Sony Xperia Z3 review: Hat trick

Introduction

To say we are eager to get the Xperia Z3 out for a spin would be a massive understatement - with the race track still warm from the Compact. After all, if the Robin in Sony's IFA lineup can do that well, we can only imagine what Batman is capable of. The Z3 is certainly one you wouldn't want to miss.

    

Sony Xperia Z3 official pictures

Sony's shorter update cycle sees the Xperia Z3 clock in just 6 months after its predecessor. At first glance, the next flagship isn't too generous with the upgrades, but anyone who has handled the Xperia Z2 will see most of its key issues addressed.

Curved at the edges for a fresh new look, the handset is supposed to offer improved ergonomics. Add the slimmer bezels, the loss of weight and the slimmer profile, and the Sony Xperia Z3 is already looking strong in the only area where its predecessor was open to criticism.

   

Sony Xperia Z3 official pictures

But it's not just the weaknesses that need looking at and the Xperia Z3 knows that. It tries to work on the main strengths of the Xperia Z2 too - it's got a higher IP certification while the 20MP camera has received a few cool new modes. Yet, it was the image processing that wasn't quite spot on last time around and we are really curious if Sony got it right this time.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves and stick to the plan - here goes the Sony Xperia Z3 review cheat sheet.

Key features

• 5.2" IPS LCD, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 424ppi, ambient light sensor
• LTE connectivity
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Xperia UI on top
• IP68 certified - dust and water proof up to 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with quad-core 2.5GHz Krait 400 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM
• 20.7MP camera, single LED flash, 2160p video recording, dedicated hardware shutter key
• 2.2MP front-facing camera with 1080p video recording
• 16/32GB of built-in storage, expandable via the microSD card slot
• Active noise cancellation with a secondary microphone
• 3,100mAh battery; STAMINA Power Saving Mode
• Stylish dual glass-panel design

Main disadvantages

• Non user-replaceable battery
• Slightly larger than most direct rivals

On the list of not-so-major improvements brought by the Sony Xperia Z3 we have a slightly faster CPU, wider audio format support and a longer list of compatible LTE bands. Curiously however, the battery capacity has been reduced - we can't help but wonder if the new flagship can match the excellent time of its predecessor?

   

Sony Xperia Z3 live shots

So, a seemingly subtle update is already raising several interesting questions and it's about time we set to find the answers. Join us after the break where we examine the exterior and see if the new, curvier design works as well in real life as it looks in those pictures.

[Via GSMARENA]

Android· featured· Review

SMARTPHONE Review

Sony Xperia Z3 review: Hat trick

Introduction

To say we are eager to get the Xperia Z3 out for a spin would be a massive understatement - with the race track still warm from the Compact. After all, if the Robin in Sony's IFA lineup can do that well, we can only imagine what Batman is capable of. The Z3 is certainly one you wouldn't want to miss.

    

Sony Xperia Z3 official pictures

Sony's shorter update cycle sees the Xperia Z3 clock in just 6 months after its predecessor. At first glance, the next flagship isn't too generous with the upgrades, but anyone who has handled the Xperia Z2 will see most of its key issues addressed.

Curved at the edges for a fresh new look, the handset is supposed to offer improved ergonomics. Add the slimmer bezels, the loss of weight and the slimmer profile, and the Sony Xperia Z3 is already looking strong in the only area where its predecessor was open to criticism.

   

Sony Xperia Z3 official pictures

But it's not just the weaknesses that need looking at and the Xperia Z3 knows that. It tries to work on the main strengths of the Xperia Z2 too - it's got a higher IP certification while the 20MP camera has received a few cool new modes. Yet, it was the image processing that wasn't quite spot on last time around and we are really curious if Sony got it right this time.

But let's not get ahead of ourselves and stick to the plan - here goes the Sony Xperia Z3 review cheat sheet.

