UMi X1s Vs Newman K1


Chinese phone companies launch new phones by the second and it is easy to forget about phones which have actually launched and are on sale this second so let’s take a look at two of the latest quad-core phones to go on sale! The UMi X1S and Newman K1!

UMi X1s

umi x1s release soon

Anyone who has been following the Chinese phone scene for some time will automatically recognise the UMi X1s as the updated brother of last years UMi X1. The X1s features all the same great features as last years phone but with a faster and more efficient, quad-core CPU.

UMi X1s specification

The X1s is one of the thinner phones available in the lower cost Chinese phone price bracket. The body measures in at just 8.9mm and comes in an attractive white or black finish.

umi x1s quad-core

The display is a 4.5-inch 1280 x 720 HD unit which is protected from knocks and scrapes with a Gorilla Glass 2 coating. Last years phone used Dragontail toughed glass which turned out to be less than durable, so the addition of Gorilla Glass 2 is a great feature.

Updates continue on the inside as the old dual-core processor has been ditched in favour of a faster quad-core MT6589 CPU running at 1.2Ghz. Using the MT6589 means you also benefit from GPS, Wifi and also dual-sim support along with micro SD card reader. Cameras on the X1s are 8 mega-pixel rear with a 2 mega-pixel lens upfront.

The final update for the X1s is the operating system which is the latest Android Jelly Bean 4.2.1!

Why buy the UMi X1s?

The UMi X1s is out now and is the refined version of last years X1! This means that any issues with the original phone have been addressed, the hardware has been updated and you get a great phone at a very affordable price!

International buyers can pick up the UMi X1s on Uredeal for $243.99.

Newman K1

newman k1 render

Gizchina News of the week


The Newman K1 was a huge surprise to many when it was announced and launched in only a matter of weeks. The K1 is the first Newman phone to use the latest quad-core MT6589 CPU and the first to get a 5-inch HD display!

Newman K1 Specification

Unlike the UMi X1s, the Newman K1 is an all new phone, and it also represents the start of a new range of Mediatek powered devices from the Chinese electronics brand. Being a new phone means that Newman have been able to spec more up to date features in the K1, but they have been careful to do so in a way that it down’t increase the cost too much!

newman k1

The design of the phone is very stylish and the K1 looks like a much more up-market phone than the price would suggest. It appears Newman’s engineers have taken styling hints from both Xiaomi and Meizu when designing the K1 and have produced a lovely looking handset.

Being 2013, Newman have given the K1 a larger 5-inch display, but resolution have been kept to a sensible 1280 x 720 to ensure the price tag is kept low. Under the display we can find the same quad-core Mediatek Mt6589 chip as the X1s along with 1GB RAM, dual-sim support and micro SD card reader. In fact specs are near identical to the X1s with a 8 mega-pixel rear camera, 2 mega-pixel front and Android 4.2 Jelly Bean running the phone.

Why buy the Newman K1?

The K1 is an all new phone from a larger phone brand. Their quality has been very good as far as far as we can see from test units, and the price of the K1 is a steal for a 5-inch quad-core phone!

The current version of the Newman K1 is on sale for just $228.99 from Uredeal, and an updated model with 2GB RAM and 13 mega-pixel rear camera is expected soon.

UMi X1s vs Newman K1 which would you buy?

Normally in these situations we really are stuck to which to choose and leave the conclusion down to personal preference, however in this case we do have a clear winner.

Our money would go on the K1! The phone is newer, offers a larger display, has the same specs as the UMi X1s but is cheaper! We also prefer the overall design on the Newman K1 over the older X1s.

Do you guy’s agree? Which would you buy?

Disclaimer: We may be compensated by some of the companies whose products we talk about, but our articles and reviews are always our honest opinions. For more details, you can check out our editorial guidelines and learn about how we use affiliate links.

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50 Comments

  1. April 9, 2013

    That’s quite a expensive dealer.

  2. April 9, 2013

    Gorilla glass on K1?

  3. Howea
    April 10, 2013

    x1s has a too small battery. You would need to get a charging dock and extra battery to make it viable

  4. JLCD
    April 10, 2013

    I would buy X1S because I don’t need a big phone:

    Newman K1: 144x70x10.2mm 224g
    UMI X1s: 129x68x8.5mm 131g

    • Hick
      May 29, 2013

      Good point!

  5. thierry
    April 10, 2013

    Would be nice to have a thread about all available 4-4.5 inch quad core phones!

    As much as i prefer the k1 it’s out of the range i’m looking for…

    • Daniel
      April 10, 2013

      It would be nice indeed.

      • April 16, 2013

        +1
        Would love to see an editors choice of 4-4.5″ phones for people who still value smaller handsets!

  6. Camaman
    April 10, 2013

    Which has better support for the community, rooting and/or manufacturer?

    I see ZOPO is doing well in that department. It makes their ZP810 and all its OEM clones (h7500+) quite attractive.

  7. emka
    April 10, 2013

    What about N2 vs K1 ?
    What do you think ?

