Tag: smartphone review

  • Google Pixel 9a Review Released Before Official Launch

    Google Pixel 9a Review Released Before Official Launch

    Key Takeaways

    1. Camera Design: The Pixel 9a features a nearly level camera island on the back, reducing wobbling, but has thicker bezels on the front, giving it a budget phone appearance.

    2. Pricing: The expected prices are $500 for the 128GB model and $600 for the 256GB model, positioning it in the premium mid-range segment, which some may consider high for its specifications.

    3. Camera Performance: The camera offers true-to-life color reproduction but lacks a telephoto lens and has weaker low-light video recording compared to competitors.

    4. Battery and Processing Power: Equipped with a 5,100mAh battery that lasts a full day, the phone runs on the Tensor G4 chip, which performs well in benchmarks but struggles with demanding tasks.

    5. User Experience: Google prioritizes a clean software experience over high-end specs, resulting in smooth navigation despite thicker bezels that may not appeal to all users.


    The Google Pixel 9a is set to be officially unveiled soon, but extensive leaks have already provided insight into the device. Reviews of the phone are surfacing, even without an official launch date. This pattern follows Google’s tradition of having its Pixel devices introduced amid numerous leaks. These early assessments not only showcase the phone’s features but also point out both its advantages and disadvantages.

    A Design Without a Camera Bump

    One standout feature of the Pixel 9a is its nearly level camera island on the back, which helps avoid the wobbling that many smartphones face in 2025. However, the front design does not impress as much. The thicker bezels give it the appearance of a budget phone, especially when the screen is off.

    Pricing and Specifications

    The Pixel 9a is anticipated to be priced at $500/€550/£500 for the 128GB model and $600/€650/£600 for the 256GB version, similar to what the Pixel 8a offered. While these prices position the Pixel 9a in the premium mid-range segment, some might view them as high given the specifications and features it brings to the table.

    Camera System and Performance

    The camera system has been applauded for its true-to-life color reproduction, especially in terms of skin tones. Nevertheless, it does not include a telephoto lens, which competitors like the S24 FE or the Nothing Phone 3a do offer. Additionally, its low-light video recording is not as strong compared to many rivals in the market.

    The phone is equipped with a 5,100mAh battery, which reviewers have found to last a full day comfortably. It operates on the Tensor G4 chip, which shows promising results in benchmarks but can struggle with intensive tasks like demanding games.

    Usability Experience

    Google does not seem to focus on specs to wow the market. Instead, it emphasizes a clean software experience, which often holds more weight than high performance or extra camera features. Navigating through the user interface appears to be smooth and enjoyable. Although the bezels are thicker than those on most competitors, users can adapt unless they are specifically seeking a device that stands out visually in every aspect.


  • OnePlus 13R Review: Attractive Smartphone with Some Shortcomings

    OnePlus 13R Review: Attractive Smartphone with Some Shortcomings

    Key Takeaways

    1. Impressive Battery Life: The OnePlus 13R features a 6,000 mAh battery, providing over 25 hours of runtime on Wi-Fi and over 40 hours of video playback with Wi-Fi off.

    2. Performance Issues: The device experiences significant heat generation, leading to a performance dip of up to 65% during demanding tasks like gaming.

    3. Display Specifications: The phone has an AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,264p and a dynamic refresh rate of 1 Hz to 120 Hz, but brightness claims could not be verified in testing.

    4. Brightness Discrepancies: Actual display brightness was lower than advertised, with recorded values significantly less than competitors, affecting video playback quality.

    5. Balanced Strengths and Weaknesses: While the OnePlus 13R has a premium build and strong battery life, performance challenges and display issues may lead buyers to explore other premium options.


    During our evaluation, the OnePlus 13R made a strong impression with its premium build and remarkable battery life. This OnePlus smartphone utilizes a blend of silicon and carbon in its anode, allowing for a robust battery capacity of 6,000 mAh (23.58 Wh). In our real-world battery assessments, conducted at a display brightness of 150 cd/m², this flagship phone showcased an impressive runtime exceeding 25 hours in the Wi-Fi test and over 40 hours during continuous video playback with the Wi-Fi module turned off.

    Performance Challenges

    However, the OnePlus flagship (MRSP: $599.99) sometimes does not live up to its own expectations. The 13R is marketed as “top performance intelligently designed.” In our testing, we observed significant heat generation, causing the processor to throttle considerably within this high-end smartphone. During our 3DMark stress tests, we noted a performance dip of up to 65 percent. Users can expect noticeable performance variations, especially when running demanding applications like games or graphics-heavy tasks.

    Display Quality

    The OnePlus 13R features an AMOLED display with a resolution of 1,264p, offering a pixel density of 450 PPI and dynamically adjusting its refresh rate from 1 Hz to 120 Hz via LTPO technology. The specifications claim a peak brightness of 4,500 nits. However, we could not verify this figure in our testing. We also couldn’t confirm OnePlus’ assertions when displaying a white background (1,213 cd/m²) or an APL18 pattern (1,262 cd/m²). While playing 4K video content, we recorded a brightness of only 1,086 cd/m², which is notably lower compared to its competitors like the Xiaomi 14T Pro (4,407 cd/m²) that performs significantly better.

    Conclusion

    In conclusion, while the OnePlus 13R shines in certain areas, it also exhibits some shortcomings that potential buyers should be aware of. With its impressive battery life and solid build quality, it certainly has its strengths. However, performance issues under load and discrepancies in display brightness may lead some users to consider other options in the premium smartphone market.

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