Motorola Moto G Turbo Edition: The most responsive Moto G yet

The smartphone market is always buzzing with new updates and launches. After reclaiming the position in the market with its Moto E and Moto G series, Motorola has been on a roll. This time they have come up with a new smartphone in the mid section – Moto G Turbo Edition. The phone was launched in the Indian market last week for INR 14,499 (USD 220 approx).

Similar to its predecessor, no new variations in the design

Turbo Editions’ body is 142.1X72.4X11.6 mm and weighs about 155g. The textured silica back cover has a premium feel, and the frame is made of plastic. The left side of the phone is clean and the volume button and a textured power button are placed on the right side. There is a standard Micro USB port at the bottom. Underneath the back cover there are two slots that hold Micro SIM cards and a slot to hold a Micro SD card at the top. The phone is available in two colours- black and white. The black phone has a bluish back panel. However, Motorola has provided back panel changing options in different colours on their website.

Standard HD display with TFT panel and Oleophobic screen

The device has a 5-inch display screen with a resolution of 720X1280p that has a pixel density of 294 PPI. Initial speculations about the device suggested a 1080p resolution. The LCD screen has a TFT panel which allows good visibility at odd angles and under bright sunlight. However, there are options available by brands like Xiaomi and Obi that offer a better display and screen experience at a lesser price. The screen has Gorilla Glass 3 panel that protects the HD Display. The oleophobic coating avoids smudges on the screen and keeps the display clean. Moto G Turbo Edition is IP67 rated that makes the device water-proof, provided the back-panel is properly closed.

New improved software allows ability to perform heavy tasks smoothly

As per Motorola, Moto G Turbo Edition is the fastest, most responsive Moto G yet as per Motorola and helps run the phone without stutter, with a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon Octa-core processor (615 chipset) and 2GB RAM. It runs on Adreno 405 GPU, so graphically intensive games are played with ease. Apart from this, Motorola G Turbo Edition has a 16 GB internal memory and comes with an SD card slot expandable up to 32GB which seems a bit limited for the given price. The OS runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and is will soon receive and updated version 6 (Marshmallow).

Turbo charger for quick charging

The Turbo Edition has a turbo charger that promises up to 6 hours of battery life in 15 minutes. It has a non-removable 2470 mAh, battery that claims to give a full day backup. Although Asus, Xiaomi and Obi Worldphone are amongst the few brands that offer a higher battery capacity of up to 3000 mAh or more for a far lessees price.

Decent camera with dual LED flash

It has a 13 megapixel rear camera with auto focus and dual LED flash. The 5 megapixel front camera will help click that perfect selfie. You can tap anywhere on the screen to take a picture making it easier to take a selfie. Initial tests show an above average image quality. The camera also has features like Geo-tagging, face recognition and panorama view.

Conclusion

Motorola G Turbo Edition is a mid-range phone that has a water-proof and dust-resistant design. Among other features like 4G, Bluetooth and WIFI connectivity, the phone also has FM Radio. However, there is no new innovation in terms of design and also the fast processor is borrowed from Moto’s high end variant Moto X Play. The phone tries to impress but fails at multiple specifications like display, battery power, absence of a USB charging cable and the fact few companies offer better specifications at a lesser price. Priced at INR 14,499 (USD 220) the phone is available on Flipkart.

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Obi Worldphone poses challenge to Xiaomi, Asus and Meizu

Obi Worldphone recently launched its flagship device Obi Worldphone SF1 in India through NDTV Gadgets 360. This device with its unique design stands out and is different from other available devices in the market. Considering the specifications and looks that this device carries it can give a tough competition to the existing smartphones such as Xiaomi Mi 4i, Asus ZenFone2 and Meizu M2 Note. Therefore, we decided to compare and see the four Android smartphones to find out on what all aspects Obi Worldphone can give competition to others.

Design and Build

The device that can easily fit into the palm is considered the best suit for its user. Looking at the specification chart, Xiaomi is comparatively lighter and slimmer. However, Obi Worldphone with its sleeker looking body and comparatively lesser weight can also deliver the same comfort like Xiaomi. Rest like Asus and Meizu seem big and heavy to hold.

Another fact that matters is the look. In this regard, Obi Worldphone simply stands out for its unique floating glass. Well, with this floating glass idea one can think that the display screen has the risk of breaking. Exactly at this point Obi impresses me more as they protect this stylish floating glass with extended metallic accent combined with the strength of the latest and strongest Corning Gorilla Glass 4. So, if protection is the major concern, then the device that appears more prone to breakage among all ends up giving maximum protection to its display.

Also, I find the power button and volume buttons more user friendly on Obi worldphone SF1. Amongst all, only Obi could gauge the need of heavy smartphone users who feel disturbed when they have to do all the tasks with their right hand including unlocking the screen or increasing the volume. So with Worldphone SF1 in hand, one can leave the unlocking job to the left thumb.

Display

The spec sheet above shows that Obi and Xiaomi have similar screen size, whereas Meizu and Asus have comparable screen sizes. All four smartphones have a comparable resolution, but the pixels per inch (PPI) is the highest in Obi SF1. More PPI in a 5 inch display screen makes Obi Worldphone stand out with a better visual quality.

UI

In this regard, each device has UI of its own. Asus comes with Asus Zen UI, Xiaomi have MIUI 6 on-board, Meizu offers Flyme 4.5 UI and Obi Worldphone presents Lifespeed UI. Well the UI of all the devices stands different from each other and have pro and cons of its own. But the UI of Obi Worldphone stands unique and different as it allows its user to reach the dialler and camera with a single swipe which is not a possibility with others.

Platform and Storage

On this front, Obi Worldphone and Xiaomi run on similar processor with a minor difference in the clock speed, whereas Meizu and Asus run on completely different processors. All the processors have plus and minus of their own. Furthermore, the Android version is similar in Meizu and Asus which is also outdated when compared to Obi and Xiaomi, as the later two offer the latest Android version.

On storage front, all the four Android smartphones are available in two variants, but Obi Worldphone seems to be at par as it offers 3GB RAM variant which the rest do not give. Also, Xiaomi misses out to give expansion facility.

