January Gadget Reviews Roundup 2016

And just like that we’re now done with the first month of this year. This also means new reviews from products like teh Cherry Mobile Flare Selfie, Microsoft Lumia 950 XL, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, and ASUS Zenfone Max. Check out our Gadget Reviews Round up for January 2016.

O+ Xfinit

O+ USA’s entry to the bang-for-the-buck 3GB RAM smartphone wars is a good one, and is definitely something to consider if you’re not that much of a heavy gamer. The Xfinit touts good productivity and connectivity performance with a good chunk of internal storage, plus an additional microSD card slot for expanded use.

Cherry Mobile Flare Selfie

Positioned as one of the Cherry Mobile’s best offerings for 2016, the Flare Selfie has the right to be on the top. It’s a packaged smartphone with a fingerprint scanner, 3GB RAM, and capable shooters. Throw in the long battery life it can give for power users, it’s certainly worth suggesting among the local crop of smartphones for just Php7,999.

ZTE Blade A711

The combination of offerings from ZTE’s Blade A711 resulted in a capable device that has the bells-and-whistles from higher-tier smartphones while asking for a budget-friendly price of Php7,690.

Shuttle XPC Nano NCO1U

The Shuttle XPC Nano is a nice device to have especially for light users who don’t like a bulky PC. It has a good build, decent configuration and comes with a low price. It’s not going to play the latest games in the market but it can get office things done and become an entertainment hub at the same time.

ASUS Zenfone Max

The ASUS Zenfone Max indeed is what you would want if you’re tired of being a wall-hugger. We’ve mentioned before that a feature-packed smartphone is of no use when the battery’s dead, and the Max has plenty in store. It’s also got the imaging capabilities of the Laser, so it would be an ideal device for those who shoot a lot, whether photos or videos.

O+ Notepad 4G and IntelliPen

The O+ Notepad and IntelliPen is a good 2-in-1 aimed at productivity on the go. It’s a large tablet with a high-resolution display which can quickly turn into a laptop by just docking it on the keyboard. If you’re feeling creative, just bring out the IntelliPen and scribble away. In addition, it also has a very nice design, solid build, and a very capable set of hardware.

Satchmi Motorino Mk. II

Satchmi’s Motorino Mk II is a joy to have if you’re a lover of anything vintage. It definitely has the satisfying sound of a classic turntable but is made to be more user-friendly and at the same time portable. The two front-facing speakers are loud enough for a small gathering, but might be underpowered during big parties.

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL & Display Dock

The Microsoft Lumia 950 XL is at its core, impressive hardware packaged with limiting software. I controversially think that this would be a lot better if it ran iOS or Android, because the main problem is that you still can’t really do much with Windows 10 on mobile, even if Microsoft provides a Display Dock.

Xiaomi Redmi Note 3

Despite the quirks of the Xiaomi Redmi Note 3, it’s a recommendable smartphone. With the good build, fingerprint scanner, and more than capable Helio X10 chipset, it’s a great buy for those seeking an upgrade from their aging smartphone.

Polar Loop 2

At Php7,495, the Polar Loop 2 is in line with other entry level fitness bands. If the features you are looking for are accurate tracking, wearability and simplicity, then this is a fitness tracker worth getting. I, personally, would not get this without the heart rate sensor as it pushes the Loop 2 and the PolarFlow app to its maximum potential.

Gionee S Plus

At the end of the day, it’s not hard to like the Gionee S Plus. With its AMOLED display, smooth performance, generous 3GB RAM, ample battery juice, and the modern USB Type-C port, you’re getting a package smartphone designed to last and future proof. Although, being an early adopter of the Type-C port could mean an adjustment when borrowing chargers or data cables from friends.

Bose SoundTrue Ultra

The Bose SoundTrue Ultra has an appealing design and its form factor ensures a secure fit. Sound reproduction is generally impressive and could go pretty loud, too. We could say that it almost has the right to claim to have a true sound if not for the underwhelming highs.