Mobile Devices
Huawei Mate X vs. Samsung Galaxy Fold – Battle will be folded for good
Samsung has been hinting towards their foldable phone for quite some time now. Ironically, by the time the company actually managed to deliver what they have been taunting us with, other manufacturers figured things out too. Namely, Huawei amazed its fans with another foldable phone, which, let’s face it, might even be more amazing than the Samsung Galaxy Fold. Both the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X were announced in the same period of time and are probably going to hit the shops at the same time too. While this is great for some, for others it just created a dilemma: which to choose over the other one? Let’s take a look at them both and then try to make a decision on which is best.
Samsung Galaxy Fold
We’ve seen renders of this phone for years now. Each December, rumors started surfacing about the possible release of the devices. Unfortunately, each February came and went without us actually getting the new technology. This year, it finally materialized. Indeed, the Samsung Galaxy Fold looks awesome. It even looks better than we might have thought. At first look, some might get the feeling that it just looks like a regular smartphone, only thicker, but the magic happens when you unfold it: you practically double the size of the screen, but the device still fits in your pocket. To be more exact, with the Fold you get a normal display and a huge one when you open up the handset.
Just like it is with other Galaxy devices, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has a nice design, with clean edges and a classy feeling. Naturally, the materials used to build the handset are premium quality, so users will feel really well when using it. However, the technology is still new for us, so it’s hard to imagine that the repeated folding and unfolding of the screen won’t take its toll at some point. Hopefully, this won’t be the case, however, if we are to thin about past foldable phones, the connections in the folding area eventually suffer due to the folding action. Then again, Samsung too its time when developing the technology, so it’s not impossible that they actually managed to figure out a way to protect all the sensitive components.
The size of the display would mean nothing if it weren’t for its quality too. The Samsung Galaxy Fold’s smaller display is a 4.6-inch AMOLED one with HD+ resolution. The Infinity Flex Display, which users will only find when unfolding the device is a lot larger, namely, it is a QXGA+ 7.3-inches screen. This will definitely prove its value when watching videos and playing games. The outer display has quite a thick frame, which might disappoint some, but then again, the Infinity Flex Display on the inside could easily make up for it. Even so, the smaller screen might prove difficult to use after we got used to a lot larger screens.
Under the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has the best technology available. The device comes with a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset and it carries no less than 12GB of RAM. This should be enough to make the device run without any issues. As for the storage, the Samsung Galaxy Fold offers 512GB of it. This is a lot more than many computers had a few years back, however, the new Samsung Galaxy S10 offers 1TB of storage, which might bring some people down. After all, the Fold is the brand new stuff and it should have the best of everything on board. The batteries of the phone offer a total of 4,380 mAh, which is more than we’ve seen before, but we will still have to wait and see just how long they will last on a single charge given the other specs of the device.
We got used to having a hilarious number of cameras on our smartphones nowadays. The Samsung Galaxy Fold is no exception from the rule either, as it comes with no less than six cameras. Three of them, a main 12-MP wide-angle camera, a 12-MP telephoto camera with 2x optical zoom and a 16-MP ultra-wide camera are on the rear side of the device, there is a selfie-camera on the front, where the smaller screen is, and there are two lenses on the device when unfolded too. These should all be capable of capturing high-quality pictures and videos but again, we will see for ourselves when Samsung releases the device.
The Samsung Galaxy Fold will reportedly become available in a 4G variant as well as in a 5G variant. Both of them run Android 9 Pie out of the box. Users will be able to choose between Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green and Astro Blue colors, which all look great. Naturally, they all come for a price and, as expected, it is not a low one. For now, we don’t have a clear price for the devices, but rumor has it that the 4G version will cost at least $1,980. The 5G model will definitely be more expensive but it’s a little hard to guess right now just how expensive it will be.
Huawei Mate X
Huawei is not the world’s favorite smartphone manufacturer nowadays, but it can definitely impress with the new Mate X. It’s not just that the company managed to deliver it at the same time as Samsung finally unveiled its Samsung Galaxy Fold, but that it might actually prove to be better. Huawei worked on the device a lot more silently than the South Korean company did, so they also managed to surprise the world more than Samsung did. For many people, this is already a plus.
When it comes to design, even though both the Samsung Galaxy Fold and the Huawei Mate X have the same main attraction, namely the foldable screen, they couldn’t be more different. Instead of going for the same look, Huawei spun it and folded the device in the other way, so the smaller screen of the Huawei Mate X is not a separate screen, instead, it is part of the larger, foldable one. This means that the Mate X lacks a small screen, but given the huge frame of the small screen on the Fold, it might not bother too many people. Just lie in the case of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the repeated folding and unfolding of the screen might cause damages to the device over time, but this remains to be seen also.
The unfolded screen of the Huawei Mate X is larger than the one of the Samsung Galaxy Fold. The 8-inch screen comes with a 2200 x 2480 pixels, but to be fair, it has the same pixel density as the Fold’s screen does. One thing that is more appealing on the Huawei Mate X is the size of the folded screen. Instead of having to work with a smaller screen, which can prove to be difficult in some cases, those who opt for the Huawei foldable device will have a 6.6-inch display at their fingertips when the handset is folded. It is also an AMOLED display, so the visual experience should be the same on both devices.
Just like the Samsung Galaxy Fold, the Huawei Mate X carries a powerful chipset under its hood. It is the Kirin 980, also built on a 7nm platform, and it is paired with 8GB of RAM. This is less than the 12GB offered by the Fold, but it could still be enough to ensure a really good user experience. As for the storage, the Huawei foldable device offers the same amount of it as the Samsung smartphone does, but it also gives users the possibility to extend it by up to 50% by using the second SIM slot. 512GB should be enough for the majority of users but this will definitely weigh in for some when choosing one model over the other. The single battery of the Huawei device also seems to be more impressive. It is a 4,500 mAh one, that supports fast charging so users won’t have to spend a lot of time feeding their devices with energy.
In the camera section, Huawei seems to have a more realistic approach to what the users need. Instead of adding six camers to the folding phone, the company only equipped it with four. The quad-lens camera module combines a 40 MP standard lens, an ultra-wide-angle 16MP lens, an 8 MP telephoto lens, and a Time of Flight (TOF) camera which can map depth. Whether this setup will prove to be just as satisfying as the 6-camera combo on the Samsung Galaxy Fold is still unclear, we will have to wait and compare the result when they actually become available for purchase.
Speaking of purchase, the Huawei Mate X won’t be an affordable handset either. There will reportedly only be a 5G model, not a 4G one too, and it will cost about €2,300, which roughly translates into $2,600. This is considerably more than what we heard about the price of the Samsung Galaxy Fold, but we shouldn’t forget that the rumored price was for the 4G Samsung model and the 5G will be more expensive. The Huawei Mate X will run the same operating system as the Fold, and it will supposedly become available in a single Interstellar Blue color variant.
Which one is better?
The answer to this question depends on the preferences of the user. I personally prefer the larger screen of the Huawei Mate X, both folded and unfolded. Those who prefer to have many cameras on their devices will most likely lean towards the Samsung Galaxy Fold. The Fold could also have a lower price and it comes in multiple variants so every user can choose what is best for them. It is also notable that the Huawei Mate X will most likely be out of reach in some areas. It might not come to the US at all. We will now more once the manufacturers actually release them and then we will be able to make our choices based on more accurate information than we have now. At this point, the Huawei Mate X, however, seems to be the better device to me.
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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