Camera and Battery

Considering the megapixels offered by all four smartphones, they appear equally powerful. But the differentiator here is the camera features of Obi SF1 that make its camera more powerful in comparison with others. Features such as Opti Zoom, Chroma Flash and UBI Focus make the images more creative, clean, and beautiful. These features are missing in the other devices. However, the others do offer basic features like HDR, face detection, beautify etc.

On the battery front, all the four offer comparable power. Hence, none of these devices will run out of battery before the day ends. However, with Obi Worldphone SF1, charging the device is also not a pain as the company offers quick charge feature that can re- energize the device in a lesser time.

Final statement

Obi Worldphone SF1 is different from the rest with its unique design, CGG4 protection, better visual quality, camera features and quick charge feature. This way Obi Worldphone gives a tough competition to Xiaomi Mi 4i and races ahead of Meizu and Asus on almost all the aspects. Looking at the price tag, all the four devices cost between INR 10000 – INR 12000. Within this range Obi Worldphone sounds a better deal.

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Oppo Neo 7: Supports Pocket not the Display

On 26 Oct 2015, Oppo introduced its new budget Android smartphone Oppo Neo 7, announcing that it would go to sale in India first. May be the intention is to take the advantage of the ongoing festive season. So, if you are planning to buy Oppo, then you need to know this device better.

Focusing on the look and build, Oppo offers a device that reflects light like a mirror as it is made with a fiberglass. This laminated device feels smooth and light in hand and comes in two colour variants including deep black and ceramic white.

On display front, Neo 7 appears weak with its average resolution and low pixel density. Moreover, the TFT display technology fails to give great viewing angles as a result of which the users may feel let down. Oppo offers two variants of Neo 7 i.e. 3G and 4G models. Both the models come with different chipset and the clock speed. Oppo’s 3G model comes with Mediatek chipset whereas the 4G model comes with Qualcomm chipset, where the processor of 3G model is a little faster than the one in 4G model.

For 3G model, Oppo offers Mali- 400 MP2 GPU while the 4G model presents Qualcomm Adreno 306 GPU card. Nevertheless, the operating system (Android 5.1) remains the same in both the variants.

OPPO’s device is configured with two SIM card slots that can support the 3G/4G networks. Further, on storage front, Oppo provides 1GB RAM and 16GB inbuilt memory in both the models, but there is a variation in the memory expansion, i.e. 32GB (3G model)/128GB (4G model).

The camera offered by Oppo Neo 7 stands different for its plug-ins option. This is something unique as customization of camera gives additional power to the photo clicking generation to capture images with more fun. Further, the device offers a reasonably good battery capacity that gives 218hrs of sand by time and 16 hrs of talk time.

Overall, Oppo Neo 7 is lagging at the display front, but offers a unique camera features. Still, Neo 7 trails behind other devices such as Lenovo, Xiaomi, Alcatel, Micromax and many more as they offer better configuration in the same price segment.

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HTC Desire 820G+ gives Authority to Unleash your Power

HTC, Taiwanese multinational manufacturers of smartphones has launched HTC Desire 820+ Dual SIM. The device was first launched in Taiwan and then taken to other states. Here, we decided to review this device to help all the potential buyers.

HTC 820G+ is a beautiful sight with practically C-formed edges and a long and level presentation. It is likely not the sleekest in the smartphone business, but rather the meticulousness given by the planners would make any tech-nerd need to hold and stare at it. With a matte-complete on the back board, the front side board has a meager segment of shading running on the sides. The segment of shading relies on upon which shading you wish to have.

With a wide display, high-end processor and superior cameras, the smartphone is definitely worth the cost. But the unavailability in 4G and relatively outdated OS could be a turn-off for some consumers. Since the device is only available in Taiwan, we have looked at the Taiwanese prices. The smartphone is currently priced around Taiwanese Dollars (TWD) 6,000, which is equivalent to approximately INR12,332 which seems reasonable.

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Comparative Review: Asus ZenFone Selfie vs Obi worldphone SF1

Asus and Obi have launched their devices in the recent past targeting the youth. While Asus aims at impressing the selfie generation with its device named ZenFone Selfie, Obi promises to help youth step ahead in life with their Worldphone SF1 in hand. In this brief review, we compare the two devices to see which one has better chances with the selfie-loving youth.

It is evident from the data slide that ZenFone Selfie is relatively bigger and heavier device than Obi’s SF1. While ZenFone is available in three-color options (i.e. white, pink and aqua blue), SF1 comes in the all time standard black only. However, Obi SF1 stands out for sleek unibody with metallic accents and floating glass that give it a premium look.

On the display front, given its larger overall dimensions, ZenFone offers bigger display screen size. While the resolution of the two devices is same, Obi takes a lead in terms of higher pixel density, which means relatively sharper images. Also, while both the devices offer the protection of Corning Gorilla Glass (CGG) 4 protection, Obi SF1 has an edge due to its Oleophobic coating that does not allow fingerprints.

On the performance front, Obi Worldphone SF1 runs on Android 5.0.2, which is slightly ahead of ZenFone Selfie. While both the devices are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 Octa-Core processors, ZenFone takes slight (0.2GHz) lead in the processing strength.

ZenFone Selfie and Obi SF1 come in two variants: 2GB/3GB RAM. Moreover, the 3GB RAM devices of both Asus and Obi have same internal memory (32GB), ZenFone takes a lead in expandable memory front by offering 128GB as opposed to Obi’s 64GB.

On the Camera front, while the primary cameras of both Obi Worldphone SF1 and ZenFone Selfie are 13MP, the key difference lies in the secondary camera, where Selfie takes a huge lead over SF1 by offering 13MP front camera too. However, Obi SF1’s camera offers features such as UBI Focus, OptiZoom and Chroma Flash that allow users to be more creative than in the case of Asus ZenFone. SF1 camera certainly takes a lead due to its Sony Exmor sensor.

Both the devices have same battery capacity, however, Obi SF1’s Quick Charge 1.0 allows for charging the device 40% faster. Moreover, SF1 also offers the advantage of Dolby Audio Surround Sound, something that is missing in ZenFone. All other features such as Wi-Fi, GPS, Blue Tooth, number of SIMs, proximity sensor, accelerometer, ambient light sensor and gyroscope etc. are available in both the devices.

