The Kolina K100+ is possibly the best $170 phone you can buy outside of China


KOLINA K100+

Not everyone needs or has access to 4G LTE networks but still require a powerful smartphone with nice design. For those people here is the Kolina K100+.

The Kolina K100+ is one of those phones which look like it could have had the smartphone world at its feet, if only it had launched earlier in the year and not during the start of the 64bit roll out. Still at only $169.99 and with high-end hardware, we think some readers can still find use for this flagship Mediatek device.

An iPhone inspired (but not completely copied) alloy and plastic body makes us the chassis to which the components are all connected. Starting up front, the large 5.5-inch display is a full HD 1920 x 1080 resolution panel with IPS for nice viewing angles.

KOLINA K100+

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Above the display is a 5 mega-pixel front camera, while out back a 13 mega-pixel shooter sits in wait to catch your next photo.

Processing comes in the form of a Mediatek MT6592T octacore chip. The ’T’ in the title means it is the faster 2.0Ghz chipset rather than the regular 1.7ghz model found in most Android smartphones throughout this year. With a 2.0Ghz chipset on tap it would make no sense to give the K100+ a small amount of RAM so here we have 2GB on board.

Dual micro SIM, 32GB internal memory make up the rest of the specs. Network support is limited to GSM and 3G WCDMA, but if you can live without LTE, and want a nice FHD display, and 2GB RAM, the K100+ is a bargain at only $169.99!

[ 1949deal ]
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86 Comments

  1. mf1gt3r
    December 10, 2014

    MT6592T? Hmmm. Just like every other damn phone out there.

    • Riccardo Benzoni
      December 10, 2014

      The T version is not on a lot of smartphones, you find often the “regular” and the “castrated” M version… But with the launch of the new 64bit octacore at the very same prices, I would advise to switch to the new technology!

      • mf1gt3r
        December 10, 2014

        Its quite dated now, Umi Zero, Tecno Phantom Z, TCL S960, same 2.0ghz MT6592T. Rare no doubt but nothing out of the ordinary. They should have gone for MT6595M at least.

        • Riccardo Benzoni
          December 10, 2014

          that’s what I said, there are new SoCs from mtk now and also at the very same price, so why going for a previous gen one? Also 6752 would be better and would keep the price low.

      • NahĂșm PĂ©rez Mesa
        December 10, 2014

        For me the question is… Kolina k100+, Jiayu S3 or Wa phone?

        What do you thin Andi and guys?

        http://www.htcmania.com/showpost.php?p=16521878&postcount=304

        • Riccardo Benzoni
          December 11, 2014

          I’d wait for the s3 for sure!

          • thesniper321
            December 12, 2014

            see ya in march then

  2. realjjj
    December 10, 2014

    You should make it clearer that the price is for international buyers not China price.

  3. RRRobert
    December 10, 2014

    No LTE? No glory (for 2015).

    • balcobomber25
      December 10, 2014

      Someone like me doesn’t want or need LTE. I do most of my work in South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, China etc) where LTE is often times either non existent or extremely expensive. Last time I was in the US (Boston) I did some quick tests on the LTE vs 3G+ speeds. The difference wasn’t nearly as great as people make it out to be. My average LTE speeds during my trip were 15mbps, my average 3G+ speeds was 12. It is one of the last features I look for in a phone.

  4. Dalibor Pencik
    December 10, 2014

    what about Jayiu s3?

    • December 10, 2014

      S3 hasn’t been released yet

  5. tonecas
    December 10, 2014

    Really better than the Umi Zero ?
    Considering not only performance but as well built quality ?

    • December 10, 2014

      Best $170 phone, Zero is $199

      • tonecas
        December 10, 2014

        Right you are 😛
        But worth the difference in my opinion, I’m still waiting for a best value phone for under 200 € (with shipping and taxes) than the Umi Zero.

        I know that you’ve visited their factory, what do you think about all this problems with deliver that they’r having expediting the orders for suppliers ?

        It’s something worth mentioning because it really gives the brand “character”. Unfortunately they’re not so trustworthy as I would like them to be, meaning, great phone but not great brand i guess …

        Thanks for the blog, great news and reviews !

        • balcobomber25
          December 10, 2014

          Best value phone under 200? For me it is the Doogee Turbo 2014. I recieved one as a gift from a supplier I work with and it has become my go to phone for work (replacing my Kingzone K1). It doesn’t have the best specs but with it’s low price (under $125 on some sites), it is amazing. Build quality is excellent, the 720p display is very good and it even comes with Kit Kat.

