Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra

“The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is undoubtedly a premium smartphone with top-of-the-line specs, a stunning display, and versatile camera system… and it somehow continues to improve upon last year’s Ultra in every way.”

Forget your wish list, the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is it. Packed with features even the most demanding tech enthusiast craves, Samsung has seemingly built the ultimate phone. In ways both expected and surprising, the S24 Ultra solidifies its position as the undisputed king of smartphones, regardless of price.

Need unbeatable battery life? It outperforms the best iPhones and past Galaxy smartphones, easily lasting over a day under heavy use. Craving jaw-dropping photos? Despite spec sheet comparisons, the S24 Ultra captures superior pictures and retains its title as the most versatile camera phone.

While artistic types might lean towards the iPhone 15 Pro, you’ll capture stunning shots across all scenarios with the S24 Ultra.

But there’s more! Gamers rejoice! This phone is a champion, surpassing even the top Android competitors and rivaling the lightning-fast iPhone 15 Pro Max. With this to sink your teeth into, the new Samsung Galaxy Ultra could be the smartphone for you. If you still need convincing, come with me and  let’s see what this S24 Ultra has to offer. 

Specs

Sleek Evolution, Familiar Feel

Same phone, new paint? Not quite. While the new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra resembles its predecessor, subtle upgrades hint at innovation beneath the familiar shell.

Deeper dive reveals delights. The mesmerizing, layered back glass adds depth, especially in the titanium grey finish. The violet option shines with its contrasting metal frame, showcasing Samsung’s attention to detail in materials and color harmony.

More than symmetry. Samsung prioritizes usability over absolute balance. Power and volume buttons on the same side minimize accidental screenshots, unlike some competitors.

Titanium whispers. Unlike the significant weight reduction in the iPhone 15 Pro Max, the S24 Ultra sheds a mere gram. However, the clicky S Pen remains a highlight, combining fun with its surprising precision and Bluetooth remote capabilities.

Farewell curves, hello flat. The signature curved screen trend ends here, replaced by a flatter design that might feel sharp and big compared to the S23 Ultra’s gentler curves.

Overall, the S24 Ultra offers a familiar form with subtle improvements, but the true star remains the unique and versatile S Pen. While the flat design might require some getting used to, the focus on usability and hidden gem features like the clicky S Pen keep the Ultra experience refreshing.

Stellar Display

The S24 Ultra boasts a top-notch display, worthy of its flagship status. It’s huge, vibrant, and adapts beautifully to lighting conditions, reaching an impressive 2,600 nits in bright sunlight.

Extra Dim Mode: For midnight reading or discreet phone checks, the Ultra’s 1-nit brightness preserves good color while being cinema-level dim. No more fumbling with brightness settings in the dark!

Always-on Display and the Cool S-View Case: Stay informed with the always-on display, or opt for the unique S-View case featuring a window for essential info through a wallet-style cover. Samsung hasn’t forgotten this beloved feature!

Room for Improvement:

Overall, the S24 Ultra’s display shines bright, with unique features like Extra Dim Mode and the S-View case. However, missing out on higher refresh rates and Dolby Vision leaves a few stars dim on this otherwise stellar screen.

Unleashing the Power Within

Years of chasing have ended. The Galaxy S24 Ultra, powered by Qualcomm and Samsung’s collaboration, dethrones Apple’s Bionic chip for raw performance, even surpassing dedicated gaming phones like the ROG Phone 8 Pro.

What does this mean for you? Smoothness and speed in everything you do. Games like Call of Duty Mobile and Genshin Impact run flawlessly at max settings. Editing photos in Lightroom becomes a real-time experience.

But there’s a twist. While your fingers fly across the screen, the newly introduced AI features become the bottleneck. Composing text messages or editing photos with AI feels less like AI magic and more like waiting at a red light.

The irony is undeniable. Finally surpassing Apple in speed, Samsung bogs down the experience with AI tools that, unfortunately, don’t live up to the hype. Imagine writing suggestions appearing instantly like Lightroom adjustments, transforming AI from a frustrating wait to a seamless partner.

The S24 Ultra is undeniably powerful, but the true potential of its AI features remains untapped. If Samsung can eliminate the delays and make AI truly real-time, they might just have a revolutionary phone on their hands.

