/ MAGZUS.COM / What mobile january 2015 by jeeroldesa

MORE THAN 100 MOBILE DEVICES TRIED AND TESTED

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January 2015 Clark White Publishing Ltd 8-10 Godson Street Islington, London N1 9GZ

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A year of brand goodbyes What an incredible year it has been for the mobile phone industry. Samsung’s dominance withered and waned after its long-awaited Galaxy S5 failed to live up to the hype. But Apple created the usual hoopla, with the annual iPhone launch generating a 48-hour frenzy of consumerism gone crazy. Phones4u disappeared from the high street overnight amid accusations that the mobile networks had forced the closure. Motorola reinvented itself under new Chinese owner Lenovo, with some excellent new smartphones (Moto G and Moto X), while the Nokia name for phones ceased to exist. Think about that for a second: Nokia, the biggest mobile manufacturer in the world until a few years ago has disappeared from the mobile handset horizon. Of course, Nokia will still continue as a company making network infrastructure and tablets (p8). But you will never again be able to buy a new Nokia phone. That’s how fast the landscape changes in the mobile telecoms world, which makes our job of keeping you up to date on the state of play so much fun. So what can we look forward to in 2015? Well, we predict there will be one less mobile phone network, which will be bought and absorbed into BT, and that the mobile phone networks will become nothing more special to us than our gas and electricity supplier. And of course, the controversy over how the private information generated from your smartphone is used will rage on. It’s going to be an exciting year and we’ll be doing our best to keep you briefed on the information you need to work your way through the minefield of equipment and price plans.

The What Mobile team

contents

InsIde 08

WIN 06 Competition

40 Motorola Moto X

08 First Look: Nokia N1

44 Tesco Hudl 2

10 First Look: Jolla Tablet

46 iPad Teardown

12 Global

50 Apps and games

16 Patents

54 Mobile gaming

Win a PNY accessories bundle Nokia resurfaces with a new tablet A crowdfunded slate makes waves LG’s ‘Tamagotchi’ style phone and more Pourable data? You heard it here first

20 Holiday gift guide

Stocking fillers to get excited about

32 Samsung Galaxy Note 4

The range that started the ‘phablet’ craze

36 Apple iPhone 6 Plus

We give Apple’s hyped handset a full test

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Making a case for the best phone of the year The supermarket surprises with a top tablet Ripping apart Apple’s tamper-resistant tab All the latest downloads rounded up The best games on PlayStation Vita and 3DS

58 Buyer’s guide

Over 100 devices rated in our comprehensive guide

59 Phone reviews 89 Tablet reviews

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In what year did SanDisk create the first-ever microSD card? A) 2005 B) 2007 C) 2009 Email your entry, name and address (one only) to: competitions@whatmobile.net The winner will be contacted via email the following month.

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: 3 January 2015. 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 PNY accessories bundle. 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.

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first look

A chip off the old Nokia: N1 tablet It’s a mystery to us what’s going on at Nokia, but we’re happy to take any new devices the manufacturer deems fit to throw at us, including this tantalising tablet offering

espite spending all day, every day obsessing over mobiles and working hard to bring you all the news that’s fit to consume, we don’t have a clue what’s going on at Nokia. We thought we did, but we don’t. There’s no use pretending. Just when it looked like the company’s device manufacturing arm was dead and buried (or at least rebranded to Microsoft), it goes and gives us a new product completely out of the blue. We are referring to the Nokia N1, a 7.9-inch, high-spec Android tablet. We’re surprised, too.

Best of Both It’s very much a pleasant surprise though. The N1 looks to combine the best of both worlds: the slick, premium design of Nokia’s (former) Lumia range with the still-superior Android operating system. It’ll come running Android 5.0 Lollipop straight out the box, as well as something called Nokia Z Launcher. The Nokia Z Launcher seems to take the place of your standard Android homescreen and allows for quick and easy app access. Rather than diving through unseemly menus, you simply scribble the first letter of the app

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you want and you’ll be instantly provided with a matching list. It looks gorgeous, but we’re not sure how hardcore Android fans will take to it – does it replace homescreens entirely? What about widgets? We can’t wait to see it in action. On the outside, the build reminds us a little of the superb Nokia Lumia 930 smartphone – and a lot of the new iPad Air 2. The front is all smooth black bezel, while the edges are rounded brushed metal that turn into one smooth unibody aluminium backplate. The positioning of the camera and buttons is identical to Apple’s signature tablet too, with the rear camera sitting in the top-left hand corner as you look at it, while the lock button is situated on top of the device, with the two volume keys on the upper-right side. It’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the resemblance is immediately obvious. One thing we’re not so keen on is the oversized bottom bezel, particularly when the N1 features on-screen navigation buttons, but presumably Nokia couldn’t fit all the internals into anything smaller. The symmetry of the large front bezels only draws further comparisons to the iPad. Those bezels are a price worth paying though, as the technical specifications for the N1 are impressive.

first look

It’s powered by a 2.3GHz Intel 64-bit Atom Processor and 2GB of RAM to access its 32GB of onboard storage. The battery is 5,300mAh, too. The cameras are nothing to get excited about, with an 8-megapixel rear snapper and a 5-megapixel front-facer. But if your choice of tablet depends on its photographic capability, then you should know that you’re a misguided person.

uNcoNveNtioNAl Aspect Its 7.9-inch display uses an unconventional 4:3 aspect ratio, with a resolution of 2,048 x 1,536 pixels – that gives you a rather excellent 324 pixels per inch. If it makes comparison easier, know that if the display had a 16:9 aspect ratio, that would be around the QHD mark. It’s sharp, in other words. It’s also covered with Gorilla Glass 3 for extra protection. The device is pretty compact, too. At 6.9mm in depth, it’s less than a millimetre thicker than the iPad Air 2 and a whole millimetre thinner than the new Google Nexus 9. Weighing just 318g, it’s also considerably lighter than both. That remarkable weight could be something to do with the N1 lacking a 4G LTE antenna. Nokia might go on to announce a 4G-capable model

at a later date, but for now, the N1 appears to be wi-fi only. Oh, and there’s one more thing: the Nokia N1 will be one of the first devices on the market to use a micro-USB 2.0 type C port. That means reversible USB. The future has truly arrived. The N1 will be priced at $249 upon its release next February in China, but Europe should get it shortly after. We can only speculate, but the price tag should be circa £199.

2.3GHz processor and 2GB of RAM

7.9-inch tablet running Android

Lightweight at just 318g

8MP rear camera and 5MP up front

www.whatmobile.net 9

first look

Jolla tablet makes the crowds jolly A crowdfunded tablet with similar specs to the forthcoming Nokia N1 has smashed its funding target, and a couple of thousand lucky punters look set to get their hands on a bargain

here’s no denying that when Nokia unveiled the N1, it was the biggest story of the month. No one could have seen that coming. Except for one company, perhaps: fellow Finnish tech team Jolla. The company put a new, crowdfunded project up on the Indiegogo website called Jolla Tablet. At the time of writing, it had raised 326% of its funding goal – that’s a staggering $1,238,000 (£790,723) of $380,000 (£242,709). The product is a near-identical tablet to the Nokia N1, but with one significant twist.

NettiNg A sAilfish The Jolla Tablet runs on Sailfish OS, which is essentially Jolla’s customised version of mobile Linux. That means you get what the company promises to be “the world’s best, state-of-the-art multitasking”, plus the ability to run Android apps despite the device itself not technically being Android. Sounds good, right? If you recall from the previous page the specs that the Nokia N1 boasts, then you’ll know that the good news keeps on coming. You’ve got that 7.9-inch Corning Gorilla Glass 3 screen with a 2,048 x 1,536-pixel resolution, a 2.3GHz Intel 64-bit Atom processor, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory with room for expansion. Unfortunately, the preliminary design isn’t quite as nice as Nokia’s, the device is noticeably more chunky, and that aluminium unibody has been swapped out for what looks like a plastic build.

meAty multitAskiNg Jolla is hoping you’ll look past that to the superb design of its operating system. The main focus of Sailfish is multitasking, which is something we can certainly get behind. In all honesty, it looks like BlackBerry’s BB10 OS. That’s a good thing, though. There’s no on-screen buttons – or off-screen, for that matter. Everything is controlled by swiping from the edges. Open apps are permanently displayed side-byside in a grid on the homescreen, and you can interact with them without going into them. For example, you can control media from the multitasking view. There’s also something called ‘Ambiences’, which

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Runs on Sailfish operating system

7.9-inch screen with 2,048 x 1,536 pixels

first look

“The first batch for the crowdfunding early birds cost a ludicrous £120 to £127, but those 2,000 devices have all been snapped up”

seem to work like profiles. On the Indiegogo page you can see an animated mock-up of the user switching from their current Ambience to a ‘party’ Ambience. There’s also options called ‘gaming’ and ‘driving’. Presumably this provides a quick way of instantly switching around homescreens, with the change in app shortcuts and open apps that come along with it. ‘Events’ is also reminiscent of BB10, as it seems to be a unified notification centre that presents your calendar, schedule and communications notifications all in one place. Again, it’s a feature that’s widely praised in BB10, so we’re all for it.

pickiNg up the tAB Something that will undeniably please everyone is the Jolla Tablet’s price. The first batch for the crowdfunding early birds cost a ludicrous

$189 (£120). The second batch for those a little slower on the uptake was a similarly crazy $199 (£127). Those 2,000 devices have all been snapped up, so we don’t know what the next price point will be, nor when it’ll be made available again. It’s definitely promising, though. Jolla’s crowdfunding page estimates delivery by May 2015. It’s worth remembering that, at this point, the Jolla Tablet is purely conceptual – no units currently exist. But this isn’t some fly-by-night company, which is always a worry with crowdfunded efforts. Jolla already has the Jolla Phone to its name, which was released around Europe and Asia this time last year.

Corning Gorilla Glass 3 display

32GB of expandable space

2.3GHz Intel 64-bit Atom processor

Open apps appear side by side

www.whatmobile.net 11

international round-up

Around the world In the competitive Asian market, you can find many great phones that don’t get a Western release. With the continent going smartphone crazy, manufacturers are having to hatch fresh ideas to take mobile tech in new directions. Fingers crossed, some of it will land in the UK

LG AKA After what must have been a few very long, late nights in the office, LG has come up with the LG AKA – a range of smartphones aimed at young people, with bizarre Tamagotchi-like characters. Named Eggy, Wookie, Soul and YoYo, the characters come in yellow, white, blue and pink. These four boldly coloured phones each come with a matching case that slides on and off the front of the phone, but only covering three-quarters of it. The remaining quarter of the screen displays a set of eyes when the phone is locked, to make the handset seem like it’s alive. It even reacts to various shakes, taps and swipes with different facial expressions. Inside the box, there’s also an accompanying figurine that matches your phone. The device uses NFC technology to interact with your AKA, so when you position the statuette in front of its camera, it’s brought to life on screen. It’s a nice gimmick, and certainly something that distinguishes the AKA from the unending sea of rival devices.

The specs are run of the mill, with a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, 1.5GB of RAM and a 720 x 1,280-pixel 5-inch display. Unsurprisingly, it’s only set for a release in LG’s home of South Korea at ¥508,000 (roughly £290) – a little higher than we might have expected.

Samsung Galaxy A5 If you thought we got served up a lot of Samsung devices here in the UK, then spare a moment’s thought for those living in Asia. They get the same, bloated core line of products as us, as well as every other variant Samsung manages to come up with. The Galaxy A5 is one such example. The handset continues the sleek aesthetic of its pricier counterpart, the Galaxy Alpha, boasting a full-metal body and the thinnest frame we’ve seen from the South Korean manufacturer. If you’re just interested in its looks – and we don’t blame you if you are – then you’ll be pleased to hear that it will also be cheaper than the Alpha. Samsung has stated that it is aiming the colourful device at younger users. Despite the premium build, the new handset has drastically cut back on the specs. The A5 packs a

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5-inch HD Super AMOLED display, a 1.2GHz quadcore processor, a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera with wide-angle lens, chasing that lucrative selfie-loving crowd. It also packs 1GB of RAM, 16GB of storage, a 1,900mAh battery and 4G LTE connectivity. Overall, a rather standard mid-range device, then. But it’s the build and price – which Samsung has not yet confirmed – that will make the difference to potential buyers. Speaking of its design, the A5 is just 6.7mm thin and comes in a variety of colours, including black, silver, pink, light blue and champagne gold. If it seems like your sort of device, then don’t despair – Samsung has said it’s intent on releasing it in the UK eventually. For now, though, it’s only available in China and other select Asian markets.

international round-up

Kyocera Torque XT Japanese company Kyocera may be best known in the UK for creating office electronics, but it is also a sizeable manufacturer of business and rugged smartphones. The Kyocera Torque XT falls into the latter category. It’ll be solely available in the US through carrier Sprint. Kyocera has even gone all out in marketing it, hiring celebrity survivalist Bear Grylls to promote the device, to let you know just how rugged it is. It certainly seems to live up to the billing on paper, with not only the standard IP67 certification, but also military standard 810G protection. That means it’s been subjected to the same testing as US military gear, proving it’s resistant to low pressure, high pressure, temperature, water, radiation, humidity, fungus, sand, salt, electric shock, fire, acid and ballistic shock. Which actually seems pretty cool now that we’ve written it all out. What’s equally impressive is that underneath that tough exterior is a smartphone that runs Android 4.4 KitKat, which is still the latest version of Google’s operating system on most devices out there. Its tech specs might be wanting, but the Torque XT is capable of 4G LTE connectivity and features some neat power-saving modes, which Kyocera claims can produce upwards of 17 hours of talk time on a single charge.

Oppo N3 Oppo is rapidly becoming one of our favourite manufacturers in the Far East, and it looks like it’s scored another hit with the N3. It’s refreshing to see Asian manufacturers not solely focusing on the lower end of the market, but also using their sizeable resources to make really desirable handsets. The sequel to last year’s N1, the Oppo N3 improves on its predecessor in almost every meaningful way, while retaining its key feature: a swivelling camera. You might not notice it at first, but the N3 only has one camera. Located centrally at the top of the device, it actually serves as both a front and rear shooter, as it rotates on a horizontal axis powered by a little electric motor. It’s just quirky enough to make the device a real seller. What’s more, it’s actually beneficial to the user as it means you get both a very handy 16-megapixel main camera and an outstandingly sharp 16-megapixel selfie-cam rolled into one. The display is still Full HD 1080p resolution, but on a 5.5-inch screen – that’s 0.4 inches smaller than the N1 – it amounts to an increase in pixels per inch. The processor is a very serviceable Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 clocked at 2.3GHz, with 2GB of RAM, and it runs on Android 4.0 KitKat. Even better, Oppo seems to be planning to release the N3 in the UK, with an early 2015 release date looking most likely. We expect the price to be set around the £400 mark.

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futurology

Patently ObviOus If you’re sick of copycat phones with barely a smidgen of difference to set them apart, we’re here to tell you what the future holds – and it involves ‘pourable’ data, sweat monitors, projector smartglasses, and perhaps most remarkably, an innovation from Blackberry

Pourable file transfer Apple Now here’s something a little different. Apple has patented a method of file management that would see the iPad move away from the traditional, more desktop-like experience, to make full use of the portability, connectivity and touch functionality of its tablet range. When you think about it, we still perform basic file management on our tablets the same way we would on a desktop computer, only without a mouse and keyboard. Tap and hold instead of right-click, tap, hold and drag to move, and so on. But this latest patent sees Apple trying something more intuitive. For one, you could simply draw a circle around the desired apps to group them, rather than the drag ‘n’ drop approach we use right now. You could then assign that group of files or apps a virtual ‘weight’ by pinching to enlarge them. Do this with several groups, and a literal shake of your iPad could reorder them by weight. You could also transfer files from one device to another by physically pouring them. Select your apps and tip your iPad on its edge to send them wirelessly to a nearby device. Larger files would fall and pour slower, and the recipient device would witness their iPad literally filling up in real time. It’s a neat idea, and one very much in keeping with Apple’s alternative approach to user interface design – it’s just a shame that it’s unlikely to ever be implemented.

