Xiaomi 2019 Smartphones: Year in Review

We are now officially into 2020, and as much as it is a time of future fortunes - it is also a time of reflection. Having been lucky enough to own essentially all of the major Xiaomi smartphone releases of 2019, that being the Pocophone F1, the Xiaomi Mi 9, the Redmi K20 Pro and the Xiaomi Mi Note 10, today we will be doing a quick overview of all these great smartphones.

Pocophone F1

Being the phone we held for a great portion of 2019, the Pocophone F1 was a simple device that was all about its stellar performance. Coming in at such a low price, this device didn’t feature the best camera-set nor the best build, but it could run games and apps with a certain fluidity that even some flagships couldn’t achieve.

Furthermore, due to its extensive userbase, the Pocophone F1 had a great fleet of developers porting all sorts of software and camera variations - making it a fun device to use despite of its limitations.

Xiaomi Mi 9

Xiaomi’s flagship for this year, the Xiaomi Mi 9 was just as impressive as it was confusing. On one hand it provided stellar camera performance, a great chipset, and a decent display. On the other hand however, it provided a mediocre underneath the display fingerprint sensor, and simply not enough new features to excite many over its flagship status.

Redmi K20 Pro

Being the phone we used for most of 2019, the Redmi K20 Pro has certainly been a pleasant surprise. Incorporating a lot of the design cues first seen in the Xiaomi Mi 9, such as the glass back, triple camera setup and underneath the display fingerprint scanner, the Redmi K20 is a stunner that delivered in performance just as its F1 sibling.

With its entire premise being to expand the legacy first brought forth by the Poco F1, the K20 Pro also received a great deal of assistance from the modding community, creating a smartphone that delivers exciting new features even to this day.

Whilst the Poco F1 may have given birth to the idea of a performance based device, the K20 Pro refined that idea by also giving it a few tweaks that people may also appreciate in day to day usage.

Xiaomi Mi Note 10

Ending a great year with a bang, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 is the company’s take on an all around great device. Coming in even cheaper than the K20 Pro, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 has a great battery, a fantastic 108 MP camera, decent performance and a great design to boot. Though it can’t necessarily beat any flagship and stand on its own (except for its very advanced camera performance), the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 offers a confident all around performance that for its price has us genuinely impressed.

What has been your favourite Xiaomi release this year? Let us know down below!

Why The Xiaomi Mi Note 10 is the Best Xiaomi Phone You Can Buy

As the new year has kicked rapidly, many users may be looking to start off the year with a fresh new smartphone. With so many options around, we have found that for the average user, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 has three features that make it not only one of the best Xiaomi phones currently available, but one of the best phones you can currently buy, those being: superb battery life, great performance, and a beautiful display.

Before talking about these three features more closely, it is important to detail that by claiming this phone as the “best” smartphone, we truly put an emphasis on the average user. By saying this, we understand that not all technology users are the same, and some may have more specific needs than others. Nevertheless we retain that for the average user who spends a majority of their time browsing and sharing the latest and greatest events, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 is a fantastic pocket companion.

Superb Battery Life

Perhaps the most important feature consumers look for when buying a smartphone is a lasting battery performance - and the Mi Note 10 delivers that in spades. Packing a large battery cell, and efficient processor and a battery-saving display, the Mi Note 10 bundles the perfect combination of features necessary to make a long lasting phone.

According to our tastings, users should expect 9-10 hours of on screen battery life with this device, making it more than capable to last up to two days of average use - making the desperate urges to the charger very infrequent.

But when the time to charge does arise, the Mi Note 10’s bundled 27W quick charge adapter takes you back to 100% in a little over one hour - getting you ready for another 2 day journey.

Great Performance

Whilst most technology enthusiasts may be quick to judge the device’s Snapdragon 730 chipset, the Xiaomi Mi Note 10 delivers great performance that for the average, non-intensive user, will simply breeze through all their needed apps.

When the need for a gaming phone arises however, the Mi Note 10 has proven to be more than capable to run most modern games with competent graphics and performance, leading us to believe that this device may last another 2 years of fantastic performance.

A Beautiful Display

Budget Xiaomi devices have long been plagued by only decent LCD displays, but the Xiaomi Mi note 10 takes a completely different approach to its competitors. Offering a modern curved OLED display with a very minimal notch, the Mi Note 10 is a pleasure to look at, made even better by the 600 nit display that makes it plenty bright for outdoors use.

While it will in no way compete with the latest iPhone 11 Pro, it will offer an experience that for its price, and for the average user, is simply impressive.

Using a Kindle in 2019 - Is It Worth It?`

As a first year university student, I’ve been reading more books this year than I have ever before. But as much as I’m an avid learner, I am also a tech enthusiast. In the vein of trying to better mingle both interests, I’ve come across the Amazon kindle, a piece of technology that has created a whole new category in the technology market - but in the age of bezel-less iPads, are Kindles still worth your money?

