Samsung

What’s The Best Budget 144Hz Monitor?

Last updated on October 4, 2019

Getting the best budget 144Hz monitor is a must for budget gamers. After all, as far as gaming is concerned, there is no doubt that a higher refresh rate makes a world of difference in smoothness – at least as long as your GPU can keep pushing out these extra frames.

But, it goes without saying that when you look for cheaper alternatives, at least some functionality needs to be taken away. All you can do is balance the pros and cons out and pick whatever fits you best. That being said, here are our top picks!

1: ViewSonic XG2401: No Compromises

When we previously talked about our top overall budget monitors, this one got our approval as the best gaming monitor for the price. And it actually still holds that title.

Priced at just about 200 bucks, this is as good as it gets. 1080P, 144Hz, 1ms response time, great stand, FreeSync support, great build quality, and more. Overall, it’s hard to go wrong with it.

At 24-inches, it’s definitely not a large monitor, but it’s not small either. Arguably, this is the sweet spot for competitive gaming.

Since the size is all a matter of personal preference, though, you always have the option of selecting the 27-inch variant as well. Apart from the thinner bezels, slightly different stand, and the extra 30 bucks that it asks for, it seems to be more or less the same deal with our 24-inch recommendation – except it’s obviously bigger.

Do keep in mind that the larger your display is, the higher that the resolution will have to be in order for it to keep on looking nice and crisp. A 1080P display at 27 inches may appear to be somewhat blurry for some people.

With that out of the way, the included DP cable and FreeSync support are amazing at this price point. It’s not uncommon to see many other monitors asking for an extra $100 or more while offering the same specs and no FreeSync.

Our only small complaint are the somewhat thick bezels. Sure, it’s not a massive deal-breaker. But, we’re nearing at 2020 where most modern monitors offer very thin bezels. So, that’s a small shame for Viewsonic. Otherwise, it’s almost perfect.

Pros:

Great value
Offers FreeSync
Adjustable stand (Basic)
Cheap

Cons:

Big bezels

Check out the ViewSonic XG2401 on Amazon

2: Samsung C27JG56: QHD Goodness

As we mentioned above, some people may find 1080P displays a bit blurry. Especially the ones that start from 27 inches and only get bigger without offering a better resolution.

That’s why we thought that it’d be a good idea to mention the Samsung C27JG56 as well. It offers a QHD resolution while still maintaining our much desired 144Hz refresh rate.

The first version of this monitor didn’t come with FreeSync. But, thankfully, Samsung listened to our complaints and released this newer variant that comes with FreeSync enabled with a price tag of around $300.

Sure, it’s not exactly the cheapest monitor. But, as far as high-quality QHD 144Hz panels are concerned, this is as good as it can get without us reaching deep into our pocket. At this moment, this is the best budget 144hz monitor with a 2K display.

Our only complaint isn’t with the monitor, but with Samsung. Their quality control has proven to be mediocre at best. So, there have been quite a few people complaining about dead pixels or even DOA arrivals.

That leaves us playing with our luck and obviously, nobody likes that.

Pros:

QHD
Offers FreeSync
Great value
27-inch panel

Cons:

Samsung’s bad quality control

Check out the Samsung C27JG56 on Amazon

3: Sceptre E255B-1658A: 165Hz on The Cheap

We created this article while aiming to mention 144Hz monitors, but it just so much happens that this one can actually get up to 165Hz. That arguably doesn’t make much of a difference. But, hey, if you can take that advantage without paying more, why not?

Speaking of paying, this is actually the cheapest option so far. These days, it retails for under $180. But, do keep in mind that pricing may fluctuate wildly over time.

At times, many have seen it with a price tag of over $300 which is almost two times the amount that it asks for now. So, don’t blame us if you happen to read this article at a point in time when this will not be such a budget option.

As for features, we’re looking at a 24.5-inch panel, a 165Hz refresh rate, FreeSync support, 1ms response rate, thin bezels, and anti-flicker technology.

Our only complaints are the rather frail-looking stand and the mediocre build-quality control from Spectre. Just like with Samsung’s monitor, there have been quite a few complaints about dead pixels and damages on arrival.

So far, Viewsonic’s offering has been the most reliable out of the bunch. But, it also has thicker bezels and a slightly higher price tag than this one. So, it’s all a matter of weighing the pros and cons and choosing whatever fits you best.

Pros:

Cheapest option
165Hz refresh rate
FreeSync compatible
Thin bezels

Cons:

Spectre’s bad quality control

Check out the Spectre Sceptre E255B-1658A on Amazon

What Does 144Hz Mean?

