LG G2 mini review

Introduction

With the new season well under way, the LG G2 mini is trying to have the last word in the compact class just like the original did last year at the high end. With the same design as the flagship (slim bezel, rear buttons and such) and the biggest screen among the minis, LG's compact smartphone is putting its best foot forward.

But then, just like the flagship, the LG G2 mini is going after a certain competitor and not exactly keeping it a secret. The screen resolution, the chipset, the imaging skill are the same as the Galaxy S4 mini's. In other words, if anyone was hoping for something along the lines of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, they'll be disappointed.

   
LG G2 mini official photos

No, the G2 mini isn't a compact powerhouse. It's a well-rounded package still, and one that even does a couple of things better than the flagship, in hope to find a place in the crowded place where minis have to deal with ex-flagships and aggressively priced mid-rangers.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• Quad-band 3G with HSPA; Optional Penta-band LTE cat4
• 4.7" 16M-color qHD (960 x 540) IPS LCD, Gorilla Glass 2 display protection
• Android OS v4.4.2 KitKat; LG Optimus UI
• Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, 1 GB RAM, Adreno 305 GPU, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset
• 8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, geotagging, smart shutter and VR panoramas
• 1080p video recording @ 30fps with mono sound; HDR mode
• 1.3 MP front-facing camera, 720p video recording
• 8GB of built-in storage
• microUSB port
• Bluetooth v4.0
• NFC (in the LTE version only)
• Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• FM radio with RDS
• Voice commands
• Multi-tasking with mini-apps and optional transparency (QSlide)
• Knock Code unlocks the phone with a screen tap combination
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
• User-replaceable 2440mAh Li-Ion battery
• IR emitter for remote control of home appliances

Main disadvantages

• Screen could've used some extra resolution at that size
• Snapdragon 400 is blatantly midrange stuff
• Below average loudspeaker performance
• No ambient light sensor
• Confusingly comes in different versions with different internal hardware

The qHD resolution is only just enough for the 4.7" diagonal, especially considering the competition will offer 720p screens in the same price range. The Snapdragon 400 chipset places the G2 mini squarely in the Android midrange - in fact, the quad-core variety (four Cortex-A7's at 1.2GHz) is not necessarily better than the dual Krait setup in the Galaxy S4 mini.

What's definitely a step in the right direction is the removable battery and the added microSD card slot - the phone could've been slimmer perhaps without them but we'd have the added flexibility any day over a couple of millimeters less around the waistline. The latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat and the matching edition of the Optimus skin are another point in favor, offering some features that are only available on the premium G2 and G Pro 2.

The LG G2 mini is quite compact for the screen size as well - and handling quite comfortably - the rear-mounted keys contributing handsomely.

   
The LG G2 mini hanging around in our office

Follow us for a tour of the exterior to find out more about how the LG G2 mini feels and handles. The usual stops include the display and battery performance.

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Alcatel Idol X+ review

Introduction

Alcatel has been slowly, but steadily making a name for itself for selling affordable, well-made phones throughout the entire price range. This year's Idol X+ is their flagship and it's an affordable yet robust product. With an octa-core processor of Mediatek's MT6592 variety, the X+ is able to throttle as many processor cores as it needs, to balance performance and battery efficiency.

The Idol X+ sports the same 5-inch fullHD display of its predecessor, the Idol X, and puts on an extra 500mAh of battery capacity - and dual-SIM support - while adding just 1mm to its thickness. The LCD panel is so close to the surface it's as if there's no glass between your fingers and the interface. It also features a minimal amount of side bezels, both facts lending to the premium feel.

  
Alcatel Idol X+ official images

But not all of the changes are for the better. To make room for the extra SIM slot, the Idol X+ has lost the microSD card support of its predecessor, and it runs the same aging Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean build.

Here's a quick breakdown of the key features and disadvantages of Alcatel's new flagship.

Key features

• Dual-SIM support
• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support; Dual-band 3G with HSPA for both SIM cards
• 5" 16M-color 1080p IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
• Android OS v4.2.1 Jelly Bean
• Octa-core 2.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, 2 GB RAM, Mali-450MP4 GPU, MediaTek MT6592 chipset with eight full-featured cores and individual throttling
• 13 MP autofocus camera with LED flash, geotagging
• 1080p video recording @ 30fps with continuous autofocus and stereo sound
• 2 MP front-facing camera, 1080p video recording
• 16GB/32GB internal storage
• microUSB port
• Bluetooth v4.0
• Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct
• GPS with A-GPS
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Active noise cancellation with a dedicated mic
• 2,500mAh Li-Ion battery
• Comes bundled with high-quality JBL headphones
• Optional fitness BoomBand

