Deal: 20,000 mAh Limefuel Blast battery pack 26% off!
There is only one thing I hate more than running out of battery – when my battery pack can’t handle all my charging needs. There’s plenty of weaklings out there, but you can bet today’s AA Deals Store offer won’t leave you hanging next time you are trying to juice up your handset. Nor will it make you go broke!
The AA Deals Store is offering a Linefuel Blast 20,000 mAh battery pack for only $36.99 (26% discount). Just for reference, smartphones with “large” batteries usually have between 3,000 and 3,500 mAh. You can charge these handsets plenty of times with this type of power… or you can just charge a bunch of them at once!
This takes us to one of the coolest features in the Limefuel Blast. This thing can charge up to 4 devices simultaneously. And though one would assume a 20,000 mAh battery is hefty, you won’t be too overwhelmed with the size of this thing. It measures in at 6.1 x 0.9 x 3.1 inches, which is not that much bigger than an average phone.
Want in on this deal? Just click on the button below to get to the AA Deals Store. You really can’t go wrong with this one. More battery is always better, especially at this price.
Samsung Pay update adds support for gift cards
Earlier this year, we received word that Samsung Pay would get a major update later in the year. Now that time has come! Samsung Pay now supports gift cards from over fifty popular merchants.
Just in time for the holiday season, users of Samsung Pay can now store and use gift cards on their mobile device. Some popular merchants on board consist of Babies”R”Us, Toys“R”Us, Bass Pro Shops, Domino’s, eBay, GameStop, Nike, Regal Entertainment Group, Staples and over forty others. Additionally, the Samsung Pay mobile application has added a section where users can purchase gift cards. For all the information regarding the update and the full list of supported merchants, check out the press release included down below.
Samsung Pay Makes It Easy to Purchase, Store, Use and Share Gift Cards Directly from Your Phone
Samsung Pay now supports 50 popular merchant gift cards in new gift card store
NEW YORK – December 10, 2015 – Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. announced today that Samsung Pay, the most accepted mobile payment system that works at the majority of merchants today, now supports 50 popular merchant gift cards as well as a gift card store that enables users to buy gift cards from supported merchants for themselves, friends and family directly within the Samsung Pay app starting today. Samsung Pay allows you to purchase, store, pay with, and share gift cards right from your Samsung phone.
Samsung Pay supports 50 popular merchant gift cards including Babies“R”Us and Toys“R”Us, Bass Pro Shops®, Domino’s®, eBay, GameStop®, Nike, Regal Entertainment Group and Staples in partnership with Blackhawk Network. More gift card options will be added to Samsung Pay in the coming months. In addition to using these cards in stores across the U.S., Samsung Pay also supports the purchase of select gift cards—for yourself, friends and family—directly within the app itself.
“With the support of more than 50 major retail gift cards and the launch of the in-app gift card store, Samsung Pay is bringing consumers an easier way to use gift cards ,” said Injong Rhee, EVP of Samsung Electronics, Global Head of Samsung Pay. “People love gift cards, but how many of us have gone to pay for something only to realize we have a gift card sitting around somewhere at home? With Samsung Pay, you can easily carry your gift cards with you everywhere you go and not have to worry about a card going unspent. Another feature that is unique to Samsung Pay is the ability to buy gift cards and gift them to friends within the Samsung Pay app itself. We hope this will provide greater flexibility, access and choice for Samsung Pay customers heading into the holiday season.”
Samsung Pay supports many of the country’s major banks and continues to expand its partnership ecosystem. Click here for the full list of financial partners that support Samsung Pay.
- SIMPLE: To make a payment on Samsung Pay, users can simply swipe up, scan their fingerprint and pay.
- SAFE: Samsung Pay uses tokenization, Samsung KNOX, and fingerprint authentication to provide secure payments. And, as terminals are upgraded to EMV, that security is leveraged, too.
