Review

The AirPods Max (Sky Blue) – Unboxing and a Short Review

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AirPods Max Sky Blue

I know this is way past the AirPods Max’s launch period, but I was not able to have access to one until very recently. I have been testing it heavily for more than a week already, and I can not find anything bad about it (other than the price, which obviously is going to be higher than the flimsy plasticky headphones that the tech community are familiar with).

It is way more comfortable than all the full size headphones I have, the sound quality is great, and most importantly spatial audio and the transparency mode is way beyond what the competition can offer.

No doubt that it will be an expensive purchase, even with the recent discounts, but the AirPods Max will be well worth your money, especially in a year when most have all the time at home to enjoy the Max.

Comfort

I tend to have problems with wearing full size headphones. The cushion headbands on those put pressure on the top of my head andI will feel a dull pain on my head after wearing headphones for a hour or so. Not so with the AirPods Max. The mash headband does not feel like it is there at all, even after two or more hours. Normal headphones’ ear pads usually puts pressure on the side of my ears and makes my ears feel like they are suffocating, the fabric earpads on the Max for some reason do not do the same, my ears feel like they can breath.

Sound Quality

Way better than both the Bose QuietComfort 25 and 35 (Bose headphones have terrible sound), and the Sony XM3s (I have not tested the XM4s, but I have heard that the sound is similar). Some reviewers prefer a punchier and more “exciting” sound (that the Sonys provide by its default sound signature), and thus rated the Max’s sound as not as good. However, if you use an iOS device, you can use the headphone accommodations settings to tune to sound into something similar to the Sonys, I recommend the “Slight – Brightness” setting.

Headphone Accomodations

You can access the headphone accommodations setting in Settings > Accessibility > AirPods>AirPods Max (or the name of your AirPods) > Audio Accessibility Settings > Headphone Accommodations > Custom Audio Setup.

Cons

The aluminium ear cups are so nice and they feel like they can be accidentally scratched if you were not paying attention. You will likely need to buy covers for them to feel at ease. Also there is simply no way to have a pure analog input into the AirPods Max, even with the Apple 30USD cable. If you want to use this with your high-end DAC it is a no go.

Unboxing

Here are the unboxing pictures.

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The Official Apple iPhone 12 mini Silicone Case with MagSafe Review

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IMG_1973@0.5x

Apple has been making first party iPhone cases for several years by now, but I have largely steered clear of buying them due to their higher prices and lack of full coverage of the body (iPhone 6 to 11 cases). They offer less than ideal protection, does not show off the beauty of the iPhone body, and cost 2 to 5 times the prices of the most popular iPhone cases on the market. To me the official Apple cases were a no go.

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Full Protection

With the introduction of the iPhone 12, and the return to a iPhone 5-like form factor, the Apple official cases now cover the phone bodies completely. On top of that, they officially support MagSafe, enhancing the strength of the hold of the MagSafe Charger to the phone. The Apple cases also now show an interesting animation on the display when they are put on the iPhones, with their colours reflected in the animation, The iPhone 12 Apple cases are therefore quite a bit better than their predecessors. However, they also carry a higher price tag.

I managed to purchase an official Apple Silicon Case for the iPhone 12 mini in Dark Navy at a price lower than the MSRP. After using it for more than a month, I have some thoughts.

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Liquid Silicone

The official Apple Silicone cases are made of a material called liquid silicone, which gives it a very rubbery feel, increasing the grip when you hold the phone in your hand, but also picks up lint every time the phone is in your pocket. They are quite a bit different from most of the other cases in the market, which typically use TPU, Polycarbonate, or a combination of both. There is also a microfibre lining on the inside, presumably to keep the back of your iPhone clean when it is inside the case.

More problems than solutions?

I find the rubbery surface both extremely helpful in maintaining my grip, but also extremely uncomfortable to touch. The microfibre lining may also trap dust and make it harder to clean, causing scratches over time as the trapped dust rubs against the back of the phone. It is

First Party MagSafe

I like the hold of the magnets to the MagSafe charger, as it is way stronger than when I was using the iPhone 12 mini with the Spigen Ultra Hybrid (TPU sides with Polycarbonate back). The Apple MagSafe Wallet will likely be more secured with the MagSafe case than with a random third party case. The stronger hold also means that it will work with chargers that are meant to hold the iPhone suspended in mid air by MagSafe, like the Belkin 3-in-1 wireless charger with MagSafe.

