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Around the first quarter of this year, Sony offers another flagship phone to the market, the Sony Xperia XZ2.

It is your typical 2018 phone; it comes with a huge Corning Gorilla Glass 5 screen display powered by the latest processor octa-core unit Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.

To video vampires out there, this Android phone is supported by Sony’s Bravia TV; giving you an experience of a movie theatre within the size of your palm.

Related: How to sim unlock your Sony Xperia phone for use with another carrier.

SONY Xperia XZ2’s build and design

Xperia XZ2 released a refreshing pocket-friendly and palm-fit design with gentle curves at the back, trashing the brick-like structure of the older models of Sony.

The outer hard parts of this flagship phone are toughened by a Corning Gorilla Glass 5, the strongest glass available today. It’s accentuated with an Aluminum metal that contributed to earning its rating—IP68 dust- and water- resistance.

It’s 6 inches tall, with 5.7 inches of screen display.

The only caveat is that it is not coated with the anti-fingerprint coating. It should be cleaned regularly to keep its shiny look. It is still with IPS LED which is energy saving.

This is finished with four different color coatings—liquid black, liquid silver, deep green, and ash pink.

This phone has two variations, one has a single Nano sim and 4GB of RAM (H8216), and the other model has a Dual Nano sim with 6GB RAM (H8296). 

In addition, the external memory is expandable up to 400GB. It is best for storing numerous videos, movies, music videos, and other entertainment kinds of stuff.

The battery capacity of this phone is a whopping 3180mAh. The energy consumption is lesser due to its faster Snapdragon 845 processor, the latest in Qualcomm technology.

Its powerful processor makes your battery last longer than your normal usage.

Related: Want to unlock your Sony Xperia? Click here!

Sony Xperia XZ2 Features

And if convenience is a major concern, Sony Xperia XZ2 has wireless charging capability. Its battery is refilled using a dock, and the hassle of using coiling wires is now gone.

In this phone, Sony sticks to fingerprint biometrics, which is not a bad move, since Face ID security is still shrouded with a lot of security and usability issues.

This flagship phone carries a 19 MP rear camera with their latest technology called Motion Eye, bringing photos and video experience into HDR. It is also draped with new photo features that will really boost your creativity.

Our favorite is their 3D capturing. You can now scan a 3D photo in 360˚ and share it.

On the other side of the leaf, its 5MP front camera is such a letdown, too low for the likings of selfie addicts.

Headphone jacks are out for this model. This is replaced by Sony’s LDAC technology, a wireless/Bluetooth headphone. But if you’re insistent in using headphones, a USB Type- C to 3.5mm Audio Jack adapter is included in the packaging.

Sony Xperia XZ2 vs Huawei Mate 20 vs. iPhone XR

This is the specs of Sony Xperia XZ2 versus the other flagship phones of two known brands circulating the market.

Related: Here’s why you should unlock your phone with UnlockBase!

These three flagship phones offer HDR features in their camera. However, if you are into taking selfies, this might not be the best phone for you.

The output of its front camera is bad and looks cheap. Really bad, like taking a picture with a lot of mosquitos in it. Definitely not for your Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter stories. A big thumbs down.

On the other hand, if you’re engrossed in watching TV, movies, videos, and other forms of visual displays, Sony Xperia XZ2 is the better choice.

Still, choosing a phone will depend on your personal preference as a buyer.

The holiday season is here and surely there will be a lot of gatherings and parties everywhere. You are ready, but what about your phone? If you are looking for the best phone to bring to every party this holiday season, try checking the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 out!

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is accompanied by a powerful S pen that is now connected to Bluetooth for easier control in capturing photos, doing presentations, and watching videos. It is with a 6.3 inches screen display lighted with Super AMOLED technology. It comes with 256 GB internal memory expandable up to 512 GB.

Related: Everything you need to know about how to unlock a Samsung phone.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9’s Build and Design

Decades back, the term phablet was born, and it is used to describe phones with a screen size between that of a regular smartphone and a tablet. It gained a negative reputation for being too big for hands to hold and for not being pocket-friendly.

Samsung, being one of the pioneering manufacturers of phablets, did not disappoint the world by releasing the Galaxy Note series, which we know are truly remarkable when it comes to design and build quality. And this year, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 made its debut.

Just like it’s predecessors, the outer parts of Galaxy Note 9 is made with glass and accented with aluminum; it has smooth curves at its edges really identical to the former Galaxy Note 8. Its outer appearance is polished with three different colors— Ocean Black, Midnight Blue, and Metallic Copper.

