Vernee Apollo Smartphone Extended Review. Vernee Apollo Lite - smartphone review, full review and video Vernee Apollo w3bsit3-dns.com discussion
The Vernee brand appeared quite recently, to be precise - in February 2016 and immediately "shot" its balanced state employee - Thor. And today we are reviewing a powerful smartphone on the Helio X20 processor with 4Gb of RAM, which was given the name Vernee Apollo Lite... Well, as Yuri Gagarin said: - "Let's go!" The Light prefix stands for the lite version. In the near future, Vernee plans to release its flagship Apollo, which will differ from the Lite version in the large amount of RAM (6Gb versus 4Gb) and built-in (128Gb versus 32Gb) memory. In addition, it will be equipped with a 2K screen (the Lite version has Full HD). But the estimated price for the product will be about $ 350, which is much more. Therefore, I think the model will not be very popular. But Apollo Lite has a more than adequate price tag for its functionality. I suggest that you familiarize yourself with the video version of the review, where you can watch the work of the smartphone live.
Detailed specifications
:
CPU: 10-core Helio X20 (MTK6797) with a maximum clock frequency of 2.3 Ghz cores
Graphics: 4-core Mali-T880, 780MHz
RAM: 4GB
Built-in memory: 32GB, expandable up to 128GB
Screen: - 5.5 inches, IPS, 1920 x 1080, SHARP IGZO - Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. - Oleophobic coating.
Camera: - Main: 16 megapixels, F / 2.0, RGBW light-sensor technology, PDAF. The ability to record video in 4K resolution (30 frames per second) and Full HD at 60 frames per second. - Front: 5 megapixels.
Networks: 2G: Gsm 850/900/1800 / 1900MHz 3G: Wcdma 900 / 2100MHz 4G: Fdd-lte 800/1800/2100 / 2600MHz
Available slots: 1 micro SIM + 1 nano SIM / TFcard
Additional functions: - Usb type C, - Fast charging PUMP EXPRESS 3.0 - Fingerprint scanner, - Dual band WiFi
Battery: 3180mAh
Operating system: Android 6.0
Dimensions (edit): 152 x 76.2 x 9.2mm
Weight: 175 g
A little information about the MTK6797 Helio X20 processor, which is the heart of the Vernee Apollo Lite smartphone. The processor has a three-cluster architecture and ten cores. This helps to maximize the efficiency and at the same time economically use the full potential of the smartphone. Let me explain, out of 10 cores: 2 Cortex-A72 cores operating at 2.1GHz - 2.3GHz, 4 Cortex-A53 cores operating at 1.85GHz, 4 Cortex-A53 cores operating at 1.4GHz. This allows you to efficiently distribute tasks to optimize performance and conserve your battery. For example, when performing the simplest tasks, such as making calls, the processor uses only one cluster with low-frequency cores. And at maximum loads, the cores already start working at a high frequency. In addition to performance, thanks to the new processor, video recording in high resolution, up to 4k, has become available. The graphics have also been improved - the Mali-T880, 780MHz, although it loses quite strongly to the new Adreno, is nevertheless a step forward and provides high performance in the most modern and graphically complex games. In general, in my opinion Helio X20 is an excellent solution for mid-range smartphones. But back to Apollo Lite and look at the package bundle. Everything here is very modest: in the black box, except for a smartphone, a usb cable, a charger, documentation and a clip for removing SIM card trays, there is nothing. The basic configuration does not provide for a protective glass or a cover, although the smartphone itself supports work with a smart cover - you need to purchase it separately. 
The design can be called classic. Alollo lite does not have any special features that distinguish it from the crowd, but it follows modern trends, offering a discreet, austere style. The 5.5-inch screen size is justified here, because with such performance it can be used as a replacement for a tablet. It is convenient to read Internet pages on a large screen, you can comfortably play, watch videos. In my not too large hand, the smartphone is very comfortable, the feeling of shoveling is not. 
The “face” of a smartphone is very simple, without any peculiarities. Not really, though. The manufacturer decided to abandon the usual touch buttons and made them on-screen. The first impression was negative, as the area under the screen makes it easy to place the controls. But literally a few days later, I changed my attitude towards onscreen buttons. They are implemented very conveniently in a smartphone, at any time you can turn on full-screen mode with one click, and then use a swipe from the bottom of the screen to exit it. The frames are small, in a black smartphone they seem even smaller than they really are. 
There is an event indicator, it was hidden in the upper left corner. Proximity and lighting sensors were also placed here. They work correctly: when the smartphone approaches the ear, the screen goes out, no failures were noticed. The dynamic change in brightness also works correctly, my brightness is set to about 50% with automatic adjustment, at this level it is comfortable for me to use both indoors and outdoors. The front camera takes pictures at a maximum resolution of 5 megapixels. The quality of the pictures is not bad, but the main purpose is video conversations. The earpiece produces clear and high-quality sound, the volume is average. 
A type C usb connector was placed on the bottom edge. Sooner or later, everyone will switch to this format, but now it’s more of an additional headache, because the format is not yet very widespread. However, there are much more advantages in it. Firstly, data transfer is much faster. If you shoot long video clips, then the difference when transferred to a computer is noticeable to the naked eye. And the second is my favorite: this cable can be inserted either side. For some reason, I always insert the usual usb always on the wrong side, after which I turn it over and insert it right, let alone the children, who often simply break them out. On the sides of the usb are audio speaker grilles. But there is only one speaker in the smartphone, which is easily calculated by alternately closing the holes with your finger. The sound is weak. Not in terms of volume, but in terms of quality. There are no low frequencies at all. In general, it can be described as loud but squeaky. 
The back cover is made of anodized aluminum and has a slightly rough texture. The smartphone is non-slippery and pleasant to the touch. The upper and lower parts have plastic inserts, painted in the color of the lid. In my copy, you can see that the gap at the top is slightly larger than at the bottom. This is not fatal, but this is what distinguishes TOP brands from the rest. In general, there are small complaints about the build quality, for example, when you press on the plastic parts, you can hear a creak. This often happens when combining plastic and metal. For many, the same Redmi 3 squeaks quite strongly when squeezed. 
The camera protrudes a fraction of a millimeter on the body and without a cover, scratches may appear on the glass. To the left is a double LED flash, one diode shines in cold colors, the other in warm colors. The overall brightness is high, it can be used as a flashlight. A fingerprint scanner was placed under the camera. I like this placement more than the front one, I easily reach it with my index finger while holding the device in my right hand. Some people like more frontal placement, citing the fact that it is more convenient to unlock when the smartphone is lying on the table without taking it in hand. In my opinion, this is a matter of habit, but personally, I always use a smartphone, holding it in my hands. The accuracy of the scanner is not bad, but we have met better. For reading accuracy, I simply drive the same finger into the base 2-3 times, changing the angle when scanning. By doing this, I get a reading accuracy of 99%. Ie, unlocking happens almost always the first time! 
Volume and lock buttons on the right side. When tapped, they clink a little - this is the main complaint about the assembly. Although other owners have told me they are fine with it. 
