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 color 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 favorite 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 color options, available for the iPhone 14, have been refined as well. Apple introduced new color hues such as Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red, and Yellow that add vibrance, depth, and variety to their lineup. These fresh colors 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 Not-so-good 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.

 

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. 

 

Motorola Edge 30 Neo Review: A Premium and Cheaper Handset

 

Looking for an affordable premium smartphone? Introducing the new Motorola Edge 30 Neo. One of the most affordable smartphones of 2022 from Motorola. It’s tall, looks good, and comes with good features suitable for the budget market. But how does it compare to other budget smartphones? Is it really worth the purchase? Let’s find out from this review.     

 

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

Introducing the Very Peri Motorola Edge 30 Neo

 

Motorola Edge 30 Neo Specs

Body 152.9×71.2×7.8mm, 155g, glass front, plastic body | Splash and dust resistant.
Display 6.28″ P-OLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400 px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 419ppi.
Chipset Qualcomm SM6375 Snapdragon 695 5G  CPU (6 nm) | Octa-core (2×2.2 GHz Kryo 660 Gold & 6×1.7 GHz Kryo 660 Silver) | Adreno 619 GPU
Storage Memory 128GB 6GB RAM | 128GB 8GB RAM | 256GB 8GB RAM.
OS/Software Android 12.
Main Camera 64 MP (wide), f/1.8, 0.7µm, PDAF, OIS | 13 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 120˚, 1.12µm, AF.
Front Camera 32 MP (wide), f/2.4, (wide), 0.7µm.
Video Main cam: 1080p@30/60/120fps | Selfie cam: 1080p@30fps.
Battery 4020mAh | Fast charging 68W, 5W Wireless charging.
Misc. Fingerprint reader (under display, optical) | NFC | stereo speakers. | Colors: Very Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, Aqua Foam

 

 

Overview

The new Motorola Edge 30 Neo is 6.28 inches tall, it comes with a dual camera and a hard plastic body. Then under the hood, the Edge 30 comes with a Snapdragon chip, 6GB or 8GB of RAM, 128GB or 256GB of storage, a large battery, and Android 12 OS.

The large OLED display feels fast, with good brightness, and is quite responsive thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. There are three models to choose from, starting with the 6GB 128GB, then next is the 8GB 128GB, and lastly, the 8GB 256GB. With a camera, there’s a dual lens at the back panel. One is 64 MP wide and the other is a 13 MP ultrawide camera. Then on top of the screen, there’s a teardrop 13 MP selfie camera for video calls and taking selfies.

 

The front and rear view of the Veri Peri Motorola Edge 30 Neo

 

Other features include stereo speakers, an under-display fingerprint reader, a 4020mAh battery that supports up to 68W fast, and wireless charging, which is a premium feature for top-range smartphones. 

When unboxing you’ll get the Edge 30 Neo smartphone, a 68W charger, a USB-C cable, an ejection pin, and user manuals. In terms of price, you’re looking at a price range between £400 – £500/US$400 – US$500/R8000 – R9000, which puts it in the mid-range smartphone category. So far the Edge 30 Neo comes with good features at a fair price.  

 

What’s To Like

 

The front and rear view of the Black Onyx Motorola Edge 30 Neo

 

Gorgeous Display

The phone includes a 6.28-inch P-OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1080p screen resolution. Overall the display looks impressive. There’s good brightness, with good sharpness and excellent color accuracy. 

 

Fast Charging Speed

The battery may be smaller than other budget phones but the battery life is impressive overall. On moderate usage, for the full day’s usage, you’re looking at up to 26 hours of battery life on a single charge. Then there’s the charging speed. Using a 68W charger the battery charges from 0 to 92% in 30 minutes. Then at full charge, it takes 40 minutes. That’s an impressive charging speed. 

 

Decent Performance

So. Does is the Edge 30 Neo smartphone come with good performance? Well, Yes and no. Let me explain. First. There are no slowdowns as you scroll between menus. Next, the fingerprint reader is fast and pretty responsive as you unlock the phone. From Benchmark tests, the Edge 30 Neo just hits above average, so expect decent performance with this budget smartphone.

But the performance chip included is for low to mid-range phones. It’s not a top-class performer, and it’s not as smooth as other top-range handsets. Overall the Snapdragon 695 CPU is a decent performer.

 

Decent Camera Performance

Let’s move on to the camera features. The Motorola Edge 30 Neo comes with a dual 64 MP main camera and a 32 MP selfie camera. They both take great pictures, producing good detail, and great color accuracy. With video recordings, the main camera records 1080p videos at 120 frames per second, whereas the selfie camera records up to 1080p videos at 30 frames per second. The videos look excellent with great detail and good color accuracy. In short, the Edge 30 Neo takes great pictures. 

 

What’s Not To Like

Average quality night mode camera

As much as the Edge 30 Neo takes great pictures, it really captures great detail during the day, but not the best in low-lit areas or at night. The results are pictures and videos that lack sharpness, look noisy, and lack the much-needed detail. But this is a budget handset so compromises are expected. Overall, if you want a budget phone that takes great pictures at night the Edge 30 Neo is not for you.

 

No 4K video capture

The Edge 30 Neo does not have 4K video recording which is not really a big issue, but there is a 1080p video recording. Thanks to the camera feature, video recording in 1080p are excellent and tops at 60fps. But if are looking for a budget handset with 4K video recording, you will not find it here. 

 

The four colors of the Edge 30 Neo. From left to right: Very Peri, Black Onyx, Ice Palace, and Aqua Foam

 

No MicroSD slot and earphone jack

It’s a big surprise that the Edge 30 Neo has no MicroSD and no earphone jack, which are common features with budget phones. And the other thing is that the biggest internal storage available in this model is 256GB.   

 

Verdict

The Motorola Edge 30 Neo is just another budget handset but comes with a premium-looking design, a gorgeous-looking screen, a decent performance chip, a decent camera, and an excellent battery life. And to top it off you get a charger in the box that can really fast charge the Edge 30 Neo quickly. Even though the camera suffers in low-light areas and has no 4K recording, it still is a good buy for those looking for a good budget smartphone. This one I recommend the Motorola Edge 30 Neo to students or to those who just want a simple handset to make and receive calls, browse the internet, and take good-quality pictures and videos during the day.  

If you’re looking for a cheap phone that has excellent battery life, get the Edge 30 Neo. If you’re looking for a budget smartphone with a gorgeous display and design, get the Edge 30 Neo. If you’re looking for a good all-around performer, get the Edge 30 Neo. If you’re looking for a budget gaming smartphone, a phone that takes great pictures and videos at night, and records 4K videos, then don’t buy the Edge 30 Neo. So is it really worth the purchase? Yes, it is. It’s powerful, comes with great battery life, looks good, and takes amazing pictures. Compared to other budget smartphones, it lacks the performance needed to compete.

 

Here are the 5 best alternative budget smartphones to buy right now

 

If you like the review of the new Motorola Edge 30 Neo, please do me a huge favor and add your comments below. Any questions are also welcome. I’ll make sure to answer as soon as possible. If you wish to buy the new Motorola Edge 30 Neo, click the button above to buy. It will be the best premium phone you’ll ever buy in 2022, and at an affordable price too. 

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 Review: Best Foldable Worth The Buy

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

Looking to upgrade your old smartphone? Introducing the new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4. It’s faster and comes with better features to make your everyday life that much better. If you’re still undecided, let’s check out the review of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Beige Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

 

 

Specs

NETWORK 5G/LTE/3G/GSM
MAIN DISPLAY 7.60″ Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak), 1812 x 2176px resolution, 10.8:9 aspect ratio, 373ppi; 
COVER DISPLAY 6.20″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, 904 x 2316px, 23.1:9, 401ppi.
BODY 155.1×130.0x6.3mm (unfolded), 155.1×67.1×14.2-15.8mm (folded), 263g; IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins). Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus+) (folded), plastic front (unfolded), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame; Stylus support
PROCESSOR Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 (4 nm): Octa-core (1×3.19 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.75 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510); Adreno 730.
STORAGE MEMORY 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 12GB RAM, 1TB 12GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
OS/SOFTWARE Android 12L, One UI 4.1.1
REAR CAMERA Triple camera; 50 MP (wide), f/1.8, 23mm, 1.0µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 10 MP (telephoto), f/2.4, 66mm, 1.0µm, PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; 12 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 123˚, 12mm, 1.12µm.
SELFIE CAMERA Under main display: 4 MP (wide), f/1.8, 2.0µm; Top of folded display: 10 MP (wide), f/2.2, 26mm, 1/3″, 1.22µm 
VIDEO Main camera: 4K@60fps, 1080p@60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+; Cover camera: 4K@60fps, 1080p@30fps;
BATTERY 4400mAh; Fast charging 25W, 50% in 30 min (advertised), Fast wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W
OTHER Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); NFC; stereo speakers; Samsung DeX (desktop experience support), Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified), Ultra Wideband (UWB) support; stylus support.
RELEASE DATE August 2022

(Source: gsmarena.com)

 

 

Overview

 

The Phantom Black Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

 

The new Galaxy Z Fold 4 keeps the primary idea of the productivity-driven phone-turns-to-tablet idea while focusing on the much-needed camera upgrades and adding some physical improvements. The new model mostly replaces the rather outdated technology that was utilized in the Z Fold 3’s camera.

