Tag: smartphones

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OnePlus 8T By The Benchmarks: Does Android 11 Degrade Performance?

OnePlus is a fascinating company to cover as a reviewer. Half year hardware refreshes and aggressive software updates keep you on your toes. Really using a OnePlus means following a conversation around refining a product after its launch.

As we close out the year, it’s worth taking a second look at a premium OnePlus, to see if these refinements improve performance over the phones launched earlier in the year. Especially looking at hardware scores from an older version of Android, as the 8T is one of the first phones to launch with Android 11 out of the box. Continue reading “OnePlus 8T By The Benchmarks: Does Android 11 Degrade Performance?”

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OnePlus 8T Review: The Right Compromises For You?

This phone rocks.

The mission of a snappy, quick, high performance phone is alive and well at OnePlus. There are no tragic deal breakers here. There are no critical missteps.

The mid-season refresh for OnePlus this year delivers in all the areas we should expect from the brand. The only “issue” is more aggressive competition from other manufacturers.

Where does the 8T fit into this market? Is it the right fit for you? Let’s take a look! Continue reading “OnePlus 8T Review: The Right Compromises For You?”

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The End of the Galaxy Note: The right time to say goodbye?

It makes me sad to lose a phone that focuses on productivity.

The Note has long been the crown jewel example of Android specialty hardware. Samsung built up this product line to represent the bleeding edge of mobile tech. It’s rightfully the first phone many consider when they need to really work while on the go.

But in light of increasing compromises, does the Note still have a place in the smartphone landscape? Is the niche of “stylus enabled” worth the loss of battery capacity?

Maybe it’s the right time to let it go? Continue reading “The End of the Galaxy Note: The right time to say goodbye?”

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ZTE Nubia RedMagic 5S By the Benchmarks: Does GAMER Hardware Improve Performance?

What should we expect from “GAMER” hardware?

In PC Land, we expect laptops and desktops that offer a higher tier of graphics performance, with enhanced cooling hardware for better system stability.

For phones though, we often don’t see significant differences in CPU and GPU performance, as all manufacturers are drawing from the same pool of chips. Mainstream phones now offer high refresh rate displays, and software built to enhance the gaming experience.

Gaming phones differentiate themselves more on design, accent lighting, and battery capacity.

But when a manufacturer adds an internal fan for better active cooling, that’s an interesting bit of hardware to test.

The ZTE Nubia RedMagic 5S has an internal cooling fan, so let’s see if we can drive this phone harder! Continue reading “ZTE Nubia RedMagic 5S By the Benchmarks: Does GAMER Hardware Improve Performance?”

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Split Screen Apps: The most underrated feature on your phone!

If you spend more on a phone, you should get more with your phone. Your pocket computer is insanely powerful. Here’s a quick chat about a feature that goes underused, and can help you do more on the go!

Split screen those apps! Multi-task! Continue reading “Split Screen Apps: The most underrated feature on your phone!”

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Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Camera Conclusion: A STEEP price for RAW capability…

Note 20 Ultra Camera Conclusion!

A BIG phone with BIG cameras and a BIG price tag! Expectations are always high for a Note. This has historically been Samsung’s crown jewel workhorse phone.

Following the S20 Ultra, and selling at a PREMIUM tier, what should we expect from this camera hardware? Samsung says this phone is “pro grade”, so let’s see that in action! Continue reading “Galaxy Note 20 Ultra Camera Conclusion: A STEEP price for RAW capability…”

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LG Wing Review: The most fun I’ve had this year!

LG Wing review!

Yup. This phone is big. This phone is a little more fragile. This phone is expensive.

And this is the most fun I’ve had with a phone review in a while.

Crazy new hardware should change our behavior and offer real new features. I’m happy to see LG play with a radical new form factor and still consider useful new features!

Let’s have a chat about the most unique phone of the year! Continue reading “LG Wing Review: The most fun I’ve had this year!”

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Google Pixel 5 Review: For folks who LIKE little phones!

My review of the Pixel 5 hinges on one major decision. Do you like smaller phones?

There aren’t many good options for a smaller “one thumb” mighty mouse running Android, especially phones including a 5G radio. Using the Pixel 5 for a couple weeks, let’s chat some of my pros and cons of this punchy little option.

What Google is doing here is interesting, but is it the right fit for you? Continue reading “Google Pixel 5 Review: For folks who LIKE little phones!”

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