Tag: Hype

Top Smartphones…2016 Edition

Posted on by ja3techreviews

Seriously, the year is already over?!?!  Really?!?!  2016 was a, well, an interesting year, to say the least. From the Note 7 debacle, to the “wtf was that” called the LG G5, the overall dip in consumer spending as a whole, and Microsoft unable to give away phones, we scoured and identified the Top devices of 2016; the best little nuggets, shall we say, and composed this list ranking them.

For all you newbies and faithful alike, I break this down into two categories, well three this year, but more on that later, described as follows: (i) top premier smartphone – smartphones over $399 (ii) top budget smartphone – smartphones at or under $399. Bear with me as these are my honest opinions based on devices reviewed throughout the year. Hopefully you agree, but if not, just sit back and enjoy.

TOP PREMIER SMARTPHONES
1) Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge – You have to tip your hat to a company that learns from its mistakes.  The Galaxy line took some hits in 2015 due to poor battery life, lack of sd card expansion, and overly aggressive RAM management.  Call all problems corrected.  And just as a caveat, I’m not a big Samsung fan, but even I was amazed by the glory that were these two devices.

2) iPhone 7 and 7 Plus – Another bland offering from Apple this year, but what it lacks in that certain “Je ne sais quoi” is surely offset by the continuation of great software optimization, introduction of dust and water resistance (IP-67 certification), outstanding camera, and improved battery.  Again, the design matriculates along the boring scale, so something still to improve on, Tim Cook.

3) Google Pixel and Pixel XL – Didn’t like it and still don’t like it (for my own personal usage) but it still stands as one of the elite devices of 2016 for it’s impeccable camera in all lighting, great software and hardware synergy, and amazing screen.  If it was, say, $360 cheaper, it could arguably be the best device of the year, in my opinion.

4) LG V20 – LG may not be winning in overall popularity among consumers, but year-on-year, they keep cranking out gems.  The V20 does not deviate from that.  The secondary screen continues, and the battery life would make anyone pleased, so another great one from the South Korean maker.

5) OnePlus 3T – Yes, OnePlus devices have finally peaked above the budget threshold.  It was always a matter of time, but the company continues churning out the best “bang-for-your-buck” phones.  A whopping 6GB of RAM, impressive all-day battery life, all inclusive cellular connectivity, dual-sim capable, and sleek design are propelling Carl Pei’s baby to the head of the class in the industry.  For someone who still likes rooting and rom-ing, OnePlus is your ticket to paradise, so pack your bags, we leave tonight.

6) Motorola-Lenovo Moto Z Phones- Modularity done right is a truly splendid thing, and this was done right (take notes G5).  Motorola-Lenovo continues its grasp of fantastic designs and innovations, and I’m excited for what they will showcase in 2017.

7) Xiaomi Mi Mix – Bezzle-less?  Yup, bezzle-less display!  Truly, I don’t know if anything else needs to be said.

8) HTC 10 – So HTC dropped the “One” moniker and the front facing speakers, but kept the smooth, aluminum unibody figure, while improving both software and hardware performance. Still, something was missing from this one, as I could never call it a true “flagship” device, nor worthy of daily driver material.  But the once left for dead company finds itself resurfacing towards relevance….continue that climb young one!

9) HP Elite x3 – Everyone who knows me, or reads my articles, knows I have a certain soft spot in my heart for Windows devices.  Enter the HP Elite x3, a device that got right what the Lumia 950 got wrong.  The hefty $649 price tag keeps this from being an easy recommend, but from performance to style, this was a hot device.

10) Asus Zenfone 3 Deluxe – When the heck did Asus phones get above $300?  Well, this was a year of exceptions, and the Zenfone did not escape those nasty clutches!  I loved testing this devices, as the pillars making a great device were present, but the only pillar I could not accept, the $659.99 price tag.  Much like I stated about the Pixel phones, a steep price reduction would put this in “must buy” territory.

BEST BUDGET SMARTPHONES
1) ZTE Axon 7 – I was over the moon in love with this device and still am (review still coming in a 6-months after format).  Great battery with quick charge capabilities, phenomenal audio experience, great screen quality, fantastic call quality, and outlandish RAM capacity makes this my past, current and future daily driver for awhile.  At the consumer-friendly $379.00 off-contract, you are getting a flagship-like experience for budget-like bucks.

