The mobile trends of 2015: which excite, which repel?
It’s hard to believe, but we’re already more than a half year into 2015! In that time, we’ve seen a number of interesting trends rise up, including the emergence of more budget-friendly devices that don’t actually suck from the likes of Alcatel OneTouch, Asus, and others.
2015 has also seen the emergence of a dual-edge display with the Galaxy S6 Edge, a rise to more premium materials for Samsung, and a near-death for devices with a removable battery. We’ve also seen HTC lose a lot of attention due to an arguably lackluster flagship and too many flagship-level market-specific iterations. Sony has also fallen into a similar position.
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Back in May we asked our readers what they thought of the crop of devices that had surfaced in early 2015, both on the flagship and budget-friendly front. In the flagship sector, Samsung led with 50% of the vote (combining GS6 and GS6 Edge), with the LG G3 not too far behind with 32%. On a separate poll for the budget-friendly options, the Asus Zenfone 2 commanded 55% of the vote, with the OneTouch Idol 3 only managing 17%.
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So it’s pretty obvious what phones people have been most impressed about, but what about the bigger picture? Which rising trends are you most excited about as we head into the second half of the year and beyond?
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On the flipside, what trends most concern you in the mobile space?
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Leaked design video details the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 5
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Unusually, we’ve been hearing very little about Samsung‘s upcoming flagship phablet, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 – most of the noise around Samsung is about the upcoming Galaxy S6 Edge+. So when a certain design video dropped that appears to give the Galaxy Note 5 a virtual tour, admittedly only in render form, we were extremely intrigued. And without further ado, here is the aforementioned video:
As you can see from the video, the Galaxy Note 5 takes much of its design philosophy from the Galaxy S6. One notable difference, however, is that the back of the Galaxy Note 5 is not completely flat like that of the Galaxy S6 – the Galaxy Note 5 looks to have a bit of a rounded edge which should make holding the behemoth a little bit easier. The dimensions are also given in the video (153.447×77.317×10.201), though that information means little without something to compare to – the best comparison we found is that the Nexus 6 stands 159.26mm tall, which makes the Galaxy Note 5 just a tiny bit smaller.
Perhaps the only disappointing thing about the video is that the Galaxy Note 5 doesn’t appear to have a USB Type-C port, instead opting for a traditional microUSB – it’s probably not a deal breaker for the Samsung faithful, but it does stop the Galaxy Note 5 from being futureproofed.
What do you think about the design video of the Samsung Galaxy Note 5? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: @OnLeaks via SamMobile
The post Leaked design video details the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 5 appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Galaxy S6 International Giveaway!
Welcome to the Sunday Giveaway, the place where we giveaway a new Android phone or tablet each and every Sunday.
A big congratulations to last week’s winner of the Axon phone giveaway: Adriano P. from Brazil.
This week we are giving away a Samsung Galaxy S6!
- 6 problems with the Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge and how to fix them
- Best Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge cases
- Samsung Galaxy S6 review: the change we’ve been waiting for
- Galaxy S6 selling well in the US, but some analysts are disappointed
- Galaxy S6 ranks first in a “real world” speed test
- Latest Galaxy S6 ad wants you to “change the way you charge”
While Samsung has enjoyed a ton of popularity thanks to its solid handsets with great specs, in recent years the company has come under fire for its less-than-premium designs. Thankfully, Samsung went back to the drawing board with the Galaxy S6, ditching the plastic designs found on its predecessors and making the move to a stunning new metal and glass aesthetic. It isn’t just the outer design that saw a makeover with the Galaxy S6, however. The Lollipop-powered TouchWiz software on the GS6 also has been dialed back considerably, resulting in a much more optimized and smooth experience. Topping it all off, the GS6 has plenty of power thanks to its 64-bit Exynos 7420 processor paired with 3GB RAM.
New Android Authority Twitch channel – If you like mobile gaming then you’ll love our new Twitch channel. Every weekday you can tune in and watch our own Joe Hindy playing the most popular Android games. Follow us here.
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Galaxy S6 International giveaway
More giveaways: Beats Pill 2.0 Bluetooth speaker giveaway at SoundGuys!
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- The giveaway is an international giveaway (Except when we can not ship to your Country.)
- If we can not ship to your country, you will be compensated with an online gift card of equal MSRP value to the prize.
- We are not responsible for lost shipments.
- You must be age of majority in your Country of residence.
- We are not responsible for any duties, import taxes that you may incur.
- Only 1 entry per person, do not enter multiple email addresses. We will verify all winners and if we detect multiple email addresses by the same person you will not be eligible to win.
- We reserve all rights to make any changes to this giveaway.
- This giveaway is operated by Android Authority.