To answer that question, it’s important to first ask another question: what can kindles provide that smartphones and tablets can’t? Firstly, Kindles have their well-renowned e-ink display, which is way easier in the eyes than a normal Retina display. Secondly, Kindles are distraction-free, offering none of the catchy colours, notification buzzes and other nags that make normal devices so much more distracting. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, Kindles have long lasting batteries that will have you reading for weeks on end before needing to reach for the charge - the same of which can’t be said even of the latest iPad Pro.

But what if you’re more a paperback person, are Kindles still worth it then? The answer largely depends on you. For some people, reading a paperback is an experience in itself, from feeling the texture of the cover to seeing physical progress and your page marker consumes more and more of a book’s length. In those user cases, a Kindle simply won’t suffice. Other readers however, simply read paperbacks because it’s the most convenient way for them to access books - and in that scenario, Kindles triumph traditional media in every way.

Photo from WIRED

To be more specific, Kindles are not only lightweight, but also feature a very paper-like display that makes reading possible even in pitch black conditions. Further more, in markets such as the US and Canada, Kindles have come a long way in regards to becoming library friendly, allowing you to rent e-books just as you would normally. It’s in these regards that Kindles are simply unmatched.

As a technological device, I also find the latest 2019 budget Kindle to be a beautifully minimalistic device. From its simple plastic build, to straightforward OS, I feel like Amazon has come a long way throughout the years to ensure that its Kindles deliver on the single promise it has made to its consumers: to make reading more convenient.

Should you buy a Kindle? If you’re looking for the easiest way to access books, and don’t mind missing out on the so called authentic experience of flipping real paper, then odds are you already own a Kindle. But if you don’t, then for its low entry price of sub $100, Amazon has found a way to make me read more amidst the hurdle of being an university student - making it a strong recommendation.

Holiday 2019 Buyer’s Guide: A gift for everyone

It’s that time of the year again, when the snow hits the ground and lights scream “merry Christmas” in joy. But as miraculously beautiful as the holiday season is, there is nothing more stressful than not knowing what to get for that special someone. Don’t worry, as we have composed a list that will make sure to bring the holiday joy to anyone on any budget.

On this holiday gift guide, we have split gift ideas into four distinct personalities: The adventurer, the geek, the tech novice and the niche-lover - giving budget (Under $20), mid-range (Under$50) and expensive (Close to or Over $100) options for each to ensure that you find the perfect gift for your special someone.

To buy any of these products, please resort to either Amazon.com and Gearbest, as both have thousands of options with varying prices that may fit your situation better than others.

The Adventurer

Is your special someone the type to go out for a hike every weekend and get themselves lost in nature? If so, you may have yourself an adventurer - someone who is always on the go and needs their technology to be as versatile as they are.

Budget: Any Xiaomi power bank

When you’re out and about, running out of power should be your last concern. For this reason, you’ll want a nice power bank to keep all your technology booted up during your adventures. Xiaomi’s lineup of power banks features both hefty and lightweight options alike, and the best part - they’re all extremely affordable.

Mid-range: Haylou GT2

If you’re always out and about, we can bet that music serves as your companion when the world itself is simply too loud to ignore. But with the convenience that comes with ditching the wire, we have found it most appropriate to include the Haylou GT2s on this list.

For around $25, this pair of headphones comes with a significantly harder case than its predecessor, and still packs the same enjoyable sound that made the first iteration already a charm to use.

Expensive: Xiaomi Mi Band 4

After months of testing, we are still very fond of Xiaomi’s latest take on its fitness band. With its fourth iteration, the Chinese company has packed a slew of features from sleep tracking to waterproofing that is sure to give a better visualisation of your active lifestyle.

The Geek

Technology can sometimes be quite difficult to get a grasp off, but whenever you are around this friend, you find yourself in awe at simply how talented they are with technology. Whether it be the latest processor, or simply an upcoming software release, this friend is always in touch with the tech

Budget: A 2 metre cable

For anyone that enjoys technology, there is nothing more frustrating than having to sit at an awkward angle just to be able to charge your phone. With these cheap cables, this problem is now solved. Whilst perhaps not the most complex gift idea, there is nothing that can truly describe just how helpful a long cable can be.

Mid-range: A wireless charger

Being often found in this price-range, a wireless charger is a holiday gift that though odd-looking at first, can become a geek’s favourite device moving forward. Just like wireless earbuds, cutting the wire means that you can just set your phone on top of the wireless-charging pad before hitting the bed, eliminating all the confusing wire meddling that we are sure you’d love to avoid.

Expensive: Redmi K20 Pro

Having filled this website with content for nearly a year at this point, the Redmi K20 Pro is the sort of expensive, yet awfully cheap for its capabilities sort of gift that is sure to please anyone seeking a new smartphone. Packing in enough performance for even the most requiring games, and a camera that is sure social media-ready, the Redmi K20 Pro is a phone sure to amaze this holiday season.

