Mobile Network Comparison

In a recent review of the best smartphones for 2016, as chosen by leading technology critics, the Sony Xperia Z3+ was chosen as the best waterproof smartphone.

It was hardly a surprising choice since Sony has been committed to waterproof phones since the release of the Sony Z in 2013. All their new phones have an IP68 rating meaning that they are both waterproof and dustproof.

The Z3+ is an upgraded version of its predecessor the Z3, with improved specifications, a thinner body and the Android 5.0 Lollipop operating system. It still retains the same 5.2 inch, 1,920 x 1,080 resolution display, but has a slimmer and sharper design at 6.9 mm which makes it the thinnest Sony handset, with the same thickness as the iPhone 6.

The new octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, clocked at 2 GHz, and backed by the Adreno 430 GPU and 3 GB of RAM, makes for a powerful package with excellent speed. Although not class beating, it certainly competes well with other premier range smartphones. But the processor is also a problem for the Z3+. It is prone to overheat, and at this stage, this means that the phone will often shut down in use when it starts getting to warm. Hopefully, this problem will be addressed in future software releases.

The Xperia Z3+ has 32 GB of onboard storage which can be expanded up to 128 GB via a microSD card. It has all the standard connectivity including 4G LTE support.

One of the features most critics were unanimous in approving was the dedicated camera shutter button. It makes taking photographs easier and the soft press to set focus is a welcome touch. The main camera itself has not changed in this model and is a 20.7 megapixel unit. Image quality, although good, is not exceptional. One feature where Sony stands alone is its commitment to high-quality audio. The Z3+ has unequalled high-res audio.

There are a few problems with the Xperia Z3+ which unfortunately tarnish its otherwise excellent features. The Z3+ is capable of recording video in 4K, but recordings often fail after about 20 seconds due to overheating. The battery is also not good enough for the device. It allows around 3 hours of screen-on time although with lighter use you might be able to eke out power for a day.

The UK version of the Sony Xperia Z3+ is currently available at a 45% discount on the recommended retail price of £549.99. At just £305 SIM-free, it is an exceptionally good phone which is both attractive and durable, as long as Sony can do something about the overheating.

Windows Phone is regarded by many as not being able to compete with the mighty Apple iOS and Google’s Android-powered smartphones. Indeed, we’d usually agree with the argument that Microsoft is “doomed to irrelevance in the mobile age”. However, it may be time to reconsider the reports of the imminent death of Microsoft’s smartphone operating system. According to the latest figures, it certainly is not dying in the UK.

Smartphone operating system market shares for the year ending December 2015 compared to the year end 2014 shows some interesting trends. Android’s market share grew by 1.8 percent while Apple’s iOS declined by 3.1 percent. Meanwhile, Windows Phone showed better growth than Android at 2.3 percent (albeit from a much lower base).

A curious fact which emerges from the Kantar Worldpanel ComTech global analysis shows that the UK is the only Western market where Microsoft phones are showing growth. In China, Windows showed a 0.5 percent growth in a market currently dominated by Apple.

The performance of Windows Phone in the UK is probably linked to the success of Microsoft’s Lumia 950 and 950 XL handsets which were launched in November. Both phones have been well received by the public and if they had been released earlier in 2015 the UK sales growth for Windows Phone would have been even more impressive. This success contradicts Gartner’s view last year, which predicted that the Lumia won’t have much of an impact on Microsoft’s dismal performance in the global markets.

It’s not all good news for Microsoft though as the overall Windows Phone market share has tumbled across the globe to 2.2 percent and analysts do not see much hope for improvement from that base. Without strong support from OEM partners and mobile app development, the future looks bleak for Microsoft mobile. However, the new Lumia handsets are very popular with users who want a functional smartphone without much need for additional software or applications. And this market will probably keep driving the sales of Windows Phone.

What do you think? Where do you see Windows Phone this time next year?

The much-anticipated premium smartphone offering from Samsung, the Galaxy S7, might be available in the UK by April, following its anticipated release in the United States on 11th March. Another date doing the rounds on the rumour mill is 4th March for the US launch. However, some sources are claiming that the UK might see it as early as the 11th March.

As with previous launches, it is expected that Samsung will announce four new handsets, the Galaxy S7, S7 Plus, S7 Edge and S7 Plus. It seems likely that the S7 screen size and screen resolution will not change as the current 5.1-inch display is considered an optimal size and resolution for standard smartphones and screens. What will be new is a pressure-sensitive touchscreen, imitating the latest offering from Apple in the iPhone 6S and 6S Plus.

Expected new features on the phones include fast charging via the USB Type-C port, an upgraded camera and wireless charging. The S7 will possibly have expanded storage made possible with the addition of microSD support and this might allow additional storage of up to 128GB. An interesting speculation is that the S7 front camera resolution will be 12 or 16 megapixels while the front camera will drop from 12 to 5 megapixels. It is assumed that this change is to allow more light in on a camera where resolution is not the primary consideration. Rumours persist of a camera with 12 megapixel and f/1.7 aperture to enable better low light photography which would be fantastic.

The operating system will be Google’s Android 6.0.1 (Marshmallow), which is the latest version. It is possible that the S7 will be IP67 certified (dust and water resistant) like the Galaxy S5.

To ensure that the S7 meets the demands of power-hungry consumers it is possible that the new phone will feature the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset. This should make for a very fast phone which will hopefully be coupled with an improved battery management system which will mean better battery life.

What will the new Galaxy S7 cost in the UK? At this stage pricing is pure speculation but it would be safe to assume a starting price of around £600 SIM-free. Not a bargain at the price, but decent value for money and squarely in competition with the new iPhone 6S. Buyers looking for a phone in this category will be hard pressed to make a choice between the two – although the consensus seems to favour the current Galaxy S6 as a better all-round phone.