27 Oct
Blog

Glass Skin And Dolphin Skin: How To Get The No-Filter Face Of Your Dreams

How can we forget the glass skin, the 2017 Holy Grail Korean beauty trend that sought us out for a way to achieve a moist, porous complexion? Skin so flawless that it shimmers like glass.

Now we have another similar trend that is making a splash and coming from a rather unlikely source: dolphins. We're excited about these trends, not because of their goals of achieving translucent perfection, but because they promote skin care maintenance and thorough routines. Let's dive deep into glass skin and dolphin skin – and find out how you, too, can shine brightly like a diamond (or in this case a dolphin).

From K-pop, Korean soaps and celebrity looks, South Korea brought us a lot of influences. How many of us have experimented with snail mucin creams and ampoules or looked for a definition of “chok chok”?

In case you were curious, “Chok Chok”, translated “wet skin,” was one of the first wet skin trends that caught our attention. The glass skin trend soon followedHis trend calls for skin that is so porous and moisturizing that it shines like a sheet of glass.

Dolphin skin is similar to glass skin in that both trends are about moisture. The main difference, however, is that the look of the dolphin skin requires layers of highlighter and blush. The highlighter is designed to fall over the heights of your cheekbones like rays of sunshine, giving you a slippery, fresh out of the water look, like you had smooth skin like the aquatic mammal.

Don't stress, we have developed a routine to help you get there with our ideal ingredients.

How to Get Glass Skin and Dolphin Skin: An Overview

The solution to achieving glass and dolphin skin is a routine that includes products that gently exfoliate and remove dead skin cells and products that moisturize the skin. For both skincare looks, the routines are nearly identical, except that for dolphin skin, the final step is to apply makeup (see below).

An example routine would be:

Star Ingredients For Your Skin Care Routine

Step 1: double cleaning

The backbone of Korean skin care is double cleansing, and it's an essential step for both of those skin care looks too. With a two-step technique, a double cleansing removes dirt, sebum and make-up.

The big issue here is Hydration. In terms of ingredients, look for cleansers that contain moisturizing oils like sunflower oil, which is high in vitamins A, D, and E or jojoba oil as it is easily absorbed by the skin. You may also want to choose detergents that contain very mild ones Peeling properties for simultaneous cleansing and gentle peeling.

Even if you're not wearing makeup, double cleansing has advantages. An accumulation of sun protection factor, sebum and dust from the air can clog pores and lead to blemishes.

Step 2: exfoliate

One step towards clearer skin is peeling – physical or chemical peeling. This process removes dead skin cells from the skin's surface and smoothes the texture by removing debris.

If you're wondering what the difference is, a chemical peel uses naturally occurring enzymes or acids like alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) to remove dead skin cells. Physical peels are products like peels that contain small granules or pearls, or tools like a brush for manual exfoliation.

The Mangosteen Daily Resurfacing Cleanser is an example of a chemical peel as it contains lactic acid. In comparison, a product like the turmeric energizing treatment is a physical exfoliator that scrubs the skin with the grittiness of zeolite and turmeric powder.

Step 3: toner

Now for the step so many of us skip! Perhaps you have had bad experiences in the past with toners drying you out? Don't worry, alcohol-based toners are a thing of the past and are definitely not recommended in a glass or dolphin skin routine.

The purpose of a toner is to rebalance your skin's pH, moisturize it, and allow it to penetrate the skin better. We want to use toner with moisturizing ingredients like moisturizing and nourishing coconut milk and oils like neroli oil for hydration.

Step 4: essence

Essence is the epicenter of Korean skin care, a lightweight formula that restores moisture and moisturizes your complexion. They apply essence to a clean face to prepare the skin for the next products like serum and moisturizer.

For the glass and dolphin skin look like essences with ingredients like Botanical collagen helps with elasticity and improves the barrier function. Look for ultra-moisturizing antioxidants like snow mushrooms that help skin look stronger and healthier. Other powerful ingredients, like reishi mushrooms, can aid in hydration and are a powerful source of antioxidants that help minimize puffiness.

Step 5: serum and oils

Keeping your skin hydrated is important when looking for a moist complexion. And you can do this with both serums and oils. Typically, facial serums are used to solve certain skin problems, while oils are used to help moisturize. And maybe you want to do both here depending on if you have problem areas. The great thing about Korean skin care is that the routines are customizable.

Our example Strawberry Rhubarb Hyaluronic Serum targets hydration and the visible signs of aging. It contains a botanical hyaluronic acid (made from marshmallow plant extract) that is deeply moisturizing, smoothing and replenishing the appearance of the skin to minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. This serum also targets the appearance of wrinkles by using a BioComplex, a booster made from antioxidants, Coenzyme Q10 and Alpha Lipoic Acid to reduce the appearance of fine lines and signs of aging.

You can also apply an oil at this step to keep your complexion looking soft and smooth. A product with camellia oil like our Camellia Glow Solid Face Oil rejuvenates the appearance of the skin. Its hemp seed oil ingredient is rich in vitamins and antioxidants, and marula oil is filled with fatty acids – two other types of oils that moisturize the skin for a shiny look.

Step 6: moisturizer

Another important product for a glowing glow is a good moisturizer that has ingredients like hyaluronic acid to help draw moisture into your skin. You can search too Ingredients rich in antioxidants such as cloudberry seeds, arctic rose root, arctic meadowsweet and juniper sprouts. Antioxidants protect your skin by limiting the production of free radicals for a soft, smooth appearance. And healthy, soft skin brings you one step closer to a skin made of glass or dolphins.

Step 7: highlighter and blush (for the dolphin skin look)

There is one final step that differentiates the look of the glass skin from the look of the dolphin skin – the application of makeup. To get the look of the dolphin skin, the final step is to apply highlighters or iridescent products and blush for the look of high cheekbones. You'll want to apply it to the tip and bridge of the nose, temples, forehead bones, and chin.

Additional tips for achieving glass skin and dolphin skin

Tip 1: a clear skin diet

Luminous skin starts from within! To achieve glowing skin and good overall health, it's a good idea to avoid sugar, alcohol, processed and packaged foods. Instead, cooking for yourself and with whole foods are habits that affect your skin and your overall health. Omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to reduce inflammation, relieve acne symptoms, and even improve your skin's sensitivity to the sun's harmful UV rays. Try eating more foods like fish, eggs, soy products, kale, walnuts, or almonds and see how your body reacts.

Tip 2: Introduce a self-care ritual

Korean beauty philosophy shares similar tenets with Eminence Organic Skin Care when it comes to self-care. To relieve stress and help your skin, we recommend a variety of routines that can turn into fun rituals. This can mean devoting 10 minutes to your skin care routine in the morning and evening. You can visit a spa or create your own spa at home by soaking in the tub with candles. Even long, hot showers can create a kind of steam room! Whatever you choose to do, little rituals where you focus on yourself will help you relax and reconnect at the end of a long day.

Tip 3: move around and exercise

And when it comes to youthful looking skin, exercise is pretty good for combating early signs of aging. Exercise increases blood flow to the skin and improves oxygen transport, among other nutrients, to minimize inflammation in your body.

What are your best tips for glowing, flawless skin? Let us know in the comments below and share your best #energizeandglow look on Insta. Your photo could be featured on @eminenceorganics' Instagram account.

27 Oct
Blog

The Move Well Project

This week's guest is Chris Peil, a sports rehabilitation expert who helps Olympians and the strongest man in the world get out of pain and get back to their best performance.

Continue reading

27 Oct
Blog

The best weight lifting gloves for a smooth fitness routine daily

Heavy weights and barbells can make your hands rough. They can cause calluses that tear off the skin, making it weak. Weightlifting gloves are an effective way of preventing such problems and keeping the skin smooth. You may be wondering what kind of Weightlifting gloves are the best and where to find them. In this article, we're going to give you the details and help you maintain a smooth fitness routine forever!

