The Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is the latest smartphone from Samsung. This year they have adapted the S View Cover and called it S View Standing Cover due to its extra functionality.
So let’s take a closer look at my unboxing and review.
If you need any accessories for your Note 7, check out the latest deals on Amazon – Click HERE.
Samsung has a range of accessories for the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7, and one of these is the Lens Cover for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7.
The Lens Cover has been adapted from the Samsung Galaxy S7 which I reviewed extensively.
S7 & S7 Edge Lens Cover Review –
Now for the unboxing and review of the Lens Cover for the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 and comparison with the S7 version.
And if you need any accessories for your Note 7, check out the latest deals on Amazon – Click HERE.
LG and ESS Technology Collaborate to Deliver One-of-a-Kind Audio Experience
“SEOUL, Aug. 11, 2016 ― LG Electronics (LG) announced that its forthcoming flagship smartphone, LG V20, will be the first smartphone in the industry to feature 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC (digital to analog converter) capabilities, bringing a superior audio experience to mobile for the very first time.
A Quad DAC delivers a crisp and clear sound that comes closest to a live performance when using compatible wired headphones. The sound is superior to that produced by a traditional DAC as it can reduce up to 50 percent of ambient noise levels. Videos taken with the V20 are accompanied by a soundtrack that can capture the roaring sound of waves crashing on a beach or conversations among two individuals at a noisy party.
LG worked closely with ESS Technology, a leader in high-performance analog and audio devices, to ensure that the Quad DAC, delivered the best audio experience for owners of the LG V20. The Quad DAC is the lynchpin of the many cutting-edge multimedia features included in the LG V20. ESS Technology previously provided its 32-bit Hi-Fi DAC in the V10, LG V20’s predecessor.”
This is exciting news and may make the LG V20 the hottest smartphone of 2016. What do you think?
The new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 comes with the latest USB Type C technology. But that’s not all. The charger that Samsung provide produces 25w to charge it from zero to 50%. That’s neat.
I have been using the Sony Xperia X Performance, Sony’s current flagship phone for several days now. Its design is similar to the Xperia Z series as you can see from the photos. My thanks to Clove Technology .
As this is Sony’s flagship phone it comes with a decent selection of specs as follows –
– 64 bit quad-core processor – Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
– 3Gb RAM
– Android 6.0.1
– 23MP rear camera with Predictive Hybrid Autofocus – Lossless 5x Clear Zoom and <0.1 second autofocus
– Low-light photography: ISO 12800/3200, SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode – video stabilisation, Superior Auto Mode, Full HD 1080p Video Recording, Pulse LED Flash
– 5.0″ Inch 1080 x 1920p Full HD display
– LTE Cat 9 support
– 32GB storage & micro SD support up to 200GB
– Sony 3D Surround Sound technology (VPT), Clear Audio – Sound improvement software, xLoud™ Experience, DSEE HX, High-res audio
– Fingerprint sensor
– PS4 Remote Play
– IP65/IP68
Within the specs above are some bold claims about the camera and its audio system. I will cover both of these areas off in a lot more detail in my full review coming soon.
In the meantime, have a look at the below camera samples from the Sony Xperia X Performance. All shot in superior auto at 8mp unless stated otherwise.
This shot is to highlight an indoor lighting situation. The glass in the door is quite a bit overexposed.
Above is a close up of another green plant leaves.
From the same plant, but with different sunlight and shadows.
A local church. I wasn’t too happy with this overall shot as it is not quite in focus.
The above shot in Newquay beach.
Slightly better shot of the church.
The above shot is in manual mode, using HDR. 8mp.
The above shot is another 8mp manual mode, without HDR. HDR in manual mode has to be switched on.
And the last photo, manual mode, no HDR but at the full 23mp.
Overall, I thought the shots were okay but nothing spectacular. What do you think?
Just to throw in a comparison photo using the Samsung Galaxy S7 , see below.
My thanks again to Clove Technology for their great service.
Below are a selection of my favourite photos snapped on the Samsung Galaxy S7.
I really like the mood and angles of the speed boats. Did you notice the boats stacked on large shelving behind the 3 speed boats?
St Petroc’s Church, Lydford, Devon. Lovely church that sits next to a Saxon Fort.
Looks like a postcard.
Can you imagine the canons just been fired and what you can see is the explosion?
My local church. A favourite place of mine to take photos.
And finally, one of George and Fury.