Conclusion

Will I buy another one? Yes, if I can get it at a discounted price, definitely. Will I recommend it for everyone? It really depends. For most people the MagSafe ecosystem is not a necessity, and diving into it requires a bunch of spare cash. Third party cases with MagSafe-like magnets built in can be a cheaper alternative, but the quality control on those are suspect, as online reviews have shown that more than a few have less than ideal magnet strength. The iPhone 12 works with normal Qi chargers, and MagSafe is ultimately a nice to have, at least until the time when Apple removes the Lightning port from the iPhones.

The Powerbeats (4th Generation) Review (and Some “Beats by Apple” History)

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PXL_20201214_215959075.NIGHT@0.5xSimilar packaging to the Powerbeats Pro

PXL_20201214_215400370.NIGHT@0.5xBlack Box Now

PXL_20201214_215438056.NIGHT@0.5xThe red Powerbeats looking good

PXL_20201214_215534910.NIGHT@0.5xEverything else in the box

PXL_20201214_215549240.NIGHT@0.5xOnly tips and a black Lightning cable

PXL_20201214_215629546.NIGHT@0.5xFlimsy fabric pouch

PXL_20201214_215714882.NIGHT@0.5xBeats sticker and literature

The AirPods Max came out today. But unless you already have a pair on the way, you will likely be waiting until March 2021 for a pair since both the online and retail are fully sold out. What should you buy if you need to find a pair of iOS friendly headphones for your loved one this Christmas?

Let me tell you a story.

Some history

A long time ago, there was a headphones brand by the name of Beats by Dre. They were very popular among the youth and those who value the looks of a headphone over the actual sound. Any self-respecting audiophile or wannabe stayed far away from them.

Then in May 2014, Beats by Dre became “Beats by Apple” (Apple purchased them).

For a long time since the purchase Beats just kept doing its own thing, as the Apple then was mainly interested in what is now Apple Music.

Then in 2016, with the release of the iPhone 7, Apple removed the 3.5mm headphone port from the iPhone. On top of the AirPods they introduced at the same iPhone 7 event, Apple also mentioned that a bunch of Beats headphones will be introduced and updated with their W1 chip that was powering the first generation AirPods.

Those Beats headphones were the Beats Solo 3, the Beats Studios 3, the Powerbeats 3, and something new in Beats’ lineup – the BeatsX.

The BeatsX

The Beats Solo 3, Beats Studio 3 and the Powerbeats 3 were, as far as anyone could tell, still tuned by Beats, and they, well, continued to sound like shit headphones muddy with too much bass. The BeatsX, however, was an entirely different animal. It sounded exciting, with a decent sound stage, and pretty well instrument separation. There was bass, but it was just the right amount, and the mids and highs were pretty balanced. As it was reviewed as a tech accessory, some in the tech world just dismissed it as another Beats headphone. To some others, the Beats X was the successor to the famous ADDIEM, the Apple Dual Driver In Ear Monitors, also known as the Apple In-Ear Headphones with Remote and Mic. Everything released by Beats after the Beats X eventually received the same high level of sound tuning.

What Apple is not

Many people are mistaken about Apple. The arseholes out there think that Apple is an arrogant company that makes overpriced lousy products that only people who were hypnotised by the Steve Jobs Reality Distortion Field bought. The PC die-hards think of Apple as another PC company that sold overpriced assembled PCs on commodity hardware and they only achieved the success they have because their computers are made of aluminium and/or white plastic.

What Apple is

Apple is an audio company. And they are one of the best audio companies. Apple did not just start making audio products in 2016. There were the iPods, the iPod hifi, and hell, remember the iSub (later part of Harmon Kardon Soundsticks)? People who were aware of this history were afraid that Apple’s audio quality would go down the drain through the Beats acquisition. In reality, the opposite happened. Beats by Dre is shit. “Beats by Apple” is genuinely a very good audio company.

That is a lot of words unrelated to the actual Powerbeats headphones review.

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The (new) Powerbeats

The Powerbeats (4th Generation), was released earlier this year, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. It did not garner much attention, for the world today likes to focus on “true wireless”, whatever that means. Most people had other issues to deal with then too. The Powerbeats Pro, released one year before, was universally well received for having both passive sound cancellation and the best sound in Apple’s headphone lineup then (this was before the AirPods Pro existed).

