Tag: tablet

Cherry Mobile Launches its Android Smartphones

Posted on by jane

My oldest son, who’s the geekiest member of our family, has long been saving up for an Android phone. For someone who has the highest expectations and standards for his next mobile phone, he has done his homework as far as mobile OS are concerned and it seems that the Android’s performance is IT for him.

On my end, I had been wanting to get a device that would allow me to take pictures and upload them on the fly wherever my blogging activities take me. While I already have a 3G iPad, the absence of a camera means I still needed to bring one. And frankly, my existing camera, which is many years old already, has seen better days. So when I got an invite to attend an Android event, I just had to see for myself what it was all about and to check its specs.

Cherry Mobile (the company that was first known for providing affordable dual SIM handsets) launched its line of Android Smartphones powered by Qualcomm: the Nova, Magnum HD and Superion which is also the first ever tablet phone in the Philippines.

The most affordable model is the Nova (SRP P11,490). Compared to other smartphones in this price range, the Nova offers a lot more, including the 5MP camera and GPS services.

Nova specs:

  • Android OS 2.1
  • Quadband GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
  • Triband UMTS 900 / 1900 / 2100
  • 3.2″ HVGA capacitive touchscreen
  • Qualcomm MSM 7227 600 MHz processor
  • 3G/HSDPA connectivity
  • Wifi
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS/AGPS
  • Google mobile services ( Gmail, Maps, Marketplace)
  • 5.0 MP camera with flash
Its midrange model is the Magnum HD (SRP P18,990). I saw this one up close and I must say it looked pretty stylish.
Magnum HD specs:
  • Android OS 2.2
  • Qualcomm 1GHz processor
  • 4.1″ WVGA capacitive touchscreen
  • ROM: 2GB / RAM: 512MB
  • Expandable micro SD up to 32GB
  • Quadband GSM/GPRS/EDGE: 850/900/1800/1900
  • 3G Triband UMTS/HSDPA: 900/1900/2100
  • Wifi: 802.11 b/g
  • GPS/AGPS
  • Bluetooth 2.0
  • Standard micro USB 2.0
  • 3.5 mm Stereo Audio jack
  • HDMI-D type
  • 720p recording
  • 5MP camera with flash (back)
  • VGA camera (front)
And their top of the line, the first tablet and mobile phone in one, is Superion (SRP P19,990). According to its Product Development Manager, Reggie Ramos, the Superion will be available in the market this week. And yes, I did ask about its battery life with wifi and Reggie told me that based on his own experience with it, the Superion with wifi on, lasted him more than a day on a full charge. Whoa!

Superion specs:
  • Android OS 2.2
  • Quadband GSM, 850/900/1900/2100
  • Triband UMTS 900/1900/2100
  • 7″ WVGA capacitive touchscreen
  • Qualcomm MSM 7227 600 MHz processor
  • 512MB ROM, 512MB RAM
  • Expandable memory up to 32GB
  • 3G/HSDPA connectivity
  • Wifi
  • Bluetooth
  • GPS/AGPS
  • Standard mini USB 2.0
  • 3.5mm headphone jack
  • G-Sensor
  • Ambient light sensor
  • Google mobile services (Gmail, Maps, Marketplace)
  • 3MP camera with auto-focus (back)
  • VGA camera (front)
I imagine that many who were going for an iPad may take a second look at the Superion, considering how much cheaper it is and it has a camera and phone to boot (though I wonder if it will be a bit heavy to hold up to one’s ear when making calls). My only disappointment so far with its specs is that it only has a 3MP camera. I wish it had the 5MP features that the Nova and Magnum HD’s cameras have.
Meanwhile,  those who want the 5MP camera combined with a touchscreen smartphone that is so elegant it can really turn heads, would probably consider the Magnum HD.