2) ZTE ZMAX Pro – Get the crown out because ZTE cemented itself as most improved manufacturer of the year banging out two elite phones at pauper prices.  The ZTE ZMAX Pro, much like the Axon 7, shares a pleasurably unique user experience with little-to-no sacrifices. Being T-Mobile and MetroPCS exclusives knock down its rating from a potential top placing, but we can hope for the unlocked version, making this a must by for 2017.

3) Alcatel OneTouch Idol 4s – If a girl, or guy for you ladies, can cook, clean, hold you close, buy you presents, and care for you on those down days; they are a keeper.  The same can be said about the Idol 4s, as the attractive build, nice user interface, decent battery, came packaged with a Incipio case, screen protector, JBL Headphones, and VR headset for the low price of $399.00.  Idol 4s, will you marry me? For all you Windows junkies, she has a cute sister too (Idol 4s Windows).

4) Huawei Honor 5x – Building off their Nexus 6p inspired success in the Western Hemisphere, Huawei launched the Honor 5x budget device at CES earlier this year, and what a launch it was. Nice processing power, dual-sim capable, impressive call clarity, and a fingerprint sensor on a sub-$200 device made this an early recommend.  Even today, at retailer discounted prices, I still feel this is one of the better phones of the year.

5) Xiaomi Mi Note 2 – Xiaomi seemingly will be one of the best manufacturers we may never hear about in the US.  Churning out another wonderful device in the Mi Note line was a foregone conclusion for one of the top sellers in China, and during my testing, I was suprised by the zippy iPhone-esque clone.  Again, its radios are tuned for Asia and Eastern Europe, but for a Wi-Fi only device, you could do no wrong getting this.

6) Nextbit Robin – The startup company hoped on making waves in 2016, but instead, sales indicate merely a belly-flopping thud.  Currently going for as low as $179.99, a device sporting a now, only 2-generation old capable processor, front facing speakers, fingerprint sensor, and acclimating cloud storage, this falls in the great budget finds of the year.

7) Huawei Honor 8 – The Honor 8 was the Kat Dennings of phones.  It had the most amazing curves, glorious backside and magnificent display jammed into a nice little frame. But the user experience was more like Cait Jenner, as it was marred by poor (and that is being polite) battery life and and a quirky EMotion user interface.  That being said, if you value style, and a stunning one at that, over substance, the Honor 8 is for you.  And currently going for $299.99 with extras, it’s priced for us all.

8) Motorola-Lenovo Moto G4 and G4 Play – These probably would have fallen in the upper-tier of phones…six years ago, but for 2016, the sub-1080p display and lower-end processors were overcome by the immaculate battery life and zippier than expected performance.  Factor in a price tag under $200, and you just found the recipe for a happy entry-level device or a great backup device.

9) LeEco Le Pro 3 – I wanted to use a Pepe Le Pew pun but I shall refrain.  This newcomer in the US market has been turning heads with its first, yet quality offering.  The launcher and its layout prove problematic for Android experts, but slapping on a new launcher, you have something fabulous all for under $279.99

10) LG K7 – Debuting in January, my initial thoughts were this was merely replacement or interim phone material, but after my testing period, the Snapdragon 210-enabled device performed well above its specs.  Accompanied by LG’s stylistic and durable design for under $100.00….I smell a winner!

My father used to tell me, find the humor in a bad situation.  So folks, I bring you the new category for this year…

MOST ENTERTAINING SMARTPHONES…FOR THE WRONG REASONS

1)  Samsung Galaxy Fireball f/k/a Galaxy Note 7 – Was it going to start a fire or not?  Was it going to singe the hairs on your crotch or legs?  “Probably” was the answer for both these questions, and because of that, it was the most entertaining device of the year.  You may go for your nightly slumber only to wakeup and run screaming for the exits. But you must admit, any phone requiring you keep a fire extinguisher and some burn compound handy makes for good times.

2)  LG G5 – WTF?!?!  I know what LG was attempting, finally making the long awaited modular devices a reality, but this turned into a hot mess from jump.  If the G5 was a person, she would be that one girl who shows up at a party with a combed over weave, purple top with lime green skirt, and some knock off Jordan’s….like I said, a HOT MESS!

Well everyone, that concludes the top smartphones of 2o16.  Tell me what you think in the comments section, whether you agree or disagree.  Thanks and stay tuned for more!