        • Marco Lancaster
          December 11, 2014

          Best value now, it’s not anything we already see or just has been released, like this Kolina. I guess you just need to wait to January when the 64Bit phones will arrive, carrying really awesome specs for under 200$, and even the Jiayu S3 if it costs 200$ with 3GB of Ram will be a monstruous awesome deal, my advice for you is, if you can wait a little more, just wait, the MTK6592 will soon be a outdated SoC.

      • Steve B
        December 10, 2014

        Umi Zero (production version) Vs Kolina K100 please, especially camera comparison

      • kermitto
        January 11, 2015

        Andi do you know if thay have any plans to update Kolina K100 to Kit Kat? I asked on chat here http://www.100.cn/ and they told me that yes but they’re not sure when. Your chinese is probably better than mine so maybe you have some info? Thanks

  6. MoonKnightMLG
    December 10, 2014

    If only the battery as removeable.Also is there a slot for micro sd card?

  7. tonecas
    December 10, 2014

    Btw I’ve seen some videos claiming that the screen is a Super Amoled and indeed it seems to be so, it has really dark blacks. Also in the package they announce it with a super amoled screen, true ?

  8. mf1gt3r
    December 10, 2014

    MT6592T? Hmmm. Just like every other damn phone out there.

    • Riccardo Benzoni
      December 10, 2014

      The T version is not on a lot of smartphones, you find often the “regular” and the “castrated” M version… But with the launch of the new 64bit octacore at the very same prices, I would advise to switch to the new technology!

    • mf1gt3r
      December 10, 2014

      Its quite dated now, Umi Zero, Tecno Phantom Z, TCL S960, same 2.0ghz MT6592T. Rare no doubt but nothing out of the ordinary. They should have gone for MT6595M at least.

    • NahĂșm PĂ©rez Mesa
      December 10, 2014

      For me the question is… Kolina k100+, Jiayu S3 or Wa phone?

      What do you thin Andi and guys?

      http://www.htcmania.com/showpost.php?p=16521878&postcount=304

    • Riccardo Benzoni
      December 10, 2014

      that’s what I said, there are new SoCs from mtk now and also at the very same price, so why going for a previous gen one? Also 6752 would be better and would keep the price low.

    • Riccardo Benzoni
      December 11, 2014

      I’d wait for the s3 for sure!

    • thesniper321
      December 12, 2014

      see ya in march then

  9. realjjj
    December 10, 2014

    You should make it clearer that the price is for international buyers not China price.

    • Andi Sykes
      December 10, 2014

      done

  10. Guest
    December 10, 2014

    No LTE? No glory (for 2015).

    • balcobomber25
      December 10, 2014

      Someone like me doesn’t want or need LTE. I do most of my work in South East Asia (Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, China etc) where LTE is often times either non existent or extremely expensive. Last time I was in the US (Boston) I did some quick tests on the LTE vs 3G+ speeds. The difference wasn’t nearly as great as people make it out to be. My average LTE speeds during my trip were 15mbps, my average 3G+ speeds was 12. It is one of the last features I look for in a phone.

  11. Dalibor Pencik
    December 10, 2014

    what about Jayiu s3?

    • Andi Sykes
      December 10, 2014

      S3 hasn’t been released yet

  12. tonecas
    December 10, 2014

    Really better than the Umi Zero ?
    Considering not only performance but as well built quality ?

    • Andi Sykes
      December 10, 2014

      Best $170 phone, Zero is $199

    • tonecas
      December 10, 2014

      Right you are 😛
      But worth the difference in my opinion, I’m still waiting for a best value phone for under 200 € (with shipping and taxes) than the Umi Zero.

      I know that you’ve visited their factory, what do you think about all this problems with deliver that they’r having expediting the orders for suppliers ?

      It’s something worth mentioning because it really gives the brand “character”. Unfortunately they’re not so trustworthy as I would like them to be, meaning, great phone but not great brand i guess …

      Thanks for the blog, great news and reviews !

    • Steve B
      December 10, 2014

      Umi Zero (production version) Vs Kolina K100 please, especially camera comparison

    • balcobomber25
      December 10, 2014

      Best value phone under 200? For me it is the Doogee Turbo 2014. I recieved one as a gift from a supplier I work with and it has become my go to phone for work (replacing my Kingzone K1). It doesn’t have the best specs but with it’s low price (under $125 on some sites), it is amazing. Build quality is excellent, the 720p display is very good and it even comes with Kit Kat.

