UiiSii BN80 First Impressions: Price King

With many “truly wireless earbuds” releasing in the past few months, we still maintain the opinion that neckband style Bluetooth earbuds are better - but as companies dropped their focus on this sort of headphone, they’ve become less and less common. Thankfully, the UiiSii BN80s not only revive a style of product we love, but also create a product that for its price is simply unmatched.

Featuring dual drivers, sound is the BN80’s top priority: being fantastic for all sorts of songs that you may listen to in your day to day life. This technology, which brings great change to audio fidelity, simply cannot be found in similarly priced pairs of truly wireless earbuds - as those generally focus their resources in other features such as their charging case.

Another great standout feature of this headphone is its 15 hour battery life - the equivalent of many truly wireless earbuds once you have completely drained their charging case. This means being able to go for a long trip without the need of bringing the charging cable along, or taking breaks from your listening experience because your earbuds “just need a quick top up”.

Furthermore, these headphones are the prime representation of what makes neckband headphones our favourite style of Bluetooth headphones: magnets. By making sure that the earbuds connect to one another, this pair of headphones is low-profile, comfortable to wear, and won’t be so easily lost as is the case with truly wireless earbuds.

As for latency, whilst we haven’t used these headphones sufficiently at the time of this writing to fully test out its latency, our first impression watching video content has been more than positive - allowing for media consumption that is fully in sync with your phone despite the Bluetooth connection.

Lastly, and just as important, for only 50 dollars, these earbuds come with a great variety of ear tips in the box - ensuring a great deal of customisability that ultimately ensures that your purchase will serve you no matter how your ears may be shaped.

5 Reasons I am Not Upgrading from the K20 Pro to the K30 Pro

It is no news to anyone that the K20 Pro was a device we loved using in 2019. With so many awesome features on offer, we were staggered to see what Xiaomi would have on offer for the sequel of this great device. Unfortunately, it is not always that the company’s interests and ours align, and with the recent release of the K30 Pro, we have been less than excited for what it has on offer.

The Display

Taking a step back in screen brightness is never a good idea, in fact, it’s this feature alone that makes our phones usable where we desire them the most: outside. With the K30 Pro however, Xiaomi has receded about 100 nits of brightness from its predecessor, a significant amount considering the K20 Pro’s outdoors visibility was on the line of what we would consider “visible” in outdoors situations - making the K30 Pro a phone that should just stay at home.

Lack of OIS

The triple camera setup was a great feature of the K20 Pro, and whilst we took some great photos with it throughout the year, we have always been disappointed by the lack of OIS in the video department. In our list of features we wanted to see in a potential K30 Pro, this was on top of our priorities, as we hoped Xiaomi would see the community’s positive reaction to the device’s photography abilities, and improve on it.

Sadly however, this was simply not the case, and as well featured as the K30 Pros set of cameras may be, it has still left out this very important feature, making video stabilisation less than desirable in a phone that in 2020 has some worthy competition.

Back to Plastic

With last year’s K20 Pro, Xiaomi sent a message that it cares about design just as much as it cares about performance. For a device claiming to be the K20 Pro’s successor, such downgrade in built seems a bit odd at best. Not only is glass prettier, but often times more resistant, and it allows for the addition of extra perks such as wireless charging.

Controversial Design Choices

Whilst the pop up selfie camera was a design quirk we had a range of thoughts about last year, we truly appreciated the K20 Pro’s bezel-less look, which made video-viewing experience better, and gave the phone a more futuristic look overall. Copying the design trends popularised by the Samsung S10, the K20 Pro features a camera hole that takes away from the beautiful viewing experience first brought to us by its predecessor.

Walking Backwards

As all these points may have shown, the K30 Pro takes many fundamental ideas of what made the K20 Pro a remarkable device, and deviates from it entirely. In this path, not only does the K30 Pro lose a great deal of identity, but it also creates a device that is ultimately superior to its much beloved predecessor. With this idea in mind, we do not think that the K30 Pro is a worthy purchase, and believe that many customers would be happy sticking with their K20s for the meanwhile.

Will you be picking up a K30 Pro? Let us know in the comments below!

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.