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One Plus 2: Powerful, Affordable, and Exciting Smartphone

One Plus One was a massive hit amongst the masses, thanks to its brilliant specifications and reasonable price range. The incredible device lived up to the expectations, leaving its successor to introduce major changes.

The successor, One Plus 2 is another impressive handset that has hit the market recently. A powerful and ambitious phone that will keep you hooked with its features.

What is it all about?

It’s got a 5.5 inch screen size providing a 1080p display. It has a more clear resolution and is great for watching videos and playing games. The smartphone runs on Oxygen OS, running a 1.8GHz snapdragon processor incorporated with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. This big phone is very similar to its predecessor with a sandpaper like back finish. The dark mode customization enables you to change accent colors and LED notifications. In addition, the smartphone is running the 5.1 Android version. The beautiful display performs well in high sunlight with brilliant viewing angles. Noticeably, the smartphone is durable and solid, while maintaining light weight. Equipped with a USB charging port, the phone takes a bit longer to get completely charged.

Similar to the iPhone, One Plus 2 also offers a fingerprint scanner which is a major feature. Additionally, an alert slider has been introduced for quick notification access and the phone comes with an impressive pre-loaded audio tuner. No significant heat issues are experienced.

Camera

The phone is equipped with a rear-facing 13MP camera having 6 physical lenses, f/2.0 aperture and dual LED flash. The camera possesses clarity, stability and the 5MP front facing lens ensures that your selfies are clicked perfectly. One Plus 2 also supports 4K video and RAW images with clear HDR shots.

Verdict

Is it worth the purchase? Well, the phone is recommended as it offers an appealing combination of great performance and affordable price. A sharp display and perfect camera are the most impressive features. OnePlus 2 is a solid handset worth the hype.

iPhone 6: Voted The Most Appealing Smartphone

Apple’s iPhone 6 has successfully made its mark in the smart phone market and continues to stand out from the rest. The company’s foresightedness has enabled this handset to be packed with many futuristic features. As always, the company has managed to deliver maximum power, amazing cameras, better aesthetics, classy designs, and adept software packed in one smart phone.

iPhone 6 is quite similar to its sibling iPhone 6 Plus. Though they look alike and are quite similar to use. iPhone 6 is an absolute premium device with a screen size of 4.7″.

Look and Design

iPhones were earlier known for flat edges and sharp angles, but the latest phone is smooth and sleek with an amazing front having a dark glass that seems like an ink pool. The glass is curved at edges in order to meet the metal in a smooth curve. This phone has an incredible design at the rear too. The power button is at the upper side near the SIM card tray. Certainly it is a fabulous phone to hold and use as the weight and balance are just appropriate. Apple’s decision of introducing a bigger screen phone has turned out to be correct.

Specifications

The device incorporates only 1 GB of RAM which is quite low when considered with other android phones. Another flaw acknowledged is the non-expandable memory. Relatively high-speed Wi-Fi is supported and the Bluetooth is 4.0. It also possesses an Apple A8 chipset and a dual-core 1.4 GHz cyclone processor.

Camera

The rear camera is 8MP with the front providing 1.2MP with improved sensors and lens. Apple is always known for its camera and this phone also doesn’t lack when it comes to picture quality. It clicks good low light shots pretty well with high accuracy. Continuous autofocus shoots brilliant videos coexisting with 240fps slow motion capabilities. Without any special effects, the camera performs excellently.

Performance

Whether you play cpu-heavy games or record videos for a longer duration, you will experience no hitch in response. Battery life was better when compared to other iPhones but can be only termed average. Call quality is superlative, but Apple still needs to work on its speakers.

Verdict

Undoubtedly, the pricing is comparatively higher than its peers. When it comes to specification and performance, Apple is a brand you can rely on for that. If you want to shift from iPhone 5 to iPhone 6 then there is no need to think twice. Make the jump to buy the phone and it will prove to be a great phone.

