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Nokia 6

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The Nokia 6 marked Nokia’s re-entry into the smartphone market after a hiatus, under the stewardship of HMD Global. Released in 2017, the Nokia 6 aimed to combine Nokia’s legacy of solid build quality with modern smartphone features at an affordable price point. Here’s an in-depth review of the Nokia 6:

Overview:

The Nokia 6 was a significant release as it represented Nokia’s comeback into the smartphone arena. With a robust aluminum body and a commitment to stock Android, it sought to appeal to both Nokia enthusiasts and new users looking for a reliable mid-range device.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 7.1.1 (Nougat) as part of the Android One program, ensuring regular updates.
  2. Display: 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 430.
  4. Memory: Options of 3/4 GB RAM with 32/64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: 16 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and phase detection autofocus. The front camera is an 8 MP shooter with an f/2.0 aperture.
  6. Battery: A 3000 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Front-mounted fingerprint sensor, Dolby Atmos sound enhancement, and NFC.

Pros:

  1. Build Quality: The Nokia 6’s aluminum unibody design was reminiscent of Nokia’s reputation for building sturdy phones.
  2. Stock Android: Being part of the Android One program meant a bloat-free, near-stock Android experience with the promise of timely updates.
  3. Sound: The Dolby Atmos sound enhancement provided a better audio experience compared to many competitors in the same price range.
  4. Price: The device was competitively priced, offering good value for its specifications.

Cons:

  1. Processor Performance: The Snapdragon 430, while decent for basic tasks, was not the most powerful in its class, leading to occasional lags in performance-intensive tasks.
  2. Camera Performance: While adequate in well-lit conditions, the camera struggled in low-light scenarios.
  3. Charging: The device lacked fast charging, resulting in longer charging times.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Nokia 6 faced competition from:

  • Moto G5 Plus: Offering a 5.2-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 625, and a metal design.
  • Samsung Galaxy J7 Pro: With its 5.5-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7870, and a metal unibody design.
  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: Featuring a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 625, and a metal design.

Launch Date:

The Nokia 6 was announced in January 2017 and became available in various markets in the subsequent months.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Performance Hiccups: Due to the Snapdragon 430, users reported occasional slowdowns, especially when multitasking.
  2. Camera Consistency: The camera’s performance was inconsistent, particularly in challenging lighting conditions.
  3. Speaker Quality: While the Dolby Atmos enhancement was a plus, the single bottom-firing speaker wasn’t the loudest.

Conclusion:

The Nokia 6 was a significant device, marking Nokia’s return to the smartphone market. While it had its shortcomings, especially in terms of performance, it offered a solid build quality and a clean Android experience that many users appreciated. It was a promising start for Nokia’s new journey under HMD Global, setting the stage for subsequent releases. For users who valued build quality and software purity, the Nokia 6 was a compelling choice in the mid-range segment.

OnePlus 3T

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The OnePlus 3T was a significant release from OnePlus in late 2016, serving as an upgraded version of the OnePlus 3. It continued the company’s “flagship killer” ethos by offering high-end specifications at a relatively affordable price. Here’s an in-depth review of the OnePlus 3T:

Overview:

The OnePlus 3T was introduced to address some of the feedback and criticisms of the OnePlus 3, offering improvements in key areas like battery life and performance. It aimed to provide a premium smartphone experience without the premium price tag.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with OxygenOS based on Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow) and later received updates.
  2. Display: 5.5-inch Optic AMOLED with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 821.
  4. Memory: 6 GB RAM with options of 64 GB or 128 GB internal storage.
  5. Camera: 16 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, OIS, and PDAF. The front camera is also a 16 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: A 3400 mAh non-removable battery with Dash Charge.
  7. Other Features: USB Type-C, front-mounted fingerprint sensor, and an Alert Slider.

