HWM+HardwareZone.com Tech Awards 2015: Editor's Choice - Part 1

Tech Awards 2015: 69 deserving winners

The 6th annual HWM+HardwareZone.com Tech Awards was held on April 10, and it served to honor the best in tech products and services that were introduced between January 2014 and December 2014. A grand total of 32 Editor’s Choice and 37 Readers’ Choice awards were handed out this year, in categories ranging from computers and consumer electronics to digital entertainment, communications and services. Included in the Editor's Choice segment are also 4 Innovation awards that aimed to recognize innovative products and cutting-edge technologies that have emerged during the eligibility period.

Here's a quick snapshot of the event before we commence our Editor's Choice results segment:

Play

Last week, we posted the results of the Readers' Choice polls; so do check out the results if you've not already done so, and see if any of your favorite brands won. Alternatively, you can go to our Tech Awards microsite for a condensed version of all the results.

For the Editor's Choice awards, a total of 129 products spread across 32 categories were hauled into our labs, and put through a series of stringent benchmarking tests throughout the course of 2014. After evaluating these products through a specific criteria consisting of performance, consumer benefits, value, and technology advancements, we finally have our list of winners.

Due to the sheer number of categories, we've decided to split the Editor's Choice results article into two parts - consumer electronics and computing. In this article, we start off by taking a look at the best in consumers electronics. For individual scores and breakdowns for each product category, just hit the appropriate jump in the drop list located at the top or bottom of the article.

*Note: Prices and ratings listed in this article are accurate at the time of individual product evaluation.

For a full list of content related to the HWM and HardwareZone.com Tech Awards 2014 event, you can refer to the following links:

• Tech Awards 2015: Readers' Choice Results
• Tech Awards 2015: Editor's Choice Results - Part 1 (this article)
• Tech Awards 2015: Editor's Choice Results - Part 2
• HWM+HardwareZone Tech Awards 2015 Microsite

Best Point & Shoot Camera

Every time smartphone cameras get a feature upgrade, the market cries out about how the compact camera is dead. Yet, every year camera companies find ways to add features to compact cameras that smartphones just can’t match. Often referred to as "travel compacts", these superzoom cameras are perfect examples of this, with larger sensors, better optics, much better handling, and optical zooms that give you better image quality with much better reach.

This year’s compacts all offer high zoom ratios and good image stabilization for better image quality while remaining comfortably portable, so image quality and overall ease-of-handling helped to separate the pack.

Nominees:

• Canon PowerShot SX700 HS
• Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ60
• Samsung WB350F
• Sony Cyber-shot HX60V

And the winner is...

Panasonic has upped its superzoom game with the Lumix TZ60. Besides a 30x optical zoom and an 18-megapixel sensor, the TZ60 also comes with a control ring around the lens barrel, so you can assign and adjust settings like aperture or shutter speed without having to access the menu system. In addition, the Quick Menu button lets you access other commonly-used settings so there’s really no reason to dive into the menu system once you’re done setting up the camera and have started shooting.

Also, while it may be tiring to use the small electronic viewfinder on the TZ60 all the time, it’s definitely useful when you’re shooting in bright light and the display is too washed out. All these features help to make the Lumix TZ60 a winner in our books.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Premium Compact Camera

The prosumer digital camera segment is always an important segment of the digital compact camera market, as it acts as bridge between basic point-and-shoot and advanced controls with better image quality. A "gateway drug" to the world of interchangeable lens cameras if you may.

Smaller and lighter, these cameras also serve as perfect secondary companions for the times when you don’t wish to carry a heavy interchangeable lens camera (ILC) camera with lenses, and are easy enough to use that you can hand them over to any friend or family member and yet still get good results. No wonder camera manufacturers are still placing much focus on this segment! This year’s best prosumer camera is again compact, light, and has a full range of automatic and manual controls.

Nominees:

• Canon PowerShot G7 X
• Casio Exilim EX-100
• Fujifilm X30
• Panasonic Lumix LX100
• Sony Cyber-shot DSC-RX100 Mark II

And the winner is...

The PowerShot G7 X may not have the largest sensor in this line-up, nor does it have an EVF. But what makes it attractive is that it’s a camera that makes shooting easy and fuss-free. With its exposure compensation dial, control ring, and user-friendly interface, the G7 X will appeal to both novices and experienced shooters.

