04 Apr
Blog

Oppo Find X2 Pro Review: Oppo Finds the Sweet Spot

oppo find x2 pro review camera lenses 3

"The Oppo Find X2 Pro is a beautiful phone with the latest hardware."

  • Stunning OLED screen

  • Quick charge

  • Versatile camera that takes great photos

  • High-performance SoC with 5G

  • Expensive

  • Phone software seems unreliable

How do you follow the Oppo Find X? It was ahead of its time in design, gave us an innovative and unusual motorized camera, and even had a completely crazy version of Lamborghini. It seems that Oppo himself wasn't entirely sure what to do since it took 20 months for the company to develop a sequel.

Get to know the Oppo Find X2 Pro, a phone that isn't as visually striking as the Find X, but is even more powerful.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

I've spent a few weeks on the phone since it was unveiled, and it has impressed me more than any other Oppo phone before. This is due to advances in software and design. It's not perfect, but it's the first Oppo phone that I can confidently recommend. Here's why.

design

Oppo's decision to make the Find X2 Pro more conventional is the right one. I miss the madness of the Find X and other Find series phones as much as the next tech fan, but they weren't always practical. The Find X2 looks normal, maybe to the point where it feels derived from the front. However, the orange vegan leather back wall and gold accents prove that Oppo's design department still knows how to party.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The beautifully curved 6.7-inch OLED screen falls off to the side, but not to the extent that you see on the Huawei Mate 30 Pro. It's a more subtle, shallow drop that still offers an impressive viewing experience. Oppo's light effect notifications use the curved glass to warn you and display colored light when you receive a call or new message. It stands out, keeps you up to date and looks cool.

A golden aluminum case is located between the front window and the vegan leather back. It's smooth and gently curved so it won't get into your palm while the leather back feels warm. The Oppo Find X2 Pro is a pleasure to hold.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The leather has no heavy grain and only the slightest texture, but it is easy to grip. The phone never feels like it's slipping out of your hand. Whether the gold and orange color scheme is appealing depends on your personal choice. If it is too gaudy, a black ceramic model is available. Personally, I love the orange leather, but I don't like the chintzy gold, and the Oppo badge looks like an afterthought.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The leather model is slightly thicker and heavier than the black ceramic Find X2 Pro. With a thickness of 9.5 mm and 200 grams, it is a fairly large phone, especially compared to the feather-light Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus with a thickness of 186 grams and a thickness of 7.8 mm. It's still pluggable and never feels unwieldy, but is slightly top-heavy. The design, the high-quality materials and the processing as well as the excellent comfort in the hand make the Find X2 a mature and desirable phone.

screen

Oppo has put a lot of technology into the Find X2 Pro's screen, and it really pays off. The 6.7-inch OLED offers a refresh rate of 120 Hz, a resolution of 3168 x 1440, 240 Hz touch sampling, 10-bit color and HDR10 + support as well as the so-called O1 Ultra Vision Engine to optimize the Video performance. The Oppo Find X2 competes strongly with the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus and the Apple iPhone 11 Pro, two powerful mobile phones with breathtaking screens.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The Find X2 offers numerous options for changing the screen, including adjusting the color temperature and color mode, as well as the ability to turn off the O1 Ultra Vision Engine if you don't like motion smoothing or HDR upscaling. If the color temperature is set to the standard setting, the O1 Ultra Vision Engine and the color mode to Vivid, it hardly differs from the S20 Plus in direct comparison. Black is deep, shadows look perfect, colors are vivid and strong and details are sharp. It is a stunning screen with numerous adjustments if you wish.

The Find X2 Pro, which is also equipped with Dolby Atmos support, features two full-range stereo speakers. The speakers have a lot of volume, and Atmos also adds an extra dimension, but the phone lacks bass and can sound harsh when you turn up the volume.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro (top), Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus (bottom left). and iPhone 11 Pro (bottom right). Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

During the first few days of use, I was concerned that the screen was not responding slightly, which was contrary to the 240 Hz touch sampling function. On my early test model, a screen protector was attached that was lifted up at one corner, eliminating the feeling of lag. I should also mention the phone's haptic feedback, which is wonderfully soft and tactile and comes very close to the excellent vibrations of the OnePlus 7T Pro.

Camera quality

The oversized camera on the back of the Find X2 Pro, which is held in gold, has a 48-megapixel Sony IMX689 1 / 1.4-inch main sensor with an aperture of 1: 1.7 and a second 48-megapixel -Sony IMX586 ultra-wide sensor and a 13 megapixel telephoto lens for a 2x optical zoom as well as a 5x and 10x hybrid setting and up to 60x digital recording. There is double optical image stabilization, live HDR for video and a macro mode as well as an auto focus with laser and phase detection.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The camera app looks familiar if you've recently used a Huawei phone. From the zoom controls to the menu selection, the layout of the app is strikingly similar. I took pictures before and after an important software update and liked a lot of pictures of both. The camera takes colorful and detailed photos that approach a cooler palette than a Samsung camera. The atmosphere of mobile phones like the Huawei P40 Pro can also be missing.

There's a noticeable difference in dynamics between the standard 48-megapixel lens (Sony's new IMX689 sensor) and the wide-angle IMX586, which weakens the colors. However, if you enable Oppo's "Dazzle" color mode, which uses artificial intelligence to enhance your images, the level of saturation will be increased to compensate for this. Edge detection in portrait mode is average and sometimes difficult to recognize even the simplest shapes. However, the large sensor creates a decent natural bokeh when there is an object nearby.

On the front is a 32 megapixel selfie camera in a small hole that offers both a beauty mode and a night mode. This unusual addition to the selfie camera is surprisingly effective and does a good job of reducing noise in low light, but processing time is long. However, I can see that it is useful for many people. Otherwise, the selfie camera has numerous filters and a decent portrait mode.

The Oppo Find X2 Pro's camera is excellent. It's versatile, has great zoom and lots of useful features, and delivers strong photo results whether you're using the front or rear camera. It is reliable and capable.

Software and performance

Software is a traditional weakness of Oppo phones, and previous versions of ColorOS (the company's Android user interface) were filled with frustrating changes to normal Android features.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Fortunately, Oppo changed course. The Oppo Find X2 Pro ships with ColorOS v7.1 via Android 10. It is more modern and uses clean storage much better to improve usability. The user interface is similar to Android on a Google Pixel 4 phone in that menus and icons look consistent and are where you expect them to be. Thanks to the screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz, it is also quick and smooth.

The importance of this cannot be overstated. Daily use of the Find X2 Pro is more of a pleasure than a duty, since almost no matter which phone you come from, no steep learning curve is required after switching. The constantly active screen is helpful and clearly shows notification symbols. I also like the system-wide dark mode.

It's not all good news, and the problems I've had with the Oppo Reno 3 Pro are present, e.g. B. the useless Smart Assistant that you wipe from the home screen. However, since Oppo fixed other issues, these are disappointments in an otherwise solid user interface.

The phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor and an X55 5G modem as well as 12 GB RAM and 512 GB storage space. Going through two benchmark tests gave these results.

3DMark: 6.523 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 901 single-core / 3266 multi-core

This is the fastest Qualcomm processor available and has a large amount of RAM, so the Find X2 Pro never lacks the performance. The results have driven it forward in tests with the Exynos-based Galaxy S20 Plus and with phones with the Snapdragon 855 Plus such as the Asus ROG Phone 2.

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I had some problems with calls. Although the reception was strong according to the symbol and was not technical, I often had problems hearing the caller and vice versa. It seemed like I was in an area with poor coverage and disruption before I reconnect. The problem only occurred with Find X2 Pro. It was intermittent, so not every call was affected, suggesting that it was a software problem.

Battery life

The Find X2 Pro has a built-in fingerprint sensor and a face release, both of which work very well. Face recognition usually beats faster than the fingerprint sensor. A 4,260 mAh battery, which is actually two 2,130 mAh cells that work together, provides the juice. This setup helps the Oppo SuperVOOC Flash Charge 2.0 fast charging system to work and keep temperatures low.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The battery is quickly charged with the supplied 65 W charger. In just 30 minutes in my repeated tests, it shot from 0 to 100%, which essentially makes overnight charging unnecessary. Charge the phone when you get ready in the morning, and it's done before you're done. Unfortunately there is no wireless charging.