Until then, the speed crown comes with a caveat – waiting for AI that just can’t keep up.

Impressive Camera with Everyday Snaps to Epic Zooms

The camera system is where the S24 Ultra truly shines. The 200MP main sensor captures stunning detail, while the ultrawide and telephoto lenses offer versatility. The 10x optical zoom and 100x digital zoom bring distant subjects closer, although the latter’s quality suffers at extreme levels.

Concerns about the 5x zoom replacing the S23 Ultra’s 10x were unfounded. While the zoom jump isn’t as steep, the S24 Ultra boasts the best zoom camera on any phone. Yes, it sacrifices detail for better overall quality at high zoom levels, but those photos are now actually shareable!

Compared to iPhone: At 5x zoom, the iPhone wins, but the Galaxy shines beyond. At 25x, the Galaxy retains more detail and color. Plus, Samsung’s colors now feel more natural, avoiding the iPhone’s yellowish tint.

Low light is still a weakness. Pixel and OnePlus phones handle certain low-light situations better, like cityscapes and restaurant food. The S24 Ultra excels in interesting shots: macros, food pics, selfies, and portraits with accurate skin tones and detail.

New Generative Edit AI lets you resize/move objects or change backgrounds, but feels more like collage than photography. Photo editing: Third-party apps or obscure Samsung apps like Enhance-X offer advanced AI editing, but not as good as Pixel tools.

Lightroom and SnapSeed run smoothly for more control. Moon photography remains untested due to weather, but AI promises object recognition for optimal shots.

Overall, the best camera phone I’ve used in a year. While not dominating every area, it consistently outperforms rivals, offering more interesting shot options and AI tricks. Low-light needs work, but zoom and color improvements are commendable.

Galaxy AI is Here

The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra packs a bunch of features, but navigating them is a challenge. Buried deep in settings, some AI marvels await, while others leave you scratching your head.

Finding these exciting AI features is like a scavenger hunt with 22 menus and confusing terminology. Samsung needs to streamline this! While pop-up suggestions occasionally help, they’re overshadowed by intrusive ads even on your brand new phone.

The AI translation feature is mind-blowing, like having a sci-fi Babel fish in your ear. Other features, like writing styles, are less impressive. Promised Shakespeare transformations never materialized, and the keyboard itself suffers from bizarre autocorrect issues.

Samsung borrowed some AI features from Google Pixel, but fell short. Voice transcription lacks the Pixel’s live functionality and accuracy. Image editing tools also miss the mark compared to Pixel’s unblurring and “Best Take” options.

One area where Samsung shines is DeX, transforming your phone into a Chromebook when connected to a monitor. This seamless work-from-anywhere solution is truly unique.

While Samsung promises seven years of updates, its AI subscription terms raise concerns. Could future features become paywalled, leaving your “future-proof” phone outdated? This asterisk needs clarification.

The author advocates for an Apple-like update strategy, where any non-hardware-dependent feature reaches all eligible phones. While iPhone XR lacks the new Dynamic Island, it received the iOS 17 feature “NameDrop.” Will the S24 Ultra enjoy the same parity in 2031 with Android 21?

Overall, the Galaxy S24 Ultra boasts impressive AI innovations, but accessibility and software quirks cast a shadow. DeX shines as a unique differentiator, but questions about long-term software support and feature fairness linger.

Whether this phone is a feature feast or frustrating fumble ultimately depends on your priorities and Samsung’s future actions. This paraphrase condenses the original text, retains key points, and highlights the pros and cons of the S24 Ultra’s features and software experience.

Longer Battery Life

Forget other phones, the Galaxy S24 Ultra reigns supreme in battery life. Our tests prove it, lasting a whopping 16 hours 45 minutes browsing web on 5G! That blows away the iPhone 15 Pro Max and even beats its predecessor by over 2 hours.

No magic battery size increase? Nope, Samsung simply optimized power management. You can tweak display settings, resolution, and performance for even more juice.

But here’s the frustrating part: finding intelligent power saving. Buried under 5 layers of menus, Samsung makes you jump through hoops. Adaptive Power Saving exists, but hidden like a treasure hunt gone wrong. Why Samsung, why?!

