The New Apple iPhone 15 Review: Powerful Entry Smartphone

Apple iPhone 15

The USB-C charger is just one of many advancements over the iPhone 14 that make the iPhone 15 a genuine update even if it isn’t sufficiently distinctive to shock the world.

 

SPECS

DISPLAY 6.1 inches, OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1179 x 2556 pixels
CHIPSET Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm), Hexa-core (2×3.46 GHz Everest + 4×2.02 GHz Sawtooth), Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
STORAGE MEMORY 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM
OPERATING SYSTEM iOS 17, upgradable to iOS 17.0.3
CAMERA Dual sensor | 48 MP, f/1.6, 26mm (wide) | 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) | SELFIE: 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide)
VIDEO 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120/240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision | SELFIE: 4K at 24/25/30/60fps, 1080p at 25/30/60/120fps
BATTERY 3349 mAh, Wired, 50% in 30 min (advertised), 15W wireless (MagSafe), 7.5W wireless (Qi), 4.5W reverse wired
MISC NETWORK: 5G, Wi-Fi 802.11, Bluetooth 5.3 | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) | COLOR: Black, Blue, Green, Yellow, Pink

 

 

Overview

After using the new Apple iPhone 15 for a while, I can state that Apple should have switched to a USB-C charger years ago.

Not having to continually carry separate chargers for the iPhone and whatever other devices I’m carrying around has been a tremendous improvement, even though it’s not the largest feature on offer here given the incredibly outstanding cameras, great performance, and lovely hues.

Because of this, the iPhone 15 is now among the best smartphones available, especially if you’ve been waiting for Apple to do away with its ten-year-old Lightning cord. The iPhone 15 makes switching to iOS easier than ever before if you’ve been using one of the greatest Android smartphones.

 

Design

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus initially resemble the iPhone 14 almost exactly, right down to the aesthetic profile of the camera. But if you look a little closer, you can see differences.

The most significant of these is that, in its place of the inferior Dynamic Island that was only available on the iPhone 14 Pro in the previous generation, you now have the far better Dynamic Island.

This is essentially a tiny island in the display that is always completely black, though some notifications and statuses may display a small icon. These gadgets, like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, can use a selfie camera underneath the display without interfering with your image.

This island also houses your front-facing cameras. Although it appears that Apple may be moving in this direction as well, the Dynamic Island is a far better option for storing the front-facing cameras while the firm works out how to accomplish it to its own standards.

The iPhone 15 has varied glass all around its back. This time, Apple was able to permanently incorporate the color into the glass. Realistically, most people won’t care much about this, but it should stop any stains from developing over time as dirt and grime become trapped behind the glass.

Naturally, in practice, this means that the new iPhone looks fantastic without a case, but Apple’s cellphones have always been like this.

Of course, the new USB-C port at the phone’s bottom is the greatest difference. The iPhone 15 is limited to USB-C 2.0, which is significantly slower than pretty much every other phone currently on the market, while the iPhone 15 Pro receives USB-C 3.0, a technology that has been available for 15 years.

It makes little sense to equip the iPhone 15 with such an antiquated USB spec in 2023, but I realize that consumers who transfer a lot of data to and from their phones will choose the iPhone 15 Pro anyway.

Even so, all USB-C 3.0 devices are backwards compatible, so using an older standard won’t have any impact other than on speed, but it’s still a mistake I wouldn’t have imagined from Apple.

Regarding the camera upgrade, the iPhone 14 still has a two-lens setup, but both lenses have undergone major improvements. You’ll still have to put up with a camera bump, which seems inevitable these days, but I like that Apple was able to enhance the camera’s capabilities without altering their design.

 

Other Features

I received a green iPhone 15 Plus and a pink iPhone 15, but there are actually many other color options available, including blue, yellow, and black in addition to pink and green.

Although the colors on both of the phones I tried are exquisite, they are weirdly muted this time around, with the pink hue frequently appearing white. Bright hues must be in opposition to Apple’s sense of style. How silly.

The last safety feature that Apple has included is very handy if you either live in a remote region or frequently go hiking. Nowadays, you can request assistance via satellite, whether you need roadside assistance or something more urgent.

This implies that you can still call for assistance in an emergency even if you don’t have cell service. You don’t need to upgrade if you already own an iPhone 14 because Apple discreetly supports the functionality for you as well.

You can discover the program in your settings by simply selecting Emergency SOS, as Apple explains in a help page. Additionally, a demo is available so you can test it out before a potentially fatal circumstance arises.

 

Camera

When it comes to the camera, the iPhone 14 was sort of screwed. Even though Apple’s normally superb image-boosting algorithms helped its 12MP primary sensor perform well, it lagged considerably behind the iPhone 14 Pro.

Even though the iPhone 15 Pro still has a great camera, the iPhone 15 is in a much better position this time around. A 48MP main camera and a 12MP telephoto lens are combined in the iPhone 15’s two-camera array on the back of the device to produce very amazing photographs.

 

 

The front camera is a 12MP TrueDepth one, which is effectively the same as the selfie camera in the iPhone 14. It’s adequate for taking beautiful selfies, and portrait mode is still the best feature of any iPhone camera, of course.

So it’s wonderful that the iPhone 15 automatically switches to Portrait mode whenever the camera detects a human or animal in the frame. This is made possible by the depth sensors in the camera array, which can determine whether or not you are taking a picture of a person instantly.

The phone does assume that you prefer portrait orientation by default out of the box, but I struggle to think of a reason why you wouldn’t. But what surprises people is how quick it is in actuality. Opening the camera app and getting a shootable image happen simultaneously and without any hiccups.

 

Performance and Gaming

With it pursuing AAA console games like Resident Evil Village, the iPhone 15 Pro appears to be going all out to be the de-facto gaming phone these days. The new Apple iPhone 15 is still a covert choice for mobile gamers, however.

The A16 Bionic is a capable processor despite not having the A17 Pro’s 6-core GPU. A 6-core CPU with 2 performance cores, 4 efficiency cores, and a 5-core GPU is what we’re talking about. It might not officially support the high-end games coming to the Pro, but given how impressive the performance is, I wouldn’t be surprised if support was on the way.

The iPhone 15 can seamlessly switch between them in the mobile games I frequently play, such as Marvel Snap, Diablo Immortal, and Star Wars Galaxy of Heroes. What’s more striking is how little effect gaming appears to have on battery life.

 

 

Even though I frequently play games on my phone, I have only needed to charge the iPhone 15 three or four times in the past week or so of use. Almost regardless of what you’re doing, you can typically anticipate that the phone will last all day.

The USB-C 2.0 connection, however, prevents your phone from charging as quickly as some of its Android competitors. To play games, however, you can do a lot with that USB-C connection.

These days, the majority of controllers not only accept USB-C, but there are also a ton of controller adapters for smartphones, like the Razer Kishi. I use that particular gadget to play games on the phone, and since it is a USB-C model, you won’t have to switch to a separate controller attachment if your phone type changes in the future.

Even if it’s a tiny gesture, refusing to spend an additional $100 on something you already own says a lot. However, you might want to get the Plus if you know you’ll be playing a lot of games on your phone.

In comparison to the other two phones, the iPhone 15’s larger 6.7-inch display makes it much simpler to understand what is actually happening. The A16 Bionic chip is the same regardless of the model; nevertheless, the additional half-inch of display space makes a significant difference.

 

Display

Speaking of displays, Apple has once again outdone themselves. With a resolution of 2,556 x 1,179 for the iPhone 15, it may not appear to be the most stunning on paper, but Apple has once again calibrated the display to be incredibly bright and color correct.

Let’s be clear: There are smartphones with better resolutions and phones with crazily high refresh rates, but Apple has somehow figured out how to make a display look faultless.

 

 

Even though I frequently use devices with larger displays, I frequently reach for my phone to watch YouTube videos or read comic books since the iPhone 15’s display is so excellent.

Blacks are incredibly dark thanks to the mind-blowing 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio, while brighter parts of any movie literally jump off the screen with to the peak brightness of 2000 nits outside.

Many things have been said about HDR and how it can genuinely change the content you watch, but when you have a screen that displays HDR video as well as the iPhone 15, it actually stands out in a class of its own.

 

Battery Life

The iPhone 15’s battery capacity is 3349 mAh. That’s a little bit more than the 3279 mAh battery found in the standard iPhone 14 and the 3200 mAh battery found in the iPhone 14 Pro model from the previous year. Since last year, Apple has reportedly added to its optimization efforts for both hardware and software.

The new Apple iPhone 15 performs admirably throughout, with a 21 hour battery life on moderate use. Given that the iPhone 15 and iPhone 14 Pro both feature identical A16 Bionic chipsets and extremely similar batteries, that makes the latter significantly superior than the former.

In the offline video playback test, the new iPhone 15 performed noticeably better. In order to corroborate our conclusions, we had to repeat the test a few times. Maybe Apple’s new display this year is much more effective. This would also account for the extra hour or two that the iPhone 15 was able to use Wi-Fi for web browsing.

The iPhone 15 does not charge exceptionally quick. The stock iPhone 15 can charge using a standard 20W power charger, just like earlier iPhone models. As a result, the phone goes from 0 to 32% in 15 minutes and from there to 58% in 30 minutes. The battery may be charged to 85% capacity in about one hour. That’s really not all that bad.

However, wattage begins to quickly drop down after that in the charging cycle. following a 95% charge. The iPhone 15 uses only about 4W of electricity, which accounts for why it takes 1 hour and 50 minutes to fully charge. That’s a little slower than the iPhone 14 and iPhone 13, but it’s still within striking distance.

The iPhone 15 is compatible with both conventional Qi wireless charging and MagSafe wireless charging at up to 15W. Additionally, the new Type-C connection supports reverse-wired charging at a maximum power of 4.5W.

 

 Verdict

The new Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus resemble the iPhone 14 almost exactly. However, this similarity conceals actual advancements in the phone’s cameras, display, and even back glass.

Additionally, the introduction of USB-C for the iPhone cannot be overstated because it greatly reduces the number of connections you’ll need to bring about every day, especially if you use several different devices.

 

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max Review: Best Just Got Better

Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max

The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max has most of the best features to be the best smartphone of 2023. 

Specs

DISPLAY 6.7-inch OLED, 2796 x 1290p, 1-120Hz adaptive, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1000 nits (typ), 2000 nits (HBM), 19.51:9 aspect ratio, 460ppi, Always-On display
CPU Apple A17 Pro (3nm), hexa-core, Apple GPU (6-core) 
STORAGE MEMORY 256GB 8GB | 512GB 8GB | 1TB 8GB
CAMERA Main: 48MP (wide) | 12MP (ultra-wide) | 12MP (telephoto), 5X zoom | Selfie: 12MP (wide)
VIDEO Main: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps) | Selfie: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS
BATTERY 4441mAh | Wired, 50% in 30 min | 15W wireless (MagSafe) | 7.5W wireless (Qi), Reverse wired.
MISC Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | stereo speakers | Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) | Connectivity: 5G, eSIM, Dual SIM, Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3, NFC | Colors: Natural Titanium, Black Titanium. Blue Titanium | 221g | OS: iOS 17

 

 

Overview

Introducing the all new Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. Apple’s top-tier smartphone of 2023. It has all the top features, the best performance, the best camera, the best display and the best battery life.   

When compared to the 6.7-inch iPhone 14 Pro Max, holding the iPhone 15 Pro Max is a noticeably different feeling because it is lighter and has a slightly warmer titanium finish. However, Apple has also made a modest, yet noticeable alteration to the frame, eliminating just enough metal to provide curved edges all around.

It’s not just the titanium. One of the simplest yet most significant design adjustments I’ve ever noticed a smartphone maker make completely alters how the device feels in the hand.

One of the most gratifying and practical developments is Apple’s decision to remove the silence/ring button from its products. It converts a plain, one-use analog feature into a modern, reversible button that can be practically anything you want it to be.

The adoption of the USB-C port in favor of the Lightning port, however, will be the biggest change for some iPhone enthusiasts. I’m aware that the shift has caused some annoyance (all those now-useless wires in your house, workplace, and car), but it has no effect on how the phone works, and at least Apple provides you with a woven USB-C-to-USB-C connection. The old port will be missed, but I think we’ll all soon forget about it.

With Apple’s brand-new A17 Pro silicon chip, this phone is substantially more powerful than the iPhone 14 Pro Max and, for the first time ever, offers console-quality gaming to the iPhone range. Even Apple’s high-definition Super Retina XDR OLED panel, which has a 6.7-inch display, wasn’t built for console games like Resident Evil: Village, but at least that display now has the tiniest iPhone bezels I’ve ever seen.

The triple-camera system on the iPhone 15 Pro Max appears to be identical to that on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, but appearances can be deceiving because the phone has undergone both internal and external improvements that contribute to one of the best photographic experiences you’ll find on any phone.

Apple essentially redesigned its image processing pipeline even though it appears to have used the same 48MP primary camera sensor as in last year’s Pro Max. A new 24MP default image size cleverly combines 12MP of pixel-binned image data with 48MP of full-sensor information to produce pictures that are, for the most part, impressive. 

However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max would let you down if you were looking for a 10x optical zoom on an iPhone. Since the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra has a fantastic 10x optical zoom in addition to the crazy, AI-assisted 100x Space Zoom, I was disappointed when Apple announced that it had only increased the maximum optical zoom on its largest smartphone to 5x.

Due in large part to the fact that the image quality at that expanded focal length is just fantastic, rivaling and occasionally surpassing Samsung’s greatest camera, Apple does a remarkable job of competing with just half that zoom range.

Although your experience will depend on how you use the iPhone, the combination of its innovative 3nm chipset, a display that can stop down to a power-sipping 1Hz, and clever power management may account for exceptional full-day or longer battery life.

Overall, this is my favorite iPhone of all time. It’s lighter and smaller than the iPhone 14 Pro Max, which combined with the new curved edges makes it feel comfortable in my hand. Normally, I don’t like Apple’s largest iPhone, but you can be sure that this phone will be at the top of our list of the best phones when you combine it with its amazing photography, quick performance, and virtually limitless potential.

 

Premium Well-Designed

  • Tough “Corning-made” glass (front and back)
  • Tough titanium body with contoured edges
  • Lightweight & somewhat compact
  • IP68 dust/water resistance
  • Colors include Natural Titanium, Black Titanium & Blue Titanium
  • Includes USB-C port at the bottom

If you didn’t know, the brushed titanium frame of Apple’s new iPhone Pro & Pro Max has replaced the device’s former beautiful stainless steel frame. It’s resilient to corrosion. It’s strong and it’s lighter and somewhat smaller so it fits well inside your pocket. 

Beyond updating the exterior metalwork, Apple did make a few additional tweaks that offer the phone a fresh look and feel. The new contoured edges come first. Although this iPhone may initially appear to be nearly identical to the iPhone 14 Pro Max, closer examination reveals that the sides have been rounded.

It gives the device a softer appearance and making it considerably more comfortable to hold, especially given its size. Additionally, a substantially thinner bezel gives the Super Retina XDR display (and the Dynamic Island) the appearance of being larger.

Due to the differences in size and weight, the new iPhone 15 Pro Max feels different. It measures 76.7 x 159.9 x 8.25mm in comparison to the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s 77.6 x 160.7 x 7.85mm dimensions. That indicates that it’s slightly smaller than the previous generation.

I even tried taking my older cover from my iPhone 14 Pro Max, to cover the new iPhone 15 Pro Max, only to find out that it was loose inside. However, the iPhone 15 Pro Max weighs 19 grams less than the iPhone 14 Pro Max (221g vs. 240g) thanks to the titanium body. 

The new USB-C port is a significant architectural modification that also serves a practical purpose. It’s a little bit bigger than the old Lighting connector, but if you have the correct cable, you can transfer data at up to 10Gbps speeds. Sadly, the cable that comes with the iPhone is not a high-speed cable one.

Apple describes the front and rear panels of the body as being covered in “tough glass-based materials,” and the front of the device also has their Ceramic Shield, which is intended to shield the glass from harm. I don’t regularly drop my phones, so I couldn’t really test its durability.

However, I did submerge the phone in a bowl of water. There were no problems with the phone thanks to its IP68 rating. Although it was only for a brief period, the phone is capable of withstanding 30 minutes of swimming in fresh water up to six feet deep. Just keep in mind that you can’t charge your phone again until it is 100 percent dry after submerging it in water.

The power/sleep/Siri button and the two volume buttons were not altered by Apple, but directly above them is the new Action button, which is exclusive to the iPhone 15 Pro Max and iPhone 15 Pro.

The long-lasting silence/ring switch is replaced by this small little button. The Action button is programmable using one of Apple’s best-designed utility interfaces ever, replacing the single-function switch.

Instead of a switch, the Action button’s default setting of ring/silent control requires a lengthy press in order to toggle between the two states. Many individuals could decide that everything is fine as it is in this case, but they would be losing out on all the hidden benefit.

The Action button can activate a preferred Focus Mode, turn on and off the flashlight, start voice memos, transform your phone into a digital magnifier, run your favorite Shortcut, provide quick access to accessibility features, start the camera, or even disable all Action button features.

If you don’t have the new Control Center, you may still locate the ring/silent control there. I quickly changed the Action button to operate the camera after testing it out in default mode. From there, I could quickly press to take a picture and then long-press to rapidly open the camera.

The one drawback to this new button is that if you frequently take screenshots by hitting the power and volume up keys at the same time, you can unintentionally touch the new Action button instead as it is now the top button on the left side of the phone. “When you press Action instead of Volume Up” will probably become an iPhone 15 Pro Max meme.

Overall, the iPhone 15 Pro Max design, which has a lighter chassis, smoother lines, a larger screen, and more functional buttons and connectors, in my opinion preserves the best features of the previous model while also bringing the familiar into the future.

 

Great & Larger Display

  • Large 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED
  • Adaptive refresh rate between 1 – 120Hz
  • Comes with super thin bezels
  • Brighter screen than previous model

If you enjoyed the 6.7-inch screen on the iPhone 14 Pro Max, you’ll probably enjoy it even more on the iPhone 15 Pro Max. In order to make the Super Retina XDR OLED screen appear larger, Apple removed a few millimeters from the black bezel around it (doing so also makes the Dynamic Island appear smaller). In combination with the newly-curved edges, it appears as though the screen completely encircles the phone.

In order to make the Super Retina XDR OLED screen appear larger, Apple removed a few millimeters from the black bezel around it. In combination with the newly-curved edges, it appears as though the screen completely encircles the phone.

