Phicomm’s flagship: Bang for your buck

SINGAPORE — While the smartphone market here seems to be dominated by Apple or Samsung phones, Chinese-brand smartphones are certainly on the rise — and Phicomm’s P660 is part of the trend.

Before the review, expectations of the Shanghai-based maker’s flagship phone were low as it was almost unheard of. The device’s first striking feature is its design, which bears a passing resemblance to Sony’s Xperia Z3 in terms of its shape and crisp lines.

The phone also surprises with its lightness — at only 110g, it weighs less than the Samsung Galaxy S5 Mini (120g). In terms of build quality, it feels sturdy, with no noticeable protrusions or loose parts. It has an aluminium-magnesium alloy frame, complemented by a durable polycarbonate shell with an anti-scratch matte finish.

At only S$318, the P660 has remarkably decent specs. It is equipped with 2GB of RAM and a 1.5GHz Octa-core processor. Built-in storage is only 16GB, but can be expanded up to 64GB with a microSD card. Its user interface — a customised skin on top of Android’s 4.4.4 Kit Kat OS — is simple and clean. Apps run quickly with barely any lag.

Perhaps the biggest surprise is the P660’s screen — a five-inch display with full HD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) and a pixel density of 441 pixels per inch, which is comparable to those of more expensive smartphones.

However, battery life is relatively poor. The phone lasts about two-and- a-half hours if it plays videos non-stop and drains by about 6 per cent while resting on network standby overnight. If you’re constantly on your phone, the P660 may not be able to last half a day.

The phone’s buttons are unlit, which is disappointing as this reduces its visual appeal. Other features, such as its 13-megapixel back camera, are what one would expect from a phone of its price range. Common must-haves such as NFC connectivity are also available.

Overall, the P660 is a great value-for-money smartphone. It may not be the cheapest among its competitors, such as the Xiaomi Mi 4i (S$279), but certainly packs more of a punch.

The P660 is available at Phicomm’s showroom in Bugis Cube or its online store at www.phicommasia.com.