Category Archives: Device Review

Apple iPhone 14 Device Review

Review of the iPhone 14 Lineup

In an ever-expanding sea of smartphones—some illogically cheap and others boasting of mind-boggling tech—Apple still manages to claim a seat at the pinnacle of the industry. Why?

IPhones have a rapport for their premium hardware designed to last, cutting-edge features that just work, and an unparalleled customer-oriented approach. All these values that make people fall in love with Apple are reflected in their latest iteration of iPhones; iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max.

The iPhone 14 series borrows everything that was great about last year’s iPhone 13 lineup and takes it up a notch (pun intended).

If top-of-the-line cameras and unyielding performance wrapped up in a gorgeous body are your ideas for a great phone, the iPhone 14 lineup is a no-brainer. The question is: Which of the iPhone 14’s is your perfect companion?

Read on for our review of Apple’s latest flagship smartphones (Hint: There’s more to the devices than what’s on paper).

 

Specs – iPhone 14/iPhone 14 Plus/iPhone 14 Pro/iPhone 14 Pro Max

First things first, what’s on paper? Here are the official specs of the 2022 iPhone 14 series:

iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max
Body Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Aluminum frame Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Aluminum frame Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Stainless steel frame Gorilla Glass (front and back) + Stainless steel frame
Display size (Type) 6.1-inch (Super Retina XDR OLED) 6.7-inch (Super Retina XDR OLED) 6.1-inch (LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED) 6.7-inch (LTPO Super Retina XDR OLED)
Refresh rate 60Hz 60Hz 120Hz 120Hz
Resolution (Pixel Density) 2532 x 1170 pixels (460 ppi) 2778 x 1284 pixels (458 ppi) 2556 x 1179 pixels (460 ppi) 2796 x 1290 pixels (460 ppi)
Dimensions (Inches/mm) 5.78 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches (146.7 x 71.5 x 7.8 mm) 6.33 x 3.07 x 0.31 inches (160.8 x 78.1 x 7.8 mm) 5.81 x 2.81 x 0.31 inches (147.5 x 71.5 x 7.9 mm) 6.33 x 3.06 x 0.31 inches (160.7 x 77.6 x 7.9 mm)
Weight 6.07 oz. (172 g) 7.16 oz. (203 g) 7.27 oz. (206 g) 8.47 oz. (240 g)
Mobile software iOS 16 iOS 16 iOS 16 iOS 16
Rear cameras 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) 12MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide) 48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto) 48MP (wide), 12MP (ultrawide), 12MP (telephoto)
Front-facing camera 12MP 12MP 12MP 12MP
Video HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps HDR recording up to 4K at 60 fps
Processor Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) Apple A15 Bionic (5nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4nm) Apple A16 Bionic (4nm)
Storage 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, 1TB
Expandable storage No No No No
Battery Li-Ion 3279 mAh, non-removable (12.68 Wh) Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh) Li-Ion 3200 mAh, non-removable (12.38 Wh) Li-Ion 4323 mAh, non-removable (16.68 Wh)
Connector Lightning Lightning Lightning Lightning
Headphone jack No No No No
Special features Emergency SOS via satellite, 5G, MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM) Emergency SOS via satellite, 5G enabled; MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM) Emergency SOS via satellite, Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM) Emergency SOS via satellite, Dynamic Island; Always-On display; 5G enabled; MagSafe, wireless charging; dual-SIM (e-SIM)
Colors Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red Midnight, Purple, Starlight, Blue, Red Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple Space Black, Silver, Gold, Deep Purple
Price off-contract (USD) $799 (128GB), $899 (256GB), $1,099 (512GB) $899 (128GB), $999 (256GB), $1,199 (512GB) $999 (128GB), $1,099 (256GB), $1,299 (512GB), $1,499 (1TB) $1,099 (128GB), $1,199 (256GB), $1,399 (512GB), $1,599 (1TB)

 

The published spec sheet aside, how do all the nifty perks translate to the consumer? Are the new camera features worthwhile? How practical is the ‘ground-breaking’ dynamic island? Here’s a breakdown of what the iPhone 14 packs outside and under the hood based on an in-depth analysis of hands-on reviews:

 

Design – Out with Notch, In With the Island

If you’ve had the opportunity to grab hold of the iPhone 13, expect the same feel with 2022’s iPhone 14—at least body-wise. The dimensions and even the screen are identical—with most of the tuning happening on the inside.

While the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus (expected to be released on October 07) have relatively uninspiring designs, the Pro models are the exact opposite. For the first time since the 2017 iPhone X, the team at Cupertino has finally made the bold of reinventing the trademark notch.

The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max displays feature a pill-shaped cutout dubbed the “Dynamic Island.” While the name attracted its fair share of memes, the Dynamic Island may prove to be a gem. It’s a creative way to refresh the iconic notch by turning it into a more practical tool that improves the user experience.

The Dynamic Island functions like an adaptive blob that stretches, contracts, and even changes shape as needed. Its elegant feel and functionality make it one of Apple’s most significant design upgrades in recent years. The island takes multitasking up a notch by allowing you to dock an app and revisit it with a quick tap.

And as you’d expect from Apple, the animations are silky smooth and subtle. But some users have identified some rough spots such as uncharacteristic cropping of things like timers. It’s one of those features that gradually grow on you until you can’t imagine a life without them

While Dynamic Island is attracting most of the plaudits, Apple managed to sneak in a useful feature that may end up saving you a couple of bucks. You can now replace the back glass without going through the expensive hassle of disassembling the phone. Even better, you don’t need to remove the True Depth Camera module to replace the display. Talking of display…

 

Display – Smoother, Brighter, and Always-On

To the disappointment of fans, Apple maintained a 60Hz display for the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Plus models—a refresh rate that is relatively outdated among high-end smartphones. Besides that, the entire lineup delivers crisp OLED screens with Dolby Vision and HDR10 technology.

Following the same trend with the design, Apple reserved the best display features for the Pro models. The iPhone 14 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro Max boast LTPO OLED screens with a 120Hz refresh rate. Coupled with the Dynamic Island and a bumped-up camera (more on this in the next section), emerging reports by market analysts suggest the Pro models are racking up higher demand to the point that Apple may be doubling down on their production.

The Pro models also ship with an Always-On display turned on. If you’ve used an Apple watch, you might be familiar with how this feature works. Always-On dims the screen to about 10% and chops the refresh rate up to 1Hz. This gives you a constant sneak peek of time and notifications without significantly hogging your battery. It’s a feature that may take some getting used—with online search results showing a spike in people looking to toggle the feature on-off.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Pro models pack an impressive 2000nits of peak brightness—compared to the 1200nits in the 14 and 14 Plus. The extra nits may not matter much in normal usage, but they might come in handy when you need a clear view of your phone in bright light.

 

Camera – Bumped Up, But Bumpy

Apple rarely disappoints when it comes to cameras—this reputation holds true with the iPhone 14 lineup. Refined features like Cinematic Mode, Night Mode, Depth Control, and the all-new “Photonic Engine” give the iPhone 14s the software juice to deliver brighter, lifelike images.

You’ll also find Action Mode, which stabilizes images when you move the camera around a lot. Though you have to sacrifice resolution from 4k to 2.8k – a small price to pay for quality videos.

In terms of the selfie cameras, they all get an upgrade with autofocus (finally) and a wider aperture of f/1.9. Video calls and portrait shots are about to be better than they’ve ever been.

While all devices in the 2022 lineup offer impressive camera output that’s on par with the best smartphones out there, the Pro models take the limelight.

The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus comes with the familiar dual rear camera setup with a 12MP main camera. This is the same resolution as their predecessors, the iPhone 13—but with an upgrade in aperture from f/1.6 to f/1.5.

And if you thought iPhone cameras were good at 12MP, wait until you catch a whiff of the 48MP sensor on the Pro models? On top of the larger sensor (around 65% larger than the iPhone 13 Pro), the Pro models also feature a 12MP telephoto sensor that allows 3X optical zoom, a 12MP ultra-wide sensor with a wider aperture, and ProRES for 48MP raw shots.

This is all great news for the photographers and filmmakers in us. Most camera test show improved color rendition, more light gathering, and faster focusing. But all this goodness comes with a caveat: a bigger camera bump.

If the wonky feel of the iPhone 13 Pro was a concern for you, wait until you place the iPhone 14 Pros on a table. Sure, it’s highly unlikely that the wobble will be a deal breaker—but it’s hard to ignore the risk of accidental falls on slanted surfaces. When this is the case (*another pun), we got your back with our top-of-the-line iPhone 14 screen protectors to safeguard your precious device.