- ALMOST ANYWHERE*: Samsung Pay is compatible with the majority of existing and new terminals, including most magnetic stripe, EMV and NFC terminals. That means Samsung Pay works at more places than any other mobile payment service.
About Samsung Pay
Samsung Pay, a mobile payment service from Samsung Electronics, is simple, safe and available almost anywhere you can swipe or tap your card. Combining NFC with Samsung’s proprietary MST technologies, Samsung Pay provides consumers a way to pay almost anywhere you can swipe or tap a card at millions of merchant locations. Samsung continues to strategically expand its partnership ecosystem for Samsung Pay to provide greater flexibility, access, and choice for customers while enabling an easy and safe payment experience.
*Samsung Pay is compatible with select cards, Samsung devices, and leading wireless providers. Visitwww.samsung.com/pay to learn more. Some card reader terminals may require software updates to be compatible with Samsung Pay.
About Samsung Electronics America, Inc.
Headquartered in Ridgefield Park, NJ, Samsung Electronics America, Inc. (SEA), is a recognized innovation leader in consumer electronics design and technology. A wholly owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SEA delivers a broad range of digital consumer electronics, IT and home appliance products. Samsung is the market leader for HDTVs in the U.S and America’s fastest growing home appliance brands. To discover more of the award-winning products you love with Samsung, please visit www.samsung.com.
About Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. inspires the world and shapes the future with transformative ideas and technologies that redefine the worlds of TVs, smartphones, wearable devices, tablets, cameras, digital appliances, printers, medical equipment, network systems, and semiconductor and LED solutions. We are also leading in the Internet of Things space with the open platform SmartThings, our broad range of smart devices, and through proactive cross-industry collaboration. We employ 319,000 people across 84 countries with annual sales of US $196 billion. To discover more, and for the latest news, feature articles and press material, please visit the Samsung Newsroom at news.samsung.com.
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Dead Zebra brings Christmas cheer with new Bingle Bear figurine
Tis the season! Right now, you can add a bit of Android flavor to your holidays with the Bingle Bear figurine from Andrew Bell’s Dead Zebra. The last two years were different since Bell released Christmas tree ornaments. In 2013, red and blue ornaments were sold. Then, in 2014, that same ornament transitioned into a shiny green one. Needless to say they looked great. Mine are actually hanging on the Christmas tree right now. This year we’re back to figurines, another specialty at Dead Zebra, with the adorable Bingle Bear designed by artist Scott Tolleson.
Includes hat and present accessories
Bingle Bear is being sold right now on the Dead Zebra site for $10. These figurines often get sold out pretty fast; so I think you should get moving if you want one! Bell is advising people that want their Bingle Bear to arrive by Christmas to select U.S. Priority Mail for shipping. Dead Zebra is releasing the holiday figurine later than usual and choosing a different shipping method could be a little risky. Orders will start shipping on Monday, December 14.
If you’re looking to gift for others or just treat yourself, Dead Zebra has other items that might be of interest to you. The cloth mouse pads, which come in two varieties, are back in stock. There’s also this standard plastic mouse pad, but it isn’t in stock at the moment and should return sometime this month. Or you can go for an all-in-one gift with the Android Foundry Holiday Gift Pack that includes your choice between scarfs, socks, and swag.
Definitely check out the entire Android section on the site.
Source: Dead Zebra
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Smart Battery Case Teardown Confirms Battery is Difficult to Replace
iFixit has completed a Smart Battery Case teardown, providing a closer look at the case’s brushed aluminum inner shell, rechargeable lithium-ion battery and tiny logic board housing two Lightning connectors.
The inner aluminum plate serves as a door for the battery compartment, which houses a 1,877 mAh battery (7.13 Whr) that more than doubles the iPhone 6s battery capacity of 1,715 mAh. iFixit says the battery is “very strongly adhered in place” with a connector rather than soldering.
