iPhone 12 Pro Max – Device Review

What is your cut off point for phone sizes? How big do you like your devices?

Apple has come around to joining Android in making screen sizes that users would never have been fathomed years ago. Steve Jobs was an open critic of huge phone sizes but it’s fair to say that Tim Cook & Co have made it work. There is always an iPhone for everyone.

 

iPhone 12 'Pro Max' Model to Sport Unique High-End Features - MacRumors

 

It’s Not Just The Size

While previous years releases saw identical phones with different screen sizes, 2020 has seen a shift to that approach. The inclusion of the iPhone 12 Mini will be a welcome niche addition to many who wanted a compact flagship phone. For the rest of the Apple faithful, however, choosing the iPhone of choice is bound to be a headache. See, the differentiation this year is not only the size but the quality of internals and choice of externals as well.

 

Similar – Yet Different

With that said, there is a lot of consistency to be found across the entire 2020 iPhone 12 lineup. Similarities in the processor, screen technology, some camera lenses, and new-ish additions like MagSafe are to be expected – and are present – but each iPhone tries to appeal to a certain user.

 

The iPhone 12 Pro Max

Even if you were to go by the sheer length of each device name, the biggest of the bunch is still the iPhone 12 Pro Max. Just how good is it? Is it better than the 12 Pro and the 11 Pro Max? Let’s find out, shall we?

 

Size and Build

The ‘Max’ in its name is not a marketing gimmick. The Pro Max is huge. It is the biggest iPhone ever made. It is both larger and (very slightly) heavier than the 11 Pro Max, so if that was not your cup of tea, this one surely isn’t. The flat-edged design, though prettier, makes it more difficult to wield. It is not a device to be used with one hand, and it is bound to dig into your hand if used without a case.

 

The Pro Max build screams premium. It is built to look expensive. The Gold variant has gold-coated (really shiny) stainless steel rails on the edges and a frosted back with gold ring around the three camera lenses. Other color options include Silver, Graphite, and the fan-favorite Pacific Blue which also made its way to the regular 12 Pro. The edges on the Pro Max, however, are insane fingerprint magnets. Regardless, it genuinely looks like something these luxury phone-customization companies would come up with to sell for an insane amount for those with cash to spare.

 

Display

On the flip-side, the bigger body means a bigger and more immersive display – a beautiful 6.7-inch OLED screen with the typical iPhone notch up top. This is the one blemish on an otherwise fantastic front side of the phone. It is still indispensable – FaceID remains as the only other option to unlock your phone apart from the traditional passcode/password. Who knows, maybe TouchID will make a return as it was included in the 2020 iPad Air. Notch aside, the bezels are much thinner than the iPhone 11, which is impressive.

 

Even though a high refresh rate was not included this year, it is still the best display on an iPhone and an improvement on the iPhone 11 lineup. It has a resolution of  2778×1284, putting it somewhere between FullHD and QHD. It has a PPI count of 458. The Super Retina XDR OLED, HDR10-capable display also supports Dolby Vision – a first for phones. It truly is a sight to behold.

For protection, Apple added their Ceramic Shield display technology that improves its resistance up to 4 times more than normal displays.

 

Performance

Apple has continued its trend of churning out the most powerful mobile processors and the A14 is testament to that. Coupled with 6GB of RAM and either 128, 256, or 512GB of RAM – it flies. From benchmark scores to real-world use, the Pro Max will leave you satisfied on that front.

 

This year’s iPhones also come with 5G, both sub-6GHz and mmWave. As 5G coverage increases, more users will get to enjoy the faster speeds that come with the technology. Software on this year’s iPhones is optimized to be able to switch from 4G to 5G depending on the situation.

 

Battery and Charging

5G brings with it the battery life question – how well does the Pro Max hold up? Compared to the other iPhone 12s, the bigger body comes in handy for the Max as it packs in the largest battery of the lot. Its 3687mAh battery tops the 2815mAh on the 12 Pro but is smaller than the 3969mAh on the 11 Pro Max. The optimization on the 12 Pro is evident because even with 5G and the screen upgrade, the battery life – though shorter – is not far off that of the 11 Pro Max. It does have 20W fast charging, and 15W wireless charging via MagSafe.

