New Apple iPhone 12 Mini Review: Is It Worth Your Money?

Introducing the smaller yet powerful New Apple iPhone 12 Mini. It’s the first entry-level model in the series and packs a punch. With so many other mid-range smartphones to choose from, is the phone worth your investment? Let’s dive right into the review of the new Apple iPhone 12 Mini. 

 

2020 New Apple iPhone 12 Mini

Apple iPhone 12 Mini | DISPLAY: 5.4-inch, Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, 1080 x 2340 | PROCESSOR: Apple A14 Bionic (5nm), Hexa-core | OS: iOS 14.1 | STORAGE/MEMORY: 64GB 4GB, 128GB 4GB, 256GB 4GB | CAMERA: Dual-lens, 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultra-wide), Dual-lens selfie, 12MP (wide), depth sensor | BATTERY: 2227mAh, supports fast and wireless charging | WEIGHT: 135g | RATING: 4.25 out of 5

 

 

Overview

The new Apple iPhone 12 mini is a much smaller smartphone device, with a smaller 5.4-inch screen, with a smaller battery but lighter in weight. But don’t be discouraged, as it comes with the same hardware spec as the new Apple iPhone 12. Click to see the review. Similarly, it comes with great durability, a dual-lens camera, and the new iOS 14 preinstalled. Overall, it’s a smaller, more compact version of the Apple iPhone 12. 

 

Display & Design

The iPhone 12 Mini comes in a new design, encased in a glass aluminum frame. The glass front comes with a special coating to prevent unwanted scratches from unforeseen accidents. It has an IP68 rating meaning that it’s dust and water-resistant. You can dive in with it for up to 6 meters underwater for 30 minutes, and it will still work. In short, the iPhone 12 Mini comes with good durability features and a new design.    

In terms of the display, the iPhone 12 Mini comes with a 5.4-inch display with Super Retina XDR OLED technology, and Full HD (1080 x 2340) screen resolution. As you start the smartphone and watch it load, you can really see how clear, sharp, and accurate the colors are. The pictures and movie clips look stunning on a small screen, with well-managed brightness and contrasts. Overall, the display is one of the best parts of the iPhone 12 Mini in the series. It may be smaller and of lower quality but manages to retain the stunning Full HD quality.

 

Performance

Before we get into the performance, let’s see underneath the hood. The Apple iPhone 12 Mini comes with Apple’s own A14 Bionic 5G processor (which is currently the fastest processor to date), and a choice model storage from 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB. Normally, there’s no micro SD to expand storage here. The performance here is impressive. The A14 processor really does the job of delivering fast, and responsive performance for daily use and for gaming.

Speaking of gaming, the GPU helps to produce detailed graphics and smooth gameplay. So if you’re a gamer, and have time to kill, look no further than the iPhone 12. Not that it’s a gaming phone, like the Asus ROG Gaming Phone 3, but it does have the hardware to support games, like Battlegrounds and Fortnite.

The new iOS 14 included is also a great addition. It’s fast, fluid, and responsive thanks to the hardware. I like how it responds to touch, and how smooth it moves effortlessly. It really is indescribable and worth you trying it out. To close off, the iPhone 12 Mini is an excellent smartphone because of its top-notch performance. It has a great hardware spec and performs well for daily use and gaming. It’s best that you give it a try to truly appreciate it.

 

Camera

The iPhone 12 Mini comes with a dual-lens camera at the back and a dual-lens in front. They each take excellent quality pictures and record 4K videos effortlessly. The main camera comes with a 12MP (wide) camera and a 12MP (ultra-wide) camera. The wide camera does a good job in taking incredible pictures, that are detail, producing accurate color and sharpness.

The ultra-wide does a good job as well but lacks some detail. It also does a great job at night but there will be traces of loss in detail especially in low-lit areas. The selfie camera works great, taking in much-needed detail, color, and sharpness, and produces stunning photos. 

Lastly, the iPhone 12 Mini is a great tool for recording videos. Do you want to record 4K videos at 60fps? the iPhone 12 does that. Do you want to record a full HD video at 120fps, the iPhone 12 does that too. All in all, the iPhone 12 Mini is another powerful smartphone with an excellent camera, takes incredible photos in high-quality, and high-quality video clips.

 

Other Features

Starting with the audio, the speakers produce incredible sound. The ringtones and music that play, are crisp, and clear. You can really hear the bass and treble. There are stereo speakers at the bottom of the phone and at the top section of the screen. It would be a good idea to listen to it to really hear the beats. On a negative note, no headphones are included in the box upon purchase.

The battery life of the iPhone 12 Mini is great but comes with trade-offs. One, since it’s 5G, so you can expect better connectivity, and faster uploads, and downloads, but uses a lot of battery power. Switching to 4G lower connectivity but increases the battery life. Two, the iPhone 12 Mini comes with a smaller 2227 mAh battery. It is a contributing factor to battery life.

Three, no iPhone charger in the box. If you get the iPhone 12 Mini, make sure you buy a charger too. The best you get is an Apple’s 20W charger, (which can boost battery charge up to 58% in 30 minutes), or you can a wireless charger, but is much slower in charging the phone.

The security of the iPhone 12 Mini is the standard FaceID and passcode unlock. But with us having to wear face masks due to the present COVID-19 pandemic, it does not work very well. The only alternative is the passcode unlock. No fingerprint sensor here.

Overall, the iPhone 12 Mini comes with a lot of additional features, but these mentioned are the main drawbacks. The battery life is average and has trade-offs, and the security features are limited, but the audio quality is great.

 

Verdict

So you are thinking of getting the new Apple iPhone Mini? It’s an impressive smartphone, you can count on that. But there are a few things to mention before I give my verdict. One, no charger nor headphones in the box. It’s disappointing that we need to purchase our own basic accessories especially the charger. Maybe they have their own reasons but these two items should at least be included in the box.

Second, the FaceID unlock does not work well with the fact that we have to wear face masks when we go out and about. But that’s not a problem as we can use our passcode to unlock. Though the FaceID feature is a much quicker way to unlock your phone. I guess for now there is no other way than to lower your face mask to use the FaceID to unlock the Apple iPhone 12 Mini.  

The battery of the iPhone 12 Mini is tiny, as there are budget smartphones out there that have bigger batteries, produce longer battery life, and are more affordable. Something to think about. My official verdict, the new Apple iPhone 12 Mini is a powerful smartphone. It may be more compact and comes with its compromises but it works well, has great performance, and best of all has the looks, color, and great features to play around with. If I was looking for an iPhone, then I would consider this one as an alternative, but I’d wait until the price drops or take my chances on an iPhone 11

 

Recommendations

The Apple iPhone 12 Mini is a smartphone  that I recommend for the following reasons:

  • Gorgeous Full HD display
  • Great durability features
  • Top-rated performance for daily use and gaming
  • New iOS that is really smooth and responsive 
  • Takes excellent day and night pictures
  • Record up to 4K videos @60fps
  • Good video stabilization
  • Rich audio quality

The iPhone 12 Mini is a great smartphone but not perfect. Here are things to consider before purchase. 

  • No iPhone charger and headphones in the box
  • No micro SD slot to expand storage
  • FaceID works but not with a face mask
  • Average battery life

The choice is on you now. If you want the iPhone 12 Mini then you need to get your own charger. If you are lucky, you can find one and use an older phone charger but if it’s not 20W, it’s going to charge slower. If you can get that at least, then you’re safe.

There are many retail outlets available to get a charger and good quality headphones, so don’t stress about it. Best for users who prefer a smartphone with top-range features and are willing to compromise. This is a cheaper alternative in the series, yet more expensive than other affordable smartphones. Click here to see more. So it’s a no-go zone for students or those who want a simple phone that does daily functions… unless you can afford it.

 

Close-Off

So what do you think? Is the new Apple iPhone 12 Mini worth your investment? If you do, then click on the link here to get yourself one. Overall, I thank you for reaching this far. If you have questions, and comments, please leave them here below. Let’s open up the floor and discuss what we like or dislike about the new Apple iPhone 12 Mini. That’s all from me for now. Stay safe. Keep well until next time.

 

New 2020 Apple iPhone 12 Review: Quick but not Furious

 

Looking to buy the new iPhone 12? Welcome to the Apple iPhone 12 review. 

The Apple iPhone 12 series of smartphones have arrived. They grace us with their presence in a time of uncertainty, and pandemic proportions, but that won’t stop Apple.

Starting with the new Apple iPhone 12, it comes with a great design and an abundance of great features from its Apple iPhone predecessor.

It’s fast but not really furious as it comes with imperfections that are worth noting before you consider it for purchase. All that and more will be said as we go through the new 2020 Apple iPhone 12 review.

 

New 2020 Apple iPhone 12 Review

 

(Image credit: newegg.com)

New 2020 Apple iPhone 12 | DISPLAY: 6.1 inches, Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10, HD+, 1170 x 2532 pixels | CPU: Hexa-core, Apple A14 Bionic (5 nm) | STORAGE/MEMORY: 64GB 4GB RAM, 128GB 4GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM | BATTERY: 2815mAh, supports fast charging and wireless charging | CAMERA: Dual, 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), Dual selfie, 12MP (wide), depth sensor | WEIGHT: 164g | RATING: 4.5 out of 5

 

Overview

 

 

The New 2020 Apple iPhone 12 is a great smartphone. It comes with a completely new great look and design with four bright and stunning colors to choose from.

The screen has been improved to delivering gorgeous pictures, videos, and a great iOS experience. 

The phone comes with a dual-lens camera, that takes excellent pictures and videos both day and night.

It also comes with good battery life, great hardware to complement its top-rated performance for daily use, and offers a great gaming experience.

In the box, you get the Apple iPhone 12 smartphone, and a USB-C cable.

Overall, this is indeed a great smartphone but is it good enough to satisfy your needs? Let’s see it in more detail. 

   

 

Display & Design

 

The Apple iPhone 12 comes with a great new design, improved screen quality, and improved durability.

The iPhone 12 is made of a glass aluminum frame. It includes a special glass front that aims to reduce chances of scratches when accidents happen.

 

(Image Credit: newegg.com)

 

The phone comes with a large 6.1-inch display. The screen quality has improved thanks to the new Super Retina XDR OLED technology, with better full HD+ screen resolution, that delivers good contrasts, brightness, with great sharpness and color accuracy.

It comes with an IP68 rating which means it’s durable. It’s dust and water-resistant so it can survive up to 6 meters underwater for up to 30 minutes.

Overall, the design and display of the iPhone 12 is a great addition. It comes with good durability, a stunning display, and a great design.  

 

 

Performance

 

Before we get into the performance, let’s see underneath the hood. The Apple iPhone 12 comes with an A14 Bionic 5G processor (which is currently the fastest processor to date), and a choice model storage from 64GB, 128GB, and 256GB storage. Normally, there’s no micro SD slot to expand storage.

The performance here is impressive. The A14 processor really does the job of delivering fast, and responsive performance for daily use and for gaming.

Speaking of gaming, the GPU delivers great gaming graphics and smooth gameplay. So if you’re a gamer, and have time to kill, look no further than the iPhone 12. Not that it’s a gaming phone, like the Asus ROG Gaming Phone 3, but it does have the hardware to support games.

The new iOS 14 included is also a great addition. It’s fast, fluid, and responsive thanks to the hardware. I like how it responds to touch, and how smooth it moves effortlessly. It really is indescribable and worth you trying it out.

