Elephone never cease to be in the news (for better or worse) and now they are here again with a new budget model from their ‘Trunk’ sub brand. I go hands on in our full Elephone Trunk review right now.
In my initial first impressions with the Elephone Trunk I was shocked! This was a phone that (at the time) cost less than $100 and featured great build, a Qualcomm chipset and decent camera. Since then I have uncovered a few issues, and the RRP has now jumped to $119.99, so is the Elephone Trunk still a shockingly good buy?
Elephone Trunk Review – Design
The Elephone Trunk design is similar to the Nubia range of phones in how it looks but features a soft, rubberized finish. The finish gives the phone a nice feel and provides grip when in the hand and rested on a surface.
The narrow 5-inch form factor of the Elephone Trunk along with a rounded body and curved edges means that this is one comfy phone to hold, plus the fit and feel make it appear better than the price might suggest.
Elephone have kept the Trunk simple with a 5 inch panel taking up most of the front of the phone, and capacative hardware buttons on the chin. A main circle button is used as a home button, and once pressed it is backlit as are two buttons either side. Currently there is no LED notification light on the Trunk, but Elephone are looking on using the home ‘halo’ as a notification light in future updates.
With a removable rear panel you can get to the dual SIM and SD card slot (good for up to 32GB cards). With the back in place it is a simple cover with room for the external speaker, single LED flash, camera lens and ELE logo. The logo on our review phone isn’t quite in the center of the body, but is only notable on close inspection.
Being a basic phone there aren’t so many features to look at, but your usual volume and power buttons (on the right), and USB and 3.5mm headphone jack (in the top).
Elephone Trunk Review – Performance
The Elephone Trunk is unique in the Elephone range as it is the first and only device not to use a Mediatek chipset. It would have been so easy for Elephone to just use a budget quad-core Mediatek processor, but instead the phone runs a Snapdragon 410 chipset. The SoC comes with an Adreno 306 GPU and RAM is 2GB.
At this price the performance of the Elephone Trunk is adequate for the job at hand, that job will mostly be casual gaming, music, online content, social media etc. For these daily use scenarios the Trunk performs admirably.
Simple gaming is not an issue for the Elephone Trunk either. Real Drift, for example, runs smoothly and without hang ups, but try anything more graphically taxing and the little Trunk begins to struggle.
Compared to a Mediatek chip of the same ilk, the Snapdragon 410 fails to impress in Benchmarks, but then again the Qualcomm chipset does offer the chance of longer update support and open source third-party ROMS.
Elephone Trunk Review – Hardware
A Snapdragon CPU and 2GB RAM is a good start for a $119.99, and there are a few other nice hardware highlight in there too.
The Elephone Trunk has a 5-inch 1280 x 720 HD display. The resolution is fine for a 5-inch panel and it’s really nice to see a decent OGS panel on a low-cost phone. There is no mention of any protection on the Elephone specs page, but I can confirm the phone can survive a substantial drop (I accidentally dropped the Trunk while at the park a few nights ago).
Audio isn’t a feature that Elephone are marketing on the Elephone Trunk, and I think they are missing an opportunity as audio is quite good. The built-in speaker is nothing to write home about, but plug in a set of headphones and you will be pleasantly surprised. We’re not talking LeTV levels of audio, but it is much much better than other phones of a similar price. Decent bass and great clarity it is surprisingly good!
During my test I ran the Elephone Trunk with a Vodafone Spain LTE SIM and got 4G LTE coverage and fast browsing over data. WIFI is also strong, and GPS is fast and accurate too.
The Elephone Trunk comes with dual SIM support and a micro SD card area to expand on the 16GB of internal memory. We’ve seen other budget phones ship with just 8GB ROM, so 16GB memory is fine and the micro SD card means you can load up on music and enjoy the quality audio.
A 2100mAh battery is tiny in comparison to most phones of 2015. A battery of 2500mAh+ would have been nice, and 3000mAh would have rocked, but even so the battery life isn’t bad in the trunk. Remember we have a HD panel and low power processor on the phone, so on screen time of 4 1/2 hours is normal for my useage (31% screen brightness) and a full day of moderate use is not a problem either.
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Elephone Trunk Review – ROM
Elephone have taken Android 5.1 and given their own spin to it. In the settings you won’t notice any difference from Elephone’s UI to stock Android, but on the home screen there are some big differences.
First up there is no app draw. This isn’t much of an issue to me, but for those of you who prefer an app draw you are going to have to try another launcher.
Another difference in how you can switch from folder to folder. There is a neat feature in the Elephone ROM so that once one folder is open you can simply swipe from one folder to the next rather than heading back to the home screen. The Elephone ROM also does it’s best to try and place downloaded applications in suitable folders for you automatically (you can always manually edit the locations later).
There is one major distraction in the Elephone ROM though and that is the inclusion of ad ware. You will notice that when opening a folder there is an option at the bottom which says “Nearby Applications”. Click this and a splash page full of sponsored applications appears. It’s annoying and unnecessary.
More adverts are found when cleaning up the most used applications. Cleaning apps using the One Tap Application cleaner brings up an advert to download the full application from the Google Play Store.
