Category: Reviews
Time for something different. I have to wear glasses for work as I spend the vast majority of my day in front of a computer screen. Now, while the screens have got better than they once used to be, it can be very tiring on your eyes. Not …
This handset has a lot of the features I’ve seen on the HTC One M8. I mean sure, if you fire up the camera you won’t have the Zoe camera option, or the Pan 360 setting, or that rather clever “Dual capture” options, but you still get those …
I’ve used the HTC One M8 for a week now. It’s been my primary phone, so it’s had to put up with my daily abuse. As a heavy smartphone user, that’s no small ask. First up, I’m an existing Android owner, so out of the box I …
GoPro cameras are, as you’ll have probably seen here on Coolsmartphone, a cool way to record your sporting activity. However, when I asked GoPro to load one of their cameras to review, they said… basically, no. The people at Garmin however, did loan me a device, and it …
What do we have here then? A wearable that doesn’t need to be charged everyday? Is that possible ? I have been really excited to get this gadget. This, for me, is where wearables become useful. The big thing that holds them back is the fact that you …
Samsung are known for pumping out device after device from their design factory, and one that was rather unique but caught a lot of attention was the Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom. The handset packed an S4 mini and a Samsung camera into a single device and we reviewed …
In this day and age now and again you have to take a punt on something, just in case you’ve found something special. That’s exactly what I did with the Oppo Find 7a. But is it a dud? No its not, you’ll have to read on to find …
Most smartphones have a range of shooting options on the camera. The panoramic setting is probably one you’ve tried, but despite all the clever wizardry and screen overlays in panoramic mode, there’s always some slightly odd-looking shots. This, then, is the Panoramic Pod. A device which you clamp …
Headphones are ten a penny. Getting the right ones is a tricky task and sometimes you’ll either need a software equalizer or that rather clever Beats technology to make the sound better. These headphones, Meze, are made from handcrafted beech wood. This, according to the makers, produces a …
You may remember us talking about a smartphone projector some months ago. For really not-that-much-money you it’ll project the image from your smartphone screen onto your wall. Just before I went on my little bike ride the buys from Luckies of London delivered us a review unit, so …
There is nothing worse than a badly scratched phone, it looks horrible and reduces your resale value immensely, so having a screen protector is a great investment. I have tried Zagg Invisible Shields but I’m not a fan of the feel of the original ones, although the HD …
Windows RT is an interesting creature, some wonder why it exists, some love it for its limited nature and some like me now and again get a device running Windows RT and just try to get on with life using the tools provided. The Surface 2 4G price (£539 …
Those posh sports cameras are good, but they do tend to cost quite a bit. The Garmin Virb I looked at a short while ago can be around £200+ and, whilst it produces excellent footage, it’s quite a bit of cash. This then is READYACTION – a body …
Over the years I’ve not really had much time for Sony, I’ve had a play with most of their devices and I’ve never really been that impressed. Yes the build quality and design on the Z, Z1 and the Z1 Compact is rather splendid, but something always ruined …
I recently received the Acer Z5 budget smartphone through for review, and despite there being a dual-SIM variant, this is the single SIM version. After unboxing my first impressions were… “Hang on, someone has put a Nexus 5 in here by mistake!” Good Points Good feel in the …
Whoway? Who are they? The answer of this question is really a simple one. Huawei are the people who have been, and continue to, make the equipment that powers our mobile networks. It’s the kit that keeps us all talking to each other, but it’s mostly hidden in cabinets. They’ve …
With more and more devices now using USB 3 there’s always call for a hub, but charging your phone from one can be a painfully slow process. Add an external drive into the mix and things start to fall over. To solve this HooToo have created a powerful, …
I’m sure we’ve all had those visits to the services on the motorway. Usually, in between a coffee and a quick “comfort break” you’ll see one of those “Dancing Stage” machines. Perhaps, if you’re on a night out and had a few “shandies”, you’ll probably try and have …
EE as a brand have been around for 2 years now. They hit the headlines after launching 4G services nearly a full year ahead of the competition. Both Orange and T-Mobile brands have had quite a few devices made for them by manufacturers already, but with 4G being …
Was my previous post just a cheap way to get donations to the Douglas Macmillan Hospice? Well yes, it probably was a bit, but they provide care for those with progressive diseases and a limited life expectancy. It’s a bloody good cause and I’ve only had 11 donations, …
