Obi Worldphone SF 1 vs Samsung Galaxy E5

In this concise comparative review we take two mid range Android smartphones that entered the market this year, the recently launched Obi Worldphone SF1 and Samsung Galaxy E5. In an increasingly commoditized market, all emerging smartphone brands are vying to claim some differentiation and provide their best without challenging our pockets. In this contest, Obi Worldphone proudly claims a ‘Designed in San Francisco’ model with the best in line technology, while the veteran Samsung is already popular as a global smartphone leader that runs behind Apple. The slide below provides us with a quick comparative view on what the two devices have to offer.

If we look at the specifications, it is clear that Samsung’s E5 falls way short of Obi’s flagship SF1 on several counts. Both the devices are of moderate size, but Samsung E5 is a bit smaller and lighter. The two devices have the same screen size, however, it seems SF1 optimizes the screen better by providing a sharper view due to higher resolution and pixel density. Here Obi Worldphone has sincerely put up a great challenge in terms of innovation in gadgets. On the top, Obi also provides the protection of the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 4.

Also, beside making a difference through its Silicon Valley design, Obi SF1 has a well planned, latest in range OS and CPU backed by a good battery support and Quick Charge 1.0 that saves about 40% of the charging time. The multimedia experience in SF1 is also superior with Sony Exmor sensor camera (UBI Focus, Opti Zoom, Chroma Flash), 4G network, better resolution in display, Dolby Audio sound quality etc where surprisingly the old hand Samsung lags behind. Furthermore, both the devices are dual SIM. 

Considering the differences, it comes as a surprise that Obi SF1 costs lesser than Samsung E5. On the whole, Obi Worldphone SF1 can certainly win many hearts by proving that, if planned well, great design and high-end technology do not necessarily have to be expensive.

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Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5: What is the Difference?

On 13^th August 2015, Samsung pulled back the curtains on its Galaxy S6 Edge+ and Note 5 smartphones. Earlier the company had effectively split its S-line in two with Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge. Now they have split their phablet range into two new flagship models: Galaxy S6 edge+ and Galaxy Note 5. Since both the devices are priced about the same, it is but natural that customers are keen to know the differences between the two. Therefore, we have decided to undertake a detailed spec to spec review of the two devices to find out how exactly they differ from each other.

Design 

In terms of overall dimensions, Galaxy S6 edge+ measures 154.4x75.8x6.9mm as compared to Note 5 which is 153.2x76.1x7.6mm, meaning the S6 edge+ is slightly thinner and fractionally longer. Furthermore, S6 edge+ hits the scale at 153gm compared to 171gm of Note 5. There is an extra pack for stylus that has been the key highlight of Samsung’s Note series but it also adds on some weight to the device. Both S6 edge+ and Note 5 as predicted follow the footsteps of their predecessors with a metal and glass construction. Also, both devices come with built-in fingerprint scanner. Most certainly, we find S6 edge+ is more exciting in terms of design with its dual edge display. However, the Note series has always had its fan following for its powerful features and sturdy built. Now that Note 5 is embracing aluminum over plastic for its rear, it is very likely to please its devotees.

Display

Both Galaxy S6 edge + and Galaxy Note 5 have 5.7 inch super AMOLED display which produces terrific video and image viewing experience. Both of them also have QHD 2560x1440 resolutions with a pixel density of 515 ppi that adds on to sharp and crisp viewing experience. As such, the quality of visual experience is going to be the same in both the devices.

Performance

Both the devices have exynos 7420 chip under their hoods which is powered by 1.5 GHz processor and a 4 GB RAM. Both the devices are available in 32GB and 64GB internal storage variants, but there is no option for expandable storage in either. Furthermore, both S6 edge+ and Note 5 are powered with latest Android Lollipop 5.1 with Samsung TouchWiz Interface on the top. Although both the devices serve similar software experience, but there are differences too. In S6 edge+ there are specific apps that enhance the relevance of dual-edge display while Note 5 has specific apps that fit to its Stylus pen.

