Posts Tagged ‘KitKat’

Review: ASUS Fonepad 8 (FE380CG) Android phablet

Monday, February 16th, 2015

The ASUS Fonepad 8 is one of the largest and most affordable phablet on the market. At only S$299, it provides you with all the features and functionality that you need out of a tablet/phone combo.

ASUS designed the Fonepad series with affordability in mind. The Fonepad 6 and Fonepad 7 were released in 2013, while the Fonepad 8 were launched in late 2014.

ASUS designed the Fonepad series with affordability in mind. The Fonepad 6 and Fonepad 7 were released in 2013, while the Fonepad 8 were launched in late 2014.

The dual-SIM gives you much needed flexibility especially when you’re travelling and wants to slot in a cheap local SIM, but still wants to remain contactable on your regular number.

Two features which impressed me was the dual-SIM capability and long battery life of the ASUS Fonepad 8 phablet.

It is easy to slot in/out the two micro-SIM cards as both slots are in a special compartment on the left side of the phablet, along with the microSD card slot, that allows you to expand the 8 or 16GB internal storage of the Fonepad 8 by up to another 64GB.

Top right corner of the Fonepad 8.

Top right corner of the Fonepad 8.

The phone supports 3G for both SIM cards but not 4G/LTE.

I found usage of dual SIM straightforward like in other dual-SIM Android phones.

The internal, non-removable 4,000mAh battery provided long hours of usage without worry of running dry.

Even with intense usage and video viewing, the Fonepad 8 easily lasted an entire day and then some.

On my more typical day, there was usually at least 20-30 percent battery left at the end of the day.

Fonepad 8 is available in four colors—black, white, red and gold. White and gold models include white bezels, while the black and red models feature a black fascia. Out of the box, the pre-loaded ZenUI color scheme matches the device’s back cover color, which is plastic and features a non-slip diamond-pattern coating.

Fonepad 8 is available in four colours—black, white, red and gold. White and gold models include white bezels, while the black and red models feature a black fascia. Out of the box, the pre-loaded ZenUI color scheme matches the device’s back cover color, which is plastic and features a non-slip diamond-pattern coating.

ASUS rates the battery life to 14.2 hours of Wi-Fi Web browsing, 12 hours of HD video playback, and 21 hours of 3G talk time.

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Review: ASUS PadFone S Android smartphone cum tablet combo

Saturday, November 1st, 2014

As a pioneer of 2-in-1 mobile devices, ASUS offers with the PadFone S the portability of the smartphone and the larger screen of a tablet by selling both at the price of one device.

Two colours are available for the ASUS PadFone S - Dark Ruby (shown above) and Pure White.

Two colours are available for the ASUS PadFone S – Dark Ruby (shown above) and Pure White. Photo: ASUS Singapore.

The PadFone S was launched in Singapore on 14 October, 2014 together with 11 other new mobile and computing products.

The PadFone S is a 5-inch Android smartphone that comes with a PadFone S Station.

The PadFone S I reviewed was the Pure White version. Normal retail price: S$449.

The PadFone S I reviewed was the Pure White version. Normal retail price: S$449.

You can use the PadFone S on its own like any smartphone or you can slot it into the back of the PadFone S Station and use the combination as an 8.9-inch tablet, leveraging the larger backlit Super IPS display of the Station.

You can’t use the PadFone S Station on its own though, because it is simply a dumb display with no computer processors within.

Actually, the Station has more – it also includes a 4990mAh Li-Polymer (non-removable) battery to provide the larger energy demands of powering a larger display.

The larger battery can also be used to charge the PadFone S to extend its battery life from 22 hours talk-time (3G) to 64 hours.

The combined PadFone S in the Station felt a little bit hefty though, at a combined weight of 664g.

My view:
I found the ASUS PadFone S provided me with the portability of a smartphone and – only when I need it – a truely larger display and usability of a tablet –> all at the price of a single device (or less).

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Review: LG G3 Android KitKat smartphone with QHD display

Thursday, October 9th, 2014

Following the success of its well-received LG G2, I like the large stunning QHD display of the LG G3 and totally enjoyed using the flagship smartphone over the past few weeks.

The LG G3 is available in Singapore in 32GB (S$868) and 64GB (S$928) models.

The LG G3 is available in Singapore in 32GB (S$868) and 64GB (S$928) models.

The LG G3 is one of the first smartphones to sport a 5.5-inch Quad HD display – other makers are only now beginning to ship QHD on their flagships.

Top edge of the LG G3.

