We get hands on with the UMi eMax to see what the largest, big battery UMi is like in the hand and in the flesh.
The third launch of the year from UMi is the UMi eMax. It comes after both the Zero and the Hammer which both had smaller 5-inch 720p displays. Although there was nothing to complain about (in terms of screen quality) on either of those models, many fans wanted to see a larger, higher resolution model available, the UMi eMax is the answer.
UMi have marketed the eMax as a large battery phone to compete against other devices in the endurance segment of the Chinese phone industry. Compared to most standard 5.5-inch phones, the eMax does have a larger battery at 3780mAh. UMi say this is good enough for 10 days of standby, but we will soon if this is the case as we put the phone through a full review.
So in addition to the large battery and bigger, higher resolution display, what else does the UMi eMax have to offer? Well it is impressively thin at only 7.9mm. The design is a unibody one, meaning you can’t remove the rear panel to get at the battery, and there are no SIM trays but rather slots with dust covers. These two details might not seen like much but they decrease the thickness by a few mm while maintained dual LTE SIM support and space for a micro SD card.
Processing power comes in the way of a Mediatek MT6752 64bit chipset and 2GB RAM with 16GB memory (the phone supports 64GB SD cards also). The 1.7Ghz processor and 2GB RAM is good for Antutu scores of over 41,000, but I believe we will see more once Lollipop is release for the phone.
Gizchina News of the week
Yes, that’s right! The eMax is one of the few phones still shipping with Android 4.4 Kitkat out of the box. Now before you all go off condemning the phone keep in mind that UMi do say Android Lollipop is on the way, and that many phones which are shipping with Lollipop as stock also tend to be rather buggy. Kitkat on the eMax is smooth, fast and so far bug free (but keep in mind this is just a first impressions and we might uncover things for the full review).
While Kitkat is mostly stock, UMi have added lock screen gesture support. Double tap to wake (and unlock), draw a ‘C’ for the phone app, ‘O’ for camera etc. UMi have also included HotKnot on the phone for wireless file sharing, there is MiraVision and ClearMotion also running on the phone.
In the video I mention that the audio of the eMax is pretty good unless you really crank the volume all the way up. However, head in to Settings > Audio Profile > BesSurround and you can get much better results. The more I use the eMax the more I am convinced there is a decent speaker in there and a few tweaks to the ROM might be all that’s needed to get the most of it.
Enough of the text though, sit back and see the phone in the flesh in my unboxing and first impressions below:
UMi eMax unboxing and first impressions
UMi eMax hands on photos
As you probably know we have a ton of phones in the review process at the moment (Xiaomi Mi4i next week we haven’t forgotten) so keep your eyes peeled for the UMi eMax review coming as soon as possible.
[ UMi ]
Is Rootjoy available for this?
Yep it will be available for all UMi phones, but not sure if there is much available on there yet for the eMax as its pretty new.
it is, I updated the stock rom with rootjoy
Thats my favorite thing about Umi.
Yep, it’s one hell of a tool to be fair, it handles all the backup of important data too and so makes flashing a rom an absolute breeze 🙂
I believe they released Miui (Kitkat) and WP8 for eMax yesterday?
Ye what is this WP8? I saw it available for my Dads Zero on the weekend but I couldn’t find any info or screenshots for it anywhere…
screenshots available here http://www.romjd.com/Rom/Detail/74777
It looks like it’s an Android Rom made to look like Windows Phone 8.
Ahh, I thought as much… I hate that sort of thing, theres a silly amount of launchers out in the wild that do the same sort of thing.
Bless…
Wow. I’m just finding out about Rootjoy now? Why doesn’t EVERY manufacture have this?
It would make “fixing” the default software some much easier and less of a risk.
I think all of the smaller companies at least should do this instead of their continued failed attempts at making their own OS’s. Elephone is supposedly working on something like this and CM now has an easy installer for their ROM.
Hi Andi, will we see a review of the Lenovo K3 note by you guys? It seems like one of the best available at ~$170 right now.
Its a really cool phablet. I think they should review it. Mine is on the way. Will review once I’ve received it.
Yop, id like to. I’ll see if we can get our hands on one
Andi you think you guys will be getting the new devices from Gionee (E8 and S7) to review?
I will certainly buy an E8 so watch out for that 😀
Lol the E7 is still one of my favorite camera phones ever, the E8 I think is too big for me but I do use an X8 now so who knows.
