Srijith KN

After spending a solid month with the OPPO A6 Pro 5G, I can confidently say this phone delivers on its core promise: being a device you can truly depend on, day after day, without babying it or constantly hunting for a charger. This isn’t trying to be the flashiest phone on the market, instead, it focuses on what actually matters for most people. It is one of the most dependable phones I have tested recently. It focuses on strength, endurance, and smoothness rather than chasing trends or relying on flashy gimmicks.

A Bright, & Beefed-Up OLED Screen

The screen is protected by AGC DT-Star D+ Crystal Shield Glass, which is part of the Dragontrail family of protective glass made by Japanese manufacturer AGC. This chemically strengthened aluminosilicate glass makes it much harder for small scratches and tiny cracks to start and spread. That means it is less likely to pick up visible wear from keys in a pocket or light knocks on a table, and it holds up better to impacts that would otherwise cause micro fractures. I’ve been deliberately rough with it (within reason), and the screen remains pristine. No micro-scratches, no damage from accidental drops.

Built Like a Tank Yet Aesthetically Pleasing

The first thing that struck me was how good it feels in the hand. The build quality feels premium and at 185g, it’s got a reassuring heft without being heavy. The metal mid-frame enhances the in-hand feel, and with just 8 mm of thickness, the A6 Pro is comfortably slim to hold or to fit into a pocket. My review unit came in Stellar Blue shade, and it has this understated gradient effect that shifts subtly under light. The matte texture does a good job of resisting fingerprints, and the overall build feels more high-end than you’d expect from a mid-range device.

Don’t Worry If You Drop It!
Now, let’s talk durability – and I promise to skip the technical mumbo-jumbo to the minimum. The Oppo A6 Pro has been tested by a third-party organization (GRG Metrology & Test Group) to meet US military standards (MIL-STD-810H). These tests include drop tests from various heights and angles, vibration testing, temperature extremes, and humidity exposure. It’s the same testing standard used for equipment that soldiers carry into the field, which means it is certified to work reliably in harsh, unpredictable conditions.

On top of this, Oppo also includes a protective case in the box, unlike many other more expensive brands who just provide a wire and paperwork which I appreciate.

The Oppo A6 Pro has been tested by a third-party organization (GRG Metrology & Test Group) to meet US military standards (MIL-STD-810H).

The Engineering Inside That You Can’t See

Inside the OPPO A6 Pro, smart engineering keeps it tough and reliable. Its motherboard is reinforced with AM04 high-strength aluminum alloy which is stronger and more resilient than standard aluminum, helping the phone resist bending and daily stress. OPPO also added Sponge Bionic Cushioning inspired by sea sponges, using foam and silicone pads that act like tiny airbags to absorb shocks and protect vital components during drops. Together, these unseen innovations make the A6 Pro built to withstand everyday wear and tear with ease.

Splash It, Dip It, and Take Underwater Shots While You’re At It
The A6 Pro takes IP (Ingress Protection – basically dust and water resistance) rating to the next level. Most high-end phones come with an IP68 rating, which means they can survive being dunked in water up to 1.5 meters deep for 30 minutes. The A6 Pro however, offers a higher IP69 rating which means it is designed to withstand even high-pressure hot water jets, like industrial pressure washers spraying water at 85°C. This is pretty much the highest level of water and dust protection you can get on regular consumer devices.

The A6 Pro boasts the highest level of water and dust protection you can get on regular consumer devices.

Why does this matter if you’re not planning to pressure-wash your phone? Because it means the phone can handle pretty much any real-world water situation you throw at it – heavy rain, accidental bathroom sink disasters. And from a utilitarian standpoint, you can use it to take underwater photos in the pool. Even though I didn’t put it through an intense test, I’ve accidentally splashed it a couple of times while being glued to Netflix while washing dishes. Zero issues.

What really shows OPPO’s confidence: they’re offering a 1-year liquid protection plan for pre-order customers. Not many companies put their money where their mouth is like that.

Decent, Consistent Performance 

The Oppo A6 Pro runs on a MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. This is a mid-range chip built on 6nm architecture, with eight cores, two performance cores for demanding tasks, and six efficient ones for everyday stuff. I’m not a hardcore mobile gamer, but my personal favourite Offroad League runs smoothly on the A6 Pro without lag or stuttering. The AI GameBoost feature intelligently prioritizes gaming traffic for a more responsive experience. And what about, PUBG Mobile you may ask. It runs without hiccups at a fluid 60 fps, as long as you don’t expect flagship level performance and smoothness.