Software

In spite of similarity, the major difference between the two devices lies in their software. In Note 5, Samsung has retained most of its previous productivity software and smart UI to make it a perfect business-focused device. Moreover, the stylus has been tweaked to be more responsive too. On the other hand, in case of S6 edge+, Samsung has focused more on edge screen functionality that makes it more of a consumer device. The screen edge technology offers Information Stream where headlines scroll on the screen edge, Night Clock which shows time on the edge at night, People Edge which has the favorite contact list selected by user and Edge Lighting which means color specific edge lighting when favorite contacts call. In addition, S6 edge+ also has enhanced people edge so that images and emoticons can be sent directly to the favorite contacts. Soon it might be upgraded on S6 edge as well.

Camera and Battery

The two devices, S6 edge+ and Note 5, have the same cameras, i.e. a 16MP rear camera and a 5 MP front camera with an aperture of f/1.9. There is no difference even in the optics, lenses and features of the two handsets. As far as the battery is concerned both devices disappoint with 3000 mAh which surely isn’t the best in the phablet market.

Connectivity

Both devices have common features like Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, and NFC, and they support 4G and are compatible to nano SIM cards. In addition, both S6 edge+ and Note 5 support ‘Sidesync’ which is somewhat similar to Apple Continuity. SideSync allows users to handle phone tasks on their computers such as seamlessly transferring phone calls, files and even playing mobile games on PC, but this is available only on Windows OS for PC.

Conclusion

In India, Samsung launched the 32GB variant of Galaxy S6 edge+ priced at Rs 57,900 while the 64GB is not available at the moment. The exact price of Galaxy Note 5 will be available only after its launch in India but it is likely to be priced around Rs 60,000. As such, the two devices have identical specifications. The only differentiators are design and some software features. Therefore, the customer choice may be influenced by the price factor and their preference for overall design and software.

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Obi Hornbill Beats Samsung Galaxy S3 with Specifications

Obi Mobiles, a smartphone company establish by John Sculley, previous CEO of Pepsi Co and Apple, has entered East Africa, beginning Kenya and Tanzania after tasting success in East Asia. On the other hand, it is as of now confronting rivalry from set up brands, for example, Samsung, Tecno Mobiles, Huawei, HTC, and so forth. With yet another player guaranteeing the predominance of its cell phone in the business sector adds to the test of picking the right item. Through this comparison, we have analyzed the relative qualities of Samsung Galaxy S3 and Obi Hornbill S551 with the aim to empower buyers to settle on an educated decision.

Obi’s Hornbill in display screen size, operating system technology, cameras and battery life including more advanced processor and the ability to function on multiple networks (2.5G, 3G and 4G), leaves Samsung’s Galaxy S3 behind. Looking at the price tag, Samsung’s Galaxy S3 is priced around KSh 40,000, where as Obi Hornbill is pleasantly priced around KSh 18,000. Obviously, Samsung has the brand quality to legitimize the cost, however a smart buyer would beyond any doubt consider a few discriminating features while settling on choice.

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Obi Wolverine is a better deal than Samsung S Duos 2 in Kenya

This comparative review focuses on two mid-range smartphones that are competing against each other in East Africa, particularly Kenya. Samsung S Duos 2 has been a choice of many for a long time in Kenya, where as Wolverine S501 from Obi Mobiles, a company co-founded by John Sculley, ex-CEO of Apple and PepsiCo, has entered the Kenyan market in March this year. In spite of being new Obi Mobiles, as the review indicates, stands a good chance to give a healthy competition. So, as part of our comparative review series, in this review we compare Samsung S Duos 2 with Obi’s Wolverine S501.

Design: In the first look, we note that Samsung S Duos 2 (Size: 121.5X63.1X10.57mm) is comparatively much smaller looking device than Obi’s Wolverine (Size: 144X73X9.6mm) and weighs much lighter too, just 118g as compared to Obi’s 167g. With such dimensions, Samsung Duos fits well in the hand and easy to carry around, however, larger size is not necessarily a disadvantage, probably more of a matter of preference. Moreover, Duos 2 has a metallic body finish and comes in white and black colours, where as Wolverine comes in impressive black, leather-like cover that protects the device from cracks and scratches.

Display: The overall size seems to reflect in the display screen size, which is 4 inch in case of Samsung S Duos 2, where as Wolverine offers with a screen size of 5 inch; a significant one inch difference obviously means larger visuals. Moreover, while Duos comes with a display with TFT technology and a screen resolution of 420X800 pixels, Wolverine S501 has a TFT IPS Screen with capacitive touch with a screen resolution of 480X854 pixels. Given its larger screen size, superior display technology and slightly higher resolution, Obi’s Wolverine takes a slight lead on the visual experience front.

