Overview Elephone U - beautiful smartphone with a sleek screen, like Samsung S8

Table of contents

• Specifications
• Packaging and appearance
• Display and Audio
• Performance
• autonomy
• Camera
• Software
• results

Since the first smartphone with curved display, Chinese manufacturers have not once tried to replicate this spectacular feature. However, in general it comes down to the fact that designers in advertising materials just dorisovyvali sleek edge to the normal screen. So when we learned that the company really Elephone released a smartphone with the same AMOLED-display, like Samsung S8, we decided to get to know him better.

Elephone U - is the youngest model in the lineup. More there Elephone U Pro on a much more interesting Snapdragon 660 with the latest version of Android Oreo operating system. Our device has the CPU is weaker, but the price is slightly lower. However, as it turned out, the phone is not interested in computing power.

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Specifications

As the platform Elephone U chip used Helio P23, which was introduced back in, but appeared in the actual devices a few months ago last year. This chip has been specially designed for use in mid-priced gadgets. It includes eight cores Cortex-A53, running at a frequency of 2.3 GHz. And GPU Mali 671 MP2 GPU, which runs at 770 MHz. They are supported by dual camera with a maximum resolution of 13 and 13 megapixels. As such, and once installed in the smartphone.

6GB of RAM is more than enough to run even the most resource-intensive applications, and smooth operation of the operating system. Built-in memory is 128 GB. So Elephone U owners will have to do a choice between option card memory and the second Simcoe. This store exactly enough to install all necessary software and deployment of user data.

In general, the technical characteristics of the smartphone we liked. Yes, this unit does not set performance records, but also to slow down will not be exact. But the memory subsystem is made with a large margin for the future. It allows you to forget about the problems with multitasking and lack of space in the device.

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Packaging and appearance

Elephone U comes in a neat rectangular box of black cardboard. On its front side has a red logo of the company. A bottom - sticker basic specifications and barcodes. Smartphone packaging looks quite presentable. And even solemn.

Sam smartphone lying on a plastic substrate black. Below him in several boxes there are additional accessories: power supply, connection cable USB Type-C, silicone case, an adapter for headphones and a protective film for the screen. Standard kit eliminates the need for something to buy separately.

Appearance smartphone is so good that it is hard to find words to describe it. Immediately after unpacking, it becomes clear that this is a premium device. Qualitative materials, careful processing of all surfaces, perfect fitting parts - such phone handle is a pleasure.

The back cover is completely glazed. As with most such devices, it collects fingerprints very well. So plenty of admiring reflection and the play of light on the rounded edges, will have to wear a transparent protective cover.

In the upper part of the back cover located eyes dual camera and a fingerprint scanner, are combined into one unit. Side of the page there is a LED flash. At the bottom of the back cover suffered a manufacturer's logo. When a call comes, he starts to pulsate in blue, so you do not miss call even if enabled in silent mode, and the smartphone is face down. A handy feature.

The side faces of the metal. On the right is the power button and volume rocker. Top - Tray for installing SIM cards. And from there was a place for the external speaker, and microphone connector format USB Type-C, which is used for exchanging data, charging and headphones.

But the main attention is drawn to the screen. It occupies 87% of the front surface, leaving only the top and bottom margins are small, the thickness of which is equal to 7 mm. Side frames, though, but they are much thinner than most smartphones, proudly calling themselves frameless.

But the most important thing - the screen does have a smooth curve to the side face, as is done in the flagship of Samsung. This produces a very powerful effect. Especially those people who have previously similar devices in the hands not holding. Film on a screen will be difficult to stick, but it has a good oleophobic coating that prevents the appearance of prints.

Summarizing, we can put Elephone U top marks for design, materials and build quality. In this he is not inferior to premium devices eminent brands.

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Display and Audio

Screen Elephone U - one of the strengths of the device.

As we have noted above, a smartphone uses qualitative AMOLED-matrix with a resolution of 2160 × 1080 pixels. The density is 403 pixels per inch. This is a very high value, providing an absolutely clear image display.

AMOLED technology has a number of technical features that distinguish it from the manufactured using screens of IPS-everywhere common matrices. First of all we are talking about the incomparable depth of black that appears on the screen completely black. Thanks to this picture on Elephone U contrast and juicy.

We are sure that the image on the screen of the smartphone will not leave anyone indifferent. Most (like us) just fall in love with this riot of color and celebration contrast. However, if someone will seem unnatural color reproduction, then it can easily adjust to fit your tastes using MiraVision settings.

But the quality of the external speaker has not made the same impression on us as screen. It sounds pretty good average. But if you move the slider to the volume still further, then there is no gain does not occur. But there are distortions.