Why Choose the Best Weightlifting Gloves?

Weightlifting gloves don't just prevent skin damage to your hand. It also prevents serious injuries and hand pain that can occur from long workouts. These gloves provide natural support that allows flexibility, resistance, and strength to perform daunting tasks without great pain. This is the reason why buying the best weightlifting gloves is important.

Today we're going to look at some of the best gym gloves that will help provide the best experience while exercising. These gloves are characterized by the latest features and excellent efficiency, so that no stone is left unturned. So if you don't know which gloves to go for, you can always refer to this article if you need to.

The best wrist brace weightlifting gloves

Have you ever felt severe pain in your hands when lifting heavy weights? This is because your bones and muscles are working hard and are not getting the protection they need to perform better. As a result, your body will be exhausted long before it should. With Weightlifting gloves with wrist supportThis can be prevented. Here's how!

1.RDX Gym weightlifting gloves for women

No matter how helpful your weightlifting gloves are, without a pint of fashion they won't make it into the lady's car. This pair of RDX gloves is now making the rounds for its gorgeous appearance and fashionable protection. The pink gloves go perfectly with every woman's hand in the gym. So, Weightlifting gloves for women is the best way to prevent these blisters, pain, and injuries in your hand. The glove has well-padded gloves that are of first class quality. The handle is strong and comfortable to avoid complications. The easy-care fit of the gloves also makes them an outstanding product. The only drawbacks are that the gloves have a rhinestone decoration that may be too excessive for the wearer. The Velcro fastener is short and creates a little discomfort. Overall, the product is a good buy!

2.MIMI Grip Power Pads women's sports gloves

This glove is one of the best weights gloves for women that I came over With its attractive pink upholstery, it offers several other features that will impress the wearer. The glove has a strong wrist lock that comfortably secures the palm. The rubberized handles provide an excellent grip and give every workout a smooth finish. The Velcro fastener is pretty strong, making the entire product worth buying. There is no such disadvantage with this product. For anyone looking to buy an affordable weightlifting glove, this should be the one.

3. Fit Four – The Gripping training gloves

If you don't prefer full gloves, this one may have the comfort you are looking for. One of best weights for lifting gloves However, this model features a minimalist design that only covers the hand area that needs to be protected. With an excellent grip, better comfort, and good air circulation, it's a good buy for the fitness freak. The gloves are also light and help everyone to wear them without much discomfort. Finally, the hexagonal textured handles make for better traction for many reasons. Doesn't it feel like a worthy purchase?

The only downside to this glove is that the protection of the wrist is minimal due to a lack of full hand coverage. In addition, the quality is at a normal level, which makes it unsuitable for people who want a long service life.

4. Go Fit Women's Pro Sport-Tac Training Gloves

Good quality and comfortable weightlifting glove are a necessity. While not that good compared to others, it has all of the features you need for a standard workout routine. This is a budget-friendly choice for women, although not as fashionable. These wrist brace weightlifting gloves promise improved grip, optimal airflow, and great durability, making them an incredible product. It also helps to protect your hands as much as possible. Although there may be a lack of adequate padding, it is convenient to do workouts when necessary.

The final result

These were the best weightlifting gloves that will change the fitness game for you. Don't miss out on purchasing any of these products if you need a helpful glove while exercising.

FAQ

1. Can you name more weightlifting gloves for women?

Spike Premium Leather Gym Loves are another set of excellent ones Weightlifting gloves for women.

2. Are the Best Weightlifting Gloves Helpful?

Yes. The best weightlifting gloves are best for a reason.

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27 Oct
Blog

The Move Well Project | Breaking Muscle

Our guest today is Chris Peil. Chris is a sports rehabilitation professional who specializes in helping people get back to their best performance after the medical community has tried and failed. His no-nonsense, logical, no-nonsense approach is a breath of fresh air compared to much of the hot air and self-promotion you see from people who are far less skilled.

Chris flies under the radar for someone to work with Olympians, professional athletes, and World Champion of the Strongest Man, Eddie Hall. Its lack of self-promotion is refreshing, but it robs the world of its wealth of wisdom. Listen to this episode to learn from a real gem in the fitness industry.

If you enjoyed this podcast and cared about it, rate and rate it so we can get the word out and motivate and inspire others to take their performance to the next level.

You can find more podcasts like this on the Breaking Muscle Six Pack of Knowledge page. Here you can find all podcasts for most of the available streaming services including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher, PlayerFM and PodBean.

I am the host, Tom MacCormick, and I am a personal trainer and online coach whose goal is to be the curator of the greatest hypertrophy experts in the world. If you're interested in working with me or learning more about me, follow me on Instagram @tommaccormick.

26 Oct
Blog

Apple iPhone 12 Pro Review: A Step Above the Competition

iPhone 12 Pro

"The iPhone 12 Pro is the choice for those who want to take their phone experience beyond the ordinary."

  • Exceptional design and workmanship

  • Fantastic photo and video quality

  • High quality display

  • Universal 5G network

  • The MagSafe utility is questionable

  • Limited improvements over iPhone 12

The range of phones from Apple has grown steadily in size and thus in complexity. For the end of 2020 we also have four iPhone 12 models in three sizes and several hundred dollars the iPhone SE, iPhone XR, and iPhone 11 these are still on sale. Apple will sell you a new iPhone that will suit just about every possible need, regardless of size, features, and budget.

However, in the eyes of many people, there is only one choice: the latest Pro model. The iPhone 12 Pro differs less from the “standard” model than the Pro from last year and still has a premium of 200 US dollars. Is it still the one to get? Let's discuss.

Hardware, design and display

After three years of the same rounded design, we have something fresh to put our eyes and hands on. The iPhone 12 series has a wonderfully angular, plate-like appearance. For the 12 Pro, an upgraded stainless steel frame that's not excusingly heavier than the aluminum 12 is beautifully finished with an intense sheen and a flat glass back that maintains the 11 Pro's etched matte texture.

iPhone 12 Pro

The color "Pacific Blue" is not nearly as strong as the candy-like blue of the iPhone 12, but it does match the overall subtle atmosphere of the Pro line. The hyper-glossy sides are undoubtedly luxurious, but they do collect fingerprints at an incredible rate – on top they offer some support to counteract the slippery back. The 12 Pro may not be as ergonomic as the 11 Pro, but the glossy sides and sharp edges provide plenty of grip if you want to use it without a case.

It's refreshing to see a brand new iPhone design, and the Pro interfaces take it to a new level.

As a total object to keep your eyes on, it is as great as you would expect from an Apple product. Lines, tolerances and overall finish are perfect. However, this design suffers from a flaw: a "window" cut in the lower right to make room for a mmWave antenna – something exclusive to the US model that you can never really miss after you noticed it.

Apple kicked it out of the park again. A new OLED has now been increased diagonally to 6.1 inches (from 5.8 inches) and runs at a solid 460 pixels per inch. It's calibrated fantastically, balancing gorgeous colors with accuracy. The subtle True Tone adjustments made to match the ambient lighting conditions are the icing on the cake. The display also has smaller bezels on all sides, which appear even smaller thanks to the sharp vertical sides that have replaced the previous subtle curves. Although the 12 Pro is a bit bigger than the 11 Pro, it really doesn't feel like it. You still have a big notch at the top that my eyes never entirely forget, but Face ID is so amazing I can forgive it.

Apple threw it out of the park again with this new display.

It's noteworthy that the 12 Pro operates at a refresh rate of 60 Hz – every other phone over $ 700 is 90 Hz or 120 Hz. However, IOS is so fluid and well-managed that it's not a massive loss, but your eyes are Definitely notice the drop after using another phone. It's just a quality of life improvement that you know you could have elsewhere. We look at our screens for hours a day, so I think we deserve a high refresh rate.