With a maximum brightness of 2000 nits, the screen looks lovely and bright. I had no issues using it outside in direct sunlight. On this display, it’s enjoyable to view anything from images to videos to games, apps, websites, and more.

The iPhone 15 Pro Max is capable of managing web page scrolling just as well as videos and games thanks to ProMotion support. Every movement seems fluid. Additionally, the phone can slow down to 1Hz when necessary, consuming less power while still giving you information—perfect for always-on functionality.

I placed the iPhone 15 Pro Max on the Belkin Boost Charge Pro 2-in-1 Wireless charge stand with MagSafe, which immediately activates the new Standby mode in iOS 17, and then I placed the device on my bedside. The Always-On display was just bright enough during the night so that I could glance at it and see the time.

The display on this phone is still amazing, but I have to question why Apple can’t finally support the Apple Pencil on its biggest and best phone given that Samsung’s flagship has an integrated pen and allows stylus input in addition to touch input.

However, I am aware that not everyone requires or desires pen input, and it’s possible that Apple is aware of this as well. What you have essentially is Apple’s amazing screen technology that has been somewhat enlarged and is now complemented by some fantastic new iOS 17 capability.

 

Top Performance & Gaming

  • New & faster A17 Pro processor
  • 8GB of RAM upgrade
  • Amazing graphics & smooth gameplay

With system-on-chips (SoCs) in laptops, desktops, and mobile that challenge and frequently beat the competition, and sometimes even take generational leaps, Apple has been pushing the envelope of what is possible, ever since it released Apple silicon.

The A16 Bionic in the iPhone 14 Pro Max was, in my opinion, a reasonable comparison to the A17 Pro. With a CPU that is 10% quicker and a six-core GPU that is not just 20% faster than the A16 Bionic but also supports on-hardware Ray Tracing, the A17 Pro should be more efficient than the A16 Bionic. It is constructed using an even smaller 3nm technology.

From CPU test done, the new A17 Pro chipset, powering the iPhone 15 Pro Max, runs at 3.78GHz clock speeds, which is more than the previous A16 Bionic (3.46GHz) present in the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, and the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (3.36GHz) chipset, which runs the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. This means that the A17 Pro is currently the fastest performing processor to date. 

Naturally, numbers only provide a partial picture of performance. What I can do with the iPhone 15 Pro Max is what matters to me. Playing native console-quality games is one of the promised experiences. Console gaming is different from mobile gaming, and the two will never collide—that is, until the iPhone 15 Pro Max.

I’m a gamer and console gaming is my go-to for gaming. Seeing the gaming demo on Resident Evil from a recent iPhone 15 show, the visuals look spectacular on the 6.7-inch display. The cut scenes look surprisingly good from the small screen but the Dynamic Island on the side does spoil the view. 

Never did the visuals stutter or tear. Early on in the game, I only saw one area with pixelation, when a shadow on the snow wasn’t entirely stable. I wonder whether it’s more about the game’s transition from console to mobile than the A17 Pro since this was a repeating experience.

Other than that, the game was snappy, and the sound was great. I was confronted with a wonderfully engaging and immersive experience when I inserted my AirPods Pro, and it was excellent enough for me to declare that console-quality gaming has finally made it to mobile devices.    

Outside of games, the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s responsiveness was exactly what I wanted and anticipated it to be. I used iMovie to edit several 4K 60fps clips, and neither the program nor the output had any problems. The latter’s speed on the A17 Pro wasn’t any faster than it was on the iPhone 14 Pro Max’s A16 Bionic.

 

Other Features

The Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max supports 5G. The calls are in great quality. If you have a Wi-Fi 6E router in your house or place of business, the fact that this is Apple’s first Wi-Fi 6E iPhone is good news for you. The iPhone 15 Pro Max routinely outperforms the iPhone 14 Pro (also WiFi 6) and the iPhone 15 that supported WiFi 6.

Additionally, a new Ultra Wide-band chip could aid in precisely locating not just your Apple items but also your pals who are also holding iPhones. Apple is also extending the free (for two years) roadside assistance offered by its integrated satellite services beyond Emergency SOS. The idea is that the system can direct you to connect with an orbiting satellite and then message adjacent road services in places where cell connection is spotty or nonexistent.

 

Excellent Camera

  • Tough “Corning-made” glass (front and back)
  • Tough titanium body with contoured edges
  • Lightweight & somewhat compact
  • IP68 dust/water resistance
  • Colors include Natural Titanium, Black Titanium & Blue Titanium
  • Includes USB-C port at the bottom

Let’s check out the camera of the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max. It differs from the one that debuted on the iPhone 14 Pro Max or the newest iPhone 15. It is bigger and was produced by Sony. Additionally, Apple is utilizing this sensor in novel ways.

Every image taken with the iPhone 15 Pro Max by default is produced at a resolution of 24MP. Yes, that is a new resolution for iPhones. Apple achieves this resolution by first pixel binning 48 megapixels’ worth of data into the best 12-megapixel image, and then fusing that with all of the 48MP sensor’s detail.

The main drawback is that 24MP photos will be roughly a megabyte bigger than 12MP stills. By automatically storing images in HEIF (High Efficiency Image Format) format, Apple helps to reduce the cost of storage a little. You may also take photos in 48MP RAW format for uncompressed, editable images.

The end result is a collection of stunning pictures. The colors are brighter, with striking clarity, and the most realistic I have ever seen on a smartphone. The iPhone 15 Pro Max triumphed even in direct contrast to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. The data I obtained with the iPhone 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max is superior to what I have in my macros. Skin tones are accurate. Whatever the skin tone, the iPhone 15 Pro Max recognized it and accurately duplicated it. 

 

More professional photographic tools than ever before are available on this iPhone thanks to Apple. You may now select between physical camera-like digital lenses with focal lengths ranging from 13mm to 24mm, 28mm to 35mm, 48mm, and 120mm for the 5x zoom. Holding down on one of the primary magnification settings in the camera app will display these measurements. In the settings, you may also make one of the lenses the default.

I find Apple’s choice to just use a 5x optical zoom to be frustrating, but I can’t really contest the outcome. Beautiful images are captured by the lens, which employs an uncommon tetra prism (four turns of light between the lens and the image sensor). Therefore, even if this is a far cry from 10x optical zoom, I believe Apple aficionados will still be happy with the outcome. Digital zoom allows for far greater magnification, but these images never hold up to close inspection.

The new 3D sensor shift optical image stabilization works in tandem with that zoom and does a considerably better job of maintaining photos steady, especially on digitally zoomed footage. When I was recording a video, I was impressed with the steadiness.

In essence, the entire iPhone 15 line improves portraiture. There is still a certain mode, but you are not need to employ it to achieve the same outcome. You may post-process practically any image, even if it was only taken with the main camera, into a portrait shot as long as the iPhone 15 Pro Max’s cameras can record depth information.

A small “Portrait f” will appear in the top right corner if the camera detects any depth while you are shooting. To check how the image would seem in portrait mode, tap on it and choose Portrait (On or Off). It doesn’t always work because you can’t switch a shot to portrait mode if the camera doesn’t “see” something, such a person or a pet or doesn’t record any useful depth information; in my experience, most photos were convertible, though.

You can adjust the depth of field just as with standard Portrait Mode photos, but now you can also tap on various subjects to switch the focus point. This delivers on its promise and elevates you to the status of a portrait photography deity.

With access to Apple’s Photonic Engine, portrait photography—including that taken with the front-facing True Depth camera—got a significant bump. Now, portrait photography simply looks more authentic and less computational than before.

In terms of low-light and night photography, Apple has made some strides. The image signal processors (ISPs) of the iPhone 15 Pro Max gather more light and utilize it more effectively in all lighting conditions. Although it isn’t noticeably superior to the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra, I believe Apple has achieved parity. Even better night time photography exists.

 

Great Video Capture

The iPhone is still a fantastic video capture device because to its many lens choices, ‘Action’ mode for capturing action moments without judder, and ‘Cinematic’ mode for creating videos of auteur-level quality.

The final option, by the way, functions just like portrait mode photography in that you can quickly switch the focus from one subject to another while recording video.

The focus point of the movie may be changed after it has been shot, something you cannot accomplish with conventional film or the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It’s more than just a cool trick, and it can come in handy if you overlook the proper topic during the initial shoot.

 

Good Battery life

  • Bigger battery capacity
  • Power charger not included
  • Fast charging not quick

Since Apple never discloses the battery capacity, we can only presume that the battery in the iPhone 15 Pro Max is slightly bigger than the one in the iPhone 14 Pro Max. But battery size is just one aspect of the story. Milliampere-hours (mAhs), processor effectiveness, and onboard intelligence, all work together to manage battery life.

I’d say the iPhone 15 Pro Max handles all of this admirably with a 28 hour battery life on moderate use. With an optional 20W USB-C adaptor, Apple claims the iPhone 15 Pro Max can recharge to 50% in 30 minutes. When I charged it, I managed to get a little more, with a battery at 53% after 30 mins. But it took 2 hours for the smartphone to fully charge. This is a drawback and its some Apple needs to work on.

You will utilize the new USB-C connector and the supplied USB-C cable to charge the iPhone 15 Pro Max. I was astonished to learn that the cable is now weaved rather than having the traditional protective jacket made of plastic or rubber. Because of that the cable will last longer than the older ones. Additionally, the phone supports MagSafe charging (and accessories) and Qi.

 

Verdict

The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max sets yet another bar not only for the iPhone family specifically, but for all smartphones as well. Apple’s new large flagship meets your smartphone needs in almost every way, from the newer and lighter materials to some of the greatest smartphone cameras we’ve ever seen.

Due to its high price than the previous generation, the absence of better fast charging, and Apple’s aggravating insistence on portraying 5x optical zoom as the pinnacle of smartphone telephoto technology, it falls just short of being flawless. However, these end up being minor gripes for an all-around fantastic iPhone experience.

Should you buy it? In terms of value its expensive but you get what you paying for. Design wise, the titanium material makes it feel lighter and the rounds feel pleasant to hold. The displays feels bigger and brighter, which overall makes it look better.

 

New Apple iPhone 15 Pro Review: Next Best Pro

The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro smartphone is a major improvement over its predecessor, thanks to even more pro-level camera features, powerful gaming hardware, and the long-overdue removal of the proprietary Lightning cords.

 

SPECS

DISPLAY 6.1″ LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 2000 nits, 1179 x 2556px resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 461ppi; Always-On display.
CPU, GPU  Apple A17 Pro (3 nm) | Hexa-core (2×3.78 GHz + 4×2.11 GHz) | Apple GPU (6-core graphics).
STORAGE, MEMORY  128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM, 1TB 8GB RAM; NVMe.
BATTERY 3274mAh | Wired, 50% in 30 min (advertised), 15W wireless (MagSafe), 7.5W wireless (Qi), Reverse wired.
OS iOS 17
CAMERA Rear: 48 MP (wide), f/1.8, 24mm, 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS | 12 MP (Telephoto), f/2.8, 77mm, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | 12 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF | Selfie: 12 MP (wide), f/1.9, 23mm, 1/3.6″, PDAF, OIS
VIDEO Rear: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120/240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), ProRes, Cinematic mode (4K@24/30fps), 3D (spatial) video, stereo sound rec | Selfie: 4K@24/25/30/60fps, 1080p@25/30/60/120fps, gyro-EIS.
MISC weighs 187g | Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer | stereo speakers | Ultra Wideband 2 (UWB) support, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) | 5G | eSIM, Dual SIM | Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3 | NFC | Colors: Black Titanium, White Titanium, Blue Titanium, Natural Titanium

 

 

Overview of the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro

Hey, guess what? Apple just showed off their brand-new iPhone 15 series smartphones, and it was pretty much what everyone was expecting. But they also surprised us with some cool stuff for all you gamers and photography lovers out there.

They made a big deal about gaming on-the-go and even brought some awesome games like Resident Evil: Village, Resident Evil 4, Stranding, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage to use on these fancy smartphones. And get this, these phones are so powerful that the GPU supports Ray-tracing. How cool is that?

But hey, let me tell you something cool about the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro! Usually, the new iPhones don’t look all that different from the previous ones, and upgrading every year doesn’t really make a big difference. It’s like, why bother, right? But this year is totally different! And you know why? It’s because it includes USB-C.

You see, Android phones have been using it’s own inputs since 2015, and now Apple finally decided to join the party. It’s like they finally realized that the iPhone should be able to work with any device or charger you want to use. And let me tell you, that’s a big deal! It’s like they set the iPhone free. It’s one of the coolest decisions Apple has ever made!

 

Lightweight Design

The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro was not significantly different from the iPhone 14 Pro, which was not significantly different from the iPhone 12 Pro. Similarly, if you didn’t look too closely, the iPhone 15 Pro might be mistaken from any of its recent predecessors.

Taking the new iPhone out in public during our testing period drew no interesting glances, and that lack of glitz will be magnified once you put a case on it and hide up practically every visible difference.

Using a case, which no one in their right mind should do, is a shame because the new titanium chassis on the iPhone 15 Pro is stunning. The iPhone 14 Pro features glossy steel sides that attract fingerprints, but the iPhone 15 Pro’s new titanium sides repel them admirably.

The rear panel has a frosted glass finish that resists fingerprints nicely. It covers any scratches that may occur, and overall feels incredibly pleasant in the hand. It’s smooth without being slippery. Apple also managed to cut the size and weight of the iPhone 15 Pro without decreasing their respective 6.1 and 6.7-inch OLED panels. Both reductions are tiny, but I’ll take it.

They’re made from Apple’s Ceramic Shield glass, which was launched in the iPhone 12. It’s so robust that I haven’t used a screen protector in years and haven’t seen even a scratch. The main drawback is that, as with practically every year, the modifications are significant enough that you’ll need to purchase a new case. Not only is the camera module slightly different, but the physical size reduction will exacerbate the problem.

So let’s recap. The new Apple iPhone 15  Pro comes with a titanium casing that leaves no fingerprints. Its water resistant, and comes with a Ceramic Shield glass to improve its durability.

 

Excellent Display

Both use Apple’s ProMotion to dynamically adjust up to 120Hz, offering accurate colors, haptic touch, and support both HDR and Apple’s True Tone. All of this is similar to the iPhone 14 Pro, but the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max are twice as bright, with up to 2,000 nits of peak brightness.

As someone who has never had a problem seeing the iPhone 14 Pro screen in the sun, it appears to be a solution to a problem that didn’t actually exist, but if it was an issue, it’s even less of one now.

The Dynamic Island, first seen on the iPhone 14 Pro, returns to the iPhone 15 Pro, as does the always-on display, which can be turned off if desired. Apple also provides twice the storage capacity on its phones as it did last year – up to 1 terabyte. As well as a much increased iCloud service that can carry up to 12TB more (for $60/month).

If the outside design of the iPhone 15 Pro could be described as innovative it would be Apple’s choice to remove the switch on the side that has toggled between ring and silent/vibrate-only mode since the very first iPhone and replace it with what Apple calls the Action Button.

While you can make that button do the same thing as the previous switch, it can also be assigned to a variety of other tasks. These include: opening the camera, recording a voice memo, turning on the flashlight, activating the zoom function, or even a Shortcut of your choice. It may appear insignificant, yet it is a significant improvement in quality of life.

 

Other Features

It’s time to talk about the iPhone’s coolest new feature: it finally uses USB-C. I can’t believe we’ve been trapped with this limited, slow cable since the iPhone 5 debuted 11 years ago. It makes no difference whether Apple wanted to give us USB-C or whether new European Union legislation forced its action; the end result is the same. If you plug in your phone or use accessories, this iPhone is far more useable than any before it.

The impact of this single aspect on quality of life cannot be emphasized. I no longer need two cables on my desk to charge my PlayStation 5 controller and my iPhone. When I travel, I can drastically minimize the amount of wires I bring with me. The exact SSDs and microphones that I use on my full-size cameras are now compatible with the iPhone without the need for adapters.

Heck, I can plug my iPhone into my friend’s Google Pixel Fold and they’ll charge each other. However, it does come with a caveat that you won’t see on many current Android phones that use the same port. While the iPhone 15 Pro include USB-C, they lack what most people call fast charging. Apple claims that the Pro Max can charge up to 50% in 35 minutes with a 20W charger or higher.

With the same adaptor, the Pro can be charged to 50% in 30 minutes. That’s reasonably fast, but not as fast as many would anticipate from an Android device. It’s faster than what Google provides but slower than almost everyone else, including Samsung, OnePlus, and Motorola, which all provide between 45W and 150W. Other phones, such as those from Vivo, can reach up to 200W.

Just because it supports USB-C doesn’t imply it’s your only option. Apple reintroduces MagSafe, which debuted in the iPhone 12, enabling wireless charging at 15W (Qi is 7.5W). It also supports a variety of accessories, including a Belkin stand that charges it and transforms it into a bedside or desktop clock when docked. A great merging of hardware and software.

The iPhone 15 Pro also support Wi-Fi 6E and employ a second-generation Ultra Wideband Chip, which Apple claims allows it to connect to other devices with the same chip, such as other iPhone 15 handsets and Airtag trackers, for three times the range.

It also supports what Apple calls Precision Finding, which allows you to discover an iPhone 15-owning friend down to their specific position if they allow it. Importantly, this is simple to disable for privacy reasons. It’s worth noting that Apple intends to be the first smartphone to use Thread radio, allowing it to connect to Thread-enabled devices without the use of a hub.

Finally, the iPhone 15 Pro offers voice-isolation functionality for calls, which makes it easier for the person you’re calling to hear you if you’re in a noisy environment. It works reasonably well and is useful when attempting to hold a conversation while washing dishes or in a crowded market.

 

Excellent Performance

So much affort and time was spent talking about the gaming capabilities of the iPhone 15 Pro that it felt like Apple was now ready to compete with handheld gaming devices like the Nintendo Switch and the Steam Deck.

Apple promised that not only would its new A17 Pro chip bring AAA games like Resident Evil: Village, but also Assassin’s Creed Mirage as well. The GPU is so advanced that it will have enough power left over to enable Ray-tracing lighting effects.

Apple even went so far as to say in an interview with IGN, “It’s going to be the best game console.” I’m not sure we’re there yet after utilizing it, but that’s not a strange thing to say either. We’ll have to wait and see how developers exploit what Apple claims the A17 Pro can achieve. I hope that becomes the norm, but it will most likely take some time.

 

 

While I wasn’t able to push the iPhone 15 Pro to its capabilities during my review time, I was able to play Honkai Star Rail and Genshin Impact, both of which played really well with visual settings and framerates set to the maximum. Because of the compromises developers have had to make to get console-style games running on pocket-sized technology.

