Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus F7

Possibly the worst-kept secret in midrange mediocrity, the 4G LG Optimus F7 was officially announced by LG last week. It's a midrange handset that comes packing some useful features in a handy size.

Amusingly, this midrange smartphone comes with a very similar spec sheet to the supposedly high-end Motorola Razr HD – namely a 4.7-inch 720p display, dual-core 1.5GHz CPU and an 8MP camera. The Optimus F7, though, packs 2GB of memory to the Razr HD's 1GB.
That may actually be an unfair comparison, because the F7 looks and feels like a lower-tier handset in exactly the same way that the Kevlar-backed Motorola does not. Its plastic shell positively screams compromise, though there is some lovely chrome trimming to be found on the edges. We like chrome trimming.

The LG cannot match the HD's AMOLED screen either, but that doesn't mean it's bad - it's the same resolution but was noticeably less vivid. Viewing angles weren't as nice but with the price difference we're probably talking here, it isn't half bad.

The F7 throws Jelly Bean around easily enough and there wasn't much sign of that 'just OK' CPU holding it back. We were able to swoosh in and out of all the menus without any sign of delay and the camera was fast and responsive too. Apps loaded quickly and it was able to switch between them easily enough,

The F7 will go on sale later this year - certainly before the summer - though word is that it might never make it to the UK shores at all.
It looks like a decent midrange effort that wouldn't be out of place at a tech show - just don't expect leading features.

See more mobile phones Add comment 'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus L7 2

The LG Optimus L7 2 finds itself in a peculiar position as it sits at the top of the L-Series 2 range, but it's still a budget device.
LG is refreshing its bottom end offering at MWC 2013 with a trio of new devices taking over from their namesakes (minus the number 2) which launched at the same show last year.
All three are expected to launch during the second quarter of this year in markets across the world, and the Optimus L7 2 has been confirmed as coming to the UK, but it will arrive a bit later than the Optimus L5 2 and Optimus L3 2.

LG reckons the Optimus L7 II will retail for around £150-£160 (around $225-$240/AU$220-AU$235) SIM free, with contract prices likely to be around the £15 - £20 per month mark.
At first look the LG Optimus L7 2 could be mistaken for a premium handset thanks to its smart design, with the rounded corners reminding us a little of the Samsung Galaxy S3, only not quite as large.

Pick it up and you'll immediately recognise that relatively cheap plastic feel and the lack of any significant weight goes further to reveal this isn't a top end device.
It's still comfortable to hold though and an even balance makes it easy to manipulate in one hand, although we would have preferred the back to be slightly more curved to give a snugger fit in our palm.

There's a power/lock key on the right side of the handset, while on the left you get a volume rocker switch and an additional quick key - all of which are easy to hit whether you're holding the Optimus L7 2 in your right or left hand.
The quick key also features on the Optimus L5 II and you can programme this button to launch the app of your choosing, plus you can set it to act as the shutter key when in the camera app.

It's a useful feature to have and one we reckon we'd use a lot if it was on our current smartphone (currently a HTC One X, since you ask).
On the front of the LG Optimus L7 2 there is a 4.3-inch IPS display with a relatively mediocre 480 x 800 resolution, but it's bright, clear and perfectly functional.

There's a 1GHz dual-core processor and 768MB of RAM to run the action on screen, which consists of the Android Jelly Bean operating system.
Everything runs without a hitch and while it may not be as slick and speedy as the top of the range handsets, the LG Optimus L7 2 has a pleasing user experience.

LG has applied a basic overlay to Android which sees the addition of manufacturer specific apps and a range of quick settings in the notification bar allowing you to toggle features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC.
In terms of LG specific apps the Optimus L7 II comes equipped with Quick Memo which allows you to draw or write on top of any screen you're currently viewing, just in case you need to jot down a quick message.

While Quick Memo also features on the other two handsets in the L-Series 2 range, the more powerful Optimus L7 2 comes with a couple of other goodies, the first of which is QSlide.
QSlide allows you to access another application while watching a movie, with the video becoming a transparent layer on the display, with a toggle to adjust the opacity depending on the other task you want to perform.

The LG Optimus L7 2 handles the transition from video player to transparent multi-tasking with just a second load time and there was no hint of slow down as we navigated around the phone with our video still playing in a ghostly manner over the top - impressive
Another handy addition is the Q Translate app which is capable of reading 60 different languages and then translating the text for your delectation.

In online mode you're able to convert whole sentences to your native tongue, but if data connection evades you the offline mode will still translate single words.
There's only 4GB of internal storage on the Optimus L7 2 which is a little disappointing, but luckily LG has included a microSD slot under the back cover allowing you to expand your memory options.

