Siswoo

Siswoo R8 Monster: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
Mediatek MT6595M
PowerVR G6200
3 GB / 32 GB
5.5 inch (1080 x 1920 px)
13 MP, 4160 x 3128 px, autofocus

Siswoo announced the launch of the R8 Monster smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5.5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6595M SoC, and 3 GB of RAM. The R8 Monster series was launched with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) 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 3128 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 Siswoo R8 Monster 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.

Siswoo R8 Monster / 1

Siswoo R8 Monster specifications

BrandSiswoo
NameR8 Monster
ModelR8
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight6 oz
Dimensions5.98 x 3.06 x 0.35 inch
Colorsblack
SIM typeMicro SIM, Nano SIM

The weight of Siswoo R8 Monster is about 6 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.

Siswoo R8 Monster / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
SoCMediatek MT6595M
CPUOcta-core, Quad-core 2 GHz Cortex-A17, Quad-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUPowerVR G6200

The Siswoo R8 Monster comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. An advanced scheduler manages this octa-core CPU. It assigns tasks to the CPU for real-time speed and power efficiency. PowerVR GPUs have a reputation for being power-efficient and delivering strong performance.

Siswoo R8 Monster / 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.

Siswoo R8 Monster / 3

Memory, storage

RAM3 GB
Internal storage32 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

The smartphone has 3 GB of RAM. It can run many apps at once without much lag or slowness. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The R8 Monster has 32 GB. You can expand the internal storage (32 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Siswoo R8 Monster / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera13 MP, 4160 x 3128 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 R8 Monster does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

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

The Siswoo R8 Monster supports 4G/LTE networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The R8 Monster smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. This phone is NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 3350 mAh, non-removable

The Li-Ion 3350 mAh, non-removable battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. The battery of R8 Monster isn't removable without voiding the warranty.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer, compass, gyroscope, light, proximity
SpecialsDual 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 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 Siswoo 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
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • no 5G support
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • 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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