Overall, we think, while Asus ZenFone Selfie does live up to its name by offering a whopping 13MP front camera and larger expandable memory, Obi Worldphone SF1 seems lot more balanced device with attention to details in terms of design, viewing experience, sound quality, quick charging etc. Moreover, in terms of price, Obi SF1 costs about USD30 lesser than ZenFone Selfie.

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With Moto X Style, you’ll probably have to carry the Turbo Charger all the time

Motorola once pioneered the smartphone industry with its great devices. The new players have started posing serious challenges, but Motorola post its association with Google is innovating. Its most recently launched device is Moto X Style (Pure Edition), which is out and out impressive. The slide below indicates the key specifications.

While the Motorola has kept the design more or less same as its older devices, it has brought in some high-end specifications. In spite of being big Moto X Style easily fits in the palm because of its curved back. It performs flawlessly with its smartly channelized processors; one can play games, music, videos or browse without any lag.

With latest version of Android on board and big storage area, Moto X Style allows its user to stay updated as running apps, and switching between pages is hassle free and instant. X Style also delivers great, sharp and clear visuals due to its powerful GPU, more pixels per inch and high resolution.

The best thing is that the Moto X Style allows for taking photos by tapping anywhere on the screen, which makes life lot easier. Also, sound quality is great as the device successfully gives rich and clear sound. However, while the battery capacity is large enough, it tends to deplete rather fast, but Moto compensates this with its Turbo Charger that charges much faster than normal. 

Moto X Style is available in two variants that are available on e-commerce sites such as Flipkart and Amazon. Motorola also gives a 64GB variant which as of now is not available on any website mentioned above. The best feature that we liked is the IR sensor of the device that triggers display without a touch.

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Lenovo S60 vs Obi Worldphone SF1

With increasingly commoditizing market, the smartphone makers are finding it hard to get customers’ attention by counting their device strengths. Obi Worldphone and Lenovo with their recently launched devices, specifically Obi Worldphone SF1 and Lenovo S60, have gone beyond the usual spec war. While Obi is stressing on its model’s capacity to add to its user’ style statement, Lenovo is emphasizing on its device’s ability to enhance individual’s social life. Since the price of the two devices is about the same, lets see if there is anything that really distinguishes the two.

While Obi SF1 takes a lead on account of OS, processor, resolution, GPU, pixel density, storage and battery, Lenovo S60 is relatively thinner and lighter. Moreover, Obi offers Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection with Oleophobic coating that will keep the device new and scratch free. Although cameras of both the devices are same, Obi SF1 seems to have an edge on this front too, as its camera features include UBI Focus, Opti Zoom and Chroma Flash. Furthermore, Obi’s Dolby Audio surround sound feature makes the device stand out with sharp and clear sound.

Overall, even if we discount the design aspects, Obi SF1 simply out shines Lenovo S60 with its great specifications. Looking at the price, if Obi SF1 costs $199 and Lenovo S60 costs $184, which is about the same. So, with little extra, one can have a lot more stylish and powerful device.

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Xiaomi Announced the Launch of Mi 4C

Early this year, Xiaomi launched its Mi 4i which was the successor to the Mi 4. Immediately after the release, news were flooding that the China-based smartphone maker would unveil the Mi 5 at its August 5 event. In any case, the date was focused on the official dispatch of the MIUI 7 interface. But now the Chinese smartphone maker has announced that they will unveil its Xiaomi Mi 4C on September 22, 2015. Based on the buzz, this smartphone is likely to be a little advanced version of Xiaomi Mi 4i that was launched in India early this year. Based on what we have heard so far, Mi 4C will be sold in China only. But this may change in the near future. According to TEENA certification, that it has already received, Mi 4C will look identical to Xiaomi Mi 4i in looks and will have same dimensions.

Moreover, Mi 4C will include dual SIM-card slots allowing users to insert LTE-enabled SIM-cards. This feature is similar to the Mi 4i that allow users access LTE networks with both SIM-cards. The new things it will bring to the table are all mere guesses that is going around the device. As per a TechGrapple report, that quotes Xiaomi's co-founder Lin Bin (on Weibo), another key aspect is the Xiaomi Mi 4C will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC and offers Adreno GPU to complement the processor.

Furthermore, the device is expected have two variants 2 GB RAM with 16GB ROM and 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM. Another guess around the device is it may have 64 GB variant too but how much RAM it will have is still a mystery. Buzz around the device reveals that it might have same internals as Mi 4i. Mi 4C may come with 5 inch 1080p touchscreen, 13 MP rear and 5 MP front camera, LTE support with 3120 mAh battery.

Unlike Mi 4i, the Mi 4c will run on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop underneath Xiaomi’s own MIUI 7 user interface. The handset would also feature a USB Type-C port. The device may cost around CNY 1,499, which is about $235 or €207 at the current exchange rates.

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Obi Worldphone SF1 Comes with Lot of Promise

Competition and the need to stand out is forcing smartphone makers to consistently improve and look for new ways to differentiate. Obi Worldphone has recently launched two devices SF1 and SJ1.5 that are being talked for their design value. Particularly, Obi Worldphone SF1 makes a claim to have combined unique design with no-compromise on technology at exceptionally attractive price point. SF1 had its global launch in San Francisco this year followed by regional launches in East Asia(Vietnam, Thailand), Middle East(Dubai, Saudi Arabia) and lately in India. Therefore, in this review we are focusing on Obi Worldphone SF1 to see what all it comes with.

Look & Feel

In the very first look SF1 takes no time in impressing you with its elegant design and the ‘Designed in San Francisco’ engraving at the back sort of indicates why. Apparently, the device has been designed by the renowned SFO-based design firm Ammunition Group. Its black metallic body with rounded edges and slightly raised glass is both classy and also comfortable to hold in one hand. With 146x74x8mm dimensions, the smartphone weighs just 147g which is quite light for your pocket.

Display

The 5 inch screen of SF1 puts you into surprise when you see your fingers easily moving from one edge to another. The raised screen, which gives the device its unique look, has the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4 protection. The full HD (1080 x 1920 pixels) resolution would ensure visual experience of sharp and rich colour images. Moreover, even when you are under direct sunlight, you have the advantage of still being able to read the screen well.

