Nokia Lumia 520 review, price, specs:

WinBeta said that 30% of Windows Phone-powered market is a Lumia 520. Features of this famous Windows Phone 8 device include a 1GHz dual-core processor and a $199 price tag. WinBeta describes the 520 as the "most affordable Windows Phone with a dual core processor" whose specs would meet the need of the regular user. It has ample storage (8 GB) with a 5 megapixel autofocus camera with 720 at 30 fps second video recording. The Nokia Lumia 520 also has a 1GHz dual core processor and 512MB RAM. Phone Arena notes that it has fast mobile data support (4G). Though the specs of the Nokia Lumia 520 as a budget smartphone is definitely well-below what most devices have, the unit still delivers and is able to satisfy the average user. In a review by GSM Arena, it noted that if you're looking for a handset that covers the basics and then some, meets a low price point but still look classy and has an app store and other benefits of a Windows Phone-device then the 520 definitely gives an edge. Some obvious disadvantage though of the 520 is that its camera lacks flash and has no front-facing camera. It has limited functionality in many ways because of low memory and a limited storage. It also has a smaller LCD display and an inferior imaging package, GSM Arena notes. According to the tech site the handset's wide aperture lens had to go and the battery is of lesser capacity. Because the Lumia 520 only has 512 MB RAM, there are some apps that are just incompatible. Despite everything though, the Lumia 520 shows enormous potential and can definitely be a unit that would deliver, as long as you won't expect a lot from the budget device. The Nokia Lumia 520 is a part of Lumia devices launched by the Microsoft-owned company to capture a good part of the emerging market. The successor of the Lumia 520, the Lumia 525 first launched in Singapore, then India. The 525 launch last December was considered one of the most important launches of Nokia.

Read More »

Samsung's first 1080p Windows Phone 8 handset could be the SM-W750V

At the moment, Nokia is the only manufacturer that’s selling Windows Phone handsets with 1080p displays. Of course, Nokia has pretty much remained the only manufacturer that sells WP devices regardless of their features. But Samsung, which leads the smartphone market thanks to Android, might prepare a new WP flagship as well: the SM-W750V.

We first heard about the SM-W750V in December, when we reported that the mysterious device had a 5-inch display. As of today, the SM-W750V is approved by the Bluetooth SIG, which seemingly confirms that what we have here is a phone - one that’s made for North America.

What’s even more interesting is that the





UA profile of SM-W750V is now accessible at Samsung Mobile’s official website, allowing us to see that the handset’s screen is a 1080 x 1920 pixels one. LTE and Internet Explorer are also mentioned - so the device is indeed running Windows Phone.

To recap, Samsung SM-W750V is a Windows Phone 8 handset with a 5-inch, 1080 x 1920 pixels display and LTE connectivity, and it might be released in North America. Naturally, we can’t be certain of anything until Samsung makes an official announcement. Perhaps it will happen at MWC 2014 next month? Since it won’t reveal its Galaxy S5 Android flagship there, the company can certainly announce other high-end (albeit less important) devices at the upcoming trade fair.

What do you think, can a new 1080p WP handset from Samsung compete with Nokia's Lumias?

sources: Bluetooth SIG, Samsung via Sammy Today

Read More »

Moto X vs Nexus 5: What’s the difference?

Motorola has launched the Moto X into the UK, bringing with it the same specs as the US version launched last year.

We had a lot of love for the Moto X handset when we reviewed it in August 2013, so here we are putting it up against the Nexus 5, another handset from the mid-range we are big fans of, to see how it compares and what the differences are.

Nexus 5 has a bigger and better display

The Moto X sports a 4.7-inch display compared to the 5-inch screen found on the Nexus 5 so you'll get a slightly bigger option with the Nexus.

There is also a difference in resolution, with the Moto X featuring a 1280 x 720 display compared to the 1920 x 1080 resolution found on the Nexus 5. 

This will mean you will get a sharper and crisper image on the Nexus 5 as it packs in more pixels with a pixel density of 445ppi compared to the Moto X’s 312ppi.

Moto X is smaller, but thicker than the Nexus 5

As you would expect given the display is smaller, Moto X is a smaller device than the Nexus 5. However, although both hit the scales at 130g, the Moto X is thicker than the Nexus 5. 

The Moto X measures 129.3 x 65.3 x 10.4mm compared to the Nexus 5, which comes in at 137.84 x 69.17 x 8.59mm.

Nexus 5 is more powerful 

The Moto X comes with a 1.7GHz dual-core processor and 2GB of RAM compared to the Nexus 5, which sports a 2.3GHz quad-core processor and 2GB of RAM.

