Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC: unpacking a giant

The packaging and the description placed on it make a favorable impression. We know that we are talking about the 5.3-inch Android smartphone and a quad-core processor. To find out about the device a little more, we have to scan the QR-code printed on the box or look at the first pages of the manual. It is worth doing, because we read'll there about the "high-capacity display"... Well, it happens like this, when, instead of a man the manufacturer employs an electronic translator. Fortunately the remaining pages of the manual present better - but they only explain fundamental aspects of operation of the device.

Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC photo: GSMchoice.com

When removing the manual from the box, I had, of course, to take out the rest of the set. And it is extremely rich - even a premium phone would be proud of it. Here's what (except for the telephone) the set contains:

• AC adapter with USB - 5V, 1A
• USB cable
• decent-looking stereo headset with microphone and call handling key
• Li-Ion battery, 2300 mAh
• Screen Cleaner - a rectangular piece of fabric with a special adhesive plaster
• Cover made of eco-leather - very well-made, no logo
• The protective film on the screen - a dedicated, shiny, with silicone adhesive

So as you see the manufacturer didn't stint for additional equipment. I assess the set very highly, I will add that all the accessories have the colour corresponding to the phone casing, so in my case - white. The headphones impressed me. This element is often treated with neglect, but Evolveo rises to the occasion and gives us a set with the intrathecal construction, and rather pleasant sound. It is true that, at the moment I tried it with only with other phones - but it plays pretty well, no major flaws, but of course it is not the peak of sophistication. It is noteworthy that the headphone bodies are made of metal.

Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC photo: GSMchoice.com

Let's have a look at the smartphone. As the diagonal (5.3 inch) heralds, we are dealing with a big device. Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC is not a master of slenderness ratio (it measures over a centimeter thick), it is also not very light. It is clearly felt it in a pocket... The enclosure is made of plastic in a fairly conventional way. The smooth front, the frame "pretending" metal running along the sides and the battery cover with latches. This design is becoming a smartphone standard. The front was stripped of all decorations, even a logo. There are only the function buttons, the speaker, the camera and sensors. The glass gives the impression of a strong one... we'll see. The back was covered with glossy paint - and now here I am afraid that it'll easily get damaged. The paint looks nice - but will it be resistant to scratches? On the back you can see a single speaker cutouts and protruding camera lens. I'm already tired of criticizing this approach, I'll just add that in Evolveo the camera glass is surrounded with a fairly wide frame, so maybe this time I won't scratch it...

Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC photo: GSMchoice.com

In addition to the lens we also find LED flash... Connectors and mechanical keys were placed on the sides of the smartphone. The left one is smooth, on the right we have the switch and volume buttons. They are quite large, but located fairly close to each other. The harmony of the upper wall breaks the headphone output, and at the bottom we have holes of microUSB and microphone socket. Nearby, at the corner you will see a slot for easy removal of the battery cover. And beneath it, except for a slim package of lithium-ion cells there can be seen three card slots. Two of them are for typical mini-SIMs (ie, the most commonly used type), and a microSD memory card. The slots are marked clearly so that the mounting of cards will not be problematic. At the end two words about quality. From the outside, the phone shows up as neatly as accessories. I have no objections to the quality of installation and the materials used. After removing the battery cover we see uneven stickers masking phone's antenna, but in my opinion, this is where minor deficiencies of the assembly are not a critical flaw. I checked, however, that when closed, the casing does not crack.

Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC photo: GSMchoice.com

Let's look at the specifications...

• Processor: Quad Core 1,2 GHz (ARM Cortex-A7)
• Graphics: PowerVR SGX 544MP
• Memory: 1 GB
• System: Android 4.2 Jelly Bean
• Display: IPS, 960x540, 5-point multitouch
• Memory: 4 GB + microSD do 32 GB
• Cameras: 8 Mpx + VGA, wideo 720p
• Network: GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, WCDMA/HSDPA: 850/2100 MHz, Dual SIM: Dual stand-by
• Connectivity: GPS/A-GPS/GPS EPO, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0
• Bateria: Li-Ion, 2300 mAh
• Battery: 153x78x11 mm
• Dimensions: 210 g
• Weight: FM radio, optional hot-spot

Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC photo: GSMchoice.com

In my view, the specification does not look bad. I am concerned only about a small capacity of the built-in memory and low resolution of the display. An important advantage of this design is the ability to work with two cards from different networks, even though the specification indicates that it will not use the free Internet in Aero 2... Evolveo XtraPhone 5.3 QC is expected to cost less than 300 dollars. Is it worth spending on it this amount? - I will answer you in several days. Feel free to read the full review at the end of August!