On 19 June 2017, nubia officially entered the Malaysian market with three of their latest smartphones – the nubia M2, nubia M2 Lite and nubia N1 Lite. Take a look at the origin of the nubia brand of smartphones, and find out these three smartphones offer!
The Origin Of The Nubia Brand
nubia is actually a ZTE brand that was established in 2012. Erik Meng, the nubia ASEAN regional director explains their origin, and the meaning of the name nubia, and their technological milestones so far.
The nubia M2, M2 Lite & N1 Lite Smartphones Revealed!
In this video, CP Chow, Senior Channel Manager of nubia Malaysia, presents the key features of the nubia M2, M2 Lite and N1 Lite smartphones.
The nubia M2 Smartphone
The nubia M2 (Lowest price) was designed using the nubiArc design concept. It has a slim metal unibody that is polished and sand-blasted, undergoing a 72-step process to create a soft texture. It is also the first nubia smartphone to offer dual main cameras, with a 13 MP colour sensor and a 13 MP monochrome sensor.
Both cameras are protected by sapphire glass, and come with f/2.2 lenses. Their images are processed by an image engine that consists of a DOF (depth of field) calculator and a dual-core image signal processor. The cameras also support PDAF, allowing for very fast focusing (0.1 seconds).
The primary colour camera also supports 3D noise reduction, which reduces noise in low-light conditions. The monochrome sensor increases light input, allowing for brighter and clearer night shots. They are supported by a dual LED real-tone flash.
The nubia M2 (Lowest price) smartphone boasts a 5.5″ Super AMOLED display, and a full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels. It is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass, with a 2.5D edge. It is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, and comes with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal storage. It packs a 3,630 mAh battery which supports 18 W fast-charging technology.
The nubia M2 (Lowest price) also features a fast fingerprint sensor, and support for DTS HEADPHONE:X, as well as a hybrid SIM tray.
The nubia M2 Lite Smartphone
The nubia M2 Lite (Lowest price) is a less-capable version of the nubia M2. It is still a 5.5″ smartphone, but it only has an IPS display with a resolution of 720 x 1280, without Gorilla Glass protection.
The M2 Lite (Lowest price) is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 SoC, and comes with 4 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage. It has a 3,000 mAh battery that supports 10 W charging.
Instead of a dual camera system, it has a single 13 MP primary camera (f/2.2 lens), and a 16 MP selfie camera (f/2.0 lens). It also has a fast fingerprint sensor.
The nubia N1 Lite Smartphone
The nubia N1 Lite (Lowest price) is also their entry-level smartphone, with a 5.5″ IPS display (720 x 1280). It is powered by the quad-core MediaTek MT6737, and comes with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal storage.
The N1 Lite (Lowest price) has an 8 MP rear camera with f/2.0 lens and dual LED flash, and a 5 MP front camera with f/2.8 lens and a soft light flash.
It has dual SIM capability, and packs a 3,000 mAh battery. It also has a fingerprint sensor, but this is located at the back.
The nubia M2, M2 Lite & N1 Lite Price & Availability
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The nubia M2 (Lowest price) is available in Black Gold and Champagne Gold colours, with a retail price of RM 1,699 / ~US$ 399.
The nubia M2 Lite (Lowest price) is available in Black Gold and Champagne Gold colours as well, with a retail price of RM 1,099 / ~US$ 259.
The nubia N1 Lite (Lowest price) is only available in the Black Gold colour, with a retail price of just RM 599 / ~US$ 139.
Limited quantities of the nubia Z11 (Lowest price), powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, with 6 GB RAM and 64 GB storage, will be available for sale at RM 1,899 / ~US$ 449.
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Neffos revealed the Neffos X1 and Neffos X1 Max smartphones to the media at an exclusive event last month. They reserved the best for the official consumer launch at Sunway Pyramid yesterday. Not only did they publicly revealed the Neffos X1 and Neffos X1 Max smartphones, they also revealed the new Neffos brand ambassador – Fazura!
Fazura did not just come to grace the event, she also sang two songs to a delighted crowd, before giving us a more intimate Q&A session after that. Join us for our coverage of the Neffos X-Series consumer launch!
The Neffos X-Series Consumer Launch
MC Kevin Chong kicked off the event with a welcome speech by Neffos Senior Marketing Manager, Kelvin Lim. Then came the big reveal – Fazura is the Neffos brand ambassador!
Fazura, Live @ The Neffos X-Series Consumer Launch!
Fazura then wowed the crowd with her cover of Sheila Majid’s “Dia” and Adele’s “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)”.
The Media Q&A Session With Fazura & Neffos
The media later had an intimate Q&A session with Fazura and Neffos. Enjoy!
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The Neffos X1 and X1 Max Price & Availability
Both the Neffos X1 and the Neffos X1 Max will be available in two variants. Here are their prices :
Neffos X1 with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage : RM 849 / ~US$ 189 Neffos X1 with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage : RM 769 / ~US$ 169
Neffos X1 Max with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage : RM 1,199 / ~US$ 259 Neffos X1 Max with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage : RM 999 / ~US$ 219
Only the Neffos X1 is available right now. The Neffos X1 Max will only be available in March 2017.
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Neffos recently launched the Neffos X1 Max and Neffos X1 smartphones at a glitzy event. We had the opportunity to get some hands-on time with both the Neffos X1 Max and the Neffos X1 smartphones. Here are both models, side-by-side. You can see that with the exception of their sizes, they look identical!
If you want to know more about these new Neffos smartphones, we present to you our hands-on preview of the Neffos X1 Max and Neffos X1 smartphones!
The Neffos X1 Max & Neffos X1 Specifications
First, let us show you what are the differences between the two models. Other than their obvious difference in size and weight.