 

Cameras

The 12 Pro Max cameras are fantastic. One of the major upgrades it has over the 12 Pro is the camera system. The main sensor is much bigger than the one in the 12 Pro, which is great for low light photography. Also great for low light situations is the LiDAR sensor, which allows for fast autofocus even in dark scenes. The result is much better low light photos.

 

The ultrawide camera is the same as the one in the 12 Pro but is an improvement on the 11 Pro Max with the improvement of Night Mode and software correction.

 

The telephoto camera is also an improvement on the 12 Pro even though the sensors are identical. The 12 Pro Max has 2.5x zoom capability with just 2x on the Pro.

 

As for the main camera, the Pro Max has a larger sensor than both the 12 Pro and the 11 Pro Max, with a f1.6 aperture. With the larger sensor and the small aperture, the main camera images are awesome, to say the least. Optical Image Stabilization is via sensor-shift technology, similar to what is sound in some mirror-less professional cameras. Most phones shift the lenses instead.

 

Is It Worth It?

The price difference between the Pro and the Pro Max is $100. Do you think it is worth the extra money? If you can handle the size, this is the phone to go for. You could always throw on a case to make gripping it easier. Screen Protectors also offer protection for your new and very shiny iPhone and help you maintain the premium look. Get yourself a Tech Armor screen protector for your iPhone 12 Pro Max.

 

Google Pixel 5 – Device Review

In our ‘What to Expect’ article on the Pixel 5, we started by raising the question, “What comes to your mind when you think about the Pixel phone lineup?” Before we establish the relevance of that question to what Google unveiled as the Pixel 5, how accurate were the rumors? Interestingly, while the Pixel 5 was not as blatantly leaked as its predecessor, this year’s rumors were pretty on point – no, really on point. Over 90% of the predictions came true.

 

The approach Google took with the Pixel 5 is a far cry from what they had tried to achieve with earlier iterations. It seemingly dawned on them that no matter how many high-end specs they put in their line-up, they just could not compete with the elite – the true flagships. An introspective Google decided to focus on what they do best; a great camera and excellent software experience – the answer to the question referred to at the very start of this article. So, what did we get?

 

Google announces Pixel 5 with wide-angle lens, 8GB RAM - 9to5Google

 

Pixel 5 – The Faux Flagship

A flagship, kinda. Google Soli, the technology behind the gimmicky Motion Sense feature in the Pixel 4, is nowhere to be found. Another more significant omission is the lack of a proper flagship processor. Google opted for the upper-midrange Qualcomm Snapdragon 765 processor as opposed to the 865 or 865+. Other features are as follows:

 

Google Pixel 5 Specifications:

Build | Dimensions | Color | Weight 144.7 x 70.4 x 8 mm | Gorilla Glass 6 front, recycled aluminum enclosure reinforced with plastic | Just Black and Sorta Sage | 151g
Display | Resolution | Aspect Ratio | PPI | Refresh Rate  6.0″ OLED | 1080 x 2340 | 19.5:9 | 432ppi | 90Hz
Processor | GPU Qualcomm SDM765 Snapdragon 765G (7 nm) | Adreno 620
Storage | Memory  128GB UFS 2.1 storage | 8GB RAM
Software Android 11
Rear Cameras 12.2 MP dual-pixel autofocus, 1.4 µm pixels, OIS, f/1.7 aperture, 77-degree fov; Ultra-wide 16MP, 1µm pixel, f/2.2 aperture, 107-degree fov, fixed focus
Front Camera 8MP, 1.12 µm pixels, f/2.0, fixed focus, 83-degree fov
Video Capabilities Rear camera: 4K @ 60fps, 1080p @ 60fps or 120fps
Front: 1080p @ 30fps
Battery | Charging 4080mAh | 18W USB-C Power Delivery, Qi wireless charging up to 12W, reverse wireless charging up to 5W
Other Features 5G, rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, ambient light sensor, Magnetometer, Barometer, Spectral and flicker sensor

 

 

With the specs out of the way, let’s see just how good (or bad) the Pixel 5 actually is.