Main disadvantages

• Non-replaceable battery
• No microSD card slot
• No LTE
• Android version not quite up-to-date
• Below average loudspeaker performance
• Back cover doesn't feel premium and gets easily smudged and scratched

Until now Alcatel's strategy for keeping costs down revolved around low internal memory, which was compensated for by the microSD card. With no card slot and only 16GB storage on board of our review unit, things are obviously a bit different this time around, and we're curious how the 32GB version will be priced and whether it will be as competitive as the other products in the company's portfolio. That said, the Idol X+ is a package that will certainly ring a bell if you didn't miss our review of the Alcatel Hero phablet.

    
Alcatel Idol X+ in our office

But pricing is something we'll get to in due time. For now, let's get things under way with our in-depth hardware examination.

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Nokia XL Dual SIM review

Introduction

The Nokia XL goes where Asha never dared, 5" screen territory. Windows Phone itself only recently got there, but the Nokia X family is really an extension of touchscreen Asha "smartphones" rather than a failsafe in case Windows Phone get messed up.

    
Nokia XL official images

We say Asha "smartphones" because that's what Nokia chooses to call them even if no one else would. Even the Finns eventually had to acknowledge the limitations of platform - QVGA resolution kept screens tiny and the app ecosystem never had much promise.

The Nokia X software is based on the Android Open Source Project, just the OS without any of the Google stuff. The more advanced software has opened doors to bigger, higher resolution screens and modern, up-to-date apps, plus more powerful hardware.

The ease of customization also let the company create a unique, Nokia experience with a blend of Nokia and Microsoft services filling in for the missing Google goodies that we are accustomed to seeing on Android.

Here's the summary of what the Nokia XL has to offer:

Key features

• Quad-band GSM, GPRS, EDGE
• Dual-band 3G with HSPA
• Optional dual-SIM support, dual standby
• Nokia X software platform 1.0.1, based on the Android Open Source Project (4.1 Jelly Bean)
• 5" IPS LCD WVGA capacitive touchscreen, ~187 ppi
• 1.2GHz dual-core Cortex-A5 processor, Adreno 203 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 Play chipset
• 768MB RAM
• Proximity sensor, accelerometer, display auto-rotation
• 4GB internal storage (1.2GB available to the user)
• Nokia HERE maps with free lifetime voice-guided navigation and offline maps support
• Data-efficient Nokia Xpress browser
• Nokia MixRadio
• Nokia Glance screen, double-tap-to-unlock
• 5MP camera, FWVGA video recording @30fps; 2MP front-facing camera
• microSD card support (up to 32 GB)
• Wi-Fi b/g/n connectivity
• FM radio
• Bluetooth v3.0
• Standard microUSB port, charging
• 2,000mAh Li-Ion battery

Main disadvantages

• Large and heavy for a 5" device
• Low screen resolution
• No Google services (Play, Gmail, Maps, Calendar, Drive), you can't even sync contacts
• Budget-grade hardware may result in system bottlenecks
• Poor video capture
• No smart dialing
• No document reader

The specs aren't meant to impress but, as an Asha alternative, the Nokia XL prioritizes price over features. Indeed, the XL and its siblings are cheaper than the revered Moto G (barring temporary discounts and promotions).

We shouldn't discount the value of Nokia's premium services - HERE maps with free offline navigation, MixRadio, Glance Screen and double-tap to wake (trademark features that go way back). A familiar brand name also counts for a lot, considering the Android low end is getting populated with small brands with only the Lumia 520 / 525 to fight back.

    
Nokia XL in our office

While the Nokia Lumia 520 has dropped to stunning prices of €100, that's not without some subsidies from Nokia, Microsoft or both to boost WP market share. The Nokia XL and its two shorter siblings instead deliver hardware at its actual price, no catch.

It's a race to the bottom that in the long term will only get fiercer as cheap smartphones become "good enough". Is the Nokia XL "good enough" or perhaps even "better"? Flip to the next page and begin to find out.

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Oppo Find 7a review

Introduction

Oppo has been consistently living up to its name as an innovator in the mobile space and actually over-delivering in terms of user experience and features. To be fair, it's only going to get harder for them - this was easily a brand to approach with low expectations, but not anymore. The Oppo Find 5 was a flagship to be proud of, and the N1 raised the bar even higher.

