Motorola will host an event in London next week, where it will announce an addition to its European line-up of devices, with all indications pointing to the arrival of the Moto X handset.
The Google-owned company has invited the tech press along on January 14 to show off what it refers to as 'the newest addition to the European family of Motorola products.'
The accompanying graphic shows someone holding up the company's flagship Moto X, which until now has been a US-only release. So much for intrigue.
It seems Europeans will get a variant on the device designed and built in the United States, but it will be interesting to see whether the company decides to offer customisation options through the Moto Maker.
New era
So far, in the new Google era at Motorola, only the exceptionally-priced Moto G has made it to European shores, so the launch of the Moto X would bring a certain amount of parity.
During the Moto G launch, Marcus Frost, Motorola's Senior Marketing Director for EMEA, exclusively told TechRadar to "watch this space" regarding an overseas Moto X roll out.
"The reception of Moto X has been fantastic and we're continuously perusing opportunities in the EMEA region, so really watch this space."
It appears that space will be filled on January 14. TechRadar will be there with bells on.
Changes are TouchWiz will look a little less 'Fisher Price' when the Galaxy S5 lands (credit: @evleaks)
Samsung is planning a visual overhaul for the TouchWiz user interface it slaps over the Android operating system in time for the Galaxy S5, judging by purported leaked screenshots.
In the latest @evleaks expose, the prolific leak artist wrote "Samsung exploring new smartphone UI," to accompany pics of a revamped lock and home screen and what may be a new content exploration screen.
What's immediately apparent is that the UI pictured within the screenshots appears to have adjusted the typeface and altered the icons in favour of a leaner, more stylish and more grown up approach.
The lock screen also appears to be displaying the progress of a bike ride, complete with distance and heart rate, perhaps prefacing a new built-in fitness tracker that could be built into the Galaxy S5.
The same lock screen also shows a revamped window showcasing the time, location, weather and alarm status and it appears that users will be able to place multiple live widgets to access from a locked state.
The final screenshot shows what appears to be a HTC Blinkfeed-like UI tool, showing a variety of live content, including social media check ins and news, in a scrolling format.
Time for a change
While there's no way of knowing whether Samsung plans to implement these changes when it launches the Galaxy S5, or whether the leaked shots are simply the product of an internal experiment.
The TouchWiz UI has split opinion for years and Samsung showed with the launch of the Magazine UX within the new Galaxy Note Pro 12.2 and the Galaxy Tab Pro range that it isn't afraid to shake things up a little.
TouchWiz is well overdue for a new lick of paint, so we'd imagine most users would welcome the changes, especially if they're accompanied by the rumoured premium metallic casing.
Motorola is planning to add a new smartphone to its European family of products. The company has sent out invites for a special event in London, UK on January 14, where it'll launch the new device.
Information is scarce at the moment and we don't know what Motorola's plans are. One possible outcome would be that the Google-owned phone maker is finally bringing the Moto X on a walk around Europe. Currently, the smartphone is only available in the US and Brazil.
The Motorola Moto X is currently selling for $400 free of contract and $100 on a two-year contract with Verizon, AT&T and Sprint. If the Moto X is in fact the new device, we are hoping it will come alongside the Moto Maker and its vast customization options.
We'll find out exactly a week from now when Motorola will spill the beans on its latest smartphone.
We knew Samsung was working on a smartphone that sits right between the Galaxy Grand and the Galaxy Grand 2, but it was a mystery what exactly it will be. Now we know virtually all there is to know of the upcoming addition to the Galaxy Grand series, thanks to a leaked internal document that we got hold off.
Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo will come with a 5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels. Under the hood, there is a 1.2 GHz quad-core A7 chipset powering the smartphone along with 1 GB of RAM.
The 5 megapixel rear camera with LED flash and the front facing VGA shooter completes the camera department, while the 8GB internal memory along with the microSD card slot takes care of storage.
The connectivity options of the Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo include Bluetooth 4.0, HSPA+ (21Mbps down, 5.76Mbps up), WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, micro USB, GPS and GLONASS support. However, there is no LTE or Wi-Fi ac radios built-in.