Although the triple camera setup is the same, the Z Fold 4 has a longer focal length and a larger primary camera sensor. There are some minor tweaks in the auto-focusing area, yet it’s still not groundbreaking and is the same setup as the Galaxy S22 series.

Looking at the main screen, the bezels have been reduced. The cover screen has adopted a shorter aspect ratio (while still being taller than almost everything). The entire device now weighs just a little bit less.

These are all evolutionary changes that may or may not be noticed in use. Samsung should not produce the gapless foldable device we have all been droning on about, despite the fact that other Chinese brands are.

On this version, you also won’t get really fast charging. Instead, Samsung is sticking with 25 watts of PPS-enhanced USB Power Delivery. Since the battery capacity hasn’t exactly been a problem in the past, it has changed. The battery capacity still stands at 4,400mAh. Yet with the new Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chipset, along with further upgrades to the display, this may actually result in longer battery life.

 

The specs view of the display of the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

In terms of the display, there are minor changes to both the cover and the main foldable display, compared to the older Z Fold 3 model, but everything else looks the same. Both screen refresh rate goes up to 120Hz and makes better use of managing the motion smoothness on both screens. 

Although the diagonal is the same as the previous model at 6.2 inches, the new aspect ratio should make it somewhat more practical while also significantly expanding the useful area. The cover screen matches the big one in terms of refresh rate capability.

So, with the Z Fold 4, you get stereo speakers, a side-mounted fingerprint scanner, a phone with water resistance, and selfie cameras. One on the outside on top of the cover display, and one hidden behind the crease of the display. They saw no reason to change those at this time. 

And what you get in the box is the following:

  • Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 mobile phone
  • USB Type-C cable
  • Sim Tray Ejector
  • Quick Start Guide
  • Warranty Card

Once again, unfortunately, no charger in the box which has now become normal for Samsung smartphones.

After that long overview, let’s find out what makes this phone tick. 

 

 

So What’s So Good About It

Impressive Performance

The Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 comes with the latest Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip, which is one of the best-performing processors right now. It even tops the charts with benchmark scores. The chip is also featured inside other phones such as the Galaxy Z Flip 4

There are three storage packages. Starting with the entry model is the 256GB, then next is the 512GB, and then lastly the 1TB storage. They all come with 12GB RAM so there’s plenty of memory to use. No MicroSD slot to expand storage but there is plenty of internal storage, and cloud storage options to use.

Gaming on the phone is impressive as well. It delivers good graphics and great gameplay overall. It also looks and feels better on a larger screen. There’s a small drop in performance, especially on the cover screen. but you won’t really notice it.   

Overall, the Z Fold 4’s performance is excellent. Switching between menus feels smoother. Scrolling feels fast and effortless. This is definitely the best foldable smartphone from Samsung regarding performance.  

 

The multitasking functions on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

Same Design but a Stunning Display

No major changes to the design. It’s still waterproof. The unfolded display still supports the S Pen stylus. And it still comes with three camera sensors at the back.

However, there are some changes. The phone is lighter at 263 g. The bezels on the unfolded display are thinner. The build material comes with stronger Gorilla glass, making it more durable. 

With the display, no major changes either. The cover display is still 6.2 inches tall and the foldable display is still 7.6 inches diagonal. They are both dynamic AMOLED with 120Hz refresh rate and the same brightness at 1200 nits. There are changes to the aspect ratio and the screen resolution but you’ll hardly notice it. 

So expect the same stunning display that shows bright, colorful, sharp, and detailed images. It also supports HDR10 so streaming HD movies is not an issue. The Android 12 OS looks remarkable as well. Thanks to the adaptive refresh rate the display and menu animations look smoother. 

 

Great Camera Package

The next best thing about the Z Fold 4 is the camera. With it, you can take stunning pictures and record detailed videos of superb quality. The camera consists of a triple camera sensor that includes: 50 MP wide, 12 MP ultrawide, and 10 MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.

Expect to take some really stunning pictures with accurate color, detail, and sharpness. With the larger main wide lens, expect to see more details in low light areas, meaning better, and lighter images at night. For a top-range flagship phone, you’d expect 10x zoom like other Samsung phones, such as the S21 Ultra, but not on the Z Fold 4.

With selfies, expect equally detailed pictures as well. The cover display has a teardrop lens on top that has a 10 MP wide camera. Pictures and portraits are stunning and very much detailed. The camera under the display takes decent pictures but a minor loss of detail.

With videos, you can create 4K videos at up to 60 frames per second (fps). They look smooth with good color, detail, and good video stabilization. If storage is an issue, you can tone it down and create Full HD videos as well. They are equally detailed with accurate color.     

Overall, the whole camera package has some pretty good specs and can create excellent pictures and videos.  

 

The Grey Green Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

Impressive Battery life

The Z Fold 4 comes with a 4400mAh battery capacity, which is similar to the battery capacity found in the Z Fold 3. However, that doesn’t mean that the battery life is the same.

In fact with the newer performance chip and options to change the refresh rate on the display, the battery life exceeds the predecessor. On average, you are looking at up to 14 hours of daily battery life on moderate use.

With regards to charging speed, with a 25W charger, you’re looking at 0 to 50% in half an hour, and a full charge at not more than 80 minutes. The battery also supports wireless and reverse wireless charging as well. 

Just to remind you that we don’t get a phone charger in the box anymore. You need to get one separately or use your existing charger. 

         

Other features

What else does the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 have? Regarding the audio, there are two speakers. They are located at the top half of the phone when folded. One speaker is located at the top and fires upwards, and the other is located at the bottom and fires downwards. Overall, the speakers deliver decent sound with good vocals and treble.

The multitasking options on the Z Fold 4 are excellent. You can have up to three apps open at the same time and spread them across the unfolded display, with no delays or slowdown of performance. Wow, that’s impressive.

 

 

And What’s So Bad About It

Expensive

If you go to the Samsung website, you will see that the starting price for a 256GB model at US$900 / ZAR15942 / £787. For the 512GB model, you are looking at paying about US$1020 / ZAR18077 / £892. And for the 1TB model, you are looking at paying a price tag of US$1260 / ZAR22330 / £1101. As you can see, the top-tier Galaxy Z Fold 4 is expensive, which is expected from new phone releases. Yet surprisingly, the new Z Fold 4 comes with a lower price tag than the Z Fold 3. That’s something to think about.    

      

Outer hard plastic cover with an attachment for the S-Pen.

 

No charger, no stylus

It’s become a norm that Samsung will no longer include brick chargers with their smartphones anymore. You will need to buy one separately, or use your current charger. If you have a 25W charger then you are set. If you remember, the charging speed is fast with a 25W charger. 

Verdict

The new Samsung Galaxy Z Fold smartphone is really an upgraded version of the Z Fold 3. On the outside, it looks exactly the same. No remarkable changes. But on the inside, it comes with upgraded hardware, new software, and better features, especially the camera. This indeed is a remarkable smartphone and definitely worth buying. 

On the other hand, it’s an expensive smartphone. You don’t get a charger in the box, and other accessories are sold separately like the S Pen Stylus. Other disadvantages are minor but don’t really impact the phone. 

The point is the Z Fold 4 is not a perfect phone. It has really nice features overall and can be very useful to you. But is it really worth upgrading if most of the features are the same as the Z Fold 3? If you want to upgrade I say hold on to your Z Fold 3. The good thing is that the new Z Fold comes with a lower price tag. But if it’s over your budget radar, here are better alternatives to look at. 

There’s the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra which is a great phone as well. It’s not foldable but it’s still as powerful and so is the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra. It’s old yet still a good option. And then there’s the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3. It’s still a powerful phone. Check them out here below.  

Z Fold3

S22 Ultra

S21 Ultra

Perfect for corporates who like to work on the go, and like to get things organized. Perfect for video calling and remote meetings. those who like working with gadgets. 

 

Final Words

So the real question you should ask is: should I switch and upgrade? Should I wait until it’s cheaper? Should I keep my existing Z Fold 3 instead? Whatever it is, whether you want to save up for it. Whether you’re happy with your current smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 is one of the best smartphones to get right now. If your budget permits it, get it now while stocks last. Click here to find out more. If you like the review, please make comments below. If you have questions, leave them here below as well, and I will be sure to answer them soonest. 