 

Processor – A Partial Upgrade

To widen the gap between the Base and Pro models, Apple decided to reuse last year’s A15 Bionic chip in the iPhone 14 and 14 Plus—only reserving the cutting-edge A16 Bionic for the 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max.

The A15 Bionic is already some steps ahead of most competitors, so it should still suffice. But if you want the best in processing power—especially for long-term use—the A16 Bionic packed in the Pro models is a great choice.

 

What Does the eSIM Spell for You?

Another major change to the iPhone lineup is the contentious idea to ditch the physical SIM card tray in favor of an eSim—at least in the U.S., This move is so far divisive among consumers.

Some users argue that the idea to ‘force’ the eSIM-only iPhone 14s is an anti-consumer approach that is uncharacteristic of Apple. There’s also the frustration of hiccups when transferring your phone number from an old device to the iPhone 14. Not to mention the privacy risk from waiving the option to remove the physical SIM card.

But for most people, setting up your new iPhone and switching between carriers should be a breeze. It might even be smoother and more seamless than the conventional way with physical SIMs.

 

Safety and Security

Safety first! SOS over satellite and crash detection are two features that are not necessarily in the spotlight as far as early iPhone 14 impressions are concerned. But they could mean the world to some users when their lives are at stake.

The crash detection feature basically works by using advanced sensors to identify a car crash before dialing emergency services and notifying them of your location for help. If sending an emergency message is not possible due to signal issues, the iPhone 14 will use satellite.

 

Battery Life and Charging

Interestingly, the base iPhone 14 packs a larger battery than the iPhone 14 Pro. But this does not translate to better battery life. With a more efficient A16 Bionic chipset and the adaptive ProMotion display, the Pro model may slightly edge past the iPhone 14. But all this depends on your real-world usage.

Either way, Apple claims you can recharge your device to 50% in 30 minutes using their fast charging adapter or 15W MagSafe charging. Time will tell how this holds up.

 

Color

Specs and neat features aside, sometimes the buying decision comes down to the phone’s aesthetic. The iPhone 14 and 14 Plus are available in Midnight, Starlight, Blue, Purple, and (PRODUCT) Red. The Pro models ship with fewer color options—but eye-catching ones nonetheless. They include Space Black, Silver, Gold, and Deep Purple.

We feel Deep Purple will be a fan favorite and a top candidate for users who prefer transparent cases. The Space Black is a nice shade for those of you who prefer something dialed down. It’s slightly darker than last year’s Graphite shade.

 

Verdict?

With the 120Hz display, the Dynamic Island, a 48MP camera, and the A16 Bionic chip, all signs point to the iPhone 14 Pro models. They are a few drawbacks like the wobbly camera bump and lack of a USB-C connector, but they are mostly negligible. But regardless of your pick, this year’s iPhone lineup offers great value for money.

And when you upgrade to the latest iPhone, ensure you enjoy your device for as long as possible by installing a glass screen protector from Tech Amor. We have reliable and easy-to-install iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone Pro, and iPhone 14 Pro Max screen protectors. Plus, a handful of accessories such as cleaning kits, car mounts, and premium cables.

iPhone SE 3 (2022) Device Review

It is clear to say that from the very first device in the series (now in its third iteration), Apple designed the iPhone SE to include some of its most advanced features and technologies. It was important for Apple to provide more options for their existing users who want a smaller iPhone and a great value. The kind set aside from their flagships to deliver the iPhone experience at an incredible price.

Apple iPhone SE (2022) announced with Apple A15 chipset - GSMArena.com newsAs such, the SE lineup has become a trendy model with new iPhone users, helping Apple continue to woo people into the now infamous ecosystem as they continue to add new users to the iPhone at a faster pace. Apple added more new users to the iPhone 13 lineup than in each of the previous five launches. They definitely see the iPhone SE as a means to build on this momentum.

The 2022 iPhone SE is one of those books that should never be judged by its cover. The device is not much of a looker by today’s standards, but neither was the previous iPhone SE. In fact, you would be hard-pressed to find a visual difference between the two devices. They quite literally share the same body. This is very unlike Apple.

Every year, Tim Cook and Co. get on those meticulously prepared sets and announce devices with just enough difference from the previous generation for the common user to be able to differentiate them. New iPhones always have a unique identifying feature. Be it a color, the camera system design, or a marginal difference in the size of the notch. There is nothing visually special about this Special Edition phone year-on-year. That notwithstanding, Apple rarely makes mistakes, and the 2022 iPhone SE is definitely not one.

As regards to the specs, the internals are all that matters. There are, however, some points to note about the exterior, but before that:

Pros of iPhone SE3

  • good
  • Powered by A15 Bionic- Apple’s most powerful mobile chip
  • Improved battery life
  • Light and Thin

Cons of iPhone SE 3

  • Pricier than its predecessor
  • Lack of night mode
  • Small and outdated display

And now, The exterior

With a width of 2.65 inches, a height of 5.45 inches, and a thickness of 7.3mm, the SE 3 is generally one of the most compact phones available in the smartphone market. It is splash, water, and dust resistant and is rated IP67 (maximum depth of 1 meter up to 30 minutes) under IEC standard 60529. It comes in at a weight of 144 grams.

The SE3 features a glass and aluminum design in Midnight, Starlight, and Product Red. Thanks to the toughest glass found on both the front and back, the display is more protected than its predecessor. This is the same glass as the back of iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Pro.

One thing that the SE has that not even the Pro Max iPhones get is the Home Button with Touch ID for a secure, private, and easy way to unlock your iPhone, fill in passcodes, and make purchases with Apple Pay.

The 2022 SE sports a 4.7-inch LCD display with IPS technology. It has a 1334 x 750-pixel resolution, which brings its pixel density to 326 per inch and a 1400:1 contrast ratio, far from the near-infinite contrast ratios of good OLED displays. The maximum brightness is at 625 nits.

Other display features include True Tone, P3 wide color gamut, Haptic Touch, and a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating.

Speaking of the internals

One of the biggest upgrades to the SE this year is in the processor. At the heart of the iPhone SE is A15 Bionic, the same chip as in iPhone 13. It is mind-blowing that Apple can bring such a powerful chip and a level of performance to their most affordable phone. This is something only Apple can do. Oh, wait, and Xiaomi, of course. The Poco F1 was and still is a legendary device.

On testing, A15 Bionic makes nearly every experience better, from simple things like launching apps and scrolling through photos to intense workloads like processing depth information on the fly. A15 Bionic packs a powerful 6-core CPU to handle demanding tasks smoothly and efficiently. It’s up to 1.8 times faster than iPhone 8 (whose body the iPhone SE lineup assimilated) and even faster than older models. This CPU is faster than all the competition at any price.

The 4-core GPU is excellent for graphics-intensive use cases and delivers a monumental improvement for people upgrading from a phone with any other processor. That means that games are reproduced smoothly and with realism, with the only bottleneck in the gaming experience possible being the display size.

Apps can take advantage of the 16-core Neural Engine, which is perfect for machine learning tasks and, according to Apple, is capable of 15.8 trillion operations per second, which is 26 times faster than iPhone 8. Anyone upgrading from a phone without a Neural Engine will definitely notice all the simple ways it makes using the iPhone easier.

The battery

Battery life is important, especially now when Apple’s iPhone SE brings 5G to Apple’s most affordable iPhone, so iPhone SE can take advantage of the latest generation of technology. With 5G, you get super-fast downloads and uploads, lower latency, and better experiences in more places.

iPhone SE 3 has better battery life thanks to the efficiency of A15 Bionic, the controlled integration with iOS, and Apple’s internal design updates. The iPhone 13 lineup is said to have the best battery life on any smartphone, so there was always going to be an improvement of the weaknesses of the SE lineup.

Cameras

The SE 3 has a 12MP Wide ƒ/1.8 aperture camera with Digital zoom up to 5x, portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, portrait lighting, Optical Image Stabilization (OIS) which many expensive phones do not have. The camera has a six-element lens, with LED True Tone flash with Slow Sync.

iPhone SE also has some of Apple’s latest camera innovations. The 12-megapixel camera and A15 Bionic create a new camera system that enables powerful computational photography. Deep Fusion optimizes for texture and detail in every part of the photo. Smart HDR 4 applies individual color, contrast, and noise adjustments to subjects and the background. Photographic Styles brings your preferred style automatically to the image pipeline during capture while preserving skin tones. The ISP in A15 Bionic improves video quality for truer skin tones and reduced noise, especially in lower light.