Moisture detector Apple

Google Glass with a built-in projector Google

There’s wearable tech to monitor your heart rate, movement and sleep these days – all are capable of being tracked with remarkable accuracy. But one thing that everybody does when they exercise that isn’t being monitored yet is sweat. At least that’s what we presume this latest patent from Apple is all about. What other practical purpose could “moisture control and moisture indication features” relate to? The patent goes into unusually specific detail about where moisture indicators might be placed, listing various ports on an unspecified device (such as the headphone jack and the charging port). The only other reason we suggest could be something to do with waterproofing. The patent lists various barriers and protective layers that prevent water from reaching certain components. But it doesn’t specify which device this is meant for so the Apple Watch, iPhone, iPad and MacBook lines are all fair game.

How do you make Google Glass desirable and relevant? If your answer is “pack a projector into it”, then you’re either completely mad or part of the Google team of developers. This latest patent is just that: the much-maligned augmented reality glasses Google Glass, but with an integrated projector. The idea is that you would be able to show others around you exactly what you’re seeing through Glass. Exactly why you’d want to do that is unclear, seeing as it simply presents you with information already on your phone, but it’s undeniably a unique feature. Call us cynical, but it’s probably going to take more than a face-mounted projector to save Google’s bête noire.

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BEYOND STYLE. COMPACT, BEAUTIFUL & FAST.

futurology

smartphone-unlocking wearable BlackBerry

another bendy smartphone Samsung

It’s been a while since we last saw something from BlackBerry in these pages, but right here is something that should excite fans of the struggling company. BlackBerry has patented a wearable that would allow for password-free unlocking of your smartphone when worn. The key difference between this and similar ideas we’ve seen from the likes of Google and Apple is that the device only works when worn. Looking at the diagrams, there seems to be a small contact that is only live when the wrist-worn device is fastened. This means that if it was, say, left on your bedside table next to your phone, it wouldn’t allow someone else to easily unlock your device. On a more basic level, the wearable presumably communicates with your device via NFC rather than Bluetooth or wi-fi, for the sake of battery consumption and ease of use. It’s this sort of effort to cultivate an ecosystem that we want to see more of from BlackBerry. For such a big brand, it lacks any sort of identity outside of its handset line. This kind of cohesion could see it gain some much-needed ground on Apple and Google.

If ever there was a common theme to the patents we trawl through every month, it’s the idea of a flexible smartphone display. They pop up so frequently that it seems like device manufacturers are just patenting every half-baked idea they come up with in the hope that some will stick. This latest patent is from Samsung, and it’s probably the wackiest yet. We’re not saying it won’t work, but at the same time, we’d be amazed if it ever made it to production. The focus this time seems to be on creating multiple viewing surfaces on one device through the act of folding. The bottom quarter of the phone appears to roll and fold over onto itself, so that you get two clearly separated displays at two very different angles. How is that useful? One visual example the patent gives is email: your traditional flat display shows the keyboard and the message you’re typing, while the folded side shows your inbox. The phone would also have some way of telling just how much of the curved display is visible, seeing as it can be rolled and folded to different degrees. It looks interesting, and after the release of the Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, anything is possible, but this should be taken more as a prototypical concept.

Remote controls for your car Apple Apple Car Play might only be available in a select few cars right now, but Apple is already looking to improve its newest toy. A recently published patent has shown that Apple wants to bring even more features to its in-car ecosystem. The idea is simple enough: turn your iPhone into a remote control for your car. The whole concept of Car Play is to build your entire in-car experience around your iPhone, so why not take things one step further? An ‘accessory’ device would need to be installed in your car, which would allow for it to detect the proximity of your smartphone. With that knowledge, it could automatically unlock your car as you approach or lock it as you walk away. It could even know when you’re sat in the driver’s seat and allow you to turn on the engine without use of a key. This is clearly something that will appeal to only a very fortunate niche of consumers, but it’s still pretty cool.

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GadGets, Gifts and accessories

Holiday gift guide We’ve spent the last 12 months telling you what phone to buy, but how are you to know what goodies to get everyone else? What Mobile is here to help

01 / Pebble/Pebble Steel £99/£179 With the Apple Watch awaiting a release date, you’ve only got one real choice of smartwatch if you own an iPhone. Fortunately, it’s a very, very good one. The Pebble was actually the first true smartwatch to hit mass production and it’s still one of the best. It can perform all manner of tasks, display notifications from your apps, and even deliver information like weather forecasts and sports scores. Its classic monochrome display makes for a whopping seven-day battery life and it uses buttons rather than a touchscreen to make input as simple as possible. You can get it in playful plastic or sleek steel if you’re willing to pay a little more. Oh, and if you’re an Android user getting jealous, don’t worry – it’s compatible with both operating systems.

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gadgets, gifts and accessories

02 / LG G Watch

03 / Samsung Gear Live

04 / LG G Watch R

£139

£169

£209

One of the first Android Wear devices to hit the market is now the cheapest. If you’re unsure as to whether or not a smartwatch is for you, this could be a good option to try out. It’s smooth, slim, and at a glance, doesn’t look too dissimilar to your everyday digital watch.

On the other hand (no pun intended) is the Gear Live, which is one of the more recent Android Wear releases. If you’d rather a rectangular watch face than one of the more in-vogue round ones, then this is a fantastic choice. The steel exterior is a particular boon.

After the original G Watch’s lukewarm reception, LG returned to the drawing board and came up with something brilliant. The G Watch R is the most advanced smartwatch on the market. It looks the part, has a premium build and uses the best wristworn processor going.

05 / Motorola Moto 360 £199 The smartwatch that dared tech nerds to dream, the Moto 360 is undeniably one of the prettiest pieces of tech out there right now. If you feel the need to look past its superb classic aesthetic, there’s also the purest form of Android Wear software running on it, too.

www.whatmobile.net 21

GadGets, Gifts and accessories

06 / Parrot Zik £299 Sure, you could use any old pair of headphones with your smartphone, but why should you settle for basic functionality? Not only does the Parrot Zik offer exceptional sound quality, but it also works in conjunction with a free iOS and Android app that allows you to control the noise-cancelling levels and EQ. Artist-specific EQs are even available for you to download to get the most out of your music. Oh, and they’re wireless, too.

07 / Philips Fidelio A2 £250 Remember when hi-fis were relevant? It can be difficult to make use of them now that CDs are dying a slow death, but if you should have an old set of speakers lying around, the Philips Fidelio A2 will give them a kiss of life. This magic box connects to any set of speakers and you can stream music to it wirelessly. It will connect with your computer, iOS or Android device to stream music via wi-fi. It also has built-in internet radio and an aux connector for doing things the oldfashioned way.

08 / Jawbone Jambox £129 For a more portable audio experience, the Jawbone Jambox is a wireless receiver and wireless speaker rolled into one. It’s smaller than a standard house brick, yet packs a sizeable sonic punch. Connect any Bluetooth-enabled device to it and you’re away. It also supports voice commands and calling, should someone interrupt your session. The Jambox comes in a variety of colour combinations and the battery’s good for over 10 hours of playtime.

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get in touch with the new Liquid e3 at acer.com and All pictures are intended to show the product for marketing purposes and do not show any technical feature of the product. Acer and the Acer logo are registered trademarks of Acer, Inc. Other trademarks and trade names are those of their respective owners. Images are for reference only. SAR: 0.29W/kg

GadGets, Gifts and accessories

09 / Nike+ FuelBand SE £89 It’s no surprise that the leading name in sports attire has made one of the best fitness accessories on the market. The FuelBand SE measures general activity in a unit called ‘Fuel’, with the band tracking your Fuel accumulated throughout the day. It not only lets you know when you’ve met a target, but it can also remind you to get up and exercise if you’re sat behind a desk all day. The app logs your progress so you can compete with your equally fitness-mad friends.

10 / Adidas MiCoach Smart Ball £145 It might not look like it on the outside, but the miCoach Smart Ball is undoubtedly the most intelligent leather sphere ever crafted. Well, technically it’s made of thermoplastic polyurethane, but that only makes it sound even more impressive. At its heart is a sensor that tracks everything from distance travelled to shot power, spin, strike zones and trajectory. The companion app gives you professional-level feedback to help you improve your game.

24 www.whatmobile.net

gadgets, gifts and accessories

11 / Game Golf £159 If you thought golf was the game of stuffy old-timers, then you’ve clearly never seen Game Golf before. The set is comprised of a small box that clips onto your waistband and 14 thumbtack-shaped trackers that you put into the top of each of your clubs. Game Golf tracks your swing and measures the distance and direction of all of your shots. The data is logged on the accompanying smartphone app, so you can see your progress and check all of your stats whenever you like.

12 / Fitbit Aria Wi-Fi Smartscale £99 How about a fitness gadget that you don’t put on you, but put under you. The problem with conventional scales is that we step on them, read the number and then promptly forget about it until the next time. Were you 154lbs last month, or 145lbs? Have you been slimming for four weeks or five? The Aria logs all of your information so you don’t have to, and automatically syncs with its accompanying smartphone app. It even measures body fat and suggests workout regimens.

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GadGets, Gifts and accessories

13 / Moga Pro Power controller £60 With smartphone gaming rapidly catching up with the popularity of console gaming, and a wealth of outstanding mobile titles out there, you’d be a fool to leave yourself ill-equipped. Moga is the number one name in mobile gaming controllers, and the Pro Power and Rebel (£60) are two of the best – for Android and iOS respectively. They connect to your device via Bluetooth, with your handset then clipping into the controller’s collapsible bracket. Now you’ve got a console-level suite of buttons and thumbsticks available, supported by a huge catalogue of games. 26 www.whatmobile.net

• Visit a Virgin Media store

• virginmedia.com

• 0800 952 2258

You must pay off your loan in full in order to upgrade your handset. Based on a 24-month consumer credit agreement with Virgin Media Mobile Finance Limited for the phone, and a 30-day rolling Pay Monthly Airtime Contract with Virgin Mobile Telecoms Limited. Credit subject to status, credit check and payment by direct debit. 18+. Terms and conditions apply. 0% APR Representative. Visit virginmedia.com/freestyle for full details. All details are correct at time of publication and subject to change without notice. From 2015, your Pay Monthly Airtime Contract will be adjusted every year on your July bill by the Retail Price Index (RPI) rate of inflation announced in the May before. Virgin Media Mobile Finance Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under register no. 626215. Registered office: Media House, Bartley Wood Business Park, Hook, Hampshire RG27 9UP. Registered in England and Wales no. 9058868. Prices shown for eBill. UK’s best price based on the total combined cost of upfront fee and monthly charge for the length of the contract, as at 20th November 2014. For paper bill add £1.50. Tariffs only available to customers with at least one Virgin Media Cable or National product. Phones subject to availability. Pay Monthly service terms apply. Details at virginmobile.co.uk

GadGets, Gifts and accessories

14 / Google Chromecast £30 Do you find that you watch more TV on your tablet than you do on a television? Chromecast is made for people like you to help make your TV relevant again. Plug it into any HD TV, wirelessly connect your mobile device or laptop to it and enjoy all of your favourite apps and media on the big screen. It’s seamless, it’s simple and it’s probably the future of television.

15 / Google Cardboard £9 A lot of products claim to make virtual reality affordable, but none of them hold a candle to Google Cardboard. That’s probably for the best, as it would most likely go up in flames, because this cut-price headset is literally made of cardboard. It assembles in an ingenious flat-pack manner, and you simply slide your smartphone in when you’re done. It’s compatible with a number of popular Android handsets and more apps are being released for it by the day.

16 / AAXA P2 Jr LED Pico Projector £168 For something a little more sociable than personal VR, how about a pocket-sized projector? The AAXA P2 Jr is smaller than an iPhone – and compatible with them, too. Plug in your iOS or Android device and go from smartphone screen to silver screen, with a projection big and bright enough for everyone to enjoy. 28 www.whatmobile.net

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reviews

Why buy a tablet when a ‘phablet’ will do the job? Compare the iPhone 6 Plus and Note 4 to decide whether style or stylus is your thing. Plus the Moto X and Hudl 2 reviewed – two of 2014’s best devices

“The Note 4 is better than ever and stands up to the iPhone 6 Plus”

32 / Samsung Galaxy Note 4 36 / Apple iPhone 6 Plus 40 / Motorola Moto X 44 / Tesco Hudl 2

How we review To show you where a device succeeds or fails, we grade each device in five key areas.

Design

Performance

Features

Usability

Final verdict

First we fully test the speed and power of each device. Next we find out how well the device functions in daily use.

Then we rate the style and quality of the overall design. What kind of unique features and add-ons does it have? A rating out of five, balancing cost versus performance.

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

Editor’s choice Only the very best devices will win our What Mobile Editor’s Choice award.

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samsung galaxy note 4 The Galaxy Note is still the king of phablets but regular phones are sizing up to Samsung’s big hitter Price: £498 Reviewer: Phillip Brown

ometimes Samsung doesn’t get the credit it deserves. Fans gush over Apple’s ability to create new product categories overnight, yet its South Korean rival created what is arguably one of the most popular today: the “phablet” For the uninitiated, the phablet is the tag given to any phone so large that you might as well stop bothering to use your tablet. When Samsung unveiled the first Galaxy Note, many people dismissed it as an oversized Dom Joly-esque novelty. Yet here we are, reviewing Samsung’s fourth iteration of the Note. And it’s better than ever. It even stands up to a major contender in the shape of the massive iPhone 6 Plus – Apple’s first foray into phablet territory.

Design

Minimal size boost over the Note 3

New metal frame replaces plastic

spec sheet Os Android 4.4.4 processor 2.7GHz quad-core screen 5.7 inches Resolution 1,440 x 2,560-pixels Memory 3GB RAM storage 32GB Micro sD compatible? Yes

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 barely strays from the formula. In fact, there’s very little different here from the design of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, but that’s okay because its predecessor was one of the best phones of 2013. Some readers will be relieved to see Samsung calling a ceasefire in the screen-size arms race. At 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm, the Note 4 is only a few millimetres taller than its predecessor, with an almost identical screen and front face. You’d struggle to spot the difference. Pick up the handset and you’ll immediately feel one change though: its body. While it tips the scales at only 176g, Samsung has finally swapped out the cheap plastic frame for a metal one. It feels just as manageable – the power button remains in place on the right hand side – but much more premium. It’s a welcome move, and the slightly curved profile

at a glance camera 16MP rear-facing, 3.7MP front-facing Video 2160p at 30fps connectivity 4G Dimensions 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5mm Weight 176g Battery 3,220mAh

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adds to the aesthetic. Once again letting the side down, however, is Samsung’s horrible faux leather rear cover. It certainly provides grip, but it looks like a sofa the singer in an Abba tribute act might own – the white version particularly. It isn’t as awful an eyesore as Apple’s gold iPhone 6, but the full metal jacket of the regular iPhone 6 Plus wins on style. We’d strongly suggest switching the back cover for one of Samsung’s folio cases, which activate the screen when you flip the front cover open. On the plus side, the rear is at least removable, so you have access to a microSD slot for storage expansion, the battery, if you eventually need to replace it, and the SIM card slot.

