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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
 Posted - 29/04/2018 : 21:14:43
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During this rainy day I have been on the internet, reading many reviews and checking specs left and right for many smartphones released in 2016, 2017 and 2018.. and also read some articles about smartphones that still have to be released this year..
The trend is that displays get brighter and taller, but not really wider, so we see some weird aspect ratios these days like 18:9, 19:9 and even 2:1 aspect ratio's.. so long displays ment to be used for photography, gaming and watching movies (ridiculous what can be achieved with todays smartphone camera's..) But the bezels are gettingf smaller, so overall size of the phones is not really increaded compared to my current 5.2 inch Nexus5x with rather thick bezels ot top and bottom
Because of the HDR+ and QHD video certification, many phones come out that can boost 600 nits or more and quite a few that are are much better than that.
Top of the list at the moment.. Nokia 8 with 700 nits, but rather expensive, but not as expensive as the Samsung galaxies 8 and 9 that are reported to go over 1000 nits under certain circumstances, but probably not when running LK8000 :-). Beside the high nits also the contrast ratio is much better then a few years ago which also helps in readability under sunlight, so this 700 nits might feel even better than the 850 nits of the GG and V2, due to the much improved contrast and sharpness.
Another phone that scores just below the Nokia 8 but is even more expensive because it is newer is the Huawei P20 with 695 nits in max auto, the display is also much bigger so might be a candidate as well in a few months if the price has dropped.
Cheaper options are Huawei Mate 9 and 10 (NOT the Lite or Pro versions) with well over 650 nits! Even cheaper, the Xiaomi Mi5S is good with more than 660 nits in max auto setting, but I read on gsmarena.com some user comments that after some time the screen starts to show discolloration (yellowish) I also checked the Mi 6 but this one does not have the high brightness of the 5s, but still really good with about 600 nits.
LG has also some very good phones for outdoors, on the LG website, the LG 5SE (2017) is advertised to have a daylight mode and then boost the nits 60% up to 850 Nits (check here, scroll down.. http://www.lg.com/nl/smartphones/lg-G5-SE-H840-Titan) I have only found one website who measured about 800 nits in max auto with daylight mode on. scroll down to see the numbers of sevral 1-1.5 year old phones https://www.anandtech.com/show/10217/the-lg-g5-review/4
Talkking LG here, their new flagship LG G7 ThinQ will be released this month and is already confirmed to have a, what they call, a "super bright" display capable of 1000 nits! It uses a new dislay technology and promisses to be awesome! Price will be likewise though, never buy a new phone the first 6 months it is released...If it lack popularity price will certainly drop after that period.. but good to keep an eye on and read some reviews about it too.
But also the other new LG V30SE may come with a brighter display then the current V30 which is already very good with more then 600 nits.
Anyway too many phones to get excited about! This year I will continue to use my mediocre Nexus 5X, but will keep my eye on what comes out this year and make a choice after the flying season.
I will update this thread now and then to update you guys on more phone news. I still have to dig deeper in the cheaper section of chinese phones like ZTE and Meizu |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 05/05/2018 : 15:31:59
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This week the LG G7 ThinQ came out... the first hands on reviews have popped up in Youtube, and what I found out is that this 1000 nits is for real, but can be activated for 3 minutes only to preserve battery life and prevent over heating.. I havent read any reviews yet with the other brightness figures (Manual max and Max Auto).. but looking at the video footage I do think it might come out superb.. waiting for the GSMArena full test review which includes brightness test and sunlight contrast ratio test figures.
What is holding me back though is the huge release price of 850 AND the odd display size... 19.5:9 display ratio.. which I think LK8000 cannot handle anyways (or does it??) it may end up me paying for 2 thick black bars on the side when running in landscape, which I normally do..and a big brick in my pocket for no reason. 6.1 diagonal on a 19.5:9 ratio display comes out at a 2.5" wide display, which is exactly the same as my current Nexus 5X 5.2" 16:9 ratio display. (used this calculator to find out: http://screen-size.info/ )
So thinking about all that, the Nokia 8 is right now the best option I think and over the last couple days the price has dropped significantly to a mere 370-400 .. When I posted the previous, price was still around 550, I don't know why the price has dropped so much in just a few days, but its remarkable to say the least.