Also under that back cover is a 2,400mAh battery which should hopefully give you a decent amount of life, but we'll put that to the test during our in-depth review.
Round the back you have an 8MP camera, which is impressive at this price point, accompanied by a single LED flash while on the front there's a VGA snapper for video calls.

Shutter speed, as with the other two L-Series handsets, is a little sluggish on the Optimus L7 2 but the amusingly named "Cheese Shutter" once again doesn't fail to bring a smile to our face as we talk to the phone to take a picture.
Image quality is pretty decent, as you'd expect from an 8MP snapper and in the camera department at least the Optimus L7 2 can certainly challenge the devices in the tier above it.

The decently sized responsive touchscreen means that the default keyboard is well spaced and easy to type on, with a good level of accuracy, spell check and next word prediction.
We were a little let down by the internet browsing capabilities on the Optimus L7 II though, with pages taking several seconds to load up.
We hope it was due to the congested Wi-Fi network the handset was connected up to, but the jury's out until we put the handset through our thorough review process.
The LG Optimus L7 2 is a surprisingly capable budget smartphone which offers up plenty of features for not a lot of cash.
We were impressed with its 8MP camera, stylish design and smooth operation, although web surfing could do with a bit of a boost.
Out of the three new L-Series 2 handsets the LG Optimus L7 2 is our favourite and we reckon it will offer consumers pretty decent value for money when it lands later this year.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Motorola Razr HD

Lovely screenNice buildBattery life promisingIt's 4G

The Motorola Razr HD came out in the US at the end of last year (where it was known as the Droid Razr HD) but elsewhere we're left with the more sensible Razr HD.

It's hardly the hottest handset at MWC this year - you only have to compare the Motorola stand with the Samsung one to see that. One is almost completely deserted while the other is rammed so full of sweaty phone-frenzied bodies it was almost suffocating. Guess which was which...

The Razr HD may not have the best specs at the show, but a dual core 1.5GHz Qualcomm CPU isn't bad, and is joined by 1GB memory, a 720p 4.7-inch AMOLED display and an 8MP camera. All decent if not industry-leading specs.

It's enough to make this handset Motorola's undisputed flagship model, sitting above its Intel-powered little brother.

It has the same kevlar backplate that we saw on last year's Moto handsets, but don't go thinking that makes it bulletproof - you'd need seven interwoven layers of the stuff to stop a bullet - instead, this tough material is used to make the phone 'tough enough'. So we're talking drops, not grenades.

It feels solid, too. We always find it interesting to see the different approaches these companies take to materials, design and build quality and Motorola is one of the few that has it right.

With edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass and a lovely smooth feel, the Razr HD is no ugly duckling - although admittedly, like most phones, it's still a just a shiny rectangle.

Performance-wise, the Razr HD was smooth and responsive in our demo, though that is normally the case with clean new phones like this. Choke them full of apps and they'll soon start coughing up blood, but we'll have to wait and see about that when we get our full review sample in next week.

We took a few snaps with the handset and were disappointed with the speed it took to take them - the quality of the pictures didn't look stellar either. But, again, we'll test more when we can.

For the time being, then, we can report that the 4G-enabled Motorola Razr HD is a nice phone and will launch in the UK running Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 in the next few weeks.

It appears to be a very capable handset and promises excellent battery life with its 'only' dual-core CPU.

The screen looked lovely even under the bright lights of MWC and we look forward to playing with it more. It's no Xperia Z though, so don't expect to be able to flush it down the toilet and get it back in one piece.

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'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee.

View the original article here

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus L7 2

The LG Optimus L7 2 finds itself in a peculiar position as it sits at the top of the L-Series 2 range, but it's still a budget device.

LG is refreshing its bottom end offering at MWC 2013 with a trio of new devices taking over from their namesakes (minus the number 2) which launched at the same show last year.

All three are expected to launch during the second quarter of this year in markets across the world, and the Optimus L7 2 has been confirmed as coming to the UK, but it will arrive a bit later than the Optimus L5 2 and Optimus L3 2.

LG reckons the Optimus L7 II will retail for around £150-£160 (around $225-$240/AU$220-AU$235) SIM free, with contract prices likely to be around the £15 - £20 per month mark.

At first look the LG Optimus L7 2 could be mistaken for a premium handset thanks to its smart design, with the rounded corners reminding us a little of the Samsung Galaxy S3, only not quite as large.

Pick it up and you'll immediately recognise that relatively cheap plastic feel and the lack of any significant weight goes further to reveal this isn't a top end device.

