Overview

One of the most interesting technical aspects of this mobile phone is that it is the first to carry an NVIDIA Icera 450 HSPA+ baseband modem and does so right along side the dual-core NVIDIA Tegra 2 chip. What does that mean for the average user? It means a potential peak download speed of 21Mbps. It means the IceClear interface cancellation technology it features boasts a steadier, more reliable transmission of data.

The rest of the ZTE Mimosa X’s capabilities are aligned with its mid-class ranges in both technology and price, but both classifications are enhanced by the possibilities that the modem-and-chip design bring to the table.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: Unknown.
Display: 4.3 inches / capacitive touchscreen with qHD capability / 540 x 960 pixels at 256 ppi.
Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Speed: Unknown GHz. / dual-core, NVIDIA Tegra 2.
Memory: RAM unknown / 4 GB internal with 32 GB external microSD or micro SDHC slot.
Battery: Sorry; don’t know this either.
Camera: Rear: 5 MP / video recording-capable. / Front: 1.3 MP with video calling.
Connectivity: GSM: 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz / 4G-bands as well. / Data: WiFi bands and features, unknown beyond DLNA / HSDPA+ / EDGE / GRPS

Features: Dolby sound. Built-in gyroscope. Dual microphones. Proximity sensor – screen locks when close to something to avoid accidental navigation. Phone book: Unlimited entries; multiple numbers per contact; picture ID; ring ID. MP3 audio player; MPEG4 video player.

Additional comments: Sorry, we don’t know the screen technology at this time. Excellent pixel density, though, for great clarity and sharpness of images displayed. We doubt that the music and video files are that limited, but it’s all the info we found.

Overall opinion: As you can see, we don’t have a lot of the information that we like to present to you, but what is known piques our interest in this step-up mobile phone from ZTE.

For the sake of this discussion, we’re referring to this anonymous model as the Panasonic Eluga Plus, but please remember that’s just our temporary name for it.

Overview

As noted on the Panasonic’s Eluga mobile phone, the ‘Eluga Plus’ mystery model carries a dust-proof and water-proof rating. We’re still amazed at that capability. But it brings respectable speed as well as a decent-sized screen and resolution in addition to that impressive notation.

The mobile is expected to debut in the European markets some time in March, but might be early in the second quarter, with additional distribution to follow.

We know little of the user features within this device, so forgive the skimpy information in that area. Let’s get on with what we do know, however.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: thickness: 7.8 mm; weight: 103 g.
Display: 4.3 inches / OLED capacitive touchscreen with qHD / 960 x 540 pixels.
Operating System: Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread, upgradeable this summer.
Speed: 1 GHz / dual core.
Memory: 1 GB RAM / 8 GB internal. External expansion unknown.
Battery: 1150 mAh / Talk: 4 hours / Standby: 300 hours.
Camera: Sorry; no info available on the camera specifications.
Connectivity: sorry; beyond WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, we have no idea – yet.

Features: IP57 ratings in both dust and water categories – excellent! No performance degradation noted in underwater operations, although duration of dunking is unknown. (We don’t recommend testing at home; depth limits are approximate to 3 metres at IP57 and duration is short.)

Integrated NFC technology.

Additional comments: We were disappointed to learn the smartphone wouldn’t have ICS right out of box, but it’s some consolation that the upgrade to the OS should be available this summer, according to Panasonic. Lighter than the Galaxy S II, but its technology doesn’t quite meet those same standards.

Overall opinion: From what little we know, including the mobile phone’s actual name, it looks like a pretty respectable smartphone worth consideration.