Google Pixel Launch: What We Learned

Posted on by ja3techreviews

October 4th was a date marked on every techies calendar, as Google promoted and teased a great unveiling.  Inclusive of all the hype and premeditated leaks, calling yesterday a great unveiling still constitutes as a mild understatement.  Ditching the popular Nexus line, Google revealed what they say was a project nearly ten years in the making with the new Pixel lineup.  You might be asking, “So, why the change?”  That’s a good question! Google states, the Nexus program was a tool showcasing the latest and greatest versions of Android, devoid of skins and unadulterated, paired with the best hardware of OEMs (original equipment manufacturers) such as LG, Samsung, HTC, Motorola, and Huawei; all previous Nexus phone designers.  For a six year period, the preset goals were achieved as these fusions provided us in the tech community some of the greatest phones of their respective years.  Granted, some where greater than others, hmm, I’m looking at you Nexus 6, but overall a successful campaign nonetheless. Now, Google wants to shift gears from not just providing a clean Android experience, but also designing and making its own devices. Enter the new Pixel and Pixel XL phones, accompanied by the Google Home, Google Wi-Fi, Daydream View VR Headset and Chromecast Ultra.

Occupying certain niche needs, I anticipate great success for the Google Home and Wi-Fi. Both allow for the continued push towards more technically sound and interactive homes, and I think both achieve this in grand fashion.  Granted, these are merely Google’s interpretation of products currently on the market, namely the Amazon Echo and OnHub Blue, but at their perspective price points, could provide competition for consumer attention.  I wasn’t as impressed with the Daydream VR Headset as I honestly believe this is still a gimmicky-purchase and not a must have for any buyer, but much like the home products, the price point would make this hard to ignore come holiday time.  I still prefer Samsung’s VR Headset because the more impressive build, but Daydream does allow a greater experience across all apps in the Android market over the former.  Not much needs to be said about the Chromecast Ultra, other than it’s an upgraded version from previous incarnations, with allowance for 4K UHD (ultra high definition) picture quality.  Again, for anyone with a 4K compatible television and $70 to burn, this is a fantastic option.

But you’re probably wanting info on the stars of the the event, the Pixel and Pixel XL phones.  Still reeling from the abrupt Nexus divorce, my honest feelings for these devices are lukewarm; at least for the time being.  The new 4.7″ and 5.5″ devices looked like a re-hash of phones already on the market, thus lacking a new approach I was anticipating.  I kept telling my buddy that they looked like the freakish three-way combination of the HTC 10, iPhone 6s and Honor 8.  All are great looking devices, but just don’t look quite right together.  Whenever I get my hands on review models, my initial thoughts may change, but if this the “girl” we decide to date after our great relationship with Nexus, she may need to put on a little more makeup before we go out.  Just saying!  However, the new color names are extremely catchy with the Very Silver, Quite Black and Really Blue.  Again, the overall phones look odd to me, but the Quite Black color scheme with the two-toned silver bottom accent looked cool.  In their totality, not anything groundbreaking with the hardware as we have 1080p and Quad-HD AMOLED panels, with the Snapdragon 821, 4 GB of RAM, bottom mount speakers, Gorilla Glass 4 and 32/128 GB ROM options; so solid if not spectacular.  But much like the Nexus phones, the newest Android version Nougat 7.1, will be the differential from other devices. Being the first shipping with this version baked in, 7.1 is utterly fantastic and a major step forward.  Newer launcher, Google Assistance, and revised Google Now functionality make this a near must-buy, as I was blown away with how intuitive the operating system has become.  I was ready to hand over my credit card right there on the spot!  Then Google announced the pricing and my credit card couldn’t find its way back into my wallet fast enough.  Starting at $649 for the lower-end variant and going up to $799, these seem destined for a similar fate of the Nexus 6 as a good device until you look at the price-to-value aspect.  Google does believe these are premium devices competing with the likes of Samsung’s S-line and the Apple iPhone, and I agree somewhat, as this is great software and hardware, but this seems way too pricey.  Using the Nexus pricing as a baseline, if these were in the $399-$549 price range, I could see this being hard to keep in stock.  But as much as $799?  I just see a slew of competition from other makers like Oneplus, Alcatel, Huawei/Honor, and LG being more enticing buys and keeping more Benjamins in your pocket. Additionally, knowing a ROM for the still glamorous Nexus 6p (or other Nexus devices), should be available soon makes this any even harder recommend.  At least for me.

