Thoughts from Phonefight

Sharp Aquos Video Review is Live!

2014-10-23T20:48:00.001-07:00

The Borderless Phone: Boost Mobile Sharp Aquos Cr…: http://youtu.be/Ax91o5Sp2FU

Sharp Aquos Crystal Makes its Boost Mobile Debut

2014-10-23T20:47:00.001-07:00

             Right off the bat, the Sharp Aquos Crystal greets us with the display. Well if it wasn't for the chin taking up the bottom margin, the display would be all that we would be greeted with. Sharp is trying something that has only been fantasized about up until now, the borderless display. And from an appearance standpoint, they knocked it out of the park. While this is an entry level smartphone, starting at only $149, the Sharp Aquos definitely brings that premium look and feel to the prepaid world.
             Featuring a 5" 720p HD screen, the phone has perhaps the smallest footprint for the screen size. The phone measures in at 5.16 inches tall, by 2.64 inches wide. The phone is also a bit thicker by today's standards, measuring in at 10mm thick. To put the footprint into perspective, the Nexus 4 has a larger body, with a slightly smaller screen at 4.7 inches.
           The front of the Sharp Aquos is accompanied by the 1.2 MP front facing camera, which is interestingly placed on the bottom, as well as the microphone and light sensors. The phone utilizes a new technology enabling the entire screen to become the earpiece. This is done by using vibrations to conduct sounds into your ear.
           The rear of the phone features a removable battery door, however the 2040 maH battery is non removable. However the Aquos does feature a slot for expandable storage, if the 8GB built in memory wasnt enough, allowing for a micro SD card of up to 128GB. The phone also features an 8MP camera, capable of 1080p video recording.
           With the long list of high ends specs, and consistently smooth performance, the Sharp Aquos earns the PhoneFight seal of approval, especially at the entry level market.

Samsung Vibrant to Get FroYo Updates on January 21st---Finally

2011-01-20T10:43:00.000-08:00

After months of delays and rumors, the Samsung Vibrant for T-mobile will start receiving updates to Android 2.2 tomorrow, January 21st. It is said that the update has been delayed due to technical difficulties and nothing more according to T-Mobile CMO Cole Broadman via PCMag.

Of course, if you are a Vibrant owner, you may not receive the update right away as is the case with most OTA updates. But now you can rest easy as the official update will be rolling out over the next several weeks. Congratulations Vibrant owners, you've made it this far.

Video overview of Android 2.2 on Samsung Vibrant will be posted as soon as the update is received.

Samsung Galaxy S 4G and Sidekick 4G Official from T-Mobile

2011-01-20T10:26:00.000-08:00

Here's a blast from the past: The T-Mobile Sidekick. I remember when I had one and how cool I thought I was. After a short absence, the Sidekick is returning to T-Mobile shelves. 4G style.You see, the Sidekick was discontinued by T-Mobile this past summer, and seemed to be fading even before that. Sidekick devices lost their popularity among many users when the data services that backed up images, email and contacts were unexpectedly interrupted for about a week in 2009. While most users were able to recover lost data, the brand name had already taken a hit. Early reports and speculation say that the new Sidekick will have completely revamped software, presumably running Android. Still no word on who will manufacture the device or a release date.

And then we have the Samsung Galaxy S 4G. After a mere 6 months after the original Samsung Vibrant was released, its successor is already around the corner. Set for a rumored February 25th release, the Galaxy S 4g is sure to pack a punch exclusively from T-Mobile. So far, full specifications have not been released.What will set this Galaxy S apart is 4G hspa+ data speeds capable of a peak 21mbps and a front facing camera. Also expect this phone to release with Android 2.2 software upgradeable to Android 2.3. The real question is whether previous Vibrant owners will be able to trust Samsung's update timeline. After months of promises, the Vibrant is finally being updated starting Jan. 21st 2011. If you're willing to give Samsung another chance, this looks like a great superphone for T-Mobile.

Further details will be posted as they arrive.

Technology Preview: 2011

2011-01-14T21:51:00.000-08:00

After a crazy week in Las Vegas (I'm talking about CES of course) it's time to take a moment to absorb everything. Obviously, technology is an industry that stays exciting year round, but 2011 has a special buzz in the air. The revolution has begun with several newly announced tablets from various manufacturers. The dual core processor looks to become the industry standard. And the phones we already love(d), should finally be getting the updates they deserve and desperately need.

