BBM for iOS, Android Now Available for Download.. Finally it hits the play store.. According to BlackBerry, iOS users can now download the application for free via App Store, while Android users can get it via Google Play Store. Keep in mind that BlackBerry will roll out both applications in stages, which means it will be released globally over the next few hours. If you don't see BBM for Android on Google Play Store yet don't fret, as it will become available later on, if nothing bad happens. BlackBerry also announced Samsung customers in Sub-Sahara Africa can download BBM today from the Samsung Apps store, while iPhone and other Android users in Africa will be able to download the app in three days’ time.  We will keep you posted with the rollout of BBM for iOS and Android over the next few hours, so stay tuned for more updates. Update: I've managed to download BBM for iOS via App Store, but I'm not able to use it yet due to high number of people that are trying to log onto the application. Check gallery for additional screenshots. Update1: Once you download BBM for iOS and Android, open it and enter your email address, so that BlackBerry can inform you when you can start using BlackBerry Messenger. Update2: BBM for Android is now available for download via Google Play Store. Keep in mind that the application requires Android 4.0 and up.

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Nokia Lumia 1020 review

The Lumia 1020 is Nokia's attempt to build the ultimate cameraphone. It's a Windows Phone 8 handset with an enormous 41-megapixel camera sensor, and it uses some seriously clever tricks to produce the best phone images we have ever seen.

We the first version of Nokia's large sensor on the PureView 808, but our enthusiasm was tempered by the handset's soon-to-be-defunct Symbian operating system. The Lumia 1020 has no such problems, as it runs Microsoft's increasingly-popular Windows Phone 8.

The PureView camera sensor is more than just a huge collection of pixels. It's physically larger than the sensors in most smartphones and even some compact cameras. At 1/1.5in, it's twice the size as the sensors in phones such as theHTC One, Apple iPhone 5S and Nokia Lumia 925, and 1.5 times larger than the sensor in our Best Buy-winning Canon Ixus 255 HS compact camera.

Generally, the bigger the sensor, the more area there is to capture light and so the less image noise and better low-light performance. The Lumia 1020's sensor is also a backside-illuminated (BSI) model, where light strikes the sensor from the rear, avoiding any circuitry getting between the light and the sensor's photoreceptors.

This isn’t the only trick up the 1020's sleeve, though; Nokia has also decided to use the sensor's huge number of pixels to help improve image quality further. When you take a picture with the Nokia Pro Cam app, the phone saves two versions; the full 7,712x4,352 pixel image and a smaller 3,072x1,728 (5-megapixel) snap.

There are two reasons to have the smaller image. The first is that it's small; around 1.6MB compared to the 9MB or so for the full-fat version, making it much easier to upload straight to a social network. The second is down to something Nokia calls oversampling. This examines each pixel in the larger image, then works out which it should keep and which should be discarded to make the smaller image the best possible quality.

You can even go a step further, dragging the shutter icon slightly to the left to display all the settings on-screen at once. As so much of photography involves balancing various settings to get the right shot, this is a great way to tweak several settings at once and see the results. It all works beautifully, but we noticed a bug where the camera got stuck in portrait mode, and would only switch back after we restarted the phone. This only happened once during our testing, though.

The Lumia 1020 also comes with Nokia's Smart Cam app, which gives you access to several fun effects such as Action Shot and Motion Focus - see our Lumia 625 review for details. Unfortunately, if you use Smart Cam rather than Pro Cam, you can only take 5-megapixel rather than 38-megapixel snaps, but we feel Smart Cam's effects are more suited to Facebook than A3 printing anyway.

The phone itself is a typical lovingly made Nokia unibody. It loses the cool-to-the-touch metal edges of the Lumia 925 in favour of some serious polycarbonate, so is more reminiscent of the Lumia 920. There's a bulge on the back for the lens assembly, but it's certainly still pocket-friendly. The 1020 also comes with a clip-on case which essentially turns it into a compact camera. This gives you a chunky handgrip so you can use the camera one-handed, as well as a big two-stage shutter button (press lightly to focus, all the way to snap) and an extra battery. With the battery case plugged in, we saw 12h 4m of video playback from the Lumia 1020 - three hours more than the phone on its own.

The camera case adds a chunky handgrip and three hours' battery life

The Lumia 1020 has the same 4.5in, 1,280x720 AMOLED screen as the Lumia 925, which is one of the best mobile screens there is, as well as the same dual-core 1.5GHz processor; Windows Phone flies on this handset, and a hugely quick score of 913ms in the Sunspider JavaScript benchmark shows complicated web pages are not a problem. As with any Windows Phone handset, you need to consider whether the platform does what you need; it's slick and great-looking, but not as flexible as Android and still doesn’t have as great a choice of apps, although the situation is improving.