Key features

• 5.2" IPS LCD, 1080 x 1920 pixels, 424ppi, ambient light sensor
• LTE connectivity
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat with Xperia UI on top
• IP68 certified - dust and water proof up to 1.5 meter and 30 minutes
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset with quad-core 2.5GHz Krait 400 processor, Adreno 330 GPU and 3GB of RAM
• 20.7MP camera, single LED flash, 2160p video recording, dedicated hardware shutter key
• 2.2MP front-facing camera with 1080p video recording
• 16/32GB of built-in storage, expandable via the microSD card slot
• Active noise cancellation with a secondary microphone
• 3,100mAh battery; STAMINA Power Saving Mode
• Stylish dual glass-panel design

Main disadvantages

• Non user-replaceable battery
• Slightly larger than most direct rivals

On the list of not-so-major improvements brought by the Sony Xperia Z3 we have a slightly faster CPU, wider audio format support and a longer list of compatible LTE bands. Curiously however, the battery capacity has been reduced - we can't help but wonder if the new flagship can match the excellent time of its predecessor?

   

Sony Xperia Z3 live shots

So, a seemingly subtle update is already raising several interesting questions and it's about time we set to find the answers. Join us after the break where we examine the exterior and see if the new, curvier design works as well in real life as it looks in those pictures.

[Via GSMARENA]

Apple iPhone 6 Plus review: Following the curve

Introduction

Apple caved to market pressure and created a phablet. This may sound as blasphemy but it's not the first time Cupertino is seen reacting to rivals getting too confident, too aggressive - too close for comfort. The first iPad mini had to respond back in its time to the rise of the compact Android tablets. That was different though - and not in a way perhaps that Apple will like.

The iPad mini was very much in a league of its own, by virtue of its screen size and aspect ratio. The phablet, on the other hand, is dragged into a tougher game away from home. For the first time, Apple is playing by someone else's rules. They're in it to win though. Second year in a row, users will be choosing from a pair, but this time it's a pair that doesn't have a straightforward first choice this time around. It's an iPhone and a bigger - better? - version of it.

The iPhone 6 Plus marks the biggest leap in iPhones since the iPhone 4 and will have implications for the iPads as well. With a large 5.5" screen to straddle the difference between the iPhone and the iPad Air.

    

Apple iPhone 6 Plus official images

Apple abandoned scaling the original 320 x 480 resolution by various factors and jumped to an industry standard of 1080p. This means that for the first time the iPhone can show FullHD video at 1:1 and also represents the first jump in pixel density since the iPhone 4 (even the smaller iPhone 6 is still at 326ppi).

The screen is the defining feature of the iPhone 6 Plus but another important update is the addition of Optical Image Stabilization to the camera, which has otherwise only seen iterative updates for the last four years.

Key features:

• Metal unibody, 7.1mm slim, 172g of weight
• LTE connectivity (Cat. 4, 150Mbps downlink)
• 5.5" 1,080 x 1,920 LED-backlit IPS LCD with 401 ppi pixel density
• Apple iOS 8; iPad-like split-screen functionality
• Dual-core 1.4 GHz Apple A8 chipset, M8 motion co-processor, PowerVR GX6450 GPU, 1GB of RAM
• 8MP F/2.2 camera with True tone LED flash, Optical Image Stabilization, phase detection auto focus, 1080p@30fps and @60fps video recording, 720p@120fps and 240fps video recording, 1.2MP F/2.2 front-facing camera with BSI sensor and HDR mode.
• 16/64/128GB of built-in storage
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the Home button
• 2,915mAh battery

Main disadvantages:

• Hard to use single-handedly, unimpressive screen to body ratio (6" Androids fit in the same footprint)
• No microSD slot
• Pricey memory upgrades, 32GB version should be standard for such an expensive phone
• No user-replaceable battery
• Protruding camera lens makes the phone wobble if you don't have a case on
• Camera is still merely 8MP four years in a row (granted, it's getting better every with every new generation)
• No 4K video and video sound is still mono
• No enhanced resistance to liquids or dust
• NFC functionality limited to Apple Pay
• Rather pricey for a flagship (without carrier subsidies) that misses some of the extras of the competition, such as stereo speakers, wireless charging, an infrared port, or FM radio

The iPhone 6 Plus will require a big adjustment from longtime Apple faithfuls who have grown used to the iPhone's classic size. That said, it may eat into iPad mini sales as people get to carry a large, usable screen in a pocket.

