Author: Stuff writer

For most of 2013, the HTC One was our darling phone, the one we’d recommend above all others. The G2 nudged it off the top spot but that didn’t make the One any less an (almost) impossible act to follow for HTC. You’ve heard about the bigger screen, faster processor, camera features and BlinkFeed. But here’s the real reasons HTC One-owning Stuffers would make the leap to the One (M8). Plus a few ways the original HTC One could stay a contender in 2014. It has a microSD card slot and it’s still beautiful HTC One (M8) supports microSD cards…

The HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 were two of last year’s best Android phones, so it’s no surprise that their successors are prime candidates for the Best Phone in the World 2014 title. We now know all about the HTC One (M8) following its official announcement. Meanwhile, we’ve had the full skinny on the Samsung Galaxy S5’s specs since it was launched at Mobile World Congress last month. So which of these two superphones should you be saving up for? Read on and see what we think. Design: metal vs plastic Fact: metal is always more appealing than plastic…

HTC’s updated One is a beast of a phone when it comes to specifications. But how does HTC’s new range-topper measure up against another flagship Android smartphone, the soon-to-be-launched Sony Xperia Z2? Ladies and gents, join us as we take an in-depth look… Design: not quite the same One At first glance you could be forgiven for confusing both of these phones with their predecessors. The HTC One (M8) is fairly similar to the original One on the outside, the main differences being its dual lens rear camera, its dual LED flash and the on-screen buttons replacing hardware controls. As…

HTC has taken the wraps off its latest smartphone – the HTC One (M8). While its name might not exactly roll off the tongue, it’s a gorgeous phone; wrapped up in curvy metal, with an innovative camera and an improved version of HTC’s Sense UI. Android has a new champion – so how does the HTC One (M8) fare against perennial ‘droid rival Apple, and its iPhone 5s? We’ve pitted the two flagships against each other to find out. Death to all but metal The M8 improves upon its predecessor’s metal-and-plastic design with a gorgeous build that feels like a…

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 has remained the undisputed tablet king ever since it scored well in Stuff’s review last year. Not content with its South Korean rival stealing all of the gigantophone limelight, LG announced the G Pro 2 at Mobile World Congress in February, and with its release date imminent, we’re seeing how the two super-sized phones stack up. Plastic vs plastic Fans of the iPhone 5s’ metal build or the Xperia Z2’s glass-clad body will be left feeling disappointed with both the Note 3 and G Pro 2, but that’s not to say they’re poorly built. Both…

Small Android tablets have an image problem. Thanks to Kindle Fires and Nexus 7s, everyone wants one on the cheap – R2,000 seems about right, maybe R3,600 if it’s brilliant. By that logic a Samsung Galaxy TabPro 8.4 has to be out-of-this-world brilliant. And it almost is. A bubbly, finger-friendly Flipboard interface. An insanely sharp 359ppi screen to showcase it. Splitscreen multi-tasking and business apps. It’s Android as we know it with just the right amount of Windows 8ness tacked on. Samsung’s learnt some tough tablet lessons since its first Galaxy Tab 7.0 and both the TabPro’s hardware and software…

We liked iOS 7. It wasn’t the complete reinvention we’d hoped for but it gave the iPhone and iPad a much-needed spring clean. Now iOS 7.1 is available, which introduces an all-new CarPlay feature along with minor tweaks and fixes to Siri, the iPhone 5s camera app, fingerprint recognition, the Calendar app and an overall speed increase for iPhone 4 users. iOS 7.1 – CARPLAY Probably the biggest single change is the introduction of Apple CarPlay, which enables those of us taking delivery of a new Ferrari, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes or Volvo to look forward to a new level of…

The stage is set for Apple and Samsung to duke it out for smartphone supremacy. In the red corner, we have the iPhone 5s, Apple’s undisputed poster boy. Taking the fight to the iOS camp is the newly-announced Samsung Galaxy S5. Let the games begin. POLYCARBONATE IS STILL PLASTIC Call it polycarbonate all you want, Samsung, it’s still plastic. But it has its merits – the Galaxy S5’s finish certainly looks more premium than its predecessor, and it’s light and easy to handle. Plus, the matte surface, unlike the ghastly faux-leather back of the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, actually makes…

Now that Sony and Samsung have unleashed their high-powered next generation of flagship phone, it’s high time to compare them across the board: design, specs, features and value. Which of these Android range-toppers should you opt for? Let’s take a detailed look… PLASTIC VS METAL There’s no doubt about it: Samsung Galaxy S5 is the best built of the S series yet. Its dimpled matte backside (initially available in four colours) is easy on the eyes and comfy in your hand, and a welcome change from the ill-advised fake stitched leather look of recent Galaxy Note models. It’s a solidly…