Playing both titles on the iPhone 15 Pro felt just like playing on my PlayStation 5 – especially after I connected a Bluetooth controller. Despite using the highest settings, I did not notice any dropped frames or graphical glitches.

Apple’s OLED display shines as well. It’s not surprising that the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro gets warm because they’re capable gaming devices. They don’t usually overheat, but if you’re playing a hard game, it won’t be long before you can physically feel it getting almost unbearably hot in your hand if you’re not using a case. However, it didn’t become as hot as the iPhone 14 Pro did when I tried to play Star Rail with the same settings.

In other words, the new A17 pro chip included not only helps with daily phone functions but as a gaming device as well. The GPU comes with Ray-tracing, and supports AAA games similar to the PS5.

 

Good Battery Life

A 3274mAh battery is included with the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro. We’d hardly call it an improvement with a huge 74mAh greater capacity than the iPhone 14 Pro. Perhaps that’s simply what the engineers were able to fit in the available space this time. The iPhone 15 Pro Max is the preferable choice for optimal lifespan because it has a substantially bigger 4,441mAh capacity.

However, this does not imply that the iPhone 15 Pro is mediocre in this area. When it comes to voice call time, it sort of is because iPhones often do poorly in the test, and the iPhone 15 Pro’s 18-hour battery life is what we’d anticipate. Onscreen testing, however, show that it performs well, about on line with the model from the previous year.

 

As has been the case with iPhone 12, the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro retails without a phone charger. The claims for charging speed are listed as “with 20W adapter or higher” on the specifications pages of the phones, suggesting that anything more powerful wouldn’t affect the speed.

Upon testing with a 20W Apple adaptor, a full charge on the iPhone 15 Pro took about 1 hour and 33 minutes. Apparently, that’s much quicker than the iPhone 15 Pro Max, and a marginal improvement over the prior version. The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro supports wireless charging with up to 7.5W with Qi-compliant charging pads. There are no listings for numbered iPhone models after the 11.

Overall, the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro has a bigger battery, with more than 90mins until full charge, up to 18 hours of battery life of moderate use, and support fast, wireless and reverse wireless charging.

 

Great Camera System

The image quality from its 12-megapixel camera is about as expected. Because the design does not allow in as much light as the main camera, I recommend using this lens only in strong light. The telephoto lens on the iPhone 15 Pro is the same as last year, with the exception of new coatings on all three lenses that reduce flare significantly, but most casual users are unlikely to detect the difference.

The main camera shoots 48-megapixel photographs, with 12-megapixel telephotos, and 12-megapixel ultrawide photos. When I take photos, I was impressed with the main camera on the iPhone 14 Pro’s ability to produce photographs that don’t appear like they were taken on a smartphone. The resolution jump to 48 megapixels without sacrificing dynamic range in the iPhone 15 Pro gets my approval.

To be honest, most users will not find themselves using smartphone images in such a way that 48 megapixels will revolutionize their lives, but anyone who intends to edit and otherwise distribute these photos will almost always be satisfied with a greater resolution. At the very least, it allows you to crop in closer without sacrificing quality.

 

Apple has also made portrait mode the default mode. If the camera detects a person or animal in the picture, it automatically collects a depth map, allowing you to add the depth effect later if desired.

If desired, the depth map also lets you to shift the focus point between two subjects in post-production. I like this adjustment because I don’t always think to utilize portrait mode when taking a photo and then curse myself afterward for not at least attempting it. That is no longer an issue.

 

Excellent High Quality Video

The iPhone 15 Pro also provide a slew of professional-level video capabilities. Most of them that are noticeable, are all software upgrades allowed by iOS 17. First, the iPhone 15 Pro can now shoot in ProRes Log encoding. This gives video editors more color grading and post-production options. That’s a big benefit for those who want to make the greatest quality video possible on their smartphone.

Second, the iPhone 15 Pro is the world’s first phone-based camera to support the Academy Color Encoding System, or ACES. It’s a global color processing standard, that in summary, makes it easier than ever to match footage from several cameras.

The iPhone 15 Pro can also record in 4K at 60p. This is a function that was implemented primarily because of the speed afforded by the previously mentioned USB-C port. While all other resolutions and framerates can be recorded straight to the iPhone’s internal storage, 4K at 60p necessitates the use of an external SSD.

The good news is that all photos and videos can be easily transferred to and from the external drive at USB-3.0 speeds. This is a significant improvement over previous iPhones, which required either the pitifully slow Lightning connection or the slightly faster AirDrop – provided the recipient is an Apple device.

In short, the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro includes an excellent camera system. With an abundance of software upgrades and improved camera lens, it will makes sure that you take high quality photos and high quality 4K videos every time.

 

Verdict

Apple’s annual smartphone upgrades have felt notably incremental. The new Apple iPhone 15 Pro looks to have followed suit. Its appealing titanium design, the helpful and customizable Action Button, are relatively inconspicuous to the eye and are the first items to be covered up by a case.

That is, however, misleading. Apple has changed a lot internally to make this year’s phone the most appealing upgrade since the iPhone 11, especially if you’re into photography or video. While the worldwide connectivity and transfer rates of USB-C are the most noticeable upgrades, the enhanced gaming-ready processor, improved camera software, and titanium chassis are all noteworthy. Therefore, I recommend the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Its many upgrades may appear marginal but its one of the best smartphones to come out this year.

If you like the review, please give a thumbs up, or leave a comment below. If you have any questions, you also leave them here below and will get back to you as soon as possible. Either than that if you’re interested, click here  to find out more information or to purchase the new Apple iPhone 15 Pro.

 

Asus ROG Ally Gaming PC Review: Really Worth Your Money

ASUS ROG Ally Gaming Handheld

The Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld console is an amazing mobile device. Although it presents a short battery life, a lack of touchpads, and a difficult user interface, it excels in stunning visuals, great design and great gaming performance.  

 

Specs

DISPLAY 7-inch IPS Touchscreen, FHD, 1920 x 1080, 120Hz
CPU AMD Ryzen Z1 Xtreme Zen 4, 2.8GHz
MEMORY 16GB LPDDR5 6400 RAM
STORAGE 512GB/2TB NVMe PCIe 4 M.2 SSD
GPU AMD Radeon RDNA3 graphics (4GB VRAM)
AUDIO Dolby Atmos (dual speakers)
PORTS USB Type-C , headphone jack, MicroSD slot, Asus PCIe port
BATTERY 40WHrs
CONNECTIVITY Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Pros

  • Includes MicroSD to expand storage
  • Fairly priced
  • Stunning Full HD display
  • Able to play most PC games

Cons

  • No touchpad included
  • Short battery life
  • Challenging user interface

 

 

 

Overview

The Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld is the upcoming competitor in the field of portable PC gaming. With its stunning 1080p screen, 120Hz refresh rate, AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme Zen 4 processor, and its fair price, this new handheld is sure to catch the attention of anybody searching for a genuine Steam Deck rival.

The Z1 Extreme-powered ROG Ally costs between US$800 and US$1000, which is more than the Valve’s Steam Deck gaming handheld. Yet it comes with a ton of technological upgrades compared to Valve’s practical gadget. For better or worse, it is also not constrained by Steam Deck’s operating system which is Linux-based, called SteamOS.

The ROG Ally could be what you’re seeking for if you’ve always wanted a Windows-based portable PC. It really pushes the envelope in terms of functionality, not overly priced, and plays almost all PC games, even Xbox Game Pass games natively on the go.

 

Design & other Features

When it comes to gaming on the move, the design strategy of the Asus ROG Ally continues to adhere to the majority of industry norms. It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel when it comes to managing your video games on a portable device with its central 7-inch screen and side-form controls, which are also found on the Steam Deck, Nintendo Switch, Ayaneo 2, and other devices.

The face buttons on the Ally handheld have a typical ABXY configuration that is quick and responsive. This is in addition to ‘View’ and ‘Menu’ buttons that resemble those on the Xbox controller.

There are also dedicated buttons geared to launch ROG Armory Crate or a specification configuration menu where you can change performance modes, change the resolution from 1080p to 720p, cap the frame rate, or even change controller settings for the game you’re playing. I thought the circular cross layout of the D-pad to be more practical than individual buttons, but it also gave the otherwise premium-looking gadget a cheap aspect.

Although comparisons between the ROG Ally and Steam Deck are unavoidable, I don’t want to focus this entire review on them, but the Steam Deck’s pressure-sensitive touchpads are something that the Ally lacks.

Many gamers won’t find this to be a significant concern, but it’s still a noticeable missing that may limit your ability to pick the type of game you want to play when you’re on the road. Lacking touchpads here is unquestionably a check in the Steam Deck’s column because they make operating mouse-based games on the Deck much easier, especially when paired with the multitude of community control profiles available.

 

 

When you’re not playing games, the joysticks function as a mouse cursor. If you need a little bit more precision, they can support touch controls. Although it doesn’t feel great, this is still extremely good.

Overall, if you want to use it as a regular computer at any time, I advise connecting a wireless keyboard and mouse. You can instantly reach the Windows toolbar on this screen by swiping up at any time, which is quite helpful for constantly navigating the device.

The ROG Ally boasts an exceptionally slim and light design, measuring 280 x 113 x 39 mm and weighing only 608g. While it may not feel completely secure in both of your hands, its slanted sides and slimmer design do help to make it comfy for longer gaming sessions.

In contrast to the Ayaneo 2, another portable rival, the ROG Ally has bezels on every side of its screen. When you initially use it, it might make the playing area seem a little constrained, but as the screen starts up and you become engrossed in its stunning sights, everything is quickly forgotten.

 

Display

The Ally’s 7-inch LCD touchscreen, which has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 and a brightness of 500 nits, is highly colorful and performs astonishingly well outside or in bright sunlight. Although the screen performs quite well for individuals who prefer to travel on some of the sunnier days of the year, details can occasionally seem washed out.

Many devices find it challenging to handle Full HD+ quality, but the new AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme APU performs an excellent job of dividing its responsibilities between CPU and graphics.

 

User experience

The operating system is one of the main distinctions between the Steam Deck and the ROG Ally. The Ally uses standard Windows 11, as opposed to the Steam Deck, which runs SteamOS. This is both its strongest point and biggest flaw.

The Steam Deck is confined to Steam games exclusively, whereas the ROG Ally supports any PC game without any problems. You are therefore free to purchase your games from other online retailers, including Epic, GOG, and Xbox Game Pass.

Asus included an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate 3-month trial. It’s wonderful to have Game Pass access right out of the box on a gadget like this, and it’s by far my favorite aspect of the portable. You don’t even need a sizable library to get started with instant access to hundreds of titles.

Running Windows, however, has the drawback of preventing the ROG Ally from taking advantage of all the software-based adjustments Valve has made to the Steam Deck. The lack of true hardware/software synergy is still noticeable even if there are certain levels of software tinkering available here. You can change power settings, resolution, and set a framerate cap, for instance, using Armoury Crate.

 

 

The ROG Ally’s user interface might be a little intimidating at first. I have to admit, my initial thoughts weren’t exactly positive. I had a few crashes in the first few hours using the handheld. There were a few more times when I felt like a short reset was necessary to get back on course.

Many of the issues were caused by the ROG Armory Crate, which felt awkward. It sometimes stayed on my screen for 10 to 20 seconds after a game launched. As a result, I ended up being disappointed with the mobile device. 

Using Steam in the ROG Ally seemed slow, as opposed to using it in the Steam Deck. The Xbox PC launcher is still infamously glitchy, just like on the desktop. The Ally’s inability to pause and restart a game with the press of a button, like the Steam Deck and the Switch, is its major drawback.

This implies that if you wish to stop playing for a longer period of time than a brief break, you must save your game, exit the application, and restart it from scratch. Of course, things work on a desktop in this manner by default.

However, I had a lot of fun once I got past all the riff-raff and started gaming. It was quite pleasant to not need to pull out an online manual and jump through a number of workaround hoops in order to start gaming on the go after switching between all the different launchers, including Epic, GOG, Steam, and Xbox. It is a sight to behold and is definitely worth the cost of admission over the Steam Deck when everything is operating as intended.

 

Gaming performance

The AMD Z1 Extreme mobile CPU, which is noticeably more powerful than the Steam Deck’s, the AMD Ryzen 7 6800U, is used for the first time in a portable gaming PC with the ROG Ally. When plugged in, the Z1 Extreme’s 8-core Zen 4 CPU and RDNA 3-powered graphics may be turned up to a maximum of 30W. In contrast, the Steam Deck’s 4-core proprietary Zen 2 APU has a maximum power limit of 15W whether it is powered by a cord or a battery.

Although it can also operate at 720p (and there is a convenient toggle that enables you simply switch between the two resolutions), the ROG Ally aims a higher resolution than the Steam Deck – 1080p as compared to 800p.

 

 

After benchmark performance testing, the best graphic settings to optimize overall gameplay is to play PC games at ‘medium’ to ‘low’ with the ROG Ally. This is the same for the Steam Deck. The biggest distinction is that, with the appropriate adjustments, you’ll be able to play on the ROG Ally at ‘High’ or even ‘Ultra’ settings, maybe even exceeding 60 frames per second.

 

Battery life

When it comes to the battery life, the ROG Ally is not its strongest feature. Similar to the Steam Deck, Asus claims a maximum battery life of 8 hours. This is likely to be achieved with the lowest graphics settings, 720p, silent mode, low interior lighting, and a classic side scroller. 

 

 

You will only be able to play graphics demanding games for a total of no more than two hours. After testing it with a few PC games in performance mode at 1080p with low-medium settings, the maximum playtime was approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes.

 

Price

The entry model Asus ROG Ally, powered by the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme, retails between US$800 and US$900. Even while the ROG Ally is primarily a mobile gaming device, it’s important to keep in mind that it functions as a small Windows PC. With those specifications in place it justifies the high price.

In terms of overall affordability for portable PC handheld in 2023, the Asus ROG Ally gaming device often falls in the center. With the Ayaneo 2 costing between $1099 and $1499, and the Steam Deck costing less than US$600, it’s not the most lavishing price we’ve heard, yet it really seems very reasonable for what you’re receiving.

 

Verdict

The Asus ROG Ally gaming PC is an amazing mobile gaming device. You can take it and play it anywhere you want, and experience the best of what mobile gaming has to offer. Yes, it has a short battery life, a clumsy user interface and lacks the touchpads for precision gaming. But it makes up for it in providing amazing graphics, smooth gaming, and a stunning display.

The portable Xbox Game Pass device that many fans have been begging for really feels like the Asus ROG Ally gaming handheld is the better choice. Steam Deck may have a few good perks, but it’s impossible to deny how much fun the ROG Ally handheld is to use when it gets going. It turns out that the ROG Ally is indeed very much a rival to the Steam Deck gaming handheld.

If you have any comments, or questions, you’re more than welcome to leave them here below. It’s truly encouraging, and motivates us to keep creating better content. So what next? Is the Asus ROG Ally gaming PC your choice of a mobile gaming device? Then click here to find out more, and also purchase it, if you so desire.  

 

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) Review: Outstanding Experience

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) features the best performing components to optimize your gaming experience. 

 

SPECS

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023)
CPU AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
STORAGE 1TB or 2TB PCle SSD
MEMORY 32GB DDR5
GPU NVidia GeForce RTX 4080 or 4090
PORTS 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HDMI, RJ-45, 3.5mm headphone/mic
DISPLAY 17.3-inch, QHD, 240Hz/3ms, 100% DCI-P3 

 

PROS

  • Excellent gaming performance
  • Responsive keyboard
  • Smooth frame rate
  • Spacious & colorful display
  • Well-managed thermals
  • Good overall specs
  • Stunning design

CONS

  • Enormous & heavy
  • Very expensive
  • Short battery life

 

 

Overview

The specs of the 2023 ROG Strix Scar 17 make it obvious that it’s all about performance. It not only features Nvidia’s top-tier laptop graphics card, but it also has AMD’s most recent mobile processor, so it’s ready to munch its way through all of the current titles at high settings.

That means it’s a big PC with considerable cooling technology to keep temperatures under control, and it’s also incredibly expensive. However, it is not excessive for the quality on offer, and if you’re looking for desktop-level performance in something more portable, this may be a great alternative. After a few weeks of testing this incredible gaming laptop, here are my impressions.

 

Performance

  • AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX
  • Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090/4080
  • 32GB DDR5 of RAM
  • 1TB/2TB PCle SSD

Under the hood, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) packs a punch. Powered by the latest generation CPU from AMD, and the latest GPU from Nvidia, it delivers blazing-fast performance that can handle even the most demanding games and apps with ease. Say goodbye to lag and hello to smooth gameplay and lightning-quick multitasking. 

When it comes to memory and storage, the gaming laptop doesn’t disappoint. With ample RAM and vast storage available, you can have all your games, files, and programs at your fingertips. Whether you’re a casual gamer or a content creator, this laptop has the storage capacity to meet your needs.

In benchmark tests, the Strix Scar 17 consistently shines. It surpasses expectations, delivering exceptional performance and impressive frame rates. The laptop’s hardware configuration and optimization make it a force to be reckoned with in the gaming world, ensuring a seamless and immersive experience.

When it comes to gaming, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 truly shines. With its powerful hardware configuration, including the latest processor and graphics card, you can expect smooth gameplay and high frame rates. Whether you’re playing the latest AAA titles or engaging in competitive esports, this laptop can handle it all with ease.

Optimizing graphics settings can sometimes be a cumbersome task, but not with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17. The laptop comes with software that automatically optimizes game settings, ensuring you get the best balance between performance and visuals. This takes the guesswork out of tweaking individual settings and allows you to focus on enjoying your gaming experience.

For gamers who crave realistic lighting and visuals, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 has got you covered. The laptop supports ray tracing technology, which adds a new level of immersion to supported games by simulating the behavior of light. Additionally, it also supports DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) technology, which enhances performance and image quality by using AI algorithms. These features combine to deliver stunning visuals that bring games to life.

 

Display

  • 17.3-inch, 240Hz, WQHD, IPS display
  • 2560 x 1440 screen resolution 

The display on the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) is a visual treat. With its high-resolution panel, colors pop and details come to life, offering an immersive gaming experience. The vibrant and crisp visuals make every game, movie, or whatever you viewing an absolute delight to behold.

Color accuracy and brightness are critical factors when it comes to gaming and content creation. The Strix Scar 17 excels in both areas, delivering accurate colors and great brightness levels. This ensures that you see every shade and hue as intended, enhancing your gaming and visual experience.