I think Andi is not interesed in free reviews. If Lenovo pays like Meizu, why not 🙂
LOL
Just ordered the Umi Hammer today together with the Elephone P7000. My biggest problem is the charging time of the elephone which I’ve heard is close to eternity. I think I’ll love my first Umi phone.
Seems much better then p7000. Bought two of these umi 109usd each. And cancelled p7000.
109$ where did you get it
Flash sales that ended last June 5.
Is Rootjoy available for this?
Yep it will be available for all UMi phones, but not sure if there is much available on there yet for the eMax as its pretty new.
it is, I updated the stock rom with rootjoy
I believe they released Miui (Kitkat) and WP8 for eMax yesterday?
Thats my favorite thing about Umi.
Ye what is this WP8? I saw it available for my Dads Zero on the weekend but I couldn’t find any info or screenshots for it anywhere…
Yep, it’s one hell of a tool to be fair, it handles all the backup of important data too and so makes flashing a rom an absolute breeze 🙂
screenshots available here http://www.romjd.com/Rom/Detail/74777
It looks like it’s an Android Rom made to look like Windows Phone 8.
Ahh, I thought as much… I hate that sort of thing, theres a silly amount of launchers out in the wild that do the same sort of thing.
Bless…
Wow. I’m just finding out about Rootjoy now? Why doesn’t EVERY manufacture have this?
It would make “fixing” the default software some much easier and less of a risk.
I think all of the smaller companies at least should do this instead of their continued failed attempts at making their own OS’s. Elephone is supposedly working on something like this and CM now has an easy installer for their ROM.
Hi Andi, will we see a review of the Lenovo K3 note by you guys? It seems like one of the best available at ~$170 right now.
Its a really cool phablet. I think they should review it. Mine is on the way. Will review once I’ve received it.
I think Andi is not interesed in free reviews. If Lenovo pays like Meizu, why not 🙂
LOL
Yop, id like to. I’ll see if we can get our hands on one
Andi you think you guys will be getting the new devices from Gionee (E8 and S7) to review?
I will certainly buy an E8 so watch out for that 😀
Lol the E7 is still one of my favorite camera phones ever, the E8 I think is too big for me but I do use an X8 now so who knows.
Just ordered the Umi Hammer today together with the Elephone P7000. My biggest problem is the charging time of the elephone which I’ve heard is close to eternity. I think I’ll love my first Umi phone.
This comment was deleted.
109$ where did you get it
Flash sales that ended last June 5.
Looking forward to the full review, the BesSurround tweak is a great help for us, erm casual players.
Install viperfx or maxxaudio
Was, going to suggest the same. Solid tip!
Ok, thanks
Looking forward to the full review, the BesSurround tweak is a great help for us, erm casual players.
This comment was deleted.
Was, going to suggest the same. Solid tip!
Ok, thanks
hammer had a DISASTROUS camera… lets hope this is one better !
It wasn’t the best camera but it was far from disastrous, in fact with the right software it can take pretty good pictures.
What software would you recommend?
Lenovo Super Camera (not on play store need the APK file which is on XDA), FV-5 (costs like $1.99 on play store) but is very good and worth it) or Open Camera (free on play store) in that order.
Thanks! I’ve tried FV-5, wasn’t too impressed. I’ll give Lenovo Super Camera a try and maybe Open Camera as well!
Is it possible to check if it is compatible with Fast Chargers or 2A chargers?
I’ve heard it only deliver 1A to the phone, no matter the charger, so probably charging time will be longer.
Nice, I’ve always wanted to use a powerbank to charge my phonerbank so it can powerbank other phones.
hammer had a DISASTROUS camera… lets hope this is one better !
It wasn’t the best camera but it was far from disastrous, in fact with the right software it can take pretty good pictures.
What software would you recommend?
Lenovo Super Camera (not on play store need the APK file which is on XDA), FV-5 (costs like $1.99 on play store) but is very good and worth it) or Open Camera (free on play store) in that order.
Thanks! I’ve tried FV-5, wasn’t too impressed. I’ll give Lenovo Super Camera a try and maybe Open Camera as well!
Is it possible to check if it is compatible with Fast Chargers or 2A chargers?
I’ve heard it only deliver 1A to the phone, no matter the charger, so probably charging time will be longer.