We're blown away by Nokia's Lumia 1020. It's the first phone that properly replaces a compact camera; we can see ourselves doing most of our photography on the phone and leaving a compact camera, or even a CSC, at home most of the time. It is expensive SIM-free (though not as much as a separate top-end smartphone and compact camera), but is still cheaper than an iPhone 5S on contract. It's an incredible imaging phone and wins an Ultimate award.

Part Code	Lumia 1020
Review Date	20 Sep 2013
Price	£600
Rating
Award	Ultimate

Hardware
Main display size	4.5in
Native resolution	1,280x720
CCD effective megapixels	41-megapixel
GPS
Internal memory	32768MB
Memory card support	none
Memory card included	0MB
Operating frequencies	GSM 850/900/1800/1900, 3G 850/900/1900/2100, 4G 1/3/7/8/20
Wireless data	4G
Size	130x71x10mm
Weight	158g

Features
Operating system	Windows Phone 8
Microsoft Office compatibility	Word, Excel, PowerPoint
FM Radio
Accessories	camera case, strap
Talk time	19 hours
Standby time	16 days

Buying Information
SIM-free price	£600
Price on contract	0
SIM-free supplier	www.expansys.com
Contract/prepay supplier	www.carphonewarehouse.com
Details	www.nokia.co.uk

Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat version might launch on Oct 15, more photos leaked online i.e tomorrow

The next generation Nexus smartphone and the latest version of the Android mobile operating system have appeared online in new set of images. The upcoming Google Nexus 5 has been spotted in a new video and many photos, running on the yet to be announced Android 4.4 KitKat operating system version.

The leaked video and the images of the phone and the Android KitKat version have spilled some beans about the features of the next Nexus phone.

A lot of reports on the web are suggesting that Google might officially unveil the Nexus 5 and Android 4.4 KitKat operating system version in an event on October 15th, which is after just a few days. Some other reports also suggest that the next version of the Google Nexus smartphone will be priced below $446 which is half the price of the Apple iPhone 5S.

The leaked images of the phone allow us to catch a glimpse of the upcoming Android operating system version, which also reveals a little information about the features of the new OS. One of the leaked features include “Tap & Pay” which confirms integrated payments in the OS allowing the users to pay for stuff using NFC also. Furthermore, the leaked images show us the User Interface of the OS with transparent notification bar along with White icons.

While, the Google Nexus 5’s leaked reports suggest that it will be featuring a 4.95IPS full HD display and powered by Snapdragon 800 processor along with 2GB of RAM and 2300mAh battery with wireless charging. Nothing is officially confirmed at the moment, but we will update you more when Google officially announces KitKat 4.4 and next version of the Nexus phone, so keep in touch with us.

Samsung Galaxy J officially announced in Japan with Snapdragon Quad Core processor

Samsung has launched a new Android smartphone in Japan dubbed as Samsung Galaxy J, which is believed to be a special variant of the Samsung Galaxy S4 for NTT DoCoMo telecom operator’s winter line up. Company stated it will be available in the country by the end of October 2013 but there is no information if it will be released in the other markets or not. However, there is no information on the pricing of the phone in the Japan at the moment.

Features wise, Samsung Galaxy J comes with a 5inch full HD super AMOLED touch screen display. It is powered by a 2.3GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor along with 3GB of RAM memory. The phone is running on the latest Android 4.3 Jelly Bean operating system version and it is surely expected to be updated with the newer versions of the OS.

It comes with a 13.2MP rear camera with BSI sensor and LED flash. It also sports a 2.1MP front facing shooter for video calling. It comes with massive 32GB internal storage which can be further expanded up to 64GB via microSD card slot. It comes with 2600mAh battery which can be used for a pretty good time because the processor core saves the battery usage.

Connectivity wise the phone comes with features like WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC and even supports Xi LTE network for Japan. It will be available to buy soon in Coral Pink, Lapis Blue and Satin White color models. At front it looks to be an exclusive Samsung device for Japan at the moment.

Binatone launches App Star Android tablet specially designed for Kids at Rs.9999

Binatone has launched its first Android tablet specially targeted and designed for the Kids dubbed as Binatone App Star. Company has priced this tablet for Rs. 9,999 in India and it will be available to buy in the coming days. According to the company, it has been already released in the European markets and now it will be also available in India too.