Pros:

  1. Performance: With the Snapdragon 821 and 6 GB of RAM, the device offered smooth and responsive performance.
  2. Battery Life: The increased battery capacity (compared to the OnePlus 3) and Dash Charge technology provided a solid day’s use and rapid charging.
  3. Build Quality: The metal unibody design gave the phone a premium feel.
  4. Price: The OnePlus 3T offered flagship-level specs at a price that was considerably lower than other flagships.

Cons:

  1. No Expandable Storage: The device did not support microSD cards.
  2. Camera: While decent, the camera wasn’t always on par with other flagship devices in terms of low-light performance.
  3. Limited Water Resistance: Unlike some competitors, the OnePlus 3T didn’t have significant water or dust resistance.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the OnePlus 3T faced competition from:

  • Samsung Galaxy S7: Offering a 5.1-inch Super AMOLED Quad HD display, Snapdragon 820/Exynos 8890, and IP68 water and dust resistance.
  • LG G5: With its 5.3-inch Quad HD IPS LCD display, Snapdragon 820, and a modular design.
  • Google Pixel: Featuring a 5-inch AMOLED Full HD display, Snapdragon 821, and a highly-rated camera.

Launch Date:

The OnePlus 3T was announced in November 2016 and became available shortly after in various markets.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Touch Latency: Some users reported touch latency issues, though this was addressed in later software updates.
  2. OxygenOS Bugs: While OxygenOS was generally well-received, early versions on the 3T had some bugs and stability issues.
  3. Camera Bumps: The camera protruded slightly from the back, which some users didn’t prefer.

Conclusion:

The OnePlus 3T was a testament to OnePlus’s commitment to offering high-quality smartphones at competitive prices. It built upon the foundation of the OnePlus 3, addressing key areas of feedback and providing an even more refined experience. For users who wanted a high-performance device without breaking the bank, the OnePlus 3T was an excellent choice. It combined a solid build, good performance, and a decent camera into a package that was hard to beat for the price. However, those looking for the best camera or additional features like water resistance might have considered other options available in the market at the time.

Huawei Honor 6X

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The Huawei Honor 6X, often just referred to as the Honor 6X, was a mid-range smartphone launched by Huawei’s sub-brand, Honor, in 2016. It was known for its dual-camera setup at the back, which was a feature not commonly found in its price segment at the time. Here’s an in-depth review of the Huawei Honor 6X:

Overview:

The Honor 6X was a successor to the Honor 5X and aimed to offer a blend of good performance, camera capabilities, and affordability. Its dual-camera setup was one of its main selling points, aiming to provide users with enhanced photography options.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with EMUI 4.1 based on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow), later received an update to EMUI 5.0 based on Android 7.0 (Nougat).
  2. Display: 5.5-inch Full HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 655 Octa-core.
  4. Memory: Options of 3/4 GB RAM with 32/64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
  5. Camera: Dual rear camera setup with a 12 MP primary sensor and a 2 MP depth sensor. The front camera is an 8 MP shooter.
  6. Battery: A 3340 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM support, and DTS audio.

Pros:

  1. Camera Capabilities: The dual-camera setup allowed for depth-of-field effects, giving users the ability to capture images with a bokeh effect.
  2. Performance: The Kirin 655, combined with ample RAM, ensured smooth performance for everyday tasks.
  3. Battery Life: The 3340 mAh battery provided a full day’s usage for most users.
  4. Build Quality: The metal unibody design gave the phone a premium feel, which was commendable given its price point.

Cons:

  1. EMUI Customizations: While EMUI offered many features, it was quite different from stock Android, which some users didn’t prefer.
  2. Lack of Fast Charging: The device did not support fast charging, which meant longer charging times.
  3. No USB-C: The Honor 6X still used the older Micro-USB port at a time when many devices were transitioning to USB-C.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Honor 6X faced competition from:

  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 4: Offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 625, and a metal design.
  • Moto G5 Plus: With its 5.2-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 625, and a metal design.
  • Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime: Featuring a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Exynos 7870, and a metal unibody design.