To close off, the iPhone 12 is an excellent smartphone because of its top-notch performance. The hardware spec is a great addition as it boosts performance for daily use and a great gaming device. It’s best that you give it a try to truly appreciate it.

 

 

Camera

 

The iPhone 12 comes with a dual-lens camera at the back and a dual-lens selfie camera. They each take excellent quality photos and record high-quality 4K videos.

The main camera comes with a 12MP (wide) camera and a 12MP (ultra-wide camera). The wide camera does a good job of taking incredible pictures. It really takes the detail such as color, clarity, and sharpness.

 

(Image credit: newegg.com)

 

The ultra-wide does a good job but does lack detail in some instances. It also does a great job at night but there will be traces of loss of detail especially in low light areas. The selfie camera works so well, taking in the much-needed detail. 

Lastly, the iPhone 12 is a great tool for recording videos. Do you want to record 4K videos at 60fps, the iPhone 12 does that. Do you want to record a full HD video at 120fps, the iPhone 12 does that too. 

All in all, the iPhone 12 is another powerful smartphone with an excellent camera, takes incredible photos, and high-quality videos.

 

 

Other Features

 

Starting with the audio, the sound is impressive. The ringtones and music that play, are crisp and clear. You can really hear the bass and treble. There are stereo speakers at the bottom of the phone and at the top section of the screen.

It would be a good idea to listen to it to really hear the beats. On a negative note, no headphones are included in the box upon purchase.

 

(Image credit: Walmart.com)

 

The battery life of the iPhone 12 is great but comes with trade-offs. Since it’s 5G, you can expect better connectivity, faster uploads, and downloads, but uses a lot of battery power. Switching to 4G does lower connectivity speed but increases battery life for up to 2 hours.

The iPhone 12 comes with a 2815 mAh battery which is smaller than other smartphone brands in a similar range. It is a contributing factor to the battery life.

No iPhone charger in the box. So it best you get Apple’s 20W charger, (which can boost battery charging up to 58% in 30 minutes), or a wireless charger.

The security of the iPhone 12 is the standard FaceID unlock. But with us having to wear face masks due to the present Covid-19 pandemic, it won’t work well. There is no fingerprint sensor either.

Overall, the iPhone 12 comes with more additional features, but these mentioned are the main drawbacks. The battery life may be solid but has its trade-offs, and there will be limits to the security features work but the audio quality is great.

 

 

Verdict

 

Apple iPhone 12 is one of the best smartphones to get this year. It was released in 2020, and it’s one of the fastest performance smartphones around. The price though is pretty high but you get what you pay for here. If you can afford this phone, get it now. You won’t be disappointed.

Except for the fact that you will need to buy your own iPhone charger. If you don’t access to an iStore then there are other retailers online that supply the charger. It really is disappointing though as it’s a necessary item to have. I mean how can they not provide a charger. I’m sure they have their reasons.

With the security feature, it’s best to take off your face mask to unlock the iPhone 12 using the FaceID feature, or just punch in the passcode. There’s no solution right now but we’ll see what the future holds. No fingerprint scanner feature.

My official verdict, if you get this phone you will experience challenges, but here are solutions to work with. One, purchase an iPhone charger. Two, take off your face mask to unlock your phone. And three, if needs be, purchase a USB dongle and headphones.

Those are the only drawbacks of the iPhone 12. Other than that the smartphone works really well. 

 

 

Recommendation

 

(Image credit: Newegg.com)

 

The iPhone 12 is one smartphone, I highly recommend for the following reasons:

  • Stunning HD+ display
  • Great durability features
  • Top-range performance for daily use and gaming
  • New iOS that is really smooth and responsive 
  • Takes excellent day and night pictures
  • Record up to 4K videos @60fps
  • Good video stabilization
  • Rich audio quality

 

The iPhone 12 is a great smartphone but not perfect. Here are things to consider before purchase. 

  • No iPhone charger and headphones in the box
  • No micro SD for expandable storage
  • FaceID works but not a face mask on
  • Battery life is good but could be better

 

The choice is on you now. If you want the iPhone 12 then you need to get your own charger and headphones. If you are lucky, you can use an older phone charger but it may not 20W.

If you can get that at least, then you are fine. There are many retail outlets to get good quality headphones, so not much stress there.

Best for users who prefer a smartphone with top-range features. This is an expensive phone, so it’s a no-go zone for students or those who want a simple phone that does daily functions… unless you can afford it. 

 

 

Close Off

 

That’s it from my side. These are just things that you should know before purchasing the New 2020 Apple iPhone 12.

Thanks for reading my Apple iPhone 12 review. I hope it helps you to make a better choice.

If you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment below. It’s really encouraging to see users responding positively to the review and helps me a great deal.

If you want to see more about what the smartphone has to offer, then click here to find out more and make a purchase if you’re considering it.

Thanks for reading this review. Stay safe. Take care of yourself. See you at the next review.

 

Asus TUF Gaming Laptop FX505 Review: Impressive & Affordable

 

Asus TUF Gaming Laptop FX505 Review: Impressive & Affordable

 

Over the years, the demand for top-range, powerful gaming laptops has dropped. Even if you finally get the money you’ve spent months saving up it, months later out comes a better gaming laptop at an even higher price.

So you need to ask yourself, was it really worth it?

Nowadays, gamers look for mid-range, even affordable alternatives. One of such to consider is the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505. Not only for gaming but for business owners, creative artists, developers, etc. Without further ado, here is my review of the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505.    

 

Asus TUF Gaming Laptop FX505

 

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch, Full HD LED, (1920 x 1080), 60Hz/120Hz | CPU: Intel Core i5-9300H/AMD Ryzen 7 3750H | GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB/RTX 2060 8GB DDR6 | MEMORY: 4/8GB DDR4 | STORAGE: 512GB/1TB SSD | OS: Windows 10 Home | WEIGHT: 4.9 lbs (2.2 kg) | OTHER FEATURES: WiFi, Bluetooth, 720p webcam, HDMI, RGB Backlit keyboard | RATING: 4.1 out of 5

 

 

 

Overview

 

 

The Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 is a budget laptop that is specially designed for people that like to play video games. Not that it’s meant for gamers, it can also be used as a normal laptop to help you with corporate work, run your business, type documents, browse online and video streaming.

Compared to a normal budget laptop, it has a top-class hardware spec and unique features in the design. 

 

 

Display

 

Here are good points to say about the display. Firstly, it’s a 15-inch with thin bezels on each side of the screen.

Second, it supports full HD with a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 and runs at 60Hz.

Thirdly, the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 displays images pretty well. It has nice viewing angles, good colour accuracy, good management of brightness and contrasts.

Overall, it’s a normal display that tops 1080p, running at 60fps. No touchscreen here, but if it had that feature it would cost so much more.

 

Design

 

 

The Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 is made of a black plastic matte finish with the Asus logo center placed behind the display.

The 720p webcam is placed on the top section of the display. Next are the backlit RGB keyboard and a touchpad.

Input ports include: 1x HDMI 2.0, 2x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0, ethernet port, and headphone jack. WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity also available.

The design is not that breathtaking as the Alienware gaming laptop but it’s different from a normal clamshell laptop. You really notice the difference from the round corners to the matte finish texture.

The RGB backlit keyboard livens the laptop. It really glows bright, especially in low-lit areas.

Overall, the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 is well designed. It does have a few finishing touches here and there, but not something to really go ‘WOW’ about. It works well and makes it look good at its price.

 

 

Performance

 

For normal everyday tasks, the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 performs pretty well, thanks to the AMD Ryzen 7 processor, and 8GB of memory. The SSD contributes as well as it helps to lower load times of Windows, software and other apps stored. 

The Nvidia RTX 2060 GPU is not only good for gaming but also helps to optimize the display as well.

Speaking of gaming, RTX 2060 is a better performance option than the GTX 1650. PC games run smoother with better-detailed graphics.

Overall, the entry-level model is a preferable option for those looking to do everyday tasks with little consideration for gaming. If you consider the latter, then expect a better performance gaming laptop but will cost relatively more thanks to the 2060 RTX.   

 

 

Other Features

 

With the battery life, the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 is pretty short. It’s so short, you are looking at up to 2 hours of battery life, which is really not that good. This can be due to prolonged gaming sessions as it uses so much of your battery. It’s best that you keep it plugged in during gaming sessions.

The Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 comes with a ‘dual-fan system’ that helps to keep it cool.  It does make a noise but it’s tolerable. Wearing headphones is a good way not to hear it.

 

 

Impressions

 

The Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505 is good but not the best gaming laptop to have. There are a number of good gaming laptops available at this price range, and all have a few things in common.

First, you can play all PC games but at medium or low graphic settings. The graphics will not look as good, but the gameplay will be better.

Secondly, they are made of plastic. It’s not really a bad thing, but it’s something note.

Thirdly, if you can get the same model gaming laptop with a better GPU, then it’s worth considering. It will improve gaming performance overall.

With that being said, the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505, is one of the more affordable gaming laptops to buy, but (with my recommendation), make sure that it has storage space at least 512GB, that the hard drive is an SSD, 8GB or higher of system memory is good enough, and the GPU is at least an Nvidia GTX 1650. I prefer the Nvidia RTX 2060 as it’s a better-performing GPU.  

To sum up, I’m happy with the performance, and the features of the Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505. It may be lacking in some areas, but remember this is a budget gaming laptop. Compromises are expected.

This is a great starter for those who want to experience a gaming laptop, and what better way to experience that with an affordable Asus TUF gaming laptop FX505. Click here to see the price.     

 

 

Should you buy it?

 

 

Yes!

If you are looking for an affordable gaming laptop. If you are focused on light casual gaming and the ability to handle everyday tasks, then the entry model with the 1650 GTX GPU is the better option. But if you want a more gaming laptop then the 2060 RTX with 16GB memory is the better option.  

 

Yes!

If you want a great performance laptop that can help you with corporate or business tasks. It’s an affordable option but there are even more affordable laptops (like Chromebooks to consider). They won’t have the same specs as this one.

 

No!

If you want more hours of battery life, then you won’t find it here. Most gaming laptops nowadays have the same problem even top range gaming laptops

 

Close-off

 

It’s been a pleasure to do the Asus TUF Gaming Laptop FX505 Review. Thank you for coming this far. If you have comments, praises, or questions, please leave them below.

To see more affordable laptops, click here

That’s all from me today. Keep safe. Take care until next time.

 

PlayStation 5 Console Review: The Greatest Best-Selling Console

 

New PlayStation 5 Console Review: The Greatest Best-Selling Console

 

The long-awaited new PlayStation 5 console is finally released. Sony’s most loved gaming device comes to us with a totally different design (both console and the ‘DualSense’ controller), a promise of faster loading of games, better graphic performance, and other amazing features.

Its biggest console rival, the Xbox Series X, was also released this year. So, unless you’re a fan of either one, it’s going to be a challenge to pick which one to go for. For now, let’s focus on this review of the new Playstation 5 console.       