The easiest way to describe the Powerbeats is that they are “Powerbeats Pro with a wire”.

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“Powerbeats Pro with a wire”

There are many in the audiophile world who will put the sound of the Powerbeats Pro above that of the AirPods Pro, so you know that the Powerbeats have really good sound. From my testing that sentiment is generally accurate, even if I prefer the AirPods Pro overall for various reasons (ANC, easier to seal).

Powerbeats, very affordable

The Powerbeats also happen to be the most affordable pair of headphones with the H1 chip in Apple’s line up (even cheaper than the AirPods second generation). This means that it has auto device switching with firmware 3A283, like the AirPods and AirPods Pro. If you have multiple iOS devices, you already know how magical this feature is. Beats branded products are also easily available with decent discounts, unlike the Apple branded AirPods. They are often on Amazon US for only 99.95USD, 50USD off their usual retail price. Plus they come in colours other than just white.

For the smaller price tag, the Powerbeats took features off the Powerbeats Pro. There is a wire across the two headphone pieces, so it is not “true wireless”. There is no wireless charging case to top up the battery charge when they run out of power. The “case” they come with is a cheap looking fabric pouch.

That is about it. And they are 100USD cheaper than the Powerbeats Pro’s retail price.

The potential issues

However, there are two points you must consider before you decide to purchase the Powerbeats. Like the Powerbeats Pro, it has the ear hooks, which makes wearing the Powerbeats uncomfortable for some people, especially over long periods. And like the Powerbeats Pro, the “buds” are angled at a specific angle that will make it difficult for some people to get a proper seal with the rubber tips. A bad seal results in bad sound. If you do not have a problem with the Pro’s fit, you will not have a problem with the Powerbeats either.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Powerbeats are a superb buy. If you have a loved one on iOS but who has yet to make the jump to wireless headphones, the Powerbeats will be a good choice of present this Christmas.

Pros
-Very good sound quality (way better than the cheap Beats Flex, which is just acceptable)
-Sweat-resistant
-Very affordable for Apple’s line up
-Comes in colours other than White (like the superb Red in this review)

Cons
-Earhooks are annoying
-Some ears might find it hard to get a decent seal on (resulting in bad sound)

Benq PD3220U Monitor Review: Expensive, but Good Looking 4K Alternative to the Pro Display XDR

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PD3220U with Macbook

I was recently contacted about reviewing Benq’s 32 inch monitor the PD3220U which they are marketing towards Mac users and I thought, why not? It is not everyday a manufacturer agrees to loan you a brand new product for over a month to have you write a review when you only write about Apple stuff.

Disclaimer: Benq only loan me the monitor, they have provided me with neither free stuff nor money to write this review. In fact, after mentioning that I was done (and getting me to add the part about the m-book mode as well as do SEO stuff), they wanted the monitor back asap and stopped corresponding the minute their deliveryman took the monitor away. *Edit: I was contacted again on 4th Feb 2020 (one or two days after I made edits to the original article after doing more research on Benq’s line up), and they have informed me that the PD3200U has suddenly seen a price jump from $1099 to $1199.

My main Mac has been an 5k iMac for the last few years, and before that, the 2007 Aluminium 24 inch iMac. With the 24 inch I had a dual monitor setup, with various monitors from a 17 inch LG to eventually a 27 inch random Korean-made no brand monitor (that was using the 27 inch iMac LG panel) with the expensive Mini Displayport to Dual-Link DVI adapter.

After buying the 5K i decided that non-retina third party monitors are not going to cut it (4K monitors during this time were still far and few, and cost a whole lot of money), so I went single screen in late 2014. But 2014 was a long time ago.

Today when you first think about external monitors for the Mac, there is the Apple-approved LG Ultrafine 5K (and also the 4K, which nobody really wants), and then there is the overkill 6K (both in resolution and in USD pricing LOL) Apple Pro Display XDR announced together with the Mac Pro months ago. Both have their pros and cons, although with the LG its reported issues when the monitor first debuted in 2016 put some Mac users off buying it (even though the second revision is reported to have fixed most, if not all of the problems).

Seriously speaking most Mac users are not going to buy first party monitors from Apple, because they are usually on the expensive side, and offer very little options for people who want to use the monitors for purposes other than just with their Macs. For example, in the past many video production houses used to buy Mac Pro towers and pair them with Dell monitors (these days it seems to be mostly a mixture of iMac Pros and iMacs) instead of buying the more expensive Apple Cinema Displays.