FeatuRes There’s even a heart-rate sensor. That’s right, a heart-rate sensor. Put your finger on it and the S Health app can give you a reading. It’s a nice option to have, though Samsung’s other hardware addition, a fingerprint scanner, is something of a flop. We’re of the view that for fingerprint security to be faster than a PIN code, it has to work every time, or why bother? Apple’s Touch ID gets it right, but the ‘swipe

“At almost half a foot long, the Note 4’s size might sound daunting, but it’s important to stress just how manageable the device is” to unlock’ tech inside the Note 4 is unreliable. As a result, you’re unlikely to use it.

Display Of course, a well-built phablet should be all about the screen, and here Samsung delivers. The 5.7-inch 2K – or Quad HD, four times more pixels than a 720p HD screen – display is one of the best we’ve seen on a mobile, matched only by the likes of LG’s powerful G3. It’s pinsharp, but importantly for a Super AMOLED display, not overly saturated, meaning photos look naturalistic rather than covered in tie dye. At almost half a foot long, that screen size might sound daunting, especially if you’re used to an iPhone 4s or older handset. But it’s important to stress just how manageable the device is, provided you’re the type of person who doesn’t make too many phone calls. It fits in your pocket and you can type one-handed. The only thing you probably can’t do is reach the top control bar on the web browser one-

handed when held in portrait mode, but that’s a small price to pay for something almost as big and even more powerful than a chunky tablet. Watch a movie on the Note 4 and, believe us, you’ll never again settle for in-flight entertainment on your travels.

apps Much of its usability is down to the software available on the Note 4; a slide-gesture keyboard such as SwiftKey makes typing one-handed easy (replace Samsung’s archaic default keyboard immediately), while Samsung’s custom Multi Window software makes full use of all that screen space by letting you open two apps at the same time and resizing them to fit. You could have Twitter running next to a YouTube clip, for instance, or open WhatsApp while searching Google Maps. It’s incredibly helpful, and we’re astonished Google hasn’t included the feature on its latest version of Android: 5.0 Lollipop.

stylus with substance While you can use a stylus with almost any phone or phablet – so long as it’s a pen that supports capacitive touchscreens – the Note 4 has a few key advantages in this area. For starters, the S Pen stylus, which comes included, is housed in the handset’s chassis, so you’re less likely to forget or lose it. When you pull it out, it even triggers relevant apps on screen. It’s also more sensitive than most alternatives; Wacom’s touchscreen tech built into the Note’s screen can sense different levels of pressure, like using a pencil or pen on paper – perfect if you want to sketch on the bus.

stylus skills – If you’re sick of tapping out text on a touchscreen with your sausage fingers, and endlessly having to correct input mistakes, the Note makes note-taking quick and easy

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stylus What makes the Note 4 truly stand out is its integrated stylus. It’s still the best example of a digital pen on the market. Pop out the S Pen from the bottom of the phone and you can write a memo or draw straight away. It’s surprisingly accurate and sensitive for a capacitive touchscreen, which is designed to recognised fingertips rather than precise points of contact. Better still, you can select a section of the screen with the pen and copy the text on it to send to others. If you’re not artistically inclined or have virtuoso pianist hands, you might never need to use the stylus, but it’s worth checking out as it could just make your life easier.

sOFtWaRe One thing that won’t, though, is Samsung’s software. Manufacturers of devices running Google’s Android operating system are allowed to alter the software such as changing the layout of the homescreen, or in this case, adding stylus integration. But often the changes detract from the experience. The Note 4 is no different. Instead of clean, simple Android, the launcher on the Note 4 is a kaleidoscopic mess, plainly pulled from the flat look of Apple’s iOS 7 and iOS 8 software.

camera – Daylight results from the 16-megapixel camera lived up to the Galaxy S5’s sensor

It’s also bogged down with needless commercial tie-ins. Swipe to the left on the homescreen, and social reader app Flipboard immediately loads. Why? Samsung also duplicates apps. While it’s fair to say that, Flipboard aside, Samsung has reined in the amount of preloaded ‘bloatware’ on its phones, there’s still a lot of duplication of core Android services to confuse you for no clear reason. For instance, there’s a Samsung Music app,

“The Note 4 certainly performs – its 2.7GHz quad-core processor flies, while 3GB of RAM helps you multitask better than most phones”

as well as Google’s own Play Music app. There’s an Internet app, as well as Google’s vastly superior Chrome browser. Long-press the home button and you can talk to your phone using Google Now, but double tap it and you can use S Voice instead. Google’s stock calendar app, meanwhile, is not even included – be sure to avoid Samsung’s S Planner though. Samsung has yet to improve on Google’s own offering, so why it persists in giving users two options is baffling. Of course, Android is customisable so you can deactivate any apps you don’t like. And the Galaxy Note 4 certainly performs: its 2.7GHz quad-core processor flies, while 3GB of RAM is also a serious reserve to help you

galaxy note 4 vs. google nexus 6 The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 will have another contender to face very soon: Google’s Motorola-built Nexus 6, which as the name suggests is a giant 6-inch Android smartphone. While similar in size and running on the same software platform, there are a few important differences to note. The Nexus 6 is Google’s very own phone, running the latest version of unadulterated Android, 5.0 aka Lollipop, complete with an overhauled, clean look. That means it’s Android in its purest form, without any tinkering from the likes of Samsung, and will always be first to get Android updates. The Note 4 runs slightly older 4.4 KitKat, meanwhile, and might not receive the 5.0 update for some time. Android 5.0 does not include the best features of the Note 4 software, though, which were designed with stylus integration in mind, and the dual-app view makes the most of a phone of this size. We’ll have a full review of the Google Nexus 6 in these pages soon.

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apps – All the usual Android apps feature, though alas there’s no Google calendar

multitask better than most rival phones. It regularly smashes a score of 3,000 in the Geekbench 3 benchmark test, which few rival flagship phones can lay claim to. In more than a year of use, not once did we ever manage to cause slowdown on the Note 3, and we’re confident the same will be true of the Note 4. One thing to be aware of, though, is that the Note 4 is not running Android 5.0 Lollipop, the latest version of Google’s mobile software. At the time of writing, the company had not confirmed whether it planned to upgrade the Note 4 to Android 5.0, but we’re confident that this will remain a powerful phone capable of servicing your needs long after your contract has ended.

s pen – The stylus has been well integrated in Samsung’s take on Google’s Android oS

BatteRy & caMeRa All this comes at surprisingly little cost to battery life. The replaceable 3,220mAh cell easily cleared a day of heavy use in our testing, with about 20% left most evenings, meaning there was no need to activate one of two (handy) power-saving modes. It’s not the day and a half of use you’d get from the Note 3, but the bottom line is you’re still going to need to charge your phone up every night. Last but certainly not least is the 16-megapixel camera on the Note 4. It’s surprisingly on a par with the flagship Galaxy S5’s sensor, thanks to optical image stabilisation, and in daylight at least it holds up very well, with sharp, accurate results. The single LED flash doesn’t solve the problem of

software – The look of Samsung’s interface is no improvement on untouched Android

noise in dark scenarios, however. We actually prefer that Samsung’s dumped some of the more pointless shooting modes seen on the S5, keeping it to a manageable four.

cOnclusiOn Samsung invented the phablet three years ago, and no company has managed to snatch the crown away since. The solid battery life, built-in stylus and splitscreen app make this a stand-out device, but the latest crop of larger flagship phones should give you plenty to think about when it comes to picking your next phone. This year’s top-of-the-range handsets include some big hitters in the shape of the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8 and Sony Xperia Z3.

VeRDict This year’s effort ensures the Note remains top of the phablet pile, but unless you’re particularly taken with the stylus and split-screen app combo, you shouldn’t discount the latest flagship phones. The LG G3 and new Motorola Moto X are stunning devices, only slightly smaller in size and power. Unless you’ve got a thing for faux leather, that is, in which case the Note 4 is the best gadget ever made.

+ Obscenely fast + Stylus and split-screen work well + Decent battery life – Samsung ‘bloatware’ – No Android 5.0 yet – Falls short of iPhone 6 Plus’s looks

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iphone 6 plus For once, Apple has followed the pack and released a ‘phablet’ – but does it measure up to its rivals? Price: £700 Reviewer: Ian White

editor’s choice

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Smooth body is slippery to hold

Biggest-ever iPhone screen at 5.5 inches

Bendy phone? Not that we found

Spec Sheet OS iOS 8.1.1 processor A8 64-bit Screen 5.5 inches Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16/64/128GB (64GB reviewed) MicroSD compatible? No camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front

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at a glance Video 1080HD location Assisted GPS, Glonass, digital compass connectivity 4G, wi-fi 802.111a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC Dimensions 158.1 x 7.1 mm thickness 7.1mm Weight 172g Battery 2,195mAh

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s soon as Apple’s new monster iPhone 6 Plus launched in September, the internet was humming with thousands of reports of the 5-5-inch ‘phablet’ bending out of shape if you carried it in a tight front or back pocket. And sure enough, within 48 hours of launch there were any number of YouTube videos proving that, if you took an iPhone 6 Plus in both hands and used all your strength to bend it, it would – amazingly – bend. Scoop: aluminium and glass is not as hard as steel. Well, we all know how the internet breeds hysterical stuff at the speed of light. In fact, the original report of a bent Plus came from a single post on the respected MacRumors forum. It then spread like wildfire for little reason other than websites always increase their traffic when they feature controversial stories about the iPhone. This is why the world is inundated with new iPhone rumours months before the annual September product release cycle. Come February, you won’t be able to move for iPhone 7 gossip. Anyway, what better way to find out if the initial hysteria about the warped Plus is truth or fiction than to test it to see if it really is made of soft cheese? So, a quick visit to applestore.com, a few clicks, a melting credit card, and two weeks later a brand spanking new iPhone 6 Plus 64GB in stunning Space Grey arrives. We’ve been using an iPhone 6 Plus daily for nearly a month now. And guess what – it is still exactly the same shape as the day of its unboxing. It’s been carried in back pockets, front pockets and top pockets. Not once has it squeaked, cracked, changed shape, disappeared through a wormhole or distorted. Doubtless the

muscle-bound bench-pressers at the nearby gym could thwack it out of shape if they really tried. But in normal day-to-day use, the iPhone Plus is as unbendable as every iPhone that has gone before it.

DiMenSiOnS It might surprise you to hear the iPhone is not really a phone. When you first get this wondrous slab of aluminium and glass in your hand, your first thought is, “Oh no, I’ve made a terrible mistake. This is too big to be a phone.” And you’d be right, because it is too big to be a phone. But pretend for a second that Apple had labelled it the ‘iPad Nano’. Aha! Now it makes sense. The Plus should really be regarded as a little iPad that lets you make and receive phone calls. It is a very powerful pocket computer. Calling it an iPhone makes as much sense as calling Buckingham Palace a house; since carrying the iPhone 6 Plus, our MacBook Air and iPad have been gathering dust. The 5.5-inch Plus screen is perfect for moviewatching duties and the large keypad makes viewing and responding to documents and emails just about as easy as on the Air and iPad. With an in-car holder, it is all the vehicle sat-nav you will ever need. It is conceivable that the Plus would be the only computer you’d ever need to take on holiday. Ironically, its weakest use is as a phone. It does feel cumbersome when held against your head, and you do feel a bit self-conscious in public with a 5.5-inch slab clasped to your head. But let’s face it, in this day and age of social networking, the voice call facility of a modern smartphone is probably the least-used feature. Most of the applications and functions we use are screen-

Bigger screen – The extra space will be welcome if you struggle to type on smaller iPhones

camera controls – Move the yellow square to the area you want to correctly expose

apple health Kit – One of the installed apps that can keep track of your fitness metrics

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based. And for that, a 5.5-inch ‘iPad Nano’ makes perfect sense. Regarding the iPhone 6 Plus as an iPad Nano also helps get your brain around the fact that the device is not easy to use with one hand. Granted, Apple has cobbled on a software feature called Reachability to help. Tap the Home button twice and the contents of the top half of the screen slide to the bottom to give you a halfhearted chance of touching all the screen real estate with one hand. In real life, this doesn’t work. The Plus is too big to comfortably be used with one hand unless your hands are the size of the big monkey in King Kong. But as a little two-handed iPad, the Plus is a real dream-machine.

expenSiVe? nOt Really The iPhone 6 Plus is cheap. Yes, £700 for a mobile phone is a huge amount of money – you’d be crazy to spend half that amount on a mobile phone. But read what we wrote earlier: this 64GB doohickey not only has enough computing power to run NASA’s shuttle programme of 25 years ago, it is also a first-rate point-and-shoot digital camera, a 1080 HD camcorder, brilliant sat-nav, and an MP3 player that can hold the biggest record collection you can imagine. In other words, it delivers in one waferslim sliver all the products that would have collectively cost you about £4,000 a couple of years ago. Look at it this way: if you were stuck on a desert island, an iPhone 6 Plus for £700 would be the bargain of the century (okay, as long as

“Whether to upgrade from a current iPhone is easy to answer – try the iPhone 6 Plus for a week and the 5s will seem like a child’s toy” the desert island had a power point and broadband connection).

aVOiD the 16gB VeRSiOn Here’s a parental piece of advice: avoid the 16GB version if you enjoy downloading HD movies and shooting HD videos. Yes, you can upload everything to the Cloud and keep your iPhone memory running lean and mean. But 16GB in an iPhone Plus will be like buying the new Ford Mustang next year with the four-cylinder ‘eco’ engine instead of the V8 – it will get the job done, but you’ll always feel a sense of “what if” disappointment. In any case, you won’t even get 16GB on the cheapest iPhone 6 Plus. Apple has already helped itself to around 4GB for iOS and the pre-installed apps. Sure, Apple remain utter barstewards for not fitting expandable SD memory card slots to its devices, and charging £100 for 48GB of extra flash memory is greed verging on extortion. But that’s Apple’s business model. And as it can get away with it, you won’t be seeing SD slots on iPhones any time soon. So splash the cash on the 64GB version. If you’ve won the lottery, go for the 128GB flagship, if you like – but 64GB will take anything you can reasonably throw at it.

gReat BatteRy life If you’re an iPhone owner, you will be all too familiar with the need to never venture too far from a power socket or an accessorised spare battery. An iPhone 4, 5 or 5s will be down to less than 20% after a few hours of solid browsing, game-playing, and YouTubeing, even with the brightness turned down. The iPhone 6 Plus puts an end to red-battery-bar fear. Apple has used much of the increased size to jack up the size of the battery. So the Plus will just keep going all day. Wake it up at 100% at 8pm, stick it on 50% brightness and it will still be showing 58 per cent or so by 4pm, even with wifi, 4G, GPS and Bluetooth all turned on. With some careful memory management ie quitting apps, and a low screen brightness, you could go the whole weekend on one charge. At last – stress-free camping weekends.

a caSe fOR tReatMent Once you’ve gently unpacked your new iPhone 6 Plus from its box, the first thing you should do is slap a case on it. This advice might seem perverse as Apple’s design supremo Jony Ive and his A-team have imbued the iPhone 6 Plus with a quality standard that makes many other smartphones feel like they have fallen out of a

camera – The iPhone 6 Plus’s A8 processor produces top-quality panorama shots from the 8-megapixel rear camera in double-quick time

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Christmas cracker (cough… Galaxy S5… cough). Regrettably, all that lovely smooth aluminium makes the Plus feel very slippery when you hold it and when you pop it into your pocket. The big, smooth back is almost free of friction, so the thing slides around an awful lot. You don’t want to lose it when it slides out of your pocket on the top of the Number 9 bus. We’ve treated our iPhone 6 Plus to a £20 tightfitting neo-hybrid rubber case from Spigen. It hardly adds anything to the bulk of the Plus but the rubberised back makes it so much easier to handle.

