Elephone

Elephone C1: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Mediatek MT6737
Mali-T720 MP2
2 GB / 16 GB
5.5 inch (720 x 1280 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Elephone announced the launch of the C1 smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6737 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The C1 comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) pre-installed. The IPS display of this phone has wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction and better contrast and black levels. This phone has only one rear-camera (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 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 Elephone C1 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.

Elephone C1 / 1

Elephone C1 specifications

BrandElephone
NameC1
ModelC1
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Dimensions5.92 x 3.01 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblue, gold
SIM typeMicro SIM, Nano SIM

Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

Elephone C1 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
SoCMediatek MT6737
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T720 MP2
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 40773

The Elephone C1 comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices. AnTuTu measures and evaluates the performance of different hardware components of a device.

Elephone C1 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

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

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Elephone C1 / 3

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. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services you use. 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 C1 (16 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Elephone C1 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera2 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 C1 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Elephone C1 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. The C1 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your C1 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The C1 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 you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2850 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2850 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The C1 does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The C1 smartphone has an accelerometer. The fingerprint reader is a biometric security feature found in C1 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.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Elephone 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

  • weak performance
  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
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Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.

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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