Also, changes between generations are generally small, such is the Apple way. This means the camera kept its still and video resolution and it still can't record stereo. The chipset was sped up a bit, but only about 20%, not as nearly as big a jump as between last generations.

    

The largest iPhone yet

Apple introduced a new design with the Sixes, an aluminum unibody with rounded sides and corners. Comparisons with the iPod touch are inescapable - the design isn't old (though not exactly new either) but it proved to have a weak point - causing it to bend in people's pockets.

The Tim Cook era is seeing Apple venture into new territories but with the iPhone 6 Plus it finds itself in a house built by Android, the house of phablets. Has the company changed enough to successfully upscale iOS to 5.5 inches? iPads certainly work great but there's more to it than that. Let's start exploring.

[Via GSMARENA]

A Review· featured

SMARTPHONE Review

Apple iPhone 6 Plus review: Following the curve

Introduction

Apple caved to market pressure and created a phablet. This may sound as blasphemy but it's not the first time Cupertino is seen reacting to rivals getting too confident, too aggressive - too close for comfort. The first iPad mini had to respond back in its time to the rise of the compact Android tablets. That was different though - and not in a way perhaps that Apple will like.

The iPad mini was very much in a league of its own, by virtue of its screen size and aspect ratio. The phablet, on the other hand, is dragged into a tougher game away from home. For the first time, Apple is playing by someone else's rules. They're in it to win though. Second year in a row, users will be choosing from a pair, but this time it's a pair that doesn't have a straightforward first choice this time around. It's an iPhone and a bigger - better? - version of it.

The iPhone 6 Plus marks the biggest leap in iPhones since the iPhone 4 and will have implications for the iPads as well. With a large 5.5" screen to straddle the difference between the iPhone and the iPad Air.

    

Apple iPhone 6 Plus official images

Apple abandoned scaling the original 320 x 480 resolution by various factors and jumped to an industry standard of 1080p. This means that for the first time the iPhone can show FullHD video at 1:1 and also represents the first jump in pixel density since the iPhone 4 (even the smaller iPhone 6 is still at 326ppi).

The screen is the defining feature of the iPhone 6 Plus but another important update is the addition of Optical Image Stabilization to the camera, which has otherwise only seen iterative updates for the last four years.

Key features:

• Metal unibody, 7.1mm slim, 172g of weight
• LTE connectivity (Cat. 4, 150Mbps downlink)
• 5.5" 1,080 x 1,920 LED-backlit IPS LCD with 401 ppi pixel density
• Apple iOS 8; iPad-like split-screen functionality
• Dual-core 1.4 GHz Apple A8 chipset, M8 motion co-processor, PowerVR GX6450 GPU, 1GB of RAM
• 8MP F/2.2 camera with True tone LED flash, Optical Image Stabilization, phase detection auto focus, 1080p@30fps and @60fps video recording, 720p@120fps and 240fps video recording, 1.2MP F/2.2 front-facing camera with BSI sensor and HDR mode.
• 16/64/128GB of built-in storage
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor built into the Home button
• 2,915mAh battery

Main disadvantages:

• Hard to use single-handedly, unimpressive screen to body ratio (6" Androids fit in the same footprint)
• No microSD slot
• Pricey memory upgrades, 32GB version should be standard for such an expensive phone
• No user-replaceable battery
• Protruding camera lens makes the phone wobble if you don't have a case on
• Camera is still merely 8MP four years in a row (granted, it's getting better every with every new generation)
• No 4K video and video sound is still mono
• No enhanced resistance to liquids or dust
• NFC functionality limited to Apple Pay
• Rather pricey for a flagship (without carrier subsidies) that misses some of the extras of the competition, such as stereo speakers, wireless charging, an infrared port, or FM radio

The iPhone 6 Plus will require a big adjustment from longtime Apple faithfuls who have grown used to the iPhone's classic size. That said, it may eat into iPad mini sales as people get to carry a large, usable screen in a pocket.