The screen doesn't get as bright as the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, but the viewing angles and reflectivity are so great you'll never have trouble seeing the screen outdoors. It shows a brightness of "1,200 nits" for this display, but that's a misnomer. When viewing HDR photos or videos, 1,200 nits can be achieved. That's cool, but not regular. The important number is 800 nits, which corresponds to the typical full screen brightness. That's still very bright and a place where the display beats the cheaper iPhone 12, which beats 600 nits (but interestingly still 1,200 nits for HDR).

iPhone 12 and iPhone 12 Pro

Aside from the significant changes you can see to the hardware, there is one big change you can't see: new "Ceramic Shield" glass over the display. It looks and feels the same as any other smartphone, but Apple claims it has four times the durability – which, of course, I didn't move out of the way to test it out. Given the number of phones we all use with broken screens and the number of pop-up screen repair shops, this is obviously a necessary improvement.

Notably, the back is still made of the more common ion exchange glass and is still likely to crack at about the same rate as any other glass-backed phone. Nor does Apple claim that Ceramic Shield is any less scratch sensitive than any other glass, which is only part of the deal – there is an inherent trade-off between scratch resistance and crack resistance. This is something we will all have to deal with over time – although there are screen protectors for the paranoid.

Features, software and performance

Apple has cultivated an extraordinary holistic experience of combining hardware and software, the core of which doesn't really change from generation to generation. This is especially true because iOS 14 is available again for the iPhone 6S, so almost anyone upgrading from an old iPhone won't expect any surprises on the 12 Pro. There's no need to go into a complete look at how iOS is a great operating system, especially since so few people are actually switching between Android and iOS right now.

The iPhone 12 Pro simply expands and enhances the iPhone experience you already know. With the A14 Bionic chip that runs the show, the 12 Pro does everything at a breakneck pace – there is nothing you can do to slow it down. Playing games, multitasking, taking photos and videos, and going through every app imaginable is easy and worry-free. It turns out that it also has 6GB of RAM, compared to 4GB in the iPhone 12, which improves performance and makes iOS updates even better for years to come.

iPhone 12 MagSafe accessories

A whole new iPhone experience is MagSafe – an old name with a new purpose. With a magnetic ring on the back of the phone, you can connect standardized accessories that come in almost any shape. Apple has a $ 39 MagSafe charger that delivers 15 watts of power (more than a standard wireless charger) and it's convenient because you know with 100% certainty that it will charge when you plug it in. It's also great for playing with the phone in landscape mode.

MagSafe has promises, but you shouldn't expect it to change your life on Day 1.

However, the true promise of the MagSafe experience has yet to be fulfilled. The first-party covers (read: expensive) from Apple all support MagSafe because they have magnets that are guaranteed to work with other attachments. However, no magnets are required for these cases. Using a thin case eliminates the need for magnets to work with the MagSafe charger. But you can bet the vast majority of iPhone 12 cases will have the magnets anyway.

Any accessory company can make MagSafe products, so there are some amazing ideas out there – from multi-device desktop chargers to vehicle mounts to modular bike and tripod mounting systems. And all of this is especially exciting if you don't normally use a suitcase, as you no longer need to put on a company's suitcase for that company's accessories to work – your phone is fully compatible on its own.

Welcome to the 5G future (and present)

iPhone 12 5G speed tests

It would be almost impossible to know the iPhone 12 and not know it has 5G. Apple and every carrier in the world have emphasized it. But is that really important? Similar to the discussion about MagSafe, 5G is full of potential for the future and unfulfilled promises in the present.

iPhone 12 and 5G: How It Will (Eventually) Make a Difference

First and foremost, your 5G experience depends on your network operator and where you live. (Attention: Nerdy Talk Ahead.) T-Mobile has the largest 5G network footprint as it is based on the far-reaching and easy-to-implement Sub-6 standard that is based on low-band spectrum. AT&T is in a tight second place as it is also mainly based on Sub-6.

Verizon, on the other hand, just turned on its Sub-6 network with a limited amount of spectrum after years of investing money into its high-band mmWave (millimeter wave) 5G network. While mmWave is incredibly fast and leads to absurd potential downloads in excess of 4 Gbps, it is also (currently) incredibly unreliable as it has an absurdly short range. We talk about losing a signal by taking a few steps, turning around, or letting a dense tree blow in the wind. T-Mobile and AT&T also have mmWave networks with a small footprint, but this is not the core of their 5G network.

There is no reason to buy a 5G phone for mmWave. It is only available in tiny parts of a handful of cities nationwide. It's just a bonus if you see it a couple of times.

Sub-6 5G, on the other hand, is basically like charged 4G: widespread coverage, faster speeds, no impact on battery life, and a seamless transition to 4G. With Sub-6 on T-Mobile in New York City, I routinely had download speeds in the 100Mbps to 300Mbps range and uploads in the 25Mbps to 75Mbps range. Not mind-blowing, especially when the ping times (30ms to 50ms) often match 4G, but it's just faster and works just like you're used to.

5G is not yet groundbreaking, but you can see a remarkable and consistent improvement in daily speed.

Knowing that 5G networks are not fully developed, Apple has a number of smart controls in place to reduce the impact of transitions between networks. By default, voice and data are set to “5G Auto”, which prioritizes the best overall network experience. You can set it to “5G On” to stick to 5G as much as possible. You can also set your data mode to “Allow more data on 5G” from “Standard”. This allows the phone to use full 5G cloth for all sorts of things, maximizing video quality when streaming or chatting.

Apple's default settings are the correct ones here, and most users shouldn't touch these settings. Network usage is handled pretty well between the phone and the carrier to give you the best combination of speed and battery usage. I stuck to the default settings and saw 5G almost 100% of the time, barring trips on the subway and some buildings.

Battery life

Whenever Apple introduces its phones, it always cites very ambiguous battery life like "17 hours of video playback over WiFi", which isn't the least bit useful. This time around, however, it was significant that Apple made no claims about longer battery life. And now we know why: the iPhone 12 Pro's battery is actually smaller than the 11 Pro's. However, capacity has never been a major concern for the iPhone as the chipset and operating system work together to get the most out of it.

That’s the case again. The A14 Bionic is clearly an exceptional piece of silicon and works perfectly hand in hand with iOS 14. With the 12 Pro, as I did with my 11 Pro months ago, battery life was generally great. In a full day of casual use with email, social apps, messages, photos, maps, maps, and numerous pocket casts, I would use 3 to 4 hours of screen time and still have 20% to 30% of my battery life at the end of the day leave.

The battery still dramatically outperforms its capacity, although it doesn't offer the same confidence as the 11 Pro.

The only limitation is that you hit the phone hard, especially when networking. It turns out that you use a 5G connection that is over 200Mbps a lot! When you stream videos, they are of the highest quality. If you can download and upload large files in a moment, do so now instead of waiting to get home. And when you're running your hot spot, you can use your laptop as if it had great WiFi at home – and that takes a lot of battery power.

With 20% to 30% leeway, those tough days put me in low power mode to get through the evening – but I made it anyway. I certainly feel that the 12 Pro's battery has less headroom than my 11 Pro's, but that doesn't matter.

The only limitation is that you are regularly using an mmWave 5G network, which is currently consuming more and more power as your phone is almost constantly switching to and from the network for data transfers, constantly looking for new towers. This is primarily an issue for Verizon customers and less so for AT&T and T-Mobile, but there is something to be aware of. It's also a problem that is a problem "right now" as mmWave is still struggling to build a sizeable footprint.

I also have to praise Apple for their battery-saving charger, which by default slows down the charge rate after 80% charge to minimize the time the phone spends at 100%. Spending a lot of time on 0% or 100% on a charger is bad for batteries, and tons of smartphones implement these protections to help extend battery life. The Apple version is seamless.