Specifications
Neffos X1 Max
Neffos X1
Neffos X1 Lite
Display
5.5" Full HD IPS display
- 1080 x 1920 pixels (403.4 ppi)
5" HD IPS display
- 720 x 1280 pixels (293.7 ppi)
5" HD IPS display
- 720 x 1280 pixels (293.7 ppi)
System Platform
MediaTek Helio P10
MediaTek Helio P10
MediaTek MT6750
Processor
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (2.0 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1.2 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (2.0 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1.2 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1.5 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1.0 GHz)
The Neffos X1 Max is the phablet model, with a 5.5″ full HD IPS display protected by Corning Gorilla Glass. It is powered by the octa-core MediaTek Helio P10, and comes in two variants – 3 GB RAM with 32 GB storage or 4 GB RAM with 64 GB storage.
The Neffos X1 Max is scheduled to arrive in March 2017. The 3 GB RAM variant with 32 GB storage will be priced at RM 999 / ~US$ 219, while the 4 GB variant with 64 GB storage will be priced at RM 1,199 / ~US$ 259.
The Neffos X1 Hands-On Preview
The Neffos X1 is a 5″ smartphone with a 720p IPS display, and the same MediaTek Helio P10 processor. It comes in two variants – a 2 GB RAM variant with 16 GB storage, and a 3 GB RAM variant with 32 GB storage.
The Neffos X1 is available right now, with an online promotion to boot. The 2 GB RAM variant with 16 GB storage will be priced at RM 769 / ~US$ 169, while the 3 GB variant with 32 GB storage will be priced at RM 849 / ~US$ 189.
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Neffos just kicked off 2017 with the launch of the new Neffos X1 and Neffos X1 Max smartphones. First revealed at iFA 2016, they have now arrived!
Neffos is the smartphone brand of the networking giant TP-LINK. They first started with entry-level models like the Neffos C5 and C5L, before trying their hand at the mid-range Neffos C5 Max. If you want to know how well they did, take a look at our Neffos C5 smartphone review!
Now, they are moving up the value chain with the new Neffos X1 family. Join us for our coverage of the Neffos X1 and X1 Max launch event!
The Neffos X1 and X1 Max Launch Show
Neffos kicked off the Neffos X1 and X1 Max launch with a really cool dance routine. Check it out!
The Neffos X1 and X1 Max Presentation
After the Neffos X1 and X1 Max were officially launched, Wayne Zhang, Neffos Product Manager, presented the key features of the new smartphones. Then Robert Hu, Neffos Sales Director, revealed the launch prices of both smartphones.
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The Neffos X1 and X1 Max Price & Availability
Both the Neffos X1 and the Neffos X1 Max will be available in two variants. Here are their prices :
Neffos X1 with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage : RM 849 / ~US$ 189 Neffos X1 with 2 GB RAM and 16 GB internal storage : RM 769 / ~US$ 169
Neffos X1 Max with 4 GB RAM and 64 GB internal storage : RM 1,199 / ~US$ 259 Neffos X1 Max with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB internal storage : RM 999 / ~US$ 219
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The Official Neffos X1 and X1 Max Press Release
12 January 2017 — Poised to take the year 2017 by storm, Neffos today officially announced the arrival of the much anticipated Neffos X1 and X1 Max – the brand’s darling of the IFA 2016 – to the Malaysian market. Unfettered by the highly competitive smartphone landscape, Neffos is fielding its new Android wonder that boasts impeccable design, state-of-the-art mobile technologies and customer-centric features in its bid to propel the brand to be a serious contender in the mobile arena.
Created for the consumers of tomorrow, the Neffos X Series pushes the boundaries of smartphone design, imaging prowess, mobile security, and processing performance that caters to the ever-evolving consumer lifestyle. Adhering to the brand’s ‘Close to You’ mantra, the new Neffos X1 and X1 Max exhibits human-oriented philosophy and design approach with the aim to seamlessly connect people and technology together. Bringing innovative ideas closer to reality, the Neffos X series is the stepping stone towards making life simpler for Malaysians.
“The new Neffos X Series smartphones are the perfect combination of smart technology and stylish design. They bring unparalleled value to our customers by prioritizing features that help them stay closer to everything and everyone around them,” said TP-Link co-founder and Chairman,Jeffrey Chao.
TOP-NOTCH CAMERA AND SUPERFAST UNLOCKING PERFECTLY IN 0.2 SECONDS
Embodying the perfection of 0.2 seconds, the X Series is made to fulfill the needs of consumers’ that desire fast-paced connectivity and interactivity. With a rear camera of 13-megapixel Sony sensor with backside illumination and 5P lens system as well as fast PDAF (phase-detection auto-focus) accurately by 0.2 seconds, the X series makes capturing precious moments similar to blinking an eye.
Giving the picture-taking more quality, the camera also features an f/2.0 aperture lens for taking clearer shots in low light and providing a shallow of depth of field. Worry no-more about low light photography, because the Neffos X series also comes with Real-time Night shooting, dual-tone flash can light up even the darkest subjects therefore making your night images clear as daylight.
In addition, the camera also include the standard features such as HDR, Time Lapse, and Panorama. The live-shooting mode crosses over to the 5-megapixel front camera, and the Real-time Beautify mode makes taking selfies more intuitive. The perfect selfie is just one tap away with the Neffos X series.
With its super-fast fingerprint ID locking system, the Neffos X series provides more security and timely convenience as the phone unlocks in just 0.2 seconds perfectly. Programmed by sophisticated algorithms, it can refine fingerprint data with use, thus the more a user unlocks the phone, the more accurate and fast it gets over time.
