Elephone

Elephone R9: Pros and Cons

Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
Mediatek Helio X20 MT6797
Mali-T880 MP4
2 GB / 16 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus

Elephone announced the launch of the R9 smartphone in 2016. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Mediatek Helio X20 MT6797 SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The R9 series was launched with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (13 MP, 4160 x 3120 px, autofocus). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Elephone R9 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 R9 / 1

Elephone R9 specifications

BrandElephone
NameR9
ModelR8
Release date2016

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.5 oz
Dimensions5.92 x 2.87 x 0.3 inch
Colorsblack, blue, gold
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of Elephone R9 is about 5.5 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).

Elephone R9 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v6.0 (Marshmallow)
SoCMediatek Helio X20 MT6797
CPUDeca-core, Dual-core 2.3 GHz Cortex-A72, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A53, Quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A53
GPUMali-T880 MP4

The Elephone R9 comes with Android OS v6.0 (Marshmallow) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. This Mediatek Helio X20 MT6797 is a fast CPU. It can handle complex tasks and run many apps at once. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Elephone R9 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution1080 x 1920 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 5.5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Elephone R9 / 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. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The R9 has only 16 GB. You can expand the internal storage (16 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Elephone R9 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3120 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 R9 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Elephone R9 / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G / 4G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.1, A2DP
GPSA-GPS, GLONASS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The Elephone R9 supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The R9 smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. 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.

Elephone R9 / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 3000 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Po 3000 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 R9 isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, fingerprint, gyroscope, hall, light, proximity
SpecialsCorning Gorilla Glass 3, Dual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The R9 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. Gorilla Glass is very scratch resistant. It reduces the likelihood of everyday scratches and abrasions.

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
  • Corning Gorilla Glass shield

Cons

  • 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
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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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