Apple Explores Augmented Reality Navigation For iPhones

Apple has two new patent applications out today (via AppleInsider) that show it’s been working on boosting the iPhone’s navigation abilities with augmented reality features. The patent describes a way that the iPhone could use its camera in combination with on-device software to generate virtual maps of your surroundings, which are overlaid on a real feed, and which can do things like provide a look inside surrounding buildings.

The patents describe a way to use GPS, Wi-Fi and sensor information to pinpoint a user’s position and then download a 3D model of their surroundings, including points of interest. To compensate for the fact that using sensor data alone would likely result in an imperfect matching of virtual and real environment (as has been the case in other similar AR mapping apps), Apple uses live video feed from the iPhone’s camera, and lets a user actively match up virtual elements with their real-world equivalents in the resulting image. Once it’s locked in with a match, users can do things like virtually “peel back” the outer layers of buildings to reveal their interiors.

Apple already offers its “Flyover” feature in iOS Maps, which provides a 3D representation of satellite imagery for a more interactive cruise through city streets, but it has yet to employ AR tech. AR apps that similar functionality to that described in these patents has been used before, by companies including Layar and other startups, but Apple’s system is clearly designed to make it less rough around the edges and more of a utility than a neat tech trick.

iOS Maps could use some flashy features to help it stand out, but I wouldn’t expect this one to make its way out to shipping software anytime soon. Still, it’s an interesting direction, and could work together nicely with Apple’s indoor positioning ambitions.

Apple iPhone 5C 8GB to be available in India next week, might be priced lower than Rs 35,000

The cheaper, 8GB version of Apple iPhone 5C might be launched in India as soon as next week. The Apple iPhone 5C 8GB was announced in March this year as a cheaper option for those who can’t afford the higher priced variants of the iPhone 5C or the iPhone 5S.

Apple iPhone 5C

The 16GB variant of the iPhone 5C is currently priced at around Rs 37,000 but it is being sold in India for as low as Rs 30,000 with various buyback and cashback schemes. According to the price difference in the international markets, we presume that the iPhone 5C 8GB will be priced at Rs 4,000 lower in India than the 16GB variant. So, the iPhone 5C 8GB might come with a price tag less than Rs 35,000 and might be sold for less than Rs 30,000 with various cash back and buy back schemes.

The iPhone 5C comes with a 4 inch Retina Display, dual-core A6 processor, 1GB RAM, 8MP camera and 4G LTE connectivity. Is 8GB enough storage for an iPhone considering that you would not get more than 6GB of user available storage? Would you be interested in buying one?

iOS 7.1 jailbroken but only on the iPhone 4

Demoed in a YouTube video, the untethered jailbreak works on the latest version of iOS, though devices with A5 chips or higher apparently are out of the running for now.

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Demand for Apple iPhone outweighs supply in Q1 according to Morgan Stanley report

The latest data from the AlphaWise Smartphone Tracker survey cited in a new Morgan Stanley report, suggests that the Apple iPhone is seeing better than expected demand for the first quarter. The survey shows that the handset is on pace to sell 42 million units in the current quarter, up from the 38 million units that analysts had been expecting.

Morgan Stanley analyst analyst Katy Huberty said that carrier promotions carried out during the first three months of the year were responsible for the stronger than expected Q1 sales.  Huberty said that she counted nine major promotions put in place by the top four U.S. mobile carriers. Another Morgan Stanley analyst, Jasmine Lu expects Apple to produce 38 to 39 million units for the first quarter which would fall short of the estimated Q1 sales figures. That could make the Apple iPhone 5s harder to find in the upcoming quarter.

According to the Morgan Stanley analyst, the AlphaWise Smartphone Tracker did a good job forecasting iPhone sales each quarter in 2013, which means we should put some faith in the first quarter forecast.