OS & Processor: Samsung Duos 2 runs on Android v4.2.2 Jelly Bean packed with a 1.2 GHz Cortex-A9 processor, where as Wolverine S501 runs on Android KitKat (4.4), powered by a MeditaTek MTK6572 1.2 Ghz dual-core processor, that gives it an accelerated touch screen and superior performance. On the OS front too, Wolverine has a leg up over Samsung Duos.

RAM & Storage: Samsung S Duos 2 comes with a mere 0.75GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage that luckily Samsung gives you an option of expanding up to 64GB, however, a low RAM and extra storage option can make the performance of the device suffer. Obi Wolverine S501, on the other hand, has a more balanced 1GB RAM support and 4 GB internal storage with external memory support up to 32GB via a MicroSD card.

Camera & Battery:  Samsung S Duos 2 sports a 5MP primary camera with flash. It also has a VGA secondary camera which with time has run out of fashion. Obi Wolverine S501 sports a 5MP primary camera placed in the middle of the device and comes with a LED flash. It also has a 0.3MP secondary camera. On the battery front, both Samsung S Duos and Obi Wolverine S 501 have removable batteries with 1500 mAh capacity that gives you a standby time of 280hrs in Duos and 180hrs in Wolverine. While Obi Wolverine takes a lead on the camera front, Samsung S Duos 2 claims better standby time.

Connectivity: On the connectivity front, both Samsung S Duos 2 and Obi Wolverine S501 are dual-sim phones, Wolverine being the smart one for it has 3G support for both the sim-cards, where as Duos 2 uses one as 2G and the other as 3G. Both the smartphones have WiFi 802.11/b/g/n and Bluetooth v4.0 support.

Conclusion: Both the devices are pretty much comparable on most of the indicators, however, there are specific differences. Samsung S Duos 2, with a certain brand value, would appeal to those looking for an elegant, easy to carry, smaller looking device, where as Obi’s Wolverine would appeal to those looking for a device that could afford better visual experience, especially youngsters who like to watch videos on the smartphone. The leatherish feel in the Wolverine design is unique too. In addition, Obi’s Wolverine has the advantage of superior OS, higher RAM and superior secondary camera.

Price: Finally, we look at the price in the Kenya market, where Samsung S Duos 2 is marked around 11,500KSh, where as Obi’s Wolverine S501 is at around 9000KSh. Therefore, unless there is specific brand priority and design preference, we find Obi Wolverine to be a better overall deal considering the specifications and the price point at which it comes.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 4 can beat Motorola Google Nexus 6

Samsung and Motorola are among the most dominant smartphone companies today. Over the years they have shown their creativity and superiority through their products. It would be interesting to see how their products compare with each other. Therefore, we have picked their two smartphone models  Samsung Galaxy Note 4 and Motorola Google Nexus 6 for the direct spec-to-spec contest to help consumers make a smart decision while buying their smartphones.

Design & Colour

With a silver casing on all sides, small curved edges and a leather-based back panel, Note 4 has an elegant look which has a stylus along with the device. Nexus 6 with a metal casing on the sides, proper curves on the edges and a slightly bulging and dull-finish back panel has a youthful look. Also, both the devices come in different colors: Note 4 is available in Frost White, Charcoal Black, Bronze Gold and Blossom Pink while Nexus 6 is available in Midnight Blue and Cloud White. Since design and colour choice are a matter of personal preference, we leave the judgement to the customers.

Shape & Size

Generally speaking, both the devices are bigger looking. Specifically, Google Nexus 6 with dimensions such as 159.26x 82.98x10.06mm weighs 184g, while Galaxy Note 4 with dimensions of 153.5X78.6X8.5mm weighs 176g. While both have large display screens, there is minor difference in the screen size. Nexus 6 comes with 5.96 inch screen size with an AMOLED display where as Samsung’s Note 4 is 5.7inch, slightly smaller, but with a Super AMOLED display, which enables the user to view their smartphones without any difficulty from glaring lights and from wider angles. Both the devices have a resolution of 2560x1440. With comparable screen size and same resolution, the technology differentiator provides Note 4 a slight leg up.

