January Gadget Reviews Roundup 2014

And just like that, the first month of the new year is officially over. But before we welcome February and gear up for Valentine’s Day, let’s take a look at the gadget reviews we’ve done last month. This includes the Google Nexus 5, three Cherry Mobile smartphones, an NVidia Shield, and a GoPro Hero+.

Google Nexus 5

The Google Nexus 5 is a great phone which polishes upon Google’s last steps – the Nexus 4, and the past versions of Android. It has one of the most powerful sets of hardware and it’s also a step ahead of the Android crowd because of its up-to-date software. Battery life, the speakers and camera software could be better though, but that’s not to say it’s bad – it’s just something currently offered already in the competition.

Cherry Mobile Flare HD

Despite the average battery life and so-so image quality produced by its 12MP rear camera, we have to admit that the Cherry Mobile Flare HD is indeed a keeper. The combination of reasonably cheap SRP coupled with a 720p display and decent engine configuration makes this handset a formidable candidate in the mid-range category.

Lenovo IdeaPad Miix 2 8?

If you want something more than just a simple tablet, more than just a repository of your photos and videos, then the Miix 2 can certainly offer that — full office productivity, heavy content creation, integration with other devices, and the flexibility of a mature and well-supported platform like Windows, then the Miix 2 is more than just a tablet, it’s potentially a laptop replacement.

Cherry Mobile Omega XL

We could simply say that Cherry Mobile Omega XL is a great phablet for Php7,999USD 136INR 11,555EUR 130CNY 993. It’s worth every penny and it’s a good starting point before venturing to a high-end phablet, if you find the need to.

NVidia Shield

The NVidia Shield is a dedicated Android device for gaming, and can be polarizing — either you will love it a lot or find it excessive for your needs. It’s great for voracious and a great alternative for people who’ve been so used to the likes of the PSP or a Nintendo DS.

Huawei Ascend G610

The Huawei Ascend G610 is a good phone, but certainly not with its price tag of Php8,000USD 136INR 11,557EUR 130CNY 993 with Smart or free with their All-In Plan 800. You can get a lot of better spec’d alternatives right now on the market instead of this, but if you’re truly after Huawei’s craftmanship, this one can still manage.

ASUS N550JV Laptop

The Asus N550JV spoils you with a lot of high-end elements – from the beautiful 1080p display and the metal construction to the audio experience and the fast internals. It’s everything a person would want except for one thing – it’s not for the outgoing. The laptop is quite heavy and most may find the battery life to be disappointing, making it not ideal for those who are always on the move and like to travel.

GoPro Hero 3+

If you’re an outdoors kind of person, then the GoPro Hero 3+ is a must as a part your arsenal. It’s almost as essential as your Swiss army knife. Whether it’s surfing, sky diving, bungee jumping, biking and racing, the GoPro has got you covered. You can bring it to places and occasions you’d normally think your usual cameras would not survive.

Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear headphones

The Sennheiser Momentum On-Ear headphones got a perfect balance between classic and contemporary look which resulted into an eye-catching set of cans. The headphone has its fair share of design quirks (non-swiveling cups, headband can’t be folded, etc.), but we still think that the MOE will be more appealing to crowd.

Cherry Mobile W900 LTE

By and large, the Cherry Mobile W900 LTE is a decent smartphone with a 720p screen and a very snappy engine setup to go along with its 4G capability. Furthermore, that extra 4GB of internal storage can go a long way for some who stores a lot of files and install big apps on their device.