December Gadget Reviews Roundup 2015

Now that 2016 is here, how was your 2015? For us, it’s a big party of gadget reviews and news. For December, we have the LG V10, Google Nexus 6P and 5X, Cherry Mobile Action Cam, and Starmobile Knight Spectra, just to name a few. Want to see more? Then check out our Gadget Reviews Roundup for December 2015.

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Sony a7R II

The Sony a7R II undoubtedly has what it takes to be one of the best full-frame mirrorless cameras out in the market. It’s a fitting example of what a camera should be with all the useful features squeezed inside a compact body.

Google Nexus 5X

The Google Nexus 5X, despite its limitations and living in the shadow of the Nexus 6P, can still be considered a flagship device in multiple aspects. It may not have the metal premium like most high-end phones but the quality is great. Performance is very commendable too and should satisfy light to heavy users. Users who want a fingerprint scanner and the latest Android version, the 5X can provide.

LG V10

With a crisp QHD resolution display, a beefy Snapdragon 808 processor with 4GB RAM, and a solid build quality, this device is easily likable by heavy users and content consumers alike. Add on top of that the flexibility of its optics and you’ve got yourself a winner device.

Starmobile Knight Spectra

With its polished build and vibrant display, it’s easy to appreciate the Starmobile Knight Spectra. Once you spend time with it, it begins to show a slowdown despite its capable internals. And, an asking price of Php14,990USD 255INR 21,655EUR 243CNY 1,860 is a bit steep among the local competition. If you’re in for the design of the Spectra, it’s still a good buy.

Cherry Mobile Explorer Action Cam

The Cherry Mobile Explorer is a good entry-level action cam designed for casual users. It has a good build, decent camera, WiFi connectivity, built-in display, and comes with a lot of accessories including a waterproof case.

Lenovo A6000 Plus

For just Php 6,999USD 119INR 10,111EUR 114CNY 869, the Lenovo A6000 Plus is an average smartphone. That’s the keyword I can give to it — average. It’s not a stellar performer and it’s no slouch either. But for its price tag, there’s its bigger sibling, the A7000 Plus, for a thousand bucks more yet it offers more and is better in every aspect.

BlackBerry PRIV

After years of being pummeled by other big smartphone manufacturers with their iOS and Android devices, BlackBerry is now striking back by embracing the Android ecosystem and strengthening it with its own features. And representing its first haymaker is the PRIV which packs an impressive display, nice design, powerful specs, great-performing camera, good battery life, and a classic slide-out physical keyboard.

JBL Pulse 2

The Pulse 2 is another winner from JBL and is fitting to be called a successor. Overall, they improved the strengths of the original Pulse (LED lights, build quality, sound reproduction), further tweaked its weakness (better bass), and added new features to make it more appealing to consumers (splash-proof, JBL Prism, JBL Connect app).

Meizu M2

The Meizu M2 delivered two things that a budget-conscious consumer is looking for in a smartphone – good specs and design for its class and affordable price. In addition, it has a decent 5-inch display with Dragontrail glass, capable CPU and RAM, 4G LTE connectivity with microSD card option, Android Lollipop, and a decent battery life.

ASUS Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition

The Zenfone 2 Deluxe Special Edition, will get you an additional 128GB storage in the form of a microSD card, a pre-loaded Asphalt 8 game with 25,000 credits ready to be used in-game, and a tandem of tesselated and carbon fiber-designed back covers.

Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro

With all the bragging rights the Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro have, it’s disappointing to see it slack off in general performance. It’s a good tablet overall but not as good as Galaxy Tab S2 or iPad Air 2. Still, the addition of the pico projector is a milestone and could poise itself to be useful for some. For Php29,999USD 511INR 43,337EUR 487CNY 3,723, it’s a bit tough to consider over other slates; but if you’re in for the projector, it’s not a bad choice.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 3 offers great value for a mid-range smartphone. It’s also one of the first handsets to be powered by Mediatek’s Helio X10 chip. It has a 13MP PDAF rear camera, fingerprint sensor, and a 4,000mAh battery.

Starmobile UP Ultra

Starmobile’s UP Ultra is a capable device that asks little in return. For Php6,490USD 111INR 9,375EUR 105CNY 805, you get a speedy smartphone with a decent camera, good battery performance, and already runs on Android 5.1. It doesn’t have a Full HD display, but what it has is sufficient to have an enjoyable viewing experience whether you watch videos or play games.

JBL Extreme

As casual listeners, you’ll be able to enjoy the JBL Extreme with no fuss. It’s loud, bassy, and overall good performance. Although, its Php15,999USD 273INR 23,112EUR 260CNY 1,985 could be a bit heavy on the pockets. If you’re looking for a something loud and can take some water splashes, the Extreme is perfect for you.

ASUS Transformer Book T300FA

The ASUS Transformer T300FA is a nice-looking yet capable device aimed at those who want to mix versatility and productivity. If you want some work done, the keyboard is really nice to use while the display is more than enough for your needs.

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Linksys EA9200 AC3200 Tri-Band Smart Wi-Fi Router

For a hefty Php 14,998USD 256INR 21,666EUR 243CNY 1,861, you can have a feature packed smart router that is ready for almost anything. It’s a future-proofed device so it will be a good investment. Yet, for almost 15k, you might find a more suited and cheaper wireless router for your home. Besides, you router’s capabilities will be choked if your Internet plan is slow.

Huawei Nexus 6P

The Nexus 6P is a great balance between form and performance. It’s got everything spot on in terms of design, material and build quality as well as performance.

Chord Mojo DAC

The Chord Mojo is, without a doubt, a fitting companion for audiophiles that require premium sound on-the-go. It has a portable yet robust body, simple navigation controls, and produces sound with clarity and detail one would look for in a digital-to-analog converter.

Kata Box

The Kata Box is a cool device that can turn an ordinary TV into a smart TV without breaking the bank. It lets you play your local video and music collections and at the same time, allows you to stream content from the internet. It’s also a bit ambitious, too, by trying to be an Android gaming console. As a multimedia device, it works well, but as a gaming console, it’s a worthy effort but still has a lot to improve on.