Its height is 6.4 inches- having an almost bezel-less Super AMOLED  screen display.

The processor of this device is the Google Android version 8.1 Oreo. It’s a total bummer because Android Pie was already released before its debut, and that could have added more features and security.

The sim slots of this are in dual nano sim or it could be a hybrid (one nano sim and one micro SD card).

The S pen in Note 9 is now connected via Bluetooth, and it has added functions, too. It can control the camera, pause videos, and much more. It is located at the base of the phone together with the 3.0 mm headphone jack and a USB type- C cable port.

In the back is its dual camera; having 12 mp for the main camera is not bad but still lacking compared to humungous models of other smartphone manufacturers. Its front camera is only in 8MP, which is also a big thumbs down.

We expected the price of this device to be justified by its camera’s finesse. You can get a better camera with other flagship phones for the same price.

The internal storage of this phone is in 256 GB and can be increased up to 512 GB, making it perfect for storing pictures, videos, and files for keeps from this holiday season.

Related: Want to know your Samsung phone’s unlock code? Click here!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs. Huawei Mate 20 vs. iPhone Xs Max

Below are the specs of Galaxy Note 9 versus the other two flagships phones from other Mobile manufacturers.

This phablet rivals the iPhone Xs Max in terms of price but if you’ll look into the specs and features between the two, major differences can be seen.  

Note 9 and Xs Max have main cameras both in 12 mp. However, Note 9’s front camera is 8MP while the Xs Max only has 7MP. That’s a slight difference in numbers but a huge difference in picture quality.

On the other hand, besides being a little bit cheaper compared to the two, Huawei’s Mate 20 leave a huge gap in the camera aspects, having 24 mp in its front camera, but having only a 12MP main camera.

The only edge the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has it its improved S-pen.

Conclusion

Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, is one of the most powerful phones out in the market today. You’ll never go wrong with an 8GB RAM in any day.  Whether you use this phablet for work or for just having fun, this phablet could be the perfect gift to yourself for this year’s holiday season.

Waited too long to own a new iPhone but don’t want to play the cards wrong? Torn between the three newly released iPhones?

Well, your waiting is not in vain. Apple brings out its latest flagship phone, the iPhone Xr with its Liquid Retina HD screen display, a first in all iPhones.

After launching iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max, Apple releases iPhone Xr later in the same month. Many believe it to be the upgraded version of iPhone 8 plus, but they can’t be blamed, the features are almost the same. At least, there’s a visible improvement.

It stands 6.1 inches tall, with an IPS LCD display screen. It ’s dual sim, has a 3 GB RAM, 3 internal storage options (64 GB, 128 GB & 256 GB), and 6 choices of colors.

There’s nothing controversial or life-changing about the iPhone Xr’s camera, but just like the rest of the latest iPhones, its TrueDepth feature will surely satisfy your need for taking simple yet memorable photos.

You can get it at T-mobile for $0.00 down at $20.84/mo (36x mo). You can buy it unlocked starting at $749.99.

Related: Want to unlock your iPhone and use it with another carrier? Here’s how!

iPhone Xr’s Build and Design

The hardware parts of iPhone Xr is made of surgical steel glass and aerospace-grade aluminum. It has earned a rating of IP67; it is splash, water, and dust resistant.

This look is completed by a fingerprint-resistant oleophobic coating in 6 color finishing choices—black, white, red, yellow, blue, and coral.

The caveat is that it is not pressure sensitive. You can’t customize the sensitivity that you can use in pressing the screen of your smartphone, too bad.

iPhone Xr is supported by an A12 bionic chipset with a hexa-core processor; the latest technology Apple has to power their iPhones. It is remarkably faster than the older iPhone models.

It is supported by a 3GB RAM, which is good, but it’s going to get problematic if you use a lot of heavy apps at the same time. Its new features like TrueDepth, Location assistance, etc would eat up a lot of the phone’s memory capacity and this can slow down the iPhone Xr’s response time and performance.

iPhone Xr surprised many iPhone users because of its switch from Super Retina to Liquid Retina HD display; which means we’re back to good old IPS LCD from OLED.

We liked the fact that iPhone Xs and Xs Max have an OLED screen and it’s such a let down to know that iPhone Xr’s screen technology is IPS LCD. This meant not having brighter images and deep blacks that OLED can offer.

On the other hand, liquid Retina filled the screen of iPhone Xr edge-to-edge, but it still has that iconic notch at the top similar to iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max.

It also offered a natural, wider color variation in a 326-pixel density.

In terms of cameras, iPhone Xr has a 7MP(front) and 12MP(rear). Not bad, but nothing compared to other Android flagship phones.

