Fine screen, fast processor, 13 megapixel camera, dual SIM, good price
Not latest Android, no expandable memory
The Phone Pro Qi is a new midrange smartphone from Spanish firm Energy Sistem and though the name might not be familiar, this high-spec offering looks like being a serious contender.
Chassis & Screen
It's a neatly finished device, solidly built with a stylishly curved back reminiscent of HTC's One (M8) in looks if not feel (unlike the HTC, this is an all-plastic design). It keeps the bulk down to a svelte 10mm which isn't among the thinnest these days, but it'll still slip neatly into the pocket of your skinny jeans without drawing too much attention to itself.
There are not one but two micro SIM slots on the side giving you the option to keep your work and social calls completely separate, or pack a foreign SIM if you regularly travel abroad.
The 5in screen offers a full HD resolution of 1920x1080 pixels and it's beautifully sharp and clear, with that vibrant quality that's only available on the better screens.
Software & processor It's a little disappointing that it's running Android 4.2 Jelly Bean though a 4.4 KitKat update is apparently imminent.
Energy Sistem has given it a light tweak but it seems to be confined to aesthetics - icons look different from standard Android but there's no extra functionality or widgets.
Energy hasn't stinted on the processor, an octa-core ARM Cortex A7 clocked at 1.7GHz and backed by 2GB RAM. That's a pretty hefty powerhouse for this price and it doesn't disappoint. Apps open speedily and the OS flows smoothly without any waiting or lag. HD games hold no terrors either and Real Racing 3 gameplay ran without a hitch. Our AntuTu benchmark test gave it a score of 31,540, which isn't quite up there with heavyweights like the LG G3 or the OnePlus One, but it's within spitting distance of the considerably more expensive Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One (M8).
Photography
The 13 megapixel camera includes autofocus and dual LED flash and you'd expect, but there are quite a few other settings to play with, including panorama and multi-angle modes, plus multishot (just press and hold the shutter), HDR and smile detection. There's also Live mode, which lets you record a four-second video clip.
Picture quality is really very good, with realistic colours, plenty of detail and nice, sharp edges.
Following the trend for better quality cameras on the front, the Energy Phone's packing a 5 megapixel model with an LED flash, so you can take better selfies even in da club.
There's a healthy 32GB of memory on board but that'll have to do as there's no option to add more via microSD card.
The good-sized 2300mAh battery held up well, comfortably delivering close to two days of steady use before it needed a top up.
Conclusion
It's hardly a household name in the UK but on this evidence Energy Sistem has joined OnePlus as one to watch, delivering a high spec smartphone at a midrange price. Screen, processor, camera and battery life are all impressive and its dual-SIM capability is an added bonus.
Software: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean
Processor: Octa-core 1.7GHz ARM Cortex A7
Memory slot: No
Display: 5in OGS IPS LCD, 1920x1080 pixels
Connectivity: Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
Ports: microUSB, 3.5mm headphone jack
Camera: 13 megapixel with autofocus, dual flash, 5 megapixel front-facing camera with flash
Video playback: MP4, H.264, H.263
Audio playback: MP3, WAV, AAC
Radio: Yes
Battery: 1400mAh
Size: 144x69x10mm
This article was originally published by WIRED UK
