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WIN A BRAND NEW MOTo E AND A PAIR OF BEEWI FOOTBALL-PLAYING ROBOTS july 2014 WHATMOBILE.NET

Sony Xperia Z2 Sony’s flagship gets a new processor and 4K video

4 1 0 2 l i z a r B

coming to your smartphone

Movie streaming services to feast your eyes on this summer

First look: LG G3

huawei ascend p7

LG is back among the big boys with its quad-tastic G3. But is it all power and no glory?

In a summer of blockbusters, can China’s finest win you over with its best effort yet?

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THE CINEMA IN YOUR HAND

July 2014

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July 2014 Clark White Publishing Ltd 8-10 Godson Street Islington, London N1 9GZ

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Next issue on sale 10th July EDITORIAL Email: editorial@whatmobile.net Telephone: 020 7324 3502 Reporter: Saqib Shah Email: saqib.shah@whatmobile.net Telephone: 020 3122 068 Reporter: Callum Tennent Email: callum.tennent@whatmobile.net Telephone: 020 3122 068 Editorial Director: Ian White Sub-editor: Andrew Williams ART/PRODUCTION Art Editor: Andy Hemming Email: andyh@mobilenewscwp.co.uk

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The World Cup in the palm of your hand This summer marks the return of the biggest sporting event on the planet. In June, the 20th FIFA World Cup lands in Brazil, the spiritual home of football, and it’s going to be better than ever – not just on the pitch, but for anyone with a smartphone. In the four years since the last World Cup, the smartphone has developed from a wonderkid full of unrealised potential, to a superstar household name. In this issue, we’ll make sure you know how to have an all-consuming ‘smart’ experience of the beautiful game once the tournament is under way, with our handy advice on the best apps, second screen usage, live streaming and more. If you can’t stand football, then worry not, because we’ve got you covered, with our comprehensive guide on mobile cinema. So when everyone else around you is cheering on 11 men kicking a leather sphere, you can watch something altogether more to your taste. We’ve also got the final of our ‘big three’ summer phone release reviews this month, the Sony Xperia Z2, as well as Huawei’s bestever smartphone effort, and possibly the best budget handset ever made.

The What Mobile team

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03/06/2014 16:41

what’s inside

contents

July 2014 www.whatmobile.net 22

06 First look: LG G3 Another outstanding flagship phone arrives 10 Competition Win a Motorola Moto E and BeeWi robots 12 International roundup We survey the Ferrari of mobile phones

14 Patently obvious Sneaking a peek at developers’ bluprints

16 Accessories These are the droids you’re looking for 22 Sony Xperia Z2 Should we Xpect the unXpected from Sony? 26 Huawei Ascend P7 The Chinese phone maker sets its sights high 28 Motorola Moto E The greatest sub-£100 smartphone... ever? 30 Archos 50 Helium Taking the fight to Motorola’s budget best 32 Lenovo Miix 2 A Windows slate to take on Android and iOS

36 The World Cup in your hand Never miss a second of action with our guide 42 Mobile cinema How to access the best films on your device 46 Android apps for beginners Get in among your phone’s innards! 48 Apps & games The best this month on mobiles and consoles

58 Buyer’s Guide 108 devices rated and reviewed

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first look lg g3

LG shows its S5 killer

uesday 27 May saw the launch of the G3, the latest flagship smartphone from LG, and What Mobile was fortunate to be in Battersea, London, to witness it. The fanfare wasn’t for nothing, as LG revealed what is a very impressive device. The first half of 2014 has been one of the strongest periods for phone launches that we can recall – the Samsung Galaxy S5, Sony Xperia Z2 and HTC One M8 have all dazzled. There’s not much to separate them when it comes to specs and power. If this embarrassment of choice is too much for your brain to deal with, reach for the paracetamol because the G3 will add to your headache. LG’s top-spec handset goes toe-to-toe with any of the year’s big Android releases. Let’s look at the details...

squeezy does it With the device in hand, what is most immediately noticeable is its size – but not because it’s too large. Much was made of the G3’s 5.5-inch display before launch. That’s a big screen – 0.3 inches beyond the most sizeable of the bunch, the Xperia Z2, and a whole half-inch larger than the smallest, the HTC One M8. If you were worried it would be uncomfortably unwieldy, then put your mind at ease; LG has done a remarkable job of squeezing a massive

display into a device barely bigger than its rivals. It measures 146.3mm x 74.6mm x 8.9mm, which might not mean much to you, but look at it this way: it’s just 1.3mm wider than the Xperia Z2, 0.3mm shorter than the One M8, and you get an even bigger screen! The quality of the display itself is equally remarkable. Its 2,560 x 1,440-pixel screen, otherwise known as Quad-HD resolution, packs in a staggering 538 pixels per inch (PPI). The Samsung Galaxy S5 has what’s widely regarded to be the best display on the market, with a PPI of 432, so it’s fair to say the G3’s screen is pretty sharp. A bigger, sharper display means greater power drain, so there’s also a 3,000mAh battery to back it up. The bigwigs at LG claim the battery capacity is 20% greater than normal to compensate for the 20% extra battery usage brought on by the G3’s big display. So, in theory, you should get as much juice out of it as any other flagship Android handset.

flies like a g3 The G3 runs a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, which has a 2.5GHz quad-core processor, the same as you’d find in the Galaxy S5. This makes it one of the most powerful devices on the market. Interestingly, the G3’s memory varies depending on which variation of the

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first look lg g3

device you choose. The model with 16GB of in-built storage has 2GB of RAM, while the 32GB variant has a whopping 3GB. Of course, it’s also 4G LTE-ready and comes running the latest version of Google’s Android software: 4.4, also known as KitKat. Speaking of software, the G3 comes with some nice touches to distinguish the user experience from other phones. Knock Code is an interesting one – it allows you to both wake and unlock the screen by tapping a four-point code onto the device’s blank screen. It’s a little like the tap-to-wake function found on the HTC One M8, except it offers the security of a password, too. There’s also Smart Keyboard, which offers some features that the usual Android keyboard lacks. It’s customisable to suit the size of your hands, the autocorrect learns from your mistakes, and it offers a variety of tweaks to make the typing experience as streamlined as possible.

LG G3 is expected to land in July and will come in five colours including metallic black

Snap to it The camera software is also a large part of what makes the G3’s snapper so fantastic. While its 13-megapixel lens is as good as those found in most other leading smartphones, the technology behind it sets it apart. Its laser autofocus captures images in just 0.276 seconds. That’s faster than it takes for the human brain to command the hand to tap the screen. The optical image stabilisation is 20% better than on its predecessor, the LG G2, too. There’s also a 2MP front-facing camera designed for selfies. Due to the large size of the phone, and the fact that the buttons are all located on the rear of the device, it could be tricky to take selfies the conventional way. This is why with the G3 you simply wave at the screen when you’re ready for your shot, and the G3 starts a timer to take the picture – no buttons required. It’s also capable of recording 4K-resolution video – to match its 4K display – with additional noise-reducing technology for clearer recordings at loud events. It’ll come in a choice of five colours: metallic black, silk white, shine gold, moon violet and burgundy red. There’s currently no word on price. As for a release date, we only know it will arrive in July, so expect a review in the next issue of What Mobile.

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international round-up

International round-up This month, Chinese manufacturer Xiaomi plans its global takeover, a Moto G with a racey cover is spotted in Mexico, BlackBerry woos Indonesia and Panasonic resurfaces in India

Xiaomi Mi 3 After recently unveiling its first tablet, which Xiaomi boasts will be an iPad rival with a worldwide release, the Chinese manufacturer has launched the latest version of its flagship smartphone range: the Mi 3. The first stop for this sleek new handset is Malaysia, where it is currently available via the company’s website. The 16GB version of the device retails for RM889 (approximately £164) unlocked. Xiaomi tends to launch its devices with customised software skins based on the region they’re released in, and Malaysia is no exception; the Kuala Lumpur backdrop on the Mi 3 makes for an idyllic theme for its

MIUI firmware. The geographical skins also add to the collectable feel of Xiaomi’s non-Western devices. More importantly, Xiaomi is boasting that this is its fastest smartphone ever. The specs back up its claims. With a 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, a 5-inch Full HD 1080p-resolution LCD display plus a 13-megapixel rear camera, the tech on this phone is solid throughout. And that reasonable price only adds to its desirability. It’s no wonder Xiaomi recently kicked HTC off the top 10 global smartphone sales chart by climbing up to sixth on the list. Is it only a matter of time before this Chinese superpower invades the West?

Motorola Moto G Ferrari Edition Despite boasting impressive specs, Motorola’s range of affordable smartphones – including the newly released Moto E, reviewed on p28 – are lacking in the design department. The same goes for the popular Moto G, which has the same curved design as most cheap handsets. It’s a shame no premium variation of the affordable Motos is available in the West, when a Ferrari edition is currently released in Mexico. This zippy version sports a sleek Kevlar back cover and the supercar logo imprinted on the bottom and back of the handset. The refreshed edition of the Moto G adds a microSD memory card slot to the original G, which is a hugely affordable phone that’s proved so popular it’s single-handedly resurrected Motorola in the UK phone market. The new model boasts a 720p-resolution screen, quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A7 processor with 1GB of RAM and Adreno 305 graphics. You also get 16GB of internal storage and a 5-megapixel camera. The handset was displayed at the Mexico launch of the Moto E and Moto G 4G (the Ferrari version is LTE enabled). It is currently available for 4,999 peso (£230).

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03/06/2014 16:18

international roundup

International round-up BlackBerry Z3 Jakarta While most online commentators have focused on BlackBerry’s troubles in the West, little attention has been paid to the manufacturer’s global woes. In Asia, for example, BlackBerry continues to lose ground to affordable Android smartphones. The company aims to change all that with the release of the Z3 Jakarta. The name should give a hint as to where this handset is being launched, but for anyone with patchy geographical knowledge, the Z3 Jakarta is named after the capital of Indonesia. At £118, this is an entry-level device, but BlackBerry’s goal in the region is to launch cheaper smartphones with touchscreens that can compete with Android handsets. The specs include a 5-inch display with 540 × 960 pixels (no iPhoneesque Retina display here), BlackBerry OS 10.2.1, a 1.2GHz dualcore processor with 1.5GB of RAM, a 5-megapixel rear camera with 1080p-resolution video recording, and a 1.1-megapixel front-facing shooter. It also has a 2,500mAh non-removable battery. Judging from the images, the design is slim and sharp. Anyone in the UK praying for an affordable BlackBerry will be happy to note that the company plans to roll out the device globally later this year.

Panasonic P81

Smartisan T1

It’s been so long since Panasonic released a mobile device in the West that you’d be forgiven for thinking they’d packed up their smartphone business altogether. The last we heard, the Japanese manufacturer was working on a rather gimmickysounding 20-inch 4K-resolution tablet. The truth is, Panasonic – in what many analysts cite as a smart move – is concentrating its mobile efforts on emerging markets such as India, where it’s just released the P81. The specs on the RS19,990 (£201), mid-range handset include a 5.5-inch 720p-resolution display, a 13-megapixel rear camera with a 28mm wide-angle lens, as well as a 2-megapixel front camera and a 2,500mAh battery. The only drawbacks are that, for the price, it does not come with 4G LTE connectivity, and it only runs the dated Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean software out of the box. Still, its sleek 7.8mm-thin design and the addition of Panasonic’s Play Life user interface – which has some solid features such as Multi-Play, allowing users to run multiple apps side-by-side – make up for the OS.

Another Chinese manufacturer that wants to disrupt the smartphone scene, Smartisan has taken a global approach to sourcing its tech. The T1 Android smartphone is designed by the San Francisco-based Ammunition Design Group and contains a Sony Exmor 13-megapixel rearfacing camera. Additionally, its audio chip is created by the renowned US manufacturer Texas Instruments. The new handset’s specs are rounded off with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core processor, a 5-inch 1080p JDI Pixel Eyes display, a Corning Gorilla Glass front, 2GB of RAM, an aboveaverage 5MP front-facing snapper and Smartisan’s in-house operating system, which is an Android ROM with a uniquely customisable, gridlike appearance. The 3G version will arrive in China in July (from CN¥3,000 or about £352), followed by a 4G version by the end of the year (from CN¥3,500 or about £410). There are, as yet, no plans to release the device elsewhere.

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futurology

Patently Obvious If you want a peek into the future of mobile and wearable tech, a few hours cruising the world’s patent offices gives you a clue of what to expect. Fortunately, we’ve done all the leg work for you. So read on – and prepare to be amazed

Galaxy Glass Samsung Wearables are the emerging trend in mobile tech right now, and Google’s as-yet-unlaunched Google Glass smart-eyewear is leading the way. It makes sense, then, that Samsung should try to catch up, if this recently filed patent is anything to go by. Rather than adopting the look of a traditional pair of glasses, as Google has, Samsung’s looks a lot more sci-fi. It’s a bit like a Bluetooth headset that wraps around to your eye. It seems to sit inside and around one of your ears, meaning probable audio feedback/playback, too. Nothing has been revealed about the technical specifications yet, but this is definitely one to watch.

Gesture-based unlocking Apple

Driver lock-out Apple

If you’re thinking gesture-based unlocking sounds familiar, you’d be right. It has existed on Android almost since the operating system’s conception. Apple, on the other hand, has traditionally stuck with a combination of swipe and passcode unlocking (and now fingerprint recognition with the iPhone 5s). That could be about to change. Intent on offering users a choice when it comes to making their phone more secure, Apple has filed a patent that seems to operate like a more advanced version of Android’s 3 x 3 grid. According to the patent, there’s numerous tweaks users can do to make unlocking the device more or less difficult. The dots on screen can be used as both waypoints or barriers, and adjusted in size for more or less tolerance. Apple has also noted that timing and acceleration can play a part, as well as the use of more than one finger. All in all, it seems a whole lot more secure than a four-digit passcode.

Texting while driving is a big problem, of that there can be no doubt. In 2011, a quarter of all traffic accidents involved smartphone use – that’s 1.3 million crashes. Figures show that texting while driving makes you 23 times more likely to crash. But what can be done about it – from the manufacturer’s side, that is? Apple has decided to take it upon itself to try and improve road safety, by any means necessary. ‘Driver handheld computing device lock-out’ is the name of the patent, and it aims to disable a number of functions of your device while you’re driving. The technology would allow the device to detect when it’s in a car and how fast it’s travelling, as well as determining if it’s in the hands of the driver rather than a passenger. The patent also covers technology that would allow the automobile and smartphone to communicate with one another, for example, via a sensor that detects when the key enters the ignition. However it works, it could be one of the most important safety innovations we’ve seen in recent years.

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futurology

High-resolution optical image stabilisation Apple The chances are that if you’ve used a smartphone or digital camera, you’re familiar with optical image stabilisation (OIS). It’s the technology that ensures photos don’t turn out totally blurred from the slightest hand twitch. Apple plans on using this technology for a different purpose. The specifics of it, detailed at enormous length within the patent, are largely incomprehensible streams of jargon that only a real camera buff would understand. The underlying point, though, is that through OIS, the camera takes multiple images through one press of a button. It would then usually use these images to negate blur. However, in this instance, it would patch them together to create a sort of high-resolution collage. It means the image, while still capturing the same field of view, is incredibly dense with pixels and richer in detail. It’s a clever way of getting a better image without increasing the megapixels in the camera, a trend we’re seeing adopted more and more by smartphone manufacturers, which appear to be coming to the conclusion that the megapixel race has plateaued.

Microsoft Smartwatch Microsoft

Facebook Smartphone Facebook

Remember what we were saying about wearables? What with the iWatch almost certainly set to be announced by the end of the year, combined with the already growing selection of Android wearables, Microsoft has finally decided that it wants in on the smartwatch game. This patent describes a ‘wearable personal information system’ that would offer music playback, messaging, calling and fitness tracking capabilities. The main body of the device would also be detachable from the strap, allowing it to be hooked onto a belt. While it might seem like Microsoft is leaving it a little late to start developing such a product, this patent was actually first filed in 2012 – the US Patent Office has only just released it. For all we know, it could be nearing completion by now.

We’ve seen a ‘Facebook smartphone’ before. We’ve seen two, in fact: the awful HTC Salsa and HTC Cha-Cha. But this is something entirely different. Rather than shoehorning Facebook features into another company’s handset design, Facebook is seemingly taking matters into its own hands. It makes sense that it should do so, too, with a staggering one billion mobile Facebook users now registered. This handset has been in the works for a while – since 2011 – but apparently Facebook’s engineers have been having a hard time getting it to work just so. In an attempt to make the device stand out from the crowd, not only does it have a conventional front-facing touchscreen, but also a side-mounted touchpad and a larger rear touchpad. The patent notes that the phone would have a gesture recognition library to recognise distinct swipes or taps on the touchpads. Shy of those intriguing teasers, that’s all Zuckerberg is willing to reveal for the time being.

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Gadgets, Gifts and accessories

Remote-controlled droids Use your smartphone’s unique touch and tilt controls to take to the skies, race through the streets or command a robot buddy, with these miniature droids

BeeWi Kick Bee Bluetooth Mini Robot

Parrot AR Drone 2.0 Elite Edition

£30

£254

If you grew up in an era before smartphones, Subbuteo may hold fond memories. Unfortunately, in 2014, the game is a dying art. It’s a good thing, then, that BeeWi is here to bring it into the modern age. Connect your smartphone via Bluetooth to your adorable little robo-Rooney and try to get over England’s inevitable World Cup heartbreak by recreating the games with a more positive outcome. As he moves, his legs automatically kick the ball, which you try to put into the goal. Simple stuff, football.

For the more discerning remote control fan with a full wallet, Parrot’s latest Quadricopter is the ultimate toy. Not only does it have a flight range of 100 metres, it also has a built-in camera to record your adventures. In case you get a little too wayward with your flight path, there’s also a flight recorder GPS that tracks your drone’s location in the event of a crash landing. It’s also capable of automatically returning to its take-off point, courtesy of the GPS tech. Futuristic!

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04/06/2014 09:50

Deskpets SkitterBot £16

Deskpets boasts that the SkitterBot is “the world’s fastest six-legged micro robotic spider”. Just how much competition there is for that mantle, we do not know. What we do know is that it’s an awful lot of fun to play around with, and with its pulsating LED eyes and realistic movement, it’s unnervingly like the real thing.

iSuper Tank £35 Want something with a little more firepower? The iSuper Tank has you covered. A convincing 1:16 replica of the real thing, the iSuper Tank not only has independently functioning treads and turret, but also fires infrared lasers from its turret and machine gun. This means that when you put it into battle with a second model, you can have authentic firefights. They even judder and lose mobility when hit.

PowerUp 3.0 Paper Airplane £25

Add some smartphone tech to your homemade paper airplanes and watch them soar with the PowerUp 3.0. Simply attach the Bluetooth-controlled propeller to your plane, download the iOS app (unfortunately, Android is not currently compatible), and use it to control your nowelectric flying machine. The app lets you navigate the hardware’s thrust and rudder, helping you to change speed and direction. A single charge of the device will last for 10 minutes of flight.

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Gadgets, Gifts and accessories

MiP

£100 This miniature robot on wheels can drive, dance, box and stack items – all via motion controls on a smartphone app. With a series of compatible games, you can derive hours of fun playing with MiP. Purchase two and have a battle with friends in what looks like a contemporary version of Rockem Sockem Robots. Use the additional tray accessory to stack miniature objects onto MiP.

AppToyz appCopter

£49

The appCopter is a smartphone-controlled helicopter that uses a free downloadable app to let you control the intuitive droid. Simply plug the additional accessory into your device and use the app’s easy-to-use tilt control function for a smooth flying experience. With an 8-metre flying range, you’ll have plenty of room to manoeuvre the ‘copter. The peripheral unit is charged using a USB charger, so no batteries are required, and the app is compatible with both Apple iOS and most Android devices.

