ResearchReport MOBILE PHONES - THE LATEST HANDSETS TESTED - Farming Ahead
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
ResearchReport
Kondinin Group
MAY 2018 No. 100 www.farmingahead.com.au Price: $95
MOBILE PHONES
THE LATEST HANDSETS TESTED
Independent information for agriculture
CH R E P
AR
OR
• R E SE
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
T • KOND
UP
INI
N GRO
NextG phones –
the good, the bad
and the ugly
In their annual outback pilgrimage, Kondinin Group engineers Josh Giumelli
and Ben White head to remote NSW to test the latest crop of handsets. Of the
13 units tested, there were several surprises; some star performers, some
lacklustre results, and several that just made up the numbers. If you want a
phone with good reception or features that matter, read on.
T
hese days, the mobile phone is source in the paddock, rather than at home
just about as crucial to the farm on the computer.
business as any other piece of But we face a growing dilemma in that
machinery. connectivity continues to limit the usefulness
The sum total of tasks performed using a of much of what we want to do with our
phone handset only increases as each year smartphones. While mobile networks
goes by. More manufacturers supply apps continue to grow, they are not always rolled Retro rocket? The new Nokia 3310 harkens back to
to operate or calibrate machinery, more out in rural areas where we need them the days of the CDMA network and the simple Nokia
information is needed at your fingertips most. Compounding the problem is that the handsets with awesome battery life and excellent
in an instant, and record keeping becomes smartphones' reception performance seems reception. The new version of the classic left us a
instantaneous, with data entered at the to be getting worse over time. little disappointed.
2 Research Report May 2018 No. 100 © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is www.farmingahead.com.au
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
RC H R E
EA
UP • R ES
PO
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
RT • KO
RO
ND
IN I N G
Class of 2018: Phones tested in this report include (left to right, top row): iPhone X, iPhone 8, Samsung S9,
Samsung S8, Samsung S7, (middle row): Telstra Tough Max 2, Telstra Flip 2, Telstra Signature 2 Enhanced,
Oppo A57, (bottom row); Sony Xperia XZ Premium, Samsung A5, Google Pixel, Nokia 3310 3G.
www.farmingahead.com.au © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is No. 100 May 2018 Research Report 3
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
CH R E P
AR
OR
• R E SE
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
T • KOND
UP
INI
N GRO
Table 1. Phone test results
Manufacturer Model Maximum range from test tower, km
Apple iPhone X 30
Apple iPhone 8 25
Samsung Galaxy S9 27.5
Samsung Galaxy S8 30
Samsung Galaxy S7 32
Samsung A5 31
Telstra Tough Max 2 32.5
Telstra Flip 2 42
Telstra Signature 2 33
Oppo A57 31
Sony Xperia XZ Premium 38.5
Google Pixel 32.5
Nokia 3310 32
Kondinin Group has tested NextG testing to determine those with the highest smartphones with strong reception. The
phones for about 12 years. Unfortunately, reception sensitivity. Sony Xperia XZ Premium led the way with
performance has dropped off in recent years Kondinin Group tests over the years have an impressive 38.5km. This is also a blue
after initial improvements were made. shown most blue tick phones were of higher tick phone, hardly a comparison with the
Newer models of the most popular sensitivity, but that has not been the case 25km of the iPhone 8. Of all phones tested,
smartphones now perform as poorly as they recently. It is hard to explain how a brand the Telstra Flip 2 was the most receptive,
have for several years. new “blue tick” iPhone 8 can only manage holding reception out to 42.5km from the
25km from our test tower, when original test tower (see test results, table 1).
BLUE TICK GETS A KICK blue tick iPhones such as the 3GS and 4S Our cynical tendencies tend to think there
Since the introduction of the NextG managed almost 40km. may be pressure to label the most popular
network, Telstra has used a blue tick Incredibly, this was our worst performing smartphones (and most expensive) with a
logo to label phone handsets which were handset. Similarly, a blue tick Samsung blue tick, regardless of actual performance.
deemed suitable for use in rural and Galaxy S9 achieved only 27.5km, while Either way, our phone tests are more
remote areas. earlier versions recorded over 30km. valuable than ever when selecting a handset
Telstra claimed phones had undergone This is not to say there are no for use in the bush.