I watched approximately 3.5 hours of 1080p video, which drained about 35% of the battery, and the phone took a day of moderate use.

Price, availability and guarantee

The Oppo Find X2 Pro costs £ 1,100 and can currently be ordered from Amazon in the US for $ 1,300. It will be released in May. You can register interest on the phone through the Carphone Warehouse retailer website. However, there is no information yet about which network operators will sell the phone. Oppo does not sell its devices in the United States, but it may be possible to import one. Oppo grants a two year warranty on the device and the battery.

Our opinion

The Find X2 Pro is Oppo at its best. It offers the performance we expect from a flagship phone, without the inconvenience of previous Find models and yet enough individuality to respond. The screen is stunning, the camera is excellent and the software has improved a lot compared to old models.

All of this at a high price that puts Oppo in the same space as Samsung, Apple and Huawei. That is rightly so, but it remains to be seen whether Oppo has the brand name to attract at this level.

Is there a better alternative?

There are a lot of phones out now, and some will be coming very soon to take on the Oppo Find X2 Pro. The Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus for $ 1,000 is strong with very good software, a great camera, and one of the best screens available. However, the design is boring compared to the Find X2 Pro. The $ 1,400 Galaxy S20 Ultra and its 108-megapixel camera also come into play at this price.

The Huawei P40 Pro costs £ 900, which is about $ 1,115. Therefore, it will be offered at a competitive price when it is released in April. The design is more mature than that of the Find X2 Pro, and the camera has great potential, but the lack of Google Mobile Services puts it at a disadvantage in the UK. If you're not fixated on buying an Android phone, the Apple iPhone 11 for $ 1,000 Pro is our top choice for the year to date.

I also like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus for $ 1,100, which is a little older, but is still an excellent smartphone. One to watch out for in the near future is the OnePlus 8 series. OnePlus is part of the same business conglomerate as Oppo and will launch its new phones on April 15th. There is every chance that OnePlus 8 Pro will take over the Find X2 Pro at a cheaper price.

How long it will take?

With IP68 water resistance, the phone stays relatively safe in the wet, and the version with leather back should stay attractive longer because it has no fingerprints or can break like a glass back. Ceramic is tougher and more scratch-resistant than glass if you choose the black version.

Oppo's track record with Android updates isn't great. The original Find X, the RX17 Pro and the Oppo Reno 10x Zoom are expected to receive ColorOS 7 and Android 10 in summer 2020. Android 10 was released in September 2019. If you buy the Find X2 Pro, you can wait a while for an update to Android 11.

Should you buy one?

Yes. The stunning screen, excellent photo functions, fast charging and 5G for future security ensure that the Find X2 Pro will serve you well every day for several years.

Editor's recommendations




04 Apr
Blog

8-Week Workout Plan for Push Up Strength and Power

How many pushups can you do? 20 or 30? 50? More? Perhaps you are one of the unfortunate souls who can only do five repetitions of questionable shape. Say the word "exercise" and push-up is inevitably considered the move of choice. For decades, and possibly centuries, men have called push-up a real strength test, not to mention machismo. How much easier can it be than just falling to the floor and starting to pump off?

Despite all this, the push-up has moved in and out of the field of fitness over the years. The military and other services have used it as an integral part of fitness tests. but it's almost gone from the muscle building radar.

No matter if you are a functional fitness freak, a die-hard guru of the old school or just want to include this classic step in your current program, The push-up is a powerful addition to any training plan. With benefits ranging from optimizing local muscle endurance to increasing overall endurance, core strength, and stability, it's crazy not to include this exercise.

Since the fitness pendulum is swinging in favor of body weight training, you may want to improve your push-up skills. Together with pull-ups, dips, sit-ups, muscle ups and squats, Pushups test real, authentic strength and stabilityand are a testament to total body control. Increasing repetitions, strength and muscle endurance should be a top priority for an independent body weight program and should make up a large part of every strength routine.

8 weeks of push-up power

Below is an eight-week program that is guaranteed to increase your push-up performance. If you use a reputable, regulated program, you can continue this classic yet effective muscle building exercise.

Reduce heavy presses and flies for the duration of this program. If you want to do the bench press and other heavy movements to the maximum, you may need to sit in the back seat for a while. In addition, flies tend to put considerable strain on the shoulder joints.

Since strength and stability of the abdomen are important factors in push-up, Make sure you have a lot of work for your midsection. If you are weak in this area, you tend to bend and bend at the waist.

For the entirety of this program, Make sure that you do each repetition with the correct shape and technique. Hands a little wider than your shoulders, lower them until your chest touches the floor, and then push them back up while maintaining a straight spine and a tight core.

Weeks 1 and 2

The first step is to do a short pre-test. Do as many pushups with good shape without resting up or down in motion. Write down your results. This will be your base. If you've recently trained your chest shoulders or triceps, make sure your pre-test is far enough away to be fresh enough to do your best.

  • To start your program, choose a large number of push-ups as your goal. Start with four times your maximum number from your pre-test. For example, if you did 20 reps, your new goal would be 80. Now do as many sets as necessary to make a total of 80 reps. You can get 20 on your first set, 15 on your second, 12 on your third, and so on as long as you achieve the overall goal.
  • Take a minute break between sets in the first week. Reduce the rest period to 30 seconds in the second week. Also work on reducing the number of total sets required to reach your total.
  • Do this routine at least twice a week.
  • If you want to add assistant training, make sure to include bench presses, tight grip bench presses, shoulder presses, front elevation, and plunge. But remember, do not go super difficult.

Weeks 3 and 4

In the meantime, do some repetitions with a reduced break. Over the next two weeks, increase the frequency, the total number of repetitions, and Keep your calm to a minimum. They effectively improve your overall muscle endurance and endurance.

  • Increase your frequency to three times a week. By now you should get used to exercising several times a week. So don't worry that your strength training will stand in the way of your push-up program.
  • Increase your total reps even further to around 150% of your original goal. For the example above, your new total number of repetitions should be 120. It may seem like a high number, but just do as many sentences as necessary to achieve this new goal.
  • The sleep time should be 30 seconds or less. Your goal should be to fill the gap between sets so that you can do more repetitions per set.
  • Stay strict with form and technique.

Weeks 5 and 6

In the next two weeks, you will increase the frequency, the repetitions and shorten the rest period. Since you will most likely get into the high rep range, You can also use some alternative hand positions and angles.

  • Increase the frequency to four times a week.
  • Reduce the rest time between sets by 15 seconds.
  • Increase the total number of repetitions by another 50% of your original number. For the example above, this would be 160.
  • Experiment with different hand positions and elbow angles. narrow, wide, elbows outwards, elbows on your sides, etc.
  • This cannot be stressed enough: keep your form at bay. This is not a time to rush through repetitions and sets to get more repetitions.

Weeks 7 and 8

The past two weeks will be challenging, to say the least: especially if you supplement your regular strength training. Increase the frequency and the total number of repetitions while reducing the pause. Add some new and challenging ways to do the push-up and increase the intensity.

  • Increase the frequency to five times a week.
  • Keep the sleep times at 15 seconds or less. You can start by resting only a few seconds in the first few sentences and then moving closer to 15 seconds as you move through later sentences.
  • The total number of repetitions increases another 50% based on your original number. Yes, for the example above, your new number would now be 200.
  • Continue to use the different hand positions and elbow angles.
  • Include multiple sets of push-ups with raised feet and push-ups with raised hands.
  • Keep your form in check again.

Trial time

Now it's time for your post test. Do it exactly as you did your pre-test. This time, you should see a significant increase in reps and an increase in overall strength, strength, and shoulder stability.

After the eight weeks Lean back and benefit from your increased strength and increase performance. You can either keep your current level or restart the program for a new challenge.

Typewriter push-up: A challenging push-up variant.

Do you have moody shoulders?

