Mobile Devices
Doogee Nova Y100X review – friendly design for even friendlier price
The Doogee Nova Y100X is a smartphone you probably haven’t heard about, but should have, especially if you’re in the market for a budget-friendly smartphone. This handset is one of the most pleasing options in its category, I’ll say that right out, so that you’ll feel compelled to at least consider this proposition. Although the Doogee Nova Y100X is an entry-level smartphone compared to other devices in its price range, it leaves the user with a surprisingly pleasant experience after just one day of being a daily driver, and that’s something admirable about the device, in my opinion.
Before getting ahead of myself, lets break down the Doogee Nova Y100X review into chapters so that you guys can see where the phone succeeds, where it fails and where it compromises down the line. But first, let’s talk price and availability, so you know what we’re talking about and can decide yourself whether bang for buck is attractive with the Doogee Nova Y100X at the end of the review. The Doogee Nova Y100X price is $85 on Everbuying, who includes free shipping and a treat in their packages. If you order the Doogee Nova Y100X from Everbuying, besides the usual case, headphones and screen protector that you get with the phone, you will also receive a free virtual reality headset. By the way, you will get this for free with any purchase.
Chapter 1: Doogee Nova Y100X design
The Doogee Nova Y100X excels at design, and not because it employs premium materials or high-end glass (it doesn’t), but because it’s incredibly ergonomic. Some might not agree with me on this one, but I honestly found the Doogee Nova Y100X design to be rather unique and comfortable for my usage patterns. The handset uses a unique button placement that I haven’t seen for a while, and while some might find it uncomfortable, I find it quite pleasant to work with. The volume buttons are on the left side of the phone, but they’re half on the side, half on the back of the phone, and the same goes for the power button, which sits on the opposite side of the phone.
Although some said the crooked button placement is not fit for them, considering the very small footprint of this phone, I would say Doogee couldn’t have done a better job. But beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, so you guys are going to have to tell me what you think about this design element. Do you think it would be uncomfortable as many have said to me, or do you think it’s going to make usage easier? Sound off in the comments below, as I’m conflicted about the matter.
Although the Doogee Nova Y100X design revolves around plastic and a metal frame, the phone feels quite nice. The shiny, glossy finish isn’t my favorite element, because it’s a bit slippery. Still, it doesn’t attract fingerprints as much as other similar gadgets do, which is ok I guess. The very slim and light body of the phone leaves users with a pleasant feeling in their hands. The handset itself is rather small, so those with big hands might fumble around with it too much. But those with smaller hands like myself will find using the device very comfortable.
Chapter 2: Doogee Nova Y100X display
Although phablets are quite trendy nowadays, there still is a significant number of people that are more fond of the smaller footprint of 5- and 4.7-inch smartphones. The Doogee Nova Y100X comes with a 5-inch IPS+OGS display with a 1280*720 resolution. Although resolution is not that great, the viewing experience is spotless. The screen is bright and crispy, and you won’t notice any rough pixelation too often. The display handles a lot of viewing angles rather well, but it’s not the best when it comes to direct sunlight, as colors tend to wash out when brightness is at maximum level. Otherwise, the viewing experience was quite nice on this one.
Videos and games worked fine and the 5-point touchscreen was good enough to not impact the user experience as it did with other Doogee devices. Compared to the Doogee Valencia 2 Y100 Pro, the Doogee Nova Y100X display left me with a much better impression in the long run. Gesture sensitivity was just great and the phone didn’t activate itself on random touches while in my pocket or purse, which is a plus for the budget-friendly smartphone. Otherwise, there wasn’t anything special about the display, so you might want to consider it a standard feature on mid-rangers, definitely a bit ahead of phones in its price range.
Chapter 3: Doogee Nova Y100X performance and software
The Doogee Nova Y100X is a low-end smartphone, so I didn’t expect much in terms of performance from it. While it didn’t blow my mind, it did surprise me after a few days of use as it was still going strong. The hardware of the handset includes a quad-core MTK6582 CPU, backed by a Mali-400 MP GPU, 1 GB RAM and 8 GB expandable internal storage.
Benchmark results of the Doogee Nova Y100X were not very impressive, as it ranked on the bottom of the scale in most tests. But the phone actually proved that benchmarks mean very little when it comes to real life use. The handset handled all my apps and games that I usually use without a problem. I tried more intensive games like Family Guy, The Simpsons, Despicable Me and others, and the phone didn’t even overheat or stutter once, which is admirable. Real-time apps like Twitter, Google Analytics, Unibet and others also worked just fine, even though the Doogee Nova Y100X only comes with 3G. I didn’t really miss 4G connectivity, but my usage doesn’t involve data usage as much as it does Wi-Fi and hotspot usage.
Performance was impressive and although Android 5.0 Lollipop has Doogee’s own skin on top, animations and transitions were buttery smooth. The dual SIM card slots also added to the overall benefit list of the Doogee Nova Y100X in my book, as I do sometimes use different SIM cards for data usage. MicroSD storage was an added benefit yet again, and the phone handled it well, without any extra lagging going on, which I appreciated. Since it’s a low-end phone, expectations shouldn’t be high of what the Doogee Nova Y100X can do, but I doubt anyone who knows what a low-end phone entails would be disappointed in this phone.
