Smartphones Reviews
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Review
by Mikael Romo - February 22, 2016
Review
Meet the world's first smartphone with a 4K display: the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium. Being upgraded from its predecessors in the Z5 series, the Xperia Premium is a top-of-the-line advancement in phone display technology. It features a resolution of 3840x2160 pixels, rendering your screen content into a sharpness you'll appreciate.
The Z5 Premium comes in black, chrome, and gold, and when you hold it, you'll notice its sleekness and mirror shine on the back. When the screen faces you, you can light it up with the fingerprint-sensing power button on the right. Beneath the 5.5 inch screen, its most salient feature is the 4K display, the first on any smartphone. With 806 pixels per inch, you're getting a resolution higher than any phone out there, although some might not be able to tell the difference in clarity between the phone's display compared to high quality HD phones. Nevertheless, the phone is able to upscale HD content into 4K. Colors are more lifelike and nuanced due to TRILUMINOS™ Display for Mobile.
The phone's performance isn't slowed down by its display prowess, because it's powered by a 1.9GHz Octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, along with 3GB RAM and an Adreno 430 GPU. A beautifully sharp display without slowing down.
Not only can it display 4K, the Z5 Premium can also record in 4K video, and it's 23 megapixel camera autofocuses on a subject in less than a second. And you'll be able to store all this high quality content in the phone's a default memory capacity of 32GB; you even can bring it up to a maximum of 200 with a microSD.
While you're snapping photos and watching 4K content, your phone can perform for a good while thanks to its 2 day battery life. Sony has also designed the phone to be waterproof to withstand exposure to the rain or accidental spillage, just as long as the ports and covers are closed. For those of you who are used to Android OS, you may be pleased to know the Z5 Premium runs on Android Lollipop.
Highlights
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4K display
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Fingerprint sensor enabled
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Runs on Android
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Take photos and record video in 4K
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Camera autofocuses on subject
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5MP front camera
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200GB maximum capacity with microSD card
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Sim capability
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Waterproof
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2 day battery life
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Available in chrome, black and gold, it is precision-etched and finished with a stunning mirror effect on the back.
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Easily connect to a 4K TV
Pros
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Displays 4K resolution content
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Records 4K video and photos
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Expandable memory
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Waterproof
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Long battery life
Score
9.3
Cons
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4K resolutions works only when 4K enabled material is on screen; all other material displays at 1080p
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Might be difficult to tell the difference between the phone's content clarity vs. other phones' resolutions
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No manufacturer's warranty coverage within US
iPhone SE Review
by Mikael Romo - April 3, 2016
Review
On a field trip to the Apple Store, I went to inspect the latest gadgets Apple had cooked up and served to the consumer electronics market. Enter the iPhone SE, a fresh redesign of the iPhone 5S. As I held the iPhone, I must admit it was almost nostalgic to feel a phone so small in my hand, bringing me back to the days when I owned the 5S. I remembered how I used to think the iPhone 6 would feel too big for hands when it came out, but when you switch smartphones enough times you learn size is a relative thing. Indeed, the iPhone SE may please consumers who find a 4'inch screen easier on hands and fingers.
Internally, what makes this smaller iPhone unique is an A9 chip and M9 motion co-processor that deliver CPU performance 2x as fast as the iPhone 5S, so you mobile gamers out there will be sure to enjoy great graphic performance when you play a round of Clash of Clans. Another big difference is the size of the RAM: iPhone SE boasts 2GB of RAM where the 5S had just 1GB. That means you'll be able to multitask better on iPhone, like switching between multiple Safari tabs but without having to worry about the pages suddenly refreshing on you (thus making you lose your place).
The iPhone SE takes after its cousins in some ways, but not in others. Like Apple's other current lines of iPhone, the SE makes use of iOS 9, Retina display, TouchID and Apple Pay, but lacks the 3D Touch the 6S and 6S Plus are known for. On the camera side, the SE benefits from a 12 MP rear camera capable of 4K video recording and Live Photos, although it's 1.2 MP front one doesn't compete with the 5 MP of the iPhone 6S. However, tests of the iPhone SE's battery life reveal that it lasts 10 hours, up to 2 hours more than the even the 6S.
All in all, the iPhone SE makes a tempting upgrade if you want to move up from a 5S and/or stick to smaller smartphones. You can get the iPhone SE in space gray, silver, gold, as well as the new rose gold.
Highlights
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Upgraded version of iPhone 5S
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A9 chip and M9 motion co-processor; great for mobile gaming
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2 GB of Ram improves multitasking
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10 hour battery life
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12 megapixel rear camera
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1.2 megapixel front camera
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Faster LTE & Wi-Fi
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Touch ID
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Apple Pay
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iOS 9
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Retina Display
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4K video recording
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Take Live Photos
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Colors: rose gold, gold, silver, and classic space gray
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1 year manufacturer's warranty
Pros
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Capable of 4K video recording & live photo
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Faster Wi-Fi & LTE performance than iPhone 5S
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Handles multitasking well
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Greater variety of iPhone colors
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Improved battery life
Score
9.3
Cons
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1.2 Megapixel front camera doesn't compare to iPhone 6S' 5 Megapixel front camera
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Lacks 3D Touch
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Outward design not original
Sony Xperia Z5 Premium Official Video
BlackBerry PRIV™ Review
by Malcolm Black - December 29, 2015
Review
BlackBerry smartphones were created with the business professional in mind and has now paired up with Android in order to offer the full range of Android apps while continuing to provide excellent security. The new PRIV™ offers a virtual and sliding physical keyboard, and it comes with an upgraded battery with enough power to last up to 22.5 hours of mixed use. So regardless of your busy schedule, the BlackBerry PRIV will last all day—from your 9:00 am work presentation to your evening client meeting.