Silverlit Enzo Ferrari

£25

Here’s a remote-controlled Enzo Ferrari that can be controlled via your smartphone, using tilt controls. Those of you already accustomed to driving supercars on mobile games such as Asphalt 8 and Real Racing 3 should have a blast taking this little beauty for a spin. The app reflects the dashboard design from Ferrari. Hobby-grade steering and variable speeds add to the racing experience. Headlights, tail lights and signal lights can all be triggered from the app. And it’s packaged in a classic Enzo Ferrari body that’s crafted with incredible detail.

CMY

Off the

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04/06/2014 09:50

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With a subscription you’ll be able to keep up to date with more than just the latest phones. We also cover tablets, games, apps, accessories and the best in mobile content, to help you get more from your gadgets. Don’t miss a single copy – subscribe now! Call the subscription hotline 01737 457 157 or email whatmobile@inter-media.co.uk or subscribe online www.whatmobile.net Some good reasons to subscribe: • Have every issue delivered to your door for a whole year • Save £11 compared to the newsstand price • Receive each issue before it has even reached the shops • Never miss an issue of What Mobile • Satisfaction guaranteed, or your money back for unmailed issues International subscription rates (12 issues): Europe/Éire: £65, Rest of world: £99

03/06/2014 17:46

reviews in this issue

re views

Another flagship sails up to our shores in the shape of the excellent Sony Xperia Z2, while Motorola has unleashed its second pocket battleship, the outstanding – and super-cheap! – Moto E

Sony Xperia Z2

Huawei Ascend P7

26 How we review

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

Performance

First we fully test the speed and power of each device we review.

Usability

Next we find out how well the device functions in daily use. “The 20.7-megapixel camera on the Z2 rivals many standalone digital snappers”

“It feels like it’s only a few tweaks away from being a top-class device”

Design

Then we rate the style and quality of the overall design.

Features Motorola Moto E

“Is the Moto E the final word in entry-level smartphones?”

Archos 50 Helium

“You could be watching footage on any high-end device, so sharp are the edges”

Lenovo Miix 2

“One thing even naysayers have to admit is that Windows Live Tiles look great”

What kind of unique features and add-ons does it have?

Final verdict

A rating out of five, balancing cost versus performance

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

editor’s choice

HHHHH

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03/06/2014 16:34

review

Sony Xperia Z2 The Z2 marks the third iteration of Sony’s flagship Z range, but does it offer enough to make anyone who bought the original Xperia Z and Z1 envious? Price: £579 Reviewer: Saqib Shah

ony’s Xperia range of smartphones and tablets should really be the jewel in the company’s crown. With great specs, solid software (especially for Sony fans), impressive hardware and progressive design, it’s a shame the devices haven’t been met with great demand. Solid reviews – including a five-star What Mobile rating for the Z1 compact – haven’t translated into sales that might scare power players such as Samsung and Apple. Now, a mere five months after the release of the Z1, we have the Z2. It would be hard for Sony to mess up the spectacular features associated with its Xperia range, which combine many of the company’s strong points as an electronics manufacturer, including a powerful camera, a great processor for gaming and a bright user interface. But is the Xperia Z2 really a step up from its predecessor? And with rumours abound that a Z3 could be released this year, is this a genuine flagship follow-up or a stop-gap?

5.2-inch screen feels large in the hand Range of coloured backs available

Design Although we would prefer to keep the Z1 comparisons at bay and judge the Z2 on its own terms, the fact of the matter is that these two handsets have a lot in common. The only noticeable design difference is the slightly larger display on the Z2, which alongside the big bezel on the front makes this a sizeable phone. At 163 grams, however, it does not feel especially

Identical design to its predecessors

At a glance

Spec sheet OS Android 4.4.2 KitKat Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Screen 5.2 inches Resolution 1,080 x 1,920 pixels, 424 ppi Memory 3GB RAM Storage 16GB, up to 128GB with microSD

Camera 20.7MP rear-facing, 2.2MP front-facing Video 720p @120fps Connectivity Wi-fi, 3G, 4G Dimensions 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2mm Weight 163g Battery 3,200mAh

Speed

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heavy, and that 5.2-inch screen makes all the difference when taking photos, playing games and watching videos. Put it next to a smaller high-end device such as an iPhone 5s, which has a 4-inch screen, and the difference in size is immediately noticeable. Like the recently released Xperia Z2 tablet, Sony’s latest flagship smartphone also comes with an IP55 and IP58 rating, meaning it’s dust and water resistant. Although the semidetachable port holes weren’t as noticeable on a larger device such as the Z2 tablet, and are also present here for a reason (namely durability), they detract from the Z2’s sleek look and require

“Like the Z2 tablet, the Z2 comes with an IP55 and IP58 water and dust resistance rating” fiddling – particularly when charging. The only physical buttons on the handset are the three metallic ones on the right-hand side. These include the small, circular power button and the larger volume controls and camera quick-shot button. The latter is a good addition, that makes it feel like you’re handling an actual camera; this is especially relevant here, as the 20.7-megapixel camera on the Z2 can rival many standalone digital snappers. It would, however,

have been handy if the button actually opened the camera function from the lock screen. The Z2 retains its predecessor’s premium aluminium frame and comes in the same colours, including black, purple and white. One particularly useful design feature is the inconspicuous LED notification light located at the top of the device. This becomes apparent by flashing red when the phone is low on battery, and is eye-catching enough to get your attention

Gaming on the Xperia Z2 Mobile gaming is now bigger than ever thanks to popular titles such as Candy Crush Saga, Angry Birds and Temple Run. While these addictive games can be played on most new devices, it’s the bigger, more powerful titles such as Real Racing 3 and Dead Trigger 2 that are the true test of higher-end phones. And no smartphone has yet offered as complete a gaming experience as the Sony Xperia Z2. With its powerful 2.3GHz quad-core processor, 1,080 x 1,920-pixel resolution and 421 pixels per inch, and 5.2-inch screen (that’s 1.2 inches larger than the iPhone 5s and 0.2/0.1 inches larger than its nearest Android rivals, the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 respectively), it offers impressive specs to match the output of any mobile game on the Google Play app store. Add to that the inclusion of an updated Adreno 330 graphics processing unit (GPU) and you’ve got a serious piece of mobile gaming hardware on your hands. We downloaded a number of high-end titles to test out on the device, including the aforementioned Dead Trigger 2 and Real Racing 3, alongside the recently updated FIFA 14 and the arcade classic Metal Slug Defense. Starting with Dead Trigger 2, which has some of the best graphics for a mobile game, we found it played very smoothly, with no gameplay lag and a solid frame rate. The great visuals – boosted by the Z2’s solid display resolution – were immersive and load times were particularly fast. The same went for Real Racing 3, which looked panoramic on the larger device and also ran perfectly. With the World Cup kicking off this month, the newly updated, internationally themed FIFA 14 is particularly relevant. With its game of the week modes, this is a title that is definitely enhanced by an internet connection. The 4G LTE-enabled Z2 means you can play all of its online modes on the go at fast speeds. Finally, Metal Slug Defense is a real nostalgic throwback and proves alternative and indie titles work just as well on the device. With all that gaming, one thing you might be concerned about is its drain on the device’s power. Worry not, the Z2 packs a robust 3,200mAh battery, which lasts longer than the 2,400mAh battery on the HTC One M8 and the 2,800mAh battery on the Galaxy S5.

Dead Trigger 2

Real Racing 3

Fifa 14

Metal Slug Defense

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Sony Xperia Z2: a visual Xperience The 20.7-megapixel camera on the Xperia Z2 offers plenty of image capturing modes and an unparalleled 4K-resolution video recording function. We played around with this superior snapper a fair bit, and the results ranged from epic wide-screen shots of the streets of London to fun edits of everyday scenes.

4K-resolution video recording in action

Playfully edit images using the built-in Pixlr Express app

Pan from left to right or vice versa with the Sweep Panorama mode to capture even more of your surroundings

if, of course, your phone is visible and not tucked away in your pocket.

Performance As you would expect from a superior flagship range, the latest Xperia smartphone performs well across the board. It is here, however, that comparisons to its predecessor come back to haunt it. The 2.3GHz quad-core processor is a slight improvement on the Z1 and certainly helps when browsing the web, using powerful apps such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, and playing games – the latter we couldn’t get enough of on the Z2 (see p23 for our rundown of the Z2’s superior gaming capabilities).

So, while watching 1080p-resolution HD video clips on YouTube offers crisp and clear playback, the fact that the 1,080 x 1,920-pixel screen is not a step up from the Z1 means owners of the previous version won’t notice a difference.

Screen Meanwhile, the slight jump in screen size – 5.2 inches as compared to 5 inches on the Z1 – equals lower pixel per inch density (424 ppi on the Z2, compared to 441 ppi on the Z1). Nonetheless, these are very slight differences and the larger screen definitely comes in handy when gaming and browsing the web, so we’re certainly not complaining. We should also point out that 1,080 x 1,920

pixels is the standard display for most new flagship devices, including two of this year’s big guns: the Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8. Returning to the subject of apps, all of the usual suspects run smoothly. We extensively tested the Facebook, Twitter and Instagram apps on the device, using them to browse through imageheavy timelines with ease. It should be noted, however, that these days you can do the same with affordable smartphones such as the Moto E (reviewed p28), so this is no longer an area where high-end devices stand out.

Connectivity One thing the Z1 didn’t have is 4G LTE connectivity. Faster mobile broadband means

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access to all of the above features at fast speeds while on the go. Although 3G was adequate enough to handle simple web browsing tasks and text-heavy social networking and communication apps, 4G on the Z2 means you can now upload images and videos to those same apps quicker, watch HD videos and play more powerful games online – all while commuting to work or lazing in the park. Now that’s what we call a real upgrade.

Display sports 424 pixels per inch – lower than the Z1

Apps Like the Z2 tablet (reviewed in last month’s What Mobile), Sony’s latest flagship also comes with a host of built-in apps, some of which can help customise your phone and others that you may end up ignoring altogether. These include a range of productivity apps such as OfficeSuite Pro (a simple imitation of Microsoft Office, which is hardly ideal in this context, as creating large-scale documents on a smartphone is painstaking), and a number of Sony apps that offer connectivity with the manufacturer’s other products including its PlayStation Network and its TVs. A news aggregator entitled Socialife is also included as part of the built-in apps lineup on the Z2, but is rendered redundant when compared to similar third-party apps such as Flipboard. This is mainly due to its horribly designed interface (we say ‘designed’ – its minimal appearance looks like no effort was made at all in the creative department), which is a mish-mash of random news headlines and social network timelines. Luckily, there are better features to be found elsewhere. The Xperia Lounge and Sony Select apps are brighter and more attractive examples that offer plenty of personalised audio-visual content. The latter offers a variety of unique themes for the handset. We downloaded the contemporary and colourful tri-flat theme, which customised everything, from the background to the virtual control buttons.

Records four times more detail than 1080p HD

4K Camera Where the Xperia Z2 really excels, both in comparison to its predecessor and most of its rivals, is its camera. Although the 20.7-megapixel snapper located on the back isn’t a step up specs-wise when it comes to image-capturing, it does include a 4K video recording function. That means recorded images look incredibly detailed, especially when capturing moving objects. 4K is a godsend for video enthusiasts and tech nerds alike, offering four times the detail compared to Full HD 1080p image quality, with footage delivered in ultra-high definition. In terms of pixel resolution, 4K is the equivalent of 3,840 x 2,160 pixels. What’s more, anyone lucky enough to own a 4K television set can playback their recorded videos on it, or via a projector using the latest MHL 3.0 connector.

Camera software On top of the powerful camera, the Z2 also offers a host of in-built imaging features that are great for editing, playing around with, or simply taking a variety of photos. These include the time-shift video function

While not quite the step up from the Z1 we were expecting, the Z2 is still an immaculate high-end smartphone. Like its predecessor, it will appeal to Sony fans, and its impressive camera, processor and GPU should sway the sceptics.

that allows for slow-motion effects to be added to recorded videos, background de-focus (meaning you can blur the backdrop in your images), time-shift burst (which lets you take multiple burst shots of the same image), a panoramic mode and AR effect (a playful effect that lets you superimpose virtual characters onto your images). Although some of the image settings might not warrant repeated use, there is no denying that the camera on the Z2 is one of the best out there. It is only rivalled by the 41-megapixel snapper on the Nokia Lumia 1020. The imaging functions may be available elsewhere – panoramic modes are finding their way onto many new handsets – but the total package offers an unrivalled experience. The unique 4K video recording is the icing on the cake.

Conclusion 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. But superior imaging and a powerful processor and CPU means it excels in the right places.

OVERALL HHHHH Performance

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+ Powerful processor and GPU ideal for gaming + Excellent camera with lots of tools + Unique 4K-resolution video recording

– Specs aren’t much of a step up from the Z1 – Design is very similar to its predecessor – 5.2 inches might be too big for some

design

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review huawei p7

Huawei’s Emotion 2.3 user interface Very thin body at just 6.5mm

1.8GHz quad-core chip lets the side down One of the lightest devices available

Huawei Ascend P7 Huawei is one of the top mobile brands in China, but will the Ascend P7 break through in the UK? Price: £369 Reviewer: Callum Tennent

t’s quite likely that Huawei is the biggest manufacturer you’ve never heard of. We’ve reviewed a fair few of its devices, but it’s yet to properly break through in the UK. In Asia, though, things are quite different. Huawei is China’s fourth most popular smartphone manufacturer and accounts for 5% of smartphone sales globally. But even with an annual revenue of about £30bn behind it, the company has never really threatened more familiar brands here. Now, the company is beginning to gain traction in the UK – so much so, in fact, that much hype surrounded the launch of the Ascend P7. The phone looked impressive. Very impressive. And we were told there would be powerful specs too. So could it possibly challenge the established hierarchy in a brand-obsessed Britain?

Design Alas, we must dampen the excitement early on, because the Ascend P7 isn’t going to have you rushing to trade in your Samsung Galaxy S5. It may be harsh to judge Huawei on expectations set by rivals, but it’s always better to under-promise and over-achieve than vice-versa. For a flagship device, the Ascend P7 simply doesn’t offer enough to match the best mobile phones out there. One of the cardinal rules of designing a car is that it should never look faster than it is. A similar rule could apply to smartphone design, and what should be one of the Ascend P7’s biggest upsides instead feels like a disappointment. The Ascend P7 is a great-looking phone. It’s like the love child of a Sony Xperia Z2 and an Apple iPhone 5s. The body is supremely thin (just 6.5mm

Performance The core issue with the Ascend P7 is its underpowered processor. For a device designed to compete with

At a glance

Spec sheet OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 1.8GHz quad-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1,980 x 1,020 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB

thick), with a metal band running around the sides, like on the iPhone. The handset’s large, flat glass back looks and feels excellent, and is reminiscent of the Sony Xperia Z2. The same can be said of the side-mounted buttons, complete with a small, round power/lock button. The phone is also light, at a featherweight 124g – that’s 15% lighter than the Galaxy S5, 22.5% lighter than the HTC One M8 and 24% lighter than the Z2. Just so we’re all clear, this is a device with a premium look and feel, and anyone who buys it can confidently hold it up alongside their friends’ more recognisable handsets.

Camera 13MP rear-facing, 8MP front-facing Video 1080p Connectivity 4G LTE Dimensions 139.8 x 68.8 x 6.5mm Weight 124g Battery 2,500mAh

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established favourites such as Samsung’s Galaxy range, a 1.8GHz quad-core processor simply isn’t going to be enough. Huawei should be praised for attempting to buck the Qualcomm trend by creating its own Kirin 910 processor. But while it was most likely an attempt to save money, you get the feeling that a Qualcomm chip of equivalent power would perform better. This lack of power, and perhaps a poorly developed chipset, means day-to-day usage on the handset is affected. The processor’s power isn’t just for hardcore smartphone geeks to pore over; you could hand the Ascend P7 to your grandmother and she would tell you that something isn’t quite right. Homescreen transitions stutter if apps are running in the background; scrolling through web pages can lag hideously; and loading times can dip. The most confusing thing about this is how well the handset handles high-demand apps. The Ascend P7 is capable of running some strenuous games to a very good standard. So you needn’t worry about large apps under-performing.

the handset pumps out through earphones is deafening.

front CaMera Huawei has been particularly vocal about promoting the Ascend P7’s front-facing camera, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s an interesting area to focus on; Huawei claims it has given the front cam more attention because of the growth of ‘selfies’. The front-facing camera is technically the most impressive we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. It features an outrageous 8 megapixels, with a considerably wider field of view than a conventional self-snapper.

rear CaMera The rear camera is less exciting. Its 13-megapixel lens is par for the course, but the software at least attempts to set it apart from the rest of the pack. If you raise the Ascend P7, locked and inactive, to landscape in your hands and double-press the volume rocker, it will automatically awaken and take a photo in less than 1.5 seconds. The shutter speed improves when the phone is already unlocked, too.

software Unique software throughout the rest of the handset is hard to come by. Running on Google Android KitKat 4.4, the Ascend P7 uses Huawei’s Emotion 2.3 user interface. Some users might wish it had stuck with regular, unadulterated Android. Colours are bright and bold, but some might question the decision to remove a dedicated apps drawer – apps are contained in folders across multiple home screens – but it’s undeniably user friendly.

Screen It’s not just the processor that makes gaming so enjoyable though, the display really showcases apps to their fullest. Five inches is increasingly the norm for smartphones, and with a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, the Ascend P7’s display offers a more than satisfactory 445 pixels per inch. It pumps out an excellent amount of light, too, and you can even delve into the options to tweak the white balance to your taste (colours appear a touch on the warm side by default, so the choice is greatly appreciated).

Conclusion

Audio The visuals impress, as does the audio. HTC might have shown us what a world of difference front-facing speakers can make, but the Ascend P7 proves that there’s still some life in a more traditional audio set-up. The single rear speaker reaches impressive decibel levels, while the volume

It also features a ‘Beauty Mode’, which automatically applies filters to your mug for a smoother portrait. And you can set the camera to trigger when it detects that everybody in shot is smiling. It may sound gimmicky, but a good frontfacing camera is useful to have – even if you’re not selfie-obsessed.

Top marks for the 8MP front camera

The Huawei Ascend P7 is many things, but market-leading it is not. Its front-facing camera may be revolutionary, but the rest of it is so-so. Excellent aesthetics are undone by an unrealistic price tag. Huawei could have done better, and so can you.

It’s a real shame that Huawei didn’t put its full weight behind the Ascend P7. With the only major technical downside being a sub-par processor, it feels like it’s only a few tweaks away from being a top-class device. Unfortunately, a lack of power means its high price sticks in the throat. Set to retail at £369, you can pick up a year-old handset with near-identical specs such as the Samsung Galaxy S4 or the Google Nexus 5 for £100 less. Its lack of waterproofing doesn’t help, either. Unless you really feel like trying something different (or really value a good selfie), the Ascend P7 is a hard sell. It’s not a bad handset, it’s just a missed opportunity.

OVERALL HHHHH Performance

HHHHH

+ Best front-facing camera ever + It certainly looks premium + Capable of almost any smartphone task

– Struggles with some day-to-day uses – Underwhelming specs – Unrealistic price tag

design

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Motorola Moto E The 3G Moto G knocked our socks off when it launched six months ago. Now Motorola has surpassed its cheap and very cheerful G with the better-value 3G E. We’re impressed. Price: £90 Reviewer: Saqib Shah

ast year, Motorola changed the entry-level smartphone market with the release of the Moto G, a solid handset with impressive specs – 1.2GHz processor, 1GB of RAM, 720 x 1,280-pixel resolution screen – for an affordable £135. The device was an astounding success and proved once and for all that not everybody needs a top-end iPhone or Galaxy S5 when a cheaper device can do many of the same functions to a perfectly decent standard. The Moto G’s success suggests Motorola has found its niche again, and the Moto E – an even cheaper smartphone with similarly solid specs – hopes to take it to the next level. So is the Moto E the final word in entry-level smartphones?

There is nothing distinguishable about the design here. Colourful handsets are already the domain of the Nokia Lumia range – which will soon boast another entry-level handset in the form of the Lumia 630. Nonetheless, users should welcome the option to customise.