A Great Phablet Striving Hard in the Crowd

A big name in projectors recently launched a budget Android phablet – InFocus M330. The US-based InFocus seems focused on succeeding with this smartphone which sports a 5.5 inch HD display. Here is some more insight into features of this smart device.

Design

The plain looking phone has a promising camera and, thankfully, doesn’t stick out much. The M330 weighs around 170g and has a plastic body with a metal rim that runs around the edges. The power button and volume rocker is on the right and left side respectively. InFocus has made use of capacitive buttons located below the phone which help to navigate through the operating system.

Specifications

Incorporated with a 1.7GHz octa-core processor, it has 2GB of Ram and 16GB of internal storage space that is expandable up to 64GB. Thanks to the Sony Exmor CMOS sensor, it clicks decent pictures with the 13MP rear camera and shoots 1080p videos. The 8MP front camera captures amazing selfies. The only feature where it loses competition is the limited 3G connectivity. However, the fairly large 3100mAH battery has a two-day life.

The smartphone runs the latest Android KitKat 4.4.2 and an installed homegrown InLife skin on top. Certain apps are visible on the lock screen and hence they can be launched directly.

Performance

This phablet works like a well-oiled machine and there are no hiccups or lags experienced. Most intensive videos are shot with this phone without skipping any of the frames. The handset delivers a really high volume output. It has an average call quality with not more to be said about that.

Verdict

InFocus M330 has been a great attempt by the flourishing company, but it is facing strong competition in the market. The handset is a complete package due to its classy design, steady performance, great camera, long battery life and affordable price. If you have a low budget then browsing for other options are a waste of time. You can simply pick up InFocus m330 and have an awesome experience.

Lenovo K3 Note: Recommended Mid-Range Smartphone

Lenovo K3 Note is a device that’s only a few months old into the market and is already sending out a strong challenge to all the other rivals in the market. This new phablet seems to have generated a lot of interest among smartphone buyers. As compared to the company’s A-series phone, the phablet supports a full-HD display and better optics. Some software-based gesture features are included only in mid-range phones like Lenovo Vibe X2.

The K3 note is quite similar to Lenovo A7000 as they share the same design as well as dimensions though the note is quite heavier as a device.

Essentially, the phone supports a common rectangular form factor combined with the plastic shell and round corners. The removable back cover comes in three color variants: black, white and yellow. Premium look through the latter may not please everyone, but the yellow and black panels sport a matte finish.

Touch panels of the phone are responsive having a 5.5-inch IPS full-HD display that offers good viewing angles. The absence of Gorilla Glass leaves the phone susceptible for scratches. The volume rocker and power keys are present on the right side of the phone. In addition, the back cover wraps the front panel and hides the 3000mAh battery, dual sim cards and a micro SD card slot. The second sim card doesn’t support 3G or 4G connectivity.

The phone is powered with 1.7GHz 64-bit Media octa core processor incorporating 2 GB RAM. Also, the device comes with 16 GB internal storage and 32GB expandable memory. K3 runs the Android 5.0 Lollipop and comes with Lenovo utility apps.

The phone’s default UI is devoid of an app drawer, with widgets that are spread across the home screen. The unified home screen app launcher style may come across as user-friendly to the consumers who haven’t used an Android phone before.

The response of the phone’s user interface is pretty satisfying and there is no lag experienced as far as the performance is concerned. Going by the specifications and price offered by this smartphone, this device is bound to succeed. The Lenovo K3 Note is a worthy handset for those who are looking for performance as well as specifications.

Is The Galaxy S6 Edge Worth The Hype?

Though Samsung launched two galaxy S6 models, the spotlight was on the curvy and attention seeking, S6 Edge. So, does the design really hold up in the real world?

Undoubtedly, S6 Edge and its additional counterparts are quite fresh after a few years of Samsung smartphones held back by unimaginative designs. The body is well built with metal and glass that feels good to hold. The camera snaps sharp pictures even in low light. Moreover, this phone is the first with a fingerprint reader. It’s a lightweight and cohesive phone that makes you feel it was designed to work well altogether.