 

  1. Design

Google has always had polarizing designs, especially over the last few years. This year, the motto for the Pixel 5 is simplicity. A far cry from the go-to 2020 smartphone design, the Pixel has a (recycled) aluminum back with a ‘bio-resin’ coating. This is to enable the inclusion of a wireless charging coil in spite of the aluminum build. The coating feels – different. Depending on whoever is wielding it, it may feel less premium than glass-back phones. On the flip-side, the smooth sandstone feels great and the grip is only rivaled by the OnePlus One.

 

By today’s standards, it is a small device. Users with smaller hands will certainly appreciate this. Its size makes the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner – another 2020 rarity – easy to reach every time. There is no orange color this year, with the two options being Just Black and Sorta Sage.

 

  1. Display

The Pixel 5 has a 6-inch, 1080p OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate. It has Gorilla Glass 6 protection and a single camera cutout, bringing the panel design up to speed with the rest of the 2020 smartphones. The front of the Pixel 5 looks great – modern even. It has slim bezels all round. There are no bathtub notches or uneven bezels in sight. The screen is HDR-capable and supports 24-bit color rendering. It is a flat display with good color accuracy.

 

  1. Performance

Google decisions to forego the Snapdragon 865 and opt for the 765 has paid off. Not only is the price much lower than previous Pixels, the average user is not able to tell that they are not using a flagship processor. It is a smart trade-off, making the Pixel a more compelling buy than previous years, albeit facing stiff competition from the Samsung Galaxy Fan Edition and the OnePlus 8T.

 

Combined with the 90Hz screen, the Pixel feels buttery smooth and flies through most tasks, only mildly faltering in the most demanding games.

As with every other year, the Pixel 5 marked the advent of Android 11. It has some Pixel-specific apps and features that speak to the optimization of Pixel phones when it comes to software.

 

Battery life sees a massive improvement, thanks to the 4080 mAh battery (largest on any Pixel), the Snapdragon 765, and a smaller 6-inch screen. It is the best battery life on any Pixel.

 

  1. Cameras

The Pixel 5 has a great camera system, duh! Google has once again placed its trust in computational photography, opting to use the same camera hardware as the Pixel 2 with its ever-improving camera software. It has dual cameras, trading the Pixel 4’s 2x telephoto lens for an ultrawide. A welcome addition, but why not have a triple-lens setup? Google makes up for the lack of a telephoto with software capabilities to attain the same result. The front camera is as good as it can get. Video is great, though it still falls behind the iPhone.

 

A Case For the Pixel

Google did really well with the Pixel 5 and you would not be making a bad decision if you decided to get it. If/ when you do, get a Tech Armor  screen protector to make sure that it lasts as long as it will continue getting Android updates from Google. Check out the available screen protectors here.

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.

iPhone 12’s Are FINALLY Here!

The 2020 iPhone 12 Lineup – An iPhone For Everyone

Apple CEO Tim Cook welcomed us to Apple Park for the globally anticipated October 2020 event. It was another pre-recorded tech release, with no audience to gasp, laugh, clap, cheer, or see all the releases live—unlike the Apple events of yesteryears. Cook promised huge announcements right from the start—which in hindsight is funny because of the mini devices that would subsequently be unveiled.

Before the iPhone announcements came the HomePod Mini smart speaker—a smaller version of the HomePod for $99. There were some interesting tidbits in its description, but it was only the opening act for the real stars of the Apple show, the new iPhone 12 lineup.

As the iPhones were revealed, one thing became clear; there were a lot of similarities and shared features across the entire lineup. This makes sense as they are all essentially different variants of this year’s iPhone, but it makes choosing which version to go for all the more interesting.

 

Hot Take: iPhone 12 lineup - GSMArena.com news

 

iPhone 12 – Features That Cut Across

  1. 5G Connectivity

This year’s iPhones all come with 5G connectivity. In true Apple fashion, 5G was announced to be coming to the iPhones quite some time after Android phones first got it, but you would think it was a novel addition to the smartphone world. Granted, Apple does not jump onto new technologies until they have perfected it, and this seems to be the case here.

Arun Mathias, VP of Wireless Technologies and Ecosystems, talked of Apple approach to 5G that differed from any other manufacturer. As pertains hardware, hardware Apple designed custom 5G antennas and radio while including the most 5g bands in a single phone to work on 5G in more places than any other smartphone.