Display

Design With its curved design, relatively small screen size (4.3 inches) and slightly heavy weight (142g), the Moto E is not dissimilar to the Moto G. One of the best design features of the device is the brightly coloured shells that can be bought separately, allowing you to customise your handset. Our review device was all black, which is perfectly fine for professional use, but we prefer the other, more playful options such as bright green and pink. Design touches are minimal across the handset and amount to silver metallic strips on the two speakers at the front, just two physical buttons in the shape of the power and slightly larger volume controls and a large camera lens on the back.

Definitely the best value 3G smartphone

Sub-£100 Android magnificence

At a glance

Spec sheet OS Android 4.4.2 KitKat Processor 1.2GHz dual-core Screen 4.3 inches Resolution 540 x 960 pixels, 256 ppi Memory 1,024 MB RAM Storage 4GB storage

Motorola claims the screen on the Moto E – at 540 x 960 pixels and 256 pixels per inch – has the sharpest resolution in its class. Looking around at similarly priced handsets, none can match that resolution, so it seems Motorola is right. The slightly pricier Huawei Ascend Y300 has a lower 480 x 800-pixel resolution; the LG Optimus L3 II’s screen packs a meagre 240 x 320 pixels; and the ZTE Blade III has a 480 x 800-pixel resolution. So the Moto E is the outright winner. It’s one thing to boast about your device’s specs on paper, but the results can be worlds apart when testing a device hands-on. Thankfully, watching high-quality videos on the Moto E via YouTube offers a relatively crisp and smooth experience. So, while there are better displays out there on higher-end handsets, the Moto E is by far the best in its class. We should add that there’s little internal storage out of the box – just 4GB. So you’re unlikely to want to hog the space on your device with HD video clip downloads. Just stick to streaming videos online unless you plan to increase the storage via the micro SD

Camera 5MP rear-facing Video 854 x 480 pixels, 30 fps Connectivity Wi-fi, 3G Dimensions 124.8 x 64.8 x 12.3mm Weight 142g Battery 1,980mAh

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Affordability for all Motorola touted Moto E’s ‘affordability for all’ at its London launch. Steve Horowitz, senior vice president of global software engineering for Motorola Mobility, said the company had listened to its customers and brought top tech to the mass market with its new affordable handset. He wasn’t wrong. Affordable smartphones offer huge opportunities – and not just for developing countries. Millions of Britons still don’t have access to expensive, high-end smartphones. Affordable smartphones such as the Moto E can change all that. With the Moto G, Motorola proved that cheap handsets can be as reliable and effective as their highend counterparts, not to mention vastly more accessible. And the Moto E only improves upon that with it’s lower price and similar specs. It’s no wonder that cheaper devices are the fastest growing part of the market. Other manufacturers are clearly paying attention to Motorola’s game plan, such as Nokia, whose upcoming Lumia 630 will retail at the same price as the Moto E – and will boast similar specs.

card slot. Additionally, at 4.3 inches, the screen on the Moto E is slightly larger than on the aforementioned devices and even some high-end handsets such as the iPhone 5s. This certainly adds to the visual appeal, both when watching video clips and playing games.

quickly swiping through them. But for general browsing, this is not an issue. Meanwhile, when performing multiple tasks such as app downloads, updates, and playing YouTube clips, it took a few seconds to open, and still all the video images didn’t appear. However, the same waiting time can affect most handsets – even highend devices – so it’s hardly a major complaint. Most apps run smoothly on the handset and web pages load in a sufficiently acceptable time. If you mostly use a phone for those things, the affordable Moto E is the perfect option. Its cheap price also makes it an attractive smartphone for first-time buyers such as younger users who

Performance Since it comes with the most recent Android operating system – 4.4 KitKat – pre-installed, the Moto E is quick out of the gate. From then on out, it never looks back. The OS interface runs extremely smoothly and is a joy to use. Image and video-heavy apps such as Instagram, Facebook and Twitter all took a second load timelines as we were

Screen is the sharpest in its class

For the price, you’ll be hard pressed to find another smartphone that runs as smoothly as the Moto E. For everyday tasks such as web browsing, using apps, watching videos and low-end gaming, it’s faultless. A joy to use. + That price! At £89, no other phone comes close to matching the specs offered here + Android 4.4 KitKat out of the box + The best screen resolution in its class

– – –

Poor 5MP rear-facing camera and no front-facing selfie snapper Very little storage 1.2GHz CPU struggles with some tasks

are more likely to use the device for gaming. Unfortunately, this is where the Moto E slips up a little. Its 1.2GHz processor means that while it can handle powerful titles – such as the large racing game Sonic All-Stars Racing Transformed – the frame rate is slower compared to high-end devices with better chips. Additionally, we downloaded the high-end racing game Real Racing 3 and the device didn’t have enough builtin storage to update and load the title. A less powerful game like the endless runner Jetpack Joyride performed perfectly well. Hardcore mobile gamers looking to play more powerful titles may want to seek out a device with a punchier processor, though that will obviously come at a higher price.

Features The Moto E is seriously lacking unique features, but for a price as low as this, cutbacks need to be made. There is no front-facing camera and the rearfacing snapper has a poor 5-megapixel capacity and no real functionality settings. Meanwhile, video recording quality is unimpressive at 854 x 480 pixels and 30 frames per second. The camera is not great for capturing anything too detailed or panoramic. The touch controls allow you to tap anywhere on the screen to take a snap, which again emphasises that this low-grade camera is better suited to taking multiple generic shots – perhaps as visual notes – rather than anything too detailed.

Conclusion Despite a lack of features and some gaming constraints due to its processor, the Moto E works fine for most tasks. Its operating system interface is as smooth as you will find on high-end devices and it only lags behind those same handsets very slightly when it comes to using apps and web browsing. Its overall smooth performance and general usability mean that it is even worth a consideration for fans of more expensive devices.

OVERALL HHHHH Performance

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review

Archos 50 Helium We’ve been left underwhelmed by Archos’ offerings in the past. Is France’s number one tech exporter finally ready to compete with the best with its latest entry-level smartphone? Price: £199 Reviewer: Callum Tennent

ver since the release of Motorola’s seminal Moto G last year (see our review of its follow-up Moto E, p28), scarcely has a low-end handset been worthy of considering, so well-rounded was this bargain smartphone. The last place we expected to see a challenge to Motorola’s six-month vice-like grip was from Archos. The last two handsets we’ve reviewed from the French manufacturer have been underwhelming at best. The last Archos tablet we reviewed? The less said the better. Yet here we are, sat with the Archos 50 Helium 4G in front of us. It continues Archos’ tradition of clunky naming, that’s for sure. It’s also very plain, both inside and out, running a virtually unaltered version of Google’s stock Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. As for aesthetics, it’s as generic as

Stock Android OS is largely unadulterated 1.2GHz quad-core chip is surprisingly capable Camera suffers from Archos’ cost cutting

they come: plain black on the front, plain black on the rear.

Screen Given the company’s forgettable track record, our expectations were low. But once we booted up the phone, faint optimism crept in. The 50 Helium’s display is pleasant enough to look at, or at least it’s not an eyesore. Five inches is something of an industry standard now for screen size in a world obsessed with bigger and brighter displays. Yet despite an unimpressive resolution of 1,280 x 720 pixels, equating to a moderate pixel density of 294 pixels per inch, the display actually looks rather good. The screen could be brighter, even when turned up to its fullest, but when you begin to

watch video on the 50 Helium, you forget all about it. You could be watching footage on any high-end device, so sharp are the edges and natural are the tones. It’s truly something the handset excels at, and to excel at anything in this price bracket is a bonus.

Performance At a glance, the 50 Helium’s processor is nothing to write home about. Qualcomm’s MSM8926 1.2GHz quad-core chip is standard fare for a lower-mid range handset. The 1.2GHz provided is enough to tackle any app you’d care to try, and while it might not exactly fly, you won’t find yourself cursing your purchase and resigning yourself to a mobile gaming portfolio of Pong and Space Invaders. Lower-end titles such as Temple Run 2 ran

spec sheet OS Android 4.3 Jelly Bean Processor 1.2GHz quad-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1,280 x 7,20 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB, microSD card expandable Camera 8MP Video 1080p Connectivity 4G LTE Dimensions 145 x 71.5 x 8.95mm Weight 160g Battery 2,000mAh

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without a hitch. More graphically impressive titles, like Injustice, looked impressive – if noticeably different to the benchmark best. Seriously strenuous titles such as Asphalt 8 were perfectly playable, albeit with a drop in frame rate. So unless you’re a serious gamer, you won’t be left wanting for more power.

Software On cheaper devices, the everyday operating software is often much more important than the hardware-taxing super-apps. It’s an area in which the Moto G shines, where day-to-day apps such as Twitter and Facebook flowed as smoothly and quickly as a handset costing four times as much. It is with great pleasure that we found the 50 Helium offered a similar experience. Small apps never took too long to open, and rarely juddered or lagged during use – something that often goes without recognition, only meriting a mention when performance is bad. Archos is due a nod for, frankly, not screwing it up. The smooth running during general use could be attributed to the bog-standard user interface running on the handset. As usual, Archos has left the operating system largely as Google intended it – something many fans of Android like. Stock Android certainly gives you a lot of room for customisation, though less dedicated users may stick with the basic, drab, dark software skin presented. It’s really a matter of personal preference. This generic software set-up is also present in the app selection. The only additions to the ubiquitous lineup of default Google apps such as the chat app Hangouts and the internet browser Chrome are two Archos-branded apps: Archos Music and Archos Video. Both are horribly inferior to their Android counterparts, and really add nothing to the handset other than to stamp Archos’ mark on such an

untouched user interface. It’s easy to see why apps have been kept to a minimum, though. While 8GB of internal storage may be a fair amount of space for a low-cost handset, what is not fair is that only 2GB of it is available for you to fill. How Archos managed to consume 6GB of space with virtually no additions to the user interface or apps is a mystery. Unless you plan on simply using your 50 Helium for the most basic features, you’ll almost certainly need to expand storage with the purchase of a microSD card.

Average pixel count still produces sharp images

Camera The flaws noted above are all forgivable. Unfortunately, we’ve saved the worst till last: the camera. The rear snapper has 8 megapixels, the same as the iPhone 5s. Next time you get into an argument about the merits of megapixel counts in a camera phone, point the debate towards the 50 Helium. The difference good software makes in a smartphone’s camera is staggering. While the iPhone 5s boasts top-quality image capture, the 50 Helium’s images are, frankly, hideous. It’s not the worst example you’ll ever see, but the difference is remarkable. Photos appear acceptable at a glance, but closer inspection shows up their flaws. Objects not immediately in focus suffer from poorly exposed light and pixelation, while zooming in on foreground images yields similar results. It’s unfortunate that something as important to many people as the camera had to be the main victim of Archos’ attempts to keep the price down.

Conclusion The 50 Helium can most certainly be considered a success. If the Moto G and E are the gold standard of entry-level Android

“If the Moto G and E are the gold standard, the Archos 50 Helium is worthy of silver” With the Moto G dominating, and it’s follow-up Moto E upping the ante, Archos has reinforced the idea that low-priced handsets need not sacrifice functionality and polish. The 50 Helium 4G is a capable, up-to-date alternative to Motorola’s best.

smartphones, then the 50 Helium is worthy of silver. While it costs around £80 more than Motorola’s game-changing handset, you do get a larger screen for the money, plus 4G capability – something that sets it apart from its older rival and its successor, the Moto E. It won’t set the world alight, but in a market awash with severely limited, cheap handsets, the 50 Helium is a standout device. It may not quite be the best, but you could do a lot worse.

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+ Value for money is key + Mid-range specs are surprisingly capable + Lovely display excels at video playback

– Horrible camera quality – Boring design – Archos’ apps are worthless

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Lenovo Miix 2

It may be small, but Lenovo’s Windows tablet gives even the big guns running Microsoft’s OS a run for their money

Design Before we get to the Live Tiles design of the Windows 8.1 operating system, let’s first analyse the look of the hardware. At 350g and with a large bottom bezel, which houses the Windows home button, the Miix 2 weighs more and is larger than both an Amazon Kindle Fire HDX and iPad Mini. Still, the Miix 2 doesn’t feel heavy and is as easily navigable as you would expect a compact to be. Its curved corners and plain black front are now common design features. The silver back, which houses a 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and stereo speakers, helps it to stand out from the crowd to a small extent. Now to the main attraction (for Microsoft fans at least): the Windows 8.1 design. One thing even naysayers have to admit is that Windows Live Tiles look great. There are a number of illuminating themes to choose from, which come in a variety of bright colours and darker hues. We chose the astrologically themed midnight-blue colour for our background. The unending home screen that can be navigated by scrolling from left to right can also house plenty of apps and feels incredibly smooth. By holding down an app, you can place it in its respective column, which you can also categorise by name and preference. Additionally, a number of the regularly updated apps – such as social networks with busy timelines and newsreaders – are constantly refreshing themselves in a slideshow fashion, which is eye-catching in a good way. All in all, we remain fans of the Windows Live Tiles layout and it can help spruce up the design of otherwise dull slates – which, to be honest, is

Speed

60 45

55 10

60 15

screen Battery

Price: £255 Reviewer: Saqib Shah enovo has already proved its worth when it comes to solid Windows tablets with its IdeaPad range of premium slates. With the launch of the Miix 2, it is also targeting the affordable compact tablets sector, where the competition is slim – with only the mediocre Toshiba Encore and slightly better Dell Venue 8 Pro. So will the Miix 2 allow Lenovo to attain a monopoly on cheaper Windows tablets? Or will this market forever be the mainstay of Android slates?

At a glance

becoming the norm outside of high-end devices such as the iPad Air and Sony Xperia Z2 tablet. It’s just a shame that elsewhere,Windows tends to get it horribly wrong.

Performance Let’s get the negatives out of the way first. In an effort to unify its various devices – phones, slates, desktops and laptop PCs – Windows 8.1 contains both its Live Tiles user interface and a separate desktop. The latter means you have the quite odd look of a PC, equipped with the administrative tools you would find on a desktop, on your tablet. The fact that you have to navigate away from the Windows Live Tiles homescreen to access the desktop makes it an even more jarring experience. It really should have been one or the other.

Spec sheet OS Windows 8.1 Processor Intel Atom 1.3GHz quad-core Screen 8 inches Resolution 1,280 x 800 pixels Memory 2GB Storage 32GB, up to 64GB Camera 5MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing Video 1080p, 30fps Connectivity 3G, wi-fi Dimensions 8.3 x 215.6 x 131mm Weight 350g Battery Up to 7 hours

Windows Live Tiles look great Weighs more than Kindle Fire HDX and iPad Mini

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Windows users might argue that having access to a desktop allows for a powerful PC-style device to be constructed from a tablet using accessories such as an external keyboard and mouse. However, that doesn’t apply to smaller, less powerful slates such as the Lenovo Miix 2, which has a slower 1.3GHz processor and a small 8-inch screen. If you’re looking for a laptop replacement in a slate, you’re better off getting a high-end device such as the Microsoft Surface Pro 2 or the upcoming Surface Pro 3, or the larger Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S. Putting aside these issues, the Miix 2 is great at doing the everyday tasks you would associate with a compact slate. Running apps, browsing the web, watching videos and even playing graphically demanding games is a breeze. Although we’ll get to the limitations of the Windows app store later, the popular and powerful apps we did try out – including Facebook, Twitter and YouTube – all ran well. Apps opened instantly and social network timelines and news feeds updated quickly. Additionally, opening links in the Internet Explorer app was fast and general web browsing was a smooth experience. Viewing 1080p-resolution HD videos on YouTube was enhanced by the bright display on the Miix 2, despite its average resolution. The stereo sound was also loud enough to warrant repeat viewings and didn’t even need to be cranked all the way up. In terms of games, we tried out the well-reviewed Six Guns – a Red Dead Redemption-style, openworld western game from Xbox for Windows, which has good 3D graphics. Surprisingly, for a relatively slow processor, there was no lag while playing what is obviously a powerful game. We also tested the perennial favourite racing game, Asphalt 8: Airborne, which ran relatively well,

Front cam is useful for Skype calls

although its fast pace and high-end graphics made for a slightly jittery ride due to the reduced frame rate. But it was hardly noticeable and didn’t affect gameplay much. Overall, apart from the slightly puzzling Windows OS, the general performance of the Miix 2 is above average for an affordable compact.

software & apps Windows fans will take to the Miix 2 faster than inexperienced users. The device can sync with your Windows PC and Outlook email to offer a regularly updated Windows experience. If you don’t have a Windows email (or you created one years ago and moved on to a better mail client), syncing your profile will only lead to needless notifications from an account you no longer use. That’ll be the least of your worries if you’re not a general Windows user. More worrying is the lack of apps and games available in the Windows Store. Although you can grab the really popular social networking apps such as Twitter and Facebook, there are some glaring omissions such

Yes, there are better Android slates for the same price and Windows will always lag behind its arch OS rivals in the apps and games department. But if you’re a Windows fan looking for a solid compact, then you won’t find much better than this small but substantial slate.

+ Works well at most tasks despite average specs + Bright display + Good sound quality

– Windows 8.1 OS still lags behind rivals – Low on features – Cheaper Android slates have the upper hand

as Instagram and Snapchat. Third-party clients for music streaming apps such as Spotify and Soundcloud help bridge the audio gap on the OS but a lack of popular games (no Candy Crush Saga or Temple Run here, folks) is a real ommission and will do nothing to attract users to the OS. What’s more, productivity apps such as Microsoft Office are no longer the mainstay of Windows devices as they are readily available on Android and iOS now. We did, however, enjoy the built-in Bing newsreader app. This news aggregator had a nice variety of popular and alternative feeds, both domestic and global. The ability to customise the app so we could read news from broadsheets such as The Guardian, alongside alternative websites such as Pitchfork and Gizmodo, was also a nice touch.

Camera Unfortunately, features on the Miix 2 are few and far between. This compact device was never going to fit in anything too powerful, but the weak 5-megapixel rear-facing camera and the relatively decent 2MP front-facing snapper might end up being ignored. Video recording at 1080p resolution is solid but, again, it is not necessarily a function you will use repeatedly. Even so, the front-facing camera will come in handy for Skype video calls.

Conclusion With its solid performance across the board, frequently usable built-in apps and compact size, the Miix 2 is a small slate that is surprisingly versatile. Despite the limitations that come with the Windows OS, it performs general tasks well and, for that price, it won’t let you down. With the 3G capability, you can even connect to the internet on the move. Overall, it offers plenty of pleasant surprises to combat the failures of its OS.

OVERALL HHHHH Performance

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The World Cup in your hand Brazil 2014 is set to be the best-connected FIFA World Cup yet. Callum Tennent leads the samba in our digital dance around the home of the beautiful game 36 www.whatmobile.net

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or football fans, it’s the most insufferable wait: four years never seems longer than the gap between World Cups. But finally, the greatest sporting event on the planet is upon us (yes, the greatest – caring about the Olympics is so 2012). There is a drawback with football coverage being beamed halfway around the world though: you still have to go to work. That’s no fun, not when you could be watching Ivory Coast vs Japan at 2am. Fortunately, this is the 21st century and technology has come a long way since the blurry, monochrome footage of Wembley in 1966 (even if the England team hasn’t). In 2014, there is no reason why you should miss a thing. Should you be out and about or otherwise predisposed during a match, you will inevitably turn to your mobile device for coverage of the game of your choice. Thanks to the generous sports licensing laws in our glorious sovereign nation, every match is being shown for free on either the BBC or ITV. This means all you need to do is download the broadcasters’ mobile apps to follow every minute of on-field action.

Stream on Watching the World Cup on your mobile device is all well and good if you’ve not got another solution, but Roy’s boys deserve better than a weenie 5-inch display and a pair of beat-up old headphones. If a TV or computer monitor is idly sat in front of you, but you’re unable to get a digital TV signal on it, you can put your handheld to good use. Most respectable smartphones made after 2012, and just about any tablet, will have an HDMI-out socket; this is your golden ticket to experiencing Rio in all its glory. For Android devices, you need a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable. Plug the small end into your handset or tablet and the large end into the monitor, and all you see on your device’s display can be streamed to the big screen. The process is largely the same for iOS devices, albeit with a caveat. As is often the way with Apple products, you’ll need to purchase a small adaptor

TV apps BBC iPlayer and ITV Player are the apps you’ll need, and both are available for free on Apple iOS and Google Android devices. BBC iPlayer is available for Windows Phone too, but for ITV Player it’s a little more complex. Windows Phone users will have to download an app named STV Player – the Scottish equivalent of ITV. Once in the app, you simply enter a Scottish postcode to verify you’re a Scottish licence holder and you’re free to enjoy its many media offerings. Of course, we could never recommend that those living in other parts of the UK entered a random Scottish postcode to watch the World Cup – that would be disingenuous.

