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ZTE Axon M Android smartphone review

Extended (tablet) mode

ZTE’s Axon M is one of the devices that threw us for a loop in 2017. The company managed to the be the first to come out with a foldable smartphone with two screens. A multitaskers dream, the displays on the Axon M are each a 5.2-inch 1080p IPS display. Together they combine to form a 6.75″ tablet-like display with a somewhat distracting seam running down the middle.
 Unsurprisingly, weighing 8.1 ounces and measuring 5.9 x 2.8 x 0.5 inches the ZTE Axon M is heavier and bulkier than your typical smartphone, but that’s the price you pay for getting 2 displays. Fortunately, it’s still somewhat pocket friendly. Because it has its hinge on the right side, it houses most of its buttons on the left side. Running along the left side of the device, ZTE has placed a fingerprint reader that doubles as a power button, a volume button, and a third somewhat programmable button. The programmable button lets you quickly launch TV mode which in turn lets you load the YouTube or DirecTV app. That said, we’d like to have the option to program that button with whatever app we choose.
But what is especially awkward in the design is the camera placement. The Axon M houses a single 20MP camera. Taking regular non-selfie photos with the camera is an awkward experience because you have to flip the phone around.  The camera itself takes ok photos. In daylight, the photos offer pretty accurate colors and visuals are pretty sharp. But the phone struggles with autofocus and in low light, photos tend to be noisy and often blurry, probably due to the lack of optical image stabilization.
The displays on the Axon M are not flagship level displays, but they are solid displays with sharp visuals and accurate colors, we just wish they could reach higher brightness levels. The bigger issue for some may be the seam running down the middle in Extended (tablet) mode. Personally, we adjusted to it after a few days and eventually forgot it was there. It’s not that different to the notch on the iPhone X, which is also distracting at first, but you’re able to adjust to it over time.

Dual Mode

 Besides single screen mode, there is Mirror Mode, Extended Mode, and Dual (multitasking) mode. Mirror mode is useful for two people watching movies on either side or playing a game like Battleship. Extended mode takes a single app and extends it across the two displays. For example, that means you get double the real estate for your web browser or Facebook feed. Mirror mode is useful for two people watching movies on either side or playing a game like Battleship, especially if the device is folded like a tent.

Mirror Mode

 Last but not least, Dual (multitasking) mode lets you run a different application on each screen – so you can have Twitter opened on one display while watching YouTube on the other. This set up is pretty much a multitasker’s dream, and so much better than using a split screen window mode on a single cramped smartphone display.
When you start up the phone, you’ll go through an easy tutorial which shows you how to switch between different modes. A 3 finger swipe moves an application over to the opposite display.  Switching between modes is easy and generally works well, but we often ran into some slowdowns when switching between modes, as well as some app crashes. We hope that ZTE will push out an update that addresses these bugs soon. ZTE has said that they are committed to frequently updating the Axon M and that they will be updating it to Android Oreo.

The Axon M can be folded like a tent

 AT&T picked up the ZTE Axon M because it’s the perfect device for a DirecTV user. After all, you can be watching DirecTV on one display while checking your email or Tweeting on the other. We showed the device to a DirecTV user and they got really excited about it, but they actually assumed it was a tablet before we explained to them that it was a phone. Speaking of DirecTV, the Axon M comes preloaded with the DirectTV app, along with lots of AT&T bloatware apps, all running along side Android 7.1.2 Nougat.

The unibody metal construction of the Axon M is very solid

 The phone is powered by a capable Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB of Ram. When we tested the phone with AnTuTu, it scored a benchmark of 128845. That indicates that it’s a capable, fast performer, though not nearly as fast as flagships like Huawei Mate 10 Pro and Note 8, and its performance is more in line with the Galaxy S7. In general, even in Dual mode with two apps running in tandem, performance is good and the phone is able to handle running two apps without issue. However, it’s switching between modes that can be a buggy experience sometimes.
The 3,180 mAh battery provides solid battery life, especially for a device with two displays! We were able to get a full day of use on a charge.

Final Thoughts

 We have to give ZTE tons of credit for taking the plunge and innovating in the smartphone category. One thing is for sure, the ZTE Axon M is a vision of the future. There are already rumors swirling that both Samsung and Apple are coming out with foldable smartphones, so we expect to see more competing foldable phones in the not too distant future. Overall, ZTE has done an admirable job with the Axon M, especially for a first gen device. But we’re even more excited for a second gen Axon M which we hope will be thinner, sporting a better camera, rocking bborderless displays and running less buggy software.
The ZTE Axon M is an AT&T exclusive and it retails for $724.99 off contract. The phone comes standard with an extensive (and above average) 2 year warranty that includes a free premium protection plan.
Source: The sample for this review was provided by ZTE and AT&T. Please visit their site for more info.
 

Product Information

Price: $724.99
Manufacturer: ZTE
Retailer: AT&T
Pros:
  • Two screens – did we mention two screens!? Switching between modes is easy
  • This is a multitasker’s dream device
  • Good battery life and performance despite having two displays
  • Sports an audio jack and microSD card slot
  • Ideal for DirecTV users
  • Well made unibody metal design
Cons:
  • AT&T exclusive
  • Camera is awkward to use
  • Software can be buggy
  • Middle seam can be distracting
  • Pricey

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ZTE Axon M Android smartphone review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on December 4, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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LG V30 review

When I made the decision to go back to an Android smartphone after a brief vacation to Apple land this summer, my choices for a new phone were between the Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy Note8, Pixel 2 XL, and the LG V30. I ruled out the Samsung devices because I’m not a fan of the curved sides or the fingerprint sensor location. That meant that my choice was narrowed down to the new Pixel 2 XL and the LG V30. Fortunately for me, Verizon Wireless sent me a loaner unit of the LG V30 which I’ve been using on and off for the last couple of weeks. Let’s take a look to see if I end up choosing to buy the LG V30 or the Google Pixel 2 XL. 