Trays with SIM cards in the smartphone are separate. They were taken out to the left side. This solution allows you to replace a SIM card or memory card without being left without communication. They come out tight enough. One of the trays is combined and allows you to install either a SIM card or a memory card, since the built-in 32Gb is here, which is enough for most tasks. 
Headphones, standard - 3.5 inches, the connector was brought to the top edge. The sound was extremely surprising, in a good way. As for a device that does not have an amplifier and a dedicated audio chip, Apollo plays very powerfully. The music was evaluated on smartphone headphones - xiaomi pistons 2 and powerful Benwis H600. Was surprised. Powerful and clear sound, an abundance of low frequencies. This sound will satisfy the vast majority of listeners, with the exception of audiophiles. 
One of the main features of the smartphone is the support of the pump Express 3.0 fast charging technology., the smartphone is already equipped with such a charger. This latest technology developed by Mediatek, according to the manufacturer, is able to charge the device up to 70% in 30 minutes. At the same time, the battery capacity is not specified and, in fact, is just a nice marketing. We will consider the real work of the technology using the example of Vernee Apollo Lite, which was one of the first to support it. Essentially Pump Express 3.0 is the answer to qualcomm quick charge 3.0. And the answer came out more than worthy. Judging by the characteristics, the charge can occur 5V, 7V, 9V at a maximum current of 2A. And at a voltage of 12V, the maximum current will be 1.5A. 
I decided to check in detail the capabilities of this charging. For this, a tester with overvoltage support was used. I will say right away - I could not see the 12V voltage. Charging starts at 5V, quickly jumps to 7V and almost immediately to 9V. In this case, the maximum current is 1.55A - 1.8A. In this mode, charging continues almost to the very end. And even at the end, the voltage does not drop, only the current gradually decreases, to zero. 
The next thing I measured was the total charging time. Along the way, I monitored the temperature on the battery, because the smartphone heats up noticeably. I started charging at 1%, every 10 minutes I checked the state of charge and the temperature. When the screen is turned on, the charging goes into 5V mode, so there is a slight error. When the screen turns off, the charging quickly returns to 9V. After 10 minutes, the charge level was 11%. Another 10 minutes and the charge level is 27%. The battery temperature ranges from 44 to 47 degrees. 
Another 10 minutes of charging is 44%. That is, in half an hour, the smartphone can be charged almost half. We continue to measure. The next 10 minutes - 60%, another 10 minutes - 76%. It turns out that to charge the smartphone by 70%, you need to spend about 45 minutes. The temperature rises to 49 degrees. 
Final part. 10 minutes - 91%. In exactly one hour, the smartphone was charged from 1% to 91%. Further, the charging current begins to fall, and with it the temperature. 10 minutes - 99%. After another 5 minutes, the charge was 100% and the current dropped to 0. The last 10 percent of the smartphone is charged with a low current of 0.8A, 0.6A, 0.4A and so on to zero. 
What can be understood from this? First, Mediatek's announcement to charge a smartphone up to 70 percent in 30 minutes is a simple trick. Ie it is really possible to do this, but the volume of the battery should be about 1500 mAh. The bigger the battery, the longer it charges. Everything is logical. Second, I did not see the 12V charge mode. Although in terms of power, 9V and 2A will be the same with 12V and 1.5A. Third, the maximum current obtained at 9V does not exceed 1.8A. Either the charging is no longer able to issue, or the cable does not allow you to miss any more. Fourth - Despite the above, the technology is very cool and allows you to fully charge a smartphone with a 3180 mAh battery in just an hour and a half. Fifth, when charging, the battery does not heat up weakly, which of course will shorten its service life. As you know, for lithium, high temperatures are harmful. After a year of constant charging, the battery will lose its capacity.
What conclusion have I made for myself? Is Pump Express 3.0 evil? In no case. I just see this use case: If you put your smartphone on charge overnight, there is no point in using a fast charger. Any one with a voltage of 5V will do, anyway for the whole night. But if you need it urgently - quickly fill as much as possible, this is where the new technology will help. In literally 10 - 15 minutes, you can charge your smartphone to a level that allows you to use it as a dialer until the end of the day. Now about the capacity of the battery. With fast charging, the tester refused to adequately count the "flooded electricity". Therefore, I took a regular 5V charger from Aukey and completely discharged the smartphone, put it on charge when it was turned off. The maximum current was 1.23A, the smartphone refused to accept more, although the charger is designed for 2.5A. When charging was completed, the amount of current infused was 3490 mAh. Taking into account the losses during charging, we can say that the capacity corresponds to the declared 3180 mAh. And in the budget Thor with akb, the manufacturer also did not seem to deceive. 
Now let's move on from numbers to real use. Under very active loads, the smartphone is capable of working daylight hours. With moderate use, it can live for about 2 days. On the first firmware (from the store) there was an incomprehensible battery power. With cleared RAM and WiFi turned off, 12% - 15% of the charge went overnight. With the last update, something has changed and under the same conditions, the discharge is 2% - 3%. In games, the charge simply melts before our eyes, a fully charged smart in a powerful game sits down in 3 - 4 hours, depending on the brightness of the screen. In Antutu Battery Tester, at maximum brightness and sound volume, the smartphone lived for 3 hours and 43 minutes and scored 5702 points. 
In Geekbench 3, the battery scored 3845 points, the test lasted 6 hours and 24 minutes. The results are, let's say, average, but no one promised us a long-liver. Typical autonomy, the main thing is that it can withstand a day of active use. 
But back to the smartphone. Or rather, his screen. Having removed the shipping tape, I was surprised when I saw nothing under it. There was no film in the kit. However, after 2 weeks of daily use, not a single scratch appeared on the screen, because the screen is covered with corning gorilla glass 3. It copes with scratches perfectly, but you should not drop your smartphone, because even a gorilla glass is rather fragile and if unsuccessful coincidence of circumstances it can be broken, dropping even from a height of half a meter, which is confirmed by the first "lucky" on w3bsit3-dns.com. In addition to protective functions, an oleophobic coating is applied to the glass. Moreover, it is quite high quality, the finger glides perfectly on the surface, leaving almost no traces. And even if the screen is smeared, the grease is easily erased with a regular cloth, a couple of times to run the screen over the sweater or jeans and it is like new. The quality of the oleophobia is also confirmed by the "drop test", the water is collected in drops without leaving any traces on the screen. This is especially clearly seen in the video (will be at the end), where I roll these droplets on the glass. 
The quality of the display itself is also good. The picture looks juicy, the colors are natural. The detail is high, and it is almost impossible to see the pixels at Full HD resolution. The manufacturer's website says that the display is from SHARP - IGZO. Its competitive advantage is lower power consumption. But the image quality is more important to me, but there are no complaints here. Indoors, the picture is very colorful, on the street in direct sunlight it certainly fades, but everything is visible even with a direct hit of the rays on the screen. 
Viewing angles correspond to IPS, there is no color distortion. There are no broken, blown-out pixels. On a black background, the absence of glare is clearly visible, but the fact that they are not on one copy does not guarantee their absence on the other. 
Next, go to system operation and performance.