The iPhone SE can do 4K video recording at 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps or 60 fps, and 1080p HD video recording at 25 fps, 30 fps, or 60 fps. It has an Extended dynamic range for video up to 30 fps, Optical image stabilization for video, Digital zoom up to 3x, Slo-mo video support for 1080p at 120 fps or 240 fps, Time-lapse video with stabilization, Night mode Time-lapse, Cinematic video stabilization (4K, 1080p, and 720p), and Stereo recording

The SE’s 7MP front camera has a ƒ/2.2 aperture with a portrait mode with advanced bokeh and Depth Control, portrait lighting,  Deep Fusion, Smart HDR 4 for photos, Time-lapse video with stabilization, Night mode Time-lapse, Retina Flash, and cinematic video.

Performance, storage, and price

The iPhone SE 3 comes with a base storage capacity of 64GB, which is not enough by today’s standard. Fortunately, there are also 128GB and 256GB storage options.

iPhone SE comes with all the incredible benefits of iOS 15, including new features like Focus to help reduce distraction to be in the moment and an all-new Maps experience. And you’ll get intelligent capabilities that protect your privacy like on-device Siri and on-device dictation that just weren’t possible with older phones.

iPhone SE will get the latest iOS updates for years to come. iPhone SE continues Apple’s commitment to minimize the impact on the environment.

Like they did with iPhone 13, they eliminated the outer plastic wrap from Apple’s packaging. And they use recycled materials in the design of the iPhone SE, like in the Taptic Engine, where they use 100% recycled rare earth elements and 100% recycled tungsten. iPhone SE is a fantastic new iPhone that brings the performance of A15 Bionic, the speed of 5G, better durability, better battery life, and advanced new camera capabilities. The 2022 SE starts at $429.

The 2020 SE was this $399 entry-level iPhone built to be a powerful net to reel in the more budget-conscious consumers into Apple’s ecosystem. They swapped out the chipset from Apple’s A13 to apple’s A15. This time around they’ve basically taken that same phone bumped the price up to $429 and refreshed it.

The changes made to the SE lineup require a very attentive mind during the event. Apple has made a significant improvement to this phone right. Still, they’ve done it in such a way that unless you specifically watch this, the fact that Apple made no recognizable changes theory is interesting. This drives the theory that Apple would rather have you buy their very expensive iPhone 13s.

Who is the iPhone SE3 perfect for?

  • If you love small phones that you can basically carry around easily, this phone is for you. The iPhone SE 3 is the thinnest phone, and its weight measures up to that of the iPhone 12 mini.
  • The fact that this phone is 5G is another aspect that could interest you— saying no to a faster and reliable internet is hard.
  • Apple held on to their old design. With most things unchanged, you still get a better Touch ID, which is still an old version. So, if you like those vintages yet classic designs, this is the phone for you.

Who is it not suitable for?

  • If you are a blogger or a photographer, this phone may not fit your needs. Its camera is quite good, but the features are limited.
  • The screen on this phone is a bit small. And when exposed to direct sunlight, the screen isn’t visibly or well seen. So, for big-phone-fanatics, this may not be for you.
  • The unlocking system is constricted to just the button, unlike in other phones where you can unlock with your face and fingerprint.

Same design better and new features

The iPhone SE 3 is a pocket-friendly purchase. It has 5G bands meaning its fast enough and will definitely get you through a couple more years without needing to do a phone change. But despite being pocket friendly and small, it still offers you a tremendous undistracted day while using it, let alone the powerful processor that comes with it.

And since the phone is small, there chances that it may keep falling are high. To avoid the small screen from getting damaged or scratched, you can get a screen protector from Tech Armor and prevent all that. Besides, a small phone with a broken screen is a huge no.

 

Samsung Galaxy S22 and S22 Plus Device Review

Samsung fanatics rejoiced as the behemoth unveiled their new smartphone lineup: the Samsung Galaxy S 22 series. The unpacked event took place on February 9th. The S 22 lineup, just like every Galaxy S phone released in the last 12 years, was rumored to have better and more advanced features than its predecessor. But, now that the phones are out, how true are the rumors?

Samsung Galaxy S22 vs Galaxy S22+ vs Galaxy S22 Ultra: Price, Specifications Compared | NDTV Gadgets 360The S22 series, termed to be the best-of-the-best from Samsung, consists of three models: the Galaxy S 22, S 22 plus, and S 22 Ultra—each offering a new experience, and of course, at an extra dime each. The three models are already available for preorder as the shipping started later the same month after the event.

 

The S 22 plus offers an “expansive, colorful, and responsive” screen and an additional “impressive” photo capability, while the unique thing about the S 22 Ultra is its camera zooming quality. The S 22 so far has received a not-so-good review since its adjustments are minor compared to S 21. In fact, the S 22 and S 22 plus have a weak point— their battery life. But, the good thing is that the duo is fast and reliable.

The prevalent thing about the lineup is that they are powered by a 4nm processor that can detect and monitor app performance directing more or less power depending on the need. This type of processor is the first in Samsung’s Galaxy phone. Additionally, the company added that the Nightography and auto framing features would be available on all three phones. These features are set to ease your vlogging in the dark thirst and concurrently track and recognize up to 10 people when using the video mood.

It’s safe to say that the three phones are an iterative upgrade to the s21. Because, as seen in the Galaxy S 22, not much has changed either— even the price range isn’t as huge. The only thing differentiating the two is that the S22 has a slightly smaller battery and screen.

For the s22 Ultra, almost everything is advanced, but we’re concentrating on the s22 and s22 plus here.

And now that you’re aware of the basics and somewhat the things you could expect below is all the nitty-gritty work to help you understand the two phones better as you quench your geek lust.

Specifications

Samsung Galaxy s22

This entry-level phone in the flagship lineup lacks the other two’s premium features. But focusing on what it lacks does no good. So, let’s see the value it delivers:

  • Starting price: $799
  • Screen size: 6.1-inch AMOLED (2340 x 1080)
  • Refresh rate: 48Hz – 120Hz (adaptive)
  • CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 (US); Exynos 2200 (UK)
  • RAM: 8GB
  • Storage: 128GB, 256GB
  • Rear cameras: 50MP wide (f/1.8); 12MP ultrawide (f/2.2); 10MP telephoto (f/2.4) with 3x optical zoom
  • Front camera: 10MP (f/2.2)
  • Battery size: 3.700 mAh
  • Battery life (Hrs: Mins): 7:52
  • Size: 5.7 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches
  • Weight: 5.9 ounces
  • Colors: Phantom Black, Phantom White, Green, Pink Gold
  1. Samsung Galaxy s22 review- Software and performance

Two top-end processors power the flashy s22: the Snapdragon 8 gen 1 chipset in the U.S and Asia and Exynos 2200 chipset in Europe other parts of the world. This is fantastic news because the Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 is responsible for some of the best Android performance. However, even though it’s the most powerful chip of the two, not many can notice the difference. And either way, you’ll easily enjoy your gaming and other tasks.

The two chips are paired with 8GB RAM, and depending on the version you choose 128GB or 256GB storage. The snapdragon 8 gen 1 supports a faster processing speed and a higher and superior camera quality compared to the other 5G platforms. And with this model still supporting both sub-6Ghz networks and mmWave, it’s clear that Samsung is fully committed to 5G.

The Snapdragon X65 modem is used in the Galaxy S 22 as Qualcomm’s top-notch model until the end of the year when the X70 will start shipping.

 

  1. Display

If you’re familiar with Samsung phones, you’ll know that they have decent displays. The S 22’s screen is no different. It has brilliant and vibrant colors, dark blacks, and high maximum brightness.

The Galaxy S22 features a 6.1-inch display, which is 0.1 inches smaller than the Galaxy S21. The change is so subtle that you wouldn’t notice it unless you compared the two handsets side by side. The panel uses AMOLED technology and boasts a 120Hz refresh rate, FHD+ resolution, and 240Hz touch input rate.

This model got lower peak brightness compared to the others. The 1,300-nit peak brightness, however, is nothing to worry about. The clarity doesn’t change a lot under sunlight, but you’ll still have to fully crank up the brightness. And when you do, the color contrast will not be affected. Samsung included the Vision Booster technology to help maintain the colors even if the screen is at its brightest.

  1. Design

The materials on the Galaxy S22 have been upgraded, with an aluminum ring around the midsection and a Gorilla Glass Victus + glass back. And even though there’s some change in the material, the design remains the same. The only distinction is that the camera array’s color was different from the rest of the device’s back on the Galaxy s21, whereas the color matches on the Galaxy S22.

Samsung ensured that the material change would help with durability. But since the glass would still break if dropped on a hard surface, ensure you invest in getting one of the most refined Galaxy S22 cases and screen protectors.