4 Research Report May 2018 No. 100 © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is www.farmingahead.com.au
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
RC H R E
EA
UP • R ES
PO
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
RT • KO
RO
ND
IN I N G
NETWORK NEWS
It's hard to make sense of all the jargon
surrounding phone networks. There are
several digital phone networks in use across
Australia, operated by Telstra, Optus and
Virgin on a range of different frequencies.
Some of this network access is sold to
smaller third-party service providers, who
then on-sell it to end users.
Looking back through the network
history, the old 2G or GSM network no
longer exists, having been shut down in
2016. Any GSM-only device has been
useless ever since. 3G has been the
direct replacement, but this term is used
to collectively describe both 2100MHz
3G, 850MHz Telstra NextG, or 900MHz
Optus YesG.
The lower frequency bands (850 and
900MHz) offer superior signal penetration
than higher 4G frequencies and are the ones
of significance in remote areas.
We test Telstra NextG phone handsets as
this network covers the largest area and is
most likely to be used by people living in
rural areas.
The collection of 4G networks operate
across a range of frequency bands and
service providers, and are typically found in Selected rural centres may be serviced It is not expected to become
suburban areas and larger rural centres. by the 4GX network, which offers commercially available until around 2020,
Some rural users living close to these higher data speeds than a regular 4G but it will be a serious alternative to the
areas may be lucky enough to pick up network. NBN for users unhappy with their service,
a few bars of 4G signal, which offers a This service operates with a combination or unable to access anything other than the
significantly faster data speed than a 3G of 700 and 1800MHz frequencies in a Skymuster NBN satellite.
signal. If using this service for broadband, process called carrier aggregation, and is a The maximum download speed of a 5G
a correctly-installed 4G directional yagi mobile data network only. network could easily be around 1GBps (one
antenna can improve signal strength and As some readers may be aware, a 5G gigabit or 1000 megabits per second), but in
data speeds significantly. service is already being trialled, offering practice expect a speed around 100MBps.
Phone handsets can also be set to allow ultra-high-speed broadband for mobile A typical fixed-wireless NBN connection
calls over a 4G network. devices. has a peak speed of around 20MBps.
LISTEN GLOBAL
ACT LOCAL
Directly connecting growers to our
shareholders and capturing the
biggest wheat export markets
www.farmingahead.com.au © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is No. 100 May 2018 Research Report 5
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
CH R E P
AR
OR
• R E SE
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
T • KOND
UP
INI
N GRO
Table 2. Phone specifications
Screen Internal
Telstra Operating system Size (mm, Weight SD
Manufacturer Model resolution memory
blue tick (as released) HxWxD) (grams) expansion
(pixels) (GB)
Apple iPhone X iOS 11 144 x 71 x 7.7 174 2436 x 1125 64, 256
Apple iPhone 8 iOS 11 138 x 67 x 7.3 148 1334 x 750 64, 256
Samsung Galaxy S9 Android 8 148 x 69 x 8.5 163 2960 x 1440 64
Samsung Galaxy S8 Android 7 149 x 68 x8.0 142 2960 x 1440 64
Samsung Galaxy S7 Android 6.0.1 142 x 70 x 7.9 152 2560 x 1440 32
Samsung A5 Android 6.0.1 146 x 71 x 7.9 159 1920 x 1080 32
Telstra Tough Max 2 Android N 146 x 72 x 11.9 153 1280 x 720 32
Telstra Flip 2 proprietry 105 x 52 x 18.6 110 240 x 320 4
Telstra Signature 2 Android 7 149 x 75 x 8 142 1280 x 720 16
Oppo A57 Android 6 (B) 149 x 73 x 7.6 147 1280 x 720 32
Sony Xperia XZ Premium Android 8.0 146 x 72 x 8.1 161 3480 x 2160 64
Google Pixel Android 7.1 144 x 70 x 8.5 143 1080 x 1920 32, 128
Nokia 3310 Nokia Series 30+ 116 x 51 x 12.8 88.2 320 x 240 32
Notes: A: NFC – Near-field communication, used for contactless payment systems and sharing digital content by bringing phones within 4cm of each other.
