Cherry Mobile Flare 2X Price Php 4,499, Specs, Release Date : What's The Difference Versus Cherry Mobile Flare 2.0?

Nope, Cherry Mobile Flare 2X is not the same as Cherry Mobile Flare 2.0.

Cherry Mobile Flare 2X

I've been receiving a lot of emails and DMs from CM fans these past few days asking me if CM Flare 2X, shown in the photo above (and quietly released along with 2 other lower midrange handsets last week), is one and the same as 'Quad Core ng Bayan' Flare 2.0.

Just to set things straight, no, they're two different devices.

Cherry Mobile Flare 2X, Cherry Mobile Flare 2X Price, Cherry Mobile Flare 2X Specs

Sure, 2.0 and 2X share a lot of common characteristics; They have similar 1.2 GHz Quad Core ARM Cortex A5 and Adreno 203 based Snapdragon MSM8225Q processor, 4-inch WVGA display, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean OS with stock interface, 4 GB of internal storage expandable via microSD card slot, Dual SIM Dual Standby capability, WiFi, Bluetooth and 3G connectivity support, FM Radio, and a removable 1,500 mAh Li-Ion battery pack. But actually, in terms of specs, Cherry Mobile Flare 2X is better than 2.0 in two ways.

Cherry Mobile Flare 2.0 vs. Cherry Mobile Flare 2X
Cherry Mobile Flare 2.0 vs. Cherry Mobile Flare 2X : Flare Fight!

First, CM Flare 2X has a higher resolution main camera compared to CM Flare 2.0. The former sports an 8 MegaPixel autofocus shooter at the back with single-bulb LED flash versus only 5 MegaPixels on the latter. (I have to note, however, that 2.0's back camera has Dual LED flash, which should allow it to perform better in low-light conditions.) Second and perhaps more importantly, 2X has 1 GB of RAM versus just 512 MB on 2.0. Having more RAM means that Cherry Mobile Flare 2X handles multitasking better than the 'Quad Core ng Bayan.'

Design-wise, while Flare 2.0 looks like a smaller version of CM Omega 2.0 HD, 2X appears to be a shrunk version of Samsung Galaxy S3 Mini. Notice how CM Flare 2X comes with the same rounded back cover with glazed finish that you'll also find in the Korean company's more recent handset releases. So which of the two looks better? You tell me.

With official suggested retail price of Php 4,499, Cherry Mobile Flare 2X is Php 500 more expensive than CM Flare 2.0. But considering the two improvements that you get on the newer release, I think that the added cost is just alright and is well-justified.