Category Archives: Reviews

Huawei P10 Plus Review – new Leica rear cameras, QHD and more

Android, Reviews, Tech News, ,

The Huawei P10 Plus review comes courtesy of Vodafone UK. who provided the handset on loan for this review. My wife Ellie provided a lot of the content for this review, along with some additional input from myself.

Before I detail the key specifications of the Huawei P10 Plus, I thought it might be useful to illustrate the differences with the P10.

The Key Differences P10 vs P10 Plus

Below are they key differences between the P10 and P10 Plus. The Plus advancements over the P10 are significant from the rear cameras, screen and more.

-P10: 145.9 x 69.3 x 7mm
-P10 Plus: 153.5 x 74.2 x 7mm

-P10: 149g weight
-P10 Plus: 165g weight

-P10: 3,200mAh battery
-P10 Plus: 3,750mAh battery

-P10: Leica Dual Camera 2.0 with f/2.2 aperture Summarit lenses
-P10 Plus: Leica Dual Camera 2.0 Pro with f/1.8 aperture Summilux lenses

-P10: 5.1-inch 1,920 x 1,080 resolution IPS LCD 1080p
-P10 Plus: 5.5-inch 2,560 x 1,440 resolution IPS LCD QHD

-P10: 4GB RAM, 64GB storage
-P10 Plus: 6GB RAM, 128GB storage

-P10 Plus only: Infrared IR controller/blaster and stereo speakers

-P10 Plus only: 4×4 MIMO (up to 600Mbit download speeds)
-Both: 2×2 MIMO Wi-Fi

As you can see there are some significant improvements over the P10 Plus over the P10 from screen, battery, cameras and connectivity.

The additional specifications of the P10 Plus are –

-OS Android 7.0 (Nougat)
-Processor HiSilicon Kirin 960,CPU Octa-core (4×2.4 GHz Cortex-A73 & 4×1.8 GHz Cortex-A53) GPU Mali-G71 MP8
– Rear Cameras Dual 20 MP + 12 MP, f/1.8, OIS, Leica optics, phase detection and laser autofocus, dual-LED (dual tone) flash,
– Front camera 8 MP, f/1.9
– Stereo speakers
– IR blaster
– Front fingerprint sensor with control functions
– Fast charging

Phone Basics

The phone looks good with its thin profile and cameras that do not protrude. Call quality and signal was excellent. WiFi and bluetooth worked well. Screen viewing angles were good. Battery life was 5-6 hours screen on time with a strong standby time. This was without using any of the extensive power saving options. The 6gb of ram made this phone feel really nimble with no slow downs coming from the Kirin 960 processor.

The phone comes with a pre fitted screen protector. If you remove this, you will discover the P10 Plus does not come with an oleophobic screen covering which reduces screen fingerprint smudges. In the box was a plastic clear case too.

The phone runs on EMUI 5.1 which is vastly improved over EMUI v4. There are options to tweak nearly every aspect of the phone too.

Camera and Audio

The camera continues Huawei’s tradition of providing a full featured camera app. Loads of different shooting modes including HDR, panoramic, night, light trails as well as a full features Pro mode which allows raw capture. The photo quality is excellent from the rear cameras too. New to the P10 Plus is a Portrait mode which works well capturing people portraits. Video is good too, but not as good as the iPhone 7 Plus when it comes to stabilisation. Also its 4K video resolution is filmed using the new codec H265 which saves a lot of storage space. To upload this to YouTube or Google Photos it is necessary to convert it first using a third party app. 1080p video does not need to be altered. Below are some photo samples.

A really lovely shot of the church. Shot in auto. All photos uploaded in full size too.

Monochrome mode. A bit different for sure.

And now in full colour and in auto mode.

Some macro shots, truly amazing too.

A tree stump.

Flag pole and another monochrome shot.

Panoramic Shot.

The P10 Plus loudspeaker goes relatively loud and clear. The headphone audio is good as well as bluetooth audio. It is not at the same quality as the LG G6 though.