It's still comfortable to hold though and an even balance makes it easy to manipulate in one hand, although we would have preferred the back to be slightly more curved to give a snugger fit in our palm.

There's a power/lock key on the right side of the handset, while on the left you get a volume rocker switch and an additional quick key - all of which are easy to hit whether you're holding the Optimus L7 2 in your right or left hand.

The quick key also features on the Optimus L5 II and you can programme this button to launch the app of your choosing, plus you can set it to act as the shutter key when in the camera app.

It's a useful feature to have and one we reckon we'd use a lot if it was on our current smartphone (currently a HTC One X, since you ask).

On the front of the LG Optimus L7 2 there is a 4.3-inch IPS display with a relatively mediocre 480 x 800 resolution, but it's bright, clear and perfectly functional.

There's a 1GHz dual-core processor and 768MB of RAM to run the action on screen, which consists of the Android Jelly Bean operating system.

Everything runs without a hitch and while it may not be as slick and speedy as the top of the range handsets, the LG Optimus L7 2 has a pleasing user experience.

LG has applied a basic overlay to Android which sees the addition of manufacturer specific apps and a range of quick settings in the notification bar allowing you to toggle features such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, GPS and NFC.

In terms of LG specific apps the Optimus L7 II comes equipped with Quick Memo which allows you to draw or write on top of any screen you're currently viewing, just in case you need to jot down a quick message.

While Quick Memo also features on the other two handsets in the L-Series 2 range, the more powerful Optimus L7 2 comes with a couple of other goodies, the first of which is QSlide.

QSlide allows you to access another application while watching a movie, with the video becoming a transparent layer on the display, with a toggle to adjust the opacity depending on the other task you want to perform.

The LG Optimus L7 2 handles the transition from video player to transparent multi-tasking with just a second load time and there was no hint of slow down as we navigated around the phone with our video still playing in a ghostly manner over the top - impressive

Another handy addition is the Q Translate app which is capable of reading 60 different languages and then translating the text for your delectation.

In online mode you're able to convert whole sentences to your native tongue, but if data connection evades you the offline mode will still translate single words.

There's only 4GB of internal storage on the Optimus L7 2 which is a little disappointing, but luckily LG has included a microSD slot under the back cover allowing you to expand your memory options.

Also under that back cover is a 2,400mAh battery which should hopefully give you a decent amount of life, but we'll put that to the test during our in-depth review.

Round the back you have an 8MP camera, which is impressive at this price point, accompanied by a single LED flash while on the front there's a VGA snapper for video calls.

Shutter speed, as with the other two L-Series handsets, is a little sluggish on the Optimus L7 2 but the amusingly named "Cheese Shutter" once again doesn't fail to bring a smile to our face as we talk to the phone to take a picture.

Image quality is pretty decent, as you'd expect from an 8MP snapper and in the camera department at least the Optimus L7 2 can certainly challenge the devices in the tier above it.

The decently sized responsive touchscreen means that the default keyboard is well spaced and easy to type on, with a good level of accuracy, spell check and next word prediction.

We were a little let down by the internet browsing capabilities on the Optimus L7 II though, with pages taking several seconds to load up.

We hope it was due to the congested Wi-Fi network the handset was connected up to, but the jury's out until we put the handset through our thorough review process.

The LG Optimus L7 2 is a surprisingly capable budget smartphone which offers up plenty of features for not a lot of cash.

We were impressed with its 8MP camera, stylish design and smooth operation, although web surfing could do with a bit of a boost.

Out of the three new L-Series 2 handsets the LG Optimus L7 2 is our favourite and we reckon it will offer consumers pretty decent value for money when it lands later this year.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Fed up with the likes of Apple and Google stealing its tablet thunder, Samsung has launched the latest in its stylus-powered range.

TechRadar nabbed a decent chunk of hands on time with the new device, and it's clear that the tablet is different from the rest of the larger devices Samsung has on offer, taking most of its design cues from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.

Clad in the familiarly light polycarbonate, the device brings a smaller form factor that's designed to be held in one hand. But like the iPad mini before it, the Galaxy Note 8.0 isn't the easiest to hold with the entire palm wrapped around the back, rather sitting comfortably when held like a paperback.

However, the main thing to note is that no matter which way you hold the device there's no element of wrist strain – at 338g, it's incredibly light, and its slim dimensions of just 8mm mean it slips easily into any bag. (Samsung's guards weren't overly happy about us trying that here at MWC 2013.)

Of course, we've got the familiar S Pen on offer here, and it seems to have been upgraded again with the pressure sensitivity really coming to the fore. Writing on the 1280 x 800 resolution screen yielded great results, although still not enough to consider the Note 8 to be any kind of implement for writing notes in any volume.

