June 2013 Entry Level Smartphone Buyers Guide Part 2

PART ONE OF THIS ARTICLE CAN BE FOUND AT THIS LINK

The first five phones on this list are probably the best mainstream choices. They are nicely balanced packages.

The prices posted are those covered by an official manufacturers warranty.

Set Two

6. Cloudfone Thrill 430x (Php6,999) - Endurance king

The Cloudfone Thrill 430x  has a coupe of this going for it. From a sharp 4.3-inch qHD (540 x 960), 768 MB of RAM and a huge 4160 mAh battery. That battery alone is probably the deciding factor in whether you decide to select this phone or not. The large battery does make for a thick 14 mm device, as well as makes the device feel pretty heavy at 182 grams.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1
• 4.3-inch qHD (540 x 960) display
• Dual sim support
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz duak core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Processor
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 8 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 0.3 MP front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 4160 mAh battery

You can read more about the Cloudfone Thrill 430x at this link.

7. Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 (Php6,999) - For the gamer on a budget

The Android powered Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 main selling points are its quad core processor, 1 GB of RAM and 4.5-inch qHD display for a price just under 7K. While not as powerful as the Cherry Mobile Omega HD is is all of Php2,000 cheaper.

It has one serious flaw the display and a 1600 mAh battery is a bit small for this type of phone, and will result in marginal battery life. This being the case, I really can only recommend this phone to those who want a phone for mobile gaming on a budget.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1
• 4.5-inch qHD (540 x 960) display
• Dual sim support
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Processor
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• 0.3 MP front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1600 mAh battery

You can read more about the Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 at this link.

8. Nokia Lumia 520 (Php7,450)- Windows Phone 8 means excellent Facebook and Skype integration, as well as voice guided turn by turn navigation.

There are several reasons to consider Windows Phone 8 device. It has a nice clean user interface. If an Android device does not feels a bit too complicated, you may fine Windows Phone 8 to be a better fit. 

Heavy Facebook and Skype users will also appreciate Windows Phone 8. Facebook Messaging is integrated into the SMS application. Facebook and Skype are also integrated in the  People Hub (i.e. Contacts). 

The main drawback is that Windows Phone has about 150,000 apps, which is a fair bit less than the 800,000 apps you will find for Android. The Windows Phone market has a good selection of productivity, communications and social apps. Windows Phone also come with Microsoft Office installed, so you won't even have to buy an office suit. It also comes with Nokia Here, so you get voice guided turn by turn navigation. Gamers will be the ones most affect by the smaller selection of apps. 

The Nokia Lumia 520 is the cheapest Windows Phone 8 device, and it is a decent choice. The phone comes 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display, a modern dual core Qualcomm Krait processor and 8 GB of internal storage, expandable via a MicroSD card. The main drawback with this phone is the absence of a front camera. Given Skype integration in Windows Phone 8, all Windows Phone devices should come with a front camera.

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 8 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 305 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera
• No front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1430 mAh battery

9. Huawei Ascend W1 (Php8,500) - The best entry level Windows Phone in the market

The Huawei Ascend W1, is Huawei's first Windows Phone 8 device, and it is a really good one. The Ascend W1 is excellent balance of performance and battery life.

The specifications are similar to Nokia 520 but it comes with a front camera, LED flash and a much larger battery. Storage can be an issue. It has 4 GB of internal storage with 1.7 GB left for apps. While you can expand storage via a MicroSD card you cannot install apps on the SDCard. 

Quick specifications:

• Windows Phone 8
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1.2 GHz dual core Qualcomm Krait processor
• Adreno 305 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with a LED flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1950 mAh battery

I have a comparison of the Nokia Lumia 520 and the Huawei Ascend W1 at this link.

June 2013 Entry Level Smartphone Buyers Guide Part 1

It is that time of the month ago. I start each month with a buyers guide. The entry level will over phones priced at not more than Php10,000. To make it on the list, it should run a current operating system which means you will only see Windows Phone 8 devices and phones running  Android 4.1, Jelly Bean, or better.

Because of the number of phones I am including on this list this month I am breaking it into two parts. The first set would represent mainstream choices. The second set, would be phones that would appeal to particular users.

The prices posted are those covered by an official manufacturers warranty.

Set One

1. Cherry Mobile Flare or Cherry Mobile Burst  (Php3,999) - Good enough for serious smartphone work

It is pretty amazing that seven months after release, all it takes is a software update to make this the best bang for the buck phone in the Philippine market. Yes, the Cherry Mobile Flare will now be running Jelly Bean, and existing owners can get their units updated at Cherry Mobile Service Centers nationwide.  The update makes the phone software compatible with the latest features on the 800,000 apps available on Google Play.