Chapter 4: Doogee Nova Y100X camera
This is where Doogee compromised a bit, as the Doogee Nova Y100X comes with slightly inferior cameras. On the rear, it comes with a 8 MP camera with flashlight and autofocus. On the front, it comes with a 5 MP camera WITH FLASH. That means that even though the rear camera is not as good as it could have been, the front camera is a gem in its game, as there are very few smartphones out there that include a LED flash on the front of the device. This small improvement to the overall design and feature list of the Doogee Nova Y100X adds a lot of benefits to those who like their selfie game to be on fleek.
The front flash is of course a bit inferior to the rear one, but it does produce enough light to make nighttime selfies truly possible. The photos that you take with this camera won’t be jewels of your portfolio, but they will be clear and bright enough to make for great Instagram shots. The rear camera isn’t as flashy, but it does handle low-light well. Its performance is brightly lid places is rather good and it actually takes good shots. The inclusion of a lot of modes and manual controls make the user experience in the camera app pretty neat and I enjoyed it. Although a bit gimmicky, the camera setup is good for the price and can be considered a plus for the Doogee Nova Y100X.
Chapter 5: Doogee Nova Y100X battery life and conclusions
The Doogee Nova Y100X comes with a removable 2200 mAh battery, which doesn’t sound like much. In real life use, the battery life for this device was pretty admirable, as it went through two days of use without a problem. Include a 10 hours sleeping and drinking break in that time period, and you’ll get about 8 hours of screen on time, which is very impressive for a low-end smartphone. According to my estimations and calculations, the Doogee Nova Y100X can last for up to two days with medium use and even three days with light use. Since it was designed for lighter use, I would say battery life is more than decent.
Overall, the Doogee Nova Y100X is clearly a budget smartphone, but it does what it has to do as it should be doing it. The user experience won’t be out of the ordinary for anyone, but it will be pleasant. If you like the slightly different button placement, like I did, this phone could be a great match for you. Keeping in mind that it’s a low-end smartphone that you can buy for $85 unlocked, bang for buck is rather impressive with this one. Adding to that the fact that you get a free compatible VR headset with it only adds to the deal’s appeal.
Mobile Devices
3 Video Games About Women’s Health
Video games have transcended entertainment to become powerful tools for promoting health and wellness. One notable genre in this realm is fitness gaming, exemplified by titles like Hatsune Miku Fit Boxing, which motivates players to engage in physical activity to enhance their fitness levels. Building on this foundation, developers have ventured into women’s health with games designed to raise awareness and empower players to take control of their well-being. Here are 3 video games on women’s health that provide valuable health information and foster a sense of agency to uplift women around the world.
Tampon Run – Menstrual health
Created by Girls Who Code alumnae Andrea Gonzales and Sophie Houser in 2014, Tampon Run is an old-school 8-bit online game where the main character, Luna, lobs tampons to destroy enemies, who will confiscate the tampons if she lets them pass by. Interestingly, the concept of weaponized tampons is based on a real incident that occurred in 2013, where Texas state troopers confiscated tampons as potential projectiles, but not guns, from visitors observing a vote on abortion restrictions at the Texas State Capitol. The goal of Tampon Run is to destigmatize periods and menstrual products, which, up until recently, have not been properly studied to measure their absorbency, which underscores the need to address menstrual health so that women can get better care.
In between tossing tampons, Luna shares empowering messages about how periods are a natural part of women’s lives and should not be a source of shame or embarrassment. The game is available to play on the Tampon Run website and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store for iOS users.
PCOS Vitality – PCOS
Polycystic ovary syndrome is a complex hormonal condition and the leading cause of female infertility that affects approximately 5 to 6 million women in the US, according to the Endocrine Society. Common features of the condition include having irregular menstrual periods, hyperandrogenism, and polycystic ovaries. Additionally, some studies estimate that up to 88% of women with PCOS are overweight or obese. While there are weight loss programs helping women tackle PCOS, focusing on aspects like lifestyle, symptom management, diet, and other tips for how to lose weight with PCOS, the condition itself remains grossly under-researched. For some women, it may take years to confirm that they have PCOS, as there are other disorders that mimic PCOS signs and symptoms that must be excluded.
The lack of research has extended to a lack of awareness among the general population and is what clinicians from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland are trying to address with the 2023 game PCOS Vitality. Essentially a learning tool, the game takes users through a simple obstacle course. As you click toward the finish line, you are asked simple trivia questions about PCOS. The game is free to play on Focus Games’ website.
Bound by Blood – Period poverty
Period poverty refers to the lack of regular access to period products, painkillers, or underwear during a menstrual cycle. In the US, where 16.9 million menstruating women live in poverty, two-thirds cannot afford basic menstrual products. Period poverty has also been associated with mental health issues and urinary tract infections.