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Review: Pricey but Powerful

Let’s face it. It’s good to spoil yourself once in a while. And if you’re looking for the latest mobile phone, have you heard of the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4? Yes. The new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 was released in 2022, with promises of better performance, better battery, better camera, and other improved features than the older Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3. With so many other top-range smartphones out there right now, making the same promises, is the Galaxy Z Flip 4 really worth your money? Let’s see from the review of the new Galaxy Z Flip 4.   

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

 

The open and closed view of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

 

 

Specs

NETWORK 5G/LTE
DISPLAY 6.70″ Foldable Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1200 nits (peak), 1080x2640px resolution, 22:9 aspect ratio, 426ppi; Cover Display: Super AMOLED, 1.9 inches, 260 x 512 pixels (Gorilla Glass Victus+)
BODY 165.2 x 71.9 x 6.9mm, 187g; Plastic front (opened), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus+), aluminum frame; IPX8 water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins), Armour aluminum frame with tougher drop and scratch resistance (advertised).
PROCESSOR Octa-core, Qualcomm SM8475 Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 CPU (4 nm), Adreno 730 GPU
STORAGE MEMORY  128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM, 512GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.1.
OS/SOFTWARE Android 12, One UI 4.1.1.
REAR CAMERA 12 MP (wide), f/1.8, 24mm, 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; 12 MP (ultrawide), f/2.2, 123˚
SELFIE CAMERA 10 MP (wide), f/2.4, 26mm
VIDEO 4K@60/30fps, 1080@60/30fps
BATTERY 3700mAh; Fast charging 25W, 50% in 30 min (advertised), Fast wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W
OTHER Fingerprint reader (side-mounted); NFC; stereo speakers; Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified)
RELEASE DATE August 2022

 

 

Overview

 

 

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is one of Samsung’s latest top-tier smartphones in the Galaxy Z series. It’s much like the Galaxy Z Flip 3 but so much better. I’m talking about a better camera even in low light. I’m talking about better battery life and faster-charging speed. I’m talking about better performance thanks to the new and fast-performing Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 chip. The new Z Flip 4 includes the main Dynamic AMOLED 2x display (still adaptive with up to 120Hz refresh rate), and the cover Super AMOLED display from its predecessor. But now the bezels around the screen appear thinner and the hinge looks flatter.

 

The dimensions of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 measured in inches.

 

 

It comes with tougher material for better protection with improved durability. The camera package is better as well. It’s still the same dual camera from the Z Flip 3, but with a larger sensor to gather more light and take better pictures at night. The battery package includes a 3700mAh battery, that supports 25W fast charging, and 15W wireless fast charging.  Overall, the Z Flip 4 comes with a better chipset, better camera features, a better battery, and a faster-charging speed. 

 

 

So What’s So Good About It

 

Snappy Performance

The performance is impressive with the Galaxy Z Flip 4. Thanks to the 8GB of RAM and the powerful Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor, you’ll be scrolling smoothly between menus. You can stack up many apps on standby and won’t affect the system performance. You can go online, watch movies, and play games and the performance will not slow down. Why do I say these things? First, the Snapdragon chip inside is one of the fastest performers in the market today and tops the charts when it comes to benchmarks.

Next, the games play well with excellent performance and with textured graphics. There is a drop in performance when the phone heats up after a short time. This is due to apps that demand more processing power like gaming apps. Yet the slowdown is to prevent the phone from overheating. Overall, the performance is impressive. It’s great for normal and daily use, but it’s not for gaming. It does have the hardware spec to play games though but will quickly overheat and then drops in performance.

 

Impressive Design

The design is the same as the older Z Flip 3 yet still looks impressive. As you open it up you’ll see the main 6.7-inch screen with a teardrop 10MP camera lens on top. As you flip it over to the back you’ll see the dual camera and next to it the other 1.9-inch display. Same as the Z Flip 3. There are four colors to choose from with each model, mainly: Bora purple; Pink gold; Graphite; and Blue (more color options if you purchase online).

The newer Z Flip 4 comes with a matte body finish, a stronger aluminum frame with a glossy polish, and a tougher Victus panel to protect it from scratches and increase the phone’s overall durability. It also comes with an IPX8 rating, meaning that it’s protected against water damage, but no protection from dust. Keep it away from sand because the tiny particles may damage the hinges and the display.  

Overall, the Z Flip 4 has an impressive design with good looks and nice features. The difference with the older model is the tougher material used to help protect it, giving it better durability. The design is pretty much the same as the older model. 

 

Gorgeous Display

The Z Flip 4 comes with two displays: a smaller one on the outside next to the main camera, and the primary display after you open it up. The smaller one is a 1.9-inch Super AMOLED display. It’s mainly used to show notifications, the clock and other widgets, battery charge information, and for taking and viewing selfies. It also has a 60Hz refresh rate, supports touch control, and comes with a 512 x 260 resolution. 

The main one is a 6.7-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a 1080p resolution. It supports HDR10+, dynamic 120Hz refresh rate, and adaptive brightness. The main display looks impressive. It shows impressive color accuracy and displays HD videos and pictures in great detail. No HD streaming issues with apps such as Youtube, thanks to the HDR10+ support.

With the adaptive refresh rate, you get smoother animations and smoother scrolling whilst navigating the phone. To finish off, the Z Flip 4 smartphone comes with two impressive displays. Each with its own features and good functionality.                 

 

The exclusive camera feature of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

 

Impressive Photos and Videos

If you like taking pictures with your smartphone, then you’ll enjoy the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. Let me explain. First, it comes with a dual camera setup at the back. One comes with a main 12MP (wide) and the other comes with a 12MP (ultrawide). It also has a single teardrop camera on the display which is a 10MP (wide) lens. The picture quality is impressive. There’s plenty of detail. The colors are accurate, have great contrast, and look very natural. The main camera has a larger lens. It takes in and delivers more detailed pictures during the day and also in low-lit areas.

Ultrawide and selfie pictures are equally as detailed as the main camera. They look impressive with nice colors and also look natural. The picture quality at night also looks good. You have the option to switch off night mode but there is a small loss in details. Still, the pictures look good. With videos, you can capture up to 4K quality videos at 60 frames per second (fps) with the main camera. The ultrawide and selfie cameras can also capture 4K videos at 30fps. There’s also the option to capture Full HD videos at 1080p if you prefer at 60fps. 

The HD video quality is smooth and looks excellent. With all the cameras, they look natural, detailed, and with good colors, even at night. Optical stabilization is included to help steady the videos. Overall. Impressive camera setup. Takes stunning, detailed, and natural pictures and videos. 

    

Good Battery Life

With the Galaxy Z Flip 4, you get a 3700mAh battery that will last you a whole day on a single charge. If you can get your hands on a 25W charger, it will fast recharge it from 0 to 100 in just 75 minutes. Not too shabby. Let’s not forget it can recharge wireless and reverse wireless charge as well. So here’s the bottom line. Good battery life. Good charging speed.      

 

 

And What’s So Bad About It

 

Performance drops when hot

As much as the Z Flip 4 has one of the best performance chipsets (giving the phone impressive performance), when it heats up after a couple of minutes it drops in performance. It turns out that the phone has poor cooling because of space limitations. It cannot keep up peak performance for longer than 5 minutes. But the performance drops to prevent the chipset from overheating. Rather focus on apps and games that won’t put pressure on the performance. Light gaming apps work well and won’t strain the CPU.     

   

Another feature of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

 

High Price

For now, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is expensive. As it’s a top-range smartphone (and a recent release), you’re looking to pay close to (or a little over) US$1000 / £1000. However, with all the amazing features and the things you can do with it, I say it pretty much is worth the price. For me, the price is quite. Check out the prices here at Samsung, I recommend it.      

 

Small Battery

I have to admit, the battery life of this phone is good, but compared to the other top-range smartphones like the Galaxy S22 Plus, the battery is smaller, meaning a shorter battery life. If one of the reasons why you want to get a phone is for better battery life, then I suggest doing some research as there are better options out there. At least the battery size and battery life is better than the Galaxy Flip 3.        

 

No Headphone Jack, No MicroSD, No Charger

It’s a shame but we need to get used to the fact that Samsung is not going to give us smartphones with a headphone jack, an expandable MicroSD slot, and a charger anymore. If you can get your hands on a 25W charger, then go for you. The reason is that you can fast charge the Z Flip 4. Also, there is plenty of internal storage and free cloud services out there to store media online when you run out of space. If you wanna listen to music on the go, you can connect your wireless earphones via Bluetooth.     

 

 

Verdict

The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 is an impressive smartphone. It improves on the latter model with better performance, bigger and longer battery life, better camera, and minor improvements to the design. Yes. There are no major changes to it but it still looks stunning. The battery package is better than the older model, however, there are better smartphones out there, even budget handsets, with larger and longer battery life.

The price is pretty high as well but comes with better features. So let me ask you this. Is the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 worth the purchase?