The Nokia 8 has a 5.3 Inch 16:9 IPS-LCD display, so it is slightly bigger than my current Nexus 5X. Delivering 700 nits brightness in max auto, which is much brighter then most phones out there, including the Iphone X, Galaxy S9 and what not. And this 5.3 inch is fully used by LK8000, no black bars on the side, so it delivers a bigger screen than the V2, GG and Oudi PDA's... These PDA's are brighter with about 850 nits BUT lack in contrast and sharpness with their 15 year old display technology. As said, GSMarena always includes a Sunlight Contrast ratio figure, and the Nokia 8 is in the top of that list between the most expensive flagship phones like the Galaxy S8 and Iphone X, so no difficulties reading this display during the brightest conditions.
Adding this all up the Nokia 8 seems to be an excellent choice right now for glider navigation.
Beside this, with the Nokia 8 you get an excellent phone that is strongly built out of aluminium which can take a lot of abuse, has the latest Android updates, good camera, excellent audio, plenty of RAM, best CPU of 2017.. With the Nokia 8 Scirocco coming out this month, price may drop even further.
I also had a look at the cheaper chinese phones (~200) like ZTE, Elephone Ulefone, Meizu, and what not (there are A LOT!!). However these get much better the last few months as phones with sometimes great specs.. the displays are not what we are looking for with low brightness and contrast. So not looking further into this from now on. Cheap phone = bad display most of the time.
To be continued |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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obetz
Falchetto
131 Posts |
Posted - 06/05/2018 : 17:27:32
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Brightness is not the most important specification to check: https://www.gsmarena.com/ measures "Sunlight contrast ratio" in it's reviews, and the mentioned Nokia 8 as well as Samsung OLED devices (A7, S7, S6) get better ratings than "brighter" phones. The Huawei Mate 9 seems to be not so good.
I considered buying an ASUS ZenFone Max ZC550KL for it's bright display and huge battery, but now I think I will stick with my SGS7.
I hope that using it for hours with extreme brigthness won't degrade the display quickly (still an issue with OLED).
Oliver |
Edited by - obetz on 06/05/2018 18:16:22 |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 07/05/2018 : 23:40:30
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I Agree with you Oliver, I had the same feeling about the Asus zenfone.. The Nokia 8 IS bright and provides also a very good sun readability contrast. beside that, its an LCD IPS display which does not have the burn in problem.
My current Nexus 5X is still at the repair shop and today I got a message that it will take at least a week longer before I get it back.. I just might be forced to buy the Nokia 8 to be ready for my Gliding vacations! Price slightly increased today.. |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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davesalmon
Pterodattilo
United Kingdom
1620 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2018 : 11:53:43
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| In my lifestyle I have very little use for a mobile phone, so I usually have my wife's castoff, when I buy her a new one, usually Moto E. So I'm using a Moto E3, and with the phone brightness up to maximum, and LK Lumens up to max, whilst not brilliant, it is quite readable in sunlight, not that far behind my V2. I also turn terrain off on both, and have a white background which helps. |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2018 : 13:32:12
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MOTO E3 is good if you are on a budget, on max auto I read a report it boosts 539 Nits, not bad for a 2016 phone. It has not been reviewed on GSMArena, so no score on sunlight readability contrast.
To compare, my current Nexus 5x, has max brightness of 455 nits and scored above average on the sunlight readability test. Unless this not so good brightness I can read it quite well in my cockpit with sunglasses on.. But looking to improve on this by buying a new smartphone. I do use it outside my gliding very much for many other things, but a bright display is top priority to me. |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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pierfax
Pterodattilo
Italy
1030 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2018 : 17:16:42
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xiaomi mi5s 650 NITS and cheap !!!
absolutely the BEST at this time. |
Pier Fassina |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 09/05/2018 : 19:38:08
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quote:
Originally posted by pierfax
xiaomi mi5s 650 NITS and cheap !!!
absolutely the BEST at this time.
No its not... It is a good phone and among the brightest out there... but to say it is the best, that is not true..
I have found out Nokia 8 is much better and about the same price, and if you buy in the Netherlands it is even 10% cheaper.
The Mi5S is available here in the Netherlands from the official Xiaomi store only and costs in the cheapest version, 409 two weeks delivery(!). If you dare.. on Ebay from Honkong 278, but that is excluding import/customs taxes!
Nokia 8 has a much better screen delivering 700 nits and also scores 1000 points higher on the sun readability test of GSMArena.. beside that it is overall a much better Smartphone, available from many reputable stores all over Europe, next day delivery.. prices start at 369 here in The Netherlands.. but on other little dodgy stores I have seen it for around 300,- On Ebay I have seen offers of brand new Nokia 8 about 280.. but buying on Ebay of such popular expensive items is always iffy.. so I stick with the Amazon's Coolblues and BOL.com's of this world.
