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I have been using this device for two weeks now, having extensively tested it, and I can share my conclusions:

It is a very fast device with exceptional build quality (given the materials), lightweight and sturdy. I chose the yellow color as the back is made of synthetic leather, so it does not slip from the hand and does not collect fingerprints on the back.

Plenty of space (512GB) for photos, videos, apps, games, offline music. The 12GB of memory is sufficient, but I also chose the option of expansion (using part of the internal +8GB because, why not?).

The screen has extremely vibrant colors (10-bit in normal use and 12-bit with HDR content) and is very bright, making it easy to use under the Greek summer sun.

The main camera takes very nice - to excellent - photos in good lighting conditions. The same goes for videos. The selfie camera is also very good but not at the same level. I haven't used the other two (ultra-wide & macro) but they are of lower quality. It has OIS/EIS, resulting in very stable videos even when recording on a moving boat. So, I consider the camera usage for social media and IM (e.g., WhatsApp, Viber) to be excellent! For "difficult" times, such as sunset and beyond, the main camera is simply decent.

(I attach samples as they came out)

Regarding the battery, I was not particularly satisfied with its use. However, it is important to note that I always have all receivers open (BT, WiFi, GPS), use two SIM cards (Vodafone & Cosmote in 5G), and use the phone extensively for calls, maps, music, photography, and Lightroom for on-the-spot editing. No issues during standby.

It heats up slightly during the above uses, but not to worrying levels, and certainly the season does not help, as the screen works with high (up to maximum) brightness.

Very fast charging (67W), so the battery is fully charged again in 25 - 35 minutes.

With a package that includes everything (charger, cable, case, integrated screen protection), 12/512 and a cost below 400 euros, it may be one of the most value-for-money options.

Update 12/06/24:

Today, in the heatwave, I used the device for many photos and continuous recording in 4K/30FPS/HDR. At the same time, the device was uploading to Google Photos via mobile connection (5G).

The device heated up to an annoying (but not worrying) degree, and the response decreased as the performance likely dropped for protection. At some point, I couldn't use the camera and had to interrupt the upload.

Certainly not a common scenario, but since it happened, I consider it important to update so that potential buyers have a more complete picture.

Update 22/06/24:

Today, completely unexpectedly, the biometric recognition feature (fingerprint) decided not to work. I opened, for example, a banking app and the bottom "window" no longer appeared, or I locked it and tapping on the screen to unlock it resulted in absolutely nothing.

It was resolved with a restart.

I bought this particular device as a replacement for my XR, which after three years, although it left me completely satisfied, the 64GB memory was no longer enough for the use I make (photos, videos only 4K/60FPS and music offline) and I wanted 128GB but at the lowest possible cost.

Compared to what I had, the essential differences are the +1GB in RAM (4 vs 3), the UWB chip that allows for more immediate location of AirTags and music transfer to the HomePod mini, the dual cameras with the main one giving its best thanks to deep fusion and the ultra wide allowing for exceptional landscape shots, the support for night mode that keeps the shutter open for up to 10 sec and of course the 128GB storage space.

I shouldn't forget the selfie that at 12MP and with wide support (which automatically enters as soon as we turn the device horizontally) gives far better selfies.

I have uploaded some samples from the main camera.

For the videos, I have nothing to add since I don't see any difference from the XR, which was already of excellent quality.

In 2022, it may seem like an old device, but in reality, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an affordable (always at iPhone levels) solution, while as we know, Apple devices receive six years of upgrades, so this one still has almost 4 years ahead of it.

Absolutely fast, smooth multitasking, I have already taken a three-day trip with its cameras in the morning and evening, having been completely satisfied and of course - perhaps a detail for most - since the device supports the newer Wi-Fi standard, I still have a faster connection to my home network and take advantage of my speed (212MB). During the download and installation of the applications, the difference was evident.

Its screen remains the same 720P LCD which, if you see it, I think will leave you satisfied.

The timing of the A13 versus the A12 is not particularly higher, but it makes a difference - a difference that I noticed immediately after starting to use the device.

Anyone thinking of getting the 11 today because the 12,13 series are way out of budget, should do so without a second thought but - if possible - with 128GB.

