro Max for up to ₹41,300 iPhone 13 Mini for up to ₹34,400 iPhone 13 for up to ₹38,200 iPhone 13 Pro for up to ₹53,200 iPhone 13 Pro Max for up to ₹55,700 iPhone SE (3rd Gen) for up to ₹21,450 iPhone 14 for up to ₹40,000 iPhone 14 Plus for up to ₹42,500 iPhone 14 Pro for up to ₹64,500 iPhone 14 Pro Max for up to ₹67,800

Now assuming you exchange your iPhone 14 Pro max while buying the new iPhone 15, you can get a discount of up to ₹67,800. The iPhone 15 has launched in India at a price of ₹79,900. This means you can jab it for ₹12,100 only. 

Also read: iPhone 15 vs iPhone 14: What's New and Improved?

How to avail of the offer?

To avail of this offer, you need to do a little question-answering with Apple regarding your current device’s condition. Then the company will give a date and time of when you would be taking the delivery of your new iPhone and exchanging the old one. When your new iPhone arrives, the courier person will check your old device whether it has any internal or external damage. Once done with this process, the new iPhone will be handed over to you and the old one will be taken. 

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Google Chromes new Organize Tabs feature could save you from chaos of open tabs

Google is reportedly working on a new ‘Organize Tabs’ feature for Google Chrome. This feature is expected to help users manage the chaos of multiple open tabs.

According to findings by browser researcher Leopeva64, the recent release of Chrome 119 in the Canary channel hints at Google experimenting with a new ‘Organize Tabs’ feature, reports Android Police.

Also read: Google Chrome getting new look for its 15th birthday: Check new updates

The exact workings of this feature are currently undisclosed. Although full specifics are yet to be revealed, Leopeva64 suggests that it could potentially be a revamped menu offering users improved options for reordering tabs, transferring them to other windows, or conveniently grouping them together.

First images of Chrome's new "Organize Tabs" feature (Canary):https://t.co/WCOZx0956Y .https://t.co/W7xKdSx5Te pic.twitter.com/x4pqIJHGPR

— Leopeva64 (@Leopeva64) September 13, 2023

The introduction of the Organize Tabs feature could potentially bring several benefits to users. Users will likely find it easier to manage their tabs, especially when dealing with a large number of open tabs. Also, the ability to reorder tabs, move them to different windows, or group them together could enhance productivity. By tailoring their browsing experience to their specific needs, users might also be able to create a more streamlined and efficient workflow.

Moreover, the feature is expected to help users reduce the clutter in their browser interface, making it easier to find and navigate to specific webpages.

Last week, Google announced a new look for Chrome on desktop. “Based on our Material You design language, we’ve refreshed Chrome’s icons with a focus on legibility and created new colour palettes that better complement your tabs and toolbar,” the tech giant said. 

Google also introduced other improvements that make it easier to use Google Chrome, like a more comprehensive menu for faster access to Chrome extensions, Google Translate, Google Password Manager and more. Additionally, users will now see the same Material You style in the Chrome Web Store, making it easier to discover helpful extensions. 

In addition to getting a fresh, modern interface, the store now also features new extension categories like AI-powered extensions and Editors' spotlight.

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iPhone 12 sale has been shockingly banned in France: Heres why

French regulators have ordered Apple to stop the sale of iPhone 12 devices due to concerns that they exceed the European Union's permissible limits for electromagnetic radiation emissions. However, the company disputed the findings and said that the device adheres to regulatory standards.

According to a report by The Associated Press, the French government agency responsible for overseeing wireless communication frequencies issued this order following the iPhone 12's recent failure in one of the two tests for electromagnetic waves that can be absorbed by the human body.

Also read: Apple iPhone 12 Review : The iPhone of choice for 2020

The reasons behind the phone's failure in the latest round of tests and why it was only that specific model, which was launched in late 2020, remain unclear. 

France’s digital minister said that the radiation levels emitted by the iPhone 12 are still significantly below the levels identified by scientific studies as potentially harmful to users. Furthermore, the agency conducting the tests also itself acknowledges that their assessments may not accurately reflect typical phone usage conditions.

Earlier this week, the National Frequency Agency called on Apple, urging the tech giant to "implement all available means to rapidly fix this malfunction”. Additionally, the agency stated that it would closely monitor device updates. If these updates fail to address the problem,  “Apple will have to recall”  smartphones that have already been sold.

“The agency recently tested 141 cellphones and found that when the iPhone 12 is held in a hand or carried in a pocket, its level of electromagnetic energy absorption is 5.74 watts per kilogram, higher than the EU standard of 4 watts per kilogram,” the report said.

According to Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s minister in charge of digital issues, the iPhone 12’s radiation levels are “slightly higher” than EU standards but “significantly lower than levels where scientific studies consider there may be consequences for users. But the rule is the rule.”

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