For those of you out there who are lucky enough to have picked up a brand new Xperia Z2, well I’ve done this one just for you. Roxfit have been specialising in covers for the Xperia range for the past few years and I have tested several of …
I now have 3 very good smartphones with awesome cameras in my possession, so it would make sense for me to do a “camera face off”. We are going to compare the Nokia Lumia 1020 and Xperia Z1 against the new-comer – the Huawei P7. The test is …
The Galaxy S range has become a bit of a Marmite thing. Many many people love the Galaxy S range, with the S3, the S4 and now the S5. But contrary to there are many people who really do hate them. Often on Twitter I’ll mention something to …
I have now had the Huawei Ascend P7 in my hands for a little under 12 hours and in that time I have had a play with the device properly. This includes that new “Panoramic Selfie” feature. All in all I think it is a very nice handset. …
Did you wake up this morning and think… My phone isn’t as beautiful as it could be, old fashioned icons, boring skins and themes from your phones manufacturer. Well if you did then “CLauncher” could be for you. CLauncher is a relatively new launcher for android phones (Android …
Have you ever felt that iPad cases just aren’t bookish enough? Not in a geeky student wearing glasses and beige slacks way, I mean that they tend not to look like books. Well, you’re in luck if you have, because BUKcase have it covered… so to speak. Constricting …
Oppo are slowly getting a name for themselves in the Western world, here at Coolsmartphone we’ve bought and reviewed several of their recent flagships. This time round with the Find 7a it was down to me to dig into my pockets and order one. As I’ve only had …
The new Sony Xperia Z2 was announced back in January at CES and after a few delays it has finally arrived with pre-orders being sent out over the last week and available in stores from tomorrow. I’ve been lucky enough to get hold of one, a smartband …
Nokia are slowly and surely releasing devices of all shapes, sizes and to suit all different budgets. Want a smallish high spec phone? Yep they’ve got one. Small budget phone? Yep they’ve got one. Big super high spec phone? Yep they’ve got one. Somewhere in between these? Yep. …
I don’t usually use cases on my phones, or if I do it is typically the cheap gel type cases you get from eBay. Although I have been intrigued by flip cases, I’ve always been a bit unsure about the usability. Having to hold the case open when …
Firstly I would like to offer up an apology for the time I this taken for me to get this review up. I just wanted to make sure that I had enough time to test the tablet to its fullest. So without further ado, the review.. Hardware/Design Those …
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly mobile, wherever we go we have our mobiles and now and again you find yourself stuck. Stuck trying to get a set of files onto your phone, usually when a client or friend has some vital pictures or files …
Tipping Point is a game show on ITV. This app is the game of the show, released on both Android and iOS, though this review refers specifically to the iOS version, priced at £1.49. The object of the game is really rather simple – contestants have to …
Since buying James’ Note 3 (or, if you listened to our podcast, me bullying it off him), I have wanted to look into wireless chargers mainly because it came with the Samsung wireless charging back. Now here comes my dilemma, which is of two parts.. 1. I need …
I’m not usually one to run out of power on my mobile device. At work I have access to a multitude of chargers all day. I also tend to get about 1 1/2 to 2 days out of my phone and more from my tablets. However, as the …
Screen protection. You either love it or you hate it. Unfortunately, with the current screen technology that exists, it is a necessary evil. There’s a vast array of options out there right now that’ll protect your screen but these offerings vary vastly in quality and price. Clear-Coat is …
Do you have a young child? Does you heart jump into your mouth when those grubby little hands reach out and grab you iPad? If the answer to either question is yes then you need to keep reading. The iGuy case from Speck comes in iPad mini and …
A few years ago you might find yourself in an office without your mobile charger. Back before microUSB became the default charging port, people would walk around asking for “a Nokia charger with a small rounded end” or “a Samsung one that looks flat”. It was a nightmare …
At the end of the day your phone probably ends up on the floor by your bed. I usually turn mine off, but it’s always on charge overnight. As it’s off, I usually use a separate alarm clock to wake me from my beauty sleep, but this Retro …
HTC are a company known for making high end smartphones such as the Desire, Sensation and Legend. Their premier device of 2013 – the One – has now been uprated and the new version is known as the M8. The company announced two new devices at MWC in …
