Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Sony Xperia Z3, VR headsets, all the tablets and all the smartwatches from IFA 2014!
The IFA 2014 tech extravaganza kicked off this week, and so far it’s been an absolutely amazing show for gadget lovers. We’ve seen everything from high-end smartphones, phablets and tablets and a new crop of Android Wear smartwatches too: there’s a lot to catch up on. Good thing we’ve got you covered! Read on for all the latest news and updates from this year’s IFA 2014 expo.
Fabulous Phablets
Galaxy Note 4
We knew the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 was coming, and now Samsung has unveiled it in all its glory at IFA this week – and it looks like an absolute cracker! It packs in a LG G3-rivalling Quad HD 25601440 display, and an intelligent 16-megapixel snapper, along with an updated S Pen too. With a 2.7GHz Snapdragon 805 processor and 3GB of RAM under the hood, it could be the best phablet yet!
Galaxy Note Edge
That wasn’t the only phablet that Samsung unleashed at IFA though, as the innovative Galaxy Note Edge also made its exciting debut. The Note Edge has to be one of the strangest devices we’ve seen this year, as its screen stretches over the edge of the device, and curves down the side. Have you ever wanted to tap the side of your phone to access additional features, or even view extra information? We haven’t either, but it still looks amazingly cool – and this looks to be the true Note flagship that Samsung has managed to keep under wraps.
Sony Xperia Z3
Sony made a slew of announcements at IFA, but it’s new range-topping Xperia Z3 has caught our eye. It’s a refinement of the Xperia Z2 that launched earlier this year, and you can look forward to a tough as nails aluminium chassis, improved waterproof skills and a 5.2-inch, 1080p screen. Don’t forget Sony’s top-notch 20.7-megapixel snapper and it even comes with PlayStation 4 streaming too. Want one?
HTC Desire 820
Not to be left out, HTC also announced a phablet this morning, in the form of the HTC Desire 820. HTC’s mid-range blower gets a 5.5-inch HD screen, and it could be a great choice for photography buffs. There’s a 13-megapixel sensor on the rear of the handset, complete with a fast f/2.2 lens, but it’s the 8-megapixel front-facing snapper that will really appeal to lots of people, proving ideal for selfies!
5 things we want to see at IFA 2014!
Super smartphones
Sony Xperia Z3 Compact
If you want something a little smaller, Sony’s new Xperia Z3 Compact could well fit the bill, with the 4.6-inch handset offering plenty of the same flagship features as its bigger brother, all in a more compact package. It boasts a speedy 2.5GHz Snapdragon 801 processor, 4G LTE and a similar waterproof design, making Xperia Z3 Compact a compelling choice for smaller hands – and if it’s anything like the Z1 Compact, we can’t wait to get our hands on one.
Cat S50
Sony’s suave range of smartphones not rugged enough for you? The new Cat S50 looks like being the sensible choice if you want a handset that’s as tough as nails, with its industrial design and scratch-resistant, waterproof screen capable of withstanding nearly anything you can throw at it. The quad-core 1.2GHz processor may be mid-range at best, but the Cat S50 still gets the latest Android KitKat OS, and the rugged styling makes it a strangely appealing choice for world warriors.
Nokia Lumia 830
Microsoft revealed two brand new Lumia phones this morning, with the first being the Nokia Lumia 830 which the Redmond giants are dubbing the “most affordable flagship” phone to date. It also packs in the thinnest and lightest design that we’ve seen from a Lumia phone and that’s all down to its new camera hardware. Inside the 8.3mm thin chassis, which is bordered by a metal frame, you’ll find a 10-megapixel PureView snapper that boasts Zeiss optics, low light capabilities and the thinnest optical image stabilisation system to date on a Nokia phone. It’s also powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor which should give it plenty of grunt for flying through your apps and games, while it also boasts a 720p 5-inch screen. When it ships later this month for €330 (£263), it will come packing the Lumia Denim update, which is Microsoft’s Nokia-orientated version of Windows Phone 8.1 Update 1 and boasts camera updates such as faster shot-to-shot and pocket-to-picture capturing times, There’s no word on a UK price just yet, but we’ll keep you updated as soon as we hear more on Nokia’s “affordable flagship”.
