Gionee’s 100MP camera enabled Elife E8 poses alongside the Elife S7


Gionee recently gave it’s Elife E series flagship, the Elife E7 a massive price cut. If nothing else, it meant that the company is clearing stocks of its erstwhile flagship phone to make way for the next.

We all know what the next is going to be, and what will its speciality be. The Elife E8 is going to be a very camera centric phone like the E7, but on an even grander scale. The Elife E8 will launch in Gionee’s home country of China next month, and today, a picture of the phone alongside the sleek Elife S7 was posted.

Gizchina News of the week


As seen from the picture, the Elife E8 has a very simplistic back with a fingerprint sensor right below the camera. Speaking of the camera, it’ll take photos up to 100 mega-pixel in resolution. Remember when we all went ‘whoa’ when OPPO announced 50 mega-pixel photos on the Find 7? Well, that’s passé now.

Apart from a super powerful camera, the phone is expected to feature a 6 inch QHD display, have 3GB of RAM paired with the MediaTek MT6795 processor and possibly a 3250mAh battery. Who’s looking forward to this one?

[Source]
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73 Comments

  1. Stef
    May 27, 2015

    Seriously though, after the pricecuts the Elife E7 is the best phone around. As “small” as an LG (74% screen to body ratio) , with two of the best cameras of 2014, 3GB ram and Snapie 800 (IMO the best Snapdragon ever, everything else was a minor upgrade). Also it comes w KitKat and apparently it will soon have lollipop. All that for $150!

    Only problem is the battery , but it can make a day of moderate use.

    If you compare it spec for spec with the $450 Elife E8 you’d find them very similar.

    Better screen to body ratio.
    Same ram.
    About the same single thread performance (6795 only has a true advantage on processes that use more than 4 cores)
    Worse camera but probably not by much. E7’s camera is still one of the best in the industry.
    Better GPU performance due to the lower resolution
    Same screen clarity (400 ppi looks about the same as 490ppi, since they’re both overtly big numbers).

    Only clear disadvantages is of course the battery, most probably the screen quality (E7’s one was unimpressive as many of the first gen 1080p displays were) and of course the screen size which depending on who you ask it may be an advantage as 6 inches probably makes a device unruly to most.

    In short if you’re OK with E7’s downsides you’re beter off with it, it being 3 times cheaper helps too.

    • Mrinal
      May 27, 2015

      Does the Elife E7 have LTE? It does say so on GSMarena, but not in the details displayed by various webshops.. Apparently there are 2 versions, one with and one without 4G LTE. How do you distinguish between the 2? I can’t find the 4G LTE version anywhere..

    • eni
      May 27, 2015

      Who is selling it at 150? What you mean with moderate use? Thanks

    • Fly agaric
      May 27, 2015

      If you like a phone of this size then you re right, but for these who like it more compact in size IUNI U2 is still great option. Slightly more expensive, yet better built.

      I myslef am waiting for Lenovo Z90 Vibe Shot. With the price below 300$ and their cameracentric approach it should be ok, but for some reason this phone is still not on the market. Looks much better for somebody not expecting top CPU performance. Found it in one place, but the price was unrealistically high. If it keeps getting postponed, I think I’ll just nevermind the LTE support and buy IUNI instead.

      • Stef
        May 27, 2015

        Personally I’m not (I don’t like big screens on phones) however I recommend it on a heartbeat to people because of the top camera. They never fail to be amazed, they think that this kind of quality is reserved for the expensive Samsungs and iPhones and here’s an $150 putting a fight with the best of the crop… It’s known that chinese brands don’t care much for camera quality but lately that’s changing and it’s heartwarming.

        As for the IUNI , thanks for the heads up. I didn’t know that IUNI is clearing stock, up until lately they were very expenaive phones. Still the thick bezels, the higher price and the lower selfie cam may keep people away. I’ll keep an eye on it though..

        • Fly agaric
          May 27, 2015

          IUNI is another GIONEE brand and its’ inside is exactly the same as in Elife E7. All the specs are same too. It just comes in a handier size and in metal case. Some say, U2 makes even better pics than E7.

        • Fly agaric
          May 27, 2015

          IUNI is another GIONEE brand and its’ inside is exactly the same as in Elife E7. All the specs are same too. It just comes in a handier size and in metal case. Some say, U2 makes even better pics than E7.

      • balcobomber25
        May 28, 2015

        The U2 is built by Gionee, although it uses metal instead of plastic I would say the build quality is pretty much even.