 

The new Blue Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

 

The answer is yes. If you want an upgraded, more powerful, and improved version of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, get the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4. If you like taking stunning videos, pictures, and selfies, get it. If you like a fast-performing smartphone, get it. If battery life is your preference, I suggest you compare it with your current handset before you decide. If you can’t afford it right now, then I suggest you keep your existing top-range smartphone or your Galaxy Z Flip 3.

It’s still a powerful handset and has great features. But between the two, the Galaxy Z Flip 4 from Samsung is so much better. And one I recommend for your next purchase. So what do you think about the new Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4? Is it the top-range smartphone you’re looking for? Do you have the older Z Flip 3 and looking to upgrade? What other smartphones are you looking to get?

If you have any more comments, please leave them here below. If you have any questions then leave them here as well. I will answer them as soon as I’m able to. If you like my review and wanna know more (or you want to see buying options), then check out the prices here at Samsung. So don’t wait. There’s no better time than to get it now while stocks last. 

 

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Review: Is It Worth The Budget?

 

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (2021)

Specifications

DISPLAY: 13.3-inch Full HD IPS Touchscreen (1920 x 1080) | PROCESSOR: Intel Core i3-1135G7 dual core | GRAPHICS: Intel UHD integrated | STORAGE: 128GB NVMe SSD | MEMORY: 8GB DDR4 | OS: Chrome OS | PORTS: 1X USB 3.1 Type C with Power Delivery, 2X USB 3.1 Type A , 1X HDMI, 1X Mic/Headphone combo | BATTERY: 52.5WH 3 cell Li-Polymer | MISC: WiFi 2×2 802.11AX , Bluetooth 5, weighs 3.30 lbs (1.50 kg), 720p webcam, Backlit keyboard, Fingerprint Reader, released 2021

 

 

Overview

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook is a lightweight, slim, and budget 2-in-1 laptop with a price range of less than 500 USD. The model on review comes with an 11th-gen Intel Core i3 chip, with 8GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD storage. 

It also has a Full HD touch screen that’s compatible with a stylus pen and a backlit keyboard. There’s a cheaper Flex 5i Chromebook that comes with the same 11th-gen Intel i3 chip but with 4GB of RAM, and a smaller 64GB storage drive.    

But, we decided to review the little more expensive model because it’s more efficient and it’s the better budget Chromebook of the two, as it has more storage and more memory.

Yet they both remain excellent value for money because of their design, build quality, and other impressive features such as long battery life, good portability, flexibility, etc. Let’s dive right in and see what’s good and what’s not with this Chromebook. 

 

 

What’s to Like

 

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook has hinges that bend easily into tent mode.

 

Impressive Performance

The Flex 5i includes an 11th-generation Intel Core i7 chip which is one of the fastest-performing processors now. Overall, the performance is impressive for a 2021 laptop. I had no problems with the performance, i.e. no sluggish or sudden freezing experience. It performs really well and is great for routine tasks like typing, web browsing, video streaming, and basic photo and video editing. 

You can get away with playing gaming apps from Google Play Store. The performance is okay, but not AAA titles as the laptop doesn’t have a discreet graphics chip. i.e. it’s not a gaming laptop. Overall, the Flex i5 Chromebook has impressive performance. Great for daily routine tasks. Good for light gaming. Not recommended for AAA gaming.  

 

Good Battery Life

As advertised, the battery life of the Lenovo Flexi i5 Chromebook should last 11 hours, which is impressive. But after testing, I can confirm that it’s quite close. The battery life is actually pretty good. On moderate use, you are looking at about 6 to 7 hours before it needs to be charged – depending on what you do the laptop will use more power. Yet it’s much better than older laptops. In short. Great battery life

 

The keyboard and touchpad on the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook.

 

Fairly Affordable Price

The entry-level Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook comes at a price range of less than US$400. Whereas, the model Chromebook on review costs a little more but not really much as it sits under the US$500 price range.

So yes, the price range is fair and affordable. It also includes features that are not normally included with other budget laptops, so yes it’s also great value for money. It really is definitely worth the buy. Overall, a fairly affordable price.

 

Good Looking Display

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook comes with a Full HD IPS touch screen that is 13.3 inches. The overall display looks good. The colors and contrasts look fine and the images displayed look detailed.

The only reason why it’s not the best-looking screen is that it’s quite dim and glossy. It’s okay working with it indoors, (but not near windows) but suffers outdoors. The glossiness attracts light from the environment making it difficult to see the screen. Even after cranking the brightness to max, it still looks quite dim. So overall, good quality display. Decent colors and contrasts. But has a glossy and dim screen.       

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

The back view of the lid and input ports of the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook.

 

Stylus Pen may or may not be included

Depending on where you buy the Chromebook it may or may not come with the stylus pen. But the touch screen is compatible and works with any stylus pen, so if you have one laying around at home, try it. I’m pretty sure it will work. 

 

Verdict

The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook is by far the most interesting mobile device I have ever come across. It’s versatile as it works as both a tablet and a laptop. It looks good, even though there’s not much more to say about the design. It comes with a comfortable backlit keyboard, which is not a normal feature on budget laptops.       

 

It comes with the latest specs to get you going the minute your turn it on, with an impressive performance in its class, and great battery life. All this and more at an affordable price. Nothing really disturbing to say about it, but it’s an amazing device.

It’s not the fastest-performing or ground-breaking Chromebook for gaming enthusiasts, but it’s a handy device to help you get your daily work done. Perfect for corporate entry-level employees, college students, and for those looking for a budget portable device to work on anywhere.

Should you buy it? Well. If you’re looking for both a laptop and a tablet, if you’re looking to do simple tasks, if you looking for a portable device that has all-day battery life, good overall performance, and affordable price, then I suggest you look no further and give the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook a try.

It’s a great mobile device and with so many features, it’s great value for your money. 

So what’s your opinion on the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook? Is it the budget laptop you’re looking for? What other budget laptops are you considering? Let me hear your comments or any other questions you have. I look forward to hearing from you.

If you really like my review of the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook, then click HERE to see the price and get the opportunity to purchase one, or you can click the button above. If you wanna be the first to see my exciting reviews and articles, then consider subscribing and get exclusive access to the newest posts as they are released. 

Asus ROG Phone 6 Review: Expensive Yet Impressive Smartphone

Looking for a smartphone that is specially catered for gaming? Let me introduce to you the Asus ROG Phone 6, the latest powerhouse gaming smartphone from Asus in hopes to improve on its predecessor, and compete with top-tier handsets such as Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra and iPhone 13 Pro MaxWith a new design and powerful performance let’s see if this new gaming handset is the best for you.     

 

Asus ROG Phone 6

The Storm White Asus ROG Phone 6

 

Display: 6.78-inch; (2448 x 1080) AMOLED; Corning® Gorilla® Glass Victus protection | Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon® 8+ Gen 1 CPU (4nm); Qualcomm® Adreno™ 730 GPU | Storage: 256GB/512GB; UFS3.1 | Memory: 12GB/16GB RAM; LPDDR5 | OS: Android 12 | Rear Camera: triple-lens camera; 50MP f/1.9 (wide); 13MP f/2.2 (ultra-wide); 5MP (macro) | Selfie Camera: 12MP  | Video: 8K@24 fps, 4K@30/60 fps, 1080p@30/60 fps, 720p@30/60 fps,  image stabilization for rear cameras, HDR10+ support | Battery: 6000 mAh battery, supports Quick Charge 5.0 | Misc: 239 g, In-display fingerprint sensor, face recognition, accelerometer, e-compass, gyroscope, proximity sensor, ambient light sensor, ultrasonic sensors for AirTrigger 6 and grip press, 5G or 4G dual-Nano SIM/dual-standby support, WiFi 6, Bluetooth® 5.2, colors available include Storm White; Phantom Black

  

Overview

Introducing the Asus ROG Phone 6, the next gaming smartphone on the ROG Phone 6 series. This one comes with a 6.78-inch screen, with the latest overclocked Snapdragon processor, a choice of 12 or 16 GB memory, a choice of 256 or 512 GB storage, a triple camera package, and a 6000mAh battery.

It’s run by Android 12, weighs 239 g, and has 5G network capabilities with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity. All this is encased in a glass aluminum back and front with the strong Gorilla Glass Victus, and water splash resistance.  

This is a gaming smartphone but it also functions like a normal smartphone, with specs similar to a top range. So yes, expect to pay a heavy price to get. In the box, you get the Asus ROG Phone 6 smartphone, a 65W power charger, a black USB Type-C cable, and a hard plastic cover. After all, that, let’s what this phone has to offer. 

