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Category: Android

  • Sony Xperia XA and XA Ultra Review

     
    Welcome to the 2017 Sony Xperia XA and XA Ultra review. Over the last 12 months Sony have revamped their smartphone lineup and the XA is year another model they introduced. The Sony XA and it larger brother the XA Ultra are the new X Series smart phones targeted at other  mid-range competitors in specification and pricing. The Sony XA Ultra in January 2017 recommended retail is $799 but you'll never pay that unless you are brain dead - basically. Currently the XA Ultra appears to be in run out mode so you will be able to find them for under $450 Outright. The smaller Sony XA in January 2017 usually sells for under $300 which is about right. Note that as always there are cheaper high spec phones from other brands but they are not a Sony. In terms of construction the Sony XA feature an edge to edge bubble screen, metal frame and plastic back plate. It's feels good to hold despite the plastic back and looks good too. The flaps for the microSD and SIM (separately) on the side are typical Sony so no complaints while there are benefits we prefer the tray solution as championed by Samsung. The XA Ultra has a significant increase in the camera and features a 16M selfie and 21MP rear camera the regular XA is quite ordinary in comparison. In terms of hardware the CPU is a cheaper Mediatek P10 and basically means it's a different solution to the usual Qualcomm ones. It is championed as a cheaper solution but is all honestly we didn't pick up any difference. The XA's screen is a 72op IPS not the usually LED Triluminos usually used by Sony but the older BRAVIA engine and you can tell it's not the best image but it's not the worst either much like the iPhone. The XA Ultra has a 1080p HD screen but same image engine. Overall it's a mixed bag of specs. The XA has a reasonable 16MP main and 8MP selfie but the XA has the much better 21MP and 16Mp selfie camera. The Sony 'secret source' rarely  mentioned by main stream reviews is the 'Clear Audio' system on the phones which means bluetooth streaming and music via the ear phones are equal or better to the top end phones even the iPhone. In terms of use the Sony XA is pretty good, smooth and fully functional the best feature is the music processor branded Clear Audio and when turned on works amazingly well for this price point, easily superior to the cheap models from Huawei and Oppo and even iPhone. The Android OS has not been significantly modified so works predictably although the smart apps still bugs us. Overall there's nothing to truly complain about. The Sony XA is a decent mid range phone but a little overpriced however the XA Ultra is much better and for not much more if you shop online. Sure the XA Ultra has a bigger screen hence size but in 2017 the more screen you can see the better your eye site will be in the long run. The Sony XA Ultra is a hidden gem and bargain priced at the moment. Specifications
    • Sony XA and XA Ultra
    • Network Quad-band GSM - All Tri-band 3G - All Tri-band 4G - All
    • Design Touch screen
    • (XA) L143.6 x W66.8 x D7.9 mm (XA Ultra) L164 x W79 x D8.4 mm
    • Weight (XA) 137 grams (XA Ultra) 180 grams
    • Display (XA) 5 inch 1280 x 720 IPS (XA Ultra) 6 inch 1080 x 1920 IPS
    • Camera 21MP auto-focus LED Flash 16MP auto-focus LED Flash 2nd forward facing video call camera 8MP or 16M
    • Video Camera 4K UHD 30FPS main video camera
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi,  NFC, Bluetooth V4
    • CPU Octa-core 2 GHz Mediatek
    • Memory 2 or 3 Gig RAM Up to 16 Gig for user Up to 200 Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Features A-GPS, Compass, Accelerometer,Proximity, Ambient Light Sony Clear Audio system FM Radio with RDS Speaker Phone/Hands free Li-Po 2300 mAh battery or Li-Po 2700 mAh battery Up to 22 Days Standby Up to 17 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Approx (XA) Under $500 ($300 usually) AUD (XA Ultra) Under $799 ($500 usually) January 2017 (Outright)