144Hz stands to represent the refresh rate of a monitor. 60Hz means that it refreshes 60 times per second, 75 means that it refreshes 75 times per second, and 144Hz means that it refreshes 144 times per second.

60Hz is the “casual” refresh rate which is usually more than enough to satisfy non-gamers. But, those of you who own a beefy build that is able to push more than 100FPS can definitely take advantage of a high refresh rate monitor.

If your computer can’t render at least 90-100 frames per second, then buying a 144Hz display is probably not worth it since you’re not taking advantage of that extra refresh rate anyway.

If you bought a 144Hz monitor and just discovered that your PC can’t take advantage of it, then you can either start lowering the resolution of your game and it’s settings, or get a stronger GPU that can render more FPS.

The RX 580 and 1660Ti are good options for those who are targetting 100+ FPS on 1080P while the 5700 XT is more suitable for 1440P.

What’s The Best Budget 144Hz Monitor?

Overall, there is no single monitor that can beat them all. Each one of them have their own pros and cons. Long story short:

Viewsonic: Great option at a great price, but it also comes with thick bezels
Samsung: Higher resolution and thin bezels, but bad quality control
Sceptre: Highest refresh rate and the cheapest option, but the mediocre quality control is something to keep in mind

What’s your best budget 144Hz monitor? Let us know about it in the comments down below!

Best Wireless Chargers for Android and iPhone

Last updated on April 19, 2019

Looking for the best wireless chargers around? Cause that’s what we’ll be looking at today. Wireless charging is a great way to make your life easier by getting rid of cables – almost. Not to mention that it eliminates port degradation. After all, with wireless charging, you don’t need to plug-in and out cables all the time for charging.

With all of that being said, it’s no surprise that wireless charging is slowly, but surely becoming the new standard. So, here are some of the best wireless chargers that you can grab right now!

1: Yootech Pad

Starting at 13 bucks with more than 6,000 positive reviews, the Yootech is definitely one of the best wireless chargers that you can get right now. It’s affordable, gets the job done, and also Qi certified.

It can charge iPhones at 7.5 watts and Qi certified Android devices at 10 watts. That’s assuming, of course, that your phone is compatible. The LED light also comes in handy so that you’ll know if your phone is charging or not and when it’s charged.

While the description mentions that the charger stays adequately cooled, not a whole lot of information has been provided about it. So, take that with a grain of salt.

As for cases, it can charge your device with a case on, but only if it’s less than 4mm in terms of thickness. And even in that case, taking off the case is recommended for the best results.

Overall, it’s a solid choice for those who want to get into the world of wireless charging without spending too much.

The only small downside is that it doesn’t come with a charging adapter and that fast charging is pretty much non-existent. But, at this price point, we really can’t complain. Not to mention that you most likely already have a charging adapter. And even if you don’t, or if you want an extra one, most chargers are extremely cheap.

Get Yootech from Amazon

2: Anker PowerWave Stand

The Anker PowerWave is another great wireless charger. If there is one advantage that it has over the other wireless chargers, then that would be its ability to charge through the thickest of cases.

The official description mentions that about 5mm of thickness is the limit. However, most people haven’t complained about anything like that.

If there’s one problem that people had with this is charging near magnets or with cases that contained any kind of magnet. Still, as far as we know, that’s a common issue with any wireless charger out there. They generally don’t play well with any kind of metallic objects. The charger does have foreign object detection, but that’s about it. You’re better off keeping any other foreign objects away from it.

As is the standard with affordable wireless chargers, this one doesn’t come with a charging adapter either. We suppose that you can use your phone’s charger. But, if you want to play it safe, or if you need it as a secondary option, you can always grab the version that comes withthe charging adapter as well. Just do keep in mind that it costs almost 50 bucks.

Get The Anker PowerWave from Amazon

3: Mophie Travel Kit

If you’re constantly on the road, then carrying around the average wireless charger will definitely be somewhat painful, to say the least. So, if you want the wireless charging experience while also traveling, do seriously consider picking up Mophie’s travel kit.

It’s one of the best wireless chargers when it comes to traveling, if not the best. After all, it offers pretty much everything you’ll need in one package.

Carrying bag
Charging adapter
Car adapter
And of course, the charging pad

The only downsides that it has is that it doesn’t charge as fast as the other chargers that we’ve seen till now. Other than that, the charging pad is also a bit too small, but that’s to be expected from a wireless charger that’s meant to be used for traveling.

One more downside is that it doesn’t play too well with phone cases. Anything more than 3mm of thickness will likely set you back. Or at least that’s according to Mophie.