Today we'll be making the rounds with the recently released Find 7a - which is impressive enough on paper, even though clearly the lesser package. It still packs quite the processing punch, a huge IPS display, feature-rich and quite capable camera, a wealth of connectivity options and a custom-made Android UI. Here goes the full cheat sheet.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support; penta-band 3G with HSPA, quad-band LTE
• 5.5" 16M-color 1080p IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen with 401ppi
• Android OS v4.3 Jelly Bean with Color OS
• Quad-core 2.3GHz Krait 400 CPU, 2GB RAM, Adreno 330 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset
• 13MP autofocus camera, dual-LED flash; HDR, RAW, Panorama, long exposure (up to 32 seconds), Super Zoom mode producing 50MP high-quality samples
• 2160p video recording@30fps, 1080p@30fps, 1080p HDR, 720p@120fps
• Dual-band Wi-Fi ac/a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA; Wireless TV-out (Miracast)
• GPS with A-GPS
• 16GB of built-in storage
• microSD card slot
• microUSB 2.0 port, USB on the go support
• Bluetooth v4.0
• NFC
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• 2800mAh battery with fast charging
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Active noise cancellation with a dedicated mic
• Cool notification light

Main disadvantages

• No KitKat at launch
• No FM radio
• Quite dim capacitive key backlight
• HDR videos are not as nice as the regular ones

The Oppo Find 7a matches the true flagship almost to a t - the key difference being screen resolution. More than reasonably priced for the level of equipment, the Find 7a has every right to hope for a warm reception - and that's in the face or serious competition.

    
Oppo Find 7a live pictures

OK, to some the Oppo Find 7a may look like the adopted child next to the QHD-screen-touting sibling, plus Oppo didn't give their best effort naming it. But QHD or not, it seems quite capable of keeping up - and even outsmarting - most of the competing flagships. Ready for a ride?

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Samsung Galaxy S5 vs Oppo Find 7a

Introduction

So, a couple of weeks' break and the Galaxy S5 is ready for the next round. And it's only getting harder for the Samsung flagship - who would've thought we'd say this ahead of a head-to-head involving a Chinese smartphone? Oh well, Samsung of all makers should know it's windy at the top.

Oppo on the other hand emerged from obscurity into unexpected brilliance in just a couple of generations. Innovation backed up by performance used to be a surprise, it's now anticipation. Hardly a shock then that the Oppo Find 7a is standing up to probably the best flagship on the market, that has a few wins under its belt already, sustaining only minor scratches.

So, five generations of refining standard-setting gadget upon gadget against a newcomer - and the worse half of a pair of flagships at that. Before we continue, a side note is more than needed. The Oppo Find 7a has the same display and body size, imaging credentials, connectivity set, and software features as the superior Oppo Find 7, except for a lower screen resolution (1080p vs. QHD), and a tiny bit of less processing power - but is less expensive.

Yet, if there's so much as a hint of underestimating the Find 7a, the Galaxy S5 might have another thing coming. Let's check out the playing field.

Samsung Galaxy S5 over the Oppo Find 7a

• More compact and lighter
• IP67 certified for dust and water resistance
• Higher-res camera with bigger sensor - 16 MP 1/2.6" over 13 MP 1/3.06"
• Faster phase-detection autofocus (just 0.3s to lock)
• 32GB storage option
• Android 4.4 KitKat over Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
• Snapdragon 801 AC over AB - higher CPU and GPU clock, RAM controller clock
• Heart-rate and fingerprint scanners
• Infrared port for TV and appliance remote control
• Wi-Fi a/ac support
• Micro USB 3.0 over Micro USB 2.0

Oppo Find 7a over the Samsung Galaxy S5

• Bigger display - 5.5" over 5.1"
• Higher resolution front facing camera - 5 MP over 2 MP
• 50MP Super Zoom camera shooting mode
• Cheaper price tag
• Fast charging: 0% to 75% takes 30 minutes

The Galaxy S5 has put together a serious list of advantages against the Find 7a, being the specs monster that it is. But Oppo's Find 7a has a few things going for it too. The camera trick is not to be sniffed at for sure - yet it's the bigger screen real estate for less money that may ultimately lure users away from the familiar brand.

    
Samsung Galaxy S5 and Oppo Find 7a

As always, it's a matter of what you like and what you need - and how much you're willing to spend. The Oppo Find 7a certainly looks like a bargain but the Samsung is the safer bet. Whether you're here to root for the underdog or want to see exactly what you're getting for your hard-earned cash, we'd like to think you're at the right place. Is the Oppo Find 7a's camera as good as the Galaxy S5's? Is the screen? Which one is better for movie watching?

We're on it. Next up: design and handling.

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