      • balcobomber25
        May 28, 2015

        The U2 is built by Gionee, although it uses metal instead of plastic I would say the build quality is pretty much even.

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      I owned an E7 and it was an almost excellent phone. The two major issues I had with it, one you already mentioned was the battery the second is the software. Gionee’s Amigo UI is atrocious, and I am a Gionee fan.

      • Stef
        May 27, 2015

        Well the software can be solved to a degree using xposed and nova launcher. You’re right though the software is rather second rate, I typically care less for it though since android by its nature is very modifiable…

      • Stef
        May 27, 2015

        Well the software can be solved to a degree using xposed and nova launcher. You’re right though the software is rather second rate, I typically care less for it though since android by its nature is very modifiable…

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      I owned an E7 and it was an almost excellent phone. The two major issues I had with it, one you already mentioned was the battery the second is the software. Gionee’s Amigo UI is atrocious, and I am a Gionee fan.

  2. Jeep ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ
    May 27, 2015

    I truly want this phone but I am afraid of the huge-ass price tag ^_^ User Stef below me says the price will be $450 which I would find a little too high. I don’t think 450 is too much for the hardware but it’s just a personal thing; I ain’t too eager to spend that much money on a phone. But hell..specs are sure looking good 😀 And a 100MP camera :’) Just wow..

    • Stef
      May 27, 2015

      Elife E7’s price was $450 when it was released. It would be a welcome surprise if things are different this time around but I kinda doubt that they will. Gionee is one of the pricey Chinese brands.

      • Marco Lancaster
        May 27, 2015

        And now the E7 is one of the cheapest Snapdragon 800 phone in the market, I can find it for just $175.

        • Stef
          May 27, 2015

          Yeah, like I wrote in my post above you can find it for as low as $150 (plus shipping). That’s of course because they clear stocks. I expect the E8 to be much much pricier than this.

    • John
      May 27, 2015

      USD 450 is “ok” for a phone that takes 100mp photos, compared to other branded ones. However, If I were to purchase this from a reseller from China, that means after sales services, warranty and few others issues are problems. It’s a pain to send it back to China for repair. I have a defective device still in China for repair for about 7 months already. I believe I will never see it again. So $450 is a big risk.

      • balcobomber25
        May 27, 2015

        If you live in the US you can wait for Blu to release it as the newest member of the “Life” series. They have repair centers in the US and good customer service. I got a phone repaired by them once and it only took a week door to door.

      • balcobomber25
        May 27, 2015

        If you live in the US you can wait for Blu to release it as the newest member of the “Life” series. They have repair centers in the US and good customer service. I got a phone repaired by them once and it only took a week door to door.

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      I would say $450 is a starting price. I would expect it to be closer to $480 when it is released. This is based on Gionee’s pricing history. Gionee does make some excellent phones quality wise but their software isn’t the best. The good thing about them though is the high prices never last, they always discount their phones about 6-8 months after release. Which is the same time frame that they release the re-brands of their phones such as Blu in the USA.

      • Jeep ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ
        May 28, 2015

        True but 6 to 8 months for a China phone is a pretty long time. Every 6 months completely new devices with new technology are being released. So..not so sure. I will either just buy it when it’s available or not at all..

  3. Stef
    May 27, 2015

    Seriously though, after the pricecuts the Elife E7 is the best phone around. As “small” as an LG (74% screen to body ratio) , with two of the best cameras of 2014, 3GB ram and Snapie 800 (IMO the best Snapdragon ever, everything else was a minor upgrade). Also it comes w KitKat and apparently it will soon have lollipop. All that for $150!

    Only problem is the battery , but it can make a day of moderate use.

    If you compare it spec for spec with the $450 Elife E8 you’d find them very similar.

    Better screen to body ratio.
    Same ram.
    About the same single thread performance (6795 only has a true advantage on processes that use more than 4 cores)
    Worse camera but probably not by much. E7’s camera is still one of the best in the industry.
    Better GPU performance due to the lower resolution
    Same screen clarity (400 ppi looks about the same as 490ppi, since they’re both overtly big numbers).

    Only clear disadvantages is of course the battery, most probably the screen quality (E7’s one was unimpressive as many of the first gen 1080p displays were) and of course the screen size which depending on who you ask it may be an advantage as 6 inches probably makes a device unruly to most.

    In short if you’re OK with E7’s downsides you’re beter off with it, it being 3 times cheaper helps too.

