Category: Fab Elite

O+ Fab Elite 2.0 Review

Daniel Morial Leave a comment

We gave our first impressions with the O+ Fab Elite 2.0 last December. After weeks of using it, some impressions stayed the same and more came in. Will this 6.5” phablet from O+ be a worthy device for your big pockets? Read on to find out.

Design and Construction

At first glance, one might mistake the Fab Elite 2.0 as a gigantic Samsung Galaxy S4. It definitely looks like a bigger twin of the former flagship in terms of design. Once you get a feel of the device, the massive 6.5” display will dominate your palm and the heft is present. Nevertheless, it has a solid build except for the buttons. They feel loose but tactile enough when pressed.

The front is greatly dominated by the display, with the sensors, earpiece, and front-facing camera above it, while the physical home button and a pair of capacitive keys for back and menu is situated below.

The right side is where the power/lock button is with the volume rocker on the opposite side. We can find the 3.5mm jack on top and the micro-USB port at the bottom. The primary camera and speaker is fixed at the back of the device.

Display

As pointed out, this phablet sports a giant 6.5” IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Pixel-wise, it is not lacking. What we didn’t like are the brightness levels. It can get bright enough under the sun, but it doesn’t dim well at night. It can become a pain to use in dark situations. That aside, colors are reproduced well with enough saturation to please the eyes. Viewing angles are good too due to IPS, which is a must since the big and crisp screen would be great for sharing content.

OS, Apps and UI

On board is Android KitKat, version 4.4.2 to be specific. Lollipop 5.0 is still a rare find especially for MediaTek powered smartphones like the Fab Elite 2.0. Android is generally untouched here, aside from the included wallpapers and icons – which are very unsightly. We would definitely change the icon pack and the launcher in the long run.

O+ included a sharing app named O+ Air Share wherein you can share files from your Google Drive with your AirShare Friends from Facebook. We wish to test this feature but it shows us that we don’t have any ‘friends’ using the same app.

Camera and Multimedia

There’s a 13-megapixel shooter at the back and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The primary camera captures decent details with minimal noise given that the setting is well lit, however colors seem dull and life-less. Then, things get really murky at night. Resolved details are really useless to even share to your social media accounts.

Check out these sample photos taken with the Fab Elite 2.0:

It can shoot 1080p videos as well. And just like its stills, the output seems washed out and dull. You can turn on the Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to compensate for the camera shake but with a narrower field-of-view.

The display size is definitely perfect for viewing photos and watching videos on the go. Just make sure to plug in the included Sennheiser headset because the speaker is not loud enough to hear the audio in an acceptable environment. There’s also FM radio on board if you feel the need to listen to your favorite DJ.

Benchmarks and Performance

What’s powering the device is a capable octa-core processor from MediaTek running at 1.7 GHz with a Mali-450 MP GPU and 1GB of RAM. We question the RAM for being too small to handle such task since the phablet has a lot of pixels to push on its 1080p display.

Hiccups are present since we first used the device. Transitions tend to show lag and multitasking is sluggish. Good thing, performance within apps are constantly fluid given that no other intensive apps are running.

Here are the benchmark numbers for comparison:
AnTuTu v5.5 – 31,325
Nenamark 2 – 49.5fps
Geekbench 3 – 440 (Single-Core), 2,307 (Multi-Core)

Battery and Connectivity

To make the smartphone a complete package, the phablet has 3G connectivity, WiFi and Bluetooth. Sadly, there’s no LTE on-board.

We tested its battery life with a continuous 1080p video playback at 50% brightness and zero volume. We were able to get 8 hours and 19 minutes.

Conclusion

As we wrap-up our review, the Fab Elite 2.0 from O+ is decent phablet with a 1GB RAM bottleneck that limits its multitasking capabilities since it has a 6.5″ display, perfect for watching and editing files on the go.

null

O+ Fab Elite 2.0 specifications:
6.5” IPS Full HD (1080 x 1920) display, 339ppi
1.7 GHz Octa-core MediaTek MT6592
Mali-450 MP GPU
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
13-megapixel primary camera w/ LED flash
5-megapixel front camera
3G
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
FM Radio
Dual SIM, Dual Stand-by
Li-Ion 3000mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

What we liked about it:

  • Solid build
  • Full HD display
  • Smart flip-cover
  • Good battery life
  • Included Sennheiser headset

What we didn’t like:

  • Quiet speakers
  • Limited brightness levels
  • Average camera color reproduction
  • Mediocre low-light performance
  • 1GB of RAM

The device retails for Php 15,995 with Sennheiser stereo headset straight out of the box.