Video Review

Now sit back and enjoy the second part of the Huawei P10 Plus review.

Conclusion

All things considered, the Huawei P10 Plus is a good phone. I personally enjoyed using it as it was quick to unlock and very nimble to navigate. The cameras are excellent and the included IR Blaster was an added bonus. However, the flagship fight at the top of the ladder is brutal but at least there is choice.

Useful Links

Vodafone Shop UK
Huawei pricing on Amazon

Samsung Gear 360 2017 – First Impressions on iOS & mac

Apple, Photography, Reviews, Tech News,

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Samsung Gear 360 (2017). First Impressions.

First up it’s new design over last years ball style is vastly improved in terms of holding it instantly.

The Samsung Gear 360 (2017) is currently only compatible with a number of Samsung flagship and Samsung A series along with the iPhone. Other android phones don’t work with this. I will cover off more of the what does and doesn’t in my full review.

There are 2 apps for the MacBook to install. One is a gallery photo and video app that stitches the media on your MacBook. Samsung recommend a core i7 processor. Then there is the Samsung Gear 360 iOS app.

At this stage everything worked well, from the mac software to the iOS app. No bugs. There are limitations on a few features that are available with the Samsung Galaxy S8 but not via the iPhone 7 Plus.

These currently include –

– Live broadcast (only available using mac not iPhone )
– No live video feed
– Resolution is reduced when stitching slightly on iPhone. Full resolution can be maintained using mac software.

Then menu system is a breeze to use and there are a few tweaks to be had to improve the results.

If you have any questions on this please let me know for the full review.

NB. Photo shot in portrait mode on the iPhone 7 Plus.

Useful Links

Latest pricing on Samsung Gear 360 2017 on Amazon

Samsung Galaxy S8+ vs iPhone 7 Plus vs LG G6 vs Huawei P10 Plus – Camera Comparison by Ellie

Android, Apple, Photography, Reviews, Tech News,

Four of the top flagship phones. Left to right LG G6, Huawei P10 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S8+ and the iPhone 7 Plus.

I took 2 shots of the local church from different angles using all 4 phones. I have uploaded all photos full size. For both scenes the Huawei P10 Plus photos come first, then the iPhone 7 Plus, followed by the LG G6 and lastly Samsung Galaxy S8+.

Huawei P10 Plus Side View

iPhone 7 Plus Side View

 

LG G6 Side View

 

Samsung Galaxy S8+ Side View

 

Huawei P10 Plus Monochrome mode

Huawei P10 Plus Colour Auto

iPhone 7 Plus Colour Auto

 

LG G6 Colour Auto and then Wide Angle

 

Samsung Galaxy S8+ Colour Auto and Flower Shot

 

Conclusion and Results

Side Church Shot

I would rank the side church shot as follows. First place LG G6, then Samsung S8+, then Huawei P10 Plus and in last place the iPhone 7 Plus.

Church Colour Auto Shot

A very close call and hard to pick a winner. The LG G6 pips the post but only just. The others are all a draw. The Huawei P10 Plus monochrome shot is excellent. So is the wide angle shot from the LG G6.

Final Words

As you can see a very close call in terms of camera performance. So which are your favourites?

Optoma GT5500 Projector Review – Ultra Short Throw at its best!

Audio, Reviews, Tech News

Welcome to my review of the Optoma GT5500 Ultra Short Throw Projector which retails for about £1,100. This is one of Optoma’s top end projectors.

