When it launched ten years ago, the original iPhone was widely criticized by the power users of the day (myself included). It cost about as much as the competition, but lacked essential features like multitasking and 3G that had come to define the smartphone. But the iPhone succeeded partly because it was willing to re-define what it meant to be a smartphone. The analogy to Google’s Pixelbook is imperfect –this is not the first Chromebook, nor is the laptop market as ripe for a shakeup as was the smartphone world of 2007– but the Pixelbook does strike me as the notebook of the future in the same way the iPhone proved to be the phone of the future. That makes the Pixelbook very compelling, despite its high price point. I’m MrMobile and my second-ever Chromebook video is a doozy: join me for the Google Pixelbook Review!

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[PRODUCTS IN THIS VIDEO]

Google Pixelbook:
http://mrmobile.tech/3oc

Anker PowerCore+ 26800 PD Battery Pack:
http://amzn.to/2yFNL2s

[ABOUT MRMOBILE’S GOOGLE PIXELBOOK REVIEW]

MrMobile’s Pixelbook Review was produced following 14 days with a Google Pixelbook review device purchased from the Google Store by Mobile Nations. The device received one software update during the test period.

[FURTHER READING]

Google Pixelbook Review: Finally [Android Central]
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixelbook-review

Google Pixelbook: What The Naysayers Are Missing [Computerworld]
https://www.computerworld.com/article/3235027/chromebooks/google-pixelbook.html

[MUSIC]

“Live Up” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/live-up

“Sensational” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/sensational

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This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

I normally like to wait a year to give a smartphone the old “review re-do” treatment, but this is a special case. The Andy Rubin-led tech startup Essential changed everything when it slashed the price of its namesake flagship by $200 barely two months after launch. The price drop from $699 to $499 instantly transformed an overpriced phone with a terrible camera into a genuine bargain … with a terrible camera. Yes, the Essential Phone’s optics continue to be a sore spot even after a 28% price cut – but as with most things Android, there’s a hack for that. Let’s find out if the deep discount combined with a little sideloading can make the Essential Phone a winner, in MrMobile’s Essential Phone Review Re-Do, brought to you by Thrifter!

[SPONSOR]

MrMobile’s Essential Phone Review Re-Do is brought to you by Thrifter. Thrifter is a new way to save money on everything from gadgets to home goods by shopping based on value (and not hype). Get all the leaked ads, discount analysis and the best deals for Black Friday — as well as that $450 Essential Phone and MintSIM combo deal — at the following links:

Thrifter Black Friday Deals 2017: https://www.thrifter.com/black-friday-2017

Thrifter Essential Phone $450 Deal: https://www.thrifter.com/grab-128gb-essential-phone-450-free-mint-sim-package

[LOCATION CREDIT]

Portions of this review were filmed at Aldo’s Coffee Company, Greenport NY: https://aldos.com/

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[ABOUT MRMOBILE’S ESSENTIAL PHONE REVIEW RE-DO]

MrMobile’s Essential Phone Review Re-Do was produced following several weeks with a retail PH-1 review device provided by Essential. The device was tested on T-Mobile US and AT&T between Greater Boston, New York City, and rural Long Island. It was paired with an LG Watch Sport for a portion of the testing, and received several updates during the review period.

[LINKS]

Google Camera with HDR+ Ported to Other Devices [XDA]:

Google Camera with HDR+ Ported to Snapdragon 820/821 and 835 Devices

Signal Spy app [Play Store]:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.novvia.fispy&hl=en

[MUSIC]

“Days and Days” by Eternity Bro, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/days-and-days

“E-Business” by Olive Musique, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/e-business

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

By this point, you probably know that the iPhone X is the most expensive iPhone Apple has ever offered – and you might also have heard that it’s the best iPhone the company has ever made. Both of these things are true. The question, then, asks itself: is the best iPhone actually worth a thousand dollars? Come find out in MrMobile’s iPhone X Review, brought to you by Tech21.

[SPONSOR]

This video sponsored by Tech21. Get your Tech21 iPhone X case from Verizon Wireless: http://vz.to/2AqwxqC

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[ABOUT MRMOBILE’S iPHONE X REVIEW]

MrMobile’s iPhone X Review was produced following five days with a retail iPhone X handset purchased from Apple by Mobile Nations. The iPhone X review device was tested on T-Mobile US in Eastern Long Island New York, with an additional iPhone X review unit tested on T-Mobile in Greater Boston, MA. Neither device was paired with a wearable.

[FURTHER READING]

iPhone X Review [iMore]:
https://www.imore.com/iphone-x-review

[MUSIC]

“Live Up” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/live-up

“First Thing” by JAM Studio, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/first-thing

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The idea of a smartphone built just for gamers is not a new one (recall my throwback video featuring the Nokia NGage from 2003). For PC gaming Goliath Razer, updating that idea for 2017 means blending bold design –like a special 120Hz screen and loud speakers– with uncharacteristic restraint (there’s no manufacturer software skin aside from Nova Launcher) and a spec sheet that more than makes up for the lack of Chroma LEDs. Looks aside, a “Nextbit Robin 2” this is not.