The post O+ Fab Elite 2.0 Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

O+ Fab Elite 2.0 Review

Daniel Morial Leave a comment

We gave our first impressions with the O+ Fab Elite 2.0 last December. After weeks of using it, some impressions stayed the same and more came in. Will this 6.5” phablet from O+ be a worthy device for your big pockets? Read on to find out.

Design and Construction

At first glance, one might mistake the Fab Elite 2.0 as a gigantic Samsung Galaxy S4. It definitely looks like a bigger twin of the former flagship in terms of design. Once you get a feel of the device, the massive 6.5” display will dominate your palm and the heft is present. Nevertheless, it has a solid build except for the buttons. They feel loose but tactile enough when pressed.

The front is greatly dominated by the display, with the sensors, earpiece, and front-facing camera above it, while the physical home button and a pair of capacitive keys for back and menu is situated below.

The right side is where the power/lock button is with the volume rocker on the opposite side. We can find the 3.5mm jack on top and the micro-USB port at the bottom. The primary camera and speaker is fixed at the back of the device.

Display

As pointed out, this phablet sports a giant 6.5” IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Pixel-wise, it is not lacking. What we didn’t like are the brightness levels. It can get bright enough under the sun, but it doesn’t dim well at night. It can become a pain to use in dark situations. That aside, colors are reproduced well with enough saturation to please the eyes. Viewing angles are good too due to IPS, which is a must since the big and crisp screen would be great for sharing content.

OS, Apps and UI

On board is Android KitKat, version 4.4.2 to be specific. Lollipop 5.0 is still a rare find especially for MediaTek powered smartphones like the Fab Elite 2.0. Android is generally untouched here, aside from the included wallpapers and icons – which are very unsightly. We would definitely change the icon pack and the launcher in the long run.

O+ included a sharing app named O+ Air Share wherein you can share files from your Google Drive with your AirShare Friends from Facebook. We wish to test this feature but it shows us that we don’t have any ‘friends’ using the same app.

Camera and Multimedia

There’s a 13-megapixel shooter at the back and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The primary camera captures decent details with minimal noise given that the setting is well lit, however colors seem dull and life-less. Then, things get really murky at night. Resolved details are really useless to even share to your social media accounts.

Check out these sample photos taken with the Fab Elite 2.0:

It can shoot 1080p videos as well. And just like its stills, the output seems washed out and dull. You can turn on the Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to compensate for the camera shake but with a narrower field-of-view.

The display size is definitely perfect for viewing photos and watching videos on the go. Just make sure to plug in the included Sennheiser headset because the speaker is not loud enough to hear the audio in an acceptable environment. There’s also FM radio on board if you feel the need to listen to your favorite DJ.

Benchmarks and Performance

What’s powering the device is a capable octa-core processor from MediaTek running at 1.7 GHz with a Mali-450 MP GPU and 1GB of RAM. We question the RAM for being too small to handle such task since the phablet has a lot of pixels to push on its 1080p display.

Hiccups are present since we first used the device. Transitions tend to show lag and multitasking is sluggish. Good thing, performance within apps are constantly fluid given that no other intensive apps are running.

Here are the benchmark numbers for comparison:
AnTuTu v5.5 – 31,325
Nenamark 2 – 49.5fps
Geekbench 3 – 440 (Single-Core), 2,307 (Multi-Core)

Battery and Connectivity

To make the smartphone a complete package, the phablet has 3G connectivity, WiFi and Bluetooth. Sadly, there’s no LTE on-board.

We tested its battery life with a continuous 1080p video playback at 50% brightness and zero volume. We were able to get 8 hours and 19 minutes.