To further enhance the visual experience, it comes equipped with a high refresh rate and adaptive sync technology. This combination results in ultra-smooth gameplay, minimizing screen tearing and stuttering. Whether you’re engaging in fast-paced action or exploring breathtaking open worlds, the display keeps up with your every move.

 

Design

  • Weighs 3kg
  • 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, HDMI, RJ-45, 3.5mm headphone/mic
  • 395 x 234 x 28.2mm dimensions

In terms of aesthetics, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) strikes the perfect balance between bold and sleek. Its angular design and matte black finish give it a stealthy appearance that screams gaming prowess. The slim bezels surrounding the display further enhance the overall look and provide an immersive viewing experience.

Constructed with precision and durability in mind, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) boasts a robust build quality. The laptop feels solid and well-built, with no flex or creaking even under pressure. The use of premium materials adds to its overall sturdiness, ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of gaming on-the-go.

There are some sci-fi-inspired highlights here and there, but for the most part, it’s a really basic approach. And the laptop wouldn’t appear out of place in a professional environment. As long as you switch off the RGB lighting. Because when you turn on the computer, you will be welcomed with a rainbow of colors all over the keyboard and around the underside of the laptop.

The huge ROG logo lights with a white outline on the back, which is a great touch that reminds me of previous MacBook models. Other than that, the RGB lighting looks absolutely excellent; it’s really bright, has rich colors, and has seamless transitions.

It, like most other ROG products, can be connected with various devices using Aura Sync, so your entire desk may light in harmony – or you can turn it off entirely.

As a gaming laptop, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 isn’t the most portable option out there. It’s a bit on the heavier side, which can make it less than ideal for frequent travel.

However, if you’re primarily looking for a powerful gaming machine that you can move around occasionally, the weight shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. The laptop’s solid build quality and powerful performance make up for its slightly bulkier form factor.

 

Keyboard & Touchpad

The keyboard on the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 is a pleasure to type on, with a well-spaced layout that makes it easy to find your way around. The keys have a satisfying amount of travel, striking a balance between responsiveness and tactile feedback.

Whether you’re typing up a document or engaging in an intense gaming session, the keyboard provides a comfortable and accurate typing experience.

If you’re a fan of flashy aesthetics, you’ll love the RGB lighting options on the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17. The keyboard features per-key customizable RGB lighting, allowing you to create your own unique lighting effects or choose from a range of pre-set options. The lighting is bright and vibrant, adding an extra touch of personality to your gaming setup.

While the focus of the Strix Scar 17 is undoubtedly gaming, the trackpad works on average but not impressive. For normal use it’s fine but it’s best you get a good gaming mouse for gaming sessions. 

 

Heat Control

No one wants their gaming laptop to overheat, and with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17, you can rest easy. The laptop features a robust thermal design and an efficient cooling solution that keeps temperatures in check, even during demanding gaming sessions. This means you can play for hours without worrying about overheating issues affecting your performance.

While the cooling system does an excellent job at keeping temperatures under control, it’s not completely silent. During intense gaming, you can expect the fans to ramp up and generate some noise. However, it’s worth noting that the noise levels are still within acceptable limits and shouldn’t be overly distracting. Plus, when you’re immersed in the game, you’ll hardly notice the hum of the fans.

 

Battery life

  • 90Wh Li-Ion battery
  • 330W charger

Given the powerful hardware inside, it’s not surprising that the battery life on the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 is not its strongest aspect. While it can handle light usage and productivity tasks, the battery drains relatively quickly during gaming sessions. If you’re planning on gaming on the go, it’s advisable to keep the power adapter handy.

The power adapter that comes with the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 is capable of delivering ample power to keep the laptop running at its full potential.

It charges the battery relatively quickly, allowing you to get back in the game with minimal downtime. The charging speed is impressive, ensuring you spend more time gaming and less time waiting for your laptop to recharge.

 

Verdict

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) proves to be a formidable gaming laptop that excels in both design and performance. With its sleek aesthetics, powerful specifications, immersive display, responsive keyboard, and efficient cooling system, it offers an outstanding gaming experience for enthusiasts.

While its battery life may be a slight drawback for those seeking prolonged portability, the Scar 17’s overall performance and features make it a highly desirable choice for gamers who demand top-tier performance. With the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023), you can elevate your gaming sessions to new heights.

If you’re looking for a top-notch desktop replacement, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) is the ultimate choice. Although it may not be the most portable or long-lasting in terms of battery life, it more than compensates with its exceptional speed and performance. When it comes to gaming performance, there are very few, if any, machines that can surpass it.

Yes, it’s expensive, but it boasts one of the most well-balanced spec sheets I’ve encountered in this category. This means that your hard-earned money is being invested in the components that truly matter, rather than wasting it on excessive memory or a display that the GPU can’t fully utilize.

If you’re on the hunt for the absolute top-notch option, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2023) is a force to be reckoned with and deserves your undivided attention.

If you like this review, please leave a comment below. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to leave them here below and I will get back to you soonest. It’s encouraging and motivates us to bring you more great content.

 

The Lies Of P Review: Amazingly New Souls-like Action Adventure

The Lies of P may not stray far from other souls-like games before it, but it plays the part very nicely.

Released: 19 September 2023 | Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S

 

When we’re converting famous children’s books into dark, twisted Bloodborne pseudo-sequels, you know we’ve reached a new age in the increasingly crowded souls-like genre. But here we are. The Lies of P is another game influenced by the dark and cruel FromSoftware masterpieces that have grabbed the hearts of many. It’s also an unquestionably amazing standout among a sea of games following the souls-like trend.

It has some inconsistent difficulty and linear level design. But it has an excellent plot, highly well-tuned gameplay, and memorable places and boss fights. So it’s not one game to pass up. It’s true that the Lies of P often mimics its inspiration so exact that it feels as if someone else is tug strings a bit too strongly. But that show that features an angry mob of puppets is still a lot of fun and great to watch.

 

 

Overview

It’s both a compliment and a criticism to state that Lies of P follows the template pioneered by FromSoftware to the letter. As such it has very few modifications. The UI and menus are eerily similar to any souls-like you’ve ever played. The visual is remarkably similar to Bloodborne. The combat is a meticulous ballet of strikes, slashes and parries geared for difficulty.

It keeps so closely to the script that I’d meet an apparently kind of NPC who may or may not deceive me through my playthrough. Only to find out that I was right. There’s even a huge boss with the same name, look and design as one of the cruel bosses from Dark Souls, which is sort of funny.

This is not even the first Eurocentric souls-like game with deadly killer robots! Steelrising which was released last year, has a surprising amount of things in common with Lies of P. From its mechanical adversaries gone insane to its stylish and historical metropolitan location, yet Lies of P is a much better game that stands out in other ways.

 

A Good Fairy Tale

One way it stands out is in its tale, which is a dark reinterpretation of Carlo Collodi’s ‘Pinocchio’. It’s a story about a naughty puppet who’s notorious for spreading lies and yearning to become a real kid. The Lies of P’s version of the classic tale takes a lot of liberties. But it has some nice nods to its inspiration, such as an untrustworthy cat and a fox. There’s even a neat mechanic where you have to choose whether to tell lies or the truth, which affects the outcome of your adventure.

This genre isn’t recognized for having the most accessible storylines, and Lies of P isn’t an exception. But it tries harder than most. Instead of just a haphazard collection of oddities and clues in item descriptions, there’s a lot of conversation and cutscenes that held my attention during my initial 30-hour game. 

Indeed, of all the disturbing and intriguing stories I’ve seen in this genre, this is one of my favorites. Not quite as sympathetic and polished as Star Wars Jedi: Survivor, but certainly easier to comprehend than your Bloodbornes or Dark Souls. It has some fascinating twists and turns, as well as a few memorable characters, such as the self-obsessed socialite Venigni, who made me want to talk in an over-the-top Italian accent all the time.

You’ll spend your time hacking and slashing your way through stages where virtually everything in sight wants to kill you. Taking on far more powerful monsters, the Lies of P nails both of those genre cornerstones admirably. Krat is a memorable and dismal metropolis that constantly reminds you that you’re acting out a legendary fable about puppets.

It also includes Gemini the cricket, and your beloved father or puppet-making, Gepetto, who always urges you to be a nice boy before sending you off on missions to murder everyone in your path. You’ll see a puppet graveyard that acts as a type of poison swamp level that every souls-like games are mandated to have. There’s also an exhibition hall packed with hopeful visions of a future that clearly didn’t go as planned. Each is a lot of fun to hack and slash your way through.

However, Lies of P is far more linear than most similar games. The path is very straightforward from the beginning to the end, and no significant optional areas or secret boss fights to find. There are the occasional side quests that send you backtracking to locations you’ve already visited to solve a small puzzle in exchange for a new outfit or upgrade material. After you’ve completed the tale, you’ll have seen and done everything there is to see and do – except for doing it all over again on New Game+.

Another item on the list is some memorable (and filthy) boss fights, which the Lies of P has enough of. There are a number of large things that deserve to be smacked in the face. From a wicked puppet law enforcement officer to a hulked-out person, they bare resemblance to well-known familiars, such as Bane from Batman.

Even though they’re all quite easy battles in which you whittle down the enemy’s health bar, doing so is always pleasant. It would have been good to have one or two confrontations where they spice things up by throwing in a challenge or two to have you figure out how to beat your opponent. Those are usually my favorite.

Also, practically all of the bosses have two phases. I generally enjoyed them, but they become so common towards the end that it gets tiresome. Normally, the first phase is relatively simple, but when the second phase is comes he kills me continuously.

Then I have to keep replaying from the first phase till I’m absolutely bored with it. I simply wish I could skip it and go to the enjoyable and tough part. Many bouts seemed like the first phase was only a warm-up round before getting to the heart of the fight, but be assured. By the tenth try, I was ready to take on the real boss.

 

Puppet Killing Spree

For better or worse, most of Lies of P’s combat is clearly inspired by Bloodborne, with a few small modifications. You cannot repair life lost from direct assaults by striking back at your adversaries, like in Bloodborne. You can partly block some of the incoming damage and then counter to restore the chipped damage you took.

As a result, a similar trend exists in which aggressive gameplay is favored, which keeps combat going quickly. But it also inhibits more defensive playstyles, which tend to be my go-to in souls-like.

That feisty fighting is really entertaining, well-balanced, and well-tuned. But you’re clearly forced to play in a certain style rather than having the opportunity to develop varied builds, such as a ranged magic user in Dark Souls.

Another Bloodborne-inspired idea is to designate your right hand as your melee weapon and reserve your left hand for a utility weapon. This turns your machine-like left arm into a tool of destruction akin to the Winter Soldier, and it turns out to be a pretty clever interpretation of that mechanic.

You could use the quick and efficient ‘Puppet String’ to close gaps quickly, the powerful ‘Falcon Eyes’ to transform your arm into a cannon and blow up crazy puppets from a distance, or my personal favorite: use the ‘Aegis’ shield to deflect incoming blows and deal damage in kind with a fiery explosion that goes off when it’s hit.

It’s particularly amazing that each of these tools can be improved to add new features, like the Puppet String’s ability to enable you use a deadly air strike after performing a grappling hook move.

 

Puppet Killing Arsenal

Lies of P stands out in a highly crowded genre because to its innovative features. The weapon-crafting system allows you to deconstruct any weapon in your armory and combine different hilts and blades to create new weapon abominations. Ever wished to strap a massive saw blade to the handle of a rapier so you could use it to jab like you were fencing? Well, knock yourself out. It’s probably not a good idea at all.

Or how about attaching a rusted pipe with Mjolnir’s hammer? It’s all possibly! You are you!

A variety of attributes and abilities from your selected hilt and blade combine for a distinctive fighting experience, giving you plenty of options to create some absurd or unexpectedly powerful items.

But it’s unfortunate that the best weapons are legendary tools that can’t be disassembled and reforged into new items. Many of these are so much more potent than anything you can make. The more time you spend playing, the less likely you are to use the crafting system.

It’s a little sad that there aren’t any multiplayer modes. No co-op in this game either. But PvP looks like it would fit in nicely with the quick-fire reactive battles that Lies of P thrives at. You’ll have to play alone while enjoying your cool builds and inventive weapon combinations for the time being. Perhaps we’ll receive something similar as a DLC.

Here are a few new but cool additions available through the skill tree. Adding more amulets to your loadout gains you more pulse cells to heal during combat. And you also increase the number of consumable or throwing objects you can carry.  

That was a good change of pace between all those horrible murders I had to do. When i get enough ‘Ergo’, I spend so much time thinking over each upgrade choice and pondering how to optimize my build to increase my chances of becoming better, stronger and dodge faster.  

Lies of P has a checkered record when it comes to being soul-crushingly tough, which is of course what makes any decent souls-like. On the one hand, the majority of the world exploration, where I had to contend with the usual wicked puppets and repulsive monsters, was dreadfully simple, to the point that I hardly died during my playthroughs.

The majority of boss battles are similar. Experienced souls players may anticipate to defeat them without much difficulty because they are often large, sluggish, and foolish monsters who are easily confused when approached from behind or underneath. 

However, every now and then, a showdown would occur when the difficulty abruptly increased and I would suffer 20 or 30 torturous deaths on a single monster, making me wonder if I wasn’t leveled properly or something. 

I frequently felt that the levels before a difficult boss didn’t adequately prepare me for that gauntlet. More likely, my skills probably declined during the stretch of a largely undemanding travels between the dramatically more difficult boss fights. These particular bosses stand in such stark contrast to the much milder exploration sections that it can be quite jarring.

Depending on the character build you’ve picked, the variable difficulty is even more obvious. That’s because, as far as I can tell, speccing points in into ‘Technique’ (Lies of P’s version of dexterity) is more challenging than playing with a ‘Motivity’ (the game’s equivalent of a strength stat) build. As a Technique build, your weapons don’t do much to stun foes, and your ability to deflect damage is severely constrained because, barring a flawless parry, you can only entirely neutralize a small portion of an assault.

It’s quite enjoyable, but also very unforgiving, to learn the enemy’s attack patterns and develop the precise timing necessary to perfectly parry most attacks, before finally breaking the enemy’s guard, and laying into them with your fast-moving weapons. It’s best to learn these to defeat even the most formidable bosses.

While this is going on, ‘Motivity’ players may simply beat down bosses with their heavy weapons, which deal large amounts of stagger damage, leaving them vulnerable to lethal executions. That’s very funny to see, but it also leaves you feeling fairly exhausted, especially when compared to a playthrough that places a far higher priority on technique.

In addition, the Lies of P has little quality-of-life enhancements that I’d like to see implemented into other souls-like games. One of such is that, you don’t lose all of your ‘Ergo’ (same as souls) when you die. Instead you have a certain amount deducted each time you take damage while trying to recover it. Or the fact that you’re alerted whenever you have enough ‘Ergo’ to level up your character rather than waiting until you reach the resting point. Like that will make a big difference.

In terms of memorable music, several souls-likes games are well-known for having it, but Lies of P stands out in this category. Not only are the boss battle tunes terrific, you can also play other songs in a jukebox back at your base, which are truly amazing.

In fact, I’ve grown a little bit obsessed with trying to gather them all, and I still have a lot more looking to do. Seriously, that jukebox made me look for reasons to hang out in the social center, where I worked on my build and manufactured weapons. The music is that excellent!

 

Annoyingly Bad Puppets

Unfortunately, the game is not entirely free of the clumsy origins of the genre. Throughout my playthrough, I did come across several very annoying glitches. Among other things, there were a few occasions when I strangely phased across the landscape, and foes had a peculiar propensity to simply despawn in front of me.

Fortunately, none of these problems were too pervasive, so they won’t likely ruin an otherwise fantastic journey, especially given how great the rest of the performance is. It’s not typical in this genre to have a flawlessly constant framerate throughout an adventure, but I did.

 

Verdict

The Lies of P may not stray far from other souls-like games, but it plays the part well. The game’s uneven difficulty did not always make me feel like an outsider, especially when playing as a brawny, stronger version of Pinocchio wielding a large weapon. And the fighting restricted me into a definite playstyle despite the levels being less open and twisty than others.

But, with a fantastic weapon making system, some truly memorable boss fights, and one of the finest tales we’ve seen in this genre, I recommend spending your time with Gepetto and your companions.

If this review appeals to you, please leave a comment below. Any questions you may have please leave them below, as well, and I will get back to you. It encouraging and motivates us to continue to create good content.  

 

Mortal Kombat (2023) Review: Impressive but not a Masterpiece

Mortal Kombat (2023) comes with awesome new gameplay features and an entertaining story. Its gaming modes lack the much-needed depth to be the best.

Released: 14 September 2023 | Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch

 

 

NetherRealm Studios has a huge task to fulfill with Mortal Kombat. The team had to find new ways to make Mortal Kombat look and feel fresh. All this while maintaining the high bar of quality the fanbase has come to expect over the series’ 30-year lifespan. Mortal Kombat (2023) partially achieves this aim with interesting new gameplay and an intriguing plot. The total overall package lacks the much-needed depth for it to truly be a masterpiece.

 

 

Overview

It takes up immediately after MK11 Aftermath, with Liu Kang advancing to godhood. As the Keeper Of Time, he has the ability to construct a new universe as he deems appropriate. Because of that, his creation sends familiar characters down unexpected pathways.

Raiden, for example, is no longer the all-powerful Thunder God. Instead, he is a humble farmer from a little village. Every character undergoes a basic transformation, albeit some are more visible than others.

As a result, the playable roster consists of returning characters from past games. No new fighters this time around. However, due to the narrative focus of the game, each character seems fresh and  (or at the very least has some new features to their style), creating the sensation of discovery generally reserved for brand-new faces.

Mortal Kombat (2023) reinvents previous names, which works fairly well across the bulk of the characters, however, some don’t feel as original as they could have.

Reptile is an excellent example of a character that has matured. He’s still a green-clad ninja with acid spit and the ability to disguise himself, but his Zaterran shape-shifting skills are considerably more prominent here. As a result, he may go back and forth between the two forms at whim, without the game skipping a beat.

Reiko, on the other hand, who has only been featured twice before, is merely a powerful soldier with grapples in his move-set. It’s not a horrible pick, and his movements serve him well, but his character doesn’t alter enough to keep him as intriguing as the other members of the ensemble.

As the tale progresses, so do the gaming elements, with aerial combinations being one of the most clever. Not only do combinations seem more flashy in the air, but the range of possibilities provided by this new innovation provides a new level of excitement that previous MK games lacked.

