Category Archives: Android

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium – my hands on and views of the 4K phone

September 4, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newshands on video and impressions, Sony Xperia Z5 PremiumGavin Fabiani-Laymond

A 4K screen on a phone with over 800 PPI is insane. But it exists now thanks to Sony releasing a premium version of their Xperia Z5.

So can you tell the screen is 4K. No. You are not going to look at it and say, wow that’s a 4K screen. However, the screen looks bloody marvellous, freaky crispy and better than my LG G4.

But that’s not the whole story. Sony made the Z5 Premium as a more upmarket phone using higher quality materials.

So check out my short video below and especially how mirror like the back is. In fact, its so good, I could use it as a proper mirror. If I had a choice out of the Sony or Samsung S6 Edge Plus, I would pick this Sony every time.

Anyway, below is my hands on video. Enjoy.

Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact – my hands on

September 4, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newshands on videos, Sony Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 CompactGavin Fabiani-Laymond

The other day I filmed 2 very short videos of the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact. The Z5 Premium was photographed but you can’t tell the difference really between the standard Z5, other than a razor sharp screen.

I really like the Z5 Compact. Great to hold and easily pocketable.

Anyway. Here are the videos. First the Z5.

Next Z5 Compact.

Using the LG G4 out in Berlin – some home truths

September 4, 2015Android, Tech NewsBerlin, LG G4Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

This week I have been using the LG G4 to write my website posts, take video and photographs.

First the Bad – Whilst roaming the G4 battery life has sucked. 5 hours in total. 1 hour 45 mins screen on time. This was my worst day. 2 flat batteries!

Luckily I had a spare battery that I could recharge externally. So the replaceable and user swappable battery was a godsend.

The Amazing

The camera. So have not used my Sony RX100 Mk3. The G4 took every shot in every lighting condition first time every time.

It also has showed its versatility.

More. So the battery was improved by switching off LTE and mobile data when not needed. Also changing to a different roaming partner helped a lot. Improved to 3 hours screen on time.

Samsung Note 5 and S6 Edge Plus – my impressions – the truth

September 4, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newsmy impressions, my review, samsung galaxy s6 edge plus, Samsung Note 5Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

So Berlin is in Europe. And Samsung had on display the Note 5 as well as the S6 Edge Plus. And yet Samsung still confirmed they won’t sell the Note 5 in the UK.

Below is the S6 Edge next to the S6 Edge Plus. The demo areas were fairly empty for the Edge Plus. Nobody could give a brass farthing about it and yet during the Samsung Press conference the Samsung’s head of mobile announced he was excited this week as the Edge Plus was launching. The audience were not impressed as no mention again of the Note 5.

So what are my impressions of the Samsung Edge Plus.

Yuck. It’s a big S6 Edge and just as awkward to hold. If you prefer a larger screen then use this. I had trouble activating the Edge extras. Just lost on such a large screen. It was shiny. Overall I would personally avoid it.

So what about the Note 5. An overpriced piece of junk?

I must admit I am still angry at Samsung’s decision not to sell the Note 5 in the UK and Europe. Their reasons are total crap. So I was ready to go overboard and knock the Note 5. Except I can’t. Here are the hard cold facts.

– its shiny. My photos prove that. I photographed myself holding the gold finish. The black was better but the platinum/silver was the best.

– its the most comfortable large phablet phone to hold. Narrow and with rear curved glass on the back massively helps with grip and the comfort.

– the screen. Fantastic.

– the highlight – the S-Pen. It is amazing. Feels like writing on paper as you feel the friction as if it was paper. Much cleaning handwriting. Really really polished and hard to believe it was better than the Note 4.

Overall. Avoid the S6 Edge Plus. I didn’t like it. The Note 5 is so expensive. But it is a wonderful piece of hi tech. And that S-Pen is marvellous.

Sony Xperia Z5 – camera shots – so is the camera any good?

September 3, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech Newscamera shots, Review, Sony Xperia Z5Gavin Fabiani-Laymond

Sony upgraded the sensor on the Xperia flagship range. Below are 3 photos. Each taken in a different mode.

8mp Mode – Full auto

Remember to tap to get full size.

Another auto shot.

And now using the full sensor at 23mp.

It seems a shame that Sony missed OIS off the specifications.

So what’s your verdict?

More soon on the Xperia Z5 range.

Huawei Mate S – more camera shots

September 3, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsHuawei Mate S, more camera shotsGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Well the sun turned into heavy rain in Berlin today, but nonetheless I managed to take a few more shots. All auto, some HDR.

None of these shots were post processed. Everything was taken using an option before pressing the shutter icon on the Huawei Mate S.

