Review: Nokia X7, HTC Sensation, LG OPTIMUS BLACK P970, HTC WILDFIRE S
Facing criticism for its outdated operating system in comparison to the
Apple iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone, Nokia finally
joined hands with Microsoft.
Nokia X7: Refreshing treat
(Price: Rs 21,999)
Specs: 4-inch display; 8 MP camera; EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi-, A-GPS; 350 MB internal memory, 32 GB memory, expandable; 146 gm, 1200 mAh battery.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Overhauled Symbian device but still faces competition from Android.
Facing criticism for its outdated operating system in comparison to the Apple iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Windows Phone, Nokia finally joined hands with Microsoft. But before completely ditching its favoured OS (in 2016),it isn't unmindful of Symbian's loyal users. So one more blow.
The new Symbian update, named Anna, brings much-awaited changes. New better-looking circular icons, improved web browser and an on-screen QWERTY keypad in portrait mode along with a few tweaks in downloading apps from Ovi Store are the long overdue enhancements. And to reap the benefits of the upgrade, the X7 is Nokia's first full touch smartphone.
Dressed to stand out from the crowd, the X7 looks different with its angular design. Grills on the corners add to the de-sign element (the bottom grills actually hide the speakers). The non-removable back cover has resulted in the need for SIM and memory card slots on the side.
But the new design-press the dot to tilt the other end and then pull out the trays-won't leave everyone comfortable. The volume control and camera key are on the right panel with a 4-inch capacitive display dominating the front. Start the phone and you are prompted for the Nokia account details that automatically logs into all the Nokia services.
Similar to Symbian 3, the home screen here is divided into three customisable windows. The main menu looks unchanged as is the multitasking-long pressing the home key to relaunch or close the running apps. Configuring an email account was quick and browsing was simple. An icon at the right bottom gave access to a plenty of features like bookmarks, windows, history, feeds, send link, settings, etc.
It comes with two HD games, Asphalt 5and Galaxy on Fire. The gaming experience was good and more games can be downloaded from Ovi Store. The sound output of the music player was loud and clear. The experience of watching videos and movies over the display was excellent.
For imaging, the phone has an 8 MP camera but with a fixed focus. It also has a dual LED flash and features such as face detection but it isn't anything out of the world. With the new OS, images transferred over Bluetooth landed automatically in the gallery, instead of the message box. It supports expandable memory up to 32 GB and an 8GB card comes with phone. It also supports USB-on-the-Go feature but the connector isn't a part of the pack.
HTC Sensation: Not So Sensational
(Price: 29,899)
Specs: 4.3-inch display; 8 MP camera; 1.2 GHz dual core processor, 786 MB RAM; 32 GB memory, expandable; Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth; 1520 mAh battery
BAG IT OR JUNK IT? Not the best for the price it comes at. Consider Galaxy S2 instead.
The Android world has been stuck by dual core processors. After the LG Optimus 2x and Samsung Galaxy SII, now HTC has come up with a similar device. On papers, the spec sheet of the HTC Sensation looks very similar to the Samsung GS2's. A 4.3-inch capacitive display, Android v2.3, dual core processor clocked at 1.2GHz, 8MP camera, etc.
Loaded with the HTC Sense 3, the home screen interface is refreshing. We had to drag the ring upwards to unlock the screen and could also customise four shortcuts that can be launched from the lock screen by dragging it to the ring at the bottom. Even the weather app powered by Accuweather had better graphics and close-to-accurate predictions.
Once again the main menu was divided in to All apps, Frequent and Downloads. A task manager has been added to the notifications bar that takes one to the running apps consuming ROM and gives an option to kill them. At any given point of time, of the 558 MB total ROM memory, with none of the apps running, the free memory was never above 180 MB.
In the main application setting, it showed 187 MB RAM used with close to 313 MB free. While different players use chipsets from different manufacturer, HTC opted for Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, which the company claims is optimized for more efficient work in comparison to other processors. However, the overall performance of the Sensation was a bit slow.
Even the benchmark score on the Quadrant Benchmark was just 2030 points, in comparison to the 3000+ score of the Samsung Galaxy S2. But the Sensation comes with a few impressive features as well. The web browsing was smooth and the browser always enquires whether videos should be played in YouTube.
The video playback clarity was good but wasn't loud enough. The phone was instant in building satellite connection using Google Maps. Email, Facebook and Twitter were a few handy, on-the-move apps that came preinstalled on the phone. Full HD Video capture was good with above average imaging from the 8MP camera during daylight. But images captured at night using flash had a yellow-golden effect. Facing tough competition from the Samsung GS2, it had its own set of letdowns.
