Elephone S1 Quick Impression and Review Specs Price Philippines

Update! Elephone S1 Now on Sale for only 2,999 Pesos Only! See here:

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We had recently graced the Official launching of Elephone and we got a chance to play around with their upcoming units.

Starting of with their budget smartphone, Elephone S1. Comes in metal frame and glass front and back panels exuding premium grade solid built and grand looks which houses its 5 inch HD On-Cell IPS Display. At the top you will find 3.5mm Audio jack while at the bottom is the Micro USB port and Speaker Grill. You will notice lines accent which is actually antenna lines. Right Side lies the power button and volume rocker which resembles that of Xperia aesthetics. The hybrid sim card microSD tray compartment is at the left side. Does not have capacitive keys as it use screen navigation keys. Elephone S1 really looks and feels expensive for a budget smartphone.

For its innards, there is a 1.3GHz Mediatek MT6580 Quad-Core Processor with Mali 400 MP2 GPU coupled with 1GB RAM and 8GB Internal Storage. You could expand its storage via MicroSD card hybrid slot. It scored a decent 23K with Antutu Benchmark, higher compared to some Snapdragon 410 smartphones. It is multi-touch although up to 3 only and has nearly complete sensors. We wished they added additional memory as more RAM are offered by local brands.

Elephone S1 Antutu, Sensors

The Elephone S1 is equipped with a 13MP Rear camera with Sony IMX149 sensor and for its front camera is at 2MP with OmniVision Sensor. We took some test shots to see its outputs and get camera details. It revealed that the rear camera hass an aperture size of f/2.0 and front is at f/2.8. Aperture is important as it is the opening of the camera, the lower the aperture, the larger is the opening which means more light can enter therefore better outputs in low light. It focuses well as you can see in the samples. Front camera is just decent but make sure you have enough light source to get better selfies.

Left Photo - Focus on Glass | Right Photo Focus on Background  

Selfie Test

Elephone S1 runs on FreeMe OS 5.3 base on Android 5.1 Lollipop more like Miui UI with Apps on the homescreen preinstalled with other value added services and customization. Oh if you don't see the navigation keys just swipe up to reveal it. There's a learning curved to the UI but you will get use to it somehow, in time. Elephone S1 carries a Finger Print sensor for personalize security ensuring only you can open and unlock your phone.

You do get the regular set of connectivity with WiFi, Bluetooth and GPS. Cellular Data is handled by HSPA+ or 3G for internet connectivity on the go. Dual Sim but if you need the additional storage then you need to sacrifice the other sim slot for microSD. USB-OTG is supported by Elephone S1.

Battery is only 1800mAh which should last you hours of moderate use but if you're heavy data or gamer the might bring the charger along or carry a powerbank.

Package includes Elephone S1 unit, Charger, Manual, USB Cable, TPU Case

Elephone S1 offers high quality built and classy look match with up-to-date decent internals as well as good optics with its primary camera plus Fingerprint sensor for just a budget price of 3,999 Pesos.

Will expand this article if I can get to review this further.

Elephone presence should threaten local brands as they offer quality and updated hardware and software. More players in the market means competition so better devices and great for consumers. Lets see in couple of months how Elephone will perform.

Elephone S1 will be Available on April 18 12nn with Lazada Philippines.

Here are the Product Page for Elephone S1. Be sure to bookmark for hassle free order.

Elephone S1

Elephone S1 Specs
Android Lollipop 5.1
5 inch HD On-Cell IPS Display
1.3GHz Mediatek MT6580 Quad-Core
1GB RAM
8GB Internal Storage
Expandable via MicroSD Hybrid SIM Slot
13MP Sony IMX 149 Rear Camera
f/2.0 aperture
with LED Flash
2MP OV Front Camera
f/2.8 aperture
Dual Sim (Hybrid Slot) Dual Standby
HSPA+ / 3G

WIFI

Bluetooth
GPS
Fingerprint Sensor
USB-OTG
1800mAh Battery