The TrueDepth Camera feature gives a much better bokeh effect, depth control, and portrait lighting than the previous iPhones.

Related: Don’t know which carrier your iPhone is from? Run a GSX Check!

iPhone Xr vs. iPhone Xs Max vs. iPhone 8 plus

The table below shows the notable specs between the previous releases of iPhone compared to their latest.

iPhone Xr is quoted as the descendant of iPhone 8 plus and really live up to its name. The ‘it -is- iPhone -8 -plus- but- not -really’ vibe is there.

A few upgrades can be seen in this smartphone from a bigger bezel-less display size, system chip, GPU,  and biometrics (from fingerprints to Face ID).

However, if you own an iPhone 8 plus, we don’t think the upgrade is enough to make a switch with your current phone yet.

On the other hand, compared to iPhone Xs and Xs Max; iPhone Xr is inferior in both specs and features. Thus, it was justified by its price, since iPhone Xr is more affordable than iPhone Xs and Xs Max.

Related: Permanent sim unlock for iPhones

Conclusion:

iPhone Xr is graded lower compared to the other two newest release flagships of Apple- iPhone Xs and iPhone Xs Max.

However, if you were a fan of iPhone 8 plus but you want the look of iPhone Xs and Xs max,  iPhone Xr is the one for you.

If you’re having second thoughts about Samsung or the rest of the flagships, you must really take a look at LG V Series’ newest release, the LG V40 ThinQ. It comes with five (5) cameras that will definitely turn your camera experience around.

No, it’s not just hype; its 3 smart rear cameras will give you 3 different options in capturing a picture.

It has a huge 6.4” QHD OLED FullVision Display with a notch, and it’s powered by an Octacore unit Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor with 64GB internal memory, built-in battery, and of course, the crowd favorite, a headphone jack.

Related: Is your device supported by the “Device Unlock” APP? Check here!

LG V40 ThinQ’s Build And Design

LG V40 ThinQ’s look came in four different colors—Platinum Grey, Aurora black, Moroccan blue, and Carmine red.

Standing 6.4 inches tall, this smartphone is comparably lightweight, weighing only 5.96 oz (169 g) following the standard weight for LG V series.

The screen is almost bezel-less except for a notch at the top. Trying to copy the iPhone X’s design may not be such a bad thing after all. As they say, imitation is the best form of flattery.

This smartphone uses Plastic OLED (P-OLED) instead of AMOLED which is the glass version of OLED. However, there are known issues of burn-ins in other models using P-OLED. We hope this will not happen in this flagship phone.

Its main feature is its 5 cameras: 2 in front and 3 at the back. We’re used to seeing dual lenses for wide angle shots, but LG chose to have a third rear camera solely meant for taking zoomed in portrait shots of your subject.

There are three (3) lenses located at the back of the phone—- 45˚ Telephoto Zoom Camera in 12 megapixels, 107˚ Wide Angle Camera in 16 megapixels and 78˚ Standard Camera in 12 megapixels.

They added a feature that allows you to take photos using the rear cameras at the same time and it is quite handy if you want to have the perfect angle for your pictures.

The two remaining lenses are located at the front—-Wide in 5 megapixels and Standard in 8 megapixels. They are perfect for selfie shots.

Also, the Cine Shot feature makes photos livelier and will surely be loved by Instagram users and aspiring filmmakers. This revolution in taking pictures is happening, thanks to LG.

Not only that, it is rated with IP68 water and dust resistance, so you can take on more pictures with your adventures.

And yes, LG V40 ThinQ is keeping the headphone jack- it’s not a common sight on most flagship phones nowadays, even on the iPhone Xs Max. LG is surely dominating the audiophile niche.

Related: How to use the “Device Unlock” APP from T-Mobile

LG V40 ThinQ vs iPhone XS MAX vs Huawei Mate 20

In the table are the features of the three newest released smartphones by their companies.

The pricing difference between these expensive phones is not too big. It all goes down in each phone’s specs and features.

If you love taking pictures and making videos, LG’s V40 ThinQ is your bestie. The upgrades they’ve done in this field really blew up other smartphone manufacturers. They have greater and clearer resolutions compared to iPhone Xs Max and Huawei Mate 20.

LG V40 ThinQ also has power and processor advantage, it’s a phone with a ginormous 6GB RAM and spacious 64GB Internal Memory.

In terms of outer appearances, the matte coating effect of LG V40 ThinQ is such a letdown. It looks so plain and cheap looking compared to the other two.

