LG G2 - initial impressions

The LG G2 has a tough market to compete in the arena of high-end Android has many great players in it currently. We have HTC, Samsung and Google with devices around 5? thus circumvents the G2 of comparisons.

Only I had the G2 for a few hours so this is the perfect time to bring my initial impressions, beginning as usual with my good and bad points.

Good points

It is incredible with headphones in great feeling in the handGreat screen qualityGreat qualityDecent cameraTiny bezel around quality screenSound build

Bad points

There is no Micro SD slotNo Wireless chargingSoftware additions are a minefield at navigateOnly about 10 GB free out of the box in the model of 16 GB

Design

G2 LG has a great look that is all about the small bevel on the edge of the screen from the front facing, the front of the device is cleared thanks to the programmable keys on the screen. The back of the device is where all the action, the sides curve in towards the edges creating a nice curved device that feels very well made. Speakers, headphone port and Micro USB port are all positioned along the edge bottom that makes the rest of the unit seem to be sorted.

Then reach that agreement button in the center of the plate back and yes I dare say it like, it seems that it will be a nightmare to try to but it is very intuitive. When the device is off the bottom button can be prolonged to open the camera application and press and hold the upper button to open a supplied LG Quickmemo app note.

Hardware

The specifications are just as high end as you would expect

Chipset: QualComm Snapdragon 800 2.26 GHz Quad CoreGPU - Adreno 330Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) Display - Full HD IPS display, 5.2 inches, 1920 x 1080 pixelsInternal memory: 2 GB RAM / 16GB or 32GB eMMCCamera - 13 back MP with optical image stabilization 2.1 MP FrontBattery - 3, 000mAh Li-Polymer (Embedded) Dimension - L x W x D (mm) 9.1Weight x 70.9 x 138.5 - 143 gRadio - 2 G (GSM/EDGE), 3G (HSPA + 42Mbps/HSPA + 21Mbps)LTE (SVLTE, CSFB, CA, VoLTE RCS, MIMO) network 2 g: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 19003 G Network – HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 21004 G Network – LTE 900 / 1800 / 2100 / 2600 / 850NFCInfrared blaster24bit x 192 kHz Hi-Fi SoundUSB SLimport for output video and USB OTGMiracast

I think that the screen and the processor are the highlights in the list of specifications, really make something special. Find the IR at the top emitter was also a pleasant surprise, not finding a Micro SD slot was disappointing although not find wireless charging support also was a sad moment.

Software

LG has shipping your skin on their computers for a while now and the most recent version of this is quite extensive and extends to the corner furthest away from the device. There is nothing sacred and virtually every application stock has been skinned, that once you have beyond the different layout or colors that you realize that what you have added is quite useful. As a box of pop-up messages, the phone application speed dials, stylish clock in the home screen widgets is very reminiscent of my Galaxy note 3. In fact some additions are a bit too inspired Samsung LG remain intelligent version that keeps the screen when you look at it.

As with my note 3 if I endure and follow the stock launcher and get used to what have done LG before keep trying to turn it into a device style Nexus.

Camera

The 13 MP camera with stabilization of optical image on the paper must be being one of the best Android cameras on, note 3 camera doesn't have OIS, HTC One Max does OIS so it should be fun seeing what I can do. Here are some photos that I managed to get before it started to rain again.

Initial conclusion

My initial conclusion is that the LG G2 is an impressive device, with enough rarities in the software and in the next few weeks you will be seeing what it does, how to do things, how the camera performed, if the rear buttons begin to bother and if I use more than my Galaxy note 3.

As this is my initial impression is where we deliver it to you. Do you have any questions about the G2? Would you like some testing? A specific test of the application? Then let us know in the comments below and we will do the best to help. The full report will be in a few weeks time.

Samsung Galaxy Note 3 – Initial Impressions

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 arrived on my desk a few days ago. The Note 3 marks the third generation of the Galaxy Note range, it also marks the third Galaxy Note that I’ve owned. So as is often the case with a new device here at Coolsmartphone I’m going to post my initial impressions, starting with my good and bad my points.

