Another new phone from Ulefone, but the Vienna promises to be more than just a standard smartphone, and claim this handset is an audiophiles dream come true.
Ulefone Vienna Hands on and first impressions
Ulefone have a couple of phones in the pipeline for 2016. One is the bezeless Ulefone Power (which we are still waiting to finally see launch) and the other is the Ulefone Vienna (which should be shipping to customers soon).
The Vienna is a little different from your standard Chinese Android phone (at least from a lower tier manufacturer) and actually represents one of the first budget phones to feature audio HIFI as a selling point.
According to Ulefone, the Ulefone Vienna uses a Smart Audio PA HIFI chipset for better audio performance when using earphones, and external audio is pushed through a ‘box’ speaker for improved performance.
So the idea is that this will be a phone for lovers of audio, who can’t quite stretch to the cost of a Vivo or Oppo phone.
Even with the boost in Audio, the rest of the hardware doesn’t appear to have suffered and the Ulefone Vienna boasts a 5.5-inch Sharp FHD display, 2.5D screen, 3GB RAM, 32GB internal memory (as standard), an octacore Mediatek chipset, large 3250mAh battery, dual SIM support, LTE, 13 mega-pixel rear camera, 5 megapixel front camera, and a fingerprint scanner on the rear.
In the hand the Vienna is actually has a very nice design to the rear with nice fit and feel for the fingerprint scanner, dual LED flash and (slightly protruding) rear 13 mega-pixel camera.
It’s odd to see that although the phone is touted as an audio-centric device, the main speaker is on the back of the phone and there is only one of them, but hopefully this won’t hamper performance.
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The rear of the phone is the same grey colour as the Ulefone Touch range, but is plastic rather than metal. Its a unibody design so you cannot remove the battery and the dual SIM/SD expansion is handled via a tray on the left. Below the tray is a single ‘record’ button.
In the top is a 3.5mm headphone jack and IR remote, the right has volume and power keys, while the base is home to a standard USB plug.
The face of the Ulefone Vienna is covered with a piece of 2.5D curved glass, there are icons for the hardware buttons on the chin, a FHD 5.5-inch display and front facing 5 mega-pixel camera.
Build quality feels rather good for a plastic phone, with everything fitting together as it should.
Ulefone Vienna Gallery
Ulefone Vienna Audio Impressions
As this is a hands on and first impressions I won’t go in to too much detail at this point, but I will leave you with my first impressions of the audio capabilities.
Audio is impressive through the rear speaker. Although I was worried that the single rear speaker might not have enough power I was completely wrong! The rear speaker is increibly loud and clear, it is lacking in bass, but overall it’s much much better than most speakers from other Chinese Android phones.
With earphones in and the audio experience takes another level. Bass is much better, clarity is terrific, it might not be up to Vivo levels of audio, but Ulefone have done an amazing job and the phone does live up to it’s audio-centric credentials!
Ulefone Vienna Hands on Video
A full review of the Ulefone Vienna will be posted in the coming days so keep posted.
For more details check our the Ulefone website.
Nice anthem dnb tunes)
Typo: the bezeless device is the Future, not the Power
I am really keen to hear what you think of the audio performance Andi. I still think it would be a nice idea if you put together like a top 10 phones from an audio point of view for the audiophiles out there :-). It may have to be split into 2 lists, one for earphones, one for speakers.
“One is the bezeless Ulefone Power” –> Future
Who cares about the music quality through the speaker, so many people just make that point. I would really love to hear what this phone can do with good earphones and how does it perform vs ZTE Axon phones or other phones with DAC
wow …. Ulefone finally stepping up ?!
Nice anthem dnb tunes)
Typo: the bezeless device is the Future, not the Power
I am really keen to hear what you think of the audio performance Andi. I still think it would be a nice idea if you put together like a top 10 phones from an audio point of view for the audiophiles out there :-). It may have to be split into 2 lists, one for earphones, one for speakers.
“One is the bezeless Ulefone Power” –> Future
Who cares about the music quality through the speaker, so many people just make that point. I would really love to hear what this phone can do with good earphones and how does it perform vs ZTE Axon phones or other phones with DAC
wow …. Ulefone finally stepping up ?!
Lol my post got deleted.
Guess some were not happy about the truth.
Okay, rewriting:
What I hate most about people asking about high end audio quality is some do know anything about.
I see people regarding this phone as their optimal device for audiophiles.
Please, if you don’t know the meaning of it, don’t act like you’re one.
The usage of a DAC doesn’t guarantee you a superb and clear audio quality.
External (portable) ones can be bought at 30$ already.
After all, “audiophile” is used way too often.
Using something like a Xiaomi Piston is nowhere near audiophile.
Get that before you act like you care a lot about audio quality.