Simplifying shoulder health for strength athletes

03 Apr
Blog

Dyson Corrale Review: This $500 Hair Straightener Falls Flat

Dyson Corrale Pink and Black at the booth

"It can do less damage to your hair, but this straightener is more of an annoyance than an aid."

  • Very difficult

  • Cable loosens easily

  • Expensive

  • Cordless

  • Straightens with fewer passes

You may know it as the kings of the vacuum cleaner, but Dyson is nothing new to hair products. The company has developed one of our favorite hair dryers and produces an innovative hair curler.

His latest product, the Corrale straightenerwas developed to reduce the damage your hair suffers from straightening by half and to reduce the number of outliers by using special, flexible heating plates.

That sounds great, but I was wondering if this wireless hair straightener for $ 500 is worth the hype. I found the following:

Innovation and protection

One of the first things you'll notice about the Dyson Corrale are the unusual hot plates. They're not as firm as normal plates and are designed to wrap around every section of hair, so you get straight hair with fewer passes.

I can totally see how the Corrale would do less damage than a normal flat iron.

When I tried it, I found this to be true. A beat or two and my wavy hair was straight. If you are used to doing multiple passes to straighten your hair, I can totally see how the Corrale would do less damage than a normal flat iron.

Dyson Corrale battery lifeAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Another feature that can save your hair is heating control. There are three heat settings – 330 degrees Fahrenheit, 365 F and 410 F, so you can choose which setting best suits your hair type. The coarser your hair, the higher the temperature you will normally need. The Corrale then controls the plate temperature 100 times per second so that the heat never goes beyond the selected setting.

Battery benefits and problems

Dyson Corrale Pink and BlackAlina Bradford / Digital Trends

Corrale's 4-cell lithium-ion battery can be used for 30 minutes without a plug. This is ideal for people who like to go up and down or have to check the kids while getting ready. The battery also has some problems.

First, the Corrale's battery makes it powerful. At 76.2 ounces, it's very difficult to compare it to a wired flat iron like the CHI G2 ceramic and titanium flat iron or a flat iron like the Conair Unbound Cordless Flat Iron. Both weigh approximately 16 ounces.

The corrale is almost five times heavier than a typical flat iron.

Most people would probably make fun of the difference in weight. It can't be that hard, can it? However, the corrale is almost five times heavier than a typical flat iron. It's the difference between a box of pasta and a bag of flour. Imagine how tired your arms will be when only half your hair is done. Ouch!

Another problem with the battery is charging. The battery lasts for 30 minutes and some of us are not able to do it properly. It will charge 90% in 40 minutes and fully charge in 70 minutes. It is a long time in which you have to get to work. I would say the answer would be to use the cable as soon as the battery is empty (it works when plugged in), but the cable makes the Corrale even heavier. It's 12.5 feet long!

Dyson Corrale in travel mode

One problem that the battery doesn't contribute to is travel. The Corrale has a special tab that you can use to turn off the battery and stow it in your hand luggage.

Our opinion

The Dyson Corrale is definitely not for those who only occasionally straighten their hair. It straightens the hair very well, but it is heavy and more uncomfortable than I expected. Plus, it costs around $ 5oo. That seems way too much for a hair tool if you can get similar results with a hair straightener that is a fifth of the price (and weight). The only reason I can pay $ 500 is if you straighten yourself every day, need to reduce the damage to your hair, and are ready to draw from gravity.

Is there a better alternative?

That is hard to say. There are many cheaper, high-quality cordless flat irons that weigh less, such as the Conair Unbound Cordless Flat Iron. However, there are no flat irons for these plate types. So if Dyson is right and the plates do less damage, there's probably no better alternative in this regard.

How long it will take?

The Dyson Corral appears to be very well constructed in most aspects, but the tab you pull to put it into travel mode appears to be easily damaged. This affects me because the straightener does not work if the tab cannot be used correctly.

Should you buy it

It pains me to say that because I had high expectations for the Dyson Corral, but no, you probably shouldn't buy it. It's too expensive and too heavy to make it a good option.

Editor's recommendations




03 Apr
Blog

Clean & Clear Lemon Gel Facial Cleanser with Vitamin C Review

Price $ 5.99

My experience

Lemon is one of the most important ingredients for the production of detergents in the old days. It looks like Clean and Clear used the same age-old concept and brought back the goodness of the lemon in their latest facial detergent.

This new facial detergent with lemon extract and vitamin C is the reason why I wanted to try it. When someone like me, who has spent all his childhood admiring my grandmother's beautiful DIY facial cleansers with lemon, sees a product that contains lemon as the main ingredient that you know the purchase is emotional.

I've been using it for over a week now and I can tell you that this lemon gel wash really cuts through the oil and your skin feels clean and soft. Also, removing oil and makeup made my skin look refreshed and clean (I always use a makeup removal wipe to remove the makeup first). It didn't dry out my skin like some oil-removing facial cleansers. I can still see some of my little angry spots around my jaw even after using this for two weeks, but I don't expect this facial wash to do anything about my acne. I am very happy that Clean & Clear did not advertise it as an acne facial detergent. I use this face wash most of the time in the morning and at night with my Clarins face wash. I'm still not sure if there is such a thing as a perfect face wash. Cleansers and moisturizers should be bought depending on your skin texture, location, lifestyle, and weather.

This facial detergent has a nice lemon scent and won't let you smell of lemons, I assure you

Who will like it

  1. Beauties of oily skin
  2. Those looking for an affordable face wash.

Who can avoid it?

  1. Those who don't like products with parabens.
  2. The one with very dry skin
  3. Those who think this is an acne clearing facial cleanser.

Final judgment:

The scent is nice. The foam is gentle. After cleaning, my skin doesn't stay dry and I think it will be a nice summer skin care product!

BnB rating: 4/5

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02 Apr
Blog

New Year, New You: 6 Tips to Better Skin in 2019 with Non-Toxic Products

As soon as 2018 started, it seems to have ended …

And with the end of one year, another begins. No better time to start over and make changes in your life!

For most people (actually 80%!), The decisions made in the new year already fail in the second week of February.

Regardless of your resolutions for the coming year, we have one that you can easily stick to …

How about if you start the new year with a new, non-toxic you?

One of the simplest changes you can make in the coming weeks that will benefit not only your skin but also your overall health is what you keep in your skin care arsenal.

In this article, you will find 6 simple switches that will help you reach the skin of your dreams in 2019.

Getting clean with mud: Osmia Black Clay Facial Soap

Don't worry, we don't think you should run outside and literally take a handful of mud! This black clay facial soap contains black Australian clay and Dead Sea mud to balance and firm the skin and make it cleaner than ever. Trust us!

If you cleanse your skin with a detergent that goes deeper than your old one, you can expect clearer and happier skin in 2019!

Finally, try a vitamin C serum: 100% pure vitamin C serum

If you haven't tried vitamin C serum yet, make 2019 your year for it!

Nothing brightens the skin like it does, but the benefits of vitamin C don't stop there. This beauty vitamin helps to reduce inflammation (bye problem skin!) And to increase collagen production for firmer, firmer and more youthful skin.

Go deeper with the peeling: Eminence Yam and Pumpkin Peel

Are you afraid to try microdermabrasion or a chemical peel?

We don't blame you, but why not go deep home with a scrub formulated with all natural enzymes from creamy yam and pumpkin?

This brightening peeling helps to fade hyperpigmentation, reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and make the skin glowing and radiant. It's also a great natural way to treat blackheads.

Treat your skin once a week: May Lindstrom be the problem solver

If you haven't shown your skin the love it deserved in 2018, apply it in 2019 by treating it with a weekly face mask like this antioxidant-rich beauty that treats all of your skin care problems!

Add a toner to your routine: Rose Hibiscus Hydrating Toning Mist

Toners don't get enough credit, but if you really want to take your current skin regime to the next level, we recommend adding one to your routine!

This beautiful rose toner offers a tremendous breakthrough in terms of hydration and is so much more than just a beautiful pink shade! (although we love the color of this!)

Try a multi-purpose product: Ursa Major 4-in-One Face Tonic

Skeptical? Do not be so!