Binatone App Star comes with a 7inch touch screen display and powered by a 1GHz processor along with 512MB of RAM memory. It comes with 4GB of internal storage along with microSD card slot to expand it further. It also comes with front facing camera and comes with WiFi connectivity along with battery back up of 4 hours.

"This 'APP STAR' is packed full of software suitable for children of 4 years and above. It has preloaded fun games, educational apps, art studios, e-books, audio-books, music player and camera with video recorder. The App Star has secured password protected parental control built-in to the software to ensure time control and firewalled Internet browsing for kids," Binatone Country Head S P Singh commented on the launch.

Company has also protected this kid friendly tablet with a special cover which protects it from physical damage when dropped from table height. It can be used in two different modes – App Star mode is specially designed with cool interface for the kids and the parent mode is having basic Android screen which can be used by the parents. It is surely having decent features packed in an affordable price tag.

Best android smartphones to buy in India: An October 2013 edition

Ever since Apple released two new iPhones, a refreshing design update with iOS 7, Android has been a little out of the limelight. Or so it seems.
However, in a country like India, Android smartphones can never go out of the limelight, irrespective of any software or gadget that is released, mainly due to the sheer amount of phones it offers. Due to this, users are often left wondering about which is the best smartphone they can buy; one which is a perfect mix of the performance and features. Here is a list of the best Android phones one can buy this October.
Samsung Galaxy S4
No Android list is ever complete without a Samsung product; that’s for sure. Especially when it’s S4. Released in April 2013, this is one of Samsung’s most successful models, and for all good reasons. A few are listed here.
CAMERA
This is probably the aspect which has outshone the most, mainly due to the following new and innovative features:
Dual Shot: S4 is probably the only phone currently to have the ability to click photos using both the front and rear facing camera, resulting in extraordinary shots.
Sound & Shot: Ever racked your brains while looking at a photo and wondered what was being said that made you laugh so hard? Rack no more! With this new feature, every photo comes with few seconds of sound so you can remember what was being said, played and heard.
Drama Shot: This enables you to get a sequence of photos and create a collage to tell a story better than any single photo ever could.
Story Album: Say goodbye to the pains of organizing your photos and albums, only to mess them up again later! S4 can organize your photos on its own based on particular events, or customize them the way you want.
SAMSUNG HUB
This helps you to browse and shop through any content which is available from every Samsung Hub. Videos, photos and music are all integrated in one store.
AIR GESTURE
Ever needed to use your phone urgently, but couldn’t due to oily and dirty hands? Not anymore! Air Gesture can control your phone just by the wave of your hand over it without actually touching it. It supports features such as Air move, Air jump, Air call-accept/ call-reject and Quick Glance.
ADAPT DISPLAY AND SOUND
S4 provides the ultimate viewing experience with 7 automatic modes and 4 manual modes. Watch as your videos, photos and games come alive with vibrant colors and amazing quality.
The model also dials music up and down, balances it left and right and customizes the perfect volume and tone for you, based on your hearing.
HTC One
HTC One was released this year in March and has been running successfully with rave reviews. Some primary features that have helped it get a generous reception, all due to the HTC Zoe, are listed below.
STAY UPDATED WITH BLINKFEED
Now watch as all your favorite content is streamed on your home screen in a magazine-like layout. Just pick the events and social feeds with which you want to remain up to date and personalize your HTC One, just how you would like it.
WATCH YOUR GALLERY COME ALIVE
HTC Zoe enables your images to become live photos, by taking a series of photos and a three second video. This tells you the story behind every photo and makes the whole experience come alive.
CREATING A HIGHLIGHT VIDEO
You can now create a short video using your photos and videos and sit back and relax while Zoe Highlights does all the work. Share the movie using HTC Zoe, and go back to share more events of your life with all your loved ones!
REMOVE UNWANTED OBJECTS
Sometimes everything in a photo is absolutely perfect and the only thing getting in the way is a random ugly object in the sky. We have learnt to accept them and move on. But HTC One makes sure you don’t let go that easily! Using Object Removal, you can remove distractions and make sure nothing is ruining the picture anymore.
SYNC MANAGER
Previous iPhone users might relate to this feature most conveniently. Shifting from the iPhone to any other phone is pretty cumbersome due to the heavy responsibility of data management. Sync Manager makes the job easier by simplifying the task of moving all your contacts, messages, camera photos and downloaded apps to your new HTC One.
