Google Nexus 6P

Into Droid Leave a comment

The Google Nexus 6P was a significant release in the Nexus lineup, representing Google’s vision of Android in collaboration with Huawei. Here’s an in-depth review of the Google Nexus 6P:

Overview:

Launched in late 2015, the Nexus 6P was the premium counterpart to the Nexus 5X, offering top-tier specifications and a more premium build. It was designed to showcase the best of Android, free from manufacturer customizations.

Features:

  • Operating System: Shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
  • Display: 5.7-inch AMOLED with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels.
  • Processor: Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810 Octa-core.
  • Memory: Options of 3 GB RAM with 32/64/128 GB internal storage.
  • Camera: 12.3 MP rear camera with laser autofocus and 4K video recording. An 8 MP front camera.
  • Battery: 3450 mAh non-removable battery with fast charging support.
  • Other Features: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner (Nexus Imprint), USB Type-C, front-facing stereo speakers, and an aluminum body.

Pros:

  • Pure Android Experience: Being a Nexus device, the 6P offered a stock Android experience with timely updates directly from Google.
  • Camera Quality: The 12.3 MP camera was praised for its low-light performance and overall image quality.
  • Build and Design: The aluminum body gave the Nexus 6P a premium feel, distinguishing it from many other devices in its price range.
  • Front-facing Speakers: The stereo speakers provided a superior audio experience, especially for media consumption.
  • Nexus Imprint: The fingerprint scanner was fast and accurate, providing an added layer of security and convenience.

Cons:

  • Processor Concerns: The Snapdragon 810 was infamous for its heating issues, though it was said that the version in the 6P was revised to mitigate this.
  • No Expandable Storage: The device did not support microSD cards for storage expansion.
  • Size: For some users, the 5.7-inch display made the device a bit too large for comfortable one-handed use.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2015, the Nexus 6P faced competition from various flagship devices:

  • Samsung Galaxy S6: Samsung’s flagship with its revamped design, Exynos 7420 chipset, and impressive camera.
  • iPhone 6s Plus: Apple’s larger flagship variant with its A9Samsung Galaxy S6 chip, 3D Touch, and iOS ecosystem.
  • LG G4: Known for its leather back, removable battery, and camera capabilities.

Launch Date:

The Google Nexus 6P was announced in September 2015 and released in October 2015.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Battery Issues: Over time, some users reported premature battery shutdowns, where the device would turn off even with battery life remaining.
  • Bootloop Issues: Some Nexus 6P devices faced a bootloop issue, where the device would continuously restart without fully booting up.
  • Bending Concerns: There were reports and tests showing that the Nexus 6P could be bent relatively easily under pressure.

Conclusion:

The Google Nexus 6P was a standout device in the Nexus lineup, offering a blend of premium design, solid specifications, and a pure Android experience. While it had its challenges, especially concerning long-term reliability for some users, it was well-received overall and is fondly remembered by many Android enthusiasts. It represented one of the last devices in the Nexus lineage before Google transitioned to the Pixel series.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Into Droid Leave a comment