Samsung Galaxy Grand Neo has a design, which is quite similar to its predecessor and the device measures 143.7 x 77.1 x 9.6mm. The Neo will be powered by Android 4.2 Jelly Bean OS and will feature the TouchWiz customizations on top of it. Lastly, a 2,100mAh battery will provide the required juice for the smartphone.
The smartphone will cost €299 after tax in Europe and while we have no info on its availability, it can't take too long now that the sales materials are ready. We also know that the smartphone will be available in multiple color options.
Total shipments of PCs, tablets and mobiles will rise by 7.6 per cent in 2014, hitting 25 billion units by the end of the year, according to research firm Gartner.
Of that 2.5 billion, almost 75 per cent will be mobile phones, an increase of five per cent compared to 2013.
Convenience rules
The analysts at Gartner, however, expect ultramobiles – tablets and hybrids – to be the main drivers in the devices market in the coming year, growing up to 54 per cent. It predicted that smaller seven-inch tablets will become more popular than larger versions and eventually overtake them.
Ranjit Atwai, research director at Gartner, said: "The trend is not so much a move away from PCs, but towards lighter, more convenient devices, particularly tablets. With more and more people becoming mobile workers as well, the more popular devices are those that in many ways mimic their lifestyles."
PC shipments, meanwhile, including those of laptops and notebooks, are falling. Atwai, though, doesn't believe that we will ever see the end of the desktop computer. Instead, he says, it will become part of an increasingly multi-device home and work environment, where it will be used as a shared device for entertainment.
BlackBerry looking squashed
On the operating system side of things, Android will continue to be the most popular, according to predictions, with an estimated growth of 26 per cent driven by uptake in emerging markets. Windows will be the second biggest due to its position as the de-facto PC operating system. Apple and iOs systems place third while BlackBerry is the only OS that has shrunk year-on-year.
Asked if the BlackBerry operating system could disappear altogether, Atwal said it is unlikely, unless the company folds.
"A lot of organisations have a lot of BlackBerries, so it would take time to replace them all. Furthermore, some prefer using it as they find it offers greater security benefits than other platforms," he said.
Microsoft has announced that they've seen record sales of Windows Phone handsets during the holiday season. The tech super-giant had this to say:
"We’ve seen record sales of Windows Phone this holiday worldwide, nearly doubling phone sales during Christmas week (YOY). In the third quarter this year, according to IDC, Windows Phone reinforced its position as a top three smartphone operating system and was the fastest-growing platform among the leading operating systems with 156% year-over-year gain. Windows Phone is the #2 smartphone operating system in 14 markets, and shipped more units than iPhone in 24 markets in Q3. Our portfolio continues to expand: from award-winning flagship devices like the Nokia Lumia 928/1020/1520, to affordable new innovations like the Lumia 520/625/1320 and Huawei W1/W2."
Obviously this is a bit of PR from Microsoft in the form of them patting themselves on the back, but the lack of concrete numbers takes away some of the fun. It should be noted that Microsoft speaks of a record for sales in the holiday season, and not for sales in general, but we guess both are true.
Microsoft also released some comparative data that translates to real Windows Phone usage. They've provided a list of markets where their handsets ou shipped the iPhone, and a list of where Windows Phone is the number two OS of choice.
In case you are wondering what the difference between the two is - the first is for shipments during the Holiday season and the second one is total market penetration. We don't know where Microsoft got its data, but if it's correct, the achievement is certainly impressive
Payments on mobiles and tablet devices are expected to account for 30 per cent of all electronic retail by 2018, double what is accounted for in 2013.
According to research team Juniper Research, mobile retail spend totally $182 billion (£110 billion AU$203 billion) in 2013, but is expected to hit $707 billion (£430 billion, $AU791 billion) by 2018.
In a report entitled 'The Mobile Payment for Digital and Physical Goods' the researchers also found retailers were increasingly looking towards developing strategies centred on mobile retail. Retailers are using mobiles to facilitate payment and product discovery, and also to retain customers.
The size and scale of purchases from mobile devices have been increasing steadily for some time. A trend is emerging among the devices used, however, with purchases on tablets overtaking those on mobile towards the end of 2013.