Some characters may chain many air combinations together, resulting in tremendous damage while remaining cool as heck. It’s the type of mechanism that motivates players to practice their timing, because pulling off one of these is not only effective but also extremely satisfying.

Fatalities, the franchise’s brutal, gory trademarks, are a major return element. Thanks to a combination of imaginative murdering and all-too-realistic sound effects, the signature finishing maneuvers are as horrific as ever. A number of these stunned me, and I have a stronger tolerance for gory stuff like this than most people.

Brutalities return as well, and they operate identically as before, acting as surprise end-of-match exclamation points coated in blood. Mortal Kombat may have a new beginning, but it still plays the classics bloodily wonderfully.

The ‘Kameo’ assist feature is the most significant new element to MK1’s fighting. Following my selection of one of the 23 playable characters, I may pick from a second roster of fighters that serve only as auxiliary help characters. The majority of them are non-playable characters, while a couple are variant versions of playable fighters.

When I choose a ‘Kameo’, I have three more attacks at my disposal that I may call at any moment. ‘Kameos’ are useful for extending combos, countering opposing strikes, and providing more mobility in a hurry.

‘Kameos’, unlike conventional abilities or combinations, have a cooldown. This guarantees that each Kameo activation feels significant and tactically significant. Given how flexible some of these techniques are, having infinite access to them would ruin the game.

Motaro, for example, may create a shield to defend against attacks and transport a player around the stage. Spamming one of those abilities would make battling him difficult, but the cooldown prevents that from happening.

‘Kameos’ is a clever approach to incorporate people in the game that would otherwise be excluded. Even in this limited capacity, seeing faces like Sareena on-screen is incredibly exciting, as she has followers who have been requesting to see her for years.

While it isn’t a fully-fledged character, it acknowledges her existence and offers me hope that more unsung heroes and villains may see the light of day in the future.

I also like how some ‘Kameos’ are old-school versions of playable characters, such as Sub-Zero and Scorpion. ‘Kameos’ provides a delightful new layer of strategy to the battle mechanics while also providing some high-quality fan service with long-dormant characters.

Almost every character in the game, whether playable or ‘Kameo’, has incredible voice work, with the majority of the chosen talent dripping personality, toughness, and grit from every uttered syllable. Unfortunately, Megan Fox, the most well-known actress in the game, is an exception.

I don’t dispute she’s a talented actor, but there’s a noticeable difference in her spoken lines compared to the rest of the group. Everything she says is drab and boring, and she doesn’t fit in with the rest of the ensemble.

It’s easy to overlook Nitara in combat. This is partly because someone else recorded her grunts and assault noises, but she sticks out like a sore thumb throughout the campaign. I like the idea of a high-profile actress appearing in this blockbuster video game–especially one known for playing a vampire in a movie and having a general vampire vibe.

But Nitara would have been better served with a voiceover that fit in with the rest of the group, especially since NetherRealm fell into a similar trap after Ronda Rousey’s performance as Sonya Blade in MK11.

 

Story

Mortal Kombat (2023)’s plot is a lively, winding, and surprising adventure that ends in some of the franchise’s craziest scenes. Some plot beats are lifted directly from Mortal Kombat history, as a nod to those who have been with the franchise for all 30 years.

Others are pure mayhem in the greatest possible sense. I laughed out loud several times throughout the campaign’s last chapter, notably in one scenario that I wish was twice as long as it is.

The decision to develop people in novel ways throughout the tale is daring and effective. I really admire how it explores these new techniques through character interaction, such as the relationship between Kitana and Mileena or the decision to transform Tarkatans like Baraka from a race of savages to typical Outworlders suffering from crippling sickness.

These new notions ground what is essentially a fantasy narrative of magic and parallel universes with a little dose of realism, adding emotional weight to each scene.

However, the campaign is not without flaws. A few decisions strike out to me the more I think about them. One example is what happened to Ermac. Without spoiling it, Ermac’s whole multiple-souls-warrior aura gets a fresh twist that erases everything wonderful about him.

Not only does it appear out of nowhere with little explanation–the cause for this alteration is a mystery–but it remains throughout the rest of the tale.

This choice appears to have been made just to give veteran fans something to chew on, but it did break my immersion in the plot for a moment. The campaign does an excellent job of transforming the world. Yet a couple of those modifications diminish rather than enhance the impact of the afflicted character.

There is one limitation to this campaign, and that is its linear nature. After it is completed, there is nothing further to do. The last chapter does provide some diversity in that you may select your fighter, which modifies a few aspects of the final battle, but that is the only difference.

Furthermore, unlike the last game, you are allocated a character in each chapter rather than having some alternatives. Fortunately, the plot is excellent. It’s good enough to compensate for these flaws, although there is still little opportunity to replay after the final chapter.

Outside of the superb story mode, there are other ways to play Mortal Kombat (2023). While these modes are enjoyable, they don’t provide the same degree of exciting gameplay throughout.

 

Single or Multiplayer

Online modes featured ranked, casual, and private rooms, as well as ‘King Of The Hill’. Stuttering was minimal in my online matches. However, the lack of a spectator option in private rooms is a significant step backward in comparison to other fighters.

Single-player options include the typical towers of Arcade mode, along with distinct endings for each character. This time MK 2023 includes a brand new game mode, called ‘Invasion’. Ascending through the iconic Towers is like playing old-school MK in the arcades.

Individual character endings are brief episodes, like in MK11, but the extra lore they provide gives new fascinating possibilities. The finale of Smoke, in especially, solved one of my personal burning doubts concerning Mortal Kombat (2023).

Meanwhile, invasions take place throughout overworld areas, with players sprinting from one goal to the next. The concept is excellent, and like the campaign, there’s enough of nostalgia to be had from the older Sega Genesis version of the original MK.

However, the bulk of the stages on these maps comprise a single one-round combat, implying that the majority of the stages can be completed in 10-15 seconds. Some battles include variables, such as an extra obstacle thrown at me, but they don’t add anything to the experience.

There’s virtually little difficulty here, especially in later parts when I’ve gained strong Talismans and Relics to boost my powers, and it starts to feel like a slog.

In comparison to MK11’s familiar offerings, like the ‘Krypt’ and the ‘Towers Of Time’, Invasions seemed to be a letdown. It’s fun and enjoyable, but the grind feels and lacks diversity, which make this mode feel less significant.

 

Verdict

This new age of NetherRealm’s top fighting game has a lot to offer. Mortal Kombat (2023) gives its mythology a much-needed fresh pair of eyes, reinventing the roster in new and exciting ways. Not every option in character design or development works, but those that do have an immediate impact.

Fighting with these new characters is fantastic. I really like the air combos and the ‘Kameos’, though other game modes are a little lacking. Mortal Kombat’s future is bright, and MK (2023) is the first step on that new route. I’m just hoping the next chapter offers something new to chew on.

If you like the review, we appreciate a comment or two. If you have any questions, please leave them here below. I will get back to you as soon as I can. It’s encouraging and motivates us to bring you more and better content. 

 

Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Review: Powerful But Could Be Better

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 is a powerful gaming laptop that aims to provide an unmatched gaming experience. As part of the widely acclaimed Legion series, this device combines cutting-edge hardware, advanced gaming features, and a sleek design to cater to the needs of hardcore gamers. In this review, we will delve into the various aspects of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5, including its design, performance, display quality, battery life, software features, and more. By the end of this article, you will have a comprehensive understanding of whether the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 is the ultimate gaming laptop you’ve been waiting for.

 

 

Lenovo Legion Pro 5

SPECS

Lenovo Legion Pro 5
CPU AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX
STORAGE 512GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD
MEMORY 16GB DDR5-5200
GPU Nvidia RTX 4070 laptop GPU
PORTS 4x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type A, 2X USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type C (2x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x 140W power delivery), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Ethernet
DISPLAY 16-inch 2,560 x 1,600, IPS, 165Hz 

 

PROS

  • Excellent performance
  • Great value
  • Includes lots of ports
  • High refresh rate

CONS

  • Expensive
  • Outdated IPS display
  • Quite heavy

 

 

Overview

The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 is a gaming beast that’s ready to take your gaming experience to the next level. Packed with powerful hardware, this gaming laptop is designed to deliver exceptional performance and immersive gameplay.

It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and features a generous amount of RAM, ensuring smooth multitasking and seamless gameplay. It also boasts impressive graphics capabilities, thanks to the RTX mobile GPU, allowing you to enjoy your favorite games in stunning detail.

With its high-quality display, comfortable keyboard, and fast storage options, the Legion Pro 5 ticks all the boxes for a top-notch gaming laptop.

 

Let’s See its Build

The Legion Pro 5 sports a sleek and modern design that exudes a premium feel. It features a backlit keyboard that not only enhances the overall aesthetics but also aids in gaming in low-light conditions. The ergonomics of the laptop are well thought out, providing a comfortable typing experience and easy access to all the essential ports.

 

 

Built with quality materials, the Legion Pro 5 feels sturdy and well-made. The laptop can endure the rigors of gaming sessions and daily use without showing signs of wear and tear. The construction is solid and reliable, ensuring the longevity of the device.

While the Legion Pro 5 is not the lightest gaming laptop on the market, it strikes a good balance between portability and performance. It is relatively slim considering its powerful hardware, making it easy to carry around for on-the-go gaming sessions. However, it’s worth noting that the laptop’s weight might be a factor to consider if you plan on traveling frequently with it.

 

Let’s Game

Equipped with a high-performance processor and ample RAM, the Legion Pro 5 delivers exceptional performance in both gaming and multitasking. You can expect smooth gameplay, quick load times, and seamless transitions between applications, giving you a hassle-free gaming experience.

The Legion Pro 5 doesn’t disappoint when it comes to graphics capabilities. With its powerful graphics card, it can handle demanding games and deliver stunning visuals. Additionally, if you’re into virtual reality, this laptop supports VR, providing an immersive experience like no other.

 

 

When it comes to gaming performance, the Legion Pro 5 shines. It can handle even the most demanding games with ease, offering smooth frame rates and minimal lag. Whether you’re playing fast-paced shooters or graphically-intensive RPGs, this laptop delivers a responsive and enjoyable gaming experience.

 

Let’s See the Display

The Legion Pro 5 features a high-quality IPS display that enhances your gaming visuals. With its vibrant colors and sharp details, every game comes to life on the screen. The size of the display is generous, providing an immersive viewing experience that pulls you into the game world.

The resolution of the Legion Pro 5’s display is on point, offering crisp and clear visuals. Colors are accurately reproduced, ensuring that you see the game as the developers intended. Whether you’re exploring fantastical realms or engaging in intense battles, the display’s color accuracy adds depth to your gaming experience.

While the gaming laptop comes with a compromise of an IPS display, it makes up for it thanks to the high refresh rate, the color accuracy and quick response time. The Legion Pro 5 minimizes motion blur and ghosting, resulting in smooth and fluid gameplay.

You won’t miss a single frame, and your actions register instantaneously, giving you the competitive edge you need in fast-paced games. Say goodbye to frustrating lag and hello to a seamless gaming experience.

 

Battery & Cooling Power

When it comes to gaming laptops, battery life is often a concern. Thankfully, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 doesn’t disappoint in this department. Its battery performance is impressive, lasting for hours on end even during intense gaming sessions. With a decent battery capacity, you won’t constantly find yourself tethered to a power outlet, allowing you to truly enjoy the freedom of gaming anywhere.

Gone are the days of eternal waiting for your laptop to charge. The Lenovo Legion Pro 5 offers fast charging capabilities, ensuring that you spend minimal time plugged in and more time immersed in your gaming adventures. Additionally, the laptop provides various charging options, giving you the flexibility to charge through different ports or even wirelessly, depending on your preference.

No gamer wants their laptop to turn into a mini volcano during intense gaming sessions. That’s where the cooling system of the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 shines. It keeps your laptop cool and prevents overheating, even when pushing the hardware to its limits. The efficient cooling system ensures optimal performance, allowing you to focus on dominating virtual worlds without worrying about your laptop melting away.

 

Verdict

To sum it up, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 impresses with its battery life, sleek design, and its efficient cooling system. It offers great gaming performance, features, and optimizations that cater to both casual and serious gamers.

It’s important to note that the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 may come with quite a high price tag. The weight may not be ideal for those who are constantly on the go, and the IPS display may be outdated or appeal to all, yet it still looks good so it really doesn’t disappoint. 

After thoroughly examining the Lenovo Legion Pro 5, it is evident that this gaming laptop offers an exceptional gaming experience that is hard to match. 

If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop that delivers on performance, battery life, and an exceptional gaming experience, the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 is a solid choice. Its impressive features and capabilities make it a worthy investment for gamers looking to take their gaming to the next level. Just be prepared to shell out a bit more and consider your portability needs before making the purchase.

We hope you enjoy the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 review.  Any questions or comments, leave them down here below. It’s encouraging and motivates us to deliver better content. 

 

Power And Portability: The Complete Razer Blade 16 Review

The Razer Blade 16 gaming laptop is super popular in the gaming world because it’s really powerful, looks cool, and has awesome features. It’s made just for gamers and gives you a top-notch gaming experience that’s hard to beat. In this article, we’re going to talk about all the different things that make the Razer Blade 16 great, like how it’s built, how well it works, and what it can do for gaming. We’ll also check out the screen and graphics, the keyboard and trackpad, how long the battery lasts, and any extra stuff it has. By the end of this review, you’ll know if the Razer Blade 16 is the right gaming laptop for you. So, let’s get started with the Razer Blade 16 Review!

 

Razer Blade 16

SPECS

DISPLAY: 16-inch QHD+, 240Hz, 16:10, (2560 x 1600 WQXGA) | CPU: 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-1395HX | RAM: 16GB dual-channel DDR5-5600MHz (expandable to 64GB) | GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® RTX™ 4060 (8GB VRAM) | STORAGE: 1TB SSD NVMe PCIe 4.0, expandable to 4TB | INPUT PORTS: 2x USB type-C, SD Card Reader, 3x USB 3.2 type-A, HDMI 2.1 | CONNECTIVITY: WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2 | OS: Windows 11 | Home | MISC: 95Whr battery, 5.4 lbs (2.45 kg), 330W power adapter

 

REASON TO BUY

  • Stunning gaming performance
  • Sleek and premium design
  • New dual mode display
  • Many input ports

REASON TO AVOID

  • Attracts fingerprints
  • Dual switching requires restart
  • Quite pricey
  • Short battery

 

 

Overview

Looking for a gaming laptop that packs a punch without compromising on style? Look no further than the Razer Blade 16. This powerhouse of a gaming machine is designed to deliver an exceptional gaming experience while boasting a sleek and premium design that will turn heads wherever you go.

The Razer Blade 16 comes with an impressive set of features and specifications that make it stand out in the gaming laptop market. It is equipped with a powerful processor, ample storage, and a top-of-the-line graphics card, ensuring smooth gameplay and immersive visuals. With a high-resolution display and an array of connectivity options, and upgrade options, this laptop is built to enhance your gaming experience to the next level.

 

Design and build quality

One of the first things you’ll notice about the Razer Blade 16 is its stunning design. With its sleek lines, compact form factor, and minimalist aesthetic, this laptop is a head-turner. It exudes a premium feel with its aluminum chassis and precision engineering. Whether you’re gaming at home or on the go, you’ll look and feel like a true gaming grand master.

 

 

Not only does the Razer Blade 16 look great, but it is also built to last. The laptop is crafted from high-quality materials that can withstand the rigors of daily use. From its sturdy keyboard to its solid build quality, this laptop is designed to be a reliable companion for your gaming adventures. It’s nice to know that your investment is protected, especially when you’re in the middle of an intense gaming session.

 

Performance and gaming experience

When it comes to performance, the Razer Blade 16 doesn’t disappoint. Equipped with a powerful processor and generous amounts of RAM, this laptop can handle even the most demanding games and applications with ease. Whether you’re playing the latest AAA titles or tackling resource-intensive tasks, the Razer Blade 16 ensures a smooth and responsive experience.

Gaming is all about immersion, and the Razer Blade 16 delivers just that. Thanks to its top-of-the-line graphics card from NVidia, this laptop produces stunning visuals with rich colors and impressive details. Combined with a high refresh rate display, you can enjoy buttery-smooth gameplay and high frame rates, allowing you to react swiftly and stay ahead of the competition. Say goodbye to lag and hello to an immersive gaming experience.

 

Display and graphics capabilities

The Razer Blade 16 features a high-resolution display that brings your games to life. With vibrant colors and sharp details, you’ll be able to see every intricate nuance of your favorite games. Whether you’re exploring vast open worlds or engaging in intense firefights, this laptop’s display ensures a visually stunning experience that draws you into the game. 

 

 

Graphics performance is a crucial aspect of any gaming laptop, and the Razer Blade 16 excels in this department. Thanks to its powerful graphics card, this laptop can handle even the most demanding graphics-intensive games with ease. From realistic shadows to smooth textures, you’ll be amazed at how this laptop renders graphics, creating a truly immersive gaming experience that will leave you wanting more.

 

Keyboard, trackpad, and overall user experience

The keyboard on the Razer Blade 16 is a dream for gaming enthusiasts. With its ergonomic design and comfortable key spacing, the typing experience is excellent. The keys are responsive and have a satisfying click, making each keystroke feel precise and deliberate. Whether you’re typing up a document or engaging in an intense gaming session, the Razer Blade 16’s keyboard won’t let you down.

The trackpad on the Razer Blade 16 is a joy to use. It’s large and responsive, allowing for smooth and accurate cursor movement. Whether you’re navigating through menus or executing precise movements in games, the trackpad delivers a seamless experience. Multi-touch gestures are also supported, making it easy to zoom, scroll, and navigate with just a few fingers.

 

Battery life and portability

One of the minor hiccups of the Razer Blade 16 is the short battery life. With a single charge, you can game for a good few hours. Keep a battery charger in hand when you decide to play on the go. Whether you’re gaming on the go or working remotely, the Razer Blade 16’s battery won’t let you down.

 

 

Portability is key when it comes to gaming laptops, and the Razer Blade 16 nails it. With its sleek and slim design, it’s easy to slip into a backpack or carry around with you. Despite its powerful internals, the laptop is surprisingly lightweight, making it a great option for gamers who are always on the move. Whether you’re gaming at a friend’s house or on a long flight, the Razer Blade 16 is a convenient companion.

 

Software and additional features

The Razer Blade 16 comes with Razer Synapse software, which allows you to customize your gaming experience. From tweaking performance settings to customizing RGB lighting, the software provides a range of options to suit your preferences. It’s intuitive and easy to use, making it a breeze to personalize your gaming setup.