The smartphone is equipped with a "naked" android version 6.0 without additional applications. Normal stock. On the official forum, there has long been information that Vernee is developing its own special shell for a smartphone, the name of which is V-OS. But my opinion is that all these shells only "burden" the system, so I'm even happy with a clean version of Android. Although with any subsequent update, this may change. It would be nice if they left the choice. Updates, by the way, come regularly - there is still a lot to improve. In three weeks I have already installed two updates, the last of which was released quite recently - on August 29th. 
System interfaces work quickly - pop-up menus, flipping screens, opening applications and other basic tasks are performed quickly and smoothly. A clean system is not loaded with junk. Thanks to 4 GB of RAM, you can comfortably work in a browser with a large number of tabs, minimize resource-intensive applications. With simple operation, the smartphone does not heat up, the temperature on the processor is 43 - 48 degrees, on the battery around 40 degrees. The presence of sensors is impressive: accelerometer, proximity sensor, light sensor, gyroscope, orientation sensor, magnetic sensor, vector rotation sensor, linear acceleration sensor and gravity sensor. Further information from CPU-Z. 
The firmware is completely stable. For three weeks I have not found any bugs. There were no freezes or restarts. The connection is good. There is a problem with 4G on the operator - tele2, it supports the necessary frequencies, but the connection is often lost (infa from w3bsit3-dns.com). At the same MTS, everyone works fine. Apparently the operator has a problem. Of course, one of the main features is a powerful processor. The performance is very high. Soon smartphones can be connected to a monitor and used like computers. Seriously. 10 cores with huge processing power. Where is progress going? On the latest firmware in Antutu, the smartphone is gaining 86618 points. On earlier firmwares, the result was about 90,000 and I think they went for a small decrease on purpose, in order to avoid rapid overheating and throttling. Even with this result, Apollo Light looks impressive in the ranking, overtaking such smartphones as Xiaomi Mi Max, Iphone 6 and Samsung Galaxy Note 5. 
In Geekbench 3, the results are very impressive, especially in MultiCore mode, where the smartphone took the lead, leaving last year's flagship Samsung Galaxy S6 far behind. 
Performance allows you to run any game, the most demanding in terms of graphics and resources. After spending a whole day on game tests, I wondered what games are the most beautiful and graphics-heavy on Android? Asphalt 8, Real Racing 3, Modern Combat 5 - it's all clear, they launch and work perfectly. I was not impressed either by Mortal Combat X, X-Com and Dungeon Hunter. I wanted to find something newer and more powerful. Having studied the topic, I have selected 4 of the most powerful and beautiful games in my opinion. Perhaps someone will disagree with my list and will name a more beautiful and powerful game - I'll check it out with pleasure. So, the first game is a mega hit, previously exclusive for Ios - Infinity Blade Saga. Action with stunning graphics, storyline and multiplayer battles. Works without the slightest stress, the smartphone is barely warm. 
The second game is Godfire. Action RPG with excellent graphics, dynamic battles. A game in the style of Good of War. Normal operation of the game even during battles with several opponents. Graphics settings are maximum. The heating of the smartphone is quite noticeable, after half an hour of playing it is already hot. 
Next, the game Hellraid. A very atmospheric, creepy and incredibly beautiful adventure game. Full 3D first person view. It works perfectly, fps does not drop at all, everything is very smooth. For some reason, the smartphone heats up the most on this game. It is necessary to take breaks every 30-40 minutes, otherwise it is not comfortable to play. 
The latest game is a novelty, Assassin's Creed Identity. An adventure game with graphics like on a console. Here, too, no problems - everything works without friezes and brakes. 
You can watch the launch of the games in the video game test.
The overall performance of the device is undoubtedly influenced by the read and write speed of the internal storage and the speed of the RAM. 
WiFi supports dual-band 2.4GHz and 5GHz. Within the apartment, the reception level is high, then from left to right: in a room with a router, the next room has one wall, the far room has two walls. The maximum download speed is about 50 megabits in the room with the router and about 30 megabits in the back room. The router is the cheapest TP-Link with one antenna. 
GPS has recently moved from the Achilles heel to one of the strengths of the MTK. You can and should use Apollo Lite as a navigator! Cold start (no internet and WiFi) was 4 seconds! There was good cloudless weather outside, after 15 seconds the gps connection was already with 17 satellites, and in total the smartphone found 18 of them. 
Positioning accuracy - 5 meters. In reality, it's even better. I checked the quality of positioning and the stability of the connection by making a 30-minute walk around the area, recording a track. Then at home I looked at the result on the map. The whole path was quite accurate, on the houses and on the road - it did not throw, it showed exactly how I walked. The smartphone was in the bag during the test. 
Well, we have analyzed in detail all the functions of the smartphone, there is only one left - camera... Apollo Lite installed a camera with a Samsung S5K3P3 sensor in which Isocell technology was applied. The camera takes pictures at a maximum resolution of 16 megapixels. But in fact, the camera disappointed me a little. That is, it is not entirely awful, but still I expected more in a smartphone for $ 200. But in fact, she shoots no better than cameras that are installed on smartphones for $ 150. Perhaps the camera hasn't been tweaked yet in the firmware. In the latest update, for example, we improved the work in HDR mode. But so far I cannot call the pictures good. Of course, she takes pictures instantly, before I have time to touch the screen, as it is already saved in memory. Instant photo. But the number of blurry shots is also high, every 3 shots are not clear. Therefore, you have to do 2 - 3 frames at once, so as not to miss a beautiful moment. The following are examples of shots under different lighting conditions (): Morning, in the shade.
Liked the panorama. It is very easy to get a good picture. You can quickly guide the camera while shooting. Places of gluing and overlap are not visible. You can also view a 360-degree photo on your smartphone. On a computer - only a panorama.
In the evening, in low light, the pictures are just awful. Detail is lost, noise appears.
At night with the flash, the photo was not very pleasant. Incorrect synchronization is noticeable, due to which the photo comes out overexposed.
The overall impression of the camera is average. In good conditions, with normal lighting, the pictures are good, in the evening and in low light they are terrible. With the flash, not everything is smooth either. There is work to do. But the video was unexpectedly pleased. Although there are some nuances here - on the first firmware, there was a video recording mode in 4K resolution. In the next firmware, it was removed, limiting the FullHD quality. This is most likely due to overheating when recording long clips. They promised to return it after revision. But with the last update received a few days ago, it was not returned. The videos in FullHD are of high quality, here is a small example: When I was recording a test video, I witnessed the demonic essence of two kids :) At the beginning, at 20 seconds, I was amused by a boy who yelled as if a kid had ripped open his belly) And then the kid showed that he nevertheless, clearly with sadistic inclinations, when at 58 seconds he made a painful hold to a duck.
What are the alternatives in this price range with similar performance?
First of all, this is the recently released xiaomi redmi note 4. Xiaomi's advantages over Apollo Lite:
- Battery 4000 mAh, versus 3180 mAh at Apollo.
- A better-known brand that has won people's trust, a large community.
- More built-in memory - 64Gb versus 32Gb
Apollo Lite advantages over Xiaomi redmi note 4:
- Charging Pump Express 3.0
- More RAM (4Gb vs. 3GB)
- USB type C connector
- Camera 16 megapixels for Apollo Lite, versus 13 megapixels for Xiaomi. In xiaomi, by the way, the camera inherited from its predecessor, from which many, to put it mildly, are not happy.