A change of strategy
The report also addressed the trend of "showrooming" where customers see products they like in-store and then browse their mobile devices to compare prices on the internet and other stores. A solution, the team suggests, would be to deploy mobile point of sale tablets in store to offer price matches.
The author of the report, Windsor Holden, said: "This means that not only is the retailer proactively offering the consumer the opportunity to price check in-store, but that the purchase can be made immediately, without having to queue elsewhere in the store."
2013 has already been dubbed as 'the year of the mobile Christmas' with sales in all fields from mobiles growing as much as 135 per cent since 2012.
EE, Britain's largest mobile operator, has attracted more than 2 million customers to its 4G network among falling prices and mobile internet tech uptake.
It added its second million in only four months, less than half the time it took to reach the one million mark. The average 4G customer was using 70 per cent more data at the end of 2013 compared with the start, driven by social media and video streaming.
EE, which formed after the merger of mobile networks Orange and T-Mobile in 2012, said that its customer base has grown faster than any operator outside of South Korea, where the technology has already overtaken 3G. EE offers internet access typically around 5 to 7 times faster than 3G, according to Ofcom.
Overall, EE has added around 800.000 4G customers since its last quarterly results in October. 14 per cent of pay-monthly subscribers are now on 4G networks, up from 8 per cent in October.
Dwarfing the competition
Olaf Swantee, EE chief executive, said: "We're incredibly proud of being the first UK operator to bring 4G to the UK and, in just over a year, exceeding our target by reaching two million 4G customers across the country.
"We continue to have particular success converting our existing base to 4G, with approximately two out of three new 4G customers moving over from Orange and T-Mobile plans."
O2 and Vodafone introduced their 4G network at the end of August, 10 months after EE, and continue to lag behind in the market. EE has a significant coverage advantage, having 160 town and cities offering service to around 44 milllion people, while Vodafone and O2 cover only 18 million.
In a memo to staff this week, Mr Swantee said EE will "continue to dwarf the competition in 4G rollout" this year.
The Motorola Moto G is quickly becoming the little smartphone that could. After the very positive reviews earlier, Moto G owners have something else to boast about. They are now the proud owners of an Android Kit-Kat smartphonesphone.
Motorola just announced that all Moto G handsets are ready to be upgraded to Android 4.4.2. So users will now enjoy a faster and more secure phone, full screen mode, the new and improved Hangouts app, and gallery photo editing.
All of this for £135 ($180), and the Moto G is beginning to look like a better and better deal. If you didn't receive an update notification on your Moto G handset, then you can do a manual check. Just head to the settings menu, go to "About Phone", then click on "System Updates" and you will be asked if you want to update your Moto G. Click the source link below if you're having trouble and let us know how your Moto G performs after the Kit-Kat update!
Huawei has a big phone but is it getting a big head?
Huawei led off its Ascend Mate 2 4G announcement with some fairly bombastic statements as a fledgling new smartphone maker.
"We now according to idc are the third smartphone maker in the world" Colin Giles claimed at the Huawei press conference. "Keep in mind for the last three years we've only been shipping under the Huawei brand."
Three years prior Huawei made a business shift to start building products in its own brand instead of making phones for other companies. Within this short time, Giles claims that Huawei has begun shipping 95-percent of it-percent of its products with it's own brand.
Huawei hopes to hit a big goal
Thus far the company started off 2013 shipping 10 million smartphone units and finished off the year with 17.5 million units to over 100 markets worldwide.
"Our target for 2014 is we will ship 80 million smartphones this year," Giles said.
A global leader
Inventing the big phone trend
Giles also wasn't shy to call the company a leader in the global market as he noted the company's Ascend Mate started the big screen phone, phablet movement.
"We created a trend," Giles boasted. "We shipped a 6.1 inch screen and many of you said 'why would you need a product that big,' Consumer take up has been really great, people now realize why you want to have such a great screen on your product."
In a similar stroke Giles said Huawei's global brand awareness has increased by more than 100-percent just between 2012 and 2013 alone.
"This is really great news for such a young brand such as Huawei," he said before airing an even more arrogant statement on it's ability to build 4G LTE networks.
"Only certain companies have the capability of building 4G and LTE, and Huawei is one of those countries," Giles quipped.