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to change your iPhone or iPad’s regular connection into an HDMI port. For devices older than the iPhone 4s and third-generation iPad inclusive, that adaptor will be a 30-pin connection to HDMI; for all newer devices, it will be Lightning to HDMI. Once you’ve got it plugged into your device, simply link up to your TV and you’re set. Be warned, if you plan to stream matches on your mobile, make sure you’re connected to wi-fi to avoid exorbitant data charges. If you have a healthy data plan, you’ll need to be in an area with very strong 3G or good 4G coverage to get a consistent, clear picture.

“A 90-minute match uses 250MB of data” A 90-minute match streamed at high quality would eat up roughly 250MB of data. So if your contract only gives you 1GB per month, then monitor your data usage throughout the tournament to avoid going over. Perhaps that would be one positive to an early England exit...

HOW TO USE A SECOND SCREEN A recent survey conducted by multi-screen video advertising agency YuMe reported that 25% of fans plan to watch the World Cup on their smartphone or tablet. If you’re willing to do so, then the process couldn’t be simpler. Using your mobile as your primary display is awfully wasteful though; the ‘second screen’ is where it’s at. There’s a bevy of apps to enhance your World Cup experience, turning your phone or tablet into a footballing media centre.

BBC Sport World Cup (iOS, Android) The BBC Sport app is one of the best ways to stay on top of the latest news and scores on mobile, but the broadcaster has gone all-out to revamp the app for the biggest event of the summer. There will be live text coverage of every match, as you’d expect from a BBC Sport app, but there’s some exciting extras too. Highlights packages will be available minutes after the game, meaning that if you’re only able to follow the match via text, you can catch up on all the talking points straight away. There’s also a brand new mobile-exclusive programme, World Cup Breakfast, which will be available every morning during the tournament for users to download and watch offline later. There’s also live audio commentary from the BBC’s team of pundits. You’ll be able to interact with them by placing votes on questions posed to you via the app, regarding key decisions, goals and the like. For a truly futuristic second-screen experience though, the app will also offer a ‘player cam’ for every match. The idea is that a key player is singled out for every clash, and you can follow them exclusively for 90 minutes on your mobile or tablet. With a bit of luck, you might even witness a Beckham/Simeone kick-out or a Zidane/Materazzi headbutt!

The Sun Brazil Dream Team (iOS, Android) Thought you didn’t have a reason to watch Honduras vs Ecuador? Think again. Fantasy football can transform you into a raging stat-fiend for even the most irrelevant matches. If you’ve played fantasy football during the Premier League season, you’ll know the drill: assemble a small squad of players out of a moderate fixed budget, and then watch as their real-life performances translate into virtual points. Form a league with your mates and then laugh in their faces as Holland fails to make it out of the group stage, rendering their enormous outlay on Robin van Persie, Arjen Robben and Wesley Sneijder a waste. Meanwhile, you’re laughing as South Korea make it to the semi-finals and your previously unknown budget centre-back rakes in the points. The app is free, it keeps even the most humdrum of matches interesting, and there’s even prizes to be won if you happen to do incredibly well.

FourFourTwo Football Stats Zone (iOS, Android) Fairweather fans will never understand the elaborate stats at the heart of the beautiful game. Passes completed? Who cares, the real football fan knows that completed forward-played passes between 10-20 yards in length is the only true measure of a midfield maestro’s ability. And what does it matter if the striker only had three shots at goal, all off-target, all match? Just look at his heat map! These are the sort of details provided by FourFourTwo Stats Zone. A must-have for fans of the Barclays Premier League or La Liga, it’s getting an update for the World Cup that will allow you to scrutinise every individual performance. Watch the match unfold before you, analyse the statistics on your mobile or tablet, and take armchair management to the next level.

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Your SIM choices for staying in touch while in brazil Price

Per Text

Call Received Per Minute

Call Made Per Minute

Worldsim

£29.99 (plus £10 call credit)

38p

Free

20p

auracell traveltalk

Free (£25, £35 or £55 call credit must be purchased)

40p

Free

21p

£15 (plus £5 call credit)

45p

30p

57p

gosim

ROAMING IN RIO If you’re lucky enough to be flying to Brazil this summer, watching football on your phone, you’ll be interested in using your mobile for travel and information. As you’ll already know, if you’re not careful when using your phone abroad, you can return home to extortionate bills. Your best bet, rather than drastically cutting back on your phone usage, is to invest in a special roaming SIM card. The deal is that rather than being free but with a contract, like most SIM cards, these SIMs are purchased for a nominal fee. From there you can top them up, as you would a normal pay-as-you-go SIM – the difference being that they offer much-reduced roaming costs. This means you can call and text for a fraction of the cost, both to friends in Brazil and those back home. In the table above, we’ve picked three of the best roaming SIM card deals for anyone headed to Rio in June.

sense, the knowledge sticks a lot faster than through old-fashioned learned repetition. If all this sounds a bit complicated, you’ll at least be able to learn the Portuguese for ‘beer’ and ‘football’ pretty quickly. Now that you’re fluent in Portuguese, you wouldn’t want to out yourself as a tourist by asking where the nearest churrascaria is. Brazil Travel Guide by Triposo is the ultimate guide to Brazil, containing everything you could ever want to know about your surroundings. Over 100 Brazilian cities are included in the app, with tons of restaurants, bars and attractions listed for each. Not only that, but it also includes a wealth of offline maps, meaning no exorbitant data roaming charges for you. Considering it’s free on both iOS and Android, you’d be a fool not to download it before you pack your bags.

LOST IN TRANSLATION

AVOIDING CHAOS WITH A CALENDAR

Since you’re one of the lucky few going to Brazil for the tournament, remember that you’ll be representing good old Blighty on foreign soil. This is not to be undertaken lightly – we’ve tried hard to shake the ‘lager lout football hooligan’ tag in recent years, and it would be a shame to ruin it all by accidentally insulting a bartender’s mother while ordering a rum and Coke. We recommend two essential language apps to download to ensure you are fully educated in basic Portuguese, to help you in your amateur ambassadorial role. The first is the undisputed king of free mobile language apps: Duolingo. Free for both iOS and Android, it teaches you foreign languages by emulating the style in which you learn a language as a child. You first learn nouns by identifying them next to their corresponding image. Articles such as ‘a’ and ‘the’ are then thrown in for you to identify by context. By translating through instinct and common

There’s one more vital piece of itinerary that you’ll need to load onto your smartphone before the tournament starts – but it’s not an app. At least, not quite. We’re talking about a special iCal or Google Calendar subscription. While you’re probably familiar with using your phone’s calendar, what you may not know is that you can simply download complete, readymade calendar schedules. The kind people at worldcupbrazilcalendar.com have prepared a comprehensive World Cup schedule for you to stick on your phone. There’s both an iCal and Google Calendar version, so you’re set if you’re on either iOS or Android; note that not all Android handsets will have Google Calendar installed, so if yours doesn’t, just head over to the Google Play store to download it for free. Just visit the website URL above and tap the relevant option for your device. The entire schedule will be immediately downloaded and added to your calendar. Not only will you now know when and where every fixture is taking place, but you can even set alarms or reminders for certain matches. It makes the chaos and clamour of the tournament a lot more manageable.

“Try not to accidentally insult the barman”

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THE MATCH AFTER The MATCH While we will be bombarded with coverage of the World Cup for a month (not that that’s a bad thing), there will come a point when you’ll have time to kill, be it at home or on your hellish, 11-hour flight. What do you do with the downtime? Socialise? Work? That sounds terrible. The correct answer is ‘more football’. Here are the five best mobile footie games to keep you in the mood.

FIFA 14 (Free: iOS, Android, Windows Phone) By far the best football game on consoles for the past five years, FIFA’s latest mobile offering might not quite reach those lofty standards, but that’s hardly a criticism. FIFA 14 on mobile is a thoroughly comprehensive game, perhaps one of the most fully fledged ever seen on a phone or tablet. The thoroughly addictive Ultimate Team mode is a massive bonus, and the roster of teams is as expansive as ever. What’s most incredible is that this year’s full game is completely free. You’d be mad not to try it.

Football Manager Handheld 2014 (£6.99: iOS, Android) If FIFA has ruled the console circuit for the past five years, then Football Manager – and the Championship Manager series before it – has been a onehorse race for budding gaffers. It would be near-impossible to translate the desktop experience to mobile immaculately, but FMH 2014 is a massive improvement on its predecessor. It’s got more players, more leagues and a much-improved match engine. Having Football Manager on your handheld more than makes up for any shortcomings on mobile. It’s expensive, but worth every penny. Say goodbye to your life.

THE FOOTBALL MANAGER IN YOUR BOOT If you’ve decided that you’ll be doing more than enough sitting around during Brazil 2014, there is one final gadget you could consider checking out, and it’s a lot more physical than a game of FIFA 14. The Adidas Speed_Cell is a small chip that you can implant into a specially designed pair of Adidas Adizero F50 football boots. If you then play a match in them, it tracks your physical activity. The level of detail the Speed_Cell captures is incredible, with full 360-degree movement recorded, as well as the speed and distance of your running. Once you’re done playing, you simply open up the Adidas miCoach app on your iPhone or iPad (or stick the Bluetooth-connected USB receiver into your computer), and it will automatically sync all of your details – up to 20 past matches at any given time. You can monitor your performance in acute detail, and even share your results with other friends using the platform. miCoach then offers you relevant feedback on how to improve your workout routine to optimise your performance on the pitch. The Speed_Cell is best used when inserted into the special slot on the underside of the Adidas Adizero F50 boots, but it also comes with a clip for you to attach it to the laces of any boots you own. As a package, the F50 boots and Speed_Cell can cost as little as £75, or if you’re solely interested in the electronics, it’ll set you back around £56. However you decide to spend your time during the World Cup, don’t forget that there’s an awful lot more to it than what they show on TV.

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New Star Soccer (Free: iOS, Android) While FIFA 14 and FMH 2014 offer a well-simulated approach to the beautiful game, New Star Soccer’s approach is more off-kilter. You create a professional footballer and set off on your fledgling career. Between matches you have to balance relationships with your sponsors, teammates, manager and girlfriend, train to keep your skills honed, and buy cars and houses to improve your lifestyle. In the game, you control only your created professional. The match simulates until you get on the ball, then it’s up to you to play the perfect pass, shot, or make a last-ditch interception. It’s incredibly original and extremely addictive.

Flick Kick Football (69p, iOS; 65p, Android) For something less intense, Flick Kick Football is the perfect time-waster. The aim is to put your free kick into the goal, past increasingly difficult walls, distances, angles, and keepers. You determine power, trajectory and spin by how you ‘strike’ the ball with a swipe of your finger. Place the ball inches away from the woodwork and gain a life, fail to score and lose one. It’s a clever concept that will keep you coming back to break your high score.

Score! World Goals (Free: iOS, Android) If you want to get into the samba spirit, there’s only one app for you. Score! allows you to recreate over 700 of the greatest and most memorable goals of all time, including a host of World Cup classics. It might not sound like the most challenging concept, but it’s surprisingly difficult hitting the ball and positioning your player just right to ensure that the final result is exactly like the real thing. Perhaps you’re a fan of Andrés Iniesta’s strike in the dying moments to bring home Spain’s first ever World Cup? Or how about David Beckham’s electrifying free kick against Greece to send England to the 2002 tournament? They’re all there, and they’re all as great as you remember them.

READ THE GAME What with all of that lounging around the Copacabana between matches, you’ll want something to relax in the sun with. Here’s four of the beautiful game’s best Amazon Kindle-compatible ebooks. Big balls! World Cup nations by Chris Whitfield (Free): To get you better versed in World Cup lore, Chris Whitfield’s irreverent look at the lesser-known histories of all 32 competing nations is as off-beat as it is fascinating. Ever wondered why ‘you can never write off the Germans’? Want to know why Italians tolerate match fixing? Know why Argentina is ashamed of winning the 1978 tournament? It’s all explained here. You’ll never run out of pub conversation ammo again. I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic by Zlatan Ibrahimovic, David Lagercrantz & Ruth Urbom (£3.49): It wouldn’t be a World Cup without Zlatan. Unfortunately, Sweden failed to qualify. The next best thing? How about the great man’s autobiography. And what an autobiography! Read how one of the best strikers of his generation went from being a bike thief with a lisp to screaming at Pep Guardiola about sports cars. It’s as eccentric as you’d expect from a man who refers to himself in the third person. Inverting the pyramid: A history of football tactics by Jonathan Wilson (£9.99): Yes, it’s a book about the history of football tactics, but you’ll like it, honestly! Now in it’s fifth edition, Inverting the pyramid explains exactly how and why football is played the way it is today. From

the Hungary side of the early 1950s that embarrassed England, to the Rinus Michels-spearheaded ‘total football’ of the 1970s, Wilson leaves no stone unturned. Futebol nation: A footballing history of Brazil by David Goldblatt (£3.99): If you’ve been paying attention and taking our advice so far, you should already be an expert on both Brazil and the World Cup. Now it’s time to combine the two, with Futebol nation. The spiritual home of soccer, Brazil’s footballing history is certainly colourful and strewn with excitement and glory, but there’s also a darker side to the famed yellow shirt. It’s not all romanticism and Goldblatt isn’t afraid to portray Brazilian football as it truly is.

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e cinemas? Could mobile devices replac e of the Saqib Shah explores the risin rvices on-demand monster streamar gyose u coming to a smartphone ne

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he Summer is here and not only does it bring with it the gloriously unpredictable British weather, but also the start of the blockbuster film season. So if you can tear yourself away from the World Cup (if you can’t, make sure to check out What Mobile’s World Cup guide on p38), you will find that the pleasures of home cinema can be enhanced by your mobile devices. Summer blockbusters are no longer the mainstay of the cinema. Now more than ever before, viewers are bringing the world of film into their homes. We’re not just talking about DVDs here (who watches those anymore?) and Blu-rays (already redundant). The real home cinema revolution has been brought about by mobile devices such as high-end smartphones, tablets, set-top streaming boxes and dongles. Contemporary handsets and slates with superior features – such as HD displays with stunning resolutions, 4G LTE capability and TV link

connectivity – mean watching movies on your devices, streaming films on your TV via those same products and even watching your favourite videos on the go has never been easier. It turns out you already know about the advantages of mobile video viewing, as recent statistics show it’s on the rise in the UK. According to a recent study conducted by eMarketer, mobile phone video viewers will represent 51% of all digital video viewers this year – and this figure is set to rise to 65% by 2018. Meanwhile, the rise of on-demand streaming services has empowered the consumer like never before. The likes of paid subscription services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant and Blinkbox bring film releases directly to your mobile devices for affordable rates. Free services such as BBC iPlayer, 4oD and YouTube offer relatively limited movie selections in comparison, but they do draw in a large number of viewers too.

PLEASE RELEASE ME If you’re still glued to your telly waiting for the next major film release to make it onto the idiot box, then you’re really missing out. For all the best visual entertainment, simply grab your smartphone or tablet and sign up to one (if not all) of these on-demand services for access to the latest film and TV releases.

Netflix Unless you’ve been living in a cave, you will be aware of the streaming giant that is Netflix. The US company’s service has become a pop culture hallmark in recent years, to the extent that it now produces its own content such as the Grammy award-winning series House of Cards. The latter, along with a library of film and TV shows, are all available on the subscription service. The only drawback is that the UK version is not as content-rich as its US counterpart and may leave film buffs disappointed, particular fans of classic Hollywood movies. Prices start from £6.99. Best feature: A categorical breakdown of films, ranging from popular (action) to niche (rom-coms with strong female leads). The latter genre is obviously a What Mobile favourite.

Amazon Prime Instant Video Despite lagging behind Netflix for original content – something Amazon is working on with the future release of several original shows – Amazon Prime Instant still offers a better selection of films than its rival and a wide variety for children. The major problem with the service is its poor compatibility with mobile devices. Video looks bad on iPads, the service isn’t available for Android and you can’t stream over 3G or 4G. If you’re still interested, you can get Prime Instant Video automatically if you’re already a member of Amazon’s Prime club. But the

price of your membership will also go up automatically at your next renewal, rising from £49 to £79 per year. If you want the video but don’t want the full Prime membership, which gives you free delivery on eligible orders and free ebook borrowing, Prime Instant Video is available for £5.99 per month. Best feature: Family-friendly, with a large amount of content aimed at younger viewers.

Blinkbox Tesco’s on-demand service is great for contemporary film fans who don’t want to be tied to a monthly subscription. Blinkbox’s library is constantly expanding – updates occur more regularly than on Netflix – to include new releases. Again, the one minor flaw is that its archive might not please true film enthusiasts or world cinema fans. Prices start from 99p, but most of the decent content is £3.49 to rent or about £11 to buy. Best feature: A great selection of new film releases.

iTunes & Google Play Store Apple and Android users can access a range of new films via their respective app stores. Both offer pay-per-view services that allow you to either rent or buy films; the option you choose will obviously affect the price. These are particularly convenient options for mobile users, as not all of the aforementioned services have specialised mobile apps, and they can suffer from compatibility issues. Prices on both stores vary depending on the film’s release date and can range from 49p to £4.49 for rentals, while buying new releases can cost up to £13.99. Best feature: The best compatibility with mobile devices.

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feature

THE FOURTH PROTOCOL With the advent of 4G LTE mobile broadband – available on a number of newer flagship handsets and slates, including the Samsung Galaxy S5, HTC One M8 and Sony Xperia Z2 tablet – you can now happily while away those long commutes with a blockbuster movie. Although 4G speeds vary by provider and location, download speeds tend to be around the 60Mbps mark and average speeds in general reach anywhere between 12Mbps and 24Mbps. That’s almost 10 times faster than 3G. When streaming videos on your 4G-compatible device, that equals faster speeds via apps, and even through web browsers. Consequently, videos will start much faster as they won’t take as long to load, and they won’t stop halfway through any more because 4G is a more reliable connection than 3G. 4G also means you can stream betterquality videos for a sharper viewing experience, and still keep the image smooth and clear. This will also help you take advantage of the HD displays on newer high-end devices (see Buyer’s Guide, p58, for a rundown of the tablets with the best screen resolutions). Furthermore, 4G allows for better tethering and mobile hotspot connectivity. Tethering is the feature in many smartphones that lets you share the internet connection of your smartphone with wi-fi enabled devices. With 4G, the speed on your phone while tethered to your laptop is good enough to use both devices at the same time, perhaps streaming a movie on your laptop while checking out Facebook on your phone.

4G is actually so fast that you can tether three, four, five or more devices, and still have them all streaming videos, so it’s great for watching films on multiple tablets and phones. Staying on the subject of connected devices, if you’re a fan of the bigscreen experience at home, you can easily connect your mobile device to your HD television via a MHL to HDMI adapter. These ports retail for as little as £3. All you need to do to connect your smartphone or tablet screen to your TV is plug the smaller end of the adapter into your device and plug your TV’s HDMI cable into the adapter’s socket. Now you can stream your videos directly to your TV. Electronics manufacturers like Samsung (with its All Share function) and Sony have also been providing multi-device connectivity on their mobile products for a while now; these sync particularly well with their own-brand TVs. If you’re looking for a brand spanking new movie streaming experience, than you might forego these functions altogether in favour of set-top streaming hardware and dongles. These devices, which include Apple TV, Google Chromecast and the Roku Streaming Stick have been making waves across the pond in the US for a couple of years, but they have yet to catch on here. So, as you can see, there’s a lot on offer for film fans and casual viewers who are looking to make this the season of home entertainment. If you are so inclined, check out our guide to the best streaming services for your mobile devices (see p45), the best tablets for watching films (see opposite) and the set-top streaming hardware vying for your attention (see below).

