Category Archives: Android

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ – Hands on Experience

Android, Tech News,

A few days ago I got to spend some time with the new Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ along with a Samsung representative.

Last week I provided my initial impressions following Samsung’s launch, “Link to S8 and S8+ First Thoughts” , so now that I have seen the new phones in person have my opinions changed.

First up, both phones look gorgeous, even better in real life. They make last years S7 and S7 Edge seem dated. The S8 looks so small with its narrower width. The S8+ despite having a narrower width too, still looks huge.

Usability. The S8 is fine to use with the fingerprint sensor on the back with a little bit of care. But you will end up leaving fingerprints over the camera sensor. The S8+ is too tall to make reaching the fingerprint sensor a practicality.

It is in my opinion that Samsung had to alter its design of the phones when they couldn’t master the embedded fingerprint sensor under the front screen completely to replace the need for the finger print sensor on the rear. Potentially, if they had achieved this, the S8+ could have had dual rear camera sensors, similar to the iPhone 7 Plus.

However, that despite the poor positioning of the rear fingerprint sensor, the iris scanner has been improved over the Note 7. The iris scanner is faster and works within a wider angle, that is the eyes don’t have to be 100% level with the phone, and its much faster to use.

Cameras. Impossible to tell just how much better the cameras are on the S8. Both front and rear cameras have been improved. I did take some incredible selfies.

I still have a concern over the battery size / life. I can see 1080p resolution being used a lot to keep battery life in check.

However, despite any concerns I have mentioned above, the S8 looks great and has a fabulous camera. The S8+ looks ever better but is hampered by harder usability in terms of rear fingerprint placement.

Would I buy one? No. But for many people it will be a good upgrade over a Samsung Galaxy S5, maybe S6.

Honor 8 Pro – Now available in the UK – Full Details and Photo Gallery & More

Android, Tech News,

Honor, the leading smartphone e-brand for digital natives, has released the Honor 8 Pro (RRP £474.99), the latest addition to the Honor 8 flagship series.

Honor 8 Pro key specifications:

– 5.7 inch, 2560 x 1440 Quad HD display, 515 ppi
– Kirin 960 octa-core (4x 2.4 GHz + 4x 1.8 GHz)
– 6 GB RAM, 64 GB ROM
– Android 7 (Nougat)
– EMUI 5.1
– 12 MP + 12 MP dual-lens camera
– USB-OTG
– 184 grams
– 4,000 mAh battery
– 6.97mm thick
– Cardboard VR inside box

Designed to meet the ambitious and fast-paced lifestyles of today’s digital generation, the new device has been built to deliver the best performance for gaming, streaming and photography. A stand-out capability is its high-density 4.000 mAh battery which works in tandem seamlessly with the latest SmartPower 5.0 technology, providing up to two full days of run-time from a single charge.

The handset packs this power into a beautiful, ultra-thin 6.97mm body, making it one of the slimmest smartphones on the market without compromising on performance. Coming in at 5.7 inches, the size of the QHD resolution screen isn’t compromised either, redefining design in the category.

Users can indulge in full HD VR journeys direct from the handset thanks to a brand new VR cardboard headset inside the smartphone box. Pre-installed onto the device, the Jaunt VR app brings 100s of premium, cinematic virtual reality experiences just a click away.

The Honor 8 Pro combines cutting-edge hardware and software with its third generation 12-megapixel dual-lens camera. The two lenses work in tandem to deliver the perfect shot – the monochrome lens captures a black-and-white image with incredible depth of detail, while the RGB lens ensures vivid colour reproduction. The camera’s wide aperture range (f/0.95–f/16) delivers DSLR-like depth of field effects, for both photo and video shooting.

The device also supports shooting of 4k videos encoded in the efficient H.265 codec, which produces files twice as small as its predecessor. And EMUI 5.1 introduces Highlights, a new feature co-developed with GoPro that intelligently organises photos by category and automatically generates video stories that are easily customisable.

Useful Links

Available to buy from Amazon on the 20th April – Click HERE
Pre Order from Vmall UK Online store – Click HERE.

Audeze iSine 20 – In Ear Planar Magnetic headphones – Review of the £599 Hi-Tech Magic

Android, Apple, Audio, Headphone, Reviews, Tech News, ,

The Audeze iSine 20 are a world first in ear planar magnetic headphones. Audeze has loads of patents on these headphones too. There are also the world’s first headphone to include a lightning cable with an in built 24 bit DAC/Amp for iOS users, apart from the included standard 3.5mm cable.