The much-talked about death grip issue was present in the device. When the top back was covered by the hand, the phone completely loses the Wi-Fi singal. Even the battery was just average as it failed to last a day with email, social networking, regular calling and web browsing.
LG OPTIMUS BLACK P970: Black, Not Beautiful
(Price: Rs 19,900)
Specs: Android 2.2; 4-inch display; 5 MP camera;2GB internal, 512 MB RAM, 32 GB expandable; EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G; 109 gm; 1500 mAh battery
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Average performer. Faces competition from Motorola Defy and HTC Desire S.
The focus of Android is now shifting from just utility to looks. Riding on the success of the Optimus and the well-applauded Optimus 2x, LG is now following the trend by introducing the Optimus Black. Not a part of the Black Label series known for having some of the best looking phones, the Black, nevertheless, manages to score in the looks department. It is a complete touch device with a solid build but feels like a smooth piece of plastic. However, LG is busy boasting about the 4-inch Nova display as the brightest display ever in a smartphone.
In our opinion, the phone has a bright display but it isn't something that needs to be tom-tommed. Indeed, when on full brightness, the phone even worked as a flash light. Operating on Android v2.2 when all the latest devices are on v2.3 is a letdown. It did allowed us to configure Gmail account, Gtalk, search the web, watch videos, download apps, stay connected to social world but the overall performance was a bit slow. Even while searching the phonebook, the contacts appeared only when we finished typing out the full name. The 5 MP camera on-board managed to capture decent images but there was a huge shutter lag. And the battery hardly managed to last a day with average use.
HTC WILDFIRE S: The Small Wonder
(Price: Rs 13,800)
Specs: 3.2-inch display; 5 MP camera; 512 MBRAM, 512MB ROM, 32GB expandable; EDGE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi; 105 gm; 1230 mAh battery
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Android starter, worth considering
With smartphones getting bigger, even mini phones have created a niche for themselves. Sony Ericsson's Xperia Miniand Mini Pro were well accepted and the company has even announced their upgrades. HTC isn't lagging behind and is out with a sizzling device-the Wildfire S. The name suggests it is the successor to the Wildfire but it looks smart and different. Usually, compact phones have small displays but this one boasts a regular 3.2-inch capacitive display.
Although, the display looked small, accessing applications was easy. Initially, typing over the onscreen QWERTY key-pad was a bit difficult but very soon we got used to it. The compact size was complemented by clean looks. Below the Gorilla Glass display are the four touch keys-home, option, back and search.
The 3.5mm jack along with the power key was placed on the top whereas the volume key and charging jack were on the left panel. Running on the Android v2.3, the Wildfire has a 600 MHz processor clubbed with 512MB RAM. Onboard are basics including Google Services, HTC Hub, news and weather, Quick Lookup, Voice recorder, etc. The5 MP onboard camera churns out average pictures and the phone does not support 720p video capture either.
Courtesy: Gadgets and Gizmos
(Price: Rs 21,999)
Specs: 4-inch display; 8 MP camera; EDGE, 3G, Wi-Fi-, A-GPS; 350 MB internal memory, 32 GB memory, expandable; 146 gm, 1200 mAh battery.
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Overhauled Symbian device but still faces competition from Android.
Nokia X7
The new Symbian update, named Anna, brings much-awaited changes. New better-looking circular icons, improved web browser and an on-screen QWERTY keypad in portrait mode along with a few tweaks in downloading apps from Ovi Store are the long overdue enhancements. And to reap the benefits of the upgrade, the X7 is Nokia's first full touch smartphone.
Dressed to stand out from the crowd, the X7 looks different with its angular design. Grills on the corners add to the de-sign element (the bottom grills actually hide the speakers). The non-removable back cover has resulted in the need for SIM and memory card slots on the side.
But the new design-press the dot to tilt the other end and then pull out the trays-won't leave everyone comfortable. The volume control and camera key are on the right panel with a 4-inch capacitive display dominating the front. Start the phone and you are prompted for the Nokia account details that automatically logs into all the Nokia services.
Similar to Symbian 3, the home screen here is divided into three customisable windows. The main menu looks unchanged as is the multitasking-long pressing the home key to relaunch or close the running apps. Configuring an email account was quick and browsing was simple. An icon at the right bottom gave access to a plenty of features like bookmarks, windows, history, feeds, send link, settings, etc.
