These are the default wallpaper and the apps that you'll gonna expect upon your first boot on the MyPhone Uno. If you still don't know, the Android default buttons are now on the screen as default. Upon checking, one important app that is missing is the file manager so it's an SOP to download one once you will already signed in at Google Play. I installed ES File Explorer and it worked fine for this latest Android OS which is 5.1. You can see your pics and vids at the photos app which I recommend you also to download your preferred 3rd party app alternatives.
These are what to expect for your calls and texts. The brand new phone app has a vibrant look which I got no issues so far. There are reports that Android One supports HD voice as long as you are also calling to another Android One device (I wonder if I gonna call to a number with a another Android One device, not the same model I mean). There are no issues when I called whether I'm outside or inside of my house. For texts, you can find the Messenger app which is also fun to use. It uses the brand new Lollipop keyboard which I'm already used to as I installed it from my Android Kitkat phone. Responding to English is a breeze and you can also customize your own words that you usually send in everyday (like keyword/s to check your prepaid load balance or text/call/surf promo keyword) in the setting section. Notice the orange bar? That means that my device has it's default power saving mode which I gonna tell more in other sections of this review.
On connectivity, I got no problems in Bluetooth either on pairing on my other phone and for my Bluetooth speaker. WiFi is strong as I brought it in various malls around the metro with free WiFi. The 3G mobile net is something to learn to but later on, you'll getting used to it. If you are coming from Android phone with "H+" icon when you have an HSPA+ connection, this will come as "H". I'll have to confirm either to the brand or from Google if Android One devices support HSDPA or HSPA+ connectivity (the latter is better). No problems if you have a strong 3G connection on power saving mode but when it's weak, I noticed based on my user experience that it's better to turn off that feature to utilize the connection. These are my observations both using Globe and Smart sims.
On entertainment, you can count on Google Play Music to play your music files on micro SD. Unlike on other phones with that app (even that I already updated it), no headaches for me to enjoy my fave tunes. The equalizer is also great and the default audio volume is very good. What's cool if you have a Mi Pistons earphone, you can use the volume buttons as the way it should be in MP Uno. On video, I had the latest MX Player which at my first few days on this device, it had some bugs when I'm coming from the muti tasking section (the cards) and tap MX Player, the video will not be on full screen but that error vanished on my 4th day on this phone. Obvious that MP Uno is CTIA compliant.
On benchmarks, no surprise when I got the results on Antutu and CPU-Z for a typical MT6582 quad-core processor. It got 5 point multi touch and 55.1 fps on Nenamark. (will follow up later on sensors)
The device uses Google camera and this is my one that I hate on this device (even that I downloaded some 3rd party camera apps but it will give some miliseconds of difference), the slow camera shutter speed. The rear and front cameras can take decent pics on daylight even on macro. On night, the rear camera struggles even I put in the flash on. Due to that slow shutter speed, this is not my device of choice if I gonna shoot a moving subject (e.g. your favorite artist who's moving left and right on the stage). One positive thing on this is the good 2 MP front camera for selfies in a good lighting environment.
MyPhone Uno 5 MP rear camera samples
MyPhone Uno 2 MP front camera sample
I did some iteration to my usual battery test mainly coz of Android Lollipop's own battery saver mode. I played numerous HD MP4 videos using MX Player with 15% phone brightness, brightness at 6 on MX Player, 11 on volume using stock headset with 1 sim on 3G mode, no Bluetooth and WiFi. Without the batter saver mode, it lasted at 7 hours and 5 minutes while it's on, it's 8 hours and 40 minutes - both from 100% to 1% on battery. That 95 minutes of savings is a huge help - that's already another flick if you'll gonna have a movie marathon on this device. After that, I almost felt no heat at all. As my daily driver, it lasted for 18 hours (w/o the battery saver) and 22 hours (with battery saver) which I did almost the same activities like mobile surfing, texting, calling, some games, blogging and photo editing. The Project Volta is really doing it's job inside of this device.
On gaming, I ran Modern Combat 5 on this device and it is quite more playable than other MT6582 phones that I previously encountered mainly because it's pure Android and lower screen resolution
Extras: Some Facebook users online are teasing the local brand mainly on installing via micro SD and moving apps to micro SD issues (which it was started on the MyPhone Rio V1).Well, not on this one as I can do those tests on this phone, something to save off from it's low 4 GB ROM (2.3 GB is for app storage). Sadly, this one doesn't have USB OTG. Additional on the back case, yes it is matte but the material that used on that thing is something that oily hands must check. I really suggest to have a jelly case on this. Charging is already good for me at 2 1/2 hours off on it's 1 ampere charger but your battery saver will automatically turn off once you charge this device. Good thing due to the micro SD's placing, it is hot swappable.
Pros: Very good audio output, good rear camera and front camera output on daylight, pure Android, strong WiFi reception, multi tasking is a breeze, battery life, CTIA compliant
Cons: Slow camera shutter speed, low 4 GB ROM, a bit more expensive over the competition, NO USB OTG
If you are already used to MyPhone and you want a pure and latest Android 5.1 OS then you can have the Uno at Php 4,599. I'll gonna give this device 3.75 out of 5
