Most phone makers are quick to move on to the next device and leave their old models behind, but JiaYu are still producing the JiaYu G3C 2 years on, but is it still really a great deal?
When the JiaYu G3 originally launched it was one of the most talked about flagship smartphones of any Chinese manufacturer. Customers around China and the world were blown away by the then high-end specifications which saw the G3 pack a MT6577 dual-core processor, 4.5-inch HD display, 1GB RAM and 8 mega-pixel main camera.
Design was also something to behold with many Chinese phone fans following head over heals for the alloy front panel and original styling.
Move on a couple of years and the JiaYu G3 has seen a few updates with the current version, the JiaYu G3C, receiving a significant upgrade over the original while selling at a lower price. The JiaYu G3C is now on sale for $129.99 internationally and features an updated quad-core MT6582 processor for better performance, and the same 1280 x 720 Gorilla Glass display and 1GB RAM of the original.
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The hardware may have moved on to meet todays standards, but the angular design is beginning to look a little dated when compared to some of the more slender offerings from iNew, DOOGEE and others.
Is the Jiayu G3C still a great deal 2 years on?
Are you in the market for a low-cost Android smartphone? Do you think the JiaYu G3C still cuts the mustard, or is it time to move on to something more modern?
Yes the design is outdated and the phone is too thick.
With 3000mA battery, G3 still a valuable choice. Slim phone has good looking but normally weak battery and difficult to repair. If Jiayu upgrade G3 to 5 inch, 2G RAM so it will be a deal.
It is called Jiayu S2 … It even manages to be barely bigger than G3 … Never did like the G3 to tell the truth, too much wasted space, unlike G4/G5/S2.
For example the G5S is 4.5 inches too, yet it manages to be smaller in all dimensions all the while using the 3000 mah battery + case. I measured it at 130 x 65 x 9.4, by far the smallest phone that utilizes a 3000 mah battery!
Smaller than Moto X , yet more powerful (octa), metal body, much bigger battery, hardware buttons (so in practice a bigger screen), etc…
S2 has 6mm body with 2000mA integrated battery. I am not sure about the battery type, Li-ion or LiPo but I believe it is the first. Btw how long 2000mA is spent by 5 inch screen, 8-core without big.Little and full graphics/colors ROM like MIUI ?
In regards of G5S, it uses 2000mA if I remember correct and you can get 3000mA with a special back cover. I prefer 4.7″-5″ for all Jiayu phone.
Well G5S is as big (screenwise) as moto x and Nexus 4 because it has hardware keys, so it’s not that small display, and yes the dimensions I talked about was/is about the 3000 version, the 2000 version is quite thinner but I don’t like it because it needs charging very frequently…
As for the S2, well the 2000mah battery is small, but most slim phones have small batteries, if G3 was to become a 5 inch phone would be interesting because of the large battery.
BTW jiayu G4s is 4.7inches and it has 3000 battery so you may find it to your liking…
Personally I don’t like G4, maybe because it looks like Meizu phones. Plus I am using a Sammy S3, so it’s no point for me to get another 4.7 inches.
In regards of appearance, G3, G5,G6 and S2 have best looking. G4 black version has better look than white version.
Have you look at it in person? The all black look is very nice and eye catching.
G5 and S2 has that stupid looking uneven back cover.
Yes of course, my friend bought a G4 black and we reviewed “on hand Jiayu G4” a year ago :D. 2G, quadcore, MIUI, smooth and nice.
Btw I don’t have G5 and S2 in hand so it’s hard to judge them. I owned a G3 and it still serves me well up to now.
1. It only has non expandable 32GB of internal memory, enjoy your limited super phone only able to do things meaningless with the specs.
2. It only has 2000mAh non removable battery
3. It’s $300 on most place, this phone is less than half the price.
Whoah calm down cowboy, I don’t even like 5 inch phones… I merely suggested a phone which fit closest to Nam Tu ‘s wishes… I mean apart from the battery everything else is spot on…
“Slim phone has good looking but normally weak battery and difficult to repair.”
Rather stupid suggestion then since battery and repair-ability is the thing concern him most.
You do seem to take things way too personal… As I said the phone was/is spot on. If they were not to take the “slim angle” it would actually be beyond decent, it’s one of the few 5 inch phones that make so smart use of space, it’s barely bigger than G3 in height and width yet it has a 5 inch screen.
If a “S2 thick” was to be released, (it) would be exactly what the OP asked for. I commented on this because it needs to be commented. Every other 5 inch phone even when they get the battery right they make so bad use of space that they manage to get the width well into its 70s and the height to its 140s. Look at HTC One, that’s almost a phablet sized phone yet “only” sports a 5 inch screen. Same with Sony’s Z1 or even the newest Galaxy (I know it’s 5.1” but still very bad use of space)…
Btw since HTC still apply similar design of G3 for their debut phones I think the design is not outdated yet.
Yes, go for G4S instead. 😛
For $130 internationally though? It’s probably unbeatable. And I’d take “outdated” design any day over new one with its razor sharp corner and thin for the sake of thin and weakass battery.
A proven design, produced for 2 years means they ironed out most flaws in production line. That means you get a sturdy, indestructible phone which will work for 18-24 months without a problem in regular use.
For 130$ maybe you can get a more “beautiful” “thin” phone like DG350. inew etc.
But those modern thin phones will have a much worse record of survival after six months, every slight hot or dent will move the screen out of the thinbezeled frame and there you go.
130$ up in smoke. or try getting it fixed in china- will come back after 4 months maybe didnt fix it at all..
If not easy to sevice- think reliabilty as NO.1 preference. All the rest is less important.
Ans i still did not mention the battery. IT will outlast your thin iNew or Doogee or Cubot by 2 extra hours of screen on. that beats the hell out of those bautiful designs, Always think real life usage over looks.
Pray where is available for $ 129.99 dont see it for less than $ 139.99 ?..please give site
Know that international shipping is not free.
Very very good phone!
It is still a great design, sturdy with 3000mAh battery.
LOL “head over heals” You mean heels!
Still good value imho, a good solid proven design with a great battery. So it’s a little chunkier but it will outlast many of the thin phones.
Equally great value the Octacore G4S, bought one of those myself, battery lasts all day no sweat.
i wrote to jiayu a lots of mails for technical assistance during warranty period for my broken jiayu phone but they never answered to me… i will never buy other jiayu products….