It also has a bit more reach than the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III, which is also an advantage. The Canon PowerShot G7 X edges out the Sony Cyber-shot RX100 III largely due to its ease of use, but if you want an EVF and shoot videos frequently, then you can consider the Sony RX100 III. But if you want something that just lets you shoot without much fuss, something that even beginners can pick up and use immediately, then the PowerShot G7 X gets our vote.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Mid-range Interchangeable Lens Camera

The lines between professional and enthusiast DSLR cameras have seriously blurred. Mid-range interchangeable lens cameras (ILCs) are increasingly sophisticated, whether they be a traditional DSLR format, or a new mirrorless form. And the APS-C segment might perhaps be the best compromise of low light performance against high continuous shooting rates, thus making them great for capturing images under unfavorable lighting or for fast-moving events. For this category of mid-rnage ILC, we're looking at cameras equipped with an APS-C class sensor. This year’s APS-C cameras have all impressed us with their blend of features and performance, and certainly are more than capable of taking fantastic images.

Nominees:

• Canon EOS 7D Mark II
• Fujifilm X-T1
• Samsung NX1
• Sony SLT-A77 II

And the winner is...

It may seem slightly controversial to declare the camera with the lowest megapixel count as the winner, but after shooting fairly extensively with all four cameras, we found that the X-T1 was the one camera that consistently got us the shot. In terms of response time, usability and the way it controlled noise (a major Achilles heel for the A77 II), plus the performance at higher ISOs (a bug bear for the NX1), the X-T1 excelled, and while the continuous shooting rate is the lowest of the group, 8.0fps is certainly nothing to sneeze at.

Add an excellent companion app that lets you control every feature on the camera remotely and there really isn’t that much more you could ask for, save maybe better support for video. Ultimately it comes down to images, and the X-T1 turned in the best over the range of conditions, which is why it’s our winner.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Semi-pro Interchangeable Lens Camera

The full-frame sensors on these cameras allow for incredible resolution and great low-light performance, and produce images with wide dynamic ranges. While they certainly will cost more than their APS-C counterparts, these cameras still remain very much more affordable than the top-of-the-line flagship models that most full-time professionals use, while offering comparable performance. Thus, they make great primary or secondary cameras for the working professional. They’re also perfect tools for the enthusiast to wean his skills on before starting out professionally. In terms of price to performance, the cameras in this category are the ones to beat.

Nominees: 

• Nikon D750
• Sony A7 II

And the winner is...

Both cameras are great systems capable of giving you excellent images, but the D750 just handles that bit better and has more controls directly accessible from the dials and buttons on the camera. Thanks to the new monocoque body design, there isn’t that big a weight difference either, and the responsiveness of the D750 is also just that bit faster, making for a better user experience overall. The only issue would be the price - the D750’s recommended retail price is about S$900 more than the A7 II, but the street price of the D750 has fallen to about S$2,400, making it much more affordable.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best 4K TV

The time for ultra-high-definition (UHD), or 4K UHD as it is more commonly referred to for TVs, is upon us. Versus a couple of years back, buying a 4K TV today makes more sense. For one, most of the newer models have HDMI 2.0 inputs, which means they support 4K up to 60/50 frames per second. A wider range of screen sizes is now available as well, and prices are dipping. Of course, one of the reasons for the more wallet-friendly prices is because manufacturers are churning out models with smaller screen sizes, such as small as 40 inches. In our experience, buying a 4K TV below 65 inches to play 1080p content is a waste of money; you’re better off buying a 1080p set of the same size. Assuming you’ve 4K content, buying a small 4K TV doesn’t make a lot of sense either, since you’ve to sit very close to it to notice the improvement. For this category, we've looked at various 65-inch, flatscreen, HDMI 2.0-capable 4K LED LCD TVs from the likes of LG, Panasonic Samsung, and Toshiba.

Nominees:

• LG UB980T
• Panasonic Viera AX800
• Samsung HU8500
• Toshiba Pro Theater L9450

And the winner is...

Let’s get this straight: there’s really no perfect 4K TV at the moment. We’ve given the nod to the Samsung HU8500 (the one we tested was the 65-inch UA65HU8500KXXS) simply because it made the fewest mistakes. In short, we noted excellent upscaling, very good black level response, and a good set of smart TV features. The HU8500’s ability to upgrade its hardware via the One Connect box or Evolution Kit shouldn’t be ignored too. With this upgrade path, your investment will not become obsolete as fast compared to other TVs.