There you have it!  Stay tuned for the upcoming reviews of all these devices.

 

Why Google…Why? Our Relationship with Nexus is Over

Posted on by ja3techreviews

If I may quote every girlfriend I’ve ever had, EVER, “I think we should breakup, but can we still be friends?”  Yes people, sadly this is the current state of affairs for the soon-to-be defunct Nexus line of products.  That being said, I know each “relationship” endures its ups-and-downs and the last few years have been like a roller coaster, but how could this be the end?  Why Google…Why?  (Crying) I’ve given you the best years of my life and this is how you re-pay me?

For those of you not familiar with the Nexus program, here is your quick tutorial:  Google first introduced a Development program for its operating system (OS) where developers could purchase “developer-specific” phones free of SIM restrictions, which was a stark contrast for the heavily carrier-subsidized devices of the time.  Google proposed a full product expansion, fusing with original electronic manufacturers (OEMs) such as HTC, Samsung and LG, naming a few, creating a synergy of hardware and software innovations for sanctioned devices, witnessed over the last seven years.  This was dubbed the Nexus Program, and in January 2010, the very first Nexus collaboration spawned the Google Nexus One by HTC.  At the time, the HTC-made Nexus was a gem with a 3.7” inch display, 512mB of RAM, and the then blazing 1GHz Qualcomm Scorpion CPU, but more importantly, established the “treat-inspired” Éclair Android Operating System (OS) as a launch pad for further OS advancements.  Deemed an entry level phone by today’s standards, the Nexus One was every bit the flagship for its time and provided a platform for Google to showcase both its advancing OS and a vision for the future of mobile technology.  And showcase it did, as new followers would flock to the tech giant by the thousands, as rooting and rom-ing became the trending activities.  Not to mention, the Nexus line inspired OEMs further development in creating better devices geared to handle both entertainment and productivity needs of consumers.  One could argue a great partnership for all was created with an optimistic outlook for what the future may hold.

If the introduction of the Nexus One was the dating phase, then its successors proved a gracious courting period.  Ups-and-downs of any relationship occurred, but over the next few years, Google unveiled multiple OS follow-ups in FROYO, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, and my personal favorite Kit-Kat. Each more feature-packed than its predecessor, and with momentum and popularity growing in Android as a whole, this was parlayed into greater success for each subsequent Nexus.  Sales improved year-over-year, culminating in the vast popularity of the 2013 Nexus 5, running the then newest version Kit-Kat.  The LG-made device comprised three components making it nothing short of fantastic: an impeccable design and build, the newest version of Android, and a price-tag well within most consumers’ budgets.  The Nexus 5 was a stunning device, falling just short in acclaim to other Android offerings such as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, LG G2, and HTC One; none of which could offer the pure Android experience followers craved.  Honestly, it could be said the apex of the programs success was achieved in the Nexus 5, as it was quite the banger.  On a personal note, mine is still running smooth as ever with the Dirty Unicorns ROM, and its one of the rare phones I will have a hard time letting go.

As with any relationship, the honeymoon has to end, right?  Shortly after the success of the Nexus 5, Google broke our hearts by announcing the train ride to Happytown may be coming to an end, and the eventual demise of the program was apparent.  Several leaked reports in late 2013 and early 2014 stated Google planned to do away with the line and work on other endeavors.  I can still hear the echoes of sighs and moans from the Nexus-lovers to this very day.  For many, this was truly a hard pill to swallow as the Nexus line was garnering its largest following and continued sequels seemed only logical.  However, Google further augmented fears by stating it had never intended for the Nexus line to last this long, and the eventuality of its demise was only a matter of time.  Such sour words were never spoken so harshly, as we had already endured the short-lived linger of the Google Play Edition devices, and this news was absolutely devastating.  However, prior to the release of Android 5.0, Lollipop, Google re-assured us Android junkies, the Nexus program would continue for the foreseeable future, giving a gleam of optimism for more great devices on the horizon.  Instead, we got the Nexus 6 smartphone and Nexus 9 tablet, both failing in comparison from previous iterations.  I reviewed both devices, and if you have not read those articles, my thoughts in a nutshell were they seemed “…rushed…” and “…incomplete…”   Additionally, the build quality on the HTC-based tablet seemed a step back from even the Asus Nexus 7 (2013) from two (2) years earlier, but with a much steeper price tag.  Not to mention, the Motorola-made Nexus 6, was not the next installment fans expected, as it was too unwieldy with its 6” display and wide body; nor did it possess the features of the Moto X, a device it closely mimicked, which was one of the top tier devices for the year.  Coupled with its steep price tag, limited availability, and the overall kinks within Lollipop, the majority of us wished Google had ended the relationship.  Although sales reflected modest gains, Nexus enthusiasts will point at these two devices as the weakest in the Nexus lineup thus far, and I can’t blame them.  If I may put my impartiality aside, these devices were terrible.  Overpriced and bland with problems does not win over hearts, and that was everything the previous devices were not.  If I could use an analogy, these were the girl (or guy) you meet at a party that looks so cute under the dark lights, but when you come outside, BAM, no way, Jose!  Yup, and that’s when the relationship went sour.