What is it?

The LG V30 is LG’s latest flagship Android smartphone running Android OS version 7.1.2.

What’s in the box?

LG V30
USB (Type-C to Type-C) Cable
USB (Type-C to Type-A) Cable
SIM Eject Pin
Quick Reference Guide

Hardware specs

Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon™ 835 2.45 GHz x 4 + 1.9 GHz x 4 Octa-Core MSM8998
Display: POLED 6.0″ QHD Plus FullVision™ Display (2880 x 1440) with 538 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Operating System: Android 7.1.2 Nougat
Memory: Flash: 64GB RAM: 4GB
Expandable Memory: Removable microSD up to 2TB (sold separately)
Network: CDMA, GSM, UMTS, LTE frequencies: 1.9 GHz CDMA PCS, 800 MHz CDMA; GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz; UMTS 850/900/1900/2100 MHz; LTE Bands 2/3/4/5/7/13/20/46/66 Data Transmission: EVDO, EVDO Rev A, 1xRTT, LTE, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, GSM, HSPA+, HSPA
Camera (rear): 16 MP Standard-Angle Lens f/1.6
Camera (front): 5 MP Wide-Angle Lens f/2.2
Bluetooth: 5.0, Wi-Fi, NFC
Battery: 3,300mAH, Non-removable
Dimensions: 5.97 in x 2.97 in
Weight: 5.57 oz

Design and features


The LG V30 looks a lot like the Samsung Galaxy S8 with polished metal rails around all sides and rounded edges which thankfully, aren’t curved like the S8’s edges. The LG V30 also has a glass back which allows for Qi wireless charging.

Like the S8, the LG V30 has a buttonless front with a very nice 6-inch display that has minimal top and bottom bezels.

The back of the phone has a dual camera lens and an LED flash at the top with the perfectly placed combination fingerprint sensor/power button in the upper center exactly where your index finger rests when you pick up the phone.

On the left side of the V30 are separate volume buttons that have very good tactile feedback and are raised far enough that it’s easy to find each button with your finger without looking.

On the opposite side of the phone, you’ll find the combination SIM/microSD card tray.

Correct me if I’m wrong, but I think LG and Samsung are the only high-end smartphones that still offer a microSD card slot. I used to demand this feature in any new phone that I would purchase because I wanted the security of backing up my photos to a card. But in this day and age, I find that I don’t care about this feature quite so much due Google Photos automated image back up to the cloud. It’s still a nice feature to have though.

The top edge of the LG V30 has a microphone and what’s swiftly becoming an endangered port: a 3.5mm headphone jack.

If we examine the bottom edge of the V30, we find another microphone, a USB Type-C port, and a speaker. The location of the speaker is a little unfortunate if you like to hold the phone in your right hand like I do which ends up covering the speaker and muffling the sound.

The fit and finish of this phone get a thumbs up from me. It looks nice, feels solid, and is comfortable in hand. Speaking of in hand, the LG V30 passes the Gadgeteer squeeze test with no complaints, but if I give it a really strong shake, I can hear the volume buttons rattling ever so slightly. Yes, I know I am crazy to still be doing the Gadgeteer squeeze test after 20 years 😉

Display

This phone sports a 6 inch POLED display. If the addition of a P in front of OLED is confusing you, you’re not alone. The P stands for the plastic base layer that is used instead of a glass base layer which is used in most OLED displays.

The display has thin bezels and virtual navigation buttons that can disappear automatically in some apps like Chrome shown above.

The nav buttons reappear if you swipe up from the bottom edge of the phone.


In some apps, you can close the nav bar with the small arrow on the left side of the nav bar.


Sometimes you’ll see a double arrow next to the nav bar that will prompt you to switch to the 18:9 display mode.

If you’ve been following the Pixel 2 XL displaygate bruhaha, you’ve heard about the blue tint issue that the Pixel 2 XL has when you tilt the screen. The LG V30 has the same “issue” which is not a surprise since LG makes the Pixel 2 XL and they both share the same POLED display technology.

I wasn’t able to photograph the display well enough to demonstrate the blue tint issue, but suffice to say, that I personally do not find it to be the huge catastrophe that some people feel it to be. I didn’t even notice the problem on the V30 or my Pixel 2 XL until after people started talking about it and then I could see it. But the thing is, I don’t care because I’m not using my phone with it tilted away from me. I use my phones facing my eyes straight on and at that angle, there’s no blue tint.

Then there’s the burn-in issue that some people are seeing on the Pixel 2 XL. This can be an issue with OLED displays, but again, I’ve yet to see it on my loaner LG V30 or my Pixel 2 XL. That said, I’m more anxious about the potential for burn-in than the blue tint issue so I plan to keep an eye on my Pixel 2 XL’s display. Now back to the LG V30 review…

When it’s all said and done, I find the LG V30’s display to have sharp crisp text and bright vivid colors. It’s enjoyable to read, surf and watch videos on it and I have no complaints about the display at this time.

Camera

LG phones usually have decent cameras, but they aren’t known for their cameras like the iPhone and last year’s Pixel XL.

The stock camera app is pretty basic except for the handy built-in sharing bar that you can use to send images to a calendar event, Bluetooth, the LG Memo app, email, and the Verizon messaging app.


The also has a selection of modes that you can use to spice up your shots. But missing is a portrait mode which has becoming a big selling point for the iPhone and the Pixel 2.


The LG V30’s dual camera lens does offer a really nice wide angle mode that will allow you to fit in a lot more “stuff” in your images. Both images above were taken from the same distance, but the only difference was toggling the wide angle mode in the image on the right.


I was impressed with the images that I shot with the V30. Click any of these example images to view the full sized shot.



