Microsoft Lumia 650 Review

Introduction

Last November, Microsoft launched the Lumia 950 and 950 XL to debut Windows 10 on smartphones. With muscular spec sheets, the duo took aim at the higher-end price segment, leaving Windows 10 out of reach for budget-minded buyers. Six months later, Redmond introduced an affordable option, the Lumia 650. Featuring a slim design and markedly lean hardware, we're intrigued whether the handset is compromised in any way, punches above its weight, or simply delivers the essentials and nothing more. The answer might surprise you.

Design

A simple, understated Lumia phone that's a bit taller than needed.

The Lumia 650 has borrowed understated, rectangular-shaped DNA strands from the design gene pool. Its unassuming looks aren't ones to fall head over heels with, but they don't irritate with any excess, annoyances, or baffling choices. It features a glass front, a metal frame, and a removable plastic back plate.

Removing and re-attaching the back panel is easy and secure, providing access to the battery, nanoSIM tray, and microSD card slot. The metal frame is sturdy and it won't torment your palms with sharp edges. The phone itself isn't feather-light, but its weight is evenly distributed. It handles fairly well for a 5-incher, although the top and bottom bezels are long-ish, making the handset taller than desirable. The power and volume keys are placed on the right and respond tightly, without wobbling or mushing it up.

As a whole, build quality is solid on the Lumia 650, although the utilitarian look won't win fashion awards.

Comments

Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch Review

Apple iPad Pro 9.7-inch Review Introduction This is the part where we normally introduce our readers to the device being reviewed, but seriously, does the iPad need an introduction? Not really. Six years ago, it single-handedly defined what a modern tablet should look and feel like. Today, it is the only tablet that matters in a segment of the mobile industry clutched by stagnation. And the iPad Pro 9.7 – the newest member in the lineup – further solidifies Apple’s position as a leader on the tablet scene. Bearing a “Pro” in its name, the iPad Pro 9.7 adopts most of what we loved about the 12.9-inch model from last year – the duet of productivity-oriented accessories, the outstanding 4-speaker sound setup, the performance of Apple’s most powerful mobile processor, to name a few examples. With this new model, it all comes at a size that’s more manageable, more portable, more familiar to users, sprinkled with a few extra bits we’re going ...

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 camera review

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 camera review DPReview smartphone reviews are written with the needs of photographers in mind. We focus on camera features, performance, and image quality. The Note 4 is the latest iteration of Samsung's top-end line of so-called 'phablets'. In terms of design the new model is very close to its predecessor, the Galaxy Note 3, including a similar faux-leather material on the back cover. Under the hood, however, things have been upgraded significantly. In the camera department the Note 4 has gained an optical image stabilization system which makes it the first Samsung smartphone with this feature. With a 1/2.6-inch 16MP BSI CMOS image sensor and F2.2 maximum aperture the rest of the rear camera specification is identical to the Galaxy S5. At the front you'll find a 3.7MP camera with a fast F1.9 maximum aperture for selfie-shooting and video chats. It comes with a selfie-panorama mode. Howe...

LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 edge

LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy S7 edge Introduction In the world of Android devices, Samsung and LG are the two giants that make some of the most recognizable products. The smartphone philosophies of both companies have recently undergone some huge changes: Samsung did much of the changing last year with the radically new design on the Galaxy S6 , while LG is doing it this year with the LG G5 . The G5 tries to bring something different to a mature market: a phone with modular design and a brand new metal look. How does it compare with the curved-screen Galaxy S7 edge , and is that modular design something that brings meaningful change? And then, what about the new, dual-camera system on the G5 with its secondary wide-angle lens? A gimmick or genuinely useful? We compare two of the best Android phones at the moment: the 5.3” G5 with all its bells and whistles against the more familiar yet still modern, 5.5” Galaxy S7 edge. Let’s see which one c...

TECH LASS

Search This Blog