Flash bleed solutions:
- do not use clear case for night shoot with flash
- do not cover the camera flash
- always use mode M for night shoot
- turn flash on before shoot
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ was a significant release from Samsung in 2015. It was essentially a larger version of the Galaxy S6 Edge, boasting a bigger display and a few other enhancements. Positioned as a flagship device, the S6 Edge+ aimed to cater to users who wanted a blend of performance, design, and a larger screen real estate. Here’s an in-depth review of the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+:
Overview:
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ was designed to capitalize on the success of the Galaxy S6 Edge. It combined Samsung’s innovative edge display technology with a larger screen, making it a direct competitor to other “phablet” devices in the market.
Features:
- Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), with subsequent updates available.
- Display: 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED with a resolution of 1440 x 2560 pixels, featuring dual curved edges.
- Processor: Samsung Exynos 7420 Octa-core.
- Memory: Options of 4 GB RAM with 32/64 GB internal storage (non-expandable).
- Camera: 16 MP rear sensor with an f/1.9 aperture, optical image stabilization, and a 5 MP front camera.
- Battery: A 3000 mAh non-removable battery with fast charging and wireless charging capabilities.
- Other Features: Fingerprint sensor, Samsung Pay, and heart rate monitor.
Pros:
- Design: The dual curved edges combined with a metal and glass design made the S6 Edge+ one of the most aesthetically pleasing devices of its time.
- Performance: The Exynos 7420, combined with 4 GB of RAM, ensured smooth and snappy performance.
- Display: The 5.7-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display was vibrant, sharp, and offered deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios.
- Camera: The 16 MP camera was capable of capturing detailed and vibrant images, especially in well-lit conditions.
Cons:
- Battery Life: While the 3000 mAh battery was decent, it wasn’t exceptional, especially given the large Quad HD display.
- No Expandable Storage: Unlike previous Samsung flagships, the S6 Edge+ did not offer a microSD card slot, which was a drawback for some users.
- Price: Being a flagship device with unique design elements, the S6 Edge+ came with a premium price tag.
Comparisons to Other Technologies:
In its price bracket, the S6 Edge+ faced competition from:
- iPhone 6s Plus: Offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Apple’s A9 chip, and a focus on ecosystem and software experience.
- Sony Xperia Z5 Premium: With its 5.5-inch 4K UHD display and a focus on camera capabilities.
- LG V10: Featuring a 5.7-inch Quad HD display, secondary ticker display, and a focus on multimedia capabilities.
Launch Date:
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ was announced in August 2015 and released later the same month.
Common Issues/Problems:
- Battery Degradation: Over time, some users reported that the battery life deteriorated faster than expected.
- Overheating: Some users experienced overheating issues, especially during extended camera usage or while charging.
- Edge Screen Accidental Touches: The curved edges, while aesthetically pleasing, sometimes led to accidental touches.
Conclusion:
The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ was a testament to Samsung’s design and innovation capabilities. It offered a unique blend of aesthetics, performance, and features. While it had its strengths, especially in terms of design and display, it also had certain drawbacks like the lack of expandable storage and some battery concerns. For users who wanted a blend of design and performance, the S6 Edge+ was a strong contender in the premium smartphone segment. However, its premium price meant that it had to compete with other top-tier devices that also brought strong features to the table.
Motorola Moto G (3rd Gen)
The Moto G (3rd Gen), released in 2015, was the third iteration of Motorola’s popular budget-friendly Moto G series. It built upon the success of its predecessors by offering a balanced mix of features and performance at an affordable price point. Here’s an in-depth review of the Moto G (3rd Gen):
Overview:
The Moto G (3rd Gen) continued Motorola’s tradition of providing a near-stock Android experience combined with decent hardware at a budget-friendly price. This model introduced some key improvements over its predecessor, making it a compelling choice for those seeking a reliable budget smartphone.
Features:
- Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 5.1.1 (Lollipop), later upgradable to Android 6.0 (Marshmallow).
- Display: 5.0-inch HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels.
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad-core.
- Memory: Options of 1 GB RAM with 8 GB storage or 2 GB RAM with 16 GB storage, expandable via microSD up to 32 GB.
- Camera: 13 MP rear sensor with an f/2.0 aperture and a 5 MP front camera.
- Battery: A 2470 mAh non-removable battery.
- Other Features: IPX7 water resistance, customizable shells, and a near-stock Android experience.
Pros:
- Water Resistance: The IPX7 rating was a standout feature, allowing the phone to be submerged in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.
- Software Experience: The near-stock Android experience, combined with Motorola’s useful additions like Moto Display, was well-received.
