Category: Reviews

Nokia Lumia 925 – Initial Impressions

I think I have found it, the Windows Phone device that will draw me, a diehard Android user for the last 4 years to move over. Bold claim I know but one that I feel can be easily substantiated by the quality of this device. I have for a …

Vodafone Smart III Android phone – Initial Impressions

The Vodafone Smart III (aka Alcatel 975) is an entry level Android smartphone with an eye on those who want something a little different; something fun, functional and funky (you can have that one, Apple, if you’re after a tag-line for iOS7!). I’ve got one for a week, …

Casemate Tough for Xperia Z review

Another month and you know what that means, it is time for me to get a new case for my Xperia Z. Those of you who have read my precious reviews will know that I have been using a Leather book style case for my phone up until …

LG Optimus L5 II – Review

The LG Optimus L5 II is an interesting little phone, plasticy, lightweight and covered in fingerprints yet still it is an appealing little phone. Introduced as the middle device in the 2nd generation of budget “Optimus L” phones, there is also an L3 and a L7 which are …

Nokia Lumia 720 – Review

The Lumia 720 is one of the latest smartphones in the Windows Phone 8 range and packs an amazing amount of features into such a small and thin design. Whilst it’s not 4G ready, doesn’t have DC-HSDPA capability, and has a lower resolution camera than the 920; the …

OPPO Find 5 initial impressions – Review

OPPO are an unkown quantity to many in the UK. It’s no surprise then that the launch of their latest flagship, the Find 5, was virtually undetected. I saw it on their web store and was so intrigued that I spent my own hard earned 399 Euros (about …

My time with the HTC One

Now and again a company gets it right when designing a phone. Like Apple did with the iPhone 4s, Nokia with the Lumia 800, Sony with the Xperia Z and now HTC with the One. When the HTC One arrived I knew that I wouldn’t be that shocked …

Otterbox Commuter Punked case for the HTC One – Review

Another month and another Otterbox case it is for me, I just can’t help myself. I get an expensive phone, I just want to look after it from then on in. Which in my world means buying an Otterbox case. So onto the review, starting with a few …

LG Optimus L5 II – Initial Impressions

LG and their phones have pretty much passed me by during my time on this planet. In fact I don’t think I’ve ever even touched one. Here is my history if you’re interested, (according to that I did once have an LG). So getting my hands on the Optimus …

This Call May Be Recorded

For training purposes or just to be generally nosey….. Here at Coolsmartphone we’ve been contacted by copluk. They wanted us to review their call recording app – “Free Call Recorder – ACR“. It is available for free from the Play Store, then you have the option to pay …

Samsung Galaxy Y Review

Someone has sent us a Samsung Galaxy Y. If I’m honest I have absolutely no idea. The bag was ripped and this popped out. This is the slightly older Y, aka the “Young”, and not the one announced last week. You can get a locked one from Tesco …

Covert Low Profile flip case for Samsung Ativ S – Review

If, like me, you got yourself a bargain Samsung Ativ S Windows phone recently you’ll know what a great handset it is and, like me, you’ll be wanting a decent case to protect it with. I scoured the internet and finally decided on the Covert Low Profile Flip …

BlackBerry Q10 – Review

I’ve had the BlackBerry Q10 for a couple of weeks now and I’ve grown to love like it quite a bit. The Q10 is the new age Bold, with premium materials, high end specs and a new ish OS. This in theory is the device that would persuade …

Sony Xperia SP review

When I was contacted by Three about reviewing Sony Xperia SP device I was really looking forward to trying it out. The reason? Well, I already use the Sony Xperia Z as my own phone and wanted to see how it compared. At time of writing this review …

Review – Sumo Omni

I’m sitting outside right now. I’m sitting in the sunshine on a beanbag. It’s not something I do very often but I think I’ll start to make a habit of it. There’s a back-story to this though, and sadly it involves my rusty garden furniture getting thrown away. …

Cygnett SoundWave Bluetooth speaker with dock – Review

The Cygnett SoundWave Bluetooth speaker is a compact mains or battery powered wireless sound system that comes with the added bonus of a phone stand. I’ve had one on test for a couple of weeks, so here’s how it stacks up. Good Price Phone stand Big sound from …

Gemini JoyTab Duo 7 3G – Review

So, in the time after my original First Impressions post on the Gemini Devices JoyTab Duo 7 3G, a few things have happened. North Korea decided to try and bluff the world into a nuclear war, Margaret Thatcher died, I began revising for exams and the document that …

Samsung Galaxy S4 – Review

It’s fair to say that Samsung’s success with the Galaxy S3 has been nothing short of astonishing. The handset even gave the lauded iPhone 5 a run for it’s money in terms of pure numbers, and for good reason. Great performance, a slim plastic (sorry Samsung, polycarbonate) shell …

Cat B15 Review

It’s a sad fact that, if you choose to go for a traditional “tough” or “rugged” phone, people have often pointed and laughed at you. Oh, come on, don’t pretend. It’s true. Deep down you also know that you’ve cut some corners too. The screen is rubbish, the …