From a software standpoint, Apple optimized iOS frameworks so that apps can get the benefit of 5g without using more power. Apple also include a smart data mode for when the iPhone doesn’t need 5g speeds. In such scenarios, it automatically uses LTE to save battery. Apple have collaborated closely with certain carriers to ensure that the iPhone has great throughput coverage, call quality, and battery life. MmWave, the high frequency version of 5G, is supported in the US.

  1. Design

2020 iPhones have the beloved flat-edge design that was leaked, much to the delight of pretty much everyone. The glass and aluminum stay flush giving off the premium feel that iPhone is known for. The notch remains the same as in previous iPhones, but that was to be expected.

The iPhone 12 has slimmer bezels, allowing them to occupy a smaller footprint for similar screen sizes, and come in 5 colors right off the bat, black, white, product red, green, and blue for the non-pro models. The Pro models come in silver, graphite, gold, and pacific blue.

  1. Display

The iPhone lineup has Apple’s Super Retina XDR display. This is a huge improvement from last year, with the OLED display found on all 4 iPhones being amazing in all aspects. It has a higher resolution, with Apple claiming that it has twice the number of pixels as the iPhone 11 and a peak brightness of 1200 nits for HDR content. The display supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG.

For display protection, Apple has introduced their Ceramic Shield technology that is said to make the display way tougher than any smartphone glass. Apple claimed 4 times better drop performance, though that is more likely to mean shatter-proof than scratch-resistant.

  1. MagSafe

MagSafe is back, but on the iPhone. It allows you to snap attachments and the wireless charger to the back of the iPhone. It is much more reassuring than other wireless charger, because with MagSafe, you do not keep second-guessing whether you properly placed the phone on the charging pad.

There’s bound to be numerous MagSafe accessories, including a wallet showcased by Apple. We’ll have to wait and see all the innovative ways third-parties will make use of this feature.

  1. Processor

The A14 Bionic was unveiled in the 2020 iPad Air. It is built on the 5nm technology, allowing it to be as powerful as it is power-efficient and is found on all 4 2020 iPhones. It bumps up CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine (Machine Learning) performance, making it the most powerful iPhone processor yet.

  1. Packaging

On their journey to being completely carbon neutral, Apple chose to forego adding charging bricks and earphones in their packaging, resulting in a much slimmer box. Arguments have been made for and against the move, and Apple did not make it easier by deciding to add a USB-C to lightning cable instead of a USB-A to lightning, with most people having charging bricks that can be used with the latter.

  1. Cameras

All the 2020 iPhones have the same 12MP (f/2.2) TrueDepth front-facing camera, and the same 12MP wide (f/1.6) and 12MP ultra-wide f/2.4) cameras. Having the same internals means that the camera performance on those three lenses at least should be identical across the board,

 

Introducing the iPhone 12 Lineup

Similarities aside, there still are 4 different phones to choose from, all coming in at different price points.

 

iPhone 12 Mini | $699

At 5.4 inches, the iPhone 12 mini truly lives up (down?) to its moniker. It is the smallest iPhone in the lineup by some distance, and is the smallest 5G-capable smartphone in existence. This model was made solely for those who missed small form-factor phones in a world where phone screens are getting bigger, iPhone included.

 

iPhone 12 | $799

The base iPhone 12 is the sweet spot for most people. It is identical to the iPhone 12 mini is every aspect except size, and its 6.1 inch screen is not as unwieldy as other sizes. At $799, it is more expensive than last year’s base iPhone 11, but there are significant improvement that more than justify the bump up in price. Now more than ever, the base iPhone seemingly offers more value than the Pro models, but that will be down to personal preference.

 

iPhone 12 Pro | $999

Apart from the extra telephoto camera, the bigger 128GB base storage, and the different color options, there is not much to separate the base iPhone 12 from the 12 Pro. With a $200 difference between the two models, the Pro is definitely less appealing to the buyer.

 

iPhone 12 Pro Max | $1,099

It is the biggest iPhone ever at 6.7 inches. Like the Pro, it has an extra 12MP telephoto camera, except that the Pro Max’s is (f/2.2) as compared to the Pro’s (f/2.0). This enables it to have 2.5x optical, 12x digital zoom, besting the Pro’s 2x optical, 10x digital. Like the pro, storage options start at 128GB and top out at 512GB.