  • Apple iOS Vs Android Vs Microsoft Windows Phone 2016

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    To start of 2016 we decided to once again compare the 3 main mobile phone operating systems again to see what's changed and to assess our own views on which is the best system to get. Apple iOS is used only for Apple's iPhones. Many are familiar with the system over the years and it is one of slickest systems out there. It is limited by the hardware it runs on and Apple's inability to innovate functionality further than the basics. Flaws are getting bigger too especially when official Apple accessories do not work with current models and problems with iTunes is half only half of it, for 2016 it's probably gone backwards overall in terms of ease of use. iOS also requires the latest hardware to run properly. We also hate the notification system downloading Apple biased news. Gone are the days when iOS was the most efficient its now sluggish on any model other than the latest. Android OS is used by every other manufacturer and many are familiar with the way it works. Android is a slick as iOS in default mode used but the Nexus models. Although Google develops the core other manufacturers have taken to modifying it with wildly different results. The best implementation is arguably Sony but it needs to cut back on 'Sony' experience Apps which can be combined into 2 apps not 6 or more as it is now. Samsung's Android version is the next best experience with genuinely useful mods however it makes it the interface not as slick as the others. The bare bones Nexus is probably the next best as it requires a number of other apps before it can be fully utilised which is arguably the point. Most models have microSD expansion which means longer life and easy data transfers and added to the ability of Android to play any movie, music file for example is brilliant. Unfortunately the amazing functionality of Android can still make it confusing to first time users. Windows Phone OS is very good no question. Easily the slickest and easiest to use on any sort of hardware. Just plug it into any Windows PC and you can manage your content. Lots of new features have improved usability and speed. We think it will thane the world a little longer to realise how good it is. The biggest problem is still the lack of Apps  but give it a little more time. We think Android and Windows Phone have advanced the most since the last time we reviewed them and should be your next choice in mobile phones.  

  • HTC Desire 820 Review

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    Welcome to the HTC Desire 820 quick eview . We haven't looked at HTC phones for a little while but that changed with the release of the One M9 the cheaper Desire 820. The Desire 820 is the next step down in the price bracket and essentially where all the action is these days as consumers are realising that these phones do everything the top end phones do often matching or exceeding the prior ten top end models. The Desire 820 and variants are priced under the $450 market and decreasing as the model was released 12 month ago (2014). In terms of construction, the Desire 820 is all plastic but it is well put together it is essentially two main pieces. It feels good to hold but we feel you'll be looking for a new transparent case to show it off. There multiple colours but we prefer the one with the matt finish as the shiny one will look old in no time. We think the Desire 820 looks a little like a prop form a sic-fi movie in a good way. In terms of hardware the HTC 820 packs all you'd expect in a mid-range phone and exceeds it! There is a Octa-core CPU and explains why it works do smoothly. The 1080P screen looks good and the loud stereo speakers help differentiate against other phones. The HD screen is nice to look at for a mid-range. Apart for these features it's mostly mid to high spec. In terms of use the HTC Desire 820 like most new Android based phones works really well. It is smooth with minimal background tasks to slow down the interface. That said, dependent on the speed of your phone network may cause update pauses. The Octa-core CPU really lifts the 820 beyond existing models The HTC Desire 820 is a very impressive phone in late 2015. The only real flaw of the 820 is probably the overly plastic body which look good when new, but over time can deter potential buyers. Ignore it and you will get a year or two of great experiences, until its time for another upgrade. The HTC Desire 820 compared to say, the current Samsung A series phones which look great but not as nice to use, we'd still get the 820 and a decent 3rd part case. Specifications
    • HTC Desire 820
    • Network Quad-band 3G 850/900/1900/2100 Quad-band 4G 700/1800/2300/2600
    • Design Touch screen
    • L157.7 x W78.74 x D7.74 mm
    • Weight 155 grams
    • Display 5.5 inch 1,280 x 1080
    • Camera 13MP auto-focus LED Flash 8MP 2nd forward facing camera
    • Video Camera 1080p high definition 30FPS main video camera 2MP Video phone camera
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V4 USB
    • CPU Octa-core 1.5 Ghz Separate Andreno 405 Graphics CPU
    • Memory 2Gig RAM Up to 16 Gig for user Up to 128Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Features A-GPS, GLONASS, Compass, Accelerometer Stereo speakers Ring tones: MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others FM Radio Google Play store Li-Po 2600 mAh battery Up to 425 hours Standby Up to 22 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Under $450 AUD late 2015 (Outright)