The rest is parity: a fingerprint scanner, a metal cover, a high-quality display and a powerful Helio X20 processor - all this is in both smartphones. Stock Android or MIUI shell is a matter of taste, and there are fans here and there. The cost is also almost identical (I do not consider the younger version of redmi note 4 due to the small amount of built-in and RAM - 2GB \ 16G). Summing up, I can say that Vernee has released a decent device. The pluses include: Powerful processor, high performance, high-quality screen, dual-band WiFi, GPS module operation, pump Express 3.0 fast charging support, modern USB C interface, normal operation of the fingerprint scanner. Among the shortcomings, I can single out: dangling volume buttons (in my copy) and a mediocre camera.
The Vernee Aplollo Lite smartphone can be purchased in the store for $ 199. I recommend using and returning to your account with each purchase up to 10% of its cost for any purchases in China.
Vernee is a young brand that has existed for no more than a year, but has already managed to present several very successful devices. One of them is the state-owned Thor, which received weak characteristics, but also a low price, and the second is Apollo, which acts as a flagship and is designed to compete with the products of A-brands. Although in reality it only surpasses them in terms of price, which does not exceed $ 200. The Vernee Apollo review showed that the smartphone is really not bad if we consider it exclusively in its price category - an amazing QHD display, a Helio X25 10-core processor, optimal memory and average battery.
Specifications Vernee Apollo Lite:
- Processor: 10-core Helio X20 (MTK6797) with a maximum clock frequency of 2.3 Ghz cores
- Graphics: 4-core Mali-T880, 780MHz
- RAM: 4GB
- Built-in memory: 32GB, expandable up to 128GB
- Screen: - 5.5 inches, IPS, 1920 x 1080, SHARP IGZO - Protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3. - Oleophobic coating.
- Camera: - Main: 16 megapixels, F / 2.0, RGBW light-sensor technology, PDAF. The ability to record video in 4K resolution (30 frames per second) and Full HD at 60 frames per second. - Front: 5 megapixels.
- Networks: 2G: Gsm 850/900/1800 / 1900MHz 3G: Wcdma 900 / 2100MHz 4G: Fdd-lte 800/1800/2100 / 2600MHz
- Available slots: 1 micro SIM + 1 nano SIM / TFcard
- Additional features: - Usb type C, - Fast charging PUMP EXPRESS 3.0 - Fingerprint scanner, - Dual band WiFi
- Battery: 3180mAh
- Operating system: Android 6.0
- Size: 152 x 76.2 x 9.2mm
- Weight: 175 g
Equipment
The Vernee Apollo Lite smartphone is sold in a neat black package, inside of which is only everything you need: an AC adapter and a USB-C cable, which do not contain any information regarding the manufacturer. They are also included in most other Chinese devices. There is also documentation and a protective film already glued to the screen.
In keeping with the tradition of Vernee Apollo x 25, we start our review with its appearance. You can buy the device in one of two color options - white or black. The colors are classic, although black has an inconspicuous purple tint.
The back and mechanical keys are made of metal, and to improve the quality of the connection, small plastic inserts are placed on the ends. Several minor scratches remained on the back during testing, so the case is highly recommended. It will also eliminate another problem - there are small joints between the plastic inserts and the metal, into which dust gets clogged.
The main camera sticks out strongly beyond the body and this despite the fact that it already has a considerable thickness of 9.2 mm. Okay, if the glass was at least recessed relative to the protective rim, but no, it sticks out, which means it will be very easy to damage it without a bumper.
The left side is occupied by a tray for micro + nanoSIM or microSIM + microSD. I would like to see a separate slot for a memory card, but this is not such a significant drawback, because 64 GB of internal memory will be enough for most users.
On the right, we installed a power button and a volume rocker. They work well, but they are backlash.
The central space on the bottom edge is occupied by the USB-C port, on the sides of which two slots are symmetrically located - for the main microphone and speaker.
The fingerprint scanner is located at the back, it works well only if you enter the same fingerprint into the base in several slots. There are 5 of them in total. On average, we have 8 successful responses out of 10 - a result typical for cheap devices.
Vernee Apollo helio x 25 review informs that the front panel is covered by Gorilla Glass 3 with a slight curvature at the edges. After several months of use, you should expect the appearance of small scratches on it, and this is provided with careful use. In this regard, for greater reliability, it is better to stick on a protective glass from the first days. What is pleasantly surprising is the presence of an oleophobic coating, which is of sufficient quality here.
The speaker grill is slightly recessed against the glass, which is why it gets clogged with dust as you use it and needs to be cleaned regularly. To the left of it there is an LED event indicator, a front camera and a familiar set of sensors.
Smartphone Vernee Apollo Lite endowed with soft navigation keys, so that the space under the display is simply empty.
The build quality can be given a four, taking off the point for the backlash of the mechanical keys and the unsuccessful design of the main camera.
Display
Vernee Apollo Lite review goes to the characteristics of the screen, which the manufacturer has focused on. We are offered a gorgeous IPS-matrix with QHD resolution (2560 x 1440 pixels), which with a diagonal of 5.5 inches gives a phenomenal 534 ppi. But the increased resolution cannot be called a huge advantage, because the difference with FullHD will be invisible to the average user, but performance and autonomy will suffer. The higher the screen resolution, the more processor resources are required to process tasks.
Of course, with such characteristics, it will be impossible to see individual pixels. The brightness reserve is also pleasantly impressive - it is comfortable to use even in bright sun. The viewing angles are close to ideal - the picture only fades a little at extreme tilt. If for one reason or another you are not satisfied with the factory calibration, then using the MiraVision software you can set your own settings. The Vernee Apollo Lite display is highly responsive and supports up to 5 simultaneous touches. In general, the impressions from the screen are wonderful, only the large frames around its perimeter strain. The bottom frame could be removed altogether, because there are no functional elements on it, and the side margins are very striking.
Performance Vernee Apollo Lite
Vernee Apollo Lite specifications are based on one of the most famous MediaTek Helio X25 processors, built on 10 cores. Of these, 4 are limited in frequency to 1.4 GHz, the same amount is up to 2 GHz and 2 more cores are up to 2.5 GHz. This, combined with the GPU Mali-T880 GPU, allows you to count on decent performance for your day to day tasks. But in games, not everything is so smooth. The picture is spoiled by the high resolution, in connection with which games such as Nova 3 or Asphalt 8 run only on a minimum of graphics. They also did not skimp on the RAM - 4 GB in combination with 64 GB of built-in memory. This is the standard for modern flagships, although recently it is increasingly found in devices of the middle price category. The throughput of the RAM - 6 Gb / s - is a good result, but it is far from the flagships. The same applies to the speed of reading information from the built-in storage - 174 MB / s, the write speed reaches 137 MB / s.
Results of synthetic tests Vernee Apollo Lite
Throttling practically does not appear - for half an hour of the game, the smartphone warmed up only to 38 degrees. This is normal for its iron and body materials. If performance is important to you, then at the same price you can pay attention to Xiaomi Mi A1 or LeEco Le Max 2, the heart of which is the Snapdragon 820 processor.
