Cherry Mobile One Price Php 3,999, Unboxing, Antutu Benchmark Score, Initial Impressions, Sample Camera Shots

Last Tuesday, February 17, 2015 - at WhiteSpace in Makati City, Google Philippines officially announced two new smartphones that are part of its landmark Android One initiative. One of which is this, the Cherry Mobile One.

For those who are wondering, Android One is basically a program by Google that aims to make high-quality Android handsets more accessible to users in developing economies and emerging markets by setting a standard on these phones' technical specifications as well as pricing; They have to be able to deliver a smooth mobile internet experience and at the same time, be very affordable. Android One can also be used as a name to describe devices that meet the requirements set by Google for this specific venture.

So far, only two handset companies in the Philippines - Cherry Mobile and MyPhone, both of which are local - have Android One phones that are out in the market and available for purchase.

Cherry Mobile One sells for only Php 3,999 and if you're in Mega Manila, you can now get it any Cherry Mobile Concept Store, kiosk, or partner retailer near you. Provincial stores carrying the brand will get units come March 2015. This Android One release also comes as a bundled device with Sun Plan 999 with Php 500 cash-out.

For that amount, you will get the standard package, which includes the unit itself, microUSB to USB cable, travel charger, user manual, headphones with in-ear silicone buds and microphone, and the 1,780 mAh Li-Ion battery pack.

Removing the back cover, you will gain access to the phone's Dual microSIM card slots as well as the one for your microSD card.

In terms of technical specifications alone, there isn't really much that makes Cherry Mobile One particularly special when compared to other handsets by the same company in this price echelon. In fact, both TechPinas Badge of Excellence Awardee Cherry Mobile Flare 3 and the best-selling Flare S3 are superior to it in that department. But in terms of software features, it trumps all other CM smartphones currently.

While we're on the topic, Cherry Mobile One is equipped with a 4.5 inch FWVGA IPS display, a 5 MegaPixel autofocus main camera with LED flash at the back, 2 MegaPixel front cam for selfies, HD video recorder, and 3G HSPA+ connectivity support.

The display is obviously smaller and not as pixel-dense as the other above-mentioned CM handsets within the same SRP bracket. Also, I find that the camera is also not as snappy nor as good as the one on Flare 3 -- and the flash can be too 'overpowering' when used in close-up shots. But considering that the phone only costs Php 3,999, it's something I'm inclined to brush off. Anyway, here are a few sample casual shots using the main cam from my dinner last night.

Looks-wise, CM One comes with a very subdued design identity that I'm sure many of you will find attractive; The only metallic accent here is the ring that frames the camera moduls. Personally, I like its structured sides as well as the back plate (with metallic sheen) that gently curves down the sides. As for its size, I'd say it's ideal for users who don't have all too large handsets and aren't really a fan of phablets.

The power button and volume rocker are both located on the right side of the device, which favors right-handed users. The loud speaker is located at the back while the 3.5 mm audio jack is on top and the microUSB port is at the bottom.

As for its internal hardware, Cherry Mobile One is powered by a 1.3 GHz Quad Core ARM Cortex A7 and Mali 400 based MediaTek MT6582 chipset, handles multitasking with 1GB of RAM, and has 8GB of ROM. At least, when it comes to these, One is on the same level as Flare 3 and Flare S3.

The combination of its internal components along with the performance benefits of the latest version of Android give Cherry Mobile One a score of 19,926 when I ran Antutu Benchmark Test on my unit earlier today.

As an Android One release, one of the coolest things about Cherry Mobile One is that it runs Android 5.1 Lollipop out of the box and it will get firmware updates straight from Google for up to two years. Suffice it to say, this handset will be at the forefront of all software innovations in the Android world.

Cherry Mobile One is my first phone to run Android 5.1 Lollipop and I'm very impressed with the overall look and feel of this version of the operating system. I'd say that when it comes to touch-response, screen transitions, and overall smoothness, Android 5.1 Lollipop is right up there with iOS 8.1. Many years ago, there was an argument that Android is too laggy and slow compared to iOS and I believe this latest version of Android renders that completely moot and academic. Both Jelly Bean and KitKat gave use smooth touch-response but let me tell you, Android 5.1 Lollipop - even on a phone that doesn't have flagship specs - is really something else. You have to try it to believe it.

It's cool and all but is Cherry Mobile One the right smartphone for you? Frankly, if you're just after the best technical specifications on a handset that your money can get, there are better options out there. But if you're a user who wants to enjoy the latest version of Android and to be at the forefront of firmware upgrades, this phone is perfect for you. Also, if you're a big Android and Google fan, Cherry Mobile One is a must-have; I mean, it's a landmark release that should be in your personal collection.