As long as you buy the right products like this great Ursa Major toner, you can't go wrong! This cleans, exfoliates and hydrates everything in one!

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02 Apr
Blog

Call of Duty: Warzone Review: The Definitive Battle Royale

Call of Duty Warzone Duos squads leaked trio

Call of Duty: Warzone Review: Looting the Competition

"Call of Duty: Warzone is the final Battle Royale experience right now."

  • Enough unique aspects to stand out from the crowd

  • Decades of foundation ensure a solid experience

  • The looting mode is a welcome surprise

  • Position audio is somewhat overblown

  • Existing players may have a small charging advantage

After an embarrassing number of rumors and leaks, Call of Duty reentered the Battle Royale scene with Warzone for the second time. a free portion of the larger 2019 release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

The first attempt to get on the train with the heavily marketed blackout was largely forgotten in the weeks after it started. Activision, probably worried about trying again, then sold its next annual shooter release without mentioning the mode that would eventually fill the empty space in its main menu.

However, Warzone doesn't just refer to the game's belated Battle Royale experience. A separate mode called Plunder is also available and could turn out to be the next big thing.

Since the advent of PUBG and Fortnite, the industry has been practically floating in Battle Royale variants. I wouldn't blame you for having all Battle Royale titles created equally, but the industry knows that blatant imitators don't float. Not if you need large numbers of players to get a single game going. Those who survive stick to the defining characteristics of the genre: around a hundred players struggle to be the last to be on a battlefield that is gradually shrinking to the size of your average community allocation.

Warzone sticks to that, but brings decades of industrial polish and a few new ideas to the table.

Good morning Verdansk!

In the Warzone version of Battle Royale, the usual limit of 100 people is increased to 150 to allow the three-man team to line up. Just like EA's response with Apex Legends, Activision seems to be pushing for longevity through social interaction. The more the better and all of that. Camping is not a good spectator sport, and the bigger the squad, the more likely a hot-headed soldier will go against the grain. Pressing a forced group scenario won't help the scared lone wolf, but a "Mute All" button is clearly visible to rule out all of this potential negative energy.

CoD Warzone fall

Solo mode was introduced in a post-release patch, but since it can be removed at any time, get ready to roll the dice in a squad queue at some point in your career. After all, you can't expect every player to want their time to be at the command of a predetermined team. Form a ready-made strategy if you are looking for a maritime strategy and fraternal pats on the back and are concerned only with the fact that games are for some entertainment. no job.

What will help the conscious player, however, are the numerous respawn options that are available after taking a few too many on the chest. Squads can take seriously injured teammates, but even if you succumb to your injuries, it doesn't mean you're not in the game. Step into the bucket and you'll be taken to the Gulag – a card that current Modern Warfare players are undoubtedly aware of – to win their freedom in a one-on-one game. The loadouts are chosen randomly each time. So you have to change your usual duel tactics to have a chance of winning. Live and you get a second chance on the field. Waste your chances or fall again, and surviving allies can throw some cash into a local donor box to bring you back again.

Competition creates innovation

The battle royale genre secured a place in the video game's hall of fame through its survival aspect at a time when sandbox survival simulations were making decent numbers. The idea that death means death resonated with those tired of the running and weapon tactics of most online shooters. It is interesting to see that competitors are gradually deciding to upset the delicate balance of the genre, but this second chance mechanic should make a huge contribution to promoting player loyalty.

CoD Warzone Bullet Trails

Without a ranking season, top players will always mix with the less experienced and relative newcomers, so the 99% have little hope of ending a game. Where is it fun to step into the bucket faster than is required to load a lobby? What Call of Duty has done here doesn't seem to be in the best interests of the professionals, but in reality it's a way to give the less competitive people a reason to stay with them. Big esports players don't rely on respawns to get to the top. The only thing that should do this is to give more people the chance to enjoy the action while filling up the champions' points.

Constantly supplying the grinder with meat is not the only thing Warzone does to mix up the well-known formula. Do you feel selfish or don't you have a buddy who brings you back to life? With this money, you can collect your favorite killstreaks, extra ammo, or even extra armor if you expect a big brawl. The unpredictable nature of long-range killstreaks, drawn from nowhere, will prove to be just as annoying as any regular match, but it's hard to deny that gameplay spices that buy killstreaks can add to the otherwise predictable experience. Battle Royale fanatics have worked out a carefully orchestrated script for success over the years, and anything that shakes the status quo will give Warzone a definite reason to coexist with the established titles over time. And there is more to it than that.

CoD Warzone weapons

Loadouts that come into play regularly reward a high-risk play style. They are similar to airdrops in the well-known Battle Royale titles, but they do not offer random, high-quality loot that everyone can argue about, but a selection of predefined loadouts, complete kits with combat-ready tools and equipment to get you back in the fight. Warzone, like the others, also offers tiered loot. It is not immediately clear what rarity one weapon has over another, but expect those found in caches scattered around the site to have more accessories than the average assault rifle.

Finally, there are contracts and missions that you can find on site and that can be completed for a bit more money on the road. These mark targets (such as loot caches or even enemy squads) on the map and give the teams even more reasons to risk life and limb outdoors and actively look for ways to start a fight. Exploration is a big part of the Battle Royale experience, and Warzone is doing everything in its power to facilitate and promote the outbreak of violence. It sounds stressful, but it's another reason why I see it as an advantage over the competition when it comes to engaging players and viewers. It is rarely boring.

Looting is not a mistake

Aside from the Battle Royale aspect, there is another 50% of the Warzone experience – and that's the best part. At a time when we can't take two steps without falling from a plane into a life or death battle over a desert island, Plunder is here to offer something completely unique. The best parts of modes like Kill Confirmed and Search & Destroy are required to offer a huge cat and mouse game in the same expansive environment as its older siblings.

CoD Warzone locations

You won't find that many players in this mode, but it's the best. Groups of three players fall on the island (with their full loads) and sprint to get cash and deposit it for safe keeping. This is done by expensive balloons or by risking everything with a helicopter pickup. If you die in cash on yourself, a substantial amount will be deducted with the aim of securing the best before the long timer expires. Respawns are activated here. While you don't want to die and drop your money for the most part, it isn't the end of the world if you have some gross spawns.

It's like The Weakest Link, only Anne Robinson has a gun.

Just like in Battle Royale mode, there is a lot going on to advance the match. Contracts are everywhere, helicopters can be shot for big splashes of money, you can raid your enemies' wallets, and there is huge amounts of money stowed in caches scattered around the map. To improve competitiveness, top earners pinged their locations on the map throughout the game, resulting in a messy pursuit that will undoubtedly result in the types of montages you'll only see in a hype trailer before release . Rather than fear for your own life at every step, fear for the money you couldn't throw into a helicopter or fancy balloon. It's like The Weakest Link, only Anne Robinson has a gun.

Like it or not, the Battle Royale "madness" is unlikely to go anywhere. Each. The good news here, at least, is that Activision's second try is currently one of the best – not only because of what it adds to the genre, but also because of the foundation on which it is based. PUBG, the one who triggered this whole gold mine rush, is still struggling with groundbreaking errors and inconsistent spatial audio cues three years after its release. Warzone has largely avoided these audio problems with the exception of a few thundering steps in a skyscraper.

With nearly two decades of releases, Call of Duty had the foundation for the perfect Battle Royale experience long before the idea became mainstream – Activision just had to show it some love. There is a reason why the series attracts the trigger-minded player type. It just nailed the feeling of firing a round. It's not quite as authentic as Battlefield, but it's clear that Activision's rotating developer teams have developed an addictive sense of shooting over the years that ensures that most players know what to expect before they do take the plunge. It's tense, but fair and oh so rewarding.

Conclusion

Our opinion

I'm inclined to say Call of Duty: Warzone is currently the final Battle Royale experience. I'm not afraid to say that Activision used the best of Call of Duty's extensive history to create a more complete Battle Royale experience, but Plunder is currently the standout piece of the package, and I'm a firm believer in it is convinced that in the near future it will not only become a popular pastime for fans, but also an integral part of the Twitch and Mixer websites.