    • Marco Lancaster
      December 11, 2014

      Best value now, it’s not anything we already see or just has been released, like this Kolina. I guess you just need to wait to January when the 64Bit phones will arrive, carrying really awesome specs for under 200$, and even the Jiayu S3 if it costs 200$ with 3GB of Ram will be a monstruous awesome deal, my advice for you is, if you can wait a little more, just wait, the MTK6592 will soon be a outdated SoC.

    • kermitto
      January 12, 2015

      Andi do you know if thay have any plans to update Kolina K100 to Kit Kat? I asked on chat here http://www.100.cn/ and they told me that yes but they’re not sure when. Your chinese is probably better than mine so maybe you have some info? Thanks

  13. Kamui
    December 10, 2014

    Andi I think the 100+ V6 (100C) is the same phone right?

    Just for reference the below link. No intention to promote the e-shop
    http://www.vickmall.com/100-v6-smartphone-2-0ghz-octa-core-mtk6592-turbo-2gb-ram-32gb-rom-with-5-5-inch-1080p-3200mah-battery-13mp-camera.html

  14. MoonKnightMLG
    December 10, 2014

    If only the battery as removeable.Also is there a slot for micro sd card?

  15. Morne Ross
    December 10, 2014

    Everyone forgot to mention that the phone only runs Jellybean and has no support for KitKat. I asked several sellers. That’s why the price is so cheap. Better to avoid and not fall into this trap.

    • tonecas
      December 10, 2014

      Many phones aren’t coming out with the latest android OS. Why do you say that the phone doesn’t have support for KitKat ?
      If it’s a mediatek should take very long untill someone realeases some rom update. Many times the brands don’t do it themselfs (and for that you don’t need to go so far, Samsung is an expert at not releasing ota updates).

      I’m sure there will be an alternative ROM for this phone and KitKat will be one of them.

      It’s a new/recent phone, give it some time 🙂

      • Morne Ross
        December 10, 2014

        I asked 5 resellers and they all said there will be no KitKat support. 99% of medium/high end Chinese phones made in 2014 now have KitKat support. There is also no manufacturer website for support or firmware updates, so forget about it. This phone will disappear very quickly between the flood of new quad/octa-core Mediatek 64-bit CPU phones coming out. Rather save and buy a new 64-bit CPU phone from a manufacturer that has a website and run KitKat and will provide a Lollipop update in future.

        • tonecas
          December 10, 2014

          XDA ?

          • Adam Irvine
            December 10, 2014

            Unfortunately, XDA still seems to be mega popular with any phone that DOESN’T house a Mediatek SOC… Not really sure why, but I’m guessing that the majority of the hard-core developers only get to hear about the more mainstream stuff and not the more interesting Chinese products..?

            • Riccardo Benzoni
              December 11, 2014

              maybe that’s because other SoC makers (qualcomm) release full sources and mtk don’t? that’s really where mediatek has to improve, then the community’s support will increase, even for smaller brands!

      • balcobomber25
        December 10, 2014

        Unless this thing sells on the same level as the OPO I wouldn’t expect alternate ROM’s for it. It’s not a big enough brand with a loyal following for that to happen. It’s hard finding ROM’s for some well established brands lets alone this one. XDA has many but they mainly have them for the more well known models.

  16. tonecas
    December 10, 2014

    Btw I’ve seen some videos claiming that the screen is a Super Amoled and indeed it seems to be so, it has really dark blacks. Also in the package they announce it with a super amoled screen, true ?

  17. Kev45
    December 10, 2014
    • Ada
      December 14, 2014

      it’s so expensive from you, but i think 1949deal can offer me the better price. they sell goods with best quality and most competitive price. You website is new for me. I will experience from 1949deal.com

  18. Kamui
    December 10, 2014

    Andi I think the 100+ V6 (100C) is the same phone right?

    Just for reference the below link. No intention to promote the e-shop
    http://www.vickmall.com/100-v6-smartphone-2-0ghz-octa-core-mtk6592-turbo-2gb-ram-32gb-rom-with-5-5-inch-1080p-3200mah-battery-13mp-camera.html

  19. Morne Ross
    December 10, 2014

    Everyone forgot to mention that the phone only runs Jellybean and has no support for KitKat. I asked several sellers. That’s why the price is so cheap. Better to avoid and not fall into this trap.

    • tonecas
      December 10, 2014

      Many phones aren’t coming out with the latest android OS. Why do you say that the phone doesn’t have support for KitKat ?
      If it’s a mediatek should take very long untill someone realeases some rom update. Many times the brands don’t do it themselfs (and for that you don’t need to go so far, Samsung is an expert at not releasing ota updates).

      I’m sure there will be an alternative ROM for this phone and KitKat will be one of them.