But to hear Razer tell it, this isn’t a phone for hardcore gaming. The company isn’t launching a special catalog of titles or even the long-rumored PC-to-phone streaming service. Rather than being a gaming phone, this a “phone for gamers” … and that distinction is an important one to keep in mind if you’re considering pre-ordering one of these.

Confused? Not for long. Join me for the MrMobile first look at the Razer Phone, and be sure you’re subscribed so you don’t miss the full Razer Phone review when it drops!

[SPONSOR]

This video brought to you by Gamestash, a revolution in Android mobile games. Under 5 bucks a month gets you chart-topping titles like Badlands, Worms, Cut The Rope and over 300 more. The best part: these games have been specially modified to cut out in-app purchases and ads! Try Gamestash free for 14 days here: http://www.gamestash.com/mrmobile

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[ABOUT THE RAZER PHONE HANDS-ON]

MrMobile’s Razer Phone Hands-On was produced following two hours with a Razer Phone review device at Razer’s offices in New York City. The Razer Phone review units evaluated in this video were preproduction hardware samples running prerelease software.

[MUSIC]

“Sensational” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/sensational

[SOCIALIZE]

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

The iPhone X is the most exciting Apple product in years, and it’s the reason I titled my iPhone 8 review “The Forgotten iPhone.” By now you’ve seen the iPhone X specs; you’ve gotten the iPhone X first impressions; and you’re gonna get a full iPhone X review very soon. But before I even *start* to make time for any of that window dressing, I’m hitting up what’s really important: your questions. Join me as I answer questions from my Twitter audience following my first four hours with the iPhone X, and then hop on over to iMore for the definitive iPhone X review! (MrMobile’s full iPhone X review coming soon.)

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[ABOUT THE iPHONE X HANDS-ON REVIEW]

MrMobile’s iPhone X Hands-On Review was produced following four hours with an iPhone review unit on loan from Apple, in collaboration with iMore. The full iPhone X Review will be published following extended testing with an iPhone X retail device.

[FURTHER READING]

iPhone X Review [iMore]:
https://www.imore.com/iphone-x-review

Lumia 950 Review [Pocketnow]:
http://pocketnow.com/2015/12/22/lumia-950-review

[MUSIC]

“Boosted” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/boosted

“A New Departure” by Vincent Tone, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/a-new-departure

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

Smartwatches are in a strange place right now. Android Wear is on more wrists than ever, but the software isn’t the best; the Apple Watch is basically useless if you don’t carry an iPhone; and old stalwarts like Pebble have been swallowed up by bigger fish to produce … well, whatever the Fitbit Ionic is. So when Samsung launched its newest smartwatch in September, I was excited for another contender from the company that brought us the excellent Gear S3 – and it turns out you don’t even need to be a fitness fanatic to appreciate it.

The Gear Sport is a smaller, sleeker, and (yes) sportier revision of Samsung’s previous-generation smartwatches, with heightened durability and a boatload of new fitness features that help counter its slimmer spec sheet. Join me for a look at both products in my Gear Sport / IconX review, brought to you by Man Outfitters.

[SPONSOR]

MrMobile’s wardrobe provided by today’s sponsor, Man Outfitters. Visit this link for 10% off your entire order at ManOutfitters.com:

http://www.manoutfitters.com/MrMobile

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[ABOUT THE GEAR SPORT / ICON X REVIEW]

MrMobile’s Gear Sport Review / Icon X Review was published following a week with a Gear Sport review unit and two Icon X review devices furnished by Samsung. The devices were used with a Galaxy Note 8. All units received at least one software update during the review period.

[MUSIC]

“Green Fever” by Flash Fluharty, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/green-fever

“Sensational” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/sensational

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

When Google announced its new Pixel smartphones, I knew right away that the bigger one was the phone for me. A more modern design; a larger screen and battery; and an exclusive paint job. What could go wrong?

Well, we soon found out. Whether it’s blue-shifting, low saturation or the dreaded early burn-in/image persistence problem, the Pixel 2 XL has had some issues. Which is a shame because, underneath that display, it’s still the Pixel I prefer. I’m MrMobile and this is the story of a very good smartphone tainted by a second-rate screen. Let’s see if it’s still worth your time in the Pixel 2 XL review, brought to you by Tech21!