Launch Date:

The Honor 6X was announced in October 2016 and became available in various markets in the subsequent months.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: While the device did receive an update to Android Nougat, subsequent major Android updates were slow or non-existent for some regions.
  2. Camera Consistency: While the dual-camera setup was a highlight, its performance was inconsistent, especially in challenging lighting conditions.
  3. Hybrid SIM Slot: The device had a hybrid SIM slot, which meant users had to choose between using two SIM cards or one SIM card and a microSD card.

Conclusion:

The Honor 6X was a notable device in the mid-range segment, primarily because of its dual-camera setup. For users who wanted to experiment with depth-of-field effects without breaking the bank, the 6X was a compelling choice. While it had its shortcomings, especially in terms of software updates and some hardware choices, the overall package was competitive for its price, making it a popular choice among budget-conscious consumers.

Google Pixel

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Overview:

The Google Pixel, launched in 2016, marked a significant shift in Google’s smartphone strategy. Moving away from the Nexus line, which was known for offering a pure Android experience at a relatively affordable price, the Pixel was positioned as a premium device, directly competing with other flagship smartphones. Google emphasized the Pixel’s camera capabilities and the integration of the Google Assistant.

Features:

  • Operating System: Initially launched with Android 7.1 Nougat, with guaranteed software updates due to its direct lineage from Google.
  • Display: 5.0-inch AMOLED capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM8996 Snapdragon 821 Quad-core.
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM with options of 32/128 GB internal storage (non-expandable).
  • Camera: 12.3 MP rear camera with laser autofocus, dual-LED flash, and an 8 MP front camera.
  • Battery: 2770 mAh non-removable battery with fast charging capabilities.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, and GPS.
  • Other Features: Fingerprint sensor (rear-mounted), USB Type-C, and deep integration of Google Assistant.

Pros:

  • Camera Performance: The Pixel’s camera was one of its standout features, producing excellent photos, especially in low light.
  • Pure Android Experience: Being a Google device, the Pixel offered a bloat-free, stock Android experience with prompt updates.
  • Google Assistant: The Pixel was the first phone with Google Assistant built-in, offering a seamless voice assistant experience.
  • Performance: Powered by the Snapdragon 821 and 4 GB RAM, the device was smooth and responsive.
  • Unlimited Photo Storage: Google offered unlimited storage for photos and videos at full resolution on Google Photos for Pixel users.

Cons:

  • Design: While the build quality was solid, the design was considered somewhat generic and lacked water resistance.
  • Price: Unlike the Nexus line, the Pixel was priced at a premium, which was a point of contention for some Nexus enthusiasts.
  • Lack of Expandable Storage: The absence of a microSD slot was a downside for some users, especially those opting for the 32 GB variant.
  • Battery Life: The 2770 mAh battery was decent but not exceptional, especially when compared to some competitors.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2016, the smartphone market was highly competitive. The Google Pixel faced competition from:

  • iPhone 7: Apple’s flagship offering with its A10 Fusion chip, water resistance, and iOS ecosystem.
  • Samsung Galaxy S7: Known for its premium design, excellent camera, and water resistance.
  • OnePlus 3: Offering high-end specs at a more affordable price point.

Launch Date:

The Google Pixel was announced in October 2016 and released later that month.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Microphone Issues: Some users reported problems with the microphone, where it would fail intermittently.
  • Lens Flare: The camera, while excellent, sometimes exhibited lens flare in certain lighting conditions.
  • Bluetooth Connectivity: There were occasional reports of Bluetooth connectivity issues, especially with in-car systems.

Conclusion:

The Google Pixel represented a new direction for Google, emphasizing premium hardware, a top-tier camera, and deep software integration. While it was a departure from the more affordable Nexus line, it showcased Google’s vision for Android and set the foundation for future Pixel devices. The phone was generally well-received, especially for its camera and software experience, though it had its share of criticisms and challenges.