In the United States, there are really only a few trusted mobile device brands, my frustration for which I will save for another day. But the good thing about the internet is that we can learn about all the other device makers on the market, reaching happy users through Asia and the United Kingdom.
For example, Huawei may not be known as a popular phone maker but maybe that’s just because nobody has ever really given them a chance. However, Huawei’s new Honor 5C might just change some minds.
As a matter of fact, the Huawei Honor 5C may change the game entirely. Launched in Europe this week, many see this as a decent—and far more affordable—alternative to Android smartphones from industry leaders like Samsung and LG.
First of all, at first glance, the Huawei Honor 5C certainly does not look like a discount phone. An aircraft-grade aluminum-allow body has been treated with a non-scratch coating and at 8.3mm, it is thick enough to feel substantial but not brick-ish.
But its 5.2-inch display belies an octacore processor; and the two of these factors, alone, would typically yield a much higher price point. Still, the Kirin 650 chipset shifts between four 2 GHz cores when in performance mode and four 1.7 GHz cores when you are using less power-intensive apps and tasks.
Ok, sure, the 2GB of standard internal memory and 16GB of storage is nothing to jump for joy about but, the latter can be expanded via standard microSD card. And sure, the display may be notable but the IPS LCD panel only runs at full HD resolution and not the 4K that will probably soon become the standard.
And keep in mind the Huawei Honor 5C comes with an impressive 13-megapixel BSI back sensor, f/2.0 aperture, HDR, and fingerprint-resistant 78-degree lens. Also, the 3,000 mAh battery can last nearly a day and a half of “heavy use,” which is average for its remarkable price point.
But what is that Honor 5C price point?
Well, Huawei has given the Honor 5C a sticker price of 149.99 BPS—that’s the equivalent of about $217 USD—and that’s for a SIM-free, unlocked device too. If you can find it through a carrier, there is a real good chance that price could be much lower.
And I’ve seen companies give away phones at higher price points for a single two-year carrier contract.