Wireless communications
Vernee Apollo 2 Review The review showed that the smartphone supports dual-band Wi-Fi, 4th generation Bluetooth, GPS, as well as GLONASS. The connection to satellites is fast, there are no problems with positioning and signal stability. A digital compass helps to navigate the terrain. Vernee Apollo Lite copes well with dialer functions: the spoken speaker is loud and transmits the interlocutor's voice without distortion. Both cards can work in 3G and 4G networks, so there are no problems when using them. The interlocutor hears you well, but we did not find an additional noise-canceling microphone on the body.
The external speaker sounds quiet, it lacks low frequencies and at least some sense of volume. In headphones, it sounds at a level with price competitors - there is enough volume reserve, there are no noises that interfere with listening. There is an FM radio that only works when a headset is connected.
Autonomy
Vernee Apollo 4 g lte review informs that the capacity of the built-in battery is 3180 mAh. You can count on one day of autonomous use, if you do not load it with resource-intensive tasks. According to the manufacturer's assurances, the autonomy is enough for 3-4 hours of display activity. The result is not very good, even in this price category you can find better offers. The main problem is that 3180 mAh is clearly not enough for a gluttonous processor and a QHD display resolution.
In real testing, the autonomy turned out to be an order of magnitude worse - it has to be charged every 10-12 hours with a couple of hours of screen activity. Another problem that we identified while reviewing Vernee Apollo Lite is that when installing some applications, the smartphone stops going to sleep when the screen is locked. It was not possible to figure out the reasons for what was happening even with ROOT access. We can only hope that the situation will be corrected in the next updates.
Supports fast charging technology MediaTek PE +, which works when using the included charger with parameters of 2 A at 5.7, or 9 W, as well as 1.5 A at 12 W. A full charge takes about 70 minutes. If you use a smartphone at the same time, then it heats up to 45 degrees.
Vernee Apollo Lite Cameras
Vernee Apollo's review and camera specifications are not particularly impressive. The smartphone uses a module from Samsung - a 5 megapixel front camera and a 16 megapixel main camera with f / 2.2 aperture. If in the daytime you can still get more or less bearable pictures, then at night and in low artificial lighting you can forget about the camera. All objects in the frame are hidden behind the noise.
Focusing is not always accurate - there is a lot of blur at the edges of most shots.
The front-end is a little better than the main module, but you shouldn't pin any special hopes on it. A good picture can only be obtained in bright daylight.
Conclusion
Vernee Apollo Lite turned out to be a very controversial device, the advantages of which include a screen, performance when performing everyday tasks, a fingerprint scanner and fast charging. It has no less drawbacks - not the most successful design (in particular, the protruding front-camera lens, which is very easy to damage), damp firmware, problems with autonomy and performance in games, disgusting cameras and a quiet main speaker. The Vernee Apollo Lite is on sale for about $ 200. For this money, you can find a better device based on the Snapdragon 820 processor, which will be better in every way.
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This Vernee Apollo Lite smartphone is no longer a novelty, but not an old man either. At the start of sales, it cost about $ 200, now you can take it much cheaper, which I actually did. And what is most interesting, it was on the Russian version of the store that the price was 130 green, on the English version it was $ 149. True, the offer was only for the black version of the smartphone.
It is a pity that there were not enough points accumulated, it cost $ 121
Vernee Apollo Lite Specifications
The Apollo Lite comes in the same matte black box as the Vernee Apollo X. The box is standard.
USB Type-C cable
- paper clip for removing trays
- charging from 5V to 12V
- instruction
In my case, the smartphone is in a dark color, more precisely in dark purple. At the time of ordering, the silver ones cost 20 bucks more. The body, except for the two upper inserts, is made of aluminum alloy, pleasant to the touch, does not collect fingerprints especially. In terms of body materials and design, there are no complaints at all, it looks stylish and modern.
On the back is the main camera, which protrudes slightly from the body, and a fingerprint scanner.
The front surface of the smartphone is occupied by 2.5D glass with Gorilla Glass 3. There is also a speaker, a front camera, a sensor and an event indicator. The indicator itself is not very bright, multicolored and not configurable in any way, at least by standard system tools.
The bottom of the screen can be called empty, since the touch buttons were not delivered to this smartphone, the buttons on the screen on the display, which in terms of convenience is quite a controversial point. The buttons are customizable, optionally hidden. So you can bring to the bottom of the screen an additional button for the notification curtain and quick access, so as not to stretch to the top of the screen.
On the right side of the smartphone are the power and volume buttons
On the left side there are two trays for a SIM card or a SIM card and a USB flash drive.
The bottom edge has a USB Type-C connector, there are also holes for the speaker, there is only one speaker, on the right side of the hole is purely for symmetry. USB Type-C gives us increased file transfer speeds and fast charging capabilities.
Above is an audio jack.
The length of the smartphone is 151 mm, the width is 76 mm, the body is 8.5 mm and the weight is 175 g. The smartphone cannot be called easy, but it does not cause any discomfort when using it, it is just superbly in the hand, like a native. But it's in the palm of my hand, maybe someone's smartphone will cause different sensations.
Vernee Apollo Lite Display
Equipped with an excellent FullHD IGZO display from Sharp with OGS, 5-touch multi-touch. These displays boast good bright images and low power consumption. Oleophobic coating is present. Excellent readability in the sun.
To say that the screen somehow surprised me, I cannot say, I did not notice any difference from IPS
Performance Vernee Apollo Lite
Apollo Lite today still has the current 10-core 2.3 GHz percent Helio X20 Mediatek. The graphics accelerator Mali T880 and even by today's standards, just a solid supply of RAM - 4 GB. The user memory is installed 32 GB, we only have 25 GB.
An hour of racing, the flight is normal. The smartphone is slightly warm. but that's pretty normal.
But common sense says it's better to have a well-optimized and refined Android 6.0 than to chase all the updates.
Pure Android, there are only the most necessary applications:
Instead of the typical touch-sensitive keys in smartphones, Vernee uses on-screen buttons that eat up part of the screen, but they are customizable and can be hidden.
Supported frequencies 2G, 3G and 4G (LTE): 2G: GSM B2 / 3/5/8 3G: WCDMA B1 / 8 4G: FDD-LTE B1 / 3/7/8/20/40
You can uncheck the boxes that are not used in your region, if you know which ones, of course, you can check with your operator.
The first start of gps was quite long, probably, the smartphone worked for three minutes until it caught the satellites stably.
WiFi operates in two bands - 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz. Within the apartment - the level of reception is excellent, I did not go further :)
Vernee Apollo Lite Camera
The main module of the Samsung camera, model S5K3P3: CMOS ISOCELL, 16 MP, pixel size 1 micron, optics of six lenses, Blue Light filter, phase focusing, aperture f = 2.2. Autofocus is fast. Dual LED flash. It takes pictures well, but nothing more, during the day all the pictures are detailed, with rich colors. Well, at night, everything becomes as usual with smartphones, shoots shitty.
The front camera is 5 MP, the photos are good, colorful, without sudden jumps in exposure.