As part of any phone review, I always test the camera. The latest phone undergoing the knife is the current flagship smartphone from Sony, the Sony Xperia X Performance.
This phone achieved the top score in the DxOMark Camera test. So will it live up to this reputation? And what other tricks does the Sony Xperia X Performance include?
My thanks to Clove Technology who now have this in stock, sim free.
If you have any questions you would like answered in my upcoming review, please let me know in the comments or on social media.
BlackBerry announced yesterday that it was bringing the super productivity suite known as BlackBerry Hub+ from BlackBerry 10 to, not just PRIV or their DTEK50 smartphone, but ALL Android smartphones running android 6.0 and above. BlackBerry is working on extending support to devices running Android 5.0 Lollipop as well and even iOS.
So I installed it on my Samsung Galaxy S7. See screen shot above. I then installed the other apps it offers.
As you can see it has unified all my social media apps apart from Google Plus. Setting up the BlackBerry Hub+ was really simple. I have noticed a small bug with text messages. When trying to open text messages from Google or Amazon, it triggers “create a new message”. Apart from that I haven’t seen anything significantly wrong with the apps. It even works really well with my Samsung Gear Fit 2, giving me options on the Gear Fit 2 with Gmail email to delete, reply all, snooze and show on phone.
So what’s the catch and why has BlackBerry made this move? Well it is clear to me that BlackBerry has become a services company instead of selling hardware. The BlackBerry Hub+ is a 30 day trial which gives you access to the Hub, BlackBerry Calendar and Password Keeper. After 30 days, you can continue using the apps for free by opting to view occasional ads, or subscribe to the entire suite of apps for just 99 cents a month, which will include additional powerful time-saving features: Contacts, Tasks, Device Search, Notes and Launcher.
In essence your android phone for $12 a year becomes a BlackBerry device with all its services. So far the experience is good but I do need more time to test it, but based on my initial experience I would be tempted to pay 99 cents a month to gain access to the complete set of apps and see whether or not it improves my user experience.
Samsung announced the new Samsung Note 7 yesterday. Judging by the reaction on social media the reaction was low and for a number of reasons.
First lets take a look at the key specs below –
The first thing to strike you is its design. It looks like a Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge with just a few tweaks in the hardware department. But comparing it further with the S7 Edge, there are small but important tweaks. First the glass edges are gently curved now equally on both sides with the Note 7. The Note 7 glass is Gorilla Glass 5 instead of Gorilla Glass 4 found on the S7 Edge. The Note 7 comes with 64gb storage instead of 32gb found in the S7 Edge. The Note 7 has changed the micro USB port for USB Type C port . IP68 carries over to the S Pen, meaning you can take notes underwater. As all the remaining specs are the same as the S7 Edge, actually what you have is a powerhouse of a phone. But is it worth sim free £749?
There are two ways of looking at this. Samsung have priced this in the same region as an iPhone 6S Plus 64gb. Which of the two phones would you prefer to have? Is the Samsung Note series strong enough to carry a price of £749. I say yes. I would also point out that it excels in both hardware and software. There is not another device like it! Looking at this from the Note series, it has everything now from IP68, 64gb storage plus micro SD card support and so on.
The other way of looking at it is that it is crazy expensive. This would be the case if you had a S6 or S7 Edge as it doesn’t offer that much. But if you move up from a Note 4 then you are getting all the latest specification. I hear some screams that £749 is a joke. The OnePlus 3 is only £329 and surely the difference isn’t worth £400. Well this all depends on your priorities for a phone. £400 buys you a better screen, camera and the list goes on. Each difference adds up in pounds and pence. So they are not the same, but the experiences between a OnePlus 3 and Note 7 might be both enjoyable. So it boils down to your personal budget and how much you want the Note 7.
Question is, where do you sit. £749 is fine or is it a rip off when you can buy devices like the OnePlus 3?
According to LG Korea, the LG V20 is being released next month and will be the first Android OEM phone to have Android 7.0. Talk about timing with the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 being announced tomorrow. LG is sure trying to steal Samsung’s thunder. The LG V20 is the successor to the amazing LG V10 which I reviewed Click HERE.
LG Korea also confirmed the following –
– close collaboration with Google, the first new Android 7.0 smartphone application
– LG Electronics CEO MC Business Division jojunho president stressed that “V20 will be a new standard for premium phones more enhanced multimedia capabilities.”
Gavin's Gadgets & Photography 