The iSINE 20 features key specifications –

– Planar magnetic drivers for better dynamics and frequency response
– Premium materials for style and durability
– Sleek contemporary design by DesignWorksUSA a BMW group company
– Ear hooks and Earlocks for long listening comfortability
– Fluxor magnetic arrays
– Uniforce diaphragms
– 1.5m audio cable, 1/8” stereo plug input to 2-pin plug output
– 1.5m Cipher cable, Lightning plug input to 2-pin plug output
– Style In-ear, universal fit
– Transducer type Planar magnetic, semi-open
– Magnetic structure Fluxor
– Magnet type High-grade neodymium
– Diaphragm type Ultra-thin Uniforce
– Transducer size 30mm
– Maximum power handling 3W
– Maximum SPL >120dB
– Frequency response 10Hz – 50kHz
– THD <0.1% @ 100dB
– Impedance 24 ohms
– Cable type non-microphonic
– Dimension 31mm x 35mm
– Weight 20g without cable

The new iSINE Series barely weighs 20 grams, contains Audeze exclusive patented technology including power enhancing Fluxor Magnets that nearly double the magnetic driving force on the large, ultra-thin diaphragms with patented Uniforce voice-coil technology that delivers the most accurate in-ear headphones experience ever. The distortion (THD) is less the 0.1% overall even at high volumes, an amazing achievement for in-ear headphone designs.

For iOS users, there is the world’s first 24-bit Lightning cable for higher-resolution sound. Audeze’s award-winning CIPHER Lightning cable specially optimized for the iSINE Series, delivers 24-bit digital audio from iPhone/iPad/IPod to the headphones. The CIPHER cable contains a high-quality inline amplifier, digital-to-analog converter, and DSP. With the powerful DSP capabilities of the Cipher cable, the iSINE headphones deliver a vivid, almost like-you’re-there experience. Customize the sound in real-time with the Audeze iOS App. It features two presets and a 10-band equalizer that changes EQ in real time. Refine the bass levels and tamp down the highs on peaky recordings you still love to hear. The two EQ presets travel with the cable when switching devices.

So now sit back, enjoy my unboxing and then full review of these beast of a headphone.

Useful Links

More info & latest pricing on the Audeze iSine 10 and Audeze iSine 20

My Thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ – And Yes the Red iPhone 7 Plus looks better!

Android, Tech News,

Samsung officially launched the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ smartphones. The S8 comes with a 5.8 inch screen and the S8+ a 6.2 inch screen. The S8 has a 3,000 mAh battery versus the S8+ with a 3,500 mAh battery. Apart from that the phones are identical.

Key Features

– Infinity Display – with AOD, Multi Screen, Edge Screen
– Bixby AI with Hardware Button
– Security unlock with Face, Eyes, Fingerprint and PIN
– Camera – 8mp front camera with Auto Focus. Same hardware for rear camera as S7.
– Samsung Pay
– Samsung DeX – Desktop dock
– Samsung Connect
– Bluetooth 5, also connect 2 bluetooth devices independently
– Water Resistant as last year
– Micro SD card support
– Gorilla Glass 5 back and front
– New 10nm Exynos Processor or Snapdragon 835 in some countries.

Pricing £690 and £780.

So what do I think so far. On paper it seems small upgrades over the S7 Edge. Larger screens. New screen aspect ratio. Better processor. Bluetooth 5. Virtual hidden front screen home button. Finger print sensor next to the rear camera. The new VR Headset with Bluetooth controller look nice as did the new Samsung Gear 360 camera.

I will be honest, I wasn’t blown away. The new processor combined with the software is the one aspect of this phone that will make a difference for it. Small bezels and glass edge to edge means more screen breakages if dropped. The rear mounted finger print sensor next to the camera lens is stupid. It will be difficult to reach for left handed people and will end up with finger print smudges on it. At least the camera software advices you to wipe the lens if it detects smudges. Samsung is hoping face unlock will be the preferred method.

Bixby does nothing at the moment as on launch this is a Korea and US feature only. Samsung Pay is not available in the UK. So 2 of the key features highlighted at the Samsung Unpacked event are not available in the UK yet. Bixby is larger than just one phone of course, and in future could link into Samsung Smart Things and a lot more. But currently it does nothing in the UK and will probably take time to develop.

The DeX Dock has potential, maybe if you used Citrix app on your phone and then used the larger screen with the dock. But running android apps seems odd on a larger screen.

The near Gear VR looks superb as does the new Gear 360. The Gear 360 now works with iOS from iOS 10 upwards.

The camera uses the same hardware as the S7. So the improvements are all down to software and the prowess of the new processor. I do believe we will see improved quality images. Samsung has added snapchat type filters within the camera app.

The battery sizes are too small. No wonder Samsung has implemented a screen resolution reduction feature in the battery saving settings. The smaller S8 should have had a least 3,500 mAh and the S8+ should have been 4,000 mAh minimum. It appears Samsung has played it safe with its batteries, which is understandable, but these phones are going to run flat fast.

