by domesticateddiaries

Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max Full Review [With Photos]

There’s been a lot of talk about the new Cherry Mobile Flare S8 series, and the entire line-up has been received with quite a bit of high praise from the eager smartphone market. For the past 3 (or 4?) years, I’ve been using a dated Asus Zenfone Max 5.5 along with a Vivo Y5i that have pretty much become obsolete.

After debating with myself for several months, I finally mustered the gut and got around to buying a new phone (because as moms know, buying stuff for yourself almost always feels like a mistake lol.)

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The Cherry Mobile Flare S8 MAX really stuck out to me, not so much because of its size, but because of its massive battery capacity. As the story goes with most dated phones, mine were struggling to stay alive after just a few hours of moderate use. So battery capacity was really the deal maker for me.

I did a ton of research before finally making the decision, since the smartphone market is brimming with choices these days. Unfortunately, what I noticed is that there isn’t a lot of information on the Flare S8 MAX, so I took it upon myself to write what I could about this entry-level smartphone.

The Flare S8 Max At a Glance

The box that the phone came in was pretty big, but I wasn’t prepared for what it contained. Honestly? This thing is HUGE. I already had an idea as to how big it would be prior to making my purchase. But I heavily underestimated the size of a 7-inch touchscreen. My old phones shrunk next to it, and now holding anything else makes me feel like I’m using a tiny baby’s smartphone after having gotten used to this big lug of a phone.

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The Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max’s 7-inch screen looks like a behemoth next to my Asus Zenfone Max’s 5.5 inch screen

I ordered mine off of Shopee, and politely asked the customer support personnel whether they had any other colors available since their listing only indicated RED. Personally, I’m not a big fan of red gadgets, unless it’s that deep burgundy they use on certain new models in the Vivo lineup. But since I was sold on the specs, I said the I’d just have to make do with the color.

Do note that it seems like the personnel behind the Cherry Mobile online stores (both on Shopee and Lazada) don’t seem to really care what you think about whether they send the wrong colors or not. I was told that only red was available, and they sent me black instead, which is actually a pleasant surprise. But then again, I also ordered a black Cherry Mobile Flare Tab Pro, but they ended up sending me a white one.

The Flare S8 Max they sent is the same colorway that’s presented on the Flare S8 Max box, and it looks like a gray to black gradient. On the box, the label says that the colorway is called ‘space black.’ Perfectly polished and shiny, it’s definitely a refreshing sight to behold after virtually every manufacturer using the tired blue to purple gradient since it was first introduced by Huawei.

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I’m not exactly sure what other colors the brand has available for this specific model. I have seen other tech reviews showcase a blue-purple gradient variant, and of course, the matte finished red variant.

The thing feels pretty heavy, likely because of its 6,000mAh battery, and it doesn’t look cheap or flimsy despite being made mostly of plastic. There aren’t any metal hardware accents on the thing either, which isn’t too big of a deal since it’s probably going to live in a plastic case for a good portion of its life.

One important addition that I think needs mentioning is that the device doesn’t have an LED notification light. Yes, people. This thing doesn’t blink green for messages and notifs, and neither does it blink red with low battery. So you’re going to have to bring that screen to life if you want to know about your phone’s current status. A bit of a bummer if you ask me, but still not quite a deal breaker.

User Interface

This thing uses what’s called the Aurora launcher, which is honestly new to me. I have yet to encounter any other device that uses this interface, and I’m inclined to believe it’s used as the stock interface across all Cherry Mobile devices. Of course, I could be wrong.

It’s neat and easy to use and everything is made available right on the one-dimensional desktop. An app drawer can be activated through the settings, and this lets you swipe up to see all of your installed applications in alphabetical order. I honestly felt it would be better to have the thing deactivated since there’s no way to remove app icons from the desktop. Currently, I have all my apps arranged on the second home screen which is really just easier to swipe to.