For a good comparison between the two displays see GSMarena:
Nokia 8: https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_8-review-1644p3.php
Xiaomi Mi5s: https://www.gsmarena.com/xiaomi_mi_5s-review-1511p3.php
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Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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pierfax
Pterodattilo
Italy
1030 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2018 : 10:34:34
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I bought for 140 euro used and itμs perfect !
nokia 8 maybe is better but not at this price.
anyway 650/700 ...it's the same the most important thing is to be sun readable ..... |
Pier Fassina |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 10/05/2018 : 16:04:30
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That is a wonderful deal Pier!
But I was talking new never used phones, its hard to compare prices on used phones, because price depends very much on the condition. I have searched a used Nokia 8 for a while, but I could not find them below 250..its still a quite popular phone. With such a small difference with a new one I rather buy a new one.
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Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 14/05/2018 : 15:46:44
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Ok, I just ordered a Nokia 8 as replacement of my Nexus 5X, which is difficult to get it repaired.. So I got an offer I cant refuse.
The shop (Coolblue, Netherlands) offered to return the purchase price of 299 in the form of a voucher... and Coolblue has a sale running on the Nokia 8 of 399, so I can buy it right now and cost me only 100.. good deal or what!?
Wednesday I will pick it up at the store nearby my work, they already wrapped the box with my name on it!
Next weekend I will then start using it in my Mini Nimbus for the first time, will let you know how it works guys! |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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dcaielli
Aquilotto
United Kingdom
379 Posts |
Posted - 15/05/2018 : 18:07:04
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Hi guys
Would you have suggestions for larger screens?5.5 or 6+ Nokia 8 seems great value but bit small
Thanks
Diego |
Diego - LGC - ASW19B |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2018 : 07:55:09
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Nokia 8 has a 5.3" 16:9 display, this is 6% bigger than the commonly used glider guider, Oudi and Vertica PDA's, which are 5". 5.3 is big enough to show LK8000 just fine. Actually I am planning to decrease the size of the fonts to show more of the map.
Note that the phones on the market right now with 6.1, 6.25 displays, are not really wider then the older phones with 5.1-5.4 displays, they are only made longer.. I have looked it up for my Nexus 5X display, which is a 5.2 inch display with the normal 16:9 display ratio, but it is exactly the same width as the new LG G7 ThinQ, wich has a 6.1 inch display in 19.5:9 ratio... This means that LK8000 will show up on this new phone the same size as on my old Nexus 5X.
LK8000 is made to be used on displays of about 5 inch, used fonst are big so I can even read them without glasses, buttons are the size of your thumb.. |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
Edited by - Marco from Hangar 5 on 16/05/2018 08:03:45 |
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freewing70
Pterodattilo
Italy
1268 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2018 : 10:16:30
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Diego! What should I think you think (...) of my old Sony Z3c (4.6" screen)?! 
I recently tried it in a long flight and... it's a bit borderline as visibility, I must admit. What satisfaied me is the good baro of my old phone.
I was looking at Nokia 8, but it has no Galileo and no baro  . A bit anachronistic.
So... still waiting and sitting on the V2 screen (semi-destroyed, but working). I will never more buy LG or Asus products since I had terrible support experiences.
PS
What about Sony XZ2 compact? (Non compact for Diego)
https://www.hdblog.it/compara/2720-3592-3588-3303-3498.html |
- enrico
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Edited by - freewing70 on 16/05/2018 10:27:37 |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
Posted - 16/05/2018 : 12:05:38
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quote:
Originally posted by freewing70
Diego! ...
I was looking at Nokia 8, but it has no Galileo and no baro . A bit anachronistic.
So... still waiting and sitting on the V2 screen (semi-destroyed, but working). ...
Nokia 8 does have a baro sensor (see official Nokia website https://www.nokia.com/nl_nl/phones/nokia-8 or look at the Features>sensors in https://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_8-8522.php )
Galileo is not used by LK8000 so why would you need that? (its the European gps system, still in development, not all satellites are launched yet.. see https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galileo_(navigatiesysteem)).
I have seen Galileo support only in the most recent quite expensive phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S9+.. probably it is integrated now on the Qualcomm snapdragon 845 chipset. |
Marco
BU (PH-588)
Mini Nimbus HS7, s/n 039
http://www.zweef.nl/
Zweefvliegcentrum Noordkop, NETHERLANDS |
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Marco from Hangar 5
Pterodattilo
Netherlands
886 Posts |
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Smartphones are getting brighter displays