The battery life might seem a little less than ideal as it makes a typical day of emailing, Instagram and Twitter but is weak by nightfall. All it took was just 30 minutes of web browsing and streaming music to reach 15% of the battery remaining. However, the fast charger is quick enough for you to get a power top-up before you rush out of the door.

Still, all that glitters is not gold. The curves that are present don’t leave much space on the sides to hold the phone and is considered a nuisance. Getting a solid grip on the phone is quite a challenging task and if not carefully held, it may slip out of your hands. On top of that, the risk of dropping the phone is quite high where the sides are likely to shatter irrespective of how strong the glass is. Also, the new software feature that is meant to use the curve isn’t useful.

If you already own a Galaxy S5, it might be best to hold off a little while rather than upgrading to S6. Though the camera, sensor touch, and battery that it offers is undoubtedly a step up, there isn’t anything essential you might need until your S5 starts to chug. S6 is somehow appealing to the irrational, impulsive side of the brain as it catches your eye, making you smile.

HTC Unveils the Triple Piece Body Phone

HTC expresses great style with the new Desire 626G+ featuring a triple piece body with soft touch edges that fit the grip with ease. Available in two colors, white and blue, this dual SIM phone brings a surprising amount of style and features at an affordable price.

Camera

The 626G+ incorporates a 13MP rear camera with auto focus LED flash, f/22 aperture and full HD 1060p video recording support. Up front, this device boasts of a 5MP front camera with a f/2.8 aperture BSI sensor capable of recording full HD 1080p video calls as well as attractive self-portrait shots. The image aspects are on par with the specific requirements of customers and hence the device is a standard offering for its pricing

Storage

This smartphone is packed with 8 GB of internal storage that is a bit low to store all contents. Though, it can be expanded up to 32 GB with the help of a micro SD card which is sufficient for a smartphone in this price bracket. However, the HTC Desire 626G+ isn’t a great deal as there is an assorted range of devices that include 16GB storage available for less price.

Processor

The Desire 626G+ draws its power from a 1.7 GHz octal-core processor that is teamed up with a Mali-T760MP2 graphics unit and has 1 GB RAM for decent graphic multitasking and handling. This chip set is similar to what is used in Lenovo the A7000 and Gionee Elife S7. A 2000mAh battery is possessed by the device that is claimed to supply up to 12 hours 40 minutes of talk time and 458 hours of standby time on a 3G network.

Features and Display

This HTC device has a 5 inch HD display with 1280*720-pixel resolution and a density of 294 pixels per inch. It definitely renders decent quality content without any pixilation issues.

Conclusion

The HTC Desire 626G+ is a clone of the 620G except for the camera but, thankfully it didn’t maintain its pathetic music quality. The Desire 626G+ has pretty good music clarity using the earphones, making the overall sound quality decent. If you ask whether or not this phone is worth buying, only one thing that justifies the purchase is the camera quality. If you are not a camera freak then you may opt for other HTC phones that are quite similar to this one but comparatively cheaper. The Desire 626G+ is no less than “the same wine in a different bottle”.

Sony Xperia M4 Aqua: The New Waterproof Phone

The recently launched Sony Xperia M4 Aqua Dual is a waterproof smartphone that can be considered as a standard budget phone. Sony is trying to get back in the budget smart phone arena with this Xperia phone.

Specifications

This dual sim phone comprises the latest Android version 5.0 Lollipop, 64 bit Snapdragon 615 octa core processor, 2GB RAM and 16GB ROM (internal memory). A 13MP rear camera and 5MP front captures average quality pictures. Also, the 2400 mAh battery lasts for more than a day and has 4G data connectivity as well. Sony also provides a good quality 720p HD display on their latest device.

What is good about the cellphone?