All my shots came out great if a bit oversaturated… but I personally like that look when it’s not overdone.

Audio quality

I already touched on the fact that I don’t like the placement of the speaker on the bottom right of the phone. There’s also the fact that it’s just a mono speaker. While most people probably won’t be listening to a lot of audio/music through that speaker, it is a little disappointing that LG didn’t put more effort in that area. My guess is that the decision to go with the placement was to keep the phone as small as possible and the screen’s bezels equally small.

But plug in a pair of headphones and your ears will be happy. Audio through headphones wired and unwired sounds very very nice.

Software and user interface


The LG V30’s user interface is pretty basic even with LG’s layer on top of stock Android. LG offers a few extras like the pop out shortcut bar that harkens to Samsung’s edge display. The difference is that you can’t swipe the edge of the screen to pop out the bar, you have to tap on the little tab. Since the tab is quite small, it makes the effort a little frustrating at times. I don’t know about you, but I rarely use these extra nav bars since it’s just as easy to put my most used app shortcuts and widgets right there on the first home screen.

Speaking of home screens, that’s where all your apps icons will live because LG’s custom skin over Android does not include an app drawer.

Another special LG feature allows you to shrink the screen for easier one-handed use. I don’t use this either.

One complaint that I do have about software and the V30 is that the phone doesn’t ship with Oreo. It has Android v7.1 Nougat.

Using the LG V30 for phone calls

I didn’t have any complaints from people I talked to while testing the LG V30. Conversations on both sides of my calls were clear and with decent volume. I also did not have any issues with dropped calls while testing this phone. Signal strength seemed to be no better or worse than other phones that I use and test on the Verizon network in my area.

Overall performance and battery life using the LG V30 for day to day tasks

When it comes to overall system speed, I have no complaints about the V30. Apps launch quickly, screens scroll smoothly, and I didn’t notice any sluggishness or problems navigating between apps.

I didn’t do any special battery life testing, but it felt better than other phones I’ve recently tested. You should have little trouble getting through a day on a full charge and if you barely use your phone, it might last for up to a week on a charge if you turn off apps that constantly ping for new info.

Final thoughts

After spending a few weeks with the LG V30 and the Pixel 2 XL at the same time, I ultimately decided to buy a Pixel 2 XL instead of an LG V30. The V30 is a really nice phone and I’ll be sad to send it back to Verizon because it has wireless charging and a microSD card slot, which I like. It also has the volume buttons on the left side of the phone instead of the right side, which I prefer.

But when it came down to it, my main reasons for going with the Pixel 2 XL instead of the V30 are stock Android, faster OS updates, and full resolution automatic image backup to the cloud. Those benefits tipped the scale for me.

Source: The sample for this review was provided by Verizon Wireless. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $840.00
Manufacturer: LG
Retailer: Verizon Wireless
Pros:
  • Thin bezels
  • Wireless charging
  • microSD card slot
  • Extra 1yr warranty through Verizon
Cons:
  • Some people may complain about the slight blue tint on the display when not viewed straight on

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LG V30 review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 9, 2017 at 11:00 am.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 LTE review

I love tablets.  Specifically, I love Android tablets.  I’ve had most of the major devices since day one including the Motorola Xoom and the earliest Samsung tablet, the Galaxy Tab 8.9.  The last one, well that was a brick – it was heavy, slow and would hurt you if you dropped it on an extremity.

Over the years Samsung has stepped up their tablet game culminating in what many thought was the zenith in Android tablets, the Galaxy Tab 10.1 2014 Edition.  Yeah, naming the tablet is probably not their strong suit.  After that device, though, Samsung introduced the Tab S series, their flagship devices, and today we are going to look at the latest in that line – the Tab S3 LTE version.  How well does this new device stack up against the competition and is it worth your valuable tablet dollars?  Read on to find out!

Before we get into the specifics, let me tell you about my tablet use so you can compare that against how you might use the device.  My tablet is a constant companion – I do occasionally leave the house without it, but not as often as you might think.  With aging eyesight the larger screen is easier for me to read without glasses, making it for me a better choice for email and even SMS.  I read on it, watch movies and TV shows while traveling, settle bar disputes about whether Daniel Craig was in The Force Awakens, figure out which song is playing on the PA system and everything else you would use a connected device for.  Even though WiFi is ubiquitous these days, there are a lot of places where it is not available – like my car – so I prefer that my tablet have LTE connectivity and am willing to pay for that service.

I also want an upgrade path on my device.  Seems that Google is releasing a new major release of Android every year, and while the hardware does not have to change I do want to stay as current as possible on the operating system.  The device needs to perform well, have a bright screen, have enough internal memory to support the apps I want to load, and use as little proprietary connectors or helpers as possible (understanding that the case for a device is of necessity proprietary).  So, no knockoff devices for me.  In today’s tablet market, it is either the Apple iPad and the walled garden that it brings, or a few key players on the Android side – Google and Samsung.  LG and other manufacturers have a tendency of producing low end devices that do not meet my stringent requirements, and worse do not do much to support the units sold.

So on to the latest, the Galaxy Tab S3 introduced at the end of February this year.  Looking at the specs it is not wildly different than the Galaxy Tab S2 introduced almost 2 years ago.  The screen size, resolution and aspect ratio are all the same – 9.7 inches, 2048×1536, and 4:3 respectively.  The memory was bumped up from 3 to 4 gig, but internal storage remained at the same disappointing 32 gig as the S2 LTE version.  Thankfully both tablets allow you to use an external microSD card up to 256 gigs, so your storage options are not so limited.  Front and rear facing cameras are the same (2.1 and 8 megapixels respectively).  The battery is slightly larger in the new tablet, the processor is the same one found in the Galaxy S7 phone line (the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 vs the older Snapdragon 652).