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
The much awaited Note 3 was released in last month and has been available since then in Indian and foreign markets. As expected out of all Samsung phones, it was positively received with good reviews. The features that made this work out are listed down below.
THE S PEN
This is probably the feature that gave the Note 3 the maximum points. The S pen is a stylus present within the body of the phone, and is activates the Air Command whenever it’s brought near to the Note 3’s screen. The Air Command has the following tools:
Action Memo: Make memos of just about anything and even take action upon them, viz. calling/ messaging numbers, emailing the mail-id, opening address in maps, etc.
Scrapbook: Organizing the important moments of your life at one place.
S Finder: Search the entire phone’s content and apps with this nifty feature.
Pen Window: Draw a rectangle and perform another task by opening another app on top of the app you might be using.
Screen Write: Annotate on your captured images
THE MULTI WINDOW
By using the Drag and Drop feature on the Multi Window, pictures and words can easily be dragged and dropped from one window to another. This enhances the productivity of the user across different applications.
That’s not all! You can also open the same application in two windows; that is, you can read the news in one browser and surf the web in another or view two YouTube videos at the same time.
5.7’’ FULL HD SCREEN
What’s a Samsung Galaxy Note without the characteristic large screen? Throw in the AMOLED Full HD screen with massive 5.7” size and you have the Note 3, with amazing clarity that makes the viewing experience unlike no other.
Micromax Canvas 4
Micromax is the one mobile company that has grown in admirable proportions over the past few years. It started from scratch and now produces phones comparable to those produced by these global companies. The Canvas 4 is one such phone, released in July 2013 and has seen satisfactory sales since then. The attractive features are listed below.
AMAZING CAMERA QUALITY
Watch all your photos and videos come alive as you shoot them with the 13MP camera, with vivid detail, complemented by the Sony Sensor. Couple it with the 5MP front facing camera and you have crystal clear images that will last you a lifetime.
CONTINUOUS VIDEO VIEWING
Put any video to your screen and watch it continuously while multitasking effortlessly between applications! Swipe your apps on the screen and drag them across it, without missing even a second of you video.
LOOK AWAY FEATURE
This is for all the distracted users out there who often feel the need to look around while viewing the video, but can’t since they don’t want to miss any viewing. There’s good news for you! Your video will automatically pause when you look away, to ensure you don’t miss any of it.
AUTO-CALL WITHOUT EVEN TOUCHING
Answer a call simply by bringing the phone close to you ear! And that’s not all. You can also select a contact and then bring it close to the ear, and the Canvas 4 will dial it automatically!
Sony Xperia Z1
The Xperia series have been around for about 2 years now and have been getting positive reviews from most users. Xperia Z1, although an Xperia phone, is however, a class apart from these in terms of many features. It was released in September 2013 and its salient features are listed below.
CAMERA CHARISMA
The camera quality of Z1 remains unmatched at 20.7MP, putting it across as one of the best camera smartphone till date. It is also equipped with Sony’s famous G Lens and intelligent BIONZ as the mobile processing engine. This combination results in images which are superior in sharpness, color and clarity. It also has features such as eliminating blur, the ability to take shots in any light and Superior Auto for perfect photos. There’s more of it with software goodness like Social Live, AR Effect, Timeshift burst and Info-Eye.
DURABLY PACKED
The Xperia Z1 will handle whatever you throw at it. With the tempered glass and the IP55/IP58 rating, the phone is water and dust resistant, making it easier to use in all sorts of environments.
‘ALMOST’ PURE ANDROID EXPERIENCE
One of the biggest grouse with so many Android devices is that they’re full of unnecessary customizations from the respective manufacturers. While some of the features are surely neat and useful, several other simply consumes up the memory space. In contrast, Sony adds few enhancements only such as feature rich lock screen allowing addition of widgets, customizable quick settings which are accessible via notification drawer, and resizable small apps. Sony has explored its multimedia prowess with the Video Unlimited and Music Unlimited stores, and even PlayStation Mobile for gaming enthusiasts.
Spec Showdown
If the aforementioned features fails to impress you, let’s see the hardware configuration of the devices in one handy chart-
So, here’s our list of top Android devices, which device would you be going for?
Thanks for the reading. .
Raghav. .

Xperia Z1 f (Xperia Z1 mini) now official in Japan

Sony just unveiled the Xperia Z1 f (SO-02F), a 4.3-inch variant of the Xperia Z1 that will be carried exclusively by Japanese operator Docomo.