INSPIRED DESIGN
Stylishly sleek and built with premium materials, the Neffos X1 and X1 Max features metallic body exterior that was inspired by the rocks found in streams — smoothed by the water over time without losing their mettle. Every detail has been refined to make the phones look and feel familiar, and give consumers the best user experience.
One highlight of the design is the dual-curved back that tapers towards the sides and allows for a more ergonomic fit. The subtle curves also makes the X series easier to hold and operate one-handed compared to other devices of similar size.
The Neffos X series also have super-thin bezels of up to 2.75mm[1], and smooth, chamfered edges that measure only 0.6mm. With the length of the phones kept to a minimum, screen-to-body ratio is high at 76 percent.
The screen makes use of full in-cell technology with “touch and display driver integration” (TDDI), which is light and 0.2mm thinner than the usual lamination used on other smartphones. It also provides high control precision in games and apps, and seamless screen integration for much improved image quality while also extending battery life.
A 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass sits on top of the X1 Max’s display to make swiping through screens feel natural. The X1 Max display — gorgeous at 5.5 inches — has a high, 1,800:1 color contrast for best-in-class entertainment. Colors are rendered with utmost accuracy and vibrancy. Details are sharp and viewing angles are excellent even at awkward angles. The Neffos X series device are perfect for playing graphics-rich games and watching TV shows and movies.
UNCOMPROMISED PERFORMANCE
The Neffos X1 and X1 Max runs on the Octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 chipset with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage*, which can be expanded with a microSD card up to 128GB. The phones supports dual-band Wi-Fi and multiple LTE bands for fast internet access where available, thus capable to handle anything from typical smartphone activities, like web browsing and video streaming, to demanding games. Powering the Neffos X1 is a 2,250mAh battery while the X1 Max gets a larger 3,000mAh capacity which features unique capability as the X1 Max supports fast charging with 50% charging in just 30 minutes!
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
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The Neffos X1 and X1 Max are available in two colours, which are Cloudy Grey and Sunrise Gold. The Neffos X1 is priced at RM 769 for 2GB RAM with 16GB ROM and RM 849 for 3GB RAM with 32GB ROM while the X1 Max will be priced at RM 999 RAM for 3GB with 32GB ROM and RM1199 for 4GB RAM with 64GB ROM.
The Neffos X1 is now available at all authorised Neffos retailers and resellers nationwide while the X1 Max will hit the stores in March 2017.
On top of that, the Neffos X Series also comes with a two-year warranty as consumers can enjoy a peace of mind while owning a Neffos smartphone. The two-year warranty programme also offer services for selected mechanical and technical issues excluding accidental damage or broken screens. Neffos is also providing a one-on-one device exchange to customers whose Neffos device experience damages beyond repair within the first three months of purchase.
[1] X1 Max: 2.75mm narrow edge, 7.85mm of the body, X1: 2.95mm narrow edge, 7.95mm of the body
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Alcatel OneTouch recently rebranded their Flash smartphone division as a separate brand – Flash. Building upon their success with the Flash 2 smartphone, they introduced the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada). For our coverage of the launch, take a look at our article – Flash Plus 2 Smartphone Revealed!
The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) promises to offer even more value for money with a renewed focus on delivering mobigraphy – the ultimate mobile photographic experience. Let’s take a look!
Flash Plus 2 Smartphone Specifications
Specifications
Flash Plus 2
(2 GB Variant)
Flash Plus 2
(3 GB Variant)
Display
5.5" IPS display (1080 x 1920 pixels, 401 ppi)
1000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 160° viewing angle
MiraVision 2.0 image technology
Protection
Asahi Dragon Trail Glass
Operating System
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
SoC Platform
MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755)
Processor
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1.8 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1 GHz)
Graphics Processor
ARM Mali-T860 MP2 GPU (550 MHz)
Memory
2 GB LPDDR3
3 GB LPDDR3
Storage
16 GB eMMC internal flash storage (10.4 GB free)
microSD slot (supports up to 128 GB)
32 GB eMMC internal flash storage (25.4 GB free)
microSD slot (supports up to 128 GB)
Front Camera
5 MP sensor with 1.12 μm pixel size
f/2.2 wide-angle lens (84.4°)
LED flash with CRI of 80
Rear Camera
13 MP OmniVision OV13853 sensor
Phase-detection auto-focus (PDAF) technology
5P wide-angle f/2.0 lens (76.5°) with blue optical glass filter
Dual-tone LED flash
1080p video recording at 60 fps
AKM4375 Chipset + NXP9890 Audio Amplifier
Stereo FM radio
Dual-microphone noise cancellation
Battery
3,000 mAh lithium ion battery
Talk time: 16hrs(2G) / 15hrs(3G)
Standby time: 528hrs(2G) / 405hrs(4G)
Music Playback (headset default vol)(54h) / (speaker default vol)(12h)
Video Streaming WIFI (4h)
WIFI browsing (6h)
Video -H.264 (1080P) HW mode Video H.264 (1080P) (6h)
Fast Charging Capability
9V / 1.67A fast-charging technology
Powered by the TI BQ25896 fast-charging chip
Size
76.4 mm wide x 152.6 mm tall x 8.2 mm thick
Weight
157 g
Available Colours
Venus Gold / Luna Silver
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Unboxing The Flash Plus 2
The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) comes in a classy matte black box. The heart-shaped accent above the Flash Plus 2 logo has a fingerprint imprint, just in case you are not aware that the Flash Plus 2 has a fingerprint sensor. 🙂
With all the contents unpacked, you will find the following items:
One set of Quick Start Guide, Warranty Certificate, Safety and Warranty Information booklets
One “Welcome to Flash Community” card
One micro-USB cable
Surprisingly, the Flash Plus 2 does not come with earphones, a case or a screen protector. They were notable accessories in the Flash 2 smartphone package.
