Motorola Edge 30 Neo Review: A Premium and Cheaper Handset

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

 

Motorola Edge 30 Neo

Introducing the Very Peri Motorola Edge 30 Neo

Buy now at Amazon

 

Motorola Edge 30 Neo Specs

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

 

 

Overview

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

 

What’s To Like

 

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

 

Gorgeous Display

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

 

Fast Charging Speed

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

 

Decent Performance

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

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

 

Decent Camera Performance

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

 

What’s Not To Like

Average quality night mode camera

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

 

No 4K video capture

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

 

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

 

No MicroSD slot and earphone jack

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

 

Verdict

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

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

 

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

 

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

 

6 Best PS5 Games to Buy Now

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Do you have a PlayStation 5 console and wanna build a collection of great games? If so, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, I want to show you 6 of the best PS5 games for you to play, so you can really enjoy gaming on your PlayStation 5 console.

 

 

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart

Developer: Insomniac Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Games | Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Rating: 9/10

Buy at GameFly

Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is a fun single-player third-person shooter developed by Insomniac games. Once again our cosmic heroes are back and better than ever. As their home universe is next in line for annihilation by a robotic tyrant, it’s up to you to save the universe once again.

With the introduction of new playable characters, experience the dynamic gameplay as you explore and jump through space rifts made possible by cutting-edge PlayStation 5 technology. With an arsenal of ridiculous and upgradeable weapons, you’re a force to be reckoned with. 

Thanks to the PS5’s ultra-high speed SSD, players will be able to transition between multiple dimensions with no delay and literally no loading time. Combat is brought to life by the DualSense wireless controller, with haptic feedback and adjustable triggers delivering potent sensations that heighten immersion.

Scoring high ratings from well-known gaming reviewers, Ratchet and Clank: Rift Apart is fun, with light humor, excellent graphics, and amazing gameplay. This is why this game is known as one of the best PS5 games to come out. Click here to check out more.  

 

Ghost of Tsushima: Director’s Cut

Developer: Sucker Punch | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Rating: 9/10

Buy now at GameFly

A massive and richly filled samurai adventure, Ghost of Tsushima (developed by Sucker Punch) would always leave me speechless thanks to its visual splendor and superb fighting gameplay. Its swordplay manages to stay challenging, but gratifying and enjoyable over the full 40 to 50 hours that it took me to complete the main story. As you explore the open world guided by the wind, you will gradually be introduced to new abilities rather than stat increases.

Compared to other similar genres, a few elements seem unexpectedly unpolished, particularly when it comes to opponent AI and the stealth portion of the game. Even so, this is a remarkable open-world action-adventure game that addresses a number of long-standing problems in the genre while still being a ton of fun to play as a samurai.

Overall, Ghost of Tsushima is one of the best PS5 games and still remains the most challenging, excellent visual game of this time, and most definitely worth your time. Click here to find out how you can get yours today. 

 

Horizon Forbidden West

Developer: Guerilla Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Rating: 9/10

Buy now at GameFly

Horizon Forbidden West is a fun challenging game that manages to demonstrate the potential of the PS5. It boasts engrossing action, top-notch monster and character design, a deep story, and a gripping open-world adventure.

The absence of freeform climbing and the reappearance of a few classic series clichés never endanger the fun, but they do result in it disappointingly falling short of something innovative.

But there’s no denying it. Significant evolutionary strides have been made shifting Horizon Forbidden West in the right direction. And Aloy, who makes her claim as one of the finest characters of this age of gaming, will provide hours and hours of enjoyment.

It’s a great gaming adventure for those who wish to hunt, even if it’s robotic creatures that leave loot and parts to upgrade your gear. Overall, this is another great game with excellent looks, and great gameplay, leaving you feeling even more alive. Check out the review here.   

 

Demon Souls Remake (2020)

Developer: Bluepoint Games | Publisher: Sony Interactive Entertainment | Platforms: PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Rating: 9/10

Buy now at GameFly

Bluepoint Games took the responsibility to turn one of the best PS3 classics and turn it into one of the best PS5 games with the remake of Demon Souls. The graphics look impressive. The action and sound quality feel realistic. The boss battles are even more memorable yet still challenging. This is one of the best remakes available for the PS5. 

In addition to the PlayStation 5’s superior graphics, Demon’s Souls also performs noticeably better than it did on the PS3 thanks to some deft quality-of-life adjustments and subtle tweaks that improve some of the game’s more annoying elements without ever compromising the game’s style, relentless difficulty, or puzzle-infused boss fights, which helped establish it as a classic in the first place.

Overall, out of all the remakes, Demon Souls takes the crown. It remains as challenging as ever just like the older PS3 version, but it looks even more splendid, with new gameplay elements and great gameplay. Another best PS5 game to get your hands into right now. Click here for more.  

 

Last of Us Part 1 (2022)

Developer: Naughty Dog | Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment | Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5 | Rating: 9/10

Buy now at GameFly

The Last of Us Part I is a stunning and polished remaster of one of the biggest hits on PlayStation. It’s the ideal way to play – or revisit Naughty Dog’s renowned horror survival classic.

While it isn’t cramped with all of the sequel’s greatest modifications, the improvements to mobility and AI make a great difference in an already excellent game. The small changes it makes to its characters’ acting complement the astounding upgrades it makes to its completely redesigned surroundings.

However, it is more difficult to claim that The Last of Us Remastered (2014) was a totally essential remake given how far ahead of its story-driven, action-adventure competitors it continues to rank today. Get the instant classic Last of Us Part for PS5 now.