    • Mrinal
      May 27, 2015

      Does the Elife E7 have LTE? It does say so on GSMarena, but not in the details displayed by various webshops.. Apparently there are 2 versions, one with and one without 4G LTE. How do you distinguish between the 2? I can’t find the 4G LTE version anywhere..

    • Andi Sykes
      May 27, 2015

      There was a version with LTE announced but I don’t think it every went on sale

    • Mrinal
      May 27, 2015

      I see, thanks for the info. Too bad though, if it had LTE I would’ve bought it. Now I’m still looking around for a phone with Jiayu S3 specs with a little more exciting design. Was a little disappointed in the Ulefone Be Touch from the Gizchina review. (not excited about the Meizu M1 note because of the mediocre camera and the iPhone 5c looks). Waiting for reviews about the Oukitel U8.

    • Rob
      May 27, 2015

      Perphaps you should look at the TCL N3, looks like quite an interesting alternative with good specs and cheaper than the Jiayu s3 and better design.

    • Guest
      May 27, 2015

      Who is selling it at 150? What you mean with moderate use? Thanks

    • Mrinal
      May 27, 2015

      Do you mean the TCL Hero N3 Y910? If so, that is a very old device and not really comparable to the Jiayu S3 in specs (only android 4.2, MT6589T, ‘only’ 2GB RAM, no LTE). Is there another TCL N3, or are these specifications incorrect? (got it from aliexpress)

    • Stef
      May 27, 2015

      Here’s a random one selling it for $162 but the shipping is free. There are others selling it for $150 but you pay shipping: http://www.aliexpress.com/item/2-2-GHz-5-5-Inch-Screen-GIONEE-ELIFE-E7-3GB-RAM-32GB-Qualcomm-Snapdragon-800/32307958670.html

      Low use: 1-2 hours screen time
      Moderate use: 4-5 hours screen time
      Heavy use: 7-8 hours screen time.

      Those -at least- are my definitions anyway…

    • Fais Khan
      May 27, 2015

      You should wait a few weeks as nearly every single chinese Oem is jumping on the MTK 6752 bandwagon, There are a variety of designs mooted and specs all tend to be there or thereabouts

      If you are looking for a permanent phone then I suggest just bearing with the market and picking one of the million flagship devices that are out every month

      I am curious about the elephone 7000 the reviews should be here soon, Maybe that can satisfy you

    • Mrinal
      May 27, 2015

      Ye that’s the plan. I’m also waiting for some reviews on the Elephone P7000.

    • Fly agaric
      May 27, 2015

      If you like a phone of this size then you re right, but for these who like it more compact in size IUNI U2 is still great option. Slightly more expensive, yet better built.

      I myslef am waiting for Lenovo Z90 Vibe Shot. With the price below 300$ and their cameracentric approach it should be ok, but for some reason this phone is still not on the market. Looks much better for somebody not expecting top CPU performance. Found it in one place, but the price was unrealistically high. If it keeps getting postponed, I think I’ll just nevermind the LTE support and buy IUNI instead.

    • Stef
      May 27, 2015

      Personally I’m not (I don’t like big screens on phones) however I recommend it on a heartbeat to people because of the top camera. They never fail to be amazed, they think that this kind of quality is reserved for the expensive Samsungs and iPhones and here’s an $150 putting a fight with the best of the crop… It’s known that chinese brands don’t care much for camera quality but lately that’s changing and it’s heartwarming.

      As for the IUNI , thanks for the heads up. I didn’t know that IUNI is clearing stock, up until lately they were very expenaive phones. Still the thick bezels, the higher price and the lower selfie cam may keep people away. I’ll keep an eye on it though..

    • Rob
      May 27, 2015

      I mean the TCL n3 M2U, it had the mt6752 and 13mp camera and the sources and build look good as is the price starting at $142!

    • Rob
      May 27, 2015

      The best place I found was 1949 deal, for me at least as the exchange rate they are using for sterling makes it cheaper than anywhere else by quite a margin.

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      I owned an E7 and it was an almost excellent phone. The two major issues I had with it, one you already mentioned was the battery the second is the software. Gionee’s Amigo UI is atrocious, and I am a Gionee fan.

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      The few reviews I have read about the M1 say the camera is very good.

    • Fly agaric
      May 27, 2015

      IUNI is another GIONEE brand and its’ inside is exactly the same as in Elife E7. All the specs are same too. It just comes in a handier size and in metal case. Some say, U2 makes even better pics than E7.