It also comes with optional 3G functionality, and the SIM slot is thankfully accessible on the side of the device. It's also joined by a microSD port too, which means you can supplement the (up to) 32GB of onboard storage should you so with.

Another odd choice is the ability to make calls on the device – it seems it's taken all the pieces from the Galaxy Note 2, and while we can't see a reason why you'd want such functionality, there's no doubt that it adds to the overall functionality of the Note 8. We just wish the S Pen doubled as a speaker and microphone too.

We mentioned the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, but what is strange is that it seems to have been scaled up from a smaller screen in terms of on screen icons. Where most still look pin sharp, things like the email icon look strangely fuzzy and make the Note 8 feel a little half-baked in a way, but it's not a major issue.

The speed of the device, with its quad-core A9 processor, is impressive though, and combined with 2GB of RAM means you'll rarely run out of puff when opening and closing apps or browsing the web.

That task was accomplished with almost astounding speed - while trade show Wi-Fi is usually slower than a freelance cat-wrangler completing a tax return, the Galaxy Note 8.0 was able to fly through Google and TechRadar's home page without even breaking sweat.

A 5MP camera is bolted on the back of the device, and brings with it all the functionality we've come to expect from Samsung's galaxy of Galaxy devices. However, we're more focused on the 1.3MP snapper on the front, which offers up the chance to make HD calls – who takes pictures with a tablet anyway?

Given Samsung's penchant for touting its inter-connectivity through the use of NFC and S-Beam, it's interesting to note that the device is shorn of any such functionality. It does, however, pack an infra red blaster to allow you to control your TV – we thought such technology was on its way out in favour of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, but given that this follows the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and the HTC One to do such a thing, it seems that it isn't.

Media-wise, again the 189ppi resolution display fails to set the world alight, in much the same way as we were nonplussed by the iPad mini's screen. It seems that all and sundry are holding back on the newer technology in an effort to keep costs down, but it does mean that we're not getting the wow factor we're used to from Samsung's devices, like when we viewed the screen on the Galaxy S3 for the first time.

There's no doubting that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a great device that finally gives the Korean firm a chance to compete at the 8-inch size range with a tablet that doesn't skimp on specs. However, the big caveat is the price, and as long as Samsung remains tight lipped on how much we'll have to shell out to use the thing, giving an opinion on our early impressions is very difficult.

If the brand stays true to its normal pricing, we could see this device emerging for up to £500 – this makes sense, given that the Note 8 is essentially a scaled up Note 2, which still retails for a pretty penny. (Side note: we're annoyed the Note 2 isn't a tablet with a two-inch screen now).

If it does manage to come in at a sub-£300 price point (annoyed Note 2 owners aside), this will certainly compete with the budget brigade of the Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and iPad mini. The addition of the stylus and the size of the screen make it a pleasure to use, and the bundled apps make it easy to sketch to your heart's content.

More importantly, the Galaxy Note 8 is an excellent device for clipping text and pictures to send around. It offers the expansive screen of the Note 10.1 and brings the portability of the Note 2, hitting a very sweet spot between the two.

It obviously lets itself down on the design – that polycarbonate shell still hasn't come close to growing on us – but it hits the marks laid down for it, so for now we'll give the Note 8.0 a cautious thumbs up.

View the original article here

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Samsung Galaxy Note 8.0

Fed up with the likes of Apple and Google stealing its tablet thunder, Samsung has launched the latest in its stylus-powered range.

TechRadar nabbed a decent chunk of hands on time with the new device, and it's clear that the tablet is different from the rest of the larger devices Samsung has on offer, taking most of its design cues from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S3 and Galaxy Note 2.

Clad in the familiarly light polycarbonate, the device brings a smaller form factor that's designed to be held in one hand. But like the iPad mini before it, the Galaxy Note 8.0 isn't the easiest to hold with the entire palm wrapped around the back, rather sitting comfortably when held like a paperback.

However, the main thing to note is that no matter which way you hold the device there's no element of wrist strain – at 338g, it's incredibly light, and its slim dimensions of just 8mm mean it slips easily into any bag. (Samsung's guards weren't overly happy about us trying that here at MWC 2013.)

Of course, we've got the familiar S Pen on offer here, and it seems to have been upgraded again with the pressure sensitivity really coming to the fore. Writing on the 1280 x 800 resolution screen yielded great results, although still not enough to consider the Note 8 to be any kind of implement for writing notes in any volume.

It also comes with optional 3G functionality, and the SIM slot is thankfully accessible on the side of the device. It's also joined by a microSD port too, which means you can supplement the (up to) 32GB of onboard storage should you so with.