A standard Android application for working with the camera is used, if you wish, you can install another one at your discretion.
Apollo Lite video shoots in Ultra HD (4K) 30fps, which is pretty good for a smartphone.
Sample photos from the Apollo Lite camera
Well, if from personal observations, then in about 2 hours the smartphone was fully charged, which is also a pretty good result. The charge is quite enough for a day of intensive use, personally I have a habit of putting it on charge before going to bed, so I am not in danger of a discharged Akum.
The PC Mark showed the following results in the battery test - 7h 40min.
Let's sum up the smartphone
The metal body and excellent assembly and stylish appearance are good news. A good amount of RAM and a fairly powerful percentage, and of course fast charging - these are undoubtedly the advantages of Apollo Lite. Cons can be looked for, they are, but not so significant. Although for this money, you can even take the Xiaomi Redmi Note 4X a little cheaper, where the battery will certainly be better.
Vernee - a company with a six-month history, which during this time managed to bring two smartphones to the market. The first was the state employee Thor, with rather modest characteristics and a low price, and the second was Apollo Lite, which is positioned in advertising materials as a competitor to the expensive ... Such a juxtaposition, of course, causes only a slight smile, but since it comes to that, let's figure out what the Vernee Apollo Lite offers us for its $ 200.
Contents of delivery
The smartphone comes in a neat black box with a basic set of accessories. The display is pre-glued with a protective film.
The cable and power supply are not branded, similar accessories can be found in many smartphones from other Chinese brands.
Design, usability and fingerprint reader
Vernee Apollo Lite is available in two colors: white (" clean " aluminum) and black (anodized with a subtle purple tint). The back cover and control keys are made of metal, and plastic inserts at the ends are provided for the smooth passage of the wireless signal.
For 2 weeks of relatively careful operation, several barely noticeable dots have formed on the back cover, exposing the metal. Also be prepared to periodically clean the joints between the plastic plugs and the main metal part, as dust gets clogged there.
The glass covering the main camera protrudes beyond the body (and this is when the thickness of the smartphone is 9.2 mm!) And is NOT recessed relative to the protective rim. In other words, a protective case is strictly prescribed for this smartphone, since the author's copy, due to the constant contact of the protective glass of the camera with hard flat surfaces, acquired several very deep scratches in the immediate vicinity of the lens (the photos were taken during the unpacking process, therefore they do not reflect the current state ).
On the right side of Apollo Lite there are: a tray for a micro SIM and a combined slot for a memory card or nanoSIM. The lack of a separate slot for microSD, taking into account the dimensions of the smartphone, should be attributed to the disadvantages.
The keys on the left side are slightly loose in their niches, but there are no complaints about the tactile response.
The USB Type-C port is located at the bottom. Don't be fooled by the identical grilles on the sides of the connector, because there is only one multimedia speaker in the smartphone (on the left), and a microphone is hidden under the other galaxy of holes.
The fingerprint scanner on the back of the smartphone works stably when one finger is entered into several memory slots, of which 5 are available. Successful recognition occurs in 8 out of 10 cases, the response speed is at the level of budget employees from Xiaomi (Redmi 3 Pro, Note 3).
The front panel, according to the manufacturer, is covered with a third generation Gorilla Glass. The surface has a slight curvature at the edges and is positioned as 2.5D. Like any other protective coating, glass on Vernee Apollo Lite, after several weeks of operation without additional protection, becomes covered with microscratches, which can be detected in the reflection of a bright light source. The presence of a solid oleophobic coating turned out to be a pleasant surprise.
The earpiece speaker and the grille covering it are recessed relative to the glass. During operation, dust gets clogged into the hole formed and it will need to be cleaned periodically. To the left of the speaker: RGB indicator LED, front camera and proximity / light sensors. There are no dedicated touch keys under the smartphone display, so you'll have to be content with on-screen ones.
In general, the smartphone's build quality is good, but some constructive solutions (protruding glass of the main camera, earpiece in the recess, the gap between the plastic inserts on the back side) leave much to be desired.
Display
Apollo Lite has a high-quality IPS matrix with good viewing angles and color reproduction. The measured contrast is 1 in 711 and the dimmable range is 17 to 437 cd / m². The minimum threshold may seem excessively bright when interacting with a smartphone in the dark, but the upper value will be enough for using the device outdoors even on a bright sunny day.
By default, the color temperature of the display is somewhat overestimated, but in smartphones on Mediatek this parameter (like many others) can always be corrected thanks to MiraVision technology. To do this, go to Settings - Screen - MiraVision and swipe from the left side of the display to call the parameters menu.
Automatic brightness control in a smartphone does its job well. However, for a couple of years now, the displays in the devices are more expensive than $ 100 and there are no complaints from the Celestial Empire.
Hardware platform
The hardware platform is MT6797 (Helio X20) from MediaTek. The system-on-a-chip has 10 cores in three clusters (4 + 4 + 2), which operate on big.LITTLE technology. In fact, the previous generation chip (Helio X10) with 8 Cortex-A53 cores (up to 2 GHz) was endowed with two high-performance Cortex-A72 cores (up to 2.3 GHz), and the maximum frequency of the Cortex-A53 cores was lowered to 1.4 GHz in order to save energy. The frequencies indicated correspond to the chip installed in the Vernee Apollo Lite and may vary in other smartphones.
Despite all the theoretical power of this solution, in practice Helio X20 is still competing with last year's flagship SoC from Qualcomm, and in terms of the graphics accelerator it hardly reaches the level of Snapdragon 801 (Adreno 330), released in 2014. And if when working with the basic software there are no complaints about the chip, then in games the Mali-T880 MP4 barely copes with the average graphics settings. In the famous WoT: Blitz, full-fledged 60 frames per second can be obtained only at low settings, which indicates poor optimization of resource-intensive applications for GPU Mali.
In addition, it was not withoutproblems with the scheduler (operates on clusters and activates cores according to load), which sends single-threaded load execution to slow Cortex-A53 cores, instead of using a performance cluster based on two Cortex-A72 cores. This flaw is especially evident in the Google Octane browser test.
But with throttling, surprisingly, everything is fine. The drop in performance under prolonged load barely reaches 10 percent, while in Xiaomi smartphones on a similar platform (Redmi Note 4 and Note Pro), throttling is much more significant (up to 40%). The temperature of the back cover when performing resource-intensive tasks does not exceed 40-42 degrees Celsius.
Working with RAM, like most other Chinese smartphones, leaves much to be desired. Despite a whopping 4 GB of RAM, resource-intensive applications are unloaded from memory when minimized. But what is really there - even the tabs in the browser are reloaded. And use more than 2.5 GB"RAM" for the entire period of operation of the smartphone, I did not succeed.
Of the 32 GB of internal memory, about 25 are allocated for the needs of the user, but by donating nanoSIM it can be expanded via microSD cards up to 128 gigabytes.
Communication and multimedia
Apollo Lite is equipped with Bluetooth 4.0 modules, dual-band Wi-Fi a / b / g / n / ac (2.4 / 5 GHz) and GPS / GLONNAS. With active A-GPS, satellites are found quickly enough, there are no complaints about positioning accuracy and signal stability. To simplify orientation in space, there is a digital compass.
