Category: O+

June Gadget Reviews Roundup 2016

Louie Diangson

grr-june-header

And just like that we’re halfway through the year, so before we get started with the second half of 2016 let’s check out all the gadgets we reviewed last month. This includes the Sony Xperia X, Xiaomi Mi Max, OnePlus 3, and a slew of Cherry Mobile devices. Here’s our Gadget Reviews Roundup for June 2016.

Cherry Mobile Flare XL Plus

With its large display, generic design and build, so-so performance, and average cameras, the Flare XL Plus doesn’t aspire to be your best option but it does keep the common factors to a good budget phone intact. For just Php 3,999, there’s not much to wish for the smartphone in this range but a change in design is a must to make a phone standout, especially when a brand like Cherry Mobile already has a vast selection of Androids.

Infinix Note 2

The Infinix Note 2 is that type of smartphone that won’t impress in all aspects but can provide specific advantages that will certainly benefit a wide range of users – large display, capable CPU and RAM, LTE connectivity, Android Marshmallow, 4,000mAh battery, and affordable price tag. For Php 5,999, users can enjoy those benefits without breaking the bank.

O+ M

The O+ M has definitely hit the right spots — it has the latest Android smartphone version available in the market today, and its features do not disappoint. Aside from exuding a more premium look and feel which is different from previous O+ smartphone releases, it emits a good display, and the camera is quite decent and can be a good handy snapper in case you need to take a quick photo on a whim.

Cherry Mobile Touch XL 2

The Cherry Mobile Touch XL 2 did surprise us with its free VR headset bundle which is a good pair to the large 6-inch display. While the resolution of the panel may not be top-notch, its decent VR capability is fun to have around. Also, for just Php 3,499, it’s a good deal for those who are into huge displays but it’s not for power users.

Cherry Mobile Flare XL 2.0

For just Php 5,999, you’re getting an affordable phablet that doesn’t sacrifice design but did skimp on battery capacity. Nevertheless, the Cherry Mobile Flare XL 2.0 was able to give a lasting impression during our review. If you’re looking for phablet on a budget, then this handset is worth a try. It also comes two colors, black and white.

Cherry Mobile Explorer 2 Action Cam

Available for Php 5,999, it’s not really the cheapest out there but it sure is the only action camera that’s considered smart. Plus, the package includes all the necessary accessories and tools so you’re pretty much set to start shooting from different points of view.

Cherry Mobile Fit Activity Tracker

With a retail price of Php 3,499, the Cherry Mobile Fit is probably one of the most affordable activity trackers out in the market right now and is a good option if you’re on the lookout for a new wearable.

2016 Ford Explorer

If you are a young professional that is just starting out then I would urge you to look somewhere else, but if you are an accomplished corporate or business titan looking for an SUV that has European features and comforts at a more practical price then you have found it. Ford proves that luxury can be accessible but, sadly, it still isn’t cheap.

MyPhone my86 DTV

Myphone’s my86 DTV has a good build, takes decent photos on both of its cameras, and is a good phone for those on the lookout for an affordable device while not missing out on the latest soap operas on primetime. It’s a generally decent performer, and the build and its added DTV feature doesn’t make you think that the device isn’t something worth Php2,999.

Xiaomi Mi Max

While its not too handy to carry around, we always end up picking the Mi Max in our leisure time, preferring to use it to surf the web, watch videos on YouTube and the usual set of games. More so that we know it can last the entire day on heavy use. That being said, we liked the Mi Max — nice design, great performance and battery life. We think it’s one of the best and most affordable phablets out in the market.

Cherry Mobile Zoom

The Cherry Mobile Zoom’s main feature is its large battery capacity and support for quick charging up to 2A. While the ‘Zoom’ moniker is more suited for a camera-centric device, it’s nice to see a quick charging device w/ large battery for just Php4,999. The bezel is a turn down for those who wishes to balance productivity and looks, but it’s an acceptable trade off.

Disney Mobile Smartphone

With its decent specs, fancy Disney-themed content, and lively colorful UI, the Disney Mobile smartphone offered exclusively by Globe through their postpaid plan is mainly for Disney fans and those who wanted something different from the usual offerings. Its camera issues, and short battery life is not exactly something the masses would be excited about especially if it is offered with a 24-month contract.