Moreover, if you already own V35 upgrading to V40 is not really advisable.

Yes, LG V40 ThinQ has new features that are not available to V35 but if you’re not into selfies or video making, you might not enjoy the fact that this phone costs around $920 when bought outright.

Not having fun with watching movies because of your iPhone’s narrow screen? Thinking of upgrading to phones with bigger and wider screen display?

Then, you should check out iPhone Xs Max! It has a 6.5 inches display, and it’s the biggest smartphone released by Apple, so far. It is crafted with Stainless Steel and Glass that are also available in three different colors—gold, space grey, and silver. The iPhone Xs Max is powered by OLED Super Retina Screen panels which turn up HDR with a sharper display, accurate colors, and notable brightness and contrast.

You’d be shocked to see that the photographs look so natural and subtle in your eyes through their enhanced True Tone feature.

In addition, it has the biggest internal storage so far, with 512 GB; breaking the records of all Apple’s smartphones. However, all good things come at a price, and the iPhone XS Max is no different. Also, we don’t find the price of 64 GB and 256 GB internal storage to be practical. The thought is, Android phones have long had internal storage as big as that and the slight difference in screen size did not do justice to its price.

On the other hand, it has pretty much ticked off every flagship basic: almost bezel-less screen, high pixel density, good front and rear camera with Depth Control, Faster Wireless Charging, and a 4GB RAM.

Lost which carrier your iPhone is from? Here’s how to find out!

iPhone Xs Max Build and Design

After the iPhone X was recalled, Apple came back this year with its new smartphones, iPhone Xs Max (6.5″) together with its smaller brother, iPhone Xs (5.8”).

The frame of the new iPhone Xs Max is made mostly with stainless steel, and a Corning Gorilla scratch- free glass; a 180-degree turn from iPhone 8s Plus’ Aluminum glass. Moreover, it is now splash, dust, and water resistant. Good job Apple for catching up.

And through its Oleophobic coating, the screens are fingerprint-free. Can you believe that?

The iPhone 8 Plus’ A11 Bionic Chipset was completely overthrown by A12 Bionic Chipset when it comes to speed and performance. And the later first appeared in iPhone XS, iPhone XS MAX, and iPhone XR, which also operates in a hexa-core CPU for a faster and more battery efficient system.

Performance-wise, having a 4GB RAM is not too impressing at all when compared to other Android phones that aced the contest in RAM into 8GB.

But it’s dual sim feature caters both nano and e-sims, besting other Android phones.

If you’re a selfie addict, you’re gonna like how the iPhone Xs Max offers 12 megapixels rear camera and 7 megapixels front camera.

We are amazed by the captured pictures that looked like it’d pop out of the screen because of the improvement in the TrueDepth dual camera system. It made possible smart adjustments in your selfies’ depth.

The bokeh or background blur really brought life out of the picture.

The FACE ID in iPhone XS MAX also has better algorithms that perform faster and safer.

Thinking of Unlocking Your iPhone Xs Max. Read this first!

Honestly, the specs between Xs and Xs Max doesn’t differ much.  However,  if you like to have a wider view in your phone, and you think it’s within your budget, then, by all means, go for the iPhone Xs Max.

iPhone XS MAX vs LG V40 ThinQ vs Huawei Mate 20

These are the specs of iPhone XS MAX versus two other newly-released Android flagship Phones.

Those phones has its pro’s and con’s, but which is better is up to your interest.

Unlocking iPhone Xs Max: So, does size really matter?

The iPhone Xs Max and iPhone Xs don’t have that much difference at all when it comes to performance and the camera system. For a slightly bigger screen, there’s a $100 difference, and for us, that might not be the wisest choice. Bigger doesn’t always mean better all the time.

Be first! Unlock your iPhone XS Max for a better experience! Click here.

Having trouble capturing the real and everything about you in the lens of your current phone? Then you should try the iPhone Xs. It is packed with an A12 Bionic Chipset processor, 12 megapixels rear camera, and 7 megapixels front camera. The new upgrades include live wallpapers, faster wireless charging, a 4GB RAM, and a Gigabit- Class LTE. This and its amazing dual- camera system with Depth Control is perfect for taking both professional and simple selfies.

These are just some of the many features you can enjoy in this new smartphone from Apple. It is crusted with a perfect shade of gold and similarly available in silver and space grey colors.  It was released last September together with the iPhone XS Max.

You can get it locked from the T-Mobile network. If you go the financed route, you can get it with $0 down at $27.78 per month (36 mos.). You can also buy it outright at $999.