Apart from being waterproof, this standard phone can be picked up for half the price of the popular brands. The best feature is its capless micro USB port which is not available in other phones of the same category. The SIM card and microSD card slots however, are covered in this phone. With a dedicated camera button on the right, you can click underwater images easily.

Xperia M4 Aqua has decent performance. The experience is quite smooth though the device takes a bit longer while loading heavy games. Moreover, it gets heated during use but, this can be ignored.

What is bad about Xperia M4 Aqua?

Sony has stated that the phone is waterproof only under certain conditions. For example, it can’t be submerged in water that is more than 1.5 meters deep and that it shouldn’t come in contact with salt water. And off course, before recharging the phone, the USB port should be absolutely dry.

While the build quality is quite good, the cellphone is prone to a number of understatements. The camera disappoints and this is something you would not expect from a brand like Sony. For casual pictures and selfies, the phone is just fine.

Is it worth buying?

If you are planning to buy a waterproof cellphone then you may opt for this Sony device. Available in black, white, and pleasing coral colors, the M4 Aqua is an average mid-range cellphone beefed up with flagship phone features.

YU Yureka: Micromax Delivers an Affordable 4G Phablet

Micromax has released YU Yureka as the first device in collaboration with Cyanogen. This affordable phone is a much sought after phone which has been appealing to almost everyone since the day of its launch. The phone is targeting mid-range users and has nothing major to complain about. It offers some interesting features bundled into a single package.

Display

With a 13.97-cm (5.5-inch) screen and 1280X720-pixel resolution, the IPS LCD Yureka has good display quality. Despite the relatively low pixel density, it has enough sharp edges, vibrant colors, and nice viewing angles to compete. Possessing corning Gorilla Glass 3 with Oleo phobic coating, it has 80-degree viewing angles and 16 million color depth.

Build Quality

YU Yureka feels great in the hand. An excellent addition is having a removable back and a rubberized plastic finish. However, the USB port is located to the left which seems to be wrongly designed.

Battery Life

The gadget has a reasonable sized battery of 2500MAh which is removable and replaceable. A good feature that it holds is the option of wireless charging, but that process takes a bit too long to get completely charged.

Hardware and Software Performance

YU Yureka is one of the rare phones to run on a 64-bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC. It is also Qualcomm’s first 8-core processor, having eight Cortex-A53 cores out of which 4 are clocked at 1.7 GHz and the remaining at 1.0 GHz.

Yureka ranks pretty well when it comes to performance. The benchmark scores are roughly between the Snapdragon 400 and 800. The gaming experience is also amazing and launching and switching between games is quite easy.

Camera

The cyanogen 13MP rear and 5 MP front cameras take incredible pictures even when the screen is locked. It also has an HDR mode but, unfortunately, it is not as effective as expected. Video records at the usual 1080p but it looks like 480p. The front camera is pretty awesome though it doesn’t have a wide-angle lens.

Storage and Connectivity

The phone has a dual sim slot having 4G LTE support on one and 2G support on the other. You may also get Wi-Fi 802.11n, Bluetooth 4.0 and GPS as well. Call quality isn’t satisfactory and there is no NFC service. It has 2 GB of RAM and an inbuilt storage of 16GB.

With all the features mentioned above, YU Yureka is a great value for the money, having a good display, average performance, decent camera quality and satisfactory battery life. This device has certain issues such as poor loudspeakers, average low light camera performance etc. but for a price of $146 such issues can be overlooked.

Why Sony Xperia Z3+ Should Be Your Next Smartphone

Sony did not take long to launch its next phone after Xperia Z3, the Z3+. But does this next version have enough advancements that it will maintain itself in the market for a longer duration? Here’s a peek at the new handset that has recently hit the market.

Premium Design

Sony has always been incredible with smartphone designs. From the very first model of Xperia, through the Z3+, the overall impeccable quality pretty much stands out against the competition.

