Category: sony

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.

Sony unveils Xperia XA Ultra w/ 16MP OIS selfie camera

Daniel Morial

Sony has unveiled its latest smartphone under their new X series dubbed as the Xperia XA Ultra. From what it looks like, it’s the successor to the selfie-centric C series.

xperia-xa-ultra-2

The Xperia XA Ultra sports a big 6″ 1080p edge-to-edge display similar to the Xperia C5 Ultra but now has a metal frame for added premium touch. What’s powering this mid-range device is a MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with 3GB of RAM and it’s running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow with Sony’s usual customization.

xperia-xa-ultra

For the rear camera, there is the company’s famous 21.5-megapixel sensor with hybrid autofocus and LED flash. Since this is a selfie camera phone, Sony threw in a whopping 16-megapixel front-facing camera that has optical image stabilization (OIS) and its own LED flash.

Sony Xperia XA Ultra at a glance:
6-inch IPS LCD (1080 x 1920 pixels), 367ppi
MediaTek Helio P10 chipset
3GB of RAM
16GB internal storage
Expandable via microSD
21.5-megapixel rear camera w/ hybrid autofocus, LED flash
16-megapixel front-facing camera w/ OIS, LED flash
Android 6.0 Marshmallow

The Sony Xperia XA Ultra is expected to hit the international market by July. It’s coming in Black, White and Lime Gold color but the pricing is yet to be announced.

Via

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Specs Comparison: Apple iPhone SE vs Sony Xperia Z5 Compact

Kevin Bruce Francisco

With the release of the iPhone SE’s local price, it positions itself as an affordable premium device for both Apple fans and even for those who want to dip their feet at experiencing iOS. But for those on the other side and trying to switch to Android, the Xperia Z5 Compact is a smartphone that matches the sub-Php30K price of the 64GB SE. We take a quick side-by-side look at their specs in this comparison list.

iphone-se-vs-xperia-z5-compact

The iPhone SE has a smaller display at 4 inches while the Z5 Compact is at 4.6. This is subjective and depends on the preference of the user. Because of the slight difference in display, the smaller SE squeezes a bit more pixels than the Z5 Compact’s. Other than that, the only advantage of the SE, on paper alone, is a bigger 64GB internal storage.

On the other hand, the Xperia Z5 offers a more resolution-packed camera with its 23-megapixel rear shooter and 5.1MP front optics. Battery-wise, the Z5 offers almost double the capacity with its 2700mAh battery.

Both are priced for more than Php29,000 with only a few hundred pesos apart. You may opt to go for SE that enjoys the benefits of iOS or go for the water-resistant Z5 Compact. If you’re eager to know more, you may read our review for the Xperia Z5 Compact.

 

The post Specs Comparison: Apple iPhone SE vs Sony Xperia Z5 Compact appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

Battle of the Android Flagships: What’s the Best Spec’d Phone of 2016?

Bob Freking

Mostly, if not all the major players, have already released their flagship phones for the year 2016. Some of them are already available in the market, and some of them are yet to hit local stores soon – but that won’t stop us from comparing all of their specs in this comparison.

table

Notes:

  • All of these phones are constructed with metal bodies with varying twists on design.
  • All of these smartphones also have fingerprint scanners, and all of them run on Android 6.0 Marshmallow with their respective manufacturer skins.
  • Prices are not compared since as of writing, not all are available in the Philippines.

The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge seems to be the most well-rounded among the competition. It’s thin, light and it packs a huge curved Super AMOLED screen with very powerful internals. While it has the lowest megapixel count in the comparison, it does have the lowest aperture. It also has the largest battery, and it comes with features like IP68 certification, wireless charging and a heart-rate monitor.

The LG G5 on the other hand is another well-rounded smartphone, but it doesn’t seem to be best at anything on paper. It’s certainly high end with its hardware and its features, and it’s one of the two smartphones here with a competitive dual rear camera setup, but the main thing that will attract most buyers here is LG’s modular design.

Newest among the bunch, the HTC 10 is also no slouch in terms of internals, but then again, compared to the rest of those in the list, the HTC 10 is nothing special on paper except for its BoomSound speaker setup; the HTC 10 leaves no holes for lacking, but it’s also just a “me too” smartphone that represents the best from HTC.

Sony’s flagship phone, the Xperia X Performance, on the other hand is on the lacking side in terms of specs; it only has a 1080p display and 3GB RAM. Aside from that, mostly everything is on par with the competition. It’s also one of the two smartphones in this comparison that is IP68 certified.

Meizu’s Pro 6 offers fairly flagship internals, especially with its chipset. While it has only 3 GB RAM in some variants, it allows for storage up to 128GB. It doesn’t have expandable storage, it doesn’t have a QHD display and it’s not packing a lot of features and gimmicks. It’s just a fairly well-rounded smartphone in 2016.

The Huawei P9 Plus on the other hand has the second to the largest battery in the table, the other one with a dual-camera setup, and based on benchmarks, arguably a very fast chipset – the octa-core Kirin 995 paired with a Mali T880 MP4 GPU. While it only has a 1080p display, it’s also the only one in this list with a pressure sensitive screen like 3D Touch.

So, who wins? Quantitatively, to us, that would be the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, but people have varying priorities too. LG has the modular design, Huawei has 3D Touch – and they both have dual-camera setups. HTC has the BoomSound speakers, and Meizu & Sony barely have anything extra to offer.

Now of course, this is all just on paper. It’s still the execution and how much value it can give which will determine what flagship smartphone to get this 2016. We’re all just as excited as you to get our hands on each one of them for our full review.

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