Monday, January 13, 2014

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ Specs, Unboxing and Hands ON Review

Latest SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ dual core powered Android tablet with dual SIM and TV capability, running on Android 4.2.2 JB OS, 512 MB RAM and boosting 5MP/VGA dual cameras on 7.0" display for P3,399 only.

Latest SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ is another affordable dual core powered versatile Android tablet with dual SIM and TV capability aside from CYCLOPS 2.

PHOENIX+ has a solid build, a little heavier and thicker but cheaper than SKK Mobile CYCLOPS 2 (P3,799) which I reviewed recently. They have almost the same specs except for screen resolution, connectivity and design.

Let's take a look at PHOENIX+ beauty inside and out and why it enhances your communication.


What's in the Box?

1. SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ Tablet Handset
2. USB Charger and microUSB cable
3. Headset / Mobile Cleaner
4. Manual and Warranty Certificate


SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ Price, Features and Specs

Price: P3,399
Features: Dual SIM (regular + regular), FM Radio, Analog TV and Voice Capture camera feature.
Physical Design: 3 on screen capacitive buttons (Back, Menu and Recent Apps) and ~11mm slim
CPU: 1.2 GHz dual core processor
GPU: MALI 400MP
OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean - JB
Screen: 7.0" WVGA Capacitive 5 point Multi-Touchscreen
Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Pixel per Inch: 133 ppi
RAM: 512 MB
Internal Memory: 4 GB expandable up to 32 GB via microSD
Camera: 5 MP rear with Flash and VGA front camera
Sensors: 4 directions Gravity sensor
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth. 3.5mm Audio Jack, GPS, WLAN Hotspot and 2G/EDGE capable
AnTuTu/Quadrant Benchmark Score: 12,425 ver 4.1.7 / 4,203 ver 2.1.1
Battery: ?
Availability/Released Date: Already in the market


SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ Unboxing and Hands ON Review

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ Unboxing includes PHOENIX+ Handset, headset, microUSB cable, USB charger, mobile cleaner, warranty certificate and manual.

I'll be reviewing PHOENIX+ tablet based on the categories below so, stay tuned for more updates from time to time.


1. Price: 4.8/5

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ is one of cheapest dual SIM and TV capable Android tablet in the Philippine market for 2014 based on my list. If you are on tight budget and you don't need 3G capable (like CYCLOPS 2) because your home is WiFi enabled, this is the right one for you.


2. Physical Design: 4.3/5

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ is a bit thicker and heavier than CYCLOPS 2 Android tablet but durable looking. It is good for masculine techie consumers and guys with big hands - from my point of view. At the top part, it houses the TV antenna, microUSB port and 3.5mm audio jack port. At the left side are power ON/OFF/SLEEP/WAKE and volume keys. Along the screen are front camera and call receiver.
PHOENIX+ back part houses for 2 regular SIM, microSD card, 5MP rear camera with flash and dual speaker grill at the bottom of SKK Mobile logo.

3. Display: 4.3/5

PHOENIX+ boost a 7.0" WVGA Capacitive 5-point Multi-Touchscreen. Although with lower ppi compared to CYCLOPS 2 (170 ppi), it has better viewing angles and faster responsive screen.

Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Pixel per Inch: 133 ppi
Dead Pixels: None
Multi-Touchscreen: 5-point (AnTuTu tester and tried on Fruit Ninja game)


4. Performance and Benchmark Scores: 4.8/5

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ is powered by MT6582 dual core processor (same with CYCLOPS 2), 512 MB RAM and running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system. UI is very smooth, buttery and fast responsive.

PHOENIX+ register a score of 12,425 and 4,203 on AnTuTu (measure CPU, GPU, RAM, and I/O performance) and Quadrant (also measures CPU, I/O and Graphics performance) Benchmark tool respectively. The higher, the better.

PHOENIX+ scored at 1830 and 465 on Vellamo HTML 5 (browsing performance) and METAL (CPU subsystem performance) benchmark tool respectively. The higher, the better.