The smartphone is not the usual audio jacks for headphones, so you have to use the supplied adapter, or use a wireless headset. The sound quality is decent headphones: Treble is, the lower are also present. Sound is not audiophile, but you can listen to.

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Performance

Yes, Elephone U - beautiful smart, but he's doing a performance? Our tests have shown that, overall, not bad.

Chipset Helio P23 provides adequate performance in all the user tasks. It is safe to say that the owners Elephone U will receive only positive emotions from the speed of the unit while surfing, socializing, watching videos, working with photos or listening to music.

The operating system does not slow down or freezes. Switching between applications is almost instantly due to the large amount of RAM. This fact positively affects the ability of the game apparatus. Iron pulls all modern mobile gamesAlthough some - not very maximum settings.

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autonomy

Mounted in Elephone U battery has a capacity of 3620 mAh. Against the background of some of the long-running smartphone looks bleak. But let's not forget that this is a fashion phone, rather than a satellite survivalist-extremals.

In the test, PCMark Work 2.0 Battery Test, which measures the lifetime of the device when performing typical user tasks, Elephone U lasted just over 11 hours. This means that you have to charge it every other day during normal use mode. If, however, a little poshamanit with energy-saving settings, use black wallpaper and dark threads in the applications which allow AMOLED-display bit conserve energy, the charge will last for a longer term.

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Camera

Chinese second-tier manufacturers have learned to make smart phones with stunning looks. And on the part of the performance are not far behind. But here's the picture quality is usually different for the worse. And it's not even in the names of the installed sensors - everything depends on the software that is responsible for processing images.

As the main chamber into the sensor used Elephone U Samsung S5K3L8 13 Mn. But most importantly, that the programmers did not spoil his work forced compression and applying additional filters. As a result, in the light time day turn good photos.

In the evening, the situation is much worse. The contours of objects can be discerned, but all colors are converted to shades of brown, and the amount of noise just rolls over. Therefore, strongly rely on this smartphone is not necessary in low light.

But the quality of the front camera we liked. It has a resolution of 8 megapixels, which is quite enough for fans selfie and video sessions.

In general photographic opportunities Elephone U are at an average level that will satisfy the most undemanding users. But given the price of the smartphone, you could equip your smartphone better camera.

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Software

The smartphone runs on Android 7.1.1. However, at the manufacturer's website reported that already there is an active work on the preparation of an update to Android 8.1, which is soon to come out.

The manufacturer has made in the stock image of several visual and functional changes that go smartphone only benefit. Next, we briefly list the most basic of them.

Visual changes. The company's designers have developed for Elephone U unique design, which is in contrast to many other smartphones looks really stylish. It perfectly matched the wallpaper desktop clock widget with the weather, is completely redrawn icons and a modified panel fast settings. The shell also uses its own lock screen.

Highlighting the call. An interesting feature that guarantees the "wow-effect" at all the spectators. When an incoming call on the edges of the screen begin to run blue highlights, a little reminiscent of the aurora. Simultaneously pulsing lights in the logo on the back cover.

Manage gestures. Megaudobnaya chip, which would not hurt to adopt all manufacturers. It allows you to hide the bottom navigation bar, and manage smartphone using gestures. To do this, you need only one motion - swipe up from the bottom of the screen. If you make it into the left-hand side, it will cause a list of running applications. Swipe the middle will take you to the home screen and swipe to the right is equivalent to pressing the back button.

Side panel. The system settings can be activated by a translucent panel, are located along the right edge of the screen. Due to the fact that the edge has a rounded shape, this panel looks very appropriate here. It has buttons call calculator, voice recorder, camera, flashlight, and a few frequently used settings. Change the order and composition of these buttons can not, unfortunately.

Software Jobs Elephone U brings mostly positive emotions. During the testing time the phone never hung out and did not brake. Applications run quickly, own the battery does not discharge. Plus above a nice bonus. It is evident that Elephone programmers worked on the software on the conscience.

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results

Elephone U - is for sure the most beautiful Chinese smartphone of those that visited our editorial staff. He has such a chic and stylish look that in no way inferior to Samsung products or Huawei. First of all I would like to praise the high-quality material of the body other than the assembly and, of course, the spectacular rounded AMOLED-display.

While the design of the device directly indicates its bonuses, other characteristics Elephone U are at an average level. No, they are not bad. But the device with the same efficiency, autonomy and image quality can now be purchased at a much lower price.

This phone is worth paying attention to those users who are the most important appearance and high-quality screen. They cost Elephone U seem to be justified. She, by the way, as of this writing is 23 413 rubles. Not so much for a gadget that looks so great that it would be desirable to take up again and again.

The author expresses his gratitude to the company GearBest for providing the test device.