Much of what makes Apple’s Smart Battery Case “smart” is powered by the iPhone, as the case only has a few other components, including a NXP NX20P3 load switch, also found in Lightning to USB cables, and a NXP 1608A1 charging chip.
iFixit awarded the Smart Battery Case a repairability score of 2 out of 10, with ten being the easiest to repair. While the battery pack can technically be replaced, the case has a strong adhesive lining, and all other repairs would destroy the accessory.
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Motorola rolls out Marshmallow for Moto X Pure, other select devices
Got a Motorola device? Keep an eye out because a brand new update could soon be bringing some Marshmallow goodness to your phone.
As announced by Motorola’s David Schuster on Google Plus, the rollout of Android Marshmallow 6.0 has already begun for the Moto X Pure Edition on the AT&T, Sprint, US Cellular and Verizon networks.
Latin American owners of Moto X Style will also receive the Marshmallow upgrade within the coming days.
In addition, Schuster also stated that soak tests have started for Moto X Play in Brazil and India, along with the Moto X Force in Brazil. This could mean that a full rollout for these devices are not too far away.
Motorola first revealed their Android 6.0 Marshmallow plans back in October, where it was revealed that Motorola was to focus on a more “pure” experience for the new Android version, “[avoiding] bloatware and skins…[focusing] on identifying and tackling areas where we can enable more meaningful exchanges between you and your phone.”
Source: +DavidSchuster
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Secure your connection simply with Supernet VPN (Review)
Online privacy is becoming more of a priority for people every day, and they are constantly searching for ways to secure their online information. Some of these people are searching for a security solution with tons of options to tweak their experience to the fullest, but others are looking for a simple and easy to use way to keep themselves private online.
Supernet VPN from the developers at Supernet is attempting to appeal to the latter group by creating an extremely simple VPN to protect their users while they are online.
Setting Up Supernet VPN
Supernet VPN’s focus is on simplicity, and the experience of setting up the app shows this. There are no strange permissions or logins to get through. Instead, there are a few screens that discuss some of Supernet VPN’s features, and then you are taken directly to the app.
The only actual step to setting up is selecting a location from the drop-down menu in the app. You are given the choice between the United States and the United Kingdom, and since the only other words on the screen were “Select Location,” I assumed that I was meant to select the country where I lived. I quickly learned that this is not the correct thing to do. I selected “United States” and could not get the app to secure my connection even after waiting for 5 minutes.
On a fluke, I switched the location over to “United Kingdom,” and my connection was secured within seconds. While the setup is fairly simple in itself, it would be nice to have some sort of instructions or steps at the beginning to let users know what location they should select.
Using Supernet VPN
Once I actually had Supernet VPN setup correctly, using it was extremely easy. Aside from the location selection, there is only one other button in the entire app. Tapping the shield will secure your connection within seconds and change your IP address to the country of your choosing. I checked before and after turning on the VPN, and my IP address changed from Louisiana to London so I would say it works quite well.
Aside from just changing your IP address, Supernet VPN also lets you access content blocked in your country, protects you when connecting to public WiFi hotspots, and keeps your online information private. After finding a YouTube video that was blocked in the United States, I turned on SupernetVPN and could immediately watch the same video without any problems. You are given unlimited browsing with this app so there is no need to pay extra to get more protected data.
Supernet VPN is free, but it is supported by ads. Most of the time, these ads are totally unintrusive and are only at the bottom asking you to download a sponsored app. Since I have been using this app, I have only had one video ad popup after I tapped on the shield to turn the VPN on. While the video was not bad, it started with sound already playing which was annoying since there was no way to mute it or exit until the video was done. That being said, a couple of ads here and there is a small price to pay for your online security.
I love how simple Supernet VPN is to use because there are no extra features or buttons that could cause users difficulty. In fact, there is not even a settings menu in the app. What you see is exactly what you get. The location setup was somewhat confusing, but it is no reason for me to not recommend this app. The ads are mostly unobtrusive, and the app is free with no paid version with extra features.