  • Telstra Tempo T815 Review
    Welcome to the 2014 Telstra Tempo (T815) mobile phone review. Released in October it is yet another inexpensive smartphone to tempt you to upgrade or downgrade as per your requirements. The Telstra Tempo is currently one of the cheapest Android based smartphones on sale as a pre-package - retailing between $79 and $49 outright. For this sort of money you can't buy any better (at the time of posting) - even a regular retro candy bar Nokia phone. There are of course certain characteristics when dealing with any cheap prepaid phone package and you need to be aware of the shortfalls. In terms of construction the Tempo is and all plastic model highlighted by the white color scheme on the back. The body of the phone feels light and study and the rear's plastic feels like the anti-slip finish used by Nokia. The touch screen didn't feel like glass but a plastic material but seems scratch resistant. The Tempo does not feel premium in any way but at least it doesn't feel like it will break too easily either. Overall for the price it's acceptable. In terms of hardware the Tempo does have decent specification for such a inexpensive model so don't expect too much and you'll be pleasantly surprised. The first spec short fall is the lack of 4G capabilities. The Tempo is only a 3G phone but it is compensated by having Wi-Fi. The screen has a resolution of 480 x 800 which is not too bad to look at. It has 1.5Gig space for the user but has a microSD slot for more memory.  It has the most basic 2MP camera which is hardly worth adding as the picture where blurry in more ways than one. There is a decent dual core CPU but no separate graphicswe could tell in the spec sheet, means only run of the mill games. Now we've had Telstra branded phones before and know that its cheap price also means not so premium internals including the battery failing early and the phone simply dying for no reason and well before its expected life span of a couple years. In terms of use we found that the Telstra Tempo's latest version of Android OS worked perfectly and smoothly. It seemed fast enough for most apps to run quickly and easily but the Tempo is clearly no powerhouse or competition when compared next to the mid range models.  We have noticed that Telstra have been supporting certain Android phones with software updates but for how long we don't know but presume until the model was no longer for sale. In terms of software the Telstra Tempo has minimal extra software just the usual Telstra branded widgets and app. The Telstra Tempo T815 is a very usable mobile phone with a bargain basement price tag on pre-paid. We dare say its the cheapest Android mobile phone that is with out any real problems to date. Sure it may only be 3G phone and that's already yesterday's tech but it is a very cheap. Once again its priced to sell and if your needs are simple and don't care about brands than this is worth a look due to price. However remember that with any smart phone you really need an additional data plan. Specifications
    • Telstra Tempo T815
    • Network Dual-band GSM 850/2100 Mhz Tri-band 3G 850/2100 Mhz 4G or LTE 1800 / 2600 Mhz
    • Design Touch screen
    • L125 x W64 x D9.8 mm
    • Weight 123 grams
    • Display/s 4 inch 480 x 800 pixel
    • Camera 2MP VGA video camers 15 FPS
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V3
    • CPU 1.2 Ghz Dual core
    • Memory Up to 2.5 Gig for user Up to 32Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Ring tones MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
    • Features A-GPS Android App store FM Radio Li-Po 1200 mAh battery Up to 200 hours Standby Up to 5 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Approx $49 - 79 AUD October 2014 (Pre-paid)

