SPECIFICATIONS:
- Operating System: Android 4.1 Jelly Bean
- Processor: 1.2GHz Quad Core Qualcomm 8255Q
- Graphic Card: Adreno 203
- RAM: 1GBStorage: 4GB (comes with 8GB micoSD, expandable to 32GB)
- Dlsplay; 53″ Capacitive Touchscreen, B54x480 Pixels
- Camera: 12MP with Dual LED Flash, Auto Focus and BSI Technology 2MP with BSITechnology
- Physical Dimension: 146.9 x n 2x 9.9mm
- Band: 2G GSM 900/1900 MHz/3G
- Battery: 2100mAh Li-Po
- SIM: Dual Mini SIM, Dual Standby
WHAT’S HOT:
- Solid build, doesn’t feel cheap or plastlcky
- Affordable price
WHAT’S NOT:
- A bit on the heavy side
- Non-HD display
- Bloatware
BOTTOM LINE:
- Not a bad phone for what it ls, but do remember that you get what you pay for.
Being an Android newbie, everything about the Starmobile Diamond V3 was foreign to me. This was both good and bad-good because I couldn’t compare it with other Androids, and bad because I couldn’t compare it with other androids. That being said, here goes.
Out of the box, the device came with the usual charger, USB to microUSB cord, earphones, manual and warranty card. Also included in the box was an 8GB microSD card, a screen protector and a jellycase. If you’re like me, who refuses to use new gadgets until the appropriate protectors are installed, I have to say that the last two items made my OC self happy.
The dual-SIM Diamond V3 runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean using a 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm 82550 processor and Adreno 203 graphics. It has 1GB of RAM, 4GB of internal memory, and external memory that can be expanded to 32GB.
The device features a 5.3-inch IPS capacitive screen made of Dragontail glass, and its back plate is made of matte black plastic that is quite nice to the touch. Its heft and build quality gives the Diamond V3 a solid, premium feel that is reminiscent of its pricier counterparts.
Removing the black plate takes a bit of effort, but underneath, you will find the 21 OOmAh battery, two miniSIM slots, the microSD card slot. the 12-megapixel rear camera, the dual LED lights, as well as the speaker at the bottom.
It is worth mentioning that with the Diamond V3, aside from calls and messages, both SIMs can be used for data. The slot marked “W+G~ is capable of a WCDMA connection, while the one marked “GSM” can handle 3G speeds. A quick flick of the settings can designate the default SIM to use for data, though it must be noted that your SIM has to be placed in the appropriate slot to make the most of your data plan.
As an Android newbie, I really enjoyed customizing the device for my needs and personal preference. As expected, some apps worked better than others, but since the whole point of android is its customizability, and how there is an app for every need and/or device, no matter the spec, I eventually found what worked for me and the device.
The Starmobile Diamond V3 comes with a 2100mAh Lithium Polymer battery. Using the device as my secondary phone, with moderate usage, and using Wi-Fi to connect to the Internet, a full charge lasted me a whole day. But as with any other device, heavier usage would require you look for a power source as early as mid-afternoon.
The device boasts of a 12-megapixel rear camera with dual LED flash and auto focus, as well as a 2-megapixel front-facing camera. Both cameras use BSI technology, which means they are designed for better low light captures.
The only biggie I can complain about is the phone’s display, which is sub-par at 480 x 854pixels. On paper, not having HD display is surprising for a device with four cores, but I guess they reserved the better resolution for their higher-spec’d units.
In any case, do we really need HD on our (small) mobile devices? While it’s always nice to have the best quality display available, often times it isn’t really a necessity to do the job. I watched The Quarterback episode of Glee (S05E03) to test the Diamond V3’s audio and video, and its less than HD resolution didn’t lessen the overall impact of the powerful episode. The overall sound quality of the device is satisfactory, although there were times I had to plug in my earphones to get some of the nuanced dialogues as the volume was already maxed.
Overall, the Starmobile Diamond V3 provides great value for money, even at its already low price point. If you’re the average user who can only afford one device, use your phone to keep connected, stay up-to-date with social media, and play a few games, you can’t go wrong with PHP8,990.
First published in Gadgets Magazine, November 2013
Words by Mika Fernandez – David