Cameras

The iPhone 12 Pro takes a well-known 12 megapixel sensor and combines it with a new lens with a larger f / 1.6 aperture, resulting in a 27% improvement in low-light performance. The physics is well known: a larger aperture lets more light into the sensor and requires faster shutter speeds and lower ISO values. That means sharper and smoother photos in all lighting conditions.

I'll focus on photos in low light for now as there's an improvement this year that is clearly visible. Low-light photos on the 12 Pro are consistently smoother, less grainy, and yet sharper than before. Apple's multi-frame and "Deep Fusion" processing, which relies on the A14 Bionic's "Neural Engine", superimposes frames to create incredible shots with good detail, correct colors and white balance. You can now also use the night mode for the ultrawide camera, which provides far weaker results compared to the main camera, but is dramatically better than last year without it.

Night photos show the greatest improvement and the results are incredible.

I'm not going to say outright that the 12 Pro's Night Mode shots are better than the Google Pixel 5's Night Vision, but it's neck to neck in most situations, and an extra point goes to Apple's camera app for a smooth transition between the modes. You don't have to switch to night mode like with Night Sight – it just happens automatically.

Photos with good lighting are more like the same. Apple takes an incredibly consistent, solid, and relatively neutral approach to camera processing. Colors pop, but not too much. The exposure is nailed to perfection throughout. Highlights and lowlights are rarely blown out, but you don't get an overworked faux HDR look. All in all, the iPhone 12 Pro is difficult to take a bad photo – and it's easy to take a great photo.

The 12 Pro's LiDAR camera, which is mainly used for auto focus in low light conditions, also allows for better depth imaging for effects in portrait orientation. Portrait mode continues to be a love-hate relationship to me because when the camera pegs it it's mind-blowing, but when it's missing it ruins a photo. There are still cases where Portrait Mode can make your subject look like a cardboard cutout against a background, and in many cases there are fun mix-ups where an ear, arm, or item of clothing is defocused. Portrait mode still works best for an actual portrait – also known as shoulder-on – where there are far fewer potential sources of error.

The lidar camera also allows recordings in night portrait mode, so the function is only available for 12 Pro and Pro Max. As long as you can bring your subject to a standstill, the results are surprisingly good. There are actually fewer ways to handle foul ups as the shot will be softer and smoother overall, although it is far less likely to come out sharp where it matters – that just comes with the territory.

Daylight shots are consistently great, and the portrait mode approaches perfection.

I'll save you from seeing a gallery of selfies, but Apple hasn't upgraded the 11 Pro's front camera hardware. There's better processing, including Deep Fusion and "Smart HDR 3", as well as night mode. I found the photos to be the same – aka very good – as before. Night mode added little to the experience as it was far too difficult to stay still and keep your arm still enough to get a sharp shot.

Aside from the improvements in the stills, Dolby Vision HDR video recording is Apple's other massive marketing push alongside 5G. Dolby Vision is really cool as it makes your video look just amazing – better highlights and lowlights, better peak brightness, everything. Unfortunately, you can only view Dolby Vision on a latest generation iPhone, MacBook, or Apple TV connected to a compatible TV. Otherwise, everywhere you export your video, you will get converted SDR video.

Dolby Vision can be displayed in many more locations in the future. For this reason, I would recommend just leaving it enabled in the settings. But otherwise, just expect the standard iPhone video experience: it's great looking video that is incredibly stable even on handhelds and while walking, and even if you stick to the standard 1080p resolution (see above). Increase the image size up to 4K 30 frames per second for even better results, although the file size triples in the process. Fortunately, the iPhone 12 Pro has a base of 128 GB of storage.

Dolby Vision is an amazing tech demo, but it has a lot of limitations. Thankfully, SDR video is still great.

The only real downside is knowing that despite the fact that it is a "Pro" model, it is not the best camera Apple makes. This is the case with the iPhone 12 Pro Max, which has a larger main sensor with a new optical image stabilization system (OIS) as well as a different telephoto lens with a longer focal length. The 12 Pro also has only minor advantages over the Base 12, with a (honestly weak) telephoto camera and a lidar sensor – the core camera experience is otherwise identical. Taken together, knowing it's not that different from the 12 Pro takes some shine from the "Pro" feel of the 12 Pro, and the 12 Pro Max has the real Pro camera.

Our opinion

The iPhone 12 Pro has a smaller addressable market this year as it is under pressure from multiple angles. It's a relatively small year-over-year upgrade of the 11 Pro, is only marginally more interesting than the base iPhone 12, which costs $ 200 less, and doesn't have the same “Pro” camera as the larger iPhone 12 Pro Max .

There's no need to talk about how much value 5G, MagSafe, Dolby Vision, and general camera improvements add to this experience as they can all be found on the base iPhone 12. For most people, the iPhone 12 Pro is over the top – it's more marginal utility money. But it's better, and sometimes that's all you need to know to go pro.

There's still reason to want the iPhone 12 Pro. The stainless steel frame gives you a reassuring weight and sense of quality, and the finish and colors are arguably nicer than the base 12's. The telephoto camera and lidar sensor are just the icing on the cake overall represents an extraordinary camera experience. The battery life is good, the screen is fantastic, and the A14 Bionic, coupled with plenty of storage and 128GB of base storage, gives you years of care to keep this phone for a long time to come.

I recommend most undecided iPhone buyers choose the iPhone 12 instead, as it is so similar and costs less. However, if you know from the start that you are a Pro user, there is no need to convince you: the iPhone 12 Pro is the phone for you.

Are there any better alternatives?

The clear alternative to the iPhone 12 Pro is the base iPhone 12. It costs $ 200 less and still offers a nearly identical everyday experience. They're exactly the same size, run the same software, have the same battery, and offer the same core functionality. The 12 Pro simply offers more memory, more basic memory as well as a telephoto camera and a lidar sensor and looks significantly different with new colors and a steel frame. Most users should start their iPhone searches with the 12 and only choose the 12 Pro if they know they need the advanced features.

On the Android side, there's a big argument in favor of saving money as well Get the Pixel 5 for just $ 700. It follows the simple "less is more" mood of the iPhone taking the best of any Android device and having a comparable camera. There is also the OnePlus 8Tthat offers a similar experience for the same price, but with a little more flair. At the upper end a Galaxy S20 + can be found for about the same price as the iPhone 12 Pro and judging by hardware quality and features. It also comes from the only brand that Apple is really asking for credit.

How long it will take?

IPhones are known to have an incredibly long lifespan thanks to support for software updates that lasts for several years. With the A14 Bionic chip, 5G network, and a top-end display, you'll have no problem getting three years out of the iPhone 12 Pro before you feel like you're a little behind the times. The only questions will be how the Ceramic Shield display glass will hold up and whether the battery will degrade properly over time.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The iPhone 12 Pro is the perfect embodiment of Apple's great smartphone experience that doesn't cut corners or skip specifications for cost savings.

Editor's recommendations




26 Oct
Blog

The Move Well Project | Breaking Muscle

Our guest today is Chris Peil. Chris is a sports rehabilitation professional who specializes in helping people get back to their best performance after the medical community has tried and failed. His no-nonsense, logical, no-nonsense approach is a breath of fresh air compared to much of the hot air and self-promotion you see from people who are far less skilled.

Chris flies under the radar for someone to work with Olympians, professional athletes, and World Champion of the Strongest Man, Eddie Hall. Its lack of self-promotion is refreshing, but it robs the world of its wealth of wisdom. Listen to this episode to learn from a real gem in the fitness industry.

If you enjoyed this podcast and cared about it, rate and rate it so we can get the word out and motivate and inspire others to take their performance to the next level.

You can find more podcasts like this on the Breaking Muscle Six Pack of Knowledge page. Here you can find all podcasts for most of the available streaming services including iTunes, Google Play, Spotify, YouTube, Stitcher, PlayerFM and PodBean.