  • Aspera R5 Review

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    Welcome to the 2014 Aspera R5 review.  Aspera is currently an unknown brand in the sea of Android OS based mobile phones. It is a niche brandcatering for the rugged end of the mobile spectrum and probably will remain so until it generates more publicity. We didn't find out very much the company The retail pricing for the Aspera R5 is under $400 AUD which is good but could be better (bargain hard I suppose). There aren't many stores that stock them, so to help you out - we can say that Harvery Norman and Big W seem to have a few on the shelves. In terms of construction the Aspera R5 model looks and feels like one of the best rugged phone currently available. The R5 is built with heavy duty plastic and high-visibility yellow highlights - it looks the the part. We did not experience any issues with the way it was put together or any flaws around the environmental seals. The R5 didn't feel particularly heavy despite its specifications and the size was just about right for this type of phone. In terms of hardware the Aspera R5 is essentially a mid range phone but with a decent and better than expected quad-core CPU and dual SIM capability. The screen resolution is a bit under-par for a mid range and looks a little washed out thanks to the scratch resistant protective screen overlay. It is missing 4G capabilities so don't expect fast DSL like web browsing and you'll be happy. There are plenty of other 'mid-range' phones with the same hardware specs. In terms of use the Aspera R5 is pretty good. However the interface lacks the flashy transitions of the most current Android OS version any it is noticeable if you've come from a recent Samsung or Sony phone - as with us. There where no noticeable lags in the interface and apps ran relatively quickly. That said it still has all the pros and cons of Android. However thanks to the App store there are plenty of system enhancements to remedy that issue if you where after something a bit more flashy. The dual SIM functionality seemed pretty painless... Like most Android OS based phones in 2014 we can't say much more that hasn't already been said about how it works. We can only review the way its been built and any additional functionality. In this regard the Aspera R5 is one of the best rugged and cool looking smartphones you can currently buy since it features Dual SIM and that lovely tough exterior case. That said an 'Otter box' case on a compatible smartphone many be the better alternative if you can't bear to downgrade from a higher end phone! In terms of Aspera R5 competitors or alternatives only the Telstra DAVE comes close and at the same price. The DAVE differs from the R5 by having a 4G chip but lower tech CPU and only one SIM tray. The R5 is only 3G but has a better CPU, 2 SIMs and has better construction materials and looks - not by much though. Unless 4G is essential and you can't get the DAVE to work on your service providers network than the R5 is worth getting. Otherwise the DAVE is probably the better choice only because it has 4G capability. Specifications
    • Aspera R5
    • Network Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Dual-band 3G 850/2100 (depend on country)
    • Design Rugged - Touch screen
    • L139.7 x W76 x D17.6 mm
    • Weight 240 grams
    • Display/s 4 inch 480 X 854 pixels
    • Camera 8MP LED Flash
    • Video Camera 480p high definition 30FPS main video camera VGA video phone
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V4
    • CPU 1.2 Ghz Quad core Separate Graphic CPU
    • Memory 500MB RAM Up to 4Gig for user Up to 32Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Features IP67 water and dust resistant Dual SIM A-GPS, Proximeter, Accelerometer
    • Li-Po 2800 mAh battery Up to 600 hours Standby Up to 9.5 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Under $400 AUD August 2014 (Outright)

  • Huawei Y530 Review

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    Welcome to the 2014 Huawei Y530 review.  You may not (still) be familiar with this manufacturer but the company is well known amongst the industry but yet to make an impression in the consumer and government catalog due to corporate intrigue aka secret back doors and other security concerns etc. It's all fascinating stuff but we'll leave it to the 'experts' to sort out what it real and what isn't. All we care about is whether this is a good phone or not! The Huawei Y530 is one of the highest spec entry level Android smart phone you can buy for a bargain at $128 outright as we write this. In terms of construction the Huawei Y530 can described as very good for the price. The model we tested didn't look premium and doesn't have that the finishing touches say the LG L70 has. That said it feels OK in the hand and OK to look at. A decent case would do wonders. In terms of hardware the Y530 packs quite many more features than phones in this price range - including Telstra graded ZTE phones do have. For the price very good indeed. Of course in the past we've tested the cheaper entry phones and been only impressed with the price and nothing else... However for once we've found a phone that actually works much better than we anticipated intact on par with more expensive phones in the $200 - $300 price bracket. In terms of use the Y530 is actually very good - for the price. It works smoothly and runs Apps with minimal delay. Of course it is no where near the speed of a quad-core CPU equipped phone but for an entry level model we have no complaints. There aren't any real differences except for icons and various standard apps that we could see. Like most Android based phones in 2014 we can't really say much about the Y530 except that it is a great little smartphone. Android OS and hardware has come along way in a few years. Overall we liked the Y530 due to the price for feature list. Only branding and medium term reliability are issues against this model, for the moment. There are very few smartphones yet alone traditional mobile phones have this level of specification and capability for the price. Highly recommended model you should take a closer look if shopping in this price range. Specifications
    • Huawei Y530
    • Network Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Dual-band 3G 850/900/1900/2100 (depend on country)
    • Design Touch screen
    • L132.5 x W67 x D9.3 mm
    • Weight 145 grams
    • Display/s 4.5 inch 480 X 854 pixels
    • Camera 5MP LED Flash
    • Video Camera 480p high definition 30FPS main video camera VGA video phone
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V3
    • CPU 1.2 Ghz Dual core Separate Graphic CPU
    • Memory 512MB RAM Up to 3Gig for user Up to 32Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Features A-GPS, Proximeter, Accelerometer FM Radio Ring tones: MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others Google Play store Dolby Digital Music and Media player MS-Word, Excel and Powerpoint, PDF, ZIP compatible Organiser/Calendar SMS, MMS, IM, Email Speaker Phone/Hands free Li-Po 1750 mAh battery Up to 320 hours Standby Up to 10 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Under $128 AUD August 2014 (Outright)