Giles went on to say Huawei is already a leader in the LTE world having launched the first LTE network in 2009 and has since continued to roll out more service to "110 of the world's 200 LTE networks in 100 of the capital cites worldwide."
Too big for its britches
Do you know Huawei
The fledgling Chinese manufacturer was not short of any bravado at its press conference but Giles statements are presumptuous.
To say that Huawei is only one of the few companies able to build a 4G LTE network clearly forgets about US networks such as Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-mobile. Not to mention Orange LTE network in Europe, or Optus in Australia, or Norway's Netcom.
It's too early to tell if Huawei will make its lofty goal to ship 80 million smartphones this year but the company certainly does not seem like it's slowing down at all. Perhaps next year, we will see Huawei put in an flagship entry right along side the LG, HTC, and the other smartphone mainstays.
The best value phone on the planet just got even better as you can now upgrade the Motorola Moto G to Android 4.4.2 KitKat*.
That's the latest version of Android and the Moto G is the first non-Nexus handset to get it. The update includes all sorts of improvements and additions, such as stronger security, new photo editing options, an improved phone app, a full-screen mode and smarter power use.
Plus it comes with the new version of Google Hangouts which puts all of your SMS, MMS and Hangouts in one place and you can use it instead of the default SMS app, or just keep on ignoring it.
Treat yourself to an update
Your phone may have already notified you about the KitKat update, but if not you should be able to get it by checking for system updates from the Moto G's settings screen.
We're big fans of the Moto G, particularly given its £135 price tag and this new update should make it that little bit better, giving it something that even big hitters like the HTC One and Sony Xperia Z1 don't have yet.
*That said, we're still waiting for the update to show up on our Moto G, so it might take a few days to reach every handset.
Rumors hinted at a new Sony flagship at CES but the event came and went, with the only new phone (expectedly) being the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact. New rumors move the unveiling date of the Sony Sirius to the Mobile World Congress (held at the end of February).
The Sirius reportedly packs a Snapdragon 800 – the MSM8974AB variety, in which the GPU and memory are clocked higher than the base version. The earlier rumor said Snapdragon 805 instead.
Sony Sirius (2014 flagship) tipped for MWC debut: 5.2-inch display, MSM8974AB SoC, and a home on Verizon in the US.
Anyway, the 2014 flagship will reportedly have a 5.2" display, possibly of the 2,560 x 1,440 pixel resolution. Other specs get thrown around too – the 20.7MP Sony G Lens camera from the Z1 pair, 3GB RAM, 3,500mAh battery.
Verizon is indicated as the US carrier to offer the Sony Sirius, but the flagship will certainly have a worldwide version too. As usual, take the rumors with a grain of salt, especially ones that can't agree on the details.
Here's some evidence to back up Steve Jobs' claim that we are living in a post PC world: BBC iPlayer views on tablet overtook computers for the first time on Boxing Day 2013.
And, with all of those Christmas-gifted tablets being fired up, it was December 26 that finally saw tablets alone move past laptops and desktop PCs.
iPlayer views over Xmas
No Slate, Sherlock
Computers did reassert themselves at the top of the tree by New Year's Day - which perhaps suggests that Sherlock viewers are more inclined to fire up the laptop than a tablet.
As you might expect, the BBC saw record iPlayer views over the Christmas period. Inevitably, the chart was topped by this year's Dr Who's Christmas special, followed by Eastenders and Mrs Brown's Boys.
The count of 11 million views in a single day do not even include those from two of UK television's biggest platforms (Sky and Virgin Media), and go towards a whopping 102 million requests for TV and radio over the festive period.
We may get our first look at the Sony Xperia Z2 at MWC 2014, which runs from 24 - 27 February in Barcelona.
That's according to a sneaky little tweet fired out by @evleaks. The phone is currently known as the Sony Sirius and the tweet goes on to say that it has a 5.2-inch display and a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8974AB SoC chipset.
However the MWC 2014 date isn't set in stone, as the usually confident (and reliable) evleaks uses the word "tipped" in its post - covering itself perhaps if the rumour transpires to be false.