Sony launches the Xperia Z5 Compact, Z5 and Z5 Premium with a 4K screen – details and availability

September 3, 2015Android, Tech NewsSony Xperia Z5 Compact, Z5, Z5 PremiumGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Top to bottom. Z5 Compact, Z5 and Z5 Premium colour range.

Sony unveils next-generation smartphone camera with Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone, Xperia Z5 Premium.

Xperia Z5 brings the best camera in a leading smartphone, with an elegant waterproof design. BUT STILL NO OIS !!

Xperia Z5 Compact shares the same flagship experiences in a no-compromise hand-sized body.

Ultimate smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium redefines mobile entertainment with the world’s first 4K UHD smartphone display and 4K Ultra HD upscaling technology. BATTERY!! CRISPY SCREEN!! BATTERY!!

Next-generation smartphone camera experience designed with Sony’s brand new 23MP Exmor RS for mobile sensor, supporting the fastest autofocus in a leading smartphone.

Integrated fingerprint sensor power button for intuitive unlock.

Xperia Z5 series brings significant advancements in the evolution of Sony’s SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode for video. Further improvements mean you’ll be able to continuously capture action smoothly, such as riding a bike or skateboard, free from jolts or shudders. It also features better low-light performance without blur. But no OIS.

For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z5 Compact brings the same great camera technology and features in a pocket-friendly compact device. It delivers uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design with a 4.6” display, perfect for one-handed use. And, Z5 Compact let’s you express personal style with fresh, vibrant colours including Yellow and Coral, in addition to White and Graphite Black. THE ONE TO GET.

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit capabilities and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering. Snapdragon 810. Will it overheat?

Powerful smartphone features demand smart power management, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are equipped with Sony’s incredible up to two-day8 battery stamina and innovative power-saving technology, which gives you superior long-lasting battery performance. With Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 enabled on the new devices, you can get 5.5 hours usage with just 10 minutes of charging with a certified Quick Charge™ 2.0 charger, such as the Quick Charger UCH10 .

Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first 4K smartphone with a sharp, vivid 5.5” 4K TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile and IPS, where breathtaking detail is depicted with pinpoint accuracy for the most natural images, at four times the resolution of Full HD.

Xperia Z5 Premium will upscale your favourite content to 4K, enhancing any native or third party videos or photos so you can view Netflix, YouTube or your holiday shots in rich, vibrant 4K detail. And, Xperia Z5 Premium is built to allow you to get creative by capturing in 4K and immediately enjoying the content on Z5 Premium, with the option of preserving any moment as an 8MP quality image.

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit cAvailability and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering.

UK Availability-

Xperia Z5 Compact will be available in:

White exclusive to Carphone Warehouse

Graphite Black from Vodafone, O2, Carphone Warehouse, EE, Virgin & Three

Yellow exclusive to O2

Coral from Vodafone, Virgin & Carphone Warehouse

Xperia Z5 will be available in:

Gold from Carphone Warehouse, EE

Ice White exclusive to Carphone Warehouse .

Graphite Black from Vodafone, O2, Carphone Warehouse, EE, Virgin & Three

Green from Vodafone, O2, Carphone Warehouse, Virgin & Three.

Huawei Mate S – more info

September 3, 2015Android, Reviews, Tech NewsHuawei Mate SGavin Fabiani-Laymond

Yesterday, Huawei launched the Mate S. It’s a power house of specs and decent hardware.

The pricing is aggressive and with base models starting at 32gb, 64gb and 128gb for the force touch model.

Comes in 4 colours with the antennas hidden by design.

A big song and dance was made about the camera. See other post for camera shots. .

The new sensor is a skilled and easy to magage.

– 4G for both sims.
– Waterproof
– Dual sim with base mode at 32gb
– Incredibly fingerprint sensor
– Great cameras
– Hisilicon Kirin 935, Octa Core: Quad 2.2GHz + Quad 1.5GHz–
Storage32GBRAM3GBRear – – & – Camera13MP with AF, BSI, F2.0, OIS, Dual color-temp LED flashesFront Camera8MP, FF, BSI, F2.4, LED soft lightSensorsAccelerometer, Compass, Gyroscope, ALS, Proximate, HALLGPSCompatible with GPS/ Beidou/ GLONASS/AGPSAdditionalNFC, FMBattery2700mAh (Typ.) 2620mAh

Despite all the tricks jt really is a great pocket rocket. The fingerprint scanner works super fast. It really is comfy to hold in the hand.

I’ve got lots of tests to do but so far its seems a good phone. The force touch version was fine to demonstrate but not show off too muxh.