Want to Unlock Your iPhone XS? Here’s How.

iPhone XS Smart Camera System

iPhone XS’ camera is an improved version from iPhone X. It has a TrueDepth camera system that supports Face ID. The Face ID security feature is a convenient alternative to the Touch ID, to easily access your email, health, and banking apps.

The iPhone XS’ camera has even more sophisticated bokeh effect, or a background blur, for spectacular focused photographs. The All- New Depth Control feature allows you to adjust the depth of field after you capture the picture.

If you have a passion in making videos or taking photos, the iPhone XS has an HDR feature, that makes the footage clearer and more detailed. It can provide an advanced level of contrast between light and dark images on the screen to create a much realistic image perfect for selfie addicts and model wannabes.

Moreover, it has True tone, a six- channel light sensor subtly adjust the white balance or the brightness on-screen to counterpart the color temperature of the light around you. So, the displayed image looks as natural as on printed page and calmer in your eyes.

iPhone XS’ Build and Design

The smartphone has an edge-to-edge screen that is almost bezel-less, standing 5.8 in tall (diagonal). It has a Super Retina OLED Screen Display with capabilities of adjusting in different lighting conditions.

The screen is definitely bigger than its predecessors, the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus.

This is the sharpest displays we’ve seen so far, with highest pixel density compared to the most iPhone and Android phones. Its frame is mainly made of stainless steel with scratch-free glass protector.

It is splash, dust, and water resistant.

Thank to its Oleophobic materials, you can keep the fingerprints spots off in its glass touchpane.

The Internal storage of iPhone Xs came in three sets—64 GB, 256, GB and 512 GB. For the first time in Apple history, it reached the bracket of 512 GB for internal phone storage. As for RAM, iPhone XS have 4GB that totally topped last year’s released with 3GB RAM such as iPhone X and 8 plus.

The iPhone XS has a wider stereo sound, which means you can better and louder audio experience. Our inner divas and closeted dancing machine like moves will be justly satiated by this.

What I like about all the features of this Smartphone is the upgrade in Apple Pay Services that allows you to pay in stores without using your physical cards, much safer and faster. Very convenient.

Don’t know which provider your iPhone is from? Check here.

iPhone XS vs iPhone 8 Plus vs iPhone XS Max

We know that the iPhone XS could be easily overshadowed by the iPhone XS Max, but it’s not such a huge difference. The latter has a slightly-better processor, a slightly-bigger battery life and slightly-sharper camera.

Be cool! Unlock your iPhone XS for a better experience! Click here.

And we think that the iPhone XS is more reasonably priced than the iPhone XS Max. In terms of weight, the iPhone XS is 1.10 ounces much lighter than iPhone XS. According to Apple, the A12 Bionic Chipset is fifteen percent (15%) faster than A11 Bionic Chipset that powered the iPhone X last year.

The iPhone XS and X Max are worth upgrading to if you are owning older models like iPhone 7, iPhone 8 iPhone 8 plus. The iPhone XS’s price starts at $999 for a 64GB model, $1,149 for 256 GB and $1, 349 for 512 GB.

So, is it worth it to upgrade to the iPhone XS? It does feature slightly improved features than iPhone X but it might not be worth the upgrade. It all depends on your personal preferences, but you might also want to check out the iPhone XS Max and the iPhone Xr.

If you are looking for a budget phone with a good camera, advanced security features, fast processor, and the latest operating system, then you should definitely check out the Samsung J7 Star from T- Mobile.

The Samsung J7 Star (SM-J737T) is one of the few budget phones that came with a Facial Recognition feature. The phone retails at $250 on T-Mobile, and if you don’t buy it outright, you can also get it for $10 per month for 24 months with $10 down payment.

You will pay the remaining device balance if you cancel before the contract ends.

Do note that it comes locked with T- Mobile, so if you want it unlocked (for use with another carrier), you can definitely use UnlockBase’s service for Device Unlock App Permanent Unlock.

On the outside the phone looks nothing spectacular; it is available only on color blue just as the Samsung J3 Star is only available on color pink. We are assuming this phone was meant for the masculine market because it has a bigger battery than the J3 Star, which is more likely for gaming purposes.

Let’s first discover its overall features to help you decide whether the Samsung J7 Star could be your next phone.

Having Trouble With The Device Unlock App? Here’s A Complete Guide

Samsung J7 Star vs Other Budget Phones

Below is a table that compares the key features of Samsung J7 Star to that of other budget phones that are also available through the T-Mobile network.