The Panasonic AX800’s image quality is equally good, but its UI is beginning to look dated and its speakers are a tad weak. The LG UB980T is also a good TV, especially for daylight viewing; and it has the best 3D performance. Its slightly weaker black levels and backlight control are what held it back. If you don’t need 3D or prefer an Android UI, the sensibly priced Toshiba L9450 is worth considering. It may not have the best image quality, but it isn’t far off from its much more higher priced opponents. We've also seen the Sony Bravia X9000B but we didn't put it in this roundup as Sony has informed us that this model is reaching its end of life soon. The Philips 8600 series was tested too, but it also didn't make it here as it only supports 4K up to 30Hz (instead of 60Hz).

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Curved TV

Another trend of 2014 (more so in 2015) was the arrival of curved TVs, especially curved 4K TVs based on LED LCD technology. A more immersive viewing experience that's comfortable and free of distortions is the typical sales pitch of curved TV makers, and in some cases, this is indeed true. Whether you think a curved TV is a gimmick or not, one thing's for sure: a (big) curved TV makes for a stunning centerpiece in any living room, and is a sure way to get a conversation going. For this category, we looked at 65-inch, 4K curved LED LCD TVs that were available for test last year.

Nominees:

• Samsung HU9000
• Sony Bravia S9000B

And the winner is...

We aren’t going to mince our words: in 2014, Samsung’s flagship 4K TV, the HU9000, is the 4K TV to beat. The design is gorgeous, the feature set is comprehensive (the smart TV features, the 3D features, the connectivity features - Samsung is good at ticking spec and feature checkboxes, and it shows here once again), and its easy upgradeability makes it a future-proof investment.

Performance-wise, Samsung has arguably the best pseudo-local dimming implementation in the industry. What this means is that you get very good black levels and very good screen uniformity on the HU9000. Truth be told, backlight inconsistency can’t be totally eliminated on edge-lit LED LCD TVs, it’s just that Samsung has done the best job thus far in reducing it. And with proper calibration, the HU9000 easily qualifies as a reference display.

But lets not take anything away from Sony's S90. Both it and the HU9000 have good black levels, scale non-4K content well, exhibit vibrant colors, handle 3D decently, produce high motion resolution, and possess a good set of smart TV features. The comparatively plain Jane S9000B (its panel has a gentler curvature than the HU9000's) has a slight edge in sound quality, but the flashier HU9000 can be upgraded with an external box. Ultimately, the HU9000 nicks the award for its slightly better black level response.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Headphones for Everyday Use

They may be a little larger and heavier, but over-ear headphones are an excellent option for shutting out external noise and basking in some quality audio. Today’s headphones are not only greatly compatible with smartphones, but are also starting to sport drivers capable of resolving high resolution audio. We round up a selection of high performance over-ear headphones priced at about S$300 to S$500 (the best from each vendor in this category) that are perfect for everyday use to determine the victor.

Nominees:

• AKG K845BT
• Audio Technica ATH-MSR7
• Beyerdynamic Custom Studio
• Bose QuietComfort 25
• Focal Spirit Classic
• JBL Synchros S700
• Monster DNA Pro 2.0
• Philips Fidelio L2
• Plantronics BackBeat Pro
• Sennheiser Urbanite XL
• Sony MDR1A

And the winner is...

This category came down to a choice of three headphones - the Sony MDR1A, the JBL Synchros S700, and the Philips Fidelio L2. While they each had their merits, the one that consistently sounded excellent on all tracks was the Philips Fidelio L2. It was also the most comfortable and the cheapest - though at S$449, "cheap" is a relative term. The JBL Synchros S700 was a little clampy and so would probably not wear as well over long periods, while the Sony MDR1A was a little more bassy than to be accurate, while costing some S$50 more.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Wireless Portable Speakers

Portable wireless speakers are nothing new, but manufacturers have really stepped up their game, with units that look good while producing stellar sound in a portable package. NFC and AAC/Apt-X compatibility is becoming standard, as are larger internal batteries so that the speaker itself may be used as a power source for your mobile phones to keep the music going. For this year's consideration, we've looked at portable wireless speakers that weigh between 0.8 to 1.2kg, are able to function without a power connection, and can do wireless playback over Bluetooth.

Nominees: 

• Bowers & Wilkins T7
• Creative Sound Blaster Roar
• Sony SRS X5
• X-mini Clear 2.1

And the winner is...