WHICH BOX AND DONGLE IS WHICH? There is now another hardware option available for film and TV enthusiasts in the form of set-top streaming boxes and dongles from the likes of Apple, Google and Roku. These offer great entertainment content such as downloadable films and TV shows, along with access to online services such as YouTube. The big question is which device should you use to bring all that internet video to your TV? All the main contenders have access to the popular streaming services mentioned on p45. And while none charge subscription fees, you will have to pay for individual downloads and for using third-party streaming services such as Netflix.

Google Chromecast, £30 This cheap USB dongle from Google connects to your laptop or desktop and can stream video from the likes of Netflix, iPlayer and YouTube to your TV via a wi-fi connection. Its small size, multi-device support and affordability make it an appealing option for the pricesavvy consumer. Some small issues include a lack of third-party apps at present, no support for Windows Phone and the fact that it only supports Google’s Chrome internet browser.

Roku Streaming Stick, £49.99 Although it’s been unfairly dubbed a Chromecast clone, the Roku streaming dongle has more apps and comes with a remote. The Roku Stick has a built-in HDMI port, meaning it can be plugged directly into HD TVs. It costs a little more than the Chromecast, but for that price you get more apps, including the

usual on-demand streaming suspects and music apps such as Spotify, along with a host of apps aimed at younger viewers. This a good choice for a broad range of audio-visual and family entertainment, at an affordable price.

Sky Now TV box, £15 If you don’t want to be tied down to a Sky subscription, which can get pretty hefty, especially if you access films and sports, then the affordable Sky Now box could be for you. By far the cheapest device on this list, Sky Now offers a host of streaming services such as BBC iPlayer, Sky News, BBC News and Demand 5, as well as the option of watching Now TV services from Sky if you want to fork out for a day or month pass. The latter is definitely worth it, as content from Sky’s superior movie channels is accessible here, on demand.

Apple TV, £99 Streaming set-top boxes tend to be more expensive than dongles and are bigger and less mobile. But with Apple TV, you get a 1080p-resolution streaming device from a reliable brand that strives for user-friendly design and set-up. You can connect the box to your TV via a HDMI cable and use it to stream content from your other iOS devices via Airplay. Apple TV is restrictive in its lack of thirdparty apps; the service is instead designed to run your iTunes library downloads. Luckily, Apple’s iTunes store boasts plenty of films.

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guide android apps

android apps for beginners by callum tennent People buy Android devices for many reasons, not least the wide range of prices, apps and the sheer variety of phones and tablets available. But there’s one area in which Android blows other mobile operating system software away, and that’s how open it is to tweaking. Buying your handset is only half the journey – here are five easy ways to greatly improve your everyday Android experience

File management

RAM boosting

If you’re lucky, your device will come with a default file manager such as Samsung’s My Files or Sony’s File Commander. While these serve a purpose, and can be useful if you’re pretty canny to the inner workings of Android, they’re far from intuitive and incredibly bland (read: ugly). On the other hand, if you’re, say, a Motorola user, you might not even be given one at all. File management on your device is something you might not even think of using until you need to, at which point you realise you have no idea how to. The sooner you try it out, the better, as it increases your understanding of the device you use every day. Our advice would be to download File Manager, ES File Explorer File Manager, or any similar highly rated apps from the Google Play store. These offer an intuitive way to navigate the insides of your device. Now you have an easier way of managing files, you can transfer them from built-in storage to microSD card, move them around from folder to folder on your device for greater organisation, or delete multiple files at a time. Perhaps most importantly, you now have greater control over files downloaded from outside of the Google Play store. APK files, which require a little bit of manual organisation rather than the usual plug-and-play nature of app downloading, are suddenly accessible, and your device will be richer for it.

Android’s open nature means it functions much more like a PC than, say, an iPhone, which is a very closed system guarded hawkishly by Apple. As such, you’ve got to be sure to manage your RAM properly. RAM is a measure of your phone’s processing power. If it has 1GB of RAM, that means you can run, for example, two 500MB RAM apps at once, or four 250MB. While that’s an unlikely scenario, you get the idea. The more RAM being consumed at any given time, the slower your phone will run. As Android handsets have advanced, so has their ability to automatically manage RAM usage for you. Naturally, things slip through the cracks though. To save you the effort of manually forceclosing apps from within your system settings one by one, instead consider downloading a RAM booster. These apps determine which processes running in the background are not doing anything, while eating into your phone’s performance. RAM Booster 2014 and Smart Booster both do a great job, and once downloaded, simply require a single tap to provide an instant boost to your handset’s performance.

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guide android apps

Anti virus

Power saving

An infamous issue common to PCs is the risk of virus infection. While slightly less common on Android, handsets are susceptible. The software’s open nature has its drawbacks, and the ability to do exactly what you want within the operating system means you’re open to virus attacks. You wouldn’t leave your computer unprotected, so you should treat your phone in the same way. It’s worth noting, though, that there have been issues with fake or scam anti-virus programmes on the Google Play store, so be careful when choosing one. Make sure it’s got a total downloads figure in the thousands, and that it has a star rating of four or higher. We recommend Avast Mobile Security & Anti-Virus, Kaspersky Internet Security for Android or Norton Mobile Security 2014, but there are plenty of other capable options. If you’re running Android version 4.2 or higher, the operating system should take care of a lot of virus-related issues for you, but you can’t be too careful. If you’re interested in side-loading apps or downloading them from sources other than Google Play, then anti-virus is a good idea.

With the vast array of Android handsets out there, battery life varies greatly from device to device. One thing remains common though: you could always do with more. Some newer handsets such as the HTC One M8 and the Samsung Galaxy S5 come with ultra-power saving modes. These are great, but you don’t want to spend your whole day staring at a black and white screen without access to any of your apps. Power saving is something you should be doing constantly, not just when your handset dips under 20% charge. Our best recommendation is to check out an app called Battery Doctor. It provides you with a clear, accurate reading of how much remaining charge your device has, as well as which apps or processes are draining it the fastest. It also tells you exactly how much life you can expect to add to it by terminating processes or making tweaks. You simply check the options and the app will automatically make the changes for you, saving you battery life. By remembering to check in on the app every now and again throughout your day, you can stay on top of power consumption.

Keyboard Comfort is really important when typing on mobiles. Everyone’s hands are different, as are their handsets. As such, you need a keyboard that works for you. Fortunately, you’re not stuck with the stock Android keyboard – there’s a wealth of options out there. One of the most popular is Swype, which boasts features you probably never thought you needed, but once you get used to them you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them. If you’re bilingual, Swype can autocorrect in two languages at once, and has the option to change the keyboard layout on the fly (for example, QWERTY to the German QWERTZ, and back again). If you have a tablet, you can split the keyboard as if you were typing on a desktop butterfly set-up. Google Keyboard, as with most Google Android apps, is also very popular and extremely easy to use. It offers an excellent ‘swipe’ entry method (as does Swype, unsurprisingly), which allows you to rapidly type with a single digit without ever removing it from the keyboard. It also adjusts the spacing and size of keys for better ergonomics, with multiple options for you to choose from. SwiftKey also deserves a special mention, despite costing £2.99 (a free trial version is available). It’s possibly the most

intelligent keyboard on the Google Play store, learning as you type and providing uncannily accurate suggestions. Not only does it autocorrect, learning from your most frequent mistakes and adapting to your language, it also suggests whole words before you’ve even typed them.

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reviewS apps and games

Summer in store Head to your app store to get the latest must-have social, productivity and entertainment apps Reviewer: Saqib Shah and Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Star Wars Journeys: The Phantom Menace £2.99 (iOS) In anticipation of the new Star Wars sequel due out next year, Disney and LucasFilm are releasing interactive apps for each title in the massively popular sci-fi franchise. The first is based on The Phantom Menace and features a story mode that immerses readers into the film’s plot with custom-designed art and hidden Easter eggs. It also features a game based around its famous pod race sequence, which (let’s face it) was by far the best thing about the film.

The Weather Channel Free (BlackBerry) The Weather Channel app arrives on BlackBerry just in time for the unpredictable British summer. Now BlackBerry users can access breaking weather news, live updates and images and check out regional forecast variations. In addition, the channel also serves content such as regular daily features on forecasting, climate issues and environmental science.

Secret

Yahoo News Digest

Free (Android)

This anonymous messaging app makes its debut on Android, after launching on iOS to much controversy in February. Like similar apps such as Whisper and Yik Yak, Secret allows users to share their innermost thoughts without the constraints of a username, profile or photo. The Android version separates the secrets into two streams: friends and friends of friends go into the ‘Friends’ tab; and ‘Explore’ includes everything else. It will also include anonymous questions and polls to make the debate more lively.

Four months after its release on iOS, Yahoo brings its news app to Android. This version of the customisable news aggregator includes both the regular app, which provides twice-daily summaries of the day’s top stories, and a news widget you can place on your homescreen. Yahoo News Digest is based on another app named Summly, whose creator Nick D’Aloisio spoke exclusively to us about the collaboration online at what mobile.net – check out the website for the full interview.

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reviewS apps and games

Adobe Voice Free (iPad)

Litely

Imagine a sleek version of PowerPoint that runs on voice commands – Adobe Voice, the new visual storytelling app for iPads, is a bit like that. It marries text, video and audio to create stories that can be shared online. Adobe is aiming the free app at business owners who want to talk about what they do, without having to hire a video crew. The app is completely self-service and includes example videos to get people started, as well as free graphics, with a library of 25,000 icons, photos and music. You can also import your own images and music to work in the app.

Tumblr

Free (iOS)

Free (Android, iOS)

Photo filtering apps have grown in number since the groundbreaking success of Instagram, but none have emulated its success. Now we have Litely, a photo editing app that foregoes the social networking aspect of Instagram to focus purely on image filtering. Created by the professional photographer responsible for a number of Instagram’s filters, Litely climbed its way to the top of the App Store in the days following its release. The effects here are more subtle than on Instagram and the app itself is incredibly easy to use.

Visual blogging app Tumblr has been around for years but it’s recently received a major update. While in the past all you could do was create posts and browse other Tumblrs via the app, now you can also customise your own blog, so there’s no need to keep retreating back to the desktop version to change themes, fonts and other customisation tools. Consequently, the changes you make to your Tumblr via the app will also be applied elsewhere.

6Snap Beta Free (Windows) The limitations of Windows Phone mean many popular apps aren’t available on the OS. One such app is Snapchat, which is only available via this third-party client entitled 6Snap. The developer, Rudy Huyn, has just released a beta version of 6Snap that allows Windows Phone users to participate in the new Snapchat features, including text and video chat.

Waygo

Cinamatic

Free (Android)

£1.49 (iOS)

Chinese and Japanese translation app Waygo – which combines optical character recognition and translation technology to convert Chinese and Japanese characters into English when you hover your phone over a piece of text – is now available on Android. It comes in handy if you’re travelling and need to translate road signs, documents or restaurant menus into English. The free download allows for 10 translations per day; and for unlimited use you can upgrade in-app for £4.99.

Before Instagram there was Hipstamatic. The first app to hit upon the idea of filters to photos taken on mobile phones, Hipstamatic is now back and has its sights set on videos. The new version is entitled Cinamatic and includes recording controls that will be familiar to Vine users. The glitzy effects are fun to play with and, as is usually the case, there is seamless connection with social networks including Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

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reviewS apps and games

Have a blast Head down the dungeons – or just close the curtain – for the latest RPGs, battlers and puzzles Reviewer: Saqib Shah and Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Hearthstone Free (iPad) What’s nerdier than table-top collectible card games and World of Warcraft? Not an awful lot, so you’d expect a combination of the two to be horribly inaccessible, right? Wrong. Hearthstone takes the stereotype of the basement-dwelling D&D fanatic and turns it on its head, with an intuitive, addictive and action-packed creation. Forget Magic: The Gathering, Hearthstone is a card battler that you won’t be ashamed to be seen playing in public.

Leo’s Fortune £2.99 (iOS) A 2D platformer for iOS, Leo’s Fortune doesn’t do much different to the rest, but it certainly nails the basics. It also has a unique visual charm to it as you guide Leo, the titular, moustachioed, fuzzy blue ball, through a variety of detailed levels. The aim is to recover his stolen gold, and you may learn a thing or two about the perils of avarice along the way.

Wayward Souls

Hitman GO

£2.99 (iOS), Android (£TBC)

Put simply, Wayward Souls is, ideologically, what every mobile game should aspire to be. Not only is it a wonderfully crafted dungeon crawler RPG, but it is a proper paid app. Developer Rocketcat Games has promised that when you pay to download it, that’s that. There’s major updates to come in the future, all free, with no in-app purchases. That’s good enough reason to buy the game regardless of how addictive it is.

You may well be familiar with the popular console series Hitman, but you definitely won’t be familiar with Hitman GO. This mobile venture takes the murderous world of Agent 47 and turns it into a board game. It sounds weird, and it is a bit, but in the best possible way. It’s probably the most exciting and brutal board game you’ll ever play. Again, just like Wayward Souls, the Android version should be released between us writing this and you reading it.

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Sometimes You Die £1.49 (iOS) The rise of indie gaming in recent years has meant a wealth of inventive new mobile games. Sometimes You Die has clear influences from that realm, combining addictive, ruthless platform gaming with a dark and interesting aesthetic. True to the title, sometimes you die, because you have to. Your little cubed character’s corpse remains at its point of death to help you overcome the obstacle that killed it. Sometimes you only need one death, sometimes 100, but the inventive ways in which you can solve the puzzles you face are always intriguing.

Tiny Dice Dungeon

Angerforce: Strikers

Free (iOS & Android)

£1.99 (iOS)

If you thought it would be hard to make a successful card game on mobile, then how about a dice-based RPG? It helps that you’re an adorable pixelated adventurer recruiting a team of miniature minions, fighting your way through a varied and exciting fantasy world. You roll dice to attack your enemies and can upgrade them with various special effects and powers. It’s different, and free, so what do you have to lose?

Disappointed by the lack of bullet-hell shooters on iOS? Android and Windows Phone may have all-time classic Ikaruga, but Angerforce: Strikers can provide some consolation to those left out. It does what it says on the tin: frantic, fast-paced, challenging bullet-hell gameplay with a sharp anime visual take. It’s well crafted too, enough that it should please veterans of the genre as well as curious newcomers.

Robots Love Ice Cream Free (Android & iOS) Imagine Space Invaders but with ice cream and power-ups. Sounds good, right? Add a lick of sharp, HD paint and you’ve got a super-addictive arcade shooter for all ages. Instead of being limited to a small screen with enemies slowly descending towards you, you’re instead left to rotate around a spherical stage, with enemies chasing after you. It’s up to you to stop them from claiming the world’s ice cream supply, obviously.

Groundskeeper 2

King’s League: Odyssey

£1.49 (iOS), £1.63 (Android)

£1.49 (iOS), £1.19 (Android)

Pixel art is certainly in vogue with mobile games at the moment. Groundskeeper 2 keeps the retro vibes flowing with an arena-style shooter with an emphasis on permadeath and unlockables. Play for a bit, die, unlock a new weapon, repeat. Each time you get a little bit further, which spurs you on to play just one more game.

The latest case of a smash-hit desktop Flash game making the jump to mobile, King’s League: Odyssey offers a surprising amount of depth. It’s reassuring playing such a massive strategy title, in which you won’t have to stump up for in-app purchases to progress. Build an army, build up your kingdom and go and conquer.

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reviewS mobile gaming

Nintendo 3DS Out of Japan comes the welcome return of some old classics – and the eccentric fare you’d expect Reviewer: Callum Tennent – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

Mario Golf World Tour £29.99 Another month, another Super Mario title. It’s a return to a classic Mario franchise all right, but perhaps not the one you might have expected. Trust the chaps over at Nintendo to take a sport as bland as golf and give it the sparkle and excitement associated with the Italian plumber. There’s not been a Mario Golf title since Advance Tour on the Game Boy Advance, so it’s not come a moment too soon. There’s 10 courses and 17 characters (yay!), along with another six courses and four characters to be made available as paid DLC (boo!). There’s a Tour mode, plus tons of challenges and online play.

Kirby: Triple Deluxe £29.99 It’s not just Mario who’s making an appearance this month, Kirby, another of Nintendo’s most iconic characters, is making his first appearance on the 3DS. Triple Deluxe gives the loveable pink blob a range of 26 unique powers to defeat his enemies across a fun, if fairly easy, 10-hour campaign. There’s some great use of your DS’ 3D capabilities as enemy attacks and moving landscapes obscure your vision, and there’s a hardcore mode to be unlocked at the end of it, too.

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reviewS mobile gaming

Putty Squad £24.99 Putty Squad is the latest classic platformer to get a modern mobile port. Originally released in 1994 for the SNES, you control an amorphous blue blob of putty tasked with rescuing a whole load of imprisoned putties. You overcome various puzzles and enemies by contorting your plasticine body into various forms to perform different abilities. It’s thoroughly classic, old-school fun, and the model has barely aged. What’s more, 3DS gamers get nearly double the amount of levels of the original, to be released in fortnightly instalments. The whole thing has had a crisp, HD makeover, too.

The Denpa Men 3: The Rise of Digitoll £8.99 And now for something completely different. If, for some unthinkable reason, you’ve missed the first two titles in the Denpa Men series, allow us to explain. Using your 3DS, you scan your real-world environment to discover numerous Denpa Men hiding around your environment. You capture them with a net and enlist them to fight in your private Denpa Man army. You then take that army around a load of dungeons, fight a load of monsters and maybe even capture a few. Imagine Pikmin, crossed with Pokemon, crossed with a lot of weird Japanese hallucinogenics.

Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl £29.99 Speaking of Japan, here’s another Eastern export for you. Etrian Odyssey Untold: The Millennium Girl originally launched in the Far East a year ago, and it’s taken its sweet time to get ported for a Western release. Fortunately it’s here now, and if there are any fans of the series reading, then they should know that they can expect more of the same. In fact, Untold has two modes: classic mode allows you to undergo an updated version of the original quest, while story mode offers a more, well, story-driven approach to dungeon crawling. JRPG’s aren’t for everyone, and if you weren’t a fan before, then Untold probably won’t change your mind. But its first-person, turn-based, team-based formula is as fun as ever, and its art style is gorgeous.

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reviewS mobile gaming

PlayStation Vita Slay your way to godlike mythology or bother caged mice – either way, evil gamers rejoice Reviewer: Saqib Shah – for full reviews, check out WhatMobile.net

God of War Collection £24.99 This beefed-up, mythological beast-slaying title finally makes the jump to the PS Vita in the form of this anthology that collects the first and second titles from the series. With an array of puzzles, stunts and traps – not to mention the epic action gameplay features that see users take on largescale monsters – God of War rightly became a popular series on Sony’s last-gen PlayStation consoles. This remastered edition of the first two games might seem like more of the same for gamers who have already played the titles, albeit with added trophies. These games came out nine and seven years ago respectively and, despite being remastered, might appear a bit dated to contemporary gamers. Also, there were already two original God of War titles released for the PSP (Chains of Olympus and Ghost of Sparta), which arguably, due to their originality, were better releases. Nonetheless, these are both solid ports with the added benefit of being released as part of one anthology.

Conception II £27 The problem with importing some popular Japanese titles to the West is that outsiders simply don’t get their unique sensibility. Beyond it being a simple case of lost in translation, the problem is lack of context. This applies to the JRPG Conception II, which comes to these shores almost a year after its Japanese release and without the benefit of its predecessor Conception, which wasn’t released in Europe. If you overlook this, what you have is an RPG that ticks all the boxes. Turn-based battle – check; manga-style adolescent characters – check; a weird quasi-sexual gameplay dynamic – check; and last but by no means least, demons – check. As hinted at in its title, Conception II sees players control a student who has a unique magical ability: the power to create star children by ‘classmating’ with his fellow pupils. That’s convenient considering the high school these sorcerers attend also doubles as a training ground for demon hunters and the one critical weakness of these monsters is – you guessed it – star children.

