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| SKK Mobile GRIFFIN is the cheapest quad-core Android phone in the market to date, powered by 1.3 GHz MT6582 quad core CPU, 512 MB RAM, running on Android 4.2.2 JB OS on 4.0" display boosting 5MP/VGA dual cameras with WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, FM Radio and 3G/HSPA+ connectivity. |
SKK Mobile recently unveiled two affordable quad-core Android phones for budget conscious Pinoy consumers - the GRIFFIN and GRIFFIN 2, named after a mythical creature with head and wings of an Eagle and body of a Lion.
GRIFFIN was thought to be an especially powerful and majestic creature - the king of all creatures and known for guarding treasure and priceless possessions.
From the two gadgets, I'll be reviewing GRIFFIN and based on my list, this is so far the cheapest quad core Android phone currently in the market to date (it will be rivaled by upcoming Cherry Mobile LIFE 2.0 priced at P3,299).
Below are my unboxing and hands on review and let's see if GRIFFIN can fly as high as an Eagle and as powerful as a Lion. Will it be hailed as the "King of Quad-Core Android phones" or the new "Quad-Core ng BAYAN"?
What's in the Box?
1. GRIFFIN Handset
2. USB Charger, micro-USB cable and 1400 mAh battery
3. Headset, Manual and Warranty Certificate
SKK Mobile GRIFFIN Price, Features and Full Specs
Price: P3,599
Features: Dual SIM (regular + regular, both are 3G), Dual Standby, FM Radio, 3 soft capacitive buttons, ~10mm slim
Screen: 4.0" WVGA LCD Display - 2 point multi-touchscreen
Resolution: 480 x 800 pixels
Pixel per Inch: 233 ppi
CPU: 1.3 GHz MT6582 quad core processor
GPU: MALI 400MP
OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean - JB
RAM: 512 MB
Internal Memory: 4 GB expandable up to 32 GB via microSD
Camera: 5 MP rear and VGA front camera
Sensors: Accelerometer
Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, WiFi Hotspot, micro-USB, GPS, A-GPS and 3G/HSPA+ capable
AnTuTu Benchmark Score: 17,060 ver 4.4.2
Colors: Black, White, Pink and Royal Blue
Battery: Li-ion 1400 mAh
SKK Mobile GRIFFIN Unboxing and Hands ON Review
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| GRIFFIN unboxing includes a Headset, micro-USB cable, USB charger, Manual, Warranty Certificate, 1400 mAh battery and GRIFFIN handset. |
Before I go with detailed review with GRIFFIN, my first impression with the device especially the physical design is the same with SKK Mobile GLIMPSE 3G dual core smartphone which I reviewed last February.
It turns out that GRIFFIN is upgraded GLIMPSE 3G in terms of processor, it is now powered by 1.3 GHz quad-core CPU with a different design for soft capacitive buttons (Menu, Home and Back). The same premium looking, solid and compact build of GLIMPSE 3G had also been retained.
For the user interface (UI), it is smooth and buttery, thanks to Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS and it scores 17K+ on AnTuTu benchmark.
If your looking for your first budget friendly quad core Android phone, you can try this one.
1. Price: 4.9/5
GRIFFIN is the cheapest quad-core powered Android phone in the market to date. Maybe your asking, why should I buy a quad-core rather than a dual core gadget (like SKK Mobile GLIMPSE 3G or WIND - both P2,999)?
If your a gamer and you need average to heavy multi-tasking, I recommend quad-core gadgets. GRIFFIN MT6582 CPU also supports HD (High Definition) display and up to 8 MP camera.
2. Physical Design: 4.8/5
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| Overall GRIFFIN design is the same with GLIMPSE 3G (which is solid build, compact, premium and durable looking) aside from Menu, Home and Back soft capacitive buttons. Volume keys are on the right side, Power ON/OFF/SLEEP/WAKE is on the left side. As usual, receiver and front camera at the top part, just beside are micro-USB port and 3.5 mm audio jack port for connectivity and headset. |
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| The device back part houses for dual regular SIM slot, microSD card slot, 5 MP rear camera and for 1400 mAh battery. From the back cover to inside rear design, from screen to any side or edges, it is finely crafted gadget - a premium looking. |
3. Display: 4.3/5
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| Although it has a powerful MT6582 quad-core processor, this gadget only boost WVGA (480 x 800 pixels) 2-point multi-touchscreen. It is not IPS (In-Plane-Switching) by looking at different angles. |
Resolution: 800 x 480 pixels
Pixel per Inch: 233 ppi
Dead Pixels: NONE
Multi-Touchscreen: 2-point
Screen Responsiveness: very fast and sensitive
4. Performance, UI and Benchmark: 4.5/5
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| GRIFFIN register a score of 17,060 on AnTuTu and 5,921 on Quadrant benchmark which is typical for a quad-core device. Both measures CPU, GPU and I/O performance. The higher the score, the better. |
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| Using Vellamo benchmark tool, this gadget register a score of 1,853 for HTML 5 which measures browsing performance and 573 for METAL which measures CPU subsystem performance. The higher the score, the better. |
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| GRIFFIN register a score of 49.5 frames per second (fps) on NenaMark 2 graphics performance test. The higher the score, the better. |
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| User Interface (UI) of GRIFFIN is very smooth and fluid which is running on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean OS and powered by 1.3 GHz quad-core CPU. You can access Manage screen, Manage Apps, Wallpaper and System settings on the Menu. |
Power On: ~ 25 seconds
Shutdown: ~ 5 seconds
CPU: Up to 1.3 GHz MT6582 quad-core processor (based on AnTuTu, Quadrant, CPU-Z and Vellamo benchmark tools)
OS: Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean operating system
Graphics Processing Unit: MALI 400MP GPU
AnTuTu Benchmark Score: 17,060 version 4.4.2
Quadrant Benchmark Score: 5,921 version 2.1.1
Vellamo Mobile Benchmark Score: HTML 5 - 1,853, Metal - 573, version 2.0.3
NenaMark2: 49.5 fps version 2.4
A Minute Video Hands ON Review:
5. Camera: 4.2/5
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| GRIFFIN sports a 5 MP rear camera (with Face detection, Continuous shot up to 99 shots, EIS and up to FINE video recording) and VGA front camera (up to 2 MP on settings). |
Rear Camera: 5 MP
Front Camera: VGA (up to 2 MP)
Flash: NONE
Autofocus: NONE
Zoom: Both are up to 4x
Performance/Sample Photos: 5 MP rear and front camera photo and video quality is average and speedy, just enough to take your memorable moments. Below are sample photos.