PD3220U Accessories

Everything else that came in the box

Back to the Benq. I took possession of the monitor in early December, so by now I have about a month’s time with it, and well, I do quite like it. Like anything else, it has its share of pros and cons, so I thought I will go over those here rather than doing some kind of overview writeup about the monitor which by now the internets are full of.

PD3220U base

The sturdy and heavy base supporting the (pretty) heavy monitor

First thing first.

According to Benq, some of the monitor’s product features are;

-Mac Compatibility
Thunderbolt 3 ports are for the Mac user. It provides compatibility for Mac users and allows for both audio and video transmission. A Thunderbolt 3 cable is included in the box for users to connect the computer to the
monitor.

-Color Precision
Work smoothly in the 95% P3, Display P3 and 100% sRGB/Rec. 709 color space from any viewing angle. High Resolution 4K resolution offers extraordinary clarity of fine details and textures for an optimal viewing and visual-intensive work experience.

-Hotkey Puck G2
The upgraded hotkey puck G2 provides the user with a convenient way to customize shortcuts to their preferred features on the OSD. With 3 single function keys as well as a rotation key, the user can designate them to three most frequently used features at work. The dial facilitates the designer to quickly go through the OSD menu and set up their preferred brightness, contrast and volume of the monitor. The hotkey puck G2 is itself a hot key which increases the designer’s work efficiency and productivity with preferred settings in one gadget.

-KVM Switch
The newly upgraded KVM is designed for the user to control 2 PCs of two different operating systems (Mac or
Windows systems) with only one set of keyboard and mouse by simple switch. With BenQ’s new KVM design,
the user is also able to switch USB and video signal simultaneously. This is to add the level of efficiency and
convenience.

-HDR 10
This monitor can support HDR10 (ST2084) which allows users to preview the HDR video. HDR mode will be
activated automatically when HDR video content is detected. (It must be HDR content and with compatible
devices such as HDR logo on PS4 /Xbox /Youtube /Netflix /TVbox/Windows10 RS3…)

-CAD/CAM Mode
-Animation Mode
-Darkroom Mode
-DualView Mode,
blah blah blah

…among others.

The PD3220U is first of all a Thunderbolt 3 monitor, which basically grants it compatibility with the majority of Macs that were released in the last two or three years. I have tried and successfully connected my 12-inch MacBook, my iPad Pro 2018, as well as my Surface Go to the PD3220U. The TB3 connection also supports USB-PD which outputs up to 85 watts of power through the TB3 ports, enabling even the 15-inch MacBook Pros to be charged when connected (however the new 16-inch MacBook Pros do require more than the 85 watts that this monitor can output). Unfortunately my main machine the 2014 5K iMac came with Thunderbolt 2, and it will not be possible to run it through the TB3 input. Which brings me to the first point.

My Setup with the PD3220U

My current main setup with the Benq PD3220U

1. The PD3220U is NOT JUST a Thunderbolt 3 monitor

It is also a DisplayPort and HDMI monitor, and comes with the respective cables. No adapter was needed to use the monitor with my 5K iMac, the Displayport to MiniDisplayPort cable that came with the monitor was all I need to get it set up in a couple of minutes. I also set up the HDMI port to my PS4 Pro so I can game on the monitor while working on my iMac without having to turn on a TV. The 31.5 inch screen is as big as the other TVs in my house, and the colors are way better. Having one monitor for a variety of needs is a very basic feature of modern monitors, but this is one feature you definitely cannot find on the LG 5K Ultrafine and the Apple Pro Display XDR. Pro tip: Benq has a non-TB3 monitor for half the price with almost the same specs (minus the good looks), the PD3200U.

iPad Pro Setup

Works with the iPad Pro right out of the box without adapters

2. The viewing angles and colors on the monitor are great, and it supports HDR 10.

Benq says it supports 95% of the DCI-P3 color space, which means it is not 100%. Most people with the exception of a couple of video editors will not need 100% P3 color space support, and these people will probably do better to buy the LG 5K Ultrafine anyway.

