MORE THAN 100 MOBILE DEVICES TRIED AND TESTED

THE TOP SMARTPHONE AND TABLET AUTHORITY october 2014

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 Win a £550 *

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 October 2014
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03_Editorial_September 14.indd 6 02/09/2014 15:54

 contents

Inside
06 28 40

WIN one of four

27 top smartphones 42

06 First look 40 The smartphone’s 20th birthday

HTC One M8 for Windows Phone and more Saluting IBM’s simple Simon smartphone

14 International round-up 42 Home automation

Why perfume bottle cams are big in Japan Transform your abode into a future-home

18 Patently obvious 46 Instant messaging

It’s iTime for an update on Apple’s watch Making the most of mobile chat

22 Accessories 50 Apps and games

Hit the road with the latest in-car gadgets All the month’s best downloads tested

28 Samsung Galaxy Tab S 54 Mobile gaming

Is this the best Android tablet yet? Plug and play the latest titles

32 Samsung Galaxy K Zoom 58 Buyer’s guide

Zooming in on Sammy’s new camera-phone
Over 100 devices rated
36 HTC Desire 816 in our comprehensive guide
A phabulous phablet to phill your hand
60 Phone reviews
38 Sony Xperia T3 89 Tablet reviews
5.4 inches of goodness – but is it good enough?

4 www.whatmobile.net

04_Contents_September14.indd 4 02/09/2014 15:53

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 first look

Christmas is about
to come early
samsung g
alaxy alph
a

ONE samsung ge
WINDOWS PH ar s
HTC ONE M8

LG G watch
r

C
hristmas may fall in December, but in the tech world,
things are done a little differently. To get those goods to
Santa in time for the big day, many exciting new gadgets
are unveiled in September.
In this month’s First Look, we’ve picked out four devices that we
reckon will be the most sought-after come Crimbo.
This year has been hailed as “the year of the wearable”, and it looks
like it’s finally about to start living up to the mantle.
The LG G Watch R is LG’s second swing at an Android Wear
smartwatch, just months after the launch of the original G Watch.
The big difference is it’s round. That might not sound like much of a
change, but just the look of it gets us far more excited than any square
device ever could. Who knew that we all wanted the future to look like
the past?
Naturally, Samsung isn’t going to let someone else steal the spotlight
and has come up with a rival wearable of its own.
It’s no stranger to the wrist game, but hasn’t managed to nail the
formula quite yet, so we’re cautiously optimistic about the Samsung
Gear S.
One device we’re a lot more confident about is Samsung’s Galaxy
Alpha. We didn’t like the S5’s plastic build, but this one is an S5 made
of metal. So, in theory, we should like this device an awful lot more.
Will we like it as much as the HTC One M8? It’s an awfully high bar
to reach, which is probably why Microsoft has gone and snapped up
HTC’s flagship for its Windows Phone operating system.
The HTC One M8 for Windows is exactly what it sounds like: the
best Android device running an operating system in desperate need of
a saviour.
Oh yes, September is shaping up to be a special month all right.
Better start saving the pennies...

6 www.whatmobile.net

06-11_First Look_October14.indd 6 02/09/2014 17:04 06-08_F

Untitled
 first look

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 first look

HTC ONE M8 – windows edition

N
ews of a Windows Phone version of the HTC One M8
might sound odd at first. After all, this is exactly the
same device that has been on the market for many
months running Google’s Android software, only now with
what is arguably a lesser operating system. No wonder many
of us were left wondering, what’s the point?
Apparently, when Microsoft approached HTC for a smartphone
collaboration, it wasn’t looking to create a new handset. Microsoft
was only interested in one thing: the One M8.
If you’ve used HTC’s flagship device, you’ll know why. As we
found when we tested the handset back in May, the HTC One M8 is
undoubtedly the best Android phone on the market. The months that
have followed have seen the release of several great Android devices
in the form of the Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z2 and LG G3.
They’ve all come close to equalling HTC’s best, but it is still the top
buy in our eyes.

Although a completely new handset might have generated more

marketing hype, opting to update a reliably efficient handset, with its
premium looks and great features, is a more sensible addition to the
Windows Phone family. Whether you buy it will come down to your
operating system preference. If you’re a fan of Microsoft’s OS (and it
does have its merits – we like its Live Tile home screen, for example),
then you now have the option to buy an outstanding HTC handset
alongside the existing Nokia line-up.

Matching specs
Just in case you’d forgotten, the HTC One M8’s specs include a 5-inch,
1080p resolution display, a 2.3GHz processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage
and a 4-megapixel UltraPixel rear-facing camera. You get the same
premium unibody aluminium build, too, which easily trumps most
devices on the market. Unfortunately, the new version of the handset
is only available in graphite grey, whereas the Android device comes
in a range of colours. Perhaps if it is a success, more colours will be
Only comes in introduced at a later date.
graphite grey HTC has developed its own software for use on Windows Phone. As a
result, you get its superior social aggregator BlinkFeed, which will now
reside on the Live Tile home screen. HTC has also rebuilt its Sense TV
service for the OS, which offers an interactive guide to what’s on and
Same top-notch lets you control your TV via the phone. The manufacturer also built in
specs as before support for the One M8’s gesture controls such as double-tap to wake.
The recent update to Windows Phone brought with it plenty of handy
new features including a notification centre, folders on the start screen
and the Cortana digital assistant. The latter is a mixture of Apple’s Siri
Premium unibody and Google Now and, as Microsoft is intent on proving, can often be
aluminium casing more intuitive than its iOS counterpart.
One area in which Windows Phone still lags behind is its lack of apps.
Although Microsoft continues to refresh and update its store, it still has
a fraction of the apps found on the Google Play store and iOS App Store.
HTC has yet to confirm a release date for the Windows Phone One M8
in the UK.

8 www.whatmobile.net

06-11_First Look_October14.indd 8 02/09/2014 17:04

 first look

LG G Watch R
LG has officially revealed the successor to its first Android Wear becomes visible.
smartwatch, the LG G Watch, in the shape of a round-faced device Motorola says it’s
called the LG G Watch R. needed to house
Internally, the G Watch R is almost exactly the same as the G Watch: components. LG
a 1.2GHz processor, 8GB of storage with 512MB RAM and a 410mAh has done things
battery (10mAh more than the G Watch). differently.
The key difference is the display. The G Watch’s rectangular screen What the G Watch
measured a pretty sizeable 1.6 inches, while the G Watch R is 1.3 inches. R has instead is
Of course, being round, that means it’s a little shorter but also a little a conventional dial
wider, too. Either way, it’s still going to sit pretty large on the wrist. with second/minute
Its strap is calfskin leather, and the whole device is (currently) only markings, which will
available in a black-on-black colour scheme. It’s also IP67 certified for a presumably be used to house
degree of water and dust-proofing. components in a more even,
Comparisons will naturally be drawn between the G Watch R and subtle manner.
Motorola’s Moto 360, the device that made everybody suddenly realise Among those components is a heart-rate monitor, accelerometer,
that they wanted a round smartwatch. One key distinction, however, is GPS and all the necessary connectivity to link it with your Android
the nature of the watch’s face. smartphone (version 4.3 or higher).
The Moto 360 actually has a very subtle section of dead space at There’s no word on a release date or price yet, but with the G Watch
the bottom of its face. It’s unnoticeable when the face is blacked costing about £150 at launch, we can reasonably expect it to be in that
out, but when a notification pops up, or if you venture into an app, it region, too – perhaps a little higher.

Samsung Gear S
Another month, another addition to Samsung’s endless range of products. Fit fitness tracker. That
We could sit here all day and discuss the South Korean manufacturer’s prolific shouldn’t be too much
product cycle, but we don’t want to do that. of an issue, as the
Instead, let us tell you why the Gear S smartwatch is relevant and what sets curved screen helps
it apart from its rivals. it to wrap around the
The latest addition to its Gear range of wearables is another Tizen-powered contours of the wrist
smartwatch that comes packing a 3G modem on the inside and a curved, rather than sticking
rectangular watch-face. out as a flat surface.
Its 3G connectivity makes it a true standalone device. Unlike many other Although it will boil
wearables that require a Bluetooth connection with a smartphone to send down to preference, we
and receive messages, the Gear S can do both of those things and make calls still believe that the round
by itself. displays of the Moto 360 and
That is an impressive feature and one would think it hints at the future for the newly announced LG G Watch
such devices, which will no doubt benefit from being freed from the shackles R (both of which are Android Wear devices) look better.
of being tethered to a smartphone. Speaking of Android Wear, Samsung has ditched Google’s operating system
Inside the device you’ll find the usual array of specs, which include a 2-inch in favour of its own Tizen platform – showing that it’s still committed to the
AMOLED screen with 360 x 480-pixel resolution, plus a dual-core 1GHz CPU flagging OS, despite recent criticism from the likes of Huawei.
inside, along with GPS, a heart-rate monitor and motion sensors. The Gear S will be available in October. Samsung has yet to confirm a retail
Additionally, you get 4GB of internal storage and 512MB RAM. The Gear S price for the device.
is also water-resistant. We had previously heard rumours that Samsung would unveil a new
Samsung claims that the device’s 300mAh battery can run for two days on smartwatch to add to its Gear range. Most of the hype surrounded a leaked
a full charge. Navigation comes in the form of Nokia’s Here maps service and Samsung patent for a round smartwatch. That hasn’t yet turned out to be
there is also support for Facebook. true. Judging by how prolific the manufacturer is, we wouldn’t be surprised if
In terms of design, the smartwatch looks like a bulkier version of the Gear it had more wearables in store.

www.whatmobile.net 9

06-11_First Look_October14.indd 9 02/09/2014 17:04

 first look
samsung galaxy alpha
Available in
five colours
The first device to be launched as part of Samsung’s rumoured A series,
the Galaxy Alpha is Samsung’s iPhone lookalike.
The handset’s curved top and bottom, physical home button and
metallic outer edges give it the look of Apple’s device.
Fans of Samsung should find comfort in the fact that this is the
company’s first phone to use a real metal frame.
The metallic edges bestow the device with a premium look. It’s an
interesting move on Samsung’s part and brings the device closer to its
premium Android rival, the HTC One M8.
Although some commentators initially shunned it as nothing more
than a stopgap en route to the release of the Galaxy Note 4, it does have
its positive attributes.
Firstly, it shows Samsung is interested in developing premium-looking
products, a factor that should not be ignored in the wake of the design
backlash met by the plastic Galaxy S5. A bit more aesthetic originality
would have helped its cause.
It also boasts everything you would expect from a high-end Galaxy
product in terms of functionality.
It does, however, differ from the Galaxy S5 and other Android devices
as Samsung has put the focus on reducing weight and depth. The Alpha
10 www.whatmobile.net
06-11_First Look_October14.indd 10
Thinner than many
flagship devices
4.7-inch screen is
smaller than S5
weighs just 114g; that’s lighter than the S5, HTC One M8 and LG G3.
Its depth of 6.7mm is also incredibly thin and once again beats those
other handsets.
The Galaxy Alpha comes packing the same 2.5GHz quad-core
processor that you will find in the S5. It also retains that device’s 2GB
memory and fingerprint scanner.
Unfortunately, it also strays from the S5’s premium features in some
crucial areas. First and foremost, the resolution has been downgraded
from 1080p Full HD to 720p. The screen is slightly smaller at 4.7 inches
compared to the S5’s 5.1 inches, which should help increase the
handset’s pixels-per-inch count.
The front-facing camera has also been downscaled from 16 megapixels
on the S5 to 12 megapixels on the Alpha.
Finally, the battery has dropped from a bulky 2,800mAh to 1,860mAh.
As you would expect from a Samsung phone, it comes in a range of
colours including black, white, gold, silver and blue. The matte finish on
the back cover, for added grip, is also a nice touch.
Overall, this is a smaller, lighter and thinner device than most of us
expected from Samsung. If that sounds like your cup of tea, then you’ll
be happy to learn you can grab it in stores now for £500.
02/09/2014 17:04
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 competition

Winkberry z30
a blac
worth £270
BlackBerry silenced its critics with
the release of the Z30 earlier this
year. The sleek handset ditches
the QWERTY keypad and adds
4G connectivity, making it by far
the best BlackBerry yet.
For your chance to win the
device, simply answer the
following question:
What is the name of BlackBerry’s
instant messaging service?
A) BBM
B) BPM
C) BBB
Email your entry (one only) to:
competitions@whatmobile.net
The winner will be posted at:
facebook.com/whatmobilemagazine

Sweating the small stuff: 1. The promoter of this competition is Clark White Publishing Ltd. 2.
The competition is open to all UK residents aged 18 years or over, excluding employees of What
Mobile, all participating companies, its agents or families and any company associated with this
competition. 3. By entering, all entrants will be deemed to have accepted these rules. 4. All entry
instructions form a part of the terms and conditions. 5. Closing date: 30 September 2014. 6. Only
one entry per email/IP address will be accepted. 7. The correct winning entry will be selected
randomly by the administrator of the What Mobile Facebook page. The winner, who must be a UK
resident, will be sent a BlackBerry Z30 7. 8. No cash alternative or other device will be offered. 9.
No correspondence will be entered into except that the name of the winner will be available upon
written request.

12_Competition_October14.indd 10 02/09/2014 17:21

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 international round-up

Around the world

The US gets a bezel-free Sharp stunner, a £20 Firefox smartphone launches in India, Finnish phone maker Jolla designs a new operating
system called Sailfish and a selfie camera shaped like a perfume bottle (don’t ask) is Sony’s latest contribution to the Asian market

Sharp Aquos Crystal

The Aquos Crystal could go a long way to establishing Sharp’s credentials
as a smartphone maker in the West. Although the electronics manufacturer
is best known for its televisions and computer accessories, it has in the past
released handsets in various regions to limited success.
The Aquos Crystal could change all that, simply because it stands out.
Doing away with top and side bezels makes the Aquos unique in the design
department. It’s just a shame that Sharp didn’t set the bar high for specs too.
The new handset comes with a 5-inch 1,280 x 720-pixel edge-to-edge
display. But simply making a display wide isn’t enough when its resolution
isn’t even up to Full HD. Other specs include a paltry 1.5GB RAM and 8GB
storage, a 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 processor and a 2,000mAh battery.
The midrange market is severely lacking in design innovation though,
which has been restricted to premium devices, so the new look here is a
blessing, at least.
Sharp has also taken a page out of HTC’s book by touting the audio
features of the Aquos Crystal. The handset comes with Harman Kardon
audio capabilities and Clari-Fi technology, which it claims yields deeper,
richer and clearer sound quality in regard to compressed music formats such
as MP3s and streaming services.
An 8-megapixel rear-camera and 1.2-megapixel front-facing snapper round
out the device’s all-too-common specs.
US carrier Sprint will release the handset Stateside and the Aquos Crystal
is also going to Japan, with the latter getting a larger 5.5-inch variant – the
Crystal X – in 2015. It’s unlikely that this version, which also comes with
beefed-up specs, will make it to the US and the rest of the globe, and Sharp
hasn’t confirmed whether the device will make it to these shores. Ultimately,
that will depend upon its success in its launch markets.

Sony perfume bottle selfie camera

Sony is looking to tap into the success of perfume bottle-shaped cameras
in Asia – which, believe it or not, are a thing – by releasing its own,
similar device.
Images leaked on social media show that the product, which is
designed for taking selfies, looks like a camera that will come in a range
of pastel colours, with a glass case for the lens that appears to be a lid.
Sony has not commented on the rumours. However, with the recent
release of selfie phones such as the Huawei Ascend P7 and Sony’s own
Xperia C3, the perfume bottle selfie camera could, for better or worse, be
part of a wider trend.
If Sony gets the price right – seeing as it’s just a selfie camera, it should
be priced accordingly – it could turn out to be a must-have accessory for
young girls the world over.

14 www.whatmobile.net
www.whatmobile.net

14-16_International_September14.indd 14 02/09/2014 15:50 _WM-A

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28/08/2014 15:50
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 international round-up

Jolla
Releasing new hardware is one thing, but have you ever
wondered why you don’t have more choice in regard to
your handset’s operating system?
While iOS is exclusive to Apple and Android and, to a lesser
extent, Windows Phone encompass a wider range of devices, the
launch of a self-titled phone from Finnish manufacturer Jolla is the
company’s bid at gaining wider recognition for its Sailfish OS.
Although the Jolla handset is available in selected markets in Europe,
it has never branched out as far as Asia, and the device’s success in the notifications, without the
region could be make-or-break for its manufacturer. user having to access the home
What makes the Sailfish OS stand out from its better-known competitors? screen. This, claims its manufacturer,
As you can see in the images above, Sailfish has a clean, flat look, with saves battery power as it allows a quick check of
curved and rounded icons. the phone without having to engage all its circuits.
Elsewhere, the home and app screens benefit from a minimal design, with Its specs are generally midrange. The likes of a 1.4GHz dual-core
green and blue hues to match its aquatic name. Snapdragon 400 processor and 4.5-inch display with 540 x 960-pixel
Commentators have pointed out that the Sailfish user interface is fast, resolution don’t match its hefty €349 (£277) price tag.
flexible and intelligent, boasting interactive tutorials, hints and tips and Launched by former Nokia employees, Jolla is intent on challenging the
regular updates. top three OS platforms. Its partnership with Three in Hong Kong should
In terms of its handset, the Jolla has been upgraded for its Asia launch, give it an added boost. Sailfish’s chances of long-term success, however,
with new interactive energy-saving functions that show the time and may be limited – it could end up being a niche OS alternative.

Intex Cloud FX
If Jolla is aiming big with Sailfish, then the phone to be used like an app; this relegates the
Intex Cloud FX and its Firefox operating system need for an app store. It works by allowing users
platform is setting its sights small – price-wise, to find apps using the built-in search engine
at least. The new handset has launched in India – accessible from the home screen – by using
with an entry-level cost of Rs1999 (£20). keywords. For example, if you type in a rock
Judging by the price, Firefox’s strategy with its band’s name, it will display a range of music
OS is to partner with basic devices to capture apps, which you can then try before you even
India’s thriving entry-level market, with hopes download them.
of making it onto high-end phones in the Firefox decided to include an app store
longer term. anyway. Entitled Marketplace, it offers all
For those unfamiliar with the Firefox OS, it is the best apps for the phone in one
developed by Mozilla – the company behind the convenient location.
popular web browser. It hasn’t been seen since The specs on the Intex Cloud FX are as low
mid-2013, when it made its debut on a ZTE as you can go. The handset comes with a
device. Mozilla’s plans are to launch the OS on 3.5-inch display, a 1GHz Spreadtrum processor
tablets and smart TVs in the future. and 128MB RAM. For that price, you get what
Unfortunately, for a fledgling OS such as analysts claim is a far from “sluggish” phone that
Firefox, it has already come under a lot of fire, does what it sets out to do, and little more.
with detractors claiming it looks like Android – The jury is still out on Firefox’s chances of
though it does not function as well. success and whether it is a truly flexible OS that
Similarities aside, the major difference can adapt to a range of devices.
between the two platforms is that Firefox runs However, if it can perform well at the lower
HTML5 web-based apps, which is basically like end of the price bracket, then an upgrade could
installing a mobile-optimised website on your be an exciting prospect.

16 www.whatmobile.net

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 futurology

Patently Obvious
Another month, another peek behind the doors of Silicon Valley’s secretive product development labs. Fortunately for us, the boffins
can’t shield us from the world’s patent websites, where the latest innovations are registered. This means we can bring you an insight
into the technology that may – or may not – be revolutionising our lives in a few years’ time

iTime Apple
It comes as a surprise to approximately nobody after so much speculation,
but this patent confirms the rumoured existence of an Apple-made
smartwatch – commonly referred to as the iWatch.
That’s the name the media slapped on the as-yet-unannounced device,
but Apple’s own patent actually refers to it as iTime.
Its detailed features, though, are largely as you might expect.
The extensive patent mentions haptic, visual and audio feedback, a
variety of sensors, biometric monitors, GPS modules, NFC technology,
Bluetooth connectivity, proximity detectors, and more.
It also suggests that the device could utilise gesture controls such as the
flicking of a wrist to answer incoming calls. It also uses its variety of close-
range connectivity to sync with not just the iPhone, but Mac computers, too.
The square-ish design of the device might surprise some, with many
considering round faces to be the way forward for smartwatches since the
revelation of Motorola’s gorgeous Moto 360. The strap itself looks set to
contain many of the device’s crucial electronic components.

Smart glasses that ‘recognise’ everyday objects Microsoft

“Wearable Behavior-Based Vision System.” That’s the none-too-catchy
work-in-progress title Microsoft has given the new wearable it’s
working on. On the outside, it looks just like the sort of eyewear you
might see secret service agents sporting, with a plain, bold frame and a
small earpiece hanging from the left arm.
To the wearer, though, these glasses are more than just eye candy.
Microsoft’s patent refers to “mixed reality”, and the glasses serve as a
meeting point between virtual reality and the real world; by recognising
objects, such as a speeding car, they can identify threats and notify you
when you might otherwise miss them.
You could also play games in the style of a VR headset, but without
losing all awareness of your surroundings – thus reducing the likelihood
of injury or accident.

18 www.whatmobile.net

18-20_Patents_October14.indd 18 02/09/2014 15:48

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 futurology

Samsung Android Wear… with a round face Samsung

We’ve already seen a smartwatch from Samsung. In fact, in typical Samsung
fashion, we’ve seen a whole lot of them. We reviewed the original Galaxy Gear
almost a year ago and it didn’t exactly bowl us over. Then, earlier this year,
we reviewed its successor, the Gear 2; it was another swing-and-miss
from Sammy.
The company has since gone on to release its first wearable using the
Android Wear mobile platform, named the Gear Live. In similar fashion, it failed
to strike a chord with reviewers or consumers.
Could a makeover be what’s required? This patent seems to bank on it.
Here, we can clearly see a smartwatch with a rounded face – not square like
Samsung’s previous efforts. There’s even three slight variations on the design,
with different straps to boot.
The first design looks almost identical to that of the Moto 360, and as close
to a conventional watch as you might imagine. The second appears slightly
sportier, with the face protruding from within the strap, as opposed to sitting on
top of it. The third design shows a square face with rounded edges.
Let’s hope Samsung will actually use these designs – they all look better than
the company’s current offerings.

Crowdsourced in-car Bisectable games controller

map directions Apple for tablets Microsoft
When using Google There are plenty of controllers
Maps, Apple Maps, out there designed specifically
Here Maps, or any for gaming on a mobile device.
sort of navigation app, Some wirelessly sync, some
directions are rarely as clip around the device and
simple as A-to-B. some plug straight into them.
When you enter your For the most part, though,
destination, these apps they’re designed exclusively
will offer you a choice with the mobile platform
of several routes, in mind.
where possible, while Microsoft disagrees with
detailing just how long that basic concept. In
each one will take and how bad the traffic is along the way. response, it has patented
Drivers then select the quickest route or, if you’re feeling confident, what it calls a “splittable
perhaps a route you believe to be quicker as it avoids certain known traps: game controller” – and it
roadworks, narrow streets, notoriously slow traffic lights and the like. looks ridiculous.
What if instead of just going by Apple Maps and your own brain, you The concept is simple: take a standard Xbox 360 controller and split it
had the ability to tap the knowledge of every iPhone-owning driver in in half. That way you can play on your home console as normal, and then
the country? when you want to play on your Microsoft Surface, you can break it in two
This Apple patent hints at the possibility of crowdsourced directions for and place each half on either side of the tablet. The controller would be
the company’s Maps app. By analysing the iPhone’s GPS data, it can learn wireless, meaning it doesn’t need any sort of input or physical connection
just how long those who use the app spend sitting stationary at lights to work with your device.
and junctions. It can then extrapolate trends from millions of users and Just like that, you now have a gaming tablet. We wonder, though,
recognise patterns in these delays. Recommended routes and journey time how comfortable it would be holding a full-sized tablet in-between two
estimations could then be adjusted accordingly. controller halves, and how much strain it would put on your wrists.