 

New PlayStation 5 Console

 

(Image credit: BestBuy.com)

 

CPU: AMD Zen 2 with 8 cores at 3.5GHz | GPU: Custom AMD RDNA 2 | MEMORY: 16GB GDDR6, bandwidth – 448GB/s | STORAGE: Custom 825GB SSD, usable storage – 667.2GB | EXPANDABLE STORAGE: NVMe SSD slot | EXTERNAL STORAGE: USB HDD support (PS4 games only) | OPTICAL DRIVE: 4K UHD Blu-ray drive | WEIGHT: 4.5kg | DIMENSIONS: 39 x 10.4 x 26cm | RATING: 4.5 out of 5

 

Overview

 

 

For those who don’t know, the new PlayStation 5 console is a new gaming device that is used to play 3D video games on an HD/4K television set. It comes with a DualSense controller that lets you control the video game or the user interface onscreen.

There are two types: the Standard Edition (available for $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$749.95) with a 4K Blu-Ray disc slot, and the Digital Edition (available for $399.99 / £359.99 / AU$599.95) without the disc slot. The latter is more for those who prefer downloading PlayStation games from the PSN online. 

From the previous PS4, the new PlayStation 5 console comes with an abundance of improvements. Firstly, faster load times of games thanks to the fast SSD storage.

Secondly, the robust graphics processing unit (GPU) helps to improve graphics overall in gaming, using higher frame rates such as 60fps or 120fps on 4K/UHD TVs, and ray tracing technology to add more detail and realism.

Thirdly is the gorgeous design of the PS5 and the DualSense controller. And lastly, the great features of the new PS5 controller, that include adaptive triggers and a built-in microphone.

The new PlayStation 5 console is an amazing gaming device. With a great design and amazing features, it’s making its name as one of the best gaming devices to come out of 2020. Still not convinced? Let’s find out more about this review. 

   

 

Design

 

(Image credit: Walmart.com)

 

The new PlayStation 5 console is enormous. Its height is 39 cm (15.4″) tall and weighs 4,5 kg. Good luck finding a TV wall unit that it can fit it standing up. It looks awesome standing horizontally than it laying vertically. 

The PS5 comes as a two-tone black and white colour, with the majority colour being white. One likeable feature of the design is the blue lighting effect, that operates similar to the PS4. 

With input ports, in front, there is a USB-A and a USB-C port. A little to the bottom right side in front is the 4K Blu-Ray slot,  At the back are two USB-A ports, an HDMI 2.1, Ethernet port and a power port.

That’s it on the design. It’s different. It literally stands out from the crowd of other consoles because of its height and its design colours. The DualSense controller has completely been redesigned as well and pretty much stands out as well and maybe the most innovative controller.   

       

Performance: Gaming & Graphics

The main purpose of a gaming console is to play video games with a TV set. If that purpose is achieved, then the gaming console is worth the investment.

That’s precisely what the new PlayStation 5 console does, but it does much much more.

 

Graphics

Playing games on a 4K/UHD TV is amazing. The graphics are stunning. The gameplay is really smooth, with barely any lag or delay at 60fps/120fps.

All thanks to the impressive hardware spec, that includes a custom AMD RDNS 2 graphics processing unit (GPU) that delivers 4K resolution at up to 120fps, an octa-core AMD Zen 2 processor, 16GB of system memory and the super-fast SSD storage hard drive.

Speaking of the SSD, you can only use 660+GB of instead out of the 825GB. There is the option of expanding storage by either installing another SSD or an external hard drive but those options will be unlocked from an update released later on.

If you still have your full HD TV don’t worry because the PS5 is compatible, but it will not look as gorgeous. So, if you can get yourself a 4K/UHD TV. 

 

(Image credit: PlayStation.com)

 

Gaming

 There are many games to look forward to at launch. There’s even a free game preinstalled in the PS5 so that you can test out the capabilities of the new DualSense controller. It’s a fun game, has good graphics, and best of all, it’s free with PS5.

The new user interface has been improved with new screens, gorgeous menus and other features. One new feature is the so-called cards system in the Control Center, where you use them to control your gaming activities, install single or multiplayer modes of certain games, see trophies and achievements, and much more. There’s a lot more to experience.

The backward compatibility feature is available but has limited functions. You can play all your PS4 games or PS3 games on your PS5, but you need to download them. Those you have purchased on PSN, you can download them into your PS5 and play them at your leisure. Sadly, right now you cannot insert PS4 or PS3 games to play. 

Overall, graphics look outstanding, PS5 games are available to buy. However, you need to download PS4 and other titles. That’s the backwards compatibility for you.

 

Accessories

 

(Image credit: PlayStation.com)

 

With the new Playstation 5 console, comes Sony’s new DualSense controller. It comes in two colour white and black. It features the original controller layout with the addition of the adaptive trigger L2 and R2 buttons.

either than the adaptive trigger buttons and the new design, there are more features on know. Firstly, it has the same lighting effect as the console. Second, there’s a microphone included in the controller.

Third, the internal battery delivers up to 12 hours of battery life for the controller, compared to the 8 hours of battery life for the PS4 DualShock controller.

Other accessories available for the new PlayStation 5 console include the: 

    • HD Camera
    • Media remote control
    • Pulse 3D wireless headset
    • DualSense charging station  

Overall, the new PlayStation 5 console has lots more instore either than the gaming console and controller.     

 

Impressions

I have mixed impressions about the new Playstation 5 console. Firstly, I love the new look and the unique design. It’s stunning, looks awesome standing up and its really tall, but it’s quite heavy.

Secondly, the PS5 has a good collection of games available at launch and a free game preinstalled call Astro Playroom. Great video games like Demon Souls Remake, Spiderman: Miles Morales, Assassins Creed Valhalla, Call of Duty Cold War, and many more, are available to purchase now.

The third feature is the amazing features of the PS5. The ability to play video games on a UHD TV at up to 120 frames per second, the fast loading time of games, the stunning graphics and gameplay, it leaves much to be desired.

The problem is the backwards compatibility feature. Yes, it’s available but very limited. You can play most PS4 and some PS3 games on the PS5, but you need to download them or activate them from the retail disc.

The next factor is the hardware. Thanks to that, the gaming performance looks great and gameplay and smooth. Storage is a problem as there are many factors to consider. 

 

(Image credit: Walmart.com)

 

Firstly, the 825GB is smaller than the 1TB from the Xbox Series X. Secondly, you only get 667+GB storage to install games and other entertainment apps.

Thirdly, there is the option to expand storage using an SSD hard drive slot but needs to be physically installed into the console. Upon launch, that option is locked until Sony releases an update.

Another option is the use of an external SSD/HDD hard drive but you won’t be able to install PS5 games, only older games. 

The new DualSense controller looks amazing and works pretty well. The adaptive triggers are a great new feature.

To describe it, imagine playing a first-person shooter, and you firing a gun. As you fire, the controller vibrates as you press on the adaptive trigger, almost like you firing a live machine gun. The battery life is longer too than the previous DualShock 4, which is a great improvement. 

 

 

Should you buy it?

Yes. If you want to play the best games on a 4K/Ultra HD TV, then get a PS5. If you don’t have one, the PS5 can support a Full HD TV but will play games at 60fps running on 1080p.

Yes. If you want to experience the new capabilities of the DualSense, get the PS5. There are many new features to try out especially the adaptive trigger functions.

Yes, If you want to experience the many features such as fast loading times, the new and improved user interface, gaming on a 4K TV, and the overall new entertainment experience.

No. If you expect to play previous PlayStation 4 games or older, it’s best to stick to your older PS4 console. Rather get the Xbox Series X to fully appreciate backward compatibility but only for Xbox games.

No. The PS5 does not support Dolby 4K Atmos or Vision. That is if you have a 4K Dolby home entertainment system.

To sum up, the new PlayStation 5 console is a gaming masterpiece. It’s an outstanding gaming console but one cannot really say it’s a perfect gaming console. You may like it or hate but if it plays video games as great as it does then it’s a win.

If you have the money and find stock available, then get the new Playstation 5 console. Alternatively, if you are not happy with the PS5, then check out the review of the Xbox Series X, or you can click here to order the new PlayStation 5 console now whilst stock is available. 

 

 

Closing Off

Thank you for reading through my review of the new Playstation 5 console. If you have any questions or comments, please scroll below and leave your comments, praises, criticism, and whatever you want to say.

I really enjoy reviewing this product and hope you will support my website by clicking on the link and purchase the product.

That’s all I have for now. Please stay safe until next time.   

 

 

Xbox Series X review: Amazingly Powerful Next-Gen Console

Xbox Series X

Xbox Series X

(Image credit: Microsoft)

 

“The new Xbox Series X gaming console is indeed one of the best next-gen gaming platforms today”

 

The Xbox Series X, the next-gen console from Microsoft, is finally here. Released in mid-November 2020, the Xbox Series X console comes with a unique design, a powerful hardware specs similar to a powerful gaming PC, delivering stunning graphics and smooth gameplay. Sony has also released its new PS5 console which comes with a promise of better features and a better gaming experience. Will the new Xbox console live up to the user’s expectations? Let’s go straight to the Xbox Series X review. 

 

 

Overview

The Xbox Series X launched with impressive hardware, but some features felt missing at first. However, numerous updates have transformed the console for the better.

Initially, the lack of exclusive games and the familiar Xbox One interface made it a tough sell compared to the PS5 with its exciting exclusives. While the interface remained functional, it lacked the excitement of a fresh start.

Despite the initial shortcomings, exploring the Xbox Series X’s features reveals its true potential. A growing library of games showcases the hardware’s capabilities, with titles like Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5 demonstrating stunning visuals and performance.

 

(Image credit: Microsoft)

 

From a hardware perspective, the Xbox Series X has always been impressive. Lightning-fast, near-silent operation, and exceptional performance rivaling high-end PCs make it a fantastic value for its price. This translates to drastically reduced load times and improved visuals across a wide range of games, both new and old.

Quality-of-life features like Quick Resume and FPS Boost further enhance the gameplay experience. However, despite the raw power and new features, the Xbox Series X still lacks the same volume of must-have exclusives as the PS5 or Nintendo Switch.

Here’s where Xbox Game Pass comes in – a subscription service offering access to hundreds of games for a monthly fee. For those who enjoy trying new titles across various genres, it’s an incredible deal.

Even with a focus on older titles, many are optimized for the Xbox Series X hardware, providing a taste of next-gen gaming at a reduced cost.

Additionally, all first-party Microsoft games launch on Game Pass day one, including upcoming titles like Starfield and The Elder Scrolls 6 thanks to the acquisition of Bethesda. With the potential addition of Activision Blizzard franchises like Call of Duty and Diablo, Game Pass offers an enticing library that’s only getting stronger.

If you’ve been considering joining the Xbox ecosystem, the Xbox Series X is the perfect entry point. It delivers an experience exceeding expectations for longtime Xbox fans, and with improved console availability, there’s no better time to grab Microsoft’s powerful flagship console.

Design

With the design of the gaming console, Microsoft has completely outdone itself. It comes standing upright like a PC desktop tower. There’s the option of laying it done, but it looks better standing up. 

It’s covered with a black matte finish with an inner greenish tint inside the top air vent. It weighs 4.45 kg (9.8 lbs) which is a little heavier than the Xbox One at 3.81 kg (8.4 lbs).

In front, the Xbox logo placed at the top left is the power button. The Blu-ray disc drive and eject button are placed on the bottom left. A USB 3.2 port and IR receiver are placed on the bottom right.

At the back are more cooling vents, along with an HDMI 2.1 port, two more USB 3.2 ports, a network port, a storage expansion slot and power input. The design of the new Xbox console is different from its predecessor.