iphone 6 plus iphone 5 iphone 4

caMeRa quality These days it is expected that a flagship smartphone will rival a digital SLR camera for image quality. And the camera on the iPhone 6 Plus doesn’t disappoint. Under regular lighting conditions, the Plus snapper stands nose-to-nose with a £550 Sony Nex-5. Dedicated dSLRs will always turn in superior results under extreme conditions due to the much larger image sensor (Google “why camera image sensor size is important” if you want to find out more). It’s safe to say that for most pictures you intend to share over social networking, the Plus camera delivers all the exposure control, colour rendering and sharpness you’re ever going to need. On-board editing controls let you crop, colour and enhance images in a couple of seconds before sending them off on the internet. There is also a very neat and simple way to control exposure: move the central yellow square to the correct exposure aperture, then slide the brightness symbol up or down to reduce or enhance brightness. What you see is what you get.

upgRaDe OR nOt? Whether to upgrade from a current iPhone to an iPhone 6 Plus is an easy question to answer. If you run your life from your iPhone 5 or 5s, you will definitely feel the benefits of the bigger screen, superior camera and faster processor. Try the iPhone 6 Plus for a week and the 5s

generation game – And to think we were happy with dinky iPhone 4 and iPhone 5 screens

will seem like a child’s toy. If you’re still sucking the last dregs of capability from an iPhone 4s with iOS 8 installed, you’re definitely going to be overwhelmed with delight by an iPhone 6 Plus. Remember when you upgraded your 20inch cathode ray tube TV to your first 42-inch flatscreen panel? Ta dah! The question should be why should you not buy an iPhone 6 Plus? We’ve already told you the smoothness of the handset and increased size make it feel unsteady to grip. So factor in the extra cost of buying a case. If you were neurotic enough to search for subtle differences in the screen quality of expensive smartphones, you would find the LG G3 and Xperia Z3 edge it for colour accuracy, crisp sharpness and vivid colours. But as no-one actually carries three top smartphones and looks at all three screens at once, it is just a paper contest – a bit like when Jeremy Clarkson tells you a certain Ferrari will beat an Aston Martin to 60mph by three-tenths of a second. In the real world, no-one cares. Also, uber-geeks will sniffily tell you the iPhone 6’s A8 chip and 64-bit architecture is not as awe-inspiring as the Qualcomm Snapdragon

801. Do you care? Does it make a real-world difference? No. When the chips are down (cue awful pun), people who use iPhones tend to stay with the Apple ecosystem. Those who opt for Google Android-powered devices will always be adamant that their chosen technology leaves Apple eating Android’s dust. In the real world? Any £500-plus smartphone is not going to disappoint.

+ Superb screen quality + Super-fast A8 processor + Camera performance

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cOncluSiOn The only question you need to ask yourself is do you need a phone that is really a tablet? Well, do ya? (Sorry Clint.) Practically everyone we meet comments on the huge size of the iPhone Plus. Women in particular – who might love the iPhone 6 – recoil at its unwieldy dimensions. Pull out your Plus and many people will wonder why you need to go around with such a big thing in your pocket. But that’s to make the mistake of thinking the Plus is a mobile phone and is therefore ridiculously big. Which it is, for a phone. But as you’ve read in What Mobile this month, the iPhone 6 Plus is the best “iPad Nano” that Apple never made.

VeRDict When you first take the iPhone 6 Plus out of its box, you’re going to be wondering whether the first thing you should do is return it to Apple. It’s far too big to be a mobile phone. But use it for a day or two and it will become a pivotal part of your digital and social life. Yes, it’s expensive at £700 for the 64GB version. But sell the iPad you’ll no longer need and the proposition becomes clearer.

– Slippery aluminium case – Probably too big to be a phone – No SD storage slot

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Motorola Moto X Motorola’s new flagship proves the company is on a roll not seen since the early days of the iPhone Price: £420 Reviewer: Phillip Brown

Tapered edges make it feel slim

Minimal bezel around the screen

editor’s choice

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Quad-core chip is a flier

The best of Android and Moto software

Spec Sheet OS Android 4.4.4 processor 2.5GHz quad-core Screen 5.2 inches Resolution 1,080 x 1,920 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16/32GB MicroSD compatible? No camera 13MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing Video 2160p at 30fps connectivity 4G Dimensions 140.8 x 72.4 x 10mm Weight 144g

at a glance Speed 60

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otorola is having a renaissance. After it debuted the Moto X last year, it’s been on a roll, scoring hit after hit. While the original Moto X gained plaudits for its innovative ideas and heavily customisable style, its late-to-the-party specs did little to excite us. But when a low-priced sibling, the Moto G, was universally garlanded upon its launch, it was time to sit up and start taking Motorola seriously again. The latest version of the Moto X is easily the friendliest flagship Android phone to be launched this year, if not technically the most powerful on paper. This time around, the software is almost perfect and the tech specs are bang on the mark.

DeSign & BuilD For a few years, Motorola had a solid if unspectacular design ethos when it came to Android smartphones: very masculine; hard lines; QWERTY keyboards; and useless laptop shells that plugged into your phone to run apps on a slightly bigger screen – very slowly. They came with Kevlar casing, as if your was phone was ever likely to be to stabbed, and had names like the Droid, Atrix and Defy. It’s recently phased all that nonsense out, and in the space of a year has come up with

something much more pleasant and appealing to more people. Motorola’s new design is all about gentle curves, thin profiles and cool metal. This year’s model is effectively a thinner version of the original, but with many more pixels packed into the screen. You get the sense this phone was the one the company was shooting for all along. Though its 10mm depth is hardly thin for a smartphone, it appears far, far slimmer – much in the same way Apple’s newer iMacs taper at the edges. Its lightweight (144g) construction is reminiscent of the metal HTC One M8, just in more subtle colours, and with fewer visual distractions. Once again, though, Motorola lets you custom-build a Moto X to your taste using its Moto Maker web service. You can pick from a black or white front face, more than two dozen back colours and materials – even leather – and 10 trim hues. Interchangeable cases is a wonderful option to have, so long as you’re happy with your phone not being waterproofed like Sony’s new models. It gives you a degree of personalisation beyond simply buying a novelty case with bunny ears. Just be wary of the leather models – as snazzy as they sound, we’d encourage you to

“Interchangeable cases is a wonderful option to have, so long as you’re happy with your phone not being waterproofed”

Disable annoying apps Motorola’s kept Android lean and trim by not loading it with apps and services you won’t want. But what you might not realise is that you can silence any apps you wish anyway – and this applies to all recent Android phones. If a preloaded app is bugging you with notifications or appears to be sapping your battery, Google lets you ‘disable’ it, even if you can’t uninstall it. Just go to Settings > Apps > All, pick the offending app and click Disable. Congratulations, it’s silenced. As heavy Spotify users, we usually bin Google Play Music before testing a phone, but it’ll work for any app or game you don’t like and can’t seem to get rid of. 01

13MP cam is a step up for Motorola 05 Rear can be clad in a leather case

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avoid them. They lack grip and your keys will scuff them to pieces in your pocket over time. The only downside to the build we could find was the lack of a microSD slot to add extra storage. You’ll have to make do with 16/32GB.

DiSplay The front face of the Moto X is almost all screen – Android navigation buttons included. And what a screen it is. The 5.2-inch display runs at a Full HD 1080p resolution, with beautiful colours and pin-sharp visuals. Technically, it lags behind the 2K screens found on the LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (see review, p32). In reality, you’d never spot the difference, unless you like to view your smartphone through a microscope. After a certain pixel density, those extra pixels are just wasting battery life. There’s barely any bezel around the screen, which is a very good thing. Better still, Motorola makes good use of the AMOLED technology in the display. While perhaps not as advanced as Samsung’s Super AMOLED technology, it works in much the same way (it’s maybe a tad less visible outdoors than a Samsung screen), by turning individual pixels on rather than every single one with a backlight. The result is deep, true blacks, and a phone that will quietly pop up notification alerts on your lock screen without draining your battery. Think of it as an LED flash, but much more useful.

peRfORMance The original Moto X had almost all of the above, but it failed to spark with users, largely because it was too far behind the curve compared with Samsung and Apple’s warhorses. But just as Motorola’s fixed some

android – The lack of needless tinkering to Google’s OS software is rare but welcome

actions – Gestures and movements can be set to trigger certain actions on the Moto X

screen issues, so too has it alleviated any concerns about performance. The new quadcore Moto X flies; 2GB of RAM means it can handle all the games and apps you can throw at it and jump around the system with ease. The trade-off is that the 2,300mAh battery is comparably small compared with competitors, but it gets you through the day, just about. You could nitpick that Motorola hasn’t bothered with all the spangly sensors of new

flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S5 and Note 4 – there’s no heart-rate monitor or fingerprint scanner – but Motorola tried the latter once before on 2011’s Atrix, and it didn’t work out. Few people will miss them here. There is one unusual set of sensors included in the Moto X, but you might never notice them as they’ve been integrated elegantly. IR sensors in the phone detect your presence, meaning a gentle wave over the screen will

taking a Razr to history Motorola, once famed for its Razr flip phones, struggled to stay afloat after the smartphone wave. Its Android handsets, like the Razr i and Atrix, were powerful but bland, and failed to stand out against beautifully carved handsets from HTC, not to mention Samsung’s titanic marketing budget. Google’s purchase of the company three years ago heralded a turnaround in fortunes. Motorola moved its headquarters out of the Illinois countryside and into downtown Chicago. It started tinkering with insane ideas like modular smartphones built piece by piece. Then late last year, it began cranking out astonishingly priced, well-designed phones, keeping them bang up to date with the latest software. The first-gen Moto G became its best-selling smartphone ever, and it followed up with a secondgeneration model, an even cheaper Moto E, this year’s Moto X and the first Android Wear smartwatch you’d actually be happy to be seen wearing, the Moto 360 (pictured). None of this stopped Google selling Motorola on again to Chinese laptop maker Lenovo, but if it can maintain its current form, the future looks rosy.

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turn it on to show you the time, which is surprisingly handy when cooking or cleaning.

SOftWaRe As if Motorola’s hardware wasn’t outstanding enough, it’s the software that truly excels, chiefly because Motorola has added so little to Google’s Android operating system – which is refreshing given the unnecessary tweaking Android suffers from other manufacturers. Turning the Moto X on for the first time, we found ourselves asking, “Is that it?” Few apps are pre-installed – just the core Google services. It’s hard to believe Motorola used to be by far and away the worst offender when it came to altering/ruining Android. Its Motoblur software skin crippled the phones it ran on, and the company had a terrible reputation for delivering software updates. Now though, it’s a changed company. Android 4.4.4 on the new Moto X is almost exactly as Google intended, with just a few clever additions. There are three main Motorola apps, each of which will help you in some way. Motorola Connect lets you send text messages from Chrome on your computer, giving you some of that iPhone and Mac Continuity goodness introduced this autumn, while Motorola Migrate does a sterling job of porting over all your contacts, apps and data from your old phone – even an iPhone. Everything else is handled through one app (see, Sony, Samsung – you don’t have to stuff your phones with bloatware), Moto. Here, you can set up Actions shortcuts, such as a quick twist to launch the camera, and set up Assist scenarios – it’ll figure out when you’re driving, for instance, and read your messages out to you instead, or pop into silent mode when you get into bed. You can also set up voice control here. The

hot shot – The camera is Motorola’s best yet (credit Reddit user Eallan)

Moto X is one of the first phones that Google Now is actually useful on. If the screen is on, it’s always listening for you to say “OK Google” – or whatever phrase you choose to set – and give it a command, which is handy if you’re using a Bluetooth headset (Motorola’s just made one that works with the service, incidentally), or want to snooze your alarm from across the room. Honestly, we’ve never seen an Android phone preloaded with only useful software before, apart from Google’s own Nexus devices. If we had to criticise the Moto X, we could point out that our test device and the first X models to reach the shelves launched with Android 4.4.4 KitKat rather than the new Android 5.0 Lollipop. Yet, incredibly, Motorola has already pushed out an Android 5.0 update to its second-generation Moto G phones, and at the time of writing had just begun to do the same

“As if Motorola’s hardware wasn’t outstanding enough, it’s the software on the Moto X that truly excels”

with the new Moto X, so watch out for that. Technically, the Moto X improves on Google’s Nexus devices too, which are notorious for having excellent software but a miserable camera. The 13-megapixel sensor on the Moto X is a big step up for the company, approaching a par with some of its peers (though not Apple, Sony or Microsoft’s Lumia ranges yet). It’s solid, with rapid autofocus and plenty of detail. Importantly, it’s also incredibly fast to boot up, especially using the Actions shortcut, meaning you won’t miss the moment you want to capture.

cOncluSiOn Motorola’s original Moto X was a nice idea executed a little too late, especially in the UK. Competition from superior phones from manufacturers with a stronger recent track record was too great to overcome. But this latest version of the Moto X makes a much stronger case for your cash. Just bear in mind there’s an even bigger – and cheaper – phone right around the corner in the shape of the Google Nexus 6, also made by Motorola.

VeRDict The second-generation Motorola Moto X is not only the best phone the company has ever made, but arguably the best Android smartphone of the year, combining brains with beauty to winning effect. Between this and the phenomenal, low-priced Moto G, Motorola really has every base covered. Let’s just hope the company’s new owner Lenovo can keep the rich streak of form going.

+ Beautiful design + Clean and powerful take on Android + Low price – Battery could be bigger – No microSD card slot – Lacks 2K screen of some rivals

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review

tesco hudl 2 It’s very nearly a supermarket sweep for Tesco’s second Android tablet. Think affordable, not cheap Price: £129 Reviewer: Phillip Brown

esco? In the gadget-making business? You might scoff at the very idea – or perhaps it brings to mind the microwave you bought because it was the cheapest on the shelves (never again). But the UK’s biggest supermarket made a pretty impressive debut last year with its first Android tablet, the wellpriced and oddly spelt Tesco Hudl.

Tapered edges and curved corners

After cancelling a planned Hudl phone, Tesco is back with a tablet sequel, and this time it’s ironed out almost all of the problems. As such, the Hudl 2 is astonishing value and one of our favourite gadgets of the year. Yes, you could argue it’s just another Android tablet. There are plenty of those out there right now, even under £150. But to do that would ignore the fact that Tesco has picked the perfect,

Red and cyan colour options

spec sheet Os Android 4.4.2 processor 1.83GHz quad-core screen 8.3 inches Resolution 1,920 x 1,200 pixels Memory 2GB RAM storage 16GB MicrosD compatible? Yes

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economical route, cut the right corners to keep the price down, and crafted an unexpectedly pleasing bit of hardware that puts more expensive rivals to shame. This is the perfect tablet for those who won’t be looking to tax it too much.