Keeps Its Cool Under Pressure

The A6 Pro uses a vapor chamber cooling system, like many modern smartphones, which is essentially a thin, sealed chamber with a tiny amount of liquid inside. When the phone heats up, this liquid evaporates and moves to cooler areas of the chamber, then condenses back into liquid and releases the heat. In real-world use, this ensures that even during extended gaming sessions or when recording videos, the phone might get a little warm but never uncomfortably hot. 

Clean Software & Genuinely Useful AI Features 

The phone runs on ColorOS 15 on top of Android 15, and OPPO has clearly spent time making it both responsive and easy on the eyes. There is a bunch of bloatware which you can uninstall if found unnecessary. Other than that, the overall interface feels modern and uncluttered. Animations are smooth and there are plenty in-built customizations options including icon packs and themes to choose from. 

One highlight feature I found impressive is what Oppo calls AI LinkBoost 3.0. It simply means that the phone has antennas positioned all around it while in-built AI constantly monitors the signal strength. When you’re in weak signal areas like basements, elevators, crowded malls; the AI intelligently switches between networks to maintain the strongest connection. I’ve noticed the A6 Pro sustaining stronger signal reception in underground parking garages compared to some other recently tested devices of the same segment.

I’ve also found Oppo’s AI Docs surprisingly handy. It can summarize long documents or translate text instantly, which has come in useful more than once while working on the go. It’s one of those built-in tools that quietly adds convenience to your day.

Solid On the Camera Side

The 50MP main camera is competent for everyday photography. In good lighting, photos are sharp with good detail. There’s a Hi-res mode that captures full 50MP images, meaning you can crop in significantly without losing detail. Alongside the 50MP main sensor, the OPPO A6 Pro 5G gets a 2MP depth camera that assists the main camera while shooting in portrait mode. Edge detection around faces and hair is appreciably good, and portraits look natural and refined without overprocessing. The 16MP front camera delivers clean, high-quality selfies retaining natural skin tones.

Let’s be honest: this isn’t competing with flagship cameras. In low light, it struggles a bit. But for social media, documentation, video calls, and everyday photography, it’s more than adequate. The underwater photography capability is fun for pool parties. I have included some sample images for your reference. Overall, a decent camera for all kinds of everyday use. 

Almost 2 Days on A Single Charge

The 6,500mAh battery is massive, and it lives up to the promise. In my daily use, it easily lasts almost two on a single charge, with regular navigation, occasional gaming, long video streaming sessions, video calls with family, and a decent amount of camera time. Unlike me, who is a heavy smartphone user (both due to the nature of my work and personally), a moderate user could easily get two full days of battery life from the A6 Pro. It’s one of those phones that you can take on a weekend trip and leave the charger behind without worry.

The 80-watt SUPERVOOC charger that comes standard in the box is incredibly fast.

When it does need to be topped up, the 80-watt SUPERVOOC charger that comes standard in the box is incredibly fast. Fifteen minutes plugged in gets you nearly half a day’s worth of power, and a full charge takes under an hour. The phone also stays pretty cool while charging, which translates to appreciable thermal management.

Another small but genuinely useful feature is reverse charging. I’ve used it to top up my wireless earbuds twice, and it’s exactly the kind of practical feature that ends up becoming part of your routine.

The Verdict

The OPPO A6 Pro 5G is a no-nonsense device built for long-lasting power, ultra durability, and smooth performance. It’s a competent go-to smartphone that you can rely on for whatever comes your way each day. After a month of real-world use, this phone has proven itself to me as a dependable daily driver. The combination of an enormous battery with lightning-fast charging, genuine military-grade durability with the highest water resistance rating available makes the A6 Pro 5G a compelling package.

The OPPO A6 Pro 5G is a no-nonsense device built for long-lasting power, ultra durability, and smooth performance.

For users who prioritize reliability and endurance over flagship specs, the A6 Pro 5G delivers exactly what it promises. It looks good, feels dependable, and performs smoothly no matter what you throw at it.

On top of that, you get enhanced after-sales service. This includes 1-year liquid protection plan and 1-year screen protection plan for pre-order customers, plus upgraded cross-country warranty coverage across the GCC. It’s not a flashy, style over substance device, but a dependable device that you can count on every day.