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If there’s anything that bugs me about the launcher, it’s that I can’t remove the Google searchbar on the homescreen. The widget looking thing is a mainstay and will have to be kept there whether you like it or not. This almost pushed me to download a new launcher all together, but I didn’t want to risk complicating my phone with an excess of software.

It’s also worth mentioning that the Flare S8 Max doesn’t come with a pre-installed notepad or gallery. So yes, if you find that you need them (and I’m pretty sure you do), you’re going to have to download them off of the Playstore.

And finally – the one thing I find to be the biggest pesky issue – the device doesn’t vibrate with any notification. I’ve already checked if it was just a glitch with my specific device. But I have confirmed that while the vibrate hardware isn’t busted, there just isn’t anyway you can fiddle with the settings to turn vibrate on for incoming messages – just calls. Bummer.

Keep in mind – NO VIBRATE. NO NOTIFICATION LED.

Camera Performance

I purchased an Honor 10 Lite for my husband just a few months ago, and I have to say that that thing is equipped with a pretty impressive camera. Every shot become Instagram worthy, and the camera app that comes with the device is intuitive and simple, making it easy to really maximize the power of its lens.

Unfortunately, I can’t say the same thing about the Cherry Mobile Flare S8 MAX. The camera isn’t going to give you perfectly sharp and color-rich images, that’s for sure. But hey, you get what you pay for. Is it a deal breaker? Not exactly. For a person like me who barely uses my phone’s camera, I don’t really feel like the quality of images should be reason for you to toss the option out the window.

At the end of the day, the phone was built more for gaming and watching videos (which becomes impressively satisfying with its long battery life and larger than life screen) and it does the job with flying colors.

Here are some sample shots using the front facing and rear camera:

The Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max’s Performance

I’ve only been using the device for a couple of days, but I can say that it lives up to expectations. The battery life is the biggest winner for me. I was able to use the 20% factory charge for over a 12 hours before the thing finally gave up on me. That included downloading and updating apps, watching a few videos, and browsing Facebook and Shopee to name a few.

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When turned off and completely drained, it takes around 4 hours to reach a full charge. On a hundred percent of battery life, I’ve been able to get around 26 hours of on-and-off use, which I think is pretty darn impressive.

Unfortunately for you Mobile Legends addicts reading this, I don’t play the game. So I can’t really tell you how well the gadget will perform when it comes to online gaming. I do know however that Liztech posted some pretty insightful information on her YouTube channel to give you a better idea as to how smooth the device will run games like Mobile Legends and COD.

Everything moves smoothly, and I can honestly say that I love holding this thing. It barely lags on me, and that also might be because its new. But so far, I can say that the RAM and ROM combo do the job to provide a seamless user experience that doesn’t keep you waiting. Also, it’s important to know that this device comes with a C-type charging port. Yes people, C-type on an entry-level phone. The future is definitely now.

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On the downside, there’s the issue of WiFi connectivity. I read a Shopee review talking about how the device struggles to connect to WiFi and I thought it was an isolated case. But as it turns out, my device seems to struggle with wireless internet connectivity as well. While my old phone would have no trouble connecting to the web from my second floor flat, it seems the Flare S8 Max sputters and disconnects as though out of the WiFi’s range.

Technical Specifications

Now that you’re here, your probably not a stranger to the whole Flare S8 Max story. That means you probably already know it’s technical specs. But just for the sake of presenting a complete review, I’m leaving them here for your benefit:

  • Android 9 Pie
  • Octa-core 2.0 GHz
  • 64 GB ROM
  • 4 GB RAM
  • 16 + 2 MP Rear Camera
  • 13 MP Front Camera
  • Dual sim
  • 7” IPS Full HD+ Trueview Teardrop Display
  • Fingerprint Sensor
  • 6000 mAh battery
  • MicroSD up to 128GB

Pros of the Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max

  • Extra large 7-inch FHD+ screen
  • Insane 6000mAh battery capacity
  • Heavy build and robust body
  • Impressive ROM and RAM at its price point
  • Type C charging port for faster, more versatile charging and data transfers
  • Excellent Full HD+ screen clarity

Cons of the Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max

  • Weak WiFi connectivity
  • NO notification LED
  • NO vibrate for notifications
  • Substandard camera quality for both rear and front
  • Limited color selection

Should You Buy the Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max?