The PRIV combines a professional design with functionality and ease-of-use. You can increase productivity and efficiency by programming the buttons on the keyboard to execute customizable shortcuts. The PRIV has an 18-megapixel camera that takes dazzling photos and videos, and features a Corning Gorilla Glass 4 display that helps ensure that your device stays safe from scratches and cracks on the screen. With the PRIV’s BlackBerry® Hub, you have all of your work information in one central location. Your calendar, email, social media accounts, text messages and calls, are all centralized—offering organization and efficiency at all times. The BlackBerry® Calendar integrates your schedule and allows you to view any potential appointments that may conflict with one another.
You also get multiple built-in security features that give you peace of mind. DTEK™ by BlackBerry® for Android™ keeps you aware of your devices potential security risks and gives you the ability to control how your information is used. You have the capability to rectify security issues, review the security rating of your device, and monitor application access to certain features, such as your location, camera and private information.
The BlackBerry PRIV adds security for personal and work information, and has a solid display and design. This device gives you the option of a virtual or physical keyboard, the battery allows for plenty of heavy use, and all of these features are encapsulated in a thin and beautiful looking device. This is the perfect smartphone for business professionals that value security and ease-of-use.
Highlights
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Virtual and physical sliding keyboard
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5.4-inch Quad HD dual-curved-edge AMOLED display
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Battery life up to 22.5 hours
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18 MP dual-flash Schneider-Kreuznach® certified camera
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DTEK™ by BlackBerry®
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Dual-curved UHD display
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32GB Flash Memory
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MicroSD slot (up to 2TB)
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Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
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Blackberry Hub
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1 year warranty
Pros
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Physical sliding keyboard
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High-resolution display (440 x 2560 pixels)
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18-megapixel back camera
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Security assistance—DTEK ™ by BlackBerry® for Android™
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Combines best of BlackBerry and Android
Score
9.0
Cons
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2-megapixel front-facing camera
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Heavy—fault of the physical keyboard
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Lack of a fingerprint sensor
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Overheats during heavy use
Apple iPhone 6s Review
By Daniel Park - October 17, 2015
Review
The iPhone 6s looks practically identical to its predecessor but clearly includes sufficient improvements and capabilities to grant itself its very own unique personality. With increased processing power and RAM, the 6s is significantly faster than earlier models.
Apple received a great deal of criticism over the fragility of the iPhone 6 and has answered the criticism with a more durable aluminum build and strengthened glass screen. The new glass screen now offers more resistance to breaking, a well-known unfortunate tendency of numerous other phone screens.
These changes make the phone heavier inspite of being the exact same size as the 6.Both cameras on the smartphone have received substantial upgrades with a 12MP rear camera and 5MP front camera compared to the 8MP and 1.2MP cameras of the iPhone 6. The rear camera is capable of recording 1080p at 120 frames per second and 4k at 30 frames per second. Its touch screen is pressure-sensitive and features a cutting-edge 3D touch technology. 3D touch gives users more tools to navigate the user interface and helps to create possibilities for new functionalities.Although the 3D touch is probably not fully used until app-makers catch up, Apple’s apps undoubtedly utilize the new touchscreen. Some of the native apps include live photos, shortcut options, and a touchpad. 3D touch’s functionality is unclear for now, but the new technology unwraps many possibilities for software innovation.
The iPhone 6s is what its name implies: a better version of the iPhone 6. Although it might not be worthwhile to upgrade from the 6 to the 6s, the 6s is a high-end phone that stands for itself. Anyone seeking to upgrade from older models or from other manufacturers needs to seriously consider Apple’s new iPhone 6s.
Highlights
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Retina HD display
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Next generation Multi‑Touch
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2MP pictures, 4K videos and Live Photos
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Installed with iOS 9
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Pressure-sensitive 3D touch
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Reinforced glass screen that is less prone to shattering
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Dual-core Apple A9 processor
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Advanced security
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Faster LTE and Wi‑Fi
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2GB RAM
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12MP rear camera and 5MP front camera
Pros
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Sturdy aluminum body and glass screen
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Powerful camera, both front and rear
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Can record 4k video
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Fast fingerprint scanner
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Significant upgrades to processor and RAM
Cons
Score
9.5
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Low battery performance
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Non-removable Li-Po Battery
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No SD card slot
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No Dust Proof or Water Resistant Display
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Heavier than older models
Highlights
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Quad HD 5.1” AMOLED Display
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16 MP rear and 5 MP front-facing cameras
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Google Play Store support
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3,500 mAh battery
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IP68 water and dust-proof ratings
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Exynos 7420 Octo-core 64-bit processor
Slim, pocketable, and life-proof, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is the phone for even the clumsiest consumers looking for a premier Android experience. The S6 Active makes no compromises, retaining the original’s acclaimed 5.1” Quad HD AMOLED display and lighting fast 16 MP rear and 5 MP front-facing cameras.