- The prize will ship when it is available to purchase.
Full terms & conditions and FAQ | Past giveaway winners [Gallery]
Galaxy A8 spotted in catalog picture: could it be primed for launch?
For the past few weeks now, a slow-but-steady-stream of news has been leaking out about Samsung’s upcoming Galaxy A8 smartphone. The device, which has still yet to even be announced by the OEM, has piqued the attention of some for several reasons: it looks much closer to the Galaxy S6 than it does the Galaxy A-series, and it includes support for microSD. Thanks to an attentive reader at GSM Arena, we now have an even more proof of the product’s existence, this time from a product brochure:
As can be seen from the advertisement, the device is just 5.9mm thick, which makes it the thinnest smartphone Samsung has made so far. Also mentioned is the inclusion of a f/1.9 aperture 16-megapixel rear camera (complete with Real Time HDR) and a 3050mAh battery to power its 5.66-inch FHD Super AMOLED screen. Other specs listed are an unknown Octa-Core CPU, 2GB of RAM and 32GB of ROM, Category 6 LTE, VoLTE, a 5-megapixel front camera, and even support for Korea’s DMB digital television service. As with other members of the Galaxy A family, microSD support is included, with this device sporting a maximum of 128GB. Android 5.1 is also on-board.
The design language is quite reminiscent of the Galaxy S6 complete with the indentations along the side of the frame. The A8 also looks to retain the metal-frame build that the series made popular (a feature that, sadly, was not carried over to the Galaxy Tab A). The presence of two trays along the left side of the phone would indicate the microSD will be separate from the SIM as opposed to a stacked presentation. Rumors point to the existence of a Galaxy A6 and an A9 in the pipeline, and it would not be surprising the see the S6 design language carried over to them as well.
A previously leaked photo of the Galaxy A8, presumably originating from China.
The fact that this advertisement is for the Korean market is interesting: the Galaxy A series was first released in China, and select other Asian territories at the end of last year. South Korea received two of the three devices somewhat later (the A3 was skipped entirely). It would appear that Samsung is eager to make this product more of a priority in its home market, though we could only begin to speculate as to why.
While the idea of an advertisement depicting a phone that hasn’t been announced might seem unusual, this would hardly be the first time a device has been spotted in print prior to its announcement. Assuming the same kind of thing is going on here, the Galaxy A8 might become official in a matter of days, if not sooner. Any takers?
6 problems with the Samsung Galaxy S6 / S6 Edge and how to fix them
The latest additions to the flagship Samsung Galaxy S line brought with them the major overhaul in terms of design and build quality that was long overdue. Apart from their now more premium glass and metal unibody designs, Samsung also created a lighter, and therefore far more fluid and stutter-free, iteration of their TouchWiz UI, which was perfectly optimized with their in-house processing package, making for snappy and incredibly fast devices. Of course, there is also the Galaxy S6 Edge, with the two curved edges present just not for the sake of aesthetics, but with their own set of features as well. While not without its compromises, with the removal of key features like microSD expansion and replaceable batteries, the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge are fantastic additions to the high-end Android smartphone world.
That said, as is the case with any smartphone or tablet, the latest Samsung flagships are not without its issues. Which is why, we’ve rounded up some of the more common issues that plague Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge users, and offer potential solutions on how to fix them.
Disclaimer: Not every Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owner will face these issues, and it is actually more than likely that you won’t come across any of the problems listed below.
Problem #1 – Fingerprint scanner issues
Quite a few users have reported facing issues with the fingerprint scanner not recognizing the saved fingerprints and asking for the backup password. Further, the backup passwords aren’t being recognized either, and future attempts to reset the password are not being set. Lastly, some users have reported that on unlocking the device using the finger scanner (for those that it works for), the device opens up an app randomly, without any changes to the settings being made.
Potential Solutions –
- The issue with the fingerprint scanner seems to be a software bug, and a future update should fix this issue. Until then, a few workarounds are available.
- First, make sure that you make a note of the backup password when you setup the finger scanner, and when the scanner fails and the device asks for the password, it should be enough to unlock the device.
- For some users, the backup password isn’t recognized either. Keep trying to input the password a few times (up to 10 times in some cases) until you are prompted to sign-in using your Google account. Once you do, reset the finger scanner and make a note of your backup password once again.
- In some cases, even signing in with the Google account has not worked. Then visit Samsung Find My Mobile, login with your Samsung account, and click on Locate My Device on the left side menu. Once located, the menu on the left will expand with the option to “Unlock My Screen.” Click on it and when the device unlocks, immediately reset the finger scanner.