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Design & Build
With a 5.5″ display, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) is a phablet, hence the “Plus” in its name. Beneath the display, there is a home button flanked by a pair of backlit capacitive keys. The home button does double duty as a fingerprint sensor, which allows the Flash Plus 2 to be unlocked in a fraction of a second.
While fingerprint sensors aren’t new, the Flash Plus 2 is the first to include one in this price segment. The choice of combining it with the home button may not be to everyone’s taste though. It requires the Flash Plus 2 to be woken up from standby (by pressing on the home button or power button) before being unlocked.
The Power button and Volume control buttons are located on the right side of the Flash Plus 2, near the top. That is not a very ideal location for the power button, although most users will just use the Home button to wake up the Flash Plus 2.
On the bottom, you will find the micro USB 2.0 port near the left edge, with the microphone port near the right edge. You will find a second microphone port at the top of the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada), together with the headphone port. The two microphone ports helps with the noise cancellation, allowing for clearer audio to be recorded.
The biggest change from the previous Flash 2 smartphone is immediately apparent from the back. The Flash Plus 2 is the first model to feature a metal case. Now, it does not have a metal frame, or even a unibody design. Instead, it features a swappable metal back cover in the choice of two colours – Luna Silver and Venus Gold.
Even though it still uses a plastic frame, the metal back cover stiffens the Flash Plus 2, and gives it a more premium feel. The brushed aluminium finish also gives it a classier look. The top half of its back is dominated by its 13 MP camera, accompanied by a dual-tone LED flash. The bottom half features a speaker vent with a slight bump to maximise audio output when placed on flat surfaces.
While phablets are usually less ergonomic for those with smaller hands, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) fits our hands quite well. This is probably due to the rounded edges on its back. They allow for a more comfortable grip, although the brushed finish feels a little slippery. On the other hand, the finish is virtually impervious to fingerprint smudges!
Inside The Flash Plus 2
Now, we will show you how to carefully remove the metal back cover to gain access to the two SIM slots and the microSD card slot.
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Setting Up The Flash Plus 2
When you power up the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) for the first time, it will take about 36 seconds to boot up. If you set it up as a fresh device, it will take you no more than 5 minutes to complete the initial setup. Check it out!
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The Flash Plus 2 Cameras
Like its predecessor, the Flash 2 smartphone, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) is focused on photography. Flash even coined a term for the ultimate mobile photography experience – mobigraphy. To achieve that, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) has a 5 MP front camera that not only uses larger 1.12 μm pixels, it is supported by a dedicated LED flash. The front camera also has a 84.4° wide-angle lens with f/2.2 aperture.
The 13 MP main camera at the back features PDAF (phase-detection autofocus) technology, which allows for faster focusing. It has a bright f/2.0 lens with a wide angle of 76.5° and a blue optical glass filter. It is supported by a dual-tone LED flash, for more realistic skin tones.
The main camera is not only capable of recording full HD (1080p) videos, it can even do so at 60 fps. So the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) is not only great for taking photos, it’s great for taking videos. But with limited storage, it’s best to add a microSD card if you intend to take many videos.
Display
The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) comes with a 5.5″ Full HD OGS (one glass solution) display with a pixel density of ~401 ppi. Coupled with MiraVision 2.0 technology, we find it very pleasing to our eyes in use. The screen looks crisp, with colours that aren’t overly vivid, while remaining properly saturated.
The screen brightness was pretty satisfactory, although the adaptive brightness feature does seem a little slow in responding to changes in ambient light levels. The viewing angles are mostly acceptable with minimal colour shift when viewing from an indirect angle.
The Full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 is perfect at this price point. It offers much greater resolution than competing devices with 720p displays, and you can really tell the difference. On the other hand, it saps less power than QHD displays (1440 x 2560) without a noticeable difference in sharpness.
The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) uses Asahi Dragon Trail Glass to protect its display. This is similar to Gorilla Glass, offering a little extra ruggedness as well as high scratch resistance. Despite not fitting the Flash Plus 2 with a screen protector, we had not encountered any scratches within our period of use.
Performance
Under the hood, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) is powered by the MediaTek Helio P10 SoC. Also known as the MediaTek MT6755, it has an octa-core processor that consists of a set of 4 ARM Cortex-A53 cores running at 1.8 GHz, and a set of 4 ARM Cortex-A53 cores running at 1 GHz. It also has a dual-core ARM Mali-T860 MP2 GPU to handle 2D and 3G graphics.
The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) comes in two variants. The basic model has 2 GB of LPDDR3 memory and 16 GB of internal flash storage. A higher-end model comes with 3 GB of LPDDR3 memory and 32 GB of internal flash storage. The model we tested came was the 2 GB model with 16 GB of storage.
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As expected, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) generally ran very smoothly, and switched between apps instantly. However, we did notice some slight lag after 2-3 days of continuous use. It could be due to the lack of polish in the UI, or an overly aggressive memory saving algorithm.
So, how does the processing package compare to other smartphones? Here are some results from common benchmarks :
This is decent performance, albeit nothing to shout about. Overall, this is no speed demon, but it’s fast enough to get the job done.
Our Verdict
The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) is big jump in quality and capability from the Flash 2 smartphone. If you were impressed by the performance and value offered by the Flash 2 smartphone, you will undoubtedly be impressed by the Flash Plus 2. It is better than its predecessor in every way, and yet remains affordably priced.
Now, the Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) is not designed to take on the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S7 edge (Amazon | Lazada) or the HTC 10 (Amazon | Lazada). It is targeted at those who want an affordable phablet with decent performance and photographic capabilities. In that perspective, the Flash Plus 2 has certainly achieved its goal.