The Z3+ comes with a sleek body with front and rear glass panels that have set a trend that even Samsung is copying. It just weights 144 grams even with a display of 5.2 inches and a 2930 mAh battery. Adding more to that is an IP68 waterproof feature, which means it can be submerged in 1.5 meters of water for a duration of 30 minutes. The USB is not covered by a flap and the sim slot and microSD slots have been moved to one area.

Software and Camera

This new smartphone comes with Android Lollipop running on a 64bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa-core processor. With 3GB RAM, 32 GB inbuilt storage, and 128 GB expandable memory, it is quite impressive. Like the Z3, the new Xperia also has a 5Mp front camera and a 20.7-megapixel rear autofocus with image stabilizer, wide angle lens and 4K recording.

PS4 Remote Play

PS4 is Sony’s power differentiator as it works remotely on your smartphone. It has gradually become the core part of the gaming time. PS4 is popular as it is quick, easy to setup and works well.

This Xperia is a completely feature-packed smartphone. Where other smartphone manufacturers sacrifice features for their design, Sony packs them all in one. The new Sony Xperia Z3+ retains all the features regarding connectivity including 4G Internet, Bluetooth 4.1, micro USB port, WiFi Hotspot, and GPS with AGPS.

Go Big With Microsoft Lumia 640 XL

In the past two years, the demand for large screen phones, also called phablets, has gone through the roof. People love big screen devices. Apple was the last phone that acknowledged the big screen trend and last year the iPhone6 was lapped up in the record numbers.

Earlier, Microsoft devices infiltrated the world of larger phones with the Lumia 1320 and 1520. While the 1520 was a superlatively classic device, the 1320 was relatively average. This time, Microsoft is making a comeback with Lumia 640XL.

Display and Design

The 640 XL is pretty big with a screen size of 5.7 inches. Though the display has no issues in terms of viewing angles, the pixel density leaves a lot to be worked upon. While reading, text pixilation issues come to the fore. The body of the phone is made up of polycarbonate giving it a solid feel and this massive phone may not fit into your pocket. This time around, Microsoft has designed a pleasing phone, but it is too big to handle with one hand. Yet another drawback includes the sharp edges that may dig into your palm, making it uncomfortable to hold even though it is slimmer than the other smartphones.

Software

Microsoft XL runs Windows Phone 8.1 update2 that includes all the Lumia Denim update features with a few other enhancements. The setting app has been improvised to use the in-app search. You may also access the preloaded Lumia features such as Lumia Camera, Lumia Creative Studio, Calendar Data, Lumia Moments, Lumia Selfie and Lumia Storyteller. Facebook, Fitbit, Foodpanda, NDTV, Ola cabs, WeChat, BBM, etc. are a few of the preinstalled third-party apps on the device. Fortunately, you may uninstall the undesired apps from the lot.

Camera

One area where Microsoft smartphones have always held an edge over Android phones is the camera quality. The Lumia 640XL features a 13MP camera with 1/3-inch sensor, f/20 aperture, and Carl Zeiss lens. Is all this worth it? Yes, it is. Lumia has an incredible rear camera. It captures nice pictures during the day as well as at night. The camera also excels in shooting videos. You can shoot up to 1080 videos at 30 frames per second. The effortless capturing of shake free videos is simply amazing. In the front, the phone is equipped with a 5 MP sensor that clicks wide angle selfies.

Battery Life and Performance

Lumia battery has always impressed its customers. The 3000mAh battery with a frugal Qualcomm 1.2 GHz Snapdragon 400 CPU converts to an awesome battery life. With 8GB of inbuilt storage, it supports up to 128GB of expandable memory. The call quality is quite good and the loudspeaker is also decent. Even in this Lumia phone, you may double tap the display to wake it up so there isn’t any need to reach for the power button.

Is it worth a look?

In a nutshell, the Microsoft Lumia 640XL is a solid budget phablet if you consider features such as camera, battery, and basic functionalities. As it is a Windows phone, it doesn’t match the rich experience of the similarly priced Lollipop Android phones.