Conclusion

As we wrap-up our review, the Fab Elite 2.0 from O+ is decent phablet with a 1GB RAM bottleneck that limits its multitasking capabilities since it has a 6.5″ display, perfect for watching and editing files on the go.

null

O+ Fab Elite 2.0 specifications:
6.5” IPS Full HD (1080 x 1920) display, 339ppi
1.7 GHz Octa-core MediaTek MT6592
Mali-450 MP GPU
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
13-megapixel primary camera w/ LED flash
5-megapixel front camera
3G
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
FM Radio
Dual SIM, Dual Stand-by
Li-Ion 3000mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

What we liked about it:

  • Solid build
  • Full HD display
  • Smart flip-cover
  • Good battery life
  • Included Sennheiser headset

What we didn’t like:

  • Quiet speakers
  • Limited brightness levels
  • Average camera color reproduction
  • Mediocre low-light performance
  • 1GB of RAM

The device retails for Php 15,995 with Sennheiser stereo headset straight out of the box.

The post O+ Fab Elite 2.0 Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

O+ Fab Elite 2.0 Review

Daniel Morial Leave a comment

We gave our first impressions with the O+ Fab Elite 2.0 last December. After weeks of using it, some impressions stayed the same and more came in. Will this 6.5” phablet from O+ be a worthy device for your big pockets? Read on to find out.

Design and Construction

At first glance, one might mistake the Fab Elite 2.0 as a gigantic Samsung Galaxy S4. It definitely looks like a bigger twin of the former flagship in terms of design. Once you get a feel of the device, the massive 6.5” display will dominate your palm and the heft is present. Nevertheless, it has a solid build except for the buttons. They feel loose but tactile enough when pressed.

The front is greatly dominated by the display, with the sensors, earpiece, and front-facing camera above it, while the physical home button and a pair of capacitive keys for back and menu is situated below.

The right side is where the power/lock button is with the volume rocker on the opposite side. We can find the 3.5mm jack on top and the micro-USB port at the bottom. The primary camera and speaker is fixed at the back of the device.

Display

As pointed out, this phablet sports a giant 6.5” IPS LCD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Pixel-wise, it is not lacking. What we didn’t like are the brightness levels. It can get bright enough under the sun, but it doesn’t dim well at night. It can become a pain to use in dark situations. That aside, colors are reproduced well with enough saturation to please the eyes. Viewing angles are good too due to IPS, which is a must since the big and crisp screen would be great for sharing content.

OS, Apps and UI

On board is Android KitKat, version 4.4.2 to be specific. Lollipop 5.0 is still a rare find especially for MediaTek powered smartphones like the Fab Elite 2.0. Android is generally untouched here, aside from the included wallpapers and icons – which are very unsightly. We would definitely change the icon pack and the launcher in the long run.

O+ included a sharing app named O+ Air Share wherein you can share files from your Google Drive with your AirShare Friends from Facebook. We wish to test this feature but it shows us that we don’t have any ‘friends’ using the same app.

Camera and Multimedia

There’s a 13-megapixel shooter at the back and a 5-megapixel selfie camera. The primary camera captures decent details with minimal noise given that the setting is well lit, however colors seem dull and life-less. Then, things get really murky at night. Resolved details are really useless to even share to your social media accounts.

Check out these sample photos taken with the Fab Elite 2.0:

It can shoot 1080p videos as well. And just like its stills, the output seems washed out and dull. You can turn on the Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) to compensate for the camera shake but with a narrower field-of-view.

The display size is definitely perfect for viewing photos and watching videos on the go. Just make sure to plug in the included Sennheiser headset because the speaker is not loud enough to hear the audio in an acceptable environment. There’s also FM radio on board if you feel the need to listen to your favorite DJ.

Benchmarks and Performance

What’s powering the device is a capable octa-core processor from MediaTek running at 1.7 GHz with a Mali-450 MP GPU and 1GB of RAM. We question the RAM for being too small to handle such task since the phablet has a lot of pixels to push on its 1080p display.

Hiccups are present since we first used the device. Transitions tend to show lag and multitasking is sluggish. Good thing, performance within apps are constantly fluid given that no other intensive apps are running.

Here are the benchmark numbers for comparison:
AnTuTu v5.5 – 31,325
Nenamark 2 – 49.5fps
Geekbench 3 – 440 (Single-Core), 2,307 (Multi-Core)

Battery and Connectivity

To make the smartphone a complete package, the phablet has 3G connectivity, WiFi and Bluetooth. Sadly, there’s no LTE on-board.

We tested its battery life with a continuous 1080p video playback at 50% brightness and zero volume. We were able to get 8 hours and 19 minutes.