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Release 2015, November

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium

Network Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100 – E6853
4G bands LTE band 1(2100), 2(1900), 3(1800), 4(1700/2100), 5(850), 7(2600), 8(900), 12(700), 17(700), 20(800), 28(700), 38(2600), 40(2300) – E6853
Speed HSPA 42.2/5.76 Mbps, LTE Cat6 300/50 Mbps
GPRS Up to 107 kbps
EDGE Up to 296 kbps
Launch Announced 2015, September
Status Coming soon. Exp. release 2015, November
Body Dimensions 154.4 x 75.8 x 7.8 mm (6.08 x 2.98 x 0.31 in)
Weight 180 g (6.35 oz)
SIM Nano-SIM
– IP68 certified – dust proof and water resistant over 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
– Fingerprint sensor
Display Type IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size 5.5 inches (~70.4% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 2160 x 3840 pixels (~806 ppi pixel density)
Multitouch Yes, up to 10 fingers
Protection Scratch-resistant glass, oleophobic coating
Platform OS Android OS, v5.1.1 (Lollipop)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8994 Snapdragon 810
CPU Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A57
GPU Adreno 430
Memory Card slot microSD, up to 200 GB
Internal 32 GB, 3 GB RAM
Camera Primary 23 MP, 5520 х 4140 pixels, phase detection autofocus, LED flash
Features Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama
Video 2160p@30fps, 1080p@60fps, 720p@120fps, HDR
Secondary 5.1 MP, 1080p, HDR
Sound Alert types Vibration; MP3, WAV ringtones
Loudspeaker Yes, with stereo speakers
3.5mm jack Yes
– High-Res audio
Comms WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, dual-band, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth v4.1, A2DP, apt-X
GPS Yes, with A-GPS, GLONASS/ Beidou (market dependant)
NFC Yes
Radio FM radio with RDS
USB microUSB v2.0 (MHL 3 TV-out), USB Host
Features Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer
Messaging SMS (threaded view), MMS, Email, IM, Push Email
Browser HTML5
Java No
– Fast battery charging: 60% in 30 min (Quick Charge 2.0)
– ANT+ support
– Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
– Xvid/MP4/H.265 player
– MP3/eAAC+/WAV/Flac player
– Document viewer
– Photo/video editor
Battery Non-removable Li-Ion 3430 mAh battery

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium was a flagship smartphone released by Sony 2015, November. It offered several advantages that set it apart from similar phones of its time. One of its standout features was its display. The Xperia Z5 Premium was one of the first smartphones to feature a 4K resolution display, which provided incredibly sharp and detailed visuals. This made it a great device for multimedia consumption, gaming, and virtual reality experiences.

Another advantage of the Xperia Z5 Premium was its camera capabilities. It boasted a 23-megapixel rear camera that delivered impressive image quality, especially in well-lit conditions. The camera app offered manual controls, allowing users to fine-tune their photography settings. Additionally, the device had a dedicated camera button, making it convenient to launch the camera app and capture photos quickly.

In terms of design, the Xperia Z5 Premium had a sleek and premium look with a glass back and metal frame. It also featured water and dust resistance, adding to its durability and making it suitable for outdoor use. The device had a fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button, which provided convenient and secure biometric authentication.

However, the Xperia Z5 Premium did have some drawbacks. One significant disadvantage was its battery life. The 4K display, while visually impressive, put a significant strain on the battery, resulting in less-than-optimal endurance. Users often found themselves needing to recharge the phone multiple times throughout the day, especially with heavy usage.

Another downside was the software experience. While the Xperia Z5 Premium initially launched with Android 5.1 Lollipop, it received updates up to Android 7.1 Nougat. However, compared to other flagship devices at the time, Sony’s software updates were often slower and less frequent. This meant that users had to wait longer for the latest Android features and security patches.

In terms of competition, the Xperia Z5 Premium faced tough competition from other flagship smartphones of its time. Devices like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and the LG G4 offered comparable performance and camera quality, while also providing better battery life and software experiences.

In conclusion, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium had some notable advantages such as its 4K display and impressive camera capabilities. Its design and durability were also commendable. However, its battery life was a significant drawback, and its software updates were not as timely as its competitors. While it was a unique device with its 4K display, it faced tough competition from other flagship smartphones that offered more well-rounded experiences.

Samsung Dart T499 / SGH-T499 / Tass

Into Droid Leave a comment

Overview:

The Samsung Dart T499, also known as the SGH-T499 or Tass, is an entry-level smartphone that was released around mid-2011. It was primarily targeted towards users who were looking for a budget-friendly Android experience.

Features:

  • Operating System: Android 2.2 Froyo
  • Display: 3.14-inch TFT capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.
  • Processor: 600 MHz ARM 11
  • Memory: 160 MB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 32 GB.
  • Camera: 3.15 MP rear camera with no flash.
  • Battery: 1200 mAh removable battery.
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, and GPS.
  • Other Features: FM Radio, Accelerometer, and Proximity sensor.

Pros:

  • Budget-Friendly: One of the most affordable Android smartphones at the time of its release.
  • Expandable Storage: The ability to expand storage with a microSD card is a plus, especially given the limited internal storage.
  • Removable Battery: Allows users to replace the battery if it degrades over time.