Those are the dry specs.  Sorry, every review has to include that by law.  The differentiation between the S2 and S3 comes in the new SPen, upgraded sound and video, and the software optimizations made to Android to support these.  First, the SPen.  Much like the Note series the S3’s pen makes for a great way to take notes or make quick sketches.  The same SPen software is also on the tablet, but curiously the pen does not have a silo on the tablet in which to store it.  Nor does the official case come with a loop or any other way to carry the pen.  As useful as it can be, the pen really feels like an afterthought for Samsung – like “we gotta give these guys something, but we can’t change the tablet.”  It is going to be the most lost accessory Samsung ever made and at $49 the most profitable one they will sell you.

Also changed this year is the charging and data port.  The previous micro USB standard has been upgraded to the USB Type-C port, so plan on all new cables.  More than just the physical configuration, the port also bumped up to USB 3.1, so your data transfers through a physical cable will be faster.  Important in my use case as a traveling media player.  And in that use case, the new HDR and 4K content modes are very nice – the screen appears sharper, more vibrant and reacts faster to video, meaning no more ghosting when watching an action movie.  The Harmon-Kardon AKG-tuned stereo sound on the new tablet also provides richer audio at higher volumes than the previous tablet.  Except for the black bars at the top and bottom of the screen thanks to the 4:3 aspect ratio, everything you watch or listen to will be just that much better on the Tab S3.

The upgrade to the Snapdragon 820 processor and the additional 1 gig RAM makes for a very snappy experience.  Performance is as smooth as butter – apps open faster and the user experience feels like it should for a flagship product.  You won’t be disappointed by the performance.

The frame for the tablet is aluminum as was the previous version.  The back, however, is glass (as evidenced by my reflection in the photo).  It really gives a premium look to the device, but it comes at the expense of fingerprinting.  Also missing on this version are the snaps found on the back of the S2 that fixed the case to the tablet.  I thought they were outstanding, and am disappointed by the weak magnetic connection the S3 uses.

As far as accessories go, Samsung makes an interesting external keyboard that is not Bluetooth.  It connects to and is powered by the tablet via a series of pins on the bottom.  As a matter of fact, I am typing this review using the external keyboard.  And the keyboard folio case as a loop for the SPen, albeit through a rather cheesy stick-on vinyl loop.  The keyboard works well, but for some odd reason Samsung only makes this in a color that does not match the tablet – the S3 is charcoal, and the keyboard folio case is a light gray.  The standard non-folio comes in a color that matches the tablet, so it is strange why this is different.  There are plenty of after-market cases and other accessories, though, so pondering the mystery of the mismatched color is blissfully short.

Now the other shoe drops.  The base WiFi-only version of the tablet is on sale in the US, but so far there is not a US-based mobile carrier who is selling the LTE version.  After waiting many months and even seeing the tablet pass through the FCC (meaning it could be sold here), I am still unable to obtain a T-Mobile-specific model (or AT&T or Verizon, for that matter).  I purchased an unlocked international version, the SM-T825 and have been using it on T-Mobile without any issue.  This version does not support the 700mHz LTE band that T-Mobile has available, but in practice, this has meant literally nothing for me.  I get 4G speeds almost all of the time when I am not on WiFi, so not having the T-Mobile brand on the tablet does not seem to impair my use in any way.

Bixby is also curiously missing.  Introduced at the same event, Bixby is Samsung’s entry into the digital assistant category.  I get that having Bixby native on the S8 line of phones is an important differentiator for Samsung, but the S3 is their flagship tablet product.  Given how buggy the current version is and how limited the functionality is today, you are not missing that much by not having it available.  Hopefully, they will stabilize the software and push it out in a later release, but in the meantime, you can use Google Assistant.

The bottom line?  This is a worthy upgrade from the Galaxy S2 model and is hands-down the leading Android tablet out there.  And that is not solely because most of the competitors (including Google) seemed to have left the market.  On its own merit, the S3 is a great device.  At $650 (what I paid new for the LTE version) and without US carrier support, your mileage may vary.  Regardless of whether you want/need LTE connectivity, either model of the S3 will definitely not disappoint.

Source: The device reviewed was purchased by me.  For more information, visit the official Samsung site and Amazon.

 

Product Information

Price: $779.00
Manufacturer: Samsung
Retailer: Amazon
Pros:
  • Faster, more fluid than the previous generation
  • Enhanced sound and video playback make for great media consumption
  • SPen is included with all versions of the tablet
  • Comes with Android Nougat (v7) loaded and will get the O upgrade later this year
Cons:
  • Price
  • No US-carrier with an LTE version
  • SPen is going to get lost because there is no on-device storage for it
  • Bixby is not included nor is it available as an update

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 LTE review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on August 8, 2017 at 9:00 am.

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Samsung Galaxy S8 review


I’m guessing that almost every review of the Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8+ starts out with some mention of last year’s recall of the Note 7 due to battery issues that led to the spontaneous combustion of some phones. You would think that all that drama and bad press would have hurt Samsung’s reputation. But it doesn’t appear to be the case because many of my gadget reviewing brethren are saying that Samsung’s latest smartphones are the best smartphones ever made by anyone. What do I think? Click through to find out.

What is it?

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is Samsung’s latest Android smartphone.