Charging is good, not great. 45W gets you to 50% in 30 minutes, full charge in 45 minutes, even faster than promised. However, phones like the OnePlus 12 charge much faster with 80W and even offer 50W wireless charging. The S24 Ultra only does 15W wirelessly, and finding wireless power sharing is an challenging adventure itself.

Bottom line, the S24 Ultra boasts unbeatable battery life, but software menus are a nightmare. Fast charging is decent, but competitors offer much faster solutions. If Samsung simplifies menus and improves charging options, they might just keep their battery crown.

The Verdict

The new Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is undoubtedly one of the best premium smartphones right now, with top-of-the-line specs, a stunning display, and a versatile camera system. From looking at the screen, it looks stunning and feels smooth, and the photos and videos I captured are so crisp and detailed. Somehow it continues to improve upon last year’s great S23 Ultra in every way.

The Galaxy S24 Ultra explodes onto the scene, redefining what a “flagship” means. It offers everything other phones do, plus more, and pushes past its predecessor in every aspect. Battery life? Longer. Performance? Blazing fast. Cameras? Phenomenal. Though, be prepared to dig deep into your pockets for these extra upgrades.

The  sweet the AI features, however, come with a hitch. They’re impressive, even amazing at times, but buried deep under layers of outdated, frustrating menus. I had to dig deep into menus to get to the AI settings, which is quite frustrating. It’s a shame, because once you experience the phone in action, its potential shines.

While it deserves its high price, there’s undeniable room for improvement, especially when it comes to the software. If a top-tier smartphone is what you’re looking for, and have the funds, I recommend you get the Galaxy S24 Ultra.

If you have any comments, opinions, suggestions, you can leave then here below any time you wish. Do you think the new S24 Ultra will be the best of 2024? What is your experience with Samsung Galaxy smartphones? Do you want to switch from your existing S23 Ultra? Let’s discuss it here below. See you next time. 😀

Asus ROG Phone 8

The entry-level gaming smartphone comes with a slimmer design, better camera, and wireless charging, making it a premium gaming device that doesn’t compromise on being, a phone.

In the fight arena of mobile gaming, every warrior strives for dominance. Enter the Asus ROG Phone 8, a fearsome contender wielding the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 like a flaming trident. But is its roars of power a mere bluster, or does it truly conquer the battlefield once again like previous models before? Let’s dissect the the ROG Phone 8, pixel by pixel, to see if it deserves a champion’s throne or a deathblow.

Overview

The ROG Phone 8 is ASUS’ gaming smartphone for 2024, packing top-tier specs to improve overall performance and advanced gaming features to make the most of the best mobile titles. The ROG Phone 8 series, comprising the regular ROG Phone 8 and the ROG Phone 8 Pro models, is the successor to 2023’s ASUS ROG Phone 7 range.

Power and Performance

The ROG Phone 8’s heart throbs with the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a chipset so potent it could probably run Crysis on a potato. 16GB or 24GB of RAM stand sentinel, ensuring multitasking at ease making gaming look and feel smoother. 

And to keep visuals as silky as Cleopatra’s bathwater, the 165HZ refresh rate paints every frame with the precision. But raw power is only half the story. Does the ROG Phone 8 handle like a nimble chariot or a clunky tank?

Fear not, gamers. This smartphone powerhouse dances with surprising finesse. Menus smoothly fly by, apps load in the blink of an eye, and even the most demanding titles like Genshin Impact and Apex Legends run as smooth as a freshly paved highway. But with great power comes great responsibility…heat, that is.

While the upgraded cooling system handles casual gaming sessions like a champ, marathon battles can make the phone a tad toasty. Not unbearable, but enough to remind you that pushing the limits comes with a price. 

Specs

Display and Design

The ROG Phone 8’s 6.78-inch AMOLED display is a visual masterpiece that would make Van Gogh himself weep with joy. Colors explode like fireworks, HDR content pops like champagne corks, and peak brightness vanquishes shadows like a knight slaying a dragon.