Samsung Galaxy J7 Star Design And Build Quality

The J7 Star is a minimalistic looking phone; it could be because of the price or it could be just because they’re trying to keep it consistent with the J3 Star. It has more of a “2016-ish” design compared to the LG Stylo 4, which adopted a more 2018-like design.

The latter also has a bigger screen size, 6.2 in compared to 5.5 in on the Samsung Galaxy J7 star. The LG Stylo 4 also has a better 1080p resolution compared to the 720p resolution on the J7 star. This means that the visual experience with the Stylo 4 is going to be better than that of the J7 Star.

On the front, there is a 13MP camera, which makes it a winner in that department. Selfies with the J7 Star are definitely better than the Stylo 4.

There’s also a 13MP camera at the back with a f/1.7 aperture (a low f-stop means wider aperture and more light comes in). With a better aperture, the Samsung Galaxy J7 Star will have better low light photos compared to the Moto E5 Plus and Stylo 4.

It has a scratch-resistant screen and a handy Home button below the screen

How To Set Up Face Recognition On Samsung Galaxy J7 Star

The Samsung Galaxy J7 Star, unfortunately, doesn’t have any Fingerprint reader, so the only way to secure your phone is to setup a password/pin/pattern or to setup the Face Recognition feature.

But no worries, it’s fairly easy. Just like most Samsung phones, here’s how to get it done.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap on Lock Screen and Security.
3. Tap Face Recognition.
4. Tap Continue.
5. Set Up A Secure Screen Lock (Pattern, Pin, Password).
6. Tap Continue.
7. Re-enter Your Screen Lock Security Key.
8. Tap Confirm.
9. Read Disclaimer. Hit OK.
10. Tap Continue.
11. Follow Screen Prompts To Setup Face Recognition.
12. Tap Continue.
13. Tap Turn On (Face Unlock).
14. Tap Done.

Congratulations! You’ve setup your Face Recognition security successfully! If you ever have problems opening up your phone using the Face Recognition feature, you can always use your screen lock security key (password, pin, or pattern) to unlock your phone.

How To Unlock Samsung J7 Star For Any GSM Network

As mentioned in the earlier part of this article, the Samsung J7 Star from T-Mobile can only be unlocked using the Device Unlock App. This helpful app will be the only way to get your phone Temporarily or Permanently unlocked for use with any GSM network, and it will be granted as long as you qualify with T-Mobile’s unlock policies.

If you otherwise don’t, you can always use our services to get your phone permanently unlocked! To do it now, simply go to our T-Mobile Device Unlock App service page! Should you have any questions we’re always here, 24/7 to help you out!

The Samsung Galaxy J3 Star (SM-J337) is probably the least among the brand’s phone releases this year, but it is definitely worth the second look. Not only does this phone look chic on the outside, but it is also in every sense worth every penny.

Samsung Galaxy J3 Star Tech Specs vs Other Budget Phones

The Samsung Galaxy J3 Star doesn’t have any particular specs that make it stand out, and one of the major deal breakers we could easily detect is its lack of a fingerprint sensor.

Other phones in the same price range were able to have it, so why Samsung, why?

Samsung Galaxy J3 Star: Chic Design

If there’s one thing more noteworthy on the outside for the Samsung Galaxy J3 Star, it is its chic design. It has a pale pink color, giving us an impression that it appeals to a more feminine market. It also has curved edges, giving it a smooth feel in the hands, and it is also lightweight weighing only 5.36 ounces. (Perfect gift for mom!)

All the quick access buttons are on the side. The volume rockers are on the left side, while the power button is on the right. It still has the home button located at its usual location.

This phone supports T-Mobile’s Band 71, assuring you of a better connection even when indoors.

Having Trouble With The Device Unlock App? Here’s A Complete Troubleshooting Guide.

Samsung Galaxy J3 Star: So-so Versatility

One thing is for sure, the Samsung Galaxy J3 Star is not the phone for gamers. Sure, you can play games, but if you use it for heavy apps and gaming you may not totally enjoy using it.

It is because the phone only has 2GB of RAM, which we believe is still fair for the price. We also do not expect budget phones (within the same price range as this one) to have a bigger RAM capacity because budget phones aren’t usually made for gamers. In a real-world experience, the phone would do great if you are doing pretty much just the basic stuff, which includes, emails, Facebook, Google, and some games.

But if you are going to multi-task and use several heavy apps at once, say Facebook and web-based gaming apps, you might experience certain lags. This phone is just not cut out for heavy gaming.

Samsung Galaxy J3 Star: Camera, UI Experience

The cameras on the J3 Star are also just on the so-so scale. Nothing spectacular or special about it, aside from the fact that we know Samsung cameras are always better, crisper, and clearer than most phones out there.