Key Specifications

– Display Technology – Single 0.65” DarkChip 3 1080p DLP® Technology by Texas Instruments
– Native Resolution 1080p 1920 x 1080
– Brightness1 (Bright Mode) 3500 ANSI Lumens
– Contrast 25,000:1
– Lamp Life2 Eco+/Dynamic/Eco/Bright 6500/5000/5000/3000 (hrs)
– Throw Ratio 3 0.25:1
– Zoom Type Fixed
– I/O Connectors 2 x HDMI (1.4a 3D support), 2 x VGA (YPbPr/RGB), Composite, 2 x Audio In 3.5mm, Audio Out 3.5mm, VGA Out (Shared with VGA2), RJ45, RS232, USB remote mouse/service, 12V trigger, Mic In, USB-A Power, 3D-Sync
– Keystone Correction ± 20° Vertical
– Weight (kg) 4.78
– Dimensions (W x D x H) (mm) 385 x 310 x 120
– Aspect Ratio 16:9 Native, 4:3 Compatible
– Offset 118%
– Projection Screen Size 2.03 – 2.54m (80” – 100”) Diagonal 16:9
– Projection Distance 0.45 – 0.59m
– Projection Lens F/2.4; f=3.72mm, Fixed Zoom
– Computer Compatibility UXGA, SXGA, WXGA, HD, XGA, SVGA, VGA, Mac
– Video Compatibility PAL (B, D, G, H, I, M, N, 576i/p), NTSC (M, 4.43/3.58 MHz, 480i/p), SECAM (B, D, G, K, K1, L) HD (1080i, 720p)
– 3D Support Full 3D – The 3D features of Optoma projectors can only be used with compatible 3D content. Typical applications include use with 3D educational or 3D design and modelling systems. 3D TV broadcast systems, (SKY in the UK),
– Blu-ray 3D™ and 3D games from the Sony® PS3 or Microsoft® Xbox 360 are now supported as part of the HDMI v1.4a specification.
– 3D Compatibility Side-by-Side:1080i50 / 60, 720p50 / 60
– Frame-pack: 1080p24, 720p50 / 60
– Over-Under: 1080p24, 720p50 / 60
– Security Security bar, Kensington lock, password protection
– Standard Accessories AC power cord, VGA cable, remote control, battery, quick start card, CD user manual
– Optional Accessories 3D glasses, wireless
– Warranty 2 Years

The only way to understand just how good this projector performs is by watching the video review below. Enjoy.

Video Review

Conclusions

The Optoma GT500 is all about image quality and the ability to project a huge image from a mere 30cm away from the screen or wall. It also allows projection in daylight as the image is really bright. Recommended.

Useful Links

More info & latest pricing on the Optoma GT5500 Projector
Optoma GT1080e Projector Review

Sennheiser Momentum In Ear Headphones – Review

Android, Apple, Audio, Headphone, Reviews, Tech News

Key Specifications

– Custom machined stainless steel acoustic pipes for more accurate sound
– High quality dynamic speaker system and enhanced attenuation of ambient noise
– Personalised fit directly into the ear canals
– Available in two variants with a three button in-line remote with an integrated mic optimised for either – Apple iOS or Samsung Galaxy smart devices
– Convenient high carrying case included
– Wearing Style Ear canal
– Transducer Principle Dynamic
– Frequency Response 15 – 22,000 Hz
– Impedance 18 Ohm
– Sound Pressure Level (SPL) 118 dB
– Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) < 0.5%
– Cable Length 1.3 m 1.3 m
– Mic Pick-up Pattern Omni-directional
– In the Box – Ear-adapter set (XS, S, M, L) / Premium carrying case

Video Review

Useful Links

Latest pricing & more info on Sennheiser Momentum In Ear Headphones

Optoma NuForce NE800M In Ear Headphones – review

Audio, Headphone, Reviews, Tech News

Key Specifications

– Frequency response 10Hz – 40kHz
– Sensitivity 113dB+/-3dB
– Cable length 1.37 M
– Driver unit 8.6mm
– Impedance 16 Ohms
– Maximum input sound level 120dB S.P.L
– Connections input 3.5mm (4-pole stereo)
– Connections output 8.6mm driver Titanium coated diaphragm
– Weight 18g
In the Box – Carry case, 3x pairs of single silicone earbuds (sizes S, M, L), 2x pairs of Comply™ earbuds (sizes M, L)

Video Review

Useful Links

More info & latest pricing on the NuForce NE800M In Ear Headphones

Optoma NuForce uDAC-3 AMP/DAC Review

Audio, Reviews, Tech News

Welcome to my review of the Optoma NuForce uDAC-3 amp and DAC which retails for around £90.

