Last week Starmobile has officially made its presence felt to the public via its media launch, and at the same time has introduced its newest line of smartphones, the FeatureSmart™, dubbed as the “Game Changer”.
The smartphone that was announced at the launch was the FeatureSmart™ T601i which has a variety of features. Design wise, the T601i with its full 3.5in touchscreen, looks and functions just like any other smartphone in the market and will fit right in with the big boys. This however doesn’t mean that it doesn’t stand out from the crowd. One major draw to the T601i is its price, at a mere PhP3,290, a fraction of the cost of other smartphones available in the market.
The T601i features include: dual-SIM capabilities, WiFi connectivity, Mobile TV through a retractable antenna, built-in access to social media, supports Java apps, a 3.2MP camera, and a 3.5in capacitive touchscreen. The included brower is Opera Mobile. It also has exclusive access to Inquirer.net and Job Market Online for real time updates. It features an internal memory of 50MB which can be increased via a microSD.
The T601i runs on Starmobile’s proprietary OS with 312MHz processor and 512MB RAM, powered by a 1150mAh Li-ion battery. From what we’ve noticed with normal use the battery lasts for about two days before running out. The phones basic functions are fast enough though its other functions leave a lot to be desired. Technically it can be classified as a smartphone though it is quite lacking in that department.
Its dual-SIM capabilities are easily accessed at the touch of a button, as both SIMs are active at the same time. Calling and texting using the different SIMs is quite easy as buttons switching between the two are available.
The 3.5in display is above average as images displayed are quite clear and vivid. The T601i’s touchscreen is quite responsive, but at times can seem a bit too sensitive as merely brushing by a function can cause it to open up.
The active wallpapers are quite an interesting addition to play around with. For example one wallpaper features a dinosaur with a volcano that shoots out flaming rocks when pressed.
The 3.2MP camera works well enough though picture quality could have been better. It also features a variety of modifiable options such as white balance and exposure value.
The mobile social media apps on the phone still connect via the Opera browser and as such seem more like bookmarks rather than actual “apps”. The Opera browser itself is quite clunky and as such internet browsing can be a bit of a hassle. Apps available on the App Store are quite limited and are quite simple looking.
The Mobile TV function is a quirky addition as unlike in other smartphones, it is a built-in feature, with its own retractable antenna. Channels are limited and reception at times is fuzzy, but it serves its purpose. A slight annoyance with the Mobile TV in its full screen function is that it only flips to one side and leaves the antenna at a weird position.
All in all, the T601i is an affordable dual-SIM smartphone that considering its cheap price functions well enough.
Pros: Sleek design , low price, Mobile TV, dual-SIM
Cons: Screen can be too sensitive, camera quality could be better
Bottomline: The T601i is a dual-SIM phone with basic smartphone capabilities for those who are looking for a affordable and cheap alternative entry-level smartphone.
Rating: 7/10