In addition to its impressive performance and sleek design, the Razer Blade 16 offers a range of other features and functionalities. It includes an abundance of ports for connecting external devices, such as USB-C, HDMI, etc. The laptop also boasts excellent audio quality, thanks to its powerful speakers. These additional features contribute to an overall exceptional user experience.

 

Pricing

The Razer Blade 16 is undoubtedly a premium gaming laptop, and its high price reflects that. However, when you consider the powerful hardware, sleek design, and exceptional user experience it offers, it’s definitely worth the investment. Razer also provides different pricing options to suit various budgets, ensuring that there’s a model available for everyone. 

 

 

If you’re a serious gamer in need of a reliable and powerful laptop, the Razer Blade 16 is an excellent choice. Its impressive performance, comfortable keyboard, and precision trackpad make it a joy to use for both work and play. The long-lasting battery life and portability only add to its appeal. With its range of customization options and additional features, the Razer Blade 16 truly delivers a premium gaming experience.

 

Final verdict

In conclusion, the Razer Blade 16 gaming laptop offers an exceptional gaming experience with its powerful hardware, stunning display, and comfortable user interface. While it does come with a few minor hiccups, and quite a high price tag, the stunning performance and other great features it provides make it worth considering for serious gamers. 

With its sleek design, and other amazing features the Razer Blade 16 stands out as one of the top contenders in the gaming laptop market. If you are willing to invest in a high-quality gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 16 is definitely a solid choice that will undoubtedly enhance your gaming adventures.

 

Click HERE to find out more about other amazing Razer Blade gaming laptops

 

Leave a comment below if you like my Razer Blade 16 Review. If you have questions, you can also leave them and I will make sure to answer as soon as possible. So what’s next? Click here to find out more about this amazing gaming laptop.     

 

The Apple iPhone 14 Review: First Simple Best Performer

Welcome to our latest blog post. We’ll be diving into the world of cutting-edge technology as we review the Apple iPhone 14 – a mobile device that is quickly gaining recognition as the best-performing entry-level smartphone on the market today. Yet with so many other entry-level smartphones out now, is the iPhone 14 really going to emerge on top? In this post, we’ll delve into the pros and cons, its impressive features, and the state-of-the-art specifications that are making waves in the tech industry. So sit back. Relax. Join us as we review the Apple iPhone 14.

 

 

Apple iPhone 14

 

SPECS

DISPLAY 6.1 inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1170 x 2532 pixels
OS iOS 16, upgradable to iOS 16.4
CPU Apple A15 Bionic (5 nm), Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
STORAGE/MEMORY 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM
BATTERY 3279 mAh, non-removable, 
CAMERA/VIDEO 12 MP, f/1.5, 26mm (wide), 12 MP, f/2.4, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide), 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps), Cinematic mode (4K@30fps)
SELFIE CAMERA /VIDEO 12 MP, f/1.9, 23mm (wide), 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps, gyro-EIS
MISC Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving) | Colors include Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, Yellow | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 6m for 30 min) | Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified) | Glass front (Corning-made glass), glass back (Corning-made glass), aluminum frame
RELEASE DATE September 2022

 

PROS

  • Good performance
  • Impressive stereo speakers
  • Creates stunning photos & videos
  • More than 5 years of iOS updates
  • Solid battery life
  • Bright display with good colour accuracy

CONS

  • Small upgrade over iPhone 13
  • No 120Hz refresh rate
  • Uses older A16 Bionic chip
  • No zoom camera function
  • Mediocre fast charging
  • No charger included

 

Overview

The Apple iPhone 14 is the entry model smartphone in the iPhone 14 series, which consists of 5 other smartphones including the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 14 Pro, and the top-tier iPhone 14 Pro MAX. The initial specs include a 6.1-inch display with a teardrop camera on top. The back includes a 12MP dual-lens camera which is diagonally placed in the top left corner. All are encased in a glass front, glass back, and aluminum frame.   

Inside the includes Apple’s own A15 Bionic processing chip, with 6GB of RAM. Storage model starts from 128GB up to 512GB. It also includes a 3179mAh battery that supports fast and wireless charging. The choice of colour includes Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, and Yellow. The iPhone 14 is IP68 rated meaning that it has water and dust resistance. 

Based on the design it looks very similar to the previous iPhone model. The only thing differences are that: it’s lighter to carry; includes the newer iOS 16; has a slightly bigger battery; and has 6GB of RAM instead of 4GB, which is good for overall phone performance, and more app storage on standby.

With this entry-level iPhone, expect limited features here. The price starts at US$670/ €615/£540/12000ZAR, which is the same price as the iPhone 13. In some markets, you may find an even lower price for iPhone 13. What you get in the box is the iPhone 14 smartphone, a USB-C cable, and a sim ejector tray.

So what we know so far is that the iPhone 14 is a compact size smartphone, with good specs. It comes with a slightly large battery, a new operating system, and an increase in overall performance. With what we know now about the iPhone 14, is it better than the iPhone 13 or do we skip this release?      

 

The Good Features

 

Good performance

The Apple iPhone 14 is a game-changer when it comes to delivering a power-packed performance. One of the most significant improvements in this latest iteration of the iconic smartphone is its cutting-edge processor – the Apple A15 Bionic.

The device boasts an advanced chipset that ensures seamless multitasking, lightning-fast app loading times, and an overall smoother user experience. This increased processing speed allows you to enjoy high-performance gaming, effortless video editing, and uninterrupted streaming with no lag or slowdown.

Another crucial aspect of the iPhone 14’s impressive performance lies in its enhanced battery life. Apple has made considerable strides in battery technology by introducing more energy-efficient components and optimizing software to improve power management.

This means that you can now indulge in their favourite activities for extended periods without constantly worrying about running out of juice.

 

 

The graphical prowess of the iPhone 14 also deserves special mention as it elevates mobile gaming and content consumption to new heights. With stunning visuals backed by powerful hardware under the hood, gamers can delve into immersive worlds with exceptional detail and fluidity on this pocket-sized powerhouse.

Furthermore, the iPhone 14 comes equipped with ample storage options to cater to various user needs – from casual browsing enthusiasts who prefer minimalistic digital lifestyles to content creators who demand vast repositories for their creative projects.

Lastly, Apple’s commitment to providing a secure ecosystem remains unwavering with its introduction of robust privacy features. Users can now safeguard their sensitive information while enjoying all-new functionalities offered by iOS updates that are designed explicitly around enhancing performance and productivity.

In summary, if you’re looking for a smartphone that packs top-of-the-line performance capabilities into an elegant design while offering unparalleled security features – look no further than the Apple iPhone 14.

Embrace this marvel of modern technology as it redefines what smartphones are capable of achieving while setting new benchmarks for competitors around the globe.

 

Creates stunning photos & videos

One of the standout features of the Apple iPhone 14 is its enhanced camera capabilities. It comes with a dual 12 MP camera that boasts some of the best camera features on this compact model.

As photography enthusiasts and casual users alike continue to prioritize capturing high-quality images and videos with their devices, Apple has gone above and beyond to ensure that its latest offering delivers top-notch results.

The iPhone 14 boasts a new and improved sensor that not only allows for more accurate colour reproduction but also significantly enhances low-light performance. This means that taking stunning shots in dimly lit environments or capturing memories at nighttime events is now easier than ever before.

In addition to this, Apple has incorporated advanced image stabilization technology for both photo and video modes, ensuring your content remains crisp, clear, and free from unwanted shakiness.

Another exciting development is found within the realm of portrait mode photography: with an upgraded depth-sensing system on board, creating beautiful bokeh effects has never been easier or more accurate.

The iPhone 14 also offers a broader range of focal lengths compared to previous models – making it an ideal choice for those who want versatility when composing their shots.

Finally, we cannot overlook how user-friendly these advanced camera features are: with intuitive controls designed with both beginners and seasoned photographers in mind, getting great results feels like second nature.

The Camera app itself has been redesigned as well – providing quick access to essential settings while still allowing users to dive into deeper customization when desired.

In conclusion, the Apple iPhone 14’s enhanced camera capabilities truly set it apart as the best-performance smartphone in today’s market. With a powerful blend of hardware and software working together seamlessly, users can expect consistently impressive results – regardless of their level of experience or preferred shooting conditions.

 

Solid battery life

The iPhone 14 packs a 3279 mAh battery. Only a tiny bit more powerful than the 3240 mAh found in the iPhone 13. With regards to battery life, on moderate use, you’re looking at 19 hours of daily usage, which is not bad for this compact model. As compact as it is, the iPhone 14 will last you several hours before it needs a battery charge.

One area where this device truly shines is its battery life and charging features. Apple has consistently been working on improving and optimizing their devices’ battery performance, and they have made significant strides with their latest release.

The iPhone 14 boasts an impressive battery life that can easily last through a full day of use, even for those who are constantly on their phones browsing social media, watching videos, or playing games.

This is quite an accomplishment considering the high-resolution display and powerful processor packed into such a slim device; Apple has definitely pulled out all the stops to ensure users get the most out of every charge.

But what good would an outstanding battery life be without efficient charging capabilities? The iPhone 14 does not disappoint in this regard either. With its fast-charging feature, users can quickly power up their devices when needed without having to wait around for hours on end.

In fact, you can expect your phone’s battery level to go from 0% to 50% in just about half an hour using a compatible fast charger – a true lifesaver for those hectic days when time is of utmost importance.

Furthermore, wireless charging support has become increasingly popular among smartphone users as it offers both convenience and ease of use by eliminating tangled cords altogether. The iPhone 14 supports this feature as well; simply place your device onto any Qi-compatible wireless charger and watch as your phone effortlessly regains its power.

It’s also worth noting that Apple has made strides towards reducing e-waste by opting not to include wall chargers with new iPhones anymore. This encourages people who already own chargers from previous models or other devices to reuse them instead of creating more waste.

In summary, one cannot look past the impressive improvements made by Apple when discussing battery life and charging features in the new iPhone 14 model. The combination of longer-lasting battery life, fast charging capabilities, and wireless charging support truly sets this device apart from its competition. 

   

Good design and bright display with good colour accuracy

The iPhone 14 has the exact same display features as the iPhone 13, which is a 6.1 inch, Super Retina OLED display, with a 60Hz refresh rate, HDR10, and Dolby Vision support, and comes with an 1170 x 2532 pixels screen resolution. 

The Apple iPhone 14 has made some impressive strides in design and display improvements, which have caught the attention of both tech enthusiasts and casual users alike. The sleek, modern aesthetics of the device are visually appealing, but it’s not just about looks – these advancements play a crucial role in enhancing the user experience as well.

One notable improvement is the reduced notch size that houses the front-facing camera and Face ID sensor. This change allows for an even more expansive screen-to-body ratio, providing users with a larger display area to enjoy their favourite apps and media content.

Speaking of displays, Apple has incorporated ProMotion technology into their latest iPhone model. 

 

 

In addition to these enhancements, Apple has also decided to adopt durable Ceramic Shield glass for its front panel. This cutting-edge material is touted as being four times more resistant to breakage than previous glass iterations used on iPhones.

As a result, those unfortunate accidents where your phone slips out of your hand will be less likely to result in shattered screens.

The colour options, available for the iPhone 14, have been refined as well. Apple introduced new colour hues such as Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, and Yellow that add vibrance, depth, and variety to their lineup. These fresh colours allow customers to express their personal style while enjoying all the top-tier performance features this device offers.

But perhaps one of the most significant design changes comes in relation to MagSafe integration within this new generation of iPhones. The easy alignment provided by MagSafe ensures efficient wireless charging while enabling compatibility with various accessories like wallets or phone cases designed specifically for this system.

In conclusion, it’s clear that Apple has gone above and beyond with design choices on their latest flagship smartphone – iPhone 14 offers both beauty and functionality combined seamlessly into one powerful package; proving once again why it stands at the top in the compact smartphone industry. These designs and displays stand to improve the enhanced visual experience that only iPhone delivers. 

  

The Bad Features

Small upgrade over iPhone 13

Looking at the overall specs and comparing both models, the iPhone 13 and iPhone 14 there’s a small improvement. The battery capacity improved from 3240 to 3279 mAh. The overall system memory improved from 4GB to 6GB.

There’s a new iOS 16 installed. Everything else is the same. From the screen size, and standard features to the durability features. It’s not anything to be excited about but it’s worth mentioning.    

 

 

No 120Hz refresh rate

While most rival smartphones in this price bracket already have high refresh rates, the iPhone 14 is locked at 60Hz. It would have been nice if Apple had started to add certain features, like its 120Hz refresh rate, to the iPhone 14.

 

Uses older A16 Bionic chip

Though the overall performance of the iPhone 14 is solid, one thing to note is that it uses the same processing chip as the iPhone 13. It’s not a major issue but it would be nice if the latest Apple processing chip was included. 

 

No zoom camera function

As impressive as the camera in taking detailed pictures and videos, there’s no telephoto camera sensor here. So sadly there’s no optical zoom feature.  

 

Mediocre fast charging

The charging speed for the iPhone 14 is fast but not competitively impressive. At thirty minutes the battery is charged at 60%, and a full charge takes 90 minutes. There is a significant increase in charging speed from the iPhone 13 (105 minutes to full charge), but it’s not exactly leading in the fastest charging speed race with other brands.

 

No charger included

It’s becoming a norm these days that iPhone smartphones don’t include chargers in the box. You’ll have to use your existing iPhone charger or purchase one separately. 

 

The Verdict

The Apple iPhone 14 has once again proven itself as the best-performance smartphone on the market. With its cutting-edge technology, sleek design, and user-friendly interface, it’s no wonder that people are raving about it.

The iPhone 14 flawlessly combines power and efficiency while maintaining all of the features that users have come to know and love from previous models. This makes it a top choice for both long-time Apple enthusiasts and newcomers alike who are looking for a high-quality smartphone experience.

Don’t miss out on your chance to stay ahead of the curve with the latest and greatest in smartphone technology! The Apple iPhone 14 is here, and it’s ready to revolutionize the way you communicate, work, and play.

With its groundbreaking features, sleek design, and unparalleled performance, there’s never been a better time to upgrade your device.

Click HERE now and be among the first to experience all that the iPhone 14 has to offer.

 

 

Imagine capturing stunning photos with advanced camera capabilities or navigating through tasks effortlessly with lightning-fast processing speeds. Envision yourself enjoying an immersive audiovisual experience on a crystal-clear display while staying connected throughout the day with impressive battery life.

All this can be yours when you make the switch to Apple’s newest masterpiece.

This is your opportunity to join millions of satisfied customers who trust Apple’s unmatched innovation and quality in their daily lives. Don’t settle for anything less than extraordinary – because when it comes down to it, isn’t that what you deserve?

Act now before supplies run out or prices go up! Secure your spot at the forefront of cutting-edge technology by clicking HERE today – we guarantee that once you have this incredible device in hand, there’ll be no looking back.

Upgrade your life today by choosing an Apple iPhone 14 smartphone – where style meets substance like never before!

 

Is the New Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max Worth It?

The much-awaited new Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max has finally arrived! Boasting an updated design, powerful specs, and improved camera performance, this flagship device is sure to be a hit among both existing Apple users and those who are new to the brand.

In this blog post, we will take a deeper look at all the features of the phone; from hardware capabilities to battery life and more. We’ll also reveal any additional elements that have been added in this iteration as well as our own thoughts. Keep reading for an in-depth review of the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max.

 

 

Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max

 

SPECS

DISPLAY 6.7″ Super Retina OLED, 120Hz, HDR10, Dolby Vision, 1290x2796px screen resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio, 460ppi; Always-On display
OS iOS 16
CPU Apple A16 Bionic (4 nm) | Apple GPU (5-core graphics)
STORAGE/MEMORY 128GB 6GB RAM, 256GB 6GB RAM, 512GB 6GB RAM, 1TB 6GB RAM; NVMe
BATTERY 4323mAh; Fast charging, USB Power Delivery 2.0, MagSafe fast wireless charging 15W, Qi wireless charging 7.5W
CAMERA/VIDEO 48 MP (wide), f/1.8, 24mm, 1/1.28″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, sensor-shift OIS | 12 MP (telephoto), f/2.8, 77mm, 1/3.5″, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom | 12 MP (ultra-wide), f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF | Video at 4K@60fps, 1080p@240fps, 10-bit HDR, Dolby Vision HDR (up to 60fps)
SELFIE CAMERA /VIDEO 12 MP (wide), f/1.9, 23mm, 1/3.6″, PDAF, OIS (unconfirmed) | video at 4K@60fps, 1080p@120fps, gyro-EIS.
MISC Face ID, accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer; NFC; stereo speakers; Ultra Wideband (UWB) support, Emergency SOS via satellite (SMS sending/receiving);, Apple Pay (Visa, MasterCard, AMEX certified)
RELEASE DATE 2022, September

 

PROS

  • Excellent design
  • Great durability
  • Impressive OLED screen with 120Hz
  • Fast & stable performance
  • Impressive battery life
  • Superb photo & video quality
  • Best video stabilization
  • Superb stereo speakers

CONS

  • Bigger & heavier than most
  • No charger in the box
  • Same design as the older Pro Max 

 

 

Overview

The tech industry is abuzz with the new release of Apple’s flagship smartphone, the iPhone 14 Pro Max. This device features some amazing upgrades compared to its predecessors, such as an enhanced camera system and larger display options.

With both a 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED display and a 6.7-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD screen powered by the A16 Bionic chip utilizing 4nm technology for greater speeds than ever before, this phone won’t disappoint when it comes to performance either!

The triple rear cameras – 12MP ultra-wide lens, 12MP wide lens, and 12MP telephoto lens – make sure you capture pictures in any light conditions with improved Night Mode that works without flash or tripod even in pitch darkness.

Deep Fusion utilizes machine learning algorithms to adjust exposure levels and reduce noise for sharper images overall too!

To keep things running smoothly while multitasking or gaming on your device, there’s also a powerful A16 Bionic processor with 4nm technology plus Liquid Retina XDR technology which disperses heat better during extended use periods so no need to worry about overheating here!

As far as battery life goes, Apple claims up to 20 hours of playtime when streaming videos or surfing the web via Wi-Fi; furthermore, wireless charging capabilities are available should you want more juice without having to plug in cables every time!

 

The Good Features

Camera Quality and Features

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max offers a remarkable collection of imaging capabilities that will surely wow its users.

With two lenses working together to deliver ultra-wide angle and telephoto shots with amazing detail and clarity, the device is sure to capture stunning photos even in dimly lit settings thanks to advanced HDR technology, Night Mode, and Smart HDR 3.

