STACK #183 Jan 2020

LIFE TECH FEATURE

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SIX OF THE BEST With quite literally scores of viable options for budget-friendly Android smartphones, let’s take a closer look at half a dozen great choices.

storage, 6GB of RAM, 4500mAh battery and the same 1080x2340- resolution display. The differences start with the larger 6.53-inch screen real estate and continue with the cameras. There’s a 20MP front-facing camera for fantastic clarity, and the quad-camera 64/8/2/2MP rear configuration makes for great snaps and also facilitates 4K video recording. Oppo Reno Z (purple or black) The Oppo Reno Z requires the biggest budget of the six options herein, but offers performance

Huawei Y9 Prime (blue or black)

For a few dollars more, the Huawei Y9 Prime combos a bigger 6.59-inch screen with a higher-resolution (1080x2340 pixels) display. Storage won’t be a problem, with a generous

128GB of inbuilt space, and the option to up that by up to 1TB (which a phone really doesn’t need). The 16MP front camera makes for easy selfies,

while the triple-camera 16/8/2MP rear combo makes for clear pics with a wide-

angle option and better depth of field. Translation: a powerful photography tool inside a smartphone. Vivo S1 (purple or blue) At the heart of the Vivo S1 is a 6.38-inch screen and an eye-candified 1080x2340 display resolution. A 32MP front camera is great for the selfie-loving student, while the triple-camera 16/8/2MP rear options produce great results. It’s got impressive grunty innards, too, care of 128GB of storage, and 6GB of RAM for more responsive multitasking between several apps. The 4500mAh battery keeps your kid connected for longer between charges, too. Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro (grey or white)

closer to high-end territory. Multitasking pupils will love the support of 8GB of RAM and the 128GB of storage. They’ll want that storage to complement the pictures and video from the 32MP front camera and the dual-camera 48/5MP rear camera. The rear cameras are built for shooting at night and in 4K. Good thing the results will look the part on the 6.4-inch 1080x2340 OLED display (it’s very, very pretty).

Oppo AX5s (black or red) The AX5s starts with a generous 6.2-inch HD+ screen. There’s 64GB of internal memory to store plenty of apps, photos and video, with the option to expand that storage by up to 256GB with a compatible MicroSD card. Despite the budget price, the camera functionality is still decent with an 8MP front-facing camera and a dual 13MP/2MP rear camera to boot. Samsung Galaxy A20 (blue or red) The Galaxy A20 is a reliable brand and line without the cost. In terms of the screen, you’re looking at a 6.4-inch HD+ display, with dual rear 13MP/5MP cameras and an 8MP front-facing camera. Dubbed the “Selfie Camera”, your kids will appreciate the smart selfie functionality for their social media poison of choice. Internal storage is only 32GB but can be expanded to 512GB with a compatible MicroSD card.

The Xiaomi Redmi Note 8 Pro matches what the aforementioned Vivo S1 offers: 128GB of internal

Just in case It’s absolutely worth investing in a compatible case to protect your kid’s new smartphone from bumps and drops. Similarly, screen protectors also help preserve the all-important touchscreen and avoid cracked moments of seven years of bad luck (or parental wrath).

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JANUARY 2020

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