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All New HTC One M8 gets photographed next to the iPhone 5S, LG G2 and others

We’ve seen the unannounced HTC M8 / All New One so many times until now that you might be already bored of looking at it. However, there’s a new set of photos that you will definitely want to see, as it's showing HTC’s upcoming flagship smartphone next to no less than five other high-end handsets: Apple iPhone 5S, LG G2, Samsung Galaxy S4, Sony Xperia Z1, and Samsung Galaxy Note 3.

Expected to sport a 5-inch 1080p display, the 2014 HTC One is about as tall as the Xperia Z1, although not as wide. The new One is slightly larger than the Galaxy S4 and LG G2, but it’s (obviously) smaller than the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. The handset seems to be pretty thin, and its curved back looks rather nice - although the dual-lens camera setup may not be to everyone's taste. 

HTC will officially announce the new One next week, on March 25. We’re hearing that the smartphone will go on sale the same day (at least in the UK). Until that happens, check out the photos below (they’re all high-res images, so make sure to view them in full size).

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Medium's new iPhone app helps you read (but not write) long articles

We can't say we know all that many people who routinely digest articles posted through Medium's social publishing platform. However, the readership is bound to go up now that the service has released an iPhone app. The mobile client is more of a story curation tool than anything else. It automatically fetches stories from both your Twitter friends and any collections you follow, optimizing the reading interface beyond what you'd normally get in your web browser. You won't want to plan on writing any diatribes, though, since the iOS app has no editing tools -- you'll have to retreat to a PC when inspiration strikes. If you don't mind that limitation, Medium's client is ready and waiting in the App Store.

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Via: Medium

Source: App Store

Tags: app, ios, iphone, medium, mobilepostcross, Publishing, reading, smartphone, socialnetworking, twitter Next: Daily Roundup: 2013 Engadget Readers' Choice Awards, NSA transparency reports and more!
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This curved iPhone 6 concept borrows the iPod Touch design language, is looking awesome

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Apple turns to animated ads for the Apple iPhone 5c

With one recent report showing inventories of the Apple iPhone 5c at over 3 million units and rising, Apple has decided to turn to an animated ad campaign for the handset that was seen on the landing pages of both the New York Times and Yahoo websites. On the latter site, the ad stays inside a box, while on the former's web page, the ad takes over the entire screen with dots before returning to the normal size for a web ad.

The ads, which are interactive, show the Apple iPhone 5c screen covered with the same 35 dot pattern that appears on the phone when it is safely nestled into one of Apple's silicone cases made for the device. Eventually, the ad shows 6 video clips with popular tunes playing in the background. In one clip, Nena's "99 Luftballons" play as images of balloons turn into the dot pattern.

Apple normally doesn't resort to using this style of advertising, but some desperation might be settling in at Cupertino. With a huge number of units taking up space at Pegatron, and retailers and carriers still holding a large number of unsold units, Apple will soon need to clear some room for its new models. Speculation has Apple delivering a 4.7 inch Apple iPhone 6 and a 5.5 inch phablet sized version of the device. Soon, Apple might be forced to turn from pretty animated ads to drastic price cuts as a way to get buyers to remove the iPhone 5c from the shelves.



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Delivered! app lets you easily track all your packages from an iPhone or an iPad

Amazon's breathtaking price-to-earnings ratio, shows that the growth of online shopping continues unabated, due to the sheer comfort of it, in comparison with traditional trips to the mall. This fact obviously means that most of us very often have packages to track, and keeping tab on all those orders is not an easy undertaking.
The Delivered! app for your iPhone or iPad comes to the rescue. It lets you track all your DHL, FedEx, LaserShip, OnTrac, UPS, UPS Freight, UPS Mail Innovations orders, and the good ol' USPS shipments, too. That happens from the comfort of one application, which sports a clean and simple interface, though you'd have to shell out $1.99 for the service.
Delivered! aggregates the tracking numbers from all shipping companies you have placed orders with, and informs you which package is where every step of the way. It also lets you sync packages between your different iOS device via iCloud, and sports notifications so that you don't miss an important tracking event.
Developer: Fernando SaragocaDownload: iTunesCategory: UtilitiesPrice: $1.99

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Apple iPhone 5s continues to be the top selling smartphone in Japan

A survey done in Japan by BCN reveals that the Apple iPhone 5s is the top smartphone in the country. BCN, which measures sales of electronic gadgets in Japan, found that the iPhone 5s had 44.5% of the Japanese smartphone market in February. Combined with the 5.9% share belonging to the Apple iPhone 5c, nearly half of the smartphones sold in the country last month had the Apple logo on the back. That is up from the 44% share that Apple earned in December.