Highly ranked as one of the best PS5 games, thanks to its deep story and action gameplay. Check it out here.    

 

Elden Ring

Developer: FromSoftware | Publisher: Bandai Namco Games | Platforms: PC, Xbox Series X/S/One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 | Rating: 10/10

Buy now at GameFly

Elden Ring is without a doubt the biggest and most ambitious game FromSoftware has ever created, and that ambition has more than paid off. From finishing my first playthrough, there are still bosses to be fought, secrets to uncover, more sidequests to find out, and a lot more weapons spells, and skills to find.

This is despite 87 hours of blood, sweat, and tears that included some of the most challenging battles I’ve ever engaged in as well as countless surprises.

All of this is on top of the PVP and cooperative play, both of which I have only just begun to explore. Even though the core combat mechanics haven’t changed, the foes look even more savage, and the bosses are even more devastating. This brings even more elevated confrontations and surprise to a whole new level.

What I was given can easily be ranked among the finest open-world games I’ve ever played, even with all the threads I failed to pull on my first playtime (of many, I’m sure).

Elden Ring is one video game that makes its name as one of the best PS5 games of all time, moving the soul genre to a whole new level. Get yourself a copy now and experience one of the best adventure games available. 

 

Last Word

The last thing I wanna say is that if you get any one or two of these games you will be challenged. You will have fun. And you will enjoy gaming, especially on the PS5. These are my choice of the best PS5 games to get right now, or when stocks are still available.

So what are your thoughts? Do you agree with the choice of games I have chosen? What game or games are you looking to get in this post? Leave your comments below or questions that you want me to answer. I’ll make sure to answer them as soon as possible.   

 So what’s next? If you like any of these games click on the button and buy it. You’re one step closer to starting an awesome adventure today. 

 

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

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Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

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

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

The Beige Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

BUY NOW

 

 

Specs

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

(Source: gsmarena.com)

 

 

Overview

 

The Phantom Black Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4.

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

And what you get in the box is the following:

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

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

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

 

 

So What’s So Good About It

Impressive Performance

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

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

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

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

 

The multitasking functions on the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

Same Design but a Stunning Display

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

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

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

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

 

Great Camera Package

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

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

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

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

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

 

The Grey Green Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4

 

Impressive Battery life

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

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

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

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

         

Other features

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

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

 

 

And What’s So Bad About It

Expensive

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

      

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

 

No charger, no stylus

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

Verdict

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

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

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

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

Z Fold3

Price

S22 Ultra

Price

S21 Ultra

Price

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

 

Final Words

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

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4 Review: Pricey but Powerful

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

 

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

 

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

 

Check Price in SAMSUNG

 

Specs

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

 

 

Overview

 

 

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

 

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

 

 

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

 

 

So What’s So Good About It

 

Snappy Performance

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

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

 

Impressive Design

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

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

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

 

Gorgeous Display

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

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

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

 

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

 

Impressive Photos and Videos

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

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

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

    

Good Battery Life

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

 

 

And What’s So Bad About It

 

Performance drops when hot

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

   

Another feature of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4.

 

High Price

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

 

Small Battery

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

 

No Headphone Jack, No MicroSD, No Charger

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

 

 

Verdict

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

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

 

The new Blue Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 4

 

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

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

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

 

5 Best Budget Mobile Phones To Buy in 2022

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Are you looking to save money on your next smartphone purchase? What if I told you that you can get one of the best mobile phones with premium features, and only pay less than $500? There’re so many of these smartphones out there but it’s a challenge to choose which one will suit your needs. So if you are looking, here are my top picks of the best budget mobile phones you can get right now and end up saving you so much more money than you realized. 

 

 

iPhone SE (2022)

The Best Budget Performance iPhone

The front and rear view of the iPhone SE (2022)

 

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Reasons To Buy

  • 5G network capabilities
  • Impressive performance
  • Fairly affordable
  • Takes impressive pictures
  • Water, scratch, and dust resistance

Reasons To Avoid

  • Small 4.7-inch display
  • No expandable storage
  • Single-lens camera
  • Small battery
  • Same design as the predecessor

If you remember the saying “dynamite comes in small packages”, that’s the best way to the iPhone SE. The performance is very impressive thanks to the powerful A15 Bionic processor which is also found in the new iPhone 13.

It comes with a 12MP rear single-lens camera (and a 7MP selfie camera), that takes high-quality pictures and 4K videos with great detail, thanks to its upgraded camera technology. Problem is that there’s no night mode.   

However perfect it does have its flaws. The new iPhone SE comes with the same design as the older models. The screen is still small at 4.7-inches.

It comes with a small 2018 mAh battery, and no expandable storage. But if performance is what you’re looking for and want a budget phone that takes great pictures, then the iPhone SE 2022 is the best budget mobile phone to buy now.  

 

 

Motorola Moto G9 Power

The Best Budget Battery Mobile Phone

The front and rear view of the Motorola Moto G9 Power.

 

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Reasons To Buy

  • Massive 6000mAh battery
  • Long battery life
  • Massive 6.8-inch display
  • MicroSD with expandable storage
  • Triple-lens camera
  • Price range under US$500

Reasons To Avoid

  • Average phone performance
  • Large & bulky
  • Mediocre quality screen
  • LTE not 5G

The Motorola Moto G9 Power is among the best affordable smartphones out there now, thanks to its huge 6000mAh battery.