Gaming on this beauty is an experience that begs to be shared, which is where the aggressive design and customizable LEDs come in. Angles galore and pulsating lights scream “gamer,” turning heads faster than a Sonic the Hedgehog spin attack. But is this flamboyant attire merely an attention grab, or does it actually enhance the gameplay experience?

That depends on your tastes. The angular design feels grippy and secure, the LEDs add a touch of personalization, and dual USB-C ports are a gamer’s dream come true (no more fumbling with charging cables in the heat of battle!).

However, some might find the aesthetics a bit much, preferring a more understated elegance. Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8’s look is a matter of personal preference, a battle fought on the battlefield of style.

Features and Enhancements

But the ROG Phone 8 isn’t just about brute force. It’s packed with features designed to give you an edge in the digital arena. AirTriggers and shoulder buttons put precision control at your fingertips, letting you strafe, snipe, and unleash devastating combos with unmatched finesse.

Are they game-changers? Not necessarily for everyone, but for hardcore players who crave every tactical advantage, they’re a welcome addition.

And then there’s the sound. Dual front-facing speakers and Dolby Atmos support immerse you in the game’s soundscape, making explosions boom and footsteps whisper like secrets in the night. Can you finally ditch those clunky headphones?

Not quite. While the audio is adequate, true audiophiles might still prefer the isolation and nuanced soundscape of a good pair of cans.

The 5500mAh battery, provides enough juice to keep you gaming for hours on end. However, heavy users will need the AeroActive Cooler X to stabilize the temperature of the smartphone for those prolong gaming sessions.

The gaming smartphone is more durable. Thanks to the IP68 rating, it makes the phone more resistant to water/dust. It also includes the tough Gorilla Glass panels on the front and rear of the phone, making it scratch resistant. 

And finally, the ROG Armoury Crate app is your command center, letting you tweak performance settings, create game profiles, and customize every aspect of your gaming experience. With the ROG Phone 8, you’re not just playing the game, you’re mastering it.

The Verdict

So, is the ROG Phone 8 the undisputed king of mobile gaming? It’s certainly a serious contender. The entry-level gaming smartphone comes with a slimmer design, better camera, and wireless charging, making it a premium gaming device that doesn’t compromise on being, a phone.

Its impressive performance, stunning display, and gamer-centric features are undeniable. Yet the price tag, and heat management, might see budget gamers turn to other brands.

Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8 is one gaming smartphone gamers will love to start off 2024. It’s a beast, no doubt, and pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming, offering an experience that’s as close to console-quality. 

What do you like about the Asus ROG Pro Phone 8? Do you consider it the best gaming mobile device? What is your experience with gaming smartphones? If you like this review, please leave a comment here below. 

Samsung Galaxy S24

Don’t underestimate the pint-sized powerhouse! Forget comparisons to the hulking Ultra, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone packs premium performance in a pocket-friendly design. Imagine this: AI superpowers in the palm of your hand.

New Samsung and Google features like ‘Circle to Search’ lets you instantly identify anything on your screen, from web pages to YouTube videos. Just by asking “Hey, what’s that?!” plus, break down language barriers with Samsung’s magic AI translation, seamlessly converting your words for effortless communication across borders.

The Galaxy S24 might be small, but it packs a punch of cutting-edge tech, empowering you to stay connected and informed in style. Let’s get into it and see what’s it all about. 

Specs

Great Display, Not the Best, But Big Software Issue

Samsung usually nails displays, and the S24 is decent, but not a champion. I enjoyed reading, gaming, and photo editing on the smaller screen, and the sharpness was good (with glasses). It even stayed bright outdoors.

However, it’s not the sharpest. Pixel 8 and iPhone 15 technically win there, but you might not see the difference. S24 shines brighter than those two, but OnePlus blows everyone away with 4,500 nits on the similarly priced 12.

Overall, no major complaints, except for nitpicking: Future Labs tests showed the S24 has the widest colour gamut. It still lacks Dolby Vision (Netflix’s preference), but HDR10+ content looks great too.

Here’s the real issue: the smaller screen clashes with Samsung’s feature overload. The default Edge Panel eats up precious space, making accidental swipes likely. The Quick Panel also got more complex, making it harder to read and use on the S24 compared to larger Samsung phones.

Simply put, the software needs to be less cluttered to truly showcase the display’s potential. Don’t bury it under a barrage of icons and menus.

