Explay

Explay Pulsar: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4 (KitKat)
Mediatek MT6582M
Mali-400 MP2
512 MB / 4 GB
5 inch (480 x 854 px)
5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus

Explay announced the launch of the Pulsar smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch TFT display, Mediatek MT6582M SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. The Pulsar comes with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) pre-installed. This phone uses a 5 inch TFT display. This phone has only one rear-camera (5 MP, 2592 x 1944 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 Explay Pulsar 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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Explay Pulsar specifications

BrandExplay
NamePulsar
ModelPULSAR
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6.56 oz
Dimensions5.61 x 2.87 x 0.47 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeMicro SIM

The weight of the Explay Pulsar is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4 (KitKat)
SoCMediatek MT6582M
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2

The Explay Pulsar comes with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. 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.

Explay Pulsar / 1

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeTFT
Screen size5 inch
Resolution480 x 854 px
Multitouch supportyes

This 5 inch smartphone comes with a TFT display. The 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.

Memory, storage

RAM512 MB
Internal storage4 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

512 MB 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. 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 Pulsar (4 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 x 1944 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie cameraVGA

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 Pulsar 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
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv3.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. The Pulsar supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Pulsar smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The Pulsar 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 4000 mAh

The Li-Po 4000 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.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, 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 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 Explay 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

  • TFT display
  • 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 digital compass
  • 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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