If you decide to order from the company itself, you’ll get cream, graphite, violet, and sky-blue colors. Otherwise, the phone comes in Phantom White, Phantom Black, Green, and Pink Gold.

  1. Camera

Dual View and Single Take modes in the Samsung phones have, over the years, been helpful for photo-holics. However, the same modes have been used in the S 22, meaning no new experience will be offered.

The camera in this model feels a bit different. Its telephoto and main snappers are different, while the 12MP ultra-wide camera and 10 MP front-facing camera are still the same as its predecessor. The most significant change in the camera is the upgrade in the primary camera from 12MP to a 50 MP sensor. This change promises bolder and brighter colors.

While compared to the S 21, the S 22 has a 3x better optical zoom. However, the telephoto is 10Mp, a fall from 64MP.

  1. Battery

The battery life is one aspect most people don’t like about the phone. The battery capacity is small (3700mAh) as compared to its predecessor. And in some way, we can say it’s still a good thing since it should charge faster when you’re in a rush. The charging speed remains to be the same (4.5w and 15W), with it supporting both wireless and reverse wireless charging.

Samsung Galaxy s22 plus

The mid-tier models from Samsung have always had a plus added at the end. And in the Galaxy S 2022 flagship, the tradition still goes on. The Samsung Galaxy S 22 Plus is the best “consumer” device among the three. Here’s why:

  1. DESIGN

To increase robustness to the S22 plus, a gloss metal frame made with Samsung’s proprietary Armor Aluminum was used. This material helps the phone not disintegrate or scratch easily after a single drop. But you can still get a screen protector and a cover to avoid regrets.

And for comfort and beauty, because Samsung knows clearly that most of their clients love phone looks, a Gorilla Glass Victus plus front and back was also used.

The Contour Cut design- as Samsung calls it- is a thoughtful evolution of its predecessor. This helps in enclosing the camera sensors in separate sections. Although the design is similar to the s21, the camera module in S 22 is the same color as its body— the same effects found on the Galaxy S21FE.

Samsung opted for a frosted rear coating to help disguise the users’ fingerprints.

As you hold the phone, you’ll notice it’s not as curved as the iPhone 13 pro, but neither is it flat. Its shape is made specifically to ensure your fingers and palm will be safe as you hold or use the phone.

The Galaxy S22 Plus is palm-stretching, but you can easily use the volume rocker and power button (found on the right edge) with one hand.

The phone is available in Pink Gold, Green, Phantom Black, and Phantom White. The cream, pale blue, cream, and gray are only available on the Samsung website.

  1. Display

Is the S 22 plus super pricey or super cheap? The phone is definitely a good buy, but considering it’s a Samsung phone—they always go out of their way on their display— this device display isn’t as good. This phone has a resolution of 1080 x 2340 (or FHD+), just like most Android phones.

The good news is its maximum brightness (1,750 nits), and the contrast are excellent- thank you to the 6.5-inch AMOLED screen. The two collaborate with Samsung’s new Vision Booster system to tweak both brightness and contrast, enabling clear visibility in different light environments. The action when playing games or scrolling around is also smooth because of the 120Hz refresh rate and 240Hz touch sampling rate. FHD+ is sufficient for most tasks, as only a few streaming services and games provide content of a higher quality.

  1. Performance and Software

Powered by the latest Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 from Qualcomm, the phone has a standard 8Gb RAM and storage tiers of 128GB AND 256GB. The Galaxy S22 Ultra is the only flagship phone that has an extra option when it comes to RAM. And however, the phone doesn’t have a high RAM tally; its performance is still surprisingly great.

The Galaxy S22 has Samsung’s own One UI 4.1 and comes with the Android 12. And as far as androids are concerned, Samsung, in the unveiling event, pledged to have the S series get four years of software updates. They’ll set a record in android phones currently battling a reputation of always being behind on OS updates.

  1. Cameras

The Galaxy S22 Plus is a significant improvement over its predecessor regarding the camera. In contrast to the Galaxy S21 Plus’s 3x hybrid zoom, the phone offers a rear 3x optical zoom.

The sensor on the phone is bigger and able to allow more light. In principle, this should result in better evening photography. In actuality, though, Samsung continues to struggle with low-light photographs that are excessively yellow and have significant white balance issues.

A 10MP selfie camera is located on the front of the phone. The 50MP main rear sensor is joined by a 12MP ultrawide and a 10MP telephoto sensor.

  1. Battery

First things first, there isn’t the inclusion of a charger. But when it comes to wired charging, the phone supports a 45W and 15W wireless charging- 20mins until halfway charged. Second, the phone uses a 4,500 mAh power pack, a 300mAh loss compared to its predecessor.

Phones that will see you through many years

The S22 and S22 plus are an excellent buy. With great day-to-day performance, versatile camera system able to take great videos and pictures, and not forgetting the pretty decent design the phones have, either of the phone will see you through many years, of course if taken care of. You can boost the robust material used with a screen protector from Tech Armor.  The colors the two phones come in is also a plus for the behemoth.

And a quick tip: Don’t leave the house without the charger.

Apple iPhone 13 Device Review

iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max Review

When the word iPhone appears in a conversation, well not much introduction is needed. It honestly speaks for itself. Probably because it’s the most prominent smartphone made and marketed by Apple. What’s even better is the incredible advancement in terms of the announcement of new series released periodically. And this year the iPhone 13 series is the talk

First iPhone 13 pre-orders now shipping ahead of Friday release - 9to5Mac

Following the announcement of the iPhone 12 in October last year, Apple promised a new and advanced lineup, and of course, it came to pass—no disappointment. The iPhone 12 featured new technology and a fancy new design which is the Mini-sized version.

Well, not much has changed. The iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro, and 13 Pro Max were released on the 13th of September, this year, alongside an updated entry-level iPad, Apple Watch 7, and iPad Mini 6—The event was spectacular. These updated iPhones come with an iOS15 ready to be installed, together with an upgraded camera, a new A15 Bionic processor, an upped storage and so much more.

The improvements, assuming you’re looking for a decent phone, really matter. But do these changes really convince us? Does the new iPhone lineup prove to be the greatest, well, since the last one? —to be fair, they have really brought some revolutionary changes. But a closer look at what the lineup offers and how the 4 versions perform, and their differences are much more important.

So, let’s just proceed to the best part…

The specs

With these clever advancements, Apple aimed to make the iPhone Pro Max or either of its siblings, a compelling upgrade made to fit the needs of different individuals—pros and those in need of an everyday consumption phone. So, the question remains, which will suit you best?

There is a lot to read on as far as the iPhone model is concerned. But before we head on to all that:

iPhone 13 lineup prices

One thing about the lineup is that the physical appearance of each isn’t so different from that of its predecessors. And so, is the pricing. This—pricing— is similar in most of the models except in the standard and mini options. This is because the 64GB storage option in the two, has been done away with. And if you are be expecting a price change for this, well, sorry to say, there isn’t.

Generally, the prices of this new lineup increase with the increase in storage. This is mostly seen in the models with the 1TB storage options feature. Available in the Pro Max model, the storage feature ups the price to $1,599.

For the normal prices of the iPhone 13 high-end Pro version—without the extra storage—comes a similarity to that of the Galaxy S Ultra and Galaxy S plus which costs $1,200 and $1,000 respectively.

  128GB storage 256GB storage 512GB storage 1TB storage
iPhone 13 Mini $699 $799 $999 NA
iPhone 13 $799 $899 $1,099 NA
iPhone 13 Pro $999 $1,099 $1,199 $1,499
iPhone 13 Pro Max $1,099 $1,199 $1,399 $1,599
  1. Design, size and color

The smartphone offers a similar Ceramic Shield display upfront, flat edges, and a durable glass back. Actually, even the IP68    water resistance is the same. The robust frame in the iPhone lineup together with all the advanced physical features makes the holding feel nice. However, Apple gave a ‘redesigned on the inside and out’ comment pointing at it being different from the others where, honestly, it’s hard to spot the differences.

The most obvious difference is noticeable in the edge. You will notice the volume controls, silent/ring switch and the power button have been slightly switched.

There are two more design changes in the iPhone44. One is the 20% smaller notch. This enables an undistracted time while watching videos in landscape mode with both sides at full screen. And most importantly the reduction in the Mini version is more interesting.

Considering the phone is narrower the notch swoops down a bit more making apps like Gmail—ones with a white background in portrait orientation— more fun to use. Secondly, the cameras on the rear which were placed vertically in the iPhone 12 are now arranged diagonally.