Sharing most of the specifications of its older sibling, the Xperia Z1 f is targeted to Android users who prefer smaller devices but don’t want to skimp on quality. The petite flagship features a 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen of 720p resolution, a Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, a 2300 mAh battery, and the same 20.7MP camera that equips the Xperia Z1.

At least in theory, the smaller resolution should not be a problem on such a small display

The Xperia Z1 f is 30 grams lighter than the Z1, but is slightly thicker, at 9.4 millimeters. Fortunately, Sony maintained the excellent build quality of the Z1, with that gorgeous glass and aluminum frame giving the mini version a sleek allure. The phone will be available in black, white, purple, and lime.

There’s a chance Sony will make the mini version of the Xperia Z1 available internationally, but, for now, we have no confirmation on the matter. There clearly is demand for smaller Android flagships, and the Xperia Z1 f/mini sets a new standard in this area, so we do hope to see it soon in more markets.

Rumor: Galaxy S5 release date set for February, specs to include 64-bit octa-core CPU

A new report from South Korean media says that Samsung is going to announce the Galaxy S5 at some point in January and then start selling it about a month later.

According to Naver, Samsung is not yet happy with Galaxy S4 sales – this isn’t the first time we hear that Galaxy S4 sales are somewhat disappointing, or at least not on par with expectations – which is why the company is already prepping its next-gen flagship handset.

We’ll point out that this is just a rumor, and even if it’s said to have trickled down from Samsung staff, we’ll remind you that we’ve heard similar rumors about early launches for previous flagship handsets, including the Galaxy S3 and Galaxy S4. Earlier this year, the Galaxy S4 was announced in mid-March and went on sale in late April. The Galaxy S3 was unveiled in early May 2012 and launched at the end of the same month.

That said, the publication does mention a few specs for the Galaxy S5 including a 64-bit Exynos 5 Octa 5430 processor (which should be a true octa-core CPU), a 16-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and fingerprint scanner.

We already know that Samsung’s working on chips for the future – the Exynos 5420 is one such CPU that can use eight cores simultaneously, something previous big.LITTLE chips were not able to do. But today’s report somewhat contradicts a 64-bit CPU-related remark made by Samsung’s JK Shin soon after the iPhone 5S was made official. The top exec said that the company will have its own 64-bit mobile processors, but that won’t happen “in the shortest time.”

Therefore, it’s certainly going to be interesting to see whether the Galaxy S5 will come with a 64-bit CPU under the hood, or whether that honor will be reserved to a future flagship, such as the Galaxy Note 4.

As for that 16-megapixel camera with OIS capabilities, we’ll remind you that Samsung has recently announced a 13-megapixel camera with OIS for next-year handsets.

Finally, since we are talking about rumored Galaxy S5 specs, we’ll also mention a different report that said a few days ago the Galaxy S5 will be waterproof and dustproof.

However, it’s a bit too early in the season for Galaxy S5 rumors, so while we wait for more reports on next year’s top Samsung handset let’s hear it from our readers: what are your expectations for the future Galaxy S5?

Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 – 2014 edition arrives in the USA, priced at $549.99

Earlier this morning, Verizon officially started selling the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, but that’s not the only Sammy product arriving to the U.S. market today. As expected, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10.1 – 2014 edition has also landed!

The WiFi only model comes in two configurations, a 16GB model for $549.99, and a 32GB model for $599.99. Both models have black or white color options, though some online retailers only seem to be carrying the white color for the 16GB version of the tablet.

There is a lot to love when it comes to the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014). Not only do you get a handy S-Pen and an impressive 2560 x 1600 resolution 10.1-inch display, but there’s also a blazing fast 1.9GHz quad-core Samsung Exynos 5420 CPU, accompanied by 3GB of RAM. The tablet also comes with Android 4.3 with TouchWiz, right out of the box.

If you are interested in picking up the Galaxy Note 10.1 (2014) today, you’ll find it offered by a wide range of retailers including Best Buy, Amazon, Tiger Direct and Walmart. Not sure if the Note 10.1 – 2014 edition is the right tablet for you? Check out our hands-on first look at the device below to get a better idea of what to expect from Samsung’s latest tablet.

LG G Pro Lite official: large display, mediocre specs

LG just unveiled the curiously named G Pro Lite, a 5.5-inch Optimus G Pro budget variant destined for emergent markets.

