We already know everything these is to know about the Vernee Apollo Lite model and the presales are already running for few days since June 1st with the $229.99 price tag.
So far only the light grey or rather silvery version has been available in the presales, but Vernee is now adding the dark grey version to the mix claiming that the elegant design and quality build is even more evident with it. The body is made from zinc-titanium alloy making it corrosion resistant and thanks to 3D polishing and eloxing we don’t have to be afraid about the annoying finger smudges too much.
The phone’s classical rectangular shape has also chamfered edges made with exact 30-degree angle CNC process making the phone pleasant to hold and the shiny edges are in nice contrast with the matte back cover and in line with the 2.5D curve of the front panel.
Let’s go through the Apollo Lite mains specs just in case : 5.5-inch FullHD Sharp IGZO display with the “blue light” protection, deca-core Mediatek Helio X20 processor clocked at 2.3 GHz, 4 GB LPDDR3 RAM, 32 GB eMMC 5.1 storage (expandable up to 128 GB). main 16 MPix camera with the Samsung S5K3P3 sensor (6 lenses, ISOCELL, RWWB), front 5 MPix camera with Samsung S5K5E2 sensor, 3180 mAh battery capacity and Android 6.0 Marshmallow.
The phone also offers USB Type-C connector with heaphone support, but the 3.5mm audio jack is left intact, Pump Express 3.0 fast charge support, dual-SIM and OTG. Apollo Lite will also provide the same open kernel source code as the Thor model making is more accessible for modders and custom ROM makers. We can’t forget to mention the fingerprint scanner, full metal body or 3D technology either. Dimensions of Apollo Lite are 152 x 76,2 x 8,9 mm and the weight is 176 g. As mentioned before presales are already up for the $229.99 price.
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LeEco Le2 Pro
Lenovo Vibe X3
Meizu MX5
Nubia Z11 Mini
Xiaomi Mi4c
This is just a small list, I’ve even seen the One Plus 2 for around $250 at times.
Nice list, but what if i told you that my carrier supports 800 and 1800 MHz for 4G LTE. I need smartphone that supports both MHz. Now this list surely shortens drasticaly. What would you recommend, in this price range (up to 230-250$)?
800 is hard to find in a lot of older Chinese phones but the good news is most of the newer phones are starting to support it.
And Vernee Apollo Lite is one of those that supports it.
So do the following phones, all of which I wouldn’t hesitate to buy ahead of the Apollo Lite:
OnePlus 2
OnePlus X
Asus Zenfone 2
Lenovo Vibe Shot Z90
Jiayu S3
I am not hating on Vernee, I just have been around this business long enough to know that it is a huge gamble to invest that much money on a brand with no history. I remember when Elephone first launched they made all the same promises, they had the same amount of hype. Initially their phones were above average and some were good. 3-6 months later the problems started from failed components to software crashes, and the warranty everyone thought they had was about as valuable as used toilet paper. Vernee could well end up being the next LeTV instead and produce excellent devices, but just know that you are taking a huge leap of faith.
LeEco Le2 Pro => no 3.5 jack
Lenovo Vibe X3 => OK (dunno about camera quality btw)
Meizu MX5 => OK
Nubia Z11 Mini => only 5″ screen
Xiaomi Mi4c => camera quality too low
One Plus 2 => overheating SD810
Depending on countries, taxes will get this phones above $250
I was joking about sammy UI, which is clearly not a good UI
Taxes depend on the seller and your country. I have only paid taxes on one phone shipping to the US and I have shipped probably about 30 phones here over the years. In Thailand I shipped 3 phones there and paid taxes on 1 of them.
It depends mostly on the destination country’s customs, i think. A few years ago, i could get anything from china (alibaba, geekbuying, gearbest) without any incident. Now, french customs are up to date and i can’t get anything without receiving a bill, whoever the seller may be, even flagged as gift or $20 value. Damn they’re good ^^
You mean with flagship Soc/RAM/ROM, flagship screen, flagship camera, and a poor UI ? (ok… the last isn’t necessary)
Every spec confirmed and reviewed, phone available internationally for $250 ?
Can’t think of any chinese phone with this specs for $250. Every chinese phone i know with a flagship level camera costs at least $350.
Which phones have you in mind ?
See my list below, all of those were priced below $250 on Kimovil, which pulls prices from 120 resellers all of them ship internationally, many even have free shipping. Most of those have a SoC/RAM/ROM that is equal to the S6.
As for UI that is subjective as to me TouchWiz is the one of the worst UI’s on Android.
I wouldn’t spend $250 on a Vernee, after using the Thor for about 2 weeks there are some issues with it that wouldn’t make me feel confident investing that much money on it. For $120 it is acceptable. I am waiting to see how this brand does with its flagships first and how the phones hold up 6 months from now.
I’ll be doing a full review in the forums in the next few days but over the past 2 weeks my GPS has been non existent, using the camera produced a lot of heat and ultimately caused the phone to shut down once, had numerous issues with keeping a wifi signal even when right in front of the router, had a few issues with the touchscreen not registering.
Sounds like you have a very faulty phone, not had any of those problems. Zero heat, even when using camera all day outside in full sun. GPS fine, WiFi fine, touchscreen fine. I’d think of returning it rather than reviewing it in that state.
It worked fine for about 2 weeks and then the problems started. It’s nothing serious enough to warrant returning, especially since these are issues I have seen from other users of the phone on forums. There more of minor annoyances. I can accept them in a $120 phone but not a $200+.
Since the second update? Or unconnected?
What do you mean by unconnected?
did your problems start with the second update or separate issue. either way doesn’t sound like it’ll make a great graduation gift as is.
A little of both. Overall it’s a decent little phone and the kid I am giving it to doesn’t really care about GPS (he doesn’t drive) or camera. It just has those little nagging quality control problems that most new brands suffer from. Nearly every forum I belong to has complaints similar to what I described some have completely different ones. Overall the phone is still usable and another few software updates should fix some of the issues.
But people should be very wary if they plan to buy the Apollo or Apollo Lite. If I was looking at the Apollo/Lite is my new daily driver I would wait a good 3 months before actually buying one. We still have little clue how these phones will hold up long term.
Yeah, I think I got lucky with mine, I know Chris Straber’s came with a non functioning camera and charger, so he sent it back and didn’t review it. An initial batch of chargers were dud and they had to find a new supplier. So their QC needs work, but they seem responsive.
I have though just received a Moto G4 Plus and that does have all the faults you list for the Thor, so you win some, you lose some.
The problem with electronics in general is a certain number of them will be defective no matter than brand. Some brands will be better than others.
Thanks Balco.
Im leaning more towards one plus 3, Zuk Z2 Pro or leco Le Max 2 with a 319 $ price 4 gb version, I even consider the LE 1 pro with 185 $ 4 gb 64 rom.
What do you say?
We’re thinking the same :-p
Let’s hope I can be abstinent 1 or 2 months more before reviews and price cut and not ending with Leco Le Max 2 right now because of the price and big screen 😀
I think so too, here is my list :
Leco Le Max 2, Zuk Z2 Pro, Vernee Apollo, Huawei P9, P9 plus, Gionee s8, One Plus 3, Meizu Pro 6, Meizu Edge, Xiaomi mi5 Pro, OPPO Find 9 Advance edition, Vivo x5 plus extreme edition.
But Im leaning more towards one plus 3, Zuk Z2 Pro or leco Le Max 2 with a 319 $ price 4 gb version, I even consider the LE 1 pro with 185 $.
Groundbreaking stuff.