Japan was responsible for $13.5 billion, or 7.9% of Apple's revenues last year. Japan was also responsible for the largest operating margin that Apple was able to produce from any country at 50.7%. For the December 2013 quarter alone, Apple generated 8.6% of its revenue from Japan, which amounted to about $5 billion. 11.6% of its operating profit came from the country during Q4.

Besides Apple, Sony also did well in Japan during February. The highly regarded Sony Xperia Z1 f, which is a version of the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact made for NTT Docomo, captured 2.3% of the market, while the Sony Xperia Z1 accounted for an additional 2%.



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Rumor: iPhone 6 / Air specs to include Ultra Retina screen with 389ppi, 2.6GHz A8 processor, 5.5mm-thin body

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iPhone 5c not gaining traction in China

and whatever else you could think of. Before the 5c was released, one of the prevailing thoughts was that this would be a model targeted to be accessible in developing markets.

When we saw it was simply a color form factor implemented on the previous generation iPhone 5, most of those bets were off and rightly so. Rather than be an attractive alternative to the iPhone 5s, we were seeing data that showed the iPhone 5c actually driving people to the 5s.

It was thought that when Apple finally inked a deal with the world’s largest carrier, China Mobile, it was expected the company would see a steady, if not huge, amount activity for the iconic device. However, the 16GB iPhone 5c was starting a $738, roughly $200 more than can be had in the US at full retail. That is a large amount of money in a country where the purchase power parity averages somewhere under $10,000 per year, and as such, pre-orders with China Mobile were not impressive by any measure.

Such economic realities affect the price of electronics around the world, but in Apple’s case, the result is a growing inventory of iPhone 5c devices that are admittedly not in demand. That demand (or lack thereof) is being reflected in markets around the world, most notably in China, where the iPhone 5c is markedly flat in gaining market share the past few months.

Looking at this graph from Umeng.com, a Chinese analytics network, the iPhone 5s is exceeding the performance of the iPhone 5 from a year prior. The Y-axis is percentage of iOS devices in China and the X-axis represents number of months following the device’s debut in the US. The delay for the iPhone 5 is due to the device not launching officially in China for a few months following the US release. The indicators are pretty clear.

Rumors are pointing strongly that the iPhone 5c will be phased out with the release of the new generation iPhone, presumably the iPhone 6, this autumn.


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Apple changes the iPhone return window from 30 to 14 calendar days

According to a change in Apple's Standard Return Policy, from tomorrow onwards users will have only 14 calendar days to return an iPhone without a reason, regardless if it was bought from an Apple Store or online. This change equalizes the return policies of Apple and its carrier partners, as well as the company's other products. Up until now, the period for returning an Apple smartphone and receiving a refund was 30 days.

The return policy of Apple now clearly states that "you may return your undamaged iPhone with its included accessories within 14 days of purchase for a full refund". However, the company also notes that "returning your iPhone may not automatically cancel or reset your wireless account; you are responsible for your wireless service agreement and for any applicable fees associated with your wireless account".

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Soldier's life saved by his Apple iPhone 5s; Apple waits three months to reward this hero

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Apple might turn the iPhone into an answering machine, a recent patent suggests

The Cupertino giant has just patented an audio call screening feature, which might enable iPhone users to listen to a voice message while the caller is leaving it. Apple's US Patent No.8,666,034 allows "a user to screen messages being left at a hosted voicemail system from a telephone terminal".

What does this mean, exactly? Simply put, it's an answering machine for your iPhone. Just as the conventional answering machines for landline phones, Apple's audio call screening system allows you to listen to a voicemail message while the caller is leaving it. If you decide that the call is important, you can answer the phone, thus cancelling the further recording of the given voice message. Of course, you can allow the caller to leave his voice message.