OnePlus 3

The OnePlus 3 is the company’s newest high-end budget flagship smartphone. This is the third generation smartphone from OnePlus which is popular for putting top-of-the-line specs in a phone that was the cost of a mid-range device.

Torque Droidz Axis

In the end, the Torque Droidz Axis is your another cheap tablet with little touches to help it make an impression to the end user. While the rotating camera is a plus feature, the rest of the slate leave us wanting more. For Php 4,399, it’s a hard sell due to its dated internals and software, but hey, the rotating camera is nifty especially during video chat.

Sony Xperia X

If you look at the specs, the Xperia X is a top-notch mid-ranger with features found on flagships – premium build, nice design, capable CPU with plenty of RAM and storage, fast LTE, fingerprint scanner, great display quality, and capable camera. However, when you look at its asking price, that’s where things get a bit ugly. At Php29,990 it’s on the expensive side, considering that it doesn’t have water-proofing, 4K video recording, or larger battery.

The post June Gadget Reviews Roundup 2016 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

June Gadget Reviews Roundup 2016

Louie Diangson

grr-june-header

And just like that we’re halfway through the year, so before we get started with the second half of 2016 let’s check out all the gadgets we reviewed last month. This includes the Sony Xperia X, Xiaomi Mi Max, OnePlus 3, and a slew of Cherry Mobile devices. Here’s our Gadget Reviews Roundup for June 2016.

Cherry Mobile Flare XL Plus

With its large display, generic design and build, so-so performance, and average cameras, the Flare XL Plus doesn’t aspire to be your best option but it does keep the common factors to a good budget phone intact. For just Php 3,999, there’s not much to wish for the smartphone in this range but a change in design is a must to make a phone standout, especially when a brand like Cherry Mobile already has a vast selection of Androids.

Infinix Note 2

The Infinix Note 2 is that type of smartphone that won’t impress in all aspects but can provide specific advantages that will certainly benefit a wide range of users – large display, capable CPU and RAM, LTE connectivity, Android Marshmallow, 4,000mAh battery, and affordable price tag. For Php 5,999, users can enjoy those benefits without breaking the bank.

O+ M

The O+ M has definitely hit the right spots — it has the latest Android smartphone version available in the market today, and its features do not disappoint. Aside from exuding a more premium look and feel which is different from previous O+ smartphone releases, it emits a good display, and the camera is quite decent and can be a good handy snapper in case you need to take a quick photo on a whim.

Cherry Mobile Touch XL 2

The Cherry Mobile Touch XL 2 did surprise us with its free VR headset bundle which is a good pair to the large 6-inch display. While the resolution of the panel may not be top-notch, its decent VR capability is fun to have around. Also, for just Php 3,499, it’s a good deal for those who are into huge displays but it’s not for power users.

Cherry Mobile Flare XL 2.0

For just Php 5,999, you’re getting an affordable phablet that doesn’t sacrifice design but did skimp on battery capacity. Nevertheless, the Cherry Mobile Flare XL 2.0 was able to give a lasting impression during our review. If you’re looking for phablet on a budget, then this handset is worth a try. It also comes two colors, black and white.

Cherry Mobile Explorer 2 Action Cam

Available for Php 5,999, it’s not really the cheapest out there but it sure is the only action camera that’s considered smart. Plus, the package includes all the necessary accessories and tools so you’re pretty much set to start shooting from different points of view.

Cherry Mobile Fit Activity Tracker

With a retail price of Php 3,499, the Cherry Mobile Fit is probably one of the most affordable activity trackers out in the market right now and is a good option if you’re on the lookout for a new wearable.

2016 Ford Explorer

If you are a young professional that is just starting out then I would urge you to look somewhere else, but if you are an accomplished corporate or business titan looking for an SUV that has European features and comforts at a more practical price then you have found it. Ford proves that luxury can be accessible but, sadly, it still isn’t cheap.

MyPhone my86 DTV

Myphone’s my86 DTV has a good build, takes decent photos on both of its cameras, and is a good phone for those on the lookout for an affordable device while not missing out on the latest soap operas on primetime. It’s a generally decent performer, and the build and its added DTV feature doesn’t make you think that the device isn’t something worth Php2,999.