  • HTC One M8 review

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    Welcome to the 2014 HTC One M8 otherwise known as version two! The HTC One for 2014 has had another quality bump and this phone looks even more fantastic. The One is one of the best looking and made phones currently available. The HTC One M8 recommended retail is about $850 which makes it very competitive considering it specification but to other top end phones. The only thing that preventing it from heading to the top is mainly marketing and of course the price. Let's face it all the top end smart phones are expensive and this the HTC is no different. In terms of construction the all metal HTC One on first touch is clearly a top of the range model and surpasses the iPhone 5S and even equals our current top rating looker the Lumia Icon/930. The One is lovely to look at and to hold and if we had to fault the construction it would be directed at the brushed 'stainless steel' finish as opposed to a solid color. That said there are other colors to choose from. In terms of hardware the HTC One packs all you'd expect in a top range all metal phone and including a micro-SD card slot! The only thing we could complain about was the screen quality was not as 'wow me' as the Nokia Icon or the Samsung Galaxy S5 which is tested at the same time and easily puts all others including the iPhone 5s screen quality to what we always described as average. The One's speakers are also loud and clear as always and easily louder than any other phone out there. The novel dual camera lens is an interesting solution needs more work. That said the pictures did look OK but clearly to as good as Samsung S5 or iPhone even the old iPhone 4s. It is missing the hardware on the of the Samsung S5 eg. barometer and finger print scanner but naturally these are still nice to have rather than essential or game changing. In terms of use the HTC One works really well. The Zoe home screen is a good solution to being able to see all your social network updates on one screen. We didn't note anything that was particularly special apart from that. It is Android OS based so all the latest Apps can be found in the store.  Finally the speed and smoothness was as good as any other top end smart phone we've tested to date. To conclude our short review, since Android OS based phones are pretty similar these days: we haven't really looked at the HTC phones for a little while since they had problems that really needed to be addressed before they could be taken seriously. It's only the camera quality that is the remaining issue we have with the HTC One which does not appear to be up to the standard of it's competitors. So its definitely a great phone to consider when you're due to renew your contract, after all its a little expensive to buy outright. Specifications
    • HTC One (M8)
    • Network Quad-band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 Quad-band 3G 850/900/2100 Penta-band 4G 800/900/1800/2600
    • Design Touch screen
    • L146.4 x W70.6 x D9.4 mm
    • Weight 160 grams
    • Display 5 inch 1,280 x 1080
    • Camera Dual 4MP auto-focus Dual LED Flash 5MP 2nd forward facing camera
    • Video Camera 1080p high definition 60FPS main video camera 2MP Video phone camera
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V4 NFC USB
    • CPU Quad core 2.3 Ghz Separate Andreno 330 Graphics CPU
    • Memory 2Gig RAM Up to 32 Gig for user Up to 128Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Features A-GPS, GLONASS, Compass, Accelerometer, Gyroscope Proximity, Ambient Light, Humidity, Temperature Ring tones: MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others FM Radio with RDS Google Play store Free Google Navigator (requires data plan) MS-Word, Excel and Powerpoint, PDF, ZIP compatible Organiser/Calendar SMS, MMS, IM, Email Speaker Phone/Hands free Li-Po 2600 mAh battery Up to 496 hours Standby Up to 20 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Approx $850 AUD late 2014 (Outright)