- For the last issue, where random apps are opening when the scanner unlocks the device, this seems to be an issue with some third party launchers, particularly Nova Launcher Beta, so it is recommended to switch back to TouchWiz, or try another launcher and see if the issue still occurs.
- With quite a few users facing problems with the fingerprint scanner, it might be a good idea to disable it and rely on the usual PIN or Pattern unlock, until a more permanent fix is available.
Problem #2 – Missing toggles from the Quick Settings menu in the notification dropdown
Some users have noticed that the mobile data, Wi-Fi hotspot, and private mode toggles are no longer available in the Quick Settings menu in the notification dropdown.
Potential Solutions –
- This is also a software bug, and will be addressed in a future update. Until then, a temporary workaround is available, which you can find here.
Problem #3 – Auto-Rotate not working
Some users have reported that the auto-rotate feature on their device is not working. While this is more common with the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, a few regular Galaxy S6 owners have also reported this concern.
Potential Solutions –
- Some users have reported that it seems like the Screen Rotation setting has been turned off automatically. Check to make sure that it is on in the quick settings menu.
- There might be a problem with the G-sensor and accelerometer calibration. You can test whether there is an issue by dialing #*0*# and tapping on Sensor, and see whether the sensors are functioning properly. Download an app from the Google Play Store like GPS & Status Toolbox and re-calibrate the sensors.
- A very unsophisticated solution that has worked for quite a few users is to simply tap the device along the middle against a surface. This is, of course, not recommended, and could lead to cosmetic damage.
- Reports indicate that this could be a software bug, and a future update could sort it out.
- In the absolute worst case, a factory reset has seemed to work for some users. Keep in mind that this erases all your data, so remember to backup anything important you may have. You can find the instructions on how to perform a factory reset below.
Problem #4 – Auto-brightness is turning off
Many users have reported finding that the auto-brightness setting keeps getting automatically turned off. After turning it on, it seems to go off again in 20 to 30 minutes.
Potential Solutions –
- This could be related to a rogue app, particularly if you are using an e-book reader that comes with independent brightness controls. Try uninstalling these apps and see if the problem persists.
- This seems to be an issue related to Car Mode. Disable or uninstall Car Mode, and that should fix the problem.
- Try clearing the cache partition. This seems to have fixed the problem for some users. You can find the instructions on how to do so below.
- Once again, this is a software issue, and an upcoming update may be required to fix it.
Problem #5 – “Unauthorized action has been detected” error
Quite a few users have noticed a pop up security message stating “unauthorized action has been detected” within minutes of turning on a new phone. Even a factory reset seems to fix this issue only for a few hours, and some users have noticed that error after the last software update.
Potential Solutions –
- This is another software issue, and an update will be required for a permanent fix. Users who have gotten in contact with the Samsung KNOX support team have received a reply stating that this is a known issue, and will be fixed with the next maintenance update that will be rolled out at the end of June. Until then, a temporary workaround is available.
- Download an app like Package Disabler Pro (there is also a free version available) from the Google Play Store, and search for a disable “Security Log Agent.” This temporary solution has seemed to work for most users.
Problem #6 – Connectivity issues
As is the case with any new device, there is a chance that you might face issues with connecting to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Potential Solutions –
Wi-Fi issues –
- Turn the device and the router off for at least ten seconds, then turn them back and retry the connection.
- Go to Settings – Power saving and ensure that this option is turned off.
- Use the Wi-Fi Analyzer to check how crowded your channel is, and switch to a better option.
- Forget the Wi-Fi connection by going to Settings – Wi-Fi and long tapping the connection you want, then selecting “Forget”. Re-enter the details and try again.
- Make sure the router firmware is up to date.
- Make sure the applications and software on the Galaxy Note 4 are up to date.
- Go into Wi-Fi – Settings – Advanced and make a note of your device MAC address, then make sure that it is allowed access in the router’s MAC filter.
Bluetooth issues –
- Check the manufacturer’s manual for the device and the car and reset your connections.
- Ensure that you are not missing a vital part of the connection process.
- Go to Settings – Bluetooth and ensure nothing needs changing
- Go into Settings – Bluetooth delete all prior pairings and try setting them up again from scratch.
So there you have it for this quick look at some of the issues that plague Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners. If these solutions have worked for you, do let us know in the comments section below, as well as if any other problems have come up. We will work to keep this list updated if more problems and their solutions are available.
See Also:
- Samsung Galaxy S6 review
- Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge review
- Best Galaxy S6/S6 edge cases | accessories
- Samsung Galaxy S6 vs Galaxy S6 Edge
Below are the guides to perform some key functions such as soft reset, factory reset, wipe cache partition, and boot into Safe Mode.
Soft Reset
- Press and hold the power button and volume down key simultaneously for about 10 seconds until the device powers off. This works when the screen is unresponsive.