       

What’s to Like

Impressive Battery Life

There are so many reasons to be impressed by the battery life of the Asus ROG Phone 6. Firstly, it comes with a large 6000mAh battery. The bigger the battery, the longer the battery life. Second, upon moderate use, such as web browsing, making and receiving calls, viewing and editing pictures and videos, the Asus Phone 6 dropped to 20% after 16 hours.

Next is the charging speed. Thanks to the 65W charger included, I was able to charge the phone from 0 to 100% in less than 45 minutes. Those are really impressive numbers. Just a few things to note. When gaming, the Asus phone drains more battery power. No wireless and no reverse charging here. And if you start using one of the many Asus phone accessories, the battery will also drain more. 

Overall. Long battery life. Great charging speed. No wireless charging. Battery score: 4.8/5.    

 

Impressive Design

Here are the reasons why we love the design of the Asus ROG Phone 6. Firstly, the phone’s screen is protected by Gorilla Glass Victus, which is a pretty tough glass. So if you drop it by accident, the screen won’t crack or shatter.

Next, the phone comes with a curved, smooth, and frosted glass back that feels comfortable and also looks good with a smaller RGB lighting display. The back does feel slippery but luckily, the box includes a lightweight, hard plastic cover to help with the grip and further protection.

 

The Phantom Black Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

The third thing is the phone comes in two colors: Phantom Black and Storm White. There’s also IPX4 splash resistance but not water or dust resistance. So don’t go dropping the phone into the water just to test it, but a few splashes won’t hurt. Overall. Good glass protection. Stunning frosted back with RGB lighting. Splash resistance. Nice phone colors. Design score: 4.4/5   

        

Lots of Cool Accessories

There are a number of accessories that are available for the ROG Phone 6. The Aero Active Cooler is an attachment that helps to cool down the phone during gaming sessions. Next, there are two wireless earphones called ROG Cetra True Wireless Pro and ROG Cetra True Wireless. Then lastly there are two headphones called the ROG Delta 5 Wireless and the ROG Delta 5 Core.

 

The accessories include the Aero Active Cooler 6, ROG Cetra True Wireless Pro, ROG Cetra True Wireless, ROG Delta 5 Wireless, and the ROG Delta 5 Core

 

There are even more accessories for the older models which may work with the ROG Phone 6 but sadly they are sold separately. If you like gaming a lot it’s recommended you get the Aero Active Cooler 6, not that the ROG Phone 6 doesn’t have a cooling system.

    

Solid Gaming Performance

The Asus ROG Phone 6 comes with an overclocked Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ Gen 1 processor. Then with memory, you can get 12GB or 16GB of RAM, which helps to enhance the performance of the smartphone.

Then with the storage, you can get 256GB or 512GB. All this with a large 6.78-inch display that includes a 165Hz refresh rate, which also optimizes the performance of the smartphone. 

Testing the smartphone I was really impressed with the smoothness as you transition from apps, webpages, and even menus with each swipe. The gaming performance is also impressive with stunning-looking graphics and smooth gameplay.

While the smartphone does heat up during long gaming sessions, my fingers didn’t feel uncomfortable as the main heat is managed at the center where the processor is located.

 

The back view of the Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

If you have the extra cash you can get the Aero Active Cooler 6 which helps to cool the smartphone dropping the temperature by 3ºC. It also has more features such as button triggers and a stand to place the phone on a flat surface, but it’s bulky.

Overall, the performance is overall excellent with ROG Phone 6. Not only optimized for daily routine tasks but for gaming as well. The heat is well managed but you can get the Aero Active Cooler 6 attachment to cool even more. Performance score: 5/5

 

Stunning Display

The Asus ROG Phone 6 comes with a 6.78-inch AMOLED display from Samsung, with Full HD, 2448 x 1080 screen resolution, HD+ support, and a 165Hz refresh rate.

One would expect the new gaming smartphone to come with higher quality or even a 4K display at its current price but the only upgrade from its predecessor is the increase in refresh rate, making it one of the best choice gaming smartphones now. 

The display offers an impressive screen-quality experience. The colors are vibrant and accurate, perfect for gaming, and viewing HD pictures, photos, and videos. The brightness is great as well. You get up to 800 nits. Overall, impressive display. Improved refresh rate. Good brightness. Display score: 4.6/5

 

Decent Photos & Great Videos

Speaking of stunning photos and videos, the Asus ROG Phone 6 comes with a rear triple camera which is made up of a 50MP main camera, a 13MP ultra-wide camera, and a 5MP macro camera. The front-facing camera comes with a 12MP camera. The ROG Phone 6 can record up to 8K videos at up to 30fps, 4K videos at up to 60fps, and Full HD videos at 60fps. 

The main camera takes decent photos and pictures. There’s a fair amount of detail, good contrast, and good color accuracy. Taking pictures using the main camera in low light, look equally decent with the night mode switching on automatically. The not-so-good side of the camera package is the ultrawide and macro camera option. The pictures look average, with good colors but a noticeable loss of detail, and sharpness.

 

The Strom White and Phantom Black Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

Luckily, the front-facing camera takes impressive pictures for those who love taking selfies, and the video quality of recorded clips looks impressive equally. There are a few features missing that other top-tier phones have yet are still impressive. 

Overall. The ROG Phone 6 takes impressive pictures using the main camera, great selfies using the front-facing camera, and good quality videos. The ultrawide and macro pictures are not so good. Stick to using the main camera to take pictures and videos, and selfies too. Camera score: 3.6/5

 

Good Software to Control & Optimize Gaming

The ROG Phone 6 runs with Android 12 OS, and all games and apps are available through the Google Play store. The common apps are available as usual, but the games you install will be available through a user interface called Armory Crate.

It gives the phone a whole new ‘gamers’ theme (and wallpaper change) if I put it lightly, as well as an optional X-mode upon which when activated, it switches the phone to performance. You can also use it to control phone accessories, find other games, and gain access to the ROG community online. 

Another app is called Game Genie, where you can create your own gaming profile, especially graphic settings, set or map keys, crosshairs, connect console controllers, etc. The list is endless. One feature I’m impressed with is that it can help to connect the phone to your HD TV using an HDMI adapter and play games like a console.     

Overall. Good operating system. Better software to optimize gaming, control phone accessories, and the overall look and feel of the ROG Phone 6. Software score: 4.5/5 

 

What’s Not to Like

Expensive

Starting with the entry model (which includes 12GB RAM and 256GB storage), you are looking at spending between US$900 – US$1000. Alternatively, if you want a more powerful model, which is the 16GB RAM 512GB storage, you’re looking at paying just over US$1200.

Yes, the Asus ROG Phone 6 handset comes at a high cost but you get a relatively large internal storage for games, apps, photos, movies, and music, and a refined software experience.   

 

Verdict

Like it or not, this is a great smartphone for gaming. It has all the software and features, great battery life, stunning display and design, and great gaming performance, worthy to be this year’s top mobile gaming device. It is not for everyone though, as the high price, and the camera package will drive people to look elsewhere. Yet, be that as it may, this is an improved ROG Phone 5. 

 

The front and back view of the Phantom Black Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

Should you buy it? Well, if you love gaming on the go, and want a powerful smartphone that has good battery life, then get the Asus ROG Phone 6. If you want a cheaper smartphone with wireless charging and great camera features, this is not the phone for you.

So what do you think of this amazing gaming smartphone? Does the Asus ROG Phone 6 appeal to you? Are you looking to upgrade your current ROG Phone 5 smartphone? If you’re inclined to then add your comments and questions below. I look forward to hearing from you. So what’s next? If you’ve decided you want the Asus ROG Phone 6, then click here or the button above, to see your purchasing options for getting the new Asus ROG Phone 6.

Other options to consider are the Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, the iPhone 13 Pro Max, or the budget gaming smartphone, the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition. Check out my reviews now.   

 

2022 Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop Review: Is it Worth the Buy?

Are you looking for a gaming laptop that’s not gonna cost you so much? Let me introduce you to the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop, the latest budget gaming laptop released from Acer. The Acer Nitro series of gaming laptops has always been the budget choice for gamers, yet year after year it receives disappointing scores from experts and reviewers. With that in mind, is the 2022 release going to be the difference maker or is it doomed to follow the same trend? Let’s check out the review.  

 

Acer Nitro 5 (2022)

Main view of the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop.

Specs

  • Model: Acer Nitro 5 (AN515-58-527S)
  • Display: 15.6-inch FHD 144Hz (1920 x 1080)
  • Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H 2.5GHz
  • Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 6GB GDDR6
  • Memory: 16GB DDR4
  • OS: Windows 11 Home
  • Storage: 512GB SSD
  • Webcam: 720p
  • Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 x Ethernet, 1 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x 3.5mm audio jack
  • Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
  • Dimensions: 14.19 x 10.67 x 1.06-inches
  • Weight: 5.51 pounds (2.5 kg)
  • Price: Click Here!