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ register a whooping score of 72 fps (frame per second) on NenaMark2 benchmark which measures performance of GPU. It is higher compared to 52.7 fps of CYCLOPS 2. The higher, the better.

Power On: ~ 21 seconds
Shutdown: ~ 5 seconds
CPU: Up to 1.3 GHz MT6582 dual core processor (based on AnTuTu, Quadrant and Vellamo benchmark tools)
OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system
Graphics Processing Unit: MALI 400MP GPU
AnTuTu Benchmark Score: 12,425 version 4.1.7
Quadrant Benchmark Score: 4,203 version 2.1.1
Vellamo Mobile Benchmark Score: HTML 5 - 1,830, Metal - 465, version 2.0.3
NenaMark2: 72.0 fps version 2.4


5. Camera: 4.5/5

SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ 5 MP camera features is the same with CYCLOPS 2 - with voice capture, face detection and Zero shutter delay to name a few.

Rear Camera: 5 MP rear with Flash that is capable of 40/99 continuous shot and FINE video recording. It also features HDR (High Dynamic Range), Auto-capture when smile is detected, Panorama, Zero Shutter delay, Voice Capture (just say Cheese to take pictures) and Video EIS (Electronic Image Stabilization), it is the same with CYCLOPS 2.
Flash: Effective at 1 foot or less on the subject at night.
Autofocus: None
Zoom: None
Performance: Photos taken are with descent quality and sometimes no second picture (same with CYCLOPS 2) when using the HDR feature. For video recording, it above average quality and well lighted environment is recommended.
Sample Photos: (Pictures below are not edited)

HDR ON:
PHOENIX+ 5MP camera lens comes with HDR feature resulting in two photos with bright (right photos) and dark (left photos) exposures.
MACRO SHOT:
PHOENIX+ 5MP camera are good for macro-shots and outdoor shots.

MID SHOT:

LONG SHOT:
Mt. Makiling under fog along a nearby Pechay farm field.

Front Camera: VGA
Autofocus: None
Zoom: None
Performance: Photos taken by VGA camera are with average quality and should be on well lighted environment.


6. Multimedia and Games: 4.8/5

I'm really enjoying the smooth gameplay of Dead Trigger 2 on PHOENIX+ tablet. Let's kill all that zombies!

With PHOENIX+ long battery life, you can enjoy playing Zombie Tsunami non-stop for 9 hours.

Music: .mp3 and .mp4 are playable
Video/Movies: supports .mp4, .avi and 1080p movies
Audio: not so loud, with average quality
Games: Pre-installed with Fruit Ninja, compatible with Zombie Tsunami, Temple Run 2 and Candy Crush without lags. Shadowgun: Deadzone and Dead Trigger 2 are playable and runs smoothly.
Pre-Installed Apps: Facebook and Google Playstore


7. Connectivity and Functionality: 4.5/5

PHOENIX+ is TV capable and you can watch your favorite shows, movies and news anytime and anywhere.

The functionality and connectivity of both PHOENIX+ and CYCLOPS 2 are almost the same. If you just want WiFi, Bluetooth and 2G device at affordable price, PHOENIX+ is a must have.

Dual SIM: Both regular SIM, 2G/EDGE is both working on SIM 1 and SIM 2
Texting: working good
Call: it's working good, better on loudspeaker or headset
Camera Voice Capture: it's working on rear and front camera, say cheese!
LED Notification: None for incoming SMS and charging
Bluetooth: it's working
WiFi: working fine, it's fast.
WLAN HotSpot: it's working
3G/HSPA+: Not supported
GPS: working excellent
FM Radio: working with nice reception
Analog TV: working good, depends on your location
Micro-USB: I already transfer files on PC
MicroSD card slot: working fine with 2 GB and 8 GB
USB OTG (On the Go): yes it's working! (but not on broadband stick)
Sensors: Gyro sensor is working fine
How to Screenshot/Printscreen: Simultaneously press Power and Volume(-) button for 2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound.


