Some people might be asking, what are those numbers, what the hell does that mean? how does Jam Ancheta review? Well, here’s the post to answer your questions regarding how I rate and review smartphones.
Every person has its own style in reviewing a gadget. I always base my review in my real-life experience with the product so don’t expect that we’ll have same opinions on the same product that I’m reviewing. Again, we have different views and perspective whenever we review a product.
If you’ve seen my smartphone and tablet reviews, you’ve probably seen the ratings at the bottom of the post. There are criteria and they are rated each. Probably, you are wondering how I get those numbers. Well, here’s a guide on how I view those digits.
Garbage. Just Garbage
At least it is better than garbage
Better than better than garbage? (still not likeable)
Has issues but still bad
K.
Average. There are issues 🙁
Good although there still some issues 🙁
Nice!
Wow, it’s almost perfect
Da best
How do I get the total score? It’s easy. It’s the average of those subscores.
You want a taste of Vanilla Android but you don’t want the Google Nexus 5? I think you better get the Google Play Edition smartphones instead. So what are these Google Play edition smartphones? These are the smartphones that has no tweaks from manufacturers and they’re just fresh Android with no bloatwares or apps from manufacturers that’s why it is smoother and it has more storage. Oh and another thing! If your device is a Google Play Edition, you could get Android updates faster than the others. If you want to experience a seamless and smooth Android experience then you better get these devices. And yes! Widget City is selling Google Play Edition devices like the Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z Ultra and LG G Pad 16 GB. Head over to Widget City Facebook page to know more about it.
If you want to spend your money for a nice mirror-less camera and you want that DSLR look, then maybe you might want to look at this camera. The Samsung NX30 is a mirror-less camera that sports a 20.3 MP APS-C sensor, an AMOLED touch screen display, Wi-Fi and top plate dials that are customizable and as complex as a DSLR.
Like what I’ve said earlier, it has the DSLR look and feel, which makes it comfortable to hold but too large for a mirror-less camera. But yeah, I really like a larger grip for my cameras. However, the Samsung NX30 is lighter and a bit smaller than most DSLRs that are available in the market. The Samsung NX30 is made up of plastic that’s why it is much lighter. I got no complaints with that though.
The display is one the features that you would surely love in this camera. The Samsung NX30 got a 3” AMOLED foldout display that produces vibrant and vivid colors. The display is touch-screen too that’s why it’s easier to navigate and to focus on objects. The sunlight legibility of the display was great too. The Samsung NX30 probably has the best display on a camera.
There’s an electronic viewfinder too on this camera and one small feature that I love in it is it detects when I’m looking on the EVF and it automatically switch to the EVF from the display. It’s a small feature but it’s very convenient for many people. I’m using the EVF on a camera most of the time but after I used the NX30, I always prefer the AMOLED display. If you’ve tried this camera, I’m pretty sure that you’ll love its display.
Samsung boasts connectivity via Wi-Fi to your smartphones in their Smart cameras. It is much easier to connect to your smartphone if your smartphone has NFC in it. But of course, you have to download the Samsung Smart Camera app on your phone and just tap your phone the side of the Samsung NX30 and voila! Your phone is now connected to your camera and it will automatically transfer photos and videos from your camera to your smartphone. I didn’t had any that much problems in that feature but some people might find it difficult to understand how to use it.
The Samsung NX30’s interface was very easy to use and understand. It’s also very responsive and fast. There are a lot of modes that you could use on the camera and it’s very easy to understand for me.
I was surprise with how the Samsung NX30 performed. The 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 kit lens included in the box was great. The autofocus on the NX30 was very fast and very accurate and again, using the touchscreen display to focus was very awesome and convenient.
The Samsung NX30 has a camera sensor that can beat most of the micro four-thirds camera. The optical image stabilization on the camera was pretty darn good. You know what, check out the images that I took below.
The Samsung NX30 is the best camera Samsung has made. The Samsung NX30 is very easy to learn and use which will be great for amateurs and beginners. I like how light and comfortable the Samsung NX30 is compared to the other cameras at the same size however, I didn’t like the all-plastic body but that’s not really a big issue for me. Another thing to love in this baby are the smart features. If you’re not a pro photographer, I strongly suggest this camera and yes, I’m one of those people who fell in love with the Samsung NX30.