LED Retro-Fit Lights for
Case and John Deere
by Central Wheatbelt Imports
Available through your local dealer or Central Wheatbelt Imports
08 9335 2700 www.cwimports.com.au
6 Research Report May 2018 No. 100 © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is www.farmingahead.com.au
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
RC H R E
EA
UP • R ES
PO
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
RT • KO
RO
ND
IN I N G
Camera Battery Screen
Removable Phone cost
Power connection resolution capacity Wi-Fi Bluetooth NFC (A) 4GX replacement
battery ($ inc GST)
(main, MP) (mAh) cost ($ inc GST)
lightning 12 2716 420 1566 (C)
lightning 12 1821 189 1079 (C)
micro USB 12 3000 465 1199
micro USB 12 3000 449 997
micro USB 12 3000 375 649
micro USB 16 3000 249 499
micro USB 16 3000 (D)
432
micro USB 2 1000 (replace phone) 119
micro USB 13 2800 169 (E)
648
micro USB 13 2900 149 250
micro USB 23 3230 220 899
USB 3.0, Type-C 1.0 12.3 2770 280 699
micro USB 2 1200 (replace phone) 89
B: Proprietry OS (ColorOS 3.0) based on Android 6. C: 64GB model. D: Contact repairer for quote. E: One free screen replacement included (withing 24 months of purchase).
RUBICON 9000
Clearest view of any Self-Propelled sprayer with acre-eating tank capacity
RUBICON features: 6500 or 9000 stainless steel tank • 350/370hp Cummins engine Scan to see what
• 4WD hydrostatic transmission • ActivAir instantaneous section control • Recirculation farmers have to say
• Full ISOBUS • Aluminium 36.5 to 48.5m booms • 650 l/m centrifugal pump about their RUBICON
CALL US TODAY • 1300 042 734 • hardi.com.au • info@hardi.com.au
www.farmingahead.com.au © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is No. 100 May 2018 Research Report 7
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
CH R E P
AR
OR
• R E SE
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
T • KOND
UP
INI
N GRO
INDIVIDUAL REPORTS
HOW PHONES ARE TESTED
The phone test protocol is a other. Handsets are switched to speaker
straightforward but effective process, mode and held in the fingertips, up in
although it takes considerable time to get the air facing the tower, which improves
accurate results. In its simplest form, it reception.
involves placing a series of two-way calls There are more handsets available for
at varying distances from a phone tower. the NextG network than the 13 tested
Our test location at Oxley, New South in this report. Our choice of test models
Wales, is bordering on semi-desert, with includes almost all of the Telstra blue tick
dead flat topography and few trees. In models, plus other popular handsets such
general, the very best phones can reach to as the iPhone X, or others we think may
40km from the tower, while the weakest be particularly attractive to farmers. We
handsets fail around 25km. chose not to test large versions of popular
At each incremental distance, phones phones, such as the iPhone 8 plus or
are allowed to locate the network, which Samsung Galaxy S9+, as experience has
can take several restarts, or switching in shown they generally perform similarly
and out of flight mode to prompt them. to their smaller versions. We also believe
A successful two-way call is one in few farmers would want a handset that
which both the caller and receiver can doesn’t fit into a pocket, especially when
understand what is being said by each fitted in a protective case.
Top of the pile: Our best performer was
the Telstra Flip 2, placing a two-way call
at 42km from the phone tower. If you
are after the best reception possible,
this is the handset for you. It also has
an antenna port, but don’t count on any
fancy features or apps; it is a basic unit.