  • Telstra Easy Smart (T809) Review

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    Welcome to the 2014 Telstra Easy Smart T809 mobile phone review. Based on our own hands on test and specifications the 'Easy Smart' is essentially an entry level Android based smartphone. The entry level phone market is filled with lots of Android OS based phones to choose from so unless a particular model has something unique it is not going to sell in large numbers. That said the Telstra Easy Smart is selling for $99 as a prepaid package which is not very much money - but is it worth buying even at this low price? In terms of construction the Easy Smart is a well made phone that looks OK. The materials and design is much like those of Nokia but clearly not quite as well designed. The oddest thing about the phone is the inset screen - it seems like there is a huge gap between the glass of screen and the actual surface. This  was common to all the units we look at and is a design issue rather than quality control. Apart from that obvious it is what you'd expect in a cheap phone in 2014 but other brands do much better for around the same money. Overall its a very normal looking smart phone. In terms of hardware specifications the Easy Smart has all the usual features that are one or two generations behind the latest with only a quite low powered dual core CPU with a older graphics GPU and a low resolution screen but it looks actually looks OK. The screen resolution may be low but the graphics were still clear without any of the fuzziness or blockiness of phones a few years ago. The camera pictures looked Ok on the phone... The 3G only radio means that it is quite slow compared to those with 4G and faster CPUs of course the price means it's OK. Note that the Easy Smart still has a limited number of frequencies for GSM and 3G radio so it won't work in every country you may visit. In terms of operation the Easy Smart is quite good. Overall smooth enough with the occasional pause as the radio downloads new data. Since we have the latest Sony Z Ultra with a 2.2Ghz processor and 4G to directly compare - this feels a little sluggish. However for the price the Easy Smart is quite acceptable. However once again - it may be psychological but the screen design makes it 'feel' laggy? Try it out your self first before buying we guess... There are now more than enough Apps to try on the Google Play store to cover any functionality that you may require your phone to do.  The ability to display live widgets with genuinely useful updates without wasting time running Apps helps this any other Android OS phone prove more useful on a daily basis. The Telstra Easy Smart T809 takes over from the entry level Telstra and ZTE models prior and as always, is an improvement. There are only a handful of branded mobile phones in this price range and none with these specifications are that cheap - yet. It will do everything you want just not as well as the phones priced a little higher. The Easy Smart is selling at a pre-paid price of $99 dollars so it is an OK sort of deal for what it is. However we think you should spend a little a more for something better and for your own longer term happiness. Specifications
    • Telstra Easy Smart (T809)
    • Network Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900 Mhz Tri-band 3G 850/2100
    • Design Touch screen
    • L126 x W64 x D12.4 mm
    • Weight 137 grams
    • Display/s 4 inch 480 x 800
    • Camera 2MP LED Flash
    • Video Camera 640x 480 pixels
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V3
    • CPU 1.3 Ghz Dual core (Cortex A7) Separate Graphic CPU (Mali)
    • Memory Up to 2.5 Gig for user Up to 32Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Ring tones MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others
    • Features A-GPS Proximity Ambient Light Accelerometer Google Play store Virtually any App for Android OS Speaker Phone/Hands free Li-Po 1500 mAh battery Up to 300 hours Standby Up to 4 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Approx $99 AUD March 2014 (Pre-paid)