Cloudfone has introduce their newest affordable Quad-core device, the Cloudfone GEO 401q+. Their newest smartphone is now packing a Qualcomm MSM8212 1.2GHz Qual Core which can be found on newer mid-range devices. One of its interesting features is the back cover with an elegant monochromatic patterned design with a premium coating. It’s actually inspired from a carbon-fiber look which makes it different from other smartphones. Check out the specifications below:
Cloudfone GEO 401q+ Specifications
Qualcomm MSM8212 1.2 GHz Quad-Core Processor with Adreno 302 GPU
4″ WVGA Capacitive display
1GB RAM
4 GB Storage with MicroSD card slot up to 32GB
5 Megapixel Rear Camera
2 Megapixel Front Camera
HSPA+
1500mAh Battery
Android 4.3
It’s nice to see that Cloudfone has a smartphone that can match up other local brands. I like its unique and elegant patterned design at the back and I really want to see and feel it in person. The price? it’s very affordable at P3,999 and
The Zenfones have finally arrived and one them rocks a very interesting price. Last night, ASUS unveiled the ASUS Zenfone 4, 5 & 6 and did you know that these smartphones sports an Intel Atom processor inside instead of the MediaTek or Qualcomm processors?. So what’s so cool about these Intel Atom processors? Well, despite having a dual-core processor, these Intel Atom processors act like a quad-core processor thanks to the hyper threading technology.
All these Zenfones will have ZenUI inside which is a simple but beautiful interface made for ASUS smartphones. It has flat modern icons, vivid colors and animations that are very pleasing to the eyes. There are also some cool features built-in into it like the What’s next and Do it Later.
One of Zenfone features that ASUS keep bragging about is their Pixelmaster camera. It’s a technology made by for their Zenfone series smartphones. Basically, it has a lot of features including the low-light mode in where it increases the camera perforamance it poor lighting conditions. The camera increases the light sensitivity by 400% and contrast by 200% which will result to clear and bright low-light shots and yes, I’ve tried it for myself and it was very effective.
ASUS Zenfone 4 (A400CXG) Specifications
4” TFT LCD 800×480
Intel Atom Z2520 1.2 GHz Dual-core processor with HyperThreading Technology
1GB RAM
8GB Internal Storage with MicroSD slot up to 64GB
5 Megapixel Rear Camera
VGA Front Facing Camera
1600mAh Battery
Android 4.3 (Upgradeable to Android 4.4 soon)
ASUS Zenfone 5 (A501CG) Specifications
5” 1280×720 IPS+ display with Gorilla Glass 3
Intel Atom Z2560 1.6 GHz Dual-core processor with HyperThreading Technology
2GB RAM
8GB Internal Storage with MicroSD slot up to 64GB
8 Megapixel Rear Camera, f2/0 aperture with LED Flash
2 Megapixel Front Facing Camera
2110mAh Battery
Android 4.3 (Upgradeable to Android 4.4 soon)
ASUS Zenfone 6 (A501CG) Specifications
6” 1280×720 IPS+ display with Gorilla Glass 3
Intel Atom Z2560 1.6 GHz Dual-core processor with HyperThreading Technology
2GB RAM
16GB Internal Storage with MicroSD slot up to 64GB
13 Megapixel Rear Camera, f2/0 aperture with LED Flash
2 Megapixel Front Facing Camera
3200mAh Battery
Android 4.3 (Upgradeable to Android 4.4 soon)
The ASUS Zenphone Series has a lot of variants but these are the ones that we’re getting here in the Philippines. The SRP will be PhP3,995, PhP6,495, and PhP11,995 for the ASUS Zenfone 4, Zenfone 5 & Zenfone 6 respectively. The ASUS Zenfone 4 feels just right however the Zenfone 6 is a little bit overpriced while I’m more inclined on the ASUS Zenfone 5. Actually, I think the ASUS Zenfone 5 is the best smartphone for its budget.
Another device that made an appearance at the event was the ASUS Memo Pad 7 ME176CX. Why is it interesting? Well, because it has a 3rd generation Intel Atom processor inside specifically, the 64-bit Intel Atom Z3745 Quad-Core processor. Do you know what’s so surprising about it? This device is priced at P6,990 but the Antutu score this tablet got was around 33000. Although, I wasn’t able to test this device :(.