Performance

SF1 is tightly packed with specifications that make you doubt its price. It runs on Android 5.02 (Lollipop) OS powered by 1.5 Ghz Octa-Core Qualcomm MSM8939 64-bit Snapdragon 615 processor. The octa-core does not just mean eight cores, but four 1.7GHz cores and four 1Ghz cores, which means processor keeps moving between high capacity and low capacity cores depending upon the load facilitating both high performance and power savings. The device comes in two 3GB (32GB storage) and 2GB (16GB storage) variants, can be further expanded to 64GB using microSD card. It also comes with Adreno 405 GPU 64 bit, which makes HD gaming experience exceptional due to its compatibility with 2D and 3D games. Furthermore, SF1’s dual SIM tray comes along with the MicroSD card tray, making it a single address from where one can reach out to the world and also let entertainment stuff get into your device.

Additional Features

Cameras: SF1 has 13 MP back camera and 5 MP front cameras. Despite of there being LED flash on both the sides, the front-facing LED flash takes the lead with its just so apt placement for a perfect selfie lightning. The professional touch in its output comes through its Sony IMX214 Exmor sensor and Qualcomm ChromaFlash, UbiFocus and OptiZoom. Its hybrid auto focus enables split-second perfect focus in any light through phase-detection technology.

Battery: Obi Worldphone SF1 is equipped with a Quick Charge 3000 mAh Li-Po battery that gives up to 20 days of standby time, up to 28 hours of talktime, up to 10 hours of video playback time and up to 100 hours of music playback time. The quick charge technology allows the battery to get charged in much lesser time than normal.

Audio: SF1 also comes with superior audio. Its Dolby Audio Surround Sound interprets your playlist in a powerful, real and clear version. Moreover, its noise cancellation facility through dual microphones ensures high quality sound even in noisy settings.

Final Take

Going by its premium design and superior technology, it is clear that the device has got immense potential. Furthermore, its indicative price of USD199 makes the device even more attractive. Although the device was launched in San Francisco on 26^th August 2015, it is still not out in the market for sales in any country. However, this is certainly a device whose performance would be carefully watched once it is out due to its association with some prominent industry names.

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How to Make a Smart Choice while Buying a Smartphone?

Smartphone is more than a friend to every young person. In fact, it is their style statement, personal assistant, guide, instructor, entertainer and what not. Their whole life revolves around the device. Why not? The one who stays with you all the time needs to be special and unique with all those qualities that suit one’s personality. Moreover, smartphone is a huge investment both in terms of money and trust in the brand one chooses. So, this article is what you really need to go through to make a smart choice.

Managing Expectations : Often we tend to think that low-cost smartphones are of low quality and low-performance devices as compared to the ones at the high-end. This may have been true in the past but the gap is getting narrowed. Increasingly, new smartphone companies are starting to offer pretty good devices at lower price points. Some of these new players are Micromax, Xiaomi and Obi Worldphone. Particularly, Obi has received global headlines recently for launching smartphones with premium designs at very attractive price points.

Cutting Corners : It is important for all the buyers to keep in mind that often smartphone companies cut down some features to bring down the cost. Like a smartphone may offer a 13 MP camera but the picture quality might still not be that good. The large screen sounds amazing but it may still have low resolution or may be even same resolution as small-screen phones. You may not get some cutting edge connectivity options like WiFi Direct, NFC and new Bluetooth 4.0. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to all these details.

Hardware : One must check the hardware specifications at the very beginning while buying a new smartphone. Many smartphone companies are running on entry-level hardware. It is extremely important that one pays attention to processor, RAM and storage. Other specifications such as the overall size, display, resolution, connectivity etc. must be compared with other smartphones on similar price points.

Software Interface : A wide range of Android, Windows phones or even some old Blackberry smartphone are available in the budget segment. One must inspect the OS version before choosing the budget phone because some budget phones do not get every minor software update. In case of Windows based smartphones, always look for a device that runs Windows Phone v8 or later. Some OEMs build OS with their own custom UI. One should experience thesoftware interface before making a purchase.

Internal storage and Memory : The reliability on Smartphone is dependent on the amount of memory or storage it has. A Smartphone with the best hardware will be equivalent to a waste if it does not have enough memory. Therefore you must emphasize on getting a Smartphone with enough internal storage and probably with a provision for expansion through a SD card.

Camera and Battery : In the age of Selfies, a good camera is at the highest priority. Various devices come with different Megapixel (MP) back and front cameras. In spite of high MP cameras, the quality of pictures may vary from device to device. Therefore, attention must be paid to the optical zoom. A camera with lower megapixels that offers optical image stabilization and/or optical zoom, aperture, ISO, shutter speed resolution etc. may end up providing better quality pictures. In addition, other features such as color reproduction and resolution are important.

Moreover, most smartphones are equipped with low powered battery. Always remember that device needs a good powerhouse to go all day long. A weak battery will always create problems and limit smartphone usage.

Support : Most smartphones come with one-year warranty. A number of them have extended warranty option as well. But this warranty might not be of any use if there is no service center nearby. So, it is extremely important that we check out a given company’s official website to look for nearby service centers. You must refer some user forums to check the sales support, quality and the other details about the company and that device.

Pricing and Budget : As money could be the biggest spoilsport, one must gather the entire information about the available options to have the best deal. At the same time, it is important that one does not compromise on important things for a small price differential. Essentially, it is all about making a smart choice after analyzing critical information about various smartphone brands. No point regretting at a later stage.

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Obi Worldphone SF1 vs Asus Zenfone2 Laser (ZE500KL)

Recently launched Obi Worldphone SF1 is getting lot of attention for combining the best of design and technology at unusually attractive price points. At the same time, Asus’ Zenfone2 Laser (ZE500KL) has been getting attention due to its very inviting tag line “experience tomorrow”. All these grand claims notwithstanding, it is important to look at the specifications of both the devices to understand who stands where. The following table indicates the specifications of the two smartphones.