Is there a better alternative out there?

It won't appeal to the Fortnite builders out there. Neither will it reach those who enjoy the slower pace and survival-oriented practicality of something like PUBG. But if you are looking for a serious shooter with a real shine, this is the one for you.

How long it will take?

Hopefully as long as the other big names in the game right now. Both modes appear to be specifically designed for spectator sports where the money should flow into development. Given the experience that existing Call of Duty weapons and maps are used to flesh this out, we can't be sure how much new content will come, but since Activision is always working hard on the next iteration of the series we hope that Warzone will borrow from his brothers in the coming years.

Should you buy it

It's free. Its value as a product cannot be compared. Given that trying the closest competitor (PUBG) still costs a penny or two, this is a no-brainer for those who want to take part in the latest and greatest role. The only thing that stands in your way is a long download.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

Apple MacBook Air (2020) Review: Mac 101 In Session

MacBook Air 2020

"The MacBook Air is a great choice for Mac fans on a budget."

  • New keyboard is an improvement

  • More affordable

  • Better graphics

  • Outstanding workmanship

  • Performance is still lacking

  • Bezels are out of date

The MacBook Air is important. This is the entry point to the Mac lineup. It's the college laptop, the freelancer companion, and a favorite of any Mac fan on a budget.

Many people get a first impression of the Mac here. That means it has to balance both performance and price. I tested two versions of the new MacBook Air to see how each of them does the balancing act.

The Core i3 model costs $ 999 and the Core i5 costs $ 1,199. Everyone wears the new "Magic Keyboard" as a heading function. Is the latest MacBook Air the perfect introduction to the Mac or, like many newer entry-level Macs, a bad first impression?

keyboard

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

The Magic keyboard is a highlight of the MacBook Air. It is responsive, clicks and offers a full millimeter of travel. It's a joy to tap on it, and a real relapse to the popular MacBooks that were sold before the 2016 redesign of the MacBook Pro that introduced the Butterfly Switch keyboards.

You can't say that about the last two years of the MacBook Air. Apple blew up the hapless keyboard mechanism from the MacBook Pro for the 2018 redesign. It did not work. Flat key travel made typing particularly daunting for long periods. It was loud and worst of all unreliable.

Fortunately, those days are gone and the MacBook Air now has one of the best keyboards on a laptop. It even holds a standard feature set full of old-fashioned buttons instead of jumping to the touch bar, a feature I don't miss. The touch bar has never added much meaningful functionality. I use reliable and convenient escape and mute buttons every day.

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

At the top right of the function line is a Touch ID fingerprint sensor, which also acts as a power switch. It's really time for Apple to move over to face recognition on Mac, a feature Apple introduced on iOS devices. Still, Touch ID works very well. It's the fastest and most intuitive fingerprint sensor you'll find on a laptop.

Let's not forget the trackpad while the keyboard steals the limelight. It's big, its pursuit is second to none, and its Force Touch click is practically silent. This is not a surprise. Mac laptops have long had great touchpads. However, it should be remembered that Apple continues to lead the field.

performance

The MacBook Air has never been a powerful laptop and never claimed it. This is the option for users whose requirements consist of word processing, email and online apps. Think of it as a Chromebook, except for Mac apps.

In 2020, however, the air received a respectable boost. This is the first Air with quad-core processors, which is an important upgrade. More cores and threads usually mean more muscle for heavy use and multitasking. Quad-core chips have become the standard for most laptops, including small laptops like the Surface Pro 7, the Dell XPS 13, and the MacBook Pro 13-inch.

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

The jump to the quad core does not make the Air a workhorse. It is still behind the competition.

I tested both the Core i3 ($ 999) and Core i5 ($ 1,099) models, both with 8 GB of RAM. These will likely be the most popular options due to their attractive pricing. The processors used by Apple are part of Intel's 10th generation Ice Lake family, but they're not the same chips you'll see with most MacBook Air competitors. These are variations of chips in the Y series, which Intel produced in collaboration with Apple exclusively for its laptops.

The cheapest $ 999 Air has the Core i3-1000NG4, a 9-watt chip with only two cores and four threads. On average, this means a 15% increase in benchmark performance over the Core i5 MacBook Air two years ago. This is not essential and you are unlikely to notice this increase in daily performance. Nevertheless, it does the daily chores well. Apps open quickly, and if a few dozen Chrome tabs are open, it won't slow down.

Doubling the cores does not mean double the performance.

What about the quad core i5-1030NG7? Doubling the cores certainly doesn't mean double the performance. Since it is still a 9-watt chip, there is an upper limit on the possibilities. Compared to the Core i3 model, the Core i5 model is 27% better in multi-core benchmarks thanks to these two additional cores, but only 8% faster in single-core benchmarks. This is likely due to the fact that these two processors have a low base clock rate of only 1.1 GHz in common.

Here, too, the performance feels appropriate. The problem is not everyday use, but the comparison of the MacBook Air with other laptops that are sold at the same price. The HP Specter x360 for $ 1,100 also has a 10th generation Ice Lake Core i5 processor, but offers 30% faster multi-core performance over the Core i5. The difference is the performance. A 9-watt processor will never hit clock speeds that can compete with a chip that can consume up to 25 or 35 watts in short bursts.

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Of course, the MacBook Air benefits the most in Apple applications. If you stick to restricted solutions like iMovie and GarageBand, you can create light content on the side. Just don't be crazy about Air's upgrades. You can buy a Core i7 model that can hold up to 32 GB of RAM, which greatly increases the price. Still, it will lag behind the competition. The MacBook Air is not a device you want to run Logic or Adobe Premiere on. So don't try to make it a workstation.

Apple prides itself on quiet products, but the MacBook Air can be noisy. You can't access a zoom call without fans getting active on both the Core i3 and Core i5 models. These laptops have a larger CPU heatsink than previous models, but I still wish they would give and take thermals more efficiently.

Graphics and games

Switching the MacBook Air to 10th generation Ice Lake processors brings another important improvement. Graphic. Macs have never been slot machines, but with Apple's increasing focus on supporting Apple Arcade, a decent graphics option is important.

All versions of the Air contain Iris Plus graphics, although the Core i5 and Core i7 models each have 25% more execution units. This leads to acceptable entry-level games as long as you are ready to pull the graphics settings down.

Fortnite is not playable on the Core i3, but it is manageable on the Core i5. With a resolution of 1,440 x 900 and medium settings, the Core i5 MacBook Air managed about 40 frames per second. That may not sound impressive, but it is a big leap over what the previous MacBook Air can do.

Just don't expect to play challenging games like Battlefield V or Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. Windows laptops are still much better suited for gaming, and no modern Mac questions this longstanding fact.

Design and display

Nothing has changed on the casing of the MacBook Air. It is still a single piece of aluminum carved into a light wedge shape. It is rock hard, perfectly processed and still very attractive in its simplicity. The golden color is a highlight, but you can't go wrong with Space Gray either.

It's still the thinnest and lightest Mac you can buy at 0.6 inches and 2.8 pounds thick. This is pretty small, although some Windows competitors are smaller these days. The XPS 13, Surface Laptop 3 13 and ThinkPad X1 Carbon are all leaner and lighter.

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

Part of the problem is Apple's stubborn refusal to downsize its bezels. The company has taken extreme measures to reduce the size of its phones for years, and has even used a notch to house its camera. Fortunately, four years have gone out of style here. That's not a good look for a design-first company like Apple. This feels even more inexcusable after Apple trimmed the bezel of the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

However, the screen between these chubby bezels is good. Apple has only ever offered one display option for its laptops, and this continues to be an advantage with these cheaper options. Even at $ 999, you get a sharp, 2,560 x 1,600 screen with great contrast. It is simply the best laptop screen at this price. You pay over $ 1,500 to get a higher resolution screen from Dell or HP.

With the port selection, Air offers just enough to get you through.

