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Nexus 5X : the good, the bad and why it’s not perfect

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Google just announced the Nexus 5X and 6P a few hours ago, and anticipation was stellar before the event. Alongside the new Chromecast, Pixel C and Android 6.0 Marshmallow, the two new smartphones were announced as the flagship devices that would make Android even more accessible, affordable and powerful. While there are few doubts about that happening in the future, the fans of Nexus seemed a bit disappointed at the keynote and on the web, mostly when thinking of the Nexus 5X.

Google tried reinventing the Nexus 5X this year after it found out that the 2013 version of the handset was a crowd favorite and the Android community wanted more. The company listened to the feedback it got after the original phone and went straight back to the manufacturer, LG to make the next one, which turned out to be the Nexus 5X. Similar in design and price, but that’s where commonalities end.

That raises the question why comments online on articles about the Nexus 5X are more negative than we could have anticipated. There are plenty of good things about the Nexus 5X and its place in the food chain of technology, but fewer when it comes to the fans. The Nexus 5X might be a smooth operator with an excellent track record, but early impressions suggest Google botched things up with the storage.

Nexus 5X specs include a 5.2-inch QHD display (1440*2560), a fingerprint sensor (aka the Nexus Imprint, as per Google) on the rear where the Motorola dimple is on last year’s Nexus 6, a plastic chassis that looks very akin to that of the original unit, a Snapdragon 808 CPU, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB storage for the base model, with a 32 GB model also available, a 2700 mAh battery, a 12.3 MP camera optimized for indoor shooting and low-light conditions, complete with laser autofocus, an 8 MP wide-angle camera on the front, a USB Type C port for charging and a new sensor coprocessor Google is calling Android Sensor Hub (essentially, voice and gesture control).

That’s all folks! a much-improved version of Lollipop, but there’s nothing special about the Nexus 5X. The device isn’t the innovation some expected it to be, but it is Google and Android in their bare skin. Stock Android and a simple user interface, from which you can uninstall bloatware by the way is the definition of Nexus devices – and what people wanted from the Nexus 5 originally.

The main and most common problem with the original Nexus 5 was its camera, which was rubbish in low-light conditions and indoor environments. Google promised that they fixed that with the Nexus 5X camera and early previews suggest they did. The battery life is an uncertainty at this point and we’re probably going to have to wait a few more days to get testing going. Nonetheless, the 2700 mAh juicer should make the Nexus 5X battery life good if not great. Most are expecting about 6 hours of on-screen time. What do you expect?

With the Nexus 6, Google introduced new features and a phone that was awesome, albeit too large. The problem last year was that the Nexus 6 was too expensive. So this year, Google made sure to make the Nexus 5X price as affordable as possible. With that in mind, the search engine giant will start selling the Nexus 5X in the store for $379. That’s the base model, unlocked mind you and that means only 16 GB of storage and that’s where the problem is this time.

Although paying $380 for a Nexus 5X sounds pretty neat, when one thinks about the 16 GB of internal storage that that money buys, enthusiasm seems to dim. The 32 GB model of the handset will go for $429 in the store, which is still relatively cheap. Nonetheless, when considering that apps are becoming larger and larger (Google increased the limits of app sizes in the Google Play Store, from 50 MB to 100 MB, which means developers can now upload larger apps), 16 GB is not enough.

Some advocate that the missing feature from the Nexus 5X would be the microSD card, but that is not true. Google was never a microSD card kind of company, not when it comes to phones. Regardless of company politics, microSD storage won’t help in the long run if internal storage is small. Storing media like photos, music and videos will work with that, but apps that can’t be moved to an sd card (they’re many) will be restricted to internal storage.

Android users are more focused on apps than ever and getting content online has become the prevalent way we consume media. Cloud storage is an everyday occurrence, music and video are streamed, photos are automatically stored in the cloud and files are saved in the same place. Most of the storage that is used on phones is occupied by apps, and most of the apps can’t work with SD storage with factory settings.

The 16 and 32 GB storage options that are available for the Nexus 5X are seen by many in the Android community as a stupid move, because we use more and more apps on a daily basis and developers have their own benefits when it comes to storage space. More and more commenters point out that the Nexus 5X, even though more of a mid-ranger, cannot do well with so little storage. Google should have at least offered a 64 GB model, but a 128 GB one would have been neat, too.

There are many good things about the Nexus 5X features: a high-resolution, optimal size display, a small footprint, a good camera and presumably, a good battery. Android 6.0 Marshmallow looks pretty sweet and we’re hoping it won’t be as buggy as Lollipop was when it came out. But the Nexus 5X isn’t the ideal phone Google promised, and it all comes down to internal storage. People are mad about that, apparently.

It’s not a total loss, however. Although the Nexus 5X isn’t the bundle of joy people had hoped it would be, its sibling is. Google should be happy, because in just a few hours after the launch, the Android community seems enthusiastic about the Nexus 6P and the Huawei collaboration. The large screen is enticing, the camera is ugly, but sounds awesome, the price is more than alright ($500 for the base model), and we’ve a lot of storage and better performance.

The Nexus 5X might be the losing family member, but at least business stays within the family this time. Although it’s too early to say, the Nexus 6P has made waves, heading in the right direction. Google’s event has been a success, even though it might have seemed poorly orchestrated at times. All that is left is to get to go up close and personal with all the new tech.

As part of the editorial team here at Geekreply, John spends a lot of his time making sure each article is up to snuff. That said, he also occasionally pens articles on the latest in Geek culture. From Gaming to Science, expect the latest news fast from John and team.

Mobile Devices

3 Video Games About Women’s Health

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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

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Consoles

PS5, PS4 Game Death Stranding Coming Natively to iPhone 15 Pro

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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.

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Android

Launched Redmi Note 12 series: 200MP camera, 210W charging for less than $400

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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

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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

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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

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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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