At its price point, you will be hard-pressed to find a smartphone with similar performance and photographic capabilities, a fast fingerprint sensor and build quality. The Flash Plus 2 (Amazon | Lazada) challenges the perception that you can’t have a decent smartphone with good photographic capabilities at an affordable price point. We can’t wait to see what Flash will come up with next!
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On May 24, 2016, Flash (formerly Alcatel Flash) launched the Flash Plus 2 smartphone. The Flash Plus 2 is the first smartphone launched after the independence of the Flash brand, but it builds upon the success of the Alcatel Flash family. Like the preceding Alcatel Flash 2 smartphone, the new Flash Plus 2 emphasises the concept of mobigraphy – mobile photography. Let’s check it out!
The Flash Plus 2 is a 5.5″ smartphone that powered by the octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 processor, and runs on Android 6.0 (Marshmallow). For the first time, Flash will offer two variants – a lower-cost variant with 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of storage, and a higher-end variant with 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of storage.
The Flash Plus 2 also features a new all-metal back cover that can actually be detached and swapped, allowing for greater personalisation. At launch, the Flash Plus 2 will come with the colour options of Venus Gold or Luna Silver.
True to its mobile photography roots, the Flash Plus 2 strongly focuses on the front and rear camera capabilities. The front 5 MP camera sports a fast f/2.2 lens and an LED flash with a CRI of 80. The rear main camera boasts a 13 MP sensor with a fast f/2.0 lens and dual-tone LED flash. It is even capable of recording 1080p videos at 60 fps!
The Flash Plus 2 also comes with a fast fingerprint sensor, a high-fidelity audio chip and amplifier, and fast charging capability. That is A LOT of technology for a smartphone that only costs RM 599 (~US$ 159) for the 2 GB RAM variant, and RM 729 (~US$189) for the 3 GB RAM variant!
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Flash Plus 2 Specifications
Specifications
Flash Plus 2
(2 GB Variant)
Flash Plus 2
(3 GB Variant)
Display
5.5" IPS display (1080 x 1920 pixels, 401 ppi)
1000:1 contrast ratio (typical), 160° viewing angle
MiraVision 2.0 image technology
Protection
Asahi Dragon Trail Glass
Operating System
Android 6.0 Marshmallow
SoC Platform
MediaTek Helio P10 (MT6755)
Processor
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1.8 GHz)
4 x ARM Cortex-A53 (1 GHz)
Graphics Processor
ARM Mali-T860 MP2 GPU (550 MHz)
Memory
2 GB LPDDR3
3 GB LPDDR3
Storage
16 GB eMMC internal flash storage (10.4 GB free)
microSD slot (supports up to 128 GB)
32 GB eMMC internal flash storage (25.4 GB free)
microSD slot (supports up to 128 GB)
Front Camera
5 MP sensor with 1.12 μm pixel size
f/2.2 wide-angle lens (84.4°)
LED flash with CRI of 80
Rear Camera
13 MP OmniVision OV13853 sensor
Phase-detection auto-focus (PDAF) technology
5P wide-angle f/2.0 lens (76.5°) with blue optical glass filter
Dual-tone LED flash
1080p video recording at 60 fps
AKM4375 Chipset + NXP9890 Audio Amplifier
Stereo FM radio
Dual-microphone noise cancellation
Battery
3,000 mAh lithium ion battery
Talk time: 16hrs(2G) / 15hrs(3G)
Standby time: 528hrs(2G) / 405hrs(4G)
Music Playback (headset default vol)(54h) / (speaker default vol)(12h)
Video Streaming WIFI (4h)
WIFI browsing (6h)
Video -H.264 (1080P) HW mode Video H.264 (1080P) (6h)
Fast Charging Capability
9V / 1.67A fast-charging technology
Powered by the TI BQ25896 fast-charging chip
Size
76.4 mm wide x 152.6 mm tall x 8.2 mm thick
Weight
157 g
Available Colours
Venus Gold / Luna Silver
Price & Availability
The Flash Plus 2 (2 GB variant) will cost RM 599 (~US$ 159), while the 3 GB variant will cost RM 729 (~US$189).
Retail sale of the Flash Plus 2 (2 GB variant) starts on May 31, 2016 but you can now pre-order it from Lazada right now. Delivery will take place on May 31. The 3 GB variant will only be made available on June 10, 2016.
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May 18, 2016 – As an all-new smart phone with metal case designed for the high- and medium-end market, Flash Plus 2 sees product launch in market today. While retaining and upgrading the excellent photographing DNA of the Flash series, it offers an enriched experience of intelligent life for South East Asian consumers.
The new smart phone features pioneering innovative functions such as fingerprint recognition, Hi-Fi sound effect, and fast battery charging in responding to users’ concerns including user convenience, sound effect, and battery usage.
Meanwhile, as an Internet smartphone brand, Flash has formally announced its independence. “The independence of the Flash brand means we have entered a complete new stage of development. What remains unchanged is that we will consistently follow the mission of Flash at its birth and stay connected with the young Internet consumers who enjoy sharing and pursue quality. We will get to know their specific needs through continuous interaction to create high quality smart hardware that is fun and enjoyable, offering the users a lifestyle of seeking our true selves,” said Albert Wong, General Manager, Flash 3C Limited.
In order to create better feel of texture for appearance, Flash Plus 2 adopts a metal framework for the phone that allows it to possess the unique glow and touch of metal through quality workmanship while retaining richness and aesthetics. Regarding the forge and grinding of the back of phone case, Flash Plus 2 comes through an array of complex processes, ranging from horizontal wire-drawing, high-speed side sand-blasting, ultralight rim diamond cutting, and twice anodization till at last it offers users a sense of warmth and vigor for the cold, hard metal work.