The G Pro Lite maintains much of the design of its more powerful cousin, and even features a Stylus Pen to help you make the most of that expansive screen. Unfortunately, LG opted for a forgettable set of specifications:

Processor: MT6577 1.0 GHz Dual Core
Display: 5.5-inch (960 x 540 pixels)
Network: 3G (HSDPA: 7.2Mbps / HSUPA: 5.76Mbps)
Memory: 1GB RAM, 8GB ROM, MicroSD
Camera: Rear 8.0MP BSI / Front 1.3MP
Battery: 3,140 mAh (removable)
Operating System: Android Jelly Bean 4.1.2
Size: 150.2 x 76.9 x 9.4mm
Weight: 161g
Connectivity: Bluetooth 3.0, USB2.0, A-GPS, Wi-Fi Direct
Colors: Black, White
We’re especially worried about the  200ppi display and the old MediaTek MT6577 processor, though, on the bright side, the presence of the 3,140 mAh battery should ensure some stellar battery life. The Android 4.1.2 G Pro Lite also comes with stereo speakers, dual-SIM support, and many of the software features that LG launched on the G2, including KnockOn.

The LG G Pro Lite will launch in Latin America this month, followed by markets in Asia, Russia, China, India, and the Middle East. There’s no official word on the price of the G Pro Lite, but we expect it to be relatively affordable.

Galaxy J specs and features official, NTT DoCoMo to launch it in late October

After being spotted in a leaked image a few days ago, the Samsung Galaxy J has been officially announced by Japanese carrier NTT DoCoMo.

The Galaxy J is one of the 10 smartphones unveiled by the carrier – we already showed you one of the others earlier today, the Sony Xperia Z1 f – although the carrier is yet to mention actual availability dates for the handset.

NTT DoCoMo says these phones will launch “after October 11” in the region, with the Galaxy J pegged for an “end of October” launch.

Samsung Galaxy J

That said, here’s what the handset is expected to offer, according to a specs list offered by the carrier:

5-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080 resolution) Super AMOLED display
2.3GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor
13-megapixel camera
2-megapixel camera
LTE-A support
802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
NFC
One-Seg support
2600mAh battery
Android 4.3 Jelly Bean
Colors: Coral Pink, Satin White, Lapis Blue
As you can see, only a partial list of specs is offered, and, interestingly, the carrier says that they are “subject to change” – the same thing applies to all the new devices announced by NTT DoCoMo, which is a bit strange considering some of these devices will hit stores in the coming weeks.

Samsung Galaxy J

That said, it’s not clear at this time whether the phone will make it to other markets outside Japan, but we’ll certainly keep you updated.
Thanks for reading. .
Raghav. .

Sony Xperia Z1 review

If the Xperia Z was Sony’s way of assuring us it’s still got it, the Xperia Z1 is Sony telling us that it’s done catching up and is now gunning for the first place, the position it owned undisputedly for so many years.

It takes more than a good smartphone to eclipse Samsung’s bright Galaxies. On paper, the Sony Xperia Z1 has it all – looks, build, specs, camera, software. But will the sum of these strengths outweigh the Xperia Z1’s weaknesses? Does the Z1 rise above the flaws of its predecessor?

The Xperia Z1 is now available unlocked around the world, and several operators will begin carrying it over the next weeks. Interested to see if it’s worth a place on your holiday shopping list? We take an in-depth look at all the things that matter in our Sony Xperia Z1 review.

Specifications

• Size: 144 x 74 x 8.5 mm
• Weight: 170 grams
• Available colors: black, purple, white
• Display: 5-inch TFT, 1920×1080 pixels, 441ppi, Triluminos, X-Reality engine
• CPU and GPU: 2.2 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 MSM8974, Adreno 330
• RAM: 2GB
• Storage: 16 GB
• microSD: up to 64 GB (SDXC supported)
• Rear camera: 20.7 MP, 1/2.3-inch sensor, f/2.0 lens, 27mm focal length
• Front camera: 2MP, 1080p video
• SIM card: Micro SIM
• Networks: GSM/HSPA+/LTE
• Sensors and connectivity: NFC, Bluetooth 4, WiFi dual-band 802.11a/ac/b/g/n
• Battery: 3000 mAh, built-in
• Operating system: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean

Design and build

To the untrained eye, the Xperia Z1 may seem virtually identical to the Xperia Z, but slightly different dimensions and a few design touches set the two phones apart. That means you’re not going to be impressed with the Xperia Z1 if you hated the Z, but the reverse applies as well. Fans of Sony’s 2013 design language will absolutely love the minimalist and understated allure of the slate-like Xperia Z1.