I am the host, Tom MacCormick, and I am a personal trainer and online coach whose goal is to be the curator of the greatest hypertrophy experts in the world. If you're interested in working with me or learning more about me, follow me on Instagram @tommaccormick.

26 Oct
Blog

Here are the best weightlifting shoes to meet your fitness goals

The best weightlifting shoes are essential for effective training. Since handling heavyweights puts immense strain on our lower body, it is important to ensure its safety. Weight lifting shoes are useful for this purpose. These shoes are also useful to ensure stability when exercising. The importance of weightlifting shoes today is far reaching. For this reason, shoe brands are striving to best weightlifting shoes this can offer the wearer unequivocal functions. Let's find out more about them!

Buy the best weightlifting shoes for CrossFit now

If you are a weightlifter you know the importance of weightlifting shoes. These shoes are the need of the hour as they help maintain the shape essential when lifting weights. To prevent your legs from suffering, these shoes are lifesaving. Let's scroll through that best weightlifting shoes for women and men you can buy instantly with no guilt!

1. Adidas Men's Powerlift 3.1

Adidas has been the best shoemaker in weightlifting for years. This show from Adidas is standout because of its wonderful features. The shoe has an insole with strap closure in lateral stability and also offers a lower heel. The lower heels prevent people from falling forward during a deadlift exercise. It is impeccable how such high quality shoes are sold out for all of us at affordable prices. So these are them best weightlifting shoes for men today.

November 2nd, men's express lift 325

For those who have been wearing weightlifting shoes for years, these are the first choice. The Inov-8 Men’s Fast Lift 325 is characterized by impressive stability and offers sufficient ankle support even for cross-fitters. In addition, the insole strap is very comfortable to hold on the foot and does not suffocate the legs. This best weightlifting shoes for men are sold at affordable prices so people can buy it without pinching their penny. Unfortunately, while it is convenient for everyone, if you are looking for a great shoe, it is not.

3. NOBULL women's training shoes and styles

Simple weightlifting shoes like these are the reason walking feels ten times easier now. NOBULL shoes are that best weightlifting shoes for women in the moment as they are comfortable for all kinds of movements. Whether you're walking, dragging, running, or climbing, these shoes are ideal. The stylish design is another highlight of this shoe. The best part is that these shoes come in thirteen different colors so you can experiment with fashion too. The excellent material of the shoe and the high durability make it a perfect fit for everyone.

4. Reebok Women's Legacy Lifter Cross Trainer

If that's what you're looking for best weightlifting shoes for womenthis is inevitable. The Olympic-style shoes with a 3/4 inch heel help hold your legs in place without making it uncomfortable. The sole of the shoe is made of high quality rubber that holds the surface in place and provides excellent friction. If you enjoy crouching, these shoes will instantly become your favorite. A variation in size and colors makes it very desirable in women today.

5. Risto Olimpico

Risto is some of the featured best weightlifting shoes for women today. This brand creates handcrafted shoes that come in a variety of beautiful colors. Tiburon is one of the cheapest models from this company that is affordable for all of us. The great durability, fashion, and texture of their shoes make them a perfect company to buy weightlifting shoes from. Since they mostly design Olympic style shoes, women who are into sports will love to wear and flaunt them everywhere.

6. Adidas Ultraboost DNA S & L training shoes

This model is one of the show stealers in the world of fitness. Since they offer a full range of motion in the metatarsal area and also ensure complete air circulation, this is very desirable everywhere. The shoe also helps to keep the foot cool for long hours and to keep it comfortable as much as possible. The multi-faceted design and patterns are another added benefit for the wearer. You can buy these best weightlifting shoes for women at affordable prices without thinking

Take that away

These were some of the best weightlifting shoes to buy immediately. Don't forget to make the most of it while exercising to avoid complications.

Related articles

1. 7 BEST WORKOUT SHOES FOR WOMEN

2. The best shoe for jumping training that can increase overall strength and endurance

FAQ

1. Can you name a few? best weightlifting shoes for CrossFit?

VS Athletics and Adidas Adi Power are some of the best weightlifting shoes for CrossFit.

2. Are the best weightlifting shoes for men cozy? Yes. We have listed many best weightlifting shoes for comfortable men. Look up!

24 Oct
Blog

The most spectacular way to perform a Straight arm pullover

The Straight sleeve sweater is an excellent exercise that targets our upper body muscles including the chest, core, and triceps. It also promises to train the lats and read the deltoid muscles, which ensures improved body performance and stability. This is a practical version of the sweater that is not very popular and helpful yet. For those who practice this exercise regularly at the gym, they will get results that will last a lifetime. So let's look at this incredible one Straight sleeve sweater Training that will change the game for you!

How do the pulldown muscles of the straight arm work?

There's a reason so many trainers in the gym recommend the straight-arm sweater as an efficient exercise. For the upper body, this workout can help make movements easier by exercising the right muscles. Since this exercise also targets the lats, it has a lasting effect on this part of the body. Keeping your arms straight in this exercise will also prevent the middle back and biceps from taking over the movement. As a result, you concentrate fully on your upper body and ensure flexibility. The Straight arm pulldown muscles worked are not only strong, but also healthy in many ways.

How do I do a straight arm pulldown at home?

1. Attach a rope handle to a tall pulley of a cable station. Hold the edges with both hands and stand by the cable station.

2. Now pull your shoulder blades back together and down. Pretend you're tucking them in your back pockets, so make such movements.

3. Pull your ribs down, tuck your tailbone under, and prop up your core. Your upper body should feel solid. Bend your hips back until your torso is at a 30-45 degree angle.

4. Step back a little from the station. This will help create tension for you. At this point, your arms are fully extended above your head. This will make you feel a stretch on your lats. Put your feet shoulder width apart.

5. Gradually move your arms to the side. Lock your elbows. Your hands must be aligned with each other. Repeat the exercise again. So you can have yours Straight arm pulldown muscles worked.

How to make a straight arm rope

The Rope straight arm pulldown is a variation of the straight arm exercise. This pulldown workout is beneficial for both the lats and the body muscles. Since this exercise is convenient to perform, it can be practiced by both beginners and professionals. If you want to do this training, follow the instructions so that no stone is left unturned.

How is a straight arm pulldown performed? Stand in front of a high roller with your feet shoulder-width apart. Make sure both knees are slightly bent. You need to hold the attachment with both hands. This is your starting position. When you are ready, keep your arms fully extended. Now pull the rope down until it reaches your hip. Your hands need to reach your sides. Don't change the position of your trunk as it can make things terrible for you. When you get to the bottom, pause for a few seconds. Gradually keep breathing. Repeat pulling down the straight rope a few times to get the benefits you want.

Straight Arm Pulldown Alternatives That You Can Try Now

While the straight arm pulldown is a fine job, many find it a bit complex. The cable machine and pulley make this task seem a little daunting. But do not worry. Just because you find this exercise difficult doesn't mean you have to forego its benefits. Here are a few top ones Straight arm pulldown alternatives try it out immediately!

1. Command traction

Commando traction is one of the most effective Straight arm pulldown alternatives. If you want to work in the vertical plane, this exercise is helpful. Here's how it works: Hold the bar with both hands. Make sure your hands are parallel to each other. The bar must be across your head. Create traction by turning your head to the right. Then do it on the contrary. Repeat the exercise for additional benefits.

2. Straight-sleeved dumbbell sweater

This is a useful way to train your muscles without much of a hindrance. Here's how it works: Grasp a dumbbell with both hands and let your arms hang around your body. Let your palms face forward. Now bend your forearm and bring the dumbbell to your shoulders. Then lower your shoulders slightly. Work out your biceps with this dumbbell workout.