Top edge of the LG G3.

The 538 ppi resolution of the G3 is one of the highest in the market now and is equivalent to four times the resolution of HD and almost two times that of a Full HD display.

The sharper detail was remarkable especially when viewing 4K video on the display. Even Full HD video looked sharper and clearer.

The LG G3 is one of the best smartphones that I’ve used that are currently on the market. Fast and smooth, with great display and excellent camera.

The other thing that impressed me was the camera (sample shots at the end of this review).

The 13-megapixel rear camera comes with OIS+ (Optical Image Stabiliser Plus) and uses an innovative Laser Auto Focus for faster and more accurate focus on the subject.

The LG G3 comes in five colours: Metallic Black, Silk White and Shine Gold, Moon Violet and Burgundy Red.

The LG G3 comes in five colours: Metallic Black, Silk White and Shine Gold, Moon Violet and Burgundy Red.

The result is sharper photos and a faster response time.

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New arrivals: Samsung GALAXY YOUNG 2 available in Singapore

Monday, October 6th, 2014

The Android smartphone is targeted at first-time users looking for essential features and usability. Available in Singapore at S$148 from 11 October, 2014.

The Samsung GALAXY YOUNG 2 weighs 108g and measures 109.8 x 59.9 x 11.8mm. It is available in Iris Charcoal and White.

The Samsung GALAXY YOUNG 2 weighs 108g and measures 109.8 x 59.9 x 11.8mm. It is available in Iris Charcoal and White.

Powered by a 1GHz Single Core Processor, the GALAXY YOUNG 2 features a long lasting 1,300mAh battery, 3.2-megapixel camera and a 3.5” touch screen HVGA (320 x 480) TFT LCD display with 262K colours..

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New arrivals: ASUS MeMo Pad 8 and Fonepad 8 Android tablets

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

The new ASUS MeMo Pad 8 (S$499) and Fonepad 8 (S$299) tablets feature the next generation 64-bit Intel Atom ‘Moorefield’ quad-core processor and ASUS ZenUI interface. Avaialble in Singapore from 10 October, 2014.

Both the ASUS MeMo Pad 8 (S$499) and Fonepad 8 (S$299) run Android 4.4 KitKat operating system and ASUS ZenUI interface, which features more than 200 software tweaks over previous ASUS interfaces.

Both the ASUS MeMo Pad 8 (Left, S$499) and Fonepad 8 (Right, S$299) run Android 4.4 KitKat operating system and ASUS ZenUI interface, which features more than 200 software tweaks over previous ASUS interfaces.

The interface sports a new visual design with modern ‘flat’ icons, customisable vivid colour themes that match the tablets’ colour, as well as a cleaner layout that clearly presents all necessary information at one glance.

Despite its larger display, the ASUS Fonepad 8 has almost the same width as the previous generation 7-inch Fonepad.

Despite its larger display, the ASUS Fonepad 8 has almost the same width as the previous generation 7-inch Fonepad.

Weighing at just 299g, ASUS boasts that the 8-inch MeMO Pad 8 (ME581CL) is the world’s lightest 8-inch tablet with Long-Term Evolution (LTE).

It features the next generation 64-bit Intel Atom Z3560 1.8GHz quad-core processor, and ultra-fast connectivity with 802.11ac Wi-Fi and wireless Near-Field Communications (NFC).

The ASUS Fonepad 8 (FE380CG) delivers powerful mobility with the next generation 64-bit Intel Atom Z3530 1.3GHz quad-core processor and 3G phone functions.

With its narrow bezel measuring just 5.06mm and a 72.2% screen-to-body ratio, ASUS claims that the 8-inch ASUS Fonepad 8 has the largest viewing area for any 8-inch phablet in the market.

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New arrivals: ASUS ZenFone 5 LTE smartphone in Singapore on 30 August

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

The highly-affordable 5-inch Android 4.4 smartphone will be priced at S$249 (1GB RAM, 8GB memory), S$269 (2GB RAM, 8GB memory) and S$299 (2GB RAM, 16GB memory).

The ZenFone 5 LTE will be available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red and Champagne Gold colours (Champagne Gold will be available for only 16GB model). The purple colour shown above is not available in Singapore.

The ZenFone 5 LTE will be available in Charcoal Black, Pearl White, Cherry Red and Champagne Gold colours (Champagne Gold will be available for only 16GB model). The purple colour shown above is not available in Singapore.

ASUS officially launched its ZenFone 5 LTE in Singapore today at Suntec Convention Centre.

