Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Android or Apple? Smartphones for techno-phobes and the latest gadgets and wireless chargers

Which smartphone will charge at double the rate of an Apple iPhone? What does wireless charging offer you? And is Android easy to switch to? We round up the latest smartphones and gadget news

Smartphone Apple or Android Stocksy 620Changing your smartphone can be a bit of a minefield.

Do you stick to the same manufacturer and have the invaluable familiarity? Or, do you make the leap to Android and take advantage of a wider range of deals?

Well, the good things is, switching either way has never been easier. 

Smartphone buyers sit in two camps. There's Google's Android operating system and Apple's iOS for iPhone.

Both have great features and really it comes down to personal preference, but if you tend to always plump for Apple because everyone else has, it would be wise to at least check out the options. 

Swapping from Apple to Android

Android smartphones offer great value for money and you have much more choice when it comes to handsets.

It can also pay dividends not to be hemmed in by Apple and its operating software – with Google giving you greater flexibility. 

Android smartphones offer different things in terms of storage, navigation, size, features and processors and contracts are often shorter than the 24-month Apple tie ins.

The cameras on almost all comparative Android phones are infinitely better than the iPhone – even the 6. 

The iPhone 6, for instance, has a 8MP camera, whereas the Galaxy S5 has double at 16MP camera.

Swapping from Apple to Android now is much easier. Manufacturers including Samsung, Sony and HTC have dedicated switch over sites with step by step guides of how to switch over data, photos and emails. 

We tried it, on three different devices, and it is much easier than expected. 

Tips on swapping

As always it pays to shop around. Check out the Tech websites including Which and Tech radar for the latest on release dates and think about what you need your phone for. 

Check what happens if you go over your data usage in a month. The option to buy bolt-ons of data can often be handy. 

When a new phone is released, often the previous model will plummet in price, so keep an eye out for deals. 

For those who don't want to get stung by fees abroad Three offers all customers a free roaming feature, so you can use your phone abroad at no extra cost in 16 destinations including the USA, France, Italy and Australia (extending to Spain and New Zealand in April).

What's on the market?

Sony Xperia Z3 Compact: top for camera lovers 

Sony Experia technology phones

The slick Xperia Z3 Compact offers a super fast 4G network, a whopping 20.7MP camera packed with filters and 4K video capture.

It also has clever shooting modes such as TimeShift Burst allowing you to choose the best photo from 30 taken per second. 

The Sony phone shoots sharp, clear and bright photos and videos with ease.

Sony uses all the latest technology from its actual cameras on the shelves in its phones. 

Importantly, Sony has just started rolling out  Google's first Lollipop release software on its products, and one of the first phones to have this will be the Z3.

Improvements include, new look notifications and lock screen – with fully customisable settings, so you only get the information you really need, multi user profiles and guest mode – making it easy for family and friends to use your device, or the creation of dual environments for work and play.

Oh, did we mention it's also waterproof? 

Nokia Lumia 735: top for the techno-phobe

Nokia Lumia 735 620 technology phones

This mid-range smartphone has a large screen and simple navigation.

This is a pick for parents or those who are not seriously into their gadgets but want easy functionality. 

New Lumia Denim software is set for release and though this doesn't change the handset it should improve the capabilities and processing.

Crucially, the Denim developments should give HD photo and camera capabilities.

The Lumia 735 is free on contracts from around £18 per month, runs on Windows and has a wide screen so is easy to operate. 

  The next phone to look out for

Samsung Galaxy Edge S6 350The Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

Big talk in the phone world, the Galaxy S6 Edge has a curved very high pixel display.

Its camera comes with f1.9 lenses and high-resolution sensors on both front (5MP) and rear (16MP) cameras and the company claims to charge from empty in half the time it takes the iPhone.

The phone also comes with Qi wireless charging, same as a number of Lumia products. 

According to the developers, the S6 lets you watch two hours of HD video from just 10 minutes of charging. Phones should be in shops by April. 

Wireless charging

Wireless charging is a key trend with new phones launching in 2015, but for consumers it's likely going to be the faster charging that's really of most interest.

Still with retailers jumping on board – Ikea is launching furniture including bedside tables and desks that wirelessly charge your phone and McDonalds has said it will offer charging spots in 50 of its restaurants across the UK, wireless is worth watching out for. 

The McDonalds chargers will be compatible with Qi, which appears to be establishing itself as the dominant wireless charging technology.

  Apple watch 

And for all those early adopters, April is the month for the Apple Watch. Scheduled to hit the market on 24 April, Apple's smart watch is bound to take its share of headlines. 

Once synced to an iPhone, Apple Watch wearers can answer calls and messages. Prices will start from $349.

Guest blogs are a mix of comment, reporting and personal stories, some by professional writers and some not, but none paid for. Submit blogs for consideration by emailing [email protected]

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