The monitor ships with a whole lot of color modes for professional use, including;

-Display P3
-DCI-P3
-sRGB
-Adobe RGB
-REC.709
-HDR
-CAD/CAM
-Animation
-Low Blue Light
-Darkroom
-M-book
-DICOM
-User

Many of these color profiles can be found on Macs as well, while some of the standouts (found on many other Benq monitors) are the CAD/CAM mode, which Benq says “offers superior image contrast, allowing for lines and shapes of technical illustrations to stand out. Incredible display performance is best paired with Pro/E, SOLIDWORKS, AutoCAD, CATIA and other CAD/CAM software solutions” or the Darkroom mode which “creates the optimal setting for work in darkened post-processing environments” by “adjusting image brightness and contrast for superb clarity and detail sharpness”. Low Blue Light offers four separate settings to reduce blue light (which in turns reduce the strain on your eyes) when you are using the monitor at night, something that is similar but nowhere as smart as Apple’s Night Shift. HDR10 is simply good for gaming and netflix. These days you won’t catch me buying a monitor or TV without HDR support.

Out of these, there is a M-book mode which Benq advertises to be almost indistinguishable to the MacBook Pro and MacBook Air’s default P3 color profile, and when testing with both my 12-inch MacBook (which as well as my 2018 iPad Pro, the colors on the PD3220U are pretty similar to those on the MacBook and the iPad Pro, which is likely very useful for those who are running on a single laptop with monitor dual display setup. Even when I am using the monitor with the 5K iMac, M-book mode is the color profile I like to use the most, especially for viewing media and photos, and checking my video export from iMovie. (note: I added in this paragraph at the strong request of Benq, because despite the 12-inch MacBook not having the Pro’s full P3 color gamut support, to Benq the m-book mode is their standout feature of this monitor, and they have to have it in the review. To be perfectly clear the PD3220U with a matte display in m-book mode is pretty similar to the 12 inch MacBook’s color, but the glossy Ultrafine 5Ks that Apple have in their stores looked closer to the colors of all the Macs on display.)

Surface Go

And of course it works with Windows, like with the Surface Go, without any adapters

3. The balance between screen size, resolution and price is perfect

While using the 4K PD3220U with my 5K iMac will mean that fonts and photos won’t look as sharp as they will on my iMac, they are relatively sharp enough and looks better than any non-retina monitor. Furthermore, macOS does the heavy lifting of rendering output at 2X retina resolutions before downscaling on the fly to the PD3220U, making the display look as close as it can to a true retina 2X display (a technique that debuted in the iPhone 6 Plus, which then made its way onto Macs in 2015 in the first generation 12 inch MacBook). By the way, to make elements on the PD3220U the same size as those on the 5K iMac, you should select “looks like 3008 X 1692”. However, it is pretty obvious that text are not as sharp as they look on any retina 5K iMac. 4K is not 5K, and for a 32 inch display you need 6K to achieve the same PPI as that of the 5K iMac.

After years on small 27 inch screens, the 32 inch screen of the PD3220U provides relief and extra desktop space to handle everything from complex Spaces arrangements to multiple spreadsheets open at the same time.

Now you may argue that native 2X retina elements on the LG 5K or the Apple Pro Display XDR is a better solution than something scaled up then down for 4K screens, but 27 inch screens (of the LG 5K) are simply too small for me, and I am not going to pay 6000USD for the Pro Display XDR. In fact, I am seriously considering a close to base Mac Pro with 2 to 3 of the Benq PD3220U monitors as my next setup after I eventually retire the 5K iMac. Which brings me to my next point…

Slim bezels of the PD3220U

The slim bezels of the PD3220U

4. The look of the PD3220U is absolutely gorgeous.

Especially from the front.

Most, if not all monitors these days, even the Apple approved LG 5K, have their brand logo somewhere on the front bezel of their monitors, which effectively destroys any hope of a clean setup that does not invoke any non-Apple branding.

Not the Benq.

The all-black bezels are extremely small, even when compared to the LG 5K and the Apple Pro Display XDR, and nowhere on the front can I find a Benq logo. Its clean lines and slate-grey look also invokes the Space Grey look that Apple took on for its pro machines, making the PD3220U feel at home in any Apple desk setup, more than the LG 5K ever will. I can probably buy 2 of the PD3220Us and be left with a bunch of cash as compared to buying 1 Apple Pro Display XDR and therefore for anyone looking to buy a base Mac Pro instead of a iMac because they prefer a tower, the PD3220U is probably a better choice of display than the Pro Display XDR if they are not willing to spend 6000USD and insist on 32 inch displays. (Though honestly speaking the Ultrafine 5Ks are better if you can live with the 27 inch screens). If there is something to nitpick, it will be the white indicator light on the right bottom color of the bezel that is on by default. However, it can be turned off in the settings, under System>Advanced>OSD Brightness> Setting 1.

