Impressive hardware, but almost totally unusable in the U.S.
The UOOGOU F1 smartphone is another entry in the low cost Android and Android-like smartphone category. There are so many great low cost smartphones on the market that can do almost everything that the flagship devices from the big players can do, but cost half or less without any kind of obligation, contract, or installment plan.
In a very nice package from UOOGOU, you get a screen protector, soft plastic translucent case, headphones, charger, and even a mobile electronics repair kit that includes screwdrivers, screen removing suction cup, and plastic prying “spudgers.” It is a little curious to include this, but I’m not complaining. There’s always something I’m needing these type of tools for.
The phone itself is well designed, thin, relatively light, and stylish (mine is gold), and features all the standard smartphone fare and extras: front and rear cameras, GPS, an impressively vibrant 720p 5.5 inch display, dual SIM card slots, removable battery, and SD card slot. It charges with a standard USB micro connector.
When you first turn the device on, you will be greeted with a beautiful display, but you will have to hunt, search the Internet, and get lucky with your screen taps to get the phone to give you a somewhat English experience. No English manual is included. Even the included web browser app has none of its menus in English even after the language switch. This phone is based on “YunOS,” which is a skin of Android, but you will have none of the expected Android apps available nor will you be able to connect it to your Google account or use the Google Play Store or even the Amazon App Store (Amazon Underground). I attempted to install both of these stores, but with no luck. It may be possible, but most likely not without a lot of work and the end result being questionable for future updates.
Using the included “App Market” app, I was able to find a questionably authentic Google Chrome app that once installed at least let me browse the web in a usable fashion. Using the Chrome app’s help screen, I was able to determine that Chrome thinks the OS is Android 4.4.4. Attempts to install Facebook resulted in a non-functional app once installed. The App Market is difficult to navigate for non-Chinese language speakers as many of the apps list their titles and descriptions only in Chinese. For me, I would have a hard time making this phone my daily use smartphone as a result.
I will say the performance of the device while running apps and games is good, and I was impressed with how smoothly I could browse the web and use the apps I installed (Wikipedia, Chrome, and a few causal games). The camera was decent compared to similarly priced phones. Battery life seemed decent, but my next problem prevented me from really giving that a good test.
Unfortunately the F1 was wholly unable to connect to my carrier with my SIM. I use Cricket Wireless which is a subsidiary of AT&T and uses AT&T’s GSM network. Any Android device I’ve used with this SIM (Moto G, Samsung S3, S4, S5, LG G3) have all worked flawlessly on this network, but this phone would not connect for phone usage, text messaging, or mobile Internet usage, even with the correct APN settings. WiFi connectivity worked flawlessly however.While the F1’s hardware is nice and impressive at this price, the lack of apps I and our readers expect, incomplete translation to English of its core apps, and cellular connectivity issues leave too much to be desired for a U.S. consumer for me to recommend.
BUY FROM AMAZON
