Elephone

Elephone C1 Mini: Pros and Cons

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

Elephone announced the launch of the C1 Mini smartphone in 2017. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6737 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box, and a Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable 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 (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 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 Elephone C1 Mini 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 Mini / 1

Elephone C1 Mini specifications

BrandElephone
NameC1 Mini
ModelC1MINI
Release date2017

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.64 oz
Dimensions5.53 x 2.81 x 0.33 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold
SIM typeMicro SIM, Nano SIM

The weight of Elephone C1 Mini is about 5.64 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a small chipcard for a subscriber identity module (SIM). A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.

Elephone C1 Mini / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
SoCMediatek MT6737
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T720 MP2
PerformanceAnTuTu v9: 40907

The Elephone C1 Mini comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. 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. We use AnTuTu app to measure general processing performance. AnTuTu Benchmark is the most popular benchmark app for Android phones.

Elephone C1 Mini / 2

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.

Elephone C1 Mini / 3

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 C1 Mini has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Elephone C1 Mini / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of C1 Mini smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Elephone C1 Mini / 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

The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The C1 Mini 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.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 2300 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. The battery of C1 Mini isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, fingerprint, light, proximity
SpecialsDual 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 C1 Mini phone has a fingerprint scanner. 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 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 memory
  • 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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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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