The new aspect ratio means app developers will have to update their apps to adjust to the new screen size. This impacts the LG G6 as well.

At this price point, Samsung faces stiff competition. It will probably sell well but honestly I would look at all the options out there, including the phones still to be announced in April.

Finally, out of all the colours available currently for this new S8, I still prefer my red iPhone 7 Plus.

What about you?

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ – All the latest info and FULL Specifications & Camera Low Down

Android, Tech News, ,

Samsung is due to announce the Galaxy S8 and S8+ on the 29th March. At the current rate of leaked specs, videos and more, Samsung could save some money and cancel the press event!.

So below are all all the latest (leaked) information –

– 3D Touch-style home button
– Samsung’s Bixby AI assistant
– Video capture at 1,000 frames per second slow motion
– Dual-curved edges
– Quad HD+ resolution
– 5.8 and 6.2-inch screen sizes
– 18:9 aspect ratio
– Processor: Exynos 8895 / Snapdragon 835.
– RAM: 4GB/6GB. (6GB only for China)
– Rear camera: 12MP f/1.7, 26mm, phase detection autofocus, OIS, LED flash, 1/2.5″ sensor size, 1.4 µm pixel size, geo-tagging, simultaneous 4K video and 9MP image recording, touch focus, face/smile detection, Auto HDR, panorama
– Front camera: 8MP f/1.7, dual video call, Auto HDR
– Battery: 3,000mAh, 3,500mAh for larger version
– Rear fingerprint scanner
– Water and dust resistant
– Sensors – Iris scanner, fingerprint (rear-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass, barometer, heart rate, SpO2
– Gorilla Glass 5
– USB Type C
– Samsung Desktop Experience

So the next question, is this your next phone?

@evleaks

Sony Xperia XZ review – Sony’s flagship phone with a 23mp rear camera!

Android, Reviews, Tech News,

Sony Xperia XZ is Sony’s flagship phone currently available to purchase. It is available for around £530 and on various contract deals. My thanks go to Vodafone for the loan of the Sony Xperia XZ.

The Key Specifications / Features

– Android 6.0 OS – Update to Nougat soon
– 23 MP 1/2.3″ rear camera, laser autofocus, RGB-IR sensor, 4K Video, 5 x Clear Image Zoom, ISO 12800 Photo/3200 Video, video stabilisation, LED Flash
– 5.2” HD 1080p resolution IPS LCD Screen – With Triluminos and X-reality for vivid colours, 423 PPI
– Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, Adreno 530 GPU & 3GB RAM
– Bluetooth 4.2 with apt-X, A2DP, LDAC, LE
– WiFi – 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 / 5 GHz)
– 32 GB storage & micro SD support up to 256 GB
– In the box – Sony MH750 earphones & buds, 3 pin UK Sony fast charger
USB Type C Data Cable

Phone Basics

The Sony Xperia XZ has a good 1080p screen. When you watch my video review you will see how vivid it looks. Viewing angles are reasonable. Call quality is good. The loudspeaker is of average quality but doesn’t go to a high volume. This is demonstrated in the video review. Plugging in wired headphones and its a gold star for Sony. It produces a high quality output, not the loudest, but decent quality. Bluetooth audio is fantastic and the phone includes Sony’s Hi-Res bluetooth LDAC codec. The special audio features are again shown in my video review.

From a hardware design point of view, I really like the look and style of the phone. It is easy to hold one handed too.

The camera hardware on paper is awesome. Unfortunately Sony has a record of not having the best software processing on its phone cameras. The better news is that this is the first Sony phone where I got some exceptional photos, the best from all Sony smartphones I have tested and reviewed. In fact, on the day I tested the Sony Xperia ZX, it took better outdoor shots than my iPhone 7 Plus. However, indoor and low light shots don’t fair as well. Also, the camera seems to take some dud shots amongst the great ones. In other words the auto mode is not as good as other competing flagship phones. I have shown the camera app interface in more depth in my video below. The front camera is just average.

Camera Samples

Sun & Stormy Weather - sub zero, bitter winds & heavy rain all at once

The above shot in one of my favourite. Dynamic colours picking up the sun, rain and hail storm.

In a line - Fury, George & Tiggy sprinting up to Great Mis Tor

The above photo shows my 3 dogs running which the Sony Xperia XZ captured fairly decently.

Little Mis Tor & Great Mis Tor - High up on Dartmoor in stormy conditions

The above shot is of Little & Great Mis Tor on Dartmoor. A good shot again from the Xperia XZ.

