Creative ZEN X-Fi2
With the Zen X-Fi2 model, Creative has seriously upped the ante to rival the market leader, iPod Touch. They have even added a 64GB memory capacity to match Apple’s formidable Touch capabilities. The X-Fi2’s sleek design and slender profile is genuine eye-candy and Creative technicians decided to dispense with the clumsy button keypad in favour of the popular touch screen interface.
User Interface – The UI then is as well organised as you would expect, though in cutting manufacturing costs Creative have opted for the resistive screen rather than the smoother capacitive screen. As a result the interface is more sluggish and less accurate than the competition which can be frustrating when you’re scrolling through an extensive track list. Both the iPod Touch and the rotational navigation control of the iPod Nano are more effective and easier to use.
Display – Creative have added an extra ½ inch to the display giving the Zen X-Fi2 a suitable 3inch screen to enhance your viewing pleasure, and whilst that still falls short of the iPod Touch is an improvement on previous Zen models and easily outstretches the measly 2.2 inch you get with the iPod Nano.
Sound – When it comes to sound quality, Creative come into their own and again they have not let us down with the Zen X-Fi2. The X-Fi (Xtreme Fidelity) speakers were already the best Sound Technology Creative has to offer and now they’ve added a perma button so users can turn the X-Fi crystallisation on and off during playback without having to access it through the UI. As with the X-Fi, isolated silicone covered earphones are comfortable and don’t leak sound. For sound quality, Apple simply can’t match the Zen range.
Video – As with the video features in the Zen range, the X-Fi comes fitted with a 16.7M- TFT colour display meaning the picture on video playback and computer games is sharp and smooth and is good as anything out there in this category. Creative’s only downfall is their video formats are limited and fall short of the IPod Nano and the iPod Touch which offer a greater choice of compatible formats.
Accessories – In addition to standard accessories, Creative offer a choice of protective covers to ensure the prolonged protection of your MP3 player. Users can either stick with the laminated screen protector or reinforce the device with either a sleek silicone skin or a sturdy black leather case.
Memory
- Creative Zen X-Fi2 8GB – 4000 songs, 5 hours video playback
- Creative Zen X-Fi2 16GB – 8000 songs, 5 hours video playback
- Creative Zen X-Fi2 32GB – 8000 songs, 5 hours video playback
- Creative Zen X-Fi2 64GB – 8000 songs, 5 hours video playback
- iPod Nano 8GB – 2000 songs, 8 hours video playback
- iPod Nano 16GB – 4000 songs, 16 hours video playback
- iPod Touch 8GB – 1750 songs, 10 hours video playback
- iPod Touch 32GB – 7000 songs, 40 hours video playback
- iPod Touch 64GB – 14000 songs, 30 hours playback
Battery Life
- Creative Zen X-Fi2 – 25 hours audio, 5 hours video
- iPod Nano – 24 hours audio, 5 hours video
- iPod Touch – 30 hours audio, 6 hours video
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