Processor & OS

Both Google Nexus 6 and Galaxy Note 4 have a 3GB RAM and are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 2.7GHz Quad-Core processors. However, the difference shows up in the operating system (OS). While Samsung’s Note 4 runs on Android 4.4 Lollipop and can be upgraded to Android 5.0.1 Lollipop, Google Nexus 6 already running on Android 5.0 Lollipop is upgradable to Android 5.1.1. Also, Nexus 6 users would be enjoying an early Android M OS developer preview due to Google’s association with the smartphone. Moreover, Note 4 has an internal memory of 32GB that is expandable to 64GB through microSD, where as Nexus 6 has no expandable memory but is available in two variants with either 32 GB or 64GB internal space. Therefore, the only differentiator is relatively better operating system (OS), which provides Nexus 6 a leg up.

Battery & Cameras

Both the devices have a battery capacity of 3220 mAh. However, the main difference appears at the camera front that works in the favour of Galaxy Note 4, which has a 16MP primary (rear) camera and a 3.7MP secondary (front) camera for selfies. On the other hand, Google Nexus 6 has a 13MP primary camera and 2MP secondary camera. Both the smartphones have Smart Optical Image Stabilization that counter-balances camera shake and automatically extends exposure time in dark settings. Additionally, Note 4 also has the ability to perform split-screen multitasking that means the user can open and shift between applications with much ease.

Other Features

Both the devices have Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/g/b/n/ac), Bluetooth v4.10 and single SIM slot, and support only Nano-SIM. In terms of connectivity, both devices are available in 2G, 3G and 4G, depending on the market.

Bottom Line

Both the devices are comparable in terms of RAM, processing power, battery capacity and several other features including connectivity. However, Nexus 6 comes with a slightly bigger screen size and the advantage of receiving OS updates earlier than the other brands. On the other hand, Galaxy Note 4 acquires a definite leg us in terms of Super AMOLED display technology and better cameras with split-screen multitasking feature.

For the price indication, we looked at the cost tag for the two devices in the Indian market, where Nexus 6 with 32GB costs around Rs.44,000 and with 64GB costs Rs.49,000. On the other hand, Galaxy Note 4 costs around Rs.42,000. Therefore, considering the specs and the price in the Indian market, we think Galaxy Note 4 has a sure leg up over Nexus 6, unless one has a specific preference for design and updates.  

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In Africa, it’s Obi’s Leopard aiming at Samsung’s Galaxy

Samsung has been a global force to reckon with. It has consistently grown with the evolving smartphone market and pioneered the advent of the AMOLED display. On the other hand, relatively speaking, Obi Mobiles is a less than a year old smartphone company, co-founded by John Sculley, ex-CEO of PepsiCo and Apple, which is already begun to make its mark in Africa and Middle East. So, for today’s review, we have chosen two smartphone models from these two brands that are in the similar price range, i.e. Samsung’s GalaxyGrand Neo and Obi’s Leopard S502.

Look and Feel

Starting with the dimensions and weight, Galaxy Grand weighs 163g with dimensions 143.7x77.1x9.6mm whereas the Leopard weighs around the same at 164g with dimensions of 142.4x72.6x8.6mm that makes Obi’s Leopard a relatively slightly smaller, even sleeker, looking device. Leopard comes in black color with a brown top and bottom strip at the back, and its back is made of a blend of hard anodized metal and vacuum electroplating that looks good and is also resistant to wear. On the other hand, Samsung Grand offers wider color choice that includes white, black, orange and lime green.

Display

From the aforementioned physical dimensions, one would assume that Obi Leopard would have a smaller screen, however, interestingly both the devices have 5.0’’ display. The physical dimensions and the display screen size imply that though the viewing experience is same on both the devices, it is the overall size of the device that could impact customers’ decision. Would one prefer a smaller and slimmer smartphone than a bigger one if both the devices had the same screen size? Furthermore, Samsung’s screen technology is the Thin Film Transistor (TFT) whereas Obi’s Leopard runs of the TFT-IPS screen technology, which is superior to the TFT technology in terms of color reproduction and viewing angles. The resolution packed by Samsung’s Galaxy Neo is 480x800 pixels with a pixel density of 186ppi, which is on the lower end of pixel density. On the other hand, Obi’s Leopard has a qHD display with a resolution of 900x540 pixels. Therefore, Leopard has a leg up in terms of display technology and resolution over Samsung’s Grand Neo.

