Overview Bluboo S3 - a smartphone with NFC and a battery of 8500 mAh

Table of contents

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

Chinese companies are the third tier, which include and Bluboo, have so far not a single chance to seize the initiative from Xiaomi, Huawei and Samsung. While these monsters producing a truly mass product for which customers stand in line, Chinese firms are forced to pick up the poorer after them crumbs, offering a very low or a very niche device.

All of the above is fully applicable to the Bluboo S3. This is to some extent unique smartphone offering good autonomy, Interesting design and support for NFC. An interesting combination, so we decided to tell you about this gadget more.

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Specifications

Smartphone Bluboo S3 is built on MTK6750T platform, which includes a 64-bit processor core Cortex-A53 and graphics accelerator ARM Mali-T860 MP2. This is an extremely popular chip, which is usedSmartphones with MediaTek MT6750T processor a huge number of Chinese smartphones.

Such popularity is due to the simple reasons: performance, availability, price. From the ratio of these parameters on the market is difficult to find a better solution for installations in the cheap and medium-cost devices. His performance does not beat the record, however, remains still enough for comfortable work.

Bluboo S3 is equipped with 4 GB and 64 GB permanent memory. In 2018 it is a kind of "gold standard", below which was a little longer, and above - costly in terms of money. For those who need more space, there is space for an additional memory card capacities up to 256 GB.

But most importantly, what you should pay attention to the technical data, - a battery battery at 8500 mAh with support for fast charging and NFC-chip. These are the main chips Bluboo S3, the work of which we describe below.

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Packaging and appearance

The smartphone has come to us in a neat black box, the lid of which is applied the model name. Inside we found a very Bluboo S3 and a few surprises.

The manufacturer took care of that future owners of this smartphone just got everything you need. The package includes a silicone case in black, protective film on the screen, the power supply (12 V / 2 A) and the cute cable for recharging.

In addition, there is a complete set of adapters: USB Type-C → mini-jack 3.5 mm, USB Type-C → USB, as well as cable splitter USB → USB Type-C, microUSB, Lightning. The presence of the latter allows you to connect various gadgets Bluboo S3 for charging, that is, use it as an external battery.

Bluboo S3 is available in two colors: black and gold. We caught the gold, which, in conjunction with lattice ribbing of the back cover is a bit challenging. It is good that there is a complete black impenetrable coverBy which you can hide this luxury from prying eyes. With him smartphone looks much more serious.

screen device has an elongated shape and takes up almost the entire front side. Frames, though not the same as on the advertising pictures, but rather thin. display rounded corners.

On the rear side of the center is double main camera, immediately under which perched a fingerprint scanner. In the middle of the name of the company is applied.

Unlike most smartphones, the power button and volume rocker are located at Bluboo S3 on the left side, and the SIM-card tray - on the right. The upper bound of the device completely empty. There would have to place a connector for wired headphones, but no. Manufacturer considered it superfluous. Sorry.

On the bottom there was a place for the external speaker, and microphone connector USB Type-C. They are located perfectly symmetrical.

Overall, smartphone assembled enough quality. Thanks to a reputable weight, and very thick, Bluboo S3 is more like an external battery with a screen than a regular phone. We will not refer it to the disadvantage of the device is likely to features. But the lack of a 3.5 mm jack can not be forgiven: the place for him enough.

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Display and Audio

Bluboo S3 screen has a diagonal of 6.0 inches, the aspect ratio 18:9 and resolution 1080 × 2160 pixels. The company's website states that the production of the display corresponds to Sharp, and we have no reason to doubt this statement.

The picture looks very bright and contrast, color balance billed correctly. Generally, the screens even the most cheap Chinese smartphones in recent years have become so equally good that every time they describe their quality about the same words: everything is fine, no problems with the display observed.

Brightness smartphone is regulated within a wide range. However, the maximum level it seemed to us not enough for comfortable work in bright light. Outdoors under direct sunlight is necessary to cover the screen with your hand or look for a place in the shade. Automatic brightness control is present.

The external speaker is loud enough to not miss an incoming call. However, to use it for listening to music, you need great strength of will or prolonged exercise. Come to the rescue of headphones, which, although they are connected via an adapter is not too comfortable, but the sound is much better.

