Last week, I was given the opportunity to test these two phones - a Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini and a phone by a local Malaysian company, Ninetology U9 Series X1. The time that was given to me for my evaluation is one week. So I split the usage time between the two phones as 3 days each and 1 day for last minute tests.
As the first introduction - about me, I used to blog a lot a few years back and I mostly blog about places, things I do, food I eat and also tech & gadget reviews. Now I'm back into active blogging again. I love gadgets, I love technology and I love to play around with them. So that's why I was given this opportunity to test these two smartphones this week.
Second introduction, Ninetology is a smartphone and mobile device company in Malaysia that has been around for about 10 years or so. Only recently that most of us heard about them and their new line of smartphones. Their main target market are from the ASEAN countries and they do have offices around the region. Currently they are running a blogger's review programme called the "Tech Kaiju Arena", where bloggers will be given a one week to use and then review the smartphones in their respective blog(s). So now I will give my own personal and "honest" comparison review between these two smartphones.
There's a bonus at the end of the blog post for my readers. Be sure to check it out.
Now for the phone comparison review, let's start.
First Look & Specifications
Let's take a look at the basic technical specifications for these two Android smartphones.
Ninetology U9 Series X1
- Platform Chipset: MediaTek MT6589 Cortex-A7 CPU: Quad-core 1.2GHz GPU: PowerVR SGX544
- Operating System Android 4.2.1 Jelly Bean
- Memory Internal: 16GB ROM with 1GB RAM External: MicroSD Up to 64GB
- Display Size: 4.8 inch Resolution: 720 x 1280 Super AMOLED HD Capacitive 5-point, IPS Touch Screen, 309ppi.
- Camera Rear Camera: 13 MP 720p HD Front Camera: 2 MP
- Camera Features f2.0 Aperture, 2nd Generation BSI, HDR, Zero Shutter Delay, Panorama shooting, Face Detection, Fast Burst Shot, HD video recording (Video Effect)
- Connectivity Dual SIM support on GSM/HSDPA network.
The Ninetology U9 X1 looks big due to the 4.8 inch screen, but small enough to use it in one hand. But for those with smaller hands or for the ladies, they may have to operate this phone with both hands. The response is quite fast. The clarity of the display is surprisingly vibrant and very clear. And the transitions are smooth between one desktop screen to another.
You may notice the yellow/gold-ish strips on the inside of the phone's back cover (pic above, bottom left). That is actually the additional network antenna receiver for the extra boost of network signal. That's why when I was using this phone, I got full signal bar in places that I usually don't get full coverage in my other phones. Battery capacity is 2,200 mAh and it can last me the whole day.
Now for the contender.
Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini
- Platform Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8930 Snapdragon 400 CPU: Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait GPU: Adreno 305
- Operating System Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean with TouchWiz UI
- Memory Internal: 8GB ROM (5GB user available) with 1.5GB RAM External: MicroSD Up to 64GB
- Display Size: 4.3 inch Resolution: 540 x 960 Super AMOLED Multitouch 256ppi
- Camera Rear Camera: 8 MP Front Camera: 1.9 MP
- Camera Features 3264 x 2448 pixels, autofocus, LED flash, Geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, HDR, panorama.
Honestly when I held this phone in my hand, I almost felt like it is the Apple iPod Touch. The size, the thickness, almost similar. Of course the iPod Touch is thinner but the overall feel is the same. Or that's just me. Anyone can definitely operate this device in one hand with ease. The screen is bright and vibrant. The operation is smooth and it is really doing well for a dual-core phone. The extra RAM does help to smooth everything out.
Although it is the smaller and cheaper version than it's flagship big brother, it still has that premium feel to it. The whole structure feels sturdy with no loose parts. That means there's no creaking sound when I pressed all around the sides of the phone. With the Ninetology U9 X1, I do feel and hear some creaking sounds, especially around the top edges.