 

Furthermore, portrait mode with depth control, up to 10x optical zoom along with 100x digital zoom provides crystal clear images regardless of the environment while 4K video recording at 60fps alongside slow motion videos in 1080p at 240fps helps you record special moments or action shots easily.

All these features make the iPhone 14 Pro Max an ideal choice for those looking for a powerful mobile phone for capturing brilliant-quality pictures.

 

Battery Life and Power Efficiency

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is an excellent choice for those who demand long-lasting battery life from their device. Its A16 Bionic processor and 4nm architecture offer tremendous power efficiency, allowing users to maximize the potential of their phone.

 

 

The 4323 mAh battery is one of the largest ever fitted onto an iPhone, meaning users will have hours of use before needing to recharge. Additionally, low-power mode and adaptive brightness settings help keep battery consumption as low as possible while USB-C PD 3.0 technology ensures speedy charging when needed so that you can get back in action fast!

All these features combine to make the iPhone 14 Pro Max one of the best smartphones available for extended use today.

 

Design, Display, and Performance

The Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is a stunning device with an exquisite design, vivid display, and top-notch performance. The 6.7-inch Super Retina XDR OLED screen boasts an amazing 2,000,000:1 contrast ratio and 4K resolution coupled with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and viewing videos in unwavering clarity.

Constructed from aerospace-grade materials, the handset ensures durability without compromising on its lightweight profile.

Under the hood lies the A14 Bionic chipset for unrivaled power when tackling tasks or gaming while sipping on the battery to keep you going no matter where you are at any given time.

 

 

It’s also equipped with four speakers located at each corner of the phone to provide immersive sound as well as an IP68 water resistance rating ensuring protection in all kinds of environments.

Photography enthusiasts will be delighted by the triple rear lenses – ultra-wide angle lens; wide-angle lens; and telephoto lens – that deliver plenty of options when taking pictures or recording video clips on their phones along with the Night Mode feature which enables better low light shots sans flash photography ruining your shot!

And finally, there’s Dolby Vision HDR Capture giving extra dynamic range when shooting videos so you can capture mesmerizing visuals every single time!

 

The Bad Features

Same Design, but Bigger and Heavier

There are no really bad features with the new iPhone Pro Max, except that it’s the biggest and the heaviest smartphone in the iPhone 14 series. In fact, it weighs 240 grams (8.47 oz) and it’s 6.7 inches tall. Now how will this smartphone fit in your pocket?

Another thing to note is that there’s no real change to the design from the older iPhone 13 Pro Max. I figure that Apple decided to stick to what works.

   

No Charger

It’s become a norm that nowadays the charger is unfortunately not included in the box. You will need to purchase one separately. When you do, make sure it’s a 20W charger as you can get a good boost of charging speed.  

   

The Verdict

To round out, the new Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max is sure to please those searching for a powerhouse phone with all the bells and whistles. Its trim build, modern display, up-to-date processor, and remarkable camera functionality make it an excellent option.

The battery life could be improved but considering its wealth of features and affordable price tag this device is worth looking into if you’re in the market for a new smartphone.

Are you in search of the newest and trendiest mobile technology? No need to go any further, just check out the remarkable Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max. Boasting unmatched capability, execution, and design, this phone is making waves everywhere.

 

 

So what do you think? Is the iPhone 14 Pro Max worth purchasing? If you have thoughts, comments, or questions, you are more than welcome to add them below. 

So why wait any longer? Click here now to get your hands on it and feel all its benefits! The new Apple iPhone 14 Pro Max provides a wonderful mix of power, gracefulness, and convenience that will make sure you stay ahead.

With its exceptional display screen, impressive battery life plus advanced features – this handset really stands apart from the rest. Get yours quickly before they’re all gone!

 

The new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra Review: Absolutely Stunning

The new Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra promises to be every bit as better than last year’s S22 Ultra. With it having all the best features in the S23 series, not only does it aim to be more than just average, but also to give other top brands a top new benchmark to follow. However, compared to last year’s great Galaxy S22 Ultra, is it really worth the upgrade? Let’s see from this review the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. 

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra

 

SPECS

DISPLAY 6.8 inches Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+
OS Android 13, One UI 5.1
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm)
STORAGE/MEMORY 256GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM
BATTERY Li-Ion 5000 mAh
CAMERA/VIDEO Quad-lens sensor | 200 MP, f/1.7, 24mm (wide) | 10 MP, f/4.9, 230mm (periscope telephoto) | 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm (telephoto) | 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚ (ultrawide) | video: 8K@24/30fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 1080p@960fps, HDR10+
SELFIE CAMERA /VIDEO 12 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide) | video: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps
MISC Colors include Phantom Black, Green, Cream, Lavender, Graphite, Sky Blue, Lime, Red, and BMW M Edition | Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame build | Fingerprint reader (under the display, ultrasonic) | Stylus (Bluetooth integration, accelerometer, gyro) | NFC | stereo speakers |  Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX | Bixby natural language commands and dictation |  Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified) | Ultra Wideband (UWB) support | IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins)
RELEASE DATE February 2023

PROS

  • Excellent camera features
  • Impressive AMOLED display
  • Excellent battery life
  • Faster charging speed
  • Fast performance
  • Includes S Pen

CONS

  • Very expensive
  • Similar design to S22 Ultra

 

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra is the top-range smartphone that comes with all the best features in the Galaxy S23 series. Unlike its younger smartphone siblings, the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Plus, it comes with a bigger 6.8-inch display, a bigger 5000mAh battery with a pretty long battery life, a newer Android 13 OS, better camera features, and faster performance thanks to its high-performance Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor. 

If you compare this to the previous model, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, it comes with an improved camera, a new Android operating system, improved durability, and fast performance. The rest, however, is still the same. They both have the same size display and technology, the same design, the same battery capacity, and other similar features. 

 

 

The base entry model starts with 256GB of storage and 8GB of memory, with the top range model with 1TB of storage and 12GB of memory. The price for the entry S23 Ultra starts at US$1200/£970/€1100 with the top-range model at a price of US$1620/£1310/€1490. 

What you get in the box is the Galaxy S23 Ultra handset, a USB-C cable, and a sim ejector pin. No charger in the box, which has become a norm for all Samsung smartphones. Overall, the Galaxy S23 Ultra is way better than both the Galaxy S23 and the Galaxy S23 Plus, when compared to the S22 Ultra, it’s only better because of the few upgrades.  

 

The Good Stuff

Excellent camera features

Looking for one of the best camera smartphones? Then look no further because here it is. The Galaxy S23 Ultra comes with a rear 4-lens camera system that includes: a 200MP wide primary camera; a dual 10MP telephoto camera (one with 3 times optical zoom and the other with 20 times optical zoom); and a 12MP ultrawide camera.

For those who love taking selfies, the S23 Ultra comes with a front 12MP wide selfie camera. With regards to video recording, the S23 Ultra produces Full HD (1080p), 4K, and 8K videos, with the selfie camera able to record Full HD and 4K videos.

 

 

With the 200MP camera, the S23 Ultra is able to produce even more detailed photos even in low-light situations. The dual telephoto cameras have not changed from the S22 Ultra, yet it projects sharp. produce      

     

Impressive AMOLED display

Simply said, the Galaxy S23 Ultra features one of the greatest phone displays available. It is colorful, and vibrant, and performs very smoothly as you scroll between menus, apps, and internet browsing.

It comes with a 6.8-inch QHD OLED screen with a resolution of 3088 x 1400 pixels and a claimed peak brightness of 1,750 nits, similar to the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra. Moreover, you receive the same 120Hz refresh rate, which may drop down to 1Hz, as previously.

The image quality onscreen is simply impressive overall. When watching HD videos or video streams online there’s a lot of detail and great viewing angles. When viewing pictures or photos they look amazing onscreen and the brightness is good enough.

 

 

Upon viewing the display, the S23 Ultra demonstrates good color accuracy and includes the “Vision Booster” function that lets you adapt the image’s color and contrast to the lighting environment. And to make it simpler to view the display, there is an eye comfort feature. 

To summarize, the S23 Ultra display looks impressive. The photos and videos look stunning, with bright and accurate colors, detailed and good brightness. The display even looks smooth as you scroll between menus, and the phone comes with lots of features to help optimize your viewing. However, it’s not anything to wow over because it has similar display tech to the S22 Ultra, which is not a bad thing as both displays are impressive.

 

Excellent battery life and fast charging speed

The Galaxy S23 Ultra includes the same high-capacity 5,000 mAh battery as the S22 Ultra. However, Samsung has made it more efficient thanks to the Snapdragon processing chip. With that, one of the benefits includes longer battery life than the S22 Ultra. Speaking of which, the battery life overall is up to 13 hours at ‘Standard mode’ (60Hz), and a little over 12 hours at ‘Adaptive mode’ which is up to 120Hz.

For moderate use, it’s best to change the refresh rate to 60Hz, as it will save you battery life. Compared to the S22 Ultra, the previous model lasts only up to 11 hours on moderate use. With battery life, the winner here is the S23 Ultra. 

 

 

With regards to charging speed, using a 45W charger, the S23 Ultra reached 68% in 30 minutes, and a full charge in under an hour. If we compare it to the S22 Ultra, in half an hour the phone is charged at 60%, and reached full charge in an hour. With charging speed, the S23 wins this one. 

It just goes to show, although the S22 Ultra and the S23 Ultra have the same battery capacity, the battery life is different. Thanks to the newer processing chip and its efficiency, the S23 has more battery life. 

 

Fast performance

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor powers the Galaxy S23 Ultra, just like the rest in the Galaxy S23 series, but with a special Samsung-exclusive edition that has a faster CPU and GPU. It may be called the Snapdragon 8+ Gen 2 later on during the year. All Galaxy S23 models use the Snapdragon processor, i.e. no more S23 Ultra models with different processors, where certain nations get an Exynos version.

According to research, the 8 Gen 2 chip is 35% faster, and 40% more efficient, with the GPU being 25% better and 45% more efficient, than the one included in the S22 Ultra. That means overall that the S23 Ultra has faster performance, and is more efficient in preserving battery power and better use of memory. If performance is your thing in smartphones, the S23 Ultra is definitely one to look out for.      

 

Includes accessories

Either than the standard accessories you get in the box, there’s also a stylus included called the S Pen, which is not included with the other phones in the S23 series. You will find it away and can access it from the bottom left panel of the mobile device. It is quite a nice feature to have.

The S pen is exactly the same as the one that was included with the S22 Ultra. You get 2.8ms of delay and 4096 levels of pressure sensitivity. It’s also battery-powered and charges while it’s slotted inside the phone. You may also use it as a remote when writing owing to the ‘Air Actions’ feature. It’s black in color with only the top clip part colored to match the frame of the phone. It is really fun to use to write text or create drawings on the phone. I

 

The Bad Stuff

Very expensive

As I said before, the price for the entry Galaxy S23 Ultra starts at about US$1200/£970/€1100 with the top-range model at a price of US$1620/£1310/€1490. From these prices, it’s clear that this smartphone is going to cost a lot of money to buy. But if we compare the price to the previous smartphone, the Galaxy S22 Ultra, which has almost the same specs, then the safe thing to say is that, if you cannot afford it, get the S22 Ultra. 

Click here to see the review of the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra to see the price

If the price is still very steep for you, then you say consider other alternatives such as the younger siblings in the Galaxy S23 series or the previous S22 smartphones. Either way, they are less expensive, but not as powerful. So let me finish off by saying this. If the S23 Ultra is too expensive, get the Galaxy S22 Ultra. It’s still a great phone to have, almost similar to the Galaxy S23 Ultra. 

 

 

Similar design to S22 Ultra

If you take both the Galaxy S22 Ultra and the Galaxy S23 Ultra and lay them on a table, you’ll notice that they are exactly the same. Same look and design. Same camera lens positioning. Same everything. So if you’re hoping for a drastic change in design from the predecessor to the current model, then you’ll be very disappointed. Yet it still looks like a premium phone with a great design. I guess Samsung decided to still do what works this time around. 

 

The Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra smartphone does not really bring anything new or exciting to the table. Just minor upgrades here or there to make it stay relevant in the market. But in all honesty, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is still a great phone to get. So if you have it, and looking to switch, then you will come to realize that it’s not going to feel like n upgrade. It’s still a powerful mobile device that you can still use right now and it will last you many years to come.

 

 

Should you buy it? If you want to upgrade from the S22 Ultra to the S23 Ultra, I recommend not getting it at this stage. It’s really expensive right now and not really worth it, as the S22 is still a great phone. So what do you say? Do you think the S23 Ultra is the best of 2023? How do you feel about the upgrades? Is it even worth purchasing knowing the older model is still a great phone?  If you have any comments, thoughts, or questions, you can leave them here below. I hope you enjoyed my review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. If you want to know more and purchase it, click here

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus Review: Bigger and Better

The previous S22 Plus was better than its predecessor as it came with a bigger screen, a bigger battery, and better features. The Samsung Galaxy s23 Plus promises to do just that, as it also comes with more features than the S22. But is it worth the purchase? Let’s find out from the review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus. 

Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

 

SPECS

DISPLAY 6.60″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080x2340px
OS Android 13, One UI 5.1.
CPU Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 (4 nm), 8-core
STORAGE MEMORY 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
BATTERY 4700mAh, fast charge at 45W, wireless charge, and reverse wireless
MAIN CAMERA Triple-lens | 50 MP wide, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS | 10 MP telephoto, 3x optical zoom | 12 MP ultrawide, Super Steady video
VIDEO 8K at 30 fps, 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 240 fps, 1080p at 960 fps (super slow motion), HDR10+
SELFIE CAMERA 12 MP wide, Dual Pixel PDAF
SELFIE VIDEO 4K at 60 fps, 1080p at 30 fps
MISC

 

196g | Glass front and back (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), aluminum frame | IP68 dust/water resistant | Fingerprint reader (onscreen) | NFC | stereo speakers | Samsung DeX, Bixby natural language commands, and dictation, Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified), Ultra Wideband (UWB) support
COLOR Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender, Graphite, Lime
RELEASE DATE February 2023

 

PROS

  • Fast performance
  • Gorgeous looking AMOLED display
  • Takes excellent photos & video quality
  • Impressive battery life
  • Superb stereo speakers
  • Easy handling & well designed

CONS

  • Expensive
  • No expandable storage
  • No earphones, no charger inbox
  • Similar design to the S23

 

Overview

With a high price tag of US$1000, the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus is one of the latest smartphones to release this year. It offers the same features as the Galaxy S23 but with a larger screen, a bigger battery that provides more battery life, and includes more features the S23 smartphone doesn’t have. 

Compared to the top-range Galaxy S23 Ultra, it comes with similar features but with a smaller display and no S Pen stylus to use. Yet still, the S23 plus comes with a top performance processor, an impressive camera that takes excellent pictures and videos, and a long battery life, making it a better phone to pick rather than the S23. 

 

Samsung Galaxy S23 (left) and the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus (right)

 

Looking at the phone, you get a 6.6-inch display with a triple-lens camera. Under the hood, you get a top Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a large 4700mAh battery. There are two models to choose from, according to storage: the 256 GB and the 512 GB model. Other features include water and dust resistance, UWB Support, and many others. 

In other words, the Galaxy S23 Plus smartphone is bigger, better, and has more features than the Galaxy S23. It’s not better than the S23 Ultra but it’s in a league of its own. If you’re not one who likes complex features but still wants a powerful smartphone, and don’t mind digging deeper into your pockets, then the S23 smartphone is for you.          

 

The Good Features

Fast Performance

With performance, the S23 Plus is the best performer thanks to the overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor which includes an eight-core 4nm fast performance chip. It also includes an Adreno 740 GPU for graphics and gaming support. Compared to the S23, the processors are not different so expect the same performance but better than the older S22+. 

Speaking of gaming, the S23 Plus handles it seamlessly. From light gaming to hardware-demanding games, the frame rate stays constant at 60 fps, with good-looking graphics, visuals, and smooth gameplay.  

With regards to memory, the S23 Plus comes with 8GB of RAM, which helps with the storage of apps on standby without freezing or slowing down the phone. As for storage, there are 256GB and 512GB models to choose from. Just note that there’s microSD to expand storage.

 

The colors to choose from include Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender.

 

The One UI 5.1., which is Android 13, includes new widgets, more connectivity options, various improvements to the gallery, and Samsung DeX mode. It still operates and looks similar to other Android smartphones, but the GUI looks and feels smoother as you scroll.    

Overall, the S23 Plus is fast and handles tasks well. Whether you browse online, watch or stream HD videos, play games, or edit photos and videos, the S23 Plus handles them all and with ease.  

 

Large, vibrant & gorgeous-looking AMOLED display

The S23 Plus comes with a large 6.6-inch dynamic AMOLED display, which includes Full HD+ 1080p resolution, HDR10+ support, and a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate. The display looks absolutely gorgeous.

It’s bright, the colors are vibrant, and the details are amazing. Not much better than the older S22 smartphones but it still looks good.

 

The screen dimensions and details of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus.

 

Regarding the refresh rate, speed and smooth scrolling are important features, and with the 120Hz adaptive refresh rate, the S23 Plus achieves that well. Depending on the inactivity on the screen, the display can run from 24Hz, which is slower but saves battery life, to 120Hz for smoother scrolling, and use of apps and games.

It really feels snappy and fast as you scroll between menus, browse websites, and play games. Overall, the display looks great, one you can really admire and appreciate for a long time.          

 

Excellent photos & video quality

From the back, the three lenses make the phone look larger without the island humble from the last model. It still comes with a triple-lens sensor, namely a 50MP wide, a 12MP ultra-wide, and a 10MP telephoto that includes a 3x optical zoom.

So what can you expect here? You can expect good quality, colorful and detailed pictures. The main camera takes great pictures overall, especially in portrait mode. The ultrawide produces similar-quality images, and the optical zoom quality looks good.

 

The triple-lens sensor of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

 

If you’re looking for a smartphone that records 8K footage then the S23 Plus is for you. You can record videos up to 8K at 30 fps (frames per second). You can also record 4K videos at 60 fps, or even 1080p videos at 240 fps which has better image stabilization. 

Bottom line. The camera quality is excellent. The S23 produces detailed pictures and even smoother detailed videos. 

 

Impressive battery life

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus comes with a bigger battery with a capacity of 4700mAh compared to the S22’s 4500mAh. It supports up to 45W fast charging, 15W wireless charging, and wireless reverse charging. 