The matte finish gives it a nice, sleek and modern look, has plenty of input ports and plenty of cooling vents to keep it cool during gaming sessions. It’s a welcome addition and conveys a new face of gaming.

 

Gaming & Graphics

With the graphics, the games look gorgeous. The gameplay runs smoothly, the graphics environment and model textures look amazing, and the ray tracing really makes the game look close to realistic.

Don’t get rid of your old games because the Xbox series X is backward compatible. You can play last-gen games from Xbox One, and some of them from Xbox 360. An update online is available to optimize older games to work on 4K TVs.

 

(Image credit: Microsoft)

 

Note, there are very few games exclusive to the new Xbox series X upon release.    

You can also make use of the “Quick Resume” feature. It lets you suspend multiple games while you play, and loads them fast to get you straight back into action. That is a great feature. 

Overall, the graphics look great. They are well-textured, thanks to the added ray tracing. There are fewer new games to get right upon the launch of the new console but I guess you can be busy playing Xbox One games or older.

 

Performance

The Xbox Series X packs serious muscle under the hood, with a powerful processor, custom graphics card, and a speedy SSD.

This translates to real-world benefits like:

  • Lightning-Fast Load Times: The SSD slashes load times compared to the Xbox One S. Games like Sea of Thieves load in just 35 seconds, down from a whopping 100 seconds on the previous generation.

  • Stunning 4K Resolution with High Frame Rates: The Xbox Series X targets 4K resolution at 60 frames per second for most games, delivering smooth visuals and minimal frame drops. Some titles even offer 120fps for an incredibly responsive experience, though this often comes at the expense of resolution.

  • HDR Support for Enhanced Contrast: Enjoy vibrant colors and deeper blacks with HDR compatibility. Calibrating HDR ensures optimal visuals for each game.

  • Backwards Compatible Games Look and Play Better: Even older Xbox One titles benefit from the Xbox Series X’s hardware. You’ll notice improved visuals, often including native HDR thanks to Microsoft’s implementation.

  • FPS Boost for Older Games: This feature unlocks higher frame rates for select Xbox One games, making them smoother and more responsive. Titles like Gears 5 multiplayer can now run at a silky-smooth 120fps in 4K.

  • Expandable Storage: The 1TB SSD provides ample space for many games, but it can fill up quickly. The Seagate Storage Expansion Card offers a convenient and fast way to add more storage, although it’s quite pricey. Alternatively, you can connect an external hard drive for storing Xbox One and backwards-compatible games, but these won’t play optimized Xbox Series X titles.

  • Flexible Game Installations: Install only the parts of a game you want to play. For example, download just the Doom Eternal multiplayer mode or campaign, not both. This is a great feature for managing storage space.

Overall, the Xbox Series X delivers exceptional performance and gorgeous visuals, making it a powerhouse for gamers who want the best possible experience. The combination of speed, stunning graphics, and features like FPS Boost make the Xbox Series X a compelling choice for next-generation gaming.

 

Beyond Gaming

The Xbox Series X goes beyond just playing games, offering a variety of features that enhance the overall entertainment experience.

  • Quick Resume: This innovative feature lets you suspend and resume multiple games almost instantly, eliminating long loading screens. You can seamlessly jump between games in seconds, picking up right where you left off.
  • Extensive Backward Compatibility: Play thousands of Xbox One, Xbox 360, and even original Xbox games on your Series X. These games often benefit from faster loading times and improved performance.
  • Seamless Cross-Gen Play: Xbox Smart Delivery ensures you always have access to the best version of a game, regardless of whether you’re playing on Xbox Series X or Xbox One. You can even pick up your progress on one console and continue on the other.
  • 4K Blu-ray Player and Streaming Apps: Enjoy your favorite movies and shows in stunning 4K resolution with the built-in Blu-ray player and a wide range of streaming services like Netflix, Disney Plus, and Apple TV Plus. The console also supports Dolby Vision for superior visuals on compatible TVs.
  • Advanced Audio Options: Experience immersive spatial sound with Dolby Atmos and DTS Headphone:X support (additional purchase required). These technologies create a realistic soundscape, letting you pinpoint the location of enemies and other audio cues in your games.
  • Improved Xbox App: The new mobile app offers more control over your Xbox experience. Manage storage, voice chat with friends, share gameplay clips, and even use your phone as a remote control.

Overall, the Xbox Series X is a versatile entertainment hub that caters to gamers and non-gamers alike. With its powerful hardware, innovative features, and access to a vast library of content, it offers a compelling reason to upgrade your home entertainment system.

 

Xbox Series X Controller

The Xbox Series X controller retains the familiar shape and button layout of its predecessor, but with some subtle improvements for a more comfortable and premium feel.

Here’s what’s new:

  • Matte Finish: The controller now sports a sleek matte finish that matches the console’s design. However, the black version shows scuffs and scratches easily. Other color options might be more resistant.
  • Textured Grips and Buttons: The revised pad has a grippy texture on the triggers, bumpers, and grips, making the controller feel more secure in your hands.
  • Reduced Bulk: The bumpers and triggers are slightly smaller and rounded, improving comfort, especially for users with smaller hands.
  • Share Button: Capture screenshots and short videos easily with the new Share button – a welcome improvement over the multiple button presses required on Xbox One.
  • Hybrid D-Pad: This new D-Pad combines the classic design with a disc shape, offering more control and comfort.

 

(Image credit: Microsoft)

 

Everything else you’re used to is still there, including the 3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C port for charging, and familiar button layout.

The controller also boasts improvements in functionality:

  • Lower Latency: The controller feels more responsive, likely due to the lower latency and more stable frame rates.
  • Wireless Versatility: The controller can connect wirelessly via Bluetooth to a variety of devices, including the Xbox One, iPhones, and Macs.
  • Battery Options: While it still uses AA batteries, you can invest in a rechargeable battery pack or connect it to the console via USB-C for wired play.

Overall, the Xbox Series X controller offers a familiar design with some key improvements for enhanced comfort, functionality, and a more premium feel.

 

Verdict

That’s it for my review of the Xbox series X. If you like the review please leave a comment below. So click on the button and get yourself this awesome console. Stay safe until next time 😀

Refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 Review

 

Refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 Review

 

Nowadays, a refurbished laptop is a great alternative to go for because they are more affordable than the latest releases. One such laptop to look out for is the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 (also known as the Dell Precision 5510).

It was one of the best laptops ever released because of its stunning UHD display, genuine design, and fast system performance. Is it worth spending your hard-earned money? Will it match the performance of current generation laptops?

If you want to find out, here’s my review of the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 business laptop. 

 

Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510

 

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch touch UHD (3840 x 2160) | CPU: Intel Quad Core i7-6820HQ | GPU: Nvidia Quadro M1000M + Intel HD 530 Graphics | MEMORY: 16GB RAM | STORAGE: 512GB SSD | INPUT PORTS: HDMI, 2xUSB, SD card reader, Type-C port | OS: Win 10 Pro | OTHER FEATURES: Bluetooth, WiFi, HD Webcam,  | WEIGHT: 3.1 kg (6.9 lbs)

 

 

 

Overview

 

The Dell Precision 5510 is a top-class, premium business laptop, that comes with premium features. It’s all bundled into an impressive aluminium build, that comes with a stunning 4K touch screen, and amazing performance overall.

This is an excellent business laptop, made for top business professionals, creative editors or artists, and for those who are looking to tackle complex tasks and projects.

 

 

Display

 

The 15.6-inch display is the most impressive in this model. It comes with really thin display bezels. The touch screen responds well to touch. The screen technology includes Ultra High Definition (UHD), with a 3820 x 2160 screen resolution.

In a nutshell, the display is gorgeous. The pictures look really sharp. The colours really pop out onscreen and look vibrant, and watching 4K movies or videos is amazing. This is the most outstanding feature of the laptop and is worth the look.

 

 

Design

 

The refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 is made of a combination of silver aluminium and black carbon fibre. The backlit keyboard looks good, types comfortably and the touchpad functions well. 

It does weigh a bit more than normal 15-inches but it’s slim. The webcam is located at the bottom section of the display, but it records good quality videos.

It comes with a good set of input options that includes: 1xHDMI, 1xUSB 3.0, 1xUSB Type C, headphone jack, and MicroSD card reader.  

Overall, the Precision 5510 comes with a great design-build. It’s made of premium materials, has a bit more weight than normal but slim, and comes with great features. 

 

 

Performance

 

Performance-wise, the Precision 5510 comes with an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of system memory, and an Nvidia Quadro graphics card. Thanks to this hardware spec the performance is fast, scoring close to 3000 points on benchmark performance tests.  

 

 

Bear in mind, this is a business laptop, but it does support gaming as well. It does have the hardware specs for gaming development and for light, casual gaming sessions.

Overall, if performance is what you looking for, you got it here with the Precision 5510. It’s fast and supports gaming as well. Don’t expect similar performance as a gaming laptop. 

 

 

Battery Life

The battery life here is a short one. You are looking at a business laptop that lasts up to 4 hours of battery life.

Bear in mind, this laptop has a lot of features, which contributes to the short battery life. For example, the UHD display needs a lot of power to run effectively.

Overall, the Precision 5510 does have a short battery life. It’s best to keep it plugged in if you need to use it for long working sessions.

 

 

Other features

Other features to consider. Firstly, the audio speakers are placed on the bottom of the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 business laptop, contributing to the overall average quality sound.

Secondly, the webcam sits at the bottom section of the display, instead of being on top. It’s not a good idea as your hands will most likely be visible especially when you typing during a teleconference call. 

Lastly, the Precision 5510 manages to stay cool upon use. It does increase the temperature when using it for complex functions like streaming HD videos but after prolonged uses. 

Overall, these features are worth knowing so as to know what to expect upon purchase. 

 

 

Impressions & Verdict

 

 

The refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 is an awesome laptop. I really like the stunning pictures on the screen, the premium design and the fast performance of the system.

The keyboard looks great as well with the backlit and offers a comfortable typing experience. I highly recommend this laptop. 

Although the battery life is short, and the webcam is awkwardly placed, it’s still a great business laptop. Keeping it charged, and getting an external webcam (to place on top) can fix the issues. 

Because this is an older laptop (release in 2017), the price has gone done. In fact, if you go online right now, you can find the refurbished model, at a fair price.

So, if you want a business laptop, with a stunning UHD display, has a premium design features, and a great performance, then the Dell Precision 5510 is the laptop worth buying.

If you want a business laptop with long battery life, then it’s best to look elsewhere. Bear in mind, you’ll be compromising on a lot of top-class features it offers. 

 

 

Closing Off

Thank you for your interest and for reaching this far. This is my review of the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510.

Don’t forget to click here to find out the latest affordable price on the refurbished Dell Precision Mobile Workstation 5510 business laptop.

If this one’s not what you looking for, then click here to check out 2020’s best affordable laptops.

If you have comments, questions, or thoughts to share, you are welcome to share them here below. You can also present your own rating of the laptop reviewed. 

As always, stay safe, take care. See you again next time. 

 

2020 HP Spectre X360 15 Review: Gorgeous with short battery life

The HP Spectre X360 15 is an updated flagship 2 in 1 laptop that improves from last year’s model. It comes with the latest technology, offering top quality features and a satisfying user experience. With so many other top brands, it will be a challenge for HP to compete for the top market spot due to the tough competition. Yet so far the 2020 HP Spectre x360 15 has proven to be one of the best looking, and best performance 2 in 1 laptop of 2020. Does it have the essence to win and stay on top of the game? Let’s find out from the review.        

