Maroc - THECEKODOK.COM - A La Une - 08/Aug 12:21

Nubia Music Review – Just a Smart Speaker With Cellular

All manufacturers have their own gimmicks to sell devices. Many use the gimmick of good camera performance like a DSLR. This year the favorite gimmick is “AI Devices” with artificial intelligence features built into every device. Nubia Music is a device that uses a unique gimmick of good audio capabilities but at an affordable price. Are these gimmicks enough to make you buy them? This is my full review for Nubia Music.SPECIFICATIONSNubia MusicScreen 6.6″ IPS LCD, HD+, 90HZUnisoc SC9863A Processor (28mm)4 X 1.6 GHz Cortex-A55 chips4 X 1.2 GHz Cortex-A55IMG8322 Graphics ChipRAM 4GB RAM4GB Virtual128GB Internal StorageMicro SD 1TBPrimary Camera 50MP, f/1.8 (Wide Angle)AI camera5MP Selfie Camera5000 mAh battery10W wired chargingSIM/Telephony/Radio Dual Nano/4GBuilt-in radioNFC YesAudio Jack two audio jacksWaterproof NoneScan System Side fingerprint scannerfaceSale Price RM 389 (4/128 GB)SCREEN6.6″ IPS LCD screen with HD+ resolution and a refresh rate of just 90Hz. This puts it at the entry level because it is not only of the LCD type but without any ability to display HDR content. You can still enjoy FHD content by forcing it on YouTube settings for example, but Netflix content is limited to SD resolution only due to the less powerful processor and the screen not having a high resolution.The LCD panel makes the viewing angle somewhat limited and not very clear under the scorching sun. It also causes the fingerprint scanner to be placed on the side built into the power button only. Although the panel can support a refresh rate of up to 90Hz, I feel that the animation is not very smooth due to the entry-class processor and relatively low RAM size.The haptic system is also of the old type that gives vibrations that are not very satisfying. In short, everything about the Nubia Music screen shows that it is indeed an entry-level device.BIOMETRICThe fingerprint scanner is placed on the power button on the right side of the frame. The button surface is quite small and the scan performed is quite slow compared to other devices I have reviewed . A facial scan system is also provided with it being able to unlock the device in about a second.DESIGNThe body of the device consists of a sturdy metal frame paired with a back panel made of glass. The side of the device has a flat design that makes it comfortable in the hand. The power button and audio controls are placed on the right side. Although Music is an affordable device, the buttons used are very comfortable to press. Doesn't feel like a cheap device.At the bottom is a USB-C charging port. On the left series there is a tray for two nano SIMs and also a micro SD card. Talam is of the hybrid type that only allows one SIM to be used when a micro SD card is used. While at the top there are two 3.5mm audio jacks that allow two wired headphones to be used simultaneously. This is the first feature of Music and another feature is that the large speaker is placed on the back panel.This speaker with a diameter of 1.5″ only supports mono audio. It is placed next to two camera lenses that do not stand out. The same back panel has a geometric pattern design that looks like a modern art painting by Piet Mondrian. I must say the design of this panel is interesting and makes the device look unique. One feature that is not included on this device is that there is no water or dust proof standard provided by Nubia.USAGE AND SOFTWAREUsing Nubia Music is like going back to 10 years ago because that's how smooth the device is. Gives me an experience like using Motorola Moto G because the time to open applications is slow, it is difficult to open many applications at the same time and there are applications that cannot be launched directly. This is all due to an underpowered processor and small RAM.More points deducted because Nubia Music uses the MyOS 13 operating system based on Android 13. It's been a long time since I reviewed a 2024 device with an operating system that is over a year old. An additional feature provided by Nubia is a virtual RAM of 4GB. Overall the device only has up to 8GB of memory. It is very strange to see a modern device with a base RAM of 4GB.In addition, there is a feature like Dynamic Island that allows the music player to be controlled directly without having to open the application itself. It works well. If you like flashing lights, there's this system in the back built right into the big rear speakers.The experience of using this device is not satisfactory because the software is not smooth, difficulty opening some applications, slow applicationsThe experience of using this device is not satisfactory because the software is not smooth, it is difficult to open some applications, the