Sirius specs
Is the Sirius serious? (credit: @evleaks)
That gels with earlier rumours we heard about the handset, which also suggested that it would have a 1080p full HD display with 506ppi, a quad-core Snapdragon 800 processor, 3GB of RAM, Android 4.4 and a 20.7MP camera with a Xenon flash.
That should all make it a moderate upgrade over the Sony Xperia Z1, thanks to a slightly bigger and higher resolution screen, 3GB of RAM rather than 2GB and the latest version of Android.
Sony has already made waves at CES with the announcement of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, but a new flagship could be enough to steal the show at MWC.
Apple's share of smartphones sales continues to grow month-by-month following the release of the iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c, but its share of most major markets remains lower than this time in 2013.
According to the latest figures from Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, Apple now accounts for 69 per cent of the Japanese market, 43 per cent in the United States, 35 per cent in Australia and 30 per cent in Britain.
The strong sales of its new models are linked to high levels of customer satisfaction, despite worries that the lower-end 5c could damage Apple's high-tech appeal.
Resurgent performances from competitors LG, Sony and Nokia have made making year-on-year share gains increasingly challenging for Apple. Android still dominates Europe, with at least 69 per cent of the market share. Windows Phone is now the third largest mobile operating system across Europe with 10 per cent (more than double its share in 2013).
Europe remains a high point for Nokia and Windows, but progress for both in the U.S and China – the world's two largest markets – is still slow.
Go East
China is likely to be the easier and more rewarding target for Windows, according to Dominic Sunnebo, strategic insight director at Kantar Worldpanel ComTech, because Nokia has a huge existing presence in the market, retains strong customer preference and can sell handsets at the right price to capture large numbers of users.
"You don't have to conquer China and the US to win in the smartphone market, but you do need success in one of them," said Sunnebo. "At the moment there are few signs of progress in either country for Windows Phone and momentum needs to be made soon before OS loyalty severely limits the available market."
Last week, Wells Fargo cut its rating on Apple from "outperform" to "market perform", sending shares down as much as 1.4 per cent in early US trading on Thursday.
The bank said there was "limited" opportunity for Apple to improve profits due to squeezed consumer conditions around the world, while the iPhone 6, expected to be introduced later this year, would be less profitable than previous models.
If the New Year has inspired you to get fighting fit, then you've hit the right page. Technology has the tools to help you get in the shape of your life but it's not easy to know which product is right for your goals.
We've enlisted the help of T3.com Editor-in-chief and ultra runner Kieran Alger to put together a four-part guide to help you uncover everything you need to go from couch slouch to marathon finisher.
So you've done the hard part. You've successfully taken the first steps on your journey to becoming a fitter, leaner running machine. By now you'll have logged a few runs on your Endomondo app and be able to confidently run for a full thirty minutes. Now it's time to move up a gear and start thinking about your first race.
Giving yourself a target race is the perfect motivation. You'll have something to train for with a definitive deadline. If you're feeling brave enough, it's also a good idea to tell everyone what you're planning to do. Once it's up on Facebook it's official. You'll get plenty of support and have nowhere to hide.
Finding a race can be tricky but there are a few great websites to help you pick the right one for you. Runner's World, The Running Bug and Run247 all have good events calendars that let you search for races by date, distance and location.
Find something that captures your imagination and gives you about three months to prepare.
Next up, it's time to start the training but for that you're going to need a plan. You could sign up to a running club for some organised coaching, but there are plenty of apps that'll guide you just as well.
Start a training plan
Upgrading your Endomondo run-tracking app is a great place to start. The Endomondo Pro app has a Training Plan feature that lets you select a distance-based goal.
You simply enter your target and the app will look at your current weekly mileage and your fitness levels from past workouts and then provides a comprehensive run-by-run training plan to get you to your goal.
The app lets you dictated your race date, the number of times you'd like to run and the days you prefer to train on. Each session on your plan comes with detailed description to help you focus on the right areas.
A great alternative is Adidas miCoach. It has similar build-your-own training plans functionality with the added bonus of audio feedback through your headphones while you're on the road. It'll also pair with a heart rate monitor so you can make sure you're running with the right intensity during your runs.
Train with others: Parkrun - organised runs all over the UK
If community is something that fires you up, then the Nike+ Running app is a good option. You can connect with friends and other runners, tracking each other's progress and posting messages of support.