If you are a power user, you will probably be looking for a VPN app with more features, but for those of you who are simply looking for an easy way to gain some protection online, Supernet VPN’s simplicity is hard to beat. You can download Supernet VPN for free from the Play Store.
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Shine Bluetooth headphones will light up your world
We at AndroidGuys don’t typically cover things on crowdfunding sites unless they are particularly interesting or we’ve been able to secure a pre-funding prototype. It helps a lot with the confidence of a crowdfunding campaign to know that the thing already exists and it helps people to know whether they want to help fund the project. Today’s instance is rather interesting in that it’s a Kickstarter campaign that is being done by an established company called IEC Technologies to do the pre-orders for the launch of their new Bluetooth headset, Shine.
The Fit/Feel
I have to admit, these are some of the best fitting/feeling Bluetooth earbuds I’ve ever used. Most of the time earbuds are really loose and they fall out of my ears, or they are really tight and become uncomfortable after a while. Even with the variable size buds, I’m never satisfied, but the Shine headset is different.
Shine not only has the regular earbuds and the hook for the inside part of your ear, it also hooks to the outside part of your ear and secures in place. You would think all of this extra equipment tacked on would make it uncomfortable, but it doesn’t and it doesn’t feel tremendously heavy, either.
Design
Design is actually one of the highlights of these earbuds. Admittedly, the huge rectangles protruding from the side of your head aren’t the most flattering, but the design strengths aren’t in the buds themselves, it’s in the wire that connects them. The wire that runs between the two earbuds has a clear casing, as opposed to normal black or braided casings. It then uses a colored LED to light up the wire in a spectacular of color, which is where Shine gets its name! You can set it to either surge to the rhythm of your music or your movement, which would be cool when you’re running.
The only real problem with this is that you don’t actually see it when you’re wearing them, so the show is for everyone else. It’s also not very bright, so you are better off showing them off at night.
Sound
My experience with these headphones is that they sound pretty good, maybe even above average. They aren’t an audiophile’s dream or nightmare, they’re just middle-of-the-road headphones, and that’s honestly what you should expect at the $60-80 price point that they’re selling it for on Kickstarter. Throughout the entire range, I would say that the sound is “good” – but it definitely favors the mid-to-high end and I would say that those are better than the sounds on the low-end.
What I would note, though, is that they do get rather loud while maintaining the same level of clarity and that’s definitely a huge plus.
Controls/Other Features
With most Bluetooth speakers, you get some sort of on-board audio controls and the case with Shine is no different. Across the top of the right ear you get four buttons: power/play/pause, vol+/music advance, vol-/music reverse, and shine control. On the side of the same earpiece there is a touch-sensitive area that also allows you to quickly play/pause music playback.
I think it’s a nice touch and I love having easy ways like that to control playback without having to feel around for the button. That’s actually the problem with this touch-sensitive area, though – it’s only a single (unmarked, not that it matters when it’s on your head) circle left of center of the earpiece and I found myself batting around trying to hit it with my finger.
Pro tip: you can smack the whole thing with your open palm to activate it pretty consistently, but that’s awfully cumbersome and makes me feel like I’m starring in a V8 commercial.
They also built an app to complement the entire experience with Shine and it’s supposed to be what makes the Shine shine. Unfortunately, and I’ve tried it on multiple phones, it basically doesn’t do anything. It’s an unreleased app, so you would expect it to be buggy but I literally can’t make it do anything of value and all of the main pages are in a foreign language. The app is supposed to help you keep track of your runs like an app such as Runtastic would do and give you granular control of the lights in the headset, but it just doesn’t. I wouldn’t let that take away from the overall experience provided by the headphones, because it isn’t necessary to enjoy all of the features of the headphones, but it’s still a disappointment.