Hard Reset
- With the device turned off, press and hold the volume up key, home button, and power button simultaneously.
- When the Samsung logo appears, release the power button, but continue to hold the volume up and home buttons.
- When the Android system recovery screen appears, release all buttons.
- Use the volume down button to toggle the selection to “wipe data/factory reset,” then press the power button to accept it.
- Use the volume down button to toggle the selection to “Yes — delete all user data,” then press the power button.
- Wait for the reset to finish. You will eventually be prompted to “Reboot system now.” Press the power button to continue.
- If the phone is on, go to Settings – Backup & reset – Reset device – Erase Everything.
Wipe cache partition
- With the device turned off, press and hold the volume up key, home button, and power button simultaneously.
- When the Samsung logo appears, release the power button, but continue to hold the volume up and home buttons.
- When the Android system recovery screen appears, release all buttons.
- Use the volume down button to toggle the selection to “wipe cache partition,” then press the power button to accept it.
- When the previous menu returns, go up and select “Reboot system now,”
Boot in Safe Mode
- When the device is turned off, turn the device on again and press and hold the volume down button until a “Safe Mode” button shows up. Tap that button to boot your device in safe mode.
Best Vodafone Android phones (UK)
Following on from our look at the best that EE has to offer, today we’re browsing though the best Vodafone Android phones on the market. Vodafone is a well-established player in the UK market and one of the longest running without some sort of merger.
The network has been gradually mixing in some home brand production on the same shelves as the staple high-end models, leading to an interesting range of products on offer. The company also has an online outlet store, offering users bargain prices on nearly-new and refurbished handsets.
Don’t miss: Vodafone UK network review (2015)
Let’s kick off our review of the best Vodafone UK smartphones!
#1 LG G4
Vodafone is one of the first UK carriers to offer LG’s latest flagship smartphone. The big talking point with the LG G4 is its improved f/1.8 aperture camera and manual shooting mode to get the most out of your pictures. The inclusion of laser auto focus also ensures that your snaps will always look sharp.
On top of that LG’s latest smartphone packs in a subtly curved QHD display, plenty of RAM and storage space and a big 3,000mAh battery. Although not featuring the very highest-end Snapdragon 810 SoC, we’ve seen that the 808 runs cooler and puts in an equally impressive performance.
The LG G4 is a top of the line flagship in every regard but features a slightly lower price point that the latest Galaxy S6 or One M9. Vodafone is offering the G4 for £0 upfront with a two year £35 per month contract. You’ll need to pay an extra £70 up front for an equivalent 32GB Galaxy S6, which doesn’t feature expandable storage capacity either!
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 1.8GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 808 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage with support for 128GB microSD card
- 16MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
- Removable 3,000mAh battery
- 149.1 x 75.3 x 8.9 mm, 154g
- Metallic Grey, Red Leather
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read more
#2 Nexus 6 and Moto 360
If the LG G4 isn’t quite large enough for you then perhaps you’ll be interested in the Google Nexus 6. The handset is usually offered directly through the Google store with a rather substantial upfront price tag, but Vodafone is not only subsidising the cost of the latest and greatest Nexus, but is also throwing in a Moto 360 smartwatch as well. It’s quite the deal.
The Nexus 6 offers a stock Android Lollipop experience complete with the latest updates. Unlike some previous Nexus devices, the 6 is also sporting some top-of-the-line pieces of hardware, including a QHD display, front facing speakers and a 13MP rear camera with optical image stabilization. The Moto 360 makes for an excellent companion, complete with Android Wear OS to ping your notification directly to your wrist.
Price wise, the bundle can be yours for £0 upfront and £34 per month, making it cheaper than many single handset offers. If this combo doesn’t take your fancy, Vodafone also has a similarly compelling LG G Flex 2 and G Watch R selection for the same price.
Specs
- 5.96-inch AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage
- 13MP rear camera with 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 3,220mAh battery
- 159.3 x 83 x 10.1 mm, 184g
- Midnight Blue
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read More
#3 Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge
If you’re looking for a fully equipped flagship smartphone then the Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is probably the leading choice. With cutting edge processor and camera hardware, wireless charging, and Samsung’s latest curved AMOLED display, there’s no finer example of the industry’s latest hardware.
The least expensive up front contract that Vodafone offers begins at just £9 down, but with higher monthly payments to make up the gap. Contracts for the 64GB model start at £54 per month over two years, or £59 for 128GB of internal storage. There are also options with much more expensive upfront costs and lower monthly fees. Of course, opting for the regular Galaxy S6 model will save you a few pounds per month as well.