 

Good Points

Amazing screenGood cameraIR BlasterSome genuinely useful software additions

Bad Points

Backplate isn’t for everyoneShear amount of settings is a minefieldWireless charging is an additional accessoryUSB 3 port is unsightly

Design

A few years ago there was a phone called the Samsung Galaxy S2, the Galaxy Note 3 seems to take its design from last year’s Note, the S2 and a whole load of inspiration from the Galaxy S4.

Previous generations have been rather plasticy and gloss finished, this year the white glass on the front has an interesting triangular effect under the glass and the super shiny hyperglaze backplate has been replaced with a leather look panel instead, complete with pretend white stitching. The backplate is the one thing about the design that I’m just not sure about.

Other differences are the new position for the speaker, which is on the bottom edge. There is now an IR Blaster on the top edge of the device. Also there is now a rather large USB 3 Port on the bottom edge.

Compared to the Note 2 the Note 3 feels like a thinner, lighter and much more refined device. The fact that this thinner and lighter device comes with a vastly superior spec is amazing.

Hardware

Every year when the latest Galaxy Note is released Samsung always trump the spec of the current “S” device. This year is no different, it’s almost like Samsung release the “S” devices as a test device to see if the latest version of TouchWiz can cope with the spec.

The spec of the Galaxy Note 3 is as follows:

Processor – LTE 2.3 GHz Quad-Core ProcessorDisplay – 5.7inch (144.3mm)  Full HD Super AMOLED (1920 x 1080)Memory – 32/ 64 GB User memory + microSD slot (up to 64GB)RAM – 3 GBOS – Android 4.3 (Jelly Bean)Camera – Rear – 13 Mega-pixel BSI Sensor, Auto Focus camera with Smart Stabilization, LED Flash(High CRI), and Zero Shutter LagCamera – Front – 2 Mega-pixel BSI sensor with Smart Stabilization, Full HD recording @30fpsConnectivity – WiFi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, GPS / GLONASS, NFC,  Bluetooth® v 4.0, IR LED (Remote Control), MHL 2.0Sensors – Gesture, Accelerometer, Geo-magnetic, Gyroscope, RGB, Proximity, Barometer, Temperature & Humidity, Hall SensorBattery – Standard battery, Li-ion 3,200 mAhDimension – 151.2 x 79.2 x 8.3mm, 168g

There are so many highlights to the spec, there really isn’t much I’d improve upon. Possibly add wireless charging out of the box as opposed to being an additional accessory.

Software

Samsung this year have added a lot of additional software. Just like the Galaxy S4 the Note 3 contains a lot of settings and apps out of the box. To be honest I found it too much, luckily half of them seem to be turned off but the Note 3 sure took a lot of fiddling with on that first day with it.

Initial Conclusion

The Note 3 seems like a great device, so far I’ve found nothing wrong. So much so that I really struggled to complete the “bad points” section at the top of the article. I’m basically going to be spending the next few weeks testing out all of the different apps and settings.

As this is only my initial impressions the full review will be coming soon, if you’ve got any questions or anything you want testing out just leave a comment below.

Lastly a big thanks to Clove who sent us this Note 3 to review. You can get the Note 3 from them here.

Acer Liquid S1 phablet – Initial Impressions

 

The current generation of Acer devices are pretty impressive, at the top of the pile is the “S” range, which is the flagship device range. The Liquid S1 phablet is a great big thing with a 5.7? screen and specs similar to the Galaxy Note II. I’ve had one for about two days now and here are my initial impressions. Starting of course with the good and bad points.

Good Points

Fairly lightweightLarge bright screenMicroSD slotRemovable 2400 mAh batterySome nice software tweaks added to stock AndroidDTS AudioSpeedy camera shutter

Bad Points

Quite plasticy buildQuite large for the screen sizeOnly 8 GB memory could be rather limiting

Design

The Acer Liquid S1 phablet has a design borrowed from the Liquid Z3 and the E2, with a curved side strip, curved earpiece and the capacitive buttons on the bottom bezel. Talking about the bezels they are quite big, which gives the Liquid S1 it’s rather large size.