As the specifications indicate, Obi SF1 has more advanced versions of Operating System (OS) and Snapdragon chipset, bigger storage and higher battery capacity in comparison to Zenfone 2 Laser. Moreover, with an enhanced combination of pixel-merging technology and GPU, SF1 gives better visual experience as well. Although both the devices have Gorilla Glass 4 protection, but Obi SF1 has a leg up over Zenfone 2 due to its Oleophobic coating that does not allow fingerprints.

Furthermore, SF 1’s camera comes with additional features such as UBI Focus, OptiZoom, and ChromaFlash. SF 1 also has Quick Charge 1.0 and Dolby Audio Surround that provide it an edge over Zenfone2. The most important fact is the price that could be the game changer. Obi SF1 can save you almost $50 equivalent. So, why pay more when a device with a great design and superior technology also comes at a remarkable price.

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One Plus 2- Says something bold without headset

After a long hold up, OnePlus has at long last reported that its second pioneer smart phone, OnePlus 2, will be discharging on July 28. In an official dialog post titled OnePlus 2: The World's First Product Launch in VR, Carl Pei, co-founder OnePlus, expressed that the association expected to break hindrance with the dispatch in a virtual reality event. The event will begin at 7pm PT (7:30am IST) and will be live spouted the world over. The organization will be lunching the gadget in 3D VR.
Unlike never before, OnePlus 2 will be dispatched in a way where the world won't see the launching but experience it. For this virtual dispatch, OnePlus show appreciation to Google Cardboard for boosting the fantasy of conveying VR to homes far and wide. Mirroring the Google Cardboard thing, the Chinese cell phone creator has thought about OnePlus Cardboard, which is in light of Cardboard 2.0, however with some remarkable changes.

With the aim to push VR innovation and make it more open, OnePlus is sharing out these cardboards for nothing. The gadget will be wrapped in this cardboard and sold at the cost of the device, with no additional charges. Adjacent to the enthusiasm made by 3D VR, the organization is uncovering the subtle elements of OnePlus 2 a small bit at once to make up the interest among the potential clients.
It is significant that OnePlus 1 keeps on being an extraordinary challenger to a few continuing brands in the cell phone industry. In this manner, a considerable measure of mystery is going ahead in the business sector around OnePlus 2. As being what is indicated, the organization has affirmed that the forthcoming gadget will have USB Type-C combination, Fingerprint scanner and v2.1 of Qualcomm's top-end adaptable processor, Snapdragon 810. The USB Type-C is a reversible charger that can be used both for trading data from PC and for charging other gadgets. This was highlight not in OnePlus 1.

If we go by the photos spilled by GizChina and Fonearena, the gadget seems rich and feels strong with to some degree bigger screen that may keep running somewhere around 5.5" and 5.7". The gadget may have the same shades of OnePlus 1, sandstone dark and milk white. There is additionally buzz around OnePlus 2 having higher determination than OnePlus 1, whose resolution is full HD 1080x1920 pixels. It may hop to QHD 1440x2560 pixels in OnePlus 2, with the pixel thickness enhancing from 401 to 445 pixels.

Besides, Snapdragon 810 OnePlus 2 may be combined with 4GB of RAM and a 3300mAh battery limit. The new gadget is relied upon to address the issues raised with Plus 1, which had accompany 64 GB inbuilt capacity with no degree for development. Consequently, OnePlus 2 is relied upon to give a space to SD Card. In addition, it may hold the Cyanogenmod 11S working framework, yet keep running naturally Android 5.0 Lollipop-based form. Furthermore, International Business Times has reported that the new gadget may come stacked with 16MP essential (back) camera and 5MP auxiliary (front) camera.

Moreover, to upgrade the 3D VR experience the gadget will be consolidated with Compass/magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient Light Sensor and Barometer followed by pre-loaded games and applications supporting the OnePlus Cardboard. Then again, all these are theories, just holding up to get authoritatively affirmed by OnePlus. Suspect we'll need to sit tight for the virtual reality dispatch booked for 28th July.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 vs Motorola Google Nexus 6

Samsung and Motorola are among the best smartphone makers globally. From the initials till date they had successfully enhanced the experience of technology. It would be interesting to see how their devices compare with each other. Therefore, we have chosen Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Motorola Google Nexus 6 for spec- to – spec analysis.

Both the devices are comparable in terms of RAM, processing power, battery capacity and several other features including connectivity. However, Nexus 6 comes with a slightly bigger screen size and the advantage of receiving OS updates earlier than the other brands. On the other hand, Galaxy Note 4 acquires a definite leg us in terms of Super AMOLED display technology and better cameras with split-screen multitasking feature.

For the price indication, we looked at the cost tag for the two devices in the Indian market, where Nexus 6 with 32GB costs around Rs.44,000 and with 64GB costs Rs.49,000. On the other hand, Galaxy Note 4 costs around Rs.42,000. Therefore, considering the specs and the price in the Indian market, we think Galaxy Note 4 has a sure leg up over Nexus 6, unless one has a specific preference for design and updates.

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Huawei’s Honor under attack from Tecno’s Phantom

It is Huawei’s Honor 3C versus Tecno’s Phantom Z Mini 2 this time, and our focus remains on African smartphone market, particularly Kenya, where we have gone for the price match. The winner is somewhat clear but for little extra price that also brings in lot more.

To get an indication, we looked at various e-commerce websites catering to Kenya market, where Huawei Honor 3C is available at around KSh19,000 whereas Tecno Phantom Z Mini 2 is priced at around 21,000. Considering the advantages Tecno’s Phantom comes with as compared to Huawei’s Honor on almost all the aforementioned counts, the price difference of about KSh2,000 may not necessarily be the deciding factor while making a choice.

Our recommendation is, if you are struggling to decide between these two devices, i.e. Tecno Phantom Z Mini 2 and Huawei Honor 3C, you may wish to consider paying little extra to get not only a better device but a device that comes with lot more too as shown in the box above.

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Motorola Google Nexus 6 vs. Sony Xperia Z3

Once a pioneer in smartphones, Motorola, together with Google, has started practically like a fresher in the cell phone business. Then again, Sony too join the cell phone business a touch late, yet now has a noteworthy Xperia smartphone lineup. Thus, we have grabbed two handsets from these organizations, to be specific Motorola Google Nexus 6 and Sony Xperia Z3, for this review.

