I currently have a cell phone as an actual S3 and wanted this grade imitation rather than a kind of more mobile tablet for media consumption and as an eBook reader. There are other budget Clones, but I was on this phone specifically the dual SIM capability (possible with standard SIMs) important because I, among others, a pure data tariff SIM and a second SIM to my main card (with low data volume ) from different networks (with very different coverage at work and at home) have. In addition, I get abroad often also prepaid cards for surfing.
I am actually quite happy, but I'm not completely thrilled by what I've got in my surprise box:
The system identifies with "alps 101_v89_gq3008s".
While it was labeled in the battery compartment with N9599T and should be a quad-core 1.5GHz, according Antutu and CPU-Z, it is "only" a 1.3GHz quad-core. That is not dramatic, but the incorrect information leads to a half-point deduction. Antutu (v 4.1.7) but can not quite decide; in the very first run the unit got about 13700 points (actually 4x1.2GHz level) - it assigns in Run 2 and 3 at least 17077/17040 points with a significant increase in FPS (that would be already at the correct level). The difference between the races is not explainable to me (it was then at about 17,000 in other tests). The performance is enough for me anyway; The phone will boot in seconds, install special actions such as an app to go in no time and there are also more demanding tasks actually no stuttering (but I also do not play 3D first-person shooter on the thing). The GPU is loud Antutu a mail 400 MP (I actually expected an SGX544 GPU). Overall, the 1.15X slower CPU is well balanced by a 1.4x faster graphics GPU and it "feels" it is something like like my S3 (same Antutu version = ca. 18500 points) ... and that would be already very good.
But was slightly annoying lack the equipment; one of the
Mini-screws was not fully clean shot - which one first had
find and fix, because closed as long as none of the two battery cover
properly and everything creaked - that's the other half point deduction.
Now to the more important for me actual strengths and weaknesses ...
The most positive for me is the screen: I am pleasantly surprised by the brightness, color accuracy and viewing angles - I did not expect. Of course no AMOLED (although that will be printed on the package persistently), but quite good. Also the touch screen responds well pleasing. The 5.7 inch size is of course great (if you do not want to pack in a pocket); just right for my purposes. The HD resolution is already perfectly adequate - I see no need for full HD. The Pen is intended more as a gimmick to serious work. When Sketch apps you installed yourself, you can already scribbling something, but otherwise he is good rather for easier meeting of the keyboard keys as for more serious. I also sometimes my palms too close to the screen including use of the pen and as jumps also likes the cursor, etc.
My device has Android 4.2.2 and is obviously Google certified. Google Play Store and the Google services run smoothly. A somewhat playful UI is installed (for example, I had the Play Store icon hardly identified). Some were the Koreans copied but not necessarily well implemented. For my taste, the Launcher also uses the display is not correct (large icons, large gaps, etc.) - I'll probably do an alternative launcher on it and / or rooting and adapt. Not very good is also the memory management: the App Store is limited to 1GB which can already be running out for several games. Apps can indeed outsource to SD card (mind the external) but not to the internal memory (there are there about 5,5GB free). This is inconvenient if you take the SDs as media storage and like to changes (then the Apps with away) will reintun or no SD card. My 32GB Class10 mSD is anyway supported well.
Quite well the dual SIM management succeeded. My SIMs (e + network and the Vodafone network) are accepted without any problems and the allocation or the exchange of voice and data services is easy. The 3G reception is exceptionally good and stable. HSPA + is more readily available than with other devices here. WiFi connections are also good (with Fritz box and various repeaters and a mobile TP-Link Hotspot), even though plenty of many networks are fighting for the frequencies. Since I am very fond of. Since I do not understand as I said the phone as, but as Jack Pocket Tablet with 3G, I can not say much for the voice quality. The test calls were certainly OK.
An unexpected bonus is introduced with Android 4.2 support Miracast (a WiFi-direct connection between your phone and the receiver on the TV / projector / ...) for the wireless transmission of the screen content. This works surprisingly out-of-the-box with a "bestbeans" dongle. The wireless connection to the router is thereby maintained (although Bluetooth and even the headphone output is switched off for this). The image quality is not outstanding, but so useful for simple movies / photos. Whether MHL / HDMI is supported via the USB port, I do not know - but there are no menu options to HDMI or screen adaptation, etc.
Unlike other reviewers (units?) Of the GPS fix took only a few moments with me (I have also been allowed me to places via mobile network) and a sample navigational ride with Google Maps worked right away very quickly and meter accurately (even while there was a good 3G connection).
