MyPhone Uno Price, Unboxing, Specs, Initial Impressions : Android One, Explained!
MyPhone Uno, which will become available starting tomorrow February 20, 2015 at all MyPhone concept stores and kiosks in Mega Manila, is one of two initial Android One smartphones to hit the Philippine market.
As I've explained earlier, Android One is a project of Google that aims to make affordable, high-quality smartphones running the latest version of its mobile operating system more accessible to users in emerging mobile markets with fast rising economies. Android One smartphones are those that meet Google's requirements or recipe for this particular initiative and will therefore get updates straight from Google for up to years following their release.
Last Tuesday - February 17, 2015 - via an exclusive media event held at WhiteSpace in Makati, the Philippines formally became the sixth country in the world to be included in the Android One program following India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
During this brilliant presentation, Mr. Caesar Sengupta - Google's Vice President for Product Management - noted that while there are already 3 Billion people who are now experiencing the wonders of the internet, more than 4 Billion people across the world have yet to go online. Part of vision behind Android One is to make the internet more accessible even to entry-level consumers via handsets that deliver a great user experience all while being easy on the pocket.
Solely in terms of technical specifications, just like its main rival - Cherry Mobile One, MyPhone Uno is not particularly the best smartphone in its price echelon. It comes with a 4.5 inch FWVGA IPS display, 5 MegaPixel autofocus main camera with LED flash, 2 MegaPixel front cam, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 1.3 GHz Quad Core ARM Cortex A7 and Mali 400 based MediaTek MT6582 chipset, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of ROM. Needless to say, you can easily find better options from MyPhone itself or even other local brands in the Php 4,000 to Php 5,000 price bracket if you're just looking at specs.
If there's an area where MyPhone Uno shines the most, it would definitely be when it comes to software. As an Android One release, this handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop (the latest version of Android that's available as of writing) right out of the box and it will likewise be at the forefront of firmware upgrade from Google within the next couple of years. So if you're looking for a very affordable phone that will let you experience the freshest Android features ahead of everyone else, MyPhone Uno would be an ideal smartphone for you.
Looks-wise, as you can see in these photos, MyPhone Uno flaunts a rounder and curvier design identity as opposed to the more structured look of Cherry Mobile One. The removable plastic back cover has a matte finish, which I like since it's not a finger-print magnet and it adds traction against my hand when I hold the phone helping decrease the chance of accidental slippage. One interesting or distinguishing design accent is the round, protruding metal 'chip' at the back that frames the camera module and is kind of reminiscent of what's on the Nokia Lumia 1020 or the Asus ZenFone Zoom.
Interestingly, MyPhone Uno is more than Php 500 more expensive than Php 3,999 Cherry Mobile One, which even has a larger 8GB of ROM and an ever slightly bigger 1,780 mAh battery pack. I wish MyPhone would consider going head to head with Cherry Mobile in terms of the price of their Android One release if only because it will make competition far more interesting. But then, I'm sure that even with its current SRP, Uno will still be a hit among MyPhone's hardcore fans and those who are looking for an Android One release with a curvier design language.
As I've explained earlier, Android One is a project of Google that aims to make affordable, high-quality smartphones running the latest version of its mobile operating system more accessible to users in emerging mobile markets with fast rising economies. Android One smartphones are those that meet Google's requirements or recipe for this particular initiative and will therefore get updates straight from Google for up to years following their release.
Last Tuesday - February 17, 2015 - via an exclusive media event held at WhiteSpace in Makati, the Philippines formally became the sixth country in the world to be included in the Android One program following India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia.
During this brilliant presentation, Mr. Caesar Sengupta - Google's Vice President for Product Management - noted that while there are already 3 Billion people who are now experiencing the wonders of the internet, more than 4 Billion people across the world have yet to go online. Part of vision behind Android One is to make the internet more accessible even to entry-level consumers via handsets that deliver a great user experience all while being easy on the pocket.
MyPhone Uno, for instance, dons an official suggested retail price of only Php 4,599 and for that amount you get this package, which includes the unit itself, the removable 1,700 mAh battery pack, USB to microUSB connector cable, standard earphones with microphone, travel charger, quick start guide, warranty certificate, and a free pre-installed 8GB microSD card.
Solely in terms of technical specifications, just like its main rival - Cherry Mobile One, MyPhone Uno is not particularly the best smartphone in its price echelon. It comes with a 4.5 inch FWVGA IPS display, 5 MegaPixel autofocus main camera with LED flash, 2 MegaPixel front cam, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, 1.3 GHz Quad Core ARM Cortex A7 and Mali 400 based MediaTek MT6582 chipset, 1GB of RAM, and 4GB of ROM. Needless to say, you can easily find better options from MyPhone itself or even other local brands in the Php 4,000 to Php 5,000 price bracket if you're just looking at specs.
If there's an area where MyPhone Uno shines the most, it would definitely be when it comes to software. As an Android One release, this handset runs Android 5.1 Lollipop (the latest version of Android that's available as of writing) right out of the box and it will likewise be at the forefront of firmware upgrade from Google within the next couple of years. So if you're looking for a very affordable phone that will let you experience the freshest Android features ahead of everyone else, MyPhone Uno would be an ideal smartphone for you.
Looks-wise, as you can see in these photos, MyPhone Uno flaunts a rounder and curvier design identity as opposed to the more structured look of Cherry Mobile One. The removable plastic back cover has a matte finish, which I like since it's not a finger-print magnet and it adds traction against my hand when I hold the phone helping decrease the chance of accidental slippage. One interesting or distinguishing design accent is the round, protruding metal 'chip' at the back that frames the camera module and is kind of reminiscent of what's on the Nokia Lumia 1020 or the Asus ZenFone Zoom.
Interestingly, MyPhone Uno is more than Php 500 more expensive than Php 3,999 Cherry Mobile One, which even has a larger 8GB of ROM and an ever slightly bigger 1,780 mAh battery pack. I wish MyPhone would consider going head to head with Cherry Mobile in terms of the price of their Android One release if only because it will make competition far more interesting. But then, I'm sure that even with its current SRP, Uno will still be a hit among MyPhone's hardcore fans and those who are looking for an Android One release with a curvier design language.
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Android One
Android One Philippines
Cellphone
MyPhone
MyPhone Uno
MyPhone Uno Price
MyPhone Uno Unboxing
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