20 www.whatmobile.net

18-20_Patents_October14.indd 20 02/09/2014 15:48

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18-20_Patents_October14.indd 21 02/09/2014 15:48

 Gadgets, Gifts and accessories

Splash cash on the dash

There are now enough in-car gadgets to turn your car dashboard into something like the
cockpit of an Airbus A380. Here are a few that will help you get from A to Z – via B to Y

01 /
Halfords
twin USB charger
£32
Many new vehicles don’t even come with a
cigarette lighter, yet for some reason the lighter
socket is still the conventional method of tapping
03 into your car’s power. Why not make the most of
it, then, with this twin-USB charger? You can
charge just about any portable device you own,
two at a time.

02 /
01 Steelmate DIY Tyre
Pressure Monitoring
System
£118
Nobody enjoys checking their tyre pressure.
And now you don’t have to. This kit comes
with four caps to replace your tyre valve
dust caps. They’re connected to a Bluetooth
receiver/transmitter that you plug into your
car’s cigarette lighter. It then connects to your
smartphone and keeps and eye on pressure,
temperature and leaks.

02 03 /
Arkon Deluxe
Universal Tablet
Headrest Mount
£25
In-car devices aren’t just for the driver – a decent
film or Netflix binge for passengers on a long
journey never goes amiss. You can hook this mount
up to the back of any car headrest and place any
tablet inside it, thanks to its highly customisable
design. At £25, it’s a small price to pay for a few
hours’ peace and quiet from the back seats.

22

20-24_Accessories_October14.indd 22 02/09/2014 15:44

 gadgets, gifts and accessories

04

04 /
Navdy
£199
Navdy is the ultimate in hands-free technology.
It provides a projected heads-up display for you
so you never need take your eyes off the road.
It will display your directions, read your texts
and allow you to answer calls with voice and
gesture commands. It’s safe, it’s affordable and it’s
unbelievably cool.

05
05 /
Vico WF-1
WiFi Car Dashcam
£200
This miniature in-car camera can be placed onto
your windscreen to record driving footage. What
distinguishes it from similar cameras is its wi-fi
capability, which allows you to easily download
videos onto your smartphone via Vico’s app. The
device records in 1080p Full HD resolution for
clear videos, and it’s great for capturing footage of
emergencies such as accidents.

www.whatmobile.net 23

20-24_Accessories_October14.indd 23 02/09/2014 15:44

 Gadgets, Gifts and accessories

06

06 /
Steelie Car Mount Kit
£35
A sleek and minimal car mount kit that makes
it easy to attach your smartphone to your car
dashboard for navigation purposes, the device
comes in two parts: the Steelie Magnetic Phone
Socket and Steelie Ball Mount Compact, both of
which are made of aluminium. Combined, the two
keep your handset secured firmly in-place, even
on a bumpy ride. The Phone Socket also allows for
your handset to be rotated.

07 /
Coby Ca-747
Cassette Adapter 07
£17
Radio is so passé. If you’ve got a smartphone,
chances are you’ll have your favourite tunes stored
on it, or you’ll be subscribed to a music streaming
service such as Spotify. To listen to those songs
in your car, you will require a device like the Coby
Ca-747. This adapter is shaped to fit into your car’s
cassette player and connects to your smartphone
via the headphone port to stream tracks through
your car’s speakers. Additionally, it can connect to
CD and MD players.

24 www.whatmobile.net

20-24_Accessories_October14.indd 24 02/09/2014 15:44

 BEYOND
STYLE.
COMPACT, BEAUTIFUL & FAST.

20-24_Accessories_October14.indd 25 02/09/2014 15:44

 reviews

An Indian summer has arrived – well, a South

Korean summer – in the shape of Samsung’s Galaxy
Tab S. The best Android slate yet? We also size up
Sammy’s new camera-phone and two new phablets

“The smaller Galaxy Tab S beats other

Android slates in most departments”

28 / Samsung
Galaxy Tab S
32 / Samsung
Galaxy K Zoom
36 / HTC Desire 816
38 / Sony Xperia T3

How we review Editor’s choice

To show you where a device Design Only the very best devices
succeeds or fails, we grade Then we rate the style and will win our What Mobile
each device in five key areas. quality of the overall design. Editor’s Choice award.
Performance Features
First we fully test the speed What kind of unique features
and power of each device. and add-ons does it have?
editor’s choice
Usability Final verdict
Next we find out how well the A rating out of five, balancing HHHHH
device functions in daily use. cost versus performance

26 Questions? Head to our online forum at forum.whatmobile.net

26_Reviews-Intro.indd 26 02/09/2014 15:38

 Vote now to win one of four great smartphones
provided by
The What Mobile Awards 2014 are here. Tell us which products and services have impressed you most over
the past 12 months and be in to win one of the world’s top smartphones. We’ve got an Apple iPhone 5s, HTC
M8, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2 to give away to say ‘thank you’ to five lucky voters.

AWARDS CATEGORIES
Smartphone Best Network Customer service
Camera phone Best MVNO High-street retailer
Budget phone Best online retailer Service and repair
Specialist phone Best accessory retailer Readers’ Choice
Tablet Recycling service Accessories
Best manufacturer Insurance provider Fitness Wearables

To vote now visit

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WMA14-ad.indd 21 28/07/2014 11:20
 review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Yet another new tablet range from Samsung – and it’s good enough to worry Apple’s iPad Air
Price: £319 Reviewer: Saqib Shah

editor’s choice
HHHHH

Two sizes available:

8.4 inches and
10.5 inches

Samsung’s
thinnnest and
lightest tablet

Full HD resolution,
of course

Spec sheet at a glance

OS Android Camera 8MP rear-facing, speed Camera battery
Processor 2.3GHz quad-core 2.1MP front-facing
Screen 8.4 inches Video 1080p
55 60 5
60

45 15
50 10
30

45 15

Resolution 2,560 x 1,600 pixels Connectivity Wi-fi, 4G

60 60

40 45 15 45 15 20

35 25
30

Memory 3GB RAM Dimensions 125.6 x 212.8 x 6.6mm

Storage 16GB, 32GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes
Weight 294g
Battery 4,900mAh 5 /
5 4 5
/ 2 5
/

28 www.whatmobile.net

28-31_Samsung Tab S_October14.indd 28 02/09/2014 15:36


S
ome months it feels like we could fill
a whole issue of What Mobile with
Samsung products alone. Given the
number of devices it releases, the South
Korean manufacturer could be accused of
saturating the market.
Sometimes, however, it comes out with a device
so good that you forget the many forgettable
products it has released. Remember the Galaxy S3
smartphone? It was such a massive improvement
upon its predecessor that every subsequent
Samsung flagship has felt underwhelming.
So when we learnt Samsung was launching a
new tablet, we reserved our enthusiasm. Then
we saw the specs and our initial doubts turned
to cautious optimism. Now, having tested the
product, you can colour us impressed.
Although Samsung already has a premium range
of tablets in the form of the NotePro series, the
Tab S range is its bid at launching a slate with
greater usability. And it succeeds on every count.
If Samsung only released one tablet this year, then
the Tab S would be enough.
Design
Samsung has taken its inspiration from Sony by
focusing on design innovation in regard to the
weight and depth of its product. Despite not
being as slender as the Xperia Z2 tablet, this is
by far Samsung’s thinnest and lightest tablet yet,
weighing just 294g.
It does, however, look better than Sony’s
counterpart. As is usually the case with Samsung’s
premium devices, the Tab S comes in two colours:
white and “titanium bronze”. We tested the latter,
which initially seemed somewhat flamboyant for
our minimal preferences, but it grew on us.
The gold-plated edges and brown bezel combine
to give the Tab S a copper look. As most tablets
come in either white or black, this is an unorthodox
step to take on Samsung’s part, but it sets it aside
from its rivals.
The Tab S comes in two sizes – 8.4 inches
and 10.5 inches – and emulates the Galaxy S5
phone’s dimpled back cover. Here, however,
the rear is a darker hue of silver,
Dimpled back like
the Galaxy S5
8MP camera
28-31_Samsung Tab S_October14.indd 29
Multi-window – Run apps side by side for simultaneous web browsing and video viewing
adding to its titanium-aping aesthetic.
The gold-on-gold portholes and control buttons
– which are kept to a strict minimum – also look
great. There is a rectangular home button on
the front, with touch controls on either side that
let you access previously used apps and go
back respectively.
Overall, its design embraces all the best points of
an Android tablet, while also bringing to the fore
Samsung’s design aesthetic, which was unfairly
bashed when the Galaxy S5 flagship was unveiled,
but benefits from the larger size of the Tab S.
Performance
As you would expect from a top-of-the-range
Samsung tablet, the Tab S handles web and app
browsing tasks quickly and efficiently.
The slate’s Full HD resolution
also displays online
review
images with more detail. Consequently, looking at
pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and other
social networks is enhanced by the device’s display
– not to mention the fact that photo albums and
images load quickly, thanks to its 2.3GHz processor.
In fact, the resolution on the Tab S is so good –
better than the Xperia Z2 Tablet and equal to the
Google Nexus 10 – that it would be a shame if you
just used it for such general tasks alone. We put
it through a comprehensive gaming test to see if
its crystal-clear display would be backed up by a
powerful processor.
We tried out everything from action RPG titles
such as Kritika to popular games on Google Play
such as Plants vs Zombies 2. We also revisited
our favourite powerful racing sim Real Racing
3 and space-set shooter Galaxy on Fire 2 HD.
Performance was impeccable with each title. Not
only were the graphics boosted by the Tab S’s
brilliant colour saturation and contrast ratio, but all
the games performed smoothly, with no lag – even
on the demanding, fast-paced titles.
The same applies to video playback. We found
YouTube videos loaded quickly over wi-fi thanks
to the slate’s robust processor. From watching Full
HD trailers for colourful animated films such as
Disney’s Big Hero 6 to darker clips like that of WW2
epic Fury, with the excellent resolution, the screen
proved to be better than most of the Android slates
we’ve tested.
Features
The Tab S is a feature-packed Android tablet. Aside
from retaining the fingerprint scanner that was
introduced on the Galaxy S5, it also boasts 4G LTE
connectivity on certain models, as well as multi-
www.whatmobile.net 29
02/09/2014 15:36
 review
The best of the new Samsung Galaxy Apps store
Samsung has upgraded its Samsung Apps store with a fresh design and a
new name: Samsung Galaxy Apps. As its title suggests, the South Korean
manufacturer is putting the focus on exclusive content for its Galaxy devices.
Now, anyone who owns a Galaxy smartphone or tablet can access the new
app store.
According to Samsung, the Galaxy Apps store features “hundreds of
exclusive apps” that are designed specifically for Galaxy devices. These
exclusives take advantage of Samsung’s software development kit to work
with features like multi-windowing, the S Pen and the Samsung ‘home
appliance’ network. The store has a cleaner look than its predecessor and
conveniently organises apps by popularity and date; there is also a section
that highlights Galaxy Specials.
Here’s our pick of the exclusive apps you should download for your Galaxy.
Kick
While there already exist a number of great sports news apps from the likes of
Sky Sports and Yahoo, Kick offers another option for football fans. All the major
leagues are included and it also allows you to compare players and teams.
Features include a 3D shot map that gives you a live snapshot of goals and
on-target and off-target attempts. Kick’s multi-screen function will also allow
you to launch the SmartTV app from your Tab S and display all the stats
on screen.
Samsung Smart Switch
The clever folks at Samsung have built this convenient app to help you
transfer content – contacts, photos and messages – wirelessly from Android
and iOS devices. The link only works at a distance of 10cm (4 inches) so
Sidesync 3.0 – Handy for sharing screens Smart Switch – Simple wireless data transfer
Kick – All the latest football news sent straight to your device
30 www.whatmobile.net
28-31_Samsung Tab S_October14.indd 30
devices must be kept close to each other when transferring data. Smart
Switch also recommends apps from the Google Play store, showing that
Samsung isn’t just trying to steal Google’s thunder with its own app store.
SideSync 3.0
Connect your Tab S with your Galaxy smartphone or PC by sharing screens.
Once connected, you will be able to view your tablet screen on your PC or
smartphone, allowing you to easily drag and drop files into the former. Screens
can be connected via wi-fi or USB.
Video Editor
Although there are some editing options available to photographs taken on
the Tab S, there is a lack of tools for editing videos. The free Video Editor app
allows you to apply themes to your clips, add voiceovers and edit them using
text and visual effects.
Final Fight
The Galaxy Apps store has a poor selection of games. But it does boast
this arcade classic, which as far as we can tell is not available on other
Android devices. Although it’s a pretty simple side-scrolling beat-em-up
from Capcom, Final Fight is addictive. The inspiration for the game is clearly
Double Dragon, with the same dated concept of rescuing a damsel in distress.
Still, it’s fun to kick some butt en route to saving your girlfriend. Some of the
weapons included are pretty gritty, too, so be warned if you’re thinking of
downloading it for the kids. With three playable characters, each with their
own set of basic moves, Final Fight boasts more variety than your average
arcade beat-em-up.
Final Fight – Classic arcade beat-em-up
Video Editor – Apply themes, effects and voiceovers to videos
02/09/2014 15:36
 review

window functionality.
For those worried about privacy, the fingerprint
scanner is a handy tool. If you’re not accustomed to
the function – which is only available on high-end
smartphones such as the Apple iPhone 5s and
Galaxy S5 – you can unlock your device using your
fingerprint by placing it on the home button. If you
intend to share the tablet with other users on a
frequent basis, make sure you employ the multi-
use feature to create separate profiles.
The multi-window option is a great addition for
multitasking enthusiasts out there. Like you would
on a laptop, multi-window allows you to see two
apps or services at once by splitting the screen
down the middle. That means you can have your
email inbox open alongside the web browser, or log
in to Google Hangouts for a chat while browsing
your photo gallery.
You can access the multi-window task bar by
swiping in from the right and then dragging the
respective app icons that you wish to use into the
centre of the screen.
You can also customise the task bar to display
your most-used apps. There are, however, a limited
number of tasks you can access and you can only
operate two apps at a time. We were hoping that it
would allow us to access games while looking at
our emails, but that wasn’t the case.

camera
The camera on the Tab S is a standard 8-megapixel
affair, although the front-facing snapper does offer
Full HD resolution at 2.1 megapixels.
Video recording on the device is also Full HD
1080p resolution.
The Tab S contains the same features as other
recent Samsung devices including a range of
modes such as panorama, multi-shot and HDR.
The dual-camera function allows simultaneous
use of the front and rear cameras. Once you’ve
taken a snap, you can edit it by applying filters and
stickers, or crop it and draw on it.
Battery
The only real issue with the device was battery life.
When performing strenuous tasks such as gaming,
the tablet would need to be plugged into a power
outlet. Using a USB charger would also take what
felt like a lifetime to fully charge. The 4,900mAh
battery on the 8.4-inch Tab S is significantly smaller
than you will find on larger slates such as the
Xperia Z2 Tablet (6,000mAh) and the 10.5-inch
Tab S (7,900mAh), which is mainly due to size
constraints. As such, heavy users might be better
off buying something bigger.
Conclusion
More and more people are holding onto their slates
for longer before upgrading to a new device, so it
would be a shame if the Tab S were overlooked,
drowned out by the wave of lesser devices being
Higher resolution
than an Xperia Z2
released by Samsung.
Alongside its different sizes, interesting
colours and wi-fi and LTE connectivity options,
Samsung has taken its prolific approach to
hardware production and applied it to the device’s
functionality, proving that the company can still
surprise us with a superior all-round product.
While the Tab S might not be a radical departure
from other Android tablets, it encompasses
everything that is great about a top-notch
Samsung product.
We would urge you to spend some time with
Samsung’s new slate – it could restore your faith in
the wavering electronics giant.

Verdict
+ Excellent Full HD resolution
The smaller Galaxy Tab S beats other Android slates in
most departments. It has the best display, rivalling even + Fast 2.3GHz processor OVERALL HHHHH
the likes of the iPad and Google Nexus 10. Performance + Plenty of features Performance Usability
for app and web browsing, and general usability, is great.
HHHHH HHHHH
When a slate boasts functionality this good, you’ll want to – Weak battery
use it again and again. Simply put, it’s the best Android design features
tablet on the market. HHHHH HHHHH

www.whatmobile.net 31

28-31_Samsung Tab S_October14.indd 31 02/09/2014 15:36

 review

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom

Another hybrid phone-camera from Samsung, but is it answering a question no-one has asked?
Price: £400 Reviewer: Saqib Shah

M
ost contemporary high-end
smartphones have solid
cameras. Flagship handsets
such as the Sony Xperia Z2, LG G3 and
Nokia Lumia 930 all have powerful
snappers with decent image editing
features. All of them, however, have
limited zoom functions. And none will
match up to a compact digital camera.
Samsung aims to bridge that gap with the
Galaxy K Zoom, a phone-camera hybrid that
sports 20.7-megapixels and a 10x optical zoom. A
phone that emulates a camera, right down to its
bulky design, is surely suffering an identity crisis.
Samsung thinks otherwise, and has branded the K
Zoom a “slim and chic” handset. It’s not.

Design
From an aesthetic perspective, the Galaxy K
Zoom is first and foremost a camera. Its bulk
and protruding bump on the back, which
Not especially
houses the lens, makes it virtually impractical pocket friendly
for carrying in your pocket.
Recent discussions in the online tech
community have questioned whether the
increasing size of phones might lead to clothes
designers making larger pockets – especially
in light of talk of the upcoming release of a 5.5- Mid-range phone
with premium
inch iPhone 6. A Galaxy K Zoom user would
camera
require very deep pockets indeed.
The depth of this phone-camera hybrid is
16.6mm. By comparison, the Galaxy S5 is less
than half the depth at 8.1mm – and that’s not
even the slimmest phone on the market. Plastic case
In fact, the lens on the back gives the device a feels cheap
similar bulge as seen on the Nokia Lumia 1020,
which houses a superb 41-megapixel camera.
While the back of the K Zoom may at first

Spec sheet at a glance

OS Android 4.4 (KitKat) Micro SD compatible? Yes speed Camera battery
Processor Hexa-core: 1.3GHz quad- Camera 20.7MP rear-facing, 2MP front
core + 1.7GHz dual-core Video 1080p
55 60 5
60

45 15
50 10
30

45 15

Screen 4.8 inches Connectivity 4G

60 60

40 45 15 45 15 20

35 25
30

Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Dimensions 137.5 x 70.8 x 16.6mm

Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 8GB
Weight 200g
Battery 2,430mAh 4 /
5 5 /
5 4 5
/

32 www.whatmobile.net

32-34_Samsung K Zoom_October14.indd 32 02/09/2014 15:25


glance resemble the dimpled style of the
Galaxy S5, a closer look reveals otherwise.
Firstly, the K Zoom has a curved back, most
likely for housing the lens.
The plastic rear also has a different feel to
the Galaxy S5, which had a matte look with
textured dimples. Running your hand over the
back of the K Zoom feels cheap and plasticky,
with no texture at all. That’s where it differs
from digital cameras, too, which tend to come
with all-metal exteriors.
If you were unimpressed by the Galaxy S5’s
design, then the K Zoom will likely disappoint.
Performance
When you’re not using your K Zoom to snap
detailed images, chances are you’ll want to
use it for general smartphone tasks. So how
does it perform as a standard handset at
everyday jobs such as app use, web browsing,
gaming and video playback?
You can rest assured that the K Zoom
handles most tasks well, but it never goes the
extra mile. This is a midrange phone – it’s only
the premium camera that puts it in the higher
price bracket.
We assume the apps that K Zoom users
might use most are video and photography
apps such as Instagram and Vine, so we tested
both to see how quickly you can upload
content using the phone.
Uploading online is one advantage of having
a powerful phone-camera, as it cuts out the
long-winded task of transferring digital images
to your computer before transferring them to
the web.
We found images uploaded to Instagram
instantly. There was hardly any wait, as you
Zoom – The 10x optical zoom lens is the standout feature and is a rarity on mobile handsets
32-34_Samsung K Zoom_October14.indd 33
review
might expect on other devices. Even high-end
smartphones tend to take a few seconds, at nor
mal
least, to load images.
The same went for Vine, with videos
uploading quickly over wi-fi. With fast 4G
LTE capability, you needn’t worry about slow
loading times on the go either.
In terms of gaming, we tested two powerful
titles on the K Zoom and found both performed
relatively well.
Zombie shooter Dead Trigger 2 suffered from
minor frame rate issues during its extended
cut scenes, but the gameplay was generally
smooth, even during lengthy action scenes.
The same went for Virtua Tennis Challenge;
the mobile spin-off of the successful tennis sim
looked decent and ran smoothly despite its
fast pace.
Better displays on the market offer sharper
resolutions – the Galaxy S5’s 1,920 x
1,080-pixel resolution included. As such, on
the K Zoom, you will not be able to watch
YouTube’s maximum 1080p HD resolution.
Still, 720p videos look good.
We viewed a trailer for the upcoming epic
blockbuster Exodus: Gods and Kings, and
found that it looked sharp and detailed – a
must for effects-heavy clips.
If you are obsessed with resolution and pixel- Normal – Camera struggles with dark areas
per-inch counts, then keep in mind that there
are better displays to be found elsewhere.
hdr
Features
By far the standout function on the K Zoom is,
as its name attests, its zoom lens. Hold down
the camera button on the side and you are
immediately led to the camera function. The
lens quickly pops out and you are ready to
HDR – Melds several images for more detail
www.whatmobile.net 33
02/09/2014 15:25
 review

Studio app – Useful tools for enhancing pics Night mode – Takes multiple images without relying on flash to capture scenes at night

extend or retract, using the volume controls, to
fit your image requirements.
While other smartphone cameras make it
difficult to capture an image when using the
maximum zoom – an extreme close-up can be
ruined by the slightest movement when taking
a pic – that isn’t the case for the K Zoom. It
makes it incredibly easy to capture far-away
objects and people with its 10x zoom.
You can shoot images and videos quickly
from the camera menu by selecting either
icon. This makes for a refreshing change
from other devices, which pause to switch
between functions.
You can set the video to the highest quality
possible – 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 60 frames per
second – via the settings icon in the menu.
The exhaustive camera functions encompass
27 modes in total. Some of these sound like
gimmicks (a ‘fireworks’ mode?), whereas
others such as HDR make sense (see test
images, page 33).
The K Zoom also comes packed with built-in
apps and widgets to enhance your photos.
The Camera Studio widget provides a handy
collection of tools, apps and purchasable
features for photography enthusiasts. To
access it, swipe to the left from the centre of
the screen.
Here you will find your image and video
gallery and the Studio image editing app. The
Studio app lets you enhance and edit your
saved images by changing the brightness
and saturation settings, crudely draw on the
images (in the vein of Snapchat), and add
filters and playful decorations such as stickers
and frames.
It’s like having the editing features of
Snapchat and Instagram in one convenient
place. Whether you will use it instead of those
apps is debatable, but its a nice addition.
The Pro-Suggest tool, meanwhile, is a camera
shortcut that allows you to add filters to
images before you even take them. So you can
experiment with the kind of tone you’re aiming
for – the intensity of filters can be changed by
using touch controls – before snapping.
Conclusion
The Galaxy K Zoom is one of the best cameras
on a smartphone. Its zoom functions are very
good indeed. It’s just a shame the phone bit is
a let-down.
Aside from offering good usability, it is too
bulky to carry around as a mobile phone. You’ll
have a hard time fitting it in your pocket.
What’s the point of carrying it in your bag if
you risk missing calls and notifications?
Handsets such as the Nokia Lumia 930 and
Sony Xperia Z2 show that design doesn’t need
to be sacrificed when adding powerful features

“The Samsung Galaxy K zoom,

to a handset. So the K Zoom will be a hard sell.
It has the functions of a solid Samsung

unfortunately is too bulky to carry smartphone and the features of a decent

digital snapper; if only the design aesthetic

around just as a mobile phone” of the latter had been adopted, too, then this
would be a much better device.