Overview

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Samsung I9070 Galaxy S Advance

Dimensions: 123.2 x 63 x 9.7 mm / 120 g
Display: 4.0 inches / Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen / 480 x 800 pixels at 233 ppi.
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Speed: 1 GHz, dual core, ARM Cortex A9 CPU
Memory: 768 RAM / either 8 or 16 GB internal with expandable to 32 GB via microSD card.
Battery: 1500 mAh
Camera: Rear: 5 MP / 2592 x 1944 pixels / autofocus /LED flash / Video: 720p at 30 fps. / Front: 1.3 MP, video calling.
Connectivity: 2G: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 / 3G: HSDPA 850, 900, 1900, 2100 / Data: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot / GPRS / EDGE / HSDPA / HSUPA

Features: Rear camera offers touch focus as well as autofocus. A-GPS. Stereo FM with RDS. MP3 / WAV / eAAC+ / AC3 / FLAC audio player; MP4 / DivX / WMV / H.264 / H.263 video player. SNS integration. TV-out. Document editor. Google Search, Maps, Gmail, Talk, Picasa, YouTube. Swype predictive text. Image/video editor.

Samsung Galaxy S II

Dimensions (inches): 4.96 x 2.60 x 0.35 / 4.13 ounces.
Display: 4.3 inches, touchscreen; WVGA 480 x 800 pixels
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Speed: 1.2 GHz, dual core.
Memory: Internal 16 GB, expandable to 32 GB.
Battery: 3.7 V, Lithium Ion. Talk time: up to 8 hours; stand-by: up to 16 days.
Camera: Rear: 8 MP, autofocus. 4X zoom. / Video: HD 1080p @ 30 frames per second (fps). / Front: 2 MP.
Connectivity: 2G: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 / 3G: UMTS: HSDPA 850, 1900, 2100. / 4G: HSPA+.

Additional features or capabilities include TTY/TTD compatibility, Hearing Aid (HAC) rating of H3, Bluetooth compatibility and voice-and-data simultaneously.

Additional comments: Additional features for the Galaxy S II not listed.

What do you think? Do you like the S II or the S Advanced better?

Overview

The Samsung Galaxy S II was the blockbuster hit of 2011. This smartphone set sales records from the start and has hardly slowed with the change of year.

With all that this mobile phone brings, what will its sibling, the Samsung Galaxy S III offer this year? It boggles the mind.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Samsung Galaxy S II

Dimensions (inches): 4.96 x 2.60 x 0.35 / 4.13 ounces.
Display: 4.3 inches, touchscreen; WVGA 480 x 800 pixels
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Speed: 1.2 GHz, dual core.
Memory: Internal 16 GB, expandable to 32 GB.
Battery: 3.7 V, Lithium Ion. Talk time: up to 8 hours; stand-by: up to 16 days.
Camera: Rear: 8 MP, autofocus. 4X zoom. / Video: HD 1080p @ 30 frames per second (fps). / Front: 2 MP.
Connectivity: 2G: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 / 3G: UMTS: HSDPA 850, 1900, 2100. / 4G: HSPA+.

Additional features or capabilities include TTY/TTD compatibility, Hearing Aid (HAC) rating of H3, Bluetooth compatibility and voice-and-data simultaneously.

Sony Xperia S

Overview

If you will recall from a recent post, the Xperia S is a fully integrated model with NFC technology. The actual SmartTags that pair your device information with your environment – home, personal, etc. – are due out soon.

The Sony Xperia S has also been called the Sony Ericsson Nozomi and the Sony Ericsson Arc HD.

Dimensions: 128 x 64 x 10.6 mm / 144 g
Display: 4.3 inches / LED-backlit LCD, capacitive touchscreen / 720 x 1280 pixels at 342 ppi.
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread; planned upgrade to 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Speed:
Memory: 1 GB RAM / 32 GB internal only.
Battery: 1750 mAh/ 2G: Talk: up to 7.5 hours; standby: up to 450 hours. / 3G: Talk: up to 8.5 hours; standby: up to 420 hours. / Music play: up to 25 hours.
Camera: Rear: 12 MP / autofocus / LED flash / Video: 1080p at 30 fps. / Front: 1.3 MP, video at 720p and 30 fps.
Connectivity: 2G: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 / 3G: HSDPA 900, 2100 – LT26i -or- HSDPA 850, 1900, 2100 – LT26a / Data: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot / HSDPA / HSUPA / GPRS / EDGE

Features: Video recording sports continuous autofocus, touch focus, 3D sweep panorama and more. FM Stereo with RDS. MP3 / eAAC+ / WMA / WAV audio player; MP4 / H.263 / H.264 / WMV video player. Google Search, Maps, Gmail, YouTube, Talk. Document viewer. SNS integration.