 

Overview

The Acer Nitro series of gaming laptops has always been the budget choice for gamers, with a price range from US$700 and US$2000. From past reviews of older Nitro model gaming laptops, the scores were not the best, but with the latest 2022 release, I had hopes that things would be different – and to my surprise, it has. 

This is the 2022 release of the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop, one of Acer’s budget gaming laptops. The model reviewed comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display, the latest twelfth generation Intel Core i5 processor with 6GB GeForce RTX 3060 graphics, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB SSD internal storage. It also includes the Windows 11 Home operating system.

 

The back view of the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop.

 

From the initial view of the specs, the Acer Nitro 5 looks promising with a 12th-generation processor, 6GB of graphics, and 16 GB of RAM. But is it worthy of your purchase? 

 

 

What’s To Like

Good Design

The Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop comes in a simple clamshell design with pinstripes on the back lid, the name Nitro written in red, and an RGB backlit keyboard that comes with four different color zones. Not groundbreaking but it works out and looks good. 

 

The back lid and side view of the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop.

 

It’s 1.06 inches thick. It weighs 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg), so yeah it’s quite heavy. Input ports include two USB 3 on the right side, a charge port, with a USB-C and an HDMI port on the backside, a 3.5mm headphone audio jack, another USB 3, and an ethernet port on the left side of the laptop. 

The display is 15 inches long with a 720p webcam above. Then below is the RGB backlit keyboard and a relatively medium-sized touchpad. Overall. Good design. A good set of input ports. Stunning RGB backlit keyboard. Standard design features with a webcam included.

Design score = 3.9/5

 

Good Performance

For normal use of daily routine tasks, the performance of the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop is top-notch, with no signs of slowness, and smooth scrolling while web browsing, video streaming, and editing of photos and videos.

For gaming, the performance is decent. I was able to play Cyperpunk 2077 and other high-demanding games in medium to high graphics settings with no problems in performance. The overall gaming graphics look good and had no problems with the gameplay. Set it to high/ultra graphic settings then there’s a significant drop in frame rate. 

The audio sound output is decent. The speakers are placed on both sides of the gaming laptop and sound good for casual gaming. Once the cooling fans start kicking off they get quite loud but bearable especially whilst gaming. That’s when headphones come in handy. Overall. Impressive for normal tasking. Decent for gaming.

Performance score = 4/5.

     

Good quality for a standard display

Looking at the 15-inch screen, it’s quite large and bright with good use of color, good sharpness, and impressively detailed thanks to the 144 Hz refresh rate and a 1080p screen resolution included. Nowadays, a Full HD display is the standard feature for all gaming laptops. Not groundbreaking but it looks surprisingly detailed. Not much more to say here but overall, good quality for a standard display.

Display score = 4/5.

 

Affordable price

As I previously stated, the price range of the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop averages between $700 and $2000. With the one on review you can also expect a decent but affordable price range of between $1000 and $1600. To see the actual price, click here or click on the button above. 

 

 

What’s To Dislike

Short but average battery life

The average battery life for gaming laptops, even the most expensive ones, is 4 hours or less. When testing the battery life, the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop lasted for 3 hours and 20 minutes until shutdown. It’s not impressive but that’s the norm for gaming laptops. So if you decide you wanna game-on-the-go, make sure you have a power cable.  

 

The side view of the slim Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop.

Overall. Short battery life but is average for gaming laptops.

Battery life score = 3.5/5.

 

Verdict 

If your budget is tight, prefer gaming laptops over consoles, or just want one that’s not heavy on design, then the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop is most definitely for you. I recommend it cos it’s fun to use for everyday tasks, and not mind-blowing for gaming, but it’s an average gaming laptop, with an average design, and average performance, and is available within the budget gaming laptop range. 

So what are your thoughts on the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop? Are you looking for a cheaper gaming laptop? Do you prefer consoles or handheld mobile devices? Please leave your comments here below along with your opinion of the gaming laptop on review. If you have questions, leave them here below and I’ll answer as soon as I can. 

All that’s left is to decide if Acer Nitro 5 is the laptop for you. Check it out here to see the latest price or to buy if you so desire. But hurry while stocks last. 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Review: Is It Worth It?

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is the most innovative laptop to release this year. With an innovative design and unique features, Microsoft aims to target not only the elite laptop business users but creative designers and digital artists as well. Looking at the high degree of other elite business laptop brands in the market, is the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio better enough to compete or even be the best? Let’s check out the review.

   

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Side view of the ‘tent’ mode.

 

 

Specs

Display – 14.4in LCD 2,400×1,600 (201 PPI; 120Hz)  |  Processor – Intel Core i5 or i7 (11th generation)  |  Ram – 16 or 32GB  |  Storage – 256, 512GB, 1 or 2TB  |  Graphics – Intel Iris Xe or Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti  |  Operating system – Windows 11  |  Camera – 1080P front-facing webcam, Windows Hello  |  Connectivity – WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.1, 2x Thunderbolt 4/USB 4, headphones, Surface Connect  |  Weight – 1,743 or 1,820g

 

 

Overview

 

 

 

So what’s the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio? It’s a business workstation/3-in-1 laptop. It comes with a 14.4-inch touch screen that you can pull towards you for touch interaction, or you can lay it flat to write on or touch on the screen like a tablet. The display has a 120Hz adaptive refresh rate with a 1600p screen resolution. It also includes a keyboard and a relatively large trackpad.

Inside the laptop, it’s equipped with either an 11th generation Intel i5 or an Intel i7 processor, with either 16GB or a 32GB of RAM, storage options from 256GB to 2TB SSD, and either an Intel Iris Xe integrated or a 4GB GeForce 3050 RTX graphics.

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio in normal laptop view.

 

Just so you know, this is a business workstation laptop, not a gaming laptop, besides you need a minimum of 6GB of graphics to play the latest retail games, but digital artists and creative designers can make better use of this laptop.

The starting price for the entry model starts at US$1400, which is not cheap, but with the specs available, you’re getting a pretty impressive laptop, so it’s worth the purchase. The entry model comes with an 11th Gen Intel i7 processor, with 16GB of RAM, 256GB storage, and Intel Iris Xe graphics.   

Overall, my first impression of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is good. I found the fold-forward screen very interesting. Upon use of the entry model, I found that performance was impressive with smooth transitions, fast-loading apps, a responsive touch screen, and a comfortable typing experience. All this brings a whole new experience and a great addition to the Surface Laptop series. 

 

 

What’s to Like

 

Side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.

 

Innovative display

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio includes a small 14,4-inch touch screen that comes with small bezels and curved-round corners. The fact that you can move the screen towards you is innovative, making it look like a 2-in-1 laptop. It comes with a screen resolution of 2400 x 1600 pixels which looks stunning and with crisp detail and includes a refresh rate of 120Hz which supports smooth scrolling.

The overall screen quality looks impressive. I really like how stunning HD photos and images look on the screen. It really delivers a good range of colors and good brightness, making it an ideal tool for processing photos and images. 

  

Design

The Surface Laptop Studio comes in a premium aluminum alloy build with a platinum finish – which is a common build for other Surface devices. No other alternative color finishes for this one, yet still it maintains a professional look. A few things to note:

  • It’s quite thick and heavy, making it not really portable
  • There’s a storage and charging compartment underneath for the Slim Pen 2 stylus
  • There’s a long split across the laptop to help position the display
  • The grilles on each side of the laptop which are two of the the audio speakers

 The only thing unique with the Surface Laptop Studio is the changing positioning of the display, which switches it from a laptop up to a tablet.  

 

Solid performance

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is currently the most powerful laptop to date, thanks to the internal hardware. The starting model performs well, but if you want better performance and don’t mind paying a bit more you can get one with an Intel i7 processor and a discrete GeForce 3050 Ti graphics. 

The performance is excellent with the 32GB of RAM model. Not to say the 16GB of RAM model isn’t, it just performs better. Upon use, I was able to do all my daily tasks well with the laptop showing no signs of a slowdown, stuttering, or freezing – which includes sending emails, web browsing, video streaming, etc. The laptop is also capable of gaming, but with 4GB graphics, it’s not the best for the latest games.     

         

Battery life

The battery life of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio is equally impressive. After 8 hours of working on the Laptop Studio, I was really impressed that I still had plenty of battery power left without using a power cable – okay, it was about 30% left.

On average you’re looking at up to 15 hours of battery life for this laptop. And that’s not all. Charging the laptop, it reached about 35% in 30 minutes, and reached full charge in a little over 2 hours.          

 

‘Tent’ view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio using the touchpad.

 

Other features

There are so many other features to take note of with the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Firstly, the laptop comes with a 1080p webcam, which is much clearer and looks better than a 720p webcam.

Secondly, not only does the keyboard offer a great typing experience, but it’s also backlit as well. Perfect for night typing and looks awesome too. It’s a pity that the functional Fn keys at the top are rather small.

