Cell phones / Reviews

BlackBerry did a fine job with the Q10. The hardware is top-notch, the keyboard is great, and the screen looks really nice. The phone managed to always perform well on Verizon's network in terms of connection and the quality of that connection. The Verizon Q10 offers markedly cleaner and louder phone calls than the AT&T version, and the data speeds were excellent. Battery life is quite good, and bests most other devices I've tested in recent months.

Read original review at Phone Scoop.

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The BlackBerry Q10 is the phone that most BlackBerry users think they want. It's the phone that best represents BlackBerry's iconic status as a messaging machine, and it also has the better battery performance of the two current BB 10 models. However, I'd argue that it's not necessarily the best phone. If you're someone who lists a physical keyboard as a must-have when purchasing your device, this is the phone to buy.

Anyone who has mastered text input on a virtual keyboard has no reason to consider this device. The smaller screen, fewer app options, and final package make the Q10 more challenging than rewarding for non-QWERTY loyalists. The Q10 dominates its niche without any real rival because it's a classic car with a new engine and a fresh coat of paint. There's definitely value in the classics and plenty of people who will enjoy it, but most users will find more joy and comfort getting behind something newer and built for the new age.

Read original review at MobileBurn.

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The $100 Samsung Galaxy Rugby Pro is a capable rugged smartphone for a low price. It may catch the eye of people who need a device that can withstand some rough and tumble conditions. And if you’re on the clumsy side and keep dropping and breaking your phone, this one will likely last you for two years, at least.

It could also make a great first smartphone for kids. It’s not too expensive and can survive carelessness. Plus, Android is far easier for parents to control and keep tabs on. The low-res screen isn’t going to bother kids as much and the performance is good enough for the majority of games.

Read original review at Digital Trends.

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Overall we enjoyed using the Sony Xperia ZL, and like what it offers over the Z before it. Sadly the expensive price off-contract makes it a tough sell. Maybe getting this for $99 from AT&T with a new contract would make the pill easier to swallow, but that’s just a guess. The device is pretty, powerful, extremely well built, and has one of the better 1080p displays and cameras on a phone available to date.

Read original review at Android Community.

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The Q10 delivers those three BlackBerry 10 OS capabilities very nicely, despite the very different screen size and the use of the physical keyboard.

At the end of the day, the Q10's physical keyboard limits its utility to a subset of what's possible on the Z10. Even if you're a diehard keyboard purist, you should rethink limiting yourself to the physical keyboard. You lose too much, and most people have discovered that they can adapt after a week or two to the onscreen keyboard. There's a reason touch-only devices account for nearly 100 percent of smartphone sales.

Read original review at InfoWorld.

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Ultimately, the decision to get the HTC One comes down to style. The device is slick, simplified, and stark. That'll appeal to many people, especially those who love the machined look. The HTC One delivers the Android features you need, without much in the way. That's a good thing.

Read original review at InfoWorld.

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The Samsung Galaxy S4 isnt really a suprise at all. The new hardware like the 5 inch 1080p display, improved camera and faster processor were expected in order for their new flagship phone to be taken seriously, and they all work well enough to make the SGS4 the great phone that it is. The design is admittedly a bit boring, but it’s comfortable to hold inspite of the large screen, and there’s tons of neat software features thrown in, most of which you’ll probably never use but like to have present.

Read original review at UnleashThePhones.

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I certainly don’t dislike the Q10, but I’m not sure I could go back to a physical keyboard after I’ve been using touchscreen-based keyboards for a few years now. However, the Q10 is still a great device, and it’s definitely the BlackBerry handset to get if you want a physical QWERTY keyboard on your next smartphone. Plus, the Q10 features the best of both worlds: a physical keyboard and a touch screen, which almost seems like too much to ask for, but BlackBerry was like, “No problem.” It’s not a completely solid medley between the two, but it definitely still works out great.

Read original review at SlashGear.

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While the Samsung Galaxy S4 is not the perfect smartphone device out there... (no device ever is or will be.) It's impossible for Samsung to please everyone with one phone however the Galaxy S4 has enough bells and whistles to keep everyone happy. In the Android smartphone race the Samsung Galaxy S4 is the one to beat.

Read original review at Daily Mobile.

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BlackBerry did a fine job with the Q10. The hardware is top-notch, the keyboard is great, and the screen looks really nice. The phone managed to always perform well on AT&T's network, though voice quality could be better. Battery life is quite good, and bests most other devices I've tested in recent months.

As good as the keyboard is, I found the small screen frustrating. I've used all-touch phones for too long and a device such as the Q10 simply isn't for me. That said, anyone who's interested in the Q10 knows that's the deal they're getting with this form factor and likely doesn’t need a phablet-size display.

Read original review at Phone Scoop.

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I just had the Motorola Razr V for 6 months and it completely died on me. It's now being sent to be repaired. Not impressed at all. I don't have much faith in this new phone I bought even though I really like the product. I hope when it comes back I won't have any more problems with this phone.

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This phone is a very solid device. Plus HTC's user interface is a delight!

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I have had my Ace 2x for about three months, and the phone has its ups and downs.

It's ups: It's easy to use, it's a good size, there's a lot of things to customize to make the phone more "for you", it comes with a decent browser, it comes at a great price, and it looks pretty good too.