The Tech Novice

Just as the Geek knows everything, the novice either doesn’t want to learn the hassles of technology or simply doesn’t care for as long as it works. This makes this gift recipient the pinnacle of minimalistic, accepting anything novel that isn’t a hassle to learn and effective to use.

Budget: The Minimalist Smartphone Wallet

Having been recently covered in the channel, the minimalist smartphone wallet is the perfect gift for the person that still asks how they’re supposed to fit their phone and their wallet in the same pocket. Featuring a sleek “stick on” design, this accessory combines two daily necessities into one - now just make sure not to lose your phone!

Mid-range: A D-Brand skin

On the topic of phone customisation, there is no better way to make someone more attracted to their technology than to make it look pretty. D-brand, the most popular smartphone wrapper producer in the market, sells high-quality skins that not only protect your device, but gives it another added layer of protection that can save it from the daily scratches and falls.

Expensive: The UE Boom Speaker

If you’re looking for a gift idea that is simple to use and will add value to a person’s life, look no further than a Bluetooth speaker. These pair and play gadgets are low profile, can be taken anywhere, and provide much better audio than any pair of headphones ever could. The UE Boom speaker in specific is a durable, bass heavy speaker that is sure to pair well with any pop-music listening experience.

The Niche-Appreciator

Ever find your special someone looking at things that most see no use in with wide-open eyes? Then this person perfectly fits into this category. The niche-appreciator is always looking for the small, but life-changing items in life that will never have you doing any activity the same way.

Budget: Baseus Mag-Safe USB C Cable

Ever miss the good old days of not having to worry about tripping on your charging cable and losing your expensive piece of technology? Us too! With this USB C cable however, this problem is gone for good as this Baseus cable brings back all the joys of careless cable tripping the MacBooks of the old could provide. If you don’t have a USB C powered device, worry not, as Baseus offers other mag-safe cables for your enjoyment on their website.

Mid-range: The Rocketbook

For those of us that are always writing down notes and sketches, damaging the environment is one of our worse concerns - but say no more to that with the rocketbook. Featuring an app that allows you to easily transfer notes from the paper to the screen with a simple scan, you can now bring your notes with you anywhere you go.

But the main appeal of this product has to be its ability to be erased clean with its included erasable pens and fibre towel, meaning that with this roughly $35 purchase, you will never need to buy another notebook again.

Expensive: Amazon Kindle

With books so easily accessible for most, and our phones and tablets already serving as a very reliable reading screen, one may ask why we chose to include a kindle on this list. The answer to that is hands down its e-ink screen. This technology, though simple, makes reading a joy needless of the condition, providing a very true to life book-reading experience that comes without the hassles of bringing hefty paperbacks around.

That concludes our holiday buying guide. We hope this list was extensive enough to help you find the perfect gift for whomever you may be gifting this holiday season.

Google Stadia: A Future Here Too Soon

With the release of the Google Stadia, the company has teased to make the dream of every gamer a reality: a take it everywhere service that allows for high quality games to be played no matter the circumstance. Though promising when it works, Google Stadia’s launch brings forth just enough issues to make this latest idea one that I will stay away from.

It’s when you unpack the Google Stadia experience, that you start to notice that Google may have brought us this future too soon. By observing different reviewers, I quickly came to notice that YouTubers with close to or over 1 Million subscribers truly enjoyed their time with Stadia, most likely due to the smooth experience provided by their high-speed office WiFi. Smaller channels on the other hand, who tested Stadia in a more every day scenario, had a rougher experience, many times reporting the experience as unusable.

Furthermore, Google Stadia serves as yet another proof that whilst Google can create great services, it cannot provide customer service that matches the quality of their products. Roughly a few days after its release, users were still reporting lacking their Stadia codes, making those who trusted Google enough to purchase the pricey preorder very quickly regret it.

When it works however, Google Stadia seems to fulfil every promise it has ever made, allowing a steady switch between the TV, Chrome and mobile devices. Yet even at its best, Google Stadia seems rushed at best. Not only does the service not offer a large enough variety of games people have not already played, but the two games that it does ship with, Destiny 2 and Samurai Shodown, can be found so cheap that it makes Stadia’s preorder experience mediocre at best.

It’s ability to be played on a mobile phone, whilst cool, is also very underwhelming. Currently, the service is only offered on Google’s own Pixel lineup, meaning that only a small portion of Google Stadia owners can truly enjoy all the services it has to offer.

Google Stadia is a product that in concept brings many of my childhood dreams to fruition, but in actuality, it lacks many features and the finesse required to truly succeed in today’s competitive video game market. While it may be super awesome to play Red Dead 2 in the comfort of my bed, I think I’ll just stick with its PS4 version for the meanwhile.