Other notes/conclusion
The battery life on these headphones seems to be really good. I never actually wore them down and I used the headphones for at least 3-4 hours. I can’t speak for the seven hours that are advertised, but as big as the earpieces are, it wouldn’t surprise me if there’s a lot of battery packed in there. The flip side of that is that you won’t have to charge it often, because getting the rubber protection cover off of the charging port is next to impossible. I ended up prying the cover off with a screwdriver and subsequently throwing it into the trash because I never wanted to deal with that again. Back to the bright side: it uses a standard micro-USB plug to charge, and you probably have about 30 of those lying around your house.
Shine appears to be a good set of headphones for a reasonable amount of money. It’s definitely cool that it lights up in the dark and if they get the app working properly before release, that’s just value added. More than anything else, these aren’t just a half-baked project that will never come to Kickstarter backers – it’s already here. The Kickstarter campaign has about two weeks left at this point and you can still nab a pair for $60 – it wouldn’t be a bad gift (and according to their timeline it might be here in time for Christmas!)
If you’re interested in Shine, take a look at their Kickstarter campaign and help them bring it to the world!
Source: Kickstarter
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AudioFly announces its first ever over-ear headphones designed for audiophiles
AudioFly is a brand we here at AndroidGuys find to be of high-quality and nothing short of impressive. Henry Wiygul recently reviewed the AudioFly AF56 and AudioFly AF78 and found them both to be fantastic. Building upon recent success, AudioFly has just announced its latest headphone set, the AF240, which is its first over-ear style. All previous models were of the in-ear variety.
Over-ear headphones offer a different sound signature because of the larger size and drivers. Almost all premiums brands have over-ear headphones, because they offer a sound-stage that sounds more true to life than the in-ear type. Many enthusiasts prefer the over-ear headphones because the sound signature is so much broader than their counterparts.
“The AF240s were designed with an honesty that reflects the sound stage we as musicians aspire to – we’re excited to finally share them with everyone,” said Audiofly CEO, Dave Thompson.
AudioFly is not a household name like Beats by Dre. and they don’t intend to sell to that crowd. AudioFly designs headphones for enthusiasts and audiophiles who want rich and detailed sound versus excess bass and variety in colors.
The AF240 is designed to enjoy for multiple hours at a time with comfortable memory foam earcups, and a lightweight frame. It also comes with a braided cable for reduced background noise, and is made from CORDURA fabric to protect it from damage. An integrated microphone and remote control is built directly into the cable so users can take phone calls from the headphones. A case for travel is also included to keep the $249.99 headphones from excessive wear and tear.
The Audiofly brand is a team of hardworking musicians and audio designers, creating quality products for musicians and passionate music lovers. You can find all the latest information on Audiofly by visiting www.audiofly.com.
Key Features/Specs:
- Driver type: 40mm single membrane neodymium driver
- Tough Audioflex Cable™ – Audiofly’s high spec Audioflex™ braided cable is made with a CORDURA ® fabric outer sheath for outstanding durability
- Noise Isolating Memory Foam – Carefully selected memory foam “remembers” your shape, isolating up to 20dB of outside noise without compromising the sound
- Self-Adjusting – Self-adjusting in three directions, these headphones do all the work for you and seamlessly adapts to your ideal fit
- Mic & Control Button – Make calls, use voice prompts and control music playback via the microphone and button, compatible with Apple® and Android™ devices
- Carry Bag – Waxed canvas carry bag with a soft microfiber lining for durable protection
- Frequency range: 20-20 kHz
- Sensitivity: 103dB at 1 kHz
- Impedance: 16 Ohms
- Price: $249.99
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Sony Xperia Z5 Premium review
We’ve seen display technology make some dramatic jumps over the years with some of the biggest milestones being the arrival of 720p, 1080p, and QHD mobile displays. Now that QHD has become the standard for flagship devices, we were all wondering when the next evolution in resolution would arrive, and what company would be behind it. As it turns out, the answer to the question comes from an unlikely source, with Sony and their new Xperia Z5 Premium.