Compared to other budget phones, this one has the biggest battery, which means you get up to two days of battery life on moderate use. But that’s not all. It also comes with a large 6.8-inch HD display, a 64MP triple-lens camera, and a MicroSD slot to increase storage.

Though its large size makes it feel bulky and offers average screen quality and phone performance, the Moto G9 Power is still one of the best-budget mobile phones. With a price tag of less than US$500, if you want a cheap phone with the best battery life, then this one is for you. 

 

 

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

The Best Budget Android Mobile Phone

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Reasons To Buy

  • Stunning display at 120Hz
  • Water and dust resistance
  • Good battery life
  • MicroSD with expandable storage up to 1TB
  • Four-lens camera
  • Fairly priced at less than US$500 price tag

Reasons To Avoid

  • Average phone performance
  • Power adapter sold separately

With Samsung Galaxy A-series phones, you can never go wrong with their range. Especially with the new Samsung Galaxy A53 5G smartphone, comes with a 6.5-inch AMOLED Full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate, which means smoother transitions between menus and smoother scrolling.

It includes a large 5000mAh battery with a whole day’s battery life. It comes with a four-lens 64MP camera and is resistant to water and dust. 

The camera package is decent, takes good quality pictures and videos, and the performance works well, with a price tag of under US$500, it’s worth the try. If you’re looking for a cheap midrange phone, then Samsung A53 is the best choice for you. 

 

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 Pro

Best Camera Mobile Phone

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Reasons To Buy

  • Stunning display with 12oHz
  • Impressive design
  • Outstanding battery life
  • Splash and dust resistance
  • Takes good quality pictures and video

Reasons To Avoid

  • Average phone performance
  • Poor camera quality in low light
  • No 5G network

The Redmi Note 10 Pro comes with a 6.67-inch Full HD AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate, an upgraded camera package with a four-lens 108MP camera, and a 5020mAh battery that gives it a whole day’s battery life.

You get all this from a budget smartphone. Better pinch yourself cause it’s about to get better. It also includes a choice of three colors; Onyx Gray, Glacier Blue, and Gradient Bronze.  

Although it comes with a hard plastic frame, no 5G network, and decent phone performance, this is a good budget offering and good value for money as it comes with great features at an affordable price tag.  

 

 

Google Pixel 6A 5G

The Best All-Around Mobile phone

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Reasons To Buy

  • Good phone performance
  • Bright & accurate AMOLED display
  • Good battery life
  • Includes 5G network
  • Price range less than US$500
  • Impressive all-around camera

Reasons To Avoid

  • No wireless charging
  • No charger in the box
  • No headphone jack
  • No MicroSD slot

The Google Pixel 6A is a powerful smartphone with great performance, an impressive camera package, good battery life, and a bright but good-looking 6.1-inch display. Another impressive feature is the Voice Typing system which works pretty well on this phone. 

So what are the problem areas here? The display is fixed to a 60Hz refresh rate. The phone battery is smaller. There’s no wireless charging, no headphone jack, no microSD to expand storage, and no charger included in the box. 

But overall, the Google Pixel 6A comes with an impressive package that’s all put together into an affordable phone. While it misses some features, it is one of the best budget mobile phones around. 

 

 

Final Words

Here are my top picks of the best affordable mobile phones for you to consider in 2022. Each of them comes with its own unique features, as well as its pros and cons, but they all don’t cost more than US$500. They are great value for money and worth the buy.

If you have any questions or wish to make comments, scroll down below and leave a note below. What’s next? Well, if anyone of these best budget mobile devices impressed you, then click on the buttons and see how much the phones are on offer. 

 

Check out my top picks of the best budget laptops for students to use in 2022.             

 

5 Best Student Laptops You’ll Ever Need in 2022

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What if I told you getting a cheaper laptop would be easy? Okay, You would say I’ll just go to a shopping website, choose, then buy the cheapest laptop money can buy. Fair enough. Then you get it, start it, then you discover it’s not exactly the laptop you’ve always wanted. So what do I mean? Instead of doing the latter, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know about my selection of the 5 best student laptops you’ll ever need. And they are not only good for students but anyone who wants an affordable laptop.

 

 

 

Acer Chromebook Spin 713 (2021)

 

The view of the tent mode of the 2021 2-in-1 Acer Chromebook Spin 713.

 

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So what’s so special about this Chromebook, you wonder? It comes with an Intel processor, so performance is on par, it’s a 2-in-1 laptop so it functions as both a laptop and a table, and comes with a Chrome OS operating system which also includes access to a large collection of apps at the Google Play store.

It may be a 2021 release and it may not have the latest hardware spec, but it still packs the performance, the best-looking display, the lightweight, and can last you a whole day thanks to the long battery life. It certainly is one of the best options, and a great laptop for getting things done.

 

 

 

HP Pavilion Aero 13 (2022)

 

The front view of the 2022 HP Pavilion Aero 13 laptop.

 

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If you are looking for a good-looking, very portable all-around budget laptop under US$1000 then I think the next best student laptop, the HP Pavilion Aero 13, is the device for you. It comes with a powerful AMD 5 processor, a bright and colorful 13-inch display, and a lightweight chassis. All this for a great price.

 

Though the keyboard deck is smaller, it still gives you the most comfortable typing experience. And it’s also great value for money. That’s why it’s one of the best choice budget laptops right now.          

 

 

 

Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (2021)

 

Open up the laptop to the tent mode of the 2021 2-in-1 Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook.