Design Let’s start with the looks: it’s clear that the designers took feedback from the first model to

MicroSD card slot for extra storage

at a glance camera 5MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing Video 720p at 30fps connectivity Wi-fi Dimensions 224 x 128 x 9mm Weight 410g Battery 4,900mAh

speed 60

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appy days – Access your clubcard points and other Tesco services

heart. While this is no aluminium-clad beauty, for plastic, it’s fantastic. It’s reasonably thin at 9mm, with smooth, tapered edges and curved corners. There’s just enough bezel on either side of the display to let you grip it easily in landscape mode. Yes, it’s a fingerprint magnet, especially the rear cover, but we’re willing to forgive that on two counts. Firstly, the Hudl deploys the best use of colour in a tablet for a very long time. We’re particularly taken with the red and cyan, which remind us of Nokia’s designs from not too long ago. Secondly, there’s an accessible microSD memory card slot to add storage as you go, something the new Google Nexus 9, built by HTC, can’t lay claim to. The screen is a major step forward. The 1080p resolution HD IPS display is super-sharp, and makes watching videos that much more enjoyable. It’s not as accurate as the LCD panel on a Sony tablet, but it’s certainly the best in its price category. It’s also worth noting that the 8.3-inch screen size is quite unusual – it might not sound much smaller on paper than a 9.7-inch iPad, or much bigger than a 7.9-inch iPad mini, but it

every little helps – Tesco helps you through the Hudl 2’s basics

occupies a welcome middle ground between the two. It’s not small enough to fit in your pocket, but it’s just big enough to relax with on the train – no bad thing.

sOftWaRe Tesco has modified Android slightly to suit its plans and, as such, the Hudl 2 doesn’t run the very latest version. Still, Android 4.4 KitKat is hardly out of date, and performs wonderfully well with the quad-core processor here. The core software is fast and simple to use. Tesco has also made it easier for novices to understand, with a few useful additions, including a Get Started interactive guide and a Child Safety app to lock down settings, as well as limit what apps and websites your kids access, and for how long. Less successful are Tesco’s attempts to integrate its own services into the software. While it’s nice enough being able to see your Clubcard points in an app, or log onto Tesco Bank, it’s not a gamechanger. And Tesco’s Blinkbox feels clumsy and limited as a music and video purchase/rental app, compared with rivals on the Google Play

“The core software is fast and simple to use. Tesco has also made it easier for novices to understand the Android operating system”

store including Amazon Instant Video, Netflix and Spotify. Thankfully, all of these services are tucked away in folders on the homescreen for you to do with as you please (or in the little T icon in the corner of the screen); you don’t have to use them.

cOnclusiOn Before testing for this review, we had some concerns about the Intel processor used in the Hudl 2. The chip maker’s tech is still a rare sight in mobile devices and has caused power and compatibility issues in the past. But that seems to be a thing of the past, as we had no troubles running games – even the taxing Grand Theft Auto mobile titles – or flicking between apps. The battery life is approximately the same as the original Hudl, too, at about 8 hours of usage. As long as you charge it up every night, you’ll be fine, but be prepared for it to run out on a weekend away with the kids in the backseat of the car. Last and very definitely least, don’t expect much from the cameras on the Hudl 2. The 5-megapixel rear sensor might be an upgrade, but it still fails to grab any image detail from objects not in the immediate foreground, even in broad daylight. So while it’s a great tool for video chatting with family, do not rely on using the Hudl 2 as a camera; the phone in your pocket is almost certainly better.

VeRDict This is no Tesco Value attempt at a tablet. Make no mistake, the Hudl 2 is a fantastic Android slate that’s great value for money. Sure, it’s not on the cutting edge like Google’s Nexus series of devices, but if all you want is a gadget to casually surf the web, watch some films or read a few comics, this device is every bit as capable as an iPad mini.

+ Cheap design remains cheery + Unusual but useful screen size + Low price – Does not run Android 5.0 Lollipop – Tesco services aren’t great – Not an iPad

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y o u r iP ad? What’s inside Only the geekiest of technophiles know what goes on behind the screens of your favourite Apple gadgets. If you have a nagging curiosity to find out too, we’ve cracked open an iPad

hen something goes wrong with your Apple device, what do you do? It doesn’t matter if you’re a total technophobe or a mechanical engineer, they’re devices designed not to be tampered with. You’d probably end up taking it to your local Apple Genius Bar, where you’d be told that it needs to be sent back to whence it came for official repairs. That’s all fine and dandy if you’re under warranty. But what if you’re not? You might not be too pleased to learn that Apple can charge up to 1,000% of the cost of parts when servicing your device. Seeing as we spend all of our pocket money here at What Mobile on buying gadget after gadget, we could never spare such princely sums. So when our iPad 2 broke, we decided to take it to our

friends over at phone-fixing experts, Fone Doctors. Our iPad’s microphone stopped working, and we were hoping it might be something Fone Doctors could fix for less than the cost of a second mortgage. Here, Dr Joni, technological surgeon extraordinaire, takes a peek inside for us – but why stop at fixing the microphone? Let’s lay out the whole sprawling series of components on a worktop and do a thorough iPad autopsy. Dr Joni walks us through things step by step, explaining what exactly each component is and what function it serves. To the surprise of no-one, it is a rather complex procedure involving some exotic tools and a lot of very, very small screws – so don’t go attempting this at home.

Teardown

Tools of the trade >> As with any exercise in mechanics, you can’t get anything done with the wrong tools. It’s also worth bearing in mind that Apple’s devices aren’t designed to be cracked open by anyone outside of an official Apple facility, and as such, they are harder to get into without damaging. There’s a screwdriver designed for Torx T5 screws that are just 1.42mm in length from head to tip – there’s more than a dozen of them located throughout the device, predominantly used to hold down various ‘flexes’ (a combination of wires and cables). It might surprise you to know that the screen is attached to the device not via any of these screws but by tape. Plain old two-sided tape, which is stronger than your average tape, but tape nonetheless. To remove it, a heat gun is required. It produces temperatures of up to 120°C, so you probably don’t want to use it to dry your hair. When heated enough, the tape loses its adhesion.

Breaking it down

Preparation is key – Our surgeon gets everything set out before we begin – the first step of any journey is always the most important

Things get heated – The heat gun does its thing, so we can lift the screen from the weakened adhesive tape holding it to the case

Screw loose – The screen is left attached by a ‘flex’ – damage it and the whole display can break. It’s gently unscrewed and detached

We have lift-off – The touch-capacitve panel is held in place by four tiny screws, plus LCD and battery connectors – away they come

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teardown

Inside job

Through the looking glass – Here’s the iPad’s innards hiding behind the screen, untouched and functional. It’s unsurprisingly complex

Disconnected – The charging port connector is the first thing to go – the two wi-fi antennae attached above have to come out, too

Plain and SIMple – You’ll find the SIM tray and cable are attached to the headphone jack, for some reason. One leads to the other

Brain surgery – The brain of the device, the motherboard, comes out all at once. Extra care is required here to avoid breaking the device

Loose juice – The three attached battery cells are removed next – after a good 10 minutes of attempting to pry them without bending

Aerial assault – The surprisingly lengthy 3G antenna is stripped from the case, as well as the L-shaped speaker housing in the corner

Unbuttoned – The power and volume buttons, as well as the vibrator unit that makes your iPad rattle, all come off with the same flex

Mission complete – After one hour’s labour, our dismantling is finally done. Now it’s time to put it all back together again – sorry, Dr Joni!

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Teardown

Battery

3G antenna If your iPad is the 3G version, then this black bar is what allows a mobile signal

Main connector

It’s what makes your iPad go. All three cells are connected, and if one is damaged, the who le thing can cease to function

This is where you plug in the 32-pin connector for charging, in-car entertainment and data transfer

Front camera & microphone Unlike an iPhone, the microphone on the iPad is located at the top of the device behind the front-facing camera

Loudspeaker assembly Neatly tucked into the bottom corner of the device is the loudspeaker assembly. Those two small silver plates are responsible for all the audio you hear from your iPad

Bits and pieces SIM tray & headphone jack The SIM tray and headphone jack are both attached to the same flex. If your SIM isn’t working or you can’t hear through headphones, this is what needs to be looked at

Rear camera module Without it, you can’t take photographs, simple as that. It also has to be removed before you can take out the power button

Wi-fi antenna Just like the cellular signal, your iPad needs an antenna to receive wireless internet

Motherboard The brains of the iPad. All the computing is done within this component, and without it, it simply won’t work

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apps and games

In a flap over apps Tweeting is so over – Squawkin is making a bigger noise in social networking this month Reviewer: Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Squawkin Free (iOS, Android) Got room for another social network in your life? Squawkin certainly hopes so. It doesn’t offer anything that new – it’s more a refinement of familiar features from Twitter and Facebook, and all about privacy and control. You are in charge of what posts are seen and by whom. You control all of your data. You can even determine how people can find your profile. Personal contacts don’t even have to be shared with the app. Discretion is the order of the day, which is important when you can share anything and everything, including location data.

Clips

Acorns

Clarisketch

Free (iOS)

Free (iOS, Android)

Free (Android)

With the arrival of iOS 8 comes the inevitable swathe of keyboards and widgets designed to take advantage of its new features. It can be overwhelming, but Clips is definitely worth your time. With it, you have a much easier way of copying and pasting just about anything. Not only text, but images, GIFs and links – and multiple items from within the same article, too. Clipped things are even stored on a clipboard for ready access at a later date.

Acorns has successfully overcome the final mobile taboo: finance. It is a unique way to get into stocks and investment and is claimed to be 100% safe. You can pay as little or as much money as often as you like into the app, and it will invest the money for you in stocks of your desired level of risk. There’s no fee for transactions, merely a 69p fee per month and 0.25 to 0.5% of your portfolio value taken per year. The app uses complicated algorithms to ensure your portfolio is always diverse and safe.

Clarisketch provides a unique way to communicate, allowing you to take a photo before layering both annotations and audio on top of it – simultaneously, if you wish. It’s perfect for sending instructions, drawing diagrams, giving directions, or any other number of things where you need to explain something both visually and verbally. Even cleverer still, the recipient doesn’t need to use the app as they can access them online.

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apps and games

Snowball

Forza Football

Traktor DJ

Free (Android)

Free (iOS)

£1.49 (iOS)

SMS, Facebook Messenger, Snapchat, WhatsApp, Skype, Twitter, Viber, Line, WeChat – all are well-known messaging services, at least two of which you’re almost certain to use. Snowball is not another one to add to the list. In fact, it’s the complete opposite. It’s an app through which all of the aforementioned services are collected so that you have a unified hub for all of your communications.

When Apple announced that iOS 8 would allow Notification Centre widgets, you could hear the collective cheer from sports fans across the country. Forza Football is the first (good) app to offer you a live score widget. You can choose which notifications you see from which teams in which competitions, and it’s glorious. No more incessantly diving in and out of Sky Sports Football Score Centre or BBC Sport to check the scores.

DJing apps are usually designed for larger screens – namely that of the iPad. Now, industry-favourite software suite Traktor is available in app form, designed especially for use with the iPhone. Functionality on a smaller device is obviously the key feature, as the rest is the standard high-quality fare you’d expect from the world’s number one pro DJ software. There’s built-in effects, automatic tempo, key detection, and all sorts of confusing stuff.

Shake

Adobe Photoshop Mix Ski Explorer

Free (iOS, Android)

Free (iOS)

Free (iOS, Android)

Ever had one of those moments when you saw an idea and said to yourself, why didn’t I think of that? Shake is one of those ideas. With it, you can create a proper legal business contract and send it to whoever you please. They can then sign it and send it back. There’s no paper, turnaround time or lawyer fees required. Simply answer a few questions, fill in a few fields and the contract is instantly customised to your exact needs. Oh, and it’s totally free.

Photoshop is the king of image editing, associated with both accessibility and unending depth. Previously only available on the iPad, Adobe Photoshop Mix has now arrived on all iOS devices. It doesn’t offer you the entire host of features that you’ll find in the desktop version, but it’s streets ahead of anything else on mobile. If you’ve ever run a selfie through a set of Instagram filters and thought it’s just not enough, then this could be the answer to your prayers.

Just in time for ski season comes a new app from ski holiday specialist Crystal. Ski Explorer makes navigating the slopes that much easier, with step-by-step routes, interactive piste maps, resort guides and all-important snow reports. There’s also a set of neat GPS features including activity tracking, as well as the ability to find your friends should you get separated. Unfortunately, you’ll still have to deal with snowburn and a sore bum on your own.

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apps and games

Banner’s aloft Tactical RPG Banner Saga is an indie masterpiece – and our pick of this month’s mobile games Reviewer: Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Banner Saga £6.99 (iOS) Banner Saga should be instantly familiar to anyone who has had the good sense to play games like Final Fantasy Tactics or Fire Emblem. It is an indie masterpiece, which takes the solid, timeless gameplay of a tactical RPG and places it within an engrossing Nordic fantasy tale. Every choice you make holds real consequence, both in and outside of battle. A mistake in battle or a slip of the tongue in conversation could completely change the outcome of your adventure. For those worried about the steep price tag, Banner Saga is worth every penny.

Inferno 2

Skullduggery!

Zombie Highway 2

£1.99 (iOS)

£2.99 (iOS)

Free (iOS, Android)

Did you like Tron? Do you enjoy twin-stick shooters? If you answered yes to either of those questions, then download Inferno 2. Heck, even if you said no, then you should at least give it a look. From the pulsing techno soundtrack to the eye-popping neon visuals, Inferno 2 is presented as sharply as it plays. You manoeuvre your little blue disc with the goal of blowing up other colourful discs. It’s simple but extremely addictive, with 80 levels to get through.

Skullduggery! takes an unusual approach to the platform genre, and not just because you control a disembodied skull. By dragging its brain out of its skeletal cage, you can propel the skull along the two-dimensional corridor presented to you, not dissimilarly to Angry Birds. Along the way you have to collect coins, dodge traps and out-run murderous monsters. Don’t worry, it all makes sense once you get into it. And believe us, you will get into it.

With some games, the name says it all. In Zombie Highway 2 you control an armoured car travelling down a highway infested with zombies (for the second time). They jump at you and latch on, you have to get them off by smashing the sides of the car into various obstacles. You can also shoot them with a variety of satisfying and over-the-top weapons. Don’t be put off by the free-to-play set-up either, it’s actually handled extremely well.

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apps and games

Terra Battle

Pumped BMX 2

RETRY

Free (iOS, Android)

£1.99 (iOS)

Free (iOS, Android)

For some, the mere mention of the name Hironobu Sakaguchi will be enough to get them to reflexively download this game. One of the key brains behind the Final Fantasy, Chrono and Xenogears series, to name but a few, Terra Battle is the latest title from his mobile gaming studio Mistwalker. It’s a tactical, turn-based affair (rather unsurprisingly), with some interesting and addictive mechanics.

The Pumped BMX series is everything that the Tony Hawk franchise should have been when transitioning to mobile (albeit with two fewer wheels). A superbly smooth, intuitive and challenging ride, you travel endless-runner style along a treacherous 2D terrain pulling off tricks as you go. The visuals are charming and it’s infinitely replayable. Mr Hawk would do well to take notice.

Remember Flappy Bird? We understand if you don’t, it was a flash in the pan after all – even if it was a flash the size of a solar flare in relative terms. It may be nearly a year since its release, but Angry Bird developer Rovio has finally perfected its take on the game. That’s what RETRY is: it’s Flappy Bird, but with a massive amount of polish. Not to mention that it’s intensely difficult to the point of masochism. In a good way.

RGB Express

Entwined Challenge

Hail to the King: Deathbat

£1.99 (Android)

69p (iOS), 61p (Android)

£2.99 (iOS), £1.24 (Android)

The term ‘puzzler’ could be used to describe just about every smash hit game on mobile. And we’re hedging RGB Express to be the next chart-topper. It’s simple enough in theory, but devilishly hard in practice. You control a set of delivery trucks: the red one delivers red packages to the red buildings, the blue one, blue packages to the blue buildings, and so on. You have to draw a route for them, without their paths crossing. Needless to say, things quickly get out of hand.

Calling Entwined Challenge an ‘endless runner’ would be doing it a disservice. It’s an experience for the senses, with sound playing as big a role as visuals to create a moody, artistic journey. The difficulty ramps up steeply, though. Controlling two colourful spirits simultaneously, you have to rotate them around a fixed circle so that the upcoming coloured segments correspond with their colours. Each correctly hit segment lets off a chime that complements the soundtrack.

It’s always fun to find out that celebrities enjoy video games. For chart-topping metalcore band Avenged Sevenfold, they like them so much that they decided to make one. They claim to have been heavily involved in Deathbat’s production, and even contributed unique songs to the game’s soundtrack. It’s a thirdperson action-RPG much in the same vein as the Diablo series, only with characters and lore drawn from the band’s music.

