Virtual Content Has No Border

Tag: pixel:

Honor Magic V2 vs Google Pixel Fold: Which is best?

The Honor Magic V2 takes the lead in the design department. It’s thinner and lighter than Google’s option. While the Google Pixel Fold is thin compared to the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5, it’s still quite hefty at 283g. In contrast, the V2 is a marvel of engineering, with a thickness of only 4.4mm when unfolded and 9.9mm when fully folded. It’s also incredibly light at 231g, making it the lightest foldable on the market and even lighter than some standard smartphones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max.

Google excels in the AI department, which is evident in its foldable devices and flagship smartphones like the Google Pixel 7. It offers unique AI-powered features for photography and image enhancement, as well as AI capabilities integrated into the Android 13 OS. These features set Google apart from the competition. While the Honor Magic V2 also incorporates AI into its operating system, its focus is on optimizing the phone’s performance rather than introducing unique and fun features.

The Honor Magic V2 and Google Pixel Fold feature different chipsets. The V2 uses the Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset, which prioritizes processing power. With 16GB of RAM, it’s likely to outperform the Pixel Fold in benchmark tests. However, real-world usage won’t show a significant difference in performance.

The Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chipset may provide better future-proofing for the V2, ensuring it can keep up with the demands of apps and operating systems.

Both foldables experiment with their display designs, resulting in varying aspect ratios. The Honor Magic V2 sports a boxy 7.92-inch OLED display, while the Pixel Fold offers a wider 7.6-inch OLED display. The choice between them depends on your intended use. The wider display of the Pixel Fold is ideal for watching movies, while the taller display of the Magic V2 is better for multitasking.

However, app developers have been slow to adapt to these unique aspect ratios, limiting the usefulness of the inner displays, particularly on the Pixel Fold.

The Honor Magic V2 boasts the title of the fastest charging foldable on the market, featuring 66W fast charging technology. Even better, it comes with a fast charger in the box. While we haven’t benchmarked the V2 yet, it’s expected to charge fully in just under an hour.

On the other hand, the Google Pixel Fold suffers from slow charging, with the same 30W as the Pixel 7 Pro. Despite its slightly smaller 4821mAh battery, it takes over an hour and a half to go from zero to full charge, with only a 24% charge in 15 minutes.

September 2, 2023
Folding the Future: A Deep Dive into Google Pixel Fold and Tecno Phantom V Fold

The Google Pixel Fold and the Tecno Phantom V Fold may not be available in the same places, but they’re interesting to compare. The Pixel Fold has faced criticism for its quality, and even though it’s a first-gen device, it’s expensive at $1,800. How does it stack up against the more affordable Tecno Phantom V Fold, which is about $700 cheaper? Surprisingly, the Pixel Fold holds its own.

These phones aren’t sold in the same markets – the Pixel Fold is in the US, UK, Japan, and Germany, while the Phantom V Fold is in India and South Asia. Still, comparing them is intriguing. Both have issues, but one might expect more compromises from the cheaper $1,100 Phantom V Fold.

Both phones fold like a book – small screens on the outside, big ones inside. They differ in design: Phantom V has a narrower 21:9 outer screen, unfolding to a 7.85-inch inner screen, while the Pixel Fold’s 17.4:9 outer screen unfolds to a 7.6-inch inner screen. Both outer screens work well, and they’re better than Samsung’s cramped outer screen on the Z Fold 5.

Looking at them side by side, they’re about the same size in different orientations. The Pixel Fold has larger bezels due to its thin, advanced hinge. The Phantom V Fold’s design, with a smartphone-like outer screen and tall inner screen, feels like a sweet spot. Pixel Fold is often used unfolded in a vertical orientation, as it’s more natural for scrolling apps and websites.

In terms of power, Pixel Fold has Google’s Tensor G2 chip, while Phantom V Fold uses a MediaTek flagship 9000+ chip. Both tend to get hot during use, with the Phantom V Fold heating up more. Battery-wise, the Phantom V Fold wins with impressive battery life, lasting multiple days with heavy usage. Pixel Fold’s battery drains faster.