The MacBook Pro screen is of course still blowing the air when it comes to color rendering. The Air achieves 100% of sRGB and 79% of AdobeRGB, which makes it colorful for everyday use, but somewhat inadequate for photographers and video editors. It also offers a maximum brightness of only 389. This is bright enough in most circumstances, although the XPS 13 and MacBook Pro are brighter.

When it comes to port selection, Air offers just enough to get through – and nothing more. Both USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 3, which means they're fast and can process multiple 4K monitors with ease. I wish they had put at least one on each side for simplicity.

Well. Limited ports are a fight Apple has already won. As long as there is more than one, I'm happy enough.

Battery life

Luke Larsen / Digital Trends

The MacBook Air was once the king of battery life. These times are long gone. The lower screen resolution of the Specter x360 and XPS 13 makes it a battery life champion that can easily survive a long day at work.

The MacBook Air isn't bad, but it can't quite keep up. In all of our tests, it's a few hours behind these devices, including easy internet use (nine and a half hours), video playback (10 hours), and heavier applications (three hours). With my usual selection of Chrome tabs, web apps, Slack and Spotify, the MacBook Air lasted an average of six hours.

These tests were carried out on the Core i3 model. I don't expect the Core i5 model to change these results significantly, but I'll update this test later with my final tests.

Our opinion

The new MacBook Air is a respectable choice for budget-conscious Mac fans. The price reduction, the improved keyboard and the additional memory (now from 256 GB) are all improvements in the quality of life. However, the performance remains below average regardless of the selected configuration.

Are there alternatives?

Apple has been slowly lowering the price of the MacBook Air in recent years, and that positions it much better than the competition. The dual-core configuration for $ 999 is in direct competition with the Dell XPS 13, which also uses a dual-core core i3 processor. Many premium laptops do not offer lower performance configurations.

Laptops like the ZenBook 13 UX333 or the HP Specter x360 offer you better battery life and performance for less money, even though you forego the screen resolution and high-end build quality.

If you're set up on a Mac, the MacBook Pro 13-inch is also an option. The screen and processor are a big step up and still the better choice for photographers. Unfortunately, the keyboard is the older version with a butterfly mechanism, and updating memory or RAM is expensive.

How long it will take?

Apple laptops have a reputation for quality, and Apple supports products more often than other manufacturers when problems arise. This makes the MacBook Air a good choice if you want to keep it for five years or more.

Though performance is already behind the curve, it should remain reasonable if your daily use consists of internet surfing, basic productivity, and online streaming.

Should you buy it

Yes. This is a solid option for Mac buyers who want an affordable daily driver.

Editor's recommendations




01 Apr
Blog

Huawei Mate Xs Review: Folding Marvel, Frustrating Flaws

huawei mate xs review open screen

"The Huawei Mate Xs is a technical master class that is affected by faulty software and a disappointing speaker."

  • Excellent construction

  • Can be used both folded and unfolded

  • Nice screen

  • Quick charge

  • Useful multitasking functions

  • Excellent camera

  • Unreliable software

  • No Google Mobile Services

  • Bad audio

  • Very expensive

  • Shelf life is unknown

Smartphones are usually easy to check. For example, the shape and general functionality rarely change drastically. However, the Huawei Mate Xs is not easy. Not only is it completely different from most other phones because it folds up, but also because it costs £ 2,300 or about $ 2,750 and has no Google mobile services on board.

Still, it remains a convincing phone, and it's impossible to ignore the dramatic benefits that come with owning it. They range from the viewing experience to the camera to the cache for using such a futuristic phone. There are frustrating elements, but I never wanted to stop using the Mate Xs.

design

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The Huawei Mate Xs is what many people would consider a real folding smartphone because it looks and works like a normal smartphone before it unfolds into a tablet. This way you can quickly send a message with one or two hands at any time without opening the phone or watch a video on the big screen. To achieve this, the large screen of the Mate Xs can be folded back on itself and becomes "normal size" until it is needed again.

I found that under normal circumstances I didn't have to flip the screen open and typing when the phone is closed is easier as it is just like any other large, modern smartphone. This versatility – phone in one minute, tablet in the next – is addictive, and the return to a non-collapsible phone is restrictive. It's also less noticeable when you use the phone in public, unlike the Galaxy Fold, which has to be unfolded to be really useful. This comes in handy if you don't want to draw attention to the fact that you're using a $ 2,750 smartphone.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

A rail on the right side of the phone has a button that can be used to release the screen from its collapsed position. It's easy to look with your index finger without looking, but you need two hands to unfold the Mate Xs. The central hinge has a wonderful, firm and high quality effect with just the right resistance. It snaps into place without much fuss and remains completely flat after completion.

This is a big deal because if it were only a few degrees away from flatness, the screen would look poorly constructed. Regardless of whether you look at the Mate Xs screen folded or unfolded, it always looks just right. There is a crease, but it is hardly noticeable when you look directly at the phone.

When folded, the lines are clear, as the back of the screen folds flat against the rail and creates a thick piece of smartphone that you can hold. It is 11 mm thick, closed and only 5.4 mm thick at the thinnest point. At 300 grams, however, this is one of the heaviest smartphones currently available.

When closed, it is slippery due to the rounded sides and the lack of grip. You can use it closed with one hand, but you must hold the phone firmly. I mostly used it like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus and other large phones, holding it in one hand and wiping it with the other. When opened, the vertical rail on the right becomes an excellent stopping point and an inspired design piece.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

How about durability? The design and materials of the screen have been improved over the Mate X, but there is still concern that the exposed screen will be destroyed quickly. I have been using the Mate Xs with other devices for a few weeks now. The screen has collected a few small scratches on which it bends sideways. However, I cannot immediately notice them when the screen is on.

Whether it collects more scratches will only become apparent over time, as will the hinge. It has eased somewhat in recent weeks, but remains firm.

screen

Using the Mate Xs with the screen closed is like any other Huawei smartphone. The 6.6-inch OLED has a resolution of 2480 x 1148 pixels and shows strong, dynamic colors with excellent clarity right down to the app icons on your home screen.

Compare it to the stunning screen of the iPhone 11 Pro, and the Mate Xs really questions its superiority. It produces the same natural tones that make the Apple phone screen a winner, and then adds a pleasant saturation to give it a visual boost. It is wonderful.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The fully unfolded 8-inch screen with 2480 x 2200 pixels differs in some respects from the Galaxy Fold. Both are amazingly sharp when playing 1440p videos, with the Mate Xs again showing a little more liveliness than its rivals, but missing some of the richer, more natural tones. The unfolded Mate Xs offer you a fantastic video experience, but with black bars above and below the picture.

I can live with the black bars, but not with the Mate X's frankly terrible speaker. It's a single speaker on one side of the device, and it can't come close to the excellent audio experience of the Galaxy Fold and most other flagship phones. It's a big disappointment for such an expensive video focus device.

Samsung Galaxy Fold (left), Huawei Mate Xs (right) Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Since the phone only consists of screens with partially deactivated areas when folded, some problems with touch sensitivity occur when using the phone in the closed landscape format. Buttons near the fold may stop responding until you adjust your touch point, and scrubbing through videos can be frustratingly difficult to activate. However, there is no such problem on all other sides of the phone.

Visually, the Mate Xs surpasses expectations with its beautiful, perfectly calibrated screen, but due to the poor audio experience it does not become a dream partner for mobile films.

camera

There are four camera sensors on the Mate X, all of which are positioned in the side rail on the back of the phone. The main lens has 40 megapixels and an aperture of 1: 1.8 and is connected to a 16 megapixel ultra wide-angle lens, an 8 megapixel telephoto lens and a flight time sensor.

You won't find a dedicated selfie camera with the main lenses doing selfie tasks as you turn the phone. This will activate the screen on the back so you can see what's going on. It's a clever, simple solution and can be used when taking photos of other people so they can review their pose.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

The camera can be used with the screen open or closed, and the app interface is changed to be more suitable for the larger screen. The app offers a wide-angle shooting mode, a 3x optical zoom and a 5x hybrid zoom. There is also Huawei's night mode, both portrait and aperture mode for images with a bokeh effect, as well as a macro mode.