Still, when everything is said and done, despite its numerous downsides, this still is the best wireless charger for those who are constantly traveling.

Get Mophie Travel Kit from Amazon

4: Samsung’s Wireless Charger

If you own a Samsung device from the S or the Note series, then Samsung’s wireless charger is definitely one of the best chargers that you can pick up at the moment.

It’s not that it won’t work with other phones. Any Qi-certified device should work with it. But, Samsung mentions that only the S and the Note series support wireless fast charging with it.

Now, we don’t know how much of this is true. But, still, we are only going to recommend it to those of you who own a Samsung device – just to be on the safe side.

As for features, it comes with everything that you would expect a wireless charger to have at this price point. LED indicators, support for wireless charging even through cases, a charging adapter, etc.

The price is definitely a bit high when the charger is not on sale. But, we’re talking about Samsung here. They’ve been making some very high-quality products for years now. However, do be very careful of counterfeits. If the seller has lots of negative reviews, then it’s probably for the best if you stay away from him/her.

Get Samsung’s Wireless Charger from Amazon

5: One of the Best Wireless Chargers on a Budget: Seneo

Seneo is without a doubt one of the best wireless chargers that you can get, regardless of if you’re a budget or not. Still, at less than 10 bucks, it’s one of the most affordable chargers out there at the moment.

Of course, at that price point, you can’t expect it to come with a charging adapter. However, the fact that it can offer anywhere from 5 to 10 watts of charging without asking for more than $10, is pretty darn amazing.

Furthermore, Seneo also claims that it can charge your phone even if you’re using a case with 5mm of thickness. Is that the highest that we’ve seen so far or what? Though, do keep in mind that 4mm is recommended for the best results.

Overall, no matter how you look at it, Seneo’s wireless charging pad is a great choice regardless of if you’re on a budget or not. So, do check it out!

Get Seneo’s Charging Pad from Amazon

Do you feel like there is another wireless charger that deserves being on this list? Why? Do let us and everyone else know about it in the comments section down below!

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How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 – The Complete Guide

Last updated on March 4, 2019

Looking for a way to get the most out of the latest Android flagship by learning how to unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 and its other variants? Here’s a guide to give you a complete understanding of why you need to have an unlocked Galaxy S10 smartphone in the first place, and how you can have one unlocked even after purchasing one that is tied down to a network carrier.

Back when the smartphone wars began in the early 2000s, Apple came packing a lot of power with the iPhone, Google adopted a young, yet ambitious company that brought Android OS, and Samsung was still struggling to find develop its very own mobile operating system platform. However, with the release of the Galaxy series, the South-Korean tech company partnered up with Google to make Android OS the preferred choice. The Galaxy series of smartphones from Samsung, alongside the innovation that Google introduced with each iteration of the Android OS, has become iconic in the mobile market across the world.

The fact that the Galaxy series from Samsung offers top-notch specs with the latest innovation in mobile hardware, demands a high price too. The premium price tag is best reflected in the current generation Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus, which brings an evolved design style, state of the art processing power, and a full-view display that puts the competition to rest. Being an expensive piece of mobile technology to own, most of you would prefer to get the Galaxy S10 on a contract and pay a monthly fee that includes cost of the phone, along with the cellular services that you are being provided.

Every major network carrier in the United States of America currently offers the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus, which makes the choice easier for you. Even if you choose to pay for your flagship smartphone in full, purchasing the Galaxy S10 through a network carrier means that your phone comes with a cellular lock, ensuring that the phone can only be used with a SIM card that belongs to the network carrier that you purchased it from. If you’re thinking of jumping the ship and choosing a network carrier that offers better monthly plans, then this guide on how to unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus is just the right one for you.

Recommended Unlocking Service

DirectUnlock – They’re quick, affordable, and put their customers first when it comes to IMEI unlocks. If you don’t know what those last two words mean, then read on folks…

Why Unlock the Samsung Galaxy S10?