It certainly does provide more battery life to the S23 Plus. You get up to 35 hours making and receiving calls, up to 18 hours of internet browsing, and up to 2o hours of video playback. This is on moderate usage.

 

The Cream model of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

 

With regards to battery charging, there is no real difference in speed between a 25W or a 45W charger, they charge the phone at similar speeds. For a 45W charger, in half an hour, the phone will charge up to 60%.

And for a full charge, it takes just over an hour. So you get a smartphone with a bigger battery, that provides up to 30 hours of battery life, and up to an hour of fast charging. Just make sure you get a 45W charger.        

 

Other impressive features

The S23 Plus includes stereo speakers on the top and bottom sections of the smartphone. The overall quality is great. The loudness is well-managed and balanced thanks to the stereo speakers. The Dolby Atmos feature does do its part to overall optimize the sound quality, however, there is a cost of loudness. But it’s safe to say that the overall sound quality is great. 

The S23 Plus comes with a strong front and back Gorilla Glass Victus 2, which makes it more resistant to cracks and scratches from accidental drops. Then there’s the familiar IP68 protection rating which means the S23 Plus can withstand up to 1.5 meters of water for 30 minutes.   

 

The Bad Features

Pretty high price 

As much as this is the second top-tier smartphone in the Galaxy S23 series, expect to pay a lot of money for the Galaxy S23 Plus. If you check out the Samsung website, the price tag starts at US$1000/£818/€930 for the 256GB model. As for the 512 GB model, expect to pay about US$1200/£980/€1115. Yes, it comes with a high price tag, however, if you can afford it, you won’t be disappointed.

The alternative choice would be Galaxy S23 which is less expensive but has a smaller display and a smaller battery. In essence, the S23 Plus is an expensive smartphone, but it’s one smartphone you won’t be disappointed with.       

 

Just the USB-C cable and the ejection pin of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus

 

No expandable storage, no earphones, no charger

It has become a norm that Samsung will not include chargers, and earphones anymore when you purchase their smartphone products. If you’re looking to expand storage using a microSD card sadly, there’s no expandable storage on the S23 Plus. In fact, it’s also a feature that is not available in other Samsung smartphones except for older models. 

 

Similar design to S23

Regarding the design, the only difference between the S23 and the S23 Plus is the size of the smartphone. Either than that, they are exactly the same. Same design. Same colors. Same protective features. It may be a minor thing but it’s something worth noting.     

 

The Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus combines the great design, performance, and photographic capabilities of the compact S22 into a bigger, but more costly device. As a result, it could be a tempting option for Galaxy novices looking for a big-screen all-arounder smartphone.

But if you have deep pockets and wish to upgrade to the Galaxy S23 Ultra, I recommend you think about doing so.

If the option doesn’t favor you, then here are other options below to consider:

Samsung Galaxy S23

The new Samsung Galaxy S23 is a smaller, more compact model with limited features but it’s a more affordable option.  

Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus

The previous Samsung Galaxy S22 is an older model with outdated specs, yet it’s still a powerful and much more affordable option. 

So that’s my review of the Samsung Galaxy S23 Plus smartphone. So what are your thoughts? Is it a smartphone worth buying? Are you invested or are you thinking of getting an alternative smartphone? If you have any thoughts, comments, or questions to raise please do not hesitate to share them below.

The next thing for you to do now is to click HERE, learn more about this great product, and purchase it if you so desire. All the best to you. See you next time 😀 

 

Introducing The Samsung Galaxy S23 Review: Little but Powerful

The Samsung Galaxy S23, one of the best compact phones in the world, has just got better. It is now quicker, more durable, with better connectivity, and has a larger battery. It’s going to become a fan favorite in 2023 and in the compact sector (since it is still as compact, light, and appealing as ever). Is it really worth the money at the end of the day? Let’s explore and find out from the Samsung Galaxy S23 Review.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S23

SPECS

  • DISPLAY: 6.1 inches, Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1080×2340 pixels
  • Operating System: Android 13, OneUI 5.1
  • CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 2
  • STORAGE MEMORY: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM
  • BATTERY: 3900mAh, supports fast, wireless, and reverse wireless charging
  • MAIN CAMERA: Triple-lens, 50MP wide, 12MP ultrawide, 10MP telephoto with 2x optical zoom, up to 8K video recording at 30fps
  • SELFIE CAMERA: Single-lens, 12MP wide, with up to 4K video recording at 60fps
  • COLORS: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, Lavender
  • MISC: IP68 dust and water resistant, weighs 168 g, onscreen fingerprint sensor
  • RELEASED: February 2023

         

PROS

  • Professional & premium looks
  • Easy handling
  • Bright & fast OLED display
  • Fits in pockets nicely
  • Fast & solid performance
  • Good battery life
  • Excellent photo & video quality
  • Great sound output

CONS

  • Slow charging
  • No ultra-wideband support
  • No charger/earphones inbox

 

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone is small and compact but comes in a great package that explodes greatness. To start off, it comes with a small 6.1-inch display that boasts a Full HD+ AMOLED display, and an adaptive refresh rate that changes as you use it. The phone comes with a triple-lens camera at the back, and a tear-drop lens selfie camera in front.

Under the hood, the S23 comes with a fast Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor, a 3900mAh battery pack, and 8GB of RAM. Other features include water and dust resistance, a fingerprint sensor on the screen, and an Android 13 operating system OS. Depending on the choice of model, you can choose either a 128GB, 256GB, or 512GB storage. No expandable storage here but there are other alternative storage services online to use. 

 

What’s in the box? The Samsung Galaxy S23, the USB-C cable, and the sim card ejection pin.

 

If compared to the Samsung Galaxy S22, most of the features are the same, except for (1) it comes with a faster processor, which means better performance, (2) it has a bigger battery, which means more battery life and (3) it has a brighter display. Overall, the S23 smartphone comes with a few new features that are however better, brighter, and faster than its predecessor.

What you get in the box is the Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone, a sim card ejection pin, and a USB-C cable. Samsung provides no charger and headphones anymore but at least we can be happy that a USB cable is included. When you buy a charger make sure it’s a 25W. Any higher and the phone won’t charge.          

 

The Good Features

Attractive & Professional Design

The Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone is a compact and smaller model than the S232+. You can choose from six attractive colors: Phantom Black, Cream, Green, and Lavender. The other colors Graphite and Lime are available when you purchase the S23 from the Samsung.com website online.

It comes with a matte finish at the back which makes it easy to grip and doesn’t slip from your hands and includes a triple-lens camera which also looks good without the bump that surrounded the camera module from the last model.

The two standard volume and power buttons are stationed on the right side, with the USB-C port, sim card slot, and one of the speakers positioned at the bottom. The other speaker is positioned on the top of the phone where the glass and metal meet. All this is encased in a glass aluminum frame and good glass protection thanks to Gorilla Glass Victus 2. 

Overall, the S23 phone design looks great. Not much change from the older model, except for the bump at the back, but it looks professional and the colors make it look more attractive.

 

Small but Powerful Display

The S23 smartphone comes with a small 6.1-inch smartphone which is similar to the S22. But the difference is the brightness. Yep. The S23 comes with a moderately brighter display to help enhance the HDR experience with streaming videos.

Other standard features include the 1080p resolution, the dynamic refresh rate, which goes up to 120Hz, HDR10+ support, and the strong glass protection from Gorilla Glass Victus 2. Overall, the display is small but features more brightness, and more support for HD images and videos, it looks great, and the glass display will not crack so easily. 

 

Great Triple-Lens Camera

The Galaxy S23 includes a triple-lens camera which has the same camera setup as the new Galaxy S23+. This includes a 50MP wide camera with optical image stabilization, a 10MP telephoto camera with three times zoom, and a 12MP ultra-wide camera. It also includes video quality of up to 8K resolution at 30 frames per second.  The selfie camera comes with a 12MP wide camera and includes up to 4K video quality recording at 60 frames per second. 

The S23 is more than capable for the majority of individuals. It produces clear, detailed images in almost all lighting situations. It also enhances colors, as is usual for Samsung cameras, producing vivid shots that occasionally appear a touch oversaturated. 

 

The design difference between the S22 and the S23 smartphone

 

Nevertheless, the Galaxy S23’s cameras offer a fantastic video recording experience as well. You can choose between 1080p at 960 frames per second, (which is for creating silky smooth, ultra-slow-motion footage), and up to 8K at 30 frames per second which produce extremely high-quality footage. 

Moreover, you have an almost infinite number of options for taking pictures and films, including Director’s View (which employs several lenses simultaneously); Adaptive Pixel (reduces picture size whilst retaining quality); High-Resolution Photo; Multi-Exposure; Nightography; Selfie Night Portrait, and Super HDR (merges multiple shots to create a detailed composite image).

Overall, the S23 comes with a good camera. You get a triple-lens camera system that takes high-quality photos and videos, a selfie camera that also takes high-quality videos and photos, and you get camera modes options to help enhance your camera experience.   

 

Good Battery Life

The Galaxy S23 is powered by a 3900mAh battery which is bigger than the Galaxy S22 which comes with a 4100mAh battery. From web browsing to making and receiving calls, to video playback the phone lasted an amazing 31-hour battery life before needing more juice.

But that’s on moderate usage. It even takes pole position compared to the Galaxy S21 (28 hrs) and the Xiaomi 12 Lite (25 hrs). The battery also includes support for fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging, which is a standard feature for this smartphone.

 

Fast Performance

The S23 smartphone comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processing chip, which includes an eight-core, 4nm fast-performance processor. It also includes an Areno 740 GPU. Compared to the previous S22, the S23 has improved in performance and in processing efficiency, making it more useful for daily processing and gaming. 

Speaking of gaming, starting and playing games is a seamless process. Simple games like Royal Match, Candy Crush, Arlo’s Odyssey, etc., operate without a hitch. And even triple-A games with demanding high graphics, like Genshin Impact, and Knighthood didn’t exhibit any delays or frame rate drops.

 

 

All S23 models come with an 8GB of RAM (LPDDR5x) which improves the memory storage of apps and improves overall performance. With regards to storage, it’s better to get either the 256GB or the 512GB storage model as the 128GB models use an older storage drive.   

Regarding the operating system, the Galaxy S23 includes the newer One UI version 5.1. Based on Android 13 OS, it comes with new widgets, more connectivity options, various improvements in the gallery, and DeX mode. Other than that, One UI operates the same and looks similar to other Samsung devices. 

Yet the GUI looks and feels great. As you swipe from left to right, it feels smooth. This is one of the best parts of the One UI, the overall improvement in performance.

To end off, the S23 smartphone is the most performing smartphone in the market right now. It comes with excellent hardware and great specs. Gaming looks and plays better. And the One UI feels fast and looks smoother than ever. 

 

Other Features

Other features include great quality sound, with a clear-sounding loudspeaker. It’s water and scratch resistant making it durable. The fingerprint scanner on the bottom of the screen is fast and responsive. The connectivity is fantastic. Whether it’s Bluetooth, WiFi, 5G, or 4G (LTE), it connects fast and downloads up to 12 Mb per second. Most of these features are standard from all Samsung Galaxy models, but it’s worth mentioning.  

 

The Bad Features

Snail Charging

Compare to other great smartphones, the charging speed of the S23 is not much to be excited about. The battery inside the Galaxy S23 supports up to 25W chargers, whereas the Galaxy S23+ and the top Galaxy S23 Ultra support up to 45W chargers. With a 25W charger, after half an hour the Galaxy S23 is charged to 57%, whereas it takes seventy minutes to reach full charge.

 

The cream back of the Samsung Galaxy S23

 

Compared to the Galaxy S22, it takes an hour for it to fully charge even with a 25W battery. Sad to say, you may have to wait a little longer for the S23 smartphone to fully charge. Overall, the S23 is not the fastest at charging but where it disappoints, it excels in battery life.      

 

No-no Features

The Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone comes with a few no-nos. Firstly, there’s still no charger in the box. You’ll have to buy it separately. Secondly, the Galaxy S23 lacks UWB connectivity, which helps provide accurate GPS information. It’s like using Google Maps to find a location. You punch in the address. You follow but it takes you to a completely different location. That’s what it means. In the end, the Galaxy S23 is not a perfect smartphone. It will come with compromises but with all the other great features it’s one of the best phones you can buy.      

 

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy S23 smartphone is excellent overall. It looks good. Excellent performance. It has a good battery life. It takes beautiful photos and videos and comes with other great features. Although it’s a small phone that doesn’t charge very quickly and does lack UWB support, it’s the best handset for those who want something simple, with less complex features, and has a professional finish. If that’s what you looking for then the Galaxy S23 is the smartphone for you. 

 

The Phantom Black Samsung Galaxy S23

 

So did you enjoy my Samsung Galaxy S23 review? Are you swayed to get the Galaxy S23 smartphone? What are your opinions?  If you like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Review, then please add a comment below. If you have any questions then you may also add them as well. I will answer you as soon as I can. So what to do next? Well, if you missed it, click here to find out more or to purchase your S23 smartphone today.  

 

God Of War Ragnarok Review: The New Epic Action-Adventure

The God of War gaming franchise has been with us for decades. From the young Spartan soldier, Kratos, who gain incredible weapons and powers from Greek Gods to an elderly Kratos with his son, Atreus, in Norse mythology. Sony Santa Monica brings together once again what made the last God or War Reboot superb, with a great story, impressive graphics and visuals, epic and brutal combat, and a vast world waiting to be explored. Is this going to be the next best-action adventure for you? Let’s find out from the God of War Ragnarok review.

 

 

God of War Ragnarök

Genre: Action, Adventure | Release date: November 9 2022 | Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Developed by: Sony Santa Monica Studios | Published by: PlayStation Studios, Sony Interactive Entertainment | Overall game time: 40+ hours

 

 

Overview

The story starts out with Kratos waiting for his son, Atreus, in a cave. He suddenly appears through the snow and into the cave with a deer he hunted. They leave and they make their way to a sleigh pulled by wild wolves. Then you take control as you both travel through the snow. 

Then suddenly the God queen Freya springs out and attacks. Kratos fights her off, and they escape and arrive back at their homestead. Next thing you know, Thor, the Thunder God arrives at their home with his father Odin, and Thor ends up fighting Kratos.

That’s how good the story is. It has epic moments, well-acted scenes, and fights that are brutal but entertaining. It all starts a few years after the God of War 2018 release. Ragnarok is coming. Kratos and his son are caught in the crossfire.

They decide to try and stop the apocalypse. But they need help. So they leave their home once again in Midgard, to find Týr the Giant who has a connection with stopping Ragnarok.   

  

Týr the Giant meets Kratos in the epic God of War Ragnarok.

 

Atreus has grown since the 2018 release and has a few new tricks up his sleeve. He’s able to traverse obstacles and climb cliffs on his own. He has his bow as his main weapon of choice but gets access to even more as you play. You can even play as him in some sections of the storyline. Overall, there’s a lot to do and discover with this young lad. 

Our main protagonist, Kratos is still merciless as ever, but cares a little too much for his liking, especially for his son. He gets worried when he goes off exploring on his own. There are even father-son moments that would earn him an Oscar award. He gets additional abilities from his weapons which helps him solve puzzles. He’s more supple, and more agile when he climbs and moves over and under obstacles. In the end, Kratos is still the most powerful demigod in the game.

Overall, God of War Ragnarok is a game full of Norse gods, demigods, and other unique characters and races, exploration of beautiful environments in the nine realms, epic and fun battles, and a great storyline.    

 

 

What Makes it so Great

Excellent Storyline

God of War Ragnarok comes with a great storyline. The main characters and the other characters in the game are well-acted, and well-voiced by familiar actors from the first reboot, and newer actors as well. The action scenes are entertaining to watch from Kratos’s fight with Thor to sentimental moments with his son. It’s deep. It’s engaging. It’s emotional. It’s a great story overall. It’s best that you play through the game to see and experience the story.   

 

Kratos and Atreus come across a familiar foe in the distance.

Impressive New Gameplay Elements

God of War Ragnarok features a lot of new gameplay elements. Firstly, you can play as Atreus. He can gain XP to learn his own new abilities, acquire and use new weapons, co-op with other characters in the game like Thor, and he has his own workbench to upgrade his own weapons and armor.

Secondly, there are many more armor pieces, talismans, shields, and more runic skills for Kratos to find. There’s even a new weapon he’ll acquire as you progress in the game. Familiar gaming elements from the 2018 release such as upgrading of weapons and armor, runic skills, and talismans, are also available in the latest release.      

Next, there are more realms to explore with more puzzles to solve, beautiful environments and visuals to see, deadly foes to fight, sleighs to ride with wild wolves or any other wild demon dogs, and the familiar boat to navigate on water. 

And lastly, not only can Kratos and Atreus team up. They can even team up with any of the other characters as you progress through the storyline, from our two dwarven blacksmiths, Brok and Sindri, to the enemies-turn-allies.

Overall, the game comes with a lot of new gaming elements waiting for you to discover, and surprises in store as you progress through the game.     

 

 

What Makes it Not so Great

Challenging Combat

There are a lot of gaming elements for our protagonist to explore and dive into in God of War Ragnarok. As exciting as the combat is, it can get overwhelming, especially when there are a lot of enemies to fight.

There are some instances where Kratos or Atreus strikes the foe in front and then another unseen foe (thanks to the camera) strikes from behind and disturbs the attack, causing them to flinch. Even when the warning indicator is active, which is always the case, if you are not careful you will be met with a swift and sudden death especially when fighting bosses.

This is not really a major concern as it’s part of the game. If you lose a fight, restart, find a different armor or shield, and try a different strategy until you win. Overall, combat is the best thing in the game, but just be mindful of your enemies as you fight. Keep dodging, go on the defense, and you will overcome your foes. 

 

 

Verdict

God of War Ragnarok combines action and adventure to create a whole new and unforgettable experience in Norse mythology. It’s a captivating spectacle to watch and even more exciting to play. It’s a complete work of art from start to finish, with a flawless story, perfect performances and well-acted scenes, excellent graphics, and jaw-dropping but challenging battles.

It’s everything a sequel should be. It also manages to keep to what makes it so great but adds new gaming elements, like more areas to explore, more characters, and even more epic moments. God of War Ragnarok is a massive accomplishment that sets a new bar for action-adventure games.

 

Kratos finds power-ups in a mine in the Svartalfheim realm.

 

So if you like action-adventure games, and enjoy the God of War gaming franchise then you will definitely enjoy this game. It really is that good. If you have any comments or questions to ask, then leave them here below. If you want to buy the game, click on the button above or click here. Take it easy, my fellow gamers until next time.