Processing Capacity

In terms of processing speed, both are neck to neck with the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo clocking in 1.2GHz and Leopard clocking in 1.3Ghz on quad-cores. Samsung’s Grand runs of a Broadcom Spreadtrum chipset whereas Obi’s Leopard runs on a MediaTek chipset. Furthermore, operating system is Android on both models, however Leopard has Kitkat v4.4.2, a newer version of the OS, where as Grand Neo runs on the older version v4.2.2 (JellyBean), which once again gives Obi an edge over Samsung. Memory-wise, Samsung’s Galaxy Grand Neo is available in two capacities, 8GB and 16GB that are expandable to 64 GB through an external SD card. Similarly Obi Leopard is available in 8GB expandable to 32GB. Both models have 1 GB of RAM that ensures smooth running of the two smartphones.

Key Components

Obi Leopard has a definite leg up over Samsung Grand Neo as it contains 8MP primary (rear) and 5MP secondary (front) cameras, whereas Samsung’s Neo provides us with a mere 5MP primary camera and a VGA secondary camera. Moreover, both the models have the same battery capacity of 2100mAh.

Lets Sum It Up

This spec-to-spec comparison tells that both the devices have same display screen size, RAM, battery capacity and almost comparable processor; however, there are differences on other fronts. Obi Mobiles Leopard has advantage in terms of superior display technology and resolution, operating system (OS) and a definite leg up in cameras. On the other hand, Samsung offers the color choice and slight advantage in expandable memory. We also looked at the price tag in the Kenya market and discovered that Samsung’s Galaxy Neo is priced at around KSh14,000 whereas Obi’s Leopard is at around KSh12,000, which is a sure advantage Leopard.

Concluding Remark

In the end, it would come down to which specifications suit your needs better. If you are a video blogger keen on better viewing experience, use your front camera a lot and love to take selfies, then Obi’s Leopard would definitely be a better option as it comes with better display and superior cameras. On the other hand, if you are looking for higher memory then Samsung’s Neo could be a better choice.

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Galaxy Note 4 vs Moto Turbo: Brand value vs specifications

Samsung and Motorola are two global players in the smartphone market. If Motorola has made a great comeback after facing near defeat, Samsung has pioneered the big screen smartphone movement. It would be interesting how the recovered Motorola is living up to the challenges put up by Samsung. Therefore, in this comparative review we decided to pick up a model from each of these two companies for a spec to spec match. The two smartphone models are Samsung Galaxy Note 4 which is a consistent refinement over its predecessors and Motorola Moto Turbo which claims stellar set of specifications. 

Let us begin with the look and feel of the two devices. In general, both the smartphones are a bit chunky and can be evidently felt in the pocket. While there is significant difference in the overall dimensions of the two devices, i.e. Galaxy Note 4 (153.5x78.6x8.5mm) and Moto Turbo (143.5x73.3x11.2mm), both the devices weigh exactly the same, 176gm. The overall dimensions reflect in the display screen size, which is 5.7” in case of Galaxy Note 4 and 5.2” in case of Moto Turbo. Since both the devices have Quad HD (1440x2560 pixels) touch screens, the quality of visuals is the same. However, the larger display screen of Note 4 may slightly enhance the overall viewing experience, where as Moto Turbo may be easier to hold and to use by one hand only. 

Furthermore, the most notable design element in Galaxy Note 4 is the metal rim, which gives it a dignified and solid look, where as Moto Turbo has introduced a new material ballistic nylon which is essentially a thicker, tougher variant of synthetic nylon. The Moto Turbo is available only in a black colour, whereas the Galaxy Note 4 is available in black, white and copper.

On the performance front, both the devices are powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 2.7 GHz Quad-core processor which is among the fastest processors in the market and has 3GB RAM that allows for faster switching between various applications. However, the difference appears in the operating system (OS) and at the memory front. While Galaxy comes with Android v4.4.4 Kitkat OS which is upgradable to v5.0.1 Lollipop, Moto turbo runs on more advanced Android 5.0.2 Lollipop OS, which gives Moto a leg up over Galaxy. Also, Note 4 has an internal storage of 32 GB which is expandable to 128 GB via MicroSD, whereas Moto Turbo has a 64 GB internal storage, but without any MicroSD slot. 