Those who lead an active and outdoorsy lifestyle will be pleased to find that the S6 Active is dustproof as well as shock and water resistant. Drop the phone in the sink by accident? Maybe down a waterfall trying to snap the perfect picture? No worries. This rugged smartphone has a rating of IP68 and was tested to withstand even some of the most demanding military tests.
Internally powered by a killer Exynos 7420 Octo-core, 64-bit processor, this is Samsung’s fastest phone to date. Samsung has made it a point to back their powerful hardware with equally powerful and innovative applications exclusive to the S6 and its variants, particularly the S6 Active. The Activity Zone app makes this phone a worthy companion on escapades providing users with a compass, flashlight, stopwatch, and more in just one place.
The Galaxy S6 Active runs on a powerful 3,500 mAh battery and with Samsung’s built-in Ultra Power Saving Mode can add up to 24 hours of talking and texting times even on charges as low as 10%. Users tired of slow charging times can use the built-in Fast Charging feature to get up to 50% charge in just 40 minutes. Tired of using cables? Charge the S6 Active wirelessly with a wireless charging dock (sold separately.)
The future is here and now. If you want a phone that won’t quit on you and can withstand even the craziest of situations, the Samsung Galaxy S6 Active is the phone for you.
Pros
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More features than the original S6
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More durable design than predecessor
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Fast performance
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Excellent camera
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Great battery life
9.5
Score
Cons
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No fingerprint scanner
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A little heavier than the S6
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Exclusive to AT&T carrier
Samsung Galaxy S6 Active
Review
by Eljohn Macaranas - September 3, 2015
Highlights
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Last quad-core processor up to 1.5 GHz
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Beautiful 6" HD display - Crisp, vivid HD display (252 ppi / 1280x800) with over a million pixels
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Front and rear cameras
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Free unlimited storage in Cloud Drive for photos taken with Fire devices
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Best selection of digital content - Enjoy over 33 million movies, TV shows, songs, books, Android apps and games - including Facebook, Netflix, Minecraft, and more
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Great for the whole family - Create unique profiles and set screen time limits for kids with Amazon FreeTime. Coming soon, link two Amazon accounts and share books, games, apps, and Prime Instant Video content across all devices in the household
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Stay connected and productive - Fast web browsing, email and calendar support including Gmail and Outlook. Plus, edit and view Office documents
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Try Kindle Unlimited for free - Choose from over 700,000 titles and thousands of audiobooks for $9.99/month.
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Hi-end camera
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Long battery life
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Storage capacity
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Hi-ResRetina HD display
Pros
Cons
9.0
Score
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Slow performance
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Display and sound quality
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Overall user experience
Apple iPhone 6 Plus
Review
by Barbara Michaels - September 3, 2015
iPhone 6 isn’t simply bigger — it’s better in every way. Larger, yet dramatically thinner. More powerful, but remarkably power efficient. With a smooth metal surface that seamlessly meets the new Retina HD display. It’s one continuous form where hardware and software function in perfect unison, creating a new generation of iPhone that’s better by any measure.
Developing an iPhone with a larger, more advanced display meant pushing the edge of design. From the seamless transition of glass and metal to the streamlined profile, every detail was carefully considered to enhance your experience. So while its display is larger, iPhone 6 feels just right.
It’s one thing to make a bigger display. It’s something else entirely to make a bigger Multi‑Touch display with brilliant colors and higher contrast at even wider viewing angles. But that’s exactly what we did with the new Retina HD display.
Built on 64-bit desktop-class architecture, the new A8 chip delivers more power, even while driving a larger display. The M8 motion coprocessor efficiently gathers data from advanced sensors and a new barometer. And with increased battery life, iPhone 6 lets you do more, for longer than ever.
The iSight camera has a new sensor with Focus Pixels and new video features, like 1080p HD at 60 fps, slo-mo at 240 fps, and time-lapse video mode. So you’ll have more reasons to capture more moments on video, too.
iPhone 6 has faster LTE download speeds, and it supports more LTE bands than any other smartphone so you can roam in more places. And when connected to Wi-Fi, you’ll get up to 3x faster speeds.
The breakthrough Touch ID technology lets you securely access your iPhone with the perfect password: your fingerprint. You can also use it to approve purchases from iTunes, iBooks, and the App Store without having to enter your password.
Aple rethought how you pay to make shopping faster, easier, and more secure. Apple Pay combines the convenience and security of Touch ID and Passbook with NFC technology. So you can use iPhone 6 to pay in stores and within apps with a single touch.
iOS 8 is the world’s most advanced mobile operating system. And with incredible new capabilities and features designed to make the most of a larger display, iOS 8 doesn’t just work seamlessly with iPhone 6. It makes every experience feel bigger and better.
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