3. Horizontal traction

This is another potential Alternative with a straight arm try it out immediately.

Take a barbell with both hands. If you want to overload the exercise, keep the weight higher so that more weight can be pulled down. Try to do as many repetitions as possible for this exercise. It will help immensely.

The final result

These were some of the best Straight arm pulldown Try workouts at home. Don't forget to try one if you want to take advantage of it yourself.

FAQ

1. Name another Pulldown alternative with straight arm try at home.

A curved arm barbell can work wonders in this case.

2. Is that Rope straight arm pulldown helpful?

Yes. If you follow the steps correctly, the workout will be more comfortable.

3. Are the Straight arm pulldown muscles were working?

Yes.

24 Oct
Blog

Google Pixel 5 Review: Google’s Best in a Compact Package

Google Pixel 5 review up front

Google Pixel 5 Review: Google's Best Technology Grouped for Simplicity

"The Pixel 5 is the best of Google's software and hardware capabilities. It is packaged in a compact, lightweight, but slightly dull-looking body."

  • Compact and light

  • Detailed 90Hz screen

  • High performance camera

  • Two days of battery life

  • Boring design

  • I miss that weird Google feature

I'm all for getting rid of gimmicks on smartphones, firstly to lower the price, and secondly because not everyone uses these "functions" very often. So I was pretty excited about that Pixel 5which focuses on the camera, battery life, software, and most importantly this year, price.

I've been using the Pixel 5 for a while and the frustrating thing is that Google has gone a little too far in their normalization efforts. Gone are the quirks that made old Pixels warm, and while the camera is still a winner, it hasn't advanced the game as much as Pixel 4. I'm a bit ahead here, so let's get into the details.

Hardware and design

Google has never been one to give the Pixel a wild design, but it's very good at making a reasonably sized phone and the Pixel 5 is spot on. The metal body is welcome as it is warm to the touch, not covered with fingerprints, and should also be durable. The nicely rounded sides make it easy to grab and hold, and the 8mm overall size and thickness – similar to other well-proportioned phones like the iPhone 11 Pro – is spot on. At just 151 grams, it's also surprisingly light.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

All of this makes it very easy to live with, and the Pixel 5 will appeal to anyone who thinks many recently released phones are too big. Most competing Android phones are much larger, and only the iPhone 11 Pro comes close to the Pixel 5's perfectly judged dimensions. By removing some of the quirky features from previous Pixel phones, Google decided on a phone that was sized just right. And with a slightly larger screen than the Pixel 4, you'll never feel overwhelmed while watching videos or playing games.

However, it's impossible to be delighted with the way the Pixel 5 looks, especially when you buy the black one. It's an understatement to the point of invisibility and doesn't really have the all-important premium air. The fingerprint sensor is a good example of this. It's on the back rather than under the screen, so it works very well, but it also ages the design of the device. It's annoying that it isn't backed up with a secure face-unlocking system like the Pixel 4 did. There's actually no face unlock at all.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The side buttons are made of metal but feel just as clicky as the plastic buttons on the Pixel 4a, which is almost half the price. That's great for the Pixel 4a, but not so good for the Pixel 5. There really isn't much else to say about the design. This is an important indication that Google's simplification efforts have gone too far. Without a fun experimental Google feature on board, like the Pixel 4's squeezable sides, the Pixel 5 is a bit bland on the surface. Your best bet is to look for the Sorta Sage color (also known as green) which gives the phone some character.

Screen and audio

The 6-inch OLED screen has a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2340 x 1080, is covered with Gorilla Glass 6 and supports HDR10 +. It's bigger than the Pixel 4 and 4a screens, but not as big as the Pixel 4 XL or 4a 5G. Google's decision to remove the sensors required for Soli gesture controls and infrared face unlocking means that the large bezels of Pixel 4 have disappeared, resulting in minimal bezels of a uniform size for Pixel 5. The selfie camera is located in a hole cutout.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

If you've never used a 90Hz refresh rate phone, it's time to pamper yourself. It's definitely more easy on the eyes than a phone with a 60Hz screen, which leads to less fatigue. Combined with the slickness of Android 11, it makes scrolling through Twitter, Chrome, and other apps very enjoyable.

It's a beauty too. It's bright and detailed, but cooler than the Galaxy S20 FE and with less saturation. Carfection's Aston Martin Vantage Roadster test highlights these differences: The silver car looks significantly more silver on the Pixel than on the Samsung phone, while the blue sky is more pronounced on the Galaxy phone. It's similar with the OnePlus 8T, but contrast the Pixel 5 with the cheaper Pixel 4a and the performance is barely distinguishable.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The speakers are decent, but they lack a bit in both volume and bass, and they can't compete with the rounded, deeper sound of the OnePlus 8T and Galaxy S20 FE. Most importantly, the Pixel 5's screen, while attractive, is no better than the competition. Since the speakers are a bit weak, the OnePlus 8T and Galaxy S20 FE offer a better video experience.

Cameras

The main camera on the Pixel 5 is the same 12.2-megapixel, f / 1.7-aperture, phase-detection autofocus (PDAF), and optical image stabilization (OIS) camera found on the Pixel 4a and Pixel 4. One second, the wide-angle camera with an aperture of 16 MP f / 2.2 connects it to the Pixel 5, and it can also be found with the Pixel 4a 5G, but the Pixel 5 doesn't have the telephoto camera of the Pixel 4 – one Switch that Pixel fans asked for last year.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The physical cameras are only part of the story, and Google's computer photography is the star. According to Google, the software for the new phone has been seriously updated so that it can use the same sensor as before. There are a few new features, including Night Sight portraits and new portrait editing features.

google pixel 5 review original portrait "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn2.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-original-portrait-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Original Pixel 5 portrait image

google pixel 5 review black and white portrait "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn3.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-black-and-white - portrait-640x640.jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAAABlack and white pixel portrait image

google pixel 5 review edited portrait "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn4.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-edited-portrait-640x640.jpg " srcset = "https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7Pixel 5 color edited portrait image

google pixel 5 review blur portrait edit "class =" m-carousel - image dt-lazy-no "src =" https://icdn5.digitaltrends.com/image/digitaltrends/pixel-5-blur-edit-portrait- 640x640 .jpg "srcset =" https://www.digitaltrends.com/data:image/gif;base64,https://www.digitaltrends.com/R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAAPixel 5 portrait image that has been blurred

Let's talk about this first as this is a good demonstration of Google's software capabilities. Portraits can be edited extensively. You can adjust the background blur, remove the background color, and convert the entire image to black and white. This is done with the push of a button, and you can also fine-tune the blur, depth, and color. All of this works whether you're taking portraits with the rear or front camera. There is a special mode to adjust the light source with portrait selfies. See above for examples of what is possible. It's really fun, very effective, and quite easy to use.

That generally sums up the Pixel 5's camera very well. It's really a great point-and-shoot process as you can be sure that no matter the setting or conditions, a great photo will be captured. That simplicity and ability is addicting and fun to snap a lot of pictures just to see what you can get. The wide angle offers versatility and opportunity for dramatic shots, but some will miss the telephoto lens. Unfortunately, Google is not ready to please everyone by including both.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The Pixel 5's camera is brilliant, but it's not a huge generation leap over the Pixel 4, and not only does the much cheaper Pixel 4a take basically the same great photos, but the competition has caught up with Google on the software side. Samsung's cameras are consistent these days, but it's the camera on the Apple iPhone 12 and 12 Mini that Google should be most concerned about, as the hardware surrounding the camera is more desirable than the Pixel 5's – and the prices are similar are.