You can also play with your photos and enhance it, but you can always install other photo editing apps. The phone comes with a 16GB internal memory that is expandable upto 400GB so you can store pretty much a lot of data and pictures on this phone.

The Samsung Galaxy J3 Star has a removable battery, so whenever you run out of battery, you can always insert a spare one while you have the other charged up for next use.

Good thing, this phone has a powerful 1.4GHz dual-core processor, which helps improve its power efficiency.

Samsung Galaxy J3 Star: Going Big with Bixby

Last but not least, the J3 Star has the Bixby assistant on board. Samsung’s infamous Bixby will help you with “social streaming.” It is not that helpful for you if you don’t like setting up or dealing with voice commands.

This is Samsung’s version of iPhone’s Siri. Bixby on the other hand just doesn’t have a specific personality like Siri or Amazon’s Alexa.

Among Bixby’s most common uses are social media sharing, like snapping a selfie and sharing it on Facebook using your own voice in the process. Simply tell Bixby to “take a selfie” and “post this on Facebook,” and voila, the errand is done.

Unlocking the Samsung Galaxy J3 Star

People hate bloat apps, but there is one pre-installed app from T-Mobile that you should be thankful for, and that is the Device Unlock App.

With the Device Unlock App on board, you are able to choose between a Temporary or a Permanent Unlock on your device; all can be done if you pass T-Mobile requirements for your phone.

If you want a quick, easy, and affordable way to get your phone unlocked, you can always turn to UnlockBase to do it for you. Check out our list of supported phones for the Device Unlock App- T-Mobile.

Choosing a good phone is not an easy thing to do. Price always matters and we always end up sacrificing one good feature or more.

Good phones come in the shape of a flagship and they are oftentimes too expensive. Budget phones exist unfortunately, they only offer a good camera and not enough battery life or the other way around. We can’t seem to have the best of both worlds, especially in the budget phone department.

Good thing, those days are now over. And luckily, Motorola has created the phone that meets all of our needs.

And yes, that beast is the new Motorola Moto e5 Plus. Whether you game or vlog, this phone should be number one on your list.

Moto E5 Plus is a winner

Want To Permanently Sim Unlock Your Phone From MetroPCS?

For starters, it has a 12MP rear camera and an 8MP front camera, but that’s not the most amazing thing about the Moto E5 Plus.

It has a whopping 5000mAh battery! For a budget phone, this is definitely a road less taken, and Motorola Moto E5 Plus is a certified trailblazer.

This phone also comes with 6” HD display meant for less scrolling, more fun, and wider gaming screen.

Camera and battery life? 100! You got the beast and the beauty all in one phone.

You’ll never have to compromise about the specs and the price, because you can get this phone from MetroPCS for only $49 if you port over. The phone comes locked to them, but you can easily have a temporary or permanent unlock using the Device Unlock App.

Help Guide: How To Use The Device Unlock App- MetroPCS

You’ll never be sorry buying the phone outright because it’s only sold for $209.

Moto E5 Plus: A Certified Beast

This phone will always come handy for when you are travelling. Say goodbye to the not-so-nice sight of charging in the airport or losing battery when you are lost in a new city.  You will never have to look for an outlet and charge every hour just to make sure you have enough power until you arrive at your hotel.

For a gamer, a huge battery is great, but having a huge RAM is even better. Well, the Moto E5 will never disappoint you with a 3GB of RAM and 1.4GHz Octa-core processor.

This beastly phone will give you both the power and the speed even for an entire day of gaming.

And the phone is designed with an ergonomic weight; it looks and feels so compact you can’t even tell it has a huge battery in it.

Though it has a big battery, charging for 6-8 hours is not necessary because you only need 15 minutes to use it for another 6 hours non-stop.

All thanks to the TurboPower charger on board.

Moto E5 Plus: A Budget Beauty

You can also unleash your vlogger-wannabe side with this phone.

The 12MP Rear Camera with laser autofocus technology can help you capture sharp, bright, and livelier photos or videos in an instant.

Whether you are shooting inside your room or in any dark places, this phone will still encapsulate all the beautiful details of your selfie in the best light because of the 8MP front camera that has its own LED flash for the low-light environment.

Now, you don’t have to worry about blurry pictures, you can take them anywhere and anytime!

Though it is truly a big phone, it still comes handy and can be use with one hand because it has a slim design that can fit in your pocket or palm. The 6in edge-to-edge screen is packed with a Max Vision display that will help you enjoy the “crazy-wide” landscape view.