 

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The next best student laptop to consider is the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook. It’s a 2021 release. It’s one of the most versatile, lightweight, and easy-to-use budget mobile devices that you will ever need. It includes a good hardware spec so fast performance is guaranteed. It comes with up to 10 hours of battery life.

 

It’s a 2-in-1 laptop so it’s easy to carry and really flexible. It comes with ChromeOS, and with access to a large collection of software (thanks to Google Play Store), you will have all the tools you need to do what needs to be done. Overall, this is a good laptop for students, entry-level employees, and starting-up business owners who need a tool to achieve their goals.

 

 

Lenovo Yoga 7i (2021)

 

The front view of the 2021 2-in-1 Lenovo Yoga 7i. 

 

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The Lenovo Yoga 7i is a premium laptop available at a budget price. It comes with impressive performance, with long battery life, a good-looking and premium design, good performance speakers, and a colorful display. This is also a 2-in-1 laptop so it comes with the benefits of both a laptop and a tablet. All this you can get at a budget price tag.

 

Although the Yoga 7i suffers from quite a dim display, an average keyboard and touchpad, and a few input ports, the compromises are there but a minor thing. It’s also a year old but it’s still a decent 2-in-1 laptop, and with the affordable price tag it’s one of the best laptops to consider.         

 

 

 

Apple MacBook Air (2020)

 

The 2020 Apple MacBook Air.

 

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For Apple users, if you’re looking for a budget to midrange-priced laptop, then consider the Apple MacBook Air. The good things to note about the MacBook are first, it’s one of the thinnest and slimmest MacBooks. Next, it comes with a comfortable typing keyboard. The third thing is the great battery life. 

 

Next, is the ability to run older and recent iOS apps, and lastly, the performance is the most impressive. It’s the eldest on the list, and a bit more expensive, but it’s great value for your money. Overall, it’s one of the best student laptops to consider for your next purchase. 

 

 

 

Final Word

 

These laptops may be a year or two years old but they are still the best that money can buy. They are cheap right now with price ranges under US$1000, and they come with unique features, not to mention good performance and long battery life.

 

Either one of these laptops is a good option to choose from, and they are my preferred recommendations. So if you are looking for a tool to help with daily office tasks, school work, and research, or to help you get your business on the ground, then consider one of these as these are some of the best student laptops for you. 

 

If you have any questions or comments, then please leave them below. If you are considering one of these powerful laptops as your next purchase or just want more information, then click the buttons to find out more and to see the latest prices available. 

 

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

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Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook (2021)

Specifications

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

Price at Walmart!

 

 

Overview

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

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

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

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

 

 

What’s to Like

 

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

 

Impressive Performance

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

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

 

Good Battery Life

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

 

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

 

Fairly Affordable Price

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

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

 

Good Looking Display

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

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

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

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

 

Stylus Pen may or may not be included

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

 

Verdict

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

Asus ROG Phone 6 Review: Expensive Yet Impressive Smartphone

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

 

Asus ROG Phone 6

The Storm White Asus ROG Phone 6

 

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

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Overview

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

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

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

       

What’s to Like

Impressive Battery Life

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

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

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

 

Impressive Design

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

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

 

The Phantom Black Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

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

        

Lots of Cool Accessories

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

 

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

 

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

    

Solid Gaming Performance

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

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

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

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

 

The back view of the Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

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

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

 

Stunning Display

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

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

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

 

Decent Photos & Great Videos

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

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

 

The Strom White and Phantom Black Asus ROG Phone 6.

 

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

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

 

Good Software to Control & Optimize Gaming

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

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

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

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

 

What’s Not to Like

Expensive

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

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

 

Verdict

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

Acer Nitro 5 (2022)

Main view of the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop.

Specs

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

 

Overview

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

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

 

The back view of the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop.

 

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

 

 

What’s To Like

Good Design

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

 

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

 

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

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

Design score = 3.9/5

 

Good Performance

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

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

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

Performance score = 4/5.

     

Good quality for a standard display

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

Display score = 4/5.

 

Affordable price

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

 

 

What’s To Dislike

Short but average battery life

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

 

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

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

Battery life score = 3.5/5.

 

Verdict 

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

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

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

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio Review: Is It Worth It?

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

   

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

Side view of the ‘tent’ mode.

 

 

Specs

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

 

 

Overview

 

 

BUY NOW

 

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

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

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio in normal laptop view.

 

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

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

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

 

 

What’s to Like

 

Side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio.

 

Innovative display

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

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

  

Design

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

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

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

 

Solid performance

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

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

         

Battery life

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

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

 

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

 

Other features

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

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

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

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

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

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

 

Expensive price

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

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

     

Few input ports

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

 

Quite thick & heavy

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

 

 

Verdict

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

 

Front & side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Studio

 

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

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

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4 Review: Is it Better?

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Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

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

 

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop 4

 

The main view of the Platinum Alcantara Surface Laptop 4

 

Click to see more!