Hardware specifications

Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 MSM8998 Octa-Core, 2.35 GHz (Quad) + 1.9GHz (Quad)
Display: 5.8” Quad HD, Super AMOLED, 571 PPI, 1440 x 2960 pixels resolution, Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Operating System: Android 7.0, Nougat
Memory: Flash: 64GB RAM: 4GB
Expandable Memory: Removable microSD up to 256GB (sold separately)
Network: CDMA 1X and EvDO Rev 0/Rev ALTE (Domestic): B13/B4/B2/B5/B66
Global Network: LTE (Global): B3/B7/B20/B8/B18/B19/B28/B26GSM Quad B5/B8/B3/B2 (850/900/1800/1900MHz) & UMTS Quad: B5/B8/B2/B1 (850/9001900/2100MHz) TDS CDMA 34, 39 & TDD LTE 38, 39, 40, 41, LTE-U: B252/B255(in SU)CAT 4/ CAT 6/ CAT 9
Camera (rear): 12 MP f/1.7, 26mm
Camera (front): 8 MP f/1.7
Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE, aptX
Wi-Fi: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac 2.4G+5GHz, VHT80 MU-MIMO,1024-QAM
NFC
Battery: 3,000mAH, Non-removable
Dimensions: 5.86 in x 2.68 in
Weight: 5.47 oz

What’s in the box?

Samsung Galaxy S8
AC adapter
USB Type-C charging cable
USB to Type-C adapter
micro USB to Type-C adapter
Headphones
Ear tips for headphones
SIM card removal tool

Design and features

I can’t argue when people say that the S8 is the nicest looking smartphone that has ever been made. It’s thin, with smooth sides, rounded corners and of course, that almost bezel-less curved glass display. It’s a looker for sure.

The S8 is pictured above to the left of my Nexus 6P. The Nexus has a 5.7” 2560 x 1440 resolution display and the Samsung Galaxy S8 has slightly larger 5.8″ higher resolution 2960 x 1440 display but in a noticeably smaller package.


The front of the S8 has a Corning Gorilla Glass 5 display with thin black bezels at the top and bottom edges. Gone is the familiar physical home button that has graced Galaxy phones for as long as I can remember.

The back of the phone is also made of Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with a LED flash, camera, and an awkwardly placed fingerprint scanner which I’ll talk about later.

On the left side of the phone are two buttons. There’s a long one-piece volume rocker button and the Bixby button below it. If you’re not familiar with Bixby, that’s Samsung’s version of Siri and Google’s digital voice assistants. I’ll talk more about Bixby later in the review, but suffice to say, that the location of the Bixby button is not optimal because it’s too close to the volume button.

On the opposite side of the phone, you’ll find the power/wake button.

All of the Samsung Galaxy S8’s buttons have good tactile feedback and stick out far enough from the frame so that your fingers can find the buttons without looking.

On the top edge of the Galaxy S8, you’ll find a microphone…

and the SIM/micro SD card tray.

On the bottom edge of the S8, you’ll find an antiquated 3.5mm headphone jack (just kidding), a USB Type-C charging port, another microphone, and the speaker.

The location of the speaker is problematic if you like to hold your phone in your hand while watching videos. It’s too easy to block the speaker with the palm of your hand, causing audio to be muffled.

The S8 is a solid device that has no problems surviving my almost 2 decades old squeeze test. The phone feels great in hand and is the perfect size for one-handed use and fits much better in my pocket than my Nexus 6P. But, the S8 is a slippery phone and with a glass back, I worry about how fragile it is.

I’m not going to drop it to test how fragile it is, but it is nice to know that the S8 has an IP68 rating which means that is water resistant when dunked in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes.

Display

The S8’s display is gorgeous. But then I think all Samsung devices have the excellent displays. The display on the S8 is bright, with vivid colors, and great viewing angles.

Even in full sunlight, the S8’s screen can be read relatively easily.

Barely there bezels mean that the S8’s screen takes up 83% of the phone’s face. The S8 isn’t the first smartphone to feature almost invisible bezels. LG beat Samsung to launch with the first almost bezel-less phone when they rolled out their LG G6.

 

I do love the Samsung Galaxy S8’s always on display which shows the current time along with notification icons for incoming emails, text messages, missed calls, etc. However, interacting with the notification icons can feel a little inconsistent.

When you double tap a notification icon on the lock screen, it will either show a list of your notifications like the screenshot above, or it will prompt you to unlock the phone. I haven’t figured out why it chooses to show the list or not show the list when double tapped. Even when it does show the list, you can’t really do anything until you unlock the phone.

Curves in all the right places?

Curved screen edges are not a new feature for Samsung smartphones. We’ve seen them for several years now. In the past, I’ve had issues with my palm accidentally pressing the screen when I’m gripping it in my hand. I’m happy to say that I didn’t notice any of these problems with the S8. That said, I’m just not a big fan of rounded screen edges for the very reason that the screen wraps around the edge. It feels like the screen is squeezed and thinner/smaller than it should be.

I also don’t use the edge panels that are accessed by swiping the panel handle on the edge of the screen. If you’re not familiar with them, you can think of edge panels as an app speed dial list. I just don’t see the point.

The Samsung Galaxy S8’s 18.5:9 display is taller and narrower than the Samsung Galaxy S7 which makes it easier to hold and use with just one hand.

This is the first Samsung smartphone that does not have a physical home button. Do I miss the home button? Nope, not at all. But that’s mainly because I’ve been using the Nexus 6P as my primary phone for over a year, which also does not have a home button.

Before you ask, there is a home button, it’s just not a mechanical/physical button. It’s a virtual button that is always there, even on the lock screen. When you press the virtual home button, it vibrates to provide tactile feedback. The onscreen button graphics move slightly all the time to prevent screen burn in.

Audio quality

The Samsung Galaxy S8 sounds pretty great with the included AKG in-ear wired headphones which are worth about $100 on their own. Music sounds better through the S8 and headphones when compared to my Nexus 6P.

Listening to music, movies, etc using the built-in speaker is ok but it’s nothing to high five about.

Camera

When it comes to smartphone cameras, everyone’s go-to comparison is going to be with the latest iPhone. I don’t have an iPhone 7 or 7 Plus to do any comparisons with the S8 for this review, but I was not unhappy with the S8’s image snapping performance. I’ve included some samples below.