Verdict
+ 10x optical zoom
We can see what Samsung set out to achieve with the
Galaxy K Zoom, and creating a solid Android smartphone + Packed with camera features OVERALL HHHHH
with an optical zoom is no small feat. The K Zoom, + Processor handles general tasks well Performance Usability
however, looks like a dated digital camera at best –
HHHHH HHHHH
newer devices are much more compact. If you’re after a – Hideous design
smartphone with a solid snapper, we’d advise you to seek – Large dimensions restrict mobility design features
out the LG G3 or Sony Xperia Z2 instead. HHHHH HHHHH

34 www.whatmobile.net

32-34_Samsung K Zoom_October14.indd 34 02/09/2014 15:25

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32-34_Samsung K Zoom_October14.indd 35 02/09/2014 15:25

 review

HTC Desire 816

With a 5.5-inch screen, this Desire is in phablet territory. But is it a phab phone or a phlop?
Price: £300 Reviewer: Callum Tennent

H
TC is moving in the right
direction. We loved
the One M8, we were
rather fond of the One Mini 2
and we’re pleasantly surprised
to say that this, the Desire
816, ties the new HTC family
together nicely.
With its flagship and compact
devices out of the way, the
Desire 816 is here to fill the role
of the ‘phablet’. It certainly does
that alright – the Desire 816 is
enormous.
Design
The Desire 816 has a 5.5-inch
display – half an inch larger than
the One M8 – which is par for the
phablet course. Combine it with an
even larger body, though, and you
have one seriously big handset.
At 156.6mm, it’s a whole 10.3mm
taller than the LG G3, a handset
with the same sized display but
markedly thinner bezels. The result
is a device that may be a little
difficult to manoeuvre with one
hand for some people.
The ergonomics of the Desire 816
make up for that a little, though,
with nicely rounded edges that grip
well, and it’s perfectly flat, ensuring
you’ll rarely find yourself worrying
about dropping it.
While it certainly looks nice, with
a consistent, minimalistic smoothness
to the design, something does feel a little off
Non-removable
about the build quality.
If you were hoping for a metal
unibody like that of the One M8,
then you will be disappointed –
the Desire 816 is plastic all over.
That needn’t be a bad thing, but
if you put a little pressure on the
handset, you can feel it creaking
and bending in your hands.
The volume rocker sits ever-so-
slightly loose in its housing, too.
It’s by no means a deal-breaker,
but it does betray the device’s
midrange price.
It’s also curious that HTC should
choose to make a handset entirely
out of plastic but not make the
back casing removable. It’s not
even unibody plastic, but the rear
is firmly fixed in place, meaning
the battery is non-removable and
is irreplaceable.
It would have been a welcome
bonus to have a removable battery,
especially on a device like this
with the potential to drain juice
when used a lot.
Screen
The handset still looks good
though, as does the 5.5-inch
display. On paper, we were
disappointed to see a resolution
of 1,280 x 720 pixels (lower than
1,920 x 1,080-pixel Full-HD
resolution), but in practice, you
would be hard-pushed to notice.
It’s more than bright and sharp
enough to enjoy HD movies, while
1.6GHz quad-core
rear case processor games look exactly as they should.

Spec sheet at a glance

OS Android 4.4 (KitKat) Camera 13MP rear-facing, speed Camera battery
Processor 1.6GHz quad-core 5MP front-facing
Screen 5.5 inches Video 1080p
55 60 5
60

45 15
50 10
30

45 15

Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Connectivity 4G

60 60

40 45 15 45 15 20

35 25
30

Memory 1.5GB RAM Dimensions 156.6 x 78.7 x 7.9mm

Storage 8GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes
Weight 165g
Battery 2,600mAh 4 /
5 3 /
5 4 /
5

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Blinkfeed – A standout feature for HTC’s Sense UI
Performance
It’s a bonus that those games perform exactly
as intended, for the most part. Despite the fact
that the phone only packs a 1.6GHz quad-core
processor, all but the most demanding games
will run on their maximum graphics setting. And
more importantly, day-to-day usage is a breeze.
This was possibly the key factor that set apart
the One M8 from other flagships. It was simply
the smoothest experience on Android.
It’s a relief, then, that we can say the same
about the Desire 816. A device at this midrange
price doesn’t need to do the difficult things
exceptionally well, but nailing the simple things
is a must. And it does so with aplomb.
The only time the lack of processing power
rears its ugly head is with the camera. Just what
is it with HTC and cameras?
Verdict
In a market lacking a viable midrange phablet, the
HTC Desire 816 stands out. It might have its flaws,
but for the price, you can certainly look past them. If
you can’t, then a midrange device probably isn’t for
you. For the rest of us, there’s no better option for
getting your hands on a jumbo screen on the cheap.
36-37_HTC Desire 816_October14.indd 37
Extreme power saving – Ideal for extended use
CAMERA
Why create such an excellent device in every
area, only to disappoint with the camera? First
there was HTC’s ‘ultrapixel’ fiasco with the One
M8, which saw HTC hamstringing its finest
devices by insisting on not using conventional
megapixels. While we didn’t mind too much,
hardcore photographers would have been put off
by this unconventional snapper and its flaws.
The camera on the Desire 816 can be slow, with
a laggy shutter. But at least it has a 13-megapixel
sensor rather than the ultrapixel one mentioned
above, so results are as you’d expect from a
generous, if not exceptional, pixel count.
Apps
The rest of HTC’s default apps work a treat.
As with many custom Android user interfaces,
+ Big, bold screen
+ Super-smooth runner
+ Very competitively priced
– Creaky build
– Sluggish camera
– Non-removable battery
review
whether or not you find it better than the
stock Android interface is a matter of personal
preference. We still like HTC’s Sense UI
more than any other out there though, and
the accompanying apps tend to enrich the
experience rather than detract from it.
BlinkFeed still occupies the page that’s one
swipe to the left of your home screen, creating a
customised newsfeed from all of your favourite
media outlets.
We’ve said it before, but once you’re
accustomed to it, you’ll never want to consume
information any other way. Think of it as a
content-heavy Twitter feed.
Elsewhere on the Desire 816 you’ll find the
HTC migration tool to help anyone transferring
from an iOS device; a fully featured photo and
video editor; an in-car mode for safe, easy use;
and an extreme power-saving mode for when
you want to conserve battery.
Battery life is pretty great, even without power-
saving mode. You’ll get just as much out of a
single charge as you would from devices with
considerably smaller displays.
Also, it’s worth noting that the volume and
clarity of the device’s BoomSound speakers are
unrivalled. They give a wonderful edge to media
playback and gaming.
conclusion
Considering you get all of the above for under
£300 – or less than £20 per month on a 24-month
contract – the Desire 816 is an attractive option.
If you want a phone bigger than your budget,
you won’t find much better.
While the camera and build quality are a let-
down, you will have to accept some sacrifices
if you hope to avoid paying top-whack for
your phone.
It looks the part though, and runs so well that
all but the most hardened of tech-heads would
probably be none the wiser as to its midrange
internal specs.
The Desire 816 rounds off what could be
considered a very successful core product range
from HTC in 2014. Here’s hoping it builds on this
in future.
OVERALL HHHHH
Performance Usability
HHHHH HHHHH
design features
HHHHH HHHHH
www.whatmobile.net 37
02/09/2014 16:53
 review

Sony Xperia T3
There’s plenty of scope to offer something new in a midranged phablet. The price is certainly
right here, but can can Sony’s latest effort deliver?
Price: £300 Reviewer: Callum Tennent

I
t never rains, but it pours. After a 5.3-inch screen is
smaller than the T2
Sub-par resolution is
disappointing
Spec sheet
long summer of big releases, with
some fantastic flagships, outstanding OS Android 4.4 (Kit Kat)
budget options and neat compacts, we’ve Processor 1.4GHz quad-core
seen very little in the way of Screen 5.3 inches
midrange phablets. Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels
Now, in the space of just one month, Memory 1GB RAM
we’ve had two eye-catching, cheap, big Storage 8GB
phones. One, the HTC Desire 816, can be Micro SD compatible? Yes
found on the previous page (spoiler alert: Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.1MP front-facing
we liked it). The other, the Sony Xperia Video 720p
T3, is also priced competitively, is a good Connectivity 4G
phone and has very few obvious flaws. Dimensions 150.7 x 77 x 7mm
But what is baffling is Sony’s product- Weight 148g
release cycle. Battery 2,500mAh
In January this year, the Xperia T2
Ultra was released. The predecessor to
the T3, the T2 Ultra is a better phone in
at a glance
almost every respect. As it’s aged nine speed Camera battery
months or so, it’s also come down a lot
in price. Simply knowing that the T2
55 60 5
60

45 15
50 10
30

45 15

Ultra exists makes it hard to endorse the

60 60

40 45 15 45 15 20

35 25
30

T3, as good as it is.

It almost makes it redundant.
4 /
5 3 /
5 4 /
5
Design
With that public service announcement
out of the way, let’s get on with the
show. One of the key differences
between the T2 Ultra and the T3 is the
display. The T3’s screen measures 5.3
inches, compared to the T2 Ultra’s 6
inches. This means it’s still just about
large enough to be called a phablet, but
it’s a little more manageable in the hand.
At only 1,280 x 720 pixels, the display
is not Full HD resolution, and on such a
large handset, you can really notice the
difference. Most of the time it’ll be okay,
with home screens and apps like Twitter
and Facebook looking just fine. But
when you want to watch videos or play
games, it shows.
As a rule, 300 pixels per inch is
about the threshold you want your
screen to be above for an unwaveringly
sharp image.
With a resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels

38 www.whatmobile.net

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 review

spread out over a 5.3-inch display, the T3 offers up

a disappointing 267ppi.
It’s a real shame because the rest of the handset
looks superb. Despite being a moderately priced
phone, Sony has adhered to its distinct house
design. The large glass front is lined with a
shimmering mirrored edge, while the back is
smooth black textured plastic.
The minimalistic look manages to convey exactly
what the handset is about without shouting that
it’s a lower-cost version of the flagship Xperia Z2.
Unfortunately, both sides of the handset attract
fingerprints, and getting out a microfibre cloth
every 10 minutes is both tedious and impractical.
It’s a small niggle, but something that could annoy.

software
Sony’s distinctive design is present and correct in
the user interface, too. The familiar Xperia overlay
is one of the less intrusive Android interfaces, and
is a welcome presence, as always. Animations are
smooth, while home screens are busily populated
without being confusing.
In fact, in general use it’s so smooth you’d be
hard-pressed to notice a difference between the
T3 and Z2. The only time when the T3’s 1.4GHz
processor begins to creak is when playing the most
demanding games. Titles such as Asphalt 8 will
run just fine, but frames drop here and there, with
occasional juddering. And, as we mentioned, the
low pixel count means games don’t look their best.
The screen isn’t the only part of the T3 with
a pixel deficiency; the rear camera has only
8 megapixels. While this may be standard for
midrange devices, it’s still a shame that Sony
didn’t push the boat out a little in this department,
particularly with the exceptional 20.7-megapixel
camera on the back of the Z2 fresh in our memory.
The software is decent even if the hardware
doesn’t excel. Sony’s camera app has a satisfying
number of sliders and filters to compensate for the
camera’s shortcomings.
The snapper can struggle in mixed lighting
conditions, so being able to manually adjust the
exposure helps. Chances are that unless you’re
outdoors in broad daylight, though, you’ll never
really get the shot exactly how you’d like it.
Walkman app – Better than Android’s player
Battery
One component that doesn’t disappoint is the
battery. Despite the phone having a sizeable
screen, its 2,500mAh battery goes a fair distance.
It’ll comfortably sit for over a week on standby,
while heavy usage with full brightness and a wi-fi
connection can yield up to 10 hours’ use.
Combine that with Sony’s Stamina Mode power-
saving option and it’ll really run. Useful, but doesn’t
everybody charge their phone each night anyway?
It’s a shame – and a little perplexing – that Sony
didn’t include the T2 Ultra’s even larger 3,000mAh
battery for good measure.
Stamina Mode is definitely one of the more useful
Sony apps, and the usual suite is all there. You have
the Walkman (remember those?) music player
app, which is certainly an improvement over the
stock Android player. You also get Track ID, Sony’s
answer to Shazam, although you’ll probably find
yourself downloading the latter anyway.
It’s also got SmartConnect for easy synchronising
with the Sony SmartBand, as well as Sony’s other
less successful wearables.
Camera – Shots are best in outdoor lighting
Conclusion
When you factor in the variety of apps, smooth
running and premium build, what you have is a
user experience remarkably similar to that of the
considerably more expensive Z2. Just a warning
though, the T3 isn’t waterproof, so be sure not to
take it for a swim.
With that in mind, if you’re looking for a cheaper
version of the Z2, then the T3 is a winner.
If it’s a Sony phablet you’re looking for, though, it
becomes a very hard sell, thanks to the existence
of the T2 Ultra – a better device in almost every
regard, not to mention considerably less costly
right now.
The only reason to opt for the T3 is if you’re after a
smaller screen.
It’s still hard to criticise the T3 as a device in
its own right, though. It’s got enough power to
please anybody shopping outside of flagship phone
territory, and it looks and feels great.
Sony is its own worst enemy here, but greater
choice can only be a good thing for you, the
smartphone buyer.

Verdict
+ Premium design
If it weren’t for the existence of the Sony Xperia
T2 Ultra, released less than nine months ago, the + Clean, smooth user interface OVERALL HHHHH
T3 would be a solid recommendation. It’s a highly + Tempting price Performance Usability
satisfactory smartphone with a premium build – but
HHHHH HHHHH
without anybody who would really need to buy it. – Sub-par camera
– Low pixels-per-inch count design features
– Case is a fingerprint magnet HHHHH HHHHH

www.whatmobile.net 39

38-39_Sony Xperia T3_October14.indd 39 02/09/2014 16:50

 feature

Say hello
to Simon
The world’s first smartphone
celebrates its 20th birthday

A
lthough it is now a museum relic, the importance of
the world’s first smartphone, the IBM Simon, cannot
be understated.
Simon was the first truly smart device. While developing the handset in
the early nineties, IBM took all the best that handheld computing had to
offer and combined it with a mobile phone.
The result was the first mobile phone to offer apps – then known as
‘features’ – a stylus and a touchscreen.
Users could sketch a drawing, update their calendar and send and
receive faxes via their Simon.
The only problem was that it wasn’t very mobile. Weighing half a kilo,
with a battery that lasted only an hour, the device was impractical to
say the least. The lack of mobile internet at the time also meant users
could only perform online tasks, such as sending emails, if the device
was connected to a PC.
Add to that the fact that it only worked in 15 states across the US and
cost a princely $899 (£540), it was clear that it was a business-oriented
product that few could afford.
Despite its commercial failure, the IBM Simon was the forerunner of a
series of personal digital assistants (PDAs) that would follow in its wake.
It was a unique device that predicted what mobile phones could achieve
before the term ‘smartphone’ was even coined.
If you’re interested in catching a glimpse of the IBM Simon, it will
be displayed at the Science Museum as part of its Information Age
permanent gallery from 25 October.

Fun facts about the first-ever smartphone

• The IBM Simon was unveiled at the COMDEX convention in Las Vegas • It used Lotus’ cc:Mail platform, which
in 1992. It was not available to purchase until 16 August 1994. required users to dial into a computer
running cc:Mail software in order to
• It is believed to be the first commercially available phone with access their messages.
a touchscreen. Simon’s interface could be navigated with its
accompanying stylus or via touch controls. • It had predictive typing in the form of a
“PredictaKey” keyboard.
• The phone came preloaded with apps or, as they were known on the
device, “features”, which could be found in the Mobile Office section of • It made an appearance in the 1995
the handset. These included an address book, calculator, calendar, fax, cyber-action thriller, The Net, starring
filer, mail, note pad, sketch pad and to-do list. Sandra Bullock.

40 www.whatmobile.net

40-41_Smartphone-birthday_October14.indd 40 02/09/2014 15:29

 feature

The history of the smartphone

1994 – The IBM Simon is released to
little fanfare
1994

1996 – The Nokia 9000 PDA

becomes a best-seller,
ushering in the era of the PDA

2000 – The term ‘smartphone’ is

first used to refer to the Ericsson
R380, the first device to use the
new Symbian mobile OS
2001 – Mobile phone network
NTT DoCoMo oversees the
first commercial launch of 3G
in Japan

2002 – The Palm OS Treo is

released and features both a
touchscreen and full keyboard

2003 – BlackBerry Quark

smartphones are released

2007 – Apple iPhone launched

2009 – Swedish-Finnish operator

TeliaSonera oversees the first
deployment of commercial 4G
LTE technology in Stockholm
and Oslo 2014 – Global smartphone
shipments are set to top 1.2bn

2014

www.whatmobile.net 41

40-41_Smartphone-birthday_October14.indd 41 02/09/2014 15:29

 of the future...
The living room

TODAY!

Home is I
n 1800, English inventor Humphry Davy created the first-ever
electric lightbulb. Seventy-six years later, Alexander Graham
Bell would invent the practical telephone. It may have taken
another 140 years, but now the two technologies have, in a
sense, crossed over.
Somewhere down the line, our mobile phones went from being something

where the
that should be as small as possible to being the centre of our technological
universe. Home automation via smartphones marks a huge step towards
fulfilling that potential.
Never mind Davy and Bell, home automation was something imagined by
science fiction luminaries including Aldous Huxley and Fritz Lang decades ago.

smart is
That’s what makes its recent rise to prominence all the more exciting – it lets
us feel as if we’re living in the future.
Your smartphone is excellent at carrying out tasks that would once have
required another gadget or program – it’s the ultimate universal remote control.
So, sit back and relax as we walk you through how to automate your home. You
won’t believe just how much unnecessary effort you were exerting...

You’d be amazed at how your smartphone
can now help to regulate your house’s vital
functions, especially when you’re not there
by Callum Tennent
A HUE DIFFERENCE
Take the lightswitch, a pretty simple interface. You want light, you flip the
switch. If you’re fancy and want some mood lighting, you might even twist a
dimmer. Both perfectly functional, right? Wrong. Because the Philips Hue has
arrived – and it’s about to make every lighting fixture in your home redundant.
Well, perhaps more the bulbs than the fixtures themselves – you’ll still need
those. But you’ll be slotting Philips’ Hue bulbs into them instead. These bulbs
differ from your ordinary incandescent bulbs in that they’re LED. Not only does
that mean 80% cheaper electricity costs and an expected lifespan of 15 years,
but they can also output any of 16 million colours.
That’s the main draw of the Hue. Screw in a few of Hue bulbs and you can

42 www.whatmobile.net

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 feature

light your house in a colour scheme of your choice.

As you might have guessed, these colours are
controlled through your smartphone. You connect
to them via a ‘bridge’ that comes with the Hue’s
starter kit.
The bridge plugs into your network router and
from there can be controlled by any mobile device
within the range of your home wi-fi network.
iOS and Android are Philips’ officially partnered
operating systems, but there are also perfectly
functional third-party apps available for Windows
Phone and BlackBerry.
Simply download the relevant app to your
smartphone or tablet and you’re all set. From there
you can change the colour and brightness of every
bulb connected to your bridge, load preset moods,
and group bulbs by the room they’re in. There’s
a range of different lights available too, including
LED strips and a large ambient bulb called the
Philips Hue – LED house lights can be
Bloom for a comprehensive set-up. controlled by most smart mobile devices

THE HEAT IS ON
Why stop at lighting? What’s the other single
most expensive home utility? If your answer was
anything other than “heating”, then you either
live in an incredibly expensive home, or a bill-free
paradise. For most of us who dread the winter
months, Nest is worth a look.
Made by the largest home automation company
in the US, Nest regulates your central heating. It
looks great doing so, too; with Nest, your boring,
mechanical, off-white thermostat is replaced with a
shiny, metal-banded LCD hub.
The concept isn’t complicated. While the Nest
thermostat might have a fancy display, your
interaction with it is still limited to simply turning a
wheel to adjust the temperature.
Of course, the hook is that you can also do this
via your iOS, Android or Windows Phone device.
Nest connects to your home wi-fi, meaning you
can check on your home and adjust the temperature “Your smartphone is now the ultimate
wherever you are, as long as you have an internet
connection (both 3G and 4G will work). universal remote control that can
Nest also has the capability to detect when you’re
out of the house. This means that should you leave
automate your home to the fullest”
for a long weekend break and forget to turn the
heating off, it will do it for you automatically once it senses no one is home. everything your current lock is and a tonne more. First of all, as seems to be the
Pretty clever stuff. theme with all of these devices, it looks excellent: a smooth, matte, subtle all-
Google saw fit to spend $3.2 billion (£1.9bn) on acquiring Nest at the start of metal cylinder sat above your front door’s handle, with a small ring of LEDs in
this year, and the search giant certainly knows a thing or two about electronics. the centre. When the door is unlocked, the lights are red; when locked, they turn
If it’s good enough for Google, who are we to argue? green, so you needn’t worry about whether or not it’s doing its job.
Functionality is where the August really shines, though. Yes, you can
SMART LOCK manually lock and unlock via your iOS and Android smartphone (with Windows
Not having to worry about leaving the heating or lights on while you’re out is a Phone and BlackBerry support promised soon), but it also has a proximity
luxury we could arguably live without. After all, leaving them on isn’t the end of sensor, so the door will unlock automatically if you approach it with your device
the world. But forgetting to lock the front door? That’s where a scatty memory on your person.
could prove a lot more costly. You can also gift friends and family the ability to unlock your door with their
You can probably see where we’re going with this. The August Smart Lock is device, for example, if your mates are staying over or for the babysitter who

www.whatmobile.net 43

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 feature
Smart car: The Tesla Model S
Automation begins in the home, but it doesn’t end there. As you might
expect from an all-electric vehicle, the Tesla Model S is thoroughly
‘hackable’. That means it has a great deal of potential for integration
with smartphones.
Rather than having a conventional set of dials and switches
all over the dashboard, the central console is replaced with one
giant touchscreen. Just how giant? Seventeen inches – that’s 5
inches more than Samsung’s largest tablet. This panel is used to
Tesla mobile app – Android and iOS integration is on the way, while the Tesla Command app allows control from your smartwatch
44 www.whatmobile.net
42-45_Home-Automation_October14.indd 44
control everything, from the satnav and radio to the suspension and
panoramic roof.
A recent leaked screenshot of an upcoming update to the Model
S’s firmware shows incoming iOS and Android integration. But why
wait? A testament to the Model S’s open nature, an app called Tesla
Command is already available for Android Wear smartwatches. You
can use it to lock and unlock doors, pop the boot, turn the headlights
on and off and even flash the horn.
02/09/2014 16:56