Now, both phones have a physical home button at the bottom center of the phone. I don't quite like it because the phone can be "awaken" from standby mode by pressing this button. With the X1, there was one time that I had the phone in my pocket and without me knowing, the phone made about 5 Google Hangout video calls to my contacts randomly. I didn't create the security unlock function yet at that time and I only use the "swipe to unlock" function instead. So I'm assuming that while I was walking, the button get pressed, and the friction does all the swiping and pressing and making the calls. So that's a no for me. I don't like the physical home button on both phones.
System Overview
Basically, both phones are running Android OS Jelly Bean 4.2. But the Galaxy S4 mini can be updated to Android 4.4 KitKat when Samsung release the OTA update soon. I don't know whether the X1 will get an update to KitKat or not but it will be a big advantage if they can.
The Ninetology U9 X1 don't have any custom UI for their launcher app. Instead, they opt to use the pure Android Vanilla UI which is very simple and clean. The operation is easy and mostly straight to the point with this one. It can be an advantage or disadvantage at the same time. Consumers would sometimes look for a device that is unique with its own trademark UI. But the Vanilla UI is very stable. All these will depends with the end users. Besides, there's so many launchers to choose from in the Play Store.
For the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini on the other hand, it comes with Samsung's standard TouchWiz UI. Actually, all Samsung Android smartphones comes with this UI. They managed to set this as their standard interface and it seems to be working well for them. They made this so functional that even a kid can operate this phone easily. They even have a simple desktop for much simpler form and function.
Performance
In the specification earlier, it is mentioned that the X1 is a quad-core 1.2GHz CPU with 1GB RAM under the hood while the S4 is powered by dual-core 1.7GHz CPU with 1.5GB RAM. Some may think that this is an unfair fight, right? Well, the result may surprise you.
I am actually assuming that the X1 is powered by a MediaTek based chipset. It is the brand that is usually associated with a 1.2GHz quad-core CPU AND PowerVR SGX544MP GPU together, which is exactly what is in the Ninetology U9 X1. MediaTek is a China made chipset manufacturer and they are actually very good in producing smartphone chipsets. Believe it or not, the big brother of the S4 Mini, the Galaxy S4, is using MediaTek's PowerVR GPU, similar to the one inside the X1. Only difference is that the S4 is using Samsung's own Exynos CPU. See the detailed specs for S4 here.
From the benchmark result above, I can give an excuse on behalf of the Ninetology U9 X1 that it handled more graphic resolution than the S4 mini, hence the lower score. I am using the Antutu Benchmark apps to do the simple benchmark test for both phones. I don't want to get into full details by using other benchmarking tools. I guess this is enough to compare between the two phones.
Along with some other mobile devices out there, we can see that the Ninetology U9 X1 is just a level below the HTC One X, one of the popular smartphones by HTC. And the Galaxy S4 Mini is just one level below Sony Xperia Z. This is considered good because the S4 Mini only runs with dual-core CPU while the Xperia Z is running on quad-core. And we also know that the Xperia Z is one of Sony's flagship smartphones in 2013. So what does that tell you? It's a small wonder.
Next page -> Camera Functions and Sample Photos
Camera Functions and Sample Photos
When buying a phone, almost everyone will ask, "How's the camera for this one?" or "How many megapixel is the camera?". With the word "selfie" being the most word used in the world today and probably being officially added in the dictionary, camera functions on smartphones are indeed important.
The Ninetology U9 X1 has a 13-megapixel camera on the rear and a 2-megapixel camera on the front. What's unique about this particular phone's camera is that, the aperture is wide open at f/2.0, which means it absorbs more light and is good for shooting in the dark. We can also see some nice bokeh effect from this phone. To put it easier for everyone to understand, bokeh means that you can keep the foreground subject in focus and have the background blurred, just like a DSLR camera.
"The camera aperture in the Ninetology U9 X1 is wide open at f/2.0, which means it absorbs more light and is good for shooting in the dark."