Conclusion

As we wrap-up our review, the Fab Elite 2.0 from O+ is decent phablet with a 1GB RAM bottleneck that limits its multitasking capabilities since it has a 6.5″ display, perfect for watching and editing files on the go.

null

O+ Fab Elite 2.0 specifications:
6.5” IPS Full HD (1080 x 1920) display, 339ppi
1.7 GHz Octa-core MediaTek MT6592
Mali-450 MP GPU
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage, expandable via microSD up to 64GB
13-megapixel primary camera w/ LED flash
5-megapixel front camera
3G
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
FM Radio
Dual SIM, Dual Stand-by
Li-Ion 3000mAh battery
Android 4.4.2 KitKat

What we liked about it:

  • Solid build
  • Full HD display
  • Smart flip-cover
  • Good battery life
  • Included Sennheiser headset

What we didn’t like:

  • Quiet speakers
  • Limited brightness levels
  • Average camera color reproduction
  • Mediocre low-light performance
  • 1GB of RAM

The device retails for Php 15,995 with Sennheiser stereo headset straight out of the box.

The post O+ Fab Elite 2.0 Review appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

O+ Fab Elite in the flesh, first impressions

Ronnie Bulaong Leave a comment

Over the weekend, we received a handful of units for review and one of them is the fairly new handset from O+ called the Fab Elite. While we’re working on its full review, we decided to share our initial impression of this 6.5-inch whopper.


O+ Fab Elite

The O+ Fab Elite made its debut back in the latter portion of November and was launched alongside the Fab Turbo which also happens to be a gargantuan of a phone.

The moment we took the big-ass smartphone out of its box, the first thing that we noticed was how similar the Fab Elite’s design is to the Samsung Galaxy Mega 6.3.

O+ Fab Elite philippines

It’s got that same uncluttered front panel which is predominantly occupied by its 6.5-inch FHD display.

There’s also a physical home button at the bottom which sits in between the two keys for Menu and Back. The distinction between GT-I9200 and the Fab Elite is the “Samsung” branding at the top, but other than that, the latter is nearly identical to Sammy’s phablet.

fab elite philippines

The Fab Elite’s right flank houses the power button, while the volume rocker sits at the left side. There’s also a pair of buttons located at opposite directions; audio jack at the top and the micro-USB at the bottom.

Despite of the handset’s huge frame, we noticed that the buttons are easily accessible without having to adjust our hand too much. The buttons are somewhat flushed but not to the point that it becomes hard to press.

Smart Cover

By default, the O+ Fab Elite comes with a fancy Smart Cover that covers the majority of the handset’s facade. A small portion of the cover has a small window that allows users to see the clock and notifications. It also displays incoming calls and users can either reject or receive the call without having to open the cover.

The Fab Elite’s cover is attached to its removable back casing. The texture of the ridged case reminds us of the exterior of the MiLi Power Sunny which not only wards smudges, but also makes the humongous handset easier to hold.

Fab Elite back

Removing the back case proved to be quite a chore. But once removed, you’ll be greeted with the usual components which comprises of a trio of slots for two full-sized SIM cards and Micro-SD card, as well as the Fab Elite’s considerably large battery pack.

Rounding up the list of Fab Elite’s components are the 13MP rear camera and speaker which are both located at the phones posterior.

O+ Fab Elite specs:
6.5-inch fHD AMOLED display @ 1920×1080 pixels, 339ppi
1.5GHz MTK6589 quad-core processor
PowerVR SGX 544MP GPU
1GB RAM
16GB internal storage
3G/HSDPA
Dual-SIM, Dual-Standby
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
FM Radio Tuner
GPS
13MP AF rear camera, LED flash
1080p video recording @ 30fps
5MP front-facing camera
Li-Ion 3000mAh battery
Android 4.2.2 Jellybean

Based on our brief encounter with the O+ Fab Elite, the handset is proving to be one helluva a handset, both in size and its build. The addition of the Smart Cover, coupled with its ridged back panel is definitely a plus for us because it gave a somewhat sophisticated feel to what is otherwise a stereotypical Android smartphone.

Of course, design alone isn’t going to be enough to sway consumers to dish out Php18,995 for this handset. In our full review, which should be up in a week or two, we’ll take a look at the other aspects of the O+ Fab Elite and see whether or not it’s worth the eyebrow-raising retail price.

The post O+ Fab Elite in the flesh, first impressions appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.