It seems that this call screening system creates a conference call between the caller, the voicemail server, and the telephone terminal. Apple's newly-obtained patent states that "the telephone terminal is equipped to open only the speaker channel for monitroing the message and will provide a fully bi-directional connection using a microphone channel".
This patent was one of the roughly 6,000 patents that Nortel, a network equipment manufacturer, sold to Rockstar, a consortium between Apple, Microsoft, Sony, ant others. After Nortel went bankrupt back in 2011, it sold this plethora of patents to Rockstar for some $4.5 billion.

Only time will reveal if this audio call screening system will make its way to the next iPhone. What are your thoughts on the matter?

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Analysts on Apple: Looking to iPhone 6 upside

iPhone 6 mock-up.

(Credit:Ciccarese Design)

Wedge Partners and Pacific Crest weighed in on the rumored iPhone 6 this week, with Wedge also offering speculation on other possible products like the iWatch and a bigger iPad as well as strategies for services at Apple.

Overall, the research note from Wedge Partners' Brian Blair, as posted by Barron's, was upbeat, stating that "Apple's next array of products" provide an "opportunity" for investors. Apple shares have an upside this year of more than 20 percent, he said.

Related storiesLG G3 could be dustproof and water resistant, report indicatesThis holographic iPhone 6 concept could change everything

Andy Hargreaves at Pacific Crest was also optimistic, citing the iPhone 6.

"Apple is likely to choose its opportunities and timing extraordinarily carefully and release new products or services only when it feels it has the best chance to succeed," Hargreaves said.

Here's what Blair and Hargreaves expect from Apple this year.

Big-screen iPhone 6:

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This case will turn your iPhone into a mobile wallet for $70

After a brief tease earlier this week, Incipio has officially unveiled its iPhone mobile payment case. The Cashwrap Mobile Wallet gives most iPhone users NFC payment support at any place that accepts Isis; beyond the case, all you need is a compatible account and a free app. If you're eager to stop paying with plastic cards, the Cashwrap should be available online for $70. AT&T is only due to launch the peripheral at retail on January 31st, although the recent in-store sighting hints that you might have a chance at scoring a retail unit ahead of schedule.

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Source: BusinessWire

Tags: accessories, apple, att, case, iphone, isis, MobilePayments, mobilepostcross, nfc, peripherals, smartphone Next: The Engadget Podcast is live at 12PM ET!
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Tim Cook Celebrates China Mobile’s iPhone Launch

The iPhone is finally available for sale in China Mobile stores after Apple spent years negotiating for a deal with the carrier, the world’s largest by subscriber number. In a sign of how important the partnership is to Apple, CEO Tim Cook showed up at the China Mobile launch today to meet customers, pose for pictures, and autograph iPhones.

Having fun in Beijing at the iPhone launch with China Mobile! pic.twitter.com/AqoqLbbeO7

— Tim Cook (

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CES 2014: Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C | News | TechRadar --> Mobile version2014-01-07T10:40:00ZMagsNewsletterRSS FeedsFollow @TechradarA Future Site ▼ TechRadarmobile-phonesSearch the siteSearch term:Log inJoinLog outHomeReviewsVideosPhonesTabletsCamerasComponentsComputingCar TechNewsDealsBundlesSave on broadband TrendingCES 2014PlayStation 4iPad AiriPad mini 2Nexus 5Windows 8.1Xbox OneThe Tip OffHomeNews by technologySony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5CSony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5CEarly view The four little big handsets comparedBy Thomas Thorn 7th Jan 2014 | 01:10Comments TweetThe Xperia Z1 Compact has some big (and probably cheaper) competitionRelated storiesSony Xperia Z1 Compact crams in flagship power with a lower priceWill HTC, Lenovo and Huawei join Samsung's mini march this year?Sony Xperia Z1 Mini turns up again - with added specs

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 rumored 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 focused 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 scrutinized, 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: Colors and Extras

For those looking for a new phone, color can often play an important part. Sony has chosen to offer the Xperia Z1 Compact in four colors, the obligatory black and white, as well as pink, and lime.

