Category: Hardware

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.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime

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The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime was a part of Samsung’s J series, which was targeted towards the mid-range segment of the market. Launched in 2016, the J7 Prime was an upgrade over the regular J7 model, offering a more premium build and additional features. Here’s an in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime:

Overview:

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime aimed to offer a blend of good performance, camera capabilities, and a premium design within the mid-range price bracket. Its full metal unibody design and improved specifications over the regular J7 made it a popular choice among consumers looking for a budget-friendly Samsung device with a premium feel.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), later received updates.
  2. Display: 5.5-inch Full HD PLS TFT LCD with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels.
  3. Processor: Exynos 7870 Octa-core.
  4. Memory: 3 GB RAM with options of 16/32 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: 13 MP rear sensor with an f/1.9 aperture and an 8 MP front camera with an f/1.9 aperture.
  6. Battery: A 3300 mAh non-removable battery.
  7. Other Features: Front-mounted fingerprint sensor, dual SIM support, and a full metal unibody design.

Pros:

  1. Design: The full metal unibody design gave the J7 Prime a premium look and feel, which was a significant upgrade over the regular J7.
  2. Camera: The f/1.9 aperture on both the front and rear cameras allowed for better low-light photography compared to many competitors in the same price range.
  3. Display: The Full HD display was sharp and offered good color reproduction.
  4. Battery Life: The 3300 mAh battery, combined with Samsung’s optimizations, ensured a full day’s usage for most users.

Cons:

  1. No AMOLED Display: Unlike many other Samsung devices, the J7 Prime used a PLS TFT LCD instead of Samsung’s signature AMOLED, which meant slightly less vibrant colors and contrasts.
  2. Older Micro-USB Port: At a time when many devices were transitioning to USB-C, the J7 Prime still used the older Micro-USB port.
  3. Heavy Custom UI: Samsung’s TouchWiz UI (now known as One UI) was known to be quite heavy and came with a fair amount of bloatware.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket, the J7 Prime faced competition from:

  • Vivo V5s: Offering a 5.5-inch HD display, MediaTek MT6750, and a 20 MP front camera.
  • Oppo F3: With its 5.5-inch Full HD display, MediaTek MT6750T, and a dual front camera setup.
  • Moto G5 Plus: Featuring a 5.2-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 625, and a metal design.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime was announced in September 2016.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: While the device did receive some updates, it wasn’t always the first in line, and major Android updates took a while to arrive.
  2. Performance Hiccups: Over time, some users reported performance slowdowns, especially with heavy multitasking.
  3. Camera Consistency: While the camera was good for its price, it sometimes struggled with consistency, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Prime was a solid mid-range offering from Samsung in 2016. It combined a premium design with decent specifications, making it a popular choice among users who wanted a Samsung device without spending flagship money. While it had its shortcomings, especially in terms of software updates and the absence of an AMOLED display, the overall package was competitive for its price, making it a worthy contender in the mid-range segment.

Sony Xperia X Compact

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The Sony Xperia X Compact was a part of Sony’s X series, which aimed to bring flagship-level features to a more compact form factor. Launched in 2016, the Xperia X Compact was a successor to the Xperia Z5 Compact. Here’s an in-depth review of the Sony Xperia X Compact:

Overview:

The Sony Xperia X Compact was designed for users who preferred a smaller, more manageable device without compromising too much on performance and features. It was positioned as a compact variant of the flagship Xperia X series.

Features:

  1. Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), with subsequent updates.
  2. Display: 4.6-inch HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels.
  3. Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 Hexa-core.
  4. Memory: 3 GB RAM with 32 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 256 GB.
  5. Camera: 23 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, predictive hybrid autofocus, and a 5 MP front camera.
  6. Battery: A 2700 mAh non-removable battery with Qnovo Adaptive Charging and Quick Charge 3.0.
  7. Other Features: USB Type-C, fingerprint sensor (region-dependent), and NFC.

Pros:

  1. Compact Design: The 4.6-inch form factor was perfect for users who found larger phones unwieldy.
  2. Camera: The 23 MP rear camera was capable of capturing detailed photos, and the predictive hybrid autofocus was a standout feature.
  3. Performance: The Snapdragon 650, combined with 3 GB of RAM, ensured smooth performance for most tasks.
  4. Battery Life: Despite its compact size, the device had a decent battery life, thanks to its 2700 mAh battery and adaptive charging.

Cons:

  1. Display Resolution: A 720p resolution was a bit dated for 2016, especially when considering the device’s price point.
  2. No Waterproofing: Unlike its predecessor, the Xperia X Compact wasn’t waterproof.
  3. Price: The device was priced relatively high for its specifications, making it a tough sell against some competitors.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In its price bracket and size range, the Xperia X Compact faced competition from:

  • Apple iPhone SE (1st generation): Offering a 4.0-inch display, Apple’s A9 chip, and a 12 MP rear camera.
  • Samsung Galaxy A3 (2017): With its 4.7-inch HD display, Exynos 7870, and IP68 water and dust resistance.

Launch Date:

The Sony Xperia X Compact was announced in September 2016.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Software Updates: While the X Compact did receive updates, some users felt that the updates were slower than expected.
  2. Camera Performance in Low Light: Despite having a capable camera, low-light performance was not always consistent.
  3. Build Quality: Some users reported that the plastic build felt less premium compared to the previous Z5 Compact’s frosted glass.

Conclusion:

The Sony Xperia X Compact was a niche offering for those who desired flagship features in a compact form factor. While it had its strengths, especially in terms of camera capabilities and performance, it faced challenges in terms of pricing and certain missing features like waterproofing. For users who prioritized a smaller screen size and were fans of Sony’s software experience, the Xperia X Compact was a solid choice. However, it had to contend with other offerings that provided better value or more updated features in certain areas.