Xiaomi Mi Max

While its not too handy to carry around, we always end up picking the Mi Max in our leisure time, preferring to use it to surf the web, watch videos on YouTube and the usual set of games. More so that we know it can last the entire day on heavy use. That being said, we liked the Mi Max — nice design, great performance and battery life. We think it’s one of the best and most affordable phablets out in the market.

Cherry Mobile Zoom

The Cherry Mobile Zoom’s main feature is its large battery capacity and support for quick charging up to 2A. While the ‘Zoom’ moniker is more suited for a camera-centric device, it’s nice to see a quick charging device w/ large battery for just Php4,999. The bezel is a turn down for those who wishes to balance productivity and looks, but it’s an acceptable trade off.

Disney Mobile Smartphone

With its decent specs, fancy Disney-themed content, and lively colorful UI, the Disney Mobile smartphone offered exclusively by Globe through their postpaid plan is mainly for Disney fans and those who wanted something different from the usual offerings. Its camera issues, and short battery life is not exactly something the masses would be excited about especially if it is offered with a 24-month contract.

OnePlus 3

The OnePlus 3 is the company’s newest high-end budget flagship smartphone. This is the third generation smartphone from OnePlus which is popular for putting top-of-the-line specs in a phone that was the cost of a mid-range device.

Torque Droidz Axis

In the end, the Torque Droidz Axis is your another cheap tablet with little touches to help it make an impression to the end user. While the rotating camera is a plus feature, the rest of the slate leave us wanting more. For Php 4,399, it’s a hard sell due to its dated internals and software, but hey, the rotating camera is nifty especially during video chat.

Sony Xperia X

If you look at the specs, the Xperia X is a top-notch mid-ranger with features found on flagships – premium build, nice design, capable CPU with plenty of RAM and storage, fast LTE, fingerprint scanner, great display quality, and capable camera. However, when you look at its asking price, that’s where things get a bit ugly. At Php29,990 it’s on the expensive side, considering that it doesn’t have water-proofing, 4K video recording, or larger battery.

The post June Gadget Reviews Roundup 2016 appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

O+ M Unboxed, First Impressions

Carl Lamiel

O+ USA recently announced its first Android Marshmallow device simply dubbed as the M, and here’s your first look at the new smartphone offering from the brand.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (2)

We’ve reviewed a lot of O+ devices before; but they have decided this time around to enclose the M in a rather clear polycarbonate case with rounded edges, akin to earlier releases of other devices such as those from Apple. This a far deviation from the usual boxes we’ve been accustomed to.

oplus-m-review-philippines1

As you open the device, the user is greeted straightforwardly with the device with a sticker on its front glass and is enclosed by a hard plastic film. Other contents include the standards — a wall charger adapter, two-toned USB cord and headset, a few papers, a glossy screen guard, and a Sandisk microSD card.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (7)

The strongest asset of the M may be the phone’s aesthetic. On the front are the usual sensors, its 2MP rear camera, the five-inch IPS display enclosed in a thick black outline, and a silver call speaker grill. There’s a reasonably sized chin at the bottom to complement the one at the top. O+ has also opted to use on-screen navigation keys on the device, which is a nice touch as well.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (5)

While the overalls of the device seem to employ a polycarbonate feel, the sides are complemented with a well-crafted lightweight aluminum frame that’s bound to be seamless when held — it doesn’t give off that bumped-up feel compared to other smartphones. At the bottom lays the microUSB port and the microphone, and at the opposite top-left is the smartphone’s 3.5mm audio port.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (3)

The volume rockers and the power/lock button are all on the right side and are placed conveniently in a location that is easily accessible by hand. They are also easy to press, which wouldn’t make much of a hassle for first-time users.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (6)

Turning at the back of the device, we have the 8MP rear camera emblazoned with its chrome accent and its accompanying LED Flash, the O+ logo and the usual ‘Designed for O+ in the USA’ marks, and a long loudspeaker grill. The back plate has a really nice matte finish in a pristine white color. It can repel most fingerprints, but wet, dark-colored smudges may be its strongest foe.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (1)

Prying open its thin back cover reveals some of the device’s internals — there are dedicated slots for two micro SIM cards and a microSD card, a couple of stickers from the NTC, the actual phone speaker, and the silver 2500mAh battery that’s bound to be non-removable.