So do you have anything on the quality of the DAC used here? The xiaomi pistons, the last two models especially are extremely good earphones and have received very decent reviews from audio centric publications, for the price.
So far, this DAC still needs to be tested.
GizChina reviewed many phones in the past telling the audio quality is superb.
One of these phones was 2014 flagship Oppo Find 7.
Guess what: I have this phone and it sounds mediocre (output, speakers are good).
Xiaomi Pistons are solid bass-heavy In-Ears in their own price range.
If you love their sound signature (V-shape – bass heavy and treble) plus listening to certain genres (EDM, Pop, Rap, etc.), then you’ll be fine.
They are good if you don’t know better.
One important rule: there are less audio centric publications you can rely on.
The known ones are mainly focused on mainstream market.
I’m sorry to say, but GizChina authors don’t have knowledge about audiophile and HiFi.
Try head-fi.org, they are quite solid or the better hifi-forum.de (which is in German).
If people don’t want to spend much money, that’s okay. It makes sense.
But overhyping some cheap product, because you don’t know any good ones doesn’t make it superb.
Just my two cents.
Thanks. That’s a comprehensive and useful response, nice website also. I admit that I use them mostly for EDM or similar whilst working, which is perhaps why I am so pleased with them. I really haven’t heard anything as good at this price. Agreed, they are not superd, but for 13 euros or so, and my tendency to break and lose things they work out well. My current pair are on there way out, what would you recommend? (if you have the time)
Hey Scott,
at first it has to be said that better earphones are also more expensive.
Xiaomi Pistons are good for their price, but not – according to every china product sites like GizChina – best up to 200$.
I read descriptions powerful bass and crisp/clear highs.
Let me tell you that this “crispy/clear” sound is only created by more dB (volume) In the upper frequency.
Technically they are standard.
Back to your question:
I know many people won’t be purchasing In-Ears >30/50$, that’s why Xiaomi Pistons are so favoured.
Since you’re listening mostly to EDM I recommend buying SoundMAGIC E10s.
They are quite cheap, but their sound signature is more balanced
-> not boomy, mids and highs have good resolution isolation is mediocre, but therefore sound is more airy and has better soundstage.
Personally I’m more into Over-Ear headphones and actually they are >150€ (my Beyerdynamic T1 was 800€ expensive).
Piston sounds boomy and muddy, IMO.
There are lot of better choice at that price point.
Fair enough, the latest ones are a little bass heavy, I preferred the prior generation on that point. Though I haven’t heard anything as good at that price. I’m looking for some new earphones though, what would you recommend?
IMO all of piston are boomy.
It’s hard to recommend an earphone, people have different taste of music.
If you can, i would suggest you to try it yourself before buying it. There are a lot of headphone store that allowed auditions of headphones/earphones/headphone amplifier/DAC/cables before you buying it, or just trying the new arrival item.
Or if you can’t, you can take a look at here for your reference: http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/
Lol my post got deleted.
Guess some were not happy about the truth.
Okay, rewriting:
What I hate most about people asking about high end audio quality is some do know anything about.
I see people regarding this phone as their optimal device for audiophiles.
Please, if you don’t know the meaning of it, don’t act like you’re one.
The usage of a DAC doesn’t guarantee you a superb and clear audio quality.
External (portable) ones can be bought at 30$ already.
After all, “audiophile” is used way too often.
Using something like a Xiaomi Piston is nowhere near audiophile.
Get that before you act like you care a lot about audio quality.
So do you have anything on the quality of the DAC used here? The xiaomi pistons, the last two models especially are extremely good earphones and have received very decent reviews from audio centric publications, for the price.
So far, this DAC still needs to be tested.
GizChina reviewed many phones in the past telling the audio quality is superb.
One of these phones was 2014 flagship Oppo Find 7.
Guess what: I have this phone and it sounds mediocre (output, speakers are good).
Xiaomi Pistons are solid bass-heavy In-Ears in their own price range.
If you love their sound signature (V-shape – bass heavy and treble) plus listening to certain genres (EDM, Pop, Rap, etc.), then you’ll be fine.
They are good if you don’t know better.
One important rule: there are less audio centric publications you can rely on.
The known ones are mainly focused on mainstream market.
I’m sorry to say, but GizChina authors don’t have knowledge about audiophile and HiFi.
Try head-fi.org, they are quite solid or the better hifi-forum.de (which is in German).
If people don’t want to spend much money, that’s okay. It makes sense.
But overhyping some cheap product, because you don’t know any good ones doesn’t make it superb.
Just my two cents.
Piston sounds boomy and muddy, IMO.
There are lot of better choice at that price point.
Fair enough, the latest ones are a little bass heavy, I preferred the prior generation on that point. Though I haven’t heard anything as good at that price. I’m looking for some new earphones though, what would you recommend?
