Want a smartphone that won’t hurt your pocket? I suggest you go for Cherry Mobile Sonic, the new addition to the slew of affordable smartphones in the country. Check out my review below:
Specs
- OS: Android 2.3 Gingerbread
- Processor: 1.0 GHz single-core MediaTek MT6515
- Display: 4-inch HVGA capacitive touch panel
- Camera: 2MP rear camera, VGA front-facing camera
- Memory: 512MB internal storage, 256MB RAM, microSD expandable up to 32GB
- Connectivity: WiFi b/g/n, Bluetooth, 2G, GSM/GPRS 900/1800 MHz
- Battery: 1,200 mAh Li-ion
- Feature: Dual-SIM, dual standby
The Form
Cherry Mobile’s Sonic comes in a cardboard-like box alongside its accessories such as charger, USB connector, earphones, and its instruction booklet.
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The Sonic’s front view consists of the earpiece, VGA front-facing camera, 4-inch HGVA screen, and the most important buttons: Home, Options, Back, and Search.
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On its back cover you can see the 2MP rear camera and speaker. Volume rocker is on the left side while microphone stays at the other side. On/Off switch and micro USB port are located on top of the Sonic as the 3.5 mm headphone jack settles at the bottom.
The Software
The Cherry Mobile Sonic runs on Android Gingerbread version 2.3 and its single-core MediaTek MT6515 processor made it easier for me to surf the Internet. Yes, I was able to connect to a WiFi hotspot and tried using Google Search. Fortunately, the Sonic didn’t disappoint me as I enjoyed a few minutes of browsing the Web.
In fact, Google Play is already preinstalled on the device, making it easier for loyal Google users like me. My favorite apps, Facebook and Twitter, are not pre-installed – which I think is a good thing – but it can easily be installed video Google Play. Of course, you are not limited to downloading social media apps as you can also download games!
Performance, Battery, and Camera
As for the battery, the Sonic can last up to a day. I couldn’t blame anyone since it only has 1200 mAh Li-ion Battery. If you’re fond of connecting through hotspots, I’d suggest you bring the charger for it can run out of battery sooner than any other smartphone.
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Another thing that made me want to put it down for good is its low camera resolution. The Sonic has 2 megapixel camera at the back and VGA camera on the front. I tried taking photos under white light and they all looked cloudy that I needed to press “Delete” ASAP.
Did I mention its speaker boasts loud music? Honestly, I almost partied inside my house because of its loudness – in a good way.
My Recommendation
Cherry Mobile Sonic is made for those who want a basic smartphone minus the hefty price tag. Believe it or not, it is being retailed in the market for as low as P2,699. Cool, right? If you’re after texting, calling, and checking your Gmail, then this one’s the right device for you. Plus, the Sonic is not too big and not too small for a smartphone so you can easily toss it inside your pocket or even your bag.
If you’ve additional information regarding Cherry Mobile’s Sonic, feel free to hit me up with your comment below. We’re also giving away one, so be sure to click the image below for the raffle page.