We believe fine workmanship in details is the most exquisite design of Flash Plus 2. In complying with the ethos of tending to detail, the all-new smart phone adopts diamond cutting and twice anodic oxidation technologies for the 0.4mm rim of the Home key, for the 0.15mm sound volume key, and for the 0.4mm rim of flash lamp and speaker – each bit of this contributing to the aesthetics of smart phone body.
A Device of Efficiency and Convenience
Based on study of smart phone users’ habits, Flash Plus 2 carries a frontal fingerprint recognition function that combines the dual criteria of external aesthetics and practical convenience. The fingerprint use experience allows Flash Plus 2 to be a perfect assistant of life and office efficiency, ranging from accurate fast unlocking to file encryption to one-stroke APP launch.
The fingerprint recognition of Flash Plus 2 is unique in that it not only offers 0.5s unlocking under “switch off” screen status and all-round accurate recognition, but also allows for personalized APP launch options corresponding to users’ five fingerprints. For instance, users can conveniently unlock camera App through touching the fingerprint module with their forefingers, without going through any troublesome procedure. Besides, regarding concerns with important document theft and privacy leak, Flash Plus 2 provides a function of documents protection cabinet where privacy information is stored and encrypted with fingerprint, leaving users rest assured.
Another big edge that highlights the efficiency of Flash Plus 2 is its fast charging capability that best relieve users of battery capacity concerns. In order to ensure faster charging efficiency while maintaining safety, Flash Plus 2 carries a 3,000mAh battery group and adopts TI BQ25896 fast-charging chip and 9V/1.67A fast-charging technologies provided by Texas Instruments of the United States, which can charge battery to 50% in 30 minutes for up to a 10-hour uninterrupted call. The charging efficiency is raised by 35% compared with 5V/1A phones while it takes only 2 hours for the battery to be fully charged – the time of watching a movie or finishing a meal before the power status of your phones is fully restored.
A Fun and Excitement Camera Phone
Following the ultimate pursuit of photographing function of Flash brand, Flash Plus 2 has launched comprehensive upgrading of the two aspects of photo-taking capabilities in light of fast focal adjustment and dark light shooting. The users can capture sweet moments in a faster, better fashion in the case of fleeting occasions or wonderful night scenes.
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When a flapping swallow flies past or a skateboarding boy rushing by, with one-stroke fingerprint launch of camera the wonderful snapshot becomes an eternity in your smart phone – without only 0.1s instant accurate focal adjustment through blending of PDAF automatic focus technology and contrast focus effects.
Flash Plus 2 is fully aware that light is the soul of photographing. In order to ensure high quality image effect even under dim light conditions, Flash Plus 2 carries a 13,000 pixel rear lens with the warm double-color flash lamp RealTone that copes with nighttime or dim indoor luminous intensity. It frees users of the restraints of dim light conditions to see a perfect whole world as well. The five million pixel front lens adopts LED flash lamp with CRI up to 80 while red spectrum is intelligently enhanced for selfie or video chatting conditions. With ruddy facial effect and glow, Flash Plus 2 offers an over 100% real-time facial enhancement function, allowing users to capture moments of beauty and beyond.
Also, Flash Plus provides a series of creative functions and fun, making it possible for everybody to approach photography for pleasure. For example, the 84.40 ultra broad view that it carries allows users to do a selfie during family or friends gatherings. The “Picture-in-Picture” Mode allows front and rear lenses to work simultaneously to accomplish a creative photo-in-photo experience. Besides, Flash Plus 2 has designed a Child Mode for parents to record precious moments of their kids’ childhood – with noise of sheep or car horn or kitten to catch the child’s attention as the photo is being taken.
A Wonderful Experience of Enjoying Music
Catering to young people for their music needs, Flash Plus 2 offers high-fidelity quality-retaining earphone acoustics, high sound volume effects, and MIX music production function, launching a high quality smart phone for enjoying music and related options of creativity.
For merely single-person enjoyment, Flash Plus 2 provides independent AKM4375 audio decoding chip coupled with state-of-the-art IRD sound digital filter, with value-retaining signal output measuring up to high-fidelity acoustic effects. While the speaker is being used for playing music, the NXP980 power amplification chip and built-in DSP algorithm drives speaker power to reach 3.6W – eight times greater than volume of average smart phones. The greater volume allows bicycling enthusiasts to better indulge in the vibrant music beats en route.
More Cutting-edge Features of Hardware and Software
In addition, Flash Plus 2 features high-definition screen, powerful performance, Android M system, and dual channel turbo download, among other functions. The 5.5’ FHD multiple point touchscreen adopts OGS full cohesion technology, with ultra clear scenes within reach of a finger touch. Meanwhile, it carries Miravision 2.0 FHD display that enables smart eye protection in too strong or weak luminous situations, providing a wonderful visual experience of perfect clearness and comfort.
The Helio P10 processor ensures strong performance and low energy consumption in providing smooth, free “cut back” through multitasking operation of surfing the Internet, playing games, and watching videos. As a new member of Flash brand, Flash Plus 2 continues the original Android system support while the all-new upgraded Android M operational system offers APP access control, web browsing, APP relevance, and smart energy-saving function, among others. For global Android lovers and tech geeks, it offers a streamlined, personalized user experience.
Flash Plus 2 Color Options
Flash Plus 2 comes in two color options – Luna Silver and Venus Gold, providing a high-end customized choice appealing to refined taste.
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Yesterday, OPPO officially launched the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone – their ultimate Selfie Expert smartphone. Also known as the OPPO R9 in Chinese and Indian market, the OPPO F1 Plus sports a 16 MP selfie camera with f/2.0 lens as its killer feature. Right after the launch, we managed to get some time with a demo unit of the OPPO F1 Plus, so enjoy our first look at the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone!