 

HP Spectre X360 15 (2020)

DISPLAY: 15.6-inch, 4K, AMOLED, (3840 x 2160) | CPU: Intel i7-10750H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX330/GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q | MEMORY: 16GB RAM | STORAGE: 512GB SSD/1TB SSD | WEIGHT: 4.23 lbs (1.9 kg)

 

 

Overview

Feast your eyes on the beautiful HP Spectre X360 15. This is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop, that features all the common features of a 2-in-1 laptop. It comes packed with the latest tech that includes a 4K display, a 10th generation i7 processor, an Nvidia GeForce GPU, plenty of storage and memory.  

 

Design

The HP Spectre X360 is a gem of a 2-in-1 laptop to hold. The mix between black and gold design brings the best in its beauty and innovation. First, the screen bezels are thin and almost non-existent, making the 4K 15-inch display look stunning. Second, the white backlit keyboard offers a comfortable typing experience. The mouse-pad offers great responsiveness and the audio speakers on top offer decent quality sound.

Thirdly, the dual golden hinges offer you easy switching from laptop to tablet. Lastly, it’s lightweight and super slim for easy portability. The input ports include an HDMI port, two USB-C, a USB, a headphone jack, and a microSD card reader. Overall, the design and outer features of the HP Spectre X360 is amazing. It comes with a great design, a great looking display, and offers easy portability and a premium experience.

 

Display

The HP Spectre X360 includes a 15-inch AMOLED display, sporting a 4K (3840 x 2160) screen resolution. The display comes with great colours, good brightness, and contrast, producing sharp and detailed images and videos. The thin bezels offer an amazing viewing experience, as we as a touch screen that responds well to finger gestures and smooth swipes. Overall, the display is a noticeable great part of the Spectre X360, offering a good viewing experience for all users.     

 

Performance

The 2-in-1 laptop performs well as expected like other top-range laptops. The 10th generation Intel i7 chip, together with the 16GB memory, excels in making sure that tasks are run smoothly without any lag or performance issues.

Gaming is an option too here. The NVidia GeForce GPU allows for light gaming. Older games work well as the hardware offers good graphics and performance, but not a good idea for top titles. This is no gaming laptop so if you do want to play hardware demanding games, then you would have to lower the graphics and screen settings. To close off, the HP Spectre offers great performance for everyday tasks and offers decent performance for gaming. 

 

Battery life

The battery life is not the best feature here. For light tasks and activities like web browsing, and normal everyday typing, the 2-in-1 can last for a good day’s work. Thanks to the 4K AMOLED touch screen, the top performance chipset, and the NVidia GPU using them consume more battery power leaving you with less than 3 hours of battery life. 

So if you looking for a powerful 2-in-1 laptop, the HP Spectre X360 has all the features you need. But if you going to maximize full use of it, make sure you carry the USB-C charger with you where ever you go.    

 

Sound

 The HP Spectre X360 comes with a ‘Bang & Olufsen’ speaker on the top section of the keyboard and dual speakers on each side of the laptop. The audio speakers are well-placed and produce decent sound, but loses it at max volume. It’s not loud enough and the bass quality is low, but overall, they are there and work well. Getting headphones may be a good idea.    

 

Verdict

The HP Spectre X360 is a powerful, good looking 2-in-1 laptop. It comes with top performance hardware, a great-looking touch screen that offers a stunning view experience, a unique design, and other premium features. It surely is a fantastic mobile device to use and is highly recommended. The battery life is a problem though. If you plan to install apps that demand so much of your system hardware, then you must always keep the adapter in hand, especially when you are out and about.     
 

 

Another thing to note is that the older 2019 model has a great battery life but with last year’s tech, which is still relevant today. It’s a good alternative worth considering. Either than that, there’s nothing more major to criticize the HP Spectre X360.

 

Recommendations

Buy the 2020 HP Spectre X360 15 as it offers: lightweight and portability, flexibility in switching from tablet to laptop, a great viewing experience, and great system performance. Don’t buy it because it has a low battery life and it’s expensive due to the high-quality features. If you need a powerful 2 in 1 with more battery life, then this is not for you. there are alternatives to consider, but not as good as this one.

 

Closing off

The 2020 HP Spectre x360 15 may have that essence to win, but staying on top will be a mission. It really is a powerful 2 in 1 laptop and aims to give competitors a tough time to catch up to its brilliance. If you still have no idea what 2 in 1 laptop is, click here. If you want to find out the latest prices for the HP Spectre, click here.

Thank you for checking out my review of the 2020 HP Spectre x360 15. If you have any questions, comments, and praises, you are welcome to leave them below. If it’s a question, I’ll make sure to answer it as soon as possible. Thanks again. Keep well. 

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G Review: Powerful & Affordable

 

There’s the S20, then the more powerful S20 plus, and the ever so powerful, the S20 Ultra. Now Samsung introduces bringing you to the next phone in the S20 series, the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G. It got good specs. It has funky colours and a modern design. But is worth your money? Let’s check out the review.

 

 

Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G

Samsung Galaxy S20 Fan Edition/ Samsung Galaxy S20 Lite

DISPLAY: 6.5-inch Super AMOLED 120Hz (1080 x 2400) | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 | STORAGE/MEMORY: 128GB/6GB, 128GB/8GB, 256GB/8GB | OS: Android 10, One UI 2.5 | CAMERA: Triple rear camera, 12MP (wide), 8MP (telephoto), 12MP (ultra-wide); Single selfie camera, 32MP (wide) | BATTERY: 4,500mAh | WEIGHT: 190 g

 

 

Overview

 

 

The latest addition to the S20 series is a lower-priced smartphone, that offers few compromises yet still manages to maintain the S20 reputation. For starters, it’s powered by a Snapdragon 865 chip, that comes with a large 6.5-inch display, and a triple camera on the back. Internal you get the new Android 10 OneUI OS, with up to 256GB storage options, up to 8GB memory, and a 4500mAh battery that offers great life. Let’s see it in more detail.  

 

 

Display

 

The S20 FE comes with a 6.5-inch full HD, AMOLED display with 1080 x 2400 screen resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. The display looks great. The full AMOLED display shows great quality images and video with accurate and vibrant colours, and good use of contrast and brightness. Compared to the S20 series smartphones, the S20 FE comes with a lower quality display, and lower screen resolution, but has the same refresh rate.

 

 

Speaking of refresh rate, you can set it to either 60 or 120Hz. But not all apps support the higher refresh rate and tend to self adjust to the standard 60Hz. The fingerprint sensor is placed on the lower section of the display. It has a second delay to unlock than other mid-range phones, but it works well.      

Basically, it offers the same smooth, fast and responsive screen performance as the other S20 models, but the S20 FE is using the same standard display technology as other mid-range smartphones. 

 

Design

 

 

The S20 FE is built using a glass plastic aluminium frame, with a flat glass screen in front and a curved plastic at the back. Not exactly premium like the other S20 models but it’s expected at its current price. It weighs 190g, which is more than the Galaxy S20 but lighter than the Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G. It’s available in six beautiful colours – Cloud Navy, Cloud Lavender, Cloud Mint, Cloud Red, Cloud Orange, and Cloud White. 

The power button and volume button are placed on the right. The USB-type C input is at the bottom. Triple camera lens at the back, and a single selfie camera on the top centre of the screen. No headphone jack here. Overall, the design of the S20 FE is not really ground-breaking. The screen is flat, not curved like the other S20 models. It has a bit more weight and is made of cheaper material. Yet it comes in great colours and has a good durability rating.   

 

Performance

 

The S20 FE includes a 5G Snapdragon 865 chip with up to 8GB of system memory. It’s fitted with the same processor chip found in the S20 Ultra, offering premium phone performance that outperforms the S20 and S20 Plus smartphones. The S20 FE also performs well as a gaming device. Not as powerful as the Asus ROG smartphone but the gameplay and graphics are great overall. To sum up, if top-premium performance is what you looking for, this one has it.    

 

Camera

 

The camera package of the S20 FE consists of a triple-lens camera at the back, that includes a 12MP wide, 8MP telephoto, and a 12MP ultrawide. On the screen is a single-lens camera with a 32MP wide. 

 

The camera main camera overall takes great pictures, taking in all the detail, and colours. Night pictures look good as well. The sharpness of detail and colours are amazing. The selfie camera performs equally, producing excellent pictures with good detail.  Ultra-wide images are acceptable but not as detailed as the main camera. Rather stick to using the wide sensor or if you can, there’s a Pro mode in the camera app for that professional finish.   

With video recording, you can record up to 4K quality videos at 60fps using the main camera. With ultra-wide, you can get full HD videos but at 30fps. 4K videos look acceptable but not as good as premium phones, but full HD videos look stunning. This is a mid-range smartphone after all so compromises are expected. Rather stick to recording full HD videos here as colour and detail are noticeably better than 4K. Overall, no problems with the camera here, except for the 4K video recording. It works well and takes detailed and colourful pictures and videos. 

 

Battery Life

 

The S20 FE is powered by a 4500mAh battery, the same battery power as the S20 Plus and the Note 20 Ultra. With this one, the battery is measured two-fold: 60Hz and 120Hz. With the 120Hz refresh rate, you get up to 14 hours of web browsing, under 15 hours of video play or streaming, and over 34 hours of talk time. At 60Hz, you get up to 15 hours of web browsing, and up to 18 hours of video play or streaming. In this case, less is better. 

The phone supports up to 25W of fast charging, wireless and reverse-charging. From purchase, the phone includes a 15W charger that takes longer to charge. Getting a 25W charger for the S20 FE will boost charge speed. From 0 to 50% is less than 30 minutes, and at full charge is just a little over an hour. 

Overall, the battery life is great. From both modes, the S20 FE offers long hours of battery and other charging options found in premium phones. It would be great if a 25W charger is included in the box, but if you can find one then you won’t have problems with fast charging.

 

Verdict

 

The S20 FE smartphone is definitely one for the fans. The design may not be as groundbreaking as top-premium models but the choice of colours, great durability, and overall look make it appear modern, fresh and trendy. The display is excellent. There’s sharp detail, accurate colours, good contrast and brightness. The smoothness and responsiveness really are thanks to the screen technology used and the hardware inside, giving a stunning overall screen. 

The battery life of the S20 FE is long, making it a very reliable smartphone. It’s disappointing that you get a 15W charger upon purchase, but if you can find a 25W charger then you will be sorted. It’s also surprising that you get wireless and reverse wireless charging on the S20 FE as other mid-range phones don’t have that feature. 

The performance is great. The hardware inside is the same as the S20 Ultra 5G. So if you want an alternative and affordable 5G Samsung smartphone, the S20 FE is the best choice. The camera works well taking great quality images and videos. The sound quality is acceptable. Overall, this may be one of the best mid-range smartphones to get in 2020.  

 

Recommendations

 

The Samsung Galaxy S20 FE is definitely one of the best choice midrange smartphones to get this year. I recommend it to Samsung fans, those looking for an affordable alternative, and those who don’t mind compromising on premium features.

 

Close Off

 

Let me take this opportunity to humbly thank you for reaching this far in my Samsung Galaxy S20 FE 5G review. If you have any questions or comments, personal preferences or impressions, smartphone or laptop review requests or words of encouragement, please leave them here below. I will get back to you soon as I can. Have a good one. Stay safe. Check you soon. Peace. 