It's downs: VERY poor battery life, the setup takes 3.22 gigs of memory leaving you with only 1.78, can't move apps to SD card, it can be laggy at times (but I usually don't have problems with that), and accessories like cases and screen protectors for this phone are EXTREMELY rare and cases do not come in much variety unless you buy them online.

Overall, this is a great phone and I would recommend it to anyone. If you're looking for a good priced, easy to use smartphone, then the Samsung Galaxy Ace 2x is the perfect phone for you.

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I have 5 people in my home using the same carrier so i know the problem is the phone. It does whatever it wants whenever it wants. Forget about having a full conversation, the phone mutes, changes to speaker, opens random apps,or just plain hangs up on you whenever it feels like it. Extremely limited memory limits usable apps, with many unnecessary apps that cannot be deleted or moved to SD. I've had the phone 8 months now and I can not stress enough how terrible it has been. A friend bought the same phone despite my warnings and 3 months later threw it in the garbage due to these issues. If you use your phone to actually talk- this is not a good choice!!!!!

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It's a nice little phone with a classic feel to it and I really like the design. Unfortunately I had a lot of reception problems inside my house, especially in the basement, which was never a problem with any of my old phones. Had to get a different phone.

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Having received this phone from work I am shocked at what I have lost moving from an older Blackberry - Call quality and reception is poor and a great selection of apps doesn't make up for pitiful email, address book, and voice dially functionality.

This has all the pretty with none of the substance.

I will be paying retail shortly for another device to use in its place

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Less than three weeks after purchase plus a three yr plan with Virgin, front screen crashed. Took it back to The Source and they refused to replace even though I was within the 30 day return policy window. Came to the ridiculous conclusion I had cracked the screen and would not replace it. If I cracked it, The Cell Phone is a piece of junk. I kept it in my pocket, used it normally and it was never dropped. Stay away from The Source in Brunswick Square, Saint John, NB and from this type of phone...they do not honour their return policy...and the cell phone is JUNK

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This phone is absolutely amazing. Things that I had initially found lacking were the battery and the camera, but the updates are coming in so fast that those things aren't a problem any longer. The battery lasts me the entire day on a single charge (and I really push it with extensive internet browsing, music, and BBM), and the camera now also works excellent in the dark. It is very light but still feels solid and the texture and design of the phone makes it very comfortable to use (the 4.2 inch size is perfect for both one hand and two hand use). The Blackberry Hub feature is a major selling point for the phone because it is so efficient and effective but it is the browser that really blew me away. I have used the iphone 5's, Samsung's S4, and HTC One's browser but the Z10 blows them all out of the water. Overall this is an excellent phone and I would definitely recommend it.

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LG Optimus L3 (E400) is a very good smartphone, especially for it's price.

Pros:

1. Simple, inexpensive, reliable, and well made, despite the use of cheap materials (plasic).

2. Very good battery life (lasts for over 4 days on one full battery charge, when used mostly for voice calls, SMS, and some web browsing through WiFI. I have tested it with 3G/HSPA off, in 2G/GSM/EDGE only mode, though. Testing in 3G/HSPA mode is yet to be done by me.)

3. Good reception. No problems with the signal anywhere I went with it (sometimes even works in underground, if not too deep). But, again, I have only tested the phone in 2G/GSM/EDGE only mode, with 3G turned off to extend battery life.

4. Small, compact design, easy to carry, fits into almost any jeans or shirt pocket.

5. Easy to use controls, well shaped physical keys (Power, Home and volume control).

6.Stylish design, with textured back cover surface, which also prevents the device from sliding out of sweaty hands.

7. Fast and responsive interface, with very little lagging.

Cons:

1. The main and probably, the only one, in my opinion,

is the low-quality and low-resolution display, with clearly visible pixels, which makes even good quality pictures look ugly! These days, such a display looks cheap and low-grade, even on inexpensive budget devices! On the other hand, though, I think it is due to this small, low-quality and low-res display that this phone has such a good battery life, since it's power consumption is low.

2. Camera. For a 3 megapixel, the quality of pictures it takes, could have been much better! Also, it is lacking flash and night mode, so forget about taking pictures in the dark!

3.Android 2.3 Gingerbread is probably all this phone can handle due to it's hardware limitations (with 800 Mhz single core CPU and only 384 Mb of RAM, i'm not sure if it can be upgraded to even 2.4)

Verdict: if crappy quality display and camera with no flash won't stop you, in my opinion, this phone is definitely worth buying, since it's price won't be much higher than $100.

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I've had this phone since Christmas. I was excited because I was upgrading from the Samsung evergreen I had to a more high tech phone. At first I was thrilled to have an android. But a few months later I figured out how much I hate this phone. ALthough the battery life is the only good quality about this phone. The keyboard sometimes does not let you type, but when it does, sometimes it won't let you press certain keys, or it brings up email. It has also turned global internet data/roaming on before. The phone basically "siezes". I press one app, and then it starts to bring up recent apps, email, music, calender, and flashes between recent history or apps when I am trying to be on a certain app. The keyboard lags. I am currently typing this review on an lg optimus chat, and it is about five words behind what I am actually typing. The phone comes with pre set backgrounds, and I do not like them, I wish I had more variety. It's stupid that you can't delete preset apps either. I do not have facebook nor twitter, and find no use for these apps to be on the phone. If you want them you can download them in the play store. All in all, this phone sucks, and I need to upgrade. I warn you, do NOT buy this phone unless all you want is problems.

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