 

Specifications

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

Screen: 15” PixelSense™ Display| Resolution: 2496 x 1664 (201 PPI) | Aspect ratio: 3:2 | Surface Pen* enabled | Touch: 10-point multi-touch
Memory 8GB, 16GB or 32GB LPDDR4x RAM
Processor 13.5”: Quad-Core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 processor or Quad-Core 11th Intel® Core™ i7-1185G7 processor or  AMD Ryzen™ 5 4680U Mobile Processor with Radeon™ Graphics (6 cores)

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

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

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

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

15” with Intel® Core™ processor: Up to 16.5 hours of battery life (moderate use)
Connections/Input Ports 1 x USB-C | 1 x USB-A | 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1 x Surface Connect port | Wi-Fi 6 802.11ax compatible | Bluetooth® Wireless 5.0 technology
Operating System

Windows 10 Home
Other

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

 

Overview

 

 

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

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

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

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

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

 

 

What’s to Like

 

 

Comfortable keyboard & touchpad

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

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

 

Stunning touch screen

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

 

Lightweight & portable

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

  

Good design with a wide choice of stunning colors

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

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

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

 

Great performance

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

 

 

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

 

Good battery life

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

 

 

What’s Not to Like

 

 

Limited input ports

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

 

Not recommended for gaming

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

 

 

 

Verdict

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

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

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

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

 

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

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

 

Xiaomi Redmi Note 11

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

Check it out here!

Phone Specs

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

Reason to Buy

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

Reason not to Buy

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

 

Overview

 

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

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

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

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

 

What We Like

 

Good design & durable

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

 

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

 

Gorgeous display

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

 

Great battery life

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

   

Acceptable main camera

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

 

Low budget price

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

 

What We Don’t Like

 

Limited network capabilities

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

 

Mediocre performance

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

 

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

 

No 4K video recording

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

 

Disappointing ultra-wide & night mode

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

 

Missing features from the MIUI 13 OS

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

 

Verdict

 

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

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

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

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

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 Review: Is it Worth the Price?

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You must feel frustrated all the time when you work on your laptop, knowing that it will take you hours to finish typing a simple 1-page document. Don’t get me wrong. Budget laptops tend to perform well at first, but after a while, they tend to get slower and start to freeze most of the time, which affects the performance. If that’s your case, you are not alone. Let me introduce to you the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2. It’s Microsoft’s budget-value laptop that can do everything you need without you paying so much. But is it really worth it? Let’s see from this review.

 

Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Introducing the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

Click to see more!

Laptop specs

Display 12.4” PixelSense™ Display | 1536 x 1024 (148 PPI) | Aspect ratio 3:2 | 10-point multi-touch screen
Processor Quad-core 11th Gen Intel® Core™ i5-1135G7 Processor
Graphics Intel® Iris® Xe Graphics
Memory (RAM) 4GB, 8GB or 16GB LPDDR4x RAM
Storage Removable2 drive (SSD) options: 128GB, 256GB
Operating System (OS) Windows 11 Pro or Windows 10 Pro | Preloaded Microsoft 365 Apps| Microsoft 365 Business Standard, Microsoft 365 Business Premium, or Microsoft 365 Apps 1-month trial
Battery Life Up to 13.5 hours on moderate device usage
Input ports  1 x USB-C® | 1x USB-A | 3.5 mm headphone jack | 1 x Surface Connect port
Other Features 720 HD webcam (front-facing) | Dual far-field studio Mics | Omnisonic® Speakers with Dolby® Audio™ Premium | Wi-Fi 6: 802.11ax compatible | Bluetooth® Wireless 5.1 technology | Ambient light sensor | 2.48 lbs (1,127 g) weight

Reason to Buy

  • Large and fast storage 
  • Good performance
  • Great battery life
  • Bright touch screen
  • Other great features

Reason not to Buy

  • High price
  • No backlit keyboard
  • Low memory from entry model
  • Limit input ports available

Overview

 

The new Surface Laptop Go 2 from Microsoft is a slim, lightweight, and touchscreen budget laptop that has been improved from its predecessor. It comes with an 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor with integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, storage options starting from 128GB to 256 GB, and memory options starting from 4GB up to 16GB of RAM.

On the outside, all models come with a 12.4-inch PixelSense touch screen, with slim display bezels, small keypad buttons, and a touchpad. All this is encased in a combination of an aluminum-plastic body that makes weighs 2,5 pounds (1,1 kg). In the box, you get the Surface Go 2 laptop with a 39W power supply.

   

What’s to Like

 

Large and fast storage

The entry model starts you off with a better, fast-loading solid-state drive with 128GB of storage rather than the 64GB from the older model. That’s awesome because it helps to provide faster loading of Windows and other apps installed in the system.  

 

The front and side view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

Good performance

The best thing about the Surface Laptop Go 2 is that it comes with an upgraded 11th Gen Intel i5 processor. It’s not the best but it provides all the necessary power to perform fast and help you get the job done. I have not experienced any performance problems thus far here.

Between opening tabs, and minimizing apps, the performance remains constant which is a good thing. The Intel Iris graphics also performs well with light casual gaming and video editing. Keep it to the minimum. Open one or two apps, and you’ll have no performance issues.     

 

Great battery life

Another great thing is the battery life. Upon testing, the Surface Laptop Go 2 managed to go up to 15 hours on a single charge. That to me is really amazing. 

  

Bright touch display

As for the display, the Surface Laptop Go 2 comes with a 12.4-inch touch screen that displays vibrant colors and good brightness. The sad thing is that the screen resolution is 1536 x 1024, which means it’s not full HD, so it’s not as detailed. But the screen still looks good though and works well.  

 

Other great features

There are other great features you need to be aware of. Firstly, if you’re a freelancer or like working on the go, then this laptop is perfect for you. It’s really slim, lightweight and portable so you can carry it where ever you go. With the long battery life, you won’t need to carry a power supply with you.