OnePlus Nord 5G Review: The Affordable Premium Smartphone

 

OnePlus Nord 5G Review: The Affordable Premium Smartphone

 

The year 2020 has produced some interesting times for us all, especially in the smartphone industry. There’s a rise to 5G smartphones, at affordable prices that offer most premium features found in top-range models. One such is the most talked-about smartphone, the OnePlus Nord, which offers the latest technology for us, consumers, to get our hands on.

The challenge is that it comes into a competitive industry, where it competes with big names that are racing for pole position. Yet the OnePlus brand is well on its way and with its 2020 midrange release, it hopes to finish first place.

So we ask, will the OnePlus Nord be enough to compete or even cross the finish line first? Let’s find out from the OnePlus Nord 5G review.

 

 

OnePlus Nord 5G

 

(Image credit: Walmart.com)

DISPLAY: 6.44-inch FHD AMOLED, 90Hz (1080 x 2400)  | CPU: Snapdragon 765G | STORAGE/MEMORY: 64GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/8GB RAM, 256GB/12GB RAM | OS: Oxygen OS 10.5, Android 10 | CAMERA:  Quad – 48MP (wide), 8MP (ultrawide), 5MP (depth), 2MP (macro) | Dual selfie – 32MP (wide), 8MP (ultrawide) | BATTERY: 4115mAh | WEIGHT: 184g

 

 

Overview

 

The OnePlus Nord is a mid-range smartphone that offers 5G network connectivity, a 6.4-inch 90Hz screen, a quad main camera that includes a dual selfie camera on the display, and a 4115mAh battery that offers good battery life and supports fast charging. Let’s break it down and see more in detail. 

 

 

Design

 

The Nord comes with a standard smartphone design with a flat screen and is made of a glass plastic frame, with round edges, good glass protection, and comes in two colors: blue marble and gray onyx.

The screen comes with good glass protection and can handle accidental water splashes. No IP68 rating for this phone, meaning no water resistance, so it’s not a good idea to go diving in the water with it.

Overall, the design is not groundbreaking, yet simple and it works. It comes with a good range of trendy colors and has minor water resistance. 

 

 

Display

 

The Nord comes with a 6.4-inch full HD AMOLED flat screen with a 90Hz high refresh rate, 1080 x 2400 screen resolution, and supports HDR10+ technology.

These features offer the following: a smoother and responsive display; better brightness, contrasts, and accurate colors; and offers sharper images and videos.

The combination of these technologies offers overall better viewing quality. The screen may be a little small, yet it comes with great screen technology. Expect great views, and great responsiveness to touch on the Nord smartphone.   

 

(Image credit: Walmart.com)

 

Performance

 

The performance of the OnePlus Nord is amazing, thanks to the Snapdragon 765G 5G processor. The memory options available, starting from 6GB all the way up to 12GB, offers smoother scrolling with the Oxygen OS, fast loading of apps, a good casual gaming experience, and HD quality video viewing.

Overall, for this mid-range phone, you get premium performance at your fingertips. We recommend you get the 128GB/8GB RAM model so that you have more storage space, as this phone does not come with an expandable Micro SD slot.

 

 

Camera

 

The Nord comes with a 48MP quad-camera at the back and a 32MP dual camera in front.

The main camera takes excellent pictures. Bright, vibrant, and accurate colors contribute to the amazing detail. 

The ultra-wide mode is acceptable but could be better. The 2x zoom works well but shows signs of lost detail. Nighttime pictures are surprisingly good especially in areas with good lighting.

Selfies look great. The phone produces good detailed pictures with good sharpness, color accuracy, and vibrance.

Looking to produce 4K videos? The OnePlus Nord does just that. You can create up to 4K quality videos at 60fps (frames per second). If that’s not liking you can always switch to creating full HD quality videos, 1080p at 60fps.

Overall, the Nord has a great camera setup. It produces great pictures and videos in great detail in any setting. Don’t expect great ultra-wide pictures though, but everything else works well.

 

 

Battery Life

 

The Nord comes with a 4115mAh non-removable battery that supports fast charging. Speaking of which, thanks to the 30W charger included, you can charge it up from 0-60% in 30 minutes, and a little over an hour at 100% full charge. That’s not too bad.

With battery life, you can get up to 25 hours of talk time, 13 hours of internet browsing, and up to 18 hours of video viewing. The only drawback is that the phone does not support wireless charging, but it’s expected from a mid-range phone. 

Overall, the battery life on the OnePlus Nord is long and acceptable. It works well and can last you the whole day. Fast charging is a good feature as well and you can expect no less from a mid-ranger.

 

 

Verdict

 

The OnePlus Nord is indeed a great mid-range smartphone. Firstly, we like how smooth and sharp the screen looks and how responsive the Oxygen OS handles the phone functions.

Secondly, thanks to the high memory and 5G processor, the phone performs really well both for everyday use and for gaming.

Thirdly, we like that it supports fast charging and that it offers a long battery life. But a lot of other mid-range smartphones have similar functions so it really is an expected addition.

Then lastly, the design and display look great. The two colors available are trendy and give it that premium looks. The 90Hz OLED screen outperforms most other smartphones as it offers a smoother and more responsive display. A great and impressive feature. 

 

(Image credit: oneplus.com)

 

Most of these features you would expect from a high price flagship smartphone but the Nord phone does have its compromises. No Micro SD slot to increase storage. No headphone jack to plug your earphones. No LED notification light that tells you of new messages. No wireless charge, but it’s a common feature on top-range phones.

 

 

Recommendations

 

If you’re looking for a less expensive smartphone that comes with good premium features, takes great pictures, has good performance, and lasts you the whole day, then the OnePlus Nord is indeed the smartphone for you.

It’s for anyone looking for a cheaper or an alternative to a top-range phone, or anyone looking for a smartphone that does not have many premium features. Good for college students looking for a more powerful device or corporate personnel looking for a simple smartphone. 

There are many good mid-range smartphones out there to look out for that can deliver, but with the latest screen technology, 5G network capabilities, and solid performance, we recommend you get the OnePlus Nord. For more affordable mid-range smartphones, click here.

 

 

Closing Off

 

Thank you for checking out my OnePlus Nord 5G review. If you have any comments, questions, and feedback, you are more than welcome to post them here below.

One thing left for you to do now is to click here now and see for yourself the latest price offer for this powerful mid-range smartphone. Get it while stocks last.

 

Apple iPhone 11 Review: Best 2020 Smartphone Alternatives

apple iphone 11 review

It’s the least expensive smartphone in the Apple 11 series and has been ranked as one of the top smartphones of 2019. As we look forward to better smartphone releases in the future, it may not stand out that much, but still offers great features, making it a great alternative smartphone to get in 2020. So we ask the question: Is it really worth the buy? Let’s find out more about this Apple iPhone 11 review.

 

 

Apple iPhone 11

Display: 6.1-inch Liquid Retina HD LCD (828 x 1792) | OS: iOS 13 | CPU: A13 Bionic chip | Storage/Memory: 64GB/4GB, 128GB/4GB, 256GB/4GB | Camera: Dual-12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide); Dual selfie-12MP (wide) & depth sensor | Battery: 3110mAh | Weight: 194g

 

 

 

Overview

The Apple iPhone 11 offers a great number of features, to see and explore. First, it comes with a large 6.1-inch HD screen. Second is its solid performance processor and the choice of storage, from 64GB up to 256GB.

The third is the good quality dual-lens camera which is one of the best features of the phone. And lastly, the great design features and outstanding battery life. Let’s break it down further piece by piece.

 

Design

First off, there’s nothing really wow about the design here, as it borrows from the previous iPhone XR model. On the flip side, it comes with a glass aluminum frame that offers great durability and great resistance to scratches, water, and dust.

There are six bright colors to choose from, starting Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, Red, and White. Overall, it has premium looks with bright colors and great durability.

 

Display

The Apple iPhone 11 comes with a large 6.1-inch IPS LCD screen, with 828 x 1792 screen resolution, good color accuracy, and brightness. 

Pictures and videos look great on this large screen, with great quality text and good color accuracy. 

A few drawbacks to note. Firstly, it comes with a lower HD quality screen. Second, it does not support HDR10, and thirdly, the screen resolution may be less than 1080p. Yet the lower quality screen offers benefits to battery life.

Overall, the iPhone 11 has a stunning HD display. It may not be Full HD or OLED but it makes the best of what it has to offer.       

 

Performance

The iPhone 11 comes with an A13 Bionic chip processor with 4GB of RAM and is available in three storage models from 64GB up to 256GB. This processor chip has been ranked as one of the fastest performing components to date, beefing up the overall speed and performance of the iPhone 11 to outstanding, and making it one of the most powerful phones out there today.

 

 

Camera

The iPhone 11 comes with a dual-camera lens with 12MP wide and 12MP Ultra wide cameras. This supports night mode, portrait mode and can record up to 4K videos at 60fps. The selfie camera comes with a 12MP dual-camera lens camera and a depth sensor.

The overall camera works really well. The main camera produces high-quality images that are rich in detail, with accurate colors. The selfie camera equally delivers great images in portrait mode as well. Pictures in ultra-wide and night mode are also good with very little blur.

With videos, the iPhone 11 delivers 4K videos maxing at 60fps. Again, great detail, and good stabilization, from the main camera.

The iPhone 11 camera is not to be underestimated. To really relish it, you need to try it out. It definitely is the way to go and one of the best features the phone has.

 

Battery Life

The iPhone 11 is packed with a 3110mAh battery that supports wireless charging and up to 18 watts of fast charging.

If you can find yourself an 18 watts Apple charger, then you can juice up the phone from 0 – 55% in 30mins. The one you get on purchase is only 5 watts that can only juice it up from 0 – 18% in 30mins.

Otherwise, the iPhone 11 comes with a long battery life that offers up to 18 hours of talk time, 15 hours of web browsing and up to 19 hours of video viewing.

The bottom line, the battery life here is great. There’s more than one way to charge it and comes with plenty of power to last a good day’s use.  

 

Verdict

The Apple iPhone 11 may not have the highest quality resolution but strives in offering a great display. Great speed and performance, check. Dual-camera delivering excellent pictures and video, check. The battery life still remains the best in the Apple iPhone series, and the iPhone 11 does not disappoint. 

Overall, this is still one of Apple’s top 2019 smartphones, and can still serve you well as a great alternative, as it’s available at a lower price and comes with great features.

It is a smartphone I recommend and worth getting. If the next iPhone 12 or the more expensive big brothers, iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max is not in your budget, then the iPhone 11 is a great choice alternative. 

Thanks for checking out my Apple iPhone 11 review. If you have any questions or comments, you are more than welcome to leave them below. To see the latest price on offer, click here.   

