My New Phone - Can you trust China brands?

OMG, it has been a really looong while since my blog was updated.

HOW ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!?!

 

Many things have happened; and there were several that I had wanted so much to update on my blog but ended up forgetting all about it.

*faints*

 

Anyway.. Here's a recent update that I MUST share:-

I have changed a new mobile phone!!

 

No, I didn't change it deliberately- but my Samsung phone somehow stopped working while I was playing Pokémon Go (I guess it was overheated). #Truestory

 

 In case you are wondering... No, it wasn't a Note 7.

 

Being a Samsung user for years, I decided to give other brands a chance.

When it comes to mobile phones, I believe the first two brands that popped into everyone's minds would be either "Apple" or "Samsung".

 

I had wanted an Apple, but it is undeniably PRICEY.

Nope. Not within my budget.

*strikes off the list*

 

Samsung?

Will it explode? Kidding.

I felt many of Samsung phones are quite similar.

I wanted to try something different.

*strikes off the list*

 

I went online to research on other brands.

It was then that I spotted OPPO.

 

 

I was not really familiar with the brand, although I have heard of it.

It was said that this phone is one of the BEST selfie phones in the market.

Did anyone say SELFIES?!?

Now it has definitely caught my attention.

 

Not only that, the brand has a tagline that goes (I am sure many of you have heard this before as their advertisements are everywhere in cinemas as well)

"充电五分钟通话两小时"

(Translation: Charge for 5 minutes, chat for 2 hours)

 

Really meh?! Too good to be true or not?!?!

 

Online reviews were surprisingly good  - and I spent a whole night researching on it.

 

And the next day...

 

I settled on an OPPO R9.

 

There were people who commented that the design and user interface (UI) is a knockoff from Apple iPhones, which I admit it sure does look like an Apple from a distance.

Even the available colours are close enough - Rose pink and gold.

 

 

I don't really care about that though - as long as the phone serves its purpose.

Yes, so what if it's a China brand - not all China phones are bad, right??

Although I do agree to a certain extent that China is good at imitations, but it does not stop me from giving some of their products the benefit of doubt.

 

I know some of you have been wanting to know my opinions about the phone ever since I've gotten it and whether it is REALLY good, here is my verdict:-

 

I LOVE IT.

(No, OPPO did not pay me money to say this)

 

1) Is it really one of the best selfies phone in the market?

 

YES, YES and YES. (In my opinion)

 I was seriously amazed by the quality of its camera. In fact, its front camera has even higher pixels than its back camera! Not only that, it came equipped with a beauty function as well that makes my complexion glow (Okay, that gives me a fake sense of confidence because I do have bad dark eye circles in real life... but the results of the pictures sure are satisfying! In fact, many of my friends have tried using my phone for selfies and were quite tempted to get one for themselves)

 

 

 

This was taken under extreme dim lighting in a karaoke room:-

(It seems to have auto brightness control!)

 

 

2) Is "充电五分钟通话两小时" true???

 (Translation: Charge for 5 minutes, chat for 2 hours)

 

It sounded too good to be true initially, but it didn't fail to amaze me on this one.

OPPO has its own VOOC flash charging system that will get your smartphone to 75% of battery with a thirty-minute charge.

I used to charge my ex-mobile phones overnight (which can be quite dangerous), but I did not have to worry about that one when it comes to my OPPO phone.

I AM SERIOUSLY TAKEN ABACK by how fast it can charge my phone to full bar within a short time span.

At first, I did not believe that the battery will be lasting since it charges so fast.

I was proven wrong.

It lasted me even longer than my older phones - which means that I can go a FULL day without charging.

(Note: I am a HEAVY phone user)

(Extra Note: In order to enable the fast-charging mode, I have to use their own proprietary cable in which it comes as a set with the phone. I can still use normal USB cables to charge it too, just that it will only be at normal speed.)

 

It takes EXCESSIVE usage in order for the battery to drain to 0%.

Of course, the phone is still pretty new currently and I am not sure if this standard will maintain for long - I'll keep that under review for now! 

 

3) Does the phone lag or have overheating issues?

So far, the speed has been pretty satisfying for me. It only lags if I am excessively using it, but it works really wonderfully most of the times!

As for overhearing issues, it did not really heat up much unless I was running many applications at a time.

(I downloaded an app to clear background running applications to keep it cool, so everything has been pretty great)

 

4) What are some of the cons? I mean, it certainly does have bad points right?

Yes, of course we can't have the best of both worlds.

One thing I find disappointing is that the battery is an in-built one. (non-removable). I always feel unsafe about batteries that cannot be removed.

If the phone is spoilt, there is no option to purchase a new battery for replacement.

It will mean going to its service centre. (But mine comes with a 2 year warranty)

 

Also, its dual SIM card slot and memory card slot share the same position. In other words, it means that if you decide to use it as a dual SIM card phone, then you will not be able to insert an external memory card into it.

You have to choose your preference.

 

Other than that, the phone is pretty worthy of its price!

I got it at $440 online from Carousell.

I was lucky to met the seller who happens to be an owner of a mobile phone/gadget store and he gave me additional perks! He threw in 2 free casings (which are worth approximately $10 each), new tampered glass screen protector (which he was kind enough to paste it for me) and original accessories + unused warranty.