It seems the iPad got the tablet wheels rolling, and other manufacturers look to take it to the next level. The Samsung Galaxy Tab proved in late 2010, that tablet popularity is not confined solely to the world of Apple.And with Motorola showing off the Xoom, and Blackberry revealing the Playbook, how can 2011 not be a tablet year? The Xoom will take Android to a whole new level with software version 3.0 "Honeycomb." This will be the first Android tablet with software made for a tablet. Sporting a dual core processor, front and rear facing cameras and HD recording, the Xoom gets me excited about something I don't even need. When it comes to the Playbook from Blackberry, I must say I am equally excited. High Definition 1080p Front and rear video recording and a newly designed user interface make the Playbook a must for the Blackberry fan. And let's not forget, iPad 2 is just around the corner. This will be a confusing year for anyone looking to purchase a tablet.

Dual core processors----in phones. Say that two years ago and you may have been admitted. But today, and especially for 2011, the future is here. Right when we thought that phones can't (or didn't need to) get any faster, smoother and powerful, we are wrong. So far I know of at least two phones that will be confirmed to have a dual core, and already it seems people are making this a requirement of their next smart phone purchase. Talk about wave of the future. For me dual core catches my eye more for battery life improvement than for performance improvements. Call me crazy, but 1ghz is still blazing fast to me. However, with 1080p recording and seamless multi-tasking brought to the table, I'd be crazy not to want it. Expect the first dual core phone (LG Optimus 2X) to be rolling out this Spring.

Finally, updates. Hopefully. The Galaxy S line was promised an update to Android 2.2 "FroYo" by the end of 2010....or was it 2011? But seriously, I know people who are ready to give up completely on the Galaxy S family. I really can't blame them. Owners of a Galaxy S phone should finally be receiving updates to FroYo soon, unless Samsung doesn't really like repeat buyers. Many rumors floating around speculate that Samsung is reserving updates until some of their new products are released, but I really hope that's not the case. The software update I personally am probably most excited about is the Windows Phone 7. Even beyond the cut/paste feature, I really want to see what else was brought to the table. I use an HD7 from time to time, and I love the cleanliness, but hate the lack of basics. True multi-tasking is not expected to be a part of the next update, but I hear improvements have been made. Microsoft plans several updates to the line of Windows Phone 7 devices throughout 2011.

See? I told you 2011 is going to be a busy year, and this is just what has been announced so far. I can only imagine how out of control things will get when the iPhone 4 is finally released to VZW and iPhone 5 is announced. What else will this year bring? A phone that washes your car? A dual core vacuum? Whatever it is, this year will be magic.

T-Mobile LG Optimus 2X First Look and Walk Through

2011-01-06T22:04:00.000-08:00

LG Optimus 2X is a True Super Phone

2011-01-06T00:49:00.001-08:00

After playing with the LG Optimus 2X for a little over an hour, the only word that comes to mind is "wow". I mean, this is what we've been waiting for. Obviously playing with the phone in a controlled environment may not hold true to real world use, but I am impressed. Here are some of the specs that were confirme during the LG Tech Night:

4 inch, High Resolution Display

Dual Core Nvidia 1ghz Processor

Full 1080p HDMI Output

Full 1080p High Definition Video Recording
8 Mega Pixel Camera; 1.3 Mega Pixel Front Camera
8GB Built in Storage; Expandable up to 32gb
HSPA+ Capable

With these specs, is there really any question of which Android phone will rule? It's at least easy to say it will rule T-Mobile's line up. Official release date and price points TBA. (Pictures Below)

Full 1080p HDMI Output

Dual Speakers placed on bottom of device, along with micro usb port

Enroute to Las Vegas for CES!

2011-01-05T12:58:00.001-08:00

So I'm sitting in the airplane, Samsung Galaxy Tab in hand, wondering what awaits me at CES. Surely excitement and and a world of new (at least til next year) electronic gizmos. Many told me that my first time attending would be "overwhelming". I haven't even arrived yet, and I agree. I am trying my best to play it safe in terms of expectations. I look at it like this: when I come home to Chicago, I will still have brought something back with me, that could not have been found elsewhere. The experience. The experience of seeing and trying. Of success and failure. I hope to being back all that I can from CES. Newest gadgets. Interviews with the people who matter to you. Walk throughs of devices being released, and sneak peeks at devices we didn't know existed. Most of all, I hope to bring back experiences and knowledge that will help PhoneFight grow.

I will be adding content very frequently, so keep checking in!

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From Dual Core Phones to Honeycomb Tablets...We'll be in Las Vegas Bringing you the Latest from CES!

2010-12-30T09:37:00.000-08:00

Less than a week to go til CES 2011, and we will be there! Video and written content will be added daily, so make sure to keep checking in. We will be visiting with each manufacturer and carrier to bring you the latest and upcoming devices for 2011. From LG to Motorola, Verizon to T-Mobile, we will have real coverage daily!