All of these apps will also let you benchmark your progress against other runners for a quick confidence boost, or a swift kick up the backside, depending on which is most needed.
If being told exactly what to do at all times feels like more your style then the official Couch-to-5K (iOS, Android) app should be your weapon of choice.
This fun app is based on a popular training programme started in 1996 by Josh Clark. It guides you through a nine-week programme, combing running and walking, taking you from 90 second runs all the way up to your target 5k.
During each run, audio feedback tells you when to run and when to walk and after your run you'll get feedback on your pace and distance. All you have to do is follow the instructions and in just over two months you'll be ready to take on your official race.
Invest in a GPS running watch
Now that you're getting a little more serious, it might also be time to invest in a GPS running watch.
The benefits of a watch over an app are having your pace, distance and vital stats where you can see them at all times. It's much easier to make sure you're not starting too fast or pushing yourself beyond your training plan.
You can spend over £300 for the most advanced trackers but there are some great cheaper options that'll do an ample job at this stage in the game.
The Garmin Forerunner 10 is a great entry-level option at £99. It'll track your runs with built-in GPS, it's waterproof and lightweight.
If you want something future-proofed in case your running needs become more serious and demanding, then the Polar RCSGPS is a solid all rounder. At £199.50, it's a step up in price but you do get a whole lot more spec for your spend. If you decide to turn marathon runner, this will be all the watch you need.
It's very easy to set up and to use but has the option to be brilliantly customisable, if you feel the need. It can be paired with a heart rate monitor for feedback on your training intensity and has an array of web-based training tools that will help you reach you goals. The battery life is also impressive with more than five days without needing more juice.
The hotly anticipated Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is already drawing attention from carriers and phone stores. A couple of UK-based retailers have chimed in that they've started taking pre-orders.
Phones4u offers the Xperia Z1 Compact on contract with Vodafone, EE, T-Mobile and Orange. The phone itself is free, monthly taxes start at £30. If you pre-order from Phones4u, the retailer will throw in a Sony wireless speaker (SRS-BTX300, valued at £120) and up to £65 in movies and music.
The phone will be delivered on January 31 for those who pre-order today.
If you don't want a contract, Unlocked-mobiles offers the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact on pre-order for £440 (including VAT). The stock will arrive in early February.
All four color options for the Z1 Compact – Black, White, Pink and Lime – are available. We checked other UK-based sites for more offers, but there's nothing yet.
The Xperia Z1 Compact has some big (and probably cheaper) competition
Sony has finally joined the ranks of manufacturers with smaller versions of their flagships following the announcement of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact at CES 2014.
Those with a keen eye will notice that Sony has avoided calling the Z1's baby brother the Z1 Mini (and there's no sign of the rumoured Z1S name), as the smaller stature of its new handset is almost merely a shrink in size, rather than adopting a raft of less powerful innards like the HTC One Mini and Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini.
In essence, the Sony Xperia Z1 compact may have more in common with the iPhone 5C then. Sony has kept on what made the Xperia Z1 its flagship handset, including the 2.2GHz quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and that 20.7MP camera.
So how does the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact stand up against its cut-down rivals? Let's find out.
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: OS
All bar the iPhone 5C come rocking a skinned version of Android Jelly Bean, with the Sony beating its rivals on 4.2 as it comes with Android 4.3.
Each manufacturer has added its own skin, with Sony putting on the latest version of its UI. Unsurprisingly, HTC has kept the same Sense 5.0 Blinkfeed UI that first graced the HTC One, with Samsung overlaying Android with its TouchWiz UI.
Obviously, the iPhone 5C isn't Android, coming instead with Apple's new, redesigned and proprietary iOS 7 software.
HTC One Mini
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Processor and RAM
One of the biggest advantages of being a 'Compact' rather than a 'Mini' is that the Sony keeps the same 2GB RAM and 2.2GHz quad-core combination that was found in the larger Xperia Z1.
This puts it leagues ahead of the other three, with their dual-cores seeming diminutive in comparison. The other Android handsets both come equipped with Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 CPU, with the HTC clocked at 1.4GHz and the Samsung at 1.7Ghz.
Each also comes with less RAM than the Sony, with 1GB and 1.5GB respectively.