Another odd choice is the ability to make calls on the device – it seems it's taken all the pieces from the Galaxy Note 2, and while we can't see a reason why you'd want such functionality, there's no doubt that it adds to the overall functionality of the Note 8. We just wish the S Pen doubled as a speaker and microphone too.

We mentioned the resolution of the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, but what is strange is that it seems to have been scaled up from a smaller screen in terms of on screen icons. Where most still look pin sharp, things like the email icon look strangely fuzzy and make the Note 8 feel a little half-baked in a way, but it's not a major issue.

The speed of the device, with its quad-core A9 processor, is impressive though, and combined with 2GB of RAM means you'll rarely run out of puff when opening and closing apps or browsing the web.

That task was accomplished with almost astounding speed - while trade show Wi-Fi is usually slower than a freelance cat-wrangler completing a tax return, the Galaxy Note 8.0 was able to fly through Google and TechRadar's home page without even breaking sweat.

A 5MP camera is bolted on the back of the device, and brings with it all the functionality we've come to expect from Samsung's galaxy of Galaxy devices. However, we're more focused on the 1.3MP snapper on the front, which offers up the chance to make HD calls – who takes pictures with a tablet anyway?

Given Samsung's penchant for touting its inter-connectivity through the use of NFC and S-Beam, it's interesting to note that the device is shorn of any such functionality. It does, however, pack an infra red blaster to allow you to control your TV – we thought such technology was on its way out in favour of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connections, but given that this follows the Sony Xperia Tablet Z and the HTC One to do such a thing, it seems that it isn't.

Media-wise, again the 189ppi resolution display fails to set the world alight, in much the same way as we were nonplussed by the iPad mini's screen. It seems that all and sundry are holding back on the newer technology in an effort to keep costs down, but it does mean that we're not getting the wow factor we're used to from Samsung's devices, like when we viewed the screen on the Galaxy S3 for the first time.

There's no doubting that the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is a great device that finally gives the Korean firm a chance to compete at the 8-inch size range with a tablet that doesn't skimp on specs. However, the big caveat is the price, and as long as Samsung remains tight lipped on how much we'll have to shell out to use the thing, giving an opinion on our early impressions is very difficult.

If the brand stays true to its normal pricing, we could see this device emerging for up to £500 – this makes sense, given that the Note 8 is essentially a scaled up Note 2, which still retails for a pretty penny. (Side note: we're annoyed the Note 2 isn't a tablet with a two-inch screen now).

If it does manage to come in at a sub-£300 price point (annoyed Note 2 owners aside), this will certainly compete with the budget brigade of the Nexus 7, Amazon Kindle Fire HD and iPad mini. The addition of the stylus and the size of the screen make it a pleasure to use, and the bundled apps make it easy to sketch to your heart's content.

More importantly, the Galaxy Note 8 is an excellent device for clipping text and pictures to send around. It offers the expansive screen of the Note 10.1 and brings the portability of the Note 2, hitting a very sweet spot between the two.

It obviously lets itself down on the design – that polycarbonate shell still hasn't come close to growing on us – but it hits the marks laid down for it, so for now we'll give the Note 8.0 a cautious thumbs up.

View the original article here

Review: Mad Catz Strike 5

Decent EYE OLED screenConfigurable layoutBetter than its pricier brotherStill fairly expensiveDead-feeling membrane keysNot exactly a lookerBy Dave James from PCFormat Issue 276  February 21st 2013

This then is the Mad Catz STRIKE 5, the inevitable cheaper little brother to the impressively mad STRIKE 7. Well, I say cheaper, but it isn't cheap. It's still hitting the shelves at nearly £200, which is a lot of cash to drop on any gaming peripheral and really only something to think about if you've already bought every single other performance component that could help your rig.

After all, you could buy an awesome graphics card for that much cash, and still have change. So what is missing in this cut-down STRIKE?

Well, interestingly, I'm not entirely sure that you are missing very much at all. The big feature of the STRIKE 7 was the VENOM touchscreen interface module, and I have to admit that I wasn't a big fan of the resistive technology it employed, or the lack of any meaningful or useful applications for it.

Mad Catz has promised that it's been in touch with publishers and developers with the SDK, and is expecting new applications to come through, but a couple months have passed since its release and we're still waiting.

The EYE OLED module, however, is actually a little more functional out of the box. The nine numbered buttons aren't particularly inspiring and also seem a little flimsy, but they're simple to program and use.

The little OLED screen in the EYE though can show a myriad of different things, from the mic and speaker volumes to the icon of whatever app you've programmed it to open with a flick of a switch.