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mobile gaming

Nintendo 3DS

A double pick of Pokémon this month, as the smash-hit series enjoys a successful return Reviewer: Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Pokémon Omega Ruby & Alpha Sapphire £32.99 Is there a bigger handheld release than that of a new Pokémon game? The series is back for the second time on the Nintendo 3DS platform, and it’s something that long-term fans have been clamouring for for some time. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are actually full remakes of the 2002 GameBoy Advance titles Pokémon Ruby and Pokémon Sapphire. The biggest change is, unsurprisingly, the visuals. Both games are now in full 3D, in both senses of the term. You’re now given the same overhead viewpoint as seen in Pokémon X & Y, with a full, layered world to explore. The games also makes full use of the 3D capabilities of the Nintendo 3DS, so

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battles are more engaging and the region of Hoenn more engrossing than ever. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire will actually have full compatibility with X & Y for trainers looking to battle and trade with their friends. In fact, with the combined Pokédexes of X & Y and Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire you can catch every single Pokémon. The plot has received a slight tweaking from the originals, too, with a little more depth added – as well as a new storyline that includes the origin of Mega Evolutions. When all is said and done, though, these are Pokémon games. You know what you’re getting, and these look set to be two of the best in the series to date.

mobile gaming

Pokémon Trading Card Game £3.99 If you were among the generation of gamers who played Pokémon during its original Red and Blue iterations, then the real-life trading card game should go hand-in-hand with your memories of the GameBoy Color titles. Naturally, Nintendo then converted the real-life trading card game into a video game, such was its massive popularity. Sixteen years later, the GameBoy Color game has been revamped and released on the Nintendo 3DS via the Nintendo eShop. Conceptually the game is extremely similar to its virtual counterpart. You still battle Pokémon and you still expend energy performing attacks, and various ‘trainer’ cards can be played to alter the state of battle. It’s certainly addictive.

Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal £28.99 Despite being a SEGA creation, Sonic the Hedgehog has become almost as iconic a franchise for Nintendo as Pokémon. Unfortunately, unlike Pokémon, Sonic hasn’t had much luck with decent games in recent years. Sonic Boom: Shattered Crystal looks to change that. It’s a sidescrolling platformer for one, so that’s a good sign. There have been far too many Sonic games in recent times that have tried to reinvent the series with genre mash-ups that just didn’t work. There’s more of an emphasis on exploration than in previous games, which could slow the action down a touch, as well as a healthy dose of platforming. Still, it’s refreshing to see a new studio take on the prestigious IP. Sanzaru Games is the dev company behind handheld PS VITA hits The Sly Collection and The God of War Collection too, so that’s extremely promising.

Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth £29.99 Your Eastern oddity of the month is Persona Q: Shadow of the Labyrinth. It’s not the first Persona game we’ve reviewed. The game features members of both the Persona 3 and Persona 4 casts, offering the player a choice of who to play. This decision then leads to changes in the story and how the game plays out. The gameplay itself is an odd mixture of text-heavy JRPG conversation and old-school dungeon crawler. It’s a little different to what Persona fans may be used to, and an odd combination, to be sure. It’s the first title in the esteemed series to see a release on a Nintendo console, though, so Nintendo fans who’ve never had a chance to try the Japanese phenomenon may be intrigued.

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mobile gaming

PlayStation Vita We find a ‘roguelike’ game in vogue this month – and free for PS Plus members Reviewer: Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Binding of Isaac: Rebirth £TBA We often talk of ‘roguelike’ games in this part of the magazine, and their current ‘voguelike’ (har-har) status within the world of indie gaming. Frankly, they’re simple games to mimic stylistically and revolve around a formula that is easy to make work. No game has pioneered this spirit more in recent years than The Binding of Isaac. Isaac started life as, of all things, a flash game you could play in your browser. It went on to become a ludicrously successful indie title, with many proclaiming it the best roguelike since The Legend of Zelda’s SNES heyday. The game has since been reworked from the ground up and released with a new suffix. It contains all the content of the original plus the expansion Wrath of the Lamb, as well as a new 16-bit visual style. If it’s something you’re interested in, then we’ve got even better news: the game is completely free for PS Plus members. You can get it right now from the PS Store, either way.

The Wolf Among Us £19.99 Originally released in episodic instalments, The Wolf Among Us is now available as one whole collection for your PS Vita. Why was it released in instalments? Because it plays out more like an interactive cinematic experience than anything else. Don’t worry though, it’s far more action-packed than you’d expect. In a world where fairytale characters have fled to and integrated with real-world 1980s New York, you assume the role of the Big Bad Wolf, police sheriff of your immigrant ghetto, looking to solve the gruesome murder of a young prostitute. Yep, it’s a weird one, but it’s utterly compelling from start to finish. If you missed out on it when the episodes were first released, then you have no reason not to pick up the complete package right now. If you’re a fan of classic graphic novel noir, it’s a must-play.

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mobile gaming

Nidhogg £9.99 Nidhogg is one of the most enjoyable, frantic, addictive multiplayer experiences around, and it’s now finally ready for a Vita release. Sure, ‘multiplayer experience’ and ‘Vita release’ might sound like incompatible terms, but developer Messhof has done everything possible to recreate that console feel. For one, you can play a friend over wi-fi – pretty standard stuff. Secondly you can use the Vita’s local networking abilities to play against a nearby friend without a wi-fi connection – a good idea, for sure. Thirdly, you can actually play together on the same device simultaneously – now that’s impressive. The game itself is best described as a side-scrolling, arcade sword-fighting experience. The goal is to beat your opponent to the other side of the level, of course, skewering them with your sword as much as possible as you go along. The 8-bit visuals help keep things simple yet engaging, while the soundtrack composed by electronica DJ Daedalus ties the whole thing together brilliantly.

Lego Batman 3: Beyond Gotham £29.99 You know the drill by now – we’ve had more Lego Intellectual Property games than hot dinners over the past few years. This is the third instalment of the Lego Batman series, and this time the whole of the Justice League and the corresponding extended universe has joined him. It actually continues from the end of Lego Batman 2: DC Super Heroes, but you’ll probably be able to keep up with the plot if you missed out on it. Braniac has stolen the Magic MagGuffin and Batman and an ensemble DC cast have to trek around the far reaches of the universe to hunt him down. The gameplay is the same addictive, perfectly executed blend of action-adventure and platforming as always, and you have an insane 150-strong cast of playable characters to choose from. There’s even an original score by legendary composers Danny Elfman and John Williams.

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Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide

Phone reviews

Buying a new device can be a difficult decision. Our comprehensive buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s guide is here to help you.

Tablet reviews

buyer’s guide

Acer Liquid E2

Acer Liquid Z3

Alcatel One Touch Pop S3

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £189.99 http://www.acer.co.uk

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £99 http://www.acer.co.uk

Reviewed: September 2014, price: £80 www.alcatelonetouch.com/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.

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.

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.

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

OS Android v4.2 Jelly Bean Processor Dual-core 1GHz Screen 3.5 inches Resolution 320 x 480 pixels Memory 512MB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 3 MP rear-facing Video Yes Connectivity 3G

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

Video 1080p Connectivity 3G Dimensions 131 x 68 x 9.9mm Weight 140g Battery 2000 mAh

Dimensions 109 x 60 x 10.4mm Weight 120g Battery Li-Ion 1500 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 123 x 64.4 x 9.9mm Weight 130g Battery 2,000mAh

VERDICT: A dated, bulky phone saved by its

VERDICT: It’s far too small to be used for

VERDICT: Cheap, sure, but its poor quality

reasonable price.

most apps and is uncomfortable to hold.

renders its 4G capability near pointless.

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buyer’s guide

eDItoR’s cHoIce

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Alcatel One Touch Idol X+

Amazon Fire Phone

Apple iPhone 5c

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £TBC www.alcatelonetouch.com/uk

Reviewed: December 2014, price: £400

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £469 (16GB) £549 (32GB)

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.

When we first learned of the 3D capabilities of the Amazon Fire Phone we thought it might be a gimmick. Instead, it turned out to be the feature we love the most. Its other interface aspects are riddled with hiccups which can add to some severe usability issues. Its design has some questionable choices, too. It has a lot of potential though, and we’re eagerly looking forward to a sequel.

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.

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor octa-core 2GHz Screen 5 inches Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB or 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 13 MP rear-facing, 2 MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android KitKat 4.4 Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.7-inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB Storage 32GB microSD compatible? Yes, up to 64GB Camera 13MP front-facing,

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 3G Dimensions 140.4 x 69.1 x 7.9mm Weight 130g Battery 2,500mAh

2.1MP rear-facing Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 139.2 x 66.5 x 8.9mm Weight 160g Battery 2,400mAh

Connectivity 4G Size 12.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm Weight 132g Battery 1,510 mAh

VERDICT: With such great competition the

VERDICT: A promising yet flawed debut

VERDICT: It’s the most colourful iPhone to

One Touch Idol X+ simply looks irrelevant.

effort, reccommendable only to the curious.

date, but it’s identical to the iPhone 5.

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buyer’s guide

eDItoR’s cHoIce

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Apple iPhone 5s

Apple iPhone 6

Apple iPhone 6 Plus

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £549 (16GB) £629 (32GB) £709 (64GB)

Reviewed: November 2014, price: £539

Reviewed: November 2014, price: £619

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.

Calling it ‘the best iPhone ever’ almost seems a little redundant. Of course it’s better - it’s more powerful, has a better camera, and NFC could soon become a huge deal. We’re not quite as keen on the aesthetics of it versus older iPhone designs, but it’s still got a wonderful premium build and a beautifully sharp display. The option for greatly expanded storage sizes shouldn’t be undervalued, either.

It’s the iPhone 6, but bigger. That’s the only difference, and it comes with all of the ups and downs that you would expect from a phablet. You’ll either love or hate the larger screen which, whilst still beautiful, is slightly less sharp than its little brother’s. Similarly it might be tough for smaller hands to hold. But then you do get to see more things on screen at once. It’s still a remarkable phone though, make no mistake.

OS ios 7 Processor Dual-core 1.3GHz ARM V8 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

OS ios8 Processor Apple A8 1.4GHz Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 1334 x 750 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB/64GB/128GB Micro SD compatible? no Camera 8 MP isight rearfacing, 1.2 MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS ios8 Processor Apple A8 1.4GHz Screen 5.5 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB/64GB/128GB Micro SD compatible? no Camera 8 MP isight rearfacing, 1.2 MP front-facing Video 1080p

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm Weight 112g Battery 1,560 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 138.1 x 67 x 6.9 mm Weight 129g Battery 1,810 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 158.1 x 77.8 x 7.1 mm Weight 172g Battery 1,810 mAh

VERDICT: The gold standard in user-friendly

VERDICT: Bigger and better than ever, just

VERDICT: A bigger iPhone 6 - it’s really that

smartphones, with a ton of power to boot.

as you’d expect. The definitive iPhone.

simple. Prefer it or not, it’s great regardless.

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buyer’s guide

Archos 50 Helium

Asus PadFone 2

BlackBerry Passport

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £199 archos.com

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £500 www.asus.com/uk

Reviewed: November 2014, price: £530 uk.blackberry.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 awash with cheap, limited handsets.

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.

A premium device by anyone’s standards - if you can look past the thoroughly odd design. Undeniably BlackBerry’s most advanced device ever, it’s still clearly angled towards the business crowd with a focus on productivity. The same old BlackBerry problems persist though, with an inferior OS and app store. It’s just too impractical and limited for personal use.

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

OS Android v4.0 Ice cream sandwich Processor 1.5GHz quad-core Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.7 inches Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16, 32 or 64GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 13 MP rear-facing, 1.3 MP front-facing

OS BlackBerry 10.3 Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 1,440 x 1,440 pixels Memory 3GB RAM Storage 32GB Micro SD compatible? Yes, up to 128GB Camera 13MP rear-facing,

Dimensions 145 x 71.5 x 8.95mm Weight 160g Battery 2,000mAh

VERDICT: A capable alternative to the market-leading Moto G.

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Video 1080p Connectivity 3G Dimensions 137.9 x 68.9 x 9mm Weight 135g Battery 2,140 mAh

2MP front-facing Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 128 x 90.3 x 9.3mm Weight 194g Battery 3,450mAh

VERDICT: An almost perfect two-for-one device – if only it had a better screen.

VERDICT: Premium build and top specs are

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buyer’s guide

BlackBerry Q5

BlackBerry Z30

BWC Stealth V2

Reviewed: September 2013, price: £329.99 uk.blackberry.com

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £500 uk.blackberry.com

Reviewed: August 2014, price: £300 www.bwcdevices.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.

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.

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 Processor 1.7GHz dual-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-racing, 2MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 4 inches Resolution 854 x 480 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 1GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.3MP front-facing Video 720p

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 120 x 66 x 10.8mm Weight 120g Battery 2,180 mAh

VERDICT: The Q5 is a device for Blackberry QWERTY fanatics who can’t afford the Q10.

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Connectivity 4G Dimensions 140.7 x 72 x 9.4 Weight 170g Battery 2,880 mAh

VERDICT: Possibly the best BlackBerry yet,

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 133 x 69 x 20mm Weight 230g Battery 2,800mAh

VERDICT: As smart and tough as it promises.

but that’s not saying an awful lot.

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buyer’s guide

CAT B100

CAT B15

Doro Liberto 810

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £380 www.catphones.com

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £299 www.catphones.com

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £145 www.doro.co.uk

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.

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.

The Liberto 810 has a comfortable design and a user interface that’s ideal for firsttime 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

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1GHz dual-core Screen 4 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 512MB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5 MP rear-facing, QVGA front-facing Video 720p

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1GHz Screen 3.9 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 512MB RAM Storage 500MB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5 MP Video 480p Connectivity 3G

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 122.94 x 55.88 x 7.6mm Weight 136g Battery 1,150 mAh

Connectivity 3G Size 125 x 69.5 x 14.95mm Weight 170g Battery 2,000 mAh

Dimensions 126 x 66 x 12.5mm Weight 132g Battery 1,500 mAh

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.

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buyer’s guide

Doro PhoneEasy 506

Doro PhoneEasy 622

EE Kestrel

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £45 www.doro.co.uk

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £110 www.doro.co.uk

Reviewed: September 2014, price: £99 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.

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.

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 Processor n/A Screen 1.8 inches Resolution 128 x 160 pixels Memory n/A Storage n/A MicroSD Compatible? no Camera no Video n/A Connectivity 3G

OS Doro os Processor n/A Screen 2.4 inches Resolution 320 x 240 pixels Memory n/A Storage n/A MicroSD Compatible? no Camera 2MP rear-facing Video 3gp Connectivity 3G

OS Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean) Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 5MP rear-facing, 1MP front-facing Video 1080p

Dimensions 125.5 x 51 x 15.5 mm Weight 81g Battery 800mAh

Dimensions 102 x 52 x 19 mm Weight 104g Battery 800mAh

Connectivity 4G, 3G Dimensions 131 x 65.3 x 7.85mm Weight 145g Battery 2,000mAh

VERDICT: A reliable handset that boasts

VERDICT: An affordable phone for

VERDICT: The PhoneEasy 622 has a lot to

vulnerable or elderly people to call for help.

offer for technophobes, but not for all of us.

good usability, if underwhelming specs.

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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/

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £199.99 www.htc.com/uk

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £244 www.htc.com/uk

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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.3 inches 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

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.4GHz dual-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5 MP rear-facing, 0.3 MP front-facing Video 1080p

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 107 x 61 x 12mm Weight 100g Battery 2,100 mAh

Dimensions 131.8 x 66.9 x 9.9mm Weight 123g Battery 1,800 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 134.5 x 66.7 x 9.88mm Weight 130g Battery 2,100 mAH

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.