The camera interface is not too much different than previous models of the Galaxy phone. There are a few minor updates though. One nice update is that Samsung finally allows you to double tap the power button to launch the camera app. That means you can snap a quick pic without needing to first unlock the phone.


The app also has an easy way to zoom in by moving the on-screen shutter button up and down.

If you’re into silly Snapchat style image overlays, the S8’s camera app includes a few animal “stickers”. How do I look as a cat?


Clicking the stylized eye icon in the camera app will launch Bixby Vision. With Bixby Vision, you can point the camera at a product and it will look up the pricing info for it on Amazon. I tried it with a few items around the house and it worked surprisingly well. The only issue is that the phone has to be unlocked to use Bixby Vision. That means if you use the double tap power button feature to launch the camera app and then tap the Bixby Vision icon, you’ll be prompted to unlock the phone before you can use the product lookup feature.

Although the camera takes good pictures, it is a little disappointing that the S8 only has one camera lens on the back. So you can’t get the wide angle shots or the same bokeh (fuzzy background) features that the iPhone 7 Plus and LG G6 offers. I’m guessing that Samsung will save the dual camera feature for the Note 8.

Unlocking the phone

You’ve no doubt already heard that the fingerprint scanner is located on the back of the S8 next to the camera lens and that the location sucks. I’m not going to argue with that. The location DOES suck and I hate everything about the S8’s fingerprint scanner because it doesn’t work for me more than 1-2 times out of 10. Fingerprint scanners hate me… it’s just one of the sad facts of my gadget reviewing existence. However, I didn’t have any probs with the fingerprint scanner on the LG G6. It worked almost every time… which is rare for me. Because I have so much trouble with fingerprint scanners, I just don’t use them.

If you also have issues with fingerprint scanners, the S8/S8+ has three other ways to unlock the phone. You can use the iris scanner, face scanner, or go old school and setup a pattern. I find that using the pattern is the fastest way for me to unlock the phone because you have to swipe the unlock screen first to use the iris or face scanner which I think is an unnecessary step. I also use the Smart Lock feature which lets you unlock instantly by pressing the power button or home button when you’re at a trusted place, are connected to trusted devices, or use a trusted voice (the voice set up for Ok Google).

I also use the Smart Lock feature which lets you unlock instantly by pressing the power button or home button when you’re at a trusted place, are connected to trusted devices, or use a trusted voice (the voice set up for Ok Google).

Software and user interface


The S8’s user interface has Samsung’s TouchWiz interface on top of Android Nougat. There are a few things that TouchWiz changes about Nougat when compared to a Google Pixel or the Nexus 6P. For one thing, the icons have rounded frames around them so that they look alike. If you hate this feature like I do, you can turn it off, but Samsung’s apps retain the look even when you turn off the feature.

Another difference includes the option to toggle on a blue light filter which is supposed to help prevent eye strain by limiting the amount of blue light emitted by the screen.

But one of the biggest difference between the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ and other Android phones is Bixby Home, Vision and Voice. I already mentioned the Bixby Vision feature when I discussed the camera.

Bixby Home is like Google Now which you access by swiping right on the home screen. It shows cards with the weather, people who you contact regularly based on the time of day, calendar events, news and more. I rarely use Google Now on my Nexus 6P and don’t see a real need to use it on the S8 either.

Bixby Voice is supposed to be a virtual assistant like Alexa, Siri, and Ok Google. The problem is that doesn’t work yet, so it’s yet to be determined if it’s better than Ok Google which I seriously doubt it will be.

Using the Samsung Galaxy S8 for phone calls

I didn’t have any complaints from people I talked to while testing the Samsung Galaxy S8. Conversations on both sides of calls were clear and with ample volume. I also did not have any issues with dropped calls while testing this phone. Signal strength seemed to be no better or worse than other phones that I use and test on the Verizon network.

Overall performance and battery life using the Samsung Galaxy S8 for day to day tasks

The Samsung Galaxy S8’s performance is smooth and snappy. I had no issues launching apps, switching back and forth between apps, scrolling web pages, lists, etc. I also didn’t have any issues with the S8 freezing or crashing.

When it comes to battery life, I was easily able to make it through a full day and sometimes much longer before needing a recharge.

Also, the fact that the S8 has wireless charging gets a big thumbs up from me.

Final thoughts

When other reviewers say that the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ are the best smartphones in the world, I have to agree. The S8 is a solid well-made phone that looks great. It’s fast, has a very good camera and the screen is spectacular. Even though I’m not a fan of the curved display sides, I really have enjoyed using this phone and was sorry to box it up and return it to Verizon today.

The only downside to this phone is the price (especially if you plan to buy the unlocked version) but unfortunately, that is the trend led by Apple and I don’t see any relief in sight.

If you’re shopping for a new high-end Android smartphone and can’t make up your mind between the S8 and the LG G6, I feel your pain. It just comes down to what looks best to you. That said, I’m happy to recommend the S8.

Source: The short term loaner sample for this review was provided by Verizon Wireless. Please visit their site for more info and to order.

 

Product Information

Price: $756.00
Manufacturer: Samsung
Retailer: Verizon Wireless
Pros:
  • Gorgeous display
  • Wireless charging
  • Good battery life
  • microSD card slot
Cons:
  • Expensive
  • Fingerprint sensor location
  • Only one camera on the back
  • Downward firing speaker

Filed in categories: Featured Items, Reviews

Tagged: ,

Samsung Galaxy S8 review originally appeared on on June 1, 2017 at 11:57 am.

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LG G6 review


Thanks to Verizon Wireless, this is my first smartphone review of 2017 and this review of the LG G6 Android smartphone has a little surprise for our long time loyal readers of the Gadgeteer. It’s a special dual format review with Judie Stanford who was my partner in crime here on The Gadgeteer for several years before leaving to start her own site: Gear Diary. This review has two parts. Part one is what you’re currently reading and you can read part two of our dual LG G6 review on Gear Diary. Ok, let’s get started!