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Soul Sacrifice Delta £27 This third-person, fantasy action-adventure game can’t help but echo the older – and more popular – console title Dark Souls through its name, the demonic enemies that populate its fierce landscape and its cursed protagonist. Elsewhere, its originality is more pertinent, in particular within its battle system and character customisation. Although not quite a sequel to the original Soul Sacrifice, Delta does offer an extended story mode. The narrative concerns a man looking to free himself from a sorcerer named Magusar. After finding a magical book (a journal reminiscent of the Book of the Dead from Evil Dead), that tells him the story of another sorcerer, your in-game decisions regarding whether you kill enemies or not affect how chapters in the book will play out. The decisions are based around what to do with someone’s soul after they die, as each time you kill a monster or person you are left with the option to sacrifice or save their soul.

Borderlands 2 £24.99 Another popular console title gets a PS Vita port, this time to varying success. Borderlands 2, for anyone who didn’t get a chance to play it on last-gen consoles, concerns a group of intergalactic treasure hunters on a mission to find all the loot they can, all the while battling the tyrannical ruler of the planet Pandora: Handsome Jack. Borderlands 2’s story mode and co-op options all make the transition to the PS Vita version. Although it’s a fun game to play with friends and contains an exhaustive amount of weapons, which should appeal to fans of FPS titles, it gets repetitive in the long-run and the cell graphics may not impress everyone. Additionally, this port suffers from a slow frame rate and lacks the large amount of DLCs that have been available on the console versions for a while now.

MouseCraft £24.99 Although the gameplay looks like an unoriginal mash-up between Tetris and Lemmings, this puzzler boasts eyecatching animation that will definitely appeal to younger gamers. MouseCraft sees players adopt the role of Schrödinger, a crazy cat scientist, that must help lab mice reach the cheese in their glass cages by expertly placing tetrominoes (Tetris-like bricks) along their hazard-strewn paths. Despite its family friendly cartoon graphics, the game boasts plenty of challenges for completists including 80 levels packed full of trophies. collectibles and enemies. The aforementioned variety of levels all link to Schrödinger’s mysterious, mouse-powered invention. As a result, the motion of the cute rodents powers his elusive energy-creating machine. That’s where you come in, because mice obviously love cheese and making sure their path is clear will result in them progressing towards their favourite snack, thus powering Schrödinger’s invention. As you can tell, it’s all very silly but also irresistibly addictive.

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buyer’s guide

Operating systems explained One of the most important decisions to make when buying your phone is which operating system to choose. It is the main interface through which you control your device, so finding the right one is critical. We’ve gone in-depth with the top options to help you decide.

android Launched in 2008, Google Android is currently the world’s most popular smartphone OS, running on almost 70 per cent of devices. With its intuitive interface, customisable design and over one million apps, it makes a great choice for anyone that wants to get more from their phone. Android 4.4 KitKat is the latest version, but not all older handsets will receive it. 4.3 Jelly Bean, its predecessor, is still largely serviceable, and can be found on the majority of Android devices. With its excellent compatibility with Google services, such as Gmail and Google Docs, as well as its easy customisation and widespread availability on devices of all prices, Android is great for newcomers and experts alike, so it’s no surprise that it’s the current market leader.

Strengths

Weaknesses

• Infinitely customisable

• Updates can be slow to arrive • Some phones don’t get updated • Openness leaves vulnerability to viruses

• Wide choice of handsets • Huge selection of apps on offer

iOS Due to the huge success of the iPhone and iPad, Apple’s iOS operating system is perhaps the most recognisable mobile OS in the business. Thanks to its great design, fantastic usability and marketleading app store, it is a fantastic envisioning of how the mobile platform should operate. It is not without its flaws, however. Firstly, iOS is only available on Apple’s expensive iPhone and iPad range, making it far less accessible than its rivals. Secondly, Apple imposes fairly strict restrictions on how you can use and customise the OS, so it lacks the freedom of Android. Nevertheless, iOS is still one of the world’s most popular operating systems and with good reason. With its beautifully intuitive interface, great ease of use and an app store which offers a truly comprehensive selection of apps – over one million at the time of writing – it is hard to beat.

Strengths

Weaknesses

• Beautifully intuitive design • No fragmentation of versions • Huge choice of available apps

• Limited customisation options • Can be difficult to migrate to and from • Hardware is expensive

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buyer’s guide

Windows Phone As one of the more recent operating systems to be launched, Microsoft’s Windows Phone currently occupies a small section of the market. But with its unique design, great social networking features and easy usability, more people are starting to take notice. The key feature of Windows Phone is its intuitive interface. The screen is filled with large tiles for the phone’s apps, which display live updates for your contacts and social networks, among others, making it easy to keep up to date with a glance at your phone. With leading social networks such as Facebook and Twitter perfectly integrated, it’s also easy to post quick updates from a range of places in the OS. And with its bright and colourful design, accessible menus and handy apps, it is a wonderfully different operating system.

Strengths

Weaknesses

• Bright and eye-catching interface • Very easy to use • Great for social networking

• Limited choice of handsets • Not as polished as Android or iOS • Small, but growing, selection of apps

BlackBerry 10 The much-awaited BlackBerry 10 operating system saw RIM change its company name to BlackBerry. The new proprietary operating system only available on BlackBerry phones comes with some new bells and whistles that appeals to both its core business customers and the average consumer; these include Hub, a single inbox that collates messages, alerts, emails and social media, Balance which splits the device between a work profile and a personal one, the interactive video and photo app Storyteller and the newly revamped BlackBerry World app store. The new OS looks good, particularly compared with its predecessor. However, the OS has been said to be fairly uninspiring – everything that can be done on BB10 can also be done on other operating systems. Whilst BB10 devices are capable of running Android apps (to varying degrees of ability), the BlackBerry app store is barren.

Strengths

Weaknesses

• Buttonless interface is very versatile • Functionality for business & consumer • Unified comminications centre is useful

• Nothing particularly original on offer • Not an intuitive interface for beginners • Desperately lacking app store www.whatmobile.net 57

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Buyerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

guide

Buying a new phone or tablet can be exciting but with so many handsets to choose from it can also be confusing. Our easy-to-understand buying advice, covering all the major releases from the last 12 months, can help you find the right device.

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Phone reviews

Tablet reviews

03/06/2014 14:55

buyer’s guide reviews archive

Acer Liquid E2

Acer Liquid S1

Acer Liquid Z3

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

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £280 http://www.acer.co.uk

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

Stacked up against recent entries in the budget market, the Acer Liquid E2 is simply outdated. It’s a functional Android handset but the clunky, thick design makes it feel like you’re holding a toy and the software doesn’t have any standout features. Acer will have to seriously raise its game if it’s to be a contender in the phone market.

This isn’t the most compelling case for the Acer’s smartphone’s existence, with a battery that’s been beaten by smaller phones and performance that leaves something to be desired.

While the Z3’s tiny size has immediate benefits, you’ll soon tire of cramping your thumbs on too small a screen. Everywhere else its simply an underwhelming phone, even with the sub-£100 price tag. Even with the customisation options for different audiences, we’d recommend opting for a normal-sized phone over this fidgety gadget.

OS Android v4.2.1 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core 1.2 GHz Screen 540 x 960 pixels, 4.5 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 4GB Micro SD up to 32GB Camera 8MP rear-facing,

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor Quad-core 1.5 GHz Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 5.7 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB expandable to 32GB via microSD Camera 8MP (rear-facing), 2MP (front-facing)

OS Android v4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Dual core 1GHz Screen 320 x 480 pixels, 3.5 inches Memory 512MB RAM Storage 4GB; Micro SD up to 32GB Camera 3.15 MP rearfacing

2MP front-facing Video 1,080p@30fps Wireless Wi-fi Bluetooth 3.0 Ports Micro-USB Dimensions 131 x 68 x 9.9mm Weight 140g Battery Li-Ion 2,000 mAh

Video 1080p@30fps Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 163 x 83 x 9.6 mm Weight 195g Battery Removable Li-Ion 2400 mAh

Video Yes Wireless Wi-Fi Bluetooth 3.0 Ports Micro USB Dimensions 109 x 60 x 10.4mm Weight 120g Battery Li-Ion 1500 mAh

VERDICT: A dated, bulky phone saved by its

VERDICT: The Liquid S1 is underwhelming

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

reasonable price.

and does not have many features.

most apps and is uncomfortable to hold.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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Alcatel One Touch Idol X

Alcatel One Touch Idol X+

Apple iPhone 4S

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £300 www.alcatelonetouch.com/uk

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

Reviewed: December 2011, price: £499 www.apple.com/uk

The One Touch X may be an obscure phone, but it’s price still makes it worth your consideration given the spec sheet, which includes a decent camera and colourful display. It still falls well short of the competition in terms of design and software, but this is a modest effort all the same.

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.

What does the iPhone 4S offer above the iPhone 4? An 8-Megapixel camera and improved images, alongside the Siri voice assistant. The dual-core processor is so powerful it’s at the heart of the iPad 2. And there’s also the option to get a 64GB version, making it ideal for anyone who has an iTunes library made up of high-quality lossless music files. If you crave storage and camera quality, this is a great iPhone.

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core 1.5GHz Screen 1080x1920, 50 inches Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB Camera 13 MP rear-facing, 2.1 MP front-facing

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Octa-core 2GHz Cortex-A7 Screen 5 inches Resolution 1,080 x 1,920 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB, 32GB optional Camera 13.1MP rear-facing,

OS iOS 6 Screen 3.5-inch TFT Resolution 640 x 960 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Memory 512MB Storage 16/32/64GB Camera 8MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing

Video 1080p Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Micro USB Dimensions 140.4 x 67.5 x 6.9 mm Weight 130g Battery Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery

2MP front-facing Video 1080p Connectivity Wi-fi, 3G Dimensions 140.4 x 69.1 x 7.9mm Weight 130g Battery 2,500mAh

Flash Yes Video 1080p HD Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, proprietary Apple connector Standby time 200 hours Talk time 14 hours Size 115 x 59 x 9mm Weight 140g

VERDICT: An unambitious phone with a

VERDICT: With such great competition the

VERDICT: With its impressive upgrades, the

respectable spec sheet for the price.

One Touch Idol X+ simply looks irrelevant.

iPhone 4S is well worth its premium price.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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Apple iPhone 5c

Apple iPhone 5s

Archos 50 Oxygen

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

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

Reviewed: March 2014, price: £300 archos.com

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.

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.

With its large, high-definition screen and powerful hardware, the Archos 50 Oxygen is a solid mid-priced smartphone. It’s great for movies with its five-inch screen and can run demanding games without crashing. 16GB of storage is rather generous too. There’s nothing unique here, but for £300 it’s worth a look.

OS iOS 7 Screen 4-inches Resolution 640 x 1136 Processor Dual-core A6 Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16/32GB Camera 8 MP, 5-element lens,panorama, face detection Video 1080p@30fps

OS iOS 7 Screen 4-inches Resolution 1136x640 Processor Dual-core A7 Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB, 32GB, 64GB Camera 8MP, True Tone flash, face detection, 5-element lens, panorama Video 1080p@30fps, slo-mo

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core MediaTek Screen 5 inches Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 16GB Camera 13MP

Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 Ports Lightning Battery 1510 mAh Size 12.4 x 59.2 x 9 mm Weight 132g GPS Assisted GPS, GLONASS Bluetooth 4.0

Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n Ports Lightning Battery Xxx Weight 112g Size 123.8 x 58.6 x 7.6mm GPS Assisted GPS, GLONASS, digital compass Bluetooth 4.0 Security fingerprint ID

VERDICT: It’s the most colourful iPhone to

VERDICT: The gold standard in user-friendly

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

smartphones.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G Dimensions 143 x 70.5 x 9.9mm Weight 130g Battery 2,300 mAh

VERDICT: A solid entry, but a lack of standout features sees it blend into the pack.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Archos 53 Platinum

Asus FonePad

Asus PadFone 2

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £110 archos.com

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £190 www.asus.com/uk

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

A slow processor and poor sound quality cripple’s the Archos 53 platinum, despite its incredibly low price an dual SIM card slots. The screen isn’t also as sharp as we could have hoped, with a rather low resolution of 960 x 540, which is much less than HD. It is an affordable device, which could be its saving grace, but you’re still likely to be disappointed. With other phones at this price point, you should try elsewhere.

The FonePad is a lot larger than most phones, so you’re unlikely to want to use it as your main phone. It does have a great battery life though, so it’s an ideal backup. The large screen makes watching movies ideal, although its resolution is unimpressive. The lack of a camera on a modern smartphone would mean this is definitely not your main smartphone.

The PadFone 2 offers two devices for around the price of one but you won’t be able to use the tablet independently of the phone. An ideal situation in which to use the PadFone 2 is if you want to use the same data allowance for both devices, and not shell out for a more expensive 3G-enabled tablet. This could almost be perfect if it had a better screen.

OS Android 4.1.2 ‘Jelly Bean’ Processor Qualcomm 8225Q Quad Core, 1.2 GHz Screen 5.3’’ 960 x 540 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 4GB expandable to 64GB via SD card Camera 8.0 MP (rear

OS Android v4.1 (Jelly Bean) Processor Intel Atom Z2320 12.GHz Screen 800 x 1280 pixels, 7 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8/16GB Camera 3 MP rear-facing, 1.2 MP front-facing Video 720p

OS Android v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich Processor Qualcomm quadcore 1.5GHz Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.7 inches Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16/32/64GB Camera 13 MP rear-facing, 1.3 front-facing

facing) 2.0 MP (front facing) Video 720p Connectivity Wifi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 154 x 78 x 9 mm Weight 190g Battery 2800 mAh

Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 196.4 x 120.1 x 10.4 mm Weight 340 Battery Li-Ion 4270 mAh

Video 1080p@30fps Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Micro USB Dimensions 137.9 x 68.9 x 9mm Weight 135g Battery Li-Ion 2140 mAh

due to the poor performance all around.

VERDICT: A large screen is great for films but a lack of camera is a let-down.

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

Performance Features Usability Design

VERDICT: Battery life is fantastic, but that’s

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BlackBerry Q5

BlackBerry Q10

BlackBerry Z30

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

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £580 uk.blackberry.com

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

Despite £200 being knocked off the price of the Blackberry Q10, you don’t really feel that this is a bargain device. If you’re in need of a QWERTY device then Q5 may be one to consider. When compared against its competition this is woefully overpriced, especially considering a similar Nokia ASHA device will set back only £47. The build quality on the Q5 also leaves much to be desired, with a creaking plastic.

The Q10 will delight BlackBerry fans yearning for a ‘proper’ QWERTY keyboard, however its hefty price tag means it’s hard to recommend over rival, state-of-the-art devices from other manufacturers, which offer more tech at a lower price. The Q10 features a great keyboard, good battery life and a quality display, but falls down on the size of the screen, as well as a poor video and camera experience, plus the high cost.

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.

Dimensions 120 x 66 x 10.8mm Weight 120g OS BlackBerry 10 Screen 3.1-inch, 720x720 pixels Processor Dual-core 1.2GHz RAM 2GB Input Capacitive

Dimensions 119.6 x 66.8 x 10.4 mm Weight 139g Screen 3.1 inches, Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen Resolution 720 x 720 pixels, 328 PPI Processor Dual-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A9

OS BlackBerry 10 Processor Qualcomm 1.7GHz dual-core Screen 5 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB Camera 8MP rear-racing, 2MP front-facing Video 1080p resolution

touchscreen Camera 5MP, 2MP front Video Record / Playback Audio Music player / Stereo Bluetooth / 3.5mm jack Storage 8GB expandable via micro SD card Battery 2180mAh

GPU PowerVR SGX544 RAM 2GB Storage 16GB, up to 64GB external Camera 8MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash Video 1080p@30fps Battery life 2100 mAh

VERDICT: The Q5 is a device for Blackberry

VERDICT: A good mix of old and new

QWERTY fanatics who can’t afford the Q10.

BlackBerry but at a (very) high price.

Performance Features Usability Design

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

VERDICT: Possibly the best BlackBerry yet, but that’s not saying an awful lot.

Performance Features Usability Design

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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.

Screen 2.2 inches Resolution 240 x 320 pixels Camera 3MP Video 240 x 320 pixels @30fps Dimensions 122.94 x 55.88 x 7.6mm Weight 136g Battery Li-Ion 1,150 mAh

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor MediaTek MT6577 Dual 1GHz CortexTM-A9 Size 125mm x 69.5mm x 14.95mm Weight 170g Screen 4” WVGA 480x800 LCD, Capacitive Multitouch, Gorilla glass, wet

OS Android 4.1 Processor 1GHz Screen 53 x 87mm Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 512Mb Storage 32GB on microSD Camera 5MP Video 854 x 480 pixels Connectivity Bluetooth, wi-fi, 3G, GPS

Ports micro-USB Waterproof 30 minutes at 1 metre Fall 1.8 metres Temperatures -25OC to 55OC

finger tracking Memory 4GB storage + 512 RAM Camera 5.0 MP Rear, VGA Front Video 720P recording 30 FPS Codecs H.263, H.264/ AVC, mpeg4/SP, VP8 Talk time Up to 9 hours Stand By Up to 9.5 days

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.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Doro PhoneEasy 506

Doro PhoneEasy 622

Doro PhoneEasy 715

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

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

Reviewed: December 2012, price: £95 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.

Doro has pumped out yet another easy to use feature phone for those less tech savvy. Ostensibly for the elderly, it has a variety of emergency features built in. But, by the same token these devices are useful for anyone who just wants a simple phone with big buttons and a very good battery (a huge 12 hour talk time), and 533 hours on standby. The trade off is the high price, poor camera,and negligible storage.

Dimensions 125.5 x 51 x 15.5 mm Weight 81g Screen 28 x 35mm colour display Battery life 800mAh Li-ion, up to 500 hours standby claimed, 8 hours talk time. Extras Backlit keypad, Assistance button, maximum

OS Doro’s own OS Screen 320 x 240 pixels Storage Micro SD up to 32GB Camera 2MP, LED flash Wireless Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD, headphone socket Dimensions 102 x 52 x 19 mm

os Proprietary screen 2.4-inch (240 x 320) Resolution 320x240 input Keypad processor N/A Storage MicroSD storage 256MB internal camera 2MP rear-facing wireless Bluetooth 3.0 Talk Time 12 hours talk time

receiving amplification of 35dB, ringer volume up to 83 dB (A) at 1 metre

Weight 104 g Battery 800mAh Li-ion (charging cradle and USB cable included)

Standby Time 533 hours size 100 x 50 x 17mm weight103g

VERDICT: A well-made and thoughtfully

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.

designed phone ideal for non power users.

Performance Features Usability Design

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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 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 Ice Cream Sandwich Screen 4.7-inch LCD Resolution 720x1280 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1.5Ghz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Memory 2GB Storage 4GB, MicroSD Camera 5MP rear-facing

OS Android OS v4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Snapdragon 200 quad-core Screen 480x800 pixels, 4.3 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 4GB, up to 64GB via microSD Camera 8MP rear-facing,

OS Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor 1.4GHz dualcore Snapdragon 400 Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Memory 1GB Storage 8GB, expandable to 64GB

Flash No Video Yes Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time TBC Talk time TBC Size 107 x 61 x 12mm Weight 100g

1.6MP front-facing Video 720@30fps Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Micro-USB Dimensions 131.8 x 66.9 x 9.9 mm Weight 123g Battery Li-Ion 1,800 mAh battery

Camera 5MP (rear), 0.3MP (front) Video 1080p@30fps Connectivity 3G, Wi-Fi, 802.11 a/b/g/n 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 the Moto G.

£100 is not justified by 4G capability alone.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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HTC One

HTC One M8

HTC One Max

Reviewed: May 2013, price: £499 www.htc.com/uk

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

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

HTC has produced a top shelf phone here – one that is more than capable of taking on Sony, Apple and Samsung. It does most things right, but particular note has to go to the physical design and that screen. The camera is OK, the battery life average and it gets a bit hot.

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.