 

Making A Case for an iPhone Case

You have a tough choice on your hands – which iPhone to go for? One thing is for sure though, you will love whichever one you pick. What’s more is that your iPhone 12 will love you back for whichever TechArmor case you pick! Get one here.

Google Pixel 5 – What To Expect

What comes to your mind when you think about the Pixel phone lineup? Cameras and software, right? You know the drill by now, every tech reviewer with a Pixel device in hand almost always talks about the “best point-and-shoot” cameras and “guaranteed, fast software updates”. While true, is that really all there is to a Pixel?

Google Pixel 5 design render

Throwback to the Nexus

Taking a quick trip down DDR5 memory lane, the 5th Pixel installation corresponds to the 5th device in the Nexus phone line: the Nexus 5 – arguably the best (most popular?) device from Google. While fondly remembered, the Nexus 5 had glaring flaws, especially in the hardware department. The cameras were not great and neither was the battery life; two areas that could kill a release on launch in today’s market. The flaws were, however, extremely easy to overlook thanks to the Snapdragon 800 and the brand new Android Kitkat for just $349.

 

A Second Chance

Last year’s Pixel 4 line-up was not exactly received well. Google’s innovative additions were mostly overlooked and instead, the focus was on the relatively lofty price, uneven bezels, and underwhelming battery life. That was last year though. Google’s release of the Pixel 4a much to positive reception might bode well for the Pixel 5.

So, what should you as the user expect from the Pixel 5?

 

Better Camera Options

The Pixel 4 is right up there with the most leaked phones of all time. Even Google themselves got in on the action. The camera cut-out looked like it had a triple-lens setup. It eventually turned out to be 2 cameras, but the most disappointing aspect was that neither was a wide-angle lens.

This year bodes well for Pixel lovers and users because the word is that the Pixel 5 might have a triple-lens setup with the wide-angle lens joining the foray. Google has surely taken feedback from the Pixel 4 into account this time around.

Leaked renders show a familiar square-shaped camera cut-out on the back, with a flash unit and what looks like three lenses (it looked the same last year so…). The front has a single selfie camera, this time in a punch hole as Google will supposedly ditch the chunky top bezel in the Pixel 4 and 4xl.

As good as Pixel photos are, having more camera options would be a huge plus for Google. With competitors like Huawei, Samsung and Apple catching up (and even surpassing, depending on who you ask) with Google, more lenses will help re-cement themselves as the camera dons.

 

A Friendlier Price Tag

For devices that received a ‘meh’ verdict, the price tag accompanying last year’s Pixel was a huge point of contention. To be honest, they did have 90Hz refresh rate screens, high-res OLED screens, and 7nm processors; all standard for flagships. The small batteries and dim screens could not be overlooked though.

For this year, Google might just be re-thinking their strategy and going for a significantly lower price to be more competitive. Flagship prices are on the rise, making them harder and harder to get for the everyday user. Google might want to appeal to users by pricing the Pixel 5 competitively.

An image that surfaced on Reddit shows a $349 tag for a ‘Google Pixel Phone’ and a $699 tag for a ‘Premium Google Pixel Phone’.  The Pixel 4a was announced for $349 so the premium may very well be the Pixel 5. The premium phone is described as having the best-in-class camera, wireless charging and water resistance, which are all flagship staples. It would offer great value for money as compared to other flagships.

 

A 5G-Capable Processor

One of the more interesting rumors about the Pixel 5 is that Google will forego a flagship processor and instead opt for an upper-midrange 700 series. This could be the 765G or the newer 768G with slightly better performance. This could explain the aggressive pricing. Both options are 5G-capable, but some worry is bound to be brought up by Pixel fans who expect the latest flagship processor instead. It is worth noting that by optimizing its software, Google can make the performance of the Pixel 5 feel almost as smooth as the higher-end processors, especially for the everyday user.

 

More Storage

The Pixel 5 is said to start shipping with a 128GB base storage, ditching the 64GB variant from previous years. This would follow in the steps taken with the released Pixel 4a which only has the 128GB option. Roland Quandt, a twitter leaker with a solid reputation, is said to have found no evidence of the existence of lower storage options.

 

A Simple Design

If you have seen the 4a, then you have an inkling of what the Pixel 5 might look like. David Kowalski shared an image with a seemingly textured finish, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, a square camera bump, an accented power button and a punch-hole selfie camera with slim bezels. The design, as always, depends on the user. It definitely looks like a typical Pixel phone though.