The iPhone 13 mini and13 are available in Pink, Midnight, Blue, Product (RED), and Starlight. While the13 Pro and 13 Pro Max are in Graphite, Silver, Sierra Blue, and Gold.

Unfortunately, there is one thing missing—the touch ID. This is an upgrade that would have been highly appreciated since the face ID, well, with our masks on, can be a hassle to use. Also, the smartphone had some problems unlocking with the Apple Watch. But this isn’t an issue since Apple is working on it.

When it comes to size the iPhone Mini is 5.4 inches, standard 6.1 inches, iPhone 13 Pro 6.1 inches, iPhone 13 Pro Max 6.7 inches.

  1. ProMotion display

This feature is a brand name for Apple display which means updates and refresh rates that happens often— 60Hz or 60 times per second. But for this new model, they included a 120Hz refresh rate. This, when compared to the screens we have at home i.e., tv, is double the rate since they usually update at 60Hz. The feature has been available on the iPad Pro but has been now launched in the iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 13 Pro Max.

The refresh rate determines how smooth and fast the scrolling is. And sailing content is a great experience than the smearing one. This feature, however, isn’t available in the mini. But that doesn’t stop it from giving its user an excellent time. In fact, when you compare it to the iPhone 12, there are some noticeable and visible improvements. So, no worries.

All the iPhone models have OLED screen panels.

The brightness increase rate favors people using it in the sun. This is because of the Super Retina XDR display which is 28% brighter than its predecessor—the change isn’t dramatic though. And when it comes to watching a movie, the HDR content can be screened at 1,200 nits on all the siblings.

The display size is also noticeable. The smallest display is on the iPhone 13 mini—5.4 inches with a resolution of 2340 x 1080 pixels, 476ppi. This makes this handful version the sharpest display of all. The largest is, of course, the iPhone 13 Pro Max. It has a resolution of 2778 x 1284 pixels, 458ppi, and a display size of 6.7 inches.

The 13 and 13 Pro have a similar display size o 6.1-inches while the resolution is 2532 x 1170 pixels, 460ppi.

  1. Camera

There are so many interesting facts about the camera in all four versions. just imaging taking pictures in low lighting. Or better still owning a phone that can help you measure height? Cool, right? Well, the iPhone 13 has a lidar scanner on the Pro Max and Pro versions unlike in the iPhone 12 lineup. Its main purpose is autofocused pictures and videos with low noise as well as quality shots even in low lighting. Additionally, Apple said that there will be a new feature, on the Pro models, called ProRES that includes video recording of up to 4K at 30fps, later this year.

Although the new lens setup is the most common visible change, it has come with a few more advantages. The large camera has 1.7μm pixels and a wider camera that gathers 47% more light. The improved cameras on the iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 Mini, has an ultrawide lens and are 12-megapixel wide. And for iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max, the three rear cameras have telephoto lenses, are 12-megapixel wide, and are ultrawide.

Color temperature is an important fact to check on when buying a phone. Whether you want a rich contrast, vibrant, standard, cool, or warm one, the control should be yours. And alas the iPhone 13 lineup has the Photographic styles feature that is specifically for this purpose.

Wait, here comes the best part…the Macro photography and cinematic mode feature. The macro-Photography helps take pictures with the appropriate camera lens automatically while still offering a focused image. And the cinematic mode, just like the Apple Portrait Mode in the iPhone 7 plus, allows the subject to move around the frame and still remain in focus. This mode can be used while recording one or more subjects, and you can as well tap to the main focus or get a focus mode while editing.

However, as sweet as the deal sounds, there are some limitations. For the cinematic mode to work, there must be good lighting. And if there isn’t the camera app will warn you. The editing of the videos also needs to be done on Apple apps i.e., iMovie. And lastly, the cinematic mode can only be shot in p at frames per second.

  1. A5 Bionic and performance

The A15 Bionic is a faster chip and an advancement from the A14 Bionic in iPhone12. It offers a 4-core GPU, 6-core CPU, and a 16-core Neural Engine. This means the CPU works up to 5% faster and the GPU is in a place to handle rendering graphics that are 20% faster which is quite impressive. The iPhone 13 Pro model has the fastest GPU which is five cores while the iPhone 13 mini and iPhone 13 has our cores.

You can switch between tasks without any issues.

  1. Battery life

The iPhone 13 has an extended battery life than the iPhone 12 lineup. This is because of the A15 Bionic chip, bigger battery, and iOS 15. Despite Apple not revealing the battery specs, another source showed that there is a significant capacious cell than in the iPhone 12. The iPhone 13 Pro Max has the best battery life of Up to 28 hours. However, the bigger the battery, the bigger the phone. So, if you do mind a handful phone, then the iPhone 13 Pro Max isn’t for you.

The iPhone Mini powers for nearly 17 hours, while the other two—13 and 13 Pro—are at least 19 hours and 22 hours respectively. All these, when compared to the previous lineup, are a sizable leap.

iPhone 13, 13 MINI, 13 PRO AND 13 PRO MAX SPECS

iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max
Storage 128, 256, 512GB 128, 256, 512 GB 128, 256, 512, 1TB 128, 256, 512, 1TB
Processor A15 Bionic A15 Bionic A15 Bionic A15 Bionic
Screen size 5.4 inches 6.1 inches 6.1 inches 6.7 inches
Rear cameras Dual 12MP (Wide, ultrawide) Dual 12MP (Wide, ultrawide) Pro 12MP (Telephoto, Wide, Ultra-Wide) Pro 12MP (Telephoto, Wide, Ultra-Wide)
Front camera 12MP TrueDepth 12MP TrueDepth 12MP TrueDepth 12MP TrueDepth
Zoom None / 5x digital None / 5x digital 3x optical / 15x digital 3x optical / 15x digital
Adaptive refresh No No Up to 120Hz Up to 120Hz
Water resistance IP68 IP68 IP68 IP68
Resolution/ppi 2340 x 1080/476 2532 x 1170/460 2532 x 1170/460 2778 x 1284/458
Colors Red, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink Red, Starlight, Midnight, Blue, Pink Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue Graphite, Gold, Silver, Sierra Blue
Size 5.2 x 2.5 x 0.3 inches 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches 5.8 x 2.8 x 0.3 inches 6.3 x 3.1 x 0.3 inches
Weight 4.97 ounces 6.14 ounces 7.2 ounces 8.5 ounces
Battery life (video playback 8:41 10:33 11:42 12:16
Starting price $699 $799 $999 $1,099

 

Conclusion

Despite the upgrades being mostly under the hood, they are precisely made to give you a more improved experience. Fancy new features, great battery life—except in the mini— who wouldn’t want that? If you are still wondering if it’s worth it getting one, aim to focus on the fundamentals. ‘What upgrades are there?’ ‘Is there a promise that the game will get better?’ — once the debate is over and have a final answer, head on to the store and purchase that dream phone.

But most importantly, don’t forget to get the best screen protector from Tech Armor. A smartphone with such features deserves to be taken care of. And that’s your responsibility.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Release

Samsung Galaxy S21 Specs – Cheaper, Smarter, Lean!

“Welcome to the Everyday Epic!” On January 14, Samsung finally took the wraps off by unveiling the much-anticipated Galaxy S21 lineup—and the South Korean tech giant did not disappoint. While all the 3 devices in the lineup boast of admirable qualities and improvements from the predecessors, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra characteristically stole the limelight—staking its claim as the Android phone to beat in 2021.

With the official shipping date scheduled for January 29, eager consumers are likely wondering whether making pre-orders and hitting the stores is worth it. What does the Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup offer?

In a nutshell, the Samsung Galaxy S21 Series is the pinnacle of consumer-ready tech ingenuity encased in a—dare we say—bewitching casing! But you’re probably here for more than a one-sentence description of Samsung’s latest instalments. So, read on…

From a sleek design, impressive power ‘under the hood’, to a few out of the box (literary) surprises, here’s a snippet of what the recently revealed Samsung Galaxy S21 Series offers.

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G

 

Samsung Galaxy S21 Specs Sheet  

As the ‘upper crust’ of Samsung devices and probably Android phones, it perfectly reasonable to expect nothing but the most high-tech and exquisite features in the Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup. And this is the exact direction Samsung took.