There you have the basic information and a few of the frills with the Samsung Galaxy S II and the Sony Xperia S. Which do you like better?

The basic Galaxy Note with model number GT-N7000 or I9220, reviewed here specifically, has slightly different capatibilities than the Galaxy Note LTE, model number I717, reviewed previously. To clarify which our prior review covered, we have updated the title of that post to include the I717 model number and have included the GT- model number on this post.

Again, the models are similar, but they are not identical. Sorry about the confusion.

Anyway, here’s our review of the Samsung Galaxy Note GT-N7000 or I9220.

Overview

Still large-screened, still with lots of great connectivity options and marvellous features, the differences between the models are slight but noteable. Pull up the Galaxy Note I717 review in a separate tab or window for comparison.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: 146.9 x 83 x 9.7 mm / 178 g
Display: 5.3 inches / Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen / 1280 x 800 pixels at 285 ppi.
Operating System: Android 2.3.5 Gingerbread
Speed: 1.4 GHz / dual-core / ARM Cortex A9 CPU
Memory: 1 GB RAM / either 16 GB or 32 GB, depending on which purchased, expandable external memory capacity to 32 GB via microSD or microSDHC card.
Battery: 2500 mAH / 2G: Talk: up to 26.2 hours; standby: 960 hours / 3G: Talk: up to 13.5 hours; standby: up to 820 hours.
Camera: Rear: 8 MP / 3264×2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash/ Video: 1080p at 24 to 30 fps. / Front: 2 MP, video-calling.
Connectivity: 2G: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 / 3G: HSDPA 850, 900, 1900, 2100 / regional LTE: 700. / Data: WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot / GPRS / EDGE / HSDPA / HSUPA

Features: Stereo FM with RDS. MP3 / WAV / eAAC+ / AC3 / FLAC audio player; MP3 / WAV / eAAC+ / AC3 / FLAC video player. TV-out via MHL A/V link. Optional NFC support. S-Pen stylus. SNS integration. Document editor for Word, Power Point, Excel, PDF. Image and video editor. Google package with YouTube, Search, Maps, Gmail, Google Talk, Picasa, SWYPE predictive text. A-GPS with Glonass (Russian system inclusion). Compass and barometer.

Additional comments: Many of the listed features are identical to the I717 model; more are listed here, though.

Overall opinion: If you like one model, you’ll like the other. We like them both.

Overview

Slightly smaller than the Galaxy Note, the Optimus Vu also cruises in with a slightly lesser resolution. It does offer enough for reasonable consideration against the Galaxy Note, for the two smartphones will appeal to the same crowd – large screens, fast processing, stylus-type scripting, and decent, dual cameras.

For comparison, pull up our preview post from February 5 in a separate window, and look at the specifications and features side-by-side.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: width: (roughly 120.5 mm) x 90.4 mm (at 4:3 ratio) x 8.5 mm.
Display: 5.0 inches / LCD capacative touchscreen / 1024 x 768 pixels at 256 ppi.
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
Speed: 1.5 GHz dual-core. Adreno 220 GPU.
Memory: RAM unknown / 32 GB internal; might have external microSD slot.
Battery: 2080 mAh / times, unknown.
Camera: Rear: 8 MP / autofocus / LED Flash / Video: 1080p / Front: 1.3 MP, video-calling.
Connectivity: Complete specs unknown; has WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, at least, with WiFi Direct, DLNA / T-DMB / EDGE / LTE , more.

Features: Appears to have a customisable home screen. Home row consists of five icons.