 

A Smooth Experience

Last year’s Pixels had 90Hz screens and this year’s phones should either have the same or a rumored 120Hz panel. Ross Young from Display Supply Chain Consultants stated that it would be not only 120Hz but also a 6.67” Samsung display. This would make it the biggest Pixel phone yet.

Coupled with the high refresh rate could be 8GB of RAM, up from the 6GB on the Pixel 4.

 

A Bigger Battery

One of the biggest gripes users have had with Pixel phones has been in the battery department. With the upgrades that the Pixel 5 is rumored to get, the battery will have to be on point. Leaks say that the Pixel 5 will see a significant bump in battery capacity, up to 4000 mAh. Rumors also claim that it will have wireless and reverse wireless charging at 15W and 5W respectively.

 

Android 11

As always, the Pixel brings with it the new Android version and the Pixel 5 will come with Android 11 out of the box. Android 11 is set to bring with it great improvements in privacy, optimization, foldable screens and 5G use.

 

An Overall Improvement to the Pixel 4

Fingers crossed for the Pixel 5. It will hopefully be a significant improvement to the so-so Pixel 4 lineup. Meanwhile, make sure that you get the best armor for all your beloved devices here at Tech Armor!

2020 iPad & iPad Air – Features and Upgrades

2020 iPad & iPad Air – Features and Upgrades

The swirling iPad rumors built up anticipation and did well to whet our appetites before the big Apple announcement on 15th September. iPad lovers were not disappointed as the siblings of the earlier announced and released 2020 iPad Pro were finally unveiled.

The event, dubbed ‘Time Flies’, not only brought the 2020 iPad Air and an upgrade to the ‘regular’ iPad but also the Apple Watch Series 6.

Unlike Apple iPad events of previous years, the unique circumstances of 2020 mean that consumers will be looking at the new products with a keener eye. Whether it is working from home or attending online classes, there is a greater need for efficient and portable devices to facilitate either or both those tasks. For first time would-be iPad owners, there are options that cater to various needs.

Question is, how much better are this year’s iPad and iPad Air compared to previous iterations? Do they offer better value? Here are the new features and any note-worthy upgrades.

 

2020 iPad Air – Fresh Coat of Paint

Of the two iPads announced, the iPad Air 4 saw the biggest changes when compared to the previous generation. It was unveiled with a refreshed design, a new processor, a bigger display, and improvements in the Touch ID and the camera department.

Apple iPad Air image 1 of 3

Build

Apple called it the most colorful iPad Air ever, and depending on personal tastes, you may be buzzing or indifferent to that bit of information. The finishes, silver, space gray, rose gold, green, and sky blue, all compliment the new thin and light aluminum build giving the Air its name.

The difference in weight between last year’s and this year’s iPad Air is pretty much negligible, with the 2020 being a little wider but a little shorter.

The edges of the 2020 iPad Air are flatter, reminiscent of the iPad Pro 2020, but the bezels are still relatively large. Touch ID has moved from the front to the top button.

Display

The iPad Air 4 has a larger 10.9-inch Liquid Retina display up from 10.5 inches. Capable of pushing 3.8 million pixels, it has full lamination, P3 wide color support, True Tone, and an anti-reflective coating all aimed at providing the best visual experience. With Touch ID relocated, the display is more immersive than it has ever been in the Air lineup.

With a resolution of 2360 x 1640, it retains the 2019 iPad Air PPI of 264. The brightness also remains the same at 500 nits.

Processor

The 2020 iPad Air debuted alongside Apple’s latest and greatest processor, the A14 bionic. While the actual real-world performance of the chip is yet to be established, Apple’s track record is solid to say the least. The 5nm processor is said to be able to handle the most demanding apps with ease.

Creators should be able to edit 4k video with ease and it should breeze through the use of all creative uses. Gamers should also enjoy even smoother gameplay. To talk numbers, the A14 Bionic features a new 6-core design for a 40 percent boost in CPU performance, and a new 4-core graphics architecture for a 30 percent improvement in graphics.

The 2019 iPad Air had an A12 Bionic, and performance is set to become one of the biggest upgrades from the previous generation to the current.

