Tag: smartphones

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vivo X70 Pro+ vs X70 Pro: Zeiss Cameras LET’S GO!

MY FIRST vivo PHONES!

X70 Pro and Pro+ are in the GadgetLab! We’re doing this!

I LOVE premium phones that deliver a specific focus. Vivo’s partnership with Zeiss delivers one of the most feature complete camera platforms I’ve ever used on a smartphone.

It’s a video FULL of firsts! My first vivo! My first phone with a Snapdragon 888+! My first phone with a Dimensity 1200!

Thankfully, no matter which SOC you choose, you’re going to get a monster performer built for content creation. We’re only just starting. Let’s dig in! Continue reading “vivo X70 Pro+ vs X70 Pro: Zeiss Cameras LET’S GO!”

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iPhone 13: I’m not buying one.

I’m not going to buy the iPhone 13.

I won’t be reviewing the iPhone 13.

If you’re curious why, let’s chat.

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How techies get phone camera reviews wrong…

A camera isn’t the same thing for every consumer.

Even though standalone cameras have become less popular for consumer point and shoot use, we still see an incredible variety of hardware and form-factors. There is no universal agreement on what a camera “is”. People still have entirely unique needs where those differences matter to the individual.

This isn’t just some oblique idea of specialty or “pro” use. At a basic level, someone’s specific needs will be better fulfilled by a tool designed for those needs.

Yet in the world of smartphone camera reviewing, we crouch a significant portion of the conversation behind some idea of “The Avuraj CunZoomer™”. We build phone camera conversations around a fallacy that there is some common or objective agreement on what a camera SHOULD be.

It’s only at the most regressively basic level that we might find some agreement.

You should be able to push a button that results in an image being captured.

Beyond that, cameras should specialize. We should see different pros and cons. That’s what makes cameras exciting. Continue reading “How techies get phone camera reviews wrong…”

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WHY is the Pixel 5A camera SO good? It’s not what you think!

Camera conversations love to focus on new features and listing all the hardware specs, but trying to describe WHY one camera might be better than another requires a LOT more nuance. It’s not as simple as which camera has “the gooder colors”, we gotta dig deeper than that.

Let’s chat about how a camera FEELS in the hand. 👍

Continue reading “WHY is the Pixel 5A camera SO good? It’s not what you think!”

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Budget phones: When is Cheap, TOO Cheap? (Feat. Nuu X6 Plus)

While some of the most expensive phones of the year are shipping out to people who pre-ordered, I thought it would be kinda fun to chat about the LEAST expensive phone I could get my hands on this year!

Question for you. When is a cheap phone TOO cheap? I’m spending some  time with the Nuu X6 Plus, and it’s interesting taking an inexpensive  phone for a spin.

Let’s chat. Continue reading “Budget phones: When is Cheap, TOO Cheap? (Feat. Nuu X6 Plus)”

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The Pixel 5A is BORING!

Pixel 5A First impressions!

And boy howdy is THIS PHONE BORING! But seriously tho, maybe that’s OK? Maybe it’s ok to just give us better battery life and the promise of solid long term support. Maybe “exciting” isn’t what a lot of consumers need right now?

Let’s chat… Continue reading “The Pixel 5A is BORING!”

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Did you buy a Surface Duo on a CRAZY Sale? Welcome to the Dual Display Club!

Easily one of my favorite gadgets of 2020.

The Surface Duo helped change my mind on using Android for tablets. It hasn’t been all roses, but this extremely ambitious folding tablet was a refreshing change of pace from the rest of the gadget lineup last year.

It’s so good, it makes me a little concerned for a Duo 2…

Continue reading “Did you buy a Surface Duo on a CRAZY Sale? Welcome to the Dual Display Club!”

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Where we can finally admit the Samsung Galaxy S21 is just a dog?

Hot takes! Samsung stories get all that tasty SEO traffic! OUTRAGE HEADLINE!

Sales figures are in, and the Galaxy S21 is selling poorly. Expectations were high on this line of phones, but even with price drops, Samsung’s premium offerings are failing to impress consumers.

Galaxy S21 sales are down about 20% over last year’s S20, and SIGNIFICANTLY lower than the S10 from two years ago. We’re seeing roughly a 45% drop from the S10, which has to be concerning for Samsung. That two-year period is often prime for consumers looking to upgrade.

There are obviously numerous issues facing technology manufacturers right now. We’re still in the middle of a global pandemic. Component shortages are affecting distribution. Consumers are wisely budgeting more conservatively for big purchases like electronics.

However, if the Galaxy S line is supposed to be a premium tier, where purchases are often as emotional as they are practical, Samsung’s 2021 phones aren’t inspiring consumers to part with their cash. Continue reading “Where we can finally admit the Samsung Galaxy S21 is just a dog?”

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