But much like that person you dated in high school you bump into years later looking good, and I mean REALLY GOOD, the debacle that was the Nexus 6 and 9 were supplanted by the gorgeous Nexus 6p and LG Nexus 5x.  Similar to the metaphor for this article, Google went back to a familiar “partner” for a re-vamp of the popular Nexus 5, with hopes of winning back fans already straying, but also paired with the mega-successful overseas companion in Huawei, resulting in two nearly flawless phones.  The magic was re-created as both these devices showcased the streamlined and very polished Android 6.0 Marshmallow, on beautifully designed hardware.  These two not only met success with the entrenched fans, but also established crossover appeal with new consumers, originally intended for the Nexus 6.  And in the blink of an eye, there we were back in love again.  Alas, the good times were only short-lived as Google has made breakup public, marking the end of the Nexus line and the introduction to a new partner, Pixel.  Additional leaked information states the new Pixel devices will implement additional software and interface tweaks over a vanilla Android skin, and the possibility of a locked bootloader could be a reality.  WTH?!?!  Since these devices are not yet released, we can merely hope for pleasant surprises, as this is such a dramatic deviation from the oft-problematic, but still great relationship we have forged with the Nexus line.

In summation, has it all been good?  No.  Has it all been bad?  Of course not!  You would never stay if it was all bad.  But the Nexus line has been like that difficult relationship that is coming to an end.  Could we be in store for something greater with the upcoming changes?  The possibility certainly exists, but for something ingrained as part of our yearly ritual in the tech world, it will be hard letting go.  Change is certainly inevitable, so here’s to hoping the new relationship proves as fruitful as the last.

OnePlus 2 Review: A Device Where Everything Adds Up…Almost!

Posted on by ja3techreviews

OnePlus captivated consumers by producing one of the top phones of 2014, after ticking us off with the silliest invite system ever. Wait, I promised my therapist I would move on. Anyway, users and reviewers wondered could OnePlus achieve success again in 2015, with a multitude of amazing devices launched by the likes of Apple, Samsung, LG, and Motorola, just to name a few. Well, I am here to say OnePlus again stole my heart. Once you get past the self-proclaimed and overpromising Flagship Killer moniker, you realize this company possesses a firm gripe on what consumers want. This shows evident the OnePlus 2. In my opinion, arguably one of the best phones of the year and well worth purchasing.

TAKING THE TOP OFF: THE UNBOXING
Unlike last year’s OnePlus unboxing, the OnePlus 2 provides a more suitable, albeit still electrifying experience. Differing from last year’s pull-out jacket approach, this year we are greeted with a simple but stylish pull-off design. In their signature red and white stylization, we are met by a rectangular box with adorning lettering, and an impressive etch-on I can only describe as company’s new “infinity” logo. On the back, we observe the normal FCC, IMEI, and Company information regarding your particular phone identifications. Once again, the idea of simple but still very stylish comes to mind.

Upon removing the top covering, we are greeted to the phone in all its glory, enclosed in a protective plastic sleeve with the wording “ONEPLUS 2”, “NEVER SETTLE”, and the button layout indicator etchings. Underneath the device, we come upon a red jacket and inside we will find our normal array of Quick Start Guides and Manuals, which we all can’t wait to read thoroughly. Just joking! Below the manuals, are the white cutouts housing our USB type-connector cable and power adapter.

As previously stated, this unboxing experience shows OnePlus understands stylish does not need to be extravagant to enjoy. It was simple but definitely not understated.