Additional comments: LG has promised an update to Android 4.0 ICS as quickly as possible. Resolution ppi slightly under that for the Galaxy Note; will that small of a difference make a difference? Not for most people. Wider than the Note; some people might find that awkward.

Overall opinion: If the battery carries decent use and standby life, and the Optimus Vu has respectable RAM and connectivity, none of which we know fully right now, it’s doubtful that it will be priced as high as the Note but could easily slip into the same potential user’s hands. Thin and wide, though, might make users wary of its day-to-day durability and convenience.

Beyond that, the mobile device has a lot going for it, though, so let’s get to it, shall we?

Overview

The HTC Jetstream provides fast 4G support, an excellent, high-resolution camera and enough RAM to avoid those irritating lags and freezes when you multi-task.

It has a familiar size and weight to it that lends a fair comfort ratio whilst not breaking your wrists carrying or manipulating it. The brushed aluminium side and back exterior gives this tablet a stylish appearance that sets this device apart from others in its class.

The Jetstream is fully compatible with HTC’s Scribe Pen, but it’s not included in the box, and separately priced, it’s not exactly a casually purchased accessory. In the US, it sells for around $80.00.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: 251 x 178 x 13 mm / 709 g
Display: 10.1 inches / LCD touchscreen / 1280 x 786 pixels at 148 ppi
Operating System: Android 3.1 Honeycomb at release; later models may have OS updates included.
Speed: 1.5 GHz, dual-core processor.
Memory: 1 GB RAM / 32 GB on-board, expandable via external 32 GB microSD, microSDHC card.
Battery: 7300 mAh / Standby time: 37.5 days.
Camera: Rear: 8 MP / autofocus lens, touch focus option / Dual LED Flash / Video: 1080p at 30 fps. / Front: 1.3 MP, video-calling enabled.
Connectivity: 2G: GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 / 3G: UMTS 850, 1900, 2100 / 4G LTE: 700 MHz Class 17, 1700/2100 MHz / Data: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n. / HSDPA / UMTS / HSUPA / EDGE / LTE /

Features: Phonebook has unlimited entries that allow groupings, multiple numbers per contact, and first- and last-name search options. GPS with A-GPS Support. Organiser. Google Talk. Light sensor. Bluetooth 3.0. USB 2.0, microUSB. Dual camera design. MP3 player; MPEG4, H.263, H.264 video player. YouTube player upload. Facebook and Twitter integration.

Additional comments: Battery stand-by time is well above the 32-day average. Although the audio file compatibility is limited, audio and video streaming is handled well with the fast processing speed.

Overview

The Asus Transformer Prime has a model number of TF201. The leaked, speculative model carries a model number of TF300T. What’s the difference? Well, we hope you opened in another tab or window the Transformer Prime review we did previously and have it available for a comparison.

There are similarities between the models, to be sure, but there are differences as well: Internal memory, thickness and weight are only three.

Hopefully, Asus will present this mobile tablet during the Mobile World Congress 2012, and we will know – and let you know – more about this tablet then.

We are still trying to figure out why Asus would release an almost identical model to the Transformer Prime this soon after the Prime’s release. One analyst noted the possibility that increased per-unit profitability from lower-quality production materials might be one reason.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: thickness: 9.9 mm / weight: 640 g. (others, identical)
Display: 10.1 inches / rest, unknown.
Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Speed: 1.2 GHz / quad-core, Tegra 3 chip.
Memory: 1 GB RAM / 16 GB internal memory.
Battery: unknown but probably very similar to Transformer Prime
Camera: Rear: 8 MP / Front: 1.3 MP (specs are identical to Trans. Prime)
Connectivity: unknown

Features: unknown, really; very sketchy information was leaked. Hopefully, we’ll run an updated review during or after the Mobile World Congress 2012 in Barcelona, Spain, running from 27 February through 1 March. Early ‘media events’ on the 25th and 26th may provide more information before the MWC’s opening bell.

Additional comments: As you will note, the Transformer Prime came with Android 3.2 Honeycomb, upgradeable to 4.0 ICS.