The feel of the physical buttons aside, I'm actually really impressed with how functional the EYE module is, and I think I prefer it to the VENOM touchscreen because of its usefulness.

The rest of the board is much like the STRIKE 7. This does mean you're limited to rather dead-feeling membrane-switch keys, but although they're not too nice under your fingers, they are very responsive when you're gaming.

The STRIKE 5 also has the modular approach of its brethren, allowing you to configure the keyboard in a variety of different ways depending on the space that's available, or your dominant hand. I have to say I like the way you can cut it down to be a very functional compact keyboard by removing the number pad, however, without that side panel you also lose any cursor keys which might be an issue for you.

While I do appreciate the design ethos behind the STRIKE range, I'm not a massive fan of the aesthetic, and I'm definitely not as blown away by it in day-to-day use as I am by the - admittedly far more expensive - Razer DeathStalker Ultimate.

Strangely, I think the STRIKE 5 is a more useful option than the STRIKE 7, but if I was going to spend this sort of money on any keyboard I wouldn't hesitate to look more closely at the Razer offering instead.

And if I couldn't stretch that far? Well, Gigabyte Aivia Osmium is less than £100, and is one of the finest mechanical switch keyboards that I've had the pleasure of playing with, and that's despite its lack of touchscreen.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Motorola Razr HD

Lovely screenNice buildBattery life promisingIt's 4G

The Motorola Razr HD came out in the US at the end of last year (where it was known as the Droid Razr HD) but elsewhere we're left with the more sensible Razr HD.

It's hardly the hottest handset at MWC this year - you only have to compare the Motorola stand with the Samsung one to see that. One is almost completely deserted while the other is rammed so full of sweaty phone-frenzied bodies it was almost suffocating. Guess which was which...

The Razr HD may not have the best specs at the show, but a dual core 1.5GHz Qualcomm CPU isn't bad, and is joined by 1GB memory, a 720p 4.7-inch AMOLED display and an 8MP camera. All decent if not industry-leading specs.

It's enough to make this handset Motorola's undisputed flagship model, sitting above its Intel-powered little brother.

It has the same kevlar backplate that we saw on last year's Moto handsets, but don't go thinking that makes it bulletproof - you'd need seven interwoven layers of the stuff to stop a bullet - instead, this tough material is used to make the phone 'tough enough'. So we're talking drops, not grenades.

It feels solid, too. We always find it interesting to see the different approaches these companies take to materials, design and build quality and Motorola is one of the few that has it right.

With edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass and a lovely smooth feel, the Razr HD is no ugly duckling - although admittedly, like most phones, it's still a just a shiny rectangle.

Performance-wise, the Razr HD was smooth and responsive in our demo, though that is normally the case with clean new phones like this. Choke them full of apps and they'll soon start coughing up blood, but we'll have to wait and see about that when we get our full review sample in next week.

We took a few snaps with the handset and were disappointed with the speed it took to take them - the quality of the pictures didn't look stellar either. But, again, we'll test more when we can.

For the time being, then, we can report that the 4G-enabled Motorola Razr HD is a nice phone and will launch in the UK running Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2 in the next few weeks.

It appears to be a very capable handset and promises excellent battery life with its 'only' dual-core CPU.

The screen looked lovely even under the bright lights of MWC and we look forward to playing with it more. It's no Xperia Z though, so don't expect to be able to flush it down the toilet and get it back in one piece.

See more mobile phones Add comment

'Hands on reviews' are a journalist's first impressions of a piece of kit based on spending some time with it. It may be just a few moments, or a few hours. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves and can give you some sense of what it's like to use, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee.

View the original article here

Hands-on review: MWC 2013: LG Optimus L3 2

The LG Optimus L3 2 picks up where its predecessor left off, sliding in at the bottom of the Korean firm's smartphone family.

It's a dinky little handset which will appear in various global markets has already been confirmed for the UK where it will retail for around £50-£60 (around $75-$90/AU$73-AU$88).

The Optimus L3 2 release date is pegged for the middle of the second quarter of this year, so we'd expect it to start hitting stores towards the end of April/beginning of May.

We were rather disappointed by the original Optimus L3 which launched at MWC last year, but LG has worked on the device to bring it up to speed.

It still sports the same small compact design cantered round a 3.2-inch display, and the curved edges means it snugly sits in the hand.

The chassis is noticeably plastic but we weren't expecting brushed aluminium at this price point and the Optimus L3 II does feel sturdy enough.

You do get the choice of three colours, black, white and silver, each of which have a slightly different finish on the rear of the L3 2, with the black sporting a glossy look, while white offers you a textured pattern.