Both Galaxy Note 4 and Moto Turbo boast of exceptionally powerful primary (rear) cameras. Samsung Galaxy comes with 16 MP primary (rear) camera that can record UHD 4K videos @ 30fps, where as Motorola Turbo can capture 21 MP in 4:3 screen modes and 15.5 MP in 16:9 screen modes and record UHD 4K videos @24fps with an additional feature of 720p slow motion video. However, Galaxy takes a clear lead with its secondary (front) camera of 3.7 MP which is only 2 MP in case of Moto, which means a clearer selfie with Galaxy.  

Moreover, both the devices have Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/g/b/n/ac) and Bluetooth v4.0. Additionally, Note 4 comes with a single micro and Turbo with nano SIM slots. In terms of connectivity, both smartphones are available in 2G, 3G and 4G, depending on the market. However, one of the major differences between Samsung Galaxy and Motorola Turbo is in terms of battery capacity. While Galaxy Note 4 has an impressive 3220mAh battery, Moto Turbo simply outshines Note 4 with a 3900mAh battery capacity.

In conclusion, we note that both the smartphone models come with impressive specifications and have their design strengths. Besides having similar display technology, resolution and RAM, there are differences too. Galaxy Note 4 has a larger display screen, the option of expanding memory and superior secondary camera. On the other hand, Moto Turbo comes with more advanced OS, twice as large internal memory, superior primary camera and a higher battery capacity. 

Furthermore, we looked at the prices in the Indian market for the two devices, where Galaxy Note 4 is priced at around INR 58,000, whereas Moto Turbo is exclusively available on Flipkart at around INR 42,000. Moto Turbo does offer an impressive specification and price combo, unless one is willing to pay significantly more for a larger display screen and better selfie experience, besides the design and brand consideration, which are a matter of individual preference. 

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HTC One M9 vs Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge: How much extra is justified for resolution?

Samsung and HTC are two heavyweight players in the smartphone world that have consistently shown class and prowess through their products. It would be compelling to compare their smartphone models and do a spec-to-spec analysis to understand their capabilities and help potential customers make an informed decision while considering their products. Therefore, we have chosen Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge for a comparative review with HTC One M9.

HTC One M9 with dimensions such as 144.6x 69.7x9.61mm weighs 157g, while Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge with dimensions of 142.1x 70.1x 7.0mm weighs 132g, a significant 25g lesser than One M9. There is not much difference in the display screen size, where HTC’s One M9 is 5 inches long where as Samsung’s S6 Edge is 5.1 inches long. Also, One M9 is available in Full HD (1080p) and S6 Edge is available in Dual Edge Super AMOLED, which makes the touch-screens pretty much comparable too. However, after the weight, the major difference comes in resolution, where Samsung’s S6 Edge has a significant leg up with 2560x1440 pixels over HTC’s One M9 that has 1920x1080 pixels, promising a better picture quality. Moreover, both the devices come in multiple colors: S6 Edge is available in white pearl, black sapphire, gold platinum and green emerald, where One M9 is available in gray, silver and gold. The overall design, however, remains a matter of personal preference.

Both the smartphones are powered by 1.5GHz Octa-Core processors, but Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge runs on Android 5.0 Lollipop where as HTC One M9 runs on HTC Sense 7.0 which happens to be HTC’s customized OS based on Android Lollipop, essentially comparable operating systems (OS). Also, both the devices operate on a 3GB RAM and have an internal storage of 32 GB, however, Samsung’s S6 Edge has no expandable memory where as HTC’s M9 has an expandable memory up to 2MB through microSD. HTC’s M9 also has an edge in terms of battery capacity 2840mAh over Samsung’s S6 Edge that comes with 2600mAh battery. As such, while performance of the two devices is comparable, HTC’s One M9 acquires an edge on two accounts i.e. external memory and battery capacity.

If we take a look at the additional features, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge has a 16MP primary (rear) camera with CMOS senor technology that detects and conveys information that constitutes an image and a 5MP secondary (front) camera. On the other hand, HTC One M9 has a 20MP primary camera with BSI sensor that adds more light quality to photographs and a 4 ultra-pixel front camera; apparently, ultra-pixels are capable of capturing around 200 percent more light. As such, HTC’s One M9 with higher pixels stands out at the primary camera front and also promises a better selfie given the ultra-pixel feature. Both the devices have Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/g/b/n/ac), Bluetooth v4.10 and single SIM slot, and support only Nano-SIM. In terms of connectivity, both devices are available in 2G, 3G and 4G, depending on the market.