Specs
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.1GHz Samsung Exynos 7420 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB internal storage
- 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,550mAh battery
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138g
- Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum or White Pearl colours
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read More
#4 Samsung Galaxy Note 4
I don’t think we can mention Samsung without bringing up the Galaxy Note 4. Still a competitive high-end smartphone, the Note 4 is definitely worth considering if you’re looking for a handset capable of keeping up with your productive self.
As well as high-end hardware and a large vivid display, Samsung bundles the Note 4 with a stylus and series of apps to help you take notes and keep organized.
Vodafone is selling the Galaxy Note 4 for a little cheaper than the Galaxy S6, with monthly contract fees beginning at £39 per month with £0 down. Prices can reach as high as £54 per month if you’re looking for a package with 10GB of data.
Specs
- 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 16MP rear camera and 3.7MP front camera
- Removable 3,220mAh battery
- 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176g
- Black Charcoal
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read More
#5 Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
Next up in our best Vodafone Android phones list is the Xperia M4 Aqua, which is a good option for those looking to save a few pennies. The handset features a 13MP rear camera, a Snapdragon 615 processing package and Sony’s rather good software features, which is great for everyday use and snapping the occasional good looking pic.
This M4 Aqua is not just a solid mid-ranger, but it also sports IP68 rating for resistance to dust and water, a feature usually reserved for Sony’s high-end models. However, the 2,400mAh is perhaps not ideal for the very heavy user.
Vodafone is selling the M4 Aqua starting at just £22 per month with £0 and is throwing in a free wireless speaker to sweeten the deal.
Specs
- 5-inch LCD display with 720×1280 resolution
- 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC
- 2GB of RAM
- 8GB of internal memory with up to 128GB microSD card
- 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,400mAh battery
- 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3 mm, 136g
- Black or White
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
Read More
#6 Vodafone Smart Ultra 6
Perhaps a surprise entry in our best Vodafone Android phones list is the home brand Smart Ultra 6. Well, technically the Smart Ultra 6 is not a proper white-box product, instead it is a re-branded ZTE Blade S6 Plus.
Despite the low £125 price tag, the handset features a 1080p 5.5-inch display, 13MP rear camera, competitive Snapdragon 615 processing package and 16GB of storage. Perfect for the day to day demands of a daily driver.
The handset is a ludicrously good deal at just £125 with a PAYG SIM, but Vodafone also has the phone available on contract for £17 per month for two years. That will net you 500MB of data, 500 minutes and unlimited texts.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 1080×1920 resolution
- 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 16GB internal memory with up to 64GB with a microSD card
- 13MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,400mAh battery
- 154 x 77 x 8.35mm, 159g
- Grey
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
Read More
That’s it for our look at the best Android phones available on Vodafone UK. Don’t miss: Vodafone UK network review (2015)
Best EE Android phones (UK)
The UK carrier market is certainly one of the busiest, with a selection of big players to choose from and a host of smaller bargain SIM deals. EE is perhaps the first port of call for the heavy data user, as it boasts the broadest 4G network coverage out of all the carriers in the UK. The company also has its 4G+ network now live in central London, which offers double the typical 4G networks speeds by reaching up to 90MB/s using carrier aggregation.
Read: EE retwork review (2015): everything you need to know
With that in mind, here are some of the best EE Android phones currently on offer, which can make use of all that juicy high-speed data. As this is a major UK network, we’re looking at contract prices here, but we’ll include the off-contract price for some value comparisons.
Editor’s note: we’ll be updating this post regularly as new devices come out.
#1 – Samsung Galaxy S6/Edge
While the Galaxy S6 may be an obvious choice, there’s no denying that this flagship smartphone is pretty much the most feature rich phone on the market right now. Featuring a QHD display, 14nm octa-core Exynos 7420 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 16MP rear camera, and dual-mode wireless charging, the S6 features the very best hardware on the market right now.
EE offers the full range of 32GB, 64GB and 128GB internal memory options, each with a price jump to match. The lowest price and contract starts at $9.99 up from with 2GB of data costing £41.99 each month, or this can be upgraded up to 20GB of data for £54.99. Similar contracts are available for the 64GB and 128GB models, but these have much higher upfront fees ranging from anywhere between £129.99 and a huge £409.99. It’s probably best to avoid the highest upfront costs, as the 128GB model can be bought SIM-free for £649 from other retailers.
Specs
- 5.1-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.1GHz Samsung Exynos 7420 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32/64/128GB internal storage
- 16MP rear camera, 5MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,550mAh battery
- 143.4 x 70.5 x 6.8 mm, 138g
- Black Sapphire, Gold Platinum or White Pearl colours
- Android 5.1 Lollipop
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#2 – Samsung Galaxy Note 4
The next entry up on our list of best EE Android phones also comes from Samsung – the much loved Galaxy Note 4.