Cons:

  • Outdated OS: Even at the time of its release, Android 2.2 Froyo was becoming outdated.
  • Limited Internal Storage: 160 MB is extremely limited, even for basic apps and updates.
  • Low-Resolution Display: The display resolution is quite low compared to other smartphones available at the time.
  • Basic Camera: The camera lacks features like flash and front-facing capabilities.
  • Performance: The 600 MHz processor can be sluggish, especially with more demanding apps or multitasking.

Comparisons to Other Technologies:

In 2011, the smartphone market was rapidly evolving. The Samsung Dart T499 was competing with other entry-level smartphones, but there were several superior devices in the mid-range and high-end categories. For instance:

  • Samsung Galaxy S II: A high-end device from Samsung itself, boasting a much larger Super AMOLED Plus display, dual-core processor, and an 8 MP camera.
  • iPhone 4: Apple’s offering at the time, with a Retina display, sleek design, and a vast app ecosystem.
  • HTC Desire: Another Android device with better specs, a larger display, and a more powerful processor.

Launch Date:

The Samsung Dart T499 was launched in June 2011.

Common Issues/Problems:

  • Performance Lag: Users often reported lag and slowdowns, especially when running multiple apps.
  • Limited Storage Issues: The limited internal storage meant users had to frequently manage their apps and data.
  • Outdated Software: The device did not receive many software updates, leaving users with an outdated Android experience.

Conclusion:

The Samsung Dart T499 was a budget-friendly option for those looking to dip their toes into the Android ecosystem without breaking the bank. While it served its purpose for basic tasks like calling, texting, and light browsing, it was quickly overshadowed by more powerful and feature-rich smartphones in the market.

Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II

Into Droid Leave a comment

Overview:

The Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II was the successor to the original Galaxy S and represented a significant leap forward in terms of design, performance, and features. It was widely acclaimed and became one of the best-selling smartphones of its time.

Features:

  1. Display: 4.3-inch Super AMOLED Plus capacitive touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels.
  2. Processor: Dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9.
  3. Camera: 8 MP primary camera with autofocus and LED flash, and a secondary 2 MP camera.
  4. Storage: 16/32 GB internal storage with an option to expand via a microSD card slot.
  5. OS: Initially shipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and was later upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean).
  6. Battery: 1650 mAh removable battery.
  7. Connectivity: Supports Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC (in some versions), and GPS.

Pros:

  1. Performance: The dual-core processor made the Galaxy S II one of the fastest phones on the market at its launch.
  2. Camera Quality: The 8 MP camera was a significant improvement over its predecessor and captured high-quality photos.
  3. Slim Design: At just 8.5 mm thick, it was one of the slimmest smartphones available.
  4. Vivid Display: The Super AMOLED Plus display was brighter and more vibrant than the previous generation.

Cons:

  1. Plastic Build: While the phone was slim and lightweight, the predominantly plastic build made it feel less premium than some competitors.
  2. Battery Life: With increased performance came increased power consumption. The battery life was decent but not exceptional.
  3. Software Bloat: Samsung’s TouchWiz UI, while feature-rich, was often criticized for being bloated and slowing down the device over time.

Comparison to Other Technologies on the Market:

The main competitors at the time were the iPhone 4S and the HTC Sensation. The Galaxy S II boasted a larger screen and better performance than the iPhone 4S but lacked the cohesive ecosystem of Apple. Compared to the HTC Sensation, the Galaxy S II had a brighter display and was slimmer, but some preferred the build quality of the HTC device.

Launch Date: The Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II was launched in April 2011.

Common Issues/Problems:

  1. Overheating: Some users reported the device getting unusually hot, especially during intensive tasks.
  2. Screen Burn-in: Being an early AMOLED screen, there were reports of screen burn-in over prolonged use.
  3. Battery Drain: Some users experienced rapid battery drain issues, which could be attributed to software or specific apps.

Conclusion:

The Samsung I9100 Galaxy S II was a landmark device for Samsung and solidified its position as a major player in the smartphone market. It combined a sleek design with top-tier performance and was a favorite among Android enthusiasts. While it had its share of issues, its pros far outweighed its cons, making it one of the most iconic smartphones of its era.