SmartThings range – Dot these sensors
around to track comings and goings
comes by once a week. Permission can be revoked at any time, set for specific
hours and isn’t dependent on any sort of code.
It’s also important to note that it neither relies on a wi-fi connection nor mains
power, so it can always be relied on. Plus, if you feel like going retro, you can
even unlock it with your plain old door key.
PET POWER
All of the above could be considered useful in a typical home. But if you really
want to feel like you’re living in the future, how about something a little more
indulgent? If you’re the sort of person who finds the doggy grooming trend
tiresome and the internet’s obsession with cats a yawn, then look away now.
The Petnet SmartFeeder is an automated pet feeder that you can control from
your smartphone. We like to imagine it’s the gadget the Jetsons would have
used to feed Astro. You simply load the SmartFeeder up with food and then
control when it offers it to your pet. Smart sensors detect when the food has
been eaten and sends a notification to let you know. You can set it to a regular
schedule or activate it ad hoc whenever you forget to feed your furry friend.
Is it a little creepy that Petnet describes pet owners as “pet parents”? Sure,
but there’s no denying the SmartFeeder could be a genuinely useful invention
for some owners. A frivolity to most, perhaps, but essential to some.
TopBrewer – Truly have all your
favourite drinks on tap, but
only if you can afford it...
42-45_Home-Automation_October14.indd 45
feature
WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE
The Scanomat TopBrewer is, without exception, the most decadent home-tech
device we have yet encountered.
The TopBrewer is a tap dedicated to making coffee – a tap that can be
controlled through your smartphone or tablet. With the companion app you
can select what brew you fancy, the exact measurements of ingredients and
the exact volume, and with a tap of the virtual button, you have your coffee. It’ll
make a filter coffee in 15 seconds and an espresso in 25, and it can also create
hot chocolate, carbonated drinks and juices, too.
Built-in grinders allow you to use fresh beans; it boasts “the world’s smallest
milk frother” and it’s even self-cleaning. The app comes preloaded with a
variety of beverage presets, and you can tweak them or even make your own
recipes. The price isn’t listed anywhere on Scanomat’s website, but you know
what they say: if you have to ask, then you probably can’t afford it.
If pets, coffee and unlimited budgets aren’t really your thing, then you can
always try out SmartThings. A home automation start-up recently acquired
by Samsung for a bid suspected to be in the region of $200m (£120m),
SmartThings devices cover just about everything in your home that we haven’t
covered above: know when your children go into a room they shouldn’t; check
if you left the windows or blinds open; locate your keys; open your garage door;
get notified if your dog escapes the back garden… the list is expansive.
It also covers a variety of more conventional things such as activating
external lights when you approach the front door, switching on the kettle for
when you wake up in the morning and pressing play on the hi-fi for when you
walk through the door in the evening. It can also integrate with other sensors
and devices including the Nest thermostat.
One hub links your entire set-up, and there’s a staggering wealth of different
sensors to choose from that you can place all over your home to match your
level of paranoia.
And what if you could take your rusted-up old banger into the future
without having to drop a ton of cash? Viper SmartStart allows you to do
just that.
As long as your car features central locking, SmartStart should work with
it. With just one simple module you can grant near-total control of access
to your car to your smartphone. Doors unlock automatically upon your
approach via Bluetooth, and you can check whether or not you forgot to
lock it, no matter where you are.
Just make sure you don’t lose your phone or things could really get out
of hand.
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 feature

rising from 200 million to 500m. However, this isn’t just a case of the developers giving consumers what they
Meanwhile, bookmarking sites such as Twitter and Pinterest are following want. The wider agenda here is to retain users. Each respective app that we’ve
suit. The former had been touting its plans to improve the direct messaging mentioned here – and remember, they run the gamut of services from social
functionality on its platform since April. In its current form, Twitter users can networking to microblogging and video-sharing – doesn’t want its users to
only send 140-character messages to each other’s inbox. Although it hasn’t navigate away from its platform to use a third-party service such as WhatsApp
confirmed how exactly it intends to upgrade its service, it is likely that it to chat.
will move toward a chat interface more akin to
instant messaging. A statement by Twitter CEO
Dick Costolo revealed the following: “[We want to]
strengthen the core of our Twitter product by making
it easier for users to move more fluidly between the
public conversation that happens everywhere on
Twitter, and the private conversation between you
and a friend or you and a few friends.”
The emphasis on communicating with more than
one friend via the service hints that the app might
emulate WhatsApp’s group chats.
Pinterest, on the other hand, is one step ahead of
Twitter as it has already introduced chat to its apps.
Just last month, the picture-bookmarking service
implemented a bulkier messaging interface that it
said was more relevant to its core offering than the
tacked-on messaging functions used by its rivals.
As a result, Pinterest now allows its users to further
interact with one another by supporting group chats.
Users can also drop ‘pins’ – the visual bookmarks
that make up the service – into their conversations.
Going beyond social networks, instant messaging
has now reached the far-flung recesses of the app
universe. Video-sharing app Vine introduced a
private messaging feature earlier this year, allowing
users to send text and video messages.
Everyone likes updates, and upgrading an app
to include chat functions is a rational decision. WhatsApp – 600 million users (gulp) Messenger – Facebook makes you use it

Despite this, SMS is expected

to generate more than

50 billion
IN 2014
100,000,000,000

600m
sent per day
es (MIM) will be
instant messag

versus

21 billion 300m
total user base
claimed by Whatsapp

per day sent via short messag

e (SMS)

rise in Facebook
messenger app users
since becoming a
standalone app

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 feature

Furthermore, there’s the issue of monetisation – or

making a profit – but that’s proving to be more of
“Extracting a credible amount of revenue
a problem than many had predicted. Extracting a without driving away users will be critical to
credible amount of revenue from instant messaging
without driving away users will be critical to how the instant messaging industry”
such services develop in future.
lower end of the scale, Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) app Viber – which
Money matters also has built-in messaging features – was acquired by Japanese firm Rakuten
Before we get to the myriad ways that instant messaging apps are planning to for $900m (£544m). In the same month, Facebook pulled out all the stops for
monetise their services, here’s a short history lesson. its own instant messaging acquisition, targeting WhatsApp for the record-
In 2012, the tech industry was rife with acquisitions as software giants breaking sum of $19bn (£11.5bn).
battened down the hatches and planned for the long-term. In September Judging by these astonishing figures, it’s obvious that tech companies
that year, Facebook acquired Instagram for $1bn (£605m); the photo-sharing everywhere realised that 2014 would be the year of instant messaging. Not
app has since become a major part of its Snapchat-aping strategy (see box, to mention the fact that this year they’ve integrated IM functions into non-
opposite). A month later, Twitter purchased Vine for an undisclosed sum. traditional messaging apps.
Along the way, both companies had botched deals; Instagram declined an Despite the flurry of activity and acquisitions, what remains unclear is how
offer from Twitter and Snapchat famously refused a $3bn (£1.9bn) sum from they will extract revenue from these ad-free services.
Zuckerberg and co. The latter would come back to haunt Facebook time and How Facebook monetises WhatsApp has become the 19 billion dollar
time again. question. The reality is that Facebook is currently more concerned with
This year, however, has seen the culmination of two major deals. On the increasing WhatsApp’s user base, which just hit 600m monthly users – an

WHEN YOU’RE TIRED OF WHATSAPP...

Everyone’s heard of WhatsApp or been forced to use Facebook
Messenger, but there are plenty of other IM options available to users
wishing to chat with friends. The following is a round-up of some of
the best messaging apps you probably haven’t used.
WeChat
One of the most popular chat apps in the
world, mainly due to its Chinese base of
over 400m monthly users, WeChat mixes
social networking with IM features.
Its diverse range of functions include
multimedia and group chats, as well as
voice and video calls. A recently added
‘discovery’ feature works like a dating
app, helping you to meet new people.
Kik
A multi-OS messaging app that is relevant
because it is one of the best IM services
for Windows Phone, Kik connects via
usernames, therefore protecting your
mobile number and email address and
limiting the amount of spam you receive.
As is the norm, you can send texts and
pictures to individuals or participate in
group chats.
Line
A messaging service created in Japan by
a South Korean internet firm, Line users
can send SMS messages alongside instant
messages. Other functions include the
ability to hold group chats, send photos
and videos, make voice and video calls and
play games. Line is free but users can make
in-app purchases of stickers and games, and
also choose to receive info from brands.
Google Hangouts
Staying on the subject of group chats, Google Hangouts is the ultimate
app for fans of communal chat. Hangouts are multi-person group video
chats that allow multiple users on the same call for free. Google+ users
should be familiar with Hangouts as that’s where the service originated.
Instant messaging, video and voice messaging are also available.

HelloSMS
A minimalist SMS app that allows you to send free SMS messages to
your friends, this app’s clean, uncluttered design ties in with its unique
customisation features that allow you to create tabs for conversations.
You can also send videos and create and send GIFs via the app.

48 www.whatmobile.net

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THE SNAPCHAT CLONES
As is usually the case with a successful app, Snapchat has spawned its
fair share of clones. What’s intriguing, however, is that big names are
arguably close to plagiarising it. The main culprit here is Facebook, no
doubt spurred on by news that Snapchat is now the third most popular
app among millennials (18-34-year-olds). We trawled through the clones
to find you some of the better alternatives.
Slingshot
Originally viewed as just another Snapchat doppelgänger from Facebook,
Slingshot has quietly built a reputation as something altogether different.
The free app has a ‘pay-to-play’ mechanic that doesn’t let you unlock
your friends’ images and videos until you send them something back.
Slingshot – Pay to Windup – Microsoft’s Bolt – For when you
play revenue model Windows offering need auto-delete
approach it has also taken with Instagram.
This in turn will bring in added revenue for the app, which charges 69p for
every year of subscription after the first.
However, there’s only so long it will be able to avoid shareholder pressure to
make more money from the service.
But why is the issue of monetisation important to you, the app user, you may
ask – and not just a matter for stockbrokers and business analysts to pore over?
Well, if we look elsewhere in the mobile industry, we can see how exactly the
monetisation of instant messaging apps will take shape – and it may mean you
will end up paying money to use the services, or features within them. In Asia,
for example, the country’s biggest chat apps (see box, opposite) are raking in
cash from their users via in-app purchases. Platforms including Line, WeChat
and Viber all charge for extras such as stickers and games.
Don’t be surprised, then, if you’re prompted for some cash for additional
content from the likes of Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp or Instagram in
the future.
Brand news
Additionally, Chinese messaging app WeChat recently struck a deal with
smartphone manufacturer Huawei to exclusively sell its new smartphone
through its app. This hints at the brand tie-in possibilities that await us.
Snapchat seems to have already got the hint. Despite not yet implementing
any major monetisation schemes for its app, the company is reportedly in talks
with brands and media companies to start a new service that will supply users
with news feeds and ads in their timelines. This ephemeral messaging service
46-49_IM-feature_October14.indd 49
feature
A ‘send to all’ button also makes it easier to disseminate your visual
content instantly to a larger group of people. Eventually, you’ll either be
addicted to sending and receiving Slingshots or extremely fed up by it all.
WindUp
Microsoft’s take on ephemeral messaging for Windows Phone users has
the exact same functions as Snapchat did before its recent video-chat
update. You can send audio, text, pictures and videos, and set a time limit
on your content. You may wonder why Microsoft chose to ape Snapchat
in such a blatant manner; the answer is largely because it has received
unprecedented demand from users eager to get Snapchat on Windows
Phone devices.
Instagram Bolt
Instagram quietly released Bolt in selected regions in July – it is still
not available in the UK – as its own Snapchat alternative. The app is
as reliably pretty as you would expect from the filter-obsessed photo-
sharing service. Unlike Instagram, it relies on disappearing content.
Users tap on a friend’s photo, then use the in-app camera functions to
send a photo or video, which deletes itself after the set time limit. You
could blame Instagram’s parent company Facebook for this additional
Snapchat clone, but it does differ from that app insofar as it only lets
you share content with individual friends. It’s therefore more likely
that Instagram, which still operates as an independent company under
Facebook (much like WhatsApp), came up with the idea itself in order
to diversify its offering. Recently, the service has been overshadowed by
Instagram’s new Hyperlapse app that lets you create time-lapse videos.
Viber – Send free messages and make free calls to other Viber users
has subtly integrated ad campaigns into users’ feeds from companies as wide-
ranging as McDonald’s and Southampton FC.
The great thing about Snapchat – and its counterparts – is that you can
choose to ignore the promotional content that will eventually make it into your
inbox, rather than having to confront it as you would on Facebook and Twitter.
Perhaps in a year or so, you’ll be able to buy clothes, tech accessories
and games from WhatsApp or your favourite celebrity-endorsed threads
from Instagram. If that is the case, you know who to thank. Yes, you guessed it,
instant messaging services.
As it turns out, they’re a lot more versatile than you might have thought.
www.whatmobile.net 49
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 apps and games

Eyes on the size

We raise a pint (568ml) to a fancy unit converter on iOS, plus all the latest essential downloads
Reviewers: Saqib Shah and Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Fancy Units
Free (iOS)

Sometimes you just need to convert things:

sterling to dollars, centimetres to inches, litres
to gallons… you know, things. And as anyone
who has tried doing so on their iPhone will
tell you, it’s needlessly complicated. So thank
goodness for Fancy Units. It is everything we
hoped it would be, that is to say, an incredibly
fancy-looking unit conversion tool. Every type
of unit is here, presented in plain wording and
colourful aesthetics. There’s also zero menus to
fiddle around in to get to where you want. We’d
go as far as to say that it is the perfect all-in-
one unit converter.

Hotspot Shield VPN Yahoo Mail Overcast

Free (Android & iOS) Free (Android & iOS) Free (iOS)

AnchorFree’s Hotspot Shield VPN is an
excellent way to increase your level of security
when browsing on your mobile. Even the
securest of connections can be worthless if
your mobile is not, and vice-versa. This app
allows simple, one-touch proxy browsing on
both iOS and Android devices. You can access
sites and services blocked in your region,
accurately monitor data transfer, and stay
protected while doing so.
If you’ve used a computer in the past 20 years,
then you’re no doubt familiar with Yahoo. What you
may not be so au fait with is its new look, which
has been rolled out over its portfolio of apps over
the past six months. Now we’ve got a shiny new
Yahoo Mail to go with it. Apart from the visual
overhaul, it also integrates news and current affairs
information, so when you’re done checking your
email you can catch up on what matters to you
without having to leave the app.
With Apple’s own Podcast app in a state of
disarray, Overcast couldn’t have come sooner.
The app has it all. Download podcasts for offline
use, receive tailored recommendations, create
custom playlists, receive push notifications
when new episodes are released, use an EQ for
voice-boosting or try ‘Smart Speed’, which
will automatically and intelligently eliminate
voice gaps in the podcast for a more concise
listening experience.

50 www.whatmobile.net

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Fleksy Keyboard
£1.19 (Android)
Fleksy’s keyboard for Android is the fastest in the
world – it’s actually been proven. The Guinness
World Record for fastest typing on a mobile device
was set using Fleksy. There’s smart, adaptive
autocorrect, which can work its magic on even the
sloppiest of typists, and there’s multiple layouts
to suit hands of all sizes. It looks great, too, with
a range of colours and themes available. More
importantly, it’s also got full Emoji support.
Bolt
Free (Android, iOS & Windows Phone)
Bolt is the Snapchat of Instagram. In case you’re
not fluent in teen-speak, what that means is
that image-based social network Instagram has
released an app attempting to rival spur-of-the-
moment, self-destructing instant messaging
service Snapchat. The influence is clear and the
differences minimal. Unlike Snapchat, there’s no
image self-destruction, but after that, it’s all familiar
stuff: select a recipient, press the shutter button
and your photo is sent instantly.
50-53_Apps and Games_October14.indd 51
Fly
Free (iOS)
Fly is unlike any other iPhone video editor you’ve
ever seen. It does away with the conventionally
fiddly, complicated set-ups of video editors to offer
a simple, visual, touch-based editor. Tap to add a
jump cut. Swipe to dissolve. Tap with two fingers
to create a split screen. You can import video shot
through the iPhone’s camera, or record it within
the app. You can even sync with up to three other
iPhones for camera changes in real time.
Digify
Free (Android & iOS)
Speaking of Snapchat, Digify is the closest
you’ll get to it when it comes to sending files.
If there’s ever anything you wish to send to
someone that you’d rather didn’t stick around
for too long, Digify is the way to send it. You can
select a limited lifespan for your file, it can’t be
downloaded or forwarded, and you’ll always
be made aware of who’s viewed it – both how
many times and for how long. It even works
with Dropbox.
apps and games
Confide
Free (Android & iOS)
Confide is the only truly private messaging service
out there. The problem with apps like Snapchat is
that they’re easily undone with a quick screenshot.
Confide works around this by keeping messages
concealed, with only one word at a time being
revealed as you run your finger over them. You’ll
even receive a notification if someone attempts to
screenshot your message. Once you reach the end
of a message, it permanently deletes itself.
Jink
Free (Android & iOS)
Why, when we have a device capable of global
satellite positioning in our pockets, do we still insist
on calling people on those very same devices to
ask them where they are? Jink is a considerably
simpler way of going about things. If you’re off to
meet friends at, say, a restaurant, you simply set up
a Jink with them. Both of your positions are then
shown to one another on a map in real-time. You
can even message one another within the app so
that you can stay updated on your shared ETA.
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 apps and games

High Five, Gameloft

We kick out the jams for this month’s highlight, MC5, plus the best blasters, puzzles and platforms
Reviewers: Saqib Shah and Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Modern Combat 5: Blackout

£4.99 (Android, iOS & Windows Phone)

As mobile game blockbusters go, Modern Combat 5: Blackout has got to

be one of the biggest. Gameloft revealed its latest iteration to the first-
person-shooter franchise as part of its E3 game line-up in the summer,
and it had us in a frenzy.
The game boasts some of the best graphics we’ve seen for a mobile
title and also has an extensive story mode with cut-scenes and action
set-pieces.
All this alongside a range of smaller spec ops missions that cater for
gamers on the go.
Meanwhile, there’s also a heavy-duty multiplayer section that will
boast four different modes, classes, squads and unified progression with
the single-player campaign.
So, plenty for FPS fans to sink their teeth into, then.
Thankfully, Gameloft has released Modern Combat 5 as a premium
game. That means no annoying in-app purchases to halt your progress
and drain your piggy bank.

Leo’s Fortune Cut and Hack

£2.99 (Android & iOS) Free (Android, iOS & Windows Phone)

Along with Watch Dogs on

consoles and Ingress on iOS (see
opposite page), it seems that
hacking games are currently all
the rage. With the release of Cut
and Hack on Windows Phone,
fans of that operating system can
now get in on the action, too.
Cut and Hack is a lot simpler
than those other titles. It takes
a puzzle approach to the
concept, with players breaking
down shapes using touch
controls. Each broken shape
equals a hack, and the faster
Leo’s Fortune is another great game that has now made the jump to and more accurate you are
Android, bringing its stunning iOS visuals with it. using your chosen digit, the
The gameplay itself is of the brain-teasing platformer variety. As the titular more points you’ll rack up. The
Leo, you roll around a varied array of stunningly rendered landscapes trying game is broken down into short
to retrieve your gold. You explore the levels around you, dodge traps, and 60-second rounds, so it’s fast-
all-in-all, have a magical time doing so. paced and addictive.

52 www.whatmobile.net

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Wayward Souls
£2.73 (Android & iOS)
Wayward Souls has a fantastic 16-bit visual style, but its real strength lies in its
gameplay, which is hard. You will die, a lot, but that’s the point. Every time you
die, you lose all of your progress, aside from coins earned. Those coins are spent
on upgrades, which will take effect permanently thereafter, regardless of how
often you die.
As you progress, you’ll come across forges and shrines to buff your weapons
and abilities for that run-through only, meaning every game is different. The
levels are procedurally generated, too, so you never crawl the same dungeon
twice. Oh, and it’s also completely free from annoying in-app purchases. You
pay your fee upfront and then enjoy a rich, full game without hindrance. That’s
possibly Wayward Souls’ most retro feature of all.
Monster Hunter Freedom Unite
£10.49 (iOS)
The first mobile port from Capcom’s monstrously epic action-oriented RPG
series, Monster Hunter Freedom Unite sees users play the hunter of the title,
wandering a savage environment full of predators who you must observe,
trap and then eliminate. Along the way you will upgrade your skills, abilities
and weapons as the beasts you face get larger and deadlier. As a port of
a handheld game – the original version was released for the PS Vita – it
translates well to mobile devices.
50-53_Apps and Games_October14.indd 53
apps and games
Civilization Revolution 2
£10.49 (iOS)
The first game from the popular Civilization franchise to be designed for mobile
devices, Civilization Revolution 2 is a modified take on the epic strategy title.
Those who have played Civilization’s PC iterations will notice the
downgrade and mobile gamers may be put off by the hefty price tag – after
all, app stores are filled with freemium farming and strategy titles. But
newcomers and fans alike should appreciate the variety and scope it brings
to the platform.
Make no mistake, this is still a complex strategy title that boasts a large
map and varied yet familiar gameplay. Players choose a historical character
and setting on which to build their empire. Then come the complex tasks of
development, scientific and financial progression, war and territorial combat.
Ingress
Free (Android & iOS)
An augmented-reality multiplayer title that requires real-world interaction,
Ingress is basically a tech version of capture-the-flag that plays out in real
life. The game’s interface is a modified Google Maps that has been given a
colourful, cyberpunk sheen. The map will be dotted with portals that players
must obtain for their side and protect from the opposing team. As the game
has been around on Android for a while, there are plenty of portals now dotted
across even the most remote locations.
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 mobile gaming

Nintendo 3DS
Lego adds another building block to its franchise, plus we welcome back a few familiar classics
Reviewer: Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Lego Ninjago Nindroids

£29.99

Lego has proved itself to be a versatile toy. From films to video

games, the tiny colourful bricks are now rightfully viewed as a
cultural phenomenon.
Lego itself has taken a postmodern approach over the last
few decades by increasingly integrating pop culture icons into
its many formats. From the appearance of Batman in the The
Lego Movie to the release of an endless range of film tie-ins,
the Lego universe is scattered with familiar faces.
Ninjago Nindroids, however, is an original property for
the brand and is a sort-of sequel to Lego Battles: Ninjago
for the DS. The action-heavy title sees players battling their
way through each level by smashing their opponents using
combos. Unfortunately, the gameplay lacks variety and often
resorts to simple button-bashing.
The graphics, on the other hand, are smoother than ever.
Seeing as Ninjago was developed for the 3DS – whereas other
Lego titles have been ports – it looks more polished than its
counterparts. If you’ve played a Lego game in the past, the
style will be instantly familiar.

