With the world’s biggest annual wireless show, the Mobile World Congress (MCW) 2014, just begins wrapping up, we take a look at some of the smartphones from big tech companies that were presented at the event…
With the world’s biggest annual wireless show, the Mobile World Congress (MCW) 2014, just begins wrapping up, we take a look at some of the smartphones from big tech companies that were presented at the event but didn’t quite get the attention they deserved – thanks to Samsung’s giltzy product unveilings, which took the online world by storm. So much so, that almost nothing significant was written about any other devices that made their respective debuts at the MCW 2014. To right the wrong, we take a look at some of the other star attractions – other than Samsung Galaxy S5 – that shined in Barcelona, Spain this week.
Samsung Galaxy Grand 2
Apart from the flagship Galaxy S5 smartphone, Samsung Electronics also presented the follow-up to its Galaxy Grand range with the Galaxy Grand 2 phablet.
The device is remarkably similar to the Note 3, down to the plastic back cover fashioned to look like leather with stitching around the edge. The Grand 2 has a 5.25-inch, 1,290 X 720 display, 1.2GHz quad-core processor, an 8 megapixel main camera. The Grand 2 comes packed with Samsung apps, including Story Album, S Translator, S Travel, Samsung Hub and Samsung Link.
On the downside, the Galaxy Grand 2 does not support LTE, so one will be relegated to 3G speeds when it comes to mobile data and downloads. On the plus side, there’s dual-SIM support for those who regularly need access to two different SIM-cards.
Sony Xperia Z2
Though the Xperia Z2 is not a huge step from its predecessor – the Xperia Z1, the new device does offer a few worthwhile improvements. It features a larger 5.2-inch screen and a slightly faster 2.3GHz Qualcomm processor. It runs on the newest version of Android, 4.2.2 and boasts of a camera that shoots 4K video.
Being a Sony, it’s almost expected that the Xperia Z2 will have better speakers and sounds compared to other smartphone devices, and its flagship delivers on the expectations. The Xperia Z2 is coming with noise cancellation, stereo speakers and has its own S-Force Front Surround Sound.
The cost of the Xperia Z2 is yet to be confirmed and we reckon a global release date of March 2014.
Sony Xperia M2
In addition to Xperia Z2, Sony Electronics also presented the new Xperia M2 – a less expensive Android smartphone that’s not waterproof. The M2 has a similar looking glass front and back design like the rest of the recent Xperia range. Inside, it’s packing a 1.2GHz quad-core processor, a 960 X 540 pixel display and an 8 megapixel camera. Unlike, its top-end sibling, the Z2, the M2 will arrive running the now slightly older Android 4.3 Jelly Bean.
The specs and features on the M2 are of course, not impressive by any means but the M2 we hear, will come with a highly competitive price. And if it’s truly affordable, the M2 could be a good option if you don’t want to spend all your cash on the flagships.
HTC Desire 816
HTC presented a plastic version of its HTC One at the Mobile World Congress, called the Desire 816. The smartphone is considered to be the company’s flagship mid-range phone and features a HD 5.5-INCH display, a 13-megapixel rear camera, a 5 megapixel front camera, LTE support and a satisfying sturdy plastic body, which will be offered in a range of four colour options: Black, White, Orange and Teal. It runs on Android KitKat 4.4 with a HTC Sense 6.0 and is powered by a 1.2GHz Snapdragon processor with 1.5GB of RAM and in-built storage of 8GB.
The phablet will first launch in China in March before being rolled out worldwide from April. HTC hasn’t confirmed the price yet.
Nokia Asha 230
A new addition to Nokia’s Asha line, the 230 is a budget-minded device with a tiny pouch screen. In fact, the touch screen measures just 2.8-inches with 320 X 240 pixel display.
The entry-level Asha smartphone carries over the same apps the you see on its other siblings, such as the unique-looking 503. It also uses the same two-screen layout that includes an apps home screen and the Fastlane display.
Similarly, like other Asha phones, the Asha 230 is running Nokia’s Asha operating system and comes in a variety of neon colours such as yellow, red, cyan, white and vibrant green.The budget device will cost just 45 euros or Rs 3,500 approximately, when its hits the global market in the first week of March 2014.
LG Pro 2
The LG Pro 2 is LG’s follow-up to the Optimus G Pro from 2013. The new device uses a mildly updated version of the Snapdragon 800, the Snapdragon 800 (8974AB) and shares much of the industrial design and material with the LG G2, which includes the back-side mounted buttons, the curved back cover and the same 13 megapixel camera module with OIS for better low light shots.
The LG Pro 2 features a large 5.9-inch screen across that is good for 1080 pixel resolution. A strong IPS-type panel gives the LG G Pro 2 strong top brightness and vivid, but fairly-natural looking colours.
The LG Pro 2 is basically a bigger LG G2. And there are many customers who prefer the slightly smaller body of that 6-month old phone. If LG treats this new mobile like the G2 and puts an aggressive sticker price, it could be a top pick for those wanting an oversized screen.
From the long and interesting list of devices that were presented at the MWC 2014, we can rest assured that the coming months in the current fiscal will never leave us short of options when it comes to smartphones.