Other users have commented on the Ad Ware on other phones, and already fans are building alternate ROMs which remove the junk, but I hope Elephone will consider doing this out of the box as their UI is quite nice to use.
Elephone Trunk Review – Camera
Elephone state the main camera on the Trunk is a 8 mega-pixel Samsung Sensor interpolated to 13 mega-pixels. My initial impressions of the 8 mega-pixel main camera were good. During my first hands on I was impressed by the photo capability of the Elephone Trunk and the colour reproduction the phone was capable of.
Over time though the auto focus has become quite terrible which has affected the camera and really spoiled the feature. (before anyone says that perhaps I damaged the camera when I dropped it, let me confirm the issues started before the accident).
Being a budget phone the Trunk has quite a slow camera meaning it is only really suitable for stationary subjects, but even then the auto focus needs optimisation to make the most of the sensor.
If Elephone can address the AF in an update that would be fantastic as the camera could be rather good, especially with the huge number of features available to you in the custom camera application.
Elephone Trunk Review – Gallery
Elephone Trunk Review – Specifications
| Model: | Elephone Trunk |
| Sim Card: | Dual Standby |
| Color: | Black, Blue, White, Pink |
| Capacity | RAM: 2GBROM: 16GB |
| Multi-Languages | Multi Language |
| Chipset | CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 Quad-core |
| System | Elephone ROM based on Android 5.1 |
| Screen | Display Size: 5-inchResolution: 1280 x 720
|
| Camera | Rear Camera: 8 mega-pixel Samsung
Front Camera: 2 mega-pixel
|
| Network and Wireless Connectivity | 4G: FDD –1/3/7/20 (800 1800 2100 2600)3G: WCDMA 1/5/8 (850 900 2100)
WIFI : 802.11b/g/n(2.4G)
|
| Battery capacity | Removable 2100mAh |
| Size | Dimensions:142.5*71.6*8.9mm
Net Weight: 138g |
Elephone Trunk Review – Conclusion
When the Elephone Trunk launched the phone cost an amazing $89.99 and at that price it was a steal. Prices then increased to $99.99 and still the phone is good value for money, but at the current price of $119.99 it is less of a bargain.
The build quality and hardware on the Elephone Trunk is exceptionally good for the money. Audio is a huge surprise, the screen is lovely and the phone has a camera that will shine if updates sort out the auto-focus issues.
What I am worried about though is if those updates will come. If Elephone can update the camera software and remove the ad ware then the Elephone Trunk starts to look good again, but it would look even better if the price was reduced to $99.99.
At $119.99 the Trunk has stiff competition from the Xiaomi Redmi 2 (with proven updates), the Meizu M2, and even phones such as the Ulefone Paris and UMi Hammer S. If Elephone sort the software and get the price right then I would have no issue recommending the Elephone Trunk to budget shoppers.
Good review. Just hope the fall was heavy enough to justify the ruined camera. Cause phones fall a lot, you can never be too careful, accidents happen.
It was one of those accidental throws. Whipped my hand out of my pocket the the Trunk went for a trip :p
@Gizchina:disqus Im sorry to annoy, but do you have any more initial, even 2lines of impression on the Ulefone Paris, I know there is a full review coming. But with so little information and the price going up tomorrow, can you give a general thumbs up or not? Many thanks
Sorry, nothing much. Camera is a bit slow. Build is ok, not really had time to use it with the Mi4C, Trunk and a Zopo under testing
@Gizchina:disqus Thanks Andi, but would you recommend it? Or should I wait, as in, do you think a better 5″ phone but similar price is coming?
If you wait long enough you will always get better phone. But real question is how long do you want to wait?
True of course, especially in the Android world, I wasnt planing on buying anything until I saw the design of this, so I can wait a couple weeks.
that’s why i bought my wife ulefone paris and keep my P6000.
not gonna wait for vowney or bluboo xtouch or other.if i can handle my phone for 2 or 3 years….. i can buy a cheap 150 euro phone with killer specs at that time in comparison with top spec phones of now
You can always go for the xiaomi mi4: once the mi5 will be out (a couple of months ahead) the price will drop again… And it’s already slightly under 200 euro!
Or you can always wait for the mi4c’s price to drop down…
Since the sub 5.5″ market doesn’t offer a lot of choices, if i were you i wouldn’t risk money betting in.. Let’s say… Bluboo xtouch’s software optimization :-/
Thanks for the tip…..but like i say…in this business is waiting having big patience…and at the end we dont need high end specs. Just call…web browsing and take a pic….and i bought 2 phones this year less than 300 euro who can do all this.
Elephone are improving gradually. At least it took damages from a fall which if you ask me, sound’s a lot more reasonable than a phone’s rear cam dying without a single fall.
Andi what happened with Mi4c review?
Nothing happened, it’s in progress 😀
Oh, I thought that it will be published on Monday. Sorry for bothering.
Nice review of Trunk, i have ordered it for 89.99$ so i guess it’s worth that money.
Inew L3, any time soon.. ?
no plans
” We’ve seen other budget phones ship with just 8GB RAM, so 16GB memory is fine”.