      It’s a new/recent phone, give it some time 🙂

    • Morne Ross
      December 10, 2014

      I asked 5 resellers and they all said there will be no KitKat support. 99% of medium/high end Chinese phones made in 2014 now have KitKat support. There is also no manufacturer website for support or firmware updates, so forget about it. This phone will disappear very quickly between the flood of new quad/octa-core Mediatek 64-bit CPU phones coming out. Rather save and buy a new 64-bit CPU phone from a manufacturer that has a website and run KitKat and will provide a Lollipop update in future.

    • tonecas
      December 10, 2014

      XDA ?

    • Adam Irvine
      December 10, 2014

      Unfortunately, XDA still seems to be mega popular with any phone that DOESN’T house a Mediatek SOC… Not really sure why, but I’m guessing that the majority of the hard-core developers only get to hear about the more mainstream stuff and not the more interesting Chinese products..?

    • balcobomber25
      December 10, 2014

      Unless this thing sells on the same level as the OPO I wouldn’t expect alternate ROM’s for it. It’s not a big enough brand with a loyal following for that to happen. It’s hard finding ROM’s for some well established brands lets alone this one. XDA has many but they mainly have them for the more well known models.

    • Riccardo Benzoni
      December 11, 2014

      maybe that’s because other SoC makers (qualcomm) release full sources and mtk don’t? that’s really where mediatek has to improve, then the community’s support will increase, even for smaller brands!

  20. NahĂșm PĂ©rez Mesa
    December 10, 2014

    When a comlete review of this one Andi? Ty

    • Zoealandy
      December 11, 2014

      Just check this review, Kolina K100+ PK iPhone 6 Plus: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of5vgp2XS6Q

      • Ada
        December 14, 2014

        wow, i still trust 1949deal.com, they have amazing price and gifts for the customers, especially this kolina k100+. I like to buy it from 1949deal. a very good and honest Chinese seller, i highly recommend them to you!

  21. Kev45
    December 10, 2014
    • Ada
      December 15, 2014

      it’s so expensive from you, but i think 1949deal can offer me the better price. they sell goods with best quality and most competitive price. You website is new for me. I will experience from

  22. balcobomber25
    December 10, 2014

    Th specs are nice but it’s so boring and plain looking. It looks like one of a hundred other phones that are “inspired” by Iphone. I would almost prefer a 1:1 clone over these half and half attempts to be different but not different.

  23. NahĂșm PĂ©rez Mesa
    December 10, 2014

    When a comlete review of this one Andi? Ty

    • Zoealandy
      December 11, 2014

      Just check this review, Kolina K100+ PK iPhone 6 Plus:

    • Ada
      December 15, 2014

      wow, i still trust

    • Ada
      December 15, 2014

      they have amazing price and gifts for the customers, especially this kolina k100+. I like to buy it from 1949deal. a very good and honest Chinese seller, i highly recommend them to you!

  24. balcobomber25
    December 10, 2014

    Th specs are nice but it’s so boring and plain looking. It looks like one of a hundred other phones that are “inspired” by Iphone. I would almost prefer a 1:1 clone over these half and half attempts to be different but not different.

  25. George Kiriakidis
    December 13, 2014

    I believe its the best VFM but there is no support at all and no KK or LOlipop future for that only jb
    i bought anyway

  26. George Kiriakidis
    December 13, 2014

    I believe its the best VFM but there is no support at all and no KK or LOlipop future for that only jb
    i bought anyway

  27. Rachid
    December 18, 2014

    I just ordered the Kolina K100+ from Ali Express, it gives me a better buyer protection if I’m not satisfied.

    I really like the build quality and this for only $170 ( shipping included)

    I can’t wait to have it delivered at my place….

  28. Rachid
    December 18, 2014

    I just ordered the Kolina K100+ from Ali Express, it gives me a better buyer protection if I’m not satisfied.

    I really like the build quality and this for only $170 ( shipping included)

    I can’t wait to have it delivered at my place….

  29. squint9
    April 22, 2015

    I’d be happy if it just worked with Verizon. Could care less about the 4G/LTE capabilities because I don’t spend my days wandering around in a daze with the screen stuck to my face watching movies/selfies/god-knows-what-else (_someone_ has to actually do the work after all LOL).

  30. squint9
    April 22, 2015

    I’d be happy if it just worked with Verizon. Could care less about the 4G/LTE capabilities because I don’t spend my days wandering around in a daze with the screen stuck to my face watching movies/selfies/god-knows-what-else (_someone_ has to actually do the work after all LOL).