BQ

BQ Aquaris V: Pros and Cons

Android OS v7.1.2 (Nougat)
Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
Adreno 505
2 GB / 16 GB
5.2 inch (720 x 1280 px)
12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus

BQ announced the launch of the Aquaris V smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.2 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The Aquaris V comes with Android OS v7.1.2 (Nougat) pre-installed. This phone has an IPS display, it provides wide viewing angles. This means the screen stays clear and consistent. This phone has only one rear-camera (12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Is the cost justified by its features? I'll strive to answer that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the BQ Aquaris V 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 V specifications

BrandBQ
NameAquaris V
ModelAQV
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.82 oz
Dimensions5.83 x 2.87 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblack, gold
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the BQ Aquaris V is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v7.1.2 (Nougat)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon 435 MSM8940
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUAdreno 505

The BQ Aquaris V comes with Android OS v7.1.2 (Nougat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. This octa-core CPU consists: Octa-core, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.1 GHz Cortex-A53. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

BQ Aquaris V / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.2 inch
Resolution720 x 1280 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.2 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

RAM2 GB
Internal storage16 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 2 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Aquaris V (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera12 MP, 4032 x 3024 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera8 MP

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The main camera of Aquaris V smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n/ac
Bluetoothv4.2, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO
NFCyes
FM radioyes
USBUSB Type-C
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. The Aquaris V supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Aquaris V smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Aquaris V has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. The Aquaris V comes with NFC (Near Field Communication) functionality. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3100 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The Aquaris V does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Fast charging, Quick Charge

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 fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in Aquaris V smartphones. 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. With fast charging, you can get a significant amount of battery life in a few minutes of charging.

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 internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • low-capacity battery
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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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