Apple has fitted the iPhone 5C with its A6 chip (the same as in the iPhone 5), which has been clocked at 1.3GHz and comes with 1GB RAM.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Camera
Another area that Sony has focussed on keeping with the Z1 Compact is the impressive 20.7MP Exmor RS sensor that is found on the Z1. A 2MP sensor is found on the front, and both are able to record full HD, 1080p video.
We were really impressed with the camera in our full Sony Xperia Z1 review, with its ability to take 61 images in 2 seconds leading to "some of the finest photos we've seen come off a phone camera."
You'll have to keep your eyes peeled to see what we think of the camera in our upcoming Sony Xperia Z1 Compact review.
As for the other OEMs, HTC also managed to keep in the same camera that graced the 5 star HTC One. Although measured at only 4MP, each of the pixels on the HTC One Mini is larger, allowing more light in. A 1.6MP sensor is fitted to the front, able to record 720p images with the rear sensor managing 1080p.
Samsung fitted the Galaxy S4 Mini with a standard 8MP camera, able to record at 1080p, and the front of the phone houses a 1.9MP sensor. Apple has also fitted an 8MP iSight sensor to its iPhone 5C, with a 1.2MP sensor adorning the front for FaceTime calls.
What could be better than a Retina screen?
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Screen
The name Z1 Compact is a massive clue that Sony's newest handset does not match the 5-inch Full HD screen that adorns the Sony Xperia Z1. That isn't to say it's not impressive.
Both the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and HTC One Mini storm ahead of the Galaxy S4 Mini and iPhone 5C with 4.3-inches of HD goodness and 720 x 1280 resolutions giving around 342ppi.
The Galaxy S4 Mini comes with a qHD screen, also measuring 4.3 inches, but its 540 x 960 screen gives only 256ppi.
Apple's iPhone 5C comes with the smallest screen of the lot, measuring in at only 4 inches. Its Retina display does come with a 640 x 1136 resolution, giving it a still decent 326ppi.
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Dimensions and Weight
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is ever so slightly larger than its rivals, being both the widest and deepest handset at 127 x 64.9 x 9.5mm, as well as being the heaviest at 137g.
This puts the Z1 Compact at 15g heavier than the 122g HTC One Mini, which in turn is 15g heavier than the 107g Galaxy S4 Mini. It is only marginally heavier than the iPhone 5C however, with the Apple handset weighing 132g.
HTC's One Mini measures 5mm taller than the Sony at 132 x 63.2 x 9.3mm, but the Galaxy S4 Mini and iPhone 5C are both smaller all round at 124.6 x 61.3 x 8.9mm and 124.4 x 59.2 x 8.97mm respectively.
HTC One Mini
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Battery
Battery life of all handsets will be heavily scrutinised, so those looking at the Xperia Z1 Compact will be pleased to know that the Japanese firm has included a 2300mAh power pack.
This is the largest of the four on offer, although the added cores and high resolution screen will help the Xperia Z1 Compact get through that added size a little faster.
The HTC and Samsung have 1800mAh and 1900mAh packs respectively, although the Korean manufacturer does allow for the battery to be swapped out for another with its removable back.
The smallest of the four is the iPhone 5C, although remains competitive at 1510mAh.
Both the Sony and Samsung support microSD
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Storage and Connectivity
In terms of storage, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini come out ahead with expandable storage via microSD (up to 64GB), although the Sony comes with double the internal space - 16GB rather than 8GB.
This means that the Xperia Z1 Compact comes with up to 80GB of storage, and the Galaxy S4 Mini with a not so paltry 72GB. This leaves the 16GB HTC One Mini and the 16 or 32GB iPhone 5C standing.
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, like the HTC, Samsung and iPhone all come 4G LTE enabled. All handsets also come with Bluetooth 4.0, although NFC is reserved for the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and Galaxy S4 Mini only. All four handsets also come with GPS and GLONASS to help you if you get lost.
The iPhone 5C comes in many colours, who knew?
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Colours and Extras
For those looking for a new phone, colour can often play an important part. Sony has chosen to offer the Xperia Z1 Compact in four colours, the obligatory black and white, as well as pink, and lime.