    • Mrinal
      May 27, 2015

      Is it? (I would like it to be, which reviews have you read?) I got my info from this comparison between the Jiayu S3 and the Meizu M1 Note:

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      One of them was the original review on here. But also the following ones below all say that camera is good, it’s obviously not on par with most flagships but for a $200 phone it sounds like a good camera.

      http://www.gsmarena.com/meizu_m1_note-review-1232p8.php

      http://www.androidauthority.com/meizu-m1-note-review-597353/

      http://www.androidheadlines.com/2015/03/featured-review-meizu-m1-note-bang-buck.html

      http://www.mobilegeeks.com/meizu-m1-note-review-an-affordable-phablet-worthy-of-consideration/

    • Stef
      May 27, 2015

      Well the software can be solved to a degree using xposed and nova launcher. You’re right though the software is rather second rate, I typically care less for it though since android by its nature is very modifiable…

    • balcobomber25
      May 28, 2015

      The U2 is built by Gionee, although it uses metal instead of plastic I would say the build quality is pretty much even.

  4. Jeep ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ
    May 27, 2015

    I truly want this phone but I am afraid of the huge-ass price tag ^_^ User Stef below me says the price will be $450 which I would find a little too high. I don’t think 450 is too much for the hardware but it’s just a personal thing; I ain’t too eager to spend that much money on a phone. But hell..specs are sure looking good 😀 And a 100MP camera :’) Just wow..

    • Stef
      May 27, 2015

      Elife E7’s price was $450 when it was released. It would be a welcome surprise if things are different this time around but I kinda doubt that they will. Gionee is one of the pricey Chinese brands.

    • Marco Lancaster
      May 27, 2015

      And now the E7 is one of the cheapest Snapdragon 800 phone in the market, I can find it for just $175.

    • Stef
      May 27, 2015

      Yeah, like I wrote in my post above you can find it for as low as $150 (plus shipping). That’s of course because they clear stocks. I expect the E8 to be much much pricier than this.

    • Guest
      May 27, 2015

      USD 450 is “ok” for a phone that takes 100mp photos, compared to other branded ones. However, If I were to purchase this from a reseller from China, that means after sales services, warranty and few others issues are problems. It’s a pain to send it back to China for repair. I have a defective device still in China for repair for about 7 months already. I believe I will never see it again. So $450 is a big risk.

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      I would say $450 is a starting price. I would expect it to be closer to $480 when it is released. This is based on Gionee’s pricing history. Gionee does make some excellent phones quality wise but their software isn’t the best. The good thing about them though is the high prices never last, they always discount their phones about 6-8 months after release. Which is the same time frame that they release the re-brands of their phones such as Blu in the USA.

    • balcobomber25
      May 27, 2015

      If you live in the US you can wait for Blu to release it as the newest member of the “Life” series. They have repair centers in the US and good customer service. I got a phone repaired by them once and it only took a week door to door.

    • Jeep ✓ᵛᵉʳᶦᶠᶦᵉᵈ
      May 28, 2015

      True but 6 to 8 months for a China phone is a pretty long time. Every 6 months completely new devices with new technology are being released. So..not so sure. I will either just buy it when it’s available or not at all..

  5. Jon Fell
    May 27, 2015

    I personally cant trust Chinese phones in the UK ever again since my meizu broke and getting it repaired became farcical

  6. Jon Fell
    May 27, 2015

    I personally cant trust Chinese phones in the UK ever again since my meizu broke and getting it repaired became farcical

  7. Jon Fell
    May 27, 2015

    I personally cant trust Chinese phones in the UK ever again since my meizu broke and getting it repaired became farcical

  8. zhongtiao1
    May 28, 2015

    450 is steep, the camera is good, will come with the great amigo os, fingerprint sensor is good, honestly though, at this price point i’d just buy a blackberry classic. If the price point was closer to 300, I would maybe buy it.

  9. zhongtiao1
    May 29, 2015

    450 is steep, the camera is good, will come with the great amigo os, fingerprint sensor is good, honestly though, at this price point i’d just buy a blackberry classic. If the price point was closer to 300, I would maybe buy it.

  10. Thi Ha
    October 20, 2015

    Get jiayu S3, solid phone with solid performance if you don’t care about the look 😛

  11. Thi Ha
    October 21, 2015

    Get jiayu S3, solid phone with solid performance if you don’t care about the look 😛