The Xperia Z1 is a relatively large phone, and it’s heavier than most competitors, at 170 grams. That gives it a nice heft that, coupled with the glass back, just screams premium quality. However, some may feel intimidated by the Z1’s dimensions and weight, especially since the rectangular profile makes it harder to hold than a device with a curved back. Call us spoiled, but we also wished the bezels around the display were a bit smaller.

The Xperia Z1 is easier to hold than the Xperia Z thanks to the subtle curvature of the metal frame that goes around the phone’s sides. The metal and glass combine seamlessly in an ensemble that inspires refinement and precision.

The buttons on the Xperia Z1 are sturdy and crisp, which is especially important for the dedicated camera button. The two-stage shutter is responsive, though its placement on the lower right side of the phone will probably make it hard to action it in portrait mode. You may also need to get used to using the volume rocker and signature silver power button, which are both located on the Z1’s right side.

One of the big selling points of the Xperia Z1 is its water resistance, but with it come unsightly plastic flaps covering the phone’s ports. The good news is they are unobtrusive once in place and they feel like they can take some abuse.

To wrap up this section, we feel that Sony changed just enough on the Z1 to make it feel like a new phone, while maintaining the distinctive look that people now associate with Xperias.

Display

Much virtual ink has been spilled over the poor viewing angles of the Xperia Z, but, after the excellent Z Ultra, Sony fans were hoping to put that bad memory behind them. Well, the Xperia Z1 is definitely a great improvement in the display department, but the ghost of bad viewing angles is still making its presence felt.

Look at the Xperia Z1 straight on (more or less) and the viewing experience is absolutely wonderful. The problems start when you look at the Z1’s TFT screen from an angle, like you would if you’d watch a video with someone else or glance at the phone sitting on the desk besides you. A greyish hue appears, smothering the otherwise vivid colors of the display, and, in some cases, making them almost invisible. It’s definitely not as bad as on the Xperia Z, but it’s not something we can gloss over either. Peculiarly, the LCD’s backlight bleeds at the screen’s edges, forming a bright halo of sorts. It’s another thing that you may not notice or care about, but it’s there.

The Full HD, 441ppi display of the Xperia Z1 really comes into its own when consuming media, thanks to the vivid colors generated by the Triluminos screen and the smoothing effect of the X-Reality rendering engine. Watching nature documentaries on the Z1 is a lovely experience.

Performance and hardware

Many phones promise lag-free operation, but the Sony Xperia Z1 gets closer to delivering on the promise than most competitors. That’s thanks to the powerful Snapdragon 800 processor, a quad-core 2.3GHz Krait 400 coupled with an Adreno 330 GPU, but also to Sony’s optimization of Timescape UI, the Android overlay that powers the Xperia Z1.

Unlike TouchWiz and to a lesser extent Sense, Sony’s UI is lightweight and relatively close to its stock origins, which shows in the generally speedy functioning of the phone. The Z1 sails through UI, apps, and even 3D games.

Waterproofing is a feature that people have come to associate with Sony’s high-end devices, and the Xperia Z1 lives up to the reputation with its IP58 ingress protection certification. IP58  means that Sony guarantees the Z1 can survive being submerged into one meter of water for up to 30 minutes, as long as the plastic flaps protecting the ports are properly closed. While we wouldn’t call the Xperia Z1 a rugged device, it’s not only element-proof, but also pretty durable, as our recent drop test shows.

The Xperia Z1 is equipped with an impressive 3000 mAh built-in battery, only matched by the LG G2 from the current Android flagships. In our testing, about six hours of moderate usage that included video shooting and playback, benchmarking, and some gaming, ate through 40 percent of the battery. In other words, unless you are a true power user, the Xperia Z1 should easily take you through a day of usage.

The earpiece speaker on the Xperia Z1 is very loud and voice call quality was generally adequate, though not very crisp. The opposite can be said about the large speaker found on the bottom side of phone, which emits rich sound, but lacks volume.

The Sony Xperia Z1 comes with 16GB of internal storage, expandable with up to 64GB via microSD.

Camera

Sony has a long and glorious history in making cameras and imaging equipment, and with the Xperia Z1, the Japanese giant was dead set to show it.

The Z1 features a 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor, coupled with a 27mm f/2.0 G Lens module. On paper, these specs should satisfy any mobile shutterbug, and the quality of the samples below proves it. The level of detail is incredible and the colors are vibrant, though some may consider them a bit too saturated. The Xperia Z1 does relatively well in low-light conditions, though an aggressive sharpening algorithm removes a lot of detail from darker spots.