Both the gadgets are practically identical on most records. On one hand, Motorola Google Nexus 6 has a good position in light of more extensive screen size with more keen pixels, higher battery limit and a moved processor, which offers better review experience and quicker information handling. Then again, Sony Xperia Z3 takes the consideration due to its much more grounded back camera, expandable capacity choice and FM office, which could work better for individuals with bigger information stockpiling prerequisites.

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Xolo Era with its double RAM beats Intex Aqua Y4

The Indian Smartphone market’s growth is explosive and competition among vendors is gaining steam. The desire to produce ‘the best’ leading these vendors to try something new improved and better. Xolo an Intex are one among these vendors out with their new gadgets. Subsequently, for this review we are putting Xolo Era and Intex Aqua Y4 face to face as they run on almost same price tag.

Look & Feel

Intex Aqua measures 136 x 67.5 x 8.7 mm whereas Xolo Era measure 143 x 73.2x 9.4 mm demonstrating that Intex is slightly thinner than Xolo. Besides, Era is available in black colour which promises to never get out of fashion. Aqua Y4 comes with stylish black including other trendy colours such as White, Silver and Champagne.

Display

Era has a screen size of 5” whereas; Aqua has a screen size of 4.5” with capacitive touch screen. Therefore, Era with bigger screen and sharper pixels acquires a leg up over Aqua Y4. However, both the devices have 480x 854 pixels.

Performance

Considering the processor, Y4 is powered with 1.2 GHz Quad- core that is marginally more reliable than Era which is powered by 1 Ghz Dual-core. On processor make criteria again Intex Y4 is power-driven by MTK6572X whereas Xolo Era is driven by SPREADTRUM SC7731. Both the devices run on Android 4.4.2 OS.

Intex come up with 512 MB which is half of Xolo which come up with 1GB. Era provides 8GB of internal storage which is double of Intex that provides 4GB internal storage. However, both the devices offer expansion of storage up to 32 GB with a microSD card. In spite of the fact that both the contraptions keep running on the same OS and the storage can be expanded up to the same limit however and still, after all that Xolo Era gives a relentless rivalry to Intex Aqua with its RAM and internal storage.

Additional Features

Indeed, when it is about camera Xolo Era ends up having high ground with 8 megapixels (back) and 2 megapixel (front). While, Intex Aqua come up with 5 megapixel (back) and 2 megapixel (front) camera. Xolo includes scene detection& tuning, Panaroma, geo tagging, HDR slow motion, Freeze Frame display and burst mode as additional camera features whereas Intex apart from flash has nothing to offer.

Battery wise XoloEra with 2100 mAh battery defeats Y4 with 1700 mAh battery. Not only in power but also Xolo era with 511 hrs 04 mins stand by time and 24 hours 50 mins talk time have a definite leg up over intex aqua with 298 hrs stand by time and 7 hrs of talk time.

In terms of connectivity, both the gadget bolsters 802.11 a/b/g/n/air conditioning Wi-Fi guidelines. They also support 3G/ 4G, NFC and GPS. Considering the Bluetooth facility Intex come up with v4.0 which is a slightly advanced version than Era BT 2.1.

Conclusion

Going by specifications, we note that Xolo Era clearly steals the show from Intex Aqua Y4 with its larger display screen-size, bigger RAM, larger internal as well as external storage and slightly higher battery capacity. There are distinctive design elements too, which include overall size, shape and colour variants that are a matter of individual preference.

Last but not the least, we looked at the price tag on leading shopping portals with India in mind, where both the devices are priced at around INR4,000. Therefore, Xolo Era stands out as a more sensible choice over Intex Aqua Y4, unless one has specific preference of design and colours.

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Lenovo S60 vs. Panasonic Eluga L 4G

In this brief review we picked up two competitors, Lenovo S60 and Panasonic Eluga L 4G, the two smartphone brands which started their smartphone journey at same time. Lenovo already has some good market space in laptops whereas Panasonic is already a known name in consumer electronics. Recently these two devices were marketed as youth friendly devices. In the slide all the specifications of two devices is mentioned.

After looking at specifications it is clear that Lenovo surely has a leg up over Panasonic on some basic features like camera and performance which is directly linked with user experience. The only advantage with Panasonic is the advanced OS and slightly lower price. Otherwise, spec lovers may tilt towards Lenovo S60.

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Videocon Infinium Z51 Nova is a great deal than Intex Aqua Q4

The comparative review focuses on the two Indian producers as of late ventured into smartphone industry. Videocon and Intex both the companies are well known for producing devices in budget. Along these lines, in this audit, we are contrasting the Videocon Infinium Z51 Nova and Intex Aqua Q4 to see what they bring to the table on similar price point.

DESIGN & DISPLAY:

We begin with the design of two smartphone models. Infinium Z51 is available in blue and grey. On the other hand, Aqua Q4 is out in black, white, grey and champagne variants. Z 51 Nova is slightly smaller and light with 133.5 x 65 x 8.5 dimension and weight 131g. Then again, Intex Q4 accompanies 133 x 67.5 x 9.7 measurement and weight 140g which is marginally greater and overwhelming. Videocon is out with 5” display screen which is marginally greater than Intex’s 4.5” display screen. However, both the devices have capacitive touch screen and produce 480 x 854 pixels resolution.

OS & PROCESSOR:

Both the devices are powered by 1.2Ghz Quad Core processor and Operating system Android 4.4.2 Kitkat. Yet, the gadgets have an alternate chipset, Videocon Nova accompanies Quad Core chipset and Intex Q4 accompanies Spreadtrum SC7731.

RAM & STORAGE:

Nova Z51 with 1GB RAM have an edge over Aqua Q4 with 512MB RAM. If you are looking forward to have many apps and games, lesser RAM may be a constraining component as bigger RAM helps applications run smoother with lessened time slacks. In fact, VideoconZ51 comes with 8GB internal storage expandable to 32GB. While Intex Q4 comes with 4GB internal storage expandable to 32GB.