Here’s what the Samsung Galaxy S21 lineup packs under the hood:

Specs Samsung S21 Samsung S21 PLUS Samsung S21 ULTRA
Dimensions 6 x 2.8 x 0.31 inches

(6 ounces)

 6.4 x 3 x 0.31 inches

(7.2 ounces)

 6.5 x 2.97 x 0.35 inches

(8 ounces)
Build/Body Mid-frame: Aluminum

Back: Polycarbonate Plastic

Front: Gorilla Glass Victus

 Mid-frame: Aluminum

Back: Gorilla Glass Victus

Front: Gorilla Glass Victus

 Mid-frame: Aluminum

Back: Gorilla Glass Victus

Front: Gorilla Glass Victus
Display Full HD+ (6.2 inches) Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display, 2400*1080 pixels Full HD+ (6.7 inches) Dynamic AMOLED 2X flat display, 2400*1080 pixels QHD+ (6.8 inches) Dynamic AMOLED 2X curved display, 3200*1440 pixels
Refresh Rate 120Hz 120Hz 120Hz adaptive (supported at QHD+
Back Camera Main: 12MP

Ultra-Wide: 12MP

Telephoto: 64MP

 Main: 12MP

Ultra-Wide: 12MP

Telephoto: 64MP

 Main: 108MP

Ultra-Wide: 12MP

3X Optical: 10MP

10X Optical: 10MP
Front Camera 10MP 10MP 40MP
Chipset (US/UK) Snapdragon 888/ Exynos 2100 Snapdragon 888/ Exynos 2100 Snapdragon 888/ Exynos 2100
RAM 8GB + 128GB/256GB 8GB + 128GB/256GB 12GB + 128GB/256GB, 16BG + 512 GB
Power/Battery 4,000mAh 4,800mAh 5,000mAh
Colors Phantom White, Phantom Gray, Phantom Pink, and Phantom Violet Phantom Violet, Phantom Gray, and Phantom White (+exclusives) Phantom Gray and Phantom White (+exclusives)
OS Android 11/One UI 3.1 Android 11/One UI 3.1 Android 11/One UI 3.1
Connectivity Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, 5G Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6, 5G Bluetooth 5.1, Wi-Fi 6E, 5G
Security Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint Scanner Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint Scanner Ultrasonic In-Display Fingerprint Scanner

 

Design

The resounding feedback from the online community of tech reviewers—including MrWhoseTheBoss, MKBHD, and Unbox Therapy—is that the Samsung Galaxy S21s are eye candy, design-wise. They have an understated, clean, and sleek look.

The most obvious change to the phones’ design is the interesting integration of the camera module on the back. Samsung decided to retire the ‘Island’ design that had its fair share of critics—and instead opted to merge the camera module to the Aluminum midframe in a seamless flow. This reduces the annoying wobble and gives the phone an aesthetic upgrade. The back design is further compounded by a two-tone color, which Samsung calls ‘Phantom’.

Other noteworthy features include a USB 3.2 Type-C port, NO headphone jack, a speaker grille on the bottom, dust protection, and an IP68 waterproof rating.

 

Cameras

To quote TM Roh, President and Head of Mobile Communications Business at Samsung, “be on the lookout for super-intelligent, pro-grade camera and video capabilities in 2021.” Could this refer to the S21 lineup? Maybe; maybe not—we’ll have to put the lenses to the test. But here’s what they hold on paper:

The Galaxy S21’s camera setup is more-or-less borrowed from its predecessor’s—with the exception of the highest-end Galaxy S21 Ultra.  Both the Galaxy S21 and S21+ sport a triple camera setup—consisting of the Main Sensor (12MP), an Ultrawide Sensor (12MP), and a Telephoto Lens (64MP).

The Ultra variant has two 10MP cameras and a 108MP main camera with a spruced-up second-gen image sensor to make up for the shortcomings of its predecessor.

If you’re one of those people who can’t resist recording noteworthy events, the Galaxy S21 Ultra supports 4K (60fps) video recording. And there’s a “Vlogger View” feature in the camera software that allows you to use both the rear and front camera at the same time—sweet, right!

 

Battery

The Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra models will feature a 4,000mAh, 4,800 mAh, and 5,000mAh battery, respectively. While this doesn’t offer a significant boost from the Galaxy S20 Series, you can expect your device to hold more power courtesy of improved chipset efficiencies.

Charge-wise, they boast of 15W wireless charging, 4.5 reverse wireless charging, and 25W USB Power Delivery 3.0 fast charging. Again, we couldn’t expect any less from a flagship.

 

Accessories – Ditching the Charger, iPhone-Style

Remember when Apple decided to leave out a charger in its iPhone 12 packaging for environmental reasons? Well, Samsung is heading down that same road.

The recently announced devices will not ship with chargers in most regions. If you want one, you can order it at a reduced price. And that’s not all… You should also forget about the microSD card slot (not that anyone uses it anymore). This drive to reduce e-waste results in an uncharacteristically small and compact packaging box. Anyway, it’ll be interesting to see how the Android community responds to the changes.

Amid all the dialed down accessories there’s one noteworthy addition. Samsung just tossed their famous S Pen Stylus into the Galaxy S Series lineup. Specifically, the Galaxy S21 Ultra. Although the device does not have the same housing cavity as the Galaxy Note Series, Samsung offers case options to both store and charge the Stylus. Could this spell the end of the Galaxy Note Series?

Let’s Talk Money – Galaxy S21 Prices

The past year has not been kind to a lot of people—and Samsung seems to understand this situation. This is because the phone manufacturer slashed the base price of the Galaxy S21 lineup.

The Galaxy S21 ($799) and S21+ ($999) are a whopping $200 cheaper than their predecessors—while the S21 Ultra ($1199) takes the price-cutting up a notch by retailing for $300 less than the S20 Ultra before it. While they’re still relatively high-priced, who would say no to an upgrade that saves you a couple of bucks?

 

Samsung Came Out Swinging!

The year may be in its infant stages, but it seems we already have a winner for the most value-driven phone of 2021. It’s interesting to see what other manufacturers have up their sleeves to usurp Samsung’s strong start.

And as you contemplate grabbing the biggest and baddest Android device in town, play safe! Observe COVID-19 safety rules and slap a protective screen protector from Tech Armor for your precious Samsung devices. (PS: Kick your hygiene up a notch with a Tech Armor Cleaning Kit).

iPhone 12 and 12 Pro Device Review

A Review of the iPhone 12 & 12 Pro

While Apple announced four iPhone 12 models, only two of the four were released with the others set to come at a later date. The similarly-sized iPhone 12 and 12 Pro were made available on the 23rd of October, with the 12 Pro Max and 12 Mini slated for November releases.

The 12 & 12 Pro are arguably the most popular iPhone choices anyway. The two phones are more similar than they have ever been, and choosing between them is going to be a real headache. Consequently, what is said for one mostly remains true for the other—except for a few distinguishing features and the accompanying price difference.

So what did Apple give us this year?

 

iPhone 12 vs iPhone 12 Pro - Macworld UK

 

The Return of a Beloved Design

Every few years, Apple redesigns the iPhone to keep it looking fresh—while triggering that gadget lust in all of us. 2020 is inevitably one of those years. While it is refreshing, Apple’s design isn’t necessarily new. It pays homage to the flat edges that we first saw on the iPhone 4 and then later the original iPhone SE.

This design aesthetic is also found in another of Apple’s products – the iPad Pro.

The 2020 iPhones have flat edges all round, so flat that they can stand on their own. The notch and the camera bump largely bear resemblance to last year’s devices. The bodies, however, are thinner and lighter than last year.

The choice of materials is one of the distinguishing factors between the vanilla 12 and the Pro: the former is made of aluminum while the latter is made of stainless steel. While stainless steel is arguably the better material, it does attract a lot more fingerprints than aluminum making it look a little less pristine. Regardless, both devices feel nothing short of premium.

 

Better Displays

One thing that is not getting mentioned enough when talking about significant upgrades is the display. All iPhones get an OLED display that sits somewhere between FullHD and QHD. It looks stunning, which is saying something seeing as the iPhone 11 had a great display, albeit LCD. Consequently, the bezels are thinner and the contrast ratio has significantly improved. It is the best display on any iPhone to date.

The notches are still the only downside to what would have otherwise been a great-looking screen. It is understandable that the notch takes up so much space – FaceID is still the most secure unlocking method on any platform.

 

New Processor & iOS 14

The A14 debuted with the 2020 iPad Air, but its inclusion in the iPhones will always be more significant. Combined with iOS 14 – it flies. It’s a shame that the iPhone 12 did not get the eagerly anticipated 120Hz ProMotion display. Regardless, if this 60Hz screen is anything to go by, we are in for a treat for when iPhones finally get high refresh rate screens!