Can’t see the relation, but gimme those 8GB RAM budget phones NOOOW! 😀
You should wait for 4-5 years for that. I’m suspecting that you don’t know what RAM is. . .
Srsly? I was pointing out a typo in the review, miswriting ram for rom, and making a joke out of it… Was it really that hard to understand? :-/
At least I got it
Good review. Just hope the fall was heavy enough to justify the ruined camera. Cause phones fall a lot, you can never be too careful, accidents happen.
It was one of those accidental throws. Whipped my hand out of my pocket the the Trunk went for a trip :p
@Gizchina:disqus Im sorry to annoy, but do you have any more initial, even 2lines of impression on the Ulefone Paris, I know there is a full review coming. But with so little information and the price going up tomorrow, can you give a general thumbs up or not? Many thanks
Elephone are improving gradually. At least it took damages from a fall which if you ask me, sound’s a lot more reasonable than a phone’s rear cam dying without a single fall.
Andi what happened with Mi4c review?
Nothing happened, it’s in progress 😀
Sorry, nothing much. Camera is a bit slow. Build is ok, not really had time to use it with the Mi4C, Trunk and a Zopo under testing
Oh, I thought that it will be published on Monday. Sorry for bothering.
Nice review of Trunk, i have ordered it for 89.99$ so i guess it’s worth that money.
@Gizchina:disqus Thanks Andi, but would you recommend it? Or should I wait, as in, do you think a better 5″ phone but similar price is coming?
If you wait long enough you will always get better phone. But real question is how long do you want to wait?
True of course, especially in the Android world, I wasnt planing on buying anything until I saw the design of this, so I can wait a couple weeks.
Inew L3, any time soon.. ?
that’s why i bought my wife ulefone paris and keep my P6000.
not gonna wait for vowney or bluboo xtouch or other.if i can handle my phone for 2 or 3 years….. i can buy a cheap 150 euro phone with killer specs at that time in comparison with top spec phones of now
You can always go for the xiaomi mi4: once the mi5 will be out (a couple of months ahead) the price will drop again… And it’s already slightly under 200 euro!
Or you can always wait for the mi4c’s price to drop down…
Since the sub 5.5″ market doesn’t offer a lot of choices, if i were you i wouldn’t risk money betting in.. Let’s say… Bluboo xtouch’s software optimization :-/
Thanks for the tip…..but like i say…in this business is waiting having big patience…and at the end we dont need high end specs. Just call…web browsing and take a pic….and i bought 2 phones this year less than 300 euro who can do all this.
no plans
what kinda smartphone camera deteriorates over time ??
Hey, Andi i am between buying xiaomi redmi note 2 now or w8 2 months if i can get a sub 240 dollars mtk x20 smartphone. Any chance we see such devices in that price range?
” We’ve seen other budget phones ship with just 8GB RAM, so 16GB memory is fine”.
Can’t see the relation, but gimme those 8GB RAM budget phones NOOOW! 😀
You should wait for 4-5 years for that. I’m suspecting that you don’t know what RAM is. . .
Srsly? I was pointing out a typo in the review, miswriting ram for rom, and making a joke out of it… Was it really that hard to understand? :-/
At least I got it
When I saw “Surprisingly good Redmi rival” I know Andi was joking :p
what kinda smartphone camera deteriorates over time ??
Hey, Andi i am between buying xiaomi redmi note 2 now or w8 2 months if i can get a sub 240 dollars mtk x20 smartphone. Any chance we see such devices in that price range?
When I saw “Surprisingly good Redmi rival” I know Andi was joking :p
You can still find the Trunk for 89.99$ on aliexpress. There are also flash sales every wednesday. And about the ad included, it should be easy to remove, and there will be customs rom available soon 🙂
going good till “adware” for f**k sake!
You can still find the Trunk for 89.99$ on aliexpress. There are also flash sales every wednesday. And about the ad included, it should be easy to remove, and there will be customs rom available soon 🙂
going good till “adware” for f**k sake!
@Gizchina:disqus Hi, do you have any additional information on the possibility of using the home halo as a notification light? How possible is something like this to setup?
@Gizchina:disqus Hi, do you have any additional information on the possibility of using the home halo as a notification light? How possible is something like this to setup?
Hey Andi, this phone is still available at some online shops for 89.99 usd and i am interested in this phone more especialy after i saw your review. Do you still think for this price this phone really unbeatable? Is there any better phone than this at the same price range? Any advices? Thank you
Hey Andi, this phone is still available at some online shops for 89.99 usd and i am interested in this phone more especialy after i saw your review. Do you still think for this price this phone really unbeatable? Is there any better phone than this at the same price range? Any advices? Thank you
Is there a battery that I can replace the Elephone battery with. I am not having any luck finding a replacement battery for the Elephone Trunk.
i have this problem too! you have found?
no I have not. Love the phone. Sad that they won’t sell a battery for it.
Is there a battery that I can replace the Elephone battery with. I am not having any luck finding a replacement battery for the Elephone Trunk.
i have this problem too! you have found?
no I have not. Love the phone. Sad that they won’t sell a battery for it.