BATTERY & CAMERA

Both the gadgets are practically identical on the camera out of this world, with 5 megapixel (Rear) cameras and 2 megapixel (Front) cameras with LED Flash and autofocus. But still Infinium Z51 take an edge over with features like face detection, Geo tagging and Panorama Shot. Besides, another critical marker is the battery limit. On this tally, Videocon Infinium Z51 Nova, with its 2000mAh battery limit, is marginally more trustworthy in correlation to Intex Aqua Q4 that accompanies 1800 mAh battery limit.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

Other facilities like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM, 3.5mm audio jack and so forth are all accessible in both the gadgets. Both the devices have Proximity Sensor and Accelerometer in common. Whereas Ambient light sensor is provided only in Z51, Q4 comes with Gyroscope. As far as integration, both gadgets are accessible in 3G. Z51 Nova is pre-loaded with apps like Opera Mini, Email, V-Safe and V- Secure which is anti- virus software is given for free for 90 days. on the other hand, Aqua Q4 is pre-loaded with apps like Intex Zone, Opera Mini, OLX, Intex Service, Clean Master, Ask Me, Newshunt and Empire Defence.

CONCLUSION

Passing by details, we take note of that Videocon Infinium Z51 Nova plainly takes the show from Intex Aqua Q4 with its bigger presentation screen-size, greater RAM, bigger inward and in addition outer capacity and somewhat higher battery limit. There are unmistakable outline components as well, which incorporate general size, shape and shading variations that are a matter of individual inclination.

Last however not the minimum, we at the price tag on leading shopping entries like Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal in view of India, where both the gadgets are evaluated at around INR 6,000. Thusly, Videocon Z51 Nova emerges as a more sensible decision over Intex Q4, unless one has particular inclination of configuration and hues.

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Lenovo A6000 Plus Surpasses Xiaomi Redmi 2

Lenovo, the Chinese company, entered the smartphone business few years back and has already made a mark. It is particularly appreciated for its consistency in improving its devices. On the other hand, another Chinese company, Xiaomi is known for introducing technological advancement in its smartphones. As per IDC, the two companies hold top positions in the global smartphone industry: Xiaomi holds third position whereas Lenovo fourth. Therefore, we have decided to compare the two models from these companies, Lenovo A6000 Plus and Xiaomi Redmi 2, priced about the same, to see how they are trying to outdo each other.

Let us focus on design aspects of the two devices first. Lenovo A6000 Plus measures 141x70x8.2mm and weighs 128g, where as Xiaomi Redmi2 measures 134x67.2x9.4mm and weighs 133g. This makes Lenovo's device somewhat larger however lighter in weight than Redmi 2 which is although small in size yet weighs more. Also, A6000Plus is pleasing to eyes as its body is made up of polycarbonate. Redmi, on the other hand,utilizes finely textured and matte-showered back cover that feels extraordinary, and is also oil and mark safe. Moreover, while Lenovo Plus comes in black that guarantees to never escape from fashion, Redmi 2 is accessible in numerous shading variations including slick dark, white, yellow,pink and green.

On the display front, we find that Lenovo’s Plus 5inch screen is slightly larger than 4.7inch screen of a bigger display screen size gives Lenovo a slight leg up over Redmi 2. Xiaomi Redmi2. Nonetheless, both the gadgets have capacitive touchscreen and produce 720x1280 pixels resolution and fairly similar pixel thickness that is 312 pixels per inch for Redmi 2 and 294 pixels per inch for Lenovo. In general, while the excellence of visuals may be just about the same in both the gadgets.

Both the gadgets are power-driven by 1.2 GHz Quad-Core processors; however Lenovo A6000Plus has a clear leg up over Xiaomi Redmi2 on three checks, i.e. operating system, RAM and storage. Firstly, A6000Plus operates on Android 4.4.4 OS where as Redmi 2 functions on a slightly older version Android 4.4 OS. Besides, Lenovo accompanies 2GB RAM, which is twofold of Redmi2 that has 1GB RAM. Thirdly, with its 16GB inbuilt storage expandable to 32GB, Lenovo is obviously in front of Xiaomi that accompanies 8GB inbuilt storage expandable to 16GB. Moreover, while Xiaomi Redmi2, with its skin MIUI6, permits you to find new capacities, easy routes, customizations and liveliness, Lenovo offers comparative potential outcomes with its VIBE 2.0. In general, Lenovo A6000 Plus is moderately better to make applications run smoother with decreased time hold-up and give general quality of user interface and experience.

Other than Internet searching, messaging, application downloading and gaming, progressively the photography has turned into an essential piece of smartphone. Both Lenovo and Xiaomi comprehend this perspective, especially the developing pattern of selfies. Both the gadgets are practically identical on the camera astonishingly, with 8 megapixel essential (Rear) cameras and 2 megapixel optional (Front) cameras with flash. Besides, another significant indicator is the battery limit. On this check, Lenovo A6000 Plus, with its 2300mAh battery limit, is marginally more dependable in correlation to Xiaomi Redmi 2 that accompanies 2200 mAh battery limit. Different features like Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM and so forth are all accessible in both the gadgets. As far as network, both gadgets are accessible in 3G and 4G relying upon the market.

Based on specifications, we note that Lenovo A6000 Plus steals the show from Xiaomi Redmi 2 on account of its bigger screen-size, more advanced OS, greater RAM, bigger inbuilt and expansion capacity and marginally higher battery limit. There are unmistakable outline components as well, which incorporate general size, shape and shading variations that are a matter of individual inclination. On the e-commerce websites like Flipkart, Amazon and Snapdeal, both he devices are marked at around INR7,000. As such, Lenovo A6000 Plus clearly makes a more sensible choice.

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One Plus 2 will be there - with the bells on!

After a long hold up, OnePlus has at long last reported that its second pioneer smart phone, OnePlus 2, will be discharging on July 28. In an official dialog post titled OnePlus 2: The World's First Product Launch in VR, Carl Pei, co-founder OnePlus, expressed that the association expected to break hindrance with the dispatch in a virtual reality event. The event will begin at 7pm PT (7:30am IST) and will be live spouted the world over. The organization will be lunching the gadget in 3D VR.

Source: bit.ly/1HaqeVP

Unlike never before, OnePlus 2 will be dispatched in a way where the world won't see the launching but experience it. For this virtual dispatch, OnePlus show appreciation to Google Cardboard for boosting the fantasy of conveying VR to homes far and wide. Mirroring the Google Cardboard thing, the Chinese cell phone creator has thought about OnePlus Cardboard, which is in light of Cardboard 2.0, however with some remarkable changes.