 

MagSafe

It’s safe to say that the return of MagSafe was unexpected. On the back of the iPhones are magnets that align with the MagSafe charger for 15W wireless charging.  Charging aside, MagSafe allows accessories to be appended to the back of the iPhone, a capability that will surely see a slew of third-party accessories. The magnets are relatively strong, allowing the charger to align perfectly every single time for efficient charging. Apple essentially took the guesswork and fidgeting out of wireless charging.

Still on matters charging, Apple remains stubborn about switching out the lightning port for the more conventional USB-C which it has already added to products like the iPad Pro. Maybe next year?

5G

The iPhone 12 release event had 5G left, right, and center. Apple listed the inclusion of 5G as one of the reasons for a design refresh. While Android competitors have been there and done that, nothing is ever mainstream until Apple includes it in their products. All the iPhones in the 2020 lineup get 5G. The inclusion of 5G now makes a lot of sense. Why? Because people usually keep their iPhones for several years. In that period of time, 5G will definitely have become more widespread than it is currently, and the iPhone 12 will be future-proofed. However, the inclusion of 5G is regional depending on whether the infrastructure is present or not.

IOS 14 is optimized to maximize the use of 5G, as well as manage its battery-use.

 

Improved Cameras

The most notable visual difference between the 12 and the 12 Pro is the extra lens and the LiDar sensor. The iPhone 12 Pro has a 2x optical zoom camera. When compared to last year’s iPhones, the setups are largely similar with some tweaks and improvements. The camera setups are as follows:

  • A 12-megapixel wide camera with an f/1.6 aperture, optical image stabilization, and a new, 7-element lens.
  • A 12-megapixel ultra-wide camera with an f/2.4 aperture and a 120-degree field of view.
  • A 12-megapixel telephoto camera, with a 2x optical zoom range exclusive to the iPhone 12 Pro.

While capturing still photos is as great as ever on the iPhones, it is the video department that has seen the most improvement. The iPhone 12 lineup pioneers shooting in Dolby Vision on mobile devices. Dolby Vision is video technology that is used by Hollywood studios and Microsoft’s next-gen gaming consoles. Stills have also improved, thanks to the 12 and 12 Pro having a slightly larger image sensor that takes in 27% more light.

 

A Close Call

This year more than ever, the iPhone 12 gives the 12 Pro a run for its money. Starting at $799, there is a $200 difference between the 12 and the Pro, making the base 12 a very compelling option. Granted, the iPhone 12 starts at 64GB base storage while the Pro starts at 128GB and has less sensors, but most people will not mind losing out on those features. Whichever the case, a case from TechArmor should fit any of the two, seeing as they have the same dimensions. Get one here.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7+ – Device Review

Plus means better. Plus means more. The Galaxy Tab S7 was already a great android tablet offering from Samsung, so by extension, the S7+must be a cut above.

Not a lot can be said for Android tablets. They have been underwhelming at best, with Apple’s iPads being miles ahead in almost every aspect, including popularity. Samsung’s capability, however, has never been in question and the Galaxy name is associated with some of the best hardware there is in mobile devices – and their tablet hardware is on the verge of catching up. So how good is the S7+ really? What improvements has it made on the S6 and how does it stack up against the regular S7 and its fierce rivals?

 

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 & S7+ | Samsung US

 

  1. Display

The Galaxy Tab S7+ sports a 12.4” Super AMOLED 120Hz display. There is everything to love about that sentence. If nothing else, Samsung is known to have the best displays on the market. This is an improvement in both size and quality when compared to the 11.0” LTPS 120Hz screen on the regular Tab S7 and even more so when compared to the Tab S6. It is a 16:10 display with 2800×1752 resolution, coming to a pixel density of 266 PPI. It has Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protection and is HDR10+-capable. The display is buttery smooth and an absolute delight to consume media on.

 

  1. Performance

Samsung did not hold any punches when it came to performance. The Tab S7 has the very powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 865+ with 6/8GB RAM (LPDDR5), 128/ 256/ 512GB storage (UFS 3.1 Flash) combinations. It flies. It has Samsung OneUI 2.5 based on Android 10 out of the box. Reports say that Android 11 for the Tab S7+ is already in beta, though.

The 120Hz refresh rate helps breeze through the UI, though there are a few software hiccups consistent with Android tablets. App optimization is one of these problems, and it can consistently make you forget that the hardware you are using is impeccable. This one of the areas where iPads leave Android tablets in the dust.

The Tab S7+ has a 10,090 mAh battery with 45W fast-charging, though only a 15W charger is included in the box. You will get between 14 and 15 hours of battery life while watching video, better than the iPad Pro.

Samsung DeX is also present, a feature that allows you to use the tablet like a desktop PC.

 

  1. Connectivity

There are two versions of the Tab S7+, the 5G version and the Wi-Fi model. The 5G model supports both mmWave and Sub-6, and the latter has Wi-Fi 6. Both models have Bluetooth 5.0.

 

  1. Design

The Tab S7+ has hints of the 2020 iPad Pro in its design, which is the device it is meant to be challenging for the title. It is a thin slab of glass and aluminum with flat edges. At the top is the power button, volume rocker, microphone and the card slot. On the opposite end right in the middle is they keyboard connector for connecting the accessory. On the left are two speaker grills and a microphone, with the right side having two more speaker grills and a USB-C port. The camera module at the back is above the groove where the S Pen magnetically rests and charges when not in use.

Color options available are Mystic Black, Mystic Silver, and Mystic Bronze, though the 5G version is limited to Mystic Black.

 

  1. Camera

The Tab S7+ has a dual camera system with a 13 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) main camera capable of 4K@60 video and a 5 MP, f/2.2, 12mm ultrawide lens. The front camera is a 8 MP, f/2.0, 26mm (wide) lens capable of 1080@30 video.

 

  1. Accessories

Unlike the iPad, the Tab S7+ ships with the S Pen ready. The Samsung Book Cover keyboard, though sold separately, is a necessity to fully take advantage of what the S7+ has to offer. They keyboard also serves as protection for the thin tablet and attaches magnetically.

 

Verdict

The Tab S7+ is by far the best Android tablet there is. It has fantastic hardware, but has a few software issues to overcome before it can truly dethrone the iPad Pro.

 

The Best Screen Protection For the Best Android Tablet

The S7+, like all investments, needs to be well-cared for. Inevitabilities like drops and scratches are not likely to worry you if you are assured that it is protected at all times. And who does not like options?

The Tech Armor HD Clear Film screen protectors are not made out of glass, but of Japanese PET film and high-grade silicone adhesives for rainbow-free viewing clarity and easy, bubble-free installation. They have anti-fingerprint, oleophobic coating that resists smudges and helps maintain the pristine clarity of your Tab S7+. Oh yeah, and it’s a pack of 2!

If a matte feel is your thing, the Tech Armor Anti-Glare/Anti-Fingerprint Matte Film screen protector is the way to go. Also coming in a pack of 2, it does what it says in the name to very  high standards. Protection without compromise. Get yourself a pack here.

Device Review – Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra

The Best Samsung Phone of 2020 Walks Among Us – A Look at Note 20 & Note 20 Ultra

Every year, Samsung gathers the best smartphone specs and puts them into one lineup.  As Samsung’s most powerful phone of the year, Note phones always attempt to snap the competition out of existence.

The Note 10 announcement in 2019 brought with it Samsung dual-release format that saw 2 Note phones released: the Note 10 and Note 10+. The difference between the two was mainly in the size, with the regular note being significantly smaller than the plus model.

Flash forward to 2020 and Samsung released 2 phones as well: the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra. Borrowing from the Galaxy S lineup, the Ultra moniker is meant to signify the most premium of premium smartphones. What dis this mean for the regular Note 20?

Well, this year saw significant differences between the two models, the size being the least of them. Just how good are this year’s Notes? Is the Ultra worthy of its name? Here’s a quick review of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra.

 

Galaxy Note 20

The vanilla Note 20, at face value, look pretty similar to the Ultra. That is until you start looking a little closer. Coming in at $1000, any buyer would expect to receive a lot of high-end specs for the price. Unfortunately, the Note 20 falls just short of expectations, even with some improvement on last year’s offerings.

 

Build and Design

The Note 20 is available in 3 colors: Mystic Bronze, Mystic Green, and Mystic Gray. It sports the same squared-off design found in the Note 10 series but with one very questionable design choice: it has a plastic back. For context, the regular Note 10 came in 5 colors and featured a Gorilla Glass 6 back. Gorilla Glass (5) can still be found on the Note 20, but just on the front. It is a flat panel, with the curved edges only appearing on the back of the phone.

The camera arrangement is different on this year’s Notes, with significantly bigger lens cutouts housed in a wider camera bump. The bump adds to the 8.3mm thickness. The front has an Infinity-O cutout for the selfie camera.