The HTC One Mini also comes in four colours, available in silver, black, blue, and red. Samsung offers the Galaxy S4 Mini in both black and white, with orange, pink, and purple variants available. Famed for its coloured plastic casing, the iPhone 5C comes in green, blue, yellow, pink, and white variants.
Just like its bigger brother, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact is the only one with the ability to swim. That is to say it is IP55 and IP58 certified rather than grows arms and does laps of your sink.
It also works seamlessly with the Sony Smartwatch 2, as do both the HTC and Samsung. The latter of these also works with the Samsung Galaxy Gear smartwatch following a recent update.
Will the Xperia Z1 Compact standout?
Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C: Early Verdict
The Sony Xperia Z1 is a handset that we were really impressed with, so it is nice to see the Japanese manufacturer follow it up with a smaller version of the 5-inch beast that we were treated to in 2013.
Although there is no word on price, we would expect it to come in slightly more expensive than the current baby flagships and about the same price as the iPhone 5C, and rightly so. Where the HTC One Mini and Galaxy S4 Mini both took some drastic spec cuts, the Xperia Z1 Compact beats them with the same heart as the Z1.
Quite what effect that will have on sales is unknown, but Sony looks to have put together a pretty decent device, carrying the same technology as the Z1 but in much more finger friendly frame.
Nokia has launched two new Lumia phones in India. The first is the Lumia 1320, which shortly follows the flagship Lumia 1520 launched last month. The Lumia 1320 is priced at ₹23,999.
The Lumia 1320 has a 6.0-inch, 1280x720 resolution display, dual-core 1.7GHz dual-core Snapdragon S4 processor, 5 megapixel camera, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal memory and microSD card slot.
The Lumia 525 is more of a budget offering. It is priced at ₹10,399. It has a 4.0-inch, 800x480 resolution IPS LCD, 5 megapixel camera, dual-core 1GHz Snapdragon S4 processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal and memory with microSD card slot. The Lumia 525 also comes with free Gameloft games worth ₹2,025.
Along with the Xperia Z1 Compact, Sony also announced a new variant of the current Xperia Z1 sold internationally. Called the Xperia Z1S, the new model is nearly identical and is available exclusively through T-Mobile for American customers.
One of the few changes in the model is the presence of 32GB onboard memory instead of 16GB on the international model. The new model continues to have the microSD card slot.
Another change is the presence of the Background Defocus app for the camera that, as you can guess, lets you defocus the background in photos for a shallower depth of field. The headphone jack on top has been moved to the center from the near the left side on T-Mobile's request.
Lastly, Xperia Z1S comes with a six movies to download from Video Unlimited, including Captain Phillips, on the day of its digital release, 10 handpicked PlayStation®Mobile games, and a 60-day free trial of Music Unlimited.
The Xperia Z1S will be available only in Black from T-Mobile's website from January 13 and from T-Mobile stores from January 22. It will be priced at $22 per month for a 24 month contract and if you purchase it along with the Sony PlayStation 4 you get a $100 rebate via Visa gift card.
The Sony Xperia Z1 Compact may be the smartphone the Android world has been waiting for as it delivers a premium experience in a smaller package.
Taking the quad-core processor, 2GB of RAM and 20.7MP camera from its big brother, the Xperia Z1, the Z1 Compact is certainly well equipped.
With a mooted SIM-free price of under £450 it could well give the pricier iPhone 5C a run for its money as well as challenging the slightly cheaper Galaxy S4 Mini and HTC One Mini.
We've been on the hunt for information on where you can get the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact and we'll be constantly updating this page with more information as we get it.
For the moment set your focus on early February for the Z1 Compact to hit stores.
The bubbly network has confirmed on Twitter that the Xperia Z1 Compact will be "coming to us soon", although there's no word on tariffs or a firm release date.
And the rest
We're yet to hear from the likes of EE, Vodafone, Three, Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4U, but when we do we'll update this page.
Online retailers
Our first hint of a price has come via Unlocked Mobiles which already has the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact up for pre-order at £438.98, with the choice of black, white, pink and lime.
In terms of an Xperia Z1 release date, the retailer has pegged if for February 7 - although these dates can be a little fluid.
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