We found the performance of the Moto X to be "buttery smooth" in our tests so we don't think you will be disappointed, but the Nexus 5 will be faster at performing more difficult tasks.

The Moto X has a 2,200mAh battery compared to the Nexus 5 that comes with a 2,300mAh battery. Therefore there isn't likely to be much variation in terms of how long they last with such a slight difference.

Moto X has a better camera

For those who are smartphone snappers, you might find the Moto X is a better bet with a 10-megapixel rear camera and 2.1-megapixel front camera.

The Nexus 5 comes with an 8-megapixel rear-facing OIS camera and a 1.3-megapixel front camera. 

We thought the camera performance left a little to be desired when we had the Nexus 5 in for review, and when it came to the Moto X, we liked the Quick Capture function, but we weren't overly impressed with the low-light shots

Conclusion 

As both the Moto X and the Nexus 5 run on Android 4.4 KitKat, there is little difference when it comes to user interface. Both models also feature the same connectivity options with the usual Wi-Fi and Bluetooth on board.

The Moto X does come with a slightly smaller display and a lower resolution than the Nexus 5, but it makes up for it in the camera department. 

The Nexus 5 gains points over the Moto X in terms of processor and battery but we were impressed with both devices when we reviewed them so we don't think you'll be disappointed with either device. The Motorola phone is more expensive though, coming in at £380 SIM free for the 16GB edition, in relation to the Nexus 5 at £330 for the 32GB model.

When Moto Maker customisation arrives in the UK though, it could make for a deal breaker. The chance to own a wooden-backed phone might be worth the extra cash.

Read More »

Sony Xperia E1 official with 100dB speaker

nside the Sony Xperia E1 you'll find one massively powerful speaker - that's the headliner item in this device, while everything else pales, ever so slightly. Of course as Sony doesn't want to be caught with a phone that only does one thing, you'll also find powers like "shake-to-shuffle" for music and Sony's newest "WALKMAN" app - as well as a 30 day pass for Sony's Entertainment Network music streaming service. There's a 4-inch display up front, too.
This machine isn't meant to go to war with the Xperia Z1 or even the Xperia Z from last year. Instead, with a 4-inch WVGA (800 x 480 pixel) display and 1.2Ghz processor, you’ll be hitting for the mid-tier. With a price-point tipped at well below their average for mid-tier devices. This device will be released with "fast data speeds" with Cat 14 HSPA+ for international data as well as basic speeds here in the USA.This device works with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. You'll find no microSD card slot here for expansion, but you'll be listening to everything in the cloud anyway, right? Inside is also dual-SIM compatibility for international chat as well. Here with availability in white, black, and purple, we'll more than likely see this launch happen internationally first, then in a smaller way in the USA, if at all.
We'll be checking this device out at Mobile World Congress 2014 without a doubt. There we'll see a whole new batch of devices from Sony and the rest of the most major smartphone manufacturers, with an international tip up first. Stick around as we see the smartphone universe transform once again, straight from Barcelona!

Read More »

Sony announces big and small smartphones for emerging markets

Sony has a diverse line of smartphones that it sells around the world, everything from the 4.3-inch Xperia Z1 Compact to the massive 6.4-inch Xperia Z Ultra. Today, the company is announcing two new smartphones targeted at emerging markets: the 6-inch Xperia T2 Ultra and the 4-inch Xperia E1.


The T2 Ultra, which comes in both single- and dual-SIM flavors, has a 6-inch, 720p display, quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor with 1GB of RAM, a 13-megapixel camera, support for LTE networks, and a large 3,000mAh battery. It's thin (7.6mm) and light (6.1oz) and is more or less a toned down version of the Z Ultra. Sony notes that the T2 Ultra's display extends to within 2.5mm of the edges of the phone, providing a thin bezel and a body that's no wider than a standard credit card, despite the large size of the display. The company calls it the "world's most portable 6-inch smartphone," which doesn't make it sound too portable to us.





At the opposite end of the spectrum lies the Xperia E1 (also available in single- or dual-SIM versions), which has a 4-inch, 480 x 800 pixel display, 1.2GHz dual-core processor with 512MB of RAM, and 4GB of storage. The E1 does not have LTE support, but it does work on HSPA+ networks. Sony touts the performance of E1's 100db external speaker, which is said to be loud enough to drown out the sound of a passing motorcycle.

Sony likely won't release the T2 Ultra or the E1 in the US, but the company says they will be coming to China, the Middle East, Africa and Asia in the near future. Exact pricing information for the phones has not yet been released, though Sony says the T2 Ultra and E2 will both have "mid-range" price points.

Read More »