Android vs Windows? or Phone vs PC? - 2020

Some years ago when I worked with my good friends at Coolsmartphone, I wrote a piece on Android vs Windows. https://www.coolsmartphone.com/2016/07/29/android-vs-windows/

I surmised that it wasnt actually the platforms that were the problem, but that the UI’s made the phone superior then the computer in many ways.

We are now in 2020, a new decade. Is that premise still true? In fact is it even MORE true? we have an insane amount of computing power in our phones now compared to 2016 when I first wrote the article. Well-Known Youtuber Juan Carlos Bagnell AKA @SomeGadgetGuy did a recent video ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbL5Qk3Pilo ) in which he argued that actually you can now do more, and with greater efficiency on your phone then your laptop. Frequent travellers especially would find this interesting. So i decided to revisit this.

SCENARIO 1

I like to think of myself as an aspiring comedian, so when the Harry Meghan Megsit Saga was unfolding a few weeks ago, I decided to make a video overdubbing Prince Charles complaining about the whole situation (in Urdu). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvezjHi8qhM

YesNow I’m not just shamelessly plugging my anaemic YouTube channel. I agree it probably isnt the best video out there, the lip-syncing is wrong etc etc.

BUT

This was all done on my OnePlus 7 Pro in about 45min. That is recording a voice track, finding a video sample of a Prince Charles Speech, editing the video, changing the audio, rendering and then posting it on Youtube. All on the phone using mobile apps

FORTY-FIVE minutes, I didnt even switch my laptop on.

SCENARIO 2

I have been involved in some interviews and investigations in my role at the hospital. I also go to many courses and meetings. Windows 10 has great Inking and Stylus support and the OneNote App is great.

The other day, i just had to open a file, review the pdf, amend, and sign. Time for my trusted Lenovo Miix. Something that this device wouldve been built for right? Yes….

BUT

For some reason Windows had difficulty connecting to my Wifi, and in the end i just gave up and used my Galaxy Note Tab A + Spen (not the most common tablet out there, but a bloody good one, snap one up if you can) and in the time Windows finally connected and downloaded the files, I had already done the necessary edits, signing, inking and emailing. Max 10 minutes.

AND YOUR POINT IS?

in 2016 when i first discussed this topic, it was true of “quick” tasks like emailing and quickly editing a file. Now in 2020, in addition to those. Proper content creation can be done mobiles. On the go, no specific extra equipment required. I have even heard of a an Indian News Channel (NDTV) doing some of their studio filming on a Galaxy Note 10!

Juan is right. Maybe the phone in your pocket is all the computer you need.

Hands on with the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G

Today in Berlin I had the pleasure of getting some hands on time with the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G smartphone, Huawei’s current 5G handset offering for European markets.

The Huawei Mate 20 X 5G is a big device: it has a 7.2” display (FHD+). Despite this it is surprisingly easy to handle and feels well balanced. In many ways it reminded me of my Xiaomi Mi Max I had a while back in terms of ergonomics.

The user experience was very smooth. I wasn’t surprised by this as the device is powered by the same HiSilicon Kirin 980 chip we have seen on the Mate 20 Pro and the Huawei P30 Pro.

The Huawei Mate 20 X 5G is already on sale int he UK from Three, Vodafone and EE (the networks launching their 5G at the moment).

The camera setup is identical to the one on the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, so should deliver some great shots in a variety of situations.

I look forward to seeing how this device does in the market, as it is a bit of a niche product. I can definitely see it delivering a lot of value to someone who travels or commutes a lot, given the immersive screen and gaming capabilities.

Would you consider having a device like the Huawei Mate 20 X 5G? Let us know int he comments or on Twitter.

Huawei Mate 20 X 5G Full Specifications

General

Brand: Huawei

Model: Mate 20 X 5G

Body type: Glass

Dimensions (mm): 174.60 x 85.40 x 8.15

Weight (g): 232.00

Battery capacity (mAh):4200

Removable battery: No

Fast charging: Proprietary

Wireless charging: Yes

Display

Screen size (inches): 7.20

Touchscreen: Yes

Resolution: 1080x2244 pixels

Aspect ratio: 18.7:9

Hardware

Processor: octa-core (2x2.6GHz + 2x1.92GHz + 4x1.8GHz)

Processor make: HiSilicon Kirin 980

RAM: 6GB

Internal storage: 128GB

Expandable storage: Yes

Expandable storage type: Nano Memory Card

Expandable storage up to (GB): 256

Camera

Rear camera: 40-megapixel (f/1.8) + 20-megapixel (f/2.2) + 8-megapixel (f/2.4)

Rear flash: Yes

Front camera: 24-megapixel (f/2.0)

Software

Operating system: Android 9.1 EMUI 9.1

Connectivity

Wi-Fi: Yes

Wi-Fi standards supported: 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac

GPS: Yes

Bluetooth:; Yes

USB Type-C: Yes

Headphones: No 3.5mm jack, adapter from USB Type-C included in box

Number of SIMs: 2

Sensors

3D face recognition: No

Fingerprint sensor: Yes

Compass/ Magnetometer: Yes

Proximity sensor: Yes

Accelerometer: Yes

Ambient light sensor: Yes

Gyroscope: Yes

Barometer: Yes

Xiaomi Mi 9T (Redmi K20) - All the Tech Travel Geeks videos

In July I ended up buying a Xiaomi Mi 9T from eGlobal Central and have been loving it since it was delivered.

Lukasz, our Chief Aperture Officer, and I have made a few videos for the Tech Travel Geeks YouTube Channel about the Xiaomi Mi 9T. It is now time to share them with you here on the website too.

We really enjoyed making these videos, and overall it is a device which has earned the honour of housing one of my main SIM cards.

Would you like to know more? Is there anything we haven’t covered and you have questions about? Reach out to us on Twitter, leave a comment on this post or on any of our YouTube videos. We are happy to geek out about this excellent device.