Lyf Water 5 (2016)
The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5 inch IPS display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 chipset, and 2 GB of RAM.
Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.
Table of Contents
- Lyf Water 5 specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Lyf Water 5 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.
Lyf Water 5 specifications
| Brand | Lyf |
|---|---|
| Name | Water 5 |
| Model | WATER5 |
| Release date | 2016 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 4.8 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.59 x 2.78 x 0.3 inch |
| Colors | black |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of the Lyf Water 5 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1 GHz Cortex-A53 |
| GPU | Adreno 306 |
The Lyf Water 5 comes with Android OS v5.1.1 (Lollipop) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 2 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 16 GB |
| Memory card slot | no |
The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets us keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. If we use our smartphones for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32 GB may be sufficient for our needs. The internal storage of the Lyf Water 5 (2 GB) cannot be expanded.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 5 MP |
This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Water 5 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.1, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The Water 5 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. We can use Bluetooth to connect our Water 5 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Water 5 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Po 2920 mAh, non-removable |
|---|
The Li-Po 2920 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Water 5 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, light, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | Dual SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Lyf phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- Dual SIM support
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient internal storage
- non-expandable storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
Updated: May 11, 2024
I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.