I work from home, so even without the LED for notifications or the vibrate feature, I can manage. I can’t imagine a hustling office worker however dealing with the issue since it will require constant checking to find out whether or not you’ve received any urgent texts or emails.

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At the end of the day though, the Flare S8 Max does what it set out to do – and that’s to provide buyers with an ultra-large screen that touts excellent display quality and supreme battery life. Perfect for gaming and for casual browsing and online shopping, the laid back Flare S8 Max can be a delight to use if you’re tired of tiny screens and constant charging.

The Cherry Mobile Flare S8 Max is available on both Lazada and Shopee for just P6,999.

*NOTE: Cherry Mobile through Shopee did NOT ship a warranty card with my order. Although there is an official receipt, I don’t know how I’d be able to get free service for defects without the warranty card.

by domesticateddiaries

Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 Review – Is the Price Right?

It seems that laptops are becoming more and more expensive as the years wear on. Brand new, state-of-the-art features and functionality, faster and faster processor units, and unbelievably large storage capacities are some of the selling points of today’s modern laptop. Unfortunately, while these choices might make most of us drool, the sad truth is that not a lot of buyers can afford their steep price tags.

So the introduction of the Redfox brand into the market was a welcome relief for meticulous consumers who’ve been wanting high-quality performance without having to pay too steep a cost. Currently, the most prominent Redfox laptop on the market comes in the form of the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 – a laptop-tablet hybrid that comes in a small (and allegedly powerful) package. But does it really meet expectations?

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There has been a lot of talk about this laptop model, but sadly, not a lot of people have been able to provide the right answers. So in this comprehensive guide, we’re dishing out everything you need to know about the Arc 360.

At a Glance

One of the things that pops right out when you look at the Wizbook Arc series is that they come in pretty flamboyant colors. With only two options to choose from, it might be a bit of a struggle for more serious professionals to make the choice between bubblegum pink and electric teal. For me, the choice was easy – teal looked a lot less playful and girly, so it was a no-brainer.

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Given their slim selection of colors, it’s easy to see that the Wizbook Arc 360 is marketed mostly for teens and college students who might be more appreciative of this bright aesthetic. Personally, I’m a work from home freelancer and I would have preferred something a little more serious (like black, gray, or even just a dark, less saturated blue.) Nonetheless, the color does grow on you.

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The touch screen measures 10.3 inches which is actually along the smaller end of the size spectrum. For typing work and simple internet browsing though, the size might not be too much of an issue. I think it really works well as a basic writing laptop, and the size rarely interferes with my needs and purpose.

Controls for the laptop can be found along its sides. These include:

  • Power button
  • Volume +/-
  • Headphone jack
  • USB ports (one on each side)
  • Micro USB port
  • Micro SD slot
  • Charging port
  • Reset button (I think)
  • Lock switch
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On the lid of the laptop is the Redfox logo which lights up when the laptop is turned on. Personally, I really appreciate this aesthetic touch, and I think it adds some serious appeal to the entire thing. The laptop itself has a rubberized feel – matte and slightly tacky which does attract quite a bit of dirt and dust. I’m also not quite sure whether the texture would take well to pen marks, so I recommend that you try to avoid getting any sort of stains on it.

Fast Functionality with Basic Features

I got my Wizbook Arc on sale at Ace Gadget Store on Facebook for the ultra low price of just PhP 10,999 plus shipping. Originally, the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 sells for around PhP 16,000 through other physical stores, so I would say that I got a pretty sweet deal. Of course, for such a low price, I would tell you not to expect anything exceptional in terms of performance and functionality. But I am going to point out that I’m not disappointed either.

