Noteworthy.
When
we reviewed the Cubot X17 recently, the budget smartphone that packs
a wallop, we didn't think that Chinese phone maker Cubot could put
anything together cheaper than that. Oh, were we wrong. We review the
ridiculously, insanely, criminally cheap Cubot Note S.
What
is it? Well, the Note S from Cubot (just like the Note series from
Samsung) is a phablet with a 5.5 inch display, which, in the hand,
feels very much like the aforementioned Samsung Note 2 or 3. But (and
this is one hell of a but, baby) it costs not much more than £100!
Yes, this large screen smartphone, running Android 5.1, is only fifty
quid. No way.
Way.
In fact it isn't just the large screen (1280 x 720p) that is
impressive, as the Cubot Note S also boasts 2GB of RAM, 16GB onboard
memory (expandable thanks to the Micro SD Card slot), and a 8MP main
camera, as well as a 5MP selfie cam. All that, and it even has a
metal frame exposed around the edge. The large size of the phone is
also used very well to house a larger-than-normal battery; 4150mAh in
fact, which delivered (in our tests, anyway) well over a day's worth
of medium use between charges.
So
there is a hell of a lot going for this phone, right out of the box.
Having said that, there would be a hell of a lot going for any 5.5
inch smartphone running the latest version of Android costing £100;
the fact that Note S has pretty decent specs is a massive bonus.
Weirdly the Cubot website (which is very 'Chinese translated directly
to English') styles the Note S as being “For the young.” As it is
their largest handset, that is a bit confusing, unless of course they
actually mean 'young at heart', though we doubt it.
Actually
giving this phone to child or young person wouldn't be an awful
thing though, as the large and clear screen (which ships with a
screen protector already attached – bubble free and straight, no
less) is great for games and videos. The Cubot Note S also comes with
an included jelly case, which certainly helps to keep it safe should
the kiddos drop it.
And
at the end of the day, this thing costs just £100. You could buy it
for you children (or yourself) without any intention of inserting a
SIM card into one of the two slots and using it as a phone. This
could be used simply as a games and media gadget – a tablet with
powerful specs and Android, perfect for smaller hands. Just saying,
but when you consider the price of the likes of LeapFrong or vTech
kids tablets...
A
solid and reliable phone with an all round resounding 'good', the
true reason to get the Cubot Note S is that unbelievable price. This
smartphone (plus a SIM only contract) will see you right for a good
long while, with specifications and features that far out reach the
cost. But seriously, as a media device for kids, which ships with
screen protector and case, the Note S is very attractive.
Around
£100.
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
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| Our one gripe... For a phone that styles itself so much after Samsung's Note series, this probably isn't the best slogan for the box! |