Proficient Specs Don't Make Expert Phones

While the Umi Touch seems decent on newspaper, it's not a budget smartphone I could recommend to anyone over more proven devices in this fiercely competitive market space.

I'll beginning with the things I like. The 4,000 mAh battery is huge and delivers great battery life across the board. The fingerprint sensor surprised me at how fast and accurate it was, particularly later on a contempo software update. I similar seeing a 1080p display this toll point as well, as companies often opt for cheaper and less processor-intensive 720p displays in entry-level handsets.

The Bear on besides features a pretty compelling software setup. By default, this device runs stock Android half dozen.0 with practically no bloatware and no boosted features, and this is slap-up to see. But if you want to try out something different, Umi's Rootjoy application will let yous flash other ROMs, including Windows x Mobile, without whatsoever sort of hassle. This isn't something you run across from the large Android manufacturers, and gives enthusiasts a way to customize their device with ease.

This is where the positives end and the negatives begin. The Umi Touch's design is pretty uninspiring, and although it does take a metal back and the curved edges to the glass forepart panel are ergonomic, information technology lacks precision in its structure. The seams on the back that bring together metallic to plastic are noticeably uneven, and the fingerprint sensor on my review model was slightly beveled. These are all quality issues you don't see from better known OEMs. Plus in that location's some serious heft to this handset, at nigh 200 grams.

Both of the Umi Touch's cameras are terrible. The back camera uses a Sony sensor, but information technology doesn't produce quality images in whatsoever conditions. There are issues with overexposure, focus speed, camera app preview frame rates, the HDR style, night fourth dimension photography, and full general color quality. The selfie camera is mediocre and its accompanying front-facing flash is useless.

Performance is some other aspect to the Umi Bear upon that was disappointing. The MediaTek MT6753 looks expert on-newspaper against the Snapdragon 410, but in reality the level of performance I experienced is below what'south acceptable for a sub-$200 device.

To requite credit where credit is due, the internal xvi GB of storage is fast, as is the Mali-T720 GPU, simply I expect a smoother experience from a modern entry-level smartphone.

Anyone planning to import this device to N America, particularly those who aren't using AT&T, Bell or Rogers, should exist put off by limited back up: three LTE bands and 2 HSPA bands. Alternatively, you might exist put off by poor touchscreen sensitivity, which makes typing on the keyboard a complete drag.

At $160, the Umi Bear on is a great lesson for consumers: you tin can't simply read a spec sail and await to receive a decent smartphone. Fifty-fifty though it's a year erstwhile and features 'lesser' hardware, I'd far rather buy and employ a 3rd-generation Moto Grand for the usability. If Umi had spent more fourth dimension polishing this handset and harnessing some of the hardware within, I'm certain information technology could be a bang-up budget device, but equally information technology stands I'd recommend looking elsewhere or waiting for a significant price cut.

Pros: Great battery life. Runs stock Android half dozen.0. Allows installation of other ROMs. Fingerprint sensor is surprisingly constructive.

Cons: Terrible cameras. Substandard performance, fifty-fifty for a budget device. Touchscreen has responsiveness issues. Design lacks precision.