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eDItoR’s cHoIce

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HTC Desire 816

HTC One M8

HTC One Max

Reviewed: October 2014, price: £300 www.htc.com/uk

Reviewed: May 2014, price: £530 www.htc.com/uk

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £599 www.htc.com/uk

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.

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.

The HTC One Max piggybacks the reputation of the HTC One, although nothing much has improved. The highquality display is present but HTC has failed to add processing power and the fingerprint sensor implementation is very disappointing.

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 1.6GHz quad-core Screen 5.5 inches Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels Memory 1.5GB RAM Storage 8GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 13MP rear-facing, 5MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB or 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 4 MP ultraPixel rearfacing, 5 MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Processor 1.7GHz quad-core Screen 5.9 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 2GB Storage 16GB or 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 4 MP ulatraPixel rear-facing, 2.1 MP frontfacing

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 156.6 x 78.7 x 7.9mm Weight 165g Battery 2,600mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 146.36 x 70.6 x 9.35 mm Weight 160g Battery 2,600 mAH

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.3mm Weight 217g Battery 3,300mAh

VERDICT: A triumphant, large addition to a

VERDICT: If you can afford it, buy it. There’s

VERDICT: The HTC One’s design is still a

fantastic 2014 product line for HTC.

no better Android handset on the market.

standout but there’s nothing new here.

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buyer’s guide

HTC One Mini

HTC One Mini 2

HTC Windows 8S

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £300 www.htc.com/uk

Reviewed: August 2014, price: £360 www.htc.com/uk

Reviewed: February 2013, price: £239 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.

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 techheads should stick with the One M8.

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 rearfacing, 1.6 MP front-facing Video 1080p

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

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 1GHz dual-core Screen 4 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 512MB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Cameras 5 MP rear-facing Video 720p Connectivity 3G

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 132 x 63.2 x 9.3 mm Weight 122 g Battery 1,800 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 137.4 x 64 x 10.6mm Weight 137g Battery 2,110mAh

Dimensions 120.5 x 63 x 10.3 mm Weight 113 g Battery 1,700mAh

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.

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Huawei Ascend G510

Huawei Ascend P2

Huawei Ascend P6

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £130 www.huaweidevice.co.uk

Reviewed: September 2013, price: £340 www.huaweidevice.co.uk

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £309.95 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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.5 GHz quadcore Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB MicroSD Compatible? no Camera 13 MP rear-facing, 1.3 MP front-facing

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.5 GHz quadcore Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 8GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8 MP rear-facing, 5 MP front-facing

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 134 x 67 x 9.9 mm Weight 150g Battery 1,750mAh

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 136.2 x 66.7 x 8.4mm Weight 122g Battery 2,420 mAh

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 132.7 x 65.5 x 6.2 mm Weight 120g Battery 2,000 mAh

VERDICT: A large budget smartphone which can run slow and doesn’t look like much.

VERDICT: The price speaks for itself, giving you one of the cheapest 4G devices today.

VERDICT: It trips up on software and battery but the slim look is appealing.

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Huawei Ascend P7

Huawei Ascend Y300

Kazam Thunder Q4.5

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £3695 www.huaweidevice.co.uk

Reviewed: September 2013, price: £119 www.huaweidevice.co.uk

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £TBC www.kazam.mobi

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.

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 payas-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.

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

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1 GHz dual-core Screen 4.0 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 512MB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5 MP rear-facing, VGA front-facing Video 480p

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.3GHz quad-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 854 x 480 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 1.74GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8 MP rear-facing, 2 MP front-facing Video 720p

Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 139.8 x 68.8 x 6.5mm Weight 124g Battery 2,500mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 124.5 x 63.8 x 11.2 mm Weight 130g Battery 1,730 mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 136 x 64.6 x 8.9 mm Weight 137g Battery 1,800 mAh

VERDICT: It’s not quite a market-leading flagship, but at least it looks the part.

VERDICT: If you’re dipping your toes into the smartphone world, this could be perfect.

VERDICT: It may be flawed, but at this price

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LG G2

LG G3

LG G Flex

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £500 www.lg.com/uk

Reviewed: August 2014, price: £499 www.lg.com/uk

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £570 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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.4 (KitKat) Processor 2.5GHz quad-core Screen 5.5 inches Resolution 1440 x 2560 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB or 32GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 13MP rear-facing, 2.1MP front-facing Video 2160p

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Screen 6 inches Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB MicroSD Compatible? no Camera 13 MP rear-facing, 2.1 MP front-facing Video 1080p

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm Weight 143g Battery 3,000 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 146.3 x 74.6 x 8.9mm Weight 149g Battery 3,000mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9 mm Weight 177g Battery 3,500 mAh

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.

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buyer’s guide

Motorola Moto E

Motorola Moto G

Motorola Moto G (2014)

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £90 www.motorola.co.uk

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £135 www.motorola.co.uk

Reviewed: November 2014, price: £150 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 highend 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.

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.

It’s an updated version of the Moto G nothing more, nothing less. The lack of 4G is extremely disappointing, and a processor upgrade would have been nice. Still, a bigger screen, a better camera and microSD compatibility is extremely welcome. When it comes to affordable phones that can actually perform, the Moto G is still untouchable.

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 1.2GHz dual-core Screen 4.3 inches 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

OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB/16GB MicroSD Compatible? no Camera 5MP rear-facing, 1.3MP front-facing Video 720p

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1280 x 720 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB/16GB Micro SD compatible? Yes, up to 32GB Camera 8MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing

Dimensions 124.8 x 64.8 x 12.3mm Weight 142g Battery 1,980mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6mm Weight 143g Battery 2,070 mAh

Video 720p Connectivity 3G Dimensions 141.5 x 70.7 x 11mm Weight 149g Battery 2,070mAh

VERDICT: Unrivalled at its price, the Moto E

VERDICT: The best option for customers on

VERDICT: A solid improvement on the best,

is near faultless. A joy to use.

a budget.

but no 4G gives it a limited shelf life.

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Motorola Moto X

Motorola RAZR HD

Nokia Asha 205

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £380 www.motorola.co.uk

Reviewed: April 2013, price: £399 www.motorola.co.uk

Reviewed: April 2013, price: £65 www.nokia.com

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.

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 midrange phone.

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

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB MicroSD Compatible? no Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.3MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS nokia series 40 Processor n/A Screen 2.4 inches Resolution 320 x 240 pixels Memory 16MB RAM Storage 10MB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 2MP rear-facing Video VGA Connectivity 3G

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4mm Weight 130g Battery 2,200 mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 131.9 x 67.9 x 8.4 mm, 146g Weight 146g Battery 2,530 mAh

Dimensions 116 x 61 x 14mm Weight 105g Battery 1,020 mAh

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.

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buyer’s guide

Nokia Asha 302

Nokia Asha 503

Nokia Lumia 520

Reviewed:November 2012, price: £95 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £70 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £99.95 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.

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.

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.

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

OS nokia Asha platform 1.2 Processor n/A Screen 3 inches Resolution 240 x 320 pixels Memory 128MB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5 MP rear-facing Video QVGA Connectivity 3G

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 117 x 56 x 14mm Weight 99g Battery 1,430 mAh

VERDICT: Great QWERTY usability and an

Dimensions 102.6 x 60.6 x 12.7mm Weight 110.2g Battery 1,200 mAh

VERDICT: A good entry into the budget

impressive battery life at a decent price.

market that offers more than the basics.

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Dimensions 119.9 x 64 x 9.9mm Weight 124g Battery 1,430 mAh

VERDICT: A good camera, battery and price but the phone can struggle with tasks.

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Nokia Lumia 625

Nokia Lumia 630

Nokia Lumia 720

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £180 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: August 2014, price: £110 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £299 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.

The Lumia 630 offers many positives. Its bright, smooth interface is eyecatching 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.

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.

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 1.2GHz dual-core Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 512 MB RAM Storage 8GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5 MP rear-facing, VGA front-facing Video 1080p

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 480 x 854 pixels Memory 512MB RAM Storage 8GB Micro SD compatible? Yes, up to 128GB Camera 5MP rear-facing Video 720p

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 4G-Lte Dimensions 133.3 x 72.3 x 9.2 mm Weight 159g Battery 2,000mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 129.5 x 66.7 x 9.2mm Weight 134g Battery 1,830mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 127.9 x 67.5 x 9mm Weight 128g Battery 2,000mAh

VERDICT: A decent budget smartphone with its fair share of shortcomings.

VERDICT: Looks good and performs well

VERDICT: A fairly solid mid-tier device but

enough to beat out some of its budget rivals

not too different from lower priced siblings.

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Nokia Lumia 735

Nokia Lumia 820

Nokia Lumia 920

Reviewed: December 2014, price: £299 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: March 2013, price: £380 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: January 2013, price: £36p/m www.nokia.com

Microsoft has produced a genuine rival to the bestselling Motorola Moto G in the form of the Lumia 735. With the introduction of an HD display and 4G LTE this is much more than just another selfie phone. But if selfies are what you’re after the Lumia 735 offers plenty of fun ways to snap images of you and your friends with its 5-megapixel front camera.

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.

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 8.1 Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 6.7MP rear-facing, 5MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Screen 4.3 inches Resolution 800 x 480 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera: 8.0MP rear-facing, VGA front-facing Video: 1080p

OS: Windows Phone 8.0 Processor: 1.5GHz dual-core Screen: 4.5 inches Resolution: 1280 x 768 Memory 1GB RAM Storage 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8.7MP rear-facing, 1.3MP front-facing Video: 1080p

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 134.7 x 68.5 x 8.9mm Weight 134g Battery 2,200mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 123.8 x 68.5 x 9.9mm Weight: 160g Battery: 1,650 mAh

VERDICT: A Windows Phone to match the

VERDICT: Arguably superior to the 920, a

Moto G, the 735 is a selfie star.

few niggles hold it back from greatness.

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Connectivity 4G Dimensions: 130 x 70.8 x 10.7mm Weight: 185g Battery: 2,000 mAh

VERDICT: An fantastic device technically, its success relies on Microsoft’s app store.

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buyer’s guide

Nokia Lumia 925

Nokia Lumia 930

Nokia Lumia 1020

Reviewed: August 2013, price: £479 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: September 2014, price: £420 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £639.99 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.

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.

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

OS Windows Phone 8.1 Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB Micro SD compatible? no Camera 20MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution: 1280 x 760 Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 41MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing Video: 1080p

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 129 x 70.6 x 8.5 mm Weight: 139g Battery 2,000 mAh

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 137 x 71 x 9.8mm Weight 167g Battery 2,420mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 130.4 x 71.4 x 10.4 mm Weight: 158g Battery 2,000 mAh battery

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.

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Nokia Lumia 1320

Nokia Lumia 1520

Prestigio MultiPhone 5430

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £280 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £550 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £190 www.prestigio.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.

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.

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

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 2.2GHz quad-core Screen 6 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 20MP rear-facing, 1.2MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.0 Ice cream sandwich Processor Intel Atom 1.2GHz Screen 4.3 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing

Connectivity 4G-Lte Dimensions 164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8mm Weight 220g Battery 3,400 mAh

Connectivity 4G-Lte Dimensions 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7mm Weight 209g Battery 3,200 mAh

Video 1080p Connectivity 3G Dimensions 126 x 64.7 x 10mm Weight 140g Battery 2,000 mAh

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.

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Prestigio 4500 DUO

Samsung Ativ S

Samsung Galaxy Ace 2

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £179 www.prestigio.com

Reviewed: March 2013, price: £439.99 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: October 2012, price: £240 www.samsung.com/uk

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.

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.

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

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Screen 4.8-inch Resolution 720 x 1280 Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB/32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Cameras 8.0MP rear-facing, 1.9MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread Processor 800MHz dual-core Screen 3.8-inch Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 768MB RAM Storage 4GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing Video 720p HD

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 117 x 59 x 11mm Weight 120g Battery 1,850 mAh

VERDICT: Nothing new but this is a user

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 137 x 70.5 x 8.7 mm Weight 135g Battery 2,300 mAh

VERDICT: Great WP8 hardware, but the lack

friendly, well priced well featured device.

of apps means Nokia and HTC still rule.

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Connectivity 3G Dimensions 118 x 62 x 11mm Weight 119g Battery 1,500 mAh

VERDICT: In terms of sheer bang for your buck, this great phone is one of the best.

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Samsung Galaxy Ace 3

Samsung Galaxy K Zoom

Samsung Galaxy Mega

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £180 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: October 2014, price: £400 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £440 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.

We can see what Samsung set out to achieve with the Galaxy K zoom, and creating a solid Android smartphone with an optical zoom is no small feat. However, it looks like a dated digital camera at best - newer devices are much more compact. If you’re after a smartphone with a solid snapper, we’d advise you to seek out the LG G3 or Sony Xperia Z2 instead.

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

OS Android 4.4 (KitKat) Processor Hexa-core: 1.3GHz quad-core + 1.7GHz dual-core Screen 4.8 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 8GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 20.7MP rear-facing, 2MP front

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.7GHz quad-core Screen 6.3 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 8GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8 MP rear-facing, 1.9 MP front-facing Video 1080p

Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 121.2 x 62.7 x 9.8mm Weight 115g Battery 1,500 mAh

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 137.5 x 70.8 x 16.6mm Weight 200g Battery 2,430mAh

Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 167.6 x 88 x 8 mm Weight 199g Battery 3,200 mAh

VERDICT: Premium build quality and visuals

VERDICT: A decent smartphone and an

VERDICT: For better or worse it’s all about

at a good price - just not a great one.

excellent camera in a hideous body.

the big, vibrant screen with this handset.

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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

Reviewed: December 2012, price: £409 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £649 www.samsung.com/uk

With its eye-catching design, decent performance and comfortable usability, the Galaxy Mini 2 is well worth a look for firsttime 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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1.6GHz quad-core Screen 5.5 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16/32/64GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.9MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Screen 5.7 inches Resolution1080 x 1920 pixels Memory 3GB RAM Storage 16/32/64GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 13 MP front-facing, 2MP rear-facing Video 4K

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 109 x 59 x 12mm Weight 105g Battery 1,300 mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 151 x 81 x 9 mm Weight 183g Battery 1,300 mAh

Dimensions 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3 mm Weight 168g Battery 3,200 mAh

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.

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Samsung Galaxy S2

Samsung Galaxy S3

Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini

£330 SIM-free www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: July 2012, price: £485 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: January 2013, price: £300 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.

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, highpowered 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.

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

OS Android 4.0 Ice cream sandwich Processor 1.4GHz ARM cortex-A9 Screen 4.8 inches Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16/32/64GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing,

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor 1GHz dual-core Screen 4 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 1GHz RAM Storage 8/16GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing Video 720p

Video 1080p Connectivity 3G Dimensions 125 x 66 x 9mm Weight 116g Battery 1,650 mAh

1.9MP front-facing Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Lte Size 137 x 71 x 9mm Weight 133g Battery 2,100 mAh

Connectivity 3G Dimensions: 121.6 x 63 x 9.9 mm Weight 111.5g Battery 1,500 mAh

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.

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Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung Galaxy S4 Active Samsung Galaxy S5

Reviewed: July 2012, price: £550 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £400 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £530 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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean Processor 1.9 GHz quad-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 2.5GHz quad-core Screen 5.1 inches Resolution 1920 x 1080 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16/32GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 16MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing Video 1080p

Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 136.6 x 69.8 x 7.9 mm Weight 130g Battery 2,600 mAh

Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 139.7 x 71.3 x 9.1 mm Weight 151g Battery 2,600 mAh

Connectivity 4G Lte Dimensions 142 mm x 72.5 mm x 8.1 mm Weight 145g Battery 2,800mAh

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.