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Performance

MTK6750T, which lies at the heart of this smartphone are so widespread that all power users are well aware of its capabilities. For everyone else, we conducted performance tests Bluboo S3.

The popular benchmark AnTuTu device has gained 54,793 points, which is a good indicator for the smartphone at this price point. This means that Bluboo S3 is successfully coping with the basic user tasks. Yes, perhaps some applications run on it is not as fast as on more expensive phones, but this particular discomfort does not deliver.

All body turned out to be cold tests, CPU throttling was not observed. Therefore Bluboo S3 can be used with some reservations and for today mobile games. The high fps should not count, but low and even medium graphics settings in the tanks can play.

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autonomy

Big battery - the main advantage Bluboo S3. That he should, according to the manufacturer, to attract buyers. The results of our testing has shown that this calculation was correct only in part.

In the test of autonomy PCMark Work 2.0 Battery Test, which simulates the performance of a typical user tasks (surfing, watching videos, editing photos, working with documents) with constantly active screen smartphone lasted 15 hours 17 minutes. This result surprised us: the battery to 8500 mAh, we expected much more.

Recall for comparison that former recently we tested Doogee S50 I worked in a similar mode for almost an hour longer. And it battery only 5180 mA · hr.

In addition, we discovered that Bluboo S3 problems with the calibration of the charge controller. Once fully charged smartphone shows the long wide level, despite the fact that is under load. Then the meter reading start smoothly decrease to a level of 17-18 percent, then the smart phone shuts down unexpectedly. Let us hope that a software glitch that will be Fixed future patches.

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Camera

The camera work left a mixed impression. Those users who expect to see here dual-core camera with a sensor of 21 megapixel and 5 megapixel, as reported on the manufacturer's website, expect disappointment. There is only one made by Samsung module with a resolution of 16 megapixel and the other at all like a fake.

On the other hand, in good light, this camera allows to obtain a more or less tolerable pictures. But you need to try very hard: automatic focusing is slow and unstable, therefore it is necessary each time point a finger at the screen.

In any event, photographs - it is not the function for which it is worth buying Bluboo S3. For a quick fix documents or smartphone environment more suitable, but artistic images he can not accomplish. And this applies to both the main chamber and the front.

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Software

With manufacturer phone operating system made another unfortunate miscalculation. Bluboo on the website states that the installed Android 8.1 Oreo. On the box is written the same. In this case, in fact, the phone is set Android 7.0.

We understand that "the manufacturer reserves the right to change PACKAGE, technical and the phone's software without prior notice ", but it looks not very good. The more that the operating system version is one of the key features of a smartphone, on the basis of which many buyers decide it purchase.

In all other respects no special claims to the software there. The operating system is bright enough, the standard launcher is not trying to confuse the Chinese tinsel, extra software is completely absent. Google Pack is installed only on the package of the company, all the rest have to put yourself.

The manufacturer added a few additional configuration options to activate the control gestures, double-tapu awakening and unlocking the face. We especially liked the ability to emulate the USB-drive or CD-ROM connected to a computer that lets you use a smartphone, for example, to install the operating system or the creation of an emergency carrier.

Special mention deserves the work function of NFC-payments. Google Pay application is installed and running on Bluboo S3 without any problems, and it is said that the manufacturer bothered to go through all the necessary certification. Well, at least here the Chinese did not disappoint!

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results

The idea at the Bluboo was good. But in reality, the smartphone has turned controversial.

Among the advantages: the autonomy of the device, a wonderful display and rich equipment. Commendable software stability, feature NFC-payments, the ability to emulate the stick or CD-ROM, the ability to recharge other gadgets.

At the same time we can not ignore the problems that plague the impression of this smartphone. This and mismatched version of the operating system, and mess with camerasAnd a very average performance for its price.

Therefore definitely recommend Bluboo S3 to buy, we will not. If you are primarily concerned with time smartphone life and the opportunity to pay to use it to purchase, then perhaps it will suit you. If these functions are not shown first in your list of priorities, you should look for something else.

Cost Bluboo S3 at the time of writing is 10 624 rubles.

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