It comes with two HD games, Asphalt 5and Galaxy on Fire. The gaming experience was good and more games can be downloaded from Ovi Store. The sound output of the music player was loud and clear. The experience of watching videos and movies over the display was excellent.
For imaging, the phone has an 8 MP camera but with a fixed focus. It also has a dual LED flash and features such as face detection but it isn't anything out of the world. With the new OS, images transferred over Bluetooth landed automatically in the gallery, instead of the message box. It supports expandable memory up to 32 GB and an 8GB card comes with phone. It also supports USB-on-the-Go feature but the connector isn't a part of the pack.
HTC Sensation: Not So Sensational
(Price: 29,899)
Specs: 4.3-inch display; 8 MP camera; 1.2 GHz dual core processor, 786 MB RAM; 32 GB memory, expandable; Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth; 1520 mAh battery
BAG IT OR JUNK IT? Not the best for the price it comes at. Consider Galaxy S2 instead.
HTC Sensation
Loaded with the HTC Sense 3, the home screen interface is refreshing. We had to drag the ring upwards to unlock the screen and could also customise four shortcuts that can be launched from the lock screen by dragging it to the ring at the bottom. Even the weather app powered by Accuweather had better graphics and close-to-accurate predictions.
Once again the main menu was divided in to All apps, Frequent and Downloads. A task manager has been added to the notifications bar that takes one to the running apps consuming ROM and gives an option to kill them. At any given point of time, of the 558 MB total ROM memory, with none of the apps running, the free memory was never above 180 MB.
In the main application setting, it showed 187 MB RAM used with close to 313 MB free. While different players use chipsets from different manufacturer, HTC opted for Qualcomm's Snapdragon processor, which the company claims is optimized for more efficient work in comparison to other processors. However, the overall performance of the Sensation was a bit slow.
Even the benchmark score on the Quadrant Benchmark was just 2030 points, in comparison to the 3000+ score of the Samsung Galaxy S2. But the Sensation comes with a few impressive features as well. The web browsing was smooth and the browser always enquires whether videos should be played in YouTube.
The video playback clarity was good but wasn't loud enough. The phone was instant in building satellite connection using Google Maps. Email, Facebook and Twitter were a few handy, on-the-move apps that came preinstalled on the phone. Full HD Video capture was good with above average imaging from the 8MP camera during daylight. But images captured at night using flash had a yellow-golden effect. Facing tough competition from the Samsung GS2, it had its own set of letdowns.
The much-talked about death grip issue was present in the device. When the top back was covered by the hand, the phone completely loses the Wi-Fi singal. Even the battery was just average as it failed to last a day with email, social networking, regular calling and web browsing.
LG OPTIMUS BLACK P970: Black, Not Beautiful
(Price: Rs 19,900)
Specs: Android 2.2; 4-inch display; 5 MP camera;2GB internal, 512 MB RAM, 32 GB expandable; EDGE, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 3G; 109 gm; 1500 mAh battery
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Average performer. Faces competition from Motorola Defy and HTC Desire S.
LG OPTIMUS BLACK P970
In our opinion, the phone has a bright display but it isn't something that needs to be tom-tommed. Indeed, when on full brightness, the phone even worked as a flash light. Operating on Android v2.2 when all the latest devices are on v2.3 is a letdown. It did allowed us to configure Gmail account, Gtalk, search the web, watch videos, download apps, stay connected to social world but the overall performance was a bit slow. Even while searching the phonebook, the contacts appeared only when we finished typing out the full name. The 5 MP camera on-board managed to capture decent images but there was a huge shutter lag. And the battery hardly managed to last a day with average use.
HTC WILDFIRE S: The Small Wonder
(Price: Rs 13,800)
Specs: 3.2-inch display; 5 MP camera; 512 MBRAM, 512MB ROM, 32GB expandable; EDGE, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi; 105 gm; 1230 mAh battery
BAG ITOR JUNK IT? Android starter, worth considering
HTC WILDFIRE S
Although, the display looked small, accessing applications was easy. Initially, typing over the onscreen QWERTY key-pad was a bit difficult but very soon we got used to it. The compact size was complemented by clean looks. Below the Gorilla Glass display are the four touch keys-home, option, back and search.
The 3.5mm jack along with the power key was placed on the top whereas the volume key and charging jack were on the left panel. Running on the Android v2.3, the Wildfire has a 600 MHz processor clubbed with 512MB RAM. Onboard are basics including Google Services, HTC Hub, news and weather, Quick Lookup, Voice recorder, etc. The5 MP onboard camera churns out average pictures and the phone does not support 720p video capture either.
Courtesy: Gadgets and Gizmos