Pixel Fold’s software is more polished, offering familiar Pixel features. Tecno’s software has issues, and the phone lacks security updates. Pixel Fold is known for its camera, with a 5x zoom telephoto lens, offering great photo quality.

In essence, the Pixel Fold and the Tecno Phantom V Fold have their pros and cons, and while the Pixel Fold is more polished and reliable, the Phantom V Fold offers good value for its price.

August 6, 2023
Is the Google Pixel Tablet Worth It? A Comprehensive Review

The Google Pixel Tablet is an Android-based tablet from Google, and it comes with a Charging Speaker Dock that transforms it into a smart display with improved speakers and Nest Hub-like features. The tablet is powered by custom Tensor G2 silicon and features a 10.95-inch LCD display, front and rear 8MP cameras, and a 7,020mAh battery.

The base model of the Pixel Tablet with 128GB storage is priced at $499 in the US, while the 256GB storage variant costs $599. In the UK, it is priced at £599, and in selected European markets, it is priced at €679. You can purchase the Pixel Tablet from the Google Store, Amazon, Best Buy, and other major retailers.

The Pixel Tablet was tested for two weeks, with the review unit purchased by Android Authority. The unique feature of the tablet is its dock, which enhances its functionality as a smart display. However, the dock is the main reason to consider buying the tablet, as it offers a better speaker and a pseudo-Google Nest smart display experience.

When attached to the Charging Speaker Dock, the Pixel Tablet provides a room-filling audio experience. The dock holds the tablet securely with strong magnets, but it loses its functionality when separated from the tablet. The tablet itself has a Google aesthetic with soft-touch aluminum and slim bezels around the screen, making it suitable for both portrait and landscape orientations. The LCD panel is decent for a tablet and provides a good smart display experience.

In terms of performance, the Tensor G2 chip offers enough power for everyday tasks without any issues. However, the tablet’s screen refresh rate is capped at 60Hz, which can make the overall performance feel sluggish compared to other devices with higher refresh rates.

The Pixel Tablet provides the full Pixel experience on a larger screen, running on Android 13. It offers Google apps, Pixel-specific features, and a Material You design. However, some apps may not be optimized for the larger screen, and the absence of an official stylus or keyboard attachment limits their productivity potential.

While the Pixel Tablet aims to excel in smart home integration, its Hub Mode falls short compared to dedicated Nest Hubs. It lacks features like Continued Conversation support and multiple Voice Match users. However, it performs well for basic tasks that require an interface, and the dock-centric setup ensures the tablet is always charged and ready to use.

The battery life of the Pixel Tablet is standard, lasting around 10 hours with typical use. The cameras on the tablet are average, with both front and rear shooters being 8MP and limited to 1080p/30fps video recording.

The Google Pixel Tablet caters to a specific niche, offering a hybrid experience as a portable slate and a smart display. While it may not match the performance and features of other Android tablets or provide a complete Nest Hub experience, it is a suitable option for those on a budget seeking a basic smart display and a user-friendly Android tablet.

July 9, 2023
Google Pixel Fold: the future design of foldable smartphones!

Over the past few years, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold line has dominated the market for large flexible phones. However, Google’s Pixel Fold has emerged as a strong contender and addresses some of Samsung’s weaknesses in this space. Priced at $1,799, the Pixel Fold may not be affordable for everyone, but it offers innovative design features worth noting.

The Pixel Fold boasts a 5.8-inch exterior screen and a flexible 7.6-inch interior display with 120Hz OLED panels. Unlike Samsung’s narrower design, Google opted for a wider 17.4:9 aspect ratio for the exterior display, resembling a passport shape. This design choice allows for more comfortable usage without frequently needing to switch to the larger interior screen.