Another feature is the sound quality of the laptop, which is not bad either. You won’t see any speaker grilles as they are hidden underneath the keypad, but the sound comes out clear, not great but good enough to hear. If you’re not satisfied with the sound, you can always insert headphones as the laptop does include a headphone jack.

 

Side view of the slim and lightweight Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

The next feature, for those who work remotely, the laptop comes with a 720p webcam from the previous model but comes with better contrast and color saturation. At least it’s better than the older model, and it also works well. 

Another great feature to mention is the system’s fan noise has been greatly reduced. On daily moderate use, the Surface Laptop Go 2 works quietly, even for daily tasks such as typing or browsing the internet. But it will start to roar if you decide to do a lot more multitasking.      

 

What’s not to Like

 

High budget price

The entry model starts at a price range between US$600 and US$700. That’s a high price for a budget laptop if you ask me. But with all the great features you’re getting, it’s worth it.   

 

No backlit keyboard

The fact that it does not have a backlit keypad is quite disappointing. You’re going to need to constantly work inside a well-lit room plus it would look even awesome. Yet budget laptops do come with compromises, and this is one of them. 

 

The front view of the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

Low 4GB RAM Memory

If it’s better performance you’re looking for with a budget laptop, I suggest getting the 8GB RAM model. Yes, it will be more expensive but the laptop will perform better for you. So upon purchase, make sure that it’s the 8GB RAM Surface Laptop Go 2. 

 

Limit input ports available

If you’re looking for a budget laptop with many input ports, you won’t find it here. They may be few but you get the essential input ports here. If it’s not enough you can always get a USB hub that provides more input ports.   

 

Verdict

 

So, lemme ask this question once more, is the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2 worth the price? In my opinion, I think it is worth it. Looking at what you are getting, you’re getting a great-performance laptop, with good storage and memory, great battery life, a good-looking HD touch screen, and good looks as well. Fact that it’s a budget laptop, there are going to be some compromises but in this instance, the good outweighs the bad. That’s why recommend this laptop to you. 

 

Back and side view of the white Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 2

 

If you’re a student, a freelancer, or just like working on the go, then this is the perfect laptop for you. It has all the performance, power, and everything you need to help you meet all your daily needs.

 

Click here to see the best budget laptops on offer right now! 

 

Now that you know a lot more about the Surface Laptop Go 2, what’s your take on this new laptop? Is it a laptop worth saving for? What other budget laptops are you looking to get? Please comment below with answers or even more questions. I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.

 

Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition Review: Is It Worth Buying?

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When I first heard of the Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition, I imagined a gaming phone with top hardware similar to other top gaming phones from top brands. But was blown away because of its great features, like great performance, battery life, and the amazing price of the phone. If you don’t believe me, then check out my review of the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition smartphone.  

 

Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition

All design colors from Shadow Black, Ice-Chop, Silver-Wing Gray and AMG F1

See Price Here!

Phone specs

Display 6.67 inches, OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR10+, 800 nits, 1080 x 2400 pixels, 20:9 ratio
Storage, Memory 128GB 8GB RAM, 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM
Chip Qualcomm SM8450 Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (4 nm) | Octa-core (1×3.00 GHz Cortex-X2 & 3×2.50 GHz Cortex-A710 & 4×1.80 GHz Cortex-A510) | Adreno 730
Operating System Android 12, MIUI 13
Main Camera, Video 64 MP, f/1.9, 26mm (wide), 1/1.73″, 0.8µm, PDAF | 8 MP, f/2.2, 120˚ (ultrawide) | 2 MP, f/2.4, (macro) | 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/120fps, 720p@960fps, HDR
Selfie Camera, Video 20 MP, f/2.4, (wide), 1/2.0″, 0.8µm | 1080p@30/60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR
Battery Li-Po 4700 mAh, non-removable | Fast charging 120W, 100% in 17 min (advertised) | 
Other Features Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, compass, color spectrum | Black, Gray, Blue, AMG | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac/6e, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot | Bluetooth 5.2, A2DP, LE | 210 g (7.41 oz) | 
Release 2022, February 16
Retail Price Click Here!

Reason to buy

  • Snappy gaming performance 
  • Unique design
  • Most affordable gaming smartphones
  • Large display with 120Hz
  • Large battery
  • Decent JBL-powered quad stereo speakers
  • Great heat management
  • Takes decent pictures

Reason to avoid

  • No water resistance
  • No MicroSD slot
  • No headphone jack
  • The highest storage available is 256GB

Overview

This is the Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition, the gaming smartphone that comes with a 6.67-inch OLED 1080p display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 64 MP triple camera lens, and a flashy design that makes it look unique and authentic. 

Under the hood, it includes a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 chip, 8 or 12 GB of RAMset, 128 or 256GB of storage, and a large 4700mAh battery. All this runs on an MIUI 13 based on the Android 12 OS. In the box, you get the Redmi K50 GE smartphone, a USB-C cable, a 120W phone charger, a quick-start guide, and a plastic phone cover. 

 

What we like

Unique Design

The design is flashy but overall nice to look at. It looks unique with its two-color variants at the rear, especially the blue. If you’re looking for a more simple, casual color scream then the silver and back are more for you. It’s protected by a strong Gorilla Glass Victus in front, with a glass back, and encased with an aluminum frame.

Overall, the design looks great and caters to all who want either something flashy or a more casual look. The Redmi K50 GE is available in four flashy colors: Ice-Chop Blue, Silver-Wing Gray, Shadow Black, and a color called the “AMG F1”. 