Julie: What is the first brand that you think of when someone says Android smartphone? How about the second brand? Was LG one of the names you thought of? To be honest, I’d have to answer no. The company name that is the first one that always comes to my mind is Samsung, and the second one is Motorola.

Judie: Yeah, I’d have to admit that Huawei and then Samsung are the first two I would usually think of, but LG has always been on my radar mainly because I like that they are willing to take chances and come up with innovative ideas, even if they don’t always catch on. I think that may be about to change, though …

Julie: It’s a shame that LG’s phones aren’t more popular because LG is a top tier Android smartphone maker and their new LG G6 is a great “little” phone in more ways that one.

Judie: This is true! I have to admit that I wasn’t overly excited about the LG G6 until I got one in my hands. Pictures, specs, and company copy are always going to make the latest phone seem like the greatest thing since sliced bread, but as reviewers, we tend to be a bit more skeptical and jaded because we see (almost) everything. That’s what happened to me with the LG G5; I loved the idea of the phone, but when I started using it I wasn’t sold. That has not been the case with the LG G6 — it’s a whole new little beast, and I mean that in the best way.

Julie: Same here. Although I liked the concept of the LG G5 as a modular phone, I was disappointed with the look and feel once I got to play with one. It just didn’t do anything for me and felt a little clunky and cheap. I am happy to see that the new G6 ditched the weird modular socket in favor of a more slab-like form factor.

Hardware Specifications

Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 821 2.35Ghz + 1.6Ghz, Quad-Core processor
Operating System: Android 7.0, Nougat
Memory: ROM 32GB, RAM 4GB, supports microSD up to 2 TB
Network: Network: CDMA, GSM, LTE, LTE CA
Display: 5.7″ QHD Plus (2880 x 1440), 564 ppi, 18:9 aspect ratio, Gorilla Glass 3
Camera (rear): dual 13 MP
Camera (front): 5 MP
Bluetooth: 4.2
Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/a
NFC
Battery: 3300 mAh (non-removable), wireless charging
Dimensions: 5.86″ (H) x 2.83″ (W) x 0.31″ (D)
Weight: 5.74 oz

What’s in the box?

LG G6
USB AC adapter
Type-C USB cable
SIM tray removal tool

Design and features

Julie: That’s my Nexus 6P next to the LG G6 in the image above. Both phones have a 5.7” display, but as you can see, the G6 has a smaller footprint which is more hand and pocket-friendly than the Nexus phablet. I carry my phone in the back pocket of my jeans when I’m walking around at work. I like that the G6 doesn’t stick out my pocket as far as the 6P.

What phone is your current daily driver and how do you think the LG compares when it comes to size?

Judie: My daily driver is the iPhone 7 Plus, and before I got the LG G6 to test, the Huawei Mate 9 was my go-to Android device. I usually prefer larger devices, simply because I find that if I am using one I am less likely to carry a tablet for reading. So from that perspective, I like the slightly longer G6 display in its slightly narrower body. I also regularly slip my phone into my back or front pocket, so it’s important that whatever I am carrying be pocketable; the LG G6 is that.

Just for fun here’s a picture of the G6 next to my iPhone 7 Plus, the BlackBerry KEYone, and the Huawei Mate 9. As you can see, the G6 has a longer yet thinner screen than the iPhone’s 5.5” display. The BB KEYone has a smaller 4.5” display, but the phone is about the same size as the others because of the keyboard. The Huawei Mate 9 has a 5.9” screen (which I love), but the phone is a little bit wider than I’d like.

Julie: What do you think of the LG G6’s overall style? Are you disappointed that it looks so “normal”, or do you like the flat unassuming look? I actually like it. Curved screens might be popular with some companies, but I am digging the flat slab look and feel of the G6.


Judie: I don’t mind the slab style at all, but I do prefer the look of the black on black LG G6 that you have to the black on silver G6 that I received. I think that the black on black looks sleeker. The silver bezel around the screen on the G6 I have just doesn’t give the illusion that the device is all screen like the black combo does (especially when the display is turned off), and I prefer that look — it’s why I have a jet black iPhone.

I do appreciate the G6’s slightly curved back, but I feel like its front edges are just a wee bit sharper and more abrupt than I’d like. The phone is also about 1mm thicker than the 7 Plus, so it makes the G6 appear blockier than it is when next to the 7 Plus. Does that make sense? Obviously, most people aren’t going to carry both phones next to each other, and this is all personal preference.

Julie: It’s funny, but the G6 reminds me of the iPhone 4 and 5 as far as the straight sides and shape.

Judie: Yes, that’s what it makes me think of, too! It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but even the iPhone has moved on from that style.

Julie: That was one of my fave phones back in the day, so it feels familiar to my hand. I don’t notice the edges of the aluminum sides feeling sharp when holding the phone in my hand, but I agree that the black on black version has a nice ninja look to it. But the shiny black glass back doesn’t come without its problems. First of all, it’s a fingerprint and smudge magnet.

Judie: That’s one area where the silver version might be better; it is shiny, but it has a brushed (appearing) finish, so it doesn’t seem to make the fingerprints seem as glaring.

Julie: Even worse, though, is that it’s crazy easy to scratch this phone. My loaner phone has a BUNCH of tiny scratches on the front display and back that I only noticed when I started taking pictures for this review. I don’t throw my phones around, but I don’t baby them either. The LG G6 is the first phone in a long time that I’ve scratched without even knowing it. People will definitely want/need to install a screen protector on the front glass, and if I were going to buy this phone, I’d probably buy a clear back skin to protect the back as well. Luckily the scratches are so fine and tiny that you don’t notice them unless you really look for them. I can’t even get a good image of them to show in the review. But I definitely wanted to mention it.