 

Although it is considered a second-hand phone since it has been used, but it was in an almost near-perfect condition as the previous owner had only used it for 3 months.

 

I am totally in love of how my OPPO looks!

(My friend, Si Ling, gave me a gold-colored signature of Michael Jackson that I could use to paste it on my phone.

I LOVE IT SO MUCH THAT I ALMOST CRIED.

Thank you, Ling!)

 

And this is how it looks like with the casing on.

(This casing was one of the two that the seller had given to me!)



 

MAD CHIO.

 

I am not helping OPPO to advertise in any way by posting this, but just purely sharing my thoughts as a OPPO R9 user.

 

Oh, by the way.... I actually dropped my phone on the floor and into a toiletbowl accidentally...

It survived.

THANK GOD.

 

 

I hope it helps anyone who happens to chance upon my blog while researching on the phones!

Till then, do stay tuned for more posts coming up!

Keypad VS Touchscreen phones

I have been using this mobile phone for quite some time now:

(Image credits to: www.knowyourmobile.com)

It's the Nokia X5, by the way.

Yes, I get a lot of people asking WHY I am still stuck at this "Keypad" trend while almost everyone else has already moved on to touchscreen phones.

Honestly, I have NEVER owned touchscreen ones before. I have been adapting my life to keypad ones and am a LOYAL fan to that.

The world is so different now. People are starting to look down on such phones. (For you ignorant people out there, I have WIFI access and can use Whatsapp on my keypad phone, too, FYI!)

Android & Apple users are getting so used to applications that mobile phones have already lose their original purpose.

In the past, mobile phones were only meant for texting and calling. That was it. Games only existed in separate devices such as Sony PSPs, Nintendo DS, etc. (I believe many of you out there have been there, done that... Riiiighhhtt?)

On top of that, phones weren't meant to take photos either. Those were the "let-the-camera-do-the-job" days.

Well... It's a undeniable fact that the world is constantly changing. Mobile phones are no longer just a ... mobile phone.

It has to act as a camera, gaming device, internet kiosk, etc. 

(YES, I know. Technology is so advanced nowadays and nobody can stop it from evolving.)

And here comes the question...

Why am I still holding on to a keypad phone despite the ever-changing Technology?

 The reason is simple.

I love the physical touch of the keypad. (Not that I have a fetish or anything =_=)

If you are a loyal keypad user yourself too, I am sure you will understand what I mean.

Nothing beats an actual and PHYSICAL keypad.

I love the fact that my fingers can feel the buttons when I am typing. (Heck, I can even type when I am not looking at my phone!)

And its impossible with touch screens. Try doing it and your words will get messed up by your auto-correcting feature when you are not looking.

And I am proud to say that my keypad phone is more durable than yours. Try dropping yours on the ground and see if it'll still be a complete piece when you pick it up.

I used to be a HUGE Samsung fan. I remembered looking forward to their new series of phone models during the keypad days. I would have a hard time choosing between flip phones, QWERTY ones, normal ones, etc. It was so much fun! Phones were so much more colorful then (instead of the typical choice of black and white these days =_=).

And I remembered dropping my poor Samsung flip phone into the toiletbowl at work while replying to a text message one fine day - and lo' & behold - it still survived!

But... ...

Look at Samsung now.

The only keypad phones that seemed to be existent from them are army phones. It is a sad fact that they are no longer producing nice keypad phones anymore.

The designs are a one-kind rectangular now... And not to mention the size is CONSTANTLY growing bigger.

So much that it's ridiculous.

One example?

Take a look at their Galaxy Tab (No offence if you happen to be a user. I am just stating my 2 cents):

WHAT IS THIS??!!

Why the heck would you carry such a large-sized mobile device on your hand?

Isn't a mobile device meant to be small and convenient... Something that you can easily slot into your pockets?

No offence there, but I somehow think a person will look silly when using it to make calls, especially if you have SMALL ears/ hands.

And let's welcome the second runner-up, the Samsung Galaxy Note.

Okay, at least it looks better than the Galaxy tab, in terms of design and size. BUT still, it's still BIG.

Some of you won't feel it because you are used to it already.
I've tried holding it and damn, it is unsightly on small hands.

And I believe such phones require a huge battery consumption, judging from its size! It's no wonder portable mobile chargers are so popular now.

Now, don't get me wrong. I am not condemning touchscreen phones or trying to be biased here. (Okay, maybe I am a little biased, but still....)

I agree that touchscreens can be useful to a large extent. For example, easier browsing of web and navigation, zoom function, etc.

It's just that I am more of a person who text, hence the reason why I am more particular in terms of keypads.
I've tried typing on phones that are touch screens for testing purposes, and I had such a tough time trying to type just a simple sentence. It made me mad!

Sadly enough, I know my days using a keypad phone are numbered. As much as I dread to use them, I know I have to keep up with the Technology. (Especially when I am working in an IT-related industry) On top of that, I wouldn't have much choice when keypad phones become extinct, would I?
Judging by the rate it's going, I believe keypad phones are indeed on the verge of extinction.

Well.... There's a first time for everything, I guess.
I do hope my journey on touch screens is going to be a happy one and probably I can prove myself wrong one day.

P/S: Even though I am not using touch screens at the moment, I am still keeping up with the trend and technology. Yes, I did research!!