Pokémon Art Academy

£29.99

A Pokémon spin-off of the comprehensive arts and crafts title

Art Academy, if you’re a fan of the series and the weird and
wonderful creatures that it features, then this could be for you.
Whatever your view on the phenomenon that is Pokémon,
you have to admit that a lot of hard work has gone into the
character design of each pocket monster. With Pokémon Art
Academy, you can emulate that style by creating your very
own sketches of your favourite Pokémon. The gameplay takes
a teacher-student approach, with 40 training levels followed by
the game proper. The game’s interface is as user-friendly and
versatile as ever. Players use the 3DS’s stylus to draw detailed
pictures, with over 100 reference images to use as inspiration.
Another handy feature is the ability to use the 3DS’s camera
to snap real-world images that can be used as references. An
undo function makes it easy to erase any mistakes, too.
When you’re happy with your work of art, you can share
it with the Miiverse. Nintendo promised competitions to
encourage just that. Overall, this is more than just a gimmicky
spin-off to Art Academy.

54 www.whatmobile.net

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 mobile gaming

Mega Man V
£3.99

Capcom’s iconic Mega Man franchise started life on

the NES back in 1987. Since then, the series has seen
the release of over 50 games on multiple platforms,
which is prolific, even by Capcom’s standards.
For its part, Nintendo has been steadily releasing
ports of Mega Man’s intergalactic exploits for the Wii
U and 3DS. Mega Man V is one of the most notable
titles in the franchise because it marks the android’s
last outing on the original Game Boy.
As such, this rebooted port might seem a little
dated to new players, but Capcom has pulled out all
the stops to make it worth your time. Mega Man V is
more than just a sci-fi Mario.

Rabi Laby 3
£4.49

This frilly platform puzzle game is a fun experience

that all 3DS owners should try out.
Rabi Laby 3 is thin on plot, and gamers who
have played the previous versions may roll their
eyes at the derivative story. Think of it as Alice in
Wonderland meets the The Wizard of Oz. You guide
Alice – yes, they even borrowed her name – to the
end of each labyrinthine level with the aid of her
trusty rabbit. On each new setting you must switch
between the two characters, each with their own
special abilities, to guide them safely to the end.
The puzzles get gradually harder and the traps
increase. Even hardcore gamers will have a hard
time completing certain levels. Luckily, the game is
scattered with hints and tips throughout.

Xtreme Sports
£4.49

This colourful title was originally released on the

Game Boy Colour and uses Nintendo’s. If you’ve
played the likes of Mario Tennis, you will no doubt
enjoy the fast-paced action here.
Set on a fictional island, players compete as
athletes in a hyperactive tournament fittingly
sponsored by a cola company. As you can tell by
its title, the sports are extreme – you can compete
in surfing, skating, inline skating, street luge and
skyboarding challenges.
The colourful graphics make up for the game’s
dated 2D style. The tropical levels and comic
characters also add to its appeal.

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 mobile gaming

PlayStation Vita
Rogue stands the test of time, with an excellent update, and we round up the best of the rest
Reviewer: Saqib Shah – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Rogue Legacy
£9.99

We’ve covered our fair share of rogue-like titles

on these gaming pages over the past months.
The name of the genre itself is derived, perhaps
unsurprisingly, from a 1980 game called Rogue.
Here we have a title called Rogue Legacy. It is a
game worthy of the moniker. It manages to both
stay true to its eponymous inspiration, while
bringing the genre into the 21st century.
Your aim is to take your pixelated crusader to
the summit of a perilous castle. Each death is
permanent, but you retain upgraded skills upon
rebirth. Not only that, but every reincarnation of
your hero will have a combination of humorous
traits, such as ADHD, gigantism, clumsiness or
colourblindness, to add to the challenge. Little
quirks like that really set Rogue Legacy apart from
its countless rivals, and the quality and tightness of
its core gameplay make it one of the best to grace
the genre in years.

Disgaea 4:
A Promise Unforgotten
£29.99

Two years after its home console debut, Disgaea

4 has finally made its way to PS Vita – arguably
the platform it was made for. At this point, you’re
either a die-hard fan of the iconic JRPG franchise,
or most decidedly not. On the off-chance that you
haven’t experienced its brand of anime, turn-
based kookiness, now is the perfect time to dip
your toe.
It’s most likely the best entry in the series since
the original, and certainly bears more than a
passing resemblance to it. The graphics might
have advanced, but the narrative and action is still
as colourful, over-the-top and endearing as ever.

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 mobile gaming

CounterSpy
£9.99

Right off the bat, CounterSpy looks undeniably

excellent. Its bold, caricatured visual style tells you
everything you need to know about the subject
matter. Set against the tension of the Cold War in the
early 1960s, you’re the one spy whose covert activity
keeps the world’s superpowers from turning on one
another. The gameplay comes in several flavours,
with fluid platforming and stealth, side-scrolling
hand-to-hand combat and perspective-shifting
cover-based shooting. Imagine a Splinter Cell title
as dreamed up by Bauhaus and you’re on the
right tracks. It’s cross-play supported, too, so one
purchase will unlock it on your PS3, PS4 and Vita.

Table Top Racing

£4.99

If you’re of a certain generation, you’ll certainly have

fond memories of the Micro Machines titles on the
Sega Megadrive and original PlayStation. In line with
the hot trend in gaming for long-deceased classics
receiving a “spiritual successor”, Table Top Racing
is here to carry on its legacy. It’s actually a port of
an iOS and Android game of the same name, and
a very good one at that. The graphics have been
sharpened and the frame rate has been upped, while
the controls translate predictably well to the physical
buttons and thumbsticks of the Vita. Unlike its
ancestor, the camera in Table Top Racing is placed
behind your vehicle as opposed to overhead. The
handling is a little more realistic – read: less rage-
inducing – too.

Metrico
£9.99

Metrico is, in simple terms, a mechanics-based

platformer. Metrico does not function in simple
terms, though. Say, for example, you need to leap
onto a platform to your right, but every time you
walk towards it, it moves further away. What do you
do? You jump towards it. But then it turns out that
jumping causes the platform to raise. So you jump
towards the platform, stand still, and then time your
final leap onto it so as to coincide with its ascent.
And that’s just the beginning. Metrico uses every
method of input the Vita has to offer to keep the
mixture of cause-and-effect fresh, meaning you’re
constantly challenging your own coordination.

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 Buyer’s guide
Buying a new device can be a difficult
decision. Our comprehensive buyer’s
guide is here to help you.

59 Phone reviews 89 Tablet reviews

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 buyer’s guide

Acer Liquid E2 Acer Liquid S1 Acer Liquid Z3

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £189.99
http://www.acer.co.uk
Stacked up against recent entries in the
budget market, the Acer Liquid E2 is simply
outdated. It’s a functional Android handset
but the clunky, thick design makes it feel
like you’re holding a toy and the software
doesn’t have any standout features. Acer
will have to seriously raise its game if it’s to
be a contender in the phone market.
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £280
http://www.acer.co.uk
This isn’t the most compelling case for
the Acer’s smartphone’s existence, with
a battery that’s been beaten by smaller
phones and performance that leaves
something to be desired.
Reviewed: December 2013, price: £99
http://www.acer.co.uk
While the Z3’s tiny size has immediate
benefits, you’ll soon tire of cramping your
thumbs on too small a screen. Everywhere
else its simply an underwhelming phone,
even with the sub-£100 price tag. Even
with the customisation options for different
audiences, we’d recommend opting for
a normal-sized phone over this fidgety
gadget.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor Quad-core 1.2
GHz
Screen 4.5 inches
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Connectivity 3G Processor Quad-core 1.5
Dimensions 131 x 68 x GHz
9.9mm Screen 5.7 inches
Weight 140g Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Battery 2000 mAh Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS Android v4.2 Jelly Bean Dimensions 109 x 60 x
Connectivity 3G Processor Dual-core 1GHz 10.4mm 
Dimensions 163 x 83 x Screen 3.5 inches Weight 120g
9.6mm Resolution 320 x 480 pixels Battery Li-Ion 1500 mAh
Weight 195g Memory 512MB RAM
Battery 2400 mAh Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 3 MP rear-facing
Video Yes
Connectivity 3G

VERDICT: A dated, bulky phone saved by its VERDICT: The Liquid S1 is underwhelming VERDICT: It’s far too small to be used for
reasonable price. and does not have many features. most apps and is uncomfortable to hold.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

editor’s choice
HHHHH

Alcatel One Touch Pop S3
Reviewed: September 2014, price: £80
www.alcatelonetouch.com/uk
The Alcatel One Touch POP S3 has its
merits, especially taking into account
the sub-£100 price of the device. The
problem here is that by making room for
4G capability Alcatel has been forced to
make cutbacks in crucial areas. However,
if you are simply after the option to access
faster web browsing and app speeds on the
go, then the POP S3 offers you that at the
cheapest price possible.
Alcatel One Touch Idol X+
Reviewed: June 2014, price: £TBC
www.alcatelonetouch.com/uk
We usually greet lesser-known brands with
open arms, but never has one disappointed
as much as Alcatel with its One Touch
Idol X+. Despite decent specs, it’s the
handsets flaws that hog the limelight. It’s
outperformed by other handsets in its price
bracket in just about every respect. It’s
hard to envisage anyone patient enough to
waste their time with it.
Apple iPhone 4S
Reviewed: December 2011, price: £499
www.apple.com/uk
What does the iPhone 4S offer above the
iPhone 4? An 8-Megapixel camera and
improved images, alongside the Siri voice
assistant. The dual-core processor is so
powerful it’s at the heart of the iPad 2.
And there’s also the option to get a 64GB
version, making it ideal for anyone who has
an iTunes library made up of high-quality
lossless music files. If you crave storage
and camera quality, this is a great iPhone.

OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Processor 1.2GHz quad-core
Screen 4 inches
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 4GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Video 1080p OS iOS 6 Video 1080p
Dimensions 123 x 64.4 x Processor Octa-core 2GHz Connectivity 3G Processor 1GHz ARM Connectivity 3G
9.9mm Screen 5 inches Dimensions 140.4 x 69.1 x Cortex-A9 Size 115 x 59 x 9mm
Weight 130g Resolution 1080 x 1920 7.9mm Screen 3.5 inches Weight 140g
Battery 2,000mAh pixels Weight 130g Resolution 640 x 960 pixels Battery 1,432mAh
Memory 2GB RAM Battery 2,500mAh Memory 512MB
Storage 16GB or 32GB Storage 16,32 or 64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 13 MP rear-facing, Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
2 MP front-facing 0.3MP front-facing

VERDICT: Cheap, sure, but its poor quality VERDICT: With such great competition the VERDICT: With its impressive upgrades, the
renders its 4G capability near pointless. One Touch Idol X+ simply looks irrelevant. iPhone 4S is well worth its premium price.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

editor’s choice editor’s choice

HHHHH HHHHH

Apple iPhone 5c Apple iPhone 5s Archos 50 Oxygen

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £469
(16GB) £549 (32GB)
If you need a splash of colour in your life
and you’re already a massive fan of the
iOS operating system, then the iPhone 5c
is much the same as the previous iPhone
5. There’s a slightly upgraded front-facing
camera and 4G will work on any UK
network, but other than that you’re getting
the exact same thing. The iPhone 5c is
simply around for those of you who love
great design without breaking the bank.
Reviewed: December 2013, price: £549
(16GB) £629 (32GB) £709 (64GB)
With fingerprint identity, 64-bit A7 64-bit
chip delivers up to twice the perfomance of
the iPhone 4 and 5c, many people will opt to
pay the extra £80 or so over the 5c. They’ll
also get an improved camera with 15 per
cent larger sensor and improved low-light
capabilies. The True Tone flash incorporates
two flashes each matched to different
light temperatures so flesh tones are more
natural with flash pictures.
Reviewed: March 2014, price: £300
archos.com
With its large, high-definition screen and
powerful hardware, the Archos 50 Oxygen
is a solid mid-priced smartphone. It’s great
for movies with its five-inch screen and can
run demanding games without crashing.
16GB of storage is rather generous too.
There’s nothing unique here, but for £300
it’s worth a look.

OS iOS 7
Processor Dual-core 1.3GHz
Screen 4 inches
Resolution 640 x 1136 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16/32GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
1.2 MP front-facing
Video 1080
Connectivity 4G OS iOS 7
Size 12.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm Processor Dual-core 1.3GHz
Weight 132g ARM V8
Battery 1,510 mAh Screen 4 inches
Resolution 1136 x 640 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16GB, 32GB or 64GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
1.2 MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean 9.9mm
Connectivity 4G Processor Quad-core 1.5GHz Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 123.8 x 58.6 x Screen 5 inches Weight 130g
7.6mm Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Battery 2,300 mAh
Weight 112g Memory 1GB RAM
Battery 1,560 mAh Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 13 MP rear-facing,
5.3 MP front-facing
Dimensions 143 x 70.5 x

VERDICT: It’s the most colourful iPhone to VERDICT: The gold standard in user-friendly VERDICT: A solid entry, but a lack of stand-
date, but it’s identical to the iPhone 5. smartphones, with a ton of power to boot. out features sees it blend into the pack.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

Archos 50 Helium Asus FonePad Asus PadFone 2

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £199
archos.com
If the Moto G and Moto E are the gold
standard of entry-level and low-cost
smartphones, then the 50 Helium is
certainly worthy of silver. It’s got a nice big
screen as well as invaluable 4G capability.
It won’t set the world alight, but it’s a
standout in a market awasg with cheap,
limited handsets.
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £190
www.asus.com/uk
The FonePad is a lot larger than most
phones, so you’re unlikely to want to use
it as your main phone. It does have a great
battery life though, so it’s an ideal back-
up. The large screen makes watching
movies ideal, although its resolution is
unimpressive. The lack of a camera on a
modern smartphone would mean this is
definitely not your main smartphone.
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £500
www.asus.com/uk
The PadFone 2 offers two devices for
around the price of one but you won’t be
able to use the tablet independently of
the phone. An ideal situation in which to
use the PadFone 2 is if you want to use
the same data allowance for both devices,
and not shell out for a more expensive
3G-enabled tablet. This could almost be
perfect if it had a better screen.

OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Processor 1.2GHz quad-core
Screen 5 inches
Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G LTE
Dimensions 145 x 71.5 x OS Android v4.2 Jelly Bean
8.95mm Processor Intel Atom 1.2GHz
Weight 160g Screen 7 inches
Battery 2,000mAh Resolution 800 x 1280 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB or 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 3 MP rear-facing,
1.2 MP front-facing
Video 720p
Connectivity 3G OS Android v4.0 Ice Cream Video 1080p
Dimensions 196.4 x 120.1 x Sandwich Connectivity 3G
10.4 mm Processor 1.5GHz quad-core Dimensions 137.9 x 68.9
Weight 340g Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, x 9mm
Battery 4,270 mAh 4.7 inches Weight 135g
Memory 2GB RAM Battery 2,140 mAh
Storage 16, 32 or 64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 13 MP rear-facing,
1.3 MP front-facing

VERDICT: A capable alternative to the VERDICT: A large screen is great for films VERDICT: An almost perfect two-for-one
market-leading Moto G. but a lack of camera is a let-down. device – if only it had a better screen.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

BlackBerry Q5 BlackBerry Z30 BWC Stealth V2

Reviewed: September 2013, price: £329.99
uk.blackberry.com
Despite £200 being knocked off the price
of the Blackberry Q10, you don’t really feel
that this is a bargain device. If you’re in
need of a QWERTY device then Q5 may be
one to consider. When compared against
its competition this is woefully overpriced,
especially considering a similar Nokia
ASHA device will set back only £47. The
build quality on the Q5 also leaves much to
be desired, with a creaking plastic.
Reviewed: June 2014, price: £500
uk.blackberry.com
Perhaps if BlackBerry had focused on its
efforts on making a phone like this five
years ago we would be looking at a very
different picture now. As it stands, a barren
app store, odd features and a monster
price tag may kill what could have been
a competitive device. It’s still surprisingly
easy on the eyes though, and its display
doesn’t look too bad either.
Reviewed: August 2014, price: £300
www.bwcdevices.com
With good specs available at low prices
there’s never been a better time to pick up
a rugged smartphone (if that’s what you
need). The Stealth V2 lives up to both the
‘rugged’ and ‘smart’ tags, with surprisingly
capable insides. It also passed all of our
stress tests, with countless drops, bashes
and drownings failing to leave so much as
a mark.

OS BlackBerry 10
Processor 1.2GHz dual-
core
Screen 3.1 inches
Resolution 720 x 720 pixels
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS BlackBerry 10
Connectivity 4G Processor 1.7GHz dual-core
Dimensions 120 x 66 x Screen 5 inches
10.8mm Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels
Weight 120g Memory 2GB RAM
Battery 2,180 mAh Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-racing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 140.7 x 72 x 9.4
Weight 170g
Battery 2,880 mAh
OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Connectivity 3G
Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Dimensions 133 x 69 x 20mm
Screen 4 inches Weight 230g
Resolution 854 x 480 pixels Battery 2,800mAh
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 1GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video 720p

VERDICT: The Q5 is a device for Blackberry VERDICT: Possibly the best BlackBerry yet, VERDICT: As smart and tough as it promises.
QWERTY fanatics who can’t afford the Q10. but that’s not saying an awful lot.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

CAT B100 CAT B15 Doro Liberto 810

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £380
www.catphones.com
The CAT B100 withstands harsh conditions
and jarring blows with a tough outer
shell that absorbs the impact of falls, and
impressive waterproofing. Beyond that, the
phone lacks features games and apps - but
chances are that’s not why you’re buying
this phone. If you need a rugged handset
to take adventuring, though, it’s more than
tough enough.
Reviewed: June 2013, price: £299
www.catphones.com
While it will never be a mass market phone,
the B15 most certainly has a place in the
market for anyone who wants a device they
can rely on, whatever the environment;
aimed at builders and construction workers,
this phone stood up to our strength and
durability tests and has decent specs to
boot. Its let downs include a cumbersome
size and a weak camera and video
capabilities.
Reviewed: April 2014, price: £145
www.doro.co.uk
The Liberto 810 has a comfortable design
and a user interface that’s ideal for first-
time smartphone users and impaired
customers. From there, things start to slip.
The screen is buried into the handset,
making it hard to accurately press smaller
buttons, the camera software has some
strange issues and we ran into a few bugs.
It’s a starting point for Doro, but it’s hard to
recommend it.

OS Nucleus 2.1
Processor 1GHz dual-core
Screen 2.2 inches
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 50MB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 3 MP rear-facing,
QVGA front-facing
Video QVGA
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 122.94 x 55.88 Processor 1GHz dual-core
x 7.6mm Screen 4 inches
Weight 136g Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Battery 1,150 mAh Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing,
QVGA front-facing
Video 720p
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Dimensions 126 x 66 x
Size 125 x 69.5 x 14.95mm Processor 1GHz 12.5mm
Weight 170g Screen 3.9 inches Weight 132g
Battery 2,000 mAh Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Battery 1,500 mAh
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 500MB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G

VERDICT: Tough enough to take into a VERDICT: A rugged phone for those who VERDICT: Seniors may be demanding a
warzone, if a little light on actual function. need to rely on it in any environment. tailored smartphone, but this isn’t it.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

Doro PhoneEasy 506 Doro PhoneEasy 622 EE Kestrel

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £45
www.doro.co.uk
Not a phone for tech-addicts, the Doro
PhoneEasy 506 is great for vulnerable or
elderly people who need a foolproof device
and may need reliable means to summon
help or simply keep in touch. It features
loud and clear ring tones and volume, call
assistance SOS button and stays charged
for three weeks or more. It won’t win any
beauty contests, however, and has no data
connectivity or basic camera.
Reviewed: October 2013, price: £110
www.doro.co.uk
The Doro PhoneEasy 622 could easily be
considered a museum piece if you have the
slightest understanding of modern mobile
technologies. That said if you’re a complete
novice or want a back-up phone, then this
could be the ideal device. Battery life is
exemplary and ring volume is a lot louder
than you’ll see on modern smartphones, but
the design looks dated and the camera is
only capable of a two megapixel resolution.
Reviewed: September 2014, price: £99
www.doro.co.uk
The EE Kestrel is the best entry-level 4G
handset on the market and this is in no
small part due to Huawei. The manufacturer
has built a solid handset that consumers
will use beyond its 4G-LTE capability.
Although, its weak resolution is a major
flaw, it has plenty of other positive
attributes including a smooth UI, the ability
to handle a vast range of games and decent
web and app browsing speeds.