Thanks. That’s a comprehensive and useful response, nice website also. I admit that I use them mostly for EDM or similar whilst working, which is perhaps why I am so pleased with them. I really haven’t heard anything as good at this price. Agreed, they are not superd, but for 13 euros or so, and my tendency to break and lose things they work out well. My current pair are on there way out, what would you recommend? (if you have the time)
Hey Scott,
at first it has to be said that better earphones are also more expensive.
Xiaomi Pistons are good for their price, but not – according to every china product sites like GizChina – best up to 200$.
I read descriptions powerful bass and crisp/clear highs.
Let me tell you that this “crispy/clear” sound is only created by more dB (volume) In the upper frequency.
Technically they are standard.
Back to your question:
I know many people won’t be purchasing In-Ears >30/50$, that’s why Xiaomi Pistons are so favoured.
Since you’re listening mostly to EDM I recommend buying SoundMAGIC E10s.
They are quite cheap, but their sound signature is more balanced
-> not boomy, mids and highs have good resolution isolation is mediocre, but therefore sound is more airy and has better soundstage.
Personally I’m more into Over-Ear headphones and actually they are >150€ (my Beyerdynamic T1 was 800€ expensive).
IMO all of piston are boomy.
It’s hard to recommend an earphone, people have different taste of music.
If you can, i would suggest you to try it yourself before buying it. There are a lot of headphone store that allowed auditions of headphones/earphones/headphone amplifier/DAC/cables before you buying it, or just trying the new arrival item.
Or if you can’t, you can take a look at here for your reference: http://www.head-fi.org/t/478568/
Can you please test if the Vienna can use all of a 128 Gb card. The specs say the maximum is 64 Gb.
Also, how is the earplug? My Ulefone Power earphone plug is terrible. Some headphones don’t plug in, and my current headphones have to be pushed in hard and disconnect at the slightest touch. (The supplied headset plug is Ok, but the phones are really crappy) Is this a Ulefone characteristic or do you think my Power has a faulty plug?
The real machine is really ugly. so, never trust the picture from their official website.
Can you please test if the Vienna can use all of a 128 Gb card. The specs say the maximum is 64 Gb.
Also, how is the earplug? My Ulefone Power earphone plug is terrible. Some headphones don’t plug in, and my current headphones have to be pushed in hard and disconnect at the slightest touch. (The supplied headset plug is Ok, but the phones are really crappy) Is this a Ulefone characteristic or do you think my Power has a faulty plug?
The real machine is really ugly. so, never trust the picture from their official website.
I feel the display is really nice. The black is so black. But i already have Power.
Hey Andi, you may upgrade your video recorder. Everything in your video looks dumb, though i like your reviews.
Don’t care about the speaker quality, looking forward to a detailed audio review with earphones on.
You better check other sites which mainly focus on detailed audio reviews including measurements.
Wow, the fingerprint scanner seems nice.
I can tell if the sound quality of the speaker is good or not since Andi has recorded it with a camcorder, with which Andi’s own voice even is not that real. But loud is good, it can play music in the living room while i can enjoy it in the toilet when i’m pooping.
Well, it may not be a real HiFi device, but should be a responsive phone.
I feel the display is really nice. The black is so black. But i already have Power.
Hey Andi, you may upgrade your video recorder. Everything in your video looks dumb, though i like your reviews.
Don’t care about the speaker quality, looking forward to a detailed audio review with earphones on.
You better check other sites which mainly focus on detailed audio reviews including measurements.
Wow, the fingerprint scanner seems nice.
I can tell if the sound quality of the speaker is good or not since Andi has recorded it with a camcorder, with which Andi’s own voice even is not that real. But loud is good, it can play music in the living room while i can enjoy it in the toilet when i’m pooping.
Well, it may not be a real HiFi device, but should be a responsive phone.
Nxp? Hi-fi?? LOL..
From the spec and price point its comparable with lenovo k4 note (it’s awesome if you can compare it).
Even with wolfson chip and dual 1.5W speakers (stereo), not to mention their software audio optimization (dolby atmos).
Nxp? Hi-fi?? LOL..
From the spec and price point its comparable with lenovo k4 note (it’s awesome if you can compare it).
Even with wolfson chip and dual 1.5W speakers (stereo), not to mention their software audio optimization (dolby atmos).
On the back of the phone, are there two cameras? Or one camera and one fingerprint sensor? They look almost the same. I like the price and high specifications of some Chinese smartphones, like Ulefone, Oukitel and Umi.
On the back of the phone, are there two cameras? Or one camera and one fingerprint sensor? They look almost the same. I like the price and high specifications of some Chinese smartphones, like Ulefone, Oukitel and Umi.