5. The Hotkey Puck G2

This thing is actually pretty useful. You can switch color profiles on the fly with the buttons, and the knob is especially good when you want to control the brightness of the monitor, since the brightness keys on any Apple keyboard will only control the main display (of the iMac)’s brightness. the buttons can be used to control the on screen display menus, change input modes, and switch to 1 of 3 configured color modes on the fly. I have Display P3 (Apple’s default color space), M-Book mode (my preferred color mode of choice,), and HDR set to the 3 buttons on the Puck as I use these the most.

Overall, the PD3320U is a fine piece of display engineering and having it for a month makes me realize I probably cannot live without a 31.5 inch secondary monitor in my desktop setup anymore. It is a decent recommendation for anyone wanting a good monitor for their Mac setup but don’t want the LG 5K and can’t afford the Pro Display XDR.

I would have loved to review this with a thunderbolt 3 Mac, but my first generation 5K iMac is still running fine, and I missed out on getting a Mac Mini when they came out in 2018, foolishly believing that there’s a chance of a refresh in 2019 (they didn’t).

To sum things up;

Pros
1. Lots of input choices, not just TB3
2. Great colors and HDR10 support
3. Balance between resolution, screen size and price is good
4. Exterior looks gorgeous
5. Hotkey Puck is a nifty accessory

Cons
1. 4K instead of 5K
2. White indicator light on bezel can be annoying as it is turned on by default, but can be disabled in settings.
3. High price difference (PD3220U at $1999 vs PD3200U at $1099*$1199 since 4th Feb 2020) from their non-thunderbolt 3, much more boring looking model PD3200U offering almost the same specs. It is also slightly more expensive than the LG Ultrafine 5K display which is at $1879.

Find out more about the PD3220U.
Purchase the PD3220U at the Benq Brand Store.

*Edit: This post was edited from an earlier version of the write-up due to my further research on Benq’s lineup, after receiving some feedback after the initial post was published.

*Edit 2: Benq contacted me on the 4th Feb 2020 to let me know that they have just increased the price of the PD3200U by another hundred dollars.

The iPhone XS Max review – Same old same old, but the price not so old

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Price

Having purchased my Silver 512GB XS Max for quite a bit lower than the local MSRP, I have to say that this is a worthwhile purchase at the price I bought the phone at. At the local MSRP though, the 512GB Max is probably not a worthy purchase, nor even a reasonable one.

One thing though, for the majority of people the 256GB model will almost definitely be enough for your phone needs, there is no need to pay the additional 400 Singapore dollars or so for the 512GB model.

During the reveal of the iPhone X last year, I was crying foul because the MSRP of the X in Singapore is so much higher than in other countries like Japan and Hong Kong. Apple is price discriminating surely, but nobody seems to mind.

When the rumored 100 USD drop to the pricier XS line did not happen this year, I shuddered at the thought of spending 2349 Singapore dollars on a phone. I knew that I wanted the 512GB, as my previous 256GB phones were chocked full of photos and videos after less than a year of usage, so to me only the storage space of 512GB phone be will enough for my use. The most I ever paid for a portable Mac was around 1.7K (Hi 12” MacBook!), and it almost makes little sense to pay way more for a phone that will likely only last me for a year.

However, in Singapore we have various ways of buying phones that do not directly involve Apple in the sales process. And one of these “ways” worked out quite well for myself. So maybe this is the one time I will tell you not to buy something from Apple directly (either via Apple Orchard or the online store).

Size

The Max is the preferred size of iPhones for me. I had been using the Plus sized phones since the 6s Plus, and the display of the iPhone X last year was simple not wide enough for my use cases. Despite having what seems to be a bigger screen in total area size than the iPhone 8 Plus, the usable area size of the X was definitely more similar to that of the smaller iPhone 8. So the XS Max was a welcomed change.

Battery Life

I don’t know how Consumer Reports was testing the phone, but it does not last longer than my iPhone 8 Plus, frequently unable to last a hectic work day without topping up the charge. However it is likely still going to last longer than the regular XS. iPhones have never had the best battery life in the industry since multitasking become a thing in iOS (and since iPhones don’t trade having a manageable size for more battery life), and it does not bother me so long it lasts most of a day.