OS Doro OS Dimensions 125.5 x 51 x OS Doro OS Dimensions 102 x 52 x 19 mm OS Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) Connectivity 4G, 3G
Processor N/A 15.5 mm Processor N/A Weight 104g Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Dimensions 131 x 65.3 x
Screen 1.8 inches Weight 81g Screen 2.4 inches Battery 800mAh Screen 4.5 inches 7.85mm
Resolution 128 x 160 pixels Battery 800mAh Resolution 320 x 240 pixels Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Weight 145g
Memory N/A Memory N/A Memory 1GB RAM Battery 2,000mAh
Storage N/A Storage N/A Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? No MicroSD Compatible? No Micro SD compatible? Yes
Camera No Camera 2MP rear-facing Camera 5MP rear-facing,
Video N/A Video 3gp 1MP front-facing
Connectivity 3G Connectivity 3G Video 1080p

VERDICT: An affordable phone for VERDICT: The PhoneEasy 622 has a lot to VERDICT: A reliable handset that boasts
vulnerable or elderly people to call for help. offer for technophobes, but not for all of us. good usability, if underwhelming specs.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

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 buyer’s guide

Google Nexus 4 HTC Desire 500 HTC Desire 601

Reviewed: February 2013, price: £239
www.google.com/nexus/4/
It looks a bit dull and devoid of personality,
plus storage is limited to 4GB... but that’s
hardly the point. The Nexus 4 is a tight bit of
kit designed to show off Google’s latest version
of Android. With a terrific quad-core 1.5Ghz
processor and 2GB of RAM - there is nothing
out there that will stump this smartphone. The
lack of 4G is a disappointment, but the phone
is an absolute steal at just £239. One of the best
Android handsets available.
Reviewed: January 2014, price: £199.99
www.htc.com/uk
The HTC Desire 500 is a respectable budget
offering from the Taiwanese manufacturer
but it’s been undercut by cheaper phones
with better specifications. You’ll struggle
with limited storage space but it earns
points for a unique design.
Reviewed: March 2014, price: £244
www.htc.com/uk
4G at an affordable price is the Desire 601’s
big claim (if you regard £240 as affordable).
That’s not enough of a reason alone to buy
it, though. 4G is currently not worth the
premium, nor the price hike over a similarly
specced 3G handset. The trademark HTC
Beats audio still sounds great though, and
its on-board photo editor is handy - if you
can put up with the low-resolution screen.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor 1.5Ghz quad-core
Screen 4.7 inch
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 107 x 61 x 12mm Processor 1.2GHz quad-core
Weight 100g Screen 4.3 inches
Battery 2,100 mAh Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
1.6 MP front-facing
Video 720
Dimensions 131.8 x 66.9 x OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Connectivity 4G
9.9mm Processor 1.4GHz dual-core Dimensions 134.5 x 66.7
Weight 123g Screen 4.5 inches x 9.88mm
Battery 1,800 mAh Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Weight 130g
Memory 1GB RAM Battery 2,100 mAH
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing,
0.3 MP front-facing
Video 1080p

VERDICT: Dull and devoid of personality, but VERDICT: A solid phone with a price tag on VERDICT: A decent phone, but the extra
high powered and super, super cheap. the wrong side of that of the Moto G. £100 is not justified by 4G capability alone.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice
HHHHH

HTC One HTC One M8 HTC One Max

Reviewed: May 2013, price: £499
www.htc.com/uk
HTC has produced a top shelf phone here
– one that is more than capable of taking
on Sony, Apple and Samsung. It does most
things right, but particular note has to go
to the physical design and that screen. The
camera is OK, the battery life average and it
gets a bit hot.
Reviewed: May 2014, price: £530
www.htc.com/uk
The HTC One M8 is, in all probability, the
best smartphone ever made. It both looks
and performs better than almost everything
else out there. Features like Blinkfeed and
knock-to-wake are a joy to use. If Apple,
Sony and Samsung weren’t paying attention
before, they certainly are now.
Reviewed: January 2014, price: £599
www.htc.com/uk
The HTC One Max piggybacks the
reputation of the HTC One, although
nothing much has improved. The high-
quality display is present but HTC has
failed to add processing power and the
fingerprint sensor implementation is very
disappointing.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor 1.7GHz quad-core
Screen 4.7 inches
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 32GB or 64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 4 MP UltraPixel
rear-facing, 2.1 MP front-
facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.4 KitKat
Connectivity 4G Processor 2.3GHz quad-core
Dimensions 137.4 x 68.2 x Screen 5 inches
9.3 mm Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
Weight 143 g Memory 2GB RAM
Battery 2,300mAh Storage 16GB or 32GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 4 MP UltraPixel
rear-facing, 5 MP front-
facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G Processor 1.7GHz quad-core Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 146.36 x 70.6 x Screen 5.9 inches Dimensions 164.5 x 82.5 x
9.35 mm Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels 10.3mm
Weight 160g Memory 2GB Weight 217g
Battery 2,600 mAH Storage 16GB or 32GB Battery 3,300mAh
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 4 MP UlatraPixel
rear-facing, 2.1 MP front-
facing

VERDICT: A well designed, top-tier VERDICT: If you can afford it, buy it. There’s VERDICT: The HTC One’s design is still a
performer to rival the very best. no better handset on the market. standout but there’s nothing new here.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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HTC One Mini HTC One Mini 2 HTC Windows 8S

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £300
www.htc.com/uk
The lite version of HTC’s flagship phone
proves to be a big deal, with a high quality
camera, great audio, fast processing speeds
and a unique, refreshing take on Android
4.2. It’s only let down by its lack of internal
memory and short battery life.
Reviewed: August 2014, price: £360
www.htc.com/uk
Your opinion of the One Mini 2 will come
down to what you mostly use your phone
for. If you don’t put too much strain on its
struggling processor then you should be
fine. It’s got a magnificent pair of cameras,
and that trademark HTC metal unibody
build can’t be beat. Day-to-day users will
be more than satisfied - hardcore tech-
heads should stick with the One M8.
Reviewed: February 2013, price: £239
www.htc.com/uk
The odd thing about this phone is that we
actually rate it higher than its big brother,
the 8X. It is a bit lighter, has a nicer body
and fits much easier in the hand. It still
has enough grunt under the hood to get all
the same tasks done (although has a lower
res screen), and its £160 quid cheaper. It
doesn’t have a front facing camera (so
no proper Skype-ing) and the App store
remains limited...

OS Android OS 4.2. Jelly Bean
Processor 1.4 GHz dual-core
Screen 4.3 inches
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Memory 1 GB RAM
Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 4 MP UltraPixel rear-
facing, 1.6 MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 132 x 63.2 x 9.3
mm
Weight 122 g
Battery 1,800 mAh
OS Android 4.4 KitKat
Processor 1.2GHz quad-core
Screen 4.5 inches
Resolution 720 x 1,280 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes
Camera 13 MP rear-facing,
5MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G OS Windows Phone 8 Dimensions 120.5 x 63 x
Dimensions 137.4 x 64 x Processor 1GHz dual-core 10.3 mm
10.6mm Screen 4 inches Weight 113 g
Weight 137g Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Battery 1,700mAh
Battery 2,110mAh Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Cameras 5 MP rear-facing
Video 720p
Connectivity 3G

VERDICT: A worthwhile alternative to the VERDICT: Powered to match its stature, but VERDICT: The Windows Phone 8S may well
bigger model. still a very polished, attractive device. be better than the 8X flagship model.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Huawei Ascend G510 Huawei Ascend P2 Huawei Ascend P6

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £130
www.huaweidevice.co.uk
A somewhat sludgier Samsung Galaxy S2
for half the price and with a bigger screen,
the Ascend G510 was the phone of 2011.
More than enough for those who don’t have
to have the latest thing, the Ascend will
handle your casual web browsing, the odd
game and photos well. It can feel a little
slow however and doesn’t look like much;
there are also cheaper phones out there
which do much the same.
Reviewed: September 2013, price: £340
www.huaweidevice.co.uk
Huawei has delivered a reasonably cheap
device given you’re receiving blazing fast
4G speeds when web browsing. There’s
no microSD card slot and the processor
had a little trouble whilst gaming and
opening apps, but the camera optics were
outstanding. The P2 is capable of recording
video at a resolution of 1080p. For a phone
of this price, that is incredibly impressive.
All-in-all a great budget - mid-range device.
Reviewed: October 2013, price: £309.95
www.huaweidevice.co.uk
It suffers from poor software
implementation and a slow-charging
battery, but at least the P6 looks the part,
with a slim design that makes it more
attractive than many of its rivals. Elsewhere
this is a capable mid-to-high-tier handset
for anyone looking.

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Processor 1.2GHz dual-core
Screen 4.5-inch
Resolution 480 x 854 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 720p
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 134 x 67 x Processor 1.5 GHz quad-
9.9 mm core
Weight 150g Screen 4.7 inches
Battery 1,750mAh Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 13 MP rear-facing,
1.3 MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G Processor 1.5 GHz quad- Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 136.2 x 66.7 x core Dimensions 132.7 x 65.5 x
8.4mm Screen 4.7 inches 6.2 mm
Weight 122g Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Weight 120g
Battery 2,420 mAh Memory 2GB RAM Battery 2,000 mAh
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
5 MP front-facing

VERDICT: A large budget smartphone which VERDICT: The price speaks for itself, giving VERDICT: It trips up on software and battery
can run slow and doesn’t look like much. you one of the cheapest 4G devices today. but the slim look is appealing.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Huawei Ascend P7 Huawei Ascend Y300 Kazam Thunder Q4.5

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £3695
www.huaweidevice.co.uk
The Ascend P7 feels like a missed
opportunity. Huawei should have put their
full weight into creating a top-level flagship
handset. However, its underpowered
processor is its only real flaw. It looks
premium, and its front-facing camera is
the best on the market. Its price could be a
sticking point, but it’s by no means a bad
device.
Reviewed: September 2013, price: £119
www.huaweidevice.co.uk
The Y300 isn’t going to blow you away
when looking at the spec sheet, but if
you’re considering dipping your toes into
the smartphone world it could be the
perfect purchase. At less than £70 on pay-
as-you-go you’re getting a pretty fast and
fluid device, which should be able to cope
with most of the things you throw at it. The
feature set is very basic and the camera’s
low-light performance is dismal though.
Reviewed: April 2014, price: £TBC
www.kazam.mobi
The Thunder Q4.5 is a sure case of style
over substance, but in the lower-cost
end of the market you’d usually be lucky
to get either. While the phone lacks
standout features it won’t let you down
when it comes to everyday smartphone
functionality. If you’re in the market and
want to try something new, you could
certainly do an awful lot worse.

OS Android 4.4 KitKat
Processor 1.8GHz quad-core
Screen 5 inches
Resolution 1980 x 1020 pixels
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 13MP rear-facing,
8MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G LTE OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 139.8 x 68.8 x Processor 1 GHz dual-core
6.5mm Screen 4.0 inches
Weight 124g Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Battery 2,500mAh Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 124.5 x 63.8 x Processor 1.3GHz quad-core Dimensions 136 x 64.6 x
11.2 mm Screen 4.5 inches 8.9 mm
Weight 130g Resolution 854 x 480 pixels Weight 137g
Battery 1,730 mAh Memory 1GB RAM Battery 1,800 mAh
Storage 1.74GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8 MP rear-facing, 2
MP front-facing
Video 720p

VERDICT: It’s not quite a market-leading VERDICT: If you’re dipping your toes into VERDICT: It may be flawed, but at this price
flagship, but at least it looks the part. the smartphone world, this could be perfect. point you’d be hard pushed to beat it.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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LG G2
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £500
www.lg.com/uk
Despite its impressive performance,
long-lasting battery and excellent screen,
the G2 doesn’t quite hold up next to its
competition. It doesn’t lag behind in
any one area, but it doesn’t truly excel
anywhere else either. It won’t give you any
hassle aside from its heating issues but this
isn’t a best-in-class phone, and that’s what
a flagship from a company like this really
should be.
LG G3
Reviewed: August 2014, price: £499
www.lg.com/uk
Only minor detractions stop the LG G3
from being the perfect smartphone. That
said, there’s no such thing as the perfect
smartphone just yet, so the G3 is still a
wonderful piece of kit. It has outstanding
features, hardware, and form to boot. The
best display around, a monstrous processor
and a variety of little touches all make the
G3 is a special smartphone.
LG G Flex
Reviewed: April 2014, price: £570
www.lg.com/uk
The curved display may add very little, but
with a state-of-the-art spec sheet and a
fantastic display, the LG G Flex nails the
basics of a high-end smartphone. However
the £570 price and so-so camera make
it difficult to recommend - at least when
compared to its cheaper, better rivals. The
Flex just isn’t the innovation LG believe it
to be.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor 2.2GHz quad-core
Screen 5.2 inches
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB or 32GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 13MP rear-facing,
2.1MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G OS Android 4.4 (KitKat) Connectivity 4G OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 138.5 x 70.9 x Processor 2.5GHz quad-core Dimensions 146.3 x 74.6 x Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Dimensions 160.5 x 81.6 x
8.9 mm Screen 5.5 inches, 8.9mm Screen 6 inches 7.9 mm
Weight 143g Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels Weight 149g Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels Weight 177g
Battery 3,000 mAh Memory 2GB RAM Battery 3,000mAh Memory 2GB RAM Battery 3,500 mAh
Storage 16GB or 32GB Storage 32GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 13MP rear-facing, Camera 13 MP rear-facing,
2.1MP front-facing 2.1 MP front-facing
Video 2160p Video 1080p

VERDICT: The G2 is a powerhouse with a VERDICT: Want the best? The G3 is VERDICT: A powerful phone held back by a
great screen and impressive battery life. absolutely deserving of your consideration. steep price for an unnecessary gimmick.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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LG Optimus L5 II Motorola Moto E Motorola Moto G

Reviewed: August 2013, price: £129.99
www.lg.com/uk
A disappointing processor lets down an
otherwise decent mid-tier device. The
option to personalise app icons is a nice
touch and the 5MP megapixel camera
does a good job. However, with other
handsets available with similar features
and a lower price tag, the L5 II isn’t doing
anything to stand out from the crowd. The
underwhelming design and lack of internal
storage doesn’t help matters either.
Reviewed: July 2014, price: £90
www.motorola.co.uk
Despite a lack of features and some gaming
constraints due to its processor, the Moto E
works well for most tasks. Its OS interface
is as smooth as you will find on any high-
end device and it only lags behind those
same handsets very slightly when it comes
to aspps and web browsing. It’s so smooth
and usable that even more experiences
Android users should consider it.
Reviewed: January 2014, price: £135
www.motorola.co.uk
The Moto G is a budget smartphone done
right. It makes smart and sensible sacrifices
to slash its price to a point that puts its
rivals to shame. For people who don’t
demand the highest specs and best camera
from a phone, the Moto G’s easy-to-use
system and fast speeds make it an ideal
choice.

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Processor 1GHz Cortex A9
Screen 4 inches
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Cameras 5 MP rear-facing,
Video VGA
Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 117.5 x 62.2 x OS Android 4.4 KitKat
9.2 mm Processor 1.2GHz dual-core
Weight 103g Screen 4.3 inches
Battery life 1,700 mAh Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 4GB storage
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing
Video 854 x 480 pixels
Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 124.8 x 64.8 x OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Connectivity 3G
12.3mm Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Dimensions 129.9 x 65.9 x
Weight 142g Screen 4.5 inches 11.6mm
Battery 1,980mAh Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Weight 143g
Memory 1GB RAM Battery 2,070 mAh
Storage 8GB/16GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video 720p

VERDICT: An OK handset for the price, but a VERDICT: Unrivalled at its price, the Moto E VERDICT: The best option for customers on
slow processor undermines performance. is near faultless. A joy to use. a budget.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Motorola Moto X Motorola RAZR HD Nokia Asha 205

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £380
www.motorola.co.uk
The Moto X is a rock-solid handset with
unique, helpful features. This is the best
place to experience Google Now, making
voice operation genuinely useful. MIx in a
sleek design, great camera and long battery
life and the £380 price tag is justified. If
you can afford the extra £150 then it makes
for a sterling upper-mid tier upgrade to the
Motorola Moto G.
Reviewed: April 2013, price: £399
www.motorola.co.uk
Starting to show signs of its Google
led revival, the Motorola Razr HD has a
stunning industrial design and 4G support,
but is a victim of its delayed UK release (it
came out in the US in September) meaning
its specs are out of date, its screen is low
resolution and its camera is poor. It doesn’t
help that Motorola have priced it so high
- otherwise this would be an excellent mid-
range phone.
Reviewed: April 2013, price: £65
www.nokia.com
An interesting enough device that blurs
the lines between a feature phone and a
low end smartphone, the Asha 205 is let
down by its very small on board memory
and lack of connectivity options. It
remains functional for a low end device,
but definitely should not be considered a
full blown replacement for a smartphone.
Probably destined for third world and
budget users.

OS Android 4.4 KitKat
Processor 1.7GHz dual-core
Screen 4.7 inches
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB/32GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 10MP rear-
facing, 2MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 129.3 x 65.3 Processor 1.5GHz dual-core
x 10.4mm Screen 4.7 inches
Weight 130g Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Battery 2,200 mAh Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? No
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 3G OS Nokia Series 40 Dimensions 116 x 61 x 14mm
Dimensions 131.9 x 67.9 x Processor N/A Weight 105g
8.4 mm, 146g Screen 2.4 inches Battery 1,020 mAh
Weight 146g Resolution 320 x 240 pixels
Battery 2,530 mAh Memory 16MB RAM
Storage 10MB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 2MP rear-facing
Video VGA
Connectivity 3G

VERDICT: For those looking to step up from VERDICT: A lovely design, but the internals VERDICT: A pretty basic, functional feature
the budget tier: your search is over. are six months out of date. phone with a few extra goodies.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Nokia Asha 302 Nokia Asha 311 Nokia Asha 503

Reviewed:November 2012, price: £95
www.nokia.com
While the Nokia Asha 302 won’t win any
awards for originality or features, its great
build quality, battery life and usability
make it ideal for social networking. If you’re
looking for a decent feature-phone for
easy all-day typing, the Asha 302 could be
right for you. And while you can pick up a
good smartphone for around this price, the
handy QWERTY keyboard is ideal if you’re
frequently typing texts and emails.
Reviewed: November 2012, price: £110
www.nokia.com
The Asha 311 is a high-quality feature-
phone which packs style, usability and
a decent screen. But you can buy a
much better smartphone for less. With
the excellent Huawei Ascend G300 and
Vodafone Smart 2 available for less, the
Asha 311 struggles slightly, as while it is
a good feature-phone it is crippled by an
unrealistically high price tag. Make sure
to consider your needs before buying.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £70
www.nokia.com
Nokia’s Asha 503 is a brilliantly tiny
handset that stays usable despite the
smaller screen. If you want a dirt-cheap
phone then you might be better off with a
sub-£50 handset and its design is a little
spiky. But anyone looking for a phone to
keep them busy for five minutes on a bus
will find plenty to love here.

OS Nokia Series 40
Processor 1GHz single-core
Screen 2.4 inches
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels
Memory 128MB RAM
Storage 100MB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 3.2MP rear-facing
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 117 x 56 x 14mm OS Nokia Series 40
Weight 99g Processor 1GHz single-core
Battery 1,430 mAh Screen 2.4 inches
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels
Memory 128MB
Storage 140MB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 3.2MP rear-facing
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 106 x 52 x 13mm OS Nokia Asha platform 1.2 Dimensions 102.6 x 60.6 x
Weight 95g Processor N/A 12.7mm
Battery 1,110 mAh Screen 3 inches Weight 110.2g
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels Battery 1,200 mAh
Memory 128MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing
Video QVGA
Connectivity 3G

VERDICT: Great QWERTY usability and an VERDICT: A satisfying feature-phone but VERDICT: A good entry into the budget
impressive battery life at a decent price. the high price is a little bit unrealistic. market that offers more than the basics.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
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Nokia Lumia 520 Nokia Lumia 625 Nokia Lumia 630

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £99.95
www.nokia.com
A good budget offering from Nokia which
is let down by its struggles to handle the
tasks required of it. Cheaper than the 620
which nevertheless had less performance
issues. The 520 packs a good camera and
battery life, however there are both cheaper
phones which perform better and more
expensive phones which don’t.
Reviewed: October 2013, price: £180
www.nokia.com
The sizeable 4.7-inch screen saves the 625
from its disappointingly short battery life
and lack of HD viewing. It’s plagued further
by the Lumia range’s other issues like a
limited app store, but fights back with a
decent camera. As a result it stands as a
viable budget-range phone.
Reviewed: August 2014, price: £110
www.nokia.com
The Lumia 630 offers many positives.
Its bright, smooth interface is eye-
catching and capable, and it can perform
most tasks well. It even beats its rival,
the Moto E, in terms of apps browsing,
gaming and photography. It is let down
by some shortcomings though, such as a
narrow selection of apps and unnecessary
bloatware.

OS Windows Phone 8
Processor 1GHz dual-core
Screen 4 inches
Resolution 800 x 480
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Cameras 5 MP
Video 720p
Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 119.9 x 64 x OS Windows Phone 8
9.9mm Processor 1.2GHz dual-core
Weight 124g Screen 4.7 inches
Battery 1,430 mAh Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 512 MB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5 MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G-LTE OS Windows Phone 8 Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 133.3 x 72.3 x Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Dimensions 129.5 x 66.7 x
9.2 mm Screen 4.5 inches 9.2mm
Weight 159g Resolution 480 x 854 pixels Weight 134g
Battery 2,000mAh Memory 512MB RAM Battery 1,830mAh
Storage 8GB
Micro SD compatible? Yes,
up to 128GB
Camera 5MP rear-facing
Video 720p

VERDICT: A good camera, battery and price VERDICT: A decent budget smartphone with VERDICT: Looks good and performs well
but the phone can struggle with tasks. its fair share of shortcomings. enough to beat out some of its budget rivals

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

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Nokia Lumia 720 Nokia Lumia 820 Nokia Lumia 920

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £299
www.nokia.com
A fairly solid mid-tier offering which
suffered some setbacks at start up, the 720
features a Carl Zeiss lens and a slightly
better looking screen and performing
processor. Aside from this, the Lumia 720
isn’t wonderfully different from its lower
priced siblings and showed signs of wear
and tear after a week, although its camera
lives up to the Lumia name. Microsoft’s app
store is still fairly limited, however.
Reviewed: March 2013, price: £380
www.nokia.com
The 920’s pragmatic little brother, the 820
runs the same processor and RAM. It lacks
some of the high end photography options
but still takes good quality pictures and
also runs Windows Phone 8. It has the full
complement of Nokia apps like Music and
Maps (although the Windows Store still
struggles for quality in the app department).
Battery can be disappointing, however, and
some apps only work with WP8 devices.
Reviewed: January 2013, price: £36p/m
www.nokia.com
A fantastic looking phone with a great
interface, grunt under the hood and the
best camera phone in the business. A bit
heavy and bulky, but outstanding design
- a real eye catcher. Like all WP8 devices,
the app store is a problem, but this
deserves to do well.

OS Windows Phone 8
Processor 1GHz dual-core
Screen 4.3 inches
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Cameras 6.7MP front-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video 720p
Connectivity 3G OS Windows Phone 8
Dimensions 127.9 x 67.5 x Processor 1.5GHz dual-core
9mm Screen 4.3 inches
Weight 128g Resolution 800 x 480 pixels
Battery 2,000mAh Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera: 8.0MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video: 1080p
Connectivity 3G OS: Windows Phone 8.0 Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 123.8 x 68.5 Processor: 1.5GHz dual-core Dimensions: 130 x 70.8 x
x 9.9mm Screen: 4.5 inches 10.7mm
Weight: 160g Resolution: 1280 x 768 Weight: 185g
Battery: 1,650 mAh Memory 1GB RAM Battery: 2,000 mAh
Storage 32GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8.7MP rear-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video: 1080p

VERDICT: A fairly solid mid-tier device but VERDICT: Arguably superior to the 920, a VERDICT: An fantastic device technically, its
not too different from lower priced siblings. few niggles hold it back from greatness. success relies on Microsoft’s app store.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Nokia Lumia 925 Nokia Lumia 930 Nokia Lumia 1020

Reviewed: August 2013, price: £479
www.nokia.com
With the Lumia 925 Nokia haven’t set
out to reinvent the wheel, they’ve just
built on their past achievements to put
together a brilliant phone. A gorgeous
slimmed-down design, high performance
camera and responsive user interface
all set this handset apart from the rest
of the Lumia range and make it a top
level device in the high-end smartphone
market. One of the best out there.
Reviewed: September 2014, price: £420
www.nokia.com
The plus side for those looking for
something different is that Windows
Phone has come along enough now that
its mere presence on a handset isn’t
enough to relegate it completely. The
Lumia 930 is the flagship that the range
has been crying out for for far too long
now, and if you don’t mind having a
relatively restricted ecosystem then you
should have very few issues with it.
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £639.99
www.nokia.com
The Lumia 1020 is an ideal smartphone for
those of you who don’t care about apps
and it’s perfect if you love to take great
pictures. It might not be the slimmest
device you can get your hands on but the
1020’s powerful camera is well worth the
extra bulk.

OS Windows Phone 8
Processor 1.5GHz dual-core
Screen 4.5 inches
Resolution: 1280 x 760
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16GB/32GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
1.3MP front-facing
Video: 1080p
Connectivity 4G OS Windows Phone 8.1 Video 1080p os Windows Phone 8 Connectivity 4G
Dimensions 129 x 70.6 x Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Connectivity 4G LTE Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Dimensions 130.4 x 71.4 x
8.5 mm Screen 5 inches Dimensions 137 x 71 x Screen 4.5 inches 10.4 mm
Weight: 139g Resolution 1920 x 1080 9.8mm Resolution: 1280 x 760 Weight: 158g
Battery 2,000 mAh pixels Weight 167g Memory 2GB RAM Battery 2,000 mAh battery
Memory 2GB RAM Battery 2,420mAh Storage 32GB
Storage 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Micro SD compatible? No Camera 41MP rear-facing,
Camera 20MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing
1.2MP front-facing Video: 1080p

VERDICT: A fantastic camera, slick design VERDICT: The closest to rivalling Android VERDICT: A top smartphone with an
and great user interface make this top dog. and iOS that Windows Phone has ever come. astounding camera – one of the best.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Nokia Lumia 1320 Nokia Lumia 1520 Prestigio MultiPhone 5430

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £280
www.nokia.com
The Lumia 925 and 1020 were large
enough, and the lack of software taking
advantage of the big display, unlike with
the Samsung Galaxy Note, means those
extra inches just leave you looking faintly
ridiculous when answering a call. You’re
better off spending your money on an
Android phablet or Google’s Nexus 5.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £550
www.nokia.com
Although the Nokia Lumia 1520 weighs
in at a whopping £550 (SIM-free), it could
cost you considerably more to purchase
a standalone camera, camcorder, satnav,
tablet and a laptop computer that can run
Microsoft Office.
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £190
www.prestigio.com
The Prestigio MultiPhone 5430 is a bland
piece of kit that lacks any real highlights,
but is undoubtedly a capable and efficient
smartphone. Perhaps its best feature is
that it gets the core experience right, if not
groundbreakingly so. The very basics of
what you expect from a smartphone in 2013
are here but there isn’t much else.