Genuine HTC One Double Dip Flip Case – Review

I’m one of those people that always has to have a case on my phone. I usually go through several for each phone I have, as I like the change it brings, and most cases have a flaw of some kind or other. To go with my new …

BlackBerry Q10 – Initial Impressions

BlackBerry are in an interesting position these days, the Z10 and Q10 are what some may see as their last ditch attempt to remain relevant. We had the Z10 in for review a few months ago (which you can read here) I ended up liking the hardware and …

Jawbone BIG Jambox – Review

One of the phrases I seem to be using more and more is “…and you paid how much for it??”. Despite nobody appearing to have any money, it seems we are big fans of those ‘Premium’ products. I mean, why else would people be buying the BMW 1 …

Veho 360 degree M3 Bluetooth Soundblaster speaker – Review

The Veho 360 degree M3 Bluetooth speaker is a highly compact piece of personal pocket PA. It’s all very well being small and wireless, but I wanted to know if it’s any better than the speaker on my phone. Likes Compact Loud for its size Robust feel Dislikes …

My time with the Nokia Lumia 920

For me the Nokia Lumia 920 has sort of become a fabled device, it is one of those devices that I had basically come to terms with that I’d never get to own. I briefly had one last year and it just wasn’t long enough. This all changed …

Gemini Joytab Duo 9.7 – Review

Some would have you believe that if you want a tablet that you have to have an iPad, some would also say you have to have a Nexus 7 but my take on things is that sometimes in life you need to take the Red Pill and try …

Otterbox Commuter Glacier case for the HTC 8X – Review

Another month has passed and I’ve gone and bought another Otterbox. This time it was for my HTC 8X which I have felt is increasingly becoming likely to be dropped.  Only because I’ve had  it for a few months now without much protection. Otterbox cases are pretty cool …

Cellular Line GRIP Anti-Slip Pad

Right, let’s make this punchy shall we? You’re driving around. You do either one of two things. You either dump the phone on the passenger seat or strap it into some sort of car holder. The first option will probably see your phone getting wedged between the door …

DMZmusic Bluetooth dongle – Review

I was alerted to the DMZmusic Bluetooth dongle by a comment on Leigh’s recent review of the StreamPort Universal. In it, Graham Eastham suggested that it wasn’t worth spending £59.99 on the StreamPort and instead suggested the DMZmusic Bluetooth dongle for just over a fiver! Having an eye …

Nokia Lumia 520 – Review

The Nokia Lumia 520 was released a couple of weeks ago, so I rushed out and bought one so that I could review it for you lovely people (how selfless, right?). I set it up, gave it a first impressions review, then turned my Nexus 4 off. How …

Case Mate barely there case for iPhone 5 – Review

There are some people who are able to have their phone totally unprotected and show it off in the way manufacturers intended, in all their ‘industrial design’ glory. I’m not one of those people. Having some sort of protection on my phone is a prerequisite, especially since I’ve seen the …

Windows Phone App Review – Shrink Storage

Orphaned files and folders aren’t a new phenomenon. For hundreds of many years people have been uninstalling apps only to find that the uninstaller hasn’t quite done it’s job properly. I’ve seen this bug in umpteen versions of Windows on my desktop PC, I’ve seen on every version …

Windows Phone App Review – Camera360

I use the phone on my camera a lot, capturing moments in time to share with others at a later date. With Windows Phone Camera Lenses you can do a lot more with your photos. I’ve tried lots of different lenses out some just make pictures look rubbish …

Momax The Core Smart Case for Samsung Galaxy Note II – Review

Momax have taken a fresh look at the case/stand hybrid concept with The Core Smart Case, which uses an origami inspired design for the stand coupled with a traditional gel casing. Good Fits perfectly Magnetic fasteners Screen protector and cloth included Bad Stand angle is too upright Unstable …

TeckNet iEP517 Power Bank 5200mAh backup battery pack – Review

Batteries are a contentious issue when it comes to smartphones. It seems that no matter how much the phone technology advances, batteries can only just keep up. One day on a full charge is normal but, quite frankly, unacceptable. There are various options available to ease your power …

Gemini Joytab Duo 9.7 – Initial Impressions

Gemini Devices are one of those companies that keep releasing decent products at decent prices. The latest products in their line-up are a selection of Jelly Bean tablets. Over the years we have had reviewed a few different tablets from them, most recently I used the JoyTab Pro …

Windows Phone App Review – [+] Lockscreen Style

My Lockscreen on my Windows Phones is the one place you can truly express yourself and have pretty much any picture you want displayed. This in itself isn’t anything new and nor are the new features that Windows Phone 8 brought to the Lockscreen either. I like wallpapers …

Snugg Live Wire charging cable review

A cable is a cable. One of those things you leave on the floor, at the back of the sofa, under the bed. However, if you want a cable that’s just a big more special, then consider this Snugg Live Wire charging cable. From the instant I unpackaged …