Want to know about the HTC Thunderbolt 4G for Verizon? Or what about the T-Mobile LG 2X (dual core phone)? What about the Motorola Tablet that is supposed to take tablets to the next level? Honeycomb anyone? We will be there with you, and only YOU in mind! We will also be answering questions about the event while we are there! Simply check us out on twitter @phonefight, or drop us an email! You can ask questions direct: moe@phonefight.net.

Updates on CES will begin on January 5th starting with the LG Event to get things rolling. There we plan to play, and report on upcoming devices that haven't even been announced yet! Very exciting things to come! Until then, keep checking in for more articles and news about the things YOU care about!

Samsung Nexus S vs Mytouch 4G PhoneFight! Part Two

2010-12-27T15:37:00.000-08:00

Samsung Nexus S vs. Mytouch 4G Phonefight! Part One

2010-12-24T13:36:00.000-08:00

Tmobile G2 Review

2010-12-21T14:07:00.000-08:00

One word came to mind the first time I held the htc G2. Solid. As I removed the phone from its box I thought to myself, "where is the plastic?" Where are the cheap materials that have been used in so many T-Mobile branded Androids before? Where is the junk-ware? The answer: Not on this bad boy.

Let's talk about looks. It seems T-Mobile and HTC finally thought things through. Basic is beautiful, and the G2 shows it. Stainless steel trim around the "top half" body, and a stainless steel battery door. The bottom half of the body, which houses the keyboard, uses a two-tone material route. The lighter gray material used is made of a hard plastic, and feels very good in the hands. One thing to keep in mind is that the steel trim looks nice, but is also prone to surface scratches. I recommend some type of body shield or case to protect it.

For everyday usage, the keyboard design is practical. Keyboard buttons feel very comfortable and seem well spaced. The buttons give the "click" feel, so you know you didn't miss a letter. They keys are made out of a soft rubber material, and are marked clearly and visibly. The numbers share the top row of the keyboard with the letters. It's no big deal, but the fact that the numbers seem more visible than the letter in that row, might throw you off. One thing I feel that could have added is an on screen spell check as you type with the physical keyboard. Unfortunately, spell check is only available for the virtual keyboards.

When it comes to the "hinge" that the G2 uses, it has its own good and bad. The good thing is that when the keyboard is hidden, it holds the phone together well. There is no feel that the keyboard is ready to slide out at any time. This hinge, when closed, allows for a slim design and a solid feel. Here's the cons I noticed about the hinge. After a while, for me a few weeks, the hinge starts to feel loose. I'm not sure if that's all the G2 devices, but it is certainly the case with mine.

The processor behind the G2 is an 800mhz second generation Snapdragon MSM 7230. The processor feels zippy and fast, and kept up with whatever we threw at it. From watching movies, to playing games, operation of the phone was smooth as silk. The second generation of Snapdragons hold their own.

The G2 has a very good, 5 mega pixel camera with flash, and is capable of 720p video recording. The LED flash is very bright, and can be used for video recording. The high definition recording is not the greatest I have seen, but for a cell phone it does the job. Check out this SAMPLE VIDEO CLIP recorded using the G2's 720p camcorder.

The G2 features a memory card slot capable of up to 32GB of memory. The memory card slot is located underneath the battery, so it is not hot-swappable. Built in is 4GB of memory, however this is mostly reserved for software and software updates. About 1GB is available internally.

The body of the G2 is nearly perfect, but here are the things I feel are lacking.

Front facing camera. Whether you use it or not, the G2 was released at a time where front facing cameras were becoming the norm.
Internal memory. A little more internal memory would have been a nice compliment to the SD card slot.
LED Indicator: The track pad of the G2 is also an indicator light, but it is very difficult to actually see. The white light and long intervals between flashes make the notification light feel non existent.

The G2 is running Android 2.2 stock operating software, which was the latest version at the time. The installed apps include pretty much every application Google makes. From "Google Goggles" to "Google Skymap". Day to day operation of the system itself was stable for the most part. I had a few issues which I couldn't differentiate whether they were caused by the phone itself, or T-Mobile's network. Twice I had instances where I had to switch off "3G" in order to be able to make calls. I'm not sure if this had something to do with the hspa+ capabilities or something else.

Speaking of hspa plus, did I mention this phone is the first T-Mobile capable device for 4G?

Well it is. My data speeds differed, but for the most part it was fast. Obviously this will depend on the area you are in, since for myself it was hit or miss. But as T-Mobile expands coverage, I think you will be happier that you chose a 4G device.

Here are some good things that stick out to me when it comes to operation:

Processor: The second generation Snapdragon was definitely fast enough
4G Speeds: Whether or not you currently have coverage, it should feel good to know that your device is ready when you do.
Camera: 5mp with flash and HD video recording make the G2 a social friendly device
Stock Android Software: If you want your updates when they come out, then stock is the way to go.