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Despite a reluctance to embrace QHD in previous flagships, Sony’s “premium” variant of the Z5 makes a massive leap forward to 4K, but do we really need a 4K display on a smartphone? How does it impact battery life? Also – is 4K set to become the new standard for smartphone panel definition? Let’s find out in this full review of the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium.
Design
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium looks much like the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact… and pretty much every other Xperia phone, really! Sony’s design language has changed very little in the past years, which means Sony fans will feel right at home. The rounded corners, glass back and weight will also provide a comfortable, yet solid experience.
The front of the device is dominated by that 4K display, which happens to be flanked by a couple stereo speakers. The bezels on the side are small, but Sony balanced that out with much thicker bezels on the top and bottom. And there’s a well-sized LED light on the top-left corner, letting you know whether there is a reason to turn your display on or not.
On the right-hand side we can find all the buttons. Sony sure found a way to pack as much as possible on the bottom half of one edge of the phone, but that effort proved to be worthless, at least if you have big hands. Maneuvering the device can prove difficult in this case. Not only is there a dedicated camera button and volume rocker, there’s also the now larger power button that has a fingerprint sensor hidden inside of it.
The left edge houses a microSD card slot and a SIM tray under a single flap. I happen to like this set-up, as there is no need for silly pins or weird tools in order to reach any of these components. It’s very handy and keeps everything well protected. And of course, the bottom houses the microUSB port and a 3.5 mm headset jack.
At 7.8 mm of thickness and 180 grams, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is definitely not the lightest or thinnest, but it doesn’t really aim to be. Sony makes up for this in plenty of ways. The phone feels and looks elegant, especially with the inclusion of the gorgeous glass back.
Display
As you would expect, that 4K display is definitely the biggest selling point of this phone. But it’s also the most controversial aspect of the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium. We’ll start by saying it was an accomplishment, and Sony does deserve mad props for being a first, but it’s certainly not perfect.
We don’t only mean that in the usual way we complain about unnecessary specs. There is a real flaw here! It turns out all the pixels in that 4K panel are taken advantage of only when there is a 4K video playing. Android Lollipop doesn’t yet support 4K definition natively. And get this, Sony is running this thing at 1080p (not even QHD) whenever there isn’t 4K content to be played. To make matters worse, when 4K content actually is playing, it’s not running natively, it is being up-scaled. This translates to lower quality. Isn’t that confusing?
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium comes with a 5.5-inch 3840×2160 screen. This happens to be an exact multiple of 1920×1080, which is the reason why Sony has opted for 1080p, as opposed to QHD (2560×1440) when it comes to everyday tasks. Regardless, you will just have to use local 4K content, so either record it or download it.
At 806 PPI (Pixels Per Inch), most people would argue that there’s no way you can see a difference, but recent studies would disagree. Apparently the human eye can notice up to 700 or 800 PPI, depending on how good your vision is. We tested the same soccer video in this screen and a 1080p one. The results were clear: there is definitely a difference, even if both looked great.
There’s also the fact that Sony is using LCD instead of the more popular AMOLED panels. What is the difference? Well, the key factors are that LCD panels require the entire screen to be turned on and filters blue light to be turned into white back light. On the other hand, AMOLED panels use individual LEDs that display an array of colors. As a result, colors can be a bit more washed out in LCD panels.
But what about the colors in the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium? We tested these and can tell you the phone has very accurate color reproduction… except for when displaying white, which had the largest delta error in our testing. White comes off with a blue tint, which can explain why colors may appear a bit washed out.
Sony has done a great job making a 4K display that fits in a 5.5-inch panel, but it doesn’t come without compromises. One is that it had to be an LCD panel and the other is the lack of 4K content. Neither are deal breakers necessarily, but definitely something to keep in mind.
See also: Sony Xperia Z5 Compact review
Hardware and performance
Without a doubt, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium comes with all the necessary specs to offer premium performance. Packed inside is a powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor and 3 GB of RAM, which places it right in line with other high-end smartphones in the market. The Z5 Premium also features 32 GB of internal storage and a microSD slot (which happens to be a rare thing nowadays). With the ability to expand storage by 200 GB, you can have up to 232 GB of total storage, which will definitely be enough to keep plenty of 4K videos around.
