Mobile Phone Reviews

Nokia XL Review

Nokia XL Dual SIM phone is the Nokia’s third Android phone from WMC 2014. It is a 5 inch phone with 768MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and a 5MP rear camera with LED flash. However, Google services or Play store is missing like in many other Nokia Android handsets. The new Nokia XL is among those three mobile phones that makes up the manufacturer’s new X range of Android powered smartphones. The XL denotes for the larger handsets. It runs on the Nokia's new heavily skinned version of Android that looks similar to tile based Windows Phone 8 interface.

The software on the Nokia XL is based on the Android open Source Project. The more advanced software opened the doors to bigger, higher resolution screens as well as up to date apps plus more powerful hardware. Furthermore, there are many easy customization options that help creating a unique Nokia experience by blending Nokia and Microsoft services. This somehow fills in for the missing Google goodies that we all are accustomed to seeing on Android phones.

With Nokia XL, the company prioritizes price over features. Without a doubt, the XL and its group members are cheaper than the revered Moto G. However, the XL is more expensive than the Lumia 525 and is just about the same price as the brand new Lumia 630 Dual SIM. The phone design looks great with attractive color variants. It actually looks good from any angle you look at it.

It's a race to the bottom that in the long term will only get fiercer as cheap smartphones become "good enough". Is the Nokia XL "good enough" or perhaps even "better"? It is a tough race that in the long term will only get fiercer as cheap smartphones are becoming good enough. Let’s see how much Nokia XL is good enough to compete in this head-to-head competitive environment.

Sony Xperia Z2 Review

Sony has made users wait around for its recent releases the gaps between releases are pretty large, and while the Sony Xperia Z1 is relatively new, the Sony Xperia Z owners are not going to get satisfied with this, and require more. However, with the relatively rapid upgrade cycles, it means that there are only minor modifications every cycle – normally, this means a slight improvement in processing power, a bit of an increase in screen size, latest Android OS, or camera upgrade.

However, the modifications this time around include a much improved display of IPS LCD. Also the screen size has been increased without blowing the device out of proportion. The screen bezel has been slimmed down to make the similar in terms of footprint. The RAM has been bumped up to 3GB, graphics taken up to Adreno 330, video recording can be done 4x, stereo front speakers are added, and Android 4.4.2 is on board.

While there are other recent releases that have failed to create the kind of stir, some might think that the Sony Xperia Z2 has the capability to do just that. However, there will be others who think of this as just another minor upgrade versions, and the review that follows will elaborate how we feel about the latest flagship from Sony.

Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo Review

The Galaxy Grand lineup of Samsung is all about two things: screen size and dual SIM support at a shoestring budget. Samsung Galaxy Grand lineup targets fans of bigger screens. But are on a limited budget, so the company decided to make big screen cheaper for them. The most recent installment in this lineup is the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo that brings the Galaxy Grand lineup to an even more competitive price range, although clearly, that definitely calls for some sacrifices.

The new sibling was introduced without much fanfare or even if you noticed, the company launched it without even a proper announcement. But when you look at the specs, you will come to know why company has done this. The phone surely has weaker points not only compared to the newer Grand 2 but also to the Galaxy Grand. The Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo comes with a 5” screen with relatively low pixel density, however, remaining specs are pretty much acceptable. You will be offered with 5 MP rear camera with LED flash, a quad-core processor and 21 Mbps HSPA+ connectivity. Though, if you compare it with the original Galaxy Grand that still sells all over the world, you can see that it offers higher resolution camera and video recording.

Let’s see what Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo is capable of and what it has to offer us.

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact Review

The new Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is here to refute the theory that smartphones need to be bigger to be better. Phones such as LG G2, Samsung Galaxy Note 2 and even the Sony Xperia Z1 show that there is an ultimate wish for bigger screen phones but such phones every so often are swayed by the absolute logistical issues of having an everyday phone that can no longer be used and held with one hand.

The Sony Xperia Z1 is a flagship phone that has been repackaged into a more compact form factor and it is aimed at those who want to avail the portability of the iPhone but would prefer the functionality of Google Android. It is a truly high end Android phone that comes in a compact body. This is something that many users have been seeking over and over again.

Now, we can happily say that with the Xperia Z1 Compact Sony came forward with exactly the kind of offer that we all have been yearning for so long. But this new offer arises a new question that we have to ask ourselves that whether we are ready to leave those 5” display phones that we now started to get used to, and start picking up this smaller phone? Well certainly, there is no substitute of the comfort this smaller phone brings but we do not have to necessarily compare the Xperia Z1 Compact with the popular Android flagship phones.

Another important function that this latest handset will be willing to perform is to compete with the iPhone 5s. And, this is not the way other Android flagship phones do rather it directly faces and fights for the same customers. This does not sound easy but somehow the Xperia Z1 Compact seems astonishingly fit for this chore. The reason of which is very simple because it has got both the looks and the heart of a winner.