The cameras can be identified eg by Antutu with 13.3 and 5.3 Mpix - I guess times, which is interpolated from the real 8/3 Mpix. The quality of both cameras is OK (let's say appropriate) and with LED flash and indoor useful but I put on it because no particularly great importance. The tilt sensors respond well to rotations. The light sensor adjusts the display brightness reasonable and the proximity sensor turns off the touch screen when making calls from ... everything as requested. A compass does not exist.
Bluetooth headset worked well. On PC can be the mobile address as a simple USB mass storage (very nice not to have to use this annoying MTP with Ubuntu). The options are USB mass storage, MTP, PTP (camera) and "only store" (faster loading). Then there's a "virtual CD drive for S / W installation" as a USB option, which I do not determined activate.
Also not advertised is the good USB OTG host capability; with a microUSB OTG adapter can be a keyboard, mouse, combo units, USB hubs (often not self-evident), sticks and even run a pretty power-hungry external HDD. Very successful. Unsupported was only an Ethernet USB dongle ... can I get over :). WiFi hotspot (WPA2) is supported and is going well. Bluetooth and USB tethering is available, but I have not tried. The FM radio has normal reception of such mobile receiver and the nice option, despite headphones connected to output (as an antenna cable) through loudspeakers. The (unfortunately as always back) speaker is actually not so bad.
The two (!) Supplied batteries are "labeled" with 3800 mAh. Hold any event at least during the day and when I am in the Reader mode (3G off WiFi on and dimmed screen), he holds by many hours with screen-On. Screen Off with WiFi for music (Spotify / NAS / etc.), it is also a long good. In particular, there is no comic jumps in the battery percentage but a uniform charge and discharge history in GSM. Energy-saving miracles can not be expected with such a display but. I look at the times on to when my usage has leveled off.
The other grave goods: Power Supply (better disposed directly), Headset (are worse), Silicone Case (does not really), second Batterycover with Flipcover (very convenient - hopefully keeps the bit). All very nice but I do not really need. Whether you ever get replacement supplies for this product but I do not know well. So that's quite good.
Well, a buy recommendation ... I think the phone is already really good in its price range. One should not compare it to the device that the "Design Inspired" and support will not be there only. But for anyone who knows what he anmutet with such China Clones, I can really recommend this device from this retailer.
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PS:
when loading the device with a power supply insufficient power (such as the included (!)), it may be that the capacitive touchscreen spins if you use it when charging. I've seen at various tablets with capacitive screens and here I was once at the beginning (hence my (serious) recommendation, the power supply should be disposed directly) but no longer with any halfway reasonable PSU> 1A. I bet that is the effect that another reviewer had also observed because its power supply his cell phone apparently not even fully loads.
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Supplement 25.03.2014: I have the phablet now has 2 months, and am still satisfied. In particular, the 3G and Wi-Fi reception is (better than my S3) and the battery performance really good. I use now the GO Launcher Ex (prime); And yet it works pleasantly well in landscape format.
A negative effect I had, however: After you replace the battery against the full 2, the mobile phone after a few more hours would not wake up from standby and also while loading suddenly. Since only battery removal / reinsertion helped to ever recharge can. The (2) battery was actually quite full, but after another day there was again such a misfire. I then the device until the battery has been active left almost empty and then loaded when it is switched to 100%. That seems to have solved the problem. Possibly the battery stats in the device is not correctly updated once when loading off and it stops then mistakenly discharged and thus does not turn on (?).
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06/14/2014:
Today came on heise.de purely a message that the Star N9500 is infected with malware "ex works". The app quoted in the message G Data Internet Security but reports of many China-clone and, indeed, this N9599T phone here (at least in my case) the malware Uupay.D. Whether the more Marketing from G Data is now or a real threat, I do not know. There are comments on the net, do not see the program as a true malware but rather as a "black-market" and G-Data since rather than advertising drummer in his own cause. The app is probably the Play Store app-like "Play -" find + Chinese characters in "All Apps". I had the disabled anyway (under the app settings), but delete can not be as a system app, of course readily. Were in the comments there also directly an indication of how you will be drawing lots.
So rooting: Framaroot APK (1.9.3) from a trusted location (eg chip.de), select the last of the three methods offered (something with B ..), with "success" reboot, a Superuser app rights management (eg install SuperSU) and an app can delete the system apps (eg "root app delete") and then the reported app (play-XY with ID com.uu ...) remove (push), reboot. Has at least works for me and not have negative side effects. Framaroot itself is of course now not identified as malware (is an exploit). Everything at your own risk and responsibility ...