Also, changes between generations are generally small, such is the Apple way. This means the camera kept its still and video resolution and it still can't record stereo. The chipset was sped up a bit, but only about 20%, not as nearly as big a jump as between last generations.

    

The largest iPhone yet

Apple introduced a new design with the Sixes, an aluminum unibody with rounded sides and corners. Comparisons with the iPod touch are inescapable - the design isn't old (though not exactly new either) but it proved to have a weak point - causing it to bend in people's pockets.

The Tim Cook era is seeing Apple venture into new territories but with the iPhone 6 Plus it finds itself in a house built by Android, the house of phablets. Has the company changed enough to successfully upscale iOS to 5.5 inches? iPads certainly work great but there's more to it than that. Let's start exploring.

[Via GSMARENA]

ASUS releases Android 4.4 KitKat update for the ZenFone 4

ASUS has announced on Twitter that the Android 4.4 KitKat update has started rolling out for the ASUS ZenFone 4. It's a bit late now to do this but better late than never.

Meanwhile, those who bought the bigger and more expensive ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 are understandably miffed as their phones are still running Jelly Bean. ASUS hasn't commented on when these phones will be getting the KitKat update.

[Via GSMARENA]

News

SMARTPHONE News

ASUS releases Android 4.4 KitKat update for the ZenFone 4

ASUS has announced on Twitter that the Android 4.4 KitKat update has started rolling out for the ASUS ZenFone 4. It's a bit late now to do this but better late than never.

Meanwhile, those who bought the bigger and more expensive ZenFone 5 and ZenFone 6 are understandably miffed as their phones are still running Jelly Bean. ASUS hasn't commented on when these phones will be getting the KitKat update.

[Via GSMARENA]

Apple Watch production rumored to start in January

Apple presented its first wearable earlier this month, but the release of the Apple Watch is only going to happen next year. That said, the company was a bit vague on details when it came to this subject.

In these situations, though, rumors sometimes come to the rescue. The latest one on this matter, originating in Taiwan, says we should expect mass production for the Apple Watch to start in January.

That's because Apple wants to have it in stores in February, right before Valentine's Day. There's apparently going to be only one company making the Apple Watch, and that's Quanta. The Taiwanese OEM is looking to hire a lot of people for the plant that will handle the production for Apple's smartwatch, planning to reach a peak of 40,000 employees in January.

Although Quanta is the exclusive manufacturer of the Apple Watch right now, it's unclear whether this exclusivity has an expiration date attached. On the other hand, some unnamed "industry analysts" believe that if sales of the Apple Watch will go well, there will be a second OEM added at some point next year.

Interestingly, Quanta's deal with Apple might have terms prohibiting it from making smartwatches for any other company but Apple.

[Via GSMARENA]

News

SMARTWATCH News

Apple Watch production rumored to start in January

Apple presented its first wearable earlier this month, but the release of the Apple Watch is only going to happen next year. That said, the company was a bit vague on details when it came to this subject.

In these situations, though, rumors sometimes come to the rescue. The latest one on this matter, originating in Taiwan, says we should expect mass production for the Apple Watch to start in January.

That's because Apple wants to have it in stores in February, right before Valentine's Day. There's apparently going to be only one company making the Apple Watch, and that's Quanta. The Taiwanese OEM is looking to hire a lot of people for the plant that will handle the production for Apple's smartwatch, planning to reach a peak of 40,000 employees in January.

Although Quanta is the exclusive manufacturer of the Apple Watch right now, it's unclear whether this exclusivity has an expiration date attached. On the other hand, some unnamed "industry analysts" believe that if sales of the Apple Watch will go well, there will be a second OEM added at some point next year.

Interestingly, Quanta's deal with Apple might have terms prohibiting it from making smartwatches for any other company but Apple.

[Via GSMARENA]