- Build Quality: The device felt solid and durable, and the ability to customize the back shells added a touch of personalization.
- Price: The Moto G (3rd Gen) offered good value for its price, especially considering the features it packed.
Cons:
- Performance: While adequate for daily tasks, the Snapdragon 410 wasn’t the most powerful chipset, and the 1 GB RAM variant could feel sluggish at times.
- Display Resolution: The 720p resolution was acceptable but lagged behind some competitors offering Full HD displays in a similar price range.
- Camera Performance in Low Light: The camera struggled in low-light conditions, producing grainy images.
Comparisons to Other Technologies:
In its segment, the Moto G (3rd Gen) faced competition from:
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: Offering a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 650, and a metal body.
- Asus Zenfone 2: With its 5.5-inch Full HD display, Intel Atom processors, and 2 GB/4 GB RAM options.
- Samsung Galaxy J5: Featuring a 5-inch HD display, Snapdragon 410, and Super AMOLED technology.
Launch Date:
The Moto G (3rd Gen) was announced and released in July 2015.
Common Issues/Problems:
- Performance Hiccups: Especially on the 1 GB RAM variant, users reported occasional slowdowns and stutters.
- Limited Storage: The base 8 GB storage variant left limited space for apps and media, making a microSD card almost essential.
- Average Speaker Quality: The front-facing speaker, while decently loud, wasn’t particularly rich in terms of audio quality.
Conclusion:
The Moto G (3rd Gen) was a testament to Motorola’s commitment to delivering a balanced smartphone experience at an affordable price. While it had its limitations, the device’s clean software, water resistance, and overall reliability made it a favorite among budget-conscious consumers. It continued the legacy of the Moto G series, proving that good smartphones didn’t always have to come with a high price tag.
Huawei P8 Lite
The Huawei P8 Lite, released in 2015, was a mid-range smartphone that aimed to offer a blend of decent specifications and an attractive design at a competitive price point. It was essentially a more affordable version of the flagship Huawei P8. Here’s an in-depth review of the Huawei P8 Lite:
Overview:
The Huawei P8 Lite was part of Huawei’s strategy to capture a larger share of the mid-range market. With its sleek design and competent specs, it aimed to provide a premium feel without the premium price tag.
Features:
- Operating System: Initially shipped with Android 5.0.2 (Lollipop) with Huawei’s EMUI 3.1 skin, later upgradable.
- Display: 5.0-inch HD IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels.
- Processor: Hisilicon Kirin 620 Octa-core.
- Memory: 2 GB RAM with 16 GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 128 GB.
- Camera: 13 MP rear sensor with an f/2.2 aperture and a 5 MP front camera.
- Battery: A 2200 mAh non-removable battery.
- Other Features: Dual SIM capability, 4G LTE support, and a slim profile.
Pros:
- Design: The P8 Lite boasted a slim and attractive design, with a combination of metal and plastic that gave it a premium feel.
- EMUI Customizations: Huawei’s custom skin, EMUI, brought a range of additional features and customizations to the Android experience.
- Camera: For its price, the 13 MP camera delivered decent shots in good lighting conditions.
- Expandable Storage: The inclusion of a microSD card slot allowed users to expand the device’s storage.
Cons:
- Battery Life: The 2200 mAh battery was on the smaller side, leading to average battery life.
- Display Resolution: The 720p resolution was a bit behind the times, especially when competitors were offering Full HD displays in a similar price range.
- Software Updates: Huawei was not the fastest when it came to providing Android version updates.
Comparisons to Other Technologies:
In its segment, the Huawei P8 Lite faced competition from:
- Moto G (3rd Gen): Offering a 5.0-inch HD display, Snapdragon 410, and a near-stock Android experience.
- Samsung Galaxy J5: Featuring a 5-inch HD display, Snapdragon 410, and Super AMOLED technology.
- Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: With a 5.5-inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 650, and a metal body.
Launch Date:
The Huawei P8 Lite was announced in April 2015 and released shortly after.
Common Issues/Problems:
- Performance Hiccups: Some users reported occasional slowdowns, especially when multitasking.
- EMUI Bloat: While EMUI offered many features, it also came with a number of pre-installed apps that not everyone found useful.
- Average Low-Light Camera Performance: The camera struggled in low-light conditions, producing grainy and sometimes blurry images.
Conclusion:
The Huawei P8 Lite was a solid mid-range offering from Huawei. While it had its limitations, it provided a good balance of design, features, and performance for its price. For those who were fans of Huawei’s EMUI and were looking for a stylish yet affordable smartphone, the P8 Lite was a worthy consideration.