The Optoma NuForce uDAC3 is an A-synchronous, full 24-bit, 96 kHz, high-performance USB Digital to Audio Converter (DAC) and combined headphone amplifier that upgrades any computers sound output.

To use the NuForce uDAC-3 you simply connect it to your computer’s USB port. The idea is that the DAC improves the sound quality of your digital music collection. As you can imagine, most Macs, computers and laptops are generally not engineered to deliver the best quality sound. This can result in subtle errors in the conversion and amplification processes which affects the audio quality. All of my headphones sounded better with the uDAC-3 than just using the headphone out with my MacBook Pro.

The uDAC3 provided a fuller sound with better clarity and a deeper and more powerful bass, more detail and separation. It is amazing the difference this made with streaming services and YouTube. The other aspects that is good about the uDAC-3 is its small compact size and that it gains all its power from the USB port of your computer.

Key Specifications

Output impedance RCA 100 Ohm, Headphone 5.6 Ohm
Maximum sampling rate 96 Bit resolution 24
Frequency response 20Hz-20kHz,THD+N:.005%
Signal to noise ratio 98db
Total harmonic distortion 0.05%
Power supply USB powered 80mA/5V
Native bit rate 32,16,24,48,88.2,96kHz
Dynamic range 90dB
Headphone power output 80m W x2@16Ohm
Volume control Rotory
USB sampling rates 44.1,48, 96
Connectionsinput USB
Connections output 3.5mm stereo, Coax S/PDIF, RCA L+R
Supported HD audio 96/24
Weight 90g
Dimensions 68 x 38 x 21 mm
In the box USB A-Micro cable, user’s manual

Video Review

Conclusion

For such a small compact device, this is an ideal addition to anyone who likes there music and wants their headphones to sound significantly better than the built in computer headphone audio.

Useful Links

More info and the latest pricing on the NuForce uDAC-3

Polk MagniFi Mini – Doly 5.1 Home Theatre Soundbar – My Review

Audio, Reviews, Tech News,

Welcome to my review of the Polk MagniFi Mini Dolby 5.1 Home Theatre Soundbar review which has a recommended retail price of £349. The MagniFi Mini belts out a far larger sound than its size would allude too. So let’s find out more about the Polk MagniFi Mini.

The Polk Magnificent Mini includes “Voice Adjust” technology dramatically increases vocal clarity and volume level for crystal clear dialogue no matter what you’re watching. The difference with bass heavy films using this tech was so noticeable and made distinguishing voices a dream.

The MagniFi Mini has both wired and wireless. Connection include an HDMI input, connection, digital optical audio input which both support 5.1 audio. You can also use the 3.5mm analog input as well as an ethernet port to connect to your network. For wireless music playback, you can choose bluetooth audio or Google Cast music streaming over Wi-Fi.

It also comes with a handy remote control. Functions include power, volume, sound mode selector, inputs, bass and voice levels. You don’t have to use the remote as there are also controls on top of the speaker.

The internal amp is capable of a room filling 150 watts. It includes 802.11a/b/g/n/AC – 2.4GHz & 5GHz.

Movie, Music, and Sport Modes. One button preset EQ settings for Movies, Music and Sports optimize the sound bar and subwoofer to ensure you get the clearest dialogue, big surround sound and deep bass for the best audio and home theater experience. You can change these on the remote control as well. There is a one button night mode to reduce the bass and not disturb other people.

To understand more about the tech, drivers, power, sound quality and more, check out the video section below.

Conclusion

I really like the power and sound quality from the Polk MagniFi Mini and the on the fly adjustments for voice and bass levels. Recommended.