THE ENTREE: HARDWARE, SPECIFICATIONS, AND DISPLAY
Getting back to the device, we see a gorgeous all black 5.98” overall size, with a premium looking dark grey metal band surrounding the phone frame. We find our standard 3.5mm headphone jack on top with a noise cancelling microphone and antenna, our volume up-and-down buttons with accompanying power button to the right. On back is the 13MP camera with dual-LED flash and laser optical sensor, the newly embedded fingerprint sensor/home button positioned below the display, and two grills on the bottom serving as our speaker and a secondary microphone, along with the USB Type-C port. On the front of the device we have our earpiece, ambient light sensor, LED notification light, and 5MP front camera. But one of the newest, and in my opinion, best features added is the alert slider on the left side. I know Android has software inclusions to turn notifications on or off, and also enter the phone into a silent mode, but having a dedicated button for such activities was an admirable add-on. I hope we see this in many future OnePlus devices, as well as other manufacturers should consider this a necessary inclusion. I only used it a handful of times during my testing period, but still, a very welcome addition. Much as other reviewers mentioned, no NFC is present, so this puts a damper on possible use when Android Pay and other electronic transfers becomes norm. It was not a big deal to me, as I very seldom use it anyway, but in a supposed flagship killer, there really is no excuse for its omission.

Powering the OnePlus 2 is a Quad-Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 (version 2) chipset (four Cortex high-powered A-53 and four low-powered A-57), coupled with an Adreno 430 and 4GB of RAM for the 64GB variant and 3GB of RAM for the 16GB variant. A little off topic, but it fascinates me manufacturers produce 16GB variants. Really? 16GB? What am I supposed to do with 16GB? Really! In my opinion, 16GB, with no SD card expansion, should be a crime against humanity! I digress, though. Also included is GPS/GLONASS, all bands of 802.11 Wi-Fi are present, Bluetooth version 4.1, USB Type-C, dual-SIM card tray (nano-SIMs). I found the performance to be more than expected for such a reasonable priced device.

Multi-tasking was a breeze with no aggressive app closings, thanks in part to the 4GB of RAM, and I enjoyed an overall fluid experience. There were a few hick-ups in daily usage, but much of that can be attributed more to flaws in the Oxygen OS software we will discuss in the next section. All-in-all, I was pleasantly pleased with the functionality and found my self enjoying web browsing, playing games, viewing videos, even writing articles, and using GPS to get around town. Without a doubt, I would give the hardware a solid “A”. Additionally, the fingerprint/home button was such a welcome addition. It is quick and easy to setup, and very responsive in its dual function. I found myself playing with it because how fascinatingly cool it was. I would not say it’s the fastest, I would give that honor to either the iPhone 6s or Nexus 6p, but the OnePlus 2 possesses one of the better ones. I also found the overheating issues of the infamous 810 chipset to be very minimal. Did the device get hot? No. Did it get warm? Sometimes when doing when heavy multi-tasking or playing graphically intensive games, but I applauded OnePlus for turning a con into a pro. Kudos! Call quality and reception were also high points as calls sounded very clear with little to no distortion, and speaker levels were well above acceptable levels. The speaker quality showed very capable during my testing period. I will never be an advocate for bottom speakers as too many shenanigans can happen (i.e. covering while playing games or videos in landscape) but the volume was on-par with other quality devices. Kudos once again, OnePlus!

Battery life proved an inconsistent aspect of an otherwise fantastic experience. I know other reviews report solid but not spectacular battery life, but I have to dispute those. My usage was hit-or-miss, with typical usage of 3-1/2 to 4 hours of moderate on-screen usage being close to normal. I did get over 6 hours of talk time (on a full charge); and yes, I am a teenage high schoolgirl from the 80s who still likes to talk on the phone for 6-plus hours. One interesting aspect of an inconsistent feature was I did get outstanding standby times. There was a Monday; I put the phone away to test another device, accidentally leaving it on after full charging. I did not even know it was on until that Thursday afternoon I heard the “low-battery” chirp. Really impressive if you ask me, but overall, I would give battery life a “C+” for inconsistency. Software updates to either Oxygen OS, or an upgrade to Android Marshmallow may rectify this problem, but be wary, for now.

Moving onto the display, I have but three words to describe it, “de-lic-ious”, I’m done. We observe a gorgeous 5.5” IPS display with a stunning 1080p (1080 x 1920, 401 ppi) resolution covered in Gorilla Glass 4. Kudos once again to OnePlus, as this display is incredible. When first observing, I honestly thought it was a Quad-HD display because of the vividness and great color rendering. I was dumbfounded when a colleague corrected me, but you see the point. Essentially, it is the same display used on the OnePlus One, but the designers did a marvelous job adjusting internal brightness and saturation levels. Looking at such a great display made the daily tasks that much more enjoyable. Kudos all around!