At the end, the key differentiator is the price. In the Kenyan market, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge is priced around KSh85,000 where as HTC One M9 is priced around KSh69,000. With the availability of expandable memory, better cameras, higher battery capacity HTC One M9 seems to be worth its price. Considering that the design is largely a matter of individual preference, the relatively higher price of Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge seems to be on account of the device being lighter, thinner, and offering higher resolution. The Kenyan customers would have to consider whether it is worthwhile spending additional KSh16,000 for slightly superior resolution and sleeker look.

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Youth focused One Plus One can challenge Samsung S5 in Kenya

African smartphone market is bustling with competition due to the presence of many prominent players, which includes established players like Samsung, Huawei, Tecno and HTC and newcomers like Oppo, Obi Mobiles and One Plus. Generally, customers gain from competition, however, in the absence of right information, the multiplicity of brands and products can also create confusion. Therefore, in this review Brands Dialogue team is focusing on two smartphone models, including one of the established players, Samsung S5, and one of the new arrivals, One Plus One.

Design & Viewing Experience
Starting with the physical appearance, we note that One Plus One is clearly a relatively bigger but sleeker looking device with 152.9x75.9x8.9mm dimensions than Samsung S5 that comes with 142x72.5x8.1mm dimensions. This reflects at two levels: firstly, it makes One Plus One (162g) slightly heavier than S5 (145g) and secondly, the display screen size in One Plus One is slightly larger at 5.5 inch than Samsung S5 which has 5.1 inch screen, which is minor difference. 

Both smartphones share the same resolution of 1080x1920 pixels. However, Samsung S5 has a Super AMOLED capacitative touchscreen that could make viewing from certain angles a bit tedious. On the other hand, One Plus One sports a LTPS LCD capacitative touchscreen, which supports wide viewing angle and also makes outdoor viewing more comfortable. Essentially, other than screen types that lead to qualitative difference in experience, the difference in overall size, weight and form are only a matter of personal preference. 

Processing Power
To fire the performance, both Samsung S5 and One Plus One devices are supported by Qualcomm MSM8974AC Snapdragon 801 processor. If One Plus One devices are available with 16GB or 64GB internal memory, S5 devices are available with 16GB or 32GB internal memory. However, while Samsung S5 provides for an expandable memory of 128 GB through microSD, One Plus One does not. In terms of RAM, Samsung S5 has a 2GB RAM compared to One Plus One that has relatively larger 3GB RAM, which essentially means One Plus device could withstand higher activity than S5. Both the devices run on Android 4.4.2 Kitkat, however, key differentiator is that while Samsung S5 can be upgraded to Android 5.0 Lollipop, One Plus One can only be upgraded to Android 4.4.4 Kitkat, something that could influence the customer choice.

Additional Features

There are other differentiators too. While Samsung S5 has a superior rear camera with 16 megapixels, One Plus One follows closely with 13 megapixels, but S5 falls behind with only 2 megapixels front camera as compared to One Plus One’s 5 megapixels. In a generation where selfies are constantly overflowing in the social media, Samsung S5 does not seem to have appreciated that aspect enough. Furthermore, battery is another crucial aspect of any smartphone, and One Plus One with a 3100mAh battery capacity can outlive Samsung S5 that has a 2800mAh capacity. A longer battery life and the promise of better selfies make One Plus One acquire a leg up over Samsung S5.Samsung S5 and One Plus are available on 2G GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 and 4G (depending on the markets). For 3G, both are available on HSDPA: 850/ 900/ 1700/ 1900/ 2100. Also, both devices support Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Wi-Fi Direct and Bluetooth.

The Price Tag

Finally, we look at the price in the Kenyan market. One Plus One 16GB is priced at around KSh31,000 and 64GB is at around KSh37,000. In comparison, Samsung S5 16GB is costing around KSh44,000, where as 64GB option is currently not available in Kenya. However, considering that even One Plus One with 64GB costs lesser than Samsung S5 16GB, there seems a clear price advantage One Plus One.