Performance and software

On paper, the Pixel 5 isn't a "flagship" as it uses the Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor rather than the Snapdragon 865 or 865 Plus. This is another way to bring the price down. Unless you're obsessed with a spec sheet, it's not a massive deal. I consider myself a normal user, using the camera, using social apps, making video and voice calls, playing a few games, watching videos, and keeping up with work items.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

It does all of these tasks without interruption – and without the feeling of being under-challenged. Play Asphalt 9 Legends and it's every bit as impressive and fluid on the Pixel 5 as it is on the OnePlus 8T. If anything, there are times when the Pixel 5 runs smoother than some more powerful phones, such as B. when the screen in YouTube is rotated from portrait to landscape and vice versa. Much of this is due to Android 11, the latest version of Google's software. This is an advantage that Pixel 5 has over the competition.

Android 11 on the Pixel 5 (and the Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 4a 5G) could be called boring, as might the design, but the dullness is its strong point. There is no garnish or additional branded apps, just fast, smooth, and simple software. However, I have encountered a few issues with my phone that have proven frustrating.

The first problem was an intermittent bug with the microphone where it would not activate, preventing callers from hearing me and my voice messages being mute. The problem is resolved by turning the phone off and then on again. However, you won't know when the problem occurs until it's too late. My Pixel 5 cleared my WiFi signal more than other phones and consistently has one less reception bar for both WiFi and cellular connections. Maybe this has to do with the metal body.

The front desk issue isn't a deal breaker, but something to consider if you already live in an area with poor reception. It should be noted that the Pixel 5 naturally has 5G, which also opens up new network possibilities. The microphone problem might only be a problem with my phone. After notifying Google before it posted here, I'm expecting a replacement checking model to see if the problem persists. This issue has not yet affected the phone's score.

battery

Battery life is one of the biggest improvements over the Pixel 4. My phone lasted a day with normal use without any problems, and if I turn it off overnight it will last most of the second day as well. After the sad Pixel 4, this is very welcome. It's also conservative on the power supply: with light use on a busy day where I ignored my phone, the battery was still over 80% at 4:00 p.m.

Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The phone comes with an 18 watt wired charger and supports wireless charging. This is a clever trick considering that the body of the phone is made of metal. Google cut a hole in the back and filled it with a resin that is visually indistinguishable from the rest of the body. Place another device on the back of the Pixel 5 and the battery will wirelessly charge with its own power. This worked with my iPhone 11 Pro, but unfortunately not with my Sony WF-1000XM3 headphones. These reverse wireless charging systems can all be a bit fussy.

Price and availability

The Google Pixel 5 is priced at $ 699 or £ 599. It is available in a version with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB of storage space and is available now Google, Amazon and other retailers. It supports 5G, provided you are in an area with network coverage and have the correct carrier plan. Pixel 5 in the US also has mmWave 5G support for the Verizon network (and increasingly for T-Mobile and AT&T).

Our opinion

When you buy the Pixel 5, you get a well-proportioned phone with a beautiful screen, great camera, fast performance, and easy-to-use software. What else do you need? Not much, technically, but it would be nice to look at the Pixel 5 and feel something, rather than just ambivalence.

Is there a better alternative?

There are several great alternatives to the Pixel 5. The main challengers are the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE and the OnePlus 8T. Both use the Snapdragon 865 processor and high quality designs, and while the cameras aren't quite as good as the Pixel's, most people will find them perfectly decent.

The Apple iPhone 12 is emerging as a definite challenger, and the upcoming iPhone 12 Mini can take over the Pixel 5 too. Perhaps the best alternative, however, is the Pixel 4a 5G, which can do almost everything the Pixel 5 can, but for $ 200 less at $ 499. If you're not worried about the wide-angle camera or 5G, the $ 349 Pixel 4a is excellent too.

How long it will take?

The Pixel 5 is an excellent long term smartphone purchase. The conservative look means it will never look more dated than it does now. It offers 5G for the future as well as a two-year guarantee for important Android software updates. It is IP68 waterproof and the metal case is more sturdy than a glass phone. Google also has some attractive cases to complement the Pixel 5. There's no reason the phone won't serve you well for two to three years.

Should you buy one?

Yes, the Pixel 5 is Google's top smartphone of 2020 and while it doesn't look all that exciting, it has the best of Google's software and hardware capabilities at an affordable price.

Editor's recommendations




24 Oct
Blog

iPhone XR Review: The ‘Budget’ XR is the iPhone to Buy

"The iPhone XR is a great choice if you want what iPhones do without the flagship price."

  • Beautiful, colorful design

  • One day battery life

  • Good performance

  • Strong camera

  • Easy to use software

  • The screen resolution could be higher

  • Portrait mode restricted to people

publisher's Note: Apple released the iPhone 12 which is now available for purchase. The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11, which is itself the successor to the iPhone XR. It improves the quality and performance of the camera, but comes with a slightly higher MSRP of $ 799. We recommend stopping buying the iPhone XR. Instead, if you want to save money, consider buying one iPhone 11or the $ 400 iPhone SE. Here is our list of the best iPhones to buy.

The iPhone XR is the best iPhone of the year. Yes, the iPhone XS and XS Max have better screens and more versatile cameras, but none of them look as good as the XR in yellow, blue, or coral. The iPhone XR (pronounced "Ten-R") is also significantly cheaper and offers many of the best features of the flagship products. It is hands down great value at $ 750.

Colorful design, solid screen

We can't stop holding the iPhone XR the wrong way round. Sure, the screen is a window to our apps and notifications, but it's the glowing, bright yellow paint on the back that makes us smile every time we pull this phone out of our pockets. We feel like Gollum and we constantly admire the beauty of the one ring. It's perfection.

When you buy the iPhone XR – and you should – we can't envision the idea of ​​going black or white. For the first time since the iPhone 5C, you get a rich, colorful selection of Apple – red, blue, yellow, and coral in addition to black and white. This is a phone that you want to flaunt. We strongly recommend choosing the colors yellow, blue or coral. The product color (red) looks nice too, but we've seen it many times so it doesn't feel that special. The colors also mask any fingerprints that build up on the glass bottom.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

The edges around the phone are aluminum – a step up from the stainless steel of the iPhone XS and XS Max – but the color here is more metallic and offers a nice, complementary two-tone look. The buttons click as usual.

The iPhone XR looks a lot like the iPhone 8 from the back with its single camera lens, but flip it over and you get the full iPhone X treatment. There's a notch, no home button, and an edge-to-edge screen for the most modern iOS experience you can get at this price. The differences between the XS can be felt here as the black frames around the screen are thicker. However, the bezels are not so big that they clutter the device.

We feel like Gollum and admire the beauty of the one ring. It's perfection.

That's a good thing, because the XR has a large 6.1-inch LCD screen with a resolution of 1,792 x 828. Apple calls it the Liquid Retina Display, and while the screen resolution may sound a little low, it looks like the The distance you normally hold your phone at. If you take a closer look, pixels become visible. We think Apple could have added at least a 1080p screen here – there are hardly any Android phones with such a low-resolution screen in this price range. Even the OnePlus 6 for $ 530 has a resolution of 2,280 x 1,080.

Even so, it's difficult to find anything else wrong with the display. The black levels aren't as deep as the OLEDs on the XS and XS Max, but they're close to each other. The screen is colorful and bright enough to be used outdoors. We believe the screen is good enough for most people, but it's one of the XR's few shortcomings.

The iPhone XR has the advantage of being the perfect size for people who find the XS too small and the XS Max too big. At 6.1 inches, it is right between the flagships (slightly smaller than the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus). It's not as easy to use one hand as the 5.8-inch iPhone XS, but we can still reach most parts of the screen. And it's not as cumbersome as the 6.5-inch XS Max, which is undoubtedly a two-handed phone.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Face recognition is the primary method of unlocking your phone and it works just as quickly as it does on the iPhone XS. With a price range of $ 750, it's one of the few facial recognition tools you can use to log into secure apps. There's not a lot of competition here on the Android side, but that could gradually change.