Up to 4K 60fps can be recorded for videos. Huawei collaborates with Leica on its cameras, and there are several Leica camera modes to choose from that work similar to conventional filters and give photos a unique Leica look.

I love the photos taken with the Mate Xs. The color balance, vibrancy, details and tone are expertly assessed to ensure that the scenes have atmosphere and emotions. The Leica filters can be cumbersome, but when used carefully they give nice results. Edge detection in portrait and aperture modes is excellent, and even super macro mode works well. 3x and 5x zoom shots are great, but the 50x digital zoom is only for display because the photos taken are pixelated.

Above all, I like the reliability. Regardless of the situation, I know that the Mate Xs will make a great, usable photo for me. The lack of a selfie camera is a problem: there is no face unlock on the Mate Xs. The power switch on the side has a fingerprint sensor that is relatively fast and reliable. However, I miss the convenience of face unlocking, especially when there are problems with notifications that I'll talk about next.

Given Huawei's track record with cameras since the P20 Pro, it should come as no surprise that the Mate X's camera works so well. Quality is one thing, but I also think that the different modes, the artificial intelligence and the simplicity of the app increase my creativity so much that I just like to take photos on the phone to see what I can get. For me, this is the hallmark of a great camera.

Software and connection

Google Mobile Services (GMS) is not installed on the Mate Xs. Therefore, you need to use the Huawei App Gallery, Amazon App Store or APK files to transfer your favorite apps to the device. I've tried a few workarounds to get GMS on the Mate Xs, but none of the easy routes work, and although there may be more technical routes that work, they may have questionable effects on the phone. I found that the more apps I installed from alternative sources, the less reliable the app became.

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Using the methods above, I installed most of the apps I need. However, for almost all Google services you need to use a browser. I chose Firefox so that I can easily sync all my bookmarks with Chrome, although you can install Chrome with an APK, just like with Google Maps. The problem with this, however, is that you can't sign in to your Google Account to use saved places or bookmarks.

There is another problem with downloading apps from the Amazon App Store and APK files that has to do with notification support. It's random at best, as the Mate Xs almost never provide Twitter or Messenger notifications.

The usually reliable Huawei email client became problematic even after a software update and often refused to sync my Exchange account. I could use WhatsApp, but not with my chat history. What was worse was that Line Messenger, an app that I use a lot, does not work and there is no mobile payment system. The app situation on the Mate Xs and P40 is so complex that I wrote a completely separate article about it.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Another annoying change is the inability to use an app drawer on the Mate Xs. This is not the case with the Huawei P40 or any other EMUI 10-based phone I use. However, there is no alternative here to distribute all of your apps across multiple home screens. The software is sometimes unreliable. Some apps can only be opened after the phone has been restarted, and the search function in the settings does not always work.

Finally, the Today pop-up is not very helpful. It only contains a few shortcuts, the screen time and a list of messages. Even worse, all messages came from sources behind a paywall, making them completely useless for those without a subscription. Coincidentally (or not) the stories from news UK publications, a group that recently partnered with Huawei to add their apps to the App Gallery, have been merged.

What about the good things? EMUI 10.1, based on Open Source Android 10, is smooth and fast, and tailored to make switching between screens on the Mate X seamless and comfortable. It works really well. Regardless of whether you expand the "Settings" window, the e-mail client or the browser, it is adapted immediately and attractively, so that you have more screen space and more control. The gesture control system also responds. I like the indicators on the sides of the screen that indicate that your swipe gesture has been recognized, and the system-wide dark mode looks brilliant.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Huawei's multitasking is also top notch. Swipe and hold the page for a second to bring up a quick launch bar with apps. Then drag the displayed apps. If you simply tap an app in the bar, it will appear as a floating window.

The large, square screen is very suitable for productivity. The SwiftKey keyboard is standard, but Gboard can be installed as an alternative. I don't like SwiftKey because of its massive keys, desperation to register, and crowded keyboard layout.

However, it does have a split screen where the thumb can be entered when the screen is open that Gboard doesn't have, so I have to use it more often. However, the split screen has to be activated manually and won't return to normal view when you close the phone – another thing you should hate about SwiftKey.

Unfortunately, the software on the Mate Xs frustrated me more than on other Huawei phones, including the new Huawei P40. Some changes felt like a step backwards, while others still felt like a work-in-progress, making me less willing to accept the changes I need to make to live without access to Google Play. While Huawei can't fix this aspect of the Mate Xs, the other parts are in good control and can change with future software updates.

Battery and power

Inside is a Kirin 990 chipset with an integrated 5G modem, 8 GB RAM and 512 GB storage space as well as a second 4G SIM slot. A 4,500 mAh battery supplies the Mate Xs with power and is charged using the supplied 55 W charger, which, however, cannot be charged wirelessly. The superb SuperCharge system fully charged the battery in 55 minutes after 30 minutes to reach 80%. With a few photos, games, surfing and about 30 minutes of video, the battery has enough power to last a whole day.

I was able to perform the following benchmarking tests based on the apps available to me. The results show that it is next to the LG G8X dual screen, but far behind powerhouses like the Galaxy Note 10 Plus. The results come from apps that are not available in the app gallery, which may have affected the results, and I don't think they show the absolute power of the Kirin 990, which has proven strong and fast in every situation.

3DMark 2,791 (volcano)

Geekbench 5: 2693 multi-core, 761 single-core

Games play well and the Mate Xs has effective cooling so the phone doesn't get hot. In contrast to the Galaxy Fold, games can be played with the phone folded or opened. However, note that when playing some games on the larger screen, some cropping takes place due to the aspect ratio. This is noticeable in asphalt legends and games like Hill Climb Racer. but not for games with vertical alignment like Cut the Rope 2.

Andy Boxall / DigitalTrends

Network reception and performance are often only mentioned when it comes to garbage. However, the Mate Xs should be recognized for their first-class ability to receive a signal. Switching from the Galaxy Fold with poor reception shows how much better the integrated 5G modem can detect a 5G signal. The reception is great across the board. The 4G performance in my region is significantly better than some other phones.

Price, availability and guarantee

The Huawei Mate Xs costs £ 2,300, which is around $ 2,750. It is available through Huawei itself, Carphone Warehouse and in a contract with Three UK. Huawei grants a two-year warranty in the UK. The Mate Xs is not sold in the United States, but can be bought as an import.

Our opinion

The Mate Xs is almost the most expensive smartphone from a mainstream manufacturer that you can buy today. The cost can be justified in part by the amount of cutting-edge technology in terms of design, screen, and hinge, but is much more difficult to justify when you consider the software's vulnerabilities and audio trash. The Mate Xs is impressively versatile, has a strong battery and performance, a beautiful screen and is equipped with an excellent camera. This makes it a great everyday companion that is fun.

Is there a better alternative?

The next competitor is the Samsung Galaxy Fold, valued at $ 1,900. It can be folded inwards rather than outwards. Although there is an outside ad, it is too small to be used for much more than displaying notifications or Google Maps. However, it does have Google Mobile Services on board, the camera is also very good, and the audio is better than that of the Mate Xs. On the other hand, it's not only flawed because of the outer screen, but also because of its bulky design. The Huawei Mate Xs is the better folding phone.

If you just want a big-screen smartphone, the 6.4-inch Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra is $ 1,400 and the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max is $ 1,100. I would probably go for the $ 1,100 Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus, which offers many features of the S20 Ultra as well as the S Pen pen at a cheaper price.

The Huawei Mate Xs is the better folding phone.

If you're showing off on a folding phone and want to spend less, the $ 1,400 Galaxy Z Flip is another option, although again that's a different proposition than the Mate Xs, as it has a normal 6.5-inch screen, which can be halved for easy transportation and convenience.

If you want something bizarre, check out the cheaper LG G8X Dual Screen, which offers some great multitasking benefits, is a lot harder than the Mate Xs, and also has a great price.

How long it will take?

The Mate Xs is not waterproof, so you need to be careful with it and you will likely be concerned about the screen's durability, despite Huawei's assurances that it is more robust than the first generation model. Treat it badly and it will likely get scratched, but that's true of almost every phone. Huawei regularly provides updates for EMUI, but it is not known how long it will take for Android 11 or higher to appear on a current Huawei phone.