We preferred the white version as it provided more grip, but as the Optimus L3 2 is so small you can easily wrap your mitt around it and hold it tight.

The ancient Android Gingerbread operating system has been replaced by the much newer Android Jelly Bean platform, with the Optimus L3 2 running version 4.1.2 out of the box.

LG has added its IPS technology to the 3.2-inch display, but it's very low res and there's no getting away from the fact that you can clearly see the pixels on the 240 x 320 screen.

A light overlay has been put on the Jelly Bean OS but it's relatively inoffensive and adds handy features such as quick settings in the notifications drop down.

The processor has been given a boost over the 800MHz chip found in the original, with the Optimus L3 II benefiting from a 1GHz single-core deal, which coupled with 512MB of RAM and Jelly Bean makes for a pretty good user experience for a low end device.

Where the original was chronically laggy, the Optimus L3 2 runs Jelly Bean efficiently and while it may not have the zip of more powerful devices, we didn't find ourselves getting frustrated.

LG has popped its Quick Memo app onto the Optimus L3 2 which lets you to draw on top of whatever screen you're currently viewing - allowing you to quickly jot down a phone number or draw a picture.

It's a nice feature to have on an entry level device, but the small screen on the handset means drawing with your figure isn't particularly easy, or accurate and we found ourselves generally making a bit of a mess.

The physical home button below the screen is surrounded by an LED light which you can set to flash different colours for various notifications which ping up on your phone.

This feature appears in the whole L-Series II range and it's a handy one to have, as a glance at the phone will tell you if you've got an email, text message or Facebook comment.

Thanks to the 102.6 x 61.1 x 11.9 mm body the home button plus back and menu touch keys either side of it are easy to hit without having to awkwardly shuffle the Optimus L3 2 in your hand.

There's only 4GB of internal storage in the Optimus L3 2, but the addition of a microSD slot means you don't need to be economic with the media you put on the handset, but with its small low res screen you probably won't be sticking movies on it.

You get a 3MP round the back of the Optimus L3 II which is really the minimum we expect from smartphones these days.

There isn't a flash though so you'll want to avoid snapping in low lighting, and there's also no front facing camera so video calling is also out of the question.

Image quality is, as you'd expect, pretty average with the low resolution display not helping the situation, but the camera is at least good enough for the odd picture here and there.

Shutter speed isn't particularly quick, with the Optimus L3 2 taking a couple of seconds to go through the picture taking motions, but there is LG's funky "Chesse Shutter" to hand which lets you take a picture by speaking to the handset.

Say "Cheese", "Smile" or "Whiskey" for example and the Optimus L3 2 will happily snap a photo for you - particularly handy if you're trying to take a picture of yourself. It worked surprisingly well on the noisy show floor.

The keyboard on the LG Optimus L3 2 is a decent offering but is hampered by the size of the screen which means the keys are cramped and it's difficult to tap out a sentence without making a mistake.

Web browsing is also a slow affair as the single core processor struggles to load pages in a decent time, with desktop sites be a big effort for the Optimus L3 II.

The handset does come with the stock Android browser and Chrome pre-installed which at least gives you a couple of pretty decent surfing options, just don't expect to be flying around the world wide web.

The LG Optimus L3 2 seems to be a well equipped smartphone for its bargain basement price and could well prove to be a popular choice for parents looking for a first handset for their little ones.

Obviously the screen, processor and camera are hardly stellar features, but at this price point that can be forgiven as the L3 2 manages to offer up a solid user experience.

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Hands-on review: MWC 2013: Sony Xperia Tablet Z

Sony is going all out with the bigger brother to the Xperia Z, offering a host of top end specs to convince iPad- and Nexus-lovers to look again.

The Sony Xperia Tablet Z will be available in two flavours: Wi-Fi only (£399, around $600 / AUS$590) and an LTE version too (£499, around $760/AUS $735), which puts it squarely against the iPad in terms of price, although it packs up to 32GB of onboard storage plus a nifty extra in terms of a microSD slot.

That latter spec makes us enjoy the tablet all the more – showing up the likes of the Google Nexus 10, which admittedly has a higher resolution screen. That's mitigated slightly by the fact the Sony Xperia Tablet Z offers its Bravia Engine 2 to add to that Reality Display – both combined give a really rich and colourful screen, without feeling over saturated.

So – the competition at the 10.1-inch space is fierce (give or take an inch, of course), can the Xperia Tablet Z really stack up? Sony isn't known for making the greatest Android tablets, but the Z really shows a step forward.