Nokia Lumia 735 and 730 Dual SIM
The 830 wasn’t the only handset on show, as Microsoft also revealed its selfie-focused 4G-capable Lumia 735 and 730 Dual SIM. It’s built specifically for Skype and selfies all thanks to its wide-angle, front-facing 5 megapixel camera, and a dedicated Nokia Selfie app to go along with its camera prowess too. Just like the 830, the 735 and 730 both pack in a Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor, which is joined by 8GB of internal storage and a 4.7-inch 720p display. Both models will also ship later this month, with the Lumia 730 Dual SIM priced up at €199 (£158), while the Lumia 735 will be priced up at €219 (£174) – both before taxes and subsidies. There’s no word on a UK price yet, but we’ll fill you in on the retail price tag as soon as we know it.
Tempting tablets
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
IFA has also thrown up some interesting choices when it comes to tablets, with the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact going head to head with the Google Nexus 7 and Apple iPad Mini. The 8-inch tablet really lives up to its Compact name, cramming a 2.5GHz quad-core processor and more into a seriously skinny 6.4mm casing, while its screen looks tip top and perfect for streaming PS4 games. Weighing in at just 270g, it’s perfect for a life on the move.
A smartwatch invasion!
Asus ZenWatch
2014 is the year of the smartwatch though, and we’ve seen some brilliant devices launched at IFA so far. The Asus ZenWatch has to be top of the list, with a stunning design that really could help it take on the Moto 360 and the Samsung Gear S. The curved edges and leather strap help to give it a softer appearance than the likes of the LG G Watch, yet you’ll still find the same Android Wear platform at the heart of the ZenWatch.
Sony SmartWatch 3
The Sony SmartWatch 3 is another Android Wear-powered wearablet, cramming in a 1.6-inch 320320 screen and stainless steel casing. As with Sony’s high-end smartphones, the SmartWatch 3 is waterproof, and is available with a choice of pink, white, black and lime straps. Is this your smartwatch of choice?
Sony SmartBand Talk
That wasn’t the only wearable announced by Sony though, with the SmartBand Talk following hot on its heels. Sony’s latest wristband gets a 1.4-inch e-ink screen, offering up always-on updates for your physical exertions, and voice control also makes it easy to get the best out of the device when you’re out on a run.
A virtual world
Samsung Gear VR
We first heard of the Samsung Gear VR some time ago, but the South Korean giant has finally announced its virtual reality headset officially, along with the news that it’s been developed with a helping hand from Facebook-owned Oculus VR. The Gear VR works with the Galaxy Note 4, using the phablet’s screen as its own VR display, which should help to keep costs down and let you roam around wire-free.
And in other news…
Sony QX30
Every now and again something a little different crops up, like the Sony QX30 smartphone lens kit. Thanks to the QX30, you’ll never be left wanting when it comes to faraway action shots, with the massive 30x optical zoom turning your smartphone into a viable DSLR alternative! Just don’t expect to slip the overly large lens into your pocket afterwards…
Dyson 360 Eye
Vacuum giant Dyson has finally got in on the robotic hoover action with its 360 Eye robot, which promises to be the only cleaning robot you’ll ever need. It’s been in the works for some time now in Dyson’s lab, and that’s all down to its unique 360-degree vision system that lets the robot see all around the room to locate where it needs to clean. Its tank tracks mean that it can conquer almost all terrain that’s in your house, and there’s infrared sensors built in to work with the camera to really make your home sparkling clean. If you want to get your hands on one, you’ll have to wait a little bit: it’s set to go sale in Japan next spring, while the rest of the world will follow later on in the year.
How does it compare to last year’s show? Check out the hottest gadgets from IFA 2013! Read Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, Sony Xperia Z3, VR headsets, all the tablets and all the...