If you buy it now, you have one of the most modern, futuristic smartphones currently available, and this ensures that it stays fresh and powerful for many years. Huawei has numerous software and hardware improvements that ensure that the software runs smoothly and the capacity of the battery is optimally used.

Yes, you will spend a fortune to get one. Assuming you can now live with the lack of Google Apps, the Mate Xs will serve you very well in the coming years. During this time, Huawei promises improvements to the app gallery so that it could become more accessible to international audiences in the coming months.

Should you buy it

No, but not for the reasons you might think. The lack of Google Apps is a problem, especially when you're deep in the Google ecosystem. However, for many people, little adjustment may be required to cope with it daily. Instead, it is other aspects of the Mate Xs that make it difficult to recommend. The audio is disappointing, and the unreliable software doesn't meet my expectations for Huawei, so it doesn't live up to the expectations you'd get after paying the extremely high price.

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01 Apr
Blog

Keeping Skin Younger For Longer

When it comes to your skin, it's the largest organ in your body and probably the most susceptible to wear and tear as it has to fight the external elements every day. Some people are naturally blessed with good skin due to their genetics, while others are more prone to breakouts, acne and other skin care problems. So what can we do to keep our skin looking younger for longer? With many beauty products and processes that the world promises us, it is difficult to know which is the real business. Here are some ways that can help you maintain that youthful glow into your later years, or even rewind the clock.

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Hydration is the key

When we think of water, it has a fairly simple taste, maybe a little boring. However, water is synonymous with moisture, and that's all for our skin. The body needs a lot of moisture to keep our skin elastic and shiny. Your skin cells are made of water. So they don't work optimally without water. A lack of water means that your skin is drier, scaly and more prone to wrinkles. Water can help prevent skin conditions from flaring up or persisting, and we lose large amounts of water every day. We have to put it back in our body somehow. Drinking water – around 1.5 liters per day – helps to maintain the right amount of moisture for your body. Drink more when you have exercised.

You may also want to add a particularly moisturizing moisturizer to your skin care routine and try to avoid the things that can dry you out, such as: B. drinking alcohol.

The art of sleeping

Sleeping is a nice thing. It is an opportunity for our body to recover and repair to function optimally for the next day. Without sleep we endanger our body and therefore our skin also suffers. Think swollen and dark under the eyes and more breakouts on the skin. When you encounter the hay, you want to make sure that you sleep on a silk pillow and / or wear a silk eye mask. Silk is a gentle material on the skin and therefore does not damage the surface of the skin.

Silk also keeps you cooler at night, which means you sweat less. Sweat causes our breakouts by clogging the pores. No sweating means no stains! It can also avoid other skin problems such as creepy skin, which are explained here: https://www.siobeauty.com/blogs/news/crepey-skin, which can occur most often in older women.

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Protect your skin all year round

If you don't have a skin care routine, it's time to get one. Skin care is important for all ages, and you should use the right care to protect your skin from damage. No matter what the weather, you should always apply sunscreen under your makeup or as part of your morning skin care routine before going out. UV rays can be harmful to the skin and cause sun damage. Even when the sun is not shining, these rays can penetrate through the clouds and into your skin. It is therefore a good idea to lather up a good layer of SPF 15-20 every day.

Have a skincare routine that works for you and not because you've heard of the latest skincare trend that consists of 1,439 different products that you need to use every morning. You will only get bored or demotivated to continue the routine. The main ones are an oil cleaner that removes dirt and makeup, a moisturizer, and an exfoliating element like a face scrub or mask that you can do every few days.

Acids are also great at home if you want to add an additional product to your routine. Retinoids have anti-aging and anti-acne properties that have made them so popular with men and women around the world.

Eat and drink well

Unfortunately, it is as good as Chinese take-out food, and it is unlikely to benefit your skin or body if you eat it too often. Healthy eating is all about moderation. It is important to know when you are eating too much and to be aware that you are bringing the right amount of healthy food to less healthy food. Avoid coffee and opt for a fruit tea like peppermint or green tea. If removing coffee as a whole is too difficult, limit your coffee consumption and replace the others with fruit tea.

Fruits and vegetables are delicious treats and do not rot your teeth like candy. Find fruits or vegetables you like to eat. There are so many out there that there will be one or two you can learn to love! Try to go for five days, which is very little if you think about spreading them out throughout the day.

Try to find foods that benefit the skin's appearance. Fatty fish and avocados are just a few examples.

Remove bad habits

Bad habits can often affect the skin, such as B. Smoking and heavy drinking. Try to replace the habit that harms your skin with something that will hopefully make you stop it altogether. Or when it comes to something like alcohol, make sure to replace your liquids with plenty of moisture the next day.

Picking in places or biting nails is also a common bad habit, and it's often a trigger or boredom or stress that causes you to pick in one place or bite a nail. Find out where these triggers come from so you can get to the bottom of the problem.

Exercise frequently

It's not something many of us like to do, and it gets harder as you get older. However, frequent exercise can dramatically improve your skin's appearance. Training can pump blood around your veins, flush your skin, and prevent the dermis from thinning and thickening the outer part of the epidermis. Exercise is known to relieve stress and flush out toxins, two things that are responsible for affecting the skin. Train in your own way and do sports or exercises that you enjoy doing. Stretch a lot before and after so that the muscles are properly cared for.

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Make makeup easy

Applying makeup daily will somehow aggravate the skin, and this can often include breakouts and inflammation of the skin. With some many cosmetic products, you can opt for an easier makeup routine from time to time. BB and CC creams are good and do not suffocate the pores like a full-surface primer. Tinted moisturizers are also a good alternative to foundation. Use fixative sprays throughout the day to add a little moisture to your skin and gradually apply makeup.

Get a facial

With so many wonderful clinics and beauty salons at your disposal, there are so many options available for different facials that can help the struggle to restore youthful radiance. Here are a few examples:

  • Lymphatic Massage Facial – If your body has trouble removing the lymph, it leads to water retention and swelling. The stimulation of the lymph glands by massage helps to relieve tension and reduce swelling.
  • Vampire facial treatment – made famous by Kim Kardashian, the vampire facial treatment is not for the faint of heart. It is a non-surgical alternative to a face lift. The skin is rejuvenated and wrinkles reduced by injecting a gel-like substance, which is partly made from the patient's blood.
  • Facial Microdermabrasion – Another non-surgical option, microdermabrasion, uses tiny grains to polish the old layers of skin. It's not as aggressive as dermabrasion, where tiny skin needles break apart old skin cells.
  • Gold Facial – For a fancy facial, you may like a little gold. Gold in combination with the Gamma PGA compound improves the overall complexion.
  • Enzyme Facial – These facials are popular with acne sufferers and help eliminate breakouts while cleaning the skin. They cleanse the skin thoroughly with fruit enzymes, paired with wonderful antioxidants and moisturizers.

Cut out the negatives

Many things can contribute to the aging of our skin, but nothing withers more than stress and driving through the roller coasters of life. Therefore, it is important to cut out any negative things in your life that cause you pain, stress, or sadness. Sometimes they are inevitable, but mostly they can be removed by yourself. So cut out the negativity and only bring positivity into your life. No job is worth the stress that affects your health, and life is too short to sweat the little things.

So there you have it, the secret of youthful skin. Unfortunately, there is no permanent solution to preserve your youth. We all grow old at some point and unfortunately our skin. However, if you do some of these steps, you can keep what you have while you are still able.

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01 Apr
Blog

The Importance of the Jerk Balance For Footwork

The split jerk is actually a two-step jerk in which the rear foot lands first and thus gains traction first. This has the effect of pushing the bar forward under the bar when it is locked over the head.

This exercise teaches the correct "dancing" action of the forefoot while the drive from the shoulders is strengthened in front of the neck. If this is a problem for you or one of your athletes, include the movement at the beginning of the session until the footwork is well anchored.

As more knowledge is gained, the exercise can be gradually moved back in training until it can be completely eliminated.

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