Core values
Combine the San Diego’s screen size and resolution and you end up with a pixels-per-inch count of 297. That’s close to the Samsung Galaxy S3’s 306ppi and not a million miles shy of the iPhone’s 330ppi. For an LCD panel it’s pretty bright too, almost up with the Xperia P with its extra WhiteMagic pixels.
AnTuTu and Sun Spider tests
Performance is on a par with 1 and 1.2GHz dual-core ARM handsets and the AnTuTu score of 5600 reflects this. However the SunSpider browser test returned a superb figure of 1417. That’s a hundred points lower and better than the Samsung Galaxy S3 and a massive 5000 points better than my HTC Desire HD. The San Diego really does render web pages very quickly.
Another area where the San Diego impressed was the speed and sensitivity of the GPS system. I managed near enough instant satellite lock even in indoor locations where my Desire HD and a friend’s iPhone 4S couldn’t even find a signal. Unusually at this price, the San Diego is capable of playing 1080p video but you won’t be loading it up with HD files. With no Micro SD slot you are stuck with the built-in 16GB which actually means 2GB for apps and 11GB for files. On the subject of slots the San Diego uses a micro Sim.
Browser and Swype keyboard
I’m not going to drone on about the ugly Orange launcher or preloaded Orange software because there’s enough system storage to not have to worry about the latter and any good third-party launcher can be used to replace the former. Sadly, the San Diego lacks Orange’s handy HD Voice cellular-over-Wi-Fi app but you do get active noise-cancellation.
The camera is an 8Mp unit but generates a rather blurry and washed-out end product though you do get a flash. There are also plenty of shooting modes including a burst option and the camera launches quickly from a push of the external button which can operate both the rear and front cameras. Video can be shot at 1080p and doesn’t look too bad.
Next page: Power talk
COMMENTS
..never buy on a promise
Having been stung several times by carriers and the promises they've made, I'd day don't touch this phone until it's running ICS
What puts me off Intel as their fucking jingle played at the end of every ad for a product with an Intel chip in it. Makes me feel like lobbing a large heavy object at the TV.
It is only surpassed in awfulness by the vomit inducing "I'm loving it" McDonald's jingle.
I suppose
ARM will just have to compete.
Your logic is that because a company's product is successful, that company should be prevented from trading in a given market, or so.
That same logic, were it to become law, would prevent ARM from enjoying the dominance they have earned thus far.
The law on monopolies exists to PROMOTE competitive practices, not to restrict them as you are advocating.
Curious...
85% and recommended for a phone that only has Android 2.3 and only works with 75% of Android apps.
Many a better phone has been crucified for not having ICS.... The El-Reg confusing review system strikes again.
Bitch, please
I think it is also surpassed in awfulness by the Go Compare singer.
