Author: Into Droid

Sony Xperia X

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The Sony Xperia X was a part of Sony’s Xperia X series, launched in 2016. Positioned as an upper mid-range device, the Xperia X aimed to deliver a blend of performance, camera capabilities, and design. Here’s an in-depth review of the Sony Xperia X:

Overview:

The Sony Xperia X was designed to cater to users who wanted a premium experience without necessarily reaching for the top-tier flagship segment. It combined Sony’s camera expertise, design language, and performance into a more affordable package compared to its flagship counterparts.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), with subsequent updates available.
  2. Display: 5.0-inch Full HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 Hexa-core.
  4. Memory: 3 GB RAM with options of 32/64 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
  5. Camera: 23 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, predictive hybrid autofocus, and a 13 MP front camera.
  6. Battery: A 2620 mAh non-removable battery with Qnovo Adaptive Charging.
  7. Other Features: Fingerprint sensor (region-dependent), NFC, and stereo front-facing speakers.

Pros:

  1. Camera: The 23 MP rear camera with predictive hybrid autofocus was designed to capture sharp images, especially of moving subjects.
  2. Design: The Xperia X continued Sony’s sleek and minimalist design language, making it aesthetically pleasing.
  3. Performance: The Snapdragon 650, combined with 3 GB of RAM, ensured smooth performance for everyday tasks.
  4. Compact Size: The 5.0-inch form factor was perfect for users who preferred a more manageable device size.

Cons:

  1. Battery Life: While the 2620 mAh battery was decent, it wasn’t exceptional, especially when compared to some competitors.
  2. Price: The Xperia X’s price point was considered a bit high for the specifications it offered, especially when compared to other devices in the same segment.
  3. Processor Choice: The Snapdragon 650, while competent, was not the top-tier chipset available at the time, which some users felt was a compromise.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the Xperia X faced competition from:

  • OnePlus 3: Offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 820, and 6 GB RAM.
  • Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): With its 5.2-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display and a premium glass and metal design.
  • Huawei P9: Featuring a 5.2-inch Full HD display, Kirin 955, and a dual-camera setup co-engineered with Leica.

Launch Date:

The Sony Xperia X was announced in February 2016 and released in May 2016.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Overheating: Some users reported overheating issues, especially during extended camera usage or 4K video recording.
  2. Camera Performance in Low Light: Despite having a capable camera, low-light performance was not always consistent.
  3. Software Updates: While the X received updates, some users felt that the updates were slower than expected.

Conclusion:

The Sony Xperia X was a solid offering from Sony in the upper mid-range segment, focusing on camera capabilities, design, and a balanced performance. While it had its strengths, it faced challenges in terms of pricing and certain specifications when compared to competitors. For users who were fans of Sony’s design and camera capabilities, the Xperia X was a viable choice in the market. However, it had to stand out in a competitive segment where other brands offered devices with higher specifications at similar or lower price points.

Huawei P9

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The Huawei P9 was a significant release from Huawei in 2016. It marked Huawei’s ambition to compete in the premium smartphone segment, and one of its standout features was the dual-camera setup co-engineered with the renowned camera brand, Leica. Here’s an in-depth review of the Huawei P9:

Overview:

The Huawei P9 was designed to showcase Huawei’s capabilities in terms of design, performance, and camera technology. The collaboration with Leica for the camera was a major highlight, signaling Huawei’s commitment to delivering a top-tier photography experience.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Huawei’s EMUI 4.1 skin.
  2. Display: 5.2-inch Full HD IPS-NEO LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 955 Octa-core.
  4. Memory: Options of 3 GB RAM with 32 GB storage or 4 GB RAM with 64 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: Dual 12 MP rear sensors co-engineered with Leica, featuring f/2.2 aperture, phase detection autofocus, and an 8 MP front camera.
  6. Battery: A 3000 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Fingerprint sensor, USB Type-C, and infrared port.

Pros:

  1. Camera: The dual-camera setup, with one sensor capturing color and the other capturing monochrome details, allowed for better low-light photography and depth-of-field effects.
  2. Design: The P9 featured a sleek aluminum unibody design, giving it a premium look and feel.
  3. Performance: The Kirin 955 chipset, combined with ample RAM, ensured smooth performance for most tasks.
  4. Compact Size: The 5.2-inch form factor was comfortable for one-handed use.

Cons:

  1. EMUI Skin: While feature-rich, Huawei’s EMUI skin was often criticized for straying too far from stock Android, leading to a polarizing user experience.
  2. Camera Limitations: Despite the Leica branding, the camera lacked optical image stabilization, and the f/2.2 aperture wasn’t as large as some competitors, limiting low-light capabilities.
  3. Battery Life: The 3000 mAh battery was average, and while it could get through a day for most users, heavy users might have desired more.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the Huawei P9 faced competition from:

  • Samsung Galaxy S7: Offering a 5.1-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, a powerful Exynos 8890 chipset, and a highly-praised camera.
  • LG G5: With its modular design, 5.3-inch Quad HD display, and dual-camera setup.
  • iPhone 6s: With its 4.7-inch display, Apple’s A9 chip, and a focus on ecosystem and software experience.

Launch Date:

The Huawei P9 was announced in April 2016 and released later the same month.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: Some users reported delays in receiving software updates, and the device took a while to receive the Android Nougat update.
  2. EMUI Quirks: The software experience was a common point of contention, with some users disliking the lack of an app drawer and other EMUI-specific changes.
  3. Camera Expectations: While the Leica branding set high expectations, some users felt the camera performance, especially in low light, didn’t always meet these expectations.

