I finally gave up on my old Xiaomi 9 Pro the other week and bought a new phone.
The old girl was regularly locking up under endless new updates and I was sick of Xiaomi downloading apps without permission and playing adverts at every opportunity. It was time to go back to Samsung.
But which model?
Well, long gone are the days when it was the most expensive contract for the top of the range. In Thailand, although I'm on a contract, the discounts are tiny, and most people just pay cash.
I looked closely at the A54 and A34 5g that had quite a difference in price but the same processor and memory, the difference coming in a slightly better screen and camera in favour of the A54. The A34 still had an AMOLED screen and I was sure that the camera was going to be better than what I had. The reviews were decent, so I did what any self-respecting Yorkshireman would do and get the cheaper phone, carefully counting how many extra beers I could buy with the saving!
After a couple of weeks, I'm not sure I made the right choice. The camera being my only concern. It's OK, but not particularly a very noticeable improvement although it does have a couple of nifty features where I can spot change the brightness when before I press the shutter and the zoom is much better, although I barely use it.
Another annoying thing is that this phone has a 2 out of 3 combination of sim/memory card positions. I'm used to running two sim cards (Thai and UK) and a memory card. Then there's the lack of an earphone jack. I know it's standard practise to leave it out but the gaining of IP67 standard at the expense of the jack isn't worth it for me. After using mobile phones since the 80s, I have yet to drop one down the toilet. Wireless buds will be easily lost and something else that need charging. I solved this issue by doing what any self respecting grumpy old bloke would do and bought a USB-C to 3.5mm jack adaptor. Old Skool rules!
No matter. It still takes a decent picture, especially when nature lays it out on a plate for you!
These were taken yesterday evening as we approached the mainland on the 5pm boat from Samui. I love this time as you can. Get the most amazing sunsets just before you dock and start the 12 hour drive North.
@nathen007