Meanwhile, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini has an 8-megapixel camera as the primary shooter while the secondary front shooter is only 1.9-megapixel. Technically, a basic 6-megapixel camera can produce a good printed version photo in 5R size. So the megapixel count is not really that important...to me. What important is the accuracy of the autofocus function.
We have come across some smartphone cameras that has 10-megapixel or 13-megapixel sensor but when it comes to autofocus, it's very sluggish and slow. At times, it's totally out-of-focus. Good photography moments can get blurred when this happens. And I don't like that. So let's see how these two phones perform in the camera test.
Sample photo #1:
One thing I like about the X1's camera, it's sharp! Autofocus is excellent. But...there's a but, the colour is not that "punchy". Although I can set the camera's saturation and contrast to maximum before taking the shot, I prefer to show the sample with it's default setting. So the result is not that vibrant, but indeed it is very sharp. The autofocus is quick too, so I won't miss a moment while trying to get in focus.
Here's the same photo taken with the Galaxy S4 Mini...
It is so obvious that the S4 Mini produced more punchier colour than the X1. But if you look closely, the photo is not as sharp as the one taken with the X1. It's not that I moved or anything. I stood really still while taking both photos. Somehow the X1 produced a much sharper photo.
Sample photo #2:
Here's an outdoor sample. As said earlier, the X1 doesn't really produce punchy colours. In this sample, we can really see that the photo looked really pale. But on the bright side, it's still sharp. Autofocus works really well outdoors and the images are sharp. If I want a mid-range smartphone that has a good camera, I don't mind this one.
Again, same photo with the Galaxy S4 Mini...
Colours are better with the S4 Mini and at least it doesn't look pale. Autofocus works well outdoors and this time, the image is as sharp as the X1.
So much more to improve in terms of camera functions. But somehow the photos that comes out from the X1 is sharper and in better quality. The only flaw with the X1's camera is the colour processing. If Ninetology can do something about it, then I can safely say that the X1 has one of the best camera in the mid-range smartphone arena.
Next page -> Conclusion and Bonus for my readers!
Conclusion
At first, it seems unfair that the comparison is being done between a dual-core and a quad-core platform. But the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini proved to be a very strong contender against the mid-range Ninetology U9 X1 smartphone. One function is better than the other in camera, and vice versa when it comes to performance. To me, both are on par with each other.
If you're looking for a reliable mid-range smartphone that has a big screen and excellent HD display, then the Ninetology U9 X1 should be in your consideration. The camera is excellent. If you want vibrant colours, then set the saturation to maximum in the camera's settings menu. You can also set the sharpness to maximum, but I don't think you need to do that because any photo taken with this phone is already sharp.
One the other hand, if you're looking for a small wonder and easy-to-carry smartphone, the Samsung Galaxy S4 Mini is a good buy as well. The S4 Mini is good for those with small hands and also for those who don't like to carry a huge phone in their pocket or bag. It may be a Mini, but it has a heart of a monster.
But don't underestimate the smartphone by Ninetology. The X1 performed way above my expectations. Now, the recommended retail price for the X1 is RM1,099 while the Galaxy S4 Mini is selling about RM1,499. So with cheaper price and bigger AMOLED HD screen and a quad-core CPU, the X1 can really make a run for it.
So there you have it. My own version of an honest phone comparison review for the two smartphones. Hope you like it.
Bonus!
Guess what? I have some good news for my readers. Every month, Ninetology is giving out free vouchers worth between RM100 to RM200. How to get this? Every month, the first 100 reader to register and subscribe to their e-newsletter will receive the voucher for discounts when purchasing their devices or accessories. I was told that there will be lucky draws too. Who knows, maybe you can win yourself the smartphone.
Click on the banner below to subscribe to their e-newsletter now and see if you're one of the lucky person to win a prize. They have many other contests every month. So with the e-newsletter, you can keep yourself up-to-date with the latest promotions, contests and events.
Click on the banner to start winning!
4 comments
Would love to hear your comments on recent model Ninetology U9P2.
Regards,
Alexander