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Review: One Best Runner-up For 2020

 

Let me introduce to you the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 smartphone from Samsung. It’s the entry model of the Note 20 series that has been released this year alongside the top-range smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 UltraFor now, let’s focus on the Note20 smartphone. Is it that good of a smartphone? Does it have what it takes to compete or even beat other rival brands? Let’s find out from this Samsung Galaxy Note 20 review.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20

 

Display: 6.7-inch, Super AMOLED (1080 x 2400) | CPU: Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+ (USA)/Exynos 990 (Global) | Storage/Memory: 128GB/8GB RAM, 256GB/8GB RAM | Main Cam: Triple, 12 MP, f/1.8 (wide) + 64 MP, f/2.0 (telephoto) + 12 MP, f/2.2 (ultra-wide) | Selfie: 10 MP, f/2.2 (wide) | Battery: 4300 mAh | OS: Android 10 | Weight: 194g

 

 

Overview

 

 

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 comes with a glass/plastic frame that’s lightweight and durable, with a large full (1080p) HD display and curved edges.  Inside consists of a Snapdragon/Exynos processor, with 8GB memory, a choice of storage from 128GB to 256GB, and a 4300 mAh battery. Let’s check more features in detail.

 

 

Design & Display

 

The flat screen gives a nice premium look to it. It may be quite a large phone, but its glass-plastic build makes it feel lighter and more comfortable to hold. The IP68 means that it can survive a 1.5-meter water dive and dust, making it a very durable mobile device. As for the display, the AMOLED tech gives it crisp detail, color accuracy, and good brightness. The refresh rate is locked a 60Hz and the resolution at 1080p.

 

Yes, those are specs of a typical mid-range smartphone, yet the screen looks great. It’s a drawback that you can easily undermine. The stylus ‘S-Pen’ included not only makes for easy touch access to apps but makes for smooth writing. Overall, the Note20 has a great quality screen with decent features and a good design. Never mind the drawbacks as you can easily undermine them thanks to the Note20.

 

 

 

Performance

 

The performance of the phone is top-notch thanks to the high system and the good quality processor. Android 10 responds well with smooth transitions from one app to the other and a responsive user interface. Gaming on this phone is a great experience even though it’s no gaming smartphone. The GPU does a great job of delivering great model texture and smooth gameplay.

One thing to note is the difference in performance between the US and global releases. The Snapdragon 865+ CPU is the more powerful, as it’s used to power up other great smartphones such as the ASUS ROG 3 Gaming phone, and is currently the fastest mobile CPU in 2020. Overall, performance on the Note20 is great. It performs up to standard and is in line to be best. Even though there is a slight difference in performance, it’s only noticeable when comparing the US and global.

 

 

Battery life

 

The Note20 comes with an impressive 4300mAh battery, that will provide you with all-day battery life on a single charge. It supports fast-charging, wireless, and reverse-wireless charging. The Note20 Ultra has a bigger 4500mAh battery, but a smaller display, lower resolution, and refresh rate mean less power consumed, and more hours of battery life. 

 

 

 

Camera

 

When it comes to the camera, the Note20 is not as amazing as its big brother Note20 Ultra but works well. First, it comes with a 12MP wide sensor to help take in more light for those low-lit areas. Secondly, it has a 64MP telephoto sensor with up to 30x zoom function. Thirdly, it comes with a 10MP wide selfie camera. Then lastly, it records up to 8K video quality. Pictures and videos are presented in great detail, thanks to color accuracy. The zoom function works well but loses detail beyond 10x zoom. Overall, the camera takes great quality pictures and videos except for the loss in details upon zooming. 

 

 

Impressions

 

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 is a great phone. It comes with a gorgeous display, decent design, great battery life, and a great camera set. It may come with low features than the Note20 Ultra, but it works well and can be an alternative. As for me, the Samsung Note 20 is a great phone and one I recommend to all. 

 

 

Closing Off

 

If you prefer the more robust Note20 Ultra, check out the review here. Other Samsung Galaxy alternatives to consider, check them out here. If you’ve read this far, thanks and I much appreciate it. So what do you think? Do you like this review? What can you say about the Note20? Any comments? You’re more than happy to leave them below.   

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review: Best Phone of 2020

 

Last year, Samsung released the Galaxy Note 10 and the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. This year, it’s the new Galaxy Note 20 and the awesome Galaxy Note 20 Ultra. For now, let’s focus on the new Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra smartphone. 

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Review

 

Screen: 6.9-inch Dynamic AMOLED, 1440×3088, 120Hz (FHD), 60Hz (QHD) | Processor: Exynos 990 (Global)/Snapdragon 865+ (USA) | Memory: 12GB RAM | Storage: 128GB/256GB/512GB | OS: Android 10 | Main camera: Triple lens, 108MP (wide) | Selfie: 10MP (wide) | Battery: 4500mAh

 

 

 

Display & Design

The Note20 Ultra comes with all the best technology. First is the massive 6.9-inch screen with an adaptive refresh rate capable of 60Hz and 120Hz support. The second is the 1440p screen resolution. That’s 4K.

Next, is the gorgeous color accuracy, and good brightness management, for clarity and details. And lastly, the refined pressure detection for the stylus pen is called the S-Pen’.

Not only is navigation much smoother, but you can also pretty much use the S Pen to literally write your messages onscreen instead of typing.

It’s really impressive the number of technology is put into an impressive display. It really is an impressive and the most impressive of all top-range smartphones.  

 

 

With the design, the Note20 Ultra is available in three colors: Mystic Bronze, Mystic Black, and Mystic White. It’s built using glass and a stainless steel frame. It’s durable with water/dust resistance, weighs 208 g, and comes with curved round edges.

The phone includes a stylus pen called an S Pen, that fits comfortably in its own slot. 

 

Performance

The Note 20 Ultra is packed with the best hardware to optimize performance. Why do I say so? Inside includes a Snapdragon 865+ processor for US release and the Exynos 990 for release to the rest of the world.

In terms of memory, it’s set at 12GB of RAM and choice of internal storage starting from 128GB up to 512GB. That also includes a micro SD slot to expand storage.

Performance is solid here thanks to the processor and the high memory installed. The Android 10 OS moves with ease, feels pretty smooth and is quite responsive.

The US release comes with a little more performance as the Snapdragon processor is highly rated and used in other top smartphone brands such as the ASUS ROG Gaming Phone 3

Speaking of gaming, this is no gaming smartphone yet it packs the power to be. It’s not the best but gaming graphics look good, well-textured with smooth gameplay.

To sum up, Note 20 Ultra is fast, fluid, and smooth, but it’s not the best.

There is a difference in performance between the US and global releases but the phone works just as well. If you can, get the US release. 

 

Battery

The Note 20 Ultra is powered by a 4500 mAh battery that supports fast charging, wireless charging, and reverse wireless charging.

At full charge, the battery packs a good 23 hours of battery life. With fast charging, it charges from 0 to full charge in less than 90 minutes.

Compared to other top-range phones, the Note 20 Ultra falls behind in terms of charging speed yet it’s a factor that’s easily undermined.

So in a nutshell, great battery life, premium battery features, but the fast charge is not competitive enough to beat other top-range phone models. 

 

Camera

The Note 20 Ultra comes with a triple-lens main camera with a single teardrop-lens selfie camera.

The main camera features the following:

    • 108MP, f/1.8 (wide) 
    • 12MP, f/3.0 (telephoto) with 50x zoom 
    • 12MP, f/2.2 (ultra-wide)
    • 10MP, f/2.2 (wide) selfie camera

 

 

With a top-range smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, you can expect premium technology that delivers superb detailed pictures and videos. From an amateur to a pro photographer, the Note20 has the right tools for both day and night.   

 

Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra is an impressive smartphone. It comes with the best display, good battery life, premium features, and design. You can say it’s the most outstanding smartphone of 2020. Yes, it has its flaws, but it’s easily overlooked. 

If you’re planning to get this smartphone, I highly recommend it. If you can, get the US version. It has slightly better hardware that will offer a better experience. If it’s not within your budget then the Note20, or other top-range Samsung smartphones.

 

Closing off

So what’s your comment? Are you convinced that this is the smartphone for you? Do you have one already? What experience have you had with the Note20 Ultra? If you have come this far, you have my thanks and my gratitude. If you have any comments please leave them below.

 

ASUS ROG Gaming Phone 3 Review: Best Gaming Masterpiece

The ASUS ROG gaming phone series has brought you gaming to your fingertips.  From design to gaming features, the latest model may be the best gaming phone. ASUS ROG has released its next best smartphone, the ASUS ROG Gaming Phone 3.  This may be another great release, with hopes to challenge the gaming market. Will it be the best smartphone in 2020?  Let’s find out from this review.

 

ASUS ROG Gaming Phone 3 Review

6.59-inch AMOLED, 144Hz, 2340 x 1080p, HDR10+  |  Qualcomm SM8250 Snapdragon 865+  |  8/12/16GB RAM  |  128/256/512GB internal storage  |  Android 10 OS, ROG UI  |  Triple-lens cam: 64MP f/1.8 (wide),  13MP f/2.4 (ultra-wide), 5MP f/2.0 (macro)  |  Single-lens selfie cam: 24MP 2.0 (wide)  |  6000mAh battery  |  240g (0.53lbs)

 

 

Overview

The ASUS ROG gaming phone 3 is a gaming smartphone. It works as a phone and works as a gaming device. You get a large 6.6-inch AMOLED display with a small dot single-lens selfie. On both sides of the display are small audio speakers. Inside the ASUS ROG gaming phone is a Snapdragon 865+ processor with a 6000mAh battery. Choice of model options is from 8GB to 16GB RAM and storage options from 128GB to 512GB. 

Display

The ROG 3 comes with hi-tech display technology, with high refresh rate options. First, the AMOLED screen has a 1080p resolution. Second, the high refresh rate produces vivid colors, good contrasts and brightness. Third, it looks better with smoother viewing and offers a great gaming experience. And last, it has an on-screen fingerprint sensor for quick unlock. Overall, the screen looks great and produces the best overall screen quality.

Design

 

 

The phone’s made of glass aluminium with a glossy black colour called ‘Black Glare’. Same design as its predecessor, but with more weight and looks bold. No water and dust-resistant.

Performance

The phone’s powered by the Snapdragon 865 Plus processor. If you’re looking for the fastest in the market, this is the one. It runs at a clock speed of 3.1 GHz. It includes an overclocked GPU delivering 10% more graphics performance. Includes a 16 GB of memory that is 600Mhz faster than other top-range phones. I know it’s a lot of techs but you get the idea. To sum it up, the ROG 3 comes with a powerful processor. Better than that, it delivers powerful graphics. This means that this phone delivers top overall performance.

Software

The ROG 3 includes the ROG UI based on the Android 10 OS. The OS works well and responds well to the touch. To optimize your gaming experience, the phone includes apps to help you manage your gaming profile. Things like video capture, records of gaming sessions, performance management, and key mapping, are here.

There’s even a gaming hub to scroll through all your gaming apps, where you can tune and configure more gaming options. They can be overwhelming and complex if you’re not familiar with them. Overall, the OS works well. The gaming enhancement apps needs you to get some knowledge to understand how it works. 

Battery Life

Looking for a mobile gaming device with awesome battery life? The ROG 3 has a massive 6000mAH non-removable Li-on battery, the biggest in the ASUS ROG gaming phone series. Battery life? You’re looking at up to 12 hours of battery time. It supports fast charge as well (thanks to the 30W fast charge adapter) with battery charge speed from 0 – 80% in just an hour. No support for wireless charging. With its massive battery, long battery life, and fast charging, this is the ideal gaming phone. 