TELL ME MORE: SOFTWARE AND CAMERA
After the public and confusing breakup between OnePlus and Cyanogen, OnePlus was left to produce their own in-house software overlay. Queue Oxygen OS for its grand unveil! In general, I was pleased with the skin as it offered several usable features devoid in stock Android. Upon first use, it had some minor glitches including force closes of the installed messaging app, periodic non-responsiveness of the fingerprint reader, and the occasional sluggishness of memory intensive apps, to name a few. The reason these did not deter my overall satisfaction is OnePlus has been diligent pushing software updates out regularly to improve performance. So what started as often buggy and frustrating quickly turned into delightful.

If you are like me, you like to change the look of your device daily. If so, you will be elated with this mamma-jamma. Much like its predecessor, the OP2 includes several software options to change the theme, stylizations of the keyboard, adjust hardware button layout and operations, adjusting the design in the settings menu, and those are just a few tweaks. I say this seriously, if it on the phone, you have the ability to tweak it, and I really enjoy such options. It goes without saying, but I never had a dull moment playing with the customizable options. Truly, it felt like using a new device each day.

As I mention in every review, I am not much of a camera aficionado, so take my review of the camera lightly. In great lighting, I was quite impressed with the solid contrast and great detail. Additionally, the focusing proved a high point, thanks in part to the laser autofocus. Taking a shot was incredibly fluid, simple and relatively fast. Low light shots were okay with the dual-LED helping out. In general, picture quality was a solid “B”. Video was also impressive, but I did find myself frustrated by the constant auto focusing. I am not sure if this was something I was doing wrong or if it just a software issue, but I did get a little annoyed. Quality of video was actually nice. You definitely won’t make J.J. Abrahams (cheap Star Wars plug) jealous because of the quality, but the videos will be crisp and pleasurable to view.

My biggest gripe focuses around video ease of usage. There is far too many swipe up or swipe in gestures, which are similar to initiating other application functions. Often, I would swipe up or in to change a camera/video function, and all of a sudden my notification drop-down would show up, or the settings menu would initiate, little things like that. Nonetheless, I feel with continued usage, this would turn from a minor annoyance to skillful mastery.

BRING IT ON HOME: CONCLUSION AND FINAL THOUGHTS
In concluding this review, let’s look at the facts about the OnePlus 2: upper-end specs, great design and build, solid software experience, great hardware and software customizations, and a thoroughly appealing price tag. Without a doubt, this is one of my top 15 devices of 2015. Is it future proof? More or less. Is it a flagship killer? Nope. What it does achieve is it is a great device, with a great price point, you will not regret you purchased. As I always answer “…who is this for…”, and I can honestly say I would recommend this to anyone. There really is something here everyone will like with few sacrifices. Unless you just require a phone with all the top-notch bells-and-whistles, you will be very pleased. Much like the OnePlus One, the OnePlus 2 walks a marvelous line of providing a great experience and impressive specifications with a minimal price tag.

OnePlus 2 – Sample #2
OnePlus 2 – Sample #1

Apple or Samsung…Is There Any Other Choice?

Posted on by ja3techreviews

Apple or Samsung? Chicken or Beef? Actually, I prefer ground turkey due to it’s a leaner meat and less toxins, but I digress. Perhaps, though, this is what has driven me to produce such an article, because my deviation from the predicated conventional norms. Let’s face it, Apple and Samsung dominate the mobile technology, and consequently are the two most consumed and talked about manufacturers. We hear of every press release and upcoming launch event, retailers promote them seemingly around every crevice of their stores (yes, I’m looking at you Best Buy), and we are constantly presented with those witty us versus them commercials reminiscent of a bitter high school rivalry. Apple and Samsung masterfully inject themselves into our daily lives and influence our trending ways. Thus, when it comes time for that new Smartphone, tablet, television, or media player, it seems the majority flock to one or the other. People, let me tell you, you have other choices.

