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Hot new phones offer choice at the top
Three powerful new name-brand phones mean anyone in the market for a mid-to-high-end smartphone is spoiled for choice, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK.
Durability
The Sony XZ2 wins in durability, with a waterproof IP65/68 rating, followed by the Huawei P20 Pro, with a water resistant IP67 rating. The Nokia 7 plus has no IP ratings and will not play well with dust and water.
Camera
The P20 Pro pushes the boundaries of phone cameras, introducing a third camera that takes black and white photos. Traditional camera photographers use black and white photographs to determine light in the scene. Huawei’s black and white lens is revolutionary because software determines the best lighting for the scene. This third camera is a boost for the serious smartphone photographer and can produce brilliant content on professional platforms.
Two of the lenses, helped along by software, allow for the bokeh effect, which blurs the background – something the Sony handset does naturally. The P20 Pro makes use of an artificial intelligence engine which predicts the best settings for the photo, depending on scenery and details. The lenses are certified by Leica, one of the best lens makers in the industry.
The Sony XZ2 uses two infrared sensors, similar to those on the Sony Cybershot cameras, which improve auto-focus accuracy and speeds up picture snapping. You may have seen Sony’s camera sensors before: Apple uses Sony’s technology. The XZ2 has the best natural focus and bokeh of the three smartphones.
The Nokia 7 plus has a surprisingly good camera. The dual lens setup allows a bokeh effect through software processing, low-light photos are also surprisingly good and produce very little grain. Both rear lenses are approved by Zeiss, another great lens maker which has backed Nokia smartphones for years.
Battery
Sony has been a pioneer in smartphone battery technology and it is no surprise that the XZ2 introduces new battery protection tools. Other smartphones “trickle-charge” their batteries when charging overnight, consistently keeping the smartphone at 100% charge. This trickle-charging can reduce the lifespan of the battery and charging overnight can reduce the usability of the smartphone. Sony fixes this by learning when the user typically wakes up. The XZ2 will charge until 80%, then turn charging off and charge the rest of the battery to 100% just before wake-up time.
The P20 Pro has the highest battery capacity, with a 4000mAh battery, while the 7 plus follows with a 3800mAh battery. Sony’s XZ2 has “only” a 3180mAh battery, but the smaller display means it can match the others in battery life, particularly with its battery management. The batteries are all non-removable.
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