After two years of owning and - almost - daily using the second generation AirPods, I decided to get the third mainly because I wanted a change (the - now - previous ones work perfectly fine, even after cleaning them at the official service, they sound like when I first used them).

Compared to the second and beyond the obvious, which is the design and MagSafe case - I will focus on the far better sound quality, whether we are talking about music or movies. Clearer highs, nice mids, and fuller bass in every condition and almost every volume.

The Spartial Audio feature, either in stereo or with head tracking in relation to the source (iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple TV), is excellent and especially in series through Apple TV, I have surround sound without the sound system.

I note that with the second generation, I also used them for running - they fit so well in my ear. The same applies to the third generation. I won't say they fit better, but just as well.

What I didn't like? The press instead of tap for play/pause, etc. Maybe it's a matter of habit, but especially when running, tap is more convenient.

The setup process is classic Apple - it couldn't be easier.

1.

Recently became a Mac mini owner and new to MacOS.

I purchased it for three reasons: 1) as an owner of an iPhone & Watch, I considered it the logical choice to complete the ecosystem since these devices work seamlessly together, 2) I wanted a modern machine for image (Lightroom) & video (Premiere Pro) editing, and 3) I was simply tired of Windows (subjective, of course).

I will focus on 2) because I find it the most interesting compared to everything else, and comparing the Mac mini M1 with 8GB RAM directly to a laptop with an 8th generation i5 at 3.9GHz, 16GB RAM, NVMe2 disk, and Nvidia 1050 2GB RAM, while performing the same heavy tasks using the same programs:

Regarding Lightroom, which is optimized for the M1, there is ABSOLUTELY NO COMPARISON. It loads in half the time (or even less), navigating through the tool tabs is instantaneous, editing is the same, the library of 2,500+ edited .raw photos loads instantly, and scrolling is smooth. Exporting an image takes about a second. IT'S A WHOLE NEW WORLD.

As for Premiere Pro, which is NOT optimized and runs through Rosetta 2, opening takes more time, exporting is the same as on the PC (a Full HD video at 60 FPS with color grading, effects, graphics, and .wav music in H.264 takes about 4 minutes), BUT during program usage, everything is faster. It's like playing an FPS game at 45 frames and now at 120!

Beyond that, I don't miss anything. I have Office 365, OneDrive, all the apps I used to use, including more specialized ones like Elgato Control, OBS, etc.

I unlock it with my Watch, no longer need my iPhone while I'm at the office, I play sound through the HomePod mini (BTW, it's amazing), I have 15+ heavy pages open in Safari (e.g., YouTube), open social apps (e.g., Signal, WhatsApp), Outlook, and the processor is idle (useless) at 94%!

The only thing I miss is an SD card slot.

Bonus: the most aesthetically pleasing mini computer.

Having already the Philips Hue set but wanting to increase the "smart" bulbs I have at home and also have RGB option, I bought three of these here since they are by far more affordable and maybe among the most affordable on the market.

Very easy connection process through the Yeelight app (available on Android and iOS) through which, moreover, the firmware upgrade is done, which - at least in the ones I received - is recommended as it improves connectivity in the network. They only see the 2.4GHz network.

I see and control them through Home apps (iOS), Google Home (iOS & Android), Xiaomi (Mi) Home (iOS & Android), Yeelight (see above) and through Nest Mini (Google) - as soon as I receive the HomePod Mini (Apple) I will update this review and since they already appear on iOS, it probably doesn't matter. They do not require the existence of a Hub but they appear through it - but not in the Philips Hue.

As for colors, as many as you want, and as for brightness, I would say they are satisfactory - certainly the three I have in the same space (living room - kitchen are unified) do not give OAKA lighting but they are fine without being tiring. Of course, here the warmth of the white plays a role that affects the brightness as well as whether you choose a color that further reduces the brightness - absolutely logical.

You can choose the entire color palette as well as effects (such as pulsating) through Yeelight and Xiaomi (Mi) Home, while only colors through the Google Home app. I have not found a corresponding option - that is, for all colors - through the Home app (iOS).

What else can they do? Swallow swords?