8. Accessories: 4.5/5

Manual: it's very detailed
Headset: working fine, with SKK Mobile Logo
USB Charger: it's working, with SKK Mobile Logo
MicroUSB cable: working good, with engraved SKK Mobile Logo
MicroSD card: Not included
Screen Protector: Not included
Mobile/Cloth Cleaner: FREE


9. Battery: 4.8/5

PHOENIX+ long battery life will surely satisfy your cravings on texting, calling, games, WiFi and TV watching for a whole day without re-charging too often.

I tested the battery with 1 SIM onboard and brightness set to minimum and below results are all approximation. I believe it is fueled by a higher battery capacity compared to CYCLOPS 2. You can enjoy games, movies and watching TV for a day with just a single charging.

Call (display is off): 37.5 hrs.
Texting (1 SIM only, moderate): 12.33 hrs
WiFi: 10.33 hrs
Watching Movie: 10 hrs.
Games (Zombie Tsunami): 9.33 hrs.
Watching TV: 6 hrs.

Charging Time: ~ 4 hrs.
Charger Specs:
Input: AC 100-240V, 50-60 Hz, 150mA
Output: DC 5V, 1000 mAh


10: Durability: 4.8/5

PHOENIX+ is compact, solid build and durable looking. Screen protector and leather/jelly case will enhanced it's durability even more to protect from any scratches and accidental drops. It comes with 1 year limited warranty.


11. Defects/Bug and Improvements: 3.8/5

As of now I don't see any bugs or defects aside from the camera (sometimes no second picture for HDR mode) and OS is very stable. In terms of performance, functionality, speed and battery life, PHOENIX+ is one of the best design on their line up.

An 8 GB version, a Dolby Digital speaker, autofocus camera and slimmer design would be a good improvement for this tablet. Another one, I hope PHOENIX+ 3G will be available soon.


12. Verdict: 4.54/5

I gave high scores to PHOENIX+ Price, Performance and Battery - another versatile tablet with phone functionality for call and text.

Fast, long battery life, affordable and versatile tablet - SKK Mobile PHOENIX+ will really enhance your communication either by texting, calling, social networking, games, movies and watching TV.

A must have tablet for 2014 aside from CYCLOPS 2!


Sources:
SKK Mobile Facebook
SKK Mobile Official Site



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11 comments:

Anonymous said...

where can we buy this item?

Anonymous said...

can we have this through door to door delivery?

GbSb said...

I'm not sure po if they have, here are some of their branches,

SKK SM North Edsa Annex
SKK SM Mega Mall
SKK Robinson Galleria
SKK Market Market Taguig
SKK Robinson Riverbank Marikina
SKK SM Super Center Valenzuela
SKK Robinson Metro East Pasig
SKK SM Bicutan SKK SM Isetann Recto
SKK SM Marikina
SKK SM Calamba
SKK SM Batangas
SKK Kiosk -Victory Mall
SKK SM City Bacolod
SKK SM Olongapo
SKK SM Bacoor

Pls also try to visit their Facebook page and official site.

Anonymous said...

I have this for 2 days now, where very happy about the performance in internet browsing, gaming & the battery is really good! Thanks for the review GbSb!

GbSb said...

Your welcome. Enjoy your gadget!

Anonymous said...

Phoenix+ ...4GB or 2GB
meron ako neto, 2GB naman nakalagay

GbSb said...

ginamit na po para sa OS at pre-installed app kaya ~2GB na lang ang natira.

Anonymous said...

Gaano po katagal ang battery life lalo na kapag heavy usage?
Balak ko po kasi bumili, thanks :)

GbSb said...

Kindly please refer sa battery categories.Sa heavy usage po, 6 hours non stop TV, 1/3 brightness with 1 SIM onboard.

Anonymous said...

pwede po bang mag skype gamit yan.khit hnd 3g?

Anonymous said...

Bos pano i root itong unit na to???

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