Sony’s camera isn’t among the most intuitive and feature-rich we used, though there a few potentially interesting additions, such as Social live, which integrates with Facebook, and Info-eye, a visual search tool similar to Google’s Goggle.

Disappointingly, the full 20.7MP resolution of the sensor is only available in the 4:3 format in manual mode. If you want to shoot in 16:9, the resolution is cropped to just 8MP, which is enough for most use cases, but still small compared to the full resolution of the sensor.

Bottom line, the Sony Xperia Z1 has probably the best camera of any current Android smartphone.

Software

As we said above, Timescape UI is a relatively minimalist Android implementation, that doesn’t stray too far from the canon dictated by Google. The Z1’s UI takes many cues from stock Android, from the unencumbered homescreen, to the navigation bar, and the settings dropdown. Sony added a slew of pleasant transitions that make the OS a bit more interesting, without bogging it down. Overall, the amount of eye candy seems just right.

Not much has changed from earlier versions on the Xperia Z1’s UI. We still have Sony’s own media apps front and center, such as Walkman, Movies and Albums, as well as Small Apps, floating applications that can be used for common multitask jobsj, such as calculating or jotting down a note. New additions to Small Apps include Gmail and Active Clip, which lets you take and edit screenshots quickly.

Video review

Pricing and final thoughts

If and when the Sony Xperia Z1 makes it to the roster of American carriers, it will likely cost $199 or more on a two-year contract. Unlocked, you can buy it now for prices hovering around the $750 mark, which is expensive, but not exaggeratedly so.

After using the Sony Xperia Z1 extensively, we’ve come to appreciate it for all its qualities, in spite of the blemishes that mar certain aspects of the phone. The Xperia Z1’s design is exquisite and its performance leaves nothing to be desired. The truly great camera, large battery, and unobtrusive software complete the picture of a best-in-class device. However, there are issues you should know about, like the phone’s weight, the mediocre viewing angles, and the limited resolution of the camera in 16:9 mode. The good news is none of these shortcomings are dealbreakers. Finally, there’s the high price tag to consider, though we tend to believe it’s worth it.

The success of any device depends on much more than its intrinsic qualities, so it remains to be seen if the Xperia Z1 will make Sony king of the Android smartphone world. What we’re sure off though is that the Z1 is a giant leap in that direction.

Lenovo and HTC have allegedly been im acquisition talks since August

Let’s not beat around the bush, HTC isn’t doing so hot right now. While the company has had some success this year with devices like the HTC One, just last week HTC posted its first quarterly loss since the company went public back in 2002.

Despite the current hard times, HTC chairwoman Cher Wang doesn’t seem discouraged. Recently Wang spoke to CNBC where she praised HTC’s CEO Peter Chou and the company’s overall direction, saying that stock performance isn’t the most important aspect. In her words, “The (ability) of the company to be able to stick with (its) vision is the most important.”

Wang also denied the rumors that the company was considering buyout offers, but that’s not enough to stop the rumor mill from turning. According to the Korean publication eToday, HTC is not only actively looking to make a deal, they have already been holding secret meetings with Lenovo since August.

As the rumor goes, Lenovo is interested in taking over HTC’s brand, though no exact terms have been reached just yet. If a deal can be reached, we will supposedly see an official announcement by Lenovo and HTC as early as the first half of next year.

Could such a deal really be in the works?

How believable is all of this? Back in August we touched on this subject, concluding that while it’s not impossible, there are political issues that could make such a deal more than a little difficult. Still, the idea does make sense in some ways.

Lenovo has been making smartphones on its own for a while now, but almost exclusively for the Chinese market. Back in May, Lenovo’s CEO Yang Yuanqing did indicate the company has plans to expand its international reach and may even be bringing its handsets to the United States in the near future. If Lenovo wants to be successful out of its home country, using a well known (though declining) brand like HTC might be a good way to do it. A partnership or flat out acquisition would also give the HTC brand better access to the growing Chinese market.

On the other hand, HTC may not be ready to give up the fight just yet. After all, they likely still have a few aces up their sleeves, such as the release of the upcoming HTC One Max. There’s also the ongoing Robert Downey Jr. Marketing campaign, which is designed to bring back positive attention to the company.

We also have to consider that even with profits declining, HTC is still a valuable company, and acquiring it could prove to be very expensive for Lenovo. In short, while the idea of Lenovo buying out HTC doesn’t sound completely insane, we’d take the entire rumor with a hefty grain of salt.

What do you think, would Lenovo be a good fit for carrying on the HTC brand? Or do you feel that HTC’s fight isn’t over just yet?