Thirdly, the laptop has four speakers: two speakers venting out of the sides, and the other two are under the keyboard. It sound output is rather good. It’s crisp and sounds better than average.   

And lastly, the front bottom panel is a place where you can place the Surface Slim Pen 2 (which is a stylus pen), for storage and to charge it. Sadly, it’s not included upon purchase of the Surface Laptop Studio.   

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

The input ports are available but few on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.

 

Expensive price

The price tag of the entry model Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio starts at US$1400, and the top-range model comes with a price tag of US$3800. If you ask me, those prices are pretty high. 

But you’re looking at a laptop that starts with an Intel i5 processor and 16GB of RAM. Those are pretty impressive for an entry model. If this laptop is on your radar, I recommend saving up for it and buying it. If it’s too expensive for you, then consider these budget laptop alternatives

     

Few input ports

The port selection strikes me as the most disappointing part of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio. Microsoft has continued to use the Surface Connect as the primary charging method, then there are two USB-C ports (compatible with Thunderbolt 4) and a 3.5mm headphone jack. That’s all sadly. If you want more, you’ll have to get a USB hub that offers more input ports. 

 

Quite thick & heavy

If you take a ruler and measure the height of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio, you’ll notice that it’s 18.9 mm which is thicker than other 14-inch laptops. As for the weight, it depends on which model to go for. If you get the Intel i5 model it will weigh 1.7 kg. If you get the Intel i7 model it will weigh 1.8 kg. That’s close to 2kg which is heavier than most other laptops in its range. So if you’re the type who likes to travel, freelance, or work on the go, just know that you’ll feel the weight of this laptop.   

 

 

Verdict

The Surface Laptop Studio from Microsoft is a great new addition to the Surface laptop series. It’s an impressive laptop that has a lot to offer, whether you’re an executive in the corporate world that needs a reliable workstation, or a digital artist who needs a device to spice up their creativity.  It has the performance, battery life, display, and other great features to meet your needs.  

 

Front & side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

 

It may not be cheap. It may not be as portable as other common laptops out there now or it may not come with many input ports, but it can handle everything you throw at it. If you’re one that wants a laptop for daily tasks, then take the Intel i5 entry model. If you’re on the creative side and can dig deeper into your pocket, then the Intel i7 model is more for you. 

So what are your thoughts on the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio? Is it the laptop you’re looking for? What other laptops are you looking forward to? Please leave comments below and let’s talk about this amazing laptop. If you’re still not convinced that this laptop is for you, then click here to find out more, and purchase options should you desire to buy.    

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Review: Is it Better?

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

Are you looking to upgrade your older Surface Book 3 or your existing laptop? Do you want a simple but powerful laptop just for working purposes? Then look no further than the new, lightweight, and powerful Surface Laptop 4 from Microsoft. It aims to be better, with improved premium features, and also less expensive. But is it really the better option? Let’s find out from the review.   

 

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

 

The main view of the Platinum Alcantara Surface Laptop 4

 

 

Specifications

Display Screen: 13.5” PixelSense™ Display | Resolution: 2256 x 1504 (201 PPI) | Aspect ratio: 3:2 | Surface Pen* enabled | Touch: 10-point multi-touch

Screen: 15” PixelSense™ Display| Resolution: 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) | Aspect ratio: 3:2 | Surface Pen* enabled | Touch: 10-point multi-touch

Memory 8GB, 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM
Processor 13.5”: Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 processor or Quad-Core 11th Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 processor or  AMD Ryzen™ 5 4680U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ Graphics (6 cores)

15”: Quad-Core 11th Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 processor or AMD Ryzen™ 7 4980U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ Graphics (8 cores)

Graphics Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel® Core™: Intel® Iris® Xe  Graphics

AMD Ryzen™ Microsoft Surface® Edition: AMD Radeon™ Graphics

Storage Removable SSD options: 256GB, 512GB, or 1TB
Battery 13.5” with AMD Ryzen™ processor: Up to 19 hours of battery life (moderate use)

15” with AMD Ryzen™ processor: Up to 17.5 hours of battery life (moderate use)

13.5” with Intel® Core™ processor: Up to 17 hours of battery life (moderate use)

15” with Intel® Core™ processor: Up to 16.5 hours of battery life (moderate use)

Connections/Input Ports 1 x USB-C | 1 x USB-A | 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1 x Surface Connect port | Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax compatible | Bluetooth® Wireless 5.0 technology
Operating System

Windows 10 Home

Other

Windows Hello face authentication camera (front-facing) | 720p HD f2.0 camera (front-facing) | Dual far-field Studio Mics | Omnisonic Speakers with Dolby Atmos® | Microsoft 365 Family 30-day trial | Ambient light sensor | QWERTY keyboard with backlight

 

Overview

 

 

The Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 arrives at an odd time when many people are forced to work from home thanks to the global pandemic. Ultrabooks have shone in the world of commuting, which means they’ve lost a bit of their luster.

Yet many people will undoubtedly adopt a more hybrid work model, dividing their work week between home and the office. As a result, having something that is both light and portable, as well as powerful and long-lasting, is key. At this point, the thin and powerful Surface Laptop 4 will truly shine.

The Surface Laptop 4 is thin and portable, yet powerful enough to handle most everyday tasks. It’s also a joy to use, thanks to the stunning PixelSense display and one of the most comfortable keyboards we’ve ever used.

It’s exactly the laptop we’d take to work, and the best part is that it is relatively inexpensive for what it’s worth. The entry-model 13-inch Surface Laptop 4 with a Ryzen 5 processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD, starts at under US$800. 

And, because the Surface Laptop 4 is such a joy to use, the specs are almost incidental, especially if the majority of your work involves word processing and email. So if you need a laptop worthy of corporate life or just for business, that will ease your workload, the Surface Laptop 4 is the one to look out for, and it’s one of the main reasons why this is one of our favorite laptops right now.

 

 

What’s to Like

 

 

Comfortable keyboard & touchpad

Speaking of comfort, the Surface Laptop 4 has the best laptop keyboard we’ve ever used. Writing on this laptop is a breeze, and despite its ultra-thin chassis, it has plenty of travel. Even the keyboard on the MacBook Pro, which was our favorite laptop keyboard before trying this one, doesn’t compare. 

The keyboard’s deep travel is even more surprising when you realize the speakers are hidden beneath it. And the speakers are excellent and play music perfectly. Even bass-heavy tracks sound great. The bottom line, the Surface Laptop 4 has comfortable typing and good-quality sound.

 

Stunning touch screen

The display on the Surface Laptop 4 is also truly stunning. The 13.5-inch model we have has a PixelSense display with a 3:2 aspect ratio and a resolution of 2,256 x 1,504, which is about right for the display size. This makes watching movies and videos on this laptop a little strange, as viewing 16:9 content results in two black bars. But when we’re working on this, we appreciate the extra vertical space, especially when writing.

 

Lightweight & portable

All the Surface Laptop 4 models are less than 2kg in weight, making it the perfect lightweight and portable companion for those who work on the go or travel a lot. Starting from the entry model, the 13.5-inch model weighs 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs) and the 15-inch model weighs 1,5 kg (3.4 lbs). That’s pretty light if ask me.

  

Good design with a wide choice of stunning colors

The Surface Laptop 4 comes in four unique colors: Platinum, Matte Black, Sandstone, and Ice Blue. We especially like the Ice Blue color because it comes with a metallic finish. The Microsoft logo also looks good on the lid. It’s reflective and catches the eye. 

The Alcantara lining on the keyboard of the Ice Blue and Platinum 13.5-inch models is a nice touch that makes resting your wrists on the laptop’s deck feel more comfortable. It’s a minor distinction, but one that we noticed every time we type on the all-metal laptop.

The fabric feels pleasant under my wrists but gets messy easily though the prospect of trying to remove a stain from it heightened my already significant aversion to eating or drinking while working.

 

Great performance

The Surface Laptop 4 we reviewed here is powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 4680U processor, with 8GB of RAM and 128GB SSD storage. So far, it can handle almost anything we threw at it. Even after loading it with dozens of Chrome tabs, listening to music on YouTube, and chatting on social media, the Surface Laptop 4 shows no signs of slowing down.

 

 

That is something that most laptops these days should be able to do, but what makes the Surface Laptop 4 so impressive is that it can do all of that while on battery power. If you’re looking for a super-portable laptop that can meet most of your needs, the Surface Laptop 4 is a good option.

 

Good battery life

Microsoft claims that the Surface Laptop 4 has a battery life of up to 19 hours, which would be enormous if true. Unfortunately, we discovered that it was closer to 11-13 hours. Yet when compared to the Surface Laptop 3, which only lasted 6 hours and 28 minutes, the Surface Laptop 4 is better off and lasts longer on a single charge. To me, that’s an improvement. Overall, great battery life, and is even better than the older model.

