Approximate price: Rs 16,000

The Xperia Ray is literally the smaller brother of the Neo, with a smaller screen size (3.3 versus 3.7 inches) and thickness (9.4mm versus 13mm). So the Ray is a downgrade version of the Neo? Absolutely not, because the display resolution is still of 480×854 pixels, the back and front video calling camera have respectively an image sensor of 8 MP and 0.3 MP. And of course, the rear one capture videos in 720P resolution at 30 frames per seconds while the front one just in 640×360 pixels at 30 frames per seconds too.

Concerning the OS, Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) is on board (bundled with Timescape UI) and the browser has full support for Flash. The native video player still doesn’t have support for divx and xvid. No need to mention that there’s tons of apps on Google Play to for reading these formats and not only these, but also all the usual document formats. The phone’s also got TrackID, an app that tries to recognize the name of that song you forgot. In coming weeks the phone should get an upgrade the version 4 of Android (Ice cream sandwich) and if you don’t want a reduced autonomy or see your favorite apps and games not running anymore, don’t install ICS.

The hardware of the Ray is exactly the same as the Neo; 1 GHz Scorpion CPU, 512 MB of RAM and the Adreno 205 GPU. In terms of connectivity there’s still a microUSB 2.0 port, Bluetooth technology, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA network support.

The only real difference from the Neo is that the Ray lacks a microHDMI port, certainly due to slimness of the device.

Sony Ericsson stuff are pretty expensive in Mauritius and fortunately ebay exists. Get it for $ 290 (Rs 8500) including shipping on the e-commerce website.

Approximate Price: Rs 15000

Also known as Kyno and formerly as Hallon when the phone’s first images were leaked, the Xperia Neo is one of those Smartphones which have all rounder specs at an affordable price, at least on ebay. Powered by a 1 GHz Scorpion CPU, 512 MB of RAM and the Adreno 205 GPU, its not the best of configurations and has only 320 MB of internal storage space but its good enough for a fluid experience with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and for playing all the demanding games. The Xperia PLAY has almost same specs but is much larger and thicker while the Neo is small, thin, has no sliding keyboard/gamepad and is on par in terms of performance with the PLAY.

The touchscreen of 3.7 inches has a display resolution of 480×854 (that’s more than the Galaxy S II which sports a 480×800 display resolution) and the 8 MP rear camera makes the smartphone a real attention grabber, well at least on paper because the 8 MP performance isn’t as good as the iPhone 4S, even though it does have autofocus and LED Flash. The 720P video recording isn’t as clear as some other top smartphones but can still be categorized as good. The front facing camera records videos in 360P and can be used for video calling.

Software-wise, Android 2.3 OS comes with Timescape UI, has no native support out of the box for playing divx/xvid/mkv or videos larger than 1280×720, but these minor problems can easily be fixed by downloading a better video player on Google Play (formerly known as Android market).

One of the bonus that the phone possesses but that many others do not is the micro HDMI port, which can be used for displaying the image and sound from the phone to a compatible projector or LCD TV, provided you have a microHDMI to HDMI cable because it doesn’t come inside the smartphone’s box.

The Xperia phones will soon get an upgrade to Ice Cream Sandwich, but its not recommended that you take the jump or else you will end up with a lower battery life and limited apps compatibility.

The Xperia Neo is expensive in Mauritius, but is available on ebay for about $ 310 (about Rs 9000) including shipping.

The Sony Ericsson brand is no more since Sony acquired Ericsson stakes and now the future portable devices names of the Japanese firm will simply start with Sony.

View more specs the smartphone has, such as what type of audio jack it has, network supported and pre-loaded applications in the link below.

Thanks for reading.

Approximate price: RS 10400

The only thing that’s really great with this smartphone is the keyboard; bulging and spacious keys makes typing really enjoyable, but at the expense of having a small touchscreen, making the device looking like a calculator. The touchscreen in question has a landscape display resolution of 480×320 and unfortunately this horizontal orientation will cause some apps to not run properly.

The 800 MHz CPU is sufficient for everything except gaming (don’t expect playing GTA III fluidly on this phone, not sure if the game will even start) and the 512 of RAM has less than 200 MB available for the user, therefore you’ll need to to go in “Manage Apps” and force stop useless running apps from time to time to avoid running out of memory. The device runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and comes with HTC Sense UI. The browser has a narrow flash compatibility and to remedy to all these software related problems is to root the phone, which won’t be an easy task for some people.

The smartphone has two cameras, at the back a 5 MP captor capable of recording videos in 720×480 @ 30 FPS and at the front a 0.3 MP captor with video recording at 640×480. The device also as a 3.5mm jack, all the needed network support for fast browsing (incl. Wi-Fi hotspot), FM Radio, a microUSB 2.0 port, Bluetooth 3.0 and microSD card slot support of up to 32 GB.

The HTC ChaCha is very expensive in Mauritius but can be obtained at nearly six thousand rupees ($ 210, incl. shipping) on ebay.

Approximate price: Rs 6900

Considering the prestige QWERTY Nokia E6 has a 2.46 inches screen size and that this one has a 2.8 inches screen, its safe to say the LG Optimus Pro C660 has a large display size… but with a low resolution of 240×320 pixels. The 800 MHz CPU + 256 MB of RAM are a bit average for a fluid experience with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and for running demanding games, but in terms of network support, connectivity and autonomy, its more than average; GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA(3G+), Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth 3.0, microUSB 2.0 port, 3.5mm audio jack and a 1500mAH battery which can last up to 852 hours in stand-by. If you were to choose between this LG and the Nokia E5, which is within the same price range, go for the LG because of its touchscreen capabilities, much more apps and games with Android, even though it has only 150 MB of internal storage space (can be extended with a microSD card of maximum 32 GB) and takes photos in a lower resolution (3 MP) than the 5 MP of the E5, it records videos at a better framerate (24 FPS for the LG, E5 records at 15 FPS) in a VGA resolution (640×480), the LG is still better overall.

Approximate price: Rs 6400
Updated price: Rs 5500

Smaller, cheaper and lighter (97.5 grams vs 113 grams) compared to the S5830 Galaxy Ace, this basic smartphone will certainly not please many with its 2MP camera and 3 inches screen, but it does have some valid arguments to attract buyers such as a 3G+ network support, Wi-Fi b/g/n with hotspot capability and a 830 MHz CPU, which is unfortunately not better in terms of performance than the 800 MHz CPU of the S5830.

To counter the lack of Flash support on the device, a YouTube app is already installed. The Smartphone runs on Android OS, v2.3.5 (Gingerbread) and is bundled with Samsung’s proprietary user interface, TouchWiz, which is basically something which adds moveable widgets (clock, calendar, weather) to the homescreen and some new enhancements to the menus, etc.

the 800MHz CPU of the

Approximate price: Rs 18050

Scratch resistant, waterproof and durable, this smartphone would certainly please those who are usually careless with their belongings… [Read more...]