Now, let’s see what the phone has to offer us.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo Review

Notes are the devices that people cannot seem to get enough of, and the new Samsung Galaxy Note 3 Neo is a brand new, less expensive version of a Note that must be good for everyone. Samsung, for the first time in three years, has gone down-market with its exclusive Note line releasing a budget alternative of the Note 3 in the form of Galaxy Note 3 Neo. As expected, Note 3 Neo is scaled down on several specs including display, processor, RAM and camera. When compared with its bigger sibling, the Note 3 Neo comes with a 5.5” 720p HD display instead of 5.7” 1080p, slower processor, 2 GB of RAM instead of 3, and 8-megapixel camera instead of 13 MP.

There are many similarities like it has got the identical design, same software features and also the most admired S Pen Stylus. Moreover, the Note 3 Neo features a large 3100mAh battery that augurs well for the perspective endurance. In fact, Note 3 Neo is a new branch in the Note family tree that with a six core CPU based on ARM’s big little architecture, an 8 MP camera that is capable of recording 1080p video and a SuperAMOLED screen all are solid credentials that add up to the value of Note 3 Neo. Although, the screen resolution is bit down but then again 720p is not too bad. The screen on the whole is decently sharp whereas assuring to place less strain on the battery and keeping cost down.

Sony Xperia E1 Review

Back in 2012 when the original Sony Xperia E was launched, it was targeted mainly towards youth and those who were going for smartphones for the first time. Xperia E1 offered affordability, a smartphone of a good size and processing power, and decent graphics. Sony has decided to take up the spectrum for another go, and has released the E1, mainly targeted towards the school and college age groups, though Sony has definitely improved on the basic Sony Xperia E on many levels.

The design has been improved via a revamp being done by Sony for the particular price range, bringing in a sporty and rugged look, as well as the feel. The Xperia E1 again gets Sony’s very famous Walkman as another major attraction on the device, and with the enhancements in the audio, we are sure that this will be a hit. The Walkman can be launched directly from the lockscreen too, using a dedicated button present at the top, and has the capabilities of streaming music and share it both locally and online. Sony has also bundled up the xLOUD, with ClearAudio+ and the ClearBass features present on some of the other Sony smartphones as well to enhance the audio.

Sony has improved on E series with the latest release coming out with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 200 dual core chipset, easily capable of handling the Android 4.3, instead of the single core chipset from the predecessor. The screen size increase is also supported with an improved display resolution and a larger battery has been put on board. However, the only downside is that the camera does not receive any upgrades, still stuck at 3.15MP with fixed focus and video recording that only does SVGA.

With the upgrades, it is blatantly open that Sony is targeting to pitch the smartphone as a music-centered one, and we think Sony may just be able to pull it off, same as it was able to all those years ago with its original Walkman line of phones. The smartphone should get a decent welcome and there should not be any hiccups.

QMobile Noir Quatro Z4 Review

Qmobile started out as a mid-range to low range device manufacturer, but has slowly and gradually entered the smartphone and quad-core market in recent times, implementing the features that are available on much high priced market competition, and that too at a much discounted and more affordable price range. The Quatro Z4 is also another such effort, with the device design, display, as well as the other list of features like the smart gestures, the 13MP camera, the improvement in connectivity features, among others, starting to put Qmobile on the cell phone manufacturers' map.

The Noir Quatro Z4, powered by a quad-core 1.5 GHz processor, 32 GB ROM and 2 GB of RAM. The device has a sleek design, much similar to the iPhone 5, and a feature list that is very long. Qmobile has certainly put in the effort, and have made a bold statement on their own, that they are not to be taken lightly.

Motorola Moto G Review

The Motorola Moto G is basically a pretty decent mid spec smartphone but what makes it really special is its budget price. Though, at this time you can easily find a cheap high end smartphone with android but finding out such an affordable smartphone that delivers everything it promises, and its best asset is its price. The Motorola Moto G perhaps is the less capable sibling of the flash bang Moto X that was released earlier this year by the Google-owned smartphone maker. Yet it offers so much at such a stunning price point. It has a comfortable design and feel, commendable performance, intuitive user interface and excellent screen along with great battery life.

The Moto G handset is designed keeping the target audience in mind and with this handset the company is all set to kick off the global smartphone revival. This is basically a mid-range handset that comes with a low end price tag and is armed with the latest Android KitKat. The phone is hugely inspired by the firm’s first, post-Google takeover handset, the Moto X, and shares most of cues with it. The Moto G also features a water repellent coating that allows you to use the phone in the rain, however, since it is not waterproof, so don’t jump in the swimming pool with it.

The Motorola Moto G is the close sibling to the Moto X, and it was released with the intentions to shake things up with its absolute low cost that for sure grabs the attention of huge masses. Though, it is not a something you call cutting edge technology or has high spec but even then, there are many people who will more than likely be appeased by a modest offer that gets things done quite nicely.

Let’s have a close look at the phone specs and features, and see what it has to offer that no other phone in the market is offering other than its cheap price tag.