So I’ve just repeated what most reviewers said about the phone.

But then this phone is just that – just the exact phone that everyone else is saying it is. It’s a bigger version of last year’s iPhone X. And it is likely to delight anyone who loves the iPhone X last year but thinks that the usable screen estate is too small.

The XR

Unlike most others who used the iPhone XS Max exclusively without any experience of using the XR, I have been using a blue XR (a family member’s phone) since its launch a few weeks ago.

To be honest, there are so many ways that I prefer XR over the Max that I rather use the XR as my main phone if only it had the telephoto lens and 3D Touch. Those are likely the major annoyances on the XR for the majority of power users.

But the XR has a shitty display you say? Not even 1080P you say?

The XR has arguably a better overall display than the XS Max, the colors of photos simply looked more natural on the XR than the XS Max, and while I am not sure how close Android idiots/users look at their phone screen, the XR screen looks as sharp as any other iPhone displays I used. It might not go as bright as the XS Max can, but seriously who uses their phones at full brightness?

Coupled with the fact that you are actually getting the exact same screen estate as the XS Max but in a more usable form factor (without a pop socket or bunker ring) not to mention the great color options (everyday I look at the AWESOME blue body of the XR and then at the boring gold/silver Max, I wonder why anyone pays more for the Max), I have no idea why anyone except the most dedicated iPhone users will buy the Max over the XR (oh yes the regular XS is not even in the consideration, it is not much smaller physically than the XR but shows a lot less information on the screen). Oh, and the battery life of the XR is much better than the Max.

But this is not the iPhone XR review. That is coming later.

In conclusion, I love the 512GB storage tier, the presence of 3D Touch and the telephone lens (but the XR takes better portrait photos, I use the telephoto lens for 2X zoom mainly) about the Max, but nothing much else. I hate the steel antenna bands, for they can scratch to the high hells even with much care, and dislike the weight, unwieldy-ness and the boring colors of the Max/XS. Oh and once again who can forget the high MSRP of the phone? Get it if you buy on contract or get a decent deal on the highest spec models. Miss it if you want to. Either way I don’t care.

“Best Cases for the iPhone 4S in Singapore” review series – Fabrix Cases’ Fifth October (Steve Jobs Tribute) Sleeve for the iPhone 4S

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Fabrix Cases sent me one of their latest sleeves, the special edition Fifth October sleeve.

The Fifth October sleeve is a special edition sleeve designed and made as a tribute to Steve Jobs, the greatest among us who have ever lived, who gave meaning to many people’s lives, including my own.

Fifth October, the name of the sleeve, is the day he left us. A day that I, and many others, will remember for the rest of our lives.

The Fifth October sleeve’s design is pretty self explanatory to those of us in the know. Black Top with Denim Bottoms, Steve’s choice of wardrobe most of the time.

Each sleeve comes in a nice box, and inside every box is a small card printed with one of Steve’s many memorable quotes. Mine says;

The sleeve itself, like other Fabrix Cases’ sleeves, is top notch in quality and made to last. I have reviewed one of their sleeves before here and everything in that review still stands true today.

The Fifth October special edition Steve Jobs Tribute sleeve retails for only 10USD, because Fabrix Cases “believe that every and anyone who would like to own it should be able to do so without a pinch” and is available here.

Probably the most elegant bag for the new 11-inch MacBook Air – Fabrix Cases’ The Satchel

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I have been waiting to post this review for almost one whole year, and now is exactly the best time to release it – the 11-inch MacBook Air officially becomes Apple’s cheapest notebook, and with the Airs being the future of Apple’s notebook lineup, it seems very possibly that the 11-inch will easily become the most popular notebook on Apple’s line soon.

One thing about having a 11-inch notebook is how hard it is to actually find a bag that fits the exact profile of the notebook unless you actually had one custom made. Apple notebooks are probably the only ones with huge support from some of the world’s best notebook bag manufacturers. That said though, the 11-inch MacBook Air is relatively new, being in the market for only less than a year. Many manufacturers have been marketing bags/sleeves that were previously made for netbooks for the 11-inch Air, but few of these bags/sleeves actually perfectly fit the slim profile of the 11-inch Air.

I have been using Fabrix Cases’ The Satchel for almost a year now, since I first got my 11-inch Air last October, and must say that it is easily the best bag for the 11-inch Air and its slim profile.