From the point of view of telephone functionality, the smartphone works well: the earpiece is loud and of high quality, the vibration signal is felt in the pockets of the trousers, both the first and the second SIM can work in the 3G / 4G network. The quality of speech transmission does not raise any questions, although I could not find a second microphone on the body (usually used for noise cancellation).
The multimedia speaker is quiet, and the sound from it is completely devoid of low frequencies and any volume. The quality of music playback in headphones is comparable to other smartphones - the volume is sufficient, there is no extraneous noise. FM radio only works with connected headphones, which act as an antenna.
Autonomy
The smartphone received a built-in battery with a capacity of 3180 mAh and, judging by the results of synthetic tests, it should demonstrate standard 3-4 hours of screen activity in a fairly intensive mode of use.
In fact, Apollo Lite had to be charged every 12-13 hours, and the screen activity time barely reached two. The fact is that after installing the necessary set of software that the author uses with all Android smartphones, without exception, Apollo Lite has lost the ability to go to sleep when the screen is off. Unfortunately, it was not possible to identify the reason for this behavior even after obtaining root access rights and installing the necessary monitoring programs. The problem is not massive, but on the forums there are people who have already sold their smartphone because of the similar behavior thereof.
For fast charging, MediaTek PE + technology is used, and a corresponding power supply is found in the delivery kit capable of providing the device with a current of 2 Amperes at 5/7/9 Volts and 1.5 A at 12 V. From 0 to 100 percent, the smartphone gains a charge in 65-70 minutes , while the temperature of the case over the entire surface reaches 45° C.
Software
Apollo Lite software platform is based on Android 6.0 OS. So-called" clean " Android we can see, for example, in smartphones of the Nexus line from Google, while in many Chinese devices we see the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
This is a set of sources from which anyone with sufficient knowledge can assemble a full-fledged firmware. The quality of the final software depends on the sufficient knowledge of this person (or team). It seems to me that this is one of the least expensive processes for Chinese smartphone manufacturers.
When you turn it on for the first time or after a factory reset, Apollo Lite does not offer to perform the initial setup, where starting from the sixth version of Android you can install applications from a backup from a previous smartphone. Time and date, security settings - all this must subsequently be searched for in the settings yourself.
There are minor flaws everywhere in the system, such as the inability to set the display of the remaining battery charge as a percentage, and some applications breathe the spirit of Android Ice Cream Sandwich.
Fortunately, the manufacturer took care of the implementation of OTA updates and in 2 weeks of operation the smartphone has already been updated twice. The fixes are minor, but no less pleasant.
If they continue in the same spirit, then all bugs will be eradicated in a couple of months, but I would not have any special hopes about this. Localization is good" out of the box " , no additional manipulations are required.
Cameras
In Apollo Lite, Vernee has used Samsung's photo sensors. The front camera uses S5K5E8 by 5 MP, and for the main one - S5K3P3 by 16 MP. The f / number of the main camera is f / 2.2.
During the day, the smartphone takes pictures of bearable quality, but in the evening or in low artificial light, it is better not to take the smartphone out of your pocket. Digital noise in the photo"Eat" all possible details.
Minuses: constructive nuances; performance in resource-intensive applications; problems with autonomy and software optimization; the quality of pictures from the main camera; quiet multimedia speaker.
Conclusion: in Chinese online stores, the price of Vernee Apollo Lite fluctuates around $ 200-230. Taking into account all the advantages and disadvantages, it is difficult to call such a price justified. If you have looked closely at this smartphone and are familiar with the specifics of purchases in China, then it would be much more expedient to spend these $ 200 on solutions from brands verified by many users, be it Xiaomi, Meizu or the growing LeEco. And if you think about increasing the budget by at least $ 50-60, then ZUK Z2, LeEco Le Max2 and Xiaomi Mi5 on the flagship Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip just burst into the circle of contenders.
Specifications
| Built-in memory, GB | 32 |
| Expansion slot | microSD / SDHC (up to 128GB) |
| SIM card type | Micro-SIM + Nano-SIM |
| Number of SIM-cards | 2 (or 1 SIM card + memory card) |
| CPU | MediaTek Helio X20 |
| Number of Cores | 10 |
| Frequency, GHz | 2 |
| Accumulator battery | 3180 mAh (non-removable) |
| Opening hours (manufacturer's data) | there is no data |
| Diagonal, inches | 5.5 |
| Permission | 1920x1080 |
| Matrix type | IPS |
| PPI | 401 |
| Brightness adjustment sensor | + |
| Other | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, 2.5D glass |
| Main camera, MP | 16 (f / 2.0) |
| Filming | + |
| Flash | + |
| Front camera, MP | 5 |
| High speed data transfer | GSM, GPRS, EDGE, HSPA. LTE |
| Wi-Fi | 802.11 b / g / n |
| Bluetooth | 4.0 |
| Gps | + |
| IrDA | - |
| FM radio | - |
| Audio jack | + |
| NFC | - |
| Interface connector | USB 2.0, Type-C |
| Dimensions, mm | 152x76.2x9.2 |
| Weight, g | 175 |
| Dust and moisture protection | - |
| Type of shell | monoblock (non-separable) |
| Body material | metal |
| Keyboard type | screen input |
- Class: Smartphone
- Body materials: metal and Gorilla Glass 3
- Operating system: Google Android 6.0
- Network: 2G / 3G / 4G, two sim cards
- Processor: 10 cores, MediaTek Helio X20 (MT6797)
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage memory: 32 GB
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi (b / g / n), Bluetooth 4.0, USB Type-C (USB 2.0) for charge / synchronization, 3.5 mm for headset
- Screen: capacitive, IPS 5.5 "" with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Camera: 16 MP with autofocus + 5 MP, flash
- Navigation: GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou
- Optional: proximity and lighting sensors, fingerprint scanner
- Battery: non-removable Li-Ion 3180 mAh
- Dimensions: 152 x 76.2 x 9.2 mm
- Weight: 175g
Contents of delivery
- Smartphone
- USB Type-C cable
- Network adapter
- SIM card tray extractor
Introduction
Some time ago on our resource there was a material about the Thor device from Vernee. The device turned out to be inexpensive, but its technical characteristics were quite good.
The company did not stop at the "Thor" and launched a smartphone called Apollo Lite on sale (it is logical to assume that there is also a regular version of Apollo). The gadget received the maximum possible hardware for its money, as well as a durable metal case.
So what is so interesting about the device from Vernee? The first thing worth noting and impossible not to notice is the processor with ten cores on board! The second is 4 gigabytes of RAM and 32 gigabytes of internal memory. The third is a sufficiently capacious battery and the Pump Express Plus 3.0 fast charging function. The rest of the things are not so important, but interesting: FullHD IPS Sharp matrix, Samsung cameras, video shooting in 4K, a fingerprint scanner and a connector that is gaining popularity - USB Type-C.
At the moment, the price of Apollo Lite is about $ 230, some online stores offer a $ 30 discount. As a result, we get a powerful, durable and technically sophisticated smartphone for less than 15,000 rubles.
