Yota YotaPhone: Pros and Cons
Yota announced the launch of the YotaPhone smartphone in 2012. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.3 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T SoC, and 2 GB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system. 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 (13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's explore what sets this device apart.
Table of Contents
- Yota YotaPhone specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Yota YotaPhone 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.
Yota YotaPhone specifications
| Brand | Yota |
|---|---|
| Name | YotaPhone |
| Model | C9660 |
| Release date | 2012 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 5.15 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.26 x 2.64 x 0.39 inch |
| Colors | black, white |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of the Yota YotaPhone 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 version | Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T |
| CPU | Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait |
| GPU | Adreno 320 |
The Yota YotaPhone comes with Android OS v4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. The Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro MSM8960T CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 4.3 inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 2 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 32 GB |
| Memory card slot | no |
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. Generally, a smartphone should have a minimum of 32 GB of internal storage. The YotaPhone has 32 GB. The internal storage of the Yota YotaPhone (2 GB) cannot be expanded.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 13 MP, 4128 x 3096 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 1 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 YotaPhone comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP, LE |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | no |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
Worldwide, people use 4G networks. They have become the standard for mobile networks in many countries. This Yota phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your YotaPhone smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. 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
| Type | Li-Ion 1800 mAh, non-removable |
|---|
The Li-Ion 1800 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 YotaPhone does not have a removable battery, it integrates the battery into the phone's design.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, gyroscope, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | 4.3 inch secondary EPD (Electronic Paper Display) |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The YotaPhone smartphone has an accelerometer.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Yota 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
- none
Cons
- limited-size screen
- non-expandable storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
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.