O+ M specifications:
5-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 720 pixels), 320dpi
1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6580
Mali-400MP
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 32GB
8-megapixel rear autofocus camera w/ LED flash
2-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM (Micro)
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/ A-GPS
2500mAh non-removable battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
143.5 x 71.2 x 8.5 mm
Pure White, Macchiatto Gold

The first Android Marshmallow device from O+ USA bears a Php 4,395 price tag. Is it the next-generation budget device to buy this season? We’ll use this as a daily driver for a week for a full review.

The post O+ M Unboxed, First Impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

O+ M Unboxed, First Impressions

Carl Lamiel

O+ USA recently announced its first Android Marshmallow device simply dubbed as the M, and here’s your first look at the new smartphone offering from the brand.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (2)

We’ve reviewed a lot of O+ devices before; but they have decided this time around to enclose the M in a rather clear polycarbonate case with rounded edges, akin to earlier releases of other devices such as those from Apple. This a far deviation from the usual boxes we’ve been accustomed to.

oplus-m-review-philippines1

As you open the device, the user is greeted straightforwardly with the device with a sticker on its front glass and is enclosed by a hard plastic film. Other contents include the standards — a wall charger adapter, two-toned USB cord and headset, a few papers, a glossy screen guard, and a Sandisk microSD card.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (7)

The strongest asset of the M may be the phone’s aesthetic. On the front are the usual sensors, its 2MP rear camera, the five-inch IPS display enclosed in a thick black outline, and a silver call speaker grill. There’s a reasonably sized chin at the bottom to complement the one at the top. O+ has also opted to use on-screen navigation keys on the device, which is a nice touch as well.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (5)

While the overalls of the device seem to employ a polycarbonate feel, the sides are complemented with a well-crafted lightweight aluminum frame that’s bound to be seamless when held — it doesn’t give off that bumped-up feel compared to other smartphones. At the bottom lays the microUSB port and the microphone, and at the opposite top-left is the smartphone’s 3.5mm audio port.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (3)

The volume rockers and the power/lock button are all on the right side and are placed conveniently in a location that is easily accessible by hand. They are also easy to press, which wouldn’t make much of a hassle for first-time users.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (6)

Turning at the back of the device, we have the 8MP rear camera emblazoned with its chrome accent and its accompanying LED Flash, the O+ logo and the usual ‘Designed for O+ in the USA’ marks, and a long loudspeaker grill. The back plate has a really nice matte finish in a pristine white color. It can repel most fingerprints, but wet, dark-colored smudges may be its strongest foe.

oplus-m-review-philippines1 (1)

Prying open its thin back cover reveals some of the device’s internals — there are dedicated slots for two micro SIM cards and a microSD card, a couple of stickers from the NTC, the actual phone speaker, and the silver 2500mAh battery that’s bound to be non-removable.

O+ M specifications:
5-inch IPS LCD (1280 x 720 pixels), 320dpi
1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6580
Mali-400MP
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD, up to 32GB
8-megapixel rear autofocus camera w/ LED flash
2-megapixel front camera
Dual-SIM (Micro)
3G HSPA+
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS w/ A-GPS
2500mAh non-removable battery
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
143.5 x 71.2 x 8.5 mm
Pure White, Macchiatto Gold

The first Android Marshmallow device from O+ USA bears a Php 4,395 price tag. Is it the next-generation budget device to buy this season? We’ll use this as a daily driver for a week for a full review.

The post O+ M Unboxed, First Impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

O+ Ultra 2.0 Quick Review

Kevin Bruce Francisco

Announced just last month, the O+ Ultra 2.0 already landed in our hands and we’re ready to give you our thoughts on it. Join us in this quick review of this smartphone.

Design and Construction

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The Ultra 2.0 touts a 5.5-inch display that’s fitted with an HD display at 1280 x 720 resolution. This puts it at 267 ppi which is still pretty decent despite its spacious screen.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-5

Inspecting the upper part of its face, we see the 2-megapixel front camera accompanied by a single LED flash on the other side for lighting up those selfies.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-6

While at the bottom, we see the use of capacitive buttons for Multi-window, Home, and Back.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-4

Although the Ultra 2.0 just carries a plastic back cover, the company still made sure that it won’t look cheap. The backplate is designed in a way that it still looks presentable, even gunning for a metal appearance.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-11

Squeezed in the upper leftmost corner is its main 8-megapixel shooter that’s also supported by a single LED flash. Although not too obvious, the sensor is somewhat protruding and not seamlessly blended with its environment.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-12

The speaker grille comes in the form of a pinhole design below their signature branding.