What catches the attention is the affordable price tag. ASUS boasts that the sub-S$300 phone gives consumers the best value-for-money market.

And I can believe that.

Shipping with the latest Android 4.4 KitKat, the phone is smooth and responsive, and more than enough for what most people use their smartphones for – making calls, sending messages, taking photos, checking social media status, and surfing the Web.

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New arrivals: Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 (7”) LTE Android tablet

Wednesday, August 6th, 2014

The Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 (7”) LTE will be available from 9 August in Classic White at an RRP of S$368.

Designed with the family in mind, the Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 (7.0”) LTE offers entertainment options for the family in a sleek and lightweight package.

Designed with the family in mind, the Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 (7.0”) LTE offers entertainment options for the family in a sleek and lightweight package.

The Samsung GALAXY Tab 4 (7.0”) LTE now comes with Samsung Kids Mode, a safe service that makes learning fun for children.

Kids Mode is purely designed for not only building a safe, fun and educational experience for children but also giving parents the information and control they wanted.

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New arrivals: Motorola Moto G with 4G LTE in Singapore for S$348

Thursday, July 17th, 2014

The Moto G with 4G LTE will be available in black only, through open channel across Singapore from 16 July 2014. The suggested retail price is S$348.

The Moto G with 4G LTE supports the fastest mobile networks - 4G LTE - in Singapore.

The Moto G with 4G LTE supports the fastest mobile networks – 4G LTE – in Singapore.

Motorola claims that the Moto G with 4G LTE delivers a premium smartphone experience at a third of the price of current high-end phones.

Features include:

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New arrivals: ASUS ZenFone 6 Android phablet in Singapore

Saturday, July 12th, 2014

The new ASUS ZenFone 6 will be available at S$329 from today at ASUS brand stores and ASUS Official Online Store. All three local telcos (M1, SingTel and StarHub) will be offering the phone with data bundles.

The ASUS ZenFone 6 will be in 3 colours – Charcoal Black, Pearl White and Cherry Red.

The ASUS ZenFone 6 will be in 3 colours – Charcoal Black, Pearl White and Cherry Red.

With the 6-inch HD (1280 x 720) screen, the ZenFone 6 is the big brother of the ZenFone series.

It runs on an Intel Atom Z2580 processor running at 2.0GHz, and ships with Android Jelly Bean 4.3 (upgradeable to Android 4.4 KitKat) with ASUS ZenUI.

The ZenFone 6 has a 13-megapixel rear camera with image stabilisation and F/2.0 lens, as well as a 2MP front camera (F/2.8).

Weighing 196g and measuring 166.9 x 84.3 x 5.5~9.9 mm, the phablet is powered by an internal 3300 mAh polymer battery.

The ZenFone 6 comes with 2GB RAM, 16GB internal memory, and MicroSD card support up to 64GB. It can accomodate two Micro-SIM cards.

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Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE arrives in Singapore from 11 April

Friday, April 4th, 2014

Pre-ordered units can be collected on 11 April, Friday, as the new Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE (S$1,068 without contract) hits Singapore shelves from 12 April, Saturday onwards.

Update (11 April, 2014):

Fans who successfully pre-ordered the Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE (32GB) collected their brand new devices from M1, SingTel, StarHub and Samsung Experience Stores today.

Photos here.

Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE hits Singapore on 11 April 2014.

Samsung GALAXY S5 LTE hits Singapore on 11 April 2014.

The GALAXY S5 LTE (32GB) will be available in shimmery WHITE and charcoal BLACK at all telecommunication operators, major consumer electronics stores and Samsung Experience Stores.

Consumers who had registered their interest or pre-ordered can collect their devices from their respective mobile operators and Samsung Experience Stores from 11 April 2014, Friday.

Consumers who have not registered their interest or pre-ordered will be able to purchase the GALAXY S5 LTE from the mobile operators and Samsung Experience Stores from 12 April 2014, Saturday.

The GALAXY S5 LTE is compatible with a range of Samsung wearable devices and accessories.

These will be available at the launch of GALAXY S5 LTE.

  • Gear 2 (available in charcoal BLACK and gold BROWN) – S$398
  • Gear 2 Neo (available in charcoal BLACK, mocha GRAY and wild ORANGE) – S$298
  • Gear Fit (available in charcoal BLACK) – S$268
  • S View Cover (available in Black, White, Rose Gold, Pink, Green ) – S$78
  • Flip Wallet (available in Black, White, Rose Gold, Pink, Green) – S$58

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