[SPONSOR]

This video sponsored by Tech21. Get your custom protective case for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL at Verizon Wireless:

Pixel 2: http://vz.to/2zDwRBW
Pixel 2 XL: http://vz.to/2l3AE87

[UPDATE]

Google has released a statement addressing the display issues, and revised all warranties on Pixel 2 XL devices to include two years of coverage. The relevant links follow:

Diving Deeper on the Pixel 2 XL Display [Google]:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/phone-by-google/y1FWSMFcDgA;context-place=forum/phone-by-google

Pixel 2 XL Warranty Update [Google]:
https://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/phone-by-google/FRyoLZZjXvo

[SUBSCRIBE]

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[ABOUT THE PIXEL 2 XL REVIEW]

MrMobile’s Pixel 2 XL Review was produced following seven days with a Pixel 2 XL review device provided by Google. The device received no software updates during the review period and was not paired to a wearable. It was tested on Project Fi in Greater Boston and NYC.

[EXTERNAL REFERENCES]

Pixel 2 XL Screen Burn-In [Android Central]:
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-2-xl-screen-burn

Google Pixel 2 Review / Pixel 2 XL Review [Android Central]:
https://www.androidcentral.com/google-pixel-2-review

Francois Simond on Pixel 2 XL Display Issues [Google+]:
https://plus.google.com/+supercurioFrancoisSimond/posts/8feW5GMgGgt

Danny Winget on Pixel 2 XL Display Issues [Twitter]:

People want to see an example of the Pixel 2 XL screen blue shift. Just watch the top portion of the display. pic.twitter.com/h2XS4XcwXO

— Danny Winget (@superscientific) October 21, 2017

[MUSIC]

“No Major Delays” by Julian Bell, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/no-major-delays

“Rule the World” by Gyom, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/rule-the-world

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

LG didn’t do itself any favors by waiting until October to release its V30 smartphone in the US, after first announcing it back in August. But it’s telling that, in the intervening weeks, I haven’t been able to go a day without someone on Twitter asking for an ETA on my LG V30 review. This is a smartphone that’s got people stoked.

Part of that is the natural demand for an underdog alternative to Samsung’s Galaxy Note 8, or curiosity about how much of the V30’s DNA made it into the LG-made Google Pixel 2 XL. But comparing the V30 to either of those competitors misses the point. The V30 isn’t just LG’s higher-end model for the fall; it’s one of the only three smartphones in recent memory designed specifically for shooting near-professional-quality mobile video. (The other two were its immediate predecessors, the LG V10 and V20.)

The V30 packs updates to the styling and specs of its forerunners, while tossing in more cinematography features like in-camera color grading and support for the Cine-Log format. It also brings its own version of the super-wide-angle dual-camera system that kept the LG G6 in my pocket for much of this year, and includes a 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC and 3.5mm headphone jack for the audiophiles in the audience. But with a price point starting at $800 and a selfie camera that falls far behind the quality of the primary shooter, will the LG V30 be able to live up to the hype created by its long road to release? Check out MrMobile’s LG V30 review to find out, and then hit up Android Central’s LG V30 Review for the deep dive!

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[ABOUT THE LG V30 REVIEW]

MrMobile’s LG V30 Review was produced following seven weeks with a pre-production LG V30 review unit, and ten days with a production-ready LG V30 review unit, both provided by LG. The retail unit was an AT&T branded LG-H931 tested in Greater Boston and New York City, paired with an LG Watch Sport.

Some footage courtesy Alex Dobie/Android Central.

[EXTERNAL REFERENCES]

LG V30 Review [Android Central]:
https://www.androidcentral.com/lg-v30-review

LG V30 Review [Android Police]:

[MUSIC]

“Home Organ” by Zach Nicita, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/home-organ

“Boosted” by Cymatix, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/boosted

[SOCIALIZE]

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links

The ZTE Axon M is a specimen not seen in the world of the smartphone in some time: it’s a clamshell. No, not a flip-top communicator of the Starfleet variety, but a side-flipping design previously reserved for fancy wallets. Some, like MrMobile’s esteemed thumbnail designer, might go so far as to call the ZTE Axon M a “folding phone.” But MrMobile himself would never be so bold.

For real though: in a sea of single-sided slabs, the Axon M is a legitimately interesting design. Featuring two 5.2″ displays bonded by a solid-feeling hinge and a thick aluminum midplate, the Axon M has the kind of heft that makes you take a smartphone seriously … and the double-wide screen real estate that’ll get you noticed even in Best Buy’s big-TV section. Tune in for MrMobile’s first look, and stay tuned to the channel for the Axon M Review coming soon!

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[ABOUT THE ZTE AXON M HANDS-ON]

MrMobile’s ZTE Axon M hands-on was produced following an hour with a ZTE Axon M review device on loan from ZTE. The device was a preproduction smartphone running prerelease software.

Additionally, the briefing venue had poor lighting which resulted in the inconsistent white balance in this video; the greenish blue hue you see on the display is a symptom of this problem and does not appear in person.

[MUSIC]

“Robot Town” by Phil Gardiner, available at Premium Beat:
https://www.premiumbeat.com/royalty_free_music/songs/robot-town

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[DISCLOSURE]

This post may contain affiliate links. See Mobile Nations’ disclosure policy for more details: http://www.mobilenations.com/external-links