We‘ve put all the highlights of all our reviews in February together in our latest review roundup
We are now well into the New Year and February is done and dusted. We had a lot of exciting developments in the month, including a vast amount of announcements from Mobile World Congress 2016. Be sure to listen in to our latest podcast for the low down.
Internally we also had a lot going on, including some great in-depth reviews. It included the reviews of some of the best and worst devices we have used in a long time. Be sure to let us know in the comments below your thoughts on these devices.
Xiaomi Mi 4 Review: Striding with giants
Bottom Line
If you‘re looking for a new device in the mid-range segment and are prepared to pay a rough figure of R200 ZAR pm or R4000 ZAR retail, this is the phone for you ““ you needn‘t look further. Between a unique UI, pleasing build, equitable camera and disruptive specifications, there simply isn‘t a better buy in the mid-range market yet.
Things might change with the imminent arrival of the new Samsung Galaxy A series or even the forthcoming Mi 5, but this is the beginning of a great innings for Xiaomi.
Read our Xiaomi Mi 4 Review.
Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 3 Review: Really, one touch?
Bottom Line
Alcatel have a whole range of phones that perform far better than this one. Why not look into getting one of those instead of OneTouch Pixi. The financial step up will be small and, as an added bonus, you might actually want to use the phone.
Read our Alcatel OneTouch Pixi 3 Review.
Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Review: License to thrill
Bottom Line
If money is no object and you‘re after a hard-hitting phone with indistinct yet stately looks, that shoots first, takes notes quickly, and never, ever stutters nor fails, the Galaxy Note 5 is for you. What holds this device back is its lack of a unique visual identity amongst other new Samsung devices, an S Pen that doesn‘t feel quality, and the ever-gaudy TouchWiz interface. If you‘ve ever wanted to play at Bond ““ charming, observant, powerful and sharply spoken, the Galaxy Note 5 will give you license to thrill.
Read our Samsung Galaxy Note 5 Review.
Layers of Fear Review: Don‘t look back
Bottom Line
Layers of Fear is yet another reminder that no other medium does scary quite like videogames. In the face of formulaic Hollywood slasher films, Bloober Team has created something quiet, considered and remarkably spine-tingling.
Read our Layers of Fear Review.
BlackBerry Priv Review: Crossing the Rubicon
Bottom Line
To summarise, this is a capable smartphone that can stand comfortably amidst a legion of high-performing Android devices, and it‘s one at that which has given not only new lease on life for Android, but for BlackBerry as a company.
However, the Priv is let down simply by its nature as a first step into the Android world; suffering because of its commitment to two keyboards, its purpose to deliver on a new design language, and a camera that should be great, but isn‘t. Further, a rough retail price of R16,000 ZAR will ultimately dissuade many of the people who‘d want to give the Priv a try in any case.
Read our BlackBerry Priv Review.
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