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At over $200 is the Star B943 quad-core smartphone worth it?

AndiMarch 13, 2013

As one commenter mentioned the other day, I think we are being spoilt by Chinese phones and their high specifications. Take the Star B943 for example, it costs 1299 Yuan ($208) boasts a quad-core processor, 12 mega-pixel rear camera and 4.7-inch display! Sounds good right?

Until we look a little closer that is. The display is a QHD unit meaning a low resolution of just 960 x 540, the camera is ‘only’ 12 mega-pixel while cheaper phones are packing 13 mega-pixel sensors, not to mention 720p displays, and the OS is Android 4.1 rather than the latest 4.2 Jelly Bean!

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But is this all really that bad? Even with just 1GB RAM the Star B943 with it’s 1.2Ghz quad-core MT6589 still manages an Antutu benchmark of 13180 (possibly due to the low resolution) which is higher than the JiaYu G4.

Like other similar phones the quad-coreStar B943 offers an SD card slot to expand memory if the on-board 4GB isn’t enough, there is support for two SIM cards and there is even a good size 2000mAh battery too.

Best of all is that the Star B943 is on sale now. There are no delays, and rough launch dates. This is a phone which can be bought and enjoyed now! So what do you guy’s think? Is the Star B943 too little for too much or does it still represent a good buy?

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About the author
Andi

Norman Zakaria
March 13, 2013
I think the thing u need to remember is that most of us readers here already have a phone as good as this or even better(minus the quad core chip)
For example : I already have a Jiayu G3 which has a higher resolution than this phone and a larger battery. I already have Android 4.1.2 and I already have a camera that’s good enough. What’s better about this phone compared to my Jiayu G3 is that it is quad core. The RAM and ROM is the same amount.
What I’m trying to say is that it’s not worth buying this phone if I already have sort of an equivalent or maybe even better phone than this because it won’t be an upgrade to my current phone. If I want to buy a new phone to replace mine, it must be better, possibly a 1080p resolution or maybe a quad core chip with bigger battery or maybe a phone with bigger RAM and ROM.
Just my 2 cents though~~
- Soes
  March 14, 2013
  @Norman
  I don’t agree, imo there are enough people who are interested in phones like this. But thanks for sharing your opinion.

Eli
March 14, 2013
actually according to a reseller that has the device the camera is 8MP (12.6 interpolation) so that’s why it appears as 12.6MP in Anututu
aaa
March 14, 2013
usable 12 mega-pixel camera is better than unusable 13 mega-pixel which is carried by the most of mtk phones, so i rather wait for some test before making final judge. also i can live with this low resolution – its all depend to the build quality along with smooth and stable use.
- anon
  March 14, 2013
  Except that rather than wasting space with interpolated result of 13MP, which you could do better on your PC, they should have used/said 8 from the start.

Spinning cat
March 14, 2013
It can be bought for under 200 USD at different aliexpress sellers (http://www.aliexpress.com/wholesale?SearchText=star+b94m+mtk6589&catId=0&initiative_id=AS_20130314024056) but after following the XDA thread about the dualcore version (http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2073594) I’m not really convinced with the build quality, for instance the camera and GPS.
Can’t find a review for the quad version yet.
alon
March 14, 2013
iNew i2000 – is another quad core phone which is already available – price is less than this one and screen is better…

nbo
March 14, 2013
I believe that for someone abroad (which is my case), and for the same price buying a “k-touch V9” would be a better option.
It has a CPU 4Q – Tigra 3 – 1.5mhz, the camera is 5MP but it isn’t the most important for me (depends on your use of the phone).
Also looks like K-touch phones has more support/forums for personalized ROM’s (Evolution and support multi-languages).
In the other hand I’m waiting for the K-touch Kiss which is more competitive in price.
What do you think about the K-touch V9?
kaskuser
March 14, 2013
i already buy it for just 180$, on ali express
just wait for shipping 🙂

Spinning cat
March 15, 2013
Just curious: is there a bug difference on a 4,7 inch screen between QHD en 720p? We have a Jiayu G3 at home with a 720p screen and that is a good looking screen, but just wondering if a QHD screen is really visibly worse.
buchhaar
March 15, 2013
Will this phone get 3g network is usa with att or t-mobile?

Mite
March 15, 2013
price is good but i don’t know what kind of screen technology does it uses and what colors ?
it wont be definitelly IPS
some say it has 260k colors
if it is true that would suck
tigran1
March 23, 2013
I was almost ready to get this phone and the screen resolution is the thing that kept me from doing it. I aint sure how much difference 720p would make at 4.5″.
I’m trying to find a good quad core phone, under 5″, 720p screen and good battery (over 2200mAh) and I can’t find one. There’s always something missing.
I think the chinese should pay more attention to under 5″ phones. It’s like all they care about is how they’re gonna release their next phablet.
- Mite
  March 23, 2013
  i am in the same road
  but i decided to order the ZTE V970 MTK6577 – 140$
  battery is standard 1600mah but i like it becouse of it’s smaller screen and the design is very good and it has support for it
  don’t know about you but i am tired of waiting those quad cores