Samsung’s larger smartphone may be a tad older than the Galaxy S6, but laid the way for many of the high end pieces of technology found in Samsung’s latest flagship. The large QHD display lends itself nicely to media and multitasking, while the 16MP camera remains one of the best in the business. The phone also has a micro-SD card slot and removable battery, features lacking with the Galaxy S6.
EE has the handset priced pretty similarly to the S6, with contract offers starting from £9.99 up front and ranging between $41.99 and $54.99 per month. There are also options available with a higher up front cost, maxing out at £219.99.
Specs
- 5.7-inch Super AMOLED display with 1440×2560 resolution
- 2.7GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 SoC
- 3GB of RAM
- 32GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 16MP rear camera and 3.7MP front camera
- Removable 3,220mAh battery
- 153.5 x 78.6 x 8.5 mm, 176g
- Black Charcoal
- Android 5.0 Lollipop
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#3 – Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
Gargantuan smartphones aren’t for everyone, but usually smaller phones also suffer from cut down specifications. Sony is one of the few to buck this irritating trend, with is more moderately sized 4.6-inch 720p display.
The handset’s older Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 handset is still an admirable performer by today’s processing standards. The Xperia Z3 Compact also features a high resolution 20.7MP rear camera and is IP68 certified for dust and water resistance.
EE’s contract offers range between £31.99 and £44.99 per month depending on the amount of 4G data you require, with £0 to put down for the handset. EE is also bundling Sony’s Hi-Res audio package with selected contracts, which offers some free headphones worth £169 and a three month subscription to the Hi-Res audio streaming service.
Specs
- 4.6-inch IPS LCD display with 720×1280 resolution
- 2.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 SoC
- 2GB of RAM
- 16GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 20.7MP rear camera, 2.2MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,600mAh battery
- 127.3 x 64.9 x 8.6 mm, 129g
- Black
- Android 4.4 KitKat (Android 5.1 Lollipop update)
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#4 – HTC Desire 820
To close out our best EE Android phones I’m going to put HTC’s mid-range Desire 820 in here. Although it might not feature the highest end specifications, there a handset here with an excellent vivid display, top quality build quality, and a suitable mid-range processing package that will handily manage all of your daily tasks. Best of all, it doesn’t require a hefty lump sum up front.
The Desire 820 is a refinement of HTC’s rather good mid-range products, with a slimmer uni-body design and a sample of HTC’s high-end features like the BoomSound front-facing speakers, which produce extremely good sound that exceeds more expensive models. The only major drawback is the 720p resolution for the 5.5-inch display, which makes the display less sharp than what we’re used to with flagship products.
Price wise, EE is offering the handset on its typical range of £21 to £42 per month data plans, with up front costs ranging from Free to typically around just £30, although there are more expensive options for some of the cheaper contracts.
Specs
- 5.5-inch LCD display with 720×1280 resolution
- 1.5GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 SoC
- 2GB of RAM
- 16 GB internal storage with 128GB microSD card support
- 13MP rear camera, 8MP front camera
- Non-removable 2,600mAh battery
- 157 x 78.7 x 7.7 mm, 155g
- Santorini White colour
- Android 4.4.2 KitKat
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Missed anything? Let us know you think are the best phones available on EE right now!
A fine time for fingerprint sensors (and an eye for irises)
Biometric authentication is nothing new with mobile devices, or technology in general for that matter. The TPM platform on Windows PCs has been around for ages, and even some feature phones (mainly those produced by Fujitsu for Japan) had it well over a decade ago. With respect to Android however, the stepped-up security staple has been of a generally less-than-impressive affair. Both Motorola and HTC tried it several years ago and suffice to say, nothing caught on. After the mainstream consumer’s attention was suddenly “alerted” to the technology via Apple’s iPhone 5s however, Samsung was first to step up to the plate and let Android have another stab.
Unfortunately, the authentication seen in the Galaxy S5 was a much more traditional method of fingerprint reading, namely that the sensor required a swipe (similar to the Windows TPM and Fujitsu feature phone products) and had a less-than-perfect track record when it came to accuracy. Software updates made the problem a little better, though even the newer module seen on the Galaxy Alpha and Galaxy Note 4 released later in 2014 were hardly what one might say as a stress-free experience.
Everything changes
The release of the Galaxy S6 has brought with it not just a major redesign for the hardware and software, but also the fingerprint sensor as well. Samsung’s implementation of a touch-based input method this time around works fantastically. Granted it’s still not perfect (neither is Apple’s) but with a few tricks and tips at hand (more on that later), it’s possible to have it read your print correctly over 95% of the time, if not 99%.