 

Rear side view of the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition

 

Stunning Display

The display is large at 6.67 inches. It comes with an OLED Full HD screen resolution, good brightness, and a 120Hz refresh rate. You can expect some stunning visuals in great detail, good color accuracy, and smooth performance as you glide your finger between menus.      

 

Fast Performance

The Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is a gaming phone after, so yes, it has to perform at its peak when it comes to gaming. And yes it does. The graphics look awesome here. The Adreno 730 GPU really shows off the graphics of games with clear, detailed, and great color accuracy. The gameplay is also fast and snappy thanks to the 120Hz refresh rate. The phone does get hot after prolonged gaming sessions but is controlled by a cooling system 

 

Decent Camera

The overall camera takes decent pictures and videos. The main 64MP camera takes stunning photos taking great detail and color. The ultrawide camera looks okay but not as detailed as the main camera. Portraits come out great as well especially if you like taking selfies.  The K50 GE records up to 4K videos at 60fps, which looks great overall and the selfie as well takes great videos as well.

 

Battery Life

The Redmi K50 GE smartphone comes with a 4700mAh battery that supports fast charging. Included in the box is a 120W charger that can charge up the phone from 0 to 100% in less than 25 minutes. Now that’s fast charging compared to other brands. No worries about battery life because you 

 

Price

This top-performance gaming smartphone has all the specs of other top brands. The starting price of the Redmi K50 GE (8GB RAM, 128GB) ranges between US$500 and US$550. It’s quite expensive but not as high as other top-brand gaming smartphones. That’s great value, making it one of the least expensive gaming smartphones.  

 

Other Features

Other features to mention. First, the pop-up magnetic gaming trigger buttons sit on the right side of the phone. There’s a switch that makes the triggers pop up whenever you are ready for gaming. It’s no gaming smartphone if it doesn’t have those button triggers. Next are the JBL-powered stereo speakers that deliver good decent sound.  

 

What we don’t like

There is no headphone jack included, no microSD slot to expand storage, and no water resistance so it’s not a good idea to immerse it into water. The highest storage available is 256GB, so no 512GB or 1TB models. 

 

Verdict

At this great price, you get the awesome Xiaomi Redmi K50 Gaming Edition, with a good-looking display, fast and snappy performance for daily use and gaming, long battery life and takes good overall photos and videos. The design is a nice touch, but not everyone will find it appealing. And let’s not forget you get a 120W phone charger in the box.

 

Front view of the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition

 

Most smartphones nowadays don’t have the headphone jack and microSD slot, especially the top smartphones. But since the movement is Bluetooth-connected earphones and access to online cloud storage it’s not really a bad thing.

Yet overall, the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is in line to be one of the best gaming smartphones ever released this year, and one I definitely recommend to all gamers who like to game on the go.   

 

Close-off

So if you are a gamer, and gaming is your thing, and don’t wanna spend too much more, then the Redmi K50 Gaming Edition is the gaming smartphone for you. Thank you for checking out my review of this awesome gaming smartphone. If you have any comments to add, or questions to ask, then leave them below and I will answer them as soon as possible. 

So you’ve seen the review and like what the Redmi K50 offers. Don’t waste any more time.  Click here or click the button on top to find out more, see what is on offer, and buy it if you so desire.   

 

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Review: Is It Really Worth Your Money?

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Have you wasted hundreds of dollars, or even euros on top flagship smartphones only to use not even half of their features? Do you want an affordable one that’s simple to use and costs you less? If so, welcome. You’ve come to the right place. Let me introduce to you the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G smartphone. It’s affordable, fast, and lasts days on a single charge. But is it worth your money? Let’s find out more about this smartphone from this review.

 

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Front & rear view of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

Click for Price

 

Samsung Galaxy A53 5G Specs

Display 6.5″ Super AMOLED, 120Hz, 1080 x 2400 pixels
Processor Exynos 1280 (5nm), Mali-G68 GPU
Storage, RAM 128GB 4GB, 128GB 6GB, 128GB 8GB, 256GB 6GB, 256GB 8GB
Operating System Android 12, One UI 4.1
Main Camera, Video Quad sensor | 64MP, f/1.8 (wide) | 12MP, f/2.2 (ultrawide) | 5MP, f/2.4 (macro) | 5MP, f/2.4 (depth) | up to 4K video at 30fps and 1080p at 60fps
Selfie Camera, Video 32MP, f/2.2 (wide) | 4K@30fps, 1080p@30fps | HDR
Battery Li-Po 5000 mAh, non-removable, fast charging at 25W
Other Specs Black, White, Blue, Peach Colors | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, hotspot and Bluetooth 5.1, A2DP, LE | weighs 189 g / 6.67 oz / 0.42 pounds | Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protection 
Released 17 March 2022
Retail Price Click here!

Reason to Buy

  • Large 5000mAh battery
  • Fast & snappy performance
  • Good design with a great choice of colours
  • Delivers decent gaming graphics
  • Water & dust resistance
  • Good quality display
  • Expandable storage available
  • Takes good pictures & videos

Reason Not to Buy

  • Slow charging speed
  • No charger in the box
  • No headphone jack
  • Price quite high

 

 

Overview

So what is this so-called Samsung Galaxy A53 5G smartphone? Well, It’s a mid-range smartphone that comes with a gorgeous 6.5-inch touchscreen with a teardrop front-facing camera on top. On the back, it includes a quad-camera lens with a flash and a hard plastic back cover. All are encased in a hard plastic frame.