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Here, we see the rounded corners of the device which makes it easy to hold. The overall design involves the main body, a single chrome accent surrounding the device, and the display that acts as the third and final layer comprising the handset.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-10

Up top, we have the 3.5mm audio jack as well as the microUSB port for charging the device and transferring files.

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The right side is where all the physical buttons are lined up. Here we have the power/lock button, volume rocker, and the dual-SIM slot that’s accessible using a poke pin.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-2

On the other side, the storage expansion compartment sits alone and also works the same way you access the SIM tray.

What we noticed regarding its form factor is that it’s a bit on the heavy side. The company didn’t disclose the weight of the handset but once you have it on your hands you’ll feel that there’s an extra heft to it and its 4000mAh battery pack is most likely the culprit.

OS, UI, and Apps

o+ultra2-review-philippines-ui

Running on Android 5.1, the Ultra 2.0 has the usual app tray and a few bloatwares. From its 16GB storage, users are left with about 12.40GB since the operating system took more than 3GB of space.

Navigating thru its UI was a smooth-sailing affair and we rarely noticed lags. Same was the case when jumping from app to app, and even when opening multiple tasks simultaneously.

Camera

o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-hero

Carrying an 8-megapixel rear shooter, we went around the Metro taking shots and testing how it would reproduce images. Check out the sample shots below:

o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-10 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-9 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-8 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-7 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-6 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-5 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-4 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-3 o+ultra2-review-philippines-sampleshot-2

Performance and Benchmarks

o+ultra2-review-philippines-3

The Ultra 2.0 packs a rather modest set of specs including a 1.3GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB worth of space for storing your media files.

Upon using it on a daily basis, we had no problems with the phone as a secondary unit for checking our social media sites. We also tried doing some light gaming on it and the handset handled them well. It is when we began switching between all those that the Ultra 2.0 showed some minor lags. It was pretty understandable, though, as we kind of exhausted the device doing so.

For those that are heavy on storing movies or games on their handsets, you’d be glad to know that the company is throwing in a 32GB microSD card free in every bundle of Ultra 2.0 — that’s 32GB more on top of the existing 16GB.

o+ultra2-review-philippines-benchmarks

We also ran our standard benchmarking tools and here are the results:

  • AnTuTu – 19,302
  • Quadrant Standard – 5,817
  • Vellamo – 1,126 (Multicore), 889 (Metal), 1,773 (Browser)
  • 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme – 1,898
  • PCMark – 2,857

Battery Life

o+ultra2-review-philippines-batterylife

As mentioned earlier, the phone is a bit heavy and this is most likely due to its beefy 4000mAh battery. It didn’t disappoint, though, as it lasted 9 hours and 48 minutes after running PCMark battery test.

The combination of its battery capacity, a decent quad-core CPU running on a fairly low clocking, and its non-Full HD display all contributed in achieving this longer-than-average battery life.

Conclusion

o+ultra2-review-philippines-1

The device is priced at Php6,895 and although it doesn’t have the best specifications available, it still handled tasks well and we actually haven’t encountered anything disappointing. If we were to nitpick, we’re not totally fans of its 8MP main camera due to the digital noise that’s easily seen, more so at night.

With the O+ Ultra 2.0, you get a battery performance that could last for more than 9 hours straight, a design that doesn’t look cheap, and a camera that shoots acceptable images.

O+ Ultra 2.0 specs:
5.5 HD IPS screen @ 1280×720, 267ppi
1.3GHz Quad Core Processor
2GB RAM
16GB internal storage
expandable via microSD
8MP AF rear camera with Flash
2MP Front Camera
Dual-SIM, Dual Standby
3G HSPA+
WiFi
Bluetooth
GPS
Android 5.1 Lollipop
4000mAh battery

What we liked about it:

  • Presentable design
  • Front flash for selfies
  • Longer than average battery life
  • All around decent performer

What we didn’t like:

  • Camera not for low light shooting

The post O+ Ultra 2.0 Quick Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.