Dimensions 137.4 x 68.2 x 9.3 mm, 143 g OS Android 4.2.2 Jellybean Screen Super LCD3 capacitive touchscreen Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 RAM 2GB Storage 32GB/64GB internal, non expandable

OS Android 4.4 KitKat Processor 2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Screen 5 inches Resolution 1,920 x 1,080 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB/32GB Camera 4MP HTC UltraPixel

OS Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) Processor Snapdragon 600 quad-core 1.7GHz Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.9 inches Memory 2GB Storage 16GB/32GB, expandable to 64GB Camera 4MP rear, 2.1MP

Cameras 4MP ‘Ultrapixel’, LED Flash, optical image stabilisation. Front – 2.1MP. Video 1080P @ 30fps Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC, Infrared Ports Micro USB, 3.5mm audio jack Battery life 2300mAh

Video 1,080p Full HD Dimensions 146.36 x 70.6 x 9.35 mm Weight 160g Battery 2,600 mAH

front Video 1080p Wireless Wi-fi, DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, Infrared Ports Micro-USB, microSD Battery 3,300mAh Dimensions 164.5 x 82.5 x 10.3mm Weight 217g

VERDICT: A well designed, top-tier

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

VERDICT: The HTC One’s design is still a

performer to rival the very best.

no better handset on the market.

standout but there’s nothing new here.

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HTC One Mini

HTC One SV

HTC Windows 8S

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

Reviewed: April 2013, price: £315 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.

The HTC One SV is a great mid-range phone that borrows its styling from the company’s HTC One flagship. Other than an average camera and screen, the One SV performs very well for the price, is 4G and has a very respectable battery life.

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, v4.2.2 Jelly Bean Processor Dual-core 1.4 GHz Krait 200 Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.3 inches Memory 1 GB RAM Storage 16GB Camera 4 MP, 2688 x 1520

Dimensions 128 x 66.9 x 9.20 mm, 122g OS 4.04 Screen 4.3” capacitive touchscreen, 217 ppi, 480x800 Processor Qualcomm S4, 1.2GHz, dual core GPU Adreno 305 RAM 1GB LP DDR3 Storage Internal 8GB,

Dimensions 120.5 x 63 x 10.3 mm OS Windows Phone 8 Screen 4.0-inch S-LCD Resolution 480x800 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 1GHz dual-core GPU Adreno 305 RAM 512MB

pixels (rear-facing) 1.6 MP (front-facing) Video 1080p@30fps, HDR Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 132 x 63.2 x 9.3 mm Weight 122 g Battery Non-removable Li-Po 1800 mAh

expandable via MicroSD (up to 32GB) Cameras 5MP & 1.6MP, software stabilisation and single LED flash. 1080P at 30fps (main), 720p @ 30fps (front facing) Wireless 802.11 a/b/g/n, dualband, DLNA & Bluetooth 4.0 Ports USB, MicroSD, 3.5mm

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: A worthwhile alternative to the

VERDICT: A mid-range phone that looks,

VERDICT: The Windows Phone 8S may well

bigger model.

feels and often acts like a premium one.

be better than the 8X flagship model.

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Huawei Ascend G330

Huawei Ascend G510

Huawei Ascend P2

Reviewed: March 2013, price: £199 www.huaweidevice.co.uk

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

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

While the G330 is more expensive than its brother,the G300, it still manages to pack the feature set and performance of a much more expensive phone into a sub £200 price point, with enough grunt to run routine operations and an adequate screen res. However, storage is minimal at 4GB, although it does have a microSD slot. The biggest let down is the battery - be prepared for the phone to die over night.

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.

Dimensions 122.5 x 62.6 x 11.2 mm Weight 130g Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon Dual Core 1GHZ Cortex-A5 RAM 512MB Screen 4-inch, 480x800 (233PPI) Storage 4GB, (expandable

OS Android 4.1 Screen 4.5-inch / 480x854 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Camera 5MP, VGA front Video Record / Playback Audio Music player / Stereo Bluetooth / 3.5mm jack Memory 4GB expandable

Dimensions 136.2 x 66.7 x 8.4mm, 122 g Screen IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels, 312 ppi Processor Huawei K3V2 quad core 1.5 GHz RAM 1GB RAM Storage 16GB internal

via Micro-SD to 32GB) Ports Wi-Fi, USB2.0 Camera 5MP, video VGA Battery 1500mAh, talk time claimed up to 5h. This was more around 3 hours

VERDICT: Poor battery life means this is not

via microSD card Battery 1750mAh

Camera 13MP, autofocus, LED flash Video HDR 1080p@30fps Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC Ports USB 2.0, 3.5mm audio jack Battery Li-Ion 2420 mAh

a worthy successor to the G300.

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.

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Huawei Ascend P6

Huawei Ascend Y300

Kazam Thunder Q4.5

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £309.95 www.huaweidevice.co.uk

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

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

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.

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 v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Quad-core 1.5 GHz Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.7 inches Memory 2 GB RAM Storage 8GB – Micro SD up to 32GB Camera 8 MP, 3264x2448

OS Android 4.1 Jelly Bean Processor Dual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A5 IPS LCD Screen 480x800 pixels, 4.0 inches Memory 512MB ram Storage 4GB – Micro SD up to 32GB Camera 5 MP, 2592x1944 pixels, autofocus, LED

OS Android 4.2 Jelly Bean Processor MTK 1.3GHz quad-core Screen 4.5 inches Resolution 854 x 480 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 1.74GB Camera 8 megapixels Video 8 megapixels Connectivity 3G

pixels, autofocus, LED flash (rear facing) 5 MP, 720p (front facing) Video 1080p@30fps Wireless Wifi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 132.7 x 65.5 x 6.2 mm Weight 120g Battery Li-Po 2000 mAh

flash geo-tagging Video Yes, 480p@30fps Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 124.5 x 63.8 x 11.2 mm Weight 130g Battery Li-Ion 1730 mAh

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

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

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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point you’d be hard pushed to beat it.

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LG G2

LG G Flex

LG Optimus L3 II

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

Reviewed: April 2014, price: £570 www.lg.com/uk

Reviewed: September 2013, price: £89.95 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.

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.

LG has seemingly gone barebones with the Optimus L3 II, and whilst that’s expected with a low to mid-range device, LG has taken out almost everything. The screen is an incredibly poor resolution which makes navigating Android Jelly Bean somewhat of a chore — although it’s a miracle is has Jelly Bean. The battery life is great and the device itself is small and lightweight, but it feels a little fragile.

OS Android v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.2GHz Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, 5.2 inches Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16/32GB Camera 13MP rear-facing, 2.1MP front-facing

OS Android 4.2.2 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Screen 6 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 2GB Ram Storage 32GB Camera 13 megapixels Video 1080p resolution Connectivity Bluetooth,

OS Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor 1GHz Qualcomm MSM7225A Snapdragon Screen 240 x 320 pixels, 3.2 inches Memory 512 MB RAM Storage 4 GB (1.6 GB user available), microSD, up to

Video 1080p@60fps Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Micro USB Dimensions 138.5 x 70.9 x 8.9 mm Weight 143g Battery Li-Po 3000 mAh battery

wi-fi 802.11 Dimensions 160.5 x 81.6 x 7.9mm Weight 177g Battery 3,500 mAh

32 GB Camera 3.15 MP, 2048x1536 pixels (no front facing) Video Yes, 480p@30fps Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 102.6 x 61.1 x 11.9 mm Weight 107g Battery Li-Po 1540 mAh

VERDICT: The G2 is a powerhouse with a

VERDICT: A powerful phone held back by a

VERDICT: Great battery but there are better

great screen and impressive battery life.

steep price for an unnecessary gimmick.

phones on the market similarly priced.

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LG Optimus L5 II

Motorola Moto G

Motorola Moto X

Reviewed: August 2013, price: £129.99 www.lg.com/uk

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

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

A disappointing processor lets down an otherwise decent mid-tier device. The option to personalise app icons is a nice touch and the 5MP megapixel camera does a good job. However, with other handsets available with similar features and a lower price tag, the L5 II isn’t doing anything to stand out from the crowd. The underwhelming design and lack of internal storage doesn’t help matters either.

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.

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.

Screen IPS LCD capacitive 4 inch touchscreen Resolution of screen 480 x 800 pixels, 233 ppi Processor MTK 6575 1GHz RAM 512MB Storage 4GB, 32GB external Cameras 5 MP autofocus, LED flash

OS Android v4.3 (Jelly Bean) Processor Snapdragon 400 quad-core Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 4.5 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB/16GB Camera 5MP rear, 1.3MP front Video 720p@30fps

OS Android 4.4 (KitKat) Processor Motorola X8 Mobile Computing System Screen 4.7 inches Resolution 720 x 1,280 pixels Memory 2GB RAM Storage 16GB/32GB Camera 10MP

Video VGA@30fps Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth 3.0, NFC Ports USB 2.0, MicroSD, 3.5mm audio jack Battery life Li-Ion 1700 mAh, 9h (3G) – accurate

Wireless Wi-fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports micro-USB Dimensions 129.9 x 65.9 x 11.6mm Weight 143g Battery 2,070 mAh

Video 1,080p@30fps Connectivity Wi-Fi, 3G, 4G, Bluetooth 4.0 Dimensions 129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4mm Weight 130g Battery Li-Ion 2,200 mAh

VERDICT: An OK handset for the price, but a

VERDICT: Currently the best option for

VERDICT: For those looking to step up from

slow processor undermines performance.

customers on a budget.

the budget tier: your search is over.

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Motorola RAZR HD

Motorola RAZR MAXX

Nokia 808 PureView

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

Reviewed: May 2012, price: £410 www.motorola.co.uk

Reviewed: September 2012, price: £485 www.nokia.com

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.

With the RAZR MAXX, Motorola has aimed high and tried to go head-to-head with the very best smartphones in the business. Unfortunately, despite its excellent battery life, the painfully high price, dated operating system and many frustrating glitches mean it is tough to recommend against similarly priced handsets from Apple, HTC and Samsung, among others. A hard-sell for all but the most ardent Motorola fans.

With its staggering 41-Megapixel camera and unbeatable range of photography features, there’s no denying that Nokia’s 808 PureView is by far the world’s best cameraphone. It’s just a shame that its use of the antiquated Symbian Belle OS and its high price mark this beautiful handset out as an almost guaranteed sales failure. It has whet our appetite for Nokia’s forthcoming PureView Lumia Windows Phones, though.

Dimensions 131.9 x 67.9 x 8.4 mm, 146g OS Android 4.1 Jellybean Screen Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 720x1280 (312PPI). Gorilla Glass. Processor dual core 1.5GHz RAM 1GB Storage 16GB internal,

OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread Screen 4.3-inch SAMOLED Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Memory 1GB Storage 16GB, MicroSD Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.3MP front-facing

os Nokia Symbian Belle screen 4-inch AMOLED resolution 360 x 640 pixels input capacitive touchscreen processor 1.3GHz ARM11 memory 512MB storage 16GB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB camera 41MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing

expandable to 32GB via MicroSD Cameras 8MP, LED Flash, image stabilisation. Front 1.3MP. Video 1080P @ 30fps. Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC. Ports Micro USB, MicroSD, 3.5mm audio jack. Battery 2530mAh

Flash Yes Video 1080p HD Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 607 hours Talk time 17 hours Size 131 x 69 x 9mm Weight 145g

FLASH Xenon video 1080p HD at 30fps wireless 802.11b/g/n WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0, Micro HDMI battery 6 hours talk time 540 hours standby size 124 x 60 x 14mm weight 169g

VERDICT: A lovely design, but the internals

VERDICT: While there is plenty to like, you

VERDICT: The ultimate cameraphone, but its

are six months out of date.

can find better smartphones at this price.

old OS and high price can’t be ignored.

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Nokia Asha 205

Nokia Asha 302

Nokia Asha 311

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

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

Reviewed: November 2012, price: £110 www.nokia.com

An interesting enough device that blurs the lines between a feature phone and a low end smartphone, the Asha 205 is let down by its very small on board memory and lack of connectivity options. It remains functional for a low end device, but definitely should not be considered a full blown replacement for a smartphone. Probably destined for third world and budget users.

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.

The Asha 311 is a high-quality featurephone which packs style, usability and a decent screen. But you can buy a much better smartphone for less. With the excellent Huawei Ascend G300 and Vodafone Smart 2 available for less, the Asha 311 struggles slightly, as while it is a good feature-phone it is crippled by an unrealistically high price tag. Make sure to consider your needs before buying.

OS Nokia Series 40 Screen 2.4-inch TFT Resolution 320 x 240 pixels Input Keyboard Processor TBC Memory 32MB Storage 10MB, MicroSD Camera 2MP rear-facing Flash No Video 176 x 144 pixels

OS Nokia Series 40 Screen 2.4-inch TFT Resolution 240 x 320 pixels Input QWERTY keyboard Processor 1GHz single-core Memory 128MB Storage 100MB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB Camera 3.2MP rear-facing Flash No

OS Nokia Series 40 Screen 2.4-inch TFT Resolution 240 x 320 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1GHz single-core Memory 128MB Storage 140MB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB Camera 3.2MP rear-facing Flash No

Wireless Bluetooth 2.1 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 888 hours Talk time 7 hours Size 116 x 61 x 14mm Weight 105g

Video Yes Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 700 hours Talk time 9 hours Size 117 x 56 x 14mm Weight 99g

Video Yes Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 750 hours Talk time 6 hours Size 106 x 52 x 13mm Weight 95g

VERDICT: A pretty basic, functional feature

VERDICT: Great QWERTY usability and an

VERDICT: A satisfying feature-phone but

phone with a few extra goodies.

impressive battery life at a decent price.

the high price is a little bit unrealistic.

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Nokia Asha 503

Nokia Lumia 520

Nokia Lumia 620

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

Reviewed: June 2013, price: £99.95 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: March 2013, price: £230 www.nokia.com

Nokia’s Asha 503 is a brilliantly tiny handset that stays usable despite the smaller screen. If you want a dirt-cheap phone then you might be better off with a sub-£50 handset and its design is a little spiky. But anyone looking for a phone to keep them busy for five minutes on a bus will find plenty to love here.

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.

Nokia’s newest entry level device, the 620 runs the same OS as its older siblings. With some good grunt under its hood and the addition of Nokia’s more useful apps like Music and Maps, the 620 is a good phone, despite occasional issues with handling the software. The camera lives up to the Lumia name taking crisp shots and the 620, in all, is a good entry level device - on a plan. The SIM free phone has a hefty price tag.

OS Nokia Asha platform Screen 240 x 320 pixels, 3 inches Memory 128MB RAM Storage 4GB, expandable to 32GB via microSD Camera 5 MP rear-facing Wireless WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports micro-USB, microSD Dimensions 102.6 x 60.6 x

Dimensions 119.9x64x9.9mm Weight 124g Screen IPS super sensitive 4” touch screen Resolution 800 x 480, 235 ppi Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual core 1 GHz RAM 512MB Storage 8GB, 64GB external

Dimensions 115x61x11mm Weight 127g OS Windows Phone 8 Screen 3.8” 800x480 Processor Snapdragon S4 dual-core 1GHz RAM 512 MB Storage: 8GB (to 64GB via MicroSD) Cameras: 5MP main, 640x

12.7mm Weight 110.2g Battery Li-Ion 1,200 mAh

VERDICT: A good entry into the budget

market that offers more than the basics.

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Cameras 5 MP, auto focus, f/2.4 (same as Nokia Pureview 808) Video 720p (HD, 1280 x 720) Wireless WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports USB 2.0, MicroSD (CHECK), 3.5mm audio jack Battery life 1430 mAh, 9.6h (3G) - accurate

480p secondary. Video 720p at 30fps. Wireless: WiFi, Near Field Communication, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports: Micro-USB 2.0, data connector Battery life: 1300mAh

VERDICT: A good camera, battery and price

VERDICT: A great little budget device, but a

but the phone can struggle with tasks.

bit expensive.

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Nokia Lumia 625

Nokia Lumia 720

Nokia Lumia 820

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

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £299 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: March 2013, price: £380 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.

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.

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.

OS Microsoft Windows Phone 8 Processor Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait Qualcomm MSM8930 Snapdragon Screen 480 x 800 pixels, 4.7 inches Memory 512 MB RAM Storage 8 GB expandable to 64GB via SD card

Dimensions 127.9 x 67.5 x 9mm Weight 128g Screen IPS ClearBlack 4.3” touchscreen Resolution 480 x 800, 217 ppi Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 dual core 1 GHz RAM 512MB

Dimensions 123.8x68.5x9.9 mm OS Windows Phone 8 Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon S4, dualcore 1.5GHz Screen 4.3” AMOLED. Resolution 800h x 480 RAM 1GB Storage 8GB (MicroSD

Camera 5 MP, 2592x1936 pixels (rear facing) VGA (front facing) Video 1080p Connectivity Wifi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB, micro SD Dimensions 133.3 x 72.3 x 9.2 mm Weight 159 g Battery Li-Ion 2000 mAh

Storage 8GB, 64GB external Cameras 6.7 MP, Carl Zeiss lens, auto focus Video 720p @30fps Wireless WLAN IEEE 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports USB 2.0, MicroSD, 3.5mm audio jack Battery life 2000 mAh, 13h (3G)

to 64GB) Camera: 8.0 MP, LED flash, auto focus Video: 1920x1080, 30fps Wireless: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports: 3.5mm audio jack, MicoSD, Micro-USB 2.0 Weight: 160g Battery: 1650 mAh

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

VERDICT: A fairly solid mid-tier device but

VERDICT: Arguably superior to the 920, a

not too different from lower priced siblings.

few niggles hold it back from greatness.

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Nokia Lumia 920

Nokia Lumia 925

Nokia Lumia 1020

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

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

Reviewed: November 2013, price: £639.99 www.nokia.com

A fantastic looking phone with a great interface, grunt under the hood and the best camera phone in the business. A bit heavy and bulky, but outstanding design - a real eye catcher. Like all WP8 devices, the app store is a problem, but this deserves to do well.

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 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 8.0 Screen: 4.5-inch PureMotion HD+ IPS LCD Resolution: 1280 x 768 Processor: 1.5 GHz Dual Core Snapdragon S4 RAM 1GB Storage 32GB Camera 8.7MP with PureView sensor

Dimensions 129 x 70.6 x 8.5 mm Display 768 x 1280 pixels, 4.5 inches (332 ppi) OS Windows Phone 8 CPU Qualcomm MSM8960 Snapdragon Dual-core 1.5 GHz Krait GPU Adreno 225 Memory 1GB RAM

os Windows Phone 8 Display 4.5-inch AMOLED WXGA (1280 x 768 pixels), 2.5 D sculpted Corning Gorilla Glass 3, PureMotion HD+, ClearBlack, high brightness mode, sunlight readability, super sensitive touch, Nokia Glance Screen Battery 2000 mAh battery;

Input: Capacitive touchscreen Video: 720p or 1080p, 30fps Storage: 32GB Audio: Music player/FM radio Size: 130 x 70.8 x 10.7mm Weight: 185g Battery: 2000 mAh

Storage 16GB or 32GB (Vodafone only) Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, DLNA Camera 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 pixels, Carl Zeiss optics, optical image stabilization, autofocus Battery Li-Ion 2000 mAh

wireless charging Processor 1.5GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 Camera Rear: 41MP resolution: 7712 x 536; front: HD 1.2MP wide angle Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB upgradeable to 64GB; 7GB free SkyDrive cloud storage

VERDICT: An fantastic device technically, its

VERDICT: A fantastic camera, slick design

VERDICT: A top smartphone with an

success relies on Microsoft’s app store.

and great user interface make this top dog.

astounding camera – one of the best.