The HTC One Mini also comes in four colors, 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 colored 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.

Why not check out the HTC One Mini, Galaxy S4 Mini or iPhone 5C too?Join TechRadar and get our weekly newsletter

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In Depth: Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C

Sony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5C | News | TechRadar --> Mobile version2014-01-07T10:40:00ZMagsNewsletterRSS FeedsFollow @TechradarA Future Site ▼ TechRadarmobile-phonesSearch the siteSearch term:Log inJoinLog outHomeReviewsPhonesTVsCamerasTabletsCar TechMoreComponentsAVLaptopsComputingNewsOffersToday's OffersTechRadar PhoneStoreRecycle Your MobileiPhone DealsiPad DealsDaily Phone Deal Xbox One TechRadar Pro TrendingCES 2014Xbox OnePlayStation 4iPad AiriPad mini 2Nokia Lumia 1520Nexus 5Windows 8.1HomeNews by technologySony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5CSony Xperia Z1 Compact vs HTC One Mini vs Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini vs iPhone 5CEarly view The four little big handsets comparedBy Thomas Thorn 7th Jan 2014 | 10:00Comments TweetThe Xperia Z1 Compact has some big (and probably cheaper) competitionRelated storiesSony Xperia Z1 Compact crams in flagship power with a lower priceSony Xperia Z1 Compact release date and price: where can I get it?Sony Xperia Z1 Mini turns up again - with added specs

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.

Why not check out the HTC One Mini, Galaxy S4 Mini or iPhone 5C too? Stay up to date on the latest mobile news and offers TechRadar, in conjunction with Carphone Warehouse, is bringing you a whole host of amazing phone and tablet features. Make the Smart Choice and check out our news tips and tricks.

Tell me more TagsSony Xperia Z1 CompactSamsung Galaxy S4 MiniHTC One MiniiPhone 5CSonySamsungHTCApplesmartphonesCES 2014See more phone and communications newsCommentsTweet Add your comment

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A phablet for the masses? Really?

Mobile phonesBrowse our reviews by categoryAllAudio VisualCamerasComponentsComputingMobile phonesTabletsTelevisionsReviews guarantee AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoin us on FacebookBack to topMore from TechRadarXbox OneXbox One reviewPS4PS4 reviewTesco Hudl reviewiPhone 5CiPhone 5SiPad 4iPad AiriPad mini 2Samsung Galaxy S4 reviewPlayStation 4Cheap TVs4K TVUltra HDHTC OneNexus 5Windows 8 tablets Best UltrabookBest mobile phonesWindows 8.1Search the siteSearch term:ReviewsBrowse allMobile phonesTVsTabletsDigital camerasLaptopsBuyer's guidesMobile phonesTVsTabletsiPhone appsCamerasLaptopsVideosAll videosMobile phonesTVsTabletsCamerasLaptopsServicesAll newsFacebookTwitterYouTubeNewsletterRSSTechRadarAbout usContact usSitemapAccessibilitySelect regionUnited KingdomUnited StatesAustraliaTechRadar NetworkTap!PC FormatT3Mac FormatOfficial WindowsLinux FormatMacLifeMaxPCTop ▲Future is AOP and PPA Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year.TechRadar is part of Future plc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. We produce content across five core areas:TechnologyT3Mac|LifeGizmodo UKMore...EntertainmentCVGPC GamerGamesRadarTotal FilmMore...MusicClassic RockMusicRadarGuitaristMetal HammerMore...CreativeDigital Camera WorldMollie MakesPhotography WeekThe Simple ThingsMore...Sport & AutoBikeRadarCyclingnewsChopMTBTriRadarMore...About FutureJobsPRAdvertisingDigital FuturePrivacy PolicyCookies PolicyTerms & ConditionsSubscriptionsInvestor RelationsContact Future

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