LG Optimus L7 P700 houses serious specs and hardware compared to the rest of L-series siblings such as Optimus L3 and Optimus L5; besides its decent screen, it comes loaded with the latest Android OS right from the box. The phone is likeable considering everything and its sleek design is forth-coming. For a device in its category, a 4.3inch screen is more than enough; most phones have less than 3.5inch screens with close to bad pixel resolutions. LG Optimus L7 P700 is undoubtedly made for Android lovers unable to afford a high-end device with enough horse-power to plough just any application from the Android galore; however, a 1.0 GHz processor housed underneath can handle most essential apps without compromising performance. Swiping through operations should be seamless for a 1.0GHz processor, though handling 3D games may not be as smooth.
LG Optimus 3D Max P720/Cube Phone Review
Just like the earlier Optimus 3D, LG Optimus 3D Max needs no glasses to experience third dimension viewing. Instead of wearing those ridiculous 3D glasses, the Optimus 3D Max P720 capitalizes on glasses-free technology that’s capable of rendering hilarious third dimension display. To achieve 3D effect, the phone’s screen slightly beams different images to each eye, though you’ll need to stay put on the phone or else distortion is inevitable. We expect LG’s various cube icons to utilize the 3D effect as well as the conversion technology that enhances apps like Google maps to pop out of the screen. 3D effect on LG Optimus 3D Max P720 sounds good; however, don’t expect a miracle to see a fully immersive world right from the screen. As good as it sounds, 3D effect isn’t everyone’s favorite, and you’ll occasionally find it uncomfortable viewing everything in 3D unless you’re really into it. The phone has dual-lens camera that’s capable of shooting videos as well as snapping those images in 3D, making it a truly 3D smart phone.
Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 S6500 Review
After the huge success of Galaxy Mini S5570, it makes sense for Samsung to introduce yet another version that addresses major concerns witnessed on the older sibling. Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 S6500 follows up as a beefed up successor to the earlier version, but with a snappier 800MHz processor instead of 600MHz and a decent screen resolution 480×320 pixels rather than 320×240 found on the original Mini. Most apps found on Android galore are developed to support HVGA screen resolutions (320×480 pixels to be specific) upwards, unfortunately, Samsung did a messy job with the earlier version, but here is Galaxy Mini 2 S6500 incase you missed the earlier sibling. The phone also comes with a more recent v2.3 Gingerbread OS as opposed to v2.2 Froyo shipped underneath the first Mini, there’s an upgrade though to Gingerbread. Samsung Galaxy Mini 2 S6500’s hardware isn’t the best we’ve seen, but at the same price range, it’s a killer deal.
Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) Review
Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 7.0 May not win any awards on hardware or design, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t any pride left to overcome competition. The tablet follows up as a cheaper successor to its older sibling P6200 Galaxy Tab 7.0 Pluswith minor compromises to keep the price tag low. Instead of a 1.2GHz Dual-core processor witnessed on its predecessor, it settled for a 1GHz Dual-core chipset, but retained the same 7.0inch screen size. Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) P3113 is notably the cheapest of Samsung’s slates line-up despite housing Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich right from the box, older tablets are shipped with Android v3.2 Honeycomb underneath. Both Galaxy P6200 Tab 7.0 Plusand P3113 Tab 2 (7.0) slates have a WSVGA (1024×600 pixels) PLS LCD screen, a 3.0Megapixel camera, though fixed-focus on the cheaper slate and a front facing snapper. Lack of LED flash on the latest slate is disappointing; especially in darker places, but still, you can shoot just as good quality images in well lit environments.
Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)’s screen isn’t the best we’ve seen so far, but it’s big enough to accommodate overstretched fingers with minimal typing errors. Resolution seems to be at par with other devices in this category; however, at 170ppi pixels density, reading smaller text especially from web pages is hectic. Thanks to a responsive capacitive touch-screen, multi-touch gestures such as pinch-to-zoom are fast and intuitive. The front-side is largely taken by a 7.0inch WSVGA screen with exceptions to a VGA camera, earpiece, proximity and accelerometer sensors at its top and a Samsung’s logo just below the screen. There’s a 3.0MP camera without Led flash around Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0)’s back, so you can use it for snapping those memorable moments and a front facing VGA camera for video calls. The tablet has that sort of design you could easily walk past, though it’s still likeable and settles in your palm tight.
Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) comes equipped with GSM Voice communication, SMS and MMS functionality, better yet; it’s shipped with latest Android v4.0 ICS OS despite the affordable price tag. It has a thicker profile though, 10.5mm compared to Galaxy P6200 Tab 7.0 Plus’s9.9mm. After Samsung redesigned its Ice Cream Sandwich TouchWiz interface, there’s every reason to expect a pro-social networking home screen as well as music, videos and e-book hubs present on other devices from Samsung. Underneath the tablet, there’s a 1GHz Dual-core processor which’s not the best we’ve seen but enough to keep the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) P3113 ticking over. It’s offered in 8GB, 16GB or 32GB, so you can opt for a cheaper version and add a 64GB MicroSD.
Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) Features/Specifications;
- Operating System: Android v4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich (ICS)
- Processor: Dual-core 1.0GHz
- Display : 7.0inch (600x1024p) (170ppi) PLS LCD, Capacitive, 16m colors
- Camera: Pri: 3.15Megapixel (2048x1536p), Sec: VGA, Smile detection
- Storage: Up to 64GB MicroSD, 8/16/32GB Internal storage, 1GB RAM
- Connectivity: USB, MicroUSB v2.0, on the go support, Bluetooth v3.0
- Internet: 21Mbps HSDPA, 5.76Mbps HSUPA, 802.11b/g/nWiFi/hotspot, DLNA
- Other ft: GPS, Sensors: Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyro
- Battery: Standard Lithium ion 4000mAh
Samsung P3113 Galaxy Tab 2 (7.0) Price in Kenya: No longer available
Samsung I589 Galaxy Ace Duos (GSM and CDMA)
Samsung I589 Galaxy Ace Duos will get every favor it can squeeze from an ordained Android follower torn between GSM and CDMA networks, a cheapskate hunting for an affordable device that support both CDMA and GSM radios will also find it ideal. However, its design and hardware won’t get any awards, at least from our benchmarks, but the affordable price tag coupled with support for two radios gives it an edge over other mid-range devices. Something to note though, Duos in this case doesn’t mean an extra SIM slot as the rest of Samsung’s phones such as Chat322/C3222 Duosand S5222 Star3 Duos, but support for both CDMA and GSM, making it truly a global handset. Samsung I589 Galaxy Ace Duos follows up as an enhanced version of its older sibling Galaxy Ace S5830that supports a single GSM radio, though with a larger 1650mAh battery instead of 1350mAh to make up for the second radio.
LG A290 Triple-SIM Phone Review
LG’s latest feature handset A290 won’t get any awards on hardware or software; however, it offers something you won’t get on just any other device out there, Triple-SIM capability. As if two SIM cards weren’t enough, LG A290 is venturing in a virgin territory that’s been way out of our expectation, we’ve heard of a Dual-SIM, a Quad-SIM but not a Tri-SIM. Confused? Well, consider clock speeds of processors found on high-end smart phones; Single core, Dual-core and now Quad-core, Tri-core is out of question and we expected this to replicate on SIM support. Whether a Tri-SIM phone especially from a top-dog will fancy impressive numbers, is a question of time will tell. LG A290 is expected to first land in Russia before propagating into other markets at a price tag of $117. At this price, we’re forced to forgive a lot, but at the same time, highlight unreasonable compromises enforced to achieve the same.
Sony PlayStation Vita (3G/WiFi) on our Benchmarks
Sony PlayStation Vita could as well be the last portable gaming device coming from Sony, at least from often reliable sources, but does it have the potential to leave us yearning for more? It has dual-analogue controls coupled by a large display unit, though its Quad-core processor surpasses everything else to be the main center of excellence. Portable gaming consoles are struggling with ever-becoming sophisticated mobile phones and Apple gadgets which have so far managed to capitalize on ‘all-in-one’ theory, bringing more functionality on these gadgets. Sony PlayStation Vita is not just about to give up without a good fight though, there’s a couple of impressive hardware resting underneath such as a Quad-core processor, a large bright screen and ergonomic controls. However, there’re still some areas we felt Sony messed-up big time such as a wanting battery life, no internal storage, big and bulky size, limited multi-tasking capability and lastly but not least, the console and games are beyond reach for budget-strained folks.
BlackBerry Bold 9790/Onyx III/Bellagio Review
Though it won’t get any awards on hardware and depicts same design as its earlier siblings, BlackBerry Bold 9790 is worth mentioning for the sake of staunch RIM’s fans. You’ll notice same corporate styling that’s been RIM’s center of excellence for years featuring a classic BlackBerry full QWERTY keyboard rapped around the bottom of phone’s front panel and svelte lines that you’ll find valuable. Not everything on Bold 9790 is typical to the rest of BlackBerry devices out there, it’s a hybrid phone courtesy of a small capacitive touch-screen. The phone comes with RIM’s BlackBerry 7 operating system underneath, which’s out-dated and disappointing if you’re not a diehard, you’ll be better-off with an iPhone or Android handset where you can access apps galore. Having said that, BlackBerry Bold 9790 can’t be demonized in entirety and it would tantamount to untruthfulness trying to do so, as some specs are worth appreciating. It has a solid build quality and feels sturdy enough to escape damages from minor accidents.