Performance Features Usability Design

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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 is a bland piece of kit that lacks any real highlights but the 5430 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 Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Screen 6 inches Resolution 1,280 x 720 pixels Memory 1GB Storage 8GB (expandable via microSD) Camera 5MP rear, VGA front Video 1080p@30fps

OS Windows Phone 8 Processor Qualcomm 8 Snapdragon 2.2GHz Screen 6 inches, 1,920 x 1,080 pixels, 368PPI Memory 2GB RAM Storage 32GB (up to 64GB with microSD) Camera 20MP dual-LED flash (back), 1.2MP (front)

OS Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) Processor Intel Atom 1.2GHz Screen 960 x 540 pixels, 4.3 inches Memory 1GB RAM Storage 4GB Camera 8MP rear-facing, 0.3 MP front-facing

Connectivity LTE Dimensions 164.2 x 85.9 x 9.8mm Weight 220g Battery 3,400 mAh

Video 1080p Ports Micro-USB, 3.5mm jack Dimensions 162.8 x 85.4 x 8.7mm Weight 209g Battery 3,200mAh

Video 1080p@30fps Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 Ports Micro USB Dimensions 126 x 64.7 x 10mm Weight 140g Battery 2000 mAh LionBattery

VERDICT: A good phone, but the Nexus 5

VERDICT: A great all-in-one device that

VERDICT: Perfectly ordinary – but it’s

simply undercuts the competition too well.

mashes the best of Nokia together.

positioned as an everyday smartphone.

Performance Features Usability Design

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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 Screen 3.5-inch TFT Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 800MHz Memory 512MB Storage MicroSD Camera 5MP rear-facing Flash Yes Video Yes

Dimensions 137 x 70.5 x 8.7 mm OS Windows Phone 8 Screen 4.8-inch Super AMOLED Resolution 720 x 1280 Processor 1.5GHz dual-core GPU Adreno 255 RAM 1GB Storage 16/32GB

os Android 2.3 Gingerbread Screen 3.8-inch TFT Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 800MHz dual-core Memory 768MB Storage 4GB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB Camera 5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing

Wireless 802.11b/g Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 240 hours Talk time 4 hours Size 117 x 59 x 11mm Weight 120g

VERDICT: Nothing new but this is a user

expandable via micro SD Cameras Front 1.9MP camera, rear 8.0MP capable of 1080p HD video Wireless Wi-Fi Ports Micro USB, 3.5mm audio Battery life 2.300mAh

VERDICT: Great WP8 hardware, but the lack

friendly, well priced well featured device.

of apps means Nokia and HTC still rule.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Flash LED Video 720p HD at 30fps Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 670 hours Talk time 16 hours Size 118 x 62 x 11mm Weight 119g

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

Performance Features Usability Design

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Samsung Galaxy Ace 3

Samsung Galaxy Fame

Samsung Galaxy Mega

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

Reviewed: July 2013, price: £159 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.

Don’t look at Samsung for cheap smartphones, but the Fame offers a compact, modern Android experience for only marginally more than other brands. A wee phone which allows you to run your digital life with just your thumb, the Fame sports Android 4.1, a screen that’s just right for some and an attractive price point. Cons include a thick, stubby design, a low res screen and rival phones going cheaper.

With a 6.3-inch screen, the Galaxy Mega is on the verge of falling 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 Dual-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 Screen 4 inches Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Memory 1GB RAM Storage 8GB/16GB

OS Android 4.1 Screen 3.5-inch / 320x480 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Camera 5MP, VGA front Video Record / Playback Audio Music player / Stereo Bluetooth / 3.5mm jack Memory 4GB expandable via

OS Android v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 quad-core 1.7 GHz Screen 720 x 1280 pixels, 6.3 inches Memory 2 GB RAM Storage 8GB – Micro SD up to 32GB

Camera 5MP Video 720p@30fps Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Dimensions 121.2 x 62.7 x 9.8mm Weight 115g Battery Li-Ion 1,500 mAh

micro SD card Battery 1300mAh

Camera 8 MP rear-facing, 1.9 MP front-facing Video 1080p@30fps Wireless WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Micro USB, micro SD, IR blaster Dimensions 167.6 x 88 x 8 mm Weight 199g Battery Li-Ion 3200 mAh

VERDICT: Premium build quality and visuals

VERDICT: Not the cheapest out there but a

VERDICT: For better or worse it’s all about

at a good price - just not a great one.

compact device which has plenty of appeal.

the big, vibrant screen with this handset.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

HHHHH

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 Screen 4.3-inch SAMOLED+ Resolution 480 x 800 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1.2GHz ARM Cortex-A9 Memory 1GB Storage 16/32GB, MicroSD Camera 8MP rear-facing, 2MP front-facing

OS Android 4.0 ICS Screen 4.8-inch SAMOLED Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1.4GHz Cortex-A9 Memory 1GB Storage 16/32/64GB, MicroSD Camera 8MP rear-facing, 1.9MP front-facing

OS Android Jelly Bean 4.1.1 Screen Super AMOLED Resolution 480 x 800 pixels 4.0 inches 233 PPI Storage 8 or 16 GB, up to 32 GB microSD expandable Camera rear 5MP autofocus, front 0.3MP Video 720P 30fps CPU NovaThor U8420 -1GHz

Flash Yes Video 1080p HD Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 710 hours Talk time 18 hours Size 125 x 66 x 9mm Weight 116g

Flash Yes Video 1080p HD Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 790 hours Talk time 21 hours Size 137 x 71 x 9mm Weight 133g

dual-core Memory 1GHz Ram GPU Mali-400/MP4 Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, DLNA Ports Micro-USB 3.5m jack Battery Li-Ion 1500 mAh Dimensions: 121.6 x 63 x9.9mm Weight 111.5g

VERDICT: An award-winning Android phone

VERDICT: A masterpiece of design and

VERDICT: A cheeky move by Samsung to

that effortlessly impresses across the board.

usability. This is the benchmark to beat.

pass this off as a premium device. It’s not.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Samsung Tocco Lite 2

Sony Xperia Go

Sony Xperia L

Reviewed: September 2012, price: £99 www.samsung.com/uk

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

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

Blending neat features with a range of equally noticeable flaws, the Tocco Lite 2 is a real mixed bag. There’s no denying the value it provides, but it’s clear where the corners have been cut, making it hard to recommend. Especially when entry-level smartphones such as the Vodafone Smart 2 can be bought for even less than this feature-phone. If you’re after the most bang for your buck, this isn’t the phone for you.

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.

OS Proprietary Screen 3-inch TFT Resolution 240 x 320 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor N/A Memory N/A Storage 20MB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB Camera 3.2MP rear-facing Flash No

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

Video Yes Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Battery 14 hours talk time, 625 hours standby Size 102 x 58 x 12mm Weight 96g

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

VERDICT: It may suit very young users, but

VERDICT: If you need a stylish and tough

VERDICT: Not a bad choice for gamers on a

it’s not a phone we can highly recommend.

phone for outdoor use, there’s a lot to like.

budget, but for others there are better handsets.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Sony Xperia J

Sony Xperia P

Sony Xperia SP

Reviewed: February 2013, price: £149 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: October 2012, price: £290 www.mobilephonesdirect.co.uk

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

The Xperia J is expensive for what you get - no small feat considering it costs £149. This is a severely stripped down version of its big brothers, the Xperia P, T and S. Its performance is poor, the camera and screen is poor. You’d do much better buying last gen’s flagship phones on a contract, rather than buying this weak cut price performer. Avoid.

The Xperia P works well on so many levels that it’s impossible to ignore. The unique style may not suit all tastes, but it shows a courage to stand out from the crowd that we wish we saw more often. And thanks to its impressive performance, beautiful LEDbacklit screen and excellent features, you get plenty of value for money too.

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.

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 dual-core GPU Adreno 305 RAM 512MB

os Android 2.3 Gingerbread Screen 4-inch TFT Resolution 540 x 960 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1GHz dual-core Memory 1GB Storage 16GB internal Camera 8MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing Flash LED

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

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

Video 1080p HD at 30fps Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0, HDMI Standby time 475 hours Talk time 6 hours Size 122 x 60 x 11mm Weight 120g

micro SD card Battery 2370mAh

VERDICT: A bit of a rip off for a low spec,

VERDICT: If you’re looking for a one-of-a-

VERDICT: If 4G LTE isn’t for you, the Xperia

poor performing phone.

kind phone, make sure to check it out.

SP isn’t quite the bargain it first seems.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

HHHHH

Sony Xperia Z

Sony Xperia Z1

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

Reviewed: April 2013, price: £499 www.sonymobile.com

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

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

Sony’s smartphone is a powerhouse in every way, let down only by some unusual design decisions. Water, dust and shock resistant, it’s giant screen size will come down to personal preference, as will its unusual design. Otherwise it has all of Sony’s bells and whistles, including some clever use of NFC with NFCs stereos, TVs and laptops.

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.

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)

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 rearfacing, 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

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

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

VERDICT: A powerhouse phone, let down

VERDICT: Software makes it great for Sony

VERDICT: The most powerful, best looking

only by some design niggles.

fans, hardware makes it good for the rest

Android available. Simple.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Sony Xperia Z Ultra

Vodafone Smart 3

Vodafone Smart Mini

Reviewed: December 2013, price: £559 www.sonymobile.com

Reviewed: August 2013, price: £90 www.vodafone.co.uk

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

Sony’s phablet is a powerful and sleek piece of kit. The vivid, full HD display is the perfect place to watch movies and play games thanks to its gigantic size and incredible clarity. The camera leaves something to be desired, and it’s impossible to use with just one hand, but this is a fine choice for phablet fans looking for a new purchase.

While the Vodafone Smart 3 manages to offer a good 5-megapixel camera and Android Jelly Bean at a bargain price of just £90, its slow processor, appalling screen and poor build quality mean that that it’s unlikely to be a first choice even for budget handset shoppers. The screen is too reflective to use in direct sunlight and the low spec processor means the device is sluggish at the best of times.

The Smart Mini is almost as cheap as chips, and it shows. Whilst it’s not a bad device, it’s not a particularly good one either. The size is great and for the price you couldn’t go wrong — but you could also spend an extra tenner and get a whole lot more. The performance was very sluggish and the screen had dismal quality, but the battery just kept on lasting, going several days on a single charge — a rarity these days.

OS Android 4.2, upgradeable to Android 4.3 Processor 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 Screen 1080 x 1920 pixels, 6.4 inches Memory 2GB Storage 16GB Camera 8 MP rear-facing,

Dimensions 123.2 x 64.4 x 10.9 mm Weight 136g Screen TFT capacitive touchscreen Processor 1 GHz Cortex-A9 RAM 512MB Storage 4GB, expandable up to 32GB Cameras 5 MP, autofocus,

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

2 MP front-facing Video 1080p@30fps Wireless Bluetooth 4.0, wi-fi, NFC Ports MicroSD, Micro-USB Dimensions 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm Weight 212g Battery 3050 mAh

VERDICT: A powerful handset that’s great

LED flash Video Yes Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC Ports USB 2.0, MicroSD, 3.5mm audio jack Battery life Li-Ion 1700 mAh, 9h (3G) – accurate

Storage 4GB, micro SD slot Camera 2MP, 1600 x 1200 pixels Video VGA @ 30 fps Audio MP3, WMA, Battery 300h standby, 7h talktime (3G)

for viewing but poor for photo shooting.

VERDICT: The price doesn’t alleviate issues of low screen quality and processing speed.

VERDICT: Extremely cheap which shows through the sluggish performance.

Performance Features Usability Design

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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

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

8.6mm 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

Ports microUSB, microSD 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.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Performance Features Usability Design

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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

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

Cortex-A9 GPU PowerVR SGX544 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

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.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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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

Video 720HD Wireless Wi-fi (optional Vodafone 4G version) Ports microUSB Dimensions 131.8 x 66.9 x 9.9 mm Weight 302g

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

Camera 5MP rear facing, 1.2MP front facing Video 1920x1080 (1080P HD) at 30fps. Video stabilised Wireless Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Apple Lightning port (USB 2.0) Size 200 x 134.7 x 7.2mm Weight 308g

OS iOS 5 Screen 9.7-inch TFT Resolution 1536 x 2048 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1GHz Cortex-A9 Memory 1GB Storage 16/32/64GB Camera 5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing

Flash No Video 1080p HD Wireless 802.11a/b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, proprietary Apple connector Standby time 720 hours Use time 9 hours Size 241 x 186 x 9mm Weight 662g

VERDICT: A significant update to the Fire

VERDICT: Little more than a shrunken iPad

VERDICT: There’s simply no contest - the

and ideal for Amazon users.

2 with 4G. Disappointing.

new iPad is the best tablet in the world.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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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

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

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.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Dimensions 201 x 137 x 8mm Weight 366g Battery Lithium Polymer

DIMENSIONS 273 x 169 x 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.

Performance Features Usability Design

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Asus MemoPad Reviewed: May 2013, price: £259 www.asus.com The Memopad remains a pretty powerful tablet, but the poor screen and hits to battery life make it a tough sell. If you’re going for 10-inches, pay a wee bit more and get a Google Nexus 10. Otherwise, simply go and buy the Google Nexus 7 for £100 less and get the more complete package.

Dimensions 263 x 180.8 x 9.9 mm, 580g OS Android 4.1 Jellybean Screen TFT IPS touchscreen, 1280x800, 10.1-inches (149 PPI) Processor NVidia Tegra 3 Quad core 1.2GHz RAM 1GB Storage 16GB internal,

expandable to 32GB via MicroSD Cameras 5MP rear, 1.2MP front Wireless Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports Micro USB (power), MicroSD, Micro-HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack

Asus Transformer Pad TF701T Reviewed: February 2014, price: £429 www.asus.com

Asus VivoPad Reviewed: October 2013, price: £399 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.

This delivers on the promise of a being a Windows 8 PC in tablet form, with access to powerful apps like Photoshop. Managing this on a 10-inch tablet is no small feat. That said, the Intel Atom processor keeps it from reaching its full potential, struggling with many of the things you would want to use a PC for. The lack of storage hinders it further.

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

OS Windows 8 Processor Intel Atom Z2760 dual-core Screen 10.1-inch (1366 x 768 pixels) IPS display Memory 2GB RAM Storage 64GB SSD Camera 8 MP rear-facing, 2 MP front-facing Video 1080p

jack MEMORY 32/64GB BATTERY Tablet 31Wh, dock 16Wh

Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports Micro HDMI, Micro SD, Micro USB Dimensions 262.5 x 171 x 9.7 mm Weight 580g Battery Li-Po 6,760 mAH

VERDICT: A good attempt at making a PC

VERDICT: Decent, but nothing outstanding

VERDICT: It packs fast hardware but can’t

here with better alternatives available.

compete with the iPad Air or Nexus range

tablet, but too underpowered.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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Google Nexus 7

Google Nexus 10

HP Slate 7

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

Reviewed: February 2013, price: £319 www.google.co.uk/nexus

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

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.

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.

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

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, 2048x1536

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

pixel (rear facing) VGA (front facing) Video 720p@30fps Connectivity Wi-Fi, Bluetooth Ports Micro USB V2.0 Dimensions 197.1 x 116.1 x 10.7 mm Weight 372 g Battery non-removable, 5h

VERDICT: A fantastic device that delivers all

VERDICT: The best Android tablet available,

VERDICT: Great audio and build, but corners

you’d want from a tablet, at a great price.

slips behind the iPad 4 only due to apps.

have been cut to keep costs down.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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Lenovo IdeaPad Yoga 11S

Microsoft Surface 2 Pro

Nokia Lumia 2520

Reviewed: October 2013, price: £399 www.lenovo.com

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

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

The IdeaPad might have a cheesy name but it excels in almost every other area, with a fun, quirky design, amazing performance that’s ideal for gaming and a slew of ports for accessibility. This comes at the price of the battery, which won’t make it through a full day of use, and it’s sometimes awkward to hold. But if its raw performance you’re looking for, this delivers.

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.

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 Processor Intel Core i73689Y 1.5GHz Graphics Intel HD Graphics 4000 Screen 11.6-inches (1366x 768 pixels) IPS Memory 8GB DDR3 RAM Storage 256GB SSD Connectivity Wi-Fi,

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

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

Bluetooth 4.0 Keyboard Full-sized QWERTY Ports USB 3.0, USB 2.0, 2x1 card reader, HDMI-out Dimensions 297.94 x 203.96 x 17 mm Weight 1.39 kg

MEMORY 64GB/128GB/256GB/512GB, expandable BATTERY 48Wh

DIMENSIONS 168 x 267 x 8.9mm, 615g BATTERY 8120 mAh

VERDICT: A fantastic device that offers you

VERDICT: Price holds back what is an

VERDICT: A rock solid first effort from Nokia

all the power you could ask for in a hybrid.

otherwise excellent work/play hybrid.

in this market with powerful specs.

Performance Features Usability Design

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editor’s choice

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Samsung Galaxy Tab 3 Kids Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 Samsung Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 Reviewed: February 2014, price: £250 www.nokia.com

Reviewed: October 2012, price: £399 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.

Arriving in the shadow of the third iPad, it’s to Samsung’s credit that the Galaxy Note 10.1 isn’t completely dwarfed by its rival. Combining a strong specification, unique usability and some excellent features, it is one of the best devices you can buy in the ever-growing tablet market. The problem is it is priced to target the iPad and while it is certainly a great tablet, it’s not quite good enough to rival Apple’s masterpiece device.

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)

os Android 4.0 ICS Screen 10.1-inch TFT Resolution 800 x 1280 pixels Input Capacitive touchscreen Processor 1.4GHz quad-core Memory 2GB Storage 16/32/64GB internal, MicroSD up to 64GB Camera 5MP rear-facing, 1.9MP front-facing

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

Video 720p@30fps Wireless WiFi, Bluetooth 3.0 Ports micro-USB, microSD Dimensions 188 x 111.1 x 9.9mm Weight 306g Battery Li-Ion 4,000 mAh

Flash LED Video 720p HD at 30fps Wireless 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0 Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0 Standby time 1500 hours Use time 33 hours Size 258 x 175 x 9mm Weight 583g

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

VERDICT: A little too premium for the

VERDICT: A fantastic tablet but it can’t

VERDICT: Big, beautiful, functional and

market it’s aimed at.

quite match up to the latest Apple iPad.

priced to match. Android’s finest.

Performance Features Usability Design

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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

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

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

Battery 6,000mAh Network Wi-fi connectivity, 4G LTE

Dimensions 128.8 x 192.8 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.

Performance Features Usability Design

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hey big head! iPhone 4 to iPhone 5 lightning adaptor

micro usb to iPhone 5 lightning adaptor

Micro-USB to iPhone 4 lightning adaptor (also works with Samsung Tab)

our awesome iPhone adaptors give full support for charging and connectivity, just plug in your old cable. we also have great wholesale deals too...

Commended for Service & Repair at Mobile News Awards 2012 020 7403 9111 | fonedoctors.com | love@fonedoctors.com | Untitled-7 1

: fonedoctors 30/11/2012 16:49

Samsung Galaxy Note 3

€

415 .53 

3.04%

1.02%

€

127 .32 

0.02%

€

315 .55 

7.88%

€

214 .26  

14%

Samsung Galaxy S5



Data supplied by GSM Exchange

Samsung Galaxy S II Plus

0.63%

207 .95

Samsung Galaxy S4



€

Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini

476 .84

Samsung Galaxy S III

€

Samsung Galaxy S III Mini

Apple iPhone 5s 16GB

What’s hot and what’s not (June – July)

€

446 .17 

2.80%

€

154 .09 

0.69%

NEXT ISSUE ON SALE 10 july Reviewed: • • •

Fitbit Flex LG G3 HTC One Mini 2

98_Next-Issue_July14.indd 90

Make the most out of music streaming on your phone or tablet

03/06/2014 16:07

No need to shout 3821 people gave us a 5 star review last year. Thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s over 3 times more than Phones4U, Dialaphone, Buymobiles and MobilephonesDirect combined. We donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t shout about it as you do all the talking for us. Visit mobiles.co.uk to find out more.

Reviews taken from trust pilot and google shopping on 22nd May 2014

Available in Metallic Black and Shine Gold

The LG G3 ‘superphone’ is quite simply stunning. Featuring a beautiful 5.5” Quad HD screen (2560x1440 pixels) built within a stylish, metallic design that’s both lightweight and comfortable to hold. Plus with a powerful, long lasting 3,000 mAh removable battery, a super fast 2.46 Quad Core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801™ processor and a simpliﬁed yet intelligent user interface, this is the device that you’ve been waiting for. Available 1st July. Register your interest at www.buymobiles.net/g3

1165_LG G3 What mobile.indd 1

30/05/2014 14:42