The iPhone XR's stereo speakers are loud and sound good, although the sound isn't as dynamic or robust as the sound coming from the Razer Phone 2's speakers. You will be satisfied if you are in a quiet room, but you will fight outside when it is noisy. There's no headphone jack, and Apple has also decided not to include the 3.5mm headphone jack adapter in the box. You can opt for the included Lightning EarPods, which don't sound too good, or you can opt for wireless earbuds or headphones.

Great performance and iOS 12 is fluid

The iPhone XR is powered by the same chipset as its more expensive sibling, the A12 Bionic, although it offers less RAM (3GB instead of 4GB). We don't have any performance issues yet. The processor makes iOS 12 run smoothly and had no problem switching quickly through multiple apps. Games like Altos Odyssey and Tekken, and ARKit 2.0 games like AR Robot, run just fine.

  • Geekbench 4 CPU: 4,703 single core; 11,065 multi-core

In Geekbench 4, the iPhone XR rightly scores just below the iPhone XS and XS Max, but is faster than any Android smartphone tested so far. This phone can tackle just about anything you throw at it.

This is a phone that you want to flaunt.

We took a closer look at iOS 12, but the iPhone XR marks the first time Apple has brought several new features introduced on the iPhone X at a lower price. For example, thanks to the TrueDepth camera, you can create animojis or memojis in iMessage. Since there is no home button, it takes some getting used to the gesture navigation system, which is among the best on a phone.

The XR doesn't have 3D Touch, but Apple has replicated that with a feature called Haptic Touch. With 3D Touch on the iPhone XS, you can use the pressure-sensitive display to press and hold certain parts of the interface to see more actions. For example, if you press and hold an email notification, you can mark it as Done. Haptic touch is more limited. This only works in selected areas, e.g. For example, in the Control Center when you want to expand a tile, or on the lock screen when you want to turn the flashlight on or off quickly. How often you miss 3D Touch depends entirely on how often you use it. We suspect most people don't use it often.

Our iOS 12 guide will tell you all about the new features introduced in the latest version.

Strong camera

The iPhone XR has the same main camera on the back of the iPhone XS – a 12-megapixel lens with an aperture of f / 1.8 and optical image stabilization. It can record 4K video at 60 frames per second, record stereo sound, package Smart HDR and use portrait mode for the first time without the need for a secondary lens.

We tested the improvements in the iPhone XS main camera over the iPhone X. While not radical, groundbreaking changes, Smart HDR gives the new camera the edge. This function helps with high-contrast scenarios, minimizes hidden lights or sky and brightens the foreground in order to make it visible. It works as advertised on the iPhone XR and delivers great photos in extreme lighting, although it doesn't quite match the quality of HDR + on the Google Pixel 3.

Like the more expensive iPhones or flagship Android devices, the camera app has almost no shutter lag. This allows you to capture detailed, well-exposed photos that keep strong color. It can hold its own even in poor lighting conditions. However, you need to make sure you stay calm to avoid a blurry photo.

  • 1.
    Portrait mode selfie.
  • 2.
    Portrait mode.
  • 3.
    Portrait mode.
  • 4th
    Portrait mode selfie.

We miss the telephoto lens on the iPhone XS and XS Max. The 2x optical zoom lets you take shots that don't look as good when the iPhone XR is digitally enlarged. When we go back to a camera with a lens, we need to change the way we take some photos and physically move closer to the subject instead of standing some distance away. The lack of the secondary lens also affects Portrait mode, which allows you to take photos of a subject with a blurred effect that mimics a DSLR. We're really excited to see Portrait mode available on the XR, as Apple first incorporated it into a camera phone with a lens. Portrait lighting is also available, but there are only three options as opposed to the five options on the XS – Natural, Studio, and Contour.

The iPhone XR doesn't zoom in to take portrait mode photos like the XS, so you have more space to work. It's not as accurate as XS and XS Max, but we've been impressed so far. In low light conditions, the photos weren't as grainy as the iPhone XS.

Above: iPhone XR portrait mode, below: iPhone XS portrait mode

Portrait mode only works on people, however, and that's disappointing. On the iPhone XS, portrait mode can be used on food, people, objects, pets, and almost anything. The XR camera uses this mode, however, partly with the help of artificial intelligence and neural networks. It is trained to identify a face, and this is why it can outline people so accurately. When you try to take a portrait photo of a dog or object, the camera says "No Person Detected" and doesn't even try. Google's Pixel 3 smartphone has a single-lens camera and is great for using portrait mode on a variety of subjects. We hope Apple can expand Portrait Mode on the XR to get a bit more versatile with software over time.

The front-facing camera is the same TrueDepth camera system as the iPhone XS, so you can take great selfies in portrait mode here. It even worked with our dog. This 7 megapixel camera takes great shots even in standard mode.

While the iPhone XR's camera isn't as versatile as the iPhone XS or XS Max's, it's still top-notch and the photos it takes are excellent.

Don't worry about the battery

You don't have to worry about the battery of the iPhone XR. It's a 2,942 mAh unit, and we often ended a work day at around 50 or 45 percent by 6.45 p.m. It is taken from the charger around 7 a.m. and used to surf the Internet, take pictures, stream music and play games with the phone. On lighter days we reached 35 percent at 9.42 p.m. With this phone, you can easily get through a full day and have a few hours the next day if you forget to charge it.

The battery life of the iPhone XR doesn't worry you.

This day-long battery life is comparable to other phones on the market like the Galaxy S9 Plus and even outperforms the iPhone XS Max and iPhone XS. It lasts slightly longer than Google's Pixel 3 and 3 XL, which struggle to get through a day of moderate to heavy use.

It supports fast charging, but unfortunately the corresponding cable is not included. You can also charge this iPhone wirelessly, just like the XS series and last year's iPhone devices.

Price, availability and warranty information

The iPhone XR starts at $ 750 and is available now. The best deals and prices can be found in our buying guide.

Apple offers a one-year limited warranty that protects the device from manufacturing defects. You can purchase AppleCare for additional protection.

Our opinion

Undeniably outstanding value – this is the iPhone XR. Some features may be missing, but this is the iPhone that makes others yellow, blue, or coral with envy. The colors are stunning, the battery life is great, Face ID is still industry leading technology, iOS gestures are intuitive, the camera is superb, and the performance is fantastic. This is the iPhone to buy.

Is there a better alternative?

publisher's Note: Apple released the iPhone 12 which is now available for purchase. The iPhone 12 is the successor to the iPhone 11, which is itself the successor to the iPhone XR. It improves the quality and performance of the camera, but comes with a slightly higher MSRP of $ 799. We recommend stop buying the iPhone XR. Instead, if you want to save money, consider buying one iPhone 11or the $ 400 iPhone SE. Here is our list of the best iPhones to buy.

Yes. If you want all the bells and whistles, buy the iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max. They're more expensive, but you get better build quality, a nicer and sharper screen, and a more versatile camera. If $ 750 is too high, Apple is still selling the iPhone 8 and iPhone 7 at discounted prices. They are excellent phones, if not that futuristic.

On the Android side, you are spoiled for choice. Our pick, however, is the Google Pixel 3. It costs $ 50 more, but you get a slightly better camera, great software with quick updates, and a high-resolution screen.

How long it will take?

Apple's iPhones typically last four to five years, if not longer. The iPhone XR has an IP67 rating instead of IP68. That means you can get it up to 1 meter underwater for 30 minutes and nothing more. While Apple says it's the most durable glass on the front and back, it is wise to buy a case to protect the phone. Apple sells a clear case for the iPhone XR in case you don't want to hide the gorgeous, colored body.

Expect software updates for the next four to five years. The iPhone 5S, released in 2013, is the oldest iPhone that can run iOS 12, so your device will last a long time.

Should you buy it?

Absolutely. Buy it in yellow. You will not be disappointed.

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