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Sony Xperia Go

Sony Xperia L

Sony Xperia J

Reviewed: October 2012, price: £200 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: August 2013, price: £249 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: February 2013, price: £149 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.

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.

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

Dimensions 128.7x 65 x 9.7mm, 137g Display 4.3 inch, tft capacitive touchscreen, 480x854 pixels, 228 ppi OS Android 4.1 CPU Qualcomm MsM8230 snapdragon dual core 1GHz GPU Adreno 305

Dimensions 120.5 x 63 x 10.28 mm OS Windows Phone 8 Screen 4.0-inch s-LcD Resolution 480x800 Processor Qualcomm snapdragon s4 1GHz dualcore GPU Adreno 305 RAM 512MB

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

Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB, microsD up to 32GB Wireless Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Camera 8MP, autofocus, LeD flash Battery up to 9 hours (3G) accurate

Storage 4GB expandable via microsD Cameras 5MP rear, LeD flash / 720p HD video Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth 3.1, a-GPs and GLonAss Ports Micro usB, 3.5mm audio Battery life 1,700mAh

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.

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Sony Xperia SP

Sony Xperia T3

Sony Xperia Z

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £290 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: April 2013, price: £499 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.

If it weren’t for the existence of the Sony Xperia T2 Ultra, released less than nine months prior, the T3 would be a solid recommendation. It’s a highly satisfactory smartphone with a premium build - but without anybody who would really need to buy it.

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 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

OS Android 4.4 Kit Kat Processor 1.4GHz quad-core Screen 5.3 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.1MP front-facing Video 720p

Dimensions 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm 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)

Battery 2370mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 150.7 x 77 x 7mm Weight 148g Battery 2,500mAh

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 4G LTE isn’t for you, the Xperia

VERDICT: A solid effort makes it a viable

VERDICT: A powerhouse phone, let down

SP isn’t quite the bargain it first seems.

mid-range phablet choice.

only by some design niggles.

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Sony Xperia Z1

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Sony Xperia Z2

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £475 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £449 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: July 14, price: £579 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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.3 Processor Qualcomm snapdragon 800 Screen 4.3-inch HD triluminos Resolution 720 x 1,280 pixels Memory 2GB Storage 16GB, expandable to 64GB

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Screen 5.2 inches Resolution 1080 x 1920 pixels Memory 3GB RAM Storage 16GB MicroSD Compatible? Yes Camera 20.7MP rear-facing, 2.2MP front-facing Video 720p

Video 1080p Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports micro sD, microusB Battery 3000 mAh Dimensions 144 x 74 x 8.5mm Weight 170g

Camera 20.7MP exmor Rs Video 720p Connectivity Wi-fi, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth 4.0, nfc Dimensions 127 x 64.9 x 9.5mm Weight 137g Battery 2,300 mAh

Connectivity 4G Dimensions 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2mm Weight 163g Battery 3,200mAh

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.

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Sony Xperia Z3

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact

Vodafone Smart Mini

Reviewed: December 14, price: £549 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: December 14, price: £429 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: September 2013, price: £50 www.vodafone.co.uk

We were all a little bit surprised when Sony elected to release a new flagship a matter of months after the Xperia Z2 hit shelves. After reviewing it though, the company’s reasoning is obvious. The Z3 is a true flagship as worthy of your attention (and cash) as any other in this Buyer’s Guide. The Z3 has premium design, hugely powerful internals, and an array of neat features. A very impressive device.

The Xperia Z3 Compact is indisputably the most powerful compact Android ever made. We can’t really slight it for anything, and no other Android phone in its size bracket can come close to matching it. It’s remarkable that Sony has managed to squeeze almost the exact same technology from the Z3 into a smaller body. Finally, Android power-users have a valid option in the sub-five inch display category.

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 4.4 Kit Kat Processor 2.5GHz quad-core Screen 5.2 inches Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 pixels Memory 3GB RAM Storage 16GB Micro SD compatible? Yes, up to 128GB Camera 20.7MP rear-facing, 2.2MP front-facing

OS Android 4.4 Kit Kat Processor 2.5GHz quad-core Screen 4.6 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB Micro SD compatible? Yes, up to 128GB Camera 20.7MP rear-facing, 2.2MP front-facing

Dimensions 115 x 62.3 x 12.2mm Weight 118 OS Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean Screen 3.5-inch tft capacitive touchscreen, 320 x 480 pixels, 165 ppi Processor 1 GHz RAM 512MB Storage 4GB, micro sD slot

Video 4K Connectivity 4G Dimensions 146 x 72 x 7.3mm Weight 152g Battery 3,100mAh

Video 4K Connectivity 4G Dimensions 127 x 64.9 x 8.6mm Weight 129g Battery 2,600mAh

Camera 2MP, 1600 x 1200 pixels Video VGA @ 30 fps Audio MP3, WMA, Battery 300h standby, 7h talktime (3G)

VERDICT: Sony’s best full-sized offering yet,

VERDICT: The definitive small-sized Android

although the camera is aging a little now.

smartphone. The most powerful yet.

VERDICT: Extremely cheap which shows through the sluggish performance.

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Yezz Andy A5

ZTE Blade III

ZTE Blade V

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £207 www.sayyezz.com

Reviewed: May 2013, price: £69.99 www.ztedevices.co.uk

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £99.99 www.ztedevices.co.uk

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.

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.

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 10mm, 130g 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

OS Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean) Processor snapdragon s4 Play Screen 480 x 800, 4 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 4GB Camera 5 MP Video Yes Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports microusB, microsD

Weight 106g Battery 2,000mAh

RAM 512MB Storage 4GB internal, expandable to 32GB via MicrosD Camera 5MP Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth 2.1. Ports Micro usB, MicrosD, 3.5mm audio jack. Battery life 1600mAh

Dimensions 126 x 64 x 10.9 mm Weight 130g Battery Li-Ion 1800 mAh

VERDICT: A great camera, but the rest struggles against more bullish counterparts.

VERDICT: A real surprise package -

VERDICT: A great prices makes this

excellent for the money.

worthwhile for first-time buyers.

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buyer’s guide

Amazon Kindle Fire HD 8.9” Acer Aspire P3

Advent Vega Tegra Note 7

Reviewed: May 2013, price: £229/259 www.amazon.co.uk

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £550 www.amazon.co.uk

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £140 www.nvidia.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.

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.

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 GPU PowerVR sGX544

Processor Intel® core™ i5-3339Y processor (1.5 GHz, 2.0 GHz with turboBoost, 3 MB cache) Operating System Windows 8 Memory 4GB DDR3 Storage 120 GB ssD Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000

OS Android Jelly Bean 4.3 Processor nvidia tegra 4 Screen 7 inches Resolution 1,280 x 800 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB Connectivity Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Dimensions 119 x 199 x 9.6mm

RAM 1 GB RAM Storage 16 GB/32 GB Cameras front facing 1.3MP with 720p video Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band Ports usB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jacks, Bluetooth A2DP Battery life 10 hours (accurate)

Screen Size 11.6” Screen Resolution 1366x768 Dimensions 295 x 190 x 10 mm Weight 790g

Weight 320g Battery 8 hours

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.

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Amazon Kindle Fire HDX

Apple iPad Mini

Apple iPad 3

Reviewed: January 2014, price: £199-329 www.amazon.co.uk/kindle

Reviewed: December 2012, price: £269 www.apple.com/uk

Reviewed: April 2012, price: £399 www.apple.com/uk

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.

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.

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

OS ios 6.0.1 Screen 7.9-inch LeD-backlit IPs LcD Resolution 768 x 1024 pixels at 162 pixels per inch Input capacitive touchscreen CPU Apple A5 1GHz dual core GPU PowerVR sGX543MP2 Memory 512MB Storage 16/32/64GB

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

VIDEO 720HD WIRELESS Wi-fi (optional Vodafone 4G version) PORTS microusB DIMENSIONS 131.8 x 66.9 x 9.9 mm WEIGHT 302g

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

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.

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Apple iPad 4

Archos 79 Platinum

Archos 101 XS 2

Reviewed: January 2013, price: £399 www.apple.com/uk

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £150 www.archos.com

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250 www.archos.com

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.

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.

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

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor Quad-core A9 1.6GHz Screen 7.85 inches Resolution 1,024 x 768 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB Camera 2MP rear-facing Connectivity Wi-fi, Bluetooth Dimensions 201 x 137 x 8mm

OS Android 4.2.2 SCREEN 10.1-inch/1,280 x 800 pixels CAMERA 2MP rear, 2MP front VIDEO Record/playback AUDIO Music player/3.5mm jack MEMORY 16GB expandable via microsD DIMENSIONS 273 x 169 x

Video 1080P HD at 30fps Wireless Wi-fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 Cellular 4G, 3G, 2G Ports Lightning connector (usB2.0) and 3.5mm audio jack, Dimensions 241.2 x 185.7 x 9.4 mm Weight 662 g

VERDICT: The best tablet money can buy.

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Weight 366g Battery Lithium Polymer

10.1mm (tablet), 273 x 169 x 5mm (keyboard) WEIGHT 636g (tablet), 200g (keyboard)

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.

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Asus Transformer 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. OS Android 4.3 (via an overthe-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

MEMORY 32/64GB BATTERY tablet 31Wh, dock 16Wh

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Google Nexus 7

Google Nexus 10

Reviewed: September 2012, price: £159 www.google.co.uk/nexus

Reviewed: February 2013, price: £319 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.

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 4.1 Jelly Bean Screen 7-inch LeD-backlit IPs LcD 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

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Dimensions 263.9 x 177.6 x 8.9 mm, 603g Screen 10-inches, Gorilla Glass 2, Resolution 2560 x 1600p Input super PLs tft capacitive touch-screen CPU exynos 5, Dual-core ARM cortex-A15

Video 720p HD Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-fi Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro usB 2.0 Battery 10 hours use, 300 hours standby Size 199 x 120 x 10mm Weight 340g

RAM 2 GB Cameras 5 MP (main), 1.9 MP (front) Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth NFC Android Beam Storage 16 GB/32 GB Connectivity Micro usB, Micro HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack Battery 9000 mAh

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.

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buyer’s guide

HP Slate 7

Lenovo ThinkPad 8

Lenovo Miix 2

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £125 www.hp.com

Reviewed: September 2014, price: £424 www.lenovo.com

Reviewed: July 2014, price: £255 www.microsoft.com/surface

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.

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.

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.

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor Dual-core 1.6 GHz cortex-A9 Screen 600 x 1024 pixels, 7.0 inches Memory 1 GB RAM Storage 8 GB expandable to 32GB via sD card Camera 3.15 MP pixel rear facing, VGA front facing

OS Windows 8.1 Processor 2.4GHz quad-core Screen 8.3 inches Resolution 1,200 x 1,920 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 2.2MP front-facing

OS Windows 8.1 Processor 1.3GHz quad-core Screen 8 inches Resolution 1280 x 800 pixels Memory 2GB Storage 32GB MicroSD compatible? Yes Camera 5MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing Video 1080p

Video 720p Dimensions 197.1 x 116.1 x 10.7 mm Weight 372 g Battery non-removable, 5h media time

Video 1080p Connectivity 4G Dimensions 8.83 x 5.2 x 0.35 inches Weight 439g

Connectivity 3G Dimensions 8.3 x 215.6 x 131mm Weight 350g Battery 4,730mAh

VERDICT: Great audio and build, but corners

VERDICT: Even with so few Windows tablets

VERDICT: A small but substantial Windows

have been cut to keep costs down.

available the ThinkPad still fails to stand out.

offering that still trails its Android rivals.

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buyer’s guide

Microsoft Surface 2 Pro

Microsoft Surface Pro 3

Nokia Lumia 2520

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £720 www.microsoft.com/surface

Reviewed: November 2014, price: £640 www.microsoft.com/surface

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £399 www.nokia.com

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 - cheapercompetition make it a tough sell.

From software to hardware and even design the Surface Pro 3 is a wonderful piece of kit. It’s refreshing to come across a tablet with grander ideals than the norm, challenging us to rethink the notion of the medium. For most people this could genuinely replace their laptop. It’s just a shame, and an almost inexcusable mistake, that the keyboard which is so integral to its function is sold as an expensive extra.

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 Screen 10.6 inches/1,920x1,080 pixels Input capacitive touchscreen Camera 720p-resolution front and rear Video Record/playback Audio Music player/3.5mm jack Memory

OS Windows 8.1 Processor 1.5GHz Intel core i3/2.9GHz Intel core i5/3.7GHz Intel core i7 Screen 12 inches Resolution 2,160 x 1,440 pixels Memory 4GB/8GB RAM Storage 64GB/128GB/256GB/512GB

OS Windows 8.1 Screen 10.1 inches, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 218PPI Processor Qualcomm snapdragon 800 Memory 2GB Camera 6.7MP with carl Zeiss lens Audio Music player/3.5mm jack

64GB/128GB/256GB/512GB, expandable Battery 48Wh

Micro SD compatible? Yes, up to 128GB Camera 5MP rear-facing, 5MP front-facing Video 1080p Connectivity Wi-fi only Dimensions 292.1mm x 201.4mm x 9.1mm Weight 800g Battery 42Wh

Dimensions 168 x 267 x 8.9mm, 615g Battery 8120 mAh

VERDICT: Price holds back what is an

VERDICT: The first tablet with enough

VERDICT: A rock solid first effort from Nokia

otherwise excellent work/play hybrid.

function to conceivably replace a laptop.

in this market with powerful specs.

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids Samsung Galaxy Tab S

Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: October 2014, price: £319 www.samsung.com/uk

Reviewed: May 2014, price: £649 www.samsung.com/uk

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.

While the Tab S may not be a radical departure from other Android tablets, it encompasses everything that is great about a top-notch Samsung product. It’s enough to rebuild the Korean giant’s brand image, and proof that the company can still surprise us with a fantastic all-round product.

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

OS Android 4.4 Kit Kat Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Screen 8.4 inches Resolution 2,560 x 1,600 pixels Memory 3GB RAM Storage 16GB, 32GB Micro SD compatible? Yes Camera 8MP rear-facing, 2.1MP front-facing Video 1080p

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor octa-core (1.9GHz + 1.3GHz quad) Screen 12.2 inches Resolution 2,560 x 1,600 pixels Memory 3GB RAM Storage 32GB/64GB Camera 8MP rear/2MP front-facing

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

VERDICT: A little too premium for the market it’s aimed at.

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Connectivity 4G Dimensions 125.6 x 212.8 x 6.6mm Weight 294g Battery 4,900mAh

Video 1,080p full HD Connectivity Wi-fi only Dimensions 295.6 x 204 x 7.95mm Weight 750g Battery 9,500mAh

VERDICT: Simply put, it’s the best Android tablet on the market.

VERDICT: Big, beautiful, functional and

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priced to match. Android’s finest.

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Sony Xperia Z2 Tablet

Tesco Hudl

Toshiba Excite Pure

Reviewed: June 2014, price: £399 www.sony.co.uk

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £119 www.tesco.com/direct/hudl

Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250 www.toshiba.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.

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.

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 (KitKat) Screen 10.1 inches Processor Quad-core 2.3 GHz Memory 3GB Storage 16GB, microsD up to 64GB Camera 8.1MP rear, 2.2MP front Battery 6,000mAh Network Wi-fi connectivity,

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core A9 Screen 7 inches Resolution 1,440 x 900 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB Connectivity Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Dimensions 128.8 x 192.8

OS Android v4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor nvidia tegra 3 Memory 1GB Storage 16GB Screen 1280 x 800 pixels, 10.1 inches Video HD Audio stereo Dimensions 261.6 x 177.8 x 10.2mm

4G Lte

x 9.85 mm Weight 370g Battery 9 hours

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.

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