Familiar Design, Fresh Colors, But A Scratchy Misstep

This year’s Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone leans closer to the iPhone than ever, with rounded corners mirroring the iOS flagship. While not inherently bad, it lacks the uniqueness expected from Samsung. Thankfully, vibrant colour options like Sandstone Orange and Amber Yellow stand out, although they could be bolder.

However, a major letdown is the back glass. Though it’s the latest Victus 2, scratches easily compared to the more scratch-resistant Gorilla Armor on the S24 Ultra. This, combined with the lack of glare reduction (present only on the Ultra), is a missed opportunity.

On the bright side, Samsung maintains its mastery of lightweight design. The S24 is thinner and lighter than its competitors, including the iPhone and Pixel. Surprisingly, this doesn’t impact battery life, as the S24 boasts the best of the bunch.

So, the S24 delivers a familiar look with some refreshing hues, but the easily scratched glass and lack of glare reduction on the base model are undeniable stumbles. Its stellar battery life remains a saving grace, though.

Pocket Power Rocket

Don’t underestimate the small but mighty S24! Packing the same overclocked Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor as its Ultra sibling, it outperforms any non-Pro iPhone 15 and most Android rivals.

This translates to:

• Smooth gaming, like blazing through Call of Duty: Mobile at max settings with silky 60fps
• Watch photo edits happen in real-time with Adobe Lightroom
• Multitasking powerhouse

A small snag: New AI features from Google and Samsung introduce slight delays. Waiting for Circle to Search activation or text rewriting can be frustrating. Is this a deal-breaker? Not necessarily. The S24 still shines in day-to-day tasks, opening apps seamlessly and handling high-demand games effortlessly.

The small performance gap with the Ultra is only noticeable in side-by-side comparisons. Why? This could be due to the S24’s 8GB RAM compared to the Ultra’s 12GB. While software updates might improve AI responsiveness, both cloud and on-device processing contribute to current bottlenecks.

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 phone delivers outstanding performance for its size, making it a pocket powerhouse ideal for mobile gamers, multitaskers, and casual users alike. If the new AI features are your main focus, consider the Ultra or wait for potential future optimization. Remember, size isn’t everything – this little phone packs a punch!

Camera Not Quite Ultra, But Packs a Punch

While the Galaxy S24 Ultra reigns supreme in camera prowess, its smaller counterpart doesn’t disappoint. Samsung’s improved image processing shines through, delivering more natural-looking photos compared to its predecessor and even the iPhone 15.

The real advantage? Optical zoom. Yes, the sensor lacks, but having a true 3x zoom beats digital any day, offering better reach for capturing distant action or details. While Pixel 8 might excel in low light and the iPhone 15 occasionally wins with its main camera, the S24 offers unique versatility.

Fun and practical camera modes like “Food” and dual-camera video recording stand out. Baked goods transform into mouthwatering masterpieces, and recording reactions alongside your child becomes seamless.

However, the app situation gets convoluted. With Google Photos already in the mix, having two separate editing apps (Samsung’s Gallery app with “Magic Editor” and Google Photos with AI magic) feels unnecessary.

Here’s where things get interesting: “Magic Editor” lets you resize and move objects, erase backgrounds, add backgrounds, and even extend images naturally. While ethically questionable, removing unwanted spectators from photos or magically expanding an image with blank space offers surprisingly practical tools. Samsung wisely watermarks AI-edited images, balancing functionality with transparency.

In essence, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone camera delivers vibrant, natural photos, boasts a valuable optical zoom, and offers fun, AI-powered editing tools. While not dethroning the Ultra, it packs a solid punch for your everyday photo needs.

Battery Champ, Charge Laggard

While the S24’s battery might be marginally bigger than its predecessor, the endurance leap is impressive. Active screen time soared, lasting a full day with regular use and into the evening on heavy-gaming days with a quick dinner-time top-up. So, rest assured, it won’t die on you before bedtime!

However, charging speeds haven’t budged. 30 minutes gets you to 50%, mirroring the iPhone 15. While Pixel 8 fares slightly better, phones like the similarly priced OnePlus 12 boast lightning-fast speeds, fully charged in 30 minutes.