FAQ

By Srijith KN, Senior Editor

The Apple Watch Series 11 feels familiar on my wrist. It upholds the design philosophy centered on continuous wearability. At a slim depth of 9.7 mm, the profile remains consistent with its immediate predecessor, the Series 10. This lightness is paramount, specifically enabling the device to be worn comfortably 24 hours a day, a requirement for capturing the overnight and long-term health metrics that define this generation.

Same rounded-square silhouette, same slim profile, same 42 mm / 46 mm dial options. But that’s not a complaint, it’s a design that works. What’s changed are the refinements under the glass and behind the scenes that has resulted in a notably improved user experience.

Display & Durability: Subtle But Real

The new release continues to offer a choice between aluminum and the more premium titanium cases, catering to various user preferences for weight and durability. Let me start with what might sound basic, but matters every single day: the display glass.

Apple has treated the Ion-X glass on aluminum models with a new ceramic coating that bonds at the atomic level through physical vapor deposition, making it twice as scratch-resistant as the Series 10. I know that sounds like marketing speak, but here’s why it’s genuinely significant. It’s not just tougher glass; it’s peace of mind. You stop babying your watch and actually use it.

If you opt for the titanium model, you’re getting sapphire crystal instead, the most scratch and crack-resistant material you can put on a watch display. But honestly? The Ion-X glass closes the durability gap considerably, and at a more accessible price point. The Always-On Retina LTPO3 OLED remains, but Apple has pushed it to 2,000 nits brightness, made the display borders 24 percent thinner and improved the viewing angles.

Battery Life: Official Numbers Undersell It

Here’s where Apple deserves genuine credit for listening. The Series 11 now offers up to 24 hours of battery life, a full six hours more than previous generations. My experience, however, suggests Apple’s figures are rather conservative. The larger 46 mm model routinely delivered between 40 and 43 hours of use in testing. It allowed me to get through a full day, track a full night of sleep, and still have a buffer for the next morning. And for a quick top-up, the fast-charge capability gets you to 80% in about 30 minutes, or a brief 5-minute charge provides enough juice for a night’s sleep tracking.

There’s also Low Power Mode, which stretches the battery to an official 38 hours time, which again is a very much conservative claim from Apple. I’m being realistic here, you won’t use it daily unless you’re the type who obsesses over battery percentages. But it’s genuinely useful for specific scenarios: overnight travel, a weekend hiking trip, or when you’re running late and forgot to charge overnight. You lose some fitness features and continuous health monitoring, but the core functionality remains. Although I never needed it, knowing it’s there was reassuring.

Fast charging provides eight hours of battery life in just 15 minutes, so a quick top-up while you shower is all you need. Is it multi-day for a heavy user usage? No. But 24 hours is the sweet spot where the watch becomes genuinely convenient rather than another device demanding consistent attention. And the Low Power Mode is your safety net when life gets unpredictable.

5G: More Than a Spec Bump

I was skeptical about 5G on a watch. How much data are you really downloading on your wrist? Turns out, quite a bit; and the difference is noticeable. The Series 11 features an upgraded cellular antenna covering more bands, and can simultaneously engage both system antennas when needed, significantly increasing signal strength. Translation: music streams without stuttering, and podcast episodes are downloaded in seconds instead of minutes.

The real win is reliability. The dual-antenna system on the Series 11 maintains a connection in places. I travel frequently, and this means stronger, more stable coverage, validating the Watch’s role as an indispensable safety device and a reliable lifeline when I intentionally leave my iPhone behind.

Hypertension Monitoring: A Potential Life-Saver

The Apple Watch uses its optical heart sensor to quietly track how your blood vessels respond to each heartbeat, running an algorithm in the background over 30 days to look for signs of hypertension. I haven’t been wearing it long enough for that full 30-day cycle yet, so I haven’t seen any results. But once it’s had enough data, it’s supposed to alert you if it detects patterns that might point to chronic high blood pressure — basically telling you to double-check with a proper cuff and talk to your doctor.

watchOS 26: The Liquid Glass Era

The software deserves its own recognition. watchOS 26 introduces Liquid Glass, creating a vibrant, expressive experience across the Photos watch face, Smart Stack widgets, notifications, Control Center, and navigation. It’s a visual refresh that makes the watch feel premium and modern.

Two new standout features that I found the most attractive, useful and innovative:

Wrist Flick Gesture: My number one favorite new feature. I’ve come to love the new Wrist Flick gesture. It allows me to instantly dismiss notifications or silence alarms with a quick twist of the wrist. This isn’t a clumsy accelerometer trick; the Neural Engine uses machine learning to interpret “messy motion data” , so it knows the difference between an intentional flick and me just randomly moving my arm.