The problem now, however, is an ironic one. The sensor in the Galaxy S6 works so well that you actually want to use it, and in doing so, it becomes that much more cumbersome to use any other form of security, namely passwords and patterns. Despite my tablet remaining at home 95% of the time, it still has pattern unlock set up, as have all my tablets in the past as well. So frustrating was it to be bothered with entering the pattern each time the screen turned off that after about a day, I disabled the security entirely. Even when I was testing out the Chinese Galaxy Note 4, I found the pattern unlock to be downright irritating. Sure the device has fingerprint security avalible, but it just works so badly that I simply couldn’t put up with it. The same also held true for the few days I spent with the LG G4 last week: the Knock Code is too time consuming.
Of course, if you haven’t spent time with the Galaxy S6’s fingerprint sensor then it’s quite plausible that pattern unlock won’t bother you at all. Heck, I never minded it. Even the iffy fingerprint sensor in the Note 4 might be OK for those with nothing else to compare it to. But for me, hands down, anything less than the hardware in the S6 simply comes off as inferior.
Vast implications (for me, at least)
Apple’s iPhone 5s was a major win for biometric support in smartphones.
It needs to be clarified that as a tech writer, my device habits are not in any way reflective of mainstream customers, or perhaps even enthusiasts. If someone has the Galaxy S6 for example, it’s quite logical that what I am about to say won’t be a valid point of reference. Likewise, if someone prefers another device (like the Xperia Z3+) then the point is also lost. Still, it must be made: After just a few weeks with the Galaxy S6, I have trouble considering any other phone as a valid replacement, literally because of the absence of a fingerprint sensor.
Consider just for a second, how many times you unlock your device in a day. Obviously those users who have a screen timeout setting of 2 minutes, or who don’t have any security lock period will be far less bothered. For those of you like me, however, in any given 10 minute period, your device usage might consist of this:
I’m listening to music and want to change albums. I want to see if a System Update is available. I want to check my Hotmail account (which is set to pull, not push). I want to make a quick memo. I want to upload a picture to Google Plus. I want to check my schedule for the next day. I want to activate Silent Mode.
These are just 7 perfectly valid examples of why I might unlock my phone. Now imagine unlocking the device each time with a pattern. Or even worse, imagine doing it with a 7-digit password or numerical sequence. How much wasted time is involved? How easy is it to just activate the power, place my fingertip over the Home Button for just a second, and its unlocked, and with basically no errors.
Scanning advice
The sensor on the Galaxy S5 was, for me at least, an absolutely horrible experience.
For those interested in improving the accuracy of their Samsung Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge fingerprint sensor’s accuracy, perhaps the best advice is to select one (or two) fingers that you will use exclusively to unlock the device, and setup all four of the available readings to the designated digits. I, for example, had originally registered four different fingers to the sensor, but it often missed reading them on occasion. After I set two different print reads for my left thumb alone (the first being all vertical, and the second being split between left and right horizontal orientation about 50:50), things improved to what I would argue is 99% accuracy. I repeated the process with my right thumb.
If you are comfortable with just registering one finger however, you could technically set up all four reads to ensure the most accurate reading possible. You could have one stored file for each 90-degree position your finger could possibly scan the button.
Security risks and shortcomings
While I have spent a great deal of time extolling the virtues of fingerprint sensors, it must be said that they are not an absolute form of security. Just as how a pattern unlock sequence can be “stolen” by looking at the oil residue on the phone, so too could a fingerprint be lifted from the device, or literally anything for that matter, even a photograph should the resolution be high enough. And, unlike the pattern unlock which has literally no value outside of Android, a fingerprint can be an absolutely damning piece of incriminating evidence or even proof of legal registration.
It also needs to be said that even the Galaxy S6’s fingerprint sensor can’t do the impossible. If you have even the slightest bit of water or dirt on your finger, there is a large chance the scan will result in an error. In one typical instance, I had just washed my hands, hastily dried them, and tried to unlock the phone a few seconds later. Access was not granted, and when I checked my finger, indeed it had a small droplet of water or two that had got on the sensor and caused the error. Likewise should the biometric reader get scratched or damaged in any way, the error rate will increase if not become absolute.
An eye for detail
Fujitsu’s “Iris Passport” is being marketed as a major security function of its new Arrows NX phone.
One possible increase in safety, security, and sanity could be the iris-scanning technology that Fujitsu has placed into its “brick-sized” Japan-only Arrows NX. Having tested it out at a local docomo store, I was generally impressed by the accuracy of the reading, at least from the dozen-or-so times I tried it out. Unfortunately the actual scan itself takes a bit of time and is therefore much more cumbersome than simply holding down your finger… or drawing a pattern. This is something that can be improved with future software (or hardware) updates however, and thus I wouldn’t necessarily see it as a death toll for the tech.