Useful Links

More info & the latest pricing on the Polk MagniFi Mini

Audeze iSine 20 – In Ear Planar Magnetic headphones – Review of the £599 Hi-Tech Magic

Android, Apple, Audio, Headphone, Reviews, Tech News, ,

The Audeze iSine 20 are a world first in ear planar magnetic headphones. Audeze has loads of patents on these headphones too. There are also the world’s first headphone to include a lightning cable with an in built 24 bit DAC/Amp for iOS users, apart from the included standard 3.5mm cable.

The iSINE 20 features key specifications –

– Planar magnetic drivers for better dynamics and frequency response
– Premium materials for style and durability
– Sleek contemporary design by DesignWorksUSA a BMW group company
– Ear hooks and Earlocks for long listening comfortability
– Fluxor magnetic arrays
– Uniforce diaphragms
– 1.5m audio cable, 1/8” stereo plug input to 2-pin plug output
– 1.5m Cipher cable, Lightning plug input to 2-pin plug output
– Style In-ear, universal fit
– Transducer type Planar magnetic, semi-open
– Magnetic structure Fluxor
– Magnet type High-grade neodymium
– Diaphragm type Ultra-thin Uniforce
– Transducer size 30mm
– Maximum power handling 3W
– Maximum SPL >120dB
– Frequency response 10Hz – 50kHz
– THD <0.1% @ 100dB
– Impedance 24 ohms
– Cable type non-microphonic
– Dimension 31mm x 35mm
– Weight 20g without cable

The new iSINE Series barely weighs 20 grams, contains Audeze exclusive patented technology including power enhancing Fluxor Magnets that nearly double the magnetic driving force on the large, ultra-thin diaphragms with patented Uniforce voice-coil technology that delivers the most accurate in-ear headphones experience ever. The distortion (THD) is less the 0.1% overall even at high volumes, an amazing achievement for in-ear headphone designs.

For iOS users, there is the world’s first 24-bit Lightning cable for higher-resolution sound. Audeze’s award-winning CIPHER Lightning cable specially optimized for the iSINE Series, delivers 24-bit digital audio from iPhone/iPad/IPod to the headphones. The CIPHER cable contains a high-quality inline amplifier, digital-to-analog converter, and DSP. With the powerful DSP capabilities of the Cipher cable, the iSINE headphones deliver a vivid, almost like-you’re-there experience. Customize the sound in real-time with the Audeze iOS App. It features two presets and a 10-band equalizer that changes EQ in real time. Refine the bass levels and tamp down the highs on peaky recordings you still love to hear. The two EQ presets travel with the cable when switching devices.

So now sit back, enjoy my unboxing and then full review of these beast of a headphone.

Useful Links

More info & latest pricing on the Audeze iSine 10 and Audeze iSine 20

AirPods vs BeatsX – My Final Verdict

Apple, Audio, Headphone, Reviews, Tech News

AirPods vs BeatsX – Which headphone is my favourite?

I have now had and used both of these headphones for a while. Both contain Apple’s W1 chip that allows for a seamless connection. Once paired it is connected via iCloud to all your other Apple devices too.The faultless bluetooth connection continues over a vast distance.

These two headphones are vastly different to each other. The BeatsX have more sound isolation and consequently greater bass and depth. They can last 8 hours on a charge. The AirPods allow you to wear them for 5 hours and then the case will recharge them to get up to 24 hours usage in total, by using the case. Both headphones have a 5 or 10 mins quick charge option.

In terms of fit, the BeatsX fit inside your ear canal, whereas the AirPods sit in the ear, but they are not ear canals. For some strange reason, the BeatsX fall out unless whereas the AirPods never fell out. In terms of comfort the BeatsX takes the trump card.

If I had to choose a single pair, it would be the AirPods. I like the fact I can carry on a conversation and hear what someone is saying. I also like the wire free design which do not fall out.

What would be great is if Apple brought out the over the ear Beats headphone with the W1 chip. That would be ideal!

BeatsX Wireless Headphone Review

AirPods review

Useful Links

Latest info and pricing on AirPods
Latest pricing and more info on the BeatsX