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iPad 2 case review: The Joy Factory’s SmartFit 2

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This is the first review I am doing for iPad 2 cases. I will write about my whole iPad 2 setup in a later post probably sometime next week.

The iPad 2 cases are really interesting as compared to the earlier cases for the first generation iPad simply due to the existence of Apple’s Smart Cover. it’s viewed by many as one of the “features” of the iPad 2, despite it being a separate purchase. Thus the most interesting iPad 2 cases are those that work with it, or tries to emulate its functionality completely and offer a complete package. While I still like folio-type cases, the Smart Cover-accommodating or Smart Cover-inspired cases are definitely my favorite this year round.

And here’s my first iPad 2 case review.

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iPad cases review: The Artisans Craftsmen’s Case for iPad

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Right now you must be thinking, the Artisans Craftsmen’s case is totally inspired by the DODOcase.

Not like being inspired by what many has termed “the best iPad case in 2010” is a bad thing. The Artisans Craftsmen’s Case attempt to improve upon the original DODOcase in construction and quality.

Nevertheless I will attempt to look at the Artisans Craftsmen’s Case for iPad in its own light, rather than compare it with a product that I have neither own nor have the intend to purchase.

What is the Craftsmen’s Case? The most direct answer is: it turns your iPad into a giant moleskine notebook.

The Craftsmen’s Case is completely handmade, which means on closer look you will never find two completely same cases, a good thing for those who like their iPad accessories to be unique.

The case is designed to turn your iPad into a digital moleskine. There is the usual hardcover (used on hardcover books) and moleskine-like rubber strap on the outside, and in the inside, a wooden spine/frame (that is made from one solid piece of wood, thus increasing its strength, unlike the DODOcase whose wooden parts are made from a few pieces of wood) holds the iPad firmly in the case without the need for any rubber grips that might lose its hold over time. The whole case, including the wooden spine/frame, is hand made locally, as detailed in this video here.

The case is surprisingly light for its size, due to the materials used. It does, however, add considerable thickness to the iPad, despite not adding much weight to it. This is partly because, when the iPad is held in the case by the wooden spine, little or no part of the iPad’s aluminum back is actually touching the hard cover, from what I can tell personally from testing the case. This in theory (I haven’t been using the case long enough to tell if it will actually scratch) prevents the aluminum back from scratching against the hard cover back.


Because of how it is designed, the iPad is actually raised above the bottom cover by the wooden spine/frame, thus prevent the back of the iPad from touching the bottom of the cover for better prevention against scratches

Of course, like any other iPad case, it has its weaknesses. And for this case in particular there are a few.

Firstly, since it’s really made up of mostly paper, glue, and some wood, being waterproof/splashproof is definitely not one of its strengths. Most other cases made with plastic or leather on the market could theorically be a better choice for protection against the elements than the Craftsmen’s case, basically due to the type of materials used in its construction. However, how many iPad cases on the market are as unique as the Craftmen’s Case?

Also, exactly because it’s made with perishable materials, your Craftsmen’s Case will definitely show some wear and tear over time. Not exactly for the kind of owner who expects his iPad and its case to looked untouched for the rest of his life.

Then there’s the price. At over a hundred dollars retail, this case isn’t going to win any best value for money awards.

However, it is clear to everyone who will be interested in the case that it is definitely a premium product, and it is definitely a pretty well made premium product.

If you are the type who loves your moleskine as much as you love your iPad, and want your iPad to “become” a moleskine, the Artisans Craftsmen’s Case should be a perfect fit for you.

If you just want proper protection for your iPad at the lowest possible price, the Craftsman’s Case was never made for you in the first place, and you will be better served by something like Apple’s own iPad case.

For more information and pictures about the Craftmen’s Case, you can check out the Artisans’ website here.

IPad cases review: Fabrix Booklet for iPad

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I have to admit that I was kinda jealous when Lester from lesterchan.net posted that he received a free faux black Fabrix Booklet for simply being a “great supporter”. Thus I was so thrilled when I was presented with a brown “Classic Tan” Fabrix Booklet for review a week or two ago.

Have always been a Fabrix Cases fan since my University days, since they are one of the very few Singaporean companies that make high quality accessories and cases for Apple products (majority of the local ones produce crappy generic China-made cheap stuff that does little to glorify the Apple products that they are used with) and are well-known internationally.

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