Judie: It’s interesting that you’ve had that experience with the black version. I’ve thrown the silver G6 in my backpack and carted it all over without a case or a screen protector, and so far so good. So I guess it’s a “your mileage may vary” type situation?

Julie: Possibly! Let’s take a tour around the phone. On the top edge, you’ll find a 3.5mm headphone jack and a microphone.

Judie: The 3.5mm jack is perfect for all of us who still have headphones that we love which aren’t wireless.

Julie: Very true. So what are your favorite headphones? Wired or wireless? Mine are wired (for now) and are the DUNU Titan 1 headphones that I’ve had for ages. They are really comfortable and sound great.

Judie; Nice sidebar! I review and use a lot of headphones, and I’ve tried so many great ones that picking a favorite isn’t easy. I keep the wireless Bowers & Wilkins P7s on my desk, though; I suppose that they are my go-to pair. For in-ear, I love the Pioneer Rayz (I keep a pair in my backpack at all times, as they are fab for travel), but they only work with iPhones that have a Lightning connector. They have a charging port on them so you can listen and charge your iPhone at the same time. Anyway, back to the review! 😉

Julie: On the opposite end of the G6 there’s a second microphone, a downward firing speaker, and a Type-C charging port. I’m happy to report that the LG G6 has Qi wireless charging capabilities. I forgot how much I missed this feature while I’ve been using the Nexus 6P for the last year and a half. The only downside is that the G6 does not have fast wireless charging like the Samsung Galaxy S8 devices. This doesn’t really bother me though because I mainly only put the G6 on my Qi dock when I go to bed at night, so I don’t care if it charges slowly.

Judie: I wish every phone available had wireless charging; it’s so convenient and easy! And since several automakers are starting to include wireless charging pads in their vehicles, and there are even coffee shops with wireless chargers on some of their tables, it’s all the more reason why wireless charging should be standard. However, if I’m not mistaken the wireless charging feature is only available in the US! Sorry, rest of the world! 😉

Julie: I totally agree. It felt like we were taking a step back with some phones in the past couple of years that removed that feature, but I hope that we see it become the norm going forward.

The right side of the phone has a dual SIM/micro SD card slot.

Judie: Obviously, if you need to use two SIM cards you’ll have to give up the memory slot, but if you travel out of the country a lot or if you need a separate number for work and personal use, it is so convenient to have the ability to consolidate two devices into one.

Julie: It didn’t even occur to me that you could put two SIMs in this phone. I guess since I’m not really a world traveler like you are, that capability hasn’t been on my radar. When you went to Lisbon last week, did you use two SIMs?

Judie; Not this time, but I have in the past. When I travel these days, I either use the KnowRoaming SIM sticker on my unlocked phone, or I’ll pay the $10 per day International Day Pass that AT&T just introduced — it allows you to use your existing data and texting plan overseas. Either is a good solution.

Julie: Although I’ve been able to get by without a microSD card in my phone for awhile now, I really like having that option.

Judie: The only reason I am able to get by without a memory card on my iPhone 7 Plus is because I bought the 256GB version. But being able to put a 200GB microSD card into the G6 is great — all the memory I need for downloaded movies, Dropbox documents, Kindle books, and Zinio magazines. Granted, with so much streaming content available now, having so much memory may seem like overkill, but I can’t be the only person who panics when they see a low memory warning. That’s why I always try to have a little more than I think I’ll ever need — I will inevitably find a way to fill it.

Julie: I keep seeing that low memory warning on my Nexus 6P these days which like the LG G6, only has 32GB of storage. But unlike the G6, the 6P does not have a microSD card slot. Ugh. It is freaking time for me to update to something with more space – or a microSD card!

Judie; What’s stopping you? Inquiring minds want to know!

Julie: I haven’t found the right one yet. It sounds like I’m trying to find a mate instead of a phone. Wow, first world problems huh? ;o)

Judie: Totally. 🙂

Julie: On the left side of the LG G6, you’ll find individual volume up and down buttons that stick out from the body of the phone far enough that your thumb has no problem locating them. They also have great tactile feedback.

Judie: I like that the volume buttons are on the same side as they are on the iPhone since it makes for zero fumbling when I go from one phone to the other. I don’t have the same luck when I switch to the Huawei Mate 9 or the BlackBerry KEYone. 😛

Julie: Since I’m a lefty, I always prefer that the volume buttons be located on the left side of the phone.

Judie: That makes sense! One of the things I wasn’t fully aware of when I first started using the LG G6 was that it has IP68 dust and water resistance and that it is also shock resistant with MIL-STD-810G testing; these are such great features! I think we’ve all got a personal horror story about soaking our phone(s) or we know someone who did that; with too many phones, the result is … not good.

Julie: Luckily, I’ve don’t have a personal horror story of drowning my phone, but knowing It can survive in up to a meter of water for up to 30 minutes gives me some peace of mind for any whoops scenarios that could happen.

Judie; I agree. It makes it less scary to take your phone to the pool or to use it in the bathroom (just saying).

Julie: This the end of Part 1 of Judie’s and my dual LG G6 review. Now you need to read part 2 at Gear Diary which includes our thoughts on the LG G6’s bezel-less display, camera, fingerprint scanner, software and our final thoughts.

Source: My sample for this review was a limited time loaner unit provided by Verizon Wireless, Judie’s was provided by LG. Please visit their site for more info.

 

Product Information

Price: $672.00
Manufacturer: LG
Retailer: Verizon Wireless
Pros:
  • Great size
  • Love the display
  • Really good fingerprint scanner experience (so far)
  • Wireless charging capabilities
Cons:
  • Scratches easily

Filed in categories: Featured Items, Reviews

Tagged:

LG G6 review originally appeared on on April 27, 2017 at 3:00 pm.

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