Overall opinion: None possible at this point; we just don’t know enough to warrant even an early guestimate.

Overview

The Asus MeMO 370T tablet fits nicely between the large-screen mobile phones and the ‘big blokes’ major-player dimensions.

Whilst we don’t know the exact processor speed, we do believe that the device won’t exactly be the tortoise in this class race, based solely on the quality and capacity of its Tegra 3 chip inclusion and its quad-core design. Nothing in the low-tech end of things is usually going to carry anything like those.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: Unknown
Display: 7.0 inches / IPS LCD capacitive touchscreen
Operating System: Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
Speed: Tegra 3 chip, quad-core. Graphics processor.
Memory: Unknown
Battery: Unknown
Camera: 8 MP / autofocus / Video: yes, specs unknown.
Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n. Additionals, unknown.

Features: MP3 audio player with Album, artist, art filters upon playback. MPEG4 / H.263 / H.264 video player. Audio and video streaming possible. Uploadable YouTube. Twitter integration. GPS. Multiple email platforms supported, with Microsoft Exchange. Google Talk. Organiser. Document viewer. Voice commands and voice recorder.

Additional comments: If you know updated specifications and capabilities of this mobile tablet, please let us know! We’d love to update this information, and we’ll give you user-name credit for helping us out! Just send it in a reply, and we’ll get it!

Overall opinion: We really want to know more about this tablet. From just what we’ve been able to glean, it seems like an exciting mobile tablet that we hope will be formally presented during the MWC 2012 starting soon. The CES preview model was a pre-production mock-up and not an actual device.

Overview

Yes, you can access the Internet on the Kindle Fire. Yes, you can ‘surf’ with a browser, and yes, you can check email. But only in a limited sense.

You access the Internet straight into Amazon.com. You ‘surf’ their products for purchase or downloading ebooks into the Kindle e-reader of choice. This is not a multi-purpose tablet as others are. Those who purchase the Kindle Fire with generic tablet capabilities in mind will be disappointed.

It’s for shopping. It’s for shopping on Amazon’s website. Oh, and you can check email. The Kindle Fire is Amazon’s proprietary mobile shopping device, and if you approach it as such, it’s worth a closer look.

Specifications

MobilePhones.org.uk staff try our best to find accurate information on your behalf, but the information provided may not be current or accurate. Whenever possible, we mention if its based on rumours or unofficial information.

Dimensions: 190 x 120 x 11.4 mm / 413 g
Display: 7.0 inches / IPS TFT capacitive touchscreen / 1024 x 600 pixels at 170 ppi.
Operating System: Android 2.3 Gingerbread, customised.
Speed: 1 GHz, dual-core, Cortex A9.
Memory: 512 MB RAM / 8 GB internal storage only.
Battery: 4400 mAh
Camera:
Connectivity: 802.11 b/g/n. / WEP, WPA and WPA2 secured networks with password authentication. [Not for P2P networks.]

Features: No voice, SMS or MMS support. Not a GSM or CDMA device; it’s WiFi-only. No Bluetooth compatibility. IM programme. No access to Android Market; on the other hand, owners get one paid app for free daily. Single email app grants access to multiple email domains and inboxes. Additional email apps available from, yes, Amazon’s App Store for Android.

Stereo FM with RDS. MP4/VP8 video player; MP3 / WAV / AAC / OGG / MIDI audio player. Amazon Silk (HTML) browser. Social Networking, gaming – based on Amazon’s selection – either integrated or downloadable.

Additional comments: Some features are enabled only with a subscription to Amazon Prime, and audio and video streaming is available only, and the Fire is available for US delivery only. International release projection or possibility unknown. Allows displaying of children’s books with illustrations.

Overall opinion: If you are a US shopaholic addicted to Amazon, this might be the mobile device that is tailor-made for you. If you prefer other shopping venues and sites for, say, price comparisons or international service, seek another device. This one will be a waste of money.