This 4-inch Android phone is really good enough for most users. The 4-inch display is big enough to do serious work like editing documents and the WVGA (480 x 800) resolution is sharp enough to things like photo editing. The display is large enough to enjoy web browsing or looking at updates on your Facebook, Twitter or Google+ timelines. The display, after all is as large as the display on the iPhone 5.

Inside a sufficiently powerful a 1.2 GHz dual-core processor Qualcomm  built processor with Adreno 203 graphics is powerful enough to play most of the games Available for Android, including a fair number of the newer 3D titles. The Flare supports two SIM's and connectivity is via HSPA. The biggest fly in the ointment is the 512 MB of RAM, but at Php3,990 you do have to make some compromises. 

The Flare is equipped with 5MP primary camera with a LED flash, and a VGA front camera. The 5 MP shooter wont replace your point and shoot camera, but is good enough for taking pictures to be uploaded on the internet. The 1500 mAh battery supplied with the phone, is large enough to get you past a day. 

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• Dual SIM support
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1.2 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1500 mAh battery

The are better phones. But if your budget is a bit tight, you wont really miss all that much by just spending just Php3,990.

You can read more about the Cherry Mobile Flare here.

2. Huawei Ascend Y300 (Php5,490) - Longer endurance makes this a good alternative to the Flare, but not necessarily a better choice.

The Huawei Ascend Y300 is nearly identical to the Flare. In some way better, and other worse. On the plus side is you get a larger 1730 mAh battery and a Gorilla Glass protected display. On the minus side, the Ascend Y300's processor is clocked a bit slower, the phone only supports one SIM and will set you back Php1,491 more.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 4-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1730 mAh battery

Is the Ascend Y300 worth the additional money. If you are looking at bang for the buck, the answer is no.  But the 1730 mAh battery will give you 15-20% longer battery than the Flare, and given how important battery life is, this phone is a good choice for those willing to pay a premium for longer battery life.

You can read more about the Huawei Ascend Y300 at this link.

3. Huawei Ascend G510  (Php5,990) - A 4.5-inch display is the main reason for choosing this phone

The Huawei Ascend Y300 has specifications which are pretty much identical to the Flare and Ascend Y300. 

The reason you may want to buy the Ascend G510 instead of the first two phones is that it comes with a larger 4.5-inch FWVGA (480 x 854) display.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 4.5-inch FWVGA (480 x 854) display
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core MediaTek MT6577 processor
• PowerVT SGX531 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 1700 mAh battery

If 4-inch display is not enough, Php5,990 will get you a 4.5-inch display. 

4. Cherry Mobile Titan (Php5,999) - A low cost 5-inch monster phone

For those who want an even larger display is the Cherry Mobile Titan. The Titan is a monster phone which comes with a large 5-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display. Again the specifications are similar to the Flare, Y300 and G510. The Titan does come with a more powerful dual core MediaTek processor. A larger 2350 mAh battery is also provided to power the large display.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
• 5-inch WVGA (480 x 800) display
• Dual SIM capability
• 4 GB internal storage expandable via a MicroSD card slot
• 512 MB RAM
• 1 GHz dual core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor
• Adreno 203 graphics
• 5 MP autofocus primary camera with LED Flash
• VGA front camera
• HSPA
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2350 mAh battery

The large 5-inch display with a relative low WVGA resolution means the display can get a bit pixelated. The Ascend G510 in my opinion is a better balance of sharpness and screen size. Still, a 5-icnh display is a nice alternative to have.

You can read more about the Cherry Mobile Titan here.

5. Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 (Php8,999) - Entry level in price only

The Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 is a entry level phone only in terms of price. The 5-inch HD (720 x 1280) display will impress. The quad core processor and 1 GB of RAM make it twice as powerful as the first four phone on this list. A 12 MP primary and 2 MP front camera, both of which have back-lit sensors, rounds out the package nicely. In short Omega HD 2.0 does a good job of mimicking high end Androids.

Quick specifications:

• Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• 5-inch IPS HD display (720 x 1280)
• Dual SIM 
• 4 GB internal storage, expandable via a microSD card slot
• 1 GB RAM
• 1.2 GHz quad core processor
• PowerVR SGX544MP graphics
• 12 MP BSI primary camera, autofocus with flash
• 2 MP BSI  front camera
• HSPA+
• WiFi
• Bluetooth
• A-GPS
• 2100 mAh battery

You can read more about the Cherry Mobile Omega HD 2.0 at this link.


PART TWO UP OF THIS ARTICLE IS AT THIS LINK