REVIEW: Hands On with the TECNO Phantom 5

Quick Key Specs
• Display: 5.5 inch HD touchscreen (1080 X 1920 pixels)
• OS: Android 5.1 Lollipop
• Processor: 1.5GHz Octa-core processor
• SIM: Dual SIM, MicroSIM
• Main camera: 13 MP
• Front camera: 8 MP
• RAM: 3GB
• Internal storage: 32GB
• Battery: 3000mAh Li-Ion unremovable battery.

Introduction

The TECNO Phnatom 5 was launched in Kenya on 22nd September at a colourful event at the Crown Plaza Hotel in Nairobi via the Smartphone’s brand in the Phantom sequence. It is the TECNO’s flagship gadget and the first to come with a 4G LTE Connectivity. According to Hanane Karroumi, TECNO mobile media manager ,the company’s vision is to produce more 4G enabled devices that will keep its markets connected to the fastest network. The Phantom 5 is just the first step.

Well, as a curious tech blogger and Smartphone enthusiast I decided to have a test of this latest flagship device which is also the first Smartphone from the company to feature a full metallic body design and a larger RAM of 3GB TECNO Phantom 5.

The previous device from TECNO, the Phantom Z used to be quite an extraordinary device too, I never got the chance to interact with it but from the reviews I have read it was not a bad one. The Phantom 5 however surpasses it with the specs.

Let me dwell deeper into the Phantom 5 and share with some of the amazing features as well as what i feel the phone misses (if any).

REVIEW
The Phantom 5 comes with a new display of a screen dimension of 5.5-inch with HD 1080 pixels . This is not bad for a person who loves large screens, to watch movies, YouTube videos etc. It is important to also note that it runs on the latest Android 5.1.1.

The device is powered by a superfast 1.5GHz Octa-core cortex processor. I can say TECNO Phantom 5 is a beauty with HD IPS screen and a brilliant metal finish. Another awesome feature of the TECNO Phantom 5 is the 360 degree Fingerprint Sensor located at the back just below the camera. This is quite an interesting feature and which most smartphone users like me crave for security purposes.

The Design
TECNO Phantom 5 is slimmer and lighter than its predecessor – TECNO Phantom Z. It comes with a sleek design measuring 151 X 75.8 X 6.8mm built on a classy glass and complete metal finish. It shaved more than a millimeter off the thickness of the old Phantom.

The sleek design and the curved and squirish edges allow one to have a nice grip of the phone. The phone currently comes in a golden brown colour plus a casing that comes in the packaging. With the casing, chances on dropping your phone and getting the screen broken are quite narrow.

The Phantom 5 is a dualSIM smartphone and uses MicroSIMs and the SIM card slot is on the top left while the earphone plug is on the top edge. On the left edge is the volume button and the power button below it while at the very bottom is an SD card slot. The USB port is on the bottom edge.

The front screen has a front flash, then a front camera, a light sensor and a receiver at the top while the back has a flash, the main camera the fingerprint ID button at the top , the TECNO logo in the middle and a Dolby sound speaker at the bottom.

When it comes to audio Phantom 5 comes with a BOOM PLAYER with a number of free tracks from selected musicians. The Boom Player coupled with the phone’s Doubly Sound speakers are enough loud enough. I tried to play music from my play list, and the music filled the room and I could still hear the music from the next room. While on the move, Phantom 5 comes with a pair of earphones so that you can listen to music on the move or while working with minimum destruction.

The Display
Phantom 5 features a screen dimension of 5.5-inch with FHD display and a nice pixel density with a resolution of 1080 X 1920 pixels. Full HD have the advantage that they allow for a slimmer design as well as offer better battery efficiency, which can result in better battery life. Its Full HD display also offers better contrast.

The Home Screen has the exit menu on the bottom left, the recently used button followed by the menu button in the middle and the back button on the right. On an idle Home Screen you’ll get a quick launcher for calls, lock and for the camera at the bottom replacing the menu buttons.

The flip cover also turns the screen on and off.

Hardware & Software
Tecno Phantom 5 comes with a power boost. The smartphone is powered by 1.5GHz Octa-core cortex processor. This is paired with a 3GB of RAM for a smooth performance, experience and seamless multi-tasking. The 3 GB RAM also makes lagging, which I have experienced with some smartphones a thing of the past.

Tecno Phantom 5 comes with twice the storage of some Tecno handset, with 32GB of built-in storage. This leaves ample space for all your files and media.

One great feature of the Phantom 5 is the introduction of a fingerprint scanner. According to Tecno the scanner enables you unlock your phone in less than a second (700 millisecond to be precise). The fingerprint system can stores up to 10 fingerprint.

It also supports a 4G LTE for super fast download and video streaming.

The Cameras
TECNO Phantom 5 also comes with a 13 megapixels camera with faster autofocus on the back with the sensor coming from Samsung. An 8 megapixels camera is provided in the front with the aid of a LED flash to help you take super sharp selfies. The camera supports smart gesture, which probably means you will be able to snap a picture by waving your hand.

It also comes with a face and smile detection camera with LED flash, interesting, right? Check some of the images I took with the Phantom 5 when I joined a team from TECNO mobile Kenya to present a cheque to the ARISE Children’s home in Ngando Slums to support the school.

The 13 megapixels is quite something.

Battery life
Tecno Phantom 5 comes with a 3000mAh Li-Ion batterywhich is non-removable and can go up for over 8hours on heavy both heavy browsing using either data or WiFi. While carrying out normal phone activities, on the phone, the phone can stay up to a day without having to recharge.

The phone also allows the user to switch off some applications that tend to consume more power so as to save on the power.

Pricing and availability
Available in in two different gold and colour variants, the phone can be bought across most platforms at USD 350 which translates to roughly Kshs. 35000 to Kshs.40000

Conclusion

The TECNO Phantom is the smartphone I think I would want to use for its entire lifespan. With a great camera, the amazing sound that comes with the boom player feature, 4G/LTE, and a 3GB RAM with a 32 GB internal memory…what more do you need. So try grabbing it and experience the Smart Life as TECNO says.