Google Pixel 4: Travel Review

Whether it be a honeymoon to the Bahamas or your world-tour, technology has evolved from simply an utility to a travel companion. On my recent trip to Toronto, I brought my new Google Pixel 4 with me in the hopes of answering one simple question: Can it stack up to my extreme needs?

“My Needs”

Before throwing a thousand words at you about what the Google Pixel 4 does well and what it lacks, I think it’s important to define what “my needs” are - especially since in a world so vast, everyone’s will be well different. As an university student travelling across Canada to Toronto, my needs were as follows:

My phone needs to last a full day of use

My phone needs to have good WiFi and Data connectivity no matter where I am

My phone needs to take photos good enough to serve as polished memories.

It may sound like a simple list, but I can assure you that not all phones I’ve had in the past fit all three of these criteria, and some - didn’t fit any. Take my iPhone SE for example, not only did that phone had to be charged after thirty minutes of Google Maps usage, but it struggled to maintain WiFi even at home, let alone in the go. And its cameras, for the lack of a better word, simply reeked.

A Companion During the day - and night

As I mentioned in my early impressions, the Google Pixel 4 had an average battery that somehow lasted an entire day of normal use. During a trip however, my usage can range from a full day of video streaming as I wait for my plane to departure, to about an hour of Google Maps as I struggled to find my way around downtown Toronto. In both cases, the Google Pixel 4 faired better than expected.

In a full day of streaming, which happened to be the day I arrived in Toronto, I got to my airbnb after hours of music and video streaming with about 5% of juice left to spare. Whilst this may not be as impressive as some other phones in the market, it got me through the boredom of a two hour bus ride to my local airport, a tedious four hour flight, and a thirty minute Uber ride.

When the day was less crowded however, the Google Pixel 4 really shined, lasting me two days of full usage with one hour of Google Maps each day and the annoying, but most needed, alarm every morning. Though it passes my tests, I still question the phone’s ability to be used as a map and an entertainment tool, so for those types of travellers, I would seriously recommend a battery pack in the event your tech companion decides its time to go home.

Connected Everywhere

My experience with WiFi and data reception was also very positive. Not only was I always able to get good WiFi strength no matter where I was, but I also received stronger data signals than reported with my iPhone SE. This was surprising, as I was under the impression that I would lose LTE connection as soon as I left Calgary’s downtown core, but the Google Pixel 4 kept me connected the entire way.

As Toronto is a bigger city, my experience only improved once I arrived to my destination, with WiFi hotspots located essentially everywhere. This, paired with Google’s smart AI capabilities that warned me of an unsafe network kept me navigating danger free through the streets of Toronto. With this said, the Google Pixel is very much a phone designed for the North American markets, and I am curious to test out the device further when I return to Asia over the winter break.

A Camera Paired with a Phone

Google’s AI and the Pixel’s 4 lenses result in a picture of my girlfriend that brings me joy every time I look at it

At night the Pixel 4 still captures a fair bit of detail

This average picture of a delicious plate of chicken makes me wonder what Google’s AI is up

A fantastic view from the balcony of my Airbnb

As every Google Pixel reviews, the camera is always the device’s most raved about feature, and with the Google Pixel 4 - this is no different. Throughout my week in Toronto, I shot most photos as I would normally to really get a feel for how the average consumer would experience their trip through Google’s dual cameras.

My findings were that camera quality ranged from insanely mind blowing to average, with others around me noticing the varying quality just as much. At times photos of my girlfriend or buildings were simply stunning, with multiple people asking me if I had brought a DSLR alongside me.

At other times however, photos were a bit dull, lacking the detail and finesse necessary to make a photo truly bring a memory to life. It was during these moments that I was left scratching my head the hardest: How was it that Google’s AI was so powerful in making portrait and landscape shots so magnificent, but failed so miserably at making food pictures deserving of an awe. Whilst the answer is beyond me, I can only hope that Google may eventually update its camera software, making it work similarly to Huawei’s or Xiaomi’s whenever it recognises a juicy piece of chicken posing for the camera.

Overall however, the Google Pixel 4 was a joy to use as a camera, as it not only made me extremely excited to experience the end result of every shot, but made me hopeful that future smartphones can truly make every photo awe worthy.

Conclusion

After returning home and reliving life from the comfort of my couch, I am glad I chose the Google Pixel 4 as my travel companion this time around. Not only was it a dependable device for the tasks in which I needed it to achieve, but it brought me a certain joy in using all its levels of technology as diverse tools throughout my stay.

Is it the best travel phone though? This is a question that unfortunately has no answer, as my needs may very well be different from someone else’s. In fact, as I mentioned previously, if you see yourself using your phone intensely during your trip, then perhaps the Pixel 4 is not the phone for you - but for my needs, it’s more than perfect.