No one expects for an ultra-cheap smartphone from low-end category to showcase astonishing performance, but every device with such a description has at least one selling point. Say, the latest device from this niche we have reviewed was the Cubot Rainbow 2. This is considered as the cheapest dual-camera smartphone in globe. Actually, you won’t find a smartphone under-$70 sporting such a feature. Today we are going to review another low-end but attractive smartphone, which is priced too low as well. Meet the Ulefone U008 Pro. But I don’t want to put all the cards on the table at this moment. So keep reading to learn more about this device.
- OS: Android 6.0
- CPU: MediaTek MT 6737 (4 cores 1.3 GHz)
- RAM: 2 GB
- Storage: 16 GB
- Display: 5 inches (1,280 x 720)
- Connectivity: 802.11 a / b / g / n, Bluetooth 4.0, LTE / 3 G
- Camera: In 5MP / Out 8MP (13MP after interpolation)
- Battery: 3,500mAh
- Size: 148 x 72.8 x 9.5 mm / 170 g
The specs list reveals we are dealing with a regular low-end smartphone packed with features found on other devices from the same niche. However, there is at least one feature that differs from other models – the Ulefone U008 Pro supports microSDXC standard, which means you can expand the memory up to 128GB unlike those phones that support microSDHC expandable up to 32GB.
The packaging of this phone comes with a standard set including the phone itself, wall charger, USB cable, quick start guide, user manual, and a tool for opening the back panel. Thus the Ulefone U008 Pro’s back is removable. Honestly, almost all low-end smartphones look identical. For example, the same Uhans A101 and Cubot Manito come with removable covers.
As we’ve started the review with this feature, let’s look inside. There are two SIM card slots placed on the upper left and right sides. The microSDXC card slot is located a bit lower. The rest area is occupied by the battery. But do not think you can replace it when it is exhausted – it turns out this part is not going to sell separately.
The front panel of the phone carries a 5-inch display at a resolution of 720P. It’s covered with a 2.5D arc glass, which has become regular for the most of entry-level and mid-range handsets. Although we know there is the Bluboo Edge – the cheapest dual-curved phablet in the globe. You can also get acquainted with the Elephone S7 with an identical feature. Anyway, the Ulefone U008 Pro’s screen is covered with a Corning Gorilla Glass 3 for better protection from scratches. This is the second surprise of this phone, by the way.
There is a large capacity home button located under the screen. Seems it’s been made to carry a fingerprint scanner under it, but not such luck. Anyway. There are to white points placed on the right and left sides of the button. They correspond to menu and back keys, respectively. Wait, the manufacturer has placed them on the contrary. Annoying! If you find how to get back the traditional sequence, let us know.
The front camera and speaker are located above the screen. The 3.5mm audio jack is on the top.
The left side is blank, because anything to be there is already placed under the back panel. However, the frame looks like aluminum, but it’s made of plastic. So it’s not solid, I guess, but it’s passed a certain processing phase(s) to look so.
The volume button along the power button are on the right hand side. The volume button can be programmed as a shutter if you prefer. This is the third surprise of the Ulefone U008 pro.
The standard microUSB port and a microphone are on the bottom side.
Now get ready to learn about the fourth surprise of this handset. Its rear panel is made of metal. I can’t say what kind of metal is used, but it’s pretty nice to see such material instead of plastic. To understand what I am talking about and what kind of feeling it provides, just recall the HTC J One. The 8MP camera is on the back accompanied with a single-LED flash.
As you understand, the design is the selling point of Ulefone U008 Pro. I mean it doesn’t look like a mid-range or high-end handset like the Xiaomi Redmi 4 or 4X, but it provides good feelings if taking into account its price range.
The device is packed with a MediaTek MT 6737 quad-core processor, which is in its turn paired with a 2GB of RAM and 16GB of ROM. This means we don’t have to expect much from it. But it’s a different matter what’s written in the specs list and how the handset acts in real life. So we decided to play a couple of games in order to discover how the processor behaves in these cases. The test was implemented by playing ‘Gangster Vegas’. It’s nor correct to say the Ulefone U008 Pro failed, as thanks to Mali T720 GPU we could play it without real problems.
Obviously, it will be more appreciable to play 2D games rather than 3D ones.
The handset was tested at AnTuTu, and it scored 30.000. Shortly, this is the actual picture of the Ulefone U008 Pro.
As we are dealing with an ultra-budget smartphone, it’s quite reasonable to see a weak camera on the Ulefone U008 Pro. But to convince you this phone is capable of taking good photos, I decided to put a couple of samples in the review.
The phone runs on Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The UI is identical to other Chinese handsets, meaning nothing annoying, but nothing attractive as well. However, the company has added some interesting tricks.
Say you can swipe from left to right to bring the search bar as well as recently used apps.
The next noteworthy feature of this software is the ‘Parallel Spaces’, an add-on allowing multiple accounts to be used with applications. It’s identical to MIUI’s Dual Apps. But this one comes with less functions.
Finaly, you can enable the Float Multitask Windows, which looks like a gun drum, but instead of bullets you can find different apps and widgets in holes. However, this is not anything new –we have seen this feature even on the Ulefone Metal.
- Design
- Protected display
- LTE support
- Large capacity battery
- A few customized features
- Price range
- Low-end hardware
- Drawbacks like mixed buttons and removable-unreplaceable battery
Usually when reviewing a low-end smartphone I try to find at least one key feature. If there is no one, the phone is not worthy to be acquired. As for the Ulefone U008 Pro, it deserves the money it is priced at, $89.99.