 

Rear view of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

 

Inside, the Galaxy A53 is the 8-core Exynos processor powered by a large 5000mAh battery. You can choose from the 128GB storage 4GB RAM model, up to the 256GB storage 8GB model. Did I mention you can expand storage using microSD? I guess not. Well, the A53 includes an optional microSD slot to increase your storage. So what do you inside the box? Well, you get the Galaxy A53 smartphone, the quick user guide, the ejector pin, and the USB-Type C charger cable. No charger.

  

What we like

Good Battery Setup

So the Galaxy A53 comes with a large 5000mAh battery that gives you a battery life of up to 4 days and 17 hours on moderate use on a single charge. That’s pretty good if you think about it.

 

Good Performance

The Galaxy A53 performs great overall. As you navigate and move between menus with your finger, it feels smooth and really snappy. Overall, the A53 performs well and is a good device for daily use. If you like to play mobile games then the A53 is also for you. The overall graphics and gameplay on 3D games look and feel decent for a quick gaming session.     

 

Display and Design

The Galaxy A53 comes with a 6.5-inch Super AMOLED touchscreen with a 120Hz refresh rate and a 1080 x 2400 pixels screen resolution. Overall, the display looks stunning. The screen delivers good quality HD images and videos in stunning detail, with vibrant colours, and good accuracy. In terms of the phone design, it looks good overall with a good choice of colours for you to choose from. The build material used is plastic but it’s very durable with the tough Gorilla glass in front, and the water/dust resistance.     

 

Other Features

The Galaxy A53 has other great features worth mentioning. Firstly, the smartphone has an IP67 rating meaning that it is water and dust-resistant. The last feature is the smartphone includes a MicroSD slot which means that you can expand your storage by inserting a nano SD card.    

 

Front and Back view of the Blue Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

 

Good camera 

The Samsung Galaxy A53 5G smartphone comes with a 4-sensor main camera that includes:

  • 64MP (f/1.8) wide camera
  • 12MP (f/2.2) ultrawide camera
  • 5MP (f/2.4) macro camera
  • 5MP (f/2.4) depth camera

Overall, the photos from the main camera look decent. The detail is good, colours look bright, and vibrant, especially from taking day photos. Switch to the 64MP camera, and the photos look much finer and sharper.

For video recording, the Galaxy A53 delivers 1080p videos at 30 to 60 fps (frames per second), and 4K quality videos at 30 fps. The overall quality is good. The videos are in good detail, especially from 1080p videos at 60 fps. 

Do you like taking selfies? Good cos this phone comes with a 32MP (f/2.2) wide camera and videos up to 4K quality videos at 30 fps. As for the photos and videos, they look decent overall with good detail.

Although the camera produces great photos and videos, the zoom function is there but loses detail after 2x. And nighttime photos are lacking in detail. But I guess there are compromises if you decide to get a mid-range smartphone.

 

 

What we don’t like

Slower Battery Charge

The Galaxy A53 may have a large battery, a good battery life, and supports fast charging, but the charging speed isn’t that great. Charging the A53 smartphone, you are looking at a full charge, from zero to 100%, taking roughly 1 hour 30 minutes using a 25W charger. It’s not bad but compared to other charging speeds on other phones like let’s say a Galaxy S22 smartphone, on a 25W charger, it takes roughly 1 hour to fully charge. Maybe because it’s a mid-range smartphone. 

 

High Price

The Galaxy A53 comes with a price range between US$330 (R5000) and US$450 (R6999). That’s starting from the 4GB 128GB base model, which is still a good performer. But I recommend getting the 6GB 128GB model as it has good memory and there is always the option to increase storage with a microSD. If you want to consider alternatives because of the price, then try the Galaxy S20 FE or the Redmi Note 9S. They are much cheaper, have decent performance, and have great battery life as well.     

 

Front & side view of the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

 

No Phone Charger 

Nowadays it’s normal for Samsung to not offer a charger and headphones when you buy any Galaxy smartphone. Even iPhone does not as well, but you can use your older charge or purchase a new one. 

 

Verdict

So what can I say about the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G? Well, it’s a great mid-range smartphone overall. The design is flashy and stylish. The display produces great views. The camera takes great daytime photos and videos. The performance is solid and it has great battery life.I like that it comes with an expandable storage slot too. With these great features, it’s a smartphone worth recommending.

But let’s not forget. It’s a mid-range smartphone, so the phone will come with compromises. To me, the price may be high but it’s a fair price for what you are getting. If it’s expensive or above your budget, then consider looking at alternatives.

 

Front & rear view of the White Samsung Galaxy A53 5G

 

Is it worth your money? I most definitely think so. Is it the best mid-range smartphone ever? Nope. Not really. It does have good specs but not enough to be the best. If you want a simple yet trendy smartphone that can do most of what other top-range smartphones can do, then the Galaxy A53 is for you.       

Wow. That was a lot, I know. But I hope you have a pretty good idea of the good and the not-so-good features, and things you can do with the Samsung Galaxy A53 5G smartphone. If you’ve decided to try this mid-range smartphone, why not click here or the button above to find out more, such as the price and purchase options? But before you do that, I would like to know your thoughts on the Galaxy A53, after reading the review. Is it worth your money? Do you like the features on offer? If you have any questions or views, please comment on the post below and I will get back to you as soon as possible.