Let me drop some quick knowledge you may or may not know; Apple currently possesses 20.4% of the overall Smartphone sales, while maintaining 92% profits of the overall Smartphone industry. I’ll repeat that in case you missed it, 92% of the overall Smartphone profits. In a landscape encompassing well over 1,000 manufactures, and more popping onto the scene each day, Apple reigns the top dog of profitable companies. Putting further into perspective, roughly 1 of every 5 consumers owns an iPhone and/or Apple product. And that 20% is leading Apple to billions in gross profits. Not to mention the recent successes of Apple TV and Apple Watches. Recent survey analysis relates Apple’s success to its identity. Of those consumers in the market to buy a tech device, over 84% surveyed stated they would buy Apple products based solely on brand recognition. I will repeat, not knowing the functionality of the products, but solely on the fact they have heard the name, people will be inclined to buy Apple devices. That in itself I find truly amazing. The notion of buying something based only because I saw the name on television, or my neighbor bought one, or because it’s the in product baffles me.

Possessing an amazing 19.9% share of Smartphone devices sold last year, and filling in nearly all of the remaining 8% of available market share profits, Samsung remains the other most recognizable force in the industry. 19.9% may not sound like a huge number, but let’s attempt to put that in perspective. Several statistical analysis firms put overall Smartphone sales for 2014 at roughly 1.1 billion sales. This means Samsung accounts for approximately 220 million of those sales. Truly astonishing are those numbers. Following similar analysis, 86% of potential buyers surveyed stated they would buy a Samsung product on name recognition alone. Now that is truly amazing! Please forgive me if it seems I am attempting to minimize Samsung’s impact on the evolution of the industry. That is far from my intentions, as I am a huge fan of their in-house Exynos processor and find myself amazed in the steady improvements of their stunning displays. In the past year I have witnessed three magnificent devices out of the Samsung camp in the Galaxy Note 5, S6 and S6 Edge. All are truly remarkable gadgets showcasing Samsung’s innovation in hardware design language and substantial improvements in their TouchWiz software. Devoid of the poor battery life, the Galaxy line this past year lived up to the moniker of flagship devices. Each of these embodied the strongest, brightest and best offerings and a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming year. Yet, I still find myself wondering why we gravitate to these products at the cost of other quality and cheaper manufacturers.

In asking myself this question more and more, the conclusion literally hit me in the face one evening. Walking down the street, while simultaneously writing a text message, I ran into a Samsung sidewalk sign outside Best Buy. That sign was closely followed by an Apple banner parlaying news of the recently released iPhone 6s and 6s Plus. The saying “…if you control the media, you can control the masses…” came to mind. I know the context of the quote is intended another way, but let’s face it, Apple and Samsung find ways to dominate our information sources, and because of that earn our money. If all you see is Apple and Samsung on the news, in print, on the radio, you will fixate on that. These tech giants clearly understand this simple concept, and do all they can to insert themselves into our lives. In a consumer-based world, we are lead to believe these two are the “posh” and “in-thing” of our times above all others, and maybe rightfully so. But I repeat, you have other choices.

I challenge you today to record how many times you hear or see the promotions of companies such as LG, Lenovo-Motorola, Huawei, Sony, Oppo, Blackberry or Oneplus. The last may be the exception if you frequent Facebook or Twitter, but my overall notion still stands. These companies rarely promote themselves and rely on the principle we as consumers will learn about their products and gravitate towards them. Unfortunately, we as consumers rarely do this and that is our greatest flaw. We trend towards what we are told is the latest and greatest, or what we see others have, or what’s the best of those readily accessible. In paraphrasing one of my favorite comic book characters, Ben Parker, “With great power comes great responsibility”. As a consumer, you have a responsibility to be informed before you hand over your money. Do your analysis and understand why whatever you buy is the best choice. Now I’m not saying to not to buy Apple or Samsung products. As previously mentioned, I too am an owner of several of their products, but before you spend the $700 to $1,000 full retail price….really, that much? Okay, before you pay my monthly mortgage for a device, make sure you do your homework. I personally have found the offerings of Asus and LG, to name a few very pleasing. Although I purchased the device nearly six months ago, I absolutely love using my Asus Zenfone 2 (the high-end variant) as my daily driver. That’s pretty impressive as I own nearly 15 different phones, three of which are Apple and Samsung products. What is even more impressive is the $299.00 off-contract pricing, not too bad in my opinion. Also, it would take an act of force majeure before I stop using my Nexus 5 from nearly three years ago. Much like a fine wine, it just seems to get better with time. Thus, I implore you to please remember this one message…you have other choices.