Finding battery-saving options is another headache. Blame Samsung’s confusing Settings menu. Fortunately, the phone smartly manages battery life itself. Just occasionally switch on Power Saving from the Quick Settings panel for an extra boost.

In conclusion, the S24 delivers stellar battery life, making it a daily driver that can handle busy schedules. But if fast charging is your priority, look elsewhere. Just remember, sometimes bigger isn’t always better, and this small battery packs a powerful punch.

Verdict

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone offers exceptional value and performance in a compact package. If you prioritize raw camera power and prefer a simpler interface, consider alternatives.

But for most Android users seeking a reliable, versatile daily driver, the S24 might be the best “affordable” Galaxy phone in years. Remember, sometimes the best things come in small packages!

Let’s run through the benefits once more:

• Battery life lasts all day, even with heavy use.
• Impressive performance as it blazes through tasks and games.
• Fits comfortably into pockets and can operate using one hand.
• Packed with the latest AI features, Google’s “circle-to-search”, and Samsung’s signature apps and modes.
• Impressive durability as it withstands everyday wear and tear.

But before you click “buy,” consider this:

• Samsung’s interface might feel cluttered and confusing.
• While not top-tier, it boasts zoom and fun shooting modes.

Is it worth your investment? What other smartphones are you looking into considering? Let’s start a discussion below by adding comments and answering questions you may have. If the  Samsung Galaxy S24 Phone is your choice, then click here to see your purchase options. See you next time! ;-D 

Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro

Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a love letter to hardcore gamers who demand the absolute best

In mobile gaming, few beasts roar louder than the Asus ROG Phone series. Now, the eighth release, the ROG Phone 8 Pro, arrives with promises of unchained power, impressive performance and sheer dominance.

But in the heat of the battle, does it truly conquer, or does it fall victim to its own excessive ambition? Buckle up, gamers, and let’s dive deep into the world of the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro gaming smartphone.

A Beast Emerges: Overview

Right off the bat, the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro throws down its gauntlet with specs that would make even seasoned tech warriors tremble. The heart of it all is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, a 4nm chipset that is pulsating with raw power, challenging even the most impressive A17 Pro chipset in the Apple iPhone 15 Pro Max.

Alongside it, 16GB or 24GB of RAM stands guard, ensuring seamless multitasking and buttery-smooth gaming. Storage options reach a staggering 1TB, enough to house your entire digital library and then some. But is this overkill? Well, that depends on your definition of “enough.”

For hardcore gamers with libraries bigger than the Library of Congress, it’s heaven. For casual players, it might be a luxurious, and slightly extravagant, playground.

Speaking of playgrounds, the display is nothing short of a gamer’s paradise. A 6.78-inch 165Hz AMOLED panel explodes with vibrant colors and razor-sharp clarity. The 2500 nits peak brightness lets you game comfortably even under the sun’s harshest glare, while HDR support makes every explosion and spell cast a feast for the eyes.

Specs

A Good Looking Specimen

And let’s not forget the design. The ROG Phone 8 Pro cuts a fierce figure, with a futuristic aesthetic that wouldn’t be out of place in a cyberpunk cityscape. Programmable LEDs adorn the backplate, pulsating and shifting colors to your whim.

The aggressive angles and dual USB-C ports scream “gaming beast” at every turn. However, with great power comes great responsibility (and heat), which leads us to our first burning question: can the cooling system tame this ferocious beast?

Performance Prowess: Pushing the Limits

Benchmarks sing the ROG Phone 8 Pro’s praises, with unmatched scores in synthetic tests. But numbers only tell half the story. Real-world performance is where the rubber meets the road, and here, the ROG Phone 8 Pro does not disappoint.

Demanding titles like Genshin Impact and Apex Legends run flawlessly, with frame rates as smooth as a freshly paved highway. But there’s a niggling doubt, a whisper in the back of your mind: will this stability hold under prolonged stress?

The cooling system does its job admirably, keeping the phone comfortably cool during casual gaming sessions. However, during marathon gaming sessions, especially with graphically demanding titles, the heat does start to creep in. It’s not unbearable, but it’s noticeable, and some users might prefer a bit more thermal headroom for peace of mind.