If you’re looking for a flagship smartphone that won’t make a hole in your pocket then you better check out the Xiaomi Mi 3. It’s a smartphone with a flagship specifications but it only has a price tag of P10,600. Very affordable right? but a lot of people have been complaining with its availability but starting last week, you can now order a Xiaomi Mi3 anytime at Lazada.com.ph. Yes! You don’t need to wait for the next batch of Xiaomi Mi 3 to arrive because they’re available anytime at Lazada.com.ph! You can check out the full specifications of Xiaomi Mi 3 here.
Buying an iPad mini with Retina display? Better go the nearest Beyond the Box stores because they’re having a sale right now! Yes! They’re slashing off P4000 on the 128GB and 64GB Wifi Cellular models, and P3000 on the 32GB and 16GB WiFi + Cellular models! and aside from that, you could also get some freebies for every purchase of iPad mini with Retina display Wifi + Cellular model. Here are some freebies that you could get when you purchase an iPad Mini with Retina display:
All iPads are available for up to 12 months installment 0% interest to all credit card holders. Visit any Beyond the Box store from July 15-August 15, 2014.
Last Sunday, The world’s slimmest smartphone, Gionee Elife S5.5 was launch at SM North EDSA Cyberzone annex. The launch was hosted by Giselle Sanchez and of course, the Gionee Elife S5.5 launch won’t be complete without their newest brand ambassador, Ellen Adarna.
Gionee Elife S5.5 is the world’s thinnest smartphone at 5.5mm thin but despite having that thickness, the Gionee Elife S5.5 is very durable thanks to the Gorilla Glass 3 encased on the front and the rear of the phone. I know, the phone looks very premium thanks to the combination of the glass and the metal at the sides. Actually, Ellen Adarna dropped the Gionee Elife S5.5 many times and it didn’t even had a crack.
Another thing to love in this smartphone is its camera. Despite its thin body, the 13 Megapixel Camera on the Gionee Elife S5.5 performs pretty well while its front facing camera has a 95 degree ultra wide angle lens that’s why doing selfies is much better on the Gionee Elife S5.5.
Something big is coming from Cherry Mobile and we have no idea what smartphone would that be! I have no idea what #TheBigReveal will be but it looks like it’ll be smartphone with a something different inside it. Maybe an affordable Octa-Core phone? a new hexa-core device? Snapdragon device? another big phablet? I don’t know! But if the render on the video was real, it looks like it will have an on-screen buttons. How did I know? I just downloaded the video and raised its exposure (See picture below). However, the render on the video might not be real product. My guess? I think this will be a powerful Snapdragon device (Probably a Snapdragon 800 device) ;). This smartphone is expected to be revealed on July 30. Check out their teaser here. What do you think of their #TheBigReveal? Any guesses?
The Gionee Elife S5.5 is the world’s thinnest smartphone and probably one of the most beautiful and sexiest one. It is very align to their newest endorser, Ellen Adarna. You’ll be very amazed on how did Gionee was able to fit in its flagship hardware on this smartphone. How thin? it’s 5.5mm thin. I know, The Gionee Elife S5.5 is not only thin, but it is also freaking beautiful.
The Gione Elife S5.5 comes with a lot of accessories that you would probably need on a smartphone. Since the front and back of the smartphone is made up of glass, there are free protectors included in the box. I already expected the screen protectors but what I didn’t expect was there was a flip cover and a USB OTG inside.
The Gionee Elife S5.5 is made up of materials which can be found on most flagship smartphones like glass and metal. The first time I held the Gionee Elife S5.5, it felt very premium. The feel of the Gionee Elife S5.5 reminds me of the iPhone but even better because of its 5.5mm thin body and a larger display. The combination of glass and metal is really elegant and very premium.
At the back, there’s the 13 MP camera which has a bulge at the back with sharp edges. So why does the Gionee Elife S5.5 has a bulge at the back? I think it has something to do with the camera sensor but don’t worry, the bulge at the back wasn’t really that annoying and it isn’t that thick.
Inside it is Android 4.2 and it is skinned by Amigo UI which can also be found on the Gionee Elife E7. The UI is very simple and easy to understand. If you’re not familiar with the UI, there are no widgets and there’s no app drawer on the Amigo UI. If you’re coming from an iPhone, probably, you’ll have an easy time transitioning to this device.
The Gionee Elife S5.5 is will be launch tomorrow and if you’re planning on getting one, the Gionee Elife S5.5 will be available for P21,999 with some freebies like a 1TB hard drive and a leather case. Not bad.