The business of understanding what network unlocking the Galaxy S10 means for the phone and how it affects the usability can be quite trivial at times. Under certain circumstances, you might not even be aware of the fact that your Galaxy S10 device is carrier restricted, only to find out that it is so after inserting a SIM card from another network carrier. This can especially be the case if you were able to get your hands on a used or refurbished Samsung Galaxy S10, but did not do your due diligence to find out if the phone is unlocked in the first place. However, there are plenty of reasons why you shouldn’t keep the potential of your Samsung flagship device under wraps, and get it unlocked right away:

International Travel – For those who are always on the move, being connected to the friends and family back home is a necessity. Keeping your network-locked phone SIM card activated during an international journey can be an expensive ordeal, which is why the ability to swap out the SIM card for one from a local network carrier brand is the right choice to make. With an unlocked smartphone, you can save big by skipping past the international roaming charges and get yourself a prepaid SIM card that is cheaper and easier to manage.
Selling the Phone – If you’ve ever browsed the market for a second-hand phone, you’ll see a clear distinction between unlocked and network-locked phones, with the unlocked variants being relatively more expensive. If you’re planning to sell off your Galaxy S10 while it can still fetch you a great price, then selling it in an unlocked state can help you bring in more cash, since it allows the buyer complete freedom over the SIM card they wish to use with the device.
Cheaper Carriers – If you bought your Galaxy S10 with a network carrier and end up paying a premium price for the calling and data usage each month. If you’ve already paid for your phone in full and want to cut down on the monthly phone bill, the best way to do so is to switch to a network carrier that offers a plans structure suiting your usage needs.

How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 Officially

Since unlocking smartphones is a mandatory policy put forward by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission), you can have your phone unlocked no matter what network carrier you purchased it from. This is why every major U.S. carrier has an official channel that you can pursue to have your mobile phone unlocked, as long as it checks off on all of the qualifiers.

T-Mobile

The network carrier allows you to unlock your Galaxy S10 once you have completed the payments, but you are restricted to being provided only two unlocking codes every 12 months of service. If you are on a prepaid network plan from T-Mobile, the ability to unlock your Galaxy S10 is provided 12 months after the service has been subscribed to.

Additionally, you can have the device unlocked after having $100 worth of refills made on the SIM card, and for Android devices, there is also the choice to use the T-Mobile Device Unlock app. The app allows you to easily send out an unlock request and track it online, or you can choose to contact T-Mobile directly over the phone on 877-746-0909.

Sprint

Sprint has a policy where it automatically unlocks mobile phones that have completed the installment payment cycle and were released after February of 2015. As long as your Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus has a clean IMEI code which has not been reported to the federal authorities as lost or stolen, you can have it officially unlocked.

However, you need to complete the wait period of 50 days before you can contact Sprint to have your phone unlocked, even if you have paid for it in full. By contacting the customer service over at Sprint using the phone number 888-226-7212 to fetch the unlock code, you can have the unlock code and enter it into your Samsung Galaxy S10.

Verizon

The device unlocking policy that has been put forward by Verizon is largely flexible when it comes to older devices. Verizon mentions that it does not put up any form of network lock on mobile devices with 3G-only connectivity, and also does the same for 4G LTE mobile devices that are sold by Verizon across the country.

Since the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 are relatively new, you will need an unlock code to have other network carriers up and running. Make sure that the phone has been paid for in full, and then use the unlock codes “000000” or “123456” to unlock your Galaxy S10, or reach out to the Verizon customer service over at 800-922-0204 for help.

AT&T

The network carrier has set up an entire platform named the Device Unlock Portal, which is your one-stop solution to unlocking the Galaxy S10 the easy way. The website allows you to not only find the current network status of your smartphone, but also gives you an easy path to unlocking the device that is linked to your AT&T mobile number.

By the federal guidelines, network carriers are given a time period of 12 months until they can keep the carrier-locked phones locked down. However, AT&T goes one step further and cuts this time in half, allowing users to have their phones network unlocked in just 6 months, as long as the product has a clean IMEI code and has been paid in full.

Why Unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 with DirectUnlocks

Although network unlocking has been marked legal by the FCC and every major network carrier offers the ability by default, you can’t always take the official route. Whether you ended up purchasing a used Galaxy S10 without the knowledge of it being locked to a specific carrier, or don’t seem to have the original SIM card that was provided with the phone, you will need a dependable third-party unlocking service that works effectively. After sieving through the web to find the best fit, and did not have to look any further than DirectUnlocks mobile unlocking service.

DirectUnlocks has built quite a reputation when it comes to offering safe, simplified, and affordable mobile network unlocking services. Encompassing customers and network carriers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and several other countries across the world, DirectUnlocks offers a specialty service for Samsung Galaxy devices that were purchased under a carrier contract originally. Although the official channel can help you get your phone unlocked, it can take days, or even weeks to get it done. Additionally, the terms and conditions that are put forward by network carriers can be frustrating to say the least.