Quite simply, there’s nothing out there that matches what the Creative Sound Blaster Roar does while providing the same level of quality audio output at the price. It produces incredible volume with the Roar function enabled, but yet manages to keep a handle on the output, giving you quality sound each and every time. It may not look the prettiest with its utilitarian design, but ultimately if you want a great speaker at a good price, there’s nothing else we’d recommend at this point in time.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Multi-room Audio System

Multi-room audio is a somewhat new segment that we’re starting to see more companies enter recently, and that can only be a good thing for the consumer. Able to be controlled via your computer or smart device, these multi-room speakers are the logical next extension in a "connected home", as they put control of all the audio players in your home at your fingertips. Play one song in every room, or the same song in all rooms in perfect unison. We tested all the early contenders to find out which reigns king.

Nominees:

• BlueSound Pulse
• Bose Soundtouch 30 II
• Lenco PlayLink 6
• LG Music Flow H7
• Samsung WAM750

And the winner is...

The Lenco PlayLink 6 was easily one of the better speakers in this group based on audio performance alone, being bested just narrowly by the BlueSound Pulse - which is more than double the cost. The bigger factor though, is how it’s probably the only system that is truly open. You can send music direct from your phone to it, pick up music from a laptop or network drive, and it just works over wireless - no direct connection to your router needed, unlike some brands. Stereo pairing is easily done by a flip of a switch, and the speaker fully supports high-res audio so you can throw any of your audiophile tracks at it. In terms of value and performance, this is your best bet.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Consumer Tablet (8-Inch)

Mini tablets offer a smaller screen size than their bigger brothers, but are more portable, thanks to their smaller, lighter and more convenient size. Their paperback-like dimensions also make them a great fit for e-book reading. 

But what makes a particular tablet the best to buy? By now, you should be aware that it's not all about the specs. In fact, a purchase decision is based on a variety of factors such as apps, branding, build quality, design and price, which can be summed up in two words - user experience.

Nominees:

• Apple iPad Mini 3
• ASUS Memopad 8
• Huawei Mediapad 8 Vogue
• LG G Tablet 8.3
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4
• Sony Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact

And the winner is...

The Z3 Tablet Compact is our winner for its ultra slim, sleek and light build, which makes it the most portable of our tablets under consideration. More importantly, it's also fully waterproof so you don't have to worry about it when you're using it at the beach or pool.

The Z3 tablet also boasts excellent better battery life and benchmark performance, and while its screen resolution may not be as high as the Galaxy Tab S or iPad Mini 3, at this screen size, its full HD display is more than sufficient.

*Note: Prices listed in this article are accurate at the time of product evaluation.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Consumer Tablet (10-inch)

Tablets with 10-inch screens offer an experience that is closer to a laptop than a smartphone. Web browsing can be done without having to zoom in or squint at tiny text, and movies, games and comics look best at this screen size. We had fewer candidates for this category this year as many manufacturers opted to concentrate on 8-inch tablets instead. That and the fact that very few models in the market support cellular data connection. In the end, it was a battle between two giants: Apple and Samsung.

Nominees:

• Apple iPad Air 2
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5

And the winner is...

From a performance perspective, the new iPad Air, thanks to its A8X processor, is without peer and is quite possibly the most powerful tablet in the market right now. What’s more, it is also slightly thinner and lighter; the camera has been improved; and it also gets the very handy Touch ID sensor.

*Note: Prices and ratings listed are accurate at the time of individual product evaluation.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Mainstream Smartphone

A low price doesn’t mean a smartphone is lacking in features or performance. These mainstream smartphones all boast 4G LTE capabilities, making them among the best for fast web browsing. For this category we considered any smartphone with a display size between 4 to 5-inches, with full 4G LTE compatibility and a retail price below S$300.

Nominees: 

• ASUS Zenphone 5 LTE
• HTC Desire 510
• Motorola Moto G with LTE
• Oppo Neo 5
• Samsung Galaxy Ace 4 LTE
• ZTE Blade VEC 4G

And the winner is...

The ASUS ZenFone 5 ticks almost all of the right boxes, it boasts good design, build quality, handling, interface, overall user experience and imaging performance, and all at a very good price. The only two drawbacks are its non-removable battery and the lack of dual-SIM support.

*Note: Prices and ratings listed are accurate at the time of individual product evaluation.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best High-end Smartphone

The high-end smartphone category is one of the most tightly contested, with flagship smartphones from all of the top brands. For this category we consider anything 5.5-inches or above to be a phablet, and thus not eligible here. It should also support 4G LTE since we're considering the top products of this category. In finding the best high-end smartphone we consider benchmark performance, battery life, camera performance, display quality, audio quality, design and build, handling, as well as any other extra features like a fingerprint scanner or a waterproof build.