Conclusion:

The Huawei P9 was a bold move by Huawei to establish itself in the premium smartphone segment. With its sleek design, dual-camera setup, and solid performance, it was a compelling offering. The collaboration with Leica was a significant selling point, though it also set high expectations. While the P9 had its strengths, especially in terms of design and general camera performance, it also faced challenges, particularly in terms of software experience and competition from other flagship devices. For users who valued photography and wanted a device that stood out, the P9 was a worthy consideration.

Huawei P9 Lite

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The Huawei P9 Lite was introduced as a more affordable variant of the flagship Huawei P9 in 2016. While it didn’t carry the Leica branding for its camera like the P9, the P9 Lite was still a compelling mid-range offering with a balanced set of features. Here’s an in-depth review of the Huawei P9 Lite:

Overview:

The Huawei P9 Lite was designed to capture some of the premium appeal of the P9 while being more budget-friendly. It retained a sleek design and offered a decent set of specifications for its price point.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) with Huawei’s EMUI 4.1 skin, later upgradable.
  2. Display: 5.2-inch Full HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: HiSilicon Kirin 650 Octa-core.
  4. Memory: Options of 2 GB or 3 GB RAM with 16 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD.
  5. Camera: 13 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and an 8 MP front camera.
  6. Battery: A 3000 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Fingerprint sensor, 3.5mm headphone jack, and a sleek design.

Pros:

  1. Design: The P9 Lite featured a slim and stylish design, making it look more premium than its price would suggest.
  2. Display: The Full HD display was sharp and offered good color reproduction for its class.
  3. Performance: The Kirin 650 chipset, combined with 2 GB or 3 GB of RAM, provided a smooth user experience for everyday tasks.
  4. Battery Life: The 3000 mAh battery ensured a full day of moderate use.

Cons:

  1. EMUI Skin: Huawei’s EMUI skin, while feature-rich, was often criticized for its departure from stock Android, which not everyone appreciated.
  2. Camera: While decent for its price, the camera didn’t stand out particularly in low-light conditions.
  3. No USB Type-C: The device still used a micro USB port, while many were transitioning to USB Type-C.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the Huawei P9 Lite faced competition from:

  • Samsung Galaxy A5 (2016): Offering a 5.2-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, Exynos 7580 Octa-core processor, and a premium design.
  • Moto G4: With its 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 617, and a near-stock Android experience.
  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Featuring a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 650, and a larger 4000 mAh battery.

Launch Date:

The Huawei P9 Lite was announced in April 2016 and released in various markets shortly after.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: Some users reported delays in receiving software updates.
  2. EMUI Quirks: The software experience was a common point of contention, with some users disliking certain EMUI-specific changes and bloatware.
  3. Speaker Quality: The single bottom-firing speaker was considered average by many, lacking in depth and richness.

Conclusion:

The Huawei P9 Lite was a solid mid-range offering in 2016. It combined a stylish design with a decent set of specifications, making it a good value proposition for those who wanted a premium-looking device without breaking the bank. While it had its strengths, especially in terms of design and display, it also had its challenges, particularly in terms of software experience. For users who wanted a balance of design, performance, and price, the P9 Lite was a worthy contender in the mid-range segment.

Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016)

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The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) was a part of Samsung’s budget-friendly J series, which aimed to provide decent specifications and features at an affordable price point. The 2016 version of the J5 was an update to the original J5 released in 2015. Here’s an in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016):

Overview:

The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) was targeted towards budget-conscious consumers who wanted a reliable smartphone from a well-known brand. With its Super AMOLED display and improved build, it aimed to offer a better experience than its predecessor.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Shipped with Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), with Samsung’s TouchWiz UI.
  2. Display: 5.2-inch HD Super AMOLED with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad-core.
  4. Memory: 2 GB RAM with 16 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: 13 MP rear sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and a 5 MP front camera with an LED flash.
  6. Battery: A 3100 mAh removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Dual SIM capability, 4G LTE support, and a front-facing LED flash for selfies.

Pros:

  1. Super AMOLED Display: Known for vibrant colors and deep blacks, the Super AMOLED screen was a standout feature in this price segment.
  2. Battery Life: The 3100 mAh battery, combined with the energy-efficient Super AMOLED display, provided decent battery life.
  3. Front LED Flash: A unique feature that helped in taking better selfies in low-light conditions.
  4. Expandable Storage: The inclusion of a microSD card slot allowed users to expand the device’s storage considerably.

Cons:

  1. Performance: The Snapdragon 410 was an entry-level chipset, and while it handled basic tasks well, it wasn’t suited for heavy multitasking or gaming.
  2. Build Quality: Though improved from its predecessor, the plastic build felt less premium compared to some metal-bodied competitors in the same price range.
  3. Software Updates: Samsung’s budget devices were not always the first in line to receive Android version updates.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its segment, the Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) faced competition from:

  • Moto G4: Offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 617, and a near-stock Android experience.
  • Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: With a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 650, and a metal body.
  • Huawei P8 Lite: Featuring a 5-inch HD display, Kirin 620, and a more premium build.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) was announced in March 2016 and released in April 2016.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Performance Hiccups: Some users reported occasional slowdowns, especially when running multiple apps.
  2. Camera Performance in Low Light: While the camera was decent in well-lit conditions, it struggled in low-light scenarios, producing grainy images.
  3. Bloatware: As with many Samsung devices, the J5 (2016) came with a number of pre-installed apps, some of which were not useful for all users.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Galaxy J5 (2016) was a decent offering in the budget segment. While it had its limitations, features like the Super AMOLED display and front-facing LED flash made it stand out in a crowded market. For those who prioritized display quality and brand reliability, the J5 (2016) was a worthy consideration.