For more photos and the video of the OPPO F1 launch event with Nora Danish, click here!
First Look At The OPPO F1 Plus Smartphone
In this video, we will show you the key features of the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone. Please note that while some websites may list the OPPO F1 Plus as featuring an IPS display, it really has an AMOLED display. Hope you like it!
Here is the transcript of our quick look of the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone :
Transcript of the OPPO F1 Plus first look video
Today, we are going to take a look at the OPPO F1 Plus. With a launch price of RM 1,898 or about 475 US dollars, this is the larger and higher-end model of the OPPO F1 launched in January.
It is very sleek at just 6.6 mm (thick). On the left side, you will find the two Volume keys.
Like many ultra-thin smartphones, the earphone port is placed at the bottom, together with the USB and microphone ports.
The OPPO F1 Plus also sports a fast front-facing fingerprint sensor that can unlock the phone in just 0.2 seconds. Note the 2.5D rounded edge on the Gorilla Glass 4 cover.
On the right side, you will find the Power button, with the SIM card slot above it. This is a hybrid SIM slot, which means it can either accept two SIM cards, or one SIM card and a microSD card.
Now, this is the OPPO F1 Plus’ killer feature – an incredible 16 MP selfie camera with f/2.0 lens. It doesn’t have a dedicated LED flash but uses the screen to produce enough light for the ultimate high-resolution selfie.
Curiously, the OPPO F1 Plus only comes with a 13 MP rear camera with f/2.2 lens, and a single LED flash instead of a dual-tone flash. Needless to say, the OPPO F1 Plus caters to those who take more selfies than regular photos!
The OPPO F1 Plus has a beautiful 5.5” AMOLED display with a full HD resolution. It is powered by an octa-core MediaTek Helio P10 chip, with 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of internal flash storage.
Surprisingly, it runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop, instead of Android 6 Marshmallow. However, it features the latest OPPO ColorOS 3.0. OPPO claims that ColorOS 3.0 reduces app startup time by 25% and increases battery life by 40%.
The OPPO F1 Plus has a decent 2,850 mAh lithium polymer battery that can last for 14 hours of heavy use, at least according to OPPO. It also supports VOOC flash charging, which can recharge 75% of its battery in just half an hour.
The OPPO F1 Plus also comes with 64 GB of internal flash storage. This will be very helpful in keeping all those high-resolution selfies. Out of 64 GB, you will have about 51.5 GB of free space left to use.
So there you have it – the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone!
OPPO F1 Plus Smartphone Specifications
Here are the official specifications for the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone :
Specifications
OPPO F1 Plus Smartphone
Operating System
Android 5.1 with ColorOS 3.0
Platform
MediaTek MT6755 (Helio P10)
Processor
8 x ARM Cortex-A53 (2.0 GHz)
Graphics Processor
ARM Mali-T860 MP2
Display
5.5" AMOLED display
- 1080 x 1920 resolution (401 ppi pixel density)
16 MP Hi-Light camera with f/2.0 lens
- Samsung ISOCELL sensor
Rear Camera
13 MP sensor with f/2.2 lens and single LED flash
Connectivity
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900MHz
WCDMA: 850/900/1900/2100MHz
FDD-LTE: Band 1/3/5/7/8/
TD-LTE: Bands 38/40/41
WiFi : 802.11a/b/g/n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz)
Bluetooth 4.0
SIM Card
Hybrid SIM card slot
- supports two nano SIM cards, OR one nano SIM card and one microSD card
GPS Support
Yes
NFC Support
No
Fingerprint Sensor
Yes, 0.2 second detection
Battery
2,850 mAh lithium-ion polymer battery (non-removable)
Available Colours
Gold / Rose Gold
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Yesterday, we were invited to the OPPO F1 Plus launch at Sunway Pyramid. Malaysian actress and official OPPO Selfie Expert, Nora Danish was also at hand to officially reveal the OPPO F1 Plus smartphone. Here is our coverage of the OPPO F1 Plus launch with Nora Danish. Enjoy! 😀
OPPO Branding Manager, Chen Lu, kicked off the OPPO F1 Plus launch with a quick look at why OPPO is focusing on selfies. Then OPPO Product Expert, Marton Barcza, went through the OPPO F1 Plus’ key features, before Nora Danish came in to officially launch OPPO F1 Plus.
Nora Danish was not only there to grace the OPPO F1 Plus launch, she also showed how she takes her selfies, and shared some selfie tips with us! Finally, Ms. Chen Lu revealed the price of the OPPO F1 Plus (RM 1,898 / ~US$ 475) as well as pre-order and sale details.
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OPPO F1 Plus Press Release
Kuala Lumpur, Apr. 7, 2016 — Sporting a 16-MP front-facing camera, the OPPO F1 Plus launched at an event in Sunway Pyramid Shopping Mall today. As the second device in the photography-focused Selfie Expert series, the F1 Plus blurs the boundaries between mid-range and premium, and takes the “Selfie Expert” title of the hot-selling F1 to an all new level.
Featuring powerful hardware, an eye-catching all-metal unibody, VOOC Flash Charge, and lightning-quick fingerprint recognition, the F1 Plus is also the first device to feature a brand-new technology in OPPO’s arsenal: the Hi-light Camera, which ensures that users can take clear, bright and colorful selfies in any light condition.
OPPO F1 Plus
Hi-light Camera: You in the Best Light
The F1 Plus’ 16 MP front-facing Hi-Light Camera has been purpose-built for catching clear, vivid photos in any lighting condition. Paired with the new Selfie Panorama feature, Beautify 4.0 and the front-facing Screen Flash, the Hi-Light Camera will allow users to get the perfect shot on the first snap, anywhere and anytime.