Cameras and Audio

While not many people previously gave thought to the cameras on iPads or tablet devices is general, 2020 has seen the rise of many use cases that would require a good quality camera, microphones and speakers.

Unfortunately, the front camera remains the same as the 2019 iPad Air at 7 megapixels, the same camera used in the iPad Pro. The rear camera, however, sees an upgrade from 8 to 12 megapixels and this should translate to better image quality. While the 2019 iPad Air could only record 1080p at 30 FPS, the new Air has 4K capability at 24, 30, or 60 FPS. A significant improvement.

The 2020 iPad Air has stereo speakers for more immersive audio.

Ports

The new iPad Air features a USB-C port for 5Gbps data transfer, 10 times faster than the previous generation. The port supports connecting to cameras, hard drives, and external monitors up to 4K.

Security

Touch ID makes a return on the iPad Air lineup, with the sensor appearing on the top edge, depending on how you hold it. Apple claims that sensor improvements have made it faster, subject to testing.

Pricing

The 2020 iPad Air will be available in October. The Wi-Fi-only models will start at $599 while the Cellular models will start at $729. There will be two storage configurations: 64GB and 256GB.

While the upgrades are impressive, the $100 price hike compared to the 2019 iPad Air might make the buying decision a little contentious.  What’s much cheaper though is a screen protector.  Find Tech Armor’s best offering here.

 

2020 ‘Base’ iPad – New Year, New Processor

As far as improvements go, the 2020 iPad most definitely took a back seat when compared to the iPad Air. In fact, even the event gave precedence to the other announcements with the iPad getting a significantly smaller slice of the presentation.

Base-ic Upgrade

Now in its 8th generation, the popular device only seems to have got a performance upgrade and not much of anything else.

Speaking on the performance boost, Apple’s Greg Joswiak referenced the 2020 world events saying, “We’re excited to offer customers an even faster and more powerful experience with the eighth-generation iPad….With its beautiful 10.2-inch Retina display, the performance boost from the A12 Bionic, great cameras, and so much more, the new iPad is an incredible value at a time when, more than ever, our customers need powerful and versatile ways to work, play, learn, and connect with loved ones.”

Depending on the user, this may not seem like much of an upgrade, seeing as the previous generation iPad Air had the same processor. It is, however, worth noting that the 2020 iPad starts at just $329 (same as last year) and that price point may be enough to bring it first time iPad owners or those without intense workflows.

A Tough Call

To be fair, the 2019 iPad had a A10 Fusion chip and the move to the A12 Bionic might be enough to warrant the upgrade. It does, after all, offer 40% faster CPU performance and 50% faster GPU output. There is also the fact that the new iPads will ship with iPadOS 14.

Virtually everything else about the iPad remains the same, so current owners might not be as convinced to upgrade as is the case with the iPad Air.  To purchase a screen protector for the iPad 8th Generation you can find Tech Armor’s best offering here.

Love Thy Devices

As you draw up your list of pros and cons trying to decide which one to buy or whether to upgrade or not, remember to get protection for your devices; both old and new.

iPhone 12 Announcement Today?

Will there be an iPhone 12 announcement today?

 

As we wait to see if Apple announces the new iPhones today feel free to read up on all our other posts about the iPhone 12 rumors and what to expect…

 

June 15th, 2020 – https://techarmor.com/blog/iphone12-rumors

July 27th, 2020 – https://techarmor.com/blog/iphone12-rumors-2

August 17th, 2020 – https://techarmor.com/blog/iphone-12-what-to-expect

 

Also another great post of our assessment of Apple vs Samsung was posted in early July 2020.  This is a longer read but very insightful.

https://techarmor.com/blog/apple-vs-samsung

 

We’ll post soon on the iPhone 12 updates!

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.

 

Fall 2020 iPad Line-up

Everything You Need to Know About 2020 iPads!

The world was thrown a curveball, but the tech world has regained steam after a shaky start. The rippling effects of the situation have affected even the biggest companies – not even sparing Tim Cook and his Cupertino bandmates. While the nerdy eyes and iPhone lovers look to the fall for the impending announcement (either to slate them or praise them), you have to wonder: where’s the iPad love?

 

A Pro Taste – The First of Many?