  • Sony Xperia Z Ultra Review

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    Welcome to the 2013 Sony Xperia Z Ultra review. Although the Z Ultra has been reviewed a number of times else where we decided to add our own voice with this focused review. Furthermore we dumped the iPhone 5s and replaced it with the Xperia Z Ultra, yes we actually bought one. It was perfect for the portable tablet and phone we wanted. We BLOG too honestly to be given anything for any manufacturer to test so you can be assured that if a phone or gadget is good it really is! The Sony Xperia Z Ultra is currently priced at around $700 but can also be purchased on various plans as most other top end mobile phones. Since the Xperia Z Ultra is a very large phone so it can be quite awkward to hold and as a result we also added the new Sony SmartWatch 2 as an accessory. A review on the SmartWatch2 will follow this review - naturally. In terms of construction the Xperia Z Ultra is made of metal and glass. The fit is tight and sturdy meaning that its quite difficult to bend but not impossible as with any other phone. We have accidentally dropped the phone onto concrete from our pocket and there was no damage or scratches apart from a tiny scratch on the side,we'll be much more careful next time! As a result we can say that the screen can take some punishment. It meets IP55 and IP58 standards so it can be dropped in water or easily used when walking in the rain or desert without any damage. Just make sure the flaps for the power via mini-USB, microSD card and SIM tray are properly closed. We are also impressed with the glass as it seems to clean its self when put in our pocket! We are not joking. We do not have any sort of cover or screen protection on the phone. In terms of hardware the Sony Xperia Z Ultra packs what is currently the fastest quad core CPU but rated at 2.2 GHz and the latest graphics CPU Adreno 330 and 2 Gigs of RAM. Furthermore it CPU is rated higher than the original Z and more equal to the Z1. The Z Ultra also has the latest screen technology on the massive 6.4 inch 1080p screen which looks much more amazing compared to say the iPhone5. The end result is a smooth or slick navigation with fast app operation including the web browser.  MicroSD memory expansion means that you'll never really run our of space! The specs are completely top end except for the camera which doesn't even have a flash which is disappointing. Overall very well made surprisingly light and thin phone! In terms of use it has all the FACs things for Android OS but adds few things like standard lock screen widgets and  drop down shortcuts which make day to day use much easier. There are so many more customisation options on Android that it can get daunting but that said the iPhone too has the same problem. Overall its very fast and rock stable! The other reason for choosing the X Ultra was that when we considered the Samsung Note 3 we found that the Note 3 included too much software that makes it seem less responsive than the Xperia Z Ultra. Both are fantastic phones though. The only issue we have with the Xperia Z Ultra is the quality of the camera pictures. It does not produce results good enough for printing on a a large scale but adequate for the social networks like Instagram and Facebook. The missing flash is also disappointing considering the price. We guess it so that people would buy the normal Xperia Z1 for the better camera. The screen brightness also needs to be brighter for use in direct sunlight. The Xperia Z Ultra battery life has extended after charging it a few times including draining the battery completely for calibration. The Xperia should last a day for frequent use or 2 days under normal its use with WiFi and Bluetooth turned on. Due to the large screen it does chew through quite a bit of battery life when in use but the quality is top end HD (it's not perfect though) only the Nokia 1020 screen is noticeably better a first glance. The Xperia Z Ultra is definitely on the limits of what can be called a mobile phone due to physical size. However despite its size it is amazingly light and solid to hold. Normal sized humans can use the phone quite easily and even one handed since you can customize the keypad to left or right small hand layout orientation! Yes - those who claim to have reviewed the phone clearly missed this feature or haven't really used one which is not a surprise! Overall the Z Ultra is very easy to use due to the large touch screen. The SWYPE keypad and superior spellchecker also help convince us that this phone was the right choice. Holding the Z Ultra  to your ear initially can be odd due to size but after getting used to the size it becomes second nature. Earphone sound quality is excellent likewise reception but loud speaker quality could be louder and better. Not too bad considering that the phone is essentially fully sealed unit due to being water resistant! Overall the Sony Xperia Z Ultra is an excellent phone with all the benefits and issues with Android based phones. However due to large size it is on the limit of what can be called a mobile phone! If you where a tall or larger guy or girl it would look much better than a dainty little phone. Of course you can go for the smaller 5 inch Xperia Z1 which has the better camera and easier to handle size. Else if you wanted a tablet and phone than the Z Ultra is a perfect compromise! Just don't buy it for the camera. We liked it enough due to its overall features and currently 100% satisfied it will be hard going back to a small screen phone. That said if we where to consider a replacement it would need to have a IR blaster, a better camera and flash, louder speaker and a few flashy lights wouldn't go astray either! Specifications
    • Sony Xperia Z Ultra
    • Network GSM All frequencies 3G All frequencies 4G/LTE All frequencies
    • Design Touch screen
    • L79.4 x W92.2.6 x D6.5 mm
    • Weight 210 grams
    • Display 6.4 inch 1080 x 1920 Trilluminos
    • Camera 8MP auto-focus 2nd forward facing video call camera 2MP
    • Video Camera 1080p high definition 30FPS main video camera
    • Connectivity Wi-Fi Bluetooth V3
    • CPU Quad core 2.2 Ghz Krait 800 Graphics Andreno 330
    • Memory 2Gig RAM Approx 12Gig for user Up to 64Gig micro-SD expansion
    • Features A-GPS Gyroscope, Compass, Accelerometer, Proximity Ambient Light Dolby Digital Music and Media player Ring tones: MIDI, MP3, Video, vibration and others Google Play store Free Google Navigator (requires data plan) MS-Word, Excel and Powerpoint, PDF, ZIP compatible Organiser/Calendar SMS, MMS, IM, Email Speaker Phone/Hands free Li-Po 3050 mAh battery Up to 800 hours Standby Up to 11 hours Talk Time
    • Price history Approx $700UD late 2013 (Outright)