Nice, I’ve always wanted to use a powerbank to charge my phonerbank so it can powerbank other phones.
Its Omnivision back camera !!! good bye Umi. I never think of Umi again after their Scam in India… I am one of their Victim !!! i lost 230 USD
Omnivision is good.
You do realize Omnivision makes some of the best sensors available today?
Its Omnivision back camera !!! good bye Umi. I never think of Umi again after their Scam in India… I am one of their Victim !!! i lost 230 USD
You do realize Omnivision makes some of the best sensors available today?
No Band 20 as many reviewers have pointed out though. A little bit annoying to say the least.
No Band 20 as many reviewers have pointed out though. A little bit annoying to say the least.
Whatever you do please stay away from GEARBEST SCAMMERS.
The biggest bunch of Chinese robbers in the INTERNET.
Had to claim my money to my Bank, stupid me to ignore the comments about them and succumb to the low price
Whatever you do please stay away from GEARBEST SCAMMERS.
The biggest bunch of Chinese robbers in the INTERNET.
Had to claim my money to my Bank, stupid me to ignore the comments about them and succumb to the low price
what’s expected price of this device?
what’s expected price of this device?
So, did you get the 10 day battery life, or have you had to recharge already?
So, did you get the 10 day battery life, or have you had to recharge already?
Just got this phone today. Ltd is good. Camera is OK. Better then elephant. Amazing sound with earplugs! Good call quality but the earpiece speaker tends to do some annoying vibrations on high volume. Could be bad speaker. Video record superb! Good audio and video. Very nice phone so far. 4g not working but who cares. 3g with 12-17mbits is enough. Much better phone then elephant elephone
How is the camera compared to the Jiayu S3 or Meizu M1 note?
Camera is little noisy. Havent tested s3 and meizu. Video record is Amazing! Some uppdates could help camera. It has to much sharpness and not so Great details. Overall. Phone is pretty good. Call quality is good. Something elephone cant handle. Umi has impressive 3.5mm jack sound quality. Like HTC! Screen is Good. But my zopo zp998 had better viewing Angles. Battery life is Good but not sure IF its 3780mah. Guess it has max 5h onscreen time. So its Good. I would like to try ecoo e04 om jiayu s3 to compare.
A reviewer opened his eMax and says it is 3500mAh
Ok that acceptabelt. How do i open this device? My earpiece speaker is little faulty. Need new one.
He said he used a credit card or something.
This comment was deleted.
How is the camera compared to the Jiayu S3 or Meizu M1 note?
This comment was deleted.
A reviewer opened his eMax and says it is 3500mAh
This comment was deleted.
He said he used a credit card or something.
looks like TCL m2u/m2m
looks like TCL m2u/m2m
i realize this desain is look like tcl m2u or m2m hahahahaha
i realize this desain is look like tcl m2u or m2m hahahahaha
Can we still expect a full review? Can’t wait to see if this will be my next phone or not 😮 (not to rush, just eager ^_^)
😮 It’s not a sticky post anymore.. does that mean it’s not in the works anymore?
The Mi4i review was just released so probably after that.
ye.. it’s not coming anymore.. Hope the Iron will at least get a full review..
The Lenovo K3 Note review is the same in Gizchina.com and Gizchina.de (same pics etc), so probably it’s the same for UMi eMax, check the review at Gizchina.de instead.
Can we still expect a full review? Can’t wait to see if this will be my next phone or not 😮 (not to rush, just eager ^_^)
😮 It’s not a sticky post anymore.. does that mean it’s not in the works anymore?
The Mi4i review was just released so probably after that.
ye.. it’s not coming anymore.. Hope the Iron will at least get a full review..
The Lenovo K3 Note review is the same in
and Gizchina.de (same pics etc), so probably it’s the same for UMi eMax, check the review at Gizchina.de instead.
RootJoy shows some new ROMS, with one Kitkat update (Kitkat 0619). Some Russians say it makes the camera work better, clearer. If my yandex-fu is correct.
I hope somehow it gets into the review. Now let’s hope for some speaker optimisation.
RootJoy shows some new ROMS, with one Kitkat update (Kitkat 0619). Some Russians say it makes the camera work better, clearer. If my yandex-fu is correct.
I hope somehow it gets into the review. Now let’s hope for some speaker optimisation.