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

 

Limited input ports

One of the most serious consequences of the thin size is the lack of ports. The Surface Connect port on the right, one USB-C, one USB-A, and a headphone jack are all you get here. We appreciate that the laptop still has a USB-A port, which is rare these days, but it doesn’t leave much room for expansion for those who don’t want to pay the extra money for a Surface Dock.

 

Not recommended for gaming

Although the Surface Laptop 4 has good hardware specs, it’s certainly not a gaming laptop. You can get away with casual gaming like indie games that are less demanding on graphics, and older games. And there is no discreet graphics GPU that can support AAA titles such as Cyberpunk or Call of Duty.  

 

 

 

Verdict

The Surface Laptop 4 is indeed better than the Surface Laptop 3 in many ways. It comes with a lighter body, a good hardware spec that contributes to overall great performance, looks great, good quality sound delivery, and comes with longer battery life. It indeed is a must-buy for those who are writers, work in corporate life, are freelancers, or just want a good-looking laptop.

That’s the more reason why I recommend the Surface Laptop 4. After that long review of the Surface Laptop 4, what are your thoughts? Are you looking for this type of laptop that’s relatively cheaper? Are you the one who likes the more powerful laptops? 

Please comment below. If you have questions also leave them below and ill get back to you. So what’s the next step for you? If you’re interested, click on the button above to find out more, and to buy if you so desire. 

If it’s not your ideal laptop, then click here to see our review of the Surface Laptop Go 2, or click here to check out some of the best budget laptops that are equally as good.      

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 Review: Is Simple Really Worth Buying?

Are you tired of buying an expensive smartphone yet you have no idea how to use its many complex features? Isn’t it better you get yourself a cheaper and simple-to-use smartphone? Let me show you the Xiaomi Redmi Note 11, one of the newest and most affordable smartphones to come this year. But is it really worth your time? Let’s see more on this review. 

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Front & back view of the Graphire Gray Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

Phone Specs

Display  6.43″ AMOLED, 90Hz | 700 nits, 1000 nits (peak) | 1080x2400px screen resolution | 20:9 aspect ratio | 409ppi
Chip Qualcomm SM6225 Snapdragon 680 4G (6 nm), Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Kryo 265 Gold & 4×1.9 GHz Kryo 265 Silver) | Adreno 610 GPU
Operating System (OS) Android 11, MIUI 13
Storage, RAM 64GB 4GB RAM, 64GB 6GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 6GB RAM | UFS 2.2 | microSDXC (dedicated slot).
Rear Camera 50 MP, f/1.8 (wide), 26mm, PDAF |  8 MP, f/2.2 (ultra-wide), 118-degree |  2 MP, f/2.4 (macro) | 2 MP, f/2.4 (depth) | 1080p@30fps video recording
Selfie Camera 13 MP, f/2.4, (wide) | 1080p@30fps video recording
Battery 5000mAh | Fast charging 33W, 100% in 60 min (advertised), Power Delivery 3.0, Quick Charge 3+
Misc Fingerprint reader (side-mounted) | Infrared port | 3.5mm jack | Virtual Proximity Sensor |  179g | plastic body | IP53, dust and splash protection
Released February 2022
Retail Price Click Here!

Reason to Buy

  • Stylish design & durable
  • Excellent AMOLED display
  • Great battery life
  • Power charger, headphone jack & microSD slot available
  • Acceptable quality main camera
  • Low price

Reason not to Buy

  • Limited video recording capabilities
  • Mediocre performance
  • Poor quality ultrawide camera & night mode
  • No 5G network capabilities
  • Limited features from MIUI 13

 

Overview

 

So what is this Xiaomi Redmi Note 11? It’s a budget-midrange smartphone that is part of the Redmi Note 11 series and is a predecessor to the Redmi Note 10. From first observation, it comes with a 6.43-inch AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and 1080p screen resolution. At the back, there’s a 50MP quad-camera with four camera lenses and a back panel with a matte plastic finish.

Looking inside the Note 11, there’s a Snapdragon 680 4G processor with an Adreno GPU, RAM ranging from 4GB up to 6GB, storage ranging from 64GB to 128GB, and a large battery 5000mAh battery. The model starts from 64GB storage with 4GB RAM all the way up to the top 128GB storage with 6GB RAM. As you unbox, you will find a lot of things inside, that includes the following:

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 smartphone
  • 33W charger
  • A transparent protective phone cover
  • A soft plastic screen protector
  • USB-C cable
  • Ejector pin
  • Quick user guide

It’s great that they include a phone charger and a protective phone cover.  

 

What We Like

 

Good design & durable

The design of the Redmi Note 11 is impressive. It doesn’t even look like a budget smartphone. It weighs less than 200g so it’s light to handle, the matte finish feels comfortable on the hand, and comes in an array of colors, such as Pearl White, Star Blue, and Graphite Gray. With durability, the Redmi Note 11 comes with a great build and tough glass protection but comes with an IP53 rating which means it’s dust and splash protection, not water-proof, not dust-proof. 

 

Front, side & back view of the Star Blue Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

 

Gorgeous display

The 6.43-inch display is massive and looks superb thanks to the AMOLED screen technology. The crystal clear 1080 x 2400 screen resolution, the good brightness and vivid colors, and the 90Hz refresh rate all contribute to the stunning screen quality you can expect from the Redmi Note 11. Expect smooth scrolling between menus, a detailed view of colorful HD images, and equally detailed HD movies. No HDR support, but overall, the screen looks stunning.

 

Great battery life

The next thing we like is the battery life. You get a massive 5000mAh battery that can power up the phone the whole day on a single charge and even more hours on moderate use. The phone comes with a 33W charger that can charge up the phone from 0 to 100% in a little over an hour. It’s good that you get a charger on the purchase though, and the battery life is the least of your worries. No wireless charging but that’s expected when you get a budget phone.

   

Acceptable main camera

The smartphone comes with a quad-lens rear camera that is made up of a 50MP wide lens, an 8MP ultrawide lens, a 2MP macro lens, and a 2MP depth lens. For those who like taking selfies, the phones come with a single 13MP wide lens that’s good enough for video calls and of course taking selfies. In terms of photo quality, they look good. Could be better but are acceptable. 

 

Low budget price

Since it’s a budget phone, expect to pay less than US$300 for the Redmi Note 11. That’s a great price if you ask me. If you click on the link now you can see it for yourself. 

 

What We Don’t Like

 

Limited network capabilities

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is only available with 4G network capabilities. This means no 5G network capabilities like other standard 5G budget smartphones of today.

 

Mediocre performance

There are so many reasons not to like the performance of the Redmi Note 11. Firstly, it comes with an older Snapdragon processor released in late 2021. It performs well but it comes with a number of limits, such as it only supports 1080p video recordings and supports 4G network capabilities. Next, the Adreno GPU is equally outdated, but it can run games. But the benchmark scores are not looking too good. So that says a lot about gaming performance.  

 

Back & side view of the Graphite Gray Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

 

No 4K video recording

One of the worse things with the Redmi Note 11 in the camera department is that you can only record 1080p videos. No 4K video recording feature here, thanks to the limiting features you get from the Snapdragon processor chip.  

 

Disappointing ultra-wide & night mode

As for the camera, the Redmi Note 11 takes acceptable photos during the day. Digital zoom also looks okay. However, it fails with the ultrawide camera and in low-light areas. Ultrawide photos don’t look very good as the photos show a loss of color and lacking detail. If you like taking photos, stick to taking them during the day using the main camera option.

 

Missing features from the MIUI 13 OS

If that’s not enough, the MIUI 13 OS is missing a few widgets that are not available in other current smartphones. The reason is that the OS is based on Android 11 which is also outdated. Let’s hope in the future there will be an update to fix the current OS issues.    

 

Verdict

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 is a budget smartphone. It’s well designed with good durability, has a great quality screen, good battery life, lots of accessories and features upon purchase, and comes at a good budget price. Unfortunately, the smartphone falls flat with the overall limits in performance, lacking in camera quality, limited video features, and network capabilities. 

It’s hard to recommend the Redmi Note 11 because it’s a budget smartphone and it does come with limitations. Another reason is that the cons outweigh the pros, which to me, the major con is the lack of performance, which is a shame. Should you buy it?

Bottom line, if you’re looking for a smartphone for limited or moderate use like making or taking calls, or web browsing and video streaming on Youtube or Netflix, then yes. I recommend you get the Redmi Note 11. But if you want a smartphone that has the latest specs and features, like a 5G network, and good software experience, and a good camera, then, No. I suggest you look elsewhere.   

Now it’s your turn. What are your thoughts on Xiaomi Redmi Note 11 smartphone? How has your experience been thus far? Please comment below with answers or even more questions. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can. And if you have a good feeling about this phone, don’t ignore it. Take advantage of the price on offer and purchase it now, by clicking here or clicking on the button on the top of the review.