BQ

BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition: Pros and Cons

Ubuntu OS v14.10
Mediatek MT6582
Mali-400 MP2
1 GB / 16 GB
5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus

BQ announced the launch of the Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6582 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. It comes with Ubuntu OS v14.10 out of the box, and a Li-Po 2500 mAh battery. The 5 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (720 x 1280 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus). Is this phone worth its price? Hopefully, it will become clear by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.

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BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition specifications

BrandBQ
NameAquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition
ModelAQE5HDU
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.73 oz
Dimensions5.59 x 2.8 x 0.34 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition is about 4.73 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

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System, chipset, performance

OS versionUbuntu OS v14.10
SoCMediatek MT6582
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2

The BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition comes with Ubuntu OS v14.10 out of the box. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes, up to 5 fingers

The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

BQ Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB host
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The Aquaris E5 HD Ubuntu Edition smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. 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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

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Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2500 mAh

The Li-Po 2500 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.

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Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDragontrail Glass, 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 detects the level of light in the environment. 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 BQ 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

  • microSD slot
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 4G support
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley 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.
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