Camera

 

 

The ASUS ROG 3 comes with a triple-lens camera set at the back, and a single-lens selfie cam in front.  The overall quality is decent. Photos taken using main and wide lens look excellent during the day, with good depth and bright accurate colors.  At low light, photos from the main camera look decent but flat, showing signs of loss of detail from the wide lens. The selfie cam produces good day photos in portrait mode. At low light, there’s a great loss in detail. Video clips are recorded to up to 8K. The detail is good thanks to the video stabilizer, producing good colors and video detail. Overall, the phone comes with a good camera. It takes excellent day photos, decent low-light photos, and records excellent 8K videos. 

Audio and Other Features

The front-facing stereo speakers are powerful and provide excellent sound quality.  Bass sounds natural, treble is crisp, and no distortions here. The sound is great and awesome for gaming. There are several software features to enhance sound quality. All installed and made to deliver good sound both through audio speakers and headphones. The ROG 3 comes with a few accessories, the USB-C adapter and a cooling fan attachment. There are several more accessories available but sold separately. 

Overall Impression

For starters, it comes with a large, high refresh AMOLED screen, a bold and glossy design. Next is the great set of audio speakers, and long battery life. Then there’s the excellent performance and amazing apps for a better gaming experience. On the downside, the phone has no headphone jack. It’s vulnerable to water and dust. No slot for storage expansion. The high price. The gaming enhancement apps will take you a while to get used to.

If you’re looking for one of the best gaming smartphones of 2020, then the ASUS ROG gaming phone 3 is it. The price is pretty high but worth the buy. As a fellow gamer myself, I recommend getting it. If you can get this phone, then you will have the best gaming device this year. So what do think, is this the phone you’re looking for? What do think of this review? If you have comments, or feedback you’re more than welcome to leave a few below. Thank you for making it this far. You’re the best. Feel free to explore other reviews and articles on this website. That’s all from me. Stay safe. See you next time.

 

Huawei P40 Lite Review: Affordable & Attractive

 

Huawei P40 Lite Review: Affordable & Attractive

 

Nowadays, mid-range smartphones are becoming more affordable but lack premium features found in top-tier phones. Yet they pull it off well with innovative and attractive phone designs. This Huawei P40 review aims to show you how pretty the phone is, making it look premium, yet you can pick it up at an affordable price.

 

  Huawei P40 Lite / Nova 6 SE / Nova 7i

6.4-inch LPS IPS FHD (1080 x 2310)  |  Kirin 810 processor  |  Mali-G52 MP6 GPU  |  6GB RAM  |  128GB storage (NanoM SD, up to 256 GB)  |  Quad-lens cam: 48MP (f/1.8) main, 8MP (f/2.4) ultra-wide, 2MP (f/2.4) macro, 2MP depth  |  16MP selfie cam  |  4200mAh battery, 40Whr fast charge  |  EMUI 10 base on Android 10 OS  |  183g

 

Overview

If you cannot afford one of the main flagship smartphones, from the Huawei P40 series, then consider the mid-range and the more affordable Huawei P40 Lite, also known as the Huawei Nova 6 SE, also known as the Huawei Nova 7i in other markets and countries.

As mentioned earlier, the Huawei P40 Lite is a mid-range smartphone catered for the budget market. It’s compact, more affordable, and comes with premium features.

To start off, it comes with a large 6.4-inch full HD display, with a single-lens selfie placed on the top-left, and a quad-camera set at the back. Secondly, inside includes a Kirin processor, with 6GB memory, 128GB of internal storage, and lastly, it includes a 4200mAh battery. Overall, it’s a mid-range phone that comes with good inner and outer specs. 

 

Display & Design

The phone comes with a large display and a premium look design. To begin, the 6.4-inch full HD LCD display supports 1080p screen resolution and the standard 60Hz refresh rate.

The phone is made of plastic, making it lightweight, comfortable to hold, and comes with curved edges. Sadly, it’s not water-resistant.

Lastly, it comes with a fingerprint sensor side-mounted on the right. It’s fast and responds well to touch.

To sum up, good looking screen at a normal refresh rate, and a well-designed frame. Sadly, it’s less durable due to no water resistance.  

 

Audio

With audio, the phone comes with a single audio speaker at the bottom. It produces average sound quality than the P40, comes with a headphone jack and earphones included. 

 

Storage

The P40 Lite comes with 128GB internal storage with an option to expand storage. To expand storage, the smartphone only accepts nano SD memory cards from Huawei however, instead of normal micro SD cards.

 

 

 

Software

Sadly, no Google services and no access to Google apps here, but Huawei has its own app store called AppGallery. For now, it’s has limited apps but will grow in time. For even more apps, you would need to install other third-party app stores like Amazon and APK Pure.

The EMUI 10 OS runs smoothly with a pretty responsive GUI. Performance is great here with good-looking gaming graphics and great gameplay.

 

Battery Life

Battery life is great. The P40 Lite comes with a 4200mAh battery that will last several hours to a whole day’s use. Charging is fast too, with 0-70% in half an hour. No wireless charging is supported.

 

Camera & Video

The overall camera is decent. The quad main camera takes good quality pictures, ultra-wide photos look decent and the selfie cam takes good photos at night. Video quality got up to 1080p which is acceptable at this price range. 

 

Verdict

Overall, the P40 Lite is a great alternative mid-ranger. It comes with a good display, great performance on both normal and gaming, good battery life with fast charging, and a decent camera set.

On the downside, video recording from the main camera lacks detail and the lack of Google services are the main drawbacks here, yet it’s a great smartphone and a great affordable alternative. 

Thank you for being part of my Huawei P40 Lite review. If you have any comments, you are more than welcome to leave them below.

By the way, click here to check out my overview of the Huawei P40 series smartphonesThat’s all for me, stay safe and take care.

 

Asus Zephyrus G14 Review: Best Mid-range Gaming Laptop

 

Asus Zephyrus G14 Review. The best gaming laptops are usually the top-performing gaming devices, that include top-range hardware and unique features, but not everyone can afford to experience the luxuries and satisfaction because of the high price tag. Nowadays, mid-range gaming laptops are less expensive but come with compromises in hopes of gaining customers in a gaming market. One such is the Asus Zephyrus G14, a mid-range gaming laptop that is challenging the gaming market and is in line to be one of the best gaming laptops this year. But is it worth the investment? Here’s the Asus Zephyrus G14 Review. 

        

Asus Zephyrus G14

14-inch FHD 120Hz (1920×1080)  |  AMD Ryzen 9 4900HS 3.0GHz CPU  |  NVIDIA RTX 2060 Max-Q 6GB GDDR6 GPU  |  16/24/40GB DDR4 RAM  |  1/2/4TB PCle NVMe SSD  |  4-Cell 76WHr Battery  |  Windows 10 Home/Pro  |  3.5 lbs (1.6 kg)  |  includes WiFi, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard, input ports include 2xUSB type-C, 1xHDMI, 2xUSB 3, 3.5mm audio jack 

 

 

Overview

The Zephyrus G14 is a mid-range gaming laptop that comes with a 14-inch full HD display, with a backlit keyboard, touchpad, and input ports that include 2 USB Type-C, 2 USB 3, HDMI, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Under the hood, the Zephyrus G14 is equipped for gaming with the latest hardware including an AMD Ryzen 9 CPU, an NVIDIA RTX 2060 GPU, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD internal storage (entry-level). 

 

Display and Design

The Zephyrus G14 comes in two models, the 14-inch with a 1080p resolution and a refresh rate of 120Hz, and the 1440p resolution with a refresh rate of 60Hz. others prefer the Zephyrus G14 with a 1080p 120Hz, the 1440p has a high refresh rate that translates to a better, clearer, and nicer display than the latter, the 1080p has good display quality but there is a slight delay in response time, however, it’s rare to find a gaming laptop with a high resolution in a 14-inch display that has that great detail.

 

The design looks great. The build material is made of strong magnesium alloy. The two colors available are white/silver and grey/silver. The Zephyrus comes with an LED animation panel on the back of the display, that you can use to customize to your liking. It shows animations such as dates, time, memes, short animations, logos, etc., which is a nice feature at first but after a while, it becomes really unnecessary. In essence, it’s a great 14-inch laptop that packs a solid design, unique features, and amazing display quality. 

 

Keyboard and Touchpad

The keyboard is a standard QWERTY layout, with well-spaced out keys, comfortable to type, very responsive and has unique key layout design. The drawback here is the back-lighting of the keyboard. It’s not very bright. In fact, it’s better with it off in a dim room. The touchpad is there. It works well. Nothing special to it. In short, the keyboard has a great layout. The back-lighting is not great, and the touch-pad is there and works well. 

 

Performance

The Zephyrus G14 is run by AMD’s latest Ryzen 9 4000 series processor that is set to challenge the brands like Intel. According to CPU performance tests done, this gaming laptop beats the processing performance of the well-known Razer Blade 15 and matches Intel’s i9 processing speeds included in top range gaming laptops. 

In short, this gaming laptop comes with great system performance that matches even the top-range gaming laptops.

 

Battery

It’s a great surprise to see that the Zephyrus G14 has an impressive battery life, compared to other gaming laptops. With this gaming laptop, you are looking at a 76Whr battery, that’s guaranteed to give you up to 12 hours of battery life. 

That’s nearly double the battery life compared to other gaming laptops as the normal endurance for a gaming laptop is up to 5 hours. No need to take your laptop charger anymore whenever you go out because you won’t need it. So if you want a gaming laptop with great battery life, then the Zephyrus G14 is it.

 

Sound

Zephyrus G14 comes with two speakers on the sides of the keyboard and two more at the bottom. They produce good quality audio for a mid-range gaming laptop, not the best but enough to enjoy yourself while playing games.

 

 

Other Features

A few things to note about the Zephyrus G14. The heat management is good. The cooling fans do however make a noise but not very loud. There is a manual mode to switch to if you wish to amp up the cooling fans, but it increases the noise. There’s a fingerprint sensor on the power button as a security feature to quickly log back in from standby mode. it’s a pretty convenient feature as it’s very responsive, similar to a fingerprint sensor on a smartphone.

Input ports include a 2 USB-C, 2 USB-3, an HDMI, 3.5 mm headphone/microphone jack, and the laptop charger port. Just to note, the charger port is on the middle-left side of the laptop, and there’s no Ethernet port and micro SD slot. The laptop comes with a unique hinged lid that raises the back end of the laptop slightly when opened. It elevates the keyboard at a more comfortable angle and raises up the display just a bit for more comfortable viewing.

     

Verdict

The Zephyrus G14 isn’t just a great gaming laptop; it’s the smallest on the market and gets the award for one of the longest-lasting batteries. The display is great, the audio is rich and robust, and the performance offered by the latest AMD Ryzen 9 processor, together with the powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, is the best that you’ll find. The fact that you can get all of this for an unbelievably better price is pretty amazing.

 

 

It’s not the perfect gaming laptop though and will come with faults, like the missing webcam and the not-sure-bright backlit keyboard. But aside from these minor matters, the Zephyrus G14 is an astonishingly capable and well-designed gaming laptop. It delivers better performance than any other same-sized gaming laptop.

It matches the performance of even the more expensive Razer Blade Pro, it’s less expensive and more portable than the closest rivals. I love it. I strongly recommend it to all fellow gamers looking for a cheaper alternative. This is by far the best small beast of a gaming laptop ever made.

See other great mid-range or budget gaming laptops

See the best top-range gaming laptops of 2019

Thank you for taking part in this Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Review. To find out more and to see the latest prices, click here within the article. If you have any comments, concerns, feedback, or just want to give the review good points, please leave them below.