One of the things we so love about the Moto E5 Plus is the fingerprint scanner. You don’t always see a budget phone that offers all of these convenience!

If you think that’s all that this phone can offer, well, there’s more to that!

Both the Moto E5 Play and E5 Plus are water-repellent; you don’t have to worry about a little splash of water.

Don’t get it wrong for being waterproof, this phone can handle sprinkles, but not submersion to water.

Nonetheless, it makes it more amazing isn’t it?

Getting Unlock Errors? Here’s A Complete Guide On How To Troubleshoot It. 

Moto E5 Plus has more in store!

If you plan on taking a lot of photos, this phone can house all of them. It is packed with a 32GB internal memory and has an expandable external memory of up to 128GB via microSD.

Last but not the least, this phone runs on the Android 8.0 Oreo operating system. You get to enjoy all the beautiful features the new Android system has to offer, like a split screen when you have to do too many things like play and text people at the same time.

Now that’s what you call a phone! If you want this phone, grab one through MetroPCS and enjoy the life without worries.

Let me start off by saying that you can get this phone for FREE if you are planning to port over to MetroPCS. The same model is also available through T-Mobile (different version) with a $150 price tag, a little higher than MetroPCS, but with no significant difference on the tech specs. Do note that this phone may be cheap, but it doesn’t come unlocked. There’s only one way to permanently unlock your phone and that is through the Mobile Device Unlock app already pre-installed in the unit.

You Might Be Interested: How To Use The  Device Unlock App

Moto E5 Play: Nothing fancy but worth it

The Motorola E5 Play does not boast any fancy features, it doesn’t have a striking look that will make you “wow” in its appearance, but for the affordable price tag, it is no wonder one of the best value budget phones for the year 2018.

Although this phone came out together with its brother the Motorola E5 Plus, they are two worlds apart, and the latter is priced a little higher but for good reasons. It has a whopping 5000mAh battery and more advanced tech specs.

It runs on the Android Oreo 8.0 and has a 2GB of RAM packed together with a 1.4GHz Quad-core processor. It also has a huge 2800mAh battery that can last you a day on a single charge and comes with a 16GB built-in storage space which is expandable through a microSD card.

What makes this model a winner for us for its price is its 3.5mm headphone jack and fingerprint reader located at the back.

With these features on board, it tells us that Motorola had been all out on the technical specs and the quality of experience you would get for a budget phone.

You Might Be Interested: How To Troubleshoot Device Unlock App Errors- MetroPCS

Moto E5 Play Design

The Motorola E5 Play is has a straight up plastic back cover- it’s nothing shiny or glass-like on the outside, but it has a huge screen standing 5.2 in tall.

This is complemented by good front and rear cameras that both hhavea flash and autofocus features; giving you bright and crisp photos. The back camera is 8MP and the front camera is 5MP.

Despite having the tagline “Everyday. Extraordinary,” there is pretty much nothing extraordinary about the Motorola E5 Play on the outside that would make it stand out; only that it is fairly priced and has decent enough features for a smartphone in 2018.

But the unique selling point of this phone compared to the other budget smartphones is its water-repellent coating.

It is not waterproof; it is just water-repellent. This means that it cannot survive underwater submersion, but it cannot be easily penetrated by water.

It is indeed the bottom line Motorola phone but it doesn’t mean the E5 Play had compromised all the good stuff. It has a remarkably loud and clear speaker, ga ood camera with a flash, and a fingerprint sensor.

Moto E5 Play vs LG Aristo 2

It’s a bit unfair if we compare the Moto E5 Play to the Moto E5 Plus because they have a considerable price difference, so we will compare it to another phone within the same price range, which is the LG Aristo 2 when it comes to the features.

It’s clear to see that both phones have almost similar features. The better phone actually depends on personal preferences, whether you like a big phone like Motorola Moto E5 Play or a smaller phone like LG Aristo 2.

Learn More: MetroPCS Permanent Mobile Device Unlock

If you’re more concerned about the quality of the images and having a better camera, the LG Aristo 2 might be the best for you. But if you are more concerned about power and longer battery life, the Moto E5 Play is clearly the better option.

Moto E5 Play – Conclusion

The Motorola Moto E5 is a budget phone so if you plan to get this phone, always remember to manage your expectations.  Nothing about it has a wow factor, but it offers a remarkably clean Android experience and all the complete security necessities we would be looking for in a smartphone.

With the Moto E5 Play, Motorola has once again proven that they are truly a lord of budget phones always going beyond the price and giving a better experience every time.