The Oukitel C50 is much extra spectacular than a $200 has a proper to be.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
What is the deal?
Outkitel is at the moment promoting the C50 for under $169, a $100 low cost from the retail value, throughout Labor Day weekend.
ZDNET’s key takeaways
- The Oukitel C50 is accessible for buy now, with specs that make it nicely price its $200 price ticket.
- With greater than sufficient horsepower, this $200 Android cellphone performs like a tool twice its value.
- The shortage of an App Drawer (by default) was off-putting, however that may be overcome with a configuration change or a third-party house display screen launcher (equivalent to Nova Launcher).
I have been reviewing Android telephones for a very long time. One factor that has struck me these days is the standard of cheap telephones. After I first began reviewing Android gadgets, each time I acquired an affordable cellphone, I knew precisely what to anticipate: underpowered, manufactured from low cost supplies, and specs barely able to working the OS.
Over the previous few years, nevertheless, $200 Android telephones have progressed to the purpose the place they don’t seem to be solely viable alternate options however usually fairly good. No, they will not beat the likes of the Google Pixel or the newest Samsung Galaxy, however for anybody trying to purchase a cell phone on a funds, these gadgets are not the underside of the barrel.
Additionally: I am a diehard Pixel consumer, however I am contemplating switching for two causes (and I am not alone)
Such is the case with the Oukitel C50. The Oukitel model has actually impressed me these days, and this cellphone is not any exception. Even the digicam can barely be faulted (extra on that in a bit). Certain, there are variations that set the flagship telephones aside from the C50, however when you’ll be able to’t afford the premium value, these variations are simply put aside.
Earlier than I get to my expertise, let’s speak specs.
- CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+
- Reminiscence: 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage (As much as 1TB)
- Show: 6.8-inch HD+ at 90Hz
- Battery: 5,150mAh
- Working system: Android 14
- Shade: Gray, Inexperienced, Blue
- Weight: 208g
- Supported carriers embrace: Dash, T-Cell
My expertise
After I first unboxed the C50, my response was that it wasn’t a bad-looking cellphone. It definitely will not place in any prime 5 lists for aesthetics, but it surely’s additionally not going to be mechanically disregarded. Greater than something, due to the digicam lens placement and the flat edges, the gadget sort of resembles an iPhone. I am positive this was by design, and I don’t blame Oukitel one bit for making that call. The cellphone even has a transparent case to guard the perimeters and again.
Additionally: I modified 10 settings on my Android cellphone to drastically enhance battery life
After I accomplished the setup, the C50 really impressed me. For a $200 Android cellphone, it performs remarkably nicely. I’ve used telephones twice the value, and so they did not carry out as easily. Animations are clean, apps open rapidly, and switching between apps is quick.
The one efficiency problem was with picture processing. In contrast to the Pixel 8 Professional’s immediate seize, the C50 barely lags when snapping pictures. Initially, I feared this could lead to blurry photographs, however the digicam carried out admirably, though it lacks depth-of-field adjustment for background blur.
Our yard, as seen by way of the C50 digicam.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
So far as apps are involved, I used to be shocked at how little bloatware was on the gadget. Often, with such telephones, there are a variety of pointless apps that you need to take away. The C50 included the standard Google apps, an FM radio app, a SIM toolkit, and never rather more.
There’s, nevertheless, one little gripe I’ve found with a lot of some of these telephones… the house display screen launcher. The C50 seems prefer it has a reasonably customary Android house display screen, however you may rapidly uncover there isn’t any App Drawer out of the field. All apps are put in on the house display screen, which makes for a cluttered interface. If you wish to add an App Drawer, you may have to put in a third-party house display screen, equivalent to Nova Launcher, or you’ll be able to merely change the Settings app. Open the Dwelling Settings (long-press the house display screen and faucet the Settings icon). Subsequent, faucet Launcher Model after which allow the App Drawer. After enabling the App Drawer, you can too configure Android to not set up new apps to the house display screen, and also you’re good to go.
Additionally: Nova is my favourite Android house display screen launcher – let me present you why
Battery life has been strong, too. I simply reached the top of my day on a full cost. I charged the C50 to 100% and, after gentle utilization, discovered it may lengthen nicely previous the 24-hour mark. In fact, your mileage could differ (relying on the apps you employ and the way a lot you employ them).
Lastly, the show is vibrant, permitting me to see what’s on the display screen in all varieties of lighting situations. The one time I struggled to see nicely sufficient was when taking pictures pictures outside within the vibrant solar. To actually see with sufficient readability, I needed to discover a little bit of shade, however for on a regular basis apps like Gmail and Chrome, there have been no points.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
It is easy: in the event you want a cheap Android cellphone, the Oukitel C50 is difficult to beat. For lower than $200 proper now, this gadget performs nicely above its value level and appears way more premium than it has a proper to. With an honest sufficient digicam, superb efficiency, a strong battery, and a vibrant show, you could possibly do far worse than this.
My solely recommendation could be to put in a third-party house display screen launcher so as to add an App Drawer again into the combination. Apart from that, the Oukitel C50 is price each penny.