Concluding Remarks

While both the devices have superior features, there are obvious differences in strategic take of the two companies. One Plus has put together a device that has larger screen size and comes with better display to enhance the viewing experience at angles and outdoors, larger RAM, longer battery life, better front camera for selfies and, apparently, a better price too. On the other hand, Samsung has paid more attention to allow for upgrading the device to an even more superior level to enhance performance, along with expandable memory and a superior rear camera. However, it seems while Samsung S5 remains a great device, One Plus One has all that it needs to attract the youth attention. 

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Will brand-value help Samsung Galaxy S3 to battle it out with Obi’s Hornbill S551?

Having tasted some success in a rather short time in the Middle East, Obi Mobiles, a smartphone company co-founded by John Sculley, former CEO of Pepsi Co and Apple, has entered East Africa, starting Kenya and Tanzania. However, it is already facing competition from established brands such as Samsung, Tecno Mobiles, Huawei, HTC, etc. With yet another player claiming the superiority of its smartphone in the market adds to the challenge of picking the right product. Through this comparative review, we have tried to examine the relative strengths of two smartphone models, i.e. Samsung Galaxy S3 and Obi Hornbill S551 with the intention to enable consumers to make an informed choice.

With dimensions 136.6x70.6x8.6mm, Samsung’s Galaxy S3 weighs about 133g where as Obi’s Hornbill with 156x76.8x7.9mm dimensions weighs only about 126g. Interestingly, in spite of its larger frame, Obi’s Hornbill is a relatively lighter device. Furthermore, while Galaxy S3 has a Super AMOLED display, Hornbill has a TFT IPS Screen with Capacitative Touch HD. Both the devices, however, have a resolution of 1280x720 Pixels. Given the larger overall dimensions, Obi’s Hornbill has the space to offer a wider display screen size 5.5 inches, where as Galaxy S3 comes with a screen size is 4.8 inches. Considering the display screen Galaxy S3 has an edge due to being more battery efficient, better viewing quality at angles and just sharper and clearer images in general, however, a larger screen size in Hornbill simply enhances the viewing experience. 

At the performance front, both Galaxy S3 and Hornbill have the same 1GB RAM, but Galaxy S3 has a comparatively advanced Quad Core 1.4GHz processor than Hornbill that comes with Quad Core 1.3GHz processor, which gives S3 a sure edge. However, Hornbill makes up for the processor lag in the operating system. Obi’s Hornbill runs on Android 4.4 Kit Kat while Samsung’s Galaxy S3 runs on a rather outdated Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which puts Obi’s Hornbill on a stronger footing. Furthermore, Galaxy S3 has an internal memory of 16GB expandable up to 64GB through microSD where as Obi’s Hornbill has an 8GB internal memory which is expandable up to 32GB through microSD. Since expandable memory of 32 GB is more than sufficient, we believe it is not really a critical differentiator.

Obi’s Hornbill also has superior cameras of 13 megapixel at the rear and 5 megapixel at the front, where Samsung’s Galaxy S3 has an 8 megapixel rear camera and a meager 1.9 megapixel front camera, an out right advantage Hornbill. Looking at the battery capacity, Galaxy S3 with 2100 mAh once again is found to be lacking before Obi’s Hornbill that comes with 2200 mAh. Maybe Samsung should have paid more attention to the battery and less on the expandable memory.

In terms of Networks and Wireless Connectivity, Samsung’s Galaxy S3 is available on 2.5G: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, 3G: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz and 4G (dependent on market) but Hornbill is available only on 3G: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA 900/2100MHz. Both devices have v4.0 Bluetooth and Wi-Fi capabilities (802.11 a/b/g/n), but only Galaxy S3 provides Wi-Fi Hotspot. Another differentiator is the SIM Card capability, where Galaxy S3 has only 1 slot for a micro SIM but Hornbill has two slots and can be used for micro SIMs and regular SIMs.

That brings us to the most critical differentiator, the price. In spite of lagging behind Obi’s Hornbill in display screen size, operating system technology, cameras and battery life but with the advantages of more advanced processor and the ability to function on multiple networks (2.5G, 3G and 4G), Samsung’s Galaxy S3 is priced around KSh 40,000, where as Obi’s Hornbill is pleasantly priced around KSh 18,000. Of course, Samsung has the brand value to justify the price, but a smart consumer would sure consider several critical differentiators while making decision.  

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