The Apple faithful have already been blessed with the new 2020 iterations of the iPad Pro 11 and 12.9-inch models. Was this to qualm the anticipation or whet our collective appetite? Who knows! Announced back in March, the 2020 iterations brought improvements on the 2018 models as opposed to overhauls. But that’s just the Pro, right? What about the standard iPad? The Mini? The Air??

 

First of the Bunch – 2020 iPad Pros

The 2020 iPad Pros doubled down on making them as close to a laptop replacement as they could be. They retained the 120Hz ProMotion display which iPhone users are crossing their fingers (and toes) for this fall. They are premium in both build and eye-watering prices. Nothing short of what is expected from Apple’s high-end iPads.

Under the hood is the A12Z Bionic chipset, a beefed-up A12 Bionic that was included in the 2018 iPhone range. Apple’s blazing fast processor does nothing to tarnish its great reputation here. A lot of things look and feel similar, with noticeable improvement. What’s new, however, is the camera.

 

Li-What? – Augmented Reality

The new camera unit now sports an ultra-wide lens, as well as a LiDAR scanner. A compressed word standing for Light Detection and Ranging, LiDAR uses light pulses to map objects and rooms by calculating the time taken for the pulses to bounce back. Cool, but why? AR. That’s why.

According to Apple, ‘… The LiDAR Scanner, along with pro cameras, motion sensors, pro performance, pro audio, the stunning Liquid Retina display and powerful apps, extends the lead of iPad Pro as the world’s best device for augmented reality (AR).’

So Apple went ahead and put a great camera and a SpaceX-worthy depth sensor on an iPad. You don’t want to be that guy who takes pictures on an iPad – who does that? This though, this is tipping the scale.

 

All About the Accessories

A huge selling point of the 2020 iPads is the accessories; the Magic Keyboard in Particular. Sold by Apple, it is a backlit keyboard that doubles as the iPad Pro’s case. It has a pass-through USB-C port and attaches to the iPad via magnets. It has a 130° hinge which makes the iPad float. Oh, and it has a trackpad!

All this is partly thanks to iPadOS 13.4 with its mouse and trackpad support. This fall is supposed to see the release of iPadOS 14, which Apple teased in its Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC). iPadOS 14 is said to support all iPad models starting with the iPad Air 2.

 

Split Opinions – Bendgate 2.0

Zack from JerryRigEverything – Judge Dredd for phones and iPads – did manage to snap the 2020 iPad Pro in half, just like the 2018 model. This just shows that not a lot has changed in terms of build and design. It is all in the name of science though, whatever your opinion about breaking iPads may be.

See the summarized 2020 iPad Pro specs below:

  11-Inch iPad Pro
Screen 1668×2388 pixels | 120Hz ProMotion | 600 nits | IPS LCD
Processor A12Z Bionic
Memory 6GB
Storage 128GB | 256GB | 512GB | 1TB
Camera 12Mp Main | 10Mp Ultra-wide | LiDAR Scanner
Ports USB-C
Battery 18W Fast Charging | 28.65Wh Li-Po Battery

 

Rumor-Ville – Upcoming iPads

There is a whole lot of speculation about what’s coming this fall. The standard 2020 iPad is certainly causing the most buzz, but so are the iPad Mini 6 and the iPad Air 4.

Word on the virtual street is that the iPad Mini 6 will at the very earliest see a 2021 release. Bummer. As for the iPad Air 4:

  • Apple will ditch the lightning port for the more standard USB-C, as per MacOtakara.
  • Will have a larger display and slimmer bezels like with the 2020 iPad Pros
  • Could have a 10.8-Inch screen and will arrive in this half of 2020, as per Ming-Chi-Kuo.
  • Could use Mini-LED technology with no notch or FaceID. It will instead have in-screen TouchID
  • Could launch in October alongside the iPhones, as per Jon Prosser.
  • Could be called the iPad Air 2020, going with the iPhone SE naming scheme.

 

All Aboard the Hype Train!

For the standard iPad, specific news has been a bit scanty. Most rumors do not refer to the iPad specifically, and most specs sound similar to those of the rumored iPad Air 4. Same device? Are we getting one or both? Whatever the case, stay tuned for more iPad rumors!

Finally, show your iPads and other devices some love. Check out some of our screen protectors!