Apple iPhone X
Likes:
Excellent camera dual lens (zoom)
Wireless charging
IP67 rated
Has inductive charge, but charger
not supplied
Fast processor speed
Dislikes:
Very expensive ($1800 for 256GB)
No 3.5mm headphone jack
No removable storage
Screen replacement is very
expensive
Battery percentage not permanently
displayed (only symbol)
We say:
Get used to no more home button
and facial recognition instead of
fingerprint scanner. The iPhone X is a
beautiful phone but deceptively large,
being longer, wider and thicker than
the iPhone 8. You will need a case as
screen replacement costs around $420.
Price: $1729 for 256GB
$1566 for 64GB
(all prices include GST)
8 Research Report May 2018 No. 100 © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is www.farmingahead.com.au
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
RC H R E
EA
UP • R ES
PO
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
RT • KO
RO
ND
IN I N G
Apple iPhone 8 Samsung Galaxy S9 Samsung Galaxy S8
Likes: Likes: Likes:
Wireless charging IP68 rated IP68 rated
IP67 rated Excellent camera Has a 3.5mm headphone jack
Good camera Has 3.5mm stereo jack and Has an SD expansion slot
SD card slot Dual lens camera
Dislikes: Thin and tall and easy to hold Large 3000mAh battery
Poor receptive strength Large 3000mAh battery
No 3.5mm headphone jack Dislikes:
No removable storage Dislikes: Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner
Screen resolution below competitors Poor receptive strength (check)
Battery size reduced from the 7 High cost Expensive screen replacement
Screen replacement is very
We say: expensive We say:
Form has changed little since the Rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is Nice to hold, longer than iPhone and
iPhone 6 and 7. It is a great all-round a little awkward big once placed in a case. It is probably
phone with good camera, but is a let- a good buy compared to the more
down in the reception stakes. It left us We say: expensive S9 as it has slightly better
wondering if it could really be that bad, Beautiful form, with an excellent wrap- reception. But again, don’t drop it as
and still carry Telstra’s blue tick? around screen. Galaxy (and Android) screen replacement costs around $449.
fans will be well impressed with
Price: $1329 (256GB) this unit. We like the info displayed Price: $997 (64GB)
$1079 (64GB) across top of screen, which is also
customisable. Just don’t drop it – you
were warned.
Price: $1349 (256GB)
$1199 (64GB)
www.farmingahead.com.au © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is No. 100 May 2018 Research Report 9
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761
CH R E P
AR
OR
• R E SE
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
T • KOND
UP
INI
N GRO
Samsung Galaxy S7 Samsung A5 Telstra Tough Max 2
Likes: Likes: Likes:
Value for money phone Cheap Gorilla glass screen and IP67 rated
Better receptive strength than other 3.5mm headphone jack 3.5mm stereo jack and SD card slot
Galaxy models SD expansion card slot Antenna jack
IP68 rated Reasonably good camera Not a high-end performing phone
3.5mm stereo jack and SD Large 3000mAh battery
expansion slot Dislikes:
Large 3000mAh battery Dislikes: A bit cheap feeling
Prices vary wildly so shop around Poor camera
Dislikes: Performance does not match higher Rubber edge wants to peel off
Screen replacement still expensive end phones.
Hard to view screen in polarised We say:
sunglasses We say: Not bad to use and good to grip, but
Only 32GB internal storage It's not a bad phone, nor is it really the rubberised edge makes it hard
a good phone either, but it gets the to get out of your pocket in a hurry.
We say: job done. A similar size to an iPhone, Rubber does peel off edge. The bright
The S7 is getting a bit long in the Samsung’s mid-range A5 will not screen is easier to view in sunlight
tooth now, but it is a decent phone challenge the flagship Galaxy or iPhone than previous versions. Recorded an
at a more reasonable cost than other models on performance or features, but identical, if unremarkable reception
Galaxy models. We tested it again as it is a whole lot cheaper. Good to hold, result as the previous Tough Max. Its
last time it only made 25km, and from easy to grip. cheap when you consider the cost of
all reports should have performed a regular smart phone and a decent
better. This time, 32km was a far better Price: $450 to $650 protective case.
performance. Goes to show there are
sometimes differences straight out of Price: $432
the box.