Here’s where the network unlocking service for Galaxy S10 by DirectUnlocks excels, by cutting down the unlock request process time to a fraction. On an average, you can expect your Samsung Galaxy S10 to be unlocked and ready for use why any SIM card within 48 hours of making the payment for the service and having the unlock request processed. Since DirectUnlocks comes with a proven track record of helping thousands of users get the cellular freedom they deserve, you can rest assured knowing that you will be taken care of.

Albeit, there are dozens of service providers out there that claim to offer the ability to gain complete network connectivity freedom. However, none of them can claim to have more than a million mobile devices successfully unlocked the way DirectUnlocks does. When it comes to ensuring that you get the right results in the shortest period of time, we recommend that you choose DirectUnlocks to facilitate the process and enjoy permanent network freedom on your Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus.

How to Unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 with DirectUnlocks

The unlock service offered by DirectUnlocks is meant to be affordable, convenient, and easy to operate for the customer. To help you get the cellular freedom that you’ve deserved, here’s how you can make the most out DirectUnlocks and get your Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus unlocked right now.

Step 1: Fetch the IMEI Number

Before you can even begin the process of getting the device unlocked, you need to fetch the IMEI number of the Galaxy S10. The IMEI number is a unique code that is allotted to your device by the manufacturer, which essentially acts as an identifier used by federal authorities to track down the whereabouts of the device in case it ever gets lost or stolen. To find out the unique IMEI code that is linked to your Samsung Galaxy S10, here’s what you need to do:

From the home screen of your Galaxy S10, head over to the Settings
Scroll all the way down to find the About Phone
Here you will be able to see all of the details regarding your phone, which should include the Model Number, Serial Number, and the IMEI Number as well.
Write down the IMEI Number, since you will need to it send out an unlock request using DirectUnlocks.

Additionally, you can also fetch the IMEI Number by opening the Phone app and dialing the following number – *#06#

Step 2: Use DirectUnlocks Network Unlock Service

With the IMEI Number of your Galaxy S10 device within your reach, you can now reach out the DirectUnlocks network unlock service provider to begin the process of gaining complete networking freedom on your mobile phone.

From the web browser, head over to the DriectUnlocks website using the following web link – DirectUnlockscom.
On the website screen, scroll down to find the region from where you’ve purchased your Samsung Galaxy S10 (UK, USA, Canada, France, Ireland, Spain, Sweden).
If you cannot find your region among the available options, you can use the drop-down menu provided to find your country of purchase.
Now under the Country of your selection, pick the Network Carrier to which your mobile phone is locked down to.
Here you should also be able to see the basic unlocking fees that DirectUnlocks charges for each of the network carrier.
When you click on the network carrier name, you will be asked to Choose the Model for which you want to send the unlock request.
The next section will ask you to enter the IMEI Number, so go ahead and type in the code that you fetched earlier on your Galaxy S10.
The next screen will give you details about your selected model and ask you to confirm the IMEI number you have entered.
You should also be able to see the Average Timeframe that has been mentioned by DirectUnlocks to complete the unlocking process.
The screen will offer you a link to the payment portal through Debit Card or Credit Card and begin the unlocking process.

The unlocking process will now begin and you will be able to track the progress using the reference information that will be emailed to you. Once the unlocking process has been successfully completed, the unlock code will be emailed to you by DirectUnlocks, so make sure that the email address that you’ve provided is the correct one.

Note: Although DirectUnlocks has a high clearance rate when it comes to offering complete network unlocking services, there can be certain instances where the service providers does not follow through. However, DirectUnlocks keeps your money secure by ensuring that you get each of your cent back in case the unlocking process is not completed. Even after the unlock code is issued and it doesn’t seem to work for you, you can reach out to DirectUnlocks and claim a full refund.

Conclusion

Modern smartphones come equipped with cellular network bands that are capable of high-speed connectivity across different frequencies. However, the limitations are put forward by network carrier brands in association with the manufacturers to control the way users can make most out of the cellular prowess that these powerful smartphones come packed with. When you decide to spend a significant amount of money on a mobile phone, being restricted in terms of network connectivity just doesn’t seem fair.

This is why we recommend that you get the most out of your Samsung Galaxy S10 by having it network unlocked. The reason we recommend DirectUnlocks for this purpose is the simplicity that the service offers, the high success rate that has been appreciated by customers in the past, and the fact that it offers you a live tracking system that shows you the progress rate of the unlocking process. If you too are among those who has been on the lookout for a way on how to unlock Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus, reach out to DirectUnlocks today and unlock the hidden potential of your flagship smartphone.

Are you among those who recently had their mobile phone network unlocked, and would you like to share your experience with us? Be sure to voice your thoughts and opinions, or share your experience in the comments section right down below.