On the other hand, it needs to be said that in addition to having pitifully bad eye-sight, I wear brown-colored contact lenses. This is in part because I like darker eyes, and in part from awkward experiences with Japanese people “mystified” by my true blue-green color. Why mention this vanity confession? Simple: the lenses have a “fake iris” on them. I literally scanned the contact lens, and that alone is great cause for concern. Assuming the manufacturer has a single design for the pattern on the lens, anyone who buys the same brand that I do could have “my” eyes. The security implications are quite grave to say the least. This isn’t some kind of high-tech Minority Report-type scheme here; it’s not even as complex as creating false fingerprints from a magnified image.
A look at the scanning process and subsequent authorization acceptance.
After doing a bit of research, there seem to be conflicting reports of the biometric authenticity with respect to colored lenses. Some reports suggest or claim the technology is now advanced enough to read “beyond” and see the intricacies of your true iris, however other reports indicate that there are limitations imposed by colored contacts. The question is just how accurate or advanced the sensor in Fujitsu’s latest smartphone is. As a personal experiment, within the next week, I will attempt to go back to a docomo store and see if I can get permission to try and experiment with the Fujitsu phone: to scan my eyes with the lenses, then see if I can unlock them without, and vice-versa.
Focus on the future
Regardless of whether-or-not people are excited about the security benefits of biometric authentication, there is one major reason they should care about it: expedience. Many smartphone users opt to go without setting a password or pattern to unlock their device simply because they don’t care, they don’t want the hassle, or they don’t realize the risk of theft and what that might entail. Including some form of advanced authentication that is integrated into a basic movement or gesture is the key. In the past, companies like HTC, Motorola, and even Samsung have managed to make a mess out of the fingerprint feature. With the Galaxy S6 however, Samsung has made a huge advance in the functionality factor, as the reader works so much better than that of last year’s flagships.
In my honest opinion, I feel that well-implemented biometric security elements should be a core feature of smartphones from today onward. What do you think however? Are you satisfied without it? Leave us your comments below and let us know.
Deal: ZeroLemon Galaxy S6 Battery Case for only $29, Rage Water-Resistant Speaker for $35
It’s no secret that Samsung greatly ramped up its design language with the Galaxy S6, combining two panels of Gorilla Glass 4 with an aluminum edge that surrounds the device. But when the phone is covered in glass as opposed to plastic, you may want to take some extra precautions to keep it safe. Carrying around this phone with a case is a must, and why not add a bit of extra functionality while you’re doing it? If you’re looking to give your new Galaxy S6 some extra juice while protecting it, check out ZeroLemon’s Galaxy S6 Battery Case.
The Galaxy S6 certainly doesn’t have the best battery on the market, coming in at just 2550mAh. The ZeroLemon Battery Case will provide an extra 3500mAh of battery capacity, bringing the phone’s total to 6050mAh. You can also remove the battery from the case to use it externally, if you’d like. Right now, you can purchase the ZeroLemon Battery Case for the Galaxy S6 for just $28.99 (27% off) from the Android Authority Deals Store!
Looking for an inexpensive, water resistant and compact Bluetooth speaker? Look no further than the Rage Water-Resistant Bluetooth Speaker, currently being offered for 30% off in the AA Deals Store. This speaker is lightweight, compact and powerful, and is resistant against drops, splashes and dust. This speaker, which can also last up to four hours on a single charge, will provide loud, clear audio regardless of whether it’s operating inside or outside. If you’re interested in taking your outdoor listening experience to the next level, the Rage Bluetooth Speaker can be found in the AA Deals Store for just $34.99.
Interested in any of these great promotions? Head to the links below for more information.
Android 5.1 Lollipop now rolling out to the Sprint Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge
The update to Android 5.1 Lollipop is now beginning to roll out to Sprint variants of the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. The update, which comes in at around 563MB, will bring the Galaxy S6’s software version to G920PVPU2B0F7 and the S6 Edge’s version to G925PVPU2B0F7.
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So what’s new in the update to Android 5.1? Aside from a few bug fixes on Sprint’s side of things, Android 5.1 will bring a handful of performance improvements, just a few user interface tweaks, and factory reset protection. Be sure to check out our “What’s new in Android 5.1 Lollipop” post for more details.
As is the case with most other software updates, it may take a few days to make its way to your device. If you’d like to check for the update manually, head to Settings>About device, then choose the “check for updates” button. Have you received Android 5.1 on your Galaxy S6 or S6 Edge yet? If so, how are you liking it?
AIVAnet 