    • April 14, 2013

      N2 is actually the best brand’s model, the Samsung Exynos 4412 is better in all than the Mtk 6589 in CPU and GPU, but the superiority is not awesome at all.

      The rear cam sensor is an Sony Exmor in N2 model, i don’t think so in the K1 future “premium” model and the price i think that the ratio Price/performance is not justo for the K1 model, yes is more cheap, but it’s not really cheap as Neo N003 model for example that have better all specifications. I think that Neo N003 model is the bestalternative of Newman N2 / Freelander i20 / Xtream JoyZ

      Newman n2 price: 220€ +/-
      Neo N003 price: 170€ +/- in Premium version

  8. Peter
    April 10, 2013

    I has not seen any Newman phones with compass. Umi has it. Compass is a must have for me.

  9. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    That’s quite a expensive dealer.

  10. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    Gorilla glass on K1?

    • Guest
      April 14, 2013

      That is important!

  11. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    x1s has a too small battery. You would need to get a charging dock and extra battery to make it viable

  12. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    I would buy X1S because I don’t need a big phone:

    Newman K1: 144x70x10.2mm 224g
    UMI X1s: 129x68x8.5mm 131g

    • Guest
      May 29, 2013

      Good point!

  13. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    Would be nice to have a thread about all available 4-4.5 inch quad core phones!

    As much as i prefer the k1 it’s out of the range i’m looking for…

    • Guest
      April 10, 2013

      It would be nice indeed.

    • Guest
      April 17, 2013

      +1
      Would love to see an editors choice of 4-4.5″ phones for people who still value smaller handsets!

  14. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    Which has better support for the community, rooting and/or manufacturer?

    I see ZOPO is doing well in that department. It makes their ZP810 and all its OEM clones (h7500+) quite attractive.

  15. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    What about N2 vs K1 ?
    What do you think ?

    • Guest
      April 14, 2013

      N2 is actually the best brand’s model, the Samsung Exynos 4412 is better in all than the Mtk 6589 in CPU and GPU, but the superiority is not awesome at all.

      The rear cam sensor is an Sony Exmor in N2 model, i don’t think so in the K1 future “premium” model and the price i think that the ratio Price/performance is not justo for the K1 model, yes is more cheap, but it’s not really cheap as Neo N003 model for example that have better all specifications. I think that Neo N003 model is the bestalternative of Newman N2 / Freelander i20 / Xtream JoyZ

      Newman n2 price: 220€ +/-
      Neo N003 price: 170€ +/- in Premium version

  16. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    I has not seen any Newman phones with compass. Umi has it. Compass is a must have for me.

  17. Arigatox
    April 10, 2013

    Gorilla Glass 2 is a preference for me.

  18. ilike
    April 10, 2013

    I want buy it but. I don’t know find it in where. I live in vietnam

  19. waiting area
    April 10, 2013

    I look forward to more future reviews like this. This way we are more sure of what we might buy in the future.

  20. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    Gorilla Glass 2 is a preference for me.

  21. Guest
    April 10, 2013

    I want buy it but. I don’t know find it in where. I live in vietnam

  22. Guest
    April 11, 2013

    I look forward to more future reviews like this. This way we are more sure of what we might buy in the future.

  23. Vollstrecker
    April 11, 2013

    I will buy the iocean X7. FHD Display and Cheaper.

    • April 14, 2013

      It’s a very nice option but i prefer Neo version, it’s more cheap and have 300mAh battery, Corning Gorilla Glass 2 IPS OGS FullHD 5″ display, Sony Exmor RS 13Mpx Sensor, and dual sim

  24. George K
    April 11, 2013

    How about gorilla glass on Newman ?
    It’s really important to have a durable screen

  25. Guest
    April 11, 2013

    I will buy the iocean X7. FHD Display and Cheaper.

    • Guest
      April 14, 2013

      It’s a very nice option but i prefer Neo version, it’s more cheap and have 300mAh battery, Corning Gorilla Glass 2 IPS OGS FullHD 5″ display, Sony Exmor RS 13Mpx Sensor, and dual sim

  26. Guest
    April 11, 2013

    How about gorilla glass on Newman ?
    It’s really important to have a durable screen

  27. Howea
    April 12, 2013

    The price on uredeal is now $261

  28. aaa
    April 12, 2013

    x1s – poor battery
    k1 – no gorilla glass

    no choice for me.still waiting for refreshed G3

  29. Guest
    April 12, 2013

    The price on uredeal is now $261

  30. Guest
    April 12, 2013

    x1s – poor battery
    k1 – no gorilla glass

    no choice for me.still waiting for refreshed G3

  31. alden
    April 12, 2013

    Please stop advertising for Uredeal, just dishonest seller

  32. Guest
    April 13, 2013

    Please stop advertising for Uredeal, just dishonest seller

    • Guest
      April 14, 2013

      its true ! agree.

    • Guest
      April 14, 2013

      Maybe http://www.android sale.com ?