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The laptop comes with an Intel Atom Quadcore 1.4ghz processor that makes it pretty fast, considering it can only run a few apps at a time. In the 3 months I’ve spent using it as my ride or die work laptop, I haven’t encountered any freezing, slow responses, or other issues that would tell of a speed issue.

When it comes to storage space though, it might be a bit of deal breaker for some. The laptop only comes with a 32gb internal memory which I thought was INSANELY small. You can expand though with a 128gb memory card (which is why it has a micro SD slot along the side) for a total of 160gb.

Personally, I almost wanted to back out of the purchase when I found out it had such a small internal memory. But I pushed through anyway since I know how I would use it, and I knew I wouldn’t need a lot of space anyway. Fortunately, the laptop hasn’t had any space issues since I save most of my files in my SD card. I do wonder though whether there might be a few hiccups in performance once the internal memory gets bombarded with Windows updates down the line.

When I got the Arc 360, it didn’t really contain much other than WPS Office (which is like an MS Office rip off) and the built-in browser. I appreciate that there isn’t a lot of bloatware, since the laptop doesn’t really have a lot of memory. Since I purchased it though, I did install Firefox and CCleaner. Other than that, there’s not much else on the thing.

I would like to mention that when I first got my hands on the device, it didn’t turn on which made me think I had a defective unit. The kind people at Ace Gadget Store though told me to charge it for an hour then try again. Their advice did work though, and I haven’t had the same experience since then.

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What I think makes it really appealing to most buyers is the fact that it converts into a tablet, which is the reason for its name. The Arc 360 can fold backwards on itself completely, allowing you to use it as a standing tablet or a handheld tablet, depending on your preference. The Windows 10 OS works great for the feature, since it leaves users the option to switch to a tablet-friendly interface.

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Powerful Performance in a Small, Durable Package

If we’re talking battery life, I’m happy to report that the Wizbook Arc 360 comes with a very impressive power capacity. On a full charge, I’ve found that its 9600mAh battery can stand up to 12 hours. Of course, there are a few hours of stand-by incorporated into my usual schedule, but it’s pretty impressive nonetheless.

In terms of speed, I really can’t complain. I’ve tried using it with ten different tabs open, all while typing away with WPS Writer, and it really doesn’t give me any lag time. So there’s nothing for me to be disappointed with. For heavier use though, I can’t really recommend it – and I don’t really think it could accommodate any demanding apps either since it comes with a pretty small storage capacity.

In the arena of durability, I have to be honest and say that I have dropped my Arc 360 a few times. Fortunately, there was always my children’s playmat underneath to cushion the fall so it didn’t sustain any nicks, dings, or dents. It also hasn’t suffered any performance issues (thank God) so I can say it’s pretty well-built.

The only issue I have with durability are the screws underneath. Three of the small screws that keep the laptop’s internal workings hidden from view keep loosening, and I’ve lost one since purchasing it. So after every few days, I have to re-tighten the two that loosen to make sure they don’t suffer the same fate.

Pros of the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360

  • Slim, lightweight design
  • Responsive touch screen
  • Durable construction
  • Fast processing unit relative to its intended functionality
  • Long battery life
  • Converts to a tablet
  • Great as a basic laptop for school and simple work like typing and internet browsing
  • Affordable

Cons of the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360

  • Small internal memory
  • Screws might not be secure
  • Limited memory space limits what users can do with the design

The Verdict – Is the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 Worth It?

Given its reasonable price tag (PhP 12,000 regular price) and its exceptional performance in terms of basic functions, I would highly recommend the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 as the ideal starter laptop for students who just need something they can use for typing work. For freelance writers like myself, it also makes a suitable companion since it comes with all the essentials features needed to complete assignments.

Of course, it does have limitations. Its restricted memory space means you can install too many programs since it might slow down your device. But other than that, the Redfox Wizbook Arc 360 really is a sound purchase, promising to help you get work done, minus the fancy (and often distracting) bells and whistles.