Cell Phones

If a big phone with a big screen and a better stylus is what you’re looking for, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 may be just the right size.

Fans of Microsoft’s Windows Phone 8 operating system have less choice in smartphones than their Android counterparts, so it’s always news when a new device arrives in Canada. Nokia’s Lumia line of smartphones set the standard for the Windows Phone experience and the Lumia 625 is set to raise the bar for value-priced Windows mobile devices. Improving on 2012’s Lumia 620, the 625 gains a faster Snapdragon CPU, bigger display, LTE compatibility and a leap in battery life. There are some compromises compared to the 620 (for example, NFC support has been dropped) but the Lumia 625 provides much of the experience of more expensive smartphones in a budget-friendly device. Expect to see it soon at Best Buy.  

During the past week, the world’s leading manufacturers of mobile electronics —smartphones, tablets and wearable technology— have been showcasing their latest products at Mobile World Congress 2014. MWC is the mobile industry’s equivalent to the Consumer Electronics Show and that means big names (Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg gave a keynote) along with big product reveals —like the Samsung Galaxy S5. Basically, If you want to know what to expect in the world of mobile for 2014, just look at what’s on display at Mobile World Congress. Our MWC 2014 wrap-up covers the big news from Barcelona.

ASUS takes mobile gaming a lot more seriously with the ROG Phone, a handset built to play the most demanding games, with air cooling to boot.

Once a pioneer in the wireless industry, Nokia has come out of hiding in Canada with these two mid-range smartphones.

I’ve cracked, smashed, and did a little water damage to a few smartphones in my time, so when I was asked to try Hitcase iPhone cases, I was happy to do it. But Hitcase goes beyond a standard iPhone case; they have TrueLUX lenses to give you a new perspective on every iPhone photo you take.

Google comes back for a double encore with its Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL smartphones, continuing its penchant for software-driven hardware features.

If Asus hasn’t entered your radar for your next smartphone choice, the company is looking to grab your attention with the Zenfone 3. Having only entered the Canadian market last year, albeit quietly, this handset offers a new look and improved performance from its predecessor. Without any carrier partnership, it also comes fully unlocked, making it attractive for those who want to avoid paying too much and signing a contract.

The LG G7 One is a mid-range smartphone running stock Android, but there are some sacrifices you have to make for this combo to work.

Android 6.0 Marshmallow has now been out for almost six months, and while it hasn’t come close to growing to represent the majority of smartphones and tablets running Android, it is set to roll out in greater numbers with impending updates and new devices. Google hasn’t changed too much since it first unveiled Marshmallow, but there are improvements, nonetheless.