Nominees: 

• Apple iPhone 6
• ASUS PadFone S
• HTC One M8
• Motorola Moto X (2014)
• Nokia Lumia 930
• Samsung Galaxy S5
• Sony Xperia Z3

And the winner is...

The iPhone 6 is our winner for its overall great combination of class-leading design, build-quality, camera-quality, system performance and navigation, and software-hardware integration. Benchmark performance was also good, and battery life was more than sufficient for a whole day’s usage. Apple also still boasts the best implemented fingerprint scanner, and the iPhone 6’s screen, while not as high resolution as some of the other displays out there, is also top notch, with good clarity, contrast, color reproduction and viewing angles.

*Note: Prices and ratings listed are accurate at the time of individual product evaluation.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Phablet

Big screens are here to stay, and the competition in the phablet category is hotter than ever. For this category we looked at the best smartphones with displays of 5.5-inches or larger. In choosing the winner, we considered build, display quality, camera quality, benchmark performance, as well as any additional features. When considering such large phones, we also paid extra attention to the handling of the phone, and how easy it is to navigate with one hand.

Nominees: 

• Apple iPhone 6 Plus
• Huawei Ascend Mate 7
• LG G3
• OnePlus One
• Oppo N3
• Samsung Galaxy Note 4
• Xiaomi Redmi Note 4G

And the winner is...

Samsung continues to lead the phablet pack with the Note 4 and its very useful signature S Pen and suite of software features. We were impressed by its excellent benchmark performance and especially its long battery life. We also found its handling to be the best among all phablets, thanks to its grippy faux leather rear cover and blocky shape. Its side key panel also helps to facilitate one-handed usage. Finally, the Note 4 also had the best camera performance out of all smartphones we saw in 2014, regardless of screen size, displaying excellent image quality, along with a generous level of user control.

*Note: Prices and ratings listed are accurate at the time of individual product evaluation.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Camera Smartphone

Camera smartphones have come a long way since the previous decade when these devices were typically equipped with VGA-resolution rear cameras. Their performance and expectations were so low that the conventional point and shoot camera reigned supreme by a large margin.

However, all that has changed significantly In the past three years as mainstream imaging is now handled primarily by smartphones and phone makers have kept improving the camera hardware in their phones as these brands push the boundaries for smartphone imaging. For this category we looked at not just image quality, but also considered the performance of other useful features like HDR mode, night-time mode, and burst shooting capabilities.

Nominees: 

• Apple iPhone 6
• HTC One M8
• LG G3
• Nokia Lumia 930
• Samsung Galaxy Note 4
• Sony Xperia Z3

And the winner is...

The Samsung Note 4 offered the best combination of features, performance and image quality. Autofocus was quick, and shooting in Auto produces images that are vibrant. Best of all you’re not stuck with shooting in Auto as you also get access to manual controls like ISO, exposure, white balance and metering. Noise control was also good, as the camera manages to retain excellent detail even when you’re shooting at the higher ISO settings.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Smartwatch

The wearable device market is quickly becoming the most hotly contested space in technology. And for almost every company invested in the area, the most lucrative piece of real estate is your wrist. But with so many choices out there, which smartwatch is the best?

Nominees: 

• ASUS ZenWatch
• LG G Watch R
• Motorola Moto 360
• Pebble Steel
• Samsung Gear S
• Sony Smartwatch 3

And the Winner Is...

The LG G Watch R is our winner in this category for its attractive roundface design, excellent battery life, gorgeous crisp display, ability to take any standard 22mm watch strap and snappy interface navigation.

*Note: Prices listed in this article are accurate at the time of product evaluation.

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

Best Mobile Chip 

Your mobile chip is the brains of your smartphone or tablet. Each system on a chip contains the processing cores, graphics processing unit, cache memory and all the other electronics necessary to provide mobile computing functions within a single physical package. But which mobile chip is the best?

Nominees: 

• Apple A8X (iPad Air 2)
• Intel Atom Z3560 (ASUS Memopad 8)
• Mediatek MT6592 (Xiaomi Redmi Note)
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 (Samsung Galaxy Note 4)
• Samsung Exynos 5 Octa 5430 (Samsung Galaxy Alpha)

And the winner is...

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 not only boasts class-leading performance thanks to its four speedy 2.7GHz processors, it also boasts an unrivaled 25.6 GB/s memory bandwidth and is one of the only SoCs to support 4K UHD video upscaling, recording and playback. Add to this its efficient power consumption and it’s easy to see why the Qualcomm Snapdragon 805 is our winner in this category. 

For more details on how we selected our winners, check out the full reviews and articles listed at the References section at the end.

References

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