Video Review

For the next part of my review, watch my video review which details even more information and thoughts.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia XZ has a lot of positive aspects. Great headphone audio using wired or wireless headphones. A design which I personally like. Easy to use one handed. The weakness is the camera which despite its huge hardware specification is let down by software processing, meaning its not up with current flagship standards.

Useful Links

Latest pricing & more info on Amazon UK
Vodafone Shop
More reviews from gavinsgadgets

Sony Xperia XZ vs Apple iPhone 7 Plus – Camera Comparison

Android, Apple,

On Saturday, I took the Sony Xperia XZ and iPhone 7 Plus out on Dartmoor. My goal was to be a tourist and see which phone would take the best shots, reliably and consistently too.

The Sony Xperia XZ has a 23mp rear camera and the iPhone 7 Plus has 2 x 12mp rear cameras.

Below are the results – Click on each photo, then select the full size version for the ultimate pixel peek.

iPhone 7 Plus

View towards Kings Tor, Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

I really like the above and below shots from the iPhone.

Stormy weather over Little Mis Tor , Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

Stormy weather heading up to Great Mis Tor , Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

Above and below, both taking with the telephoto lens. The 2 x zoom does make a difference to shots like this.

Stormy weather at Little Mis Tor , Dartmoor #iPhone7Plus

Sony Xperia XZ

Storm over the Tors #dartmoor

I found the Sony made even the most stark landscape shot more interesting due to its saturated look.

Sun & Stormy Weather - sub zero, bitter winds & heavy rain all at once

The above shot is my favourite of all the photos from both phones. It was freezing cold, with sub zero temperatures, hail and rain, and then the sun appeared.

In a line - Fury, George & Tiggy sprinting up to Great Mis Tor

Little Mis Tor - Standing strong in the stormy conditions

When you compare the shots above and below from the Sony with those from the iPhone, there are fairly close in quality.

Little Mis Tor & Great Mis Tor - High up on Dartmoor in stormy conditions

I also liked the above shot from the Sony Xperia XZ.

Conclusion

Whilst the Sony Xperia XZ did a reasonable job, and IMO managed to capture the most memorable shot, in further testing that I have carried out, the iPhone 7 Plus is able to take better shots, that are sharper, more accurate and consistent across all lighting conditions. The Sony Xperia XZ lacks OIS, and seems to fail to take a good focused shot quite frequently.

The Sony Xperia XZ does have a lot of positive aspects, but even though most phones, including the best flagships, have Sony camera sensors, Sony has not managed to optimise the camera software in its own phone to the same consistent standard. I find this infuriating as the sensor in the Xperia XZ is top notch!

My full review of the Sony Xperia XZ will be coming soon.

My thanks to Vodafone UK for the loan of the Sony Xperia XZ.

LG G5 vs iPhone 7 Plus vs Huawei Mate 9 – Camera Comparison

Android, Apple, Tech News, , ,

Good morning everyone. I decided for this post to take 3 phones – the Apple iPhone 7 Plus, Huawei Mate 9 and LG G5 and see which one could take the best shot of an aerial view of Exeter High Street.

Unlike other comparisons, I have stuck all the photos taken through Adobe Lightroom to see what was the best final result that could be obtained.

LG G5 Shots – Normal and Wide Angle

Shot on the LG G5

Shot on the LG G5

I really like the extra width of the LG G5 wide angle shot.

Huawei Mate 9 – Normal and Monochrome

Shot on the Huawei Mate 9

Shot on the Huawei Mate 9

I do like the images from the Mate 9.

Apple iPhone 7 Plus

Shot on an iPhone 7 Plus

The iPhone takes a well balanced shot overall.

So which phone do you prefer and why? Just a quick shout out to Vodafone UK for the loan of the LG G5.

Useful Links

Deals on Phones & Accessories at Amazon
Vodafone Shop

The £1,000 Mobile Phone – Editorial – Samsung Galaxy S8 or iPhone 8?

Android, Tech News, ,

galaxy_s8-930x775

The Samsung Galaxy S8 or Apple iPhone 8 are rumoured to be available with a configuration costing £1,000 or more. Is this a surprise? No, as the current iPhone 7 Plus costs £919 in its 256gb storage configuration.

So with the Google Pixel and other phones leaping ahead in price, would Samsung be bold enough to ask £1,000 for a high storage Samsung Galaxy S8+? Probably yes. I also think Apple will bring out a phone that costs more than £1,000.

So really my next question, is any phone worth £1,000? In reality, no, but in real life people that want the very best or want to be seen with a particular brand will also pay the higher amount.

The problem though is the budget and mid market phones are getting better and better, to the point whereby high end flagship will start to feel the pressure.

If Samsung want over £800 for its top end flagship, would you spend this amount of money?

Photo Source – @evleaks