Available to play on the itch.io website, Bound by Blood was created by Jessica Gates in 2017 and aims to educate players about the reality of period poverty. Users take the character of Beth, a homeless woman who wakes up in her car and realizes that she’s started her period. Players then make a series of choices to try to stay as hygienic as possible in spite of lacking resources such as menstrual products and clean restrooms. There isn’t really a way to “win” the game, and it is instead a peek into the reality of life where period products are inaccessible and how this affects women’s quality of life.
Through these games, players not only gain valuable insights into various aspects of women’s health but also find themselves actively engaged in their own well-being. As developers continue to explore this emerging field, the potential for video games to serve as educational tools and catalysts for change in healthcare remains promising
Consoles
PS5, PS4 Game Death Stranding Coming Natively to iPhone 15 Pro
PS5 and PS4 console game Death Stranding Director’s Cut is coming natively to the iPhone 15 Pro, demonstrating its power. The entirety of Kojima Productions’ seminal hiking sim, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil Village, and Assassin’s Creed Mirage, will be available on your phone. Bonkers!
Tech giant: “Continuing Apple’s leadership in smartphone silicon, A17 Pro improves the entire chip, including Apple’s biggest GPU redesign. The new CPU is 10% faster with microarchitectural and design improvements, and the Neural Engine is 2x faster, powering iOS 17 features like autocorrect and Personal Voice.
According to the company, the pro-class GPU is 20% faster and unlocks new experiences with a 6-core design that boosts peak performance and energy efficiency. Hardware-accelerated ray tracing, 4x faster than software-based, gives iPhone 15 Pro smoother graphics and more immersive AR and gaming experiences. The iPhone 15 Pro brings console games to smartphones for the first time.
As with all cutting-edge Apple products, participation is expensive. The iPhone 15 Pro will cost £999/$999 at launch, and the Max model will cost £1,199/$1,199 for a 6.7″ screen. The most basic option only gives you 128GB, so you’ll need more if you want to play Death Stranding on the go.
However, the blurring of standalone consoles and mobile games is fascinating. The success of Genshin Impact, a full-fledged open world, has shown there’s a market for console-like mobile games. It will be interesting to see how Death Stranding performs on this latest iPhone generation.
Android
Launched Redmi Note 12 series: 200MP camera, 210W charging for less than $400
The three phones have similar screens and processors, but they vary in a number of ways.
The Redmi Note series from Xiaomi has historically been the brand’s most well-liked smartphone line, providing excellent value in the entry-level market. The Redmi Note 12 series has now been unveiled by the firm in China.
The Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition, Redmi Note 12 Pro, and Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus are the three phones we truly have this time. A flat 6.67-inch FHD+ 120Hz OLED screen, a Mediatek Dimensity 1080 5G processor, and a 16MP selfie camera are features shared by all three devices.
They both have a 3.5mm connector, NFC, IR blaster, and Wi-Fi 6 compatibility, among other things. In contrast, there are a few significant variances.
Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition
The Note 12 Discovery Edition of the Redmi Note 12 has a 200MP HPX primary camera (f/1.65, OIS), making it possibly the most striking model. This camera can capture photographs with a resolution of 200MP, 50MP pixels (using four-in-one binning), or 12.5MP (using 16-in-one binning). Additionally, the phone offers a 2MP macro lens and an 8MP ultrawide camera.
The phone is notably different from its stablemates in that it supports 210W wired charging; according to Xiaomi, a full charge can be achieved in just nine minutes. Although you only get a 4,300mAh battery here, this high wattage comes at the expense of battery capacity.
Redmi Note 12 Pro Plus
Thought a 200MP smartphone with a larger battery would be cool? With the Pro Plus model, you get precisely that. The triple back camera system will have the same 200MP+8MP+2MP resolution as the Discovery Edition.
The Pro Plus variant, on the other hand, chooses a 5,000mAh battery and still blazing-fast 120W cable charging. Xiaomi claims that a full charge should be achieved in about 19 minutes.
Redmi Note 12 Pro
Have no interest in megapixels? The Redmi Note 12 Pro, which adds a 50MP IMX766 primary camera (f/1.88, OIS) in addition to the 8MP+2MP duo, fills this need. The Oppo Find X5 Pro and the Asus Zenfone 9 both feature flagship devices with 50MP sensors similar to this one. We therefore have high hopes that it will also produce acceptable image quality on the Note 12 Pro.
The Pro version additionally includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W wired speeds. A 100% charge should be expected in a still quick 46 minutes.
Pricing and availability for the Redmi Note 12 series
The base 8GB/256GB variant of the Redmi Note 12 Discovery Edition costs 2,399 yuan (about $332), while the base 6GB/128GB model of the Redmi Note 12 Pro costs 1,699 yuan (about $235). Do you want Pro Plus? The 8GB/256GB variant thus has a starting price of 2,099 yuan (about $290).
Although Xiaomi acknowledged that these phones are currently limited to China, it advised us to “keep tuned” for international announcements. To be fair, the Chinese Redmi Note 11 series was very different from the international variants that debuted a few months later.
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