OS Windows Phone 8
Processor 1.7GHz dual-core
Screen 6 inches
Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels
Memory 1GB
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G-LTE OS Windows Phone 8
Dimensions 164.2 x 85.9 x Processor 2.2GHz quad-core
9.8mm Screen 6 inches
Weight 220g Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels
Battery 3,400 mAh Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 32GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 20MP rear-facing,
1.2MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G-LTE OS Android 4.0 Ice Cream Video 1080p
Dimensions 162.8 x 85.4 x Sandwich Connectivity 3G
8.7mm Processor Intel Atom 1.2GHz Dimensions 126 x 64.7 x
Weight 209g Screen 4.3 inches 10mm
Battery 3,200 mAh Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Weight 140g
Memory 1GB RAM Battery 2,000 mAh
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
0.3MP front-facing

VERDICT: A good phone, but the Nexus 5 VERDICT: A great all-in-one device that VERDICT: Perfectly ordinary – but it’s
simply undercuts the competition too well. mashes the best of Nokia together. positioned as an everyday smartphone.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Prestigio 4500 DUO Samsung Ativ S Samsung Galaxy Ace 2

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £179
www.prestigio.com
The Prestigio fails to dazzle, offering
nothing fresh, but it is a user friendly, well
featured and well priced device that ticks
all the right boxes for a smartphone. It
offers a smooth Android experience in a
classic design with a competitive price tag
and could go up against the likes of Huawei
or HTC’s budget brands. A solid offering
from a lesser known brand.
Reviewed: March 2013, price: £439.99
www.samsung.com/uk
Possibly the best looking Windows Phone
8 physically with a good display, and a
very usable Windows Phone 8 device, the
software is lazy, with a poor selection of
apps and what apps there are, can appear
less than appealing. However, the user
interface is easy to use and the processor
can handle whatever is required of it. The
phone looks and feels good - it’s just a pity
there’s not much to look at, app-wise.
Reviewed: October 2012, price: £240
www.samsung.com/uk
In a year where Samsung crafted one of
the world’s best smartphones with the
Galaxy S III, it has also created a fantastic
mid-level device with its affordably-priced
Galaxy Ace 2. Offering a stunning screen,
great usability and a strong set of features
it packs all that the average smartphone
buyer will need. And while it’s a shame that
the latest version of Android isn’t installed,
you still get unbeatable value or money.

OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Processor 1.2GHz dual-core
Screen 3.5 inches
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G OS Windows Phone 8 Connectivity 3G os Android 2.3 Gingerbread Connectivity 3G
Dimensions 117 x 59 x 11mm Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Dimensions 137 x 70.5 x Processor 800MHz dual-core Dimensions 118 x 62 x 11mm
Weight 120g Screen 4.8-inch 8.7 mm Screen 3.8-inch Weight 119g
Battery 1,850 mAh Resolution 720 x 1280 Weight 135g Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Battery 1,500 mAh
Memory 1GB RAM Battery 2,300 mAh Memory 768MB RAM
Storage 16GB/32GB Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Cameras 8.0MP rear-facing, Camera 5MP rear-facing,
1.9MP front-facing 0.3MP front-facing
Video 1080p Video 720p HD

VERDICT: Nothing new but this is a user VERDICT: Great WP8 hardware, but the lack VERDICT: In terms of sheer bang for your
friendly, well priced well featured device. of apps means Nokia and HTC still rule. buck, this great phone is one of the best.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 Samsung Galaxy Fame Samsung Galaxy Mega

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £180
www.samsung.com/uk
The Samsung Galaxy Ace 3 is a good
handset that’s been made irrelevant by
cheaper competition. Whilst it packs a
vibrant display and solid specs, similar
phones sit well below the £180 benchmark
set here. Samsung will have to rethink its
pricing. If it weren’t for the Moto G’s release
this would be an emphatic recommendation
- unfortunately Samsung will have to settle
for the silver medal.
Reviewed: July 2013, price: £159
www.samsung.com/uk
Don’t look at Samsung for cheap
smartphones, but the Fame offers a
compact, modern Android experience for
only marginally more than other brands. A
wee phone which allows you to run your
digital life with just your thumb, the Fame
sports Android 4.1, a screen that’s just right
for some and an attractive price point. Cons
include a thick, stubby design, a low res
screen and rival phones going cheaper.
Reviewed: October 2013, price: £440
www.samsung.com/uk
With a 6.3-inch screen, the Galaxy Mega
falls into phablet territory, but that doesn’t
change the fact that said screen is
hypnotically vibrant. As such, it’s a great
video player and has room for a sizeable
battery. Its resolution, however, is a minor
issue and it doesn’t have enough internal
storage to meet our needs. It will stick out
like a sore thumb but you might just fall in
love with it.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor 1.2GHz dual-core
Screen 4 inches
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB/16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 720p
Connectivity 4G LTE OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 121.2 x 62.7 Processor 1GHz Cortex-A9
x 9.8mm Screen 3.5-inch
Weight 115g Resolution 320 x 480 pixels
Battery 1,500 mAh Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
VGA front-facing
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Connectivity 4G LTE
Dimensions 113.2 x 61.6 Processor 1.7GHz quad-core Dimensions 167.6 x 88 x
x 11.6 mm Screen 6.3 inches 8 mm
Weight 120.6g Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Weight 199g
Battery 1,300 mAh Memory 2GB RAM Battery 3,200 mAh
Storage 8GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
1.9 MP front-facing
Video 1080p

VERDICT: Premium build quality and visuals VERDICT: Not the cheapest out there but a VERDICT: For better or worse it’s all about
at a good price - just not a great one. compact device which has plenty of appeal. the big, vibrant screen with this handset.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 Samsung Galaxy Note 2 Samsung Galaxy Note 3

Reviewed: August 2012, price: £150
www.samsung.com/uk
With its eye-catching design, decent
performance and comfortable usability, the
Galaxy Mini 2 is well worth a look for first-
time smartphone buyers on a budget. There
are some incredibly high-quality rivals on
the market, though, from brands such as
HTC and Huawei, among others. So you
might want to shop around and check out
the competition before handing over your
cash, as there are great deals to be had.
Reviewed: December 2012, price: £409
www.samsung.com/uk
The size of Samsung’s Galaxy Note range
is a hate it or love it prospect - is it too
big to be a phone, or too small to be a
tablet? Does a stylus have any place on
a smartphone? Either way, it is a brilliant
piece of technology, with a whopping great
16 hours of talk time. Its only main flaws are
a dull screen and a poor camera - otherwise
it comes down to personal preference.
Definitely one to try out in store.
Reviewed: December 2013, price: £649
www.samsung.com/uk
The Note 3 steps over the competition with
its large, engulfing display and great battery
life. But it’s the stylus that’s the star of
the show here, with great integration that
makes it an ideal Note-keeping device. This
makes it ideal for business people on the
move, although they’ll have to make sure
they keep an eye on the easy-to-lose pen at
all times.

OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Processor 800 MHz
Cortex-A5
Screen 3.27 inches
Resolution 320 x 480 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 4GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 3.15MP rear-facing
Video 480p
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 109 x 59 x Processor 1.6GHz quad-core
12mm Screen 5.5 inches
Weight 105g Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Battery 1,300 mAh Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16/32/64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
1.9MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 3G OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Dimensions 151.2 x 79.2 x
Dimensions 151 x 81 x 9 mm Processor 2.3GHz quad-core 8.3 mm
Weight 183g Screen 5.7 inches Weight 168g
Battery 1,300 mAh Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels Battery 3,200 mAh
Memory 3GB RAM
Storage 16/32/64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 13 MP front-facing,
2MP rear-facing
Video 4K

VERDICT: A good entry-level handset, but VERDICT: The king of the big screen phone/ VERDICT: A fantastic portable business
there are plenty of better deals to be found. tablets, you’ll either love it or hate it. device with helpful, unique features.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice editor’s choice

HHHHH HHHHH

Samsung Galaxy S2 Samsung Galaxy S3 Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini

£330 SIM-free
www.samsung.com/uk
The Galaxy S II is one of Samsung’s top-end
smartphones and was your Phone of the
Year 2011, according to reader votes for the
What Mobile Awards. It offers blisteringly
fast performance, a decent camera, strong
battery life and a great screen. Alongside
the newer Galaxy S III, it’s the biggest
threat Apple has seen since the iPhone
launched, and with good reason. Few
phones offer such a good user experience.
Reviewed: July 2012, price: £485
www.samsung.com/uk
Matching up to the mighty Galaxy S II was
always going to be a tall order, but with
the release of the Galaxy S III Samsung has
clearly surpassed expectations. With its
stunning design, amazing usability, high-
powered performance and cutting-edge
features, it measures up to the best of the
competition and sets a new benchmark for
its rivals. If you’re looking for one of the
best smartphones you can buy, this is it.
Reviewed: January 2013, price: £300
www.samsung.com/uk
Something of a misnomer, this is no relation
to its bigger brother, the S III,despite the
design similarities. The Mini is little more
than a shrunk down Galaxy S II. If users
want a budget Galaxy, they are better off
pursuring that (former) flagship on a budget
plan - this is extortionately expensive for
what you get.

OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Processor 1.2GHz ARM
Cortex-A9
Screen 4.3-inch+
Resolution 480 x 800 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16/32GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.0 Ice Cream
Connectivity 3G Sandwich
Dimensions 125 x 66 x 9mm Processor 1.4GHz ARM
Weight 116g Cortex-A9
Battery 1,650 mAh Screen 4.8 inches
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16/32/64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
1.9MP front-facing OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Connectivity 3G
Video 1080p Processor 1GHz dual-core Dimensions: 121.6 x 63 x
Connectivity 4G LTE Screen 4 inches 9.9 mm
Size 137 x 71 x 9mm Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Weight 111.5g
Weight 133g Memory 1GHz RAM Battery 1,500 mAh
Battery 2,100 mAh Storage 8/16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
0.3MP front-facing
Video 720p

VERDICT: An award-winning Android phone VERDICT: A masterpiece of design and VERDICT: A cheeky move by Samsung to
that effortlessly impresses across the board. usability. This is the benchmark to beat. pass this off as a premium device. It’s not.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice
HHHHH

Samsung Galaxy S4 Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Samsung Galaxy S5

Reviewed: July 2012, price: £550
www.samsung.com/uk
An impressive hardware offering with
intriguing new software and camera
features but these need to be perfected
and integrated into the device as a whole
before the S4 can really be called a knock
out. While the phone’s processor seemed
to struggle with games and the design
is pretty similar to the S3, this is a solid
offering from Samsung in the flagship race.
Reviewed: November 2013, price: £400
www.samsung.com/uk
The Active S4 is ideal for people looking
for a more protected smartphone, although
it does make some sacrifices. Its design is
too rugged for mainstream appeal and its
display and camera aren’t great. But it’s a
great hybrid for an underwater camera and
is perfect for adventurous lifestyles.
Reviewed: June 2014, price: £530
www.samsung.com/uk
The thing about Galaxy handsets is that
their flaws are often matters of personal
opinion. If you don’t mind the samey
design, plasticky build and irksome user
interface, then the Galaxy S5 could be
the best smartphone going. It’s insanely
powerful, has a blinding display and is even
waterproof. If you care about substance
over style then the Galaxy S5 is as good as
it gets.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
CPU 1.6 GHz quad-core
Screen 5 inches
Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Storage 16/32/64GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Cameras 13MP front-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G LTE OS Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Dimensions 136.6 x 69.8 x Processor 1.9 GHz quad-core
7.9 mm Screen 5 inches
Weight 130g Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels
Battery 2,600 mAh Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p
Connectivity 4G LTE OS Android 4.4 KitKat Connectivity 4G LTE
Dimensions 139.7 x 71.3 x Processor 2.5GHz quad-core Dimensions 142 mm x 72.5
9.1 mm Screen 5.1 inches mm x 8.1 mm
Weight 151g Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Weight 145g
Battery 2,600 mAh Memory 2GB RAM Battery 2,800mAh
Storage 16/32GB
MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Camera 16MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Video 1080p

VERDICT: An impressive offering with VERDICT: It may not be quite as good as its VERDICT: Behind a cheap-looking build lies
interesting but not integrated new software. big brother, but it certainly has its purpose. the beastliest smartphone around.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Sony Xperia Go Sony Xperia L Sony Xperia J

Reviewed: October 2012, price: £200
www.sonymobile.com
When we’ve tested semi-rugged phones
before, they’ve often put function firmly
over form. But Sony’s Xperia Go blends
style and resilience to create a tough device
that’s also great to look at. Its waterproof,
dust-resistant design keeps it protected
against the elements and it’s a fast and
pleasingly usable device. And while the old
Android 2.3 OS is a disappointment, this is
still a good phone for busy outdoor use.
Reviewed: August 2013, price: £249
www.sonymobile.com
This device includes some higher end
specs for a low cost handset as well as a
snappy camera, a high quality screen and
impressive battery life. However, the odd
design choices are a distraction and the
screen does suffer from lag issues. Lower
cost devices like the Nokia 620 offer more
at a cheaper price. Access to the Google
Play store potentially gives it an edge over
the 620, if that’s what you’re after.
Reviewed: February 2013, price: £149
www.sonymobile.com
The Xperia J is expensive for what you get
- no small feat considering it costs £149.
This is a severely stripped down version of
its big brothers, the Xperia P, T and S. Its
performance is poor, the camera and screen
is poor. You’d do much better buying last
gen’s flagship phones on a contract, rather
than buying this weak cut price performer.
Avoid.

os Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Screen 3.5-inch TFT
Resolution 320 x 480 pixels
Input Capacitive touchscreen
Processor 1GHz dual-core
Memory 512MB
Storage 8GB internal,
MicroSD up to 32GB
Camera 5MP rear-facing
Flash LED
Video 720p HD at 30fps
Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth 3.0
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
Micro USB 2.0
Standby time 520 hours
Talk time 6 hours
Size 111 x 60 x 10mm
Weight 110g
Dimensions 128.7x 65 x Memory 1GB RAM Dimensions 120.5 x 63 x Storage 4GB expandable
9.7mm, 137g Storage 8GB, microSD up 10.28 mm via microSD
Display 4.3 inch, TFT to 32GB OS Windows Phone 8 Cameras 5MP rear, LED
capacitive touchscreen, Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 Screen 4.0-inch S-LCD flash / 720p HD video
480x854 pixels, 228 ppi a/b/g/n Resolution 480x800 Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
OS Android 4.1 Camera 8MP, autofocus, Processor Qualcomm 3.1, a-GPS and GLONASS
CPU Qualcomm MSM8230 LED flash Snapdragon S4 1GHz Ports Micro USB, 3.5mm
Snapdragon Battery Up to 9 hours (3G) dual-core audio
dual core 1GHz - accurate GPU Adreno 305 Battery life 1,700mAh
GPU Adreno 305 RAM 512MB

VERDICT: If you need a stylish and tough VERDICT: Not a bad choice for gamers on a VERDICT: A bit of a rip off for a low spec,
phone for outdoor use, there’s a lot to like. budget, but for others there are better handsets. poor performing phone.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
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Sony Xperia P Sony Xperia SP Sony Xperia Z

Reviewed: October 2012, price: £290
www.mobilephonesdirect.co.uk
The Xperia P works well on so many levels
that it’s impossible to ignore. The unique
style may not suit all tastes, but it shows a
courage to stand out from the crowd that
we wish we saw more often. And thanks to
its impressive performance, beautiful LED-
backlit screen and excellent features, you
get plenty of value for money too.
Reviewed: July 2013, price: £290
www.sonymobile.com
The Xperia SP has an excellent high
definition screen, a fairly solid battery life
and an interesting notification system
involving a panel at the bottom of the
phone which lights up with customisable
colours when you get a message. However
the phone’s not as powerful as last year’s
flagships, is slightly bulky and there are
rival phones to be had for less money,
particularly if you’re not fussed about 4G.
Reviewed: April 2013, price: £499
www.sonymobile.com
Sony’s smartphone is a powerhouse in
every way, let down only by some unusual
design decisions. Water, dust and shock
resistant, it’s giant screen size will come
down to personal preference, as will its
unusual design. Otherwise it has all of
Sony’s bells and whistles, including some
clever use of NFC with NFCs stereos, TVs
and laptops.

os Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Screen 4-inch TFT
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
Input Capacitive touchscreen
Processor 1GHz dual-core
Memory 1GB
Storage 16GB internal
Camera 8MP rear-facing,
0.3MP front-facing
Flash LED
Video 1080p HD at 30fps
Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth 2.1
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
Micro USB 2.0, HDMI
Standby time 475 hours
Talk time 6 hours
Size 122 x 60 x 11mm
Weight 120g
OS Android 4.1
Screen 4.6inch / 720x1280
pixels
Input Capacitive
touchscreen
Camera 8MP, VGA front
Video Record / Playback
Audio Music player / Stereo
Bluetooth / 3.5mm jack
Memory 8GB expandable via
micro SD card Dimensions 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm
Battery 2370mAh and 146g
OS Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean).
Screen 5 inch, Capacitive
touchscreen,1080 x 1920
Processor Qualcomm Krait
quad-core 1.5 GHz
RAM 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB, microSD (to
32GB)
Cameras Main 13.1 MP,
4128x3096 pixels, autofocus,
LED flash. Front - 2.2 MP,
1080p@30fps
Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11,
Bluetooth 4.0, NFC enabled
Ports MicroUSB v2.0,
MicroSD, 3.5mm audio jack.
Battery Li-Ion 2330 mAh
battery

VERDICT: If you’re looking for a one-of-a- VERDICT: If 4G LTE isn’t for you, the Xperia VERDICT: A powerhouse phone, let down
kind phone, make sure to check it out. SP isn’t quite the bargain it first seems. only by some design niggles.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice
HHHHH

Sony Xperia Z1 Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Sony Xperia Z2

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £475
www.sonymobile.com
It’s a little on the large side, but Sony’s
latest handset is rock solid, with powerful
hardware and a unique design. Fans of
the company will be right at home with
the software that stores movies, music
and games you’ve bought across other
platforms. Add in a great camera and
you’ve got a phone that stops just short of
best in class.
Reviewed: March 2014, price: £449
www.sonymobile.com
If you hate giant displays and don’t
have the patience for Apple’s iOS and its
restrictive App Store, the Sony Xperia Z1
Compact your only choice, and a great one
at that. Sony have done well to make a
phone with the power to rival the mighty
iPhone in an equally small package. In-built
Sony-branded apps such as Walkman and
PlayStation is an inherent plus, too. Fingers
crossed for a KitKat 4.4 upgrade soon.
Reviewed: July 14, price: £579
www.sonymobile.com
The Z2 matches its rivals’ power and
usability. A lack of design innovation and
similar specs might deter Z1 owners from
upgrading, though, and the large size
might not appeal to fans of smaller devices.
That said, superior imagin and a powerful
processor and CPU means it excels in the
right places.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
Processor Snapdragon 800
quad-core 2.2GHz
Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels,
5 inches
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB expandable
up to 64GB via micro SD
Camera 20.7 MP rear-
facing, 2 MP front-facing
Video 1080p OS Android 4.3 Camera 20.7MP Exmor RS OS Android 4.4 KitKat Video 720p
Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Processor Qualcomm Video 720p Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Connectivity 4G
4.0 Snapdragon 800 Connectivity Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, Screen 5.2 inches Dimensions 146.8 x 73.3 x
Ports micro SD, microUSB Screen 4.3-inch HD Bluetooth 4.0, NFC Resolution 1080 x 1920 8.2mm
Battery 3000 mAh Triluminos Dimensions 127 x 64.9 x pixels Weight 163g
Dimensions 144 x 74 x Resolution 720 x 1,280 9.5mm Memory 3GB RAM Battery 3,200mAh
8.5mm pixels Weight 137g Storage 16GB
Weight 170g Memory 2GB Battery 2,300 mAh MicroSD Compatible? Yes
Storage 16GB, expandable Camera 20.7MP rear-facing,
to 64GB 2.2MP front-facing

VERDICT: Software makes it great for Sony VERDICT: The most powerful, best looking VERDICT: An immaculate smartphone, if
fans, hardware makes it good for the rest compact Android available. Simple. only a small step up from its predecessor.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra Vodafone Smart 3 Vodafone Smart Mini

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £559
www.sonymobile.com
Sony’s phablet is a powerful and sleek
piece of kit. The vivid, full HD display is
the perfect place to watch movies and
play games thanks to its gigantic size
and incredible clarity. The camera leaves
something to be desired, and it’s impossible
to use with just one hand, but this is a fine
choice for phablet fans looking for a new
purchase.
Reviewed: August 2013, price: £90
www.vodafone.co.uk
While the Vodafone Smart 3 manages
to offer a good 5-megapixel camera and
Android Jelly Bean at a bargain price of
just £90, its slow processor, appalling
screen and poor build quality mean that
that it’s unlikely to be a first choice even
for budget handset shoppers. The screen is
too reflective to use in direct sunlight and
the low spec processor means the device is
sluggish at the best of times.
Reviewed: September 2013, price: £50
www.vodafone.co.uk
The Smart Mini is almost as cheap as chips,
and it shows. Whilst it’s not a bad device,
it’s not a particularly good one either. The
size is great and for the price you couldn’t
go wrong — but you could also spend an
extra tenner and get a whole lot more. The
performance was very sluggish and the
screen had dismal quality, but the battery
just kept on lasting, going several days on a
single charge — a rarity these days.