The bottom of the phone has a bottom-firing speaker, the USB-C port, a microphone, and the S-Pen slot which is found in the bottom left as opposed to the right as in previous years.

It has IP68 water/dust resistance.

 

Display

The Note 20 has a 6.7” Super AMOLED display at 60Hz and 1080p resolution. It is a great Samsung panel by all means. It is a much bigger screen than last year’s regular Note, which came in at 6.3”. This is in line with the idea of a Note phone and Note lovers will appreciate the bigger screen. The glaring feature here is the lack of a high refresh rate screen which has almost become a 2020 staple, appearing at almost all price points. Lack of a QHD-capable screen might also be an issue, but most people enjoying high-refresh rates on Samsung flagships have had to stick to 1080p anyway.

 

S-Pen

The S-Pen, the hallmark feature of the Note series, saw great improvement this year. While all the great and gimmicky features remain, the latency has been reduced by about 40% as compared to last year. It gives a true pen-to-paper feeling this year.

 

Battery and Charging

The Note 20 has a 4,300 mAh battery with 25W fast-charging. The battery is up from 3,500 mAh last year, but the charging speed remains the same.

 

Memory and Storage

The Note 20 has a decent 8GB of RAM and 256 GB of UFS 3.0 storage, similar to last year. There is no expandable storage onboard but the provided storage should suffice for most buyers.

 

Cameras

The Note 20 has a triple camera setup:

  • Main: 12MP f/1.8
  • Ultra-wide: 12MP f/2.2
  • Zoom: 64MP f/2.0 3x, 30X SpaceZoom

The Note 20 has a similar camera setup to that of the S20 lineup, with the ability to record 8K video on the 64MP sensor. The photos are great, not very far off from the Note 20 Ultra

 

Note 20 Ultra

It is really in the name. The Note 20 is the premium device. It has significant improvements, not only on last year’s most expensive model, but also on its 2020 sibling.

 

Build and Design

The Note 20 Ultra is a squared-off glass and aluminum sandwich: pardon the tech YouTuber cliché. It comes in 5 colors compared to the 3 in the regular Note, adding Mystic Black and Mystic White to the color options. The Mystic Bronze on the Ultra looks and feels great with its matte finish. The front and back sport the new Gorilla Glass 7, also known as Victus. It feels like an expensive phone, and it is at $1,300.

The Note 20 Ultra is surprisingly thinner than the Note 20 at 8.1mm, even though it is 16 grams heavier. It has flat edges and squared corners as compared to smoother edges on previous Notes.

 

Display

The Ultra is bigger with a 6.9” Super AMOLED screen at 120Hz and QHD+ resolution. It is slightly bigger than the Note 10+ which had a 6.8” display. It is one of, if not the best display on a smartphone. Better than any other Samsung phone, Note or otherwise. It is also the biggest display on a Samsung phone yet. It is slightly curved, just enough to look as good as last year’s Notes while greatly reducing cases of accidental touches. The 120Hz and QHD+ resolution are great specs, but unfortunately cannot be enjoyed simultaneously. The higher refresh rate is only at 1080p. What a waste.

 

S-Pen

While the 46ms latency on the Note 20 is impressive, the Ultra one-ups that with 9ms. 9! Coupled with the high refresh rate screen, this is as close to drawing on a real canvas as it gets. The older Notes do not even come close!

 

Battery and Charging

Both Notes share the 25W fast-charging, but the Ultra has a bigger 4500mAh battery. However, the cut down specs in the Note 20 give it a better endurance rating than the Ultra.

 

Memory and Storage

The Ultra comes with up to 512GB of on-board storage, with MicroSD storage expansion supported for up to 1TB.

 

Cameras

  • Main: 108MP f/1.8
  • Ultra-wide: 12MP f/2.2
  • Zoom: 12MP f/3.0 5x, 50X SpaceZoom

With a huge and very noticeable camera bump, the Note 20 Ultra offers more than just a wow factor. The 50x sensor cuts down on the issues that plague the S20 Ultra and produces excellent photos.

 

Both 2020 Notes share the following specs:

Processor

Samsung continues its very controversial inclusion of Exynos processors for flagships in European markets. The better Snapdragon 865 Note phones are sold in the United States. Benchmarks and real-world tests showed that last year’s Exynos 9825 Soc was behind the Snapdragon 855. The Snapdragon 865 comfortably edges out this year’s Exynos 990. Either way, the Note 20 offers improved performance as compared to the Note 10 and 10+.

 

Connectivity

There are 4G and 5G variants for the Note 20, allowing buyers to choose based on preference or 5G availability. 5G was not available at all for 2019 Notes.

 

Final Thoughts

While some choices made for the regular Note 20 are mind-boggling, it is still a solid offering giving the full ‘Note’ experience. The price, the worst of those choices, is not appealing at all and might just be Samsung’s way of pushing more people towards the Ultra. The Ultra is a beast of a phone, ticking all the right boxes and then some. It might be huge and unwieldy to some, but it is a great media machine.

 

iPhone SE 2020 – Device Review

A Review of iPhone SE (2020) – The Most Powerful Budget Phone in a Nutshell

The iPhone SE is back! Loaded with enough power to challenge the best smartphones available—but for a fraction of the price. The first iPhone branded with the ‘SE’ name tag took the market by storm back in 2016. And judging by the fuss surrounding the new iPhone SE (2020), it seems well on track to follow in the footsteps of its predecessor. Here’s a breakdown of why the device is regarded as a market-disrupting game-changer.

Blistering Fast A13 Bionic Processor

The highlight of the iPhone SE (2020) is its processor—the A13 Bionic chip. Why is this such a big deal? The A13 is the same processor that powers the iPhone 11 models—and it has a rapport as one of the most powerful smartphone chipsets available today. Including a flagship-worthy processor in a budget phone caught most people by surprise (in a good way). So, whether you’re looking for a new gaming phone or a device capable of handling resource-intensive processes, the iPhone SE (2020) has more than enough power to exceed your expectation.

 

Pricing

The idea of owning a brand new top-shelf iPhone for $399 sounds comical. If you’re on a budget, few devices—if any—can offer better value for money. Think about it: The iPhone SE (2020) boasts of the same performance (relatively) as the $999 iPhone 11 Pro. But what’s the catch? Apple must make profits by cutting down on costs somewhere, right?

Sure, the latest iPhone SE’s chipset is impressive or even too good for its price range—but that’s not the whole picture. Some features can only be quantified by the user. For example, how do you feel about shorter battery life? What about Bezels? Do you care about a telephoto, ultrawide rear camera, or night mode? If these factors are deal-breakers to you, then iPhone SE does not provide value for money (to you at least).

 

iPhone SE (2020) Design and Display Specs – Old is Gold (*Almost)

How do you create a budget phone? To most manufacturers, this means dialing down on the performance or cameras—but not Apple! As evidenced by the iPhone SE, the company’s solution to cutting costs is packing top-of-the-range internal components in the body of an older model. It’s like fitting the 760-horsepower engine of Ford Mustang Shelby in a Toyota Prius.

The screen’s design borrows from the iPhone 8, which in turn borrowed from the iPhone 7 and iPhone 6—only that this time it’s been spruced up. In fact, screen protectors used on the iPhone 6/7/8 are also compatible with the new iPhone SE. It features a flat 4.7-inch Retina display (1334×750 pixels) with HDR adjustments, True Tone enhancements, and wide color gamut support.

 

How Good is the iPhone SE (2020) Camera and Battery?

Apple’s iPhone SE comes with a single 12MP rear camera, deviating from the dual and triple camera in the iPhone 11. It features phase-detection autofocus, optical stabilization, Smart HDR, and portrait mode. The front-facing camera is fitted with a 7MP unit that supports Retina flash.

As for the battery, a 1,821mAh (same as the iPhone 8’s) leaves a lot to be desired—but you also have to factor in Apple’s device optimization prowess. It comes with a disappointing 5W charger, though you can use any USB-PD charger you have lying around.

 

A Hit or Miss?

The iPhone SE (2020) is a remarkable device. If you’re strapped for cash, investing in the smartphone is a no-brainer. Well, as long as you can live with the bezels. But if bezels make you queasy, you can add another $200 for the iPhone XR or $300 for the iPhone 11. And if you already own an iPhone 6, 7, or 8, the iPhone SE (2020) is largely the same—but on ‘steroids.’ All factors considered; we believe the latest iPhone SE is a HIT! It’s a device that will serve you diligently for the next couple of years. Well, as long as you protect it with Tech Armor’s screen protection.