The Pixel Fold’s hinge and chassis design also minimizes the gap between the phone’s halves, resulting in a less than 6mm thin profile. It is slightly heavier than the Z Fold 4 but feels more balanced. The device is also water-resistant with an IPX8 rating, providing protection against accidental splashes or submersion.

One of the notable advantages of the Pixel Fold is its wider exterior screen, which offers a landscape orientation when unfolded, ideal for watching videos without needing to rotate the device. The slightly larger bezels accommodate an 8-megapixel camera, eliminating the need for a low-resolution under-display selfie camera found on the Z Fold 4. The extra space around the hinge allows for a comfortable grip similar to holding a paperback book.

The Pixel Fold comes with a pre-installed screen protector, and Google advises against removing it or using third-party screen protectors. Repairs can be done at Google service centres for a fee. Over 50 first-party apps have been optimized for the device, providing a seamless transition between the exterior and interior displays. The camera performance of the Pixel Fold surpasses that of the Z Fold 4, capturing sharper, more detailed, and well-exposed photos. Google’s Night Sight feature excels in low-light photography.

Powered by Google’s Tensor G2 chip, 12GB of RAM, and up to 512GB of storage, the Pixel Fold delivers a satisfactory level of performance. It runs smoothly even during multitasking, though it may occasionally run warm. The battery life is comparable to the Z Fold 4, and the Pixel Fold outlasts it in video playback on the external display.

The Pixel Fold proves to be a strong competitor to the Z Fold 4, offering a well-designed device with improved usability, water resistance, superior cameras, and multitasking capabilities. Google’s entry into the foldable phone market sets the stage for future advancements and shaping the future of Android.

June 27, 2023
Evolution of Google Pixel: From Camera Pioneers to Android Excellence

The Google Pixel phone has gone through several changes and improvements over the years, evolving to become a popular choice for many users. Let’s take a look at the journey of the Google Pixel and how it has become what it is today.

The Google Pixel was first introduced as Google’s own smartphone brand in 2016. It was a significant step for Google, as they wanted to showcase their vision for an Android phone that offers a pure, unaltered user experience. The first Pixel phone featured a clean design and came with Google’s own custom software, offering a smooth and seamless performance.

One of the standout features of the Pixel phones has always been their cameras. Google invested heavily in computational photography, which uses advanced software algorithms to enhance image quality. This approach allowed the Pixel to produce stunning photos, even with a single camera lens. The Pixel quickly gained a reputation for having one of the best smartphone cameras on the market.

Over the years, Google continued to refine the Pixel’s camera capabilities. They introduced features like HDR+ (High Dynamic Range) that captured a wider range of colors and details in photos. The Night Sight mode was also introduced, which enabled users to take impressive low-light photos without the need for a flash.

In addition to its camera prowess, the Pixel phones also offered a pure Android experience. They were the first devices to receive software updates directly from Google, ensuring users had access to the latest features and security patches. The Pixel phones also integrated Google Assistant, allowing users to access the power of Google’s AI directly from their device.

As the Pixel series evolved, Google made hardware advancements as well. They introduced the Pixel 2 with improved water resistance and a more refined design. The Pixel 3 brought a larger display and wireless charging capabilities. The Pixel 4 introduced Motion Sense, allowing users to control certain features of the phone through hand gestures.

With the Pixel 5, Google made a shift towards a more affordable and streamlined approach. They opted for a mid-range processor and focused on delivering a great overall experience at a more accessible price point. The Pixel 5 also introduced 5G connectivity, future-proofing the device for faster network speeds.

Each iteration of the Pixel phone has brought incremental improvements, building upon the strengths of its predecessors. Google’s commitment to camera excellence, clean software experience, and timely updates has made the Pixel a favorite among Android enthusiasts and photography enthusiasts alike.

Looking ahead, we can expect the Google Pixel phones to continue evolving. Google will likely push the boundaries of computational photography further, introducing new features and advancements in image quality. The Pixel’s integration with Google’s ecosystem of services and AI capabilities will also continue to be a focal point.

June 16, 2023