Price: $649 (32GB)
10 Research Report May 2018 No. 100 © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is www.farmingahead.com.au
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761RC H R E
EA
UP • R ES
PO
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
RT • KO
RO
ND
IN I N G
Telstra Flip 2 Telstra Signature 2 (LG K10) Oppo A57
Likes: Likes: Likes:
Awesome reception and has One free screen replacement Great value for money
antenna port Micro SD card slot and 3.5mm 13MP rear and 16MP front cameras
Simple, easy to use stereo jack 3.5 headphone jack
Screen protected when closed Replaceable battery SD card slot
Can replace battery
Has an SD card slot Dislikes: Dislikes:
Rear-mounted power button Average screen
Dislikes: Larger, chunky feel Nothing fancy
Very basic and limited Still a little expensive for what it is
Poor camera We say:
Small buttons We say: While it sports iPhone-like styling, the
Screen could be larger While Telstra’s Signature 2 is a Oppo A57 does not cost iPhone-like
rebadged LG K10, it has reasonable dollars. It's great value, has decent
We say: reception. Its not a high-end features and OK reception. A great low-
A very basic phone that will satisfy only smartphone, but will satisfy most users cost option, especially for Android fans.
the most hardened of technophobes. looking for a cheaper option with better Has physical home button. Slightly
It’s a shame because the reception reception. While it is a larger, chunky larger than the iPhone 8, thicker etc
is excellent. Why can’t we combine unit, it has more of a quality feel than (getting a bit big for most farmers) just
the performance of this phone with the Telstra-branded ZTE handsets, and a little big. Hard corners, may get a bit
the features of some of the more is a little easier to hold on to. scuffed up. Screen easy to read.
sophisticated units?
Price: $648 Price: $250
Price: $119
www.farmingahead.com.au © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is No. 100 May 2018 Research Report 11
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761CH R E P
AR
OR
• R E SE
RESEARCH REPORT MOBILE PHONES
T • KOND
UP
INI
N GRO
Sony Xperia XZ Premium Google Pixel Nokia 3310
Likes: Likes: Likes:
Excellent reception sensitivity 3.5mm stereo jack Simple phone – cheap and cheerful
Micro SD slot and 3.5mm stereo jack SD card slot Compact but not too small to use
IP65/68 rated Ergonomically good unit Good battery life
Stereo speakers No buttons on one side, stops Micro SD expansion
19MP rear and 13MP front cameras pressing buttons accidentally
Dislikes:
Dislikes: Dislikes: Screen font is tiny
Larger size Fingerprint reader on back Poor camera
Sharp corners USB type C plug Only 64 MB internal memory
Hard to type one-handed Lack of decent apps available
We say: SIM card very fiddly to install
In a word: reception. It easily beats We say: Centre button bezel is hard to
all other smartphones for reception, It’s a large unit, too large for a pocket, operate
recording 38.5km, making it a great but it is nice to use. Like the iPhone X,
tech option for farmers. It’s a large it has no home button, just tap on the We say:
phone with sharpish corners, but we bottom of the screen. We find the USB Using the 3310 is like a trip down
can forgive that, as its also a little type C charging plug annoying – why memory lane with simple interface and
easier on the pocket than the Samsung must they be different to the majority great battery life. But like all things
and Apple offerings. of smartphones? Has now been remembered in hindsight, the reality
superseded by the Google Pixel 2. is a little less rosy. Reception is only
Price: $899 average and the camera should at least
Price: $699 (128GB) take a print-quality photograph. At
least it is cheap. Probably not as tough
as the Nokia phones of old.
Price: $89
12 Research Report May 2018 No. 100 © Kondinin Group – Reproduction in whole or part is www.farmingahead.com.au
not permitted without permission. Freecall 1800 677 761You can also read