And some things that I think could have been improved:

Battery Life: The battery on the G2 (1300mAh) is not atrocious, but it certainly could have been better. I typically got around 8-9 hours with moderate use. It's not the worst, but it could have been better.
Media: This is not really the fault of the phone, but more on stock Android. From the camera layout to the music player, these everyday apps are starting look dated.

Overall, I highly recommend the HTC G2 for any Android fan, and especially the ones who won't give in to virtual keyboards. Currently the only T-Mobile phone with a physical keyboard that also 4G capable, with the hardware and software to back it up. From the bold, serious design to the speed and capabilities the phone will not disappoint. Check out the full PhoneFight VIDEO REVIEW here.

Nexus S Video Review Part One

2010-12-19T23:49:00.001-08:00

Part one of this review covers the physical features of the Nexus S. Also goes in depth with the phone and messaging apps.

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Nexus S: The First 24 Hours

2010-12-17T11:21:00.000-08:00

So it's been about a day since I ventured out into the Chicago cold to my local Best Buy. The mood I was in was a skeptical one. So many things were announced before realease that it was difficult to not know what to expect. As I walked into the Best Buy, I noticed two posters at the front entance stating the arrival of the Google Samsung Nexus S. After being greeted by the security guard, I made my way to the mobile department. At this particular Best Buy, only four were in stock, and I purchased the first. Almost feeling silly that I was nervous about not finding the phone, I was relieved when the man behind me was also there for the Nexus S. At least I wasn't the only one who anticipated a possible sell out in the morning hours.

Got home. Unboxed the phone. Powered it on. Right away, I noticed the beautiful, yet familiar Super AMOLED four inch display. What I wasn't expecting was the beauty of the screen, even with the display turned off. The deep black tone of the device coupled with the darkness of the screen was nothing short of sexy. I knew right then that appearance of the phone was not going to be an issue.The sex appeal was undeniable. Using the actual device however, may be a different story.

Here is an initial list of pros and cons, based soley on only 24 hours of use.

Pros:

4" Super AMOLED display (obviously)
Sleek lightweight body design
Internal memory (16gb)
5mp Camera with LED flash takes great pictures

And now the Cons:

No LED indicator light (drives me crazy to have to continually wake the screen)
No micro SD slot (16gb is great, but with a screen like this, I want to watch full movies)
No dedicated camera button (I prefer this for the shortcut more than the actual shutter)
No High Definition video recording (I was as surprised as you are)
No app that makes it possible to video chat (yet)
Lack of physical buttons (Capacative buttons look good, but on a flush screen like this, I find my self touching them by accident too much)

Things may change over the next few days. The Nexus S may grow on me. These features that are missing might be small things that are easy to get over. Hence the reason I am reserving myself before my full review. With all things I am being critical of, keep in mind this is a "flagship" phone, and it's only been 24 hours.

T-Mobile Mytouch 4g vs HTC HD7 PhoneFight Part One (Physical and OS)

2010-12-12T20:19:00.000-08:00

T-Mobile Mytouch 4G vs Samsung Vibrant Part One

2010-12-12T20:18:00.000-08:00

Thoughts on the Samsung Nexus S...

2010-12-08T13:27:00.000-08:00

        Samsung Nexus S. Still sounds weird saying it. It's not a smart idea (or fair) to judge this phone before it's release. However, there are many questions running through my head about this phone. Why no SD card support? Why no LED indicator? No dedicated camera button? Seriously?
        What really makes this phone the standard? I understand somewhat. 4" Super AMOLED curved display. 1GHZ Hummingbird processor and stock android 2.3 "gingerbread" pre-installed. But two of the three power specs have already been seen on previous handsets. I guess maybe we got spoiled with the original Nexus. I mean, the Nexus One raised the bar. There was no question as to whether the Nexus One was worth the hype.
         I have to be honest when I say that based on specs alone of the Nexus S, I am not overly excited. I want to be, but I'm not.
          A flagship device without expandable/removable storage? Sounds like i would have been better off with my 16gb Vibrant that allows me to expand memory. No LED indicator? I probably would be better off with my Mytouch 4G. No dedicated camera button? I'd be better off with almost any other Android previously released. I really thought the Nexus line was supposed to combine all the things we love in a smartphone and take it to the next level. So far, it looks like I was wrong.
        If Google thinks people are going to give up 4G speeds on T-Mobile (G2 and Mytouch 4G), LED indicator, removable storage and a camera shutter button just for an update that most newer phones are going to get anyways, then I think they are wrong.