A key feature that sets Sony apart is definitely waterproofing. The Z5 Premium takes advantage of an IP68 rating, which allows for 1.5-meter submersion for up to 30 minutes. And maybe you don’t need that much protection, but a regular phone could get damaged by simply being used in the rain. The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium negates this issue and brings forth the peace of mind you need.
On paper, the front-facing dual speakers should translate to much better sound, right? We put this to the test through measured testing and found out sound quality is on par with the Samsung Galaxy Note 5. It is also below the LG V10 and ZTE Axon, though. That’s just numbers and stats, though. We decided to also let our resident audiophile Rob take the phone for a spin. He says it’s a sound bass lovers will definitely be fans of; it thumbs on kicks, but isn’t over-bearing, and it provides great mids, as well as highs.
The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium also comes with a whole array of connectivity, including Bluetooth 4.1 with apt-x, WiFi n/ac, NFC and FM radio.
This is all powered by an ample 3430 mAh battery. Now, that may sound like a very large battery, but the phone certainly needs it. Our tests show the phone can last up to about 8 hours doing web browsing on a single charge. And because this phone is all about the screen, we also tested it playing video continuously. The Z5 Premium can last about 5 hours and 38 minutes playing 1080p video, while upgrading to 4K takes that number down to 3 hours.
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I was able to make the phone last almost two days, but only sometimes. And that’s the disappointing part – it seems to be a hit-or-miss type of deal. Some real-life scenarios seemed to make very little sense. Take video calling as an example: the other day I did a 90-minute call, which took the battery from 88% to 2 percent.
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But at least there is Quick Charge 2.0 for the times when the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium can’t hold a charge. The only caveat is that a compatible charger is not included, so you must get a Quick Charge 2.0 charger separately. If you do have it, though, it only takes about an hour to get to 60%, and around 90 minutes to hit the 100% mark.
Software
The phone runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, with a planned upgrade to Marshmallow. I can say the overall experience is effective, but lacks that wow factor we all look for. The system has its own tweaks, including some changes to the home screens, app drawers, settings and more.
Sony’s interface has always been quite pleasing to the eye, but I have also realized it can be a bit sluggish. The UI looks sleek, but apparently that’s only a facade. There are noticeable delays when opening games or operating some apps, particularly the camera (slow picture-taking).
Overall, Sony’s interface on the Xperia Z5 Premium is identical to the one found on the Xperia Z5 and the Xperia Z5 Compact, and while it’s definitely functional, the Marshmallow update is when the Xperia Z5 Premium will really shine. It’s unknown whether support for 4K resolution in Marshmallow will mean the Z5 Premium runs natively in 4K all the time, but either way, 4K support should mean a larger array of mobile optimized content.
Camera
One of the biggest changes in the Xperia Z5 line is the camera. The new 23 MP sensor has auto face detection, HDR and a plethora of camera features, as well as the ability to record in 4K. But we have already covered all this in the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact reviews. Instead, we will walk you through some of the images we have taken with the phone.
There’s no denying Sony’s camera can produce some impressive results, but I personally wouldn’t say it’s the best of the best. How would I know? Well, we did put the phone directly against the very best camera phones out there and it seems to be close to them, but definitely not in the top 3.
For me, the biggest issue was inconsistency. In some instances the results were stunning, while in others images were over-processed and seemed to lack detail. There’s not much room for wildlife and landscape photographers here, but it does well for snapshots to share on social media.
All of our pictures were captured in Sony’s Superior Auto mode, which is the default mode, and the one that most people will use the camera in. For those who need more customisable options, Sony has also included a manual mode that allows you to tweak the white balance and ISO. It doesn’t come with the full array of manual controls found on other smartphones, but it should be good enough for most people, save for professional photographers.