Hardware

System: Android 4.2 Jelly BeanProcessor: 1.5 GHz / Quad Core / Media Tek MTK 6589GPU: PowerVR SGX 544MPMemory: Internal: 8 GB / RAM: 1 GB / Slot type: microSD / Max. slot capacity: 32 GBDisplay: 5.7? / TFT / Resolution: 1280 x 720 pixels / 256 ppiCamera: 8 Mpixels / Flash: LED / Video: 1080p HD / Front: 2 MpixelsNetwork: 3G: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz / GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHzMicroSIMDual SIM option availableWireless: Bluetooth: 3.0 / Wifi: IEEE 802.11 a/ac/b/g/nConnection: Jack 3.5 mm / micro USBGPS: aGPSSensors: Accelerometer, E-compass, Gyro sensor, Proximity sensorBattery: 2400 mAhWeight: 195 gDimensions: 164 x 84 x 9 mm

Highlights of the spec are the Quad Core CPU which really makes the S1 feel really rather quite speedy. The camera also seems quite capable and the sound quality is really quite good as well thanks to the DTS optimisations.

Out of the box after installing Play Store updates you are left with about 4.69 GB available.

Software

The Liquid S1 runs Android 4.2.2 so you get the whole lockscreen widgets  to play with, plus Google Now and the latest Play Store Google Apps. Acer have included a few apps out of the box, they have added some settings to let you customise the lockscreen shortcuts and also possibly most interestingly you get something called “Float Shortcuts” which are a selection of mini apps that open up over the top of whatever app you’re currently using.


Initial Conclusion

The Acer Liquid S1 phablet is pretty impressive, I expected it to just be a big old slab of plastic that just happened to run Android 4.2 but what I found was that it was a nice sounding device with a handy camera and it was pretty speedy rushing through the UI. The software additions made the core Android system fairly functional with tweaks to the messaging app, the lockscreen, the camera and the launcher to make something I might just buy if I wanted a reasonably priced phablet.

There is also a Dual SIM option available from some retailers as well.

As this was just my initial impressions please let me know if you have any questions or things you want testing out and I’ll do my best to oblige.

ThL W8s – Initial Impressions

I saw what appeared to be a cracking deal on a decent spec’d smartphone whilst surfing the web a couple of weeks ago, took the plunge and ordered directly from China.
I’d never seen or heard of the brand-name ThL or the W8s phone before and to be honest I’m not too sure what inspired me to dive in but I did and 12 days from the day of the order a package arrived. Saturday 7th, just this weekend in fact.
I’ve spent the weekend setting up the device to use as my daily driver and will be posting much more details once I’ve had time with the device.

Immediate feelings:

Good

Feels very lightAmazing screenTwo sim slotsSd card slot

Bad

Comes with Chinese charger (although they added in a uk adaptor)Is running Android 4.2.1, not the more recent 4.3

Not certain which of the above two categories to list these points under yet

Ok so lets get this out of the way at the start; the W8s looks extremely similar to the Samsung Galaxy S4Overtly housed in quite shiny plastic therefore doesn’t feel as good as devices made with more  premium materialsTwo batteriesTo access the sim slots/sd slot you have to remove the entire back casing of the phoneAlthough it has a big in-built storage allowance it seems to be partitioned in a way which leaves a small part for apps

Hardware

Display – 5.0”, 1920 x 1080 pixels, 5 point multi-touch, Corning Gorillas Glass 3
CPU – MTK6589T Cortex-A7 Quad-core ARMv7, 1.5GHz
GPU – PowerVR SGX 544
O/S – Android 4.2.1
RAM – 2GB
ROM – 32GB
Wi-Fi – 802.11 b/g/n
Band – 2G: GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHz / 3G: WCDMA 850/2100MHz
MicroSD up to 32GB
Dual SIM
Front Camera – 5.0M HD
Back Camera – 13.0M HD AF color with flashlight and auto focus
Battery – 2 x 2000mAh Battery
Net Weight(Including battery) – 154g
Size – 178 x 50 x 60 mm / 7.0 x 1.96 x 2.36 inch
3.5mm audio and mic jack
Extras – 3.5” earphone, 5.0V adapter, USB cable, screen cover case, screen protector

If you have any questions or tests you want me to run leave it in the comments section below and I’ll include the answers in my follow-up review.