OS Android 4.2,
upgradeable to Android 4.3
Processor 2.2GHz
Qualcomm Snapdragon
800
Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels,
6.4 inches
Memory 2GB
Storage 16GB
Camera 8 MP rear-facing,
2 MP front-facing Dimensions 123.2 x 64.4 x LED flash Dimensions 115 x 62.3 x Storage 4GB, micro SD slot
Video 1080p@30fps 10.9 mm Video Yes 12.2mm Camera 2MP, 1600 x 1200
Wireless Bluetooth 4.0, Weight 136g Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 Weight 118 pixels
wi-fi, NFC Screen TFT capacitive a/b/g/n, dual-band, OS Android 4.1.1 Jelly Video VGA @ 30 fps
Ports MicroSD, Micro-USB touchscreen Bluetooth 4.0, NFC Bean Audio MP3, WMA,
Dimensions 179.4 x 92.2 x Processor 1 GHz Cortex-A9 Ports USB 2.0, MicroSD, Screen 3.5-inch TFT Battery 300h standby, 7h
6.5 mm RAM 512MB 3.5mm audio jack capacitive touchscreen, talktime (3G)
Weight 212g Storage 4GB, expandable up Battery life Li-Ion 1700 mAh, 320 x 480 pixels, 165 ppi
Battery 3050 mAh to 32GB 9h (3G) – accurate Processor 1 GHz
Cameras 5 MP, autofocus, RAM 512MB

VERDICT: A powerful handset that’s great VERDICT: The price doesn’t alleviate issues VERDICT: Extremely cheap which shows
for viewing but poor for photo shooting. of low screen quality and processing speed. through the sluggish performance.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Yezz Andy A5 ZTE Blade III ZTE Blade V

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £207
www.sayyezz.com
Camera phone fans on a tight budget should
definitely seek out the Andy A5 for its
affordable price and high-quality camera. If
taking photos is not that important to you
then you’ll probably have seen the uninspired
design and bland features a million times
before.
Reviewed: May 2013, price: £69.99
www.ztedevices.co.uk
It’s hard to argue with a smartphone that
can compete with its betters, yet can be
purchased for a fraction of the cost. Yes
there are flaws and cutbacks to meet the
price point, but this is an excellent entry
level device for smartphone newbies and
pragmatic users who don’t need the latest
and greatest.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £99.99
www.ztedevices.co.uk
A fantastic price makes the ZTE Blade V
easy to recommend for first-time buyers.
Anyone hoping to get the most out of a
smartphone’s apps and snaps should look
elsewhere, but if you don’t want to worry
about a phone for the kids being broken or
stolen, then this is your guy.

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean)
Processor Quad-core
1.2GHz
Screen 5 inches
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
Memory 512MB RAM
Camera 13MP rear-facing,
2MP front-facing
Connectivity 3G, wi-fi
Dimensions 144.1 x 73.5 x
8.6mm Dimensions 123 x 63.5 x
Weight 106g 10mm, 130g
Battery 2,000mAh OS Android 4.0 Ice Cream
Sandwich
Screen TFT capacitive
touchscreen, 256K colors,
480 x 800 pixels, 4.0 inches
(233 PPI)
Processor Qualcomm single
core 1GHz
RAM 512MB OS Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) Ports microUSB, microSD
Storage 4GB internal, Processor Snapdragon Dimensions 126 x 64 x 10.9
expandable to 32GB via S4 Play mm
MicroSD Screen 480 x 800, 4 inches Weight 130g
Camera 5MP Memory 1GB RAM Battery Li-Ion 1800 mAh
Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Storage 4GB
2.1. Camera 5 MP
Ports Micro USB, MicroSD, Video Yes
3.5mm audio jack. Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Battery life 1600mAh 4.0

VERDICT: A great camera, but the rest VERDICT: A real surprise package - VERDICT: A great prices makes this
struggles against more bullish counterparts. excellent for the money. worthwhile for first-time buyers.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9” Acer Aspire P3
Reviewed: May 2013, price: £229/259
www.amazon.co.uk
A good looking e-reader with tablet
capabilities, limited by Amazon’s annoying
operating system and app eco-system, and
an annoyingly slow browser. This device
will doubtless be a commercial success,
with its branding and ease of use, but for
the more serious user there are much better
tablets out there.
Reviewed: October 2013, price: £550
www.amazon.co.uk
The P3 suffers from an identity crisis in
trying to be both a tablet and a laptop.
Its thick build makes it an uncomfortable,
bulky slate while the specs fail to live up
to some of its rivals. Still, it’s about as
powerful as the current Windows 8 tablets
get and available at a great price for this
kind of device.
Advent Vega Tegra Note 7
Reviewed: April 2014, price: £140
www.nvidia.co.uk
It’s a contender, alright. Aside from some
clunky desing issues, the Advent Vega
Tegra Note 7 is a powerful and punchy
little machine. If you’re after a compact and
affordable tablet its speed sets it aside from
its rivals as a device that’s great for gaming,
customising images and browsing the web.

Dimensions 240 x 164 x
8.8 mm
OS Customized Android
4.0
Screen 8.9 inch IPS LCD
capacitive touchscreen
Resolution 1920 x 1200,
254 ppi
Processor TI OMAP
4470 dual-core 1.5 GHz
Cortex-A9 Processor Intel® Core™ Screen Size 11.6” OS Android Jelly Bean 4.3 Weight 320g
GPU PowerVR SGX544 i5-3339Y processor Screen Resolution Processor Nvidia Tegra 4 Battery 8 hours
RAM 1 GB RAM (1.5 GHz, 2.0 GHz with 1366x768 Screen 7 inches
Storage 16 GB/32 GB TurboBoost, 3 MB cache) Dimensions 295 x 190 x Resolution 1,280 x 800 pixels
Cameras front facing Operating System 10 mm Memory 1GB RAM
1.3MP with 720p video Windows 8 Weight 790g Storage 16GB
Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n, Memory 4GB DDR3 Connectivity Wi-fi,
dual-band Storage 120 GB SSD Bluetooth 4.0
Ports USB 2.0, 3.5mm Graphics Intel HD Dimensions 119 x 199 x
audio jacks, Bluetooth Graphics 4000 9.6mm

VERDICT: A solid, functional tablet which is VERDICT: Too thick to be a tablet but VERDICT: Its speed sets it apart from its
limited by its Amazon associations. available at a good price. competition. A cheap and capable device.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice
HHHHH

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX Apple iPad Mini Apple iPad 3

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £199-329
www.amazon.co.uk/kindle
The Kindle Fire HDX is around £100 more
than the Fire but the improved screen and
processor justifies the extra cost. The real
human Help feature will be a boon to tablet
newbies; experienced users will regard it as
a gimmick. The HDX is a top-rate device –
but if you’re not a regular Amazon customer
you’re better off with a Nexus.
Reviewed: December 2012, price: £269
www.apple.com/uk
The iPad Mini represents Apple playing it
safe, which is to say:, disappointing. This
is little more than an iPad 2, with all its
limitations - a low res screen and weak
processor power - shrunk down to an odd
7.9-inch size. It is also overpriced, the
Google Nexus 7 offers superior performance
for £100 less. Despite its luxurious design,
you really are paying for little more than 4G
support, and Apple’s App Store. Average.
Reviewed: April 2012, price: £399
www.apple.com/uk
The new iPad boasts the highest-resolution
display of any tablet, as well as an improved
5MP camera and better connectivity. Not
to mention a high-powered new processor
which makes it the most powerful iPad ever,
too. Though some may resist the upgrade
path, the unrivalled Retina display is a
subtle but deeply appealing feature which
will become more and more desirable. The
new iPad is by far the best tablet around

OS Amazon customised
Android OS, v4.1.2
Processor Snapdragon
800 2.2GHz quad-core
Screen 1902 x 1200 pixels,
7 inches
Memory 2GB RAM
Storage 16GB, 32GB,
64GB versions available
Camera 8MP front-facing
Video 720HD OS iOS 6.0.1
Wireless Wi-fi (optional Screen 7.9-inch LED-backlit
Vodafone 4G version) IPS LCD
Ports microUSB Resolution 768 x 1024 pixels
Dimensions 131.8 x 66.9 at 162 pixels per inch
x 9.9 mm Input Capacitive touchscreen
Weight 302g CPU Apple A5 1GHz dual core
GPU PowerVR SGX543MP2
Memory 512MB
Storage 16/32/64GB
Camera 5MP rear facing,
1.2MP front facing
Video 1920x1080 (1080P HD)
at 30fps. Video stabilised
Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n,
dual-band, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
Apple Lightning port (USB 2.0)
Size 200 x 134.7 x 7.2mm
Weight 308g
OS iOS 5
Screen 9.7-inch TFT
Resolution 1536 x 2048
pixels
Input Capacitive touchscreen
Processor 1GHz Cortex-A9
Memory 1GB
Storage 16/32/64GB
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
0.3MP front-facing
Flash No
Video 1080p HD
Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n
Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
proprietary Apple connector
Standby time 720 hours
Use time 9 hours
Size 241 x 186 x 9mm
Weight 662g

VERDICT: A significant update to the Fire VERDICT: Little more than a shrunken iPad VERDICT: There’s simply no contest - the
and ideal for Amazon users. 2 with 4G. Disappointing. new iPad is the best tablet in the world.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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HHHHH

Apple iPad 4 Archos 79 Platinum Archos 101 XS 2

Reviewed: January 2013, price: £399
www.apple.com/uk
A rather cheeky move by Apple to release
the iPad 4 (or ‘iPad with Retina Display’)
just months after the iPad 3. All it really
adds is a new processor (the iPhone 5’s
A6X) and Apple’s new lightning connector.
However, this means it remains as the best
tablet money can buy - and Apple’s App
Store and its 300,000 dedicated tablet apps
only make the proposition more enticing.
Reviewed: April 2014, price: £150
www.archos.com
With so many budget tablets to choose
from the Archos 79 Platinum has no
features or unique selling points to attract
the consumer in a saturated market. Its
hardware is woefully underpowered, its
features are bog standard and it is at least
£10 too expensive. Its attractive looks are
not enough to redeem it. The bottom line is
that it should have never been conceived.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250
www.archos.com
A couple of years ago, the 101 XS would
have has us singing Archos’ praises, but by
today’s standards its processing power and
screen quality fall short. It might, though,
find a home with users limited to spending
£250 on a 10-inch tablet

OS iOS 6.0.1,
Screen 9.7 inch LED
Resolution 1536 x 2048
pixels at 264 ppi pixel density
CPU Apple A6X, Dual-core
GPU PowerVR SGX554MP4,
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 16/32/64 GB storage
Camera 5MP rear facing,
1.2MP front facing
Video 1080P HD at 30fps OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Dimensions 201 x 137 x 8mm OS Android 4.2.2 DIMENSIONS 273 x 169 x
Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 Processor Quad-core A9 Weight 366g SCREEN 10.1-inch/1,280 x 10.1mm (tablet),
a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 1.6GHz Battery Lithium Polymer 800 pixels 273 x 169 x 5mm (keyboard)
Cellular 4G, 3G, 2G Screen 7.85 inches CAMERA 2MP rear, 2MP WEIGHT 636g (tablet), 200g
Ports Lightning Connector Resolution 1,024 x 768 pixels front (keyboard)
(USB2.0) and 3.5mm audio Memory 1GB RAM VIDEO Record/playback
jack, Storage 8GB AUDIO Music player/3.5mm
Dimensions 241.2 x 185.7 x Camera 2MP rear-facing jack
9.4 mm Connectivity Wi-fi, MEMORY 16GB expandable
Weight 662 g Bluetooth via microSD

VERDICT: The best tablet money can buy. VERDICT: There is no reason you ever VERDICT: A great price is let down by a
would, or should, buy it. Avoid, avoid, avoid. poor screen and cheap build.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice editor’s choice

HHHHH HHHHH

Asus Transformer Google Nexus 7 Google Nexus 10

Pad TF701T
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £429
www.asus.com
The Asus Transformer Pad TF701T packs a
beautiful screen and the keyboard dock is
well thought out. But dated software and
the threat of a Google Nexus 10 sequel
make this a niche device. Do you really
need a keyboard? The iPad mini begs to
differ.
Reviewed: September 2012, price: £159
www.google.co.uk/nexus
Google’s Nexus 7 is a high-quality media
consumption device built for gaming,
watching videos, browsing the internet
and catching up on TV shows that you’ve
missed. What it isn’t is an Apple iPad, but
at this price it doesn’t need to be. Google
has picked what it wanted to do and done
it very well - and all at a great price. This
excellent device is sure to take tablets to a
whole new audience of consumers.
Reviewed: February 2013, price: £319
www.google.co.uk/nexus
Finally, the Android tablet everyone’s been
waiting for - except Apple. This is a tablet
that can go head to head with the best in
the Apple iPad stable - it has a powerful
processor, a Retina Display quality screen,
the latest version of Android. Along with
the Nexus 7, this is the best tablet Android
users can buy. The only flaws are an
uninspired body, and a dearth of tablet
specific apps.

OS Android 4.3 (via an over-
the-air update)
SCREEN 10.1-inch/2,560 x
1,600 pixels
INPUT Capacitive
touchscreen
CAMERA 5MP rear, 1.2MP
front
VIDEO Record/playback
AUDIO Music player/3.5mm
jack OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
MEMORY 32/64GB Screen 7-inch LED-backlit
BATTERY Tablet 31Wh, dock IPS LCD
16Wh Resolution 800 x 1280 pixels
Input Capacitive touchscreen
Processor 1.3GHz Cortex-A9
Memory 1GB
Storage 8GB/16GB internal
Camera 1.2MP front-facing
Flash No
Video 720p HD OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) RAM 2 GB
Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi Dimensions 263.9 x 177.6 x Cameras 5 MP (main), 1.9
Bluetooth 4.0 8.9 mm, 603g MP (front)
Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Screen 10-inches, Gorilla Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Micro USB 2.0 Glass 2, NFC Android Beam
Battery 10 hours use, Resolution 2560 x 1600p Storage 16 GB/32 GB
300 hours standby Input Super PLS TFT Connectivity Micro USB,
Size 199 x 120 x 10mm capacitive touch-screen Micro HDMI, 3.5mm
Weight 340g CPU Exynos 5, Dual-core headphone jack
ARM Cortex-A15 Battery 9000 mAh

VERDICT: It packs fast hardware but can’t VERDICT: A fantastic device that delivers all VERDICT: The best Android tablet available,
compete with the iPad Air or Nexus range you’d want from a tablet, at a great price. slips behind the iPad 4 only due to apps.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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editor’s choice
HHHHH

HP Slate 7 Lenovo ThinkPad 8 Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £125
www.hp.com
The steel frame makes the Slate 7 an
impressive sight and its audio uses Beats
technology to great effect. The fantastic
price will help it to undercut some of its
rivals, though the slow processor and low
quality camera keep it from besting them
elsewhere.
Reviewed: September 2014, price: £424
www.lenovo.com
If you just want a device for general tasks
then you can find better alternatives within
Lenovo’s Yoga range of Android slates, and
elsewhere. If you’re a fan of Windows and in
search of a bulkier device that offers plenty
of productivity tools, then the ThinkPad is
an (almost) viable option.
Reviewed: October 2013, price: £399
www.lenovo.com
The IdeaPad might have a cheesy name but
it excels in almost every other area, with a
fun, quirky design, amazing performance
that’s ideal for gaming and a slew of ports
for accessibility. This comes at the price of
the battery, which won’t make it through a
full day of use, and it’s sometimes awkward
to hold. But if its raw performance you’re
looking for, this delivers.

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Video 720p OS Windows 8.1 Video 1080p OS Windows 8 Bluetooth 4.0
Processor Dual-core 1.6 Dimensions 197.1 x 116.1 x Processor 2.4GHz quad-core Connectivity 4G Processor Intel Core i7- Keyboard Full-sized
GHz Cortex-A9 10.7 mm Screen 8.3 inches Dimensions 8.83 x 5.2 x 3689Y 1.5GHz QWERTY
Screen 600 x 1024 pixels, Weight 372 g Resolution 1,200 x 1,920 0.35 inches Graphics Intel HD Ports USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 2x1
7.0 inches Battery non-removable, 5h pixels Weight 439g Graphics 4000 card reader,
Memory 1 GB RAM media time Memory 2GB RAM Screen 11.6-inches (1366x HDMI-out
Storage 8 GB expandable Storage 32GB 768 pixels) IPS Dimensions 297.94 x 203.96
to 32GB via SD card Micro SD compatible? Yes Memory 8GB DDR3 RAM x 17 mm
Camera 3.15 MP pixel rear Camera 8MP rear-facing, Storage 256GB SSD Weight 1.39 kg
facing, VGA front facing 2.2MP front-facing Connectivity Wi-Fi,

VERDICT: Great audio and build, but corners VERDICT: Even with so few Windows tablets VERDICT: A fantastic device that offers you
have been cut to keep costs down. available the ThinkPad still fails to stand out. all the power you could ask for in a hybrid.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

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Lenovo Miix 2 Microsoft Surface 2 Pro Nokia Lumia 2520

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £255
www.microsoft.com/surface
With solid performance across the board,
frequently usable built-in apps and compact
size the Miix 2 is a small but surprisingly
versatile slate. Despite the limitations that
come with the Windows OS, it performs
general tasks well and, for the price, won’t
let you down. With 3G capability you can
even connect to the internet on the move.
Overall, it offers plenty of pleasant surprises
to combat the weaknesses of its OS.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £720
www.microsoft.com/surface
We can’t fault Microsoft’s ambition for
the powerful Surface Pro 2 to become
your all-in-one portable work and play
device. It’s got a great display and solid
hardware but a lack of dedicated apps,
software compromises and stiff - cheaper-
competition make it a tough sell.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £399
www.nokia.com
The Windows-run Lumia 2520 is a decent
first effort from Nokia - and it’s certainly
one of the more attractive and solid pieces
of tablet hardware on the market. It has a
few issues with the weight and a lackluster
camera but overall we have no trouble
recommending this to Windows 8.1 and
Lumia fans.

OS Windows 8.1 Connectivity 3G OS Windows 8.1 MEMORY OS Windows 8.1 DIMENSIONS 168 x 267 x
Processor 1.3GHz quad-core Dimensions 8.3 x 215.6 x SCREEN 10.6 64GB/128GB/256GB/512GB, SCREEN 10.1 inches, 1,920 x 8.9mm, 615g
Screen 8 inches 131mm inches/1,920x1,080 pixels expandable 1,080 pixels, 218PPI BATTERY 8120 mAh
Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels Weight 350g INPUT Capacitive BATTERY 48Wh processor Qualcomm
Memory 2GB Battery 4,730mAh touchscreen Snapdragon 800
Storage 32GB CAMERA 720p-resolution MEMORY 2GB
MicroSD compatible? Yes front and rear CAMERA 6.7MP with Carl
Camera 5MP rear-facing, VIDEO Record/playback Zeiss lens
2MP front-facing AUDIO Music player/3.5mm AUDIO Music player/3.5mm
Video 1080p jack jack

VERDICT: A small but substantial Windows VERDICT: Price holds back what is an VERDICT: A rock solid first effort from Nokia
offering that still trails its Android rivals. otherwise excellent work/play hybrid. in this market with powerful specs.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

94 www.whatmobile.net

59-96_ReviewsArchive_October14.indd 94 02/09/2014 13:04

 buyer’s guide

editor’s choice editor’s choice

HHHHH HHHHH

Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250
www.nokia.com
The Tab 3 Kids is surprisingly robust, with
a solid camera, great battery, fantastic
educational apps and software to suit kids.
But the premium design doesn’t feel like it
was meant to be enjoyed by young users
and we’d suggest going with a company
that specialises in the market rather than
one that’s testing it out.
Reviewed: October 2012, price: £399
www.samsung.com/uk
Arriving in the shadow of the third iPad, it’s
to Samsung’s credit that the Galaxy Note
10.1 isn’t completely dwarfed by its rival.
Combining a strong specification, unique
usability and some excellent features, it is
one of the best devices you can buy in the
ever-growing tablet market. The problem is
it is priced to target the iPad and while it is
certainly a great tablet, it’s not quite good
enough to rival Apple’s masterpiece device.
Reviewed: May 2014, price: £649
www.samsung.com/uk
One of the biggest displays ever seen
on a tablet - at no detriment to quality.
Combine that with solid design and a super
powerful processor to run loads of unique
applications and the NotePRO 12.2 is
arguably the best tablet on the market. It’s
certainly the best Android slate, although
it’s definitely priced as such.

OS Android 4.1
Processor Dual-core
1.2GHz
Screen 600 x 1,024 pixels,
7 inches
Memory 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB/16GB,
expandable up to 64GB
Camera 3.15MP (back),
1.3MP (front)
Video 720p@30fps
Wireless WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0
Ports micro-USB, microSD
Dimensions 188 x 111.1 x
9.9mm
Weight 306g
Battery Li-Ion 4,000 mAh
os Android 4.0 ICS
Screen 10.1-inch TFT
Resolution 800 x 1280 pixels
Input Capacitive touchscreen
Processor 1.4GHz quad-core
Memory 2GB
Storage 16/32/64GB internal,
MicroSD up to 64GB
Camera 5MP rear-facing,
1.9MP front-facing
Flash LED
Video 720p HD at 30fps
Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi,
Bluetooth 4.0
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
Micro USB 2.0
Standby time 1500 hours
Use time 33 hours
Size 258 x 175 x 9mm
Weight 583g
OS Android 4.4 KitKat Video 1,080p Full HD
Processor Octa-core Connectivity Wi-fi only
(1.9GHz + 1.3GHz quad) Dimensions 295.6 x 204 x
Screen 12.2 inches 7.95mm
Resolution 2,560 x 1,600 Weight 750g
pixels Battery 9,500mAh
Memory 3GB RAM
Storage 32GB/64GB
Camera 8MP rear/2MP
front-facing

VERDICT: A little too premium for the VERDICT: A fantastic tablet but it can’t VERDICT: Big, beautiful, functional and
market it’s aimed at. quite match up to the latest Apple iPad. priced to match. Android’s finest.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

www.whatmobile.net 95

59-96_ReviewsArchive_October14.indd 95 02/09/2014 13:04

 buyer’s guide

Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet Tesco Hudl Toshiba Excite Pure

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £399
www.sony.co.uk
If looks could kill, Sony murdered the
competition. Add to that a powerful processor
and decent screen size and you have a great
new addition to the high-end tablet market.
Innovative features like dust and water
resistance are impressive too, and manage to
make up the expensive price tag.
Reviewed: March 2014, price: £119
www.tesco.com/direct/hudl
No awards for specs or design, but we can
recommend the Hudl as a family-oriented
tablet. It lets you store pictures, browse
the web and watch movies: It may not be
groundbreaking, but its simplicity is its
greatest strength. That, and its incredible
£119 price. Those looking for anything more
complicated should head elsewhere.
Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250
www.toshiba.co.uk
The Toshiba Excite Pure’s £250 price is
attractive but its display is far too faded.
It means apps and the like don’t look very
good. It might appeal to families looking for
a cheap way to keep the kids entertained
but little else. Even so, the slow processor
and useless apps force us to recommend
you look elsewhere.

OS Android OS v4.4.2 Battery 6,000mAh OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Dimensions 128.8 x 192.8 OS Android v4.2 (Jelly Bean)
(KitKat) Network Wi-fi connectivity, Bean) x 9.85 mm Processor Nvidia Tegra 3
Screen 10.1 inches 4G LTE Processor Quad-core A9 Weight 370g Memory 1GB
Processor Quad-core 2.3 Screen 7 inches Battery 9 hours Storage 16GB
GHz Resolution 1,440 x 900 Screen 1280 x 800 pixels,
Memory 3GB pixels 10.1 inches
Storage 16GB, microSD up Memory 1GB RAM Video HD
to 64GB Storage 16GB Audio Stereo
Camera 8.1MP rear, 2.2MP Connectivity Wi-Fi, Dimensions 261.6 x 177.8 x
front Bluetooth 4.0 10.2mm

VERDICT: A good all-round tablet, with looks VERDICT: Cheap as cheap can be, with VERDICT: It’s got a cheap price tag but the
that set it apart from the rest of the flagships. specs to match. It keeps things simple. poor display and tech shows why.

Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH Performance HHHHH

Features HHHHH Features HHHHH Features HHHHH
Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH Usability HHHHH
Design HHHHH Design HHHHH Design HHHHH

HHHHH HHHHH HHHHH

96 www.whatmobile.net

59-96_ReviewsArchive_October14.indd 96 02/09/2014 13:04

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