Beyond Brute Force: Features and Extras

But the ROG Phone 8 Pro isn’t just about sheer power. It’s packed with features designed to elevate your gaming experience to the next level. AirTriggers and shoulder buttons provide tactile feedback for those crucial in-game actions, giving you an edge in competitive play.

Dual front-facing speakers blast out Dolby Atmos-powered audio, immersing you in the thick of the action. And the 5500mAh battery, with an overall groundbreaking ±15 hours of battery life, it provides enough juice to keep you gaming for hours on end.

Note that for heavy gamers, you will need the AeroActive Cooler X accessory to keep the ROG Phone 8 Pro from heating up, during those extended gaming sessions.

The ROG Armoury Crate app is your gamer’s command center, letting you tweak performance settings, create game profiles, and customize lighting effects. And the bundled phone case protects your precious weapon from the inevitable drops and spills.

Verdict

So, is the Asus ROG Phone 8 Pro the undisputed king of mobile gaming? It’s certainly a great contender. Its raw power, impressive overall phone and gaming performance, the stunning display, and the gamer-centric features are undeniable.

But its hefty price tag, occasional thermal concerns, questionable camera features, and sound quality, might give budget-conscious gamers pause.

Ultimately, the ROG Phone 8 Pro is a love letter to hardcore gamers who demand the absolute best. For them, it’s a no-brainer. However, for casual players or those on a tighter budget, other options might offer a more balanced and affordable experience.

The ROG Phone 8 Pro is a beast, no doubt about it. It pushes the boundaries of mobile gaming, offering an experience that’s as close to console-quality as you can get on a phone. However, its exclusivity comes at a cost, both literally and figuratively. Whether it’s the right choice for you comes down to one question: are you willing. 

So are you satisfied with the review? Do you see yourself gaming with this smartphone? What is your overall experience with gaming smartphones? Let us know below in the comments.  

OnePlus 12 Review

OnePlus 12

“The OnePlus 12 delivers a top-tier phone experience without the usual flagship phone price gouge.”

Overview

OnePlus is on a roll! Last year, the OnePlus Open surprised everyone (including us!) by taking the crown for the best foldable phone. Now, the OnePlus 12 has a shot at propelling the brand to the top of the smartphone food chain.

For years, OnePlus phones have come close to achieving “elite” status, but usually fell short due to camera limitations. The OnePlus 12 aims to fix that with a significantly upgraded camera system, improved image processing, and larger sensors.

But the improvements go beyond the camera. Wireless charging is back, adding to the phone’s overall value. And staying true to their “never settle” motto, OnePlus kept the price tag the same as the previous model.

With all these compelling features, the OnePlus 12 is definitely a phone to watch. In our full OnePlus 12 review, let’s delve deeper into how it performs in all aspects. Can OnePlus finally break through and become a top-tier phone contender? We shall see. 

Specs

A Stunner with a Hidden Upsides and Minor Downsides

The OnePlus 12 deserves a standing ovation for its design. It’s a head-turner with a unique circular camera module, sleek metal accents, and a textured back that minimizes fingerprints. Plus, its narrower frame makes it comfortable to hold in one hand compared to some competitors like the Galaxy S24 Ultra and iPhone 15 Pro Max.

While the design retains its overall style from the OnePlus 11, there are a few tweaks. The silent switch is now on the left side, and there’s a bonus IR blaster on the top edge – perfect for controlling all your home entertainment devices! The only thing holding the design back a bit is the weight. The OnePlus 12 is slightly heavier than its predecessor, making it feel a tad top-heavy. It’s not a dealbreaker, but it does require a little more care when handling to avoid accidental drops.

Bright, Smooth & Shower Friendly Display

The OnePlus 12 boasts a 6.82-inch 2K ProXDR display that shines (literally) in several ways. OnePlus claims it reaches an incredible 4,500 nits peak brightness, which would be a game-changer for outdoor viewing. While I haven’t confirmed that peak number, the display delivers impressive brightness in direct sunlight, keeping everything clear and crisp.