Design, dimensions, controls
The Vernee Apollo Lite smartphone resembles several devices at the same time: it has something from HTC, something from OnePlus, something from Xiaomi. The shape is rectangular, the upper and lower ends are slightly curved, the side edges are even, the corners are slightly smoothed. The glass on the front panel has a sloping shape (2.5D) at the edges. The back side smoothly passes along an arc to the side faces.
Dimensions are not the most compact for a 5.5-inch smartphone - 152 x 76.2 x 9.2 mm, and Apollo Lite also weighs a lot - 175 grams. It fits perfectly in the hand, it is convenient to use the device, all the elements are located in their places, the case is designed really well.
From the point of view of design ergonomics, there are no questions.
As I said, the front panel is protected by Corning glass (third generation Gorilla Glass). It is durable, during testing it did not "plant" a single scratch. In general, it seems that the new Corning glasses are worse than the old ones. For example, the fourth and fifth generations are damaged faster than the second and third. There is an oleophobic coating, it is of high quality, prints are almost invisible, easily removed. The finger glides over the surface without much effort.
The back cover is made of metal, and there are two plastic inserts in the color of the case on the top and bottom on the back side. Speaking of color, there are two of them: silver with a white front (Moonlight Silver) and dark purple with a black front (Space Gray). Edges about 1 mm thick are sanded at an angle of 30 degrees.
For Vernee Apollo Lite, a case with a window is available on the company's website.
In general, the gadget looks very good, I would say, expensive and of high quality, it is felt that the developers are not eating their bread in vain.
At the top center on the front panel are the missed messages indicator, light / proximity sensors, a camera and a speaker. The speaker is loud, sounds clear and bassist, the interlocutor is heard legibly and clearly. A rare case of a Chinese device with an excellent speech speaker in my practice.
At the bottom there is a microphone (on the left under the six holes), USB Type-C and a speakerphone. The 3.5mm jack is on the top.
On the left there are two trays: the upper one for a microSD or nanoSIM memory card, the lower one only for a micro SIM card.
On the right is the power button and volume rocker. Easy to handle, but loose in the grooves. Made of metal and painted in the color of the case.
On the back side there is a camera lens that rises 1 mm above the body, a dual flash and a fingerprint sensor. The latter functions relatively adequately, and it has happened even worse.
Vernee and Meizu MX6
Vernee and Huawei P9 Plus
Display
This device uses a 5.5-inch screen. The physical size is 68x121 mm, the frame at the top is 15 mm, at the bottom - 16 mm, on the right and left - about 4 mm each. There is an anti-reflective coating, which is quite effective.
Vernee's Apollo Lite display resolution is FullHD, that is, 1080x1280 pixels, aspect ratio - 16: 9, density - 400 ppi. Sharp IPS matrix without air gap. The touch layer fulfills up to five simultaneous touches, the sensitivity is excellent.
The maximum white brightness is 382 cd / m2 (officially 450), the maximum black brightness is 0.62 cd / m2, the contrast ratio is 615: 1 (officially 1000: 1). You see how important it is to know the real brightness readings, the manufacturer lied with the data.
The brightness graph is within normal limits, the gamma is excellent - around 2.15, judging by the color levels, there is a predominance of blue, the temperature is from 9300 K to 8300 K. The obtained data does not exceed the value of the sRGB triangle. This suggests that the colors will be desaturated, especially in the green area.
Despite the fact that the company proudly announces the presence of a Sharp IGZO matrix with steep parameters (judging by the data on the official web page), in reality the screen has a weak backlight, low contrast, and not the best color reproduction.
Viewing angles
Flare
White color
In the sun
Battery
This model uses a non-removable lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery with a capacity of 3180 mAh.
In my mode of operation, the gadget functioned for 1.5 days: an hour of calls, constant synchronization with Wi-Fi (every day from 9.00 to 01.00, Twitter, mail, Skype, Whatsapp), 4-6 hours of LTE. The screen glow in this mode is 3.5-4 hours.
With games, the situation is a little worse: the battery runs out after 3-4 hours of continuous "battle". The video device "spins" for about 9 hours (HD).
In the kit you will find a 5V / 7V / 9V - 2A, 12V - 1.5A power adapter. Supported by MediaTek Pump Express 3.0 technology. With the help of MPE, the battery is charged up to 50% in 30 minutes.
Communication capabilities
The device works not only in 2G / 3G networks, but also 4G CAT 6 (!):
- 2G: GSM 900/1900/2100 MHz
- 3G: WCDMA 900/2100 MHz
- 4G: FDD-LTE 800/1800/2100/2600 MHz
In the settings, you can select the Turbo mode, in which not only the 4G network will be used for downloading "heavy" files, but also Wi-Fi at the same time.
There is Wi-Fi standard b / g / n (2.4 GHz / 5 GHz), Bluetooth version 4.0, OTG. The device supports GPS, GLONASS and BeiDou.
Memory and memory card
The Vernee Apollo Lite smartphone is equipped with 4GB of RAM (LPDDR3) and 32GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage (157MB / s read speed, 77MB / s write speed). Supports memory cards up to 128 GB.
Cameras
The main camera module is made by Samsung, model S5K3P3: CMOS ISOCELL, 16 MP, pixel size 1 micron, optics of six lenses, Blue Light filter, phase focusing, aperture f = 2.2. In addition, the ImagiQ image signal processor is used. However, this ISP is required for a dual camera.
Despite the fancy description of the chip, Apollo Lite photographs well, but nothing more: during the day, all images are detailed, with rich colors, and pretty bokeh. Focusing is fast and accurate. The dynamic range is medium. As soon as the lighting level decreases, “at midnight the carriage turns into a pumpkin”: the picture becomes cloudy, noises, artifacts appear, and so on. In room lighting, the white balance is correct, but the photo becomes blurry, as if instead of 16 MP, at best, they put 5 MP.
Front camera wide-angle, aperture f = 2.2. Photos are good, colorful, without sudden jumps in exposure. Video shoots in HD resolution at 30 fps.
One of the chips of the device can be considered video shooting in 4K format 30 frames per second. The picture is sharp, the white balance often jumps, the exposure is not smooth. The unit focuses quickly. The sound is clear. Recording format 3GP, H.265 codec, bit rate 43 Mbps. When the light level is lowered, the image becomes cloudy, noise appears, and the number of frames decreases from 30 to 15.
What's the bottom line? And in the end, everything is as always: the manufacturer indicated many different parameters, from which there is practically no sense. The camera module may be not bad, but no one was going to write software for it.
Sample photos
Performance and software platform
The device is built on a new 64-bit 10-core chipset from the Taiwanese company MediaTek - Xelio X20 (MT6797). Processor two Cortex-A72 (2.3 GHz) + four Cortex-A53 (1.85 GHz) + four Cortex-A53 (1.4 GHz), 20 nm process technology. ARM Mali-T880 is used as graphics.
The device flies. That's all I wanted to say. But seriously, any games run at maximum graphics settings, the gadget does not "lag" and does not slow down. On early firmwares, the metal case was very hot under the processor load. After several updates, the problem went away. Now the body is just warm.