application is slow to open and the limited memory means that not many applications can be opened simultaneously. As I said above, it looks more like a device from 10 years ago.BENCH MARKThe Unisoc SC9863A is an entry-level chip using 28nm technology launched in 2019. When was the last time you used a device with a chip with half a decade old processor? This chip is very basic because it only uses eight Cortex-A55 cores which are usually used in TV boxes or entry-level Android smart TVs.I compared this chip with Realme C53 with Unisoc Tiger T612, Tecno Spark 20 Pro with Realme C67 (Snapdragon 685), Honor X7b (Snapdragon 680), Tecno Pova5 4G (Helio G99), Realme 11 5G (Dimensity 6100+), and Samsung Galaxy M14 5G (Exynos 1330).Geekbench 6Nubian Music – 195/819Realme C53 – 408/1421Realme C55 – 420/1377Redmi 12C – 403/1212Infinix Note 12 2023 – 577/1833AnTuTu 3DNubia Music – 146,164Realme C53 – 253,978Realme C55 – 251,263Redmi 12C – 212,386Infinix Note 12 2023 – 377,9363DMark ExtremeNubia Music – Can't be doneRealme C53 – 108Realme C55 – 745Redmi 12C – 188Infinix Note 12 2023 – NoneThe score recorded by Nubia Music is the lowest ever recorded in the history of testing in the our  laboratory. The score in Geekbench 6 for example is only 25% of Unisoc Tiger T612 on Realme C53. Because the specifications are too low, the 3DMark Extreme test cannot be done and Antutu 3D takes a very long time and as can be seen above is very low.Want to play the first 3D application? Don't dream because it's only playable at the lowest settings and miserable frame rates. This doesn't surprise me because even the most common apps Nubia Music can't run satisfactorily what's more.TELEPHONE, GPS and RADIOThe device only supports 4G and 2.4GHz WiFi networks. Phone calls are clear but no 5GHz internet support is very disappointing. GPS performance is also slow so it usually takes longer. This device also has the ability to be used as a radio. It can be used without connecting wired earphones first because of the built-in antenna.CAMERAThe main camera consists of a 50MP wide-angle lens and an AI lens with no sensor size revealed. On the front, a 5MP sensor is used. No OIS system is included so the result is all pictures. taken does not look sharp. Even in bright conditions noticeable noise can be seen and the colors are completely lifeless. The pictures also all look dim. Overall the performance of the camera is also the same as the performance of the processor chip that was 10 years ago.The camera can only zoom up to 4X. On the camera application there are 2x and 4X zoom modes. You can see below the results of recording photos in zoom mode are not satisfactory. Everything is blurry, and the colors are lifeless even when taken with the sun high in the sky.BATTERYWith a battery capacity of 5,000mAh and it can last all day if used moderately. Recharging takes over two hours as Music only supports 10W charging.AUDIOSo will the audio capabilities make all the above shortcomings be forgotten? The answer is not at all. The rear speakers offer audio that sounds flat and not dynamic. The speaker always points towards the back and hence the audio is not heard clearly when the device is held. It should be placed with the screen below if the owner wants to enjoy clearer audio.Big speakers are no guarantee of good audio. Even at the highest audio level, I feel that the speakers on the iPhone 15 Pro Max or Galaxy S24 Ultra are not loud. Even the audio sounds grainy at the highest settings. Two audio jacks allow two wired accessories to be installed simultaneously but the audio quality offered is only average.IN THE BOXHere is what is received in the box with purchase.1x Nubia Music1x 10W Charger.1x Silicone frame.1x USB-A to USB-C charging cable.1x Manual.1x SIM Pin.CONCLUSIONOften times when reviews are written I try to find the good in every device I find disappointing. The Nubia Music is the first device I've had trouble finding the positive side of because it's underpowered, the camera capabilities are low, charging is slow and the audio that's a sales gimmick is disappointing. The only positive point may lie in its sale price of RM389.But I cannot recommend the purchase because this device is not compatible for use in 2024. It is better to buy the slightly more expensive Realme C53 which is still more decent to use without inviting disappointment. Nubia Music is not a smartphone but more worthy of being labeled as an affordable smart speaker with cellular support.ProThe price is very affordable.Two 3.5mm audio jacks.The built-in radio can be used without wired earphones.All-day battery life.ConsStill running Android 13.Not responsive and launches apps slowly.Audio is not as good as advertised.There are applications that cannot be run because of 4GB of RAM.10W charging.