UMi are really striving to push the UMi C1 in to the hearts and minds of Chinese phone fans. The C1, dubbed the “quad-core killer of 2014” takes a few hints of style from Meizu, and a pinch of OnePlus to make what UMi says is the best sub $150 smartphone on the market.
We’ve covered the UMi C1 on numerous occasions here already but with news of a new low price and a few new details of the phone it’s here once again.
UMi had already posted full specifications of their mid ranger, and are now adding more features to the list. First up is the display which we know is a 5.5-inch 1280 x 720 unit, but what we didn’t know is a more modern panel that can work even with damp fingers. Quite handy for using your phone in damp conditions on when getting out of the shower.
Gizchina News of the week
In their marketing material UMi had already used ideas from OnePlus, and the accessories are not also being inspired by them too. The USB being a flat grey type with included rubber tidy. A neat, and often overlooked detail.
The big news is that from tomorrow the UMi C1 will be available to international fans at a new lower price of just $139.99. Umi have teamed up with Aliexpress to offer the new low price, and anyone wanting the quad-core smartphone should wait until tomorrow for the new price to take effect.
With these new details and the lower price, is the UMi C1 looking more of a possible smartphone prospect? Or are you waiting for other phones?
At first glance, it looks like a great phone, but like so many MTK based Chinese phones, the design team forgot to include something that would have truly made the device a home run. In this case they forgot to include the 850 MHz band – meaning the this phone cannot work on 3G networks (AT&T and T-Mobile) in North America and many other countries. Also, out of the box, the GPS doesn’t work. In order to get the GPS to work, you’ll have to root the device and load an app called “FasterGPS”. Most people want a device that works out of the box and have no idea how to root a phone. Which brings me to my conclusion/summary of this phone: What were they thinking?
Where did you get this?
GPS works without rooting. I guarantee you that. I have it in my hands now
You must have a newer firmware version than what was tested by Jayson on his video review (see below).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBl3pjJeP00
For his feedback regarding GPS, jump to 6:30.
Are you in the US? Were you able to get 3G working on your C1?
I’d stall and see the price on the new coolpad first really,but a good phone all the same. I have no love for the dot capactive buttons though.On another thought,when will we start to see capacitive buttons drawn in the Android L fashion?