UMi have been around for quite a while now; right from the time MediaTek first burst on to the smartphone scene to now, when the Taiwanese fabricator makes some seriously powerful mobile SoCs.
UMi make a lot of phones each year in order to keep up to grips with the market. So many that I can hardly recall most of them. One UMi phone that I did find impressive at the time of launch as the UMi Plus E. While it may not have a name you’ll remember forever (the use of a solo vowel does seem a bit odd for reasons unknown), it does feature an incredibly stylish design (much more so in person than in pictures) and certainly some power packed spec.
I thus gladly accepted the offer to review this phone on GizChina, and here we are. The Plus E landed at my doorstep after taking a bit of a bashing, but that would only be the first of the two times I’d appreciate the retail packaging.
I haven’t used an UMi phone in a long time now so I’m not really aware how their retail packages are these days. But if they’re anything like that on the Plus E, you’re in safe hands. The packaging isn’t just pleasing to the eye, it is also extremely compact and offers protection to the phone (it’s sometimes needed, as it turns out).
Coming to the phone itself, I’m in two minds about it after spending an hour or so with it. Make no mistake — I’m absolutely digging the matte black (I’m a huge fan of matte black stuff) visually, but it’s a little disappointing to see the rear that’s again a bit uninspired.
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The quality of the materials used though, seems absolutely top notch. I’m yet to drop the phone (I almost did, and most certainly had a heart attack) but it looks like it’ll certainly be able to take a few of those.
A couple of things that I haven’t absolutely loved:
- The home button has an ever so slight play in it
- Power button feedback is poor (seems like a QC issue because all other buttons besides the power and home seem just fine)
- USB Type-C port doesn’t work well with cables other than the one provided
What I absolutely love:
- How it looks
- How it feels in the hand (despite being slightly on the heavier side)
- Gorgeous display
- The peace of mind when you know your phone has 6GB RAM
This is about it for now. Come on I’ve only spent an hour with it, tops!
You will learn more about the UMi Plus E in the full review in the next couple of weeks (there’s the Mi Mix and Mi 5s Plus to get out of the way before that). Also expect to see a photo feature of the Plus E.
You can purchase the UMi Plus E from stores like Banggood, GearBest, etc.
First impressions about camera and battery?
Soon soon! As you read I’d used this phone for less than an hour when I posted this.
Okok! I asked because the first thing I do is to check the camera and see how the battery handle the initial stress test, but I can see you didn’t spent enough time
I did check out the camera of course, but hey I’m not spoiling my own review lol
? right!
I’m curious to see how this P20 will be against the X20 family, being honest Helio P10 was a big flop, could have been good if priced right, but every phone with it was overpriced, costing as much or more than the likes of Redmi Note 3 and 4.
Do you need to use the on screen buttons or does it have an all in one homebutton like the ZuK Z2 (Pro)??
Neither. You can use on screen buttons, but there are capacitive buttons on the hardware (non backlit, without any markings). More as I discover this phone further!
Non backlit keys on a 230 dollar phone.. Damn
They’re not marked either. The more you know.
First impressions about camera and battery?
Soon soon! As you read I’d used this phone for less than an hour when I posted this.
Okok! I asked because the first thing I do is to check the camera and see how the battery handle the initial stress test, but I can see you didn’t spent enough time
I did check out the camera of course, but hey I’m not spoiling my own review lol
😂 right!
I’m curious to see how this P20 will be against the X20 family, being honest Helio P10 was a big flop, could have been good if priced right, but every phone with it was overpriced, costing as much or more than the likes of Redmi Note 3 and 4.
Do you need to use the on screen buttons or does it have an all in one homebutton like the ZuK Z2 (Pro)??
Neither. You can use on screen buttons, but there are capacitive buttons on the hardware (non backlit, without any markings). More as I discover this phone further!
Non backlit keys on a 230 dollar phone.. Damn
They’re not marked either. The more you know.
that cam needs to be better
that cam needs to be better
really curious to see how the helio p20 works, if it has what it takes to take on the SD 625,especially power consumption,, ie incredible battery life. I didn’t like the p10 very much. Am a mtk fan, I want to see something great from them with the effect that the mtk 6752 had.
I don’t kbow, but for sure the x20 will be superior
really curious to see how the helio p20 works, if it has what it takes to take on the SD 625,especially power consumption,, ie incredible battery life. I didn’t like the p10 very much. Am a mtk fan, I want to see something great from them with the effect that the mtk 6752 had.
I don’t kbow, but for sure the x20 will be superior
I can see how the review will turn out; crappy camera, bad quality control and dodgy GPS
Are the entire top and bottom caps plastic or metal?
Plastic
I can see how the review will turn out; crappy camera, bad quality control and dodgy GPS. But hey at least it has 6 gigs ram lol
Are the entire top and bottom caps plastic or metal?
Plastic
Would have been nice if you had told us some basic specs, like is it a 5 inch or 5.5 inch phone??
Here you go: UMi Plus E Specifications
Would have been nice if you had told us some basic specs, like is it a 5 inch or 5.5 inch phone??
Here you go: UMi Plus E Specifications
Looks like this site is getting back into form, as it relates to the USB type c port it’s because they are using PE+ technology the port tunnel is a bit longer/deeper than usual
Looks like this site is getting back into form, as it relates to the USB type c port it’s because they are using PE+ technology the port tunnel is a bit longer/deeper than usual
Well I have the phone, and not really happy with it, finger print scanner works 4 out of 10 times, and the phone lags, camera is pretty good, probably start using my zuk z1 one again
Well I have the phone, and not really happy with it, finger print scanner works 4 out of 10 times, and the phone lags, camera is pretty good, probably start using my zuk z1 one again