“It is well known that Petaling Jaya and George Town are ranked the top 10 of the ‘selfie cities’, however Malaysia as a country has such different cultural lives in every state which Malaysians can showcase to the world colourfully on social media. With the success of F1, we felt the need to push our boundaries further and enhance the selfie experience for Malaysians by providing an upgraded photography-focused phone which is the F1 Plus,” Chen Lu, Brand Manager of OPPO Electronics explained.
“F1 Plus is the ultimate ‘Selfie Expert’. Our product team has been working tirelessly, spending months in developing and fine tuning a tailored-made device for the selfie lovers. F1 Plus has a huge improvement in the selfie experience. It is a brand new selfie camera that can that can balance out a high pixilation selfie while providing a beautified front camera that is making you looking natural,” she added.
The OPPO F1 Plus features a custom-built Hi-light Camera
Great photos aren’t made by high pixel counts alone. The F1 Plus’ unique strength in front-facing shots lies in its special sensor, which arranges pixels in a unique pattern designed to maximize image quality, resulting in photos that are clear, bright and strikingly rich in color. Meanwhile, a large f/2.0 aperture increases the amount of light that enters the camera and ISOCELL technology works to ensure that all of it hits the sensor just where it should.
All told, the F1 Plus’ Hi-light Camera is four times more sensitive than standard cameras, has twice the dynamic range, and captures shots with four times less noise, compared to cameras without the technology. As a result, the Hi-light Camera produces exceptionally clear and bright images, and excels at low-light, back-lit and night-time photography.
In addition to the uniquely designed hardware, OPPO has also upgraded the F1 Plus’s photo-processing algorithms. After six months of testing and 150 iterations, Beautify 4.0 is optimized to capture selfies with bright, clear skin, and beautifully defined facial contours.
The new Selfie Panorama feature, perfect for capturing group photos, also debuts on the F1 Plus. With a few turns of the wrist, users can take extra-wide 120-degree front-facing photos, as the F1 Plus seamlessly combines three photos and ensures that the whole party makes it into the shot.
Rounding out the F1 Plus’ outstanding photography experience is the fast, steady and crystal-clear 13-MP rear shooter. The OPPO F1 Plus’ MediaTek Helio P10 2.0GHz, eight-core, 64-bit processor also comes equipped with the world’s first TrueBright image signal processor (ISP) engine, for enhanced color resolution and detail.
Fast, Convenient, Secure: VOOC Flash Charge and Smart Fingerprint Recognition
“Charge for five minutes, talk for two hours” became an iconic slogan for OPPO in 2015 in China, driving home the practicality of the exclusive VOOC Flash Charge technology, and helping convince more than 18 million users so far to say goodbye to dead batteries. The F1 Plus, which reaches a 75% charge after just half an hour of flash charging, is set to bring the convenience and safety of VOOC to even more users around the world.
“OPPO understands that Malaysians are living more visual lives than ever. So besides the new feature of 16 Mega Pixels, the F1 Plus phone has a special sensor on the camera lense and a pixel-restructuring algorithm, which differentiates the F1 series from other camera phones in the market,” said Marton Barcza, Global Community Manager & Product Export of OPPO. “The signature patented VOOC Flash Charge allows for 75% increase in battery life in just half an hour. Now with 25% faster app startup time and smooth multitasking, the F1 Plus is made much more convenient for the modern Malaysian fast-paced lifestyle.”
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OPPO’s VOOC Flash Charge adapter
What sets VOOC above other fast-charging technologies is its low-voltage approach to the problem. By adhering to the standard smartphone charging voltage of 5V, VOOC keeps the phone’s temperature low during charging, protecting the longevity of the battery and phone internals, and even allowing the user to simultaneously use their phone while they fast-charge, a function that no competitor can offer.
The OPPO F1 Plus uses a 2,850 mAh lithium polymer battery, allowing for 14 hours and 5 minutes of constant heavy use, and ensuring that the F1 Plus keeps users cruising from morning to night.
Front-facing fingerprint recognition
The F1 Plus is OPPO’s first phone to use front-facing fingerprint recognition. It’s able to recognize a fingerprint to unlock the phone in only 0.2 seconds. The fingerprint recognition system can also learn over time, gradually refining its image of the user’s fingerprint and making for an increasingly efficient and smooth unlock process.
Smooth, Fast and Free: New ColorOS 3.0 and 4G Dual-SIM
The OPPO F1 Plus cruises through multitasking with the MediaTek Helio P10 and 4 GB RAM, rounding out the package with 64 GB of storage space, which can be expanded by an additional 128 GB.
Adding to the smooth and flexible user experience is the smart SIM slot design, which offers a Nano-SIM slot, as well as an adaptable second slot that can accept either a second Nano-SIM or a microSD card for expanded memory. Both card slots support 4G and VoLTE HD voice calls.
Newly designed ColorOS 3.0
The F1 Plus is the first OPPO phone to come equipped with the all-new ColorOS 3.0. With a flat, simple design language, ColorOS 3.0 has a tidy and refreshing new look, and significantly reduces the phone’s built-in image library for increased efficiency. App startup time has also been boosted by 25% compared to ColorOS 2.1.
In conjunction with the launch, OPPO Malaysia has also introduced various hashtag campaigns to engage with the brand’s fans, also known as OFans. Hashtags are namely #OPPOMalaysia #OPPOF1Plus and #SelfieExpert.
Retail Prices and Pre-orders
As the newest middle to high end addition in one of OPPO Camera Phone’s core 2016 product series, the F1 Plus is retail at RM1,898 (~US$475) and poised to bring clear, bright and colorful photos to a wide range of users. F1 Plus will be available for online preorder on 11street.com starting from 7 April – 11 April 2016.
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