Trade show attendees examine the Sony Smart Watch 2 on display at the International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. The Android based watch interacts with the user’s smartphone.BOSTON – One of the reasons Android phones have become popular is the choice they offer: Want a big screen? There’s a phone for you. Want cheap? There’s one for you, too.
New phones from Sony and LG continue that trend. Although I personally find their distinctive features unnecessary, consumers looking for those specific attributes will welcome them.
Sony’s Xperia Z1s is a waterproof phone with a high-megapixel camera, while LG’s G Flex has a curved screen that offers a better fit for phone calls.
Xperia Z1s, Sony Corp. ($528, contract-free, through T-Mobile only):
The 5-inch Z1s stands out in two ways: It’s waterproof, meaning you can dunk it in water up to 4.5 feet deep for a half-hour. And the camera’s 20.7-megapixel resolution is higher than that of most phones, which means sharper photos when blown up or printed.