With the aim to push VR innovation and make it more open, OnePlus is sharing out these cardboards for nothing. The gadget will be wrapped in this cardboard and sold at the cost of the device, with no additional charges. Adjacent to the enthusiasm made by 3D VR, the organization is uncovering the subtle elements of OnePlus 2 a small bit at once to make up the interest among the potential clients.

Source: bit.ly/1CVUEHl

It is significant that OnePlus 1 keeps on being an extraordinary challenger to a few continuing brands in the cell phone industry. In this manner, a considerable measure of mystery is going ahead in the business sector around OnePlus 2. As being what is indicated, the organization has affirmed that the forthcoming gadget will have USB Type-C combination, Fingerprint scanner and v2.1 of Qualcomm's top-end adaptable processor, Snapdragon 810. The USB Type-C is a reversible charger that can be used both for trading data from PC and for charging other gadgets. This was highlight not in OnePlus 1.

If we go by the photos spilled by GizChina and Fonearena, the gadget seems rich and feels strong with to some degree bigger screen that may keep running somewhere around 5.5" and 5.7". The gadget may have the same shades of OnePlus 1, sandstone dark and milk white. There is additionally buzz around OnePlus 2 having higher determination than OnePlus 1, whose resolution is full HD 1080x1920 pixels. It may hop to QHD 1440x2560 pixels in OnePlus 2, with the pixel thickness enhancing from 401 to 445 pixels.

Source: bit.ly/1CkFa55

Besides, Snapdragon 810 OnePlus 2 may be combined with 4GB of RAM and a 3300mAh battery limit. The new gadget is relied upon to address the issues raised with Plus 1, which had accompany 64 GB inbuilt capacity with no degree for development. Consequently, OnePlus 2 is relied upon to give a space to SD Card. In addition, it may hold the Cyanogenmod 11S working framework, yet keep running naturally Android 5.0 Lollipop-based form. Furthermore, International Business Times has reported that the new gadget may come stacked with 16MP essential (back) camera and 5MP auxiliary (front) camera.

Moreover, to upgrade the 3D VR experience the gadget will be consolidated with Compass/magnetometer, Proximity Sensor, Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Ambient Light Sensor and Barometer followed by pre-loaded games and applications supporting the OnePlus Cardboard. Then again, all these are theories, just holding up to get authoritatively affirmed by OnePlus. Suspect we'll need to sit tight for the virtual reality dispatch booked for 28th July.

Read the whole review of this device on: Brands Dialogue

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Motorola Google Nexus 6 vs Sony Xperia Z3

Motorola's wireless phone handset division was once pioneer in cell phones. Motorola was spun off into a free organization; Google reported that it would get it. The two organizations together began as a fresher in cell phone business. Xperia by Sony is a group of cell phones and tablets who likewise joined the business as of late. In this way, we have picked two handsets from these organizations in particular Motorola Google Nexus 6 and Sony Xperia Z3 for this similar survey.

BUILD

Motorola Nexus 6 measures 83 x 159.3 x 10.6 mm and weighs 184g, whereas Xperia z3 is 146 x 72 x 7.3 mm and weighs about 152g, demonstrating that Xperia Z3 is generally sleeker looking and lighter weight gadget than Nexus6 which is littler and overwhelming. Besides, Google Nexus6 is accessible in two distinct hues, midnight blue and cloud white, though Sony Xperia offers four alternatives i.e. dark, white, copper and gold.

DISPLAY

Motorola has a screen size of 5.96’’ with a capacitive touch screen accompanied by Corning Inc’s Gorilla Glass 3. On the other hand, Sony has a display screen size of 5.2’’ with a capacitive display followed by Triluminos display. Nexus6 have a significant leg up with 1440 x 2560 pixels over Xperia Z3 that has 1080 x 1920 pixels. Both the devices come with waterproof and dust tight display. Therefore, Motorola Z3 with bigger screen and sharper pixels acquires a leg up over Google Nexus6.

PROCESSOR & OS

Considering the processor, Google 6 is powered with 2.7 GHz Quad- Core that is marginally more reliable than Xperia Z3 which is powered by 2.5 Ghz Quad-core. On processor make criteria again Nexus6 is power-driven by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 which is slightly powerful than Xperia Z3 which is driven by Qualcomm Snapdragon 801. Both the devices run on Android v5.0 (lollipop) OS. In spite of the fact that both the contraptions keep running on the same OS however and still, after all that Google6 gives a relentless rivalry to Z3 with its processor.

Both the devices come up with 3 GB RAM. Sony Xperia Z3 provides 16 GB internal storage which is expandable up to 128 GB with a microSD card. Motorola Google Nexus 6 even in the wake of giving greater inside capacity which is 32 GB have no extent of development that end up being the weakness of the gadget.

CAMERA BATTERY

Indeed, when it is about camera Z3 ends up having high ground with 20.7 megapixels (back) and 2.2 megapixel (front) cameras with self-adjust and streak. While, Motorola 6 think of 13 megapixel (back) and 2 megapixel (front) camera with ring glimmer double LEDs. Battery wise Google6 with 3220 mAh battery beats Xperia with 3100 mAh battery.

OTHER FEATURE & PRICE

In terms of connectivity, both the gadget bolsters 802.11 a/b/g/n/air conditioning Wi-Fi guidelines. They also support 3G/ 4G, NFC and GPS. However, Motorola can disappoint buyers by not supporting FM which Sony does. Considering the Bluetooth facility Google come up with v4.10 which is a slightly advanced version than Xperia v4.00. Both the gadgets are accessible on a few India-particular e-business sites. Expense of both the gadgets keeps running in INR 38000-40000.

BOTTOM LINE

Both the devices are comparable on most indicators. On the other hand, Nexus 6 has favorable position because of wide screen size with sharp pixels, higher battery limit and a propelled processor. Then again, Xperia Z3 offers the point of interest incredible camera, sleeker looks and light weight, FM, extensive variety of shades and in the meantime gives a choice of storage expansion. Considering that design is a matter of individual inclination, for this situation, clients will need to settle on a decision between a more propelled OS and battery limit.

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