Realistically, even if it doesn’t hit 4,500 nits, surpassing the 1,300 nits of the OnePlus 11 is a significant improvement. The 120Hz refresh rate adds to the smooth user experience, making even fast-paced games display fluidly. A unique feature of this display is Aqua Touch technology. This ensures the screen remains accurate even when wet. For those who like to multitask in the shower (scrolling feeds, playing music), Aqua Touch will be a welcome addition.

Impressive Performance

While not the first with the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip, the OnePlus 12 packs a punch. Daily tasks like navigating the interface and running apps are smooth and responsive, thanks in part to the buttery-smooth 120Hz refresh rate. 

Benchmark tests confirm the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 excels in graphics processing. It produces impressive frame rates in demanding games like 3DMark Wild Life Unlimited and even surpasses the iPhone 15 Pro and Galaxy S23 Ultra in some benchmark scores.

However, the OnePlus 12’s video editing performance in Adobe Rush Premiere lags a bit behind the competition. While benchmark scores are helpful, real-world experience matters more. The phone runs graphically intense games like Diablo Immortal flawlessly, and in everyday use, it never feels sluggish. So, while it might not be the absolute top performer, it delivers excellent performance for most users.

Battery Life Champ

OnePlus fans rejoice! Not only is wireless charging back with the OnePlus 12, but it boasts a blistering-fast 50W charging speed, leaving the competition in the dust. Battery life has always been a strong point for OnePlus phones, and the OnePlus 12 continues the tradition. The massive 5,400 mAh battery easily lasts a full workday for most users. Real-world testing confirms this, with the phone typically reaching 25% capacity by the end of the day.

Official benchmark tests are still ongoing, but from testing it, the results shows that the OnePlus 12 lasts a monstrous 17 hours and 41 minutes – potentially the best battery life ever seen in a flagship phone! This improvement is likely due to a combination of the power-efficient Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and software optimizations.

Fast charging gets a boost too. In just 15 minutes, the OnePlus 12 can reach a solid 60% charge. And unlike the previous model, which maxed out at 97% after 30 minutes, the OnePlus 12 achieves a full 100% charge in the same timeframe.

These are truly impressive results, solidifying OnePlus’ reputation for exceptional battery life. The return of wireless charging with a top-of-the-line speed simply sweetens the deal, making the OnePlus 12 a more complete package than ever before.

Decent Camera Features

OnePlus has a reputation for lagging behind in the camera department, but the OnePlus 12 aims to change that with a new triple camera system. Let’s check out the camera features.

The main camera remains 50 MP, but the ultrawide jumps to 48 MP and the telephoto gets a significant boost to 64 MP with 3x optical zoom (up from 2x). This translates to sharper zoomed-in photos with more detail, especially evident in the 6x in-sensor zoom. The 50MP main camera doesn’t show a drastic improvement over the OnePlus 11 in good lighting.

Overall picture quality is better across all cameras, with good details, realistic colors, and decent dynamic range in most lighting conditions. Even ultrawide photos hold up well in high-contrast situations. With Portrait mode, the performance here is very similar to the OnePlus 11.

While low-light photos might be slightly underexposed with a warmer tone compared to the OnePlus 11, the photos appear less noisy and captures more detail.

Video Recording shoots in up to 8K for future-proofing and allows for cropping during 4K export. Main camera video captures crisp details, and the zoom goes up to 18x. Pro & Movie Modes provide enthusiast-level controls for those who like to fine-tune their shots. Video recording would benefit from preset zoom options instead of just a slider.

Unlike some competitors (like the Galaxy S24), the OnePlus 12 lacks AI-powered photo and video editing tools.

Overall, the OnePlus 12 camera is a clear step forward for OnePlus, especially in zoom capabilities and low-light noise reduction. However, it misses the boat on incorporating the AI features that are becoming increasingly common in high-end smartphones. This might be a dealbreaker for some users who prioritize advanced editing options.

Verdict

The OnePlus 12 is a game-changer. It brings back wireless charging, boasts an impressive telephoto lens, and delivers all this at a competitive price tag. For value-conscious users, it’s the clear winner in the flagship phone race.

Sure, it might lack the fancy AI features of some competitors, but the significantly lower price point more than makes up for it. The OnePlus 12 delivers a top-tier phone experience without the usual flagship phone price gouge.

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