Sony Xperia U
Price: $270
Website: sonymobile.com
The
Sony Xpena U is a pleasing device to use, with few notable weaknesses other
than its slightly lackluster camera and limited storage.
The Sony Xpena U is a pleasing device to
use, with few notable weaknesses other than its slightly lackluster camera and
limited storage. It would be a decent handset even if it was sold for a higher
price, so compared to similarly-priced devices it is way ahead of the game in
terms of performance and usability. For that reason, it is a great entry-level
Android smartphone and one that we like a lot.
Specifications
·
OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread
·
Screen 3.5-inch TFT
·
Resolution 480 x 854 pixels
·
Input Capacitive touchscreen
·
Processor 1 GHz ARM Cortex-A9
·
Memory 5 12MB
·
Storage 4GB internal
·
Camera 5MP rear-facing, 0.3MP front-facing
·
Flash LED
·
Video 720p HD at 30fps
·
Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Battery 6 hours talk time 472 hours standby
·
Size 112 x54x 12mm
·
Weight 110g
·
Verdict: packing style, power and a sharp
screen, it provides a great user experience.
Vodafone 155
Vodafone
155
A phone for the elderly needs to be easy to
use but low prices and low-tech components often results in convoluted
interfaces. And sadly, that has happened here. While much of the design, as
well as the thoughtful home dock accessory which is included, make this an
ideal mobile phone for an elderly relative, it could still be better.
Specifications
·
OS Proprietary
·
Screen 1.7-inch LCD
·
Resolution 128 x 160 pixels
·
Input Keypad
·
Processor TBC
·
Memory TBC
·
Storage 0.3MB
·
Camera No
·
Flash No
·
Video No
·
Wireless No
·
Ports No
·
Standby time 700 hours
·
Talk time 10 hours
·
Size 110x57x 14mm
·
Weight 68g
·
Verdict: great value but lacks the simplicity
that some users may demand.
Vodatone Smart 2
Price: $105
At less than $120 on PAYG, the Vodafone
Smart 2 is cheaper than the Samsung Tocco Lite 2 feature-phone, yet packs full
smartphone features and better usability. Its strong mobility only adds to the
overall package, making it the perfect choice for first-time smartphone owners.
For the price it is one of the best we’ve seen, making this a great value
handset and one which is well worth the staggeringly low asking price.
For
the price it is one of the best we’ve seen, making this a great value handset
and one which is well worth the staggeringly low asking price.
Specifications
·
OS Android 2.3 Gingerbread
·
Screen 3.2-inch TFT
·
Resolution 320 x 480 pixels
·
Input Capacitive touchscreen
·
Processor 832M Hz ARMv6
·
Memory 512M B
·
Storage 150MB internal,
·
MicroSD up to 32GB
·
Camera 3.2MP rear-facing
·
Flash LED
·
Video 640 x 480 pixels at
·
15fps
·
Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi,
·
Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
·
Micro USB 2.0
·
Battery 16 hours talk time,
·
300 hours standby
·
Size 109 x 58 x 12mm
·
Weight 120g
·
Verdict: few phones are this good at this price.
An excellent, value-packed handset.
Sony Xperia Tipo
Price: $195
Website: sonymobile.com
Sony
Xperia Tipo
While there is nothing glaringly wrong with
the Xperia Tipo, there aren’t any stand-out features either, other than its
competitively low price. If you want to grab yourself an Android 4.0 smartphone
and are strapped for cash, then it makes a decent entry-level option. But
against other budget Android devices, there are many more interesting choices
out there, making the Xpena Tipo a tough sell against its high-quality rivals.
Specifications
·
OS Android 4.0 ICS
·
Screen 3.2-inch TFT
·
Resolution 320 x 480 pixels
·
Input Capacitive touchscreen
·
Processor 800MHz single-core
·
Memory 512MB
·
Storage 2.9GB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB
·
Camera 3.2 MP rear-facing
·
Flash No
·
Video 640 x 480 pixels
·
Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports 3.5mm audio jack, Micro USB 2.0
·
Standby time 470 hours
·
Talk time 5 hours
·
Size 103x57 xl3mm
·
Weight 99g
·
Verdict: a decent android handset that’s cheap
but cuts a few too many corners.
ZTE Grand X
Price: $300
ZTE
Grand X
In terms of raw performance at this price,
combined with its excellent pure Android experience, the ZTE Grand X offers
great value for money. It lacks the build quality of more premium rivals,
however, and over the length of a contract the plastic KY feel of the chassis
may start to bug you. And don’t forget that the similarly priced HTC One V,
which also runs Android 4.0 on a slightly slower processor, is much more of a
looker.
Specifications
·
OS Android 4.0 ICS
·
Screen 4.3-inch TFT
·
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels
·
Input Capacitive touchscreen
·
Processor 1GHz dual-core
·
Memory 512MB
·
Storage 4GB internal, MicroSD up to 32GB
·
Camera 5MP rear-facing, 0.3M P front-facing
·
Flash LED
·
Video 1080p HD at 15fps
·
Wireless 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fl. Bluetooth 2.1
·
Ports 3.5mm audio jack,
·
Micro USB2.0
·
Standby time TBC
·
Talk time TBC
·
Size 127 x65x 10mm
·
Weight 110g
·
Verdict: a great no-frills smartphone with a
pure android 4.0 operating system.
