Author: Stuff writer

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…