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Specifications
| Display | 5.5-inch 4K display with 808 PPI |
| Processor | 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 |
| RAM | 3 GB |
| Storage | 32GB with microSD |
| Network | LTE, LTE Cat6, GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+ (3G) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0 |
| Camera | Main cam: 23MP cam with Exmor RS sensor, fast autofocus, 4K video capture and output, 23mm wide-angle G Lens, 5x clear image, HDR, ISO 12800 photo / 4000 vide, Steadyshot tech
Front: 5MP |
| Software | Android 5.1 with Sony UI |
| Battery | 3430 mAh |
| Dimensions | 154.4mm x 75.8mm x 7.8mm, 180 grams |
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Final Thoughts
Innovation certainly doesn’t come cheap. As you might expect, the world’s first 4K smartphone comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s not too far out of reach. The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is priced at £600, and while not officially sold in the US just yet, you can find it on Amazon for just a little under $700. This will probably price it out of range for most people, but for those willing to spend this much, is the phone worth it? In comparison, the Xperia Z5 costs about $150 less, and the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 is a couple of hundred dollars less.
That’s a great question. As far as flagship smartphones go, the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium is definitely up there with the best. Whether it’s worth it or not depends on why you want to buy the Z5 Premium. If you are doing it purely for the 4K display, I would honestly say you should not… or at least give it more thought. After all, it is running at 1080p around 90% of the time. You are probably better off getting a QHD screen that is running a higher definition at all times. However, if you are in the market for other features, such as waterproofing, a good battery life and a great build quality, this is a phone that ticks all the boxes. That said, pretty much all other current Sony devices do, as well.
The real winner in the Xperia Z5 premium specs is the larger display, which some of you may prefer. Just make sure you understand the compromises that the 4K display has to make. Not to mention the fact that you are paying a much higher price for it.
We’ll leave you with this – innovation spurs further innovation. While the 4K screen on the Xperia Z5 Premium is first-generation technology, the world of Ultra HD and beyond on your smartphone is certainly looming, and Sony can safely say it was the first.
Next – Sony Xperia Z5 review
Tim Cook is unimpressed by Chromebook’s lead in the classroom
Google’s Chromebooks may have come under fire from student privacy groups recently, but there’s no denying that the push into the education sector has been a success for the company. Apple’s Tim Cook certainly didn’t seem very happy about Google’s lead in the classroom during a recently interview with Buzzfeed.
He avoided mentioning the Chromebook by name, but stated that the low cost computers used in schools were only proving popular because they were the cheapest option around for testing students. He also preferred to simply refer to them as “test machines”.
By this Cook is referring to the transition that many state schools have seen from paper to computerised testing, which is one reason why low cost Chromebooks have seen such speedy adoption. Cook apparently doesn’t think much of standardized testing either, suggesting that Apple’s products instead help kids to “engage on a different level”.
“Assessments don’t create learning … We are interested in helping students learn and teachers teach, but tests, no. We create products that are whole solutions for people — that allow kids to learn how to create and engage on a different level.” – Tim Cook
Although testing may be a part of it, the appeal of Google’s educational platform likely extends beyond lower cost hardware. Google’s Apps for Education software includes Gmail, Calendar and Docs, offering a comprehensive set of tools for educators and students.
I suppose it’s not so surprising that Cook failed to appreciate that schools may have actually weighed up the wider opportunity costs when opting for Chromebooks and Google’s Apps for Education over iPads. He doesn’t seem to offer any alternatives to bring cost effective educational tools to the student masses either, although he does hope to host coding events at Apple stores nationwide to encourage kids to get into programming.
Read more: Report: Chromebooks make up more than half devices found in schools
Apple is going to have its work cut out for it in the education sector if Google’s forecast that there will be more Chromebooks in schools than all other devices combined by the end of 2015 turns out to be correct.
AIVAnet 