Mid Shot
Long Shot
6. Multimedia and Games: 4.8/5
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| GRIFFIN can play Dead Trigger 2 (on high graphics) and Shadowgun: Deadzone (on ultra-high graphics) settings. |
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| If you like MMORPG Android games, you can download Arcade Legend on Google Playstore for free and enjoy the smooth gameplay on this gadget. |
Music: .mp3 and .mp4 are playable
Video/Movies: supports .mp4, .avi and 1080p movies
Audio: average loudness and quality
Compatible Games: Subway Surfer, Temple Run 2, Zombie Tsunami, Arcade Legend, Dead Trigger 2 and Shadowgun: Deadzone.
Pre-Installed Apps: Google Playstore, Opera Mini, Facebook, Skype, Twitter and YouTube
7. Connectivity and Functionality: 4.5/5
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| For affordable price of P3,599, GRIFFIN enhances your communication by connecting on your loved ones thru texting, call and social media networks via 3G/HSPA+ and WiFi connectivity. It is also GPS capable for always on the go and adventurer. |
Dual SIM (regular + regular): Yes, working on Globe and Smart
Texting: it's working
Call: working loud and clear
LED Notification: NONE for SMS and charging status
Bluetooth: It's working, already paired to other devices
WiFi: working very fast
WiFi HotSpot: blazing fast
3G/HSPA+: SIM 1 and SIM 2 are 3G/HSPA+ capable
GPS: working fine
FM Radio: working with nice reception, need a headset to work
Micro-USB: working good either on charging or PC
MicroSD card slot: working fine with 8 GB
USB OTG (On the Go): not supported
Sensors: Accelerometer is working accurately
How to Screenshot/Printscreen: Simultaneously press Power and Volume(-) button for 2 seconds until you hear the shutter sound (no sound if volume is off).
8. Accessories: 4.2/5
Manual: very detailed, a must read before using your phone
Headset: working clear
USB Charger: it's working
MicroUSB cable: long enough, ~4.5 feet
MicroSD card: not included
Screen Protector: screen film only (already installed)
9. Battery: 4.0/5
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| GRIFFIN Android phone is fueled by 1400 mAh battery and powered by power efficient Cortex-A7 1.3 GHz quad-core processor. For normal use, it will last for a day in a single charging but for a non-stop gaming, the battery juice will last for 4-6 hrs. |
I tested the battery (1400 mAh) of this Android gadget with 1 SIM onboard and screen brightness set to 1/3. Below are the results and all are approximation.
Call: 33.33 hrs
Texting (light texting): 25 hrs
Internet on WiFi: 7.69 hrs.
Internet on 3G: 5.89 hrs
Watching Movies (1080p): 6.67 hrs
Offline Games (Zombie Tsunami): 5.88 hrs.
Online Games (Shadowgun: Deadzone with Ultra-High graphics): 3.85 hrs
FM Radio (audio on speaker): 14.29 hrs.
Playing Music (mp3): 11.11 hrs.
Charging Time: ~ 2.5 hrs
Charger Specs:
Input: AC 100-240V, 50-60 Hz, 150mA
Output: DC 5V, 650 mA
10. Durability: 4.5/5
GRIFFIN has a solid and compact build making it a durable device. I recommend to put a screen protector to protect the display in the long run for everyday scratches that life has to offer.
The OS (operating system) is stable after several shutdown's and power ON. With proper care and using the right accessories, this gadget will last for long.
11. Defects/Bugs and Improvement: 4.0/5
As of now, I don't see any defects and since this gadget is using a powerful MT6582 quad-core CPU, some possible improvements are making the screen qHD or HD (High Definition), adding an 8 MP rear camera and increasing the battery capacity to 2000 mAh. Of course, that improvements will incurred additional cost.
The speaker/audio (increase loudness) and 5 MP rear camera could also be improved by adding some features like HDR, Panorama and Flash.
Another one, I hope UI and launcher will also be upgraded - the same as GLIMPSE 2 with privacy setting (Guest Mode).
12. Verdict: 4.43/5
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| I gave high score to GRIFFIN price and design. Performance, functionality and connectivity are also a strong points of this device. |
SKK Mobile GRIFFIN is a premium looking and a powerful device at affordable price. Although it has a lot of potential for improvements (because it has a powerful CPU than can support better screen and feature pack camera), still, overall design is good for enhancing your communication on a day to day basis.
For gamers out there, a powerbank or a tablet capable of charging other devices (SKK Mobile CYCLOPS 2) should be partnered with this gadget.
"A must try quad-core Android phone this summer 2014"
Sources:
SKK Mobile Facebook, SKK Mobile Official Site
Wikipedia GRIFFIN
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