When first viewed, you'd be forgiven for thinking the design team behind it was simply incredibly lazy; this tablet looks like a stretched version of the (admittedly excellent) Sony Xperia Z.

But as soon as you pick it up you realise that while it is part of the same family, it's a completely different beast. Light at 495g and super slim at sub-7mm, it's a very comfortable tablet to hold for an extended period of time.

Well, apart from the sharper edges, that is. We applaud Sony for offering a universal design language through its new devices, but we're not fans of the angular edges either on the phone or tablet version of the Xperia Tablet Z.

That aside, there's very little else we can criticise this tablet for though. It's got pretty much everything you could want on an Android tablet these days, starting with a pretty up to date version of the OS (Android 4.1.2) and a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro quad core chip, clocked at 1.5GHz.

Combined with the Adreno 320 GPU, the graphical processing (and general use) of the Sony Xperia Tablet Z is excellent. It's nothing ground breaking, but it's certainly no slouch and more than enough to impress.

Something we do find strange though is Sony's insistence that the Xperia Tablet Z and the Xperia Z are two devices that could live harmoniously together in a gadget fan's house.

While both great pieces of kit, there's not need for both, as you can really see that Sony has focused on taking the core of its latest smartphone and extending that up to a much higher resolution screen (1280 x 1900) and adding in a few extras.

Like the smartphone, the Xperia Tablet Z is water- and dust-proof, rated to IP57. While this isn't going to be much of a problem day to day, the ability to do things like use the device when in the kitchen is an excellent move - which budding chef hasn't accidentally covered an iPad in egg yolk when watching the Great British Bakeoff?

The Xperia Tablet Z does have some of its own tricks though, such as being able to watch the TV as a Side View - this means if you've got a compatible TV (Sony is claiming that only its own models will work with this feature, but there's a good chance many Smart TVs will be able to jump on board) you can control the channel you're watching, change to an internet channel or stream YouTube video trailers of your favourite shows directly from the device.

We've seen something similar on the new HTC One, but provided you've got a compatible smart network set up, this is so much more impressive - plus it too has the IR blaster to turn the Xperia Tablet Z into a universal remote control too.

Media is certainly a strong point for the tablet - everything from a customisable EQ (which actually worked very well in our testing) to the four speakers designed to create virtual surround sound, we were impressed with the device in our early look.

While some tablets definitely struggle to stand alone as a media device, requiring a decent pair of headphones, the Xperia Tablet Z is definitely the right kind of thing for an hour or two in a lonely hotel room on a business trip.

Other audio enhancements, such as xLoud or S-Force surround might help fill out the spec sheet, but while offering a notable difference aren't going to be deal breakers for most.

We couldn't test the full raw speed of the Xperia Tablet Z when it comes to internet browsing, as we were forced to watch as a slow Wi-Fi signal chugged along, but if it's anything like the smartphone you can look forward to strong Wi-Fi performance and even more impressive 4G speeds on top of that.

If you're one of those people that think it's perfectly acceptable to take pictures with a device rocking a 10-inch screen (you know who you are, and shame on you - buy a camera) Sony has you covered, thanks to a frankly over the top 8MP camera on the back of the Tablet Z and a 2MP one on the front.

The latter spec makes a lot more sense given you'll be spending a lot of time video calling on this display, but even the presence of the clever Superior Auto mode, borrowed from the Xperia Z, doesn't make the rear camera compelling.

Sony is also making a big deal of the fact the tablet is NFC enabled, and is hoping this will be a compelling reason to get your house properly integrated with the tippy-tappy-technology.

From future Bravia TVs to speakers to special NFC tags, the Xperia Tablet Z loves to change its ways depending on what you thrust it towards.

The sensor is located at the bottom of the tablet, which means it can be a little tricky to actually tap when you need to, but when it works sound or pictures instantly transferred to the device on offer during our tests.

There's a good case to be made for having a smartphone and tablet in your possession these days, provided you have the funds.

But given the Xperia Tablet Z and Xperia Z can do the same thing, and the phone also has a Full HD screen (at half the diagonal width, admittedly) we can't recommend owning both, given that will cost you nearly £1000.

However, if you're someone that doesn't want to own a top end smartphone but loves the idea of having a family device that can be shared among kids and adults alike (don't forget, different accounts are available on today's newer Android tablets) then this is definitely one to check out.

We're feverishly awaiting the chance to get our hands on the Sony Xperia Tablet Z for full review, and if the battery life can hold up (Stamina mode is offered, as in the phone, to help extend the life of the device by switching it to a mostly-unconnected mode when the screen is off, which should help mitigate the fact it's only 66% as large as that found in the Nexus 10) then we could have a new favourite tablet on our hands.

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