Smart Stack Hints: Think of them as little nudges from your watch. The right information or app suggestion pops up just when it might be useful. The Series 11 watches your routines, movement, location, and even sensor data, then predicts what you might need before you even ask for it.

The Ecosystem Advantage: Where Apple Watch Shines Brightest

It’s in day-to-day life that the Series 11 shines. Quick glances at the wrist replace phone-checking rituals. Notifications feel natural rather than disruptive, and built-in GPS means workouts don’t tether you to your iPhone. Cycling, walking, or even scootering, the Watch feels like a personal assistant that anticipates needs without demanding attention. 

Should You Buy/Upgrade?

If you own a Series 10: Probably skip it unless 5G and longer battery life address specific pain points for you. The improvements are meaningful but might seem incremental for you.

If you own a Series 6, 7, 8, or 9: This is a substantial upgrade. The display durability, battery life, 5G connectivity, and new health features justify the upgrade; especially if you’re bothered by battery anxiety or accumulated scratches.

If you’re new to Apple Watch: The Series 11 is the most refined, capable, and user-friendly version Apple has made. At 1,599 AED, (the titanium model starts at 2,799 AED) it’s a meaningful investment, that pays dividends daily if you’re already in the Apple ecosystem.

Pricing & Color Options

Aluminum – Available in Space Gray (New), Silver (New), Rose Gold and Jet Black

42 mm (GPS) – AED 1,599                                     46 mm (GPS) – AED 1,719
42 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 1,999                    46 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 2,119

Titanium – Available in Natural, Gold and Slate

42 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 2,799                    46 mm (GPS + Cellular) – AED 2,999

By Srijith KN

The iPhone Air is the talk of the season, and I wouldn’t be surprised if the buzz lasts all year. From the moment I got my hands on it, I’ve been excited. It’s thinner—and that alone makes it a delight to have one! Apple’s past few releases haven’t really excited me, but this design has just clicked! If you look at the journey from the first iPhone to iPhone 6, the devices got thinner with every release. After iPhone 6, Apple started going thicker—and that made sense, since we were in that era where companies were competing to make phones become our primary computers, and they finally succeeded.

The Air has the potential to change that pattern. It brings back the lighter, sleeker feel of the classic old-school phones in a good way without completely sacrificing modernness.

Usability in Daily Life

I’ve been using bigger phones for a while now, and honestly, I’ve even had trouble just pulling them out of my pocket. On top of that, my screen time keeps increasing, and the bigger batteries with all their mAh equations haven’t really helped much. Perhaps that’s why the iPhone Air struck me to put this write-up together. Despite its slim profile, it offers the same battery life as the 16 Pro—which is impressive. Apple claims it’s durable too, thanks to the titanium shell, and I’m willing to bet on that.

Since I’m not a big photographer, I don’t need the massive camera setups. I usually have a cameraman with me for work, so other than snapping a quick photo at the store to check with my wife and some picnic pictures, I really don’t use those big lenses. What I do need is a phone that handles music, calls, and constant calls that keeps my journalism on track—and the Air fits that bracket perfectly.

Performance & Features

The iPhone 17 Air runs on the A19 Pro chip. Heavy gamers probably shouldn’t look elsewhere, but for everyday tasks and anything more than that, it’s flawless. And if you pick up the magnetic power battery attachment, perhaps your battery anxiety will be gone as well.

The Pro has its advantages—a bigger camera lens, a larger battery, and a new cooling chamber—but it’s chunky. The Air, on the other hand, strikes a balance between practicality and aesthetics.

The Verdict

Here’s the bottom line: the Air is gorgeous, lightweight, and fun to use. Yes, it’s compromised—a smaller battery, one less camera—but it delivers exactly what it promises. For those who want power and tech-heavy features, the iPhone 17 Pro is the answer. But for anyone who values aesthetics, a minimalist feel, and a premium outlook in a lighter, smaller package, the Air is the smarter choice.

If you’re tired of carrying heavy devices and don’t care about the extra tech YouTubers hype, the iPhone Air 17 makes perfect sense as the Apple device to get right now.

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Quick Take Rating

Everyday Usability: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Design: ★★★★★ (5/5)

Performance: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Battery Life: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Camera: ★★★★☆ (4/5)