What is the easy button? Review of Huawei Y3II – a smartphone with a programmable button and a smart LED indicator for $77

Huawei has expanded its family of smartphones with the Y5 2017 model running the Android 6.0 Marshmallow operating system with the proprietary EMUI 4.1 add-on.

The new product is based on the MediaTek MT6737T processor. The named microchip contains four computing cores with ARM Cortex-A53 architecture and a clock frequency of up to 1.4 GHz. Graphics processing is handled by the integrated ARM Mali-T720 controller.

The smartphone has a 5-inch display with a resolution of 1280 × 720 pixels (720p format). On the back of the case there is an 8-megapixel camera with dual LED flash. In the front part there is a 5-megapixel camera with flash and wide-angle optics.

The device carries 2 GB on board RAM and a flash module with a capacity of 16 GB, expandable via a microSD card (up to 128 GB). Among other things we can mention Wi-Fi adapters 802.11b/g/n and Bluetooth 4.0, GPS receiver. Power is provided by a rechargeable battery with a capacity of 3000 mAh. Dimensions are 143.8 × 72 × 8.35 mm, weight - about 150 g.

On the left side of the case there is a hardware Easy Key button, which can be configured to perform certain actions, for example, activating the camera or flashlight. Moreover, different functions can be performed using different presses - single, double or press and hold.

The start date of sales and the price of the new product have not been specified.

In September, sales of a smartphone started in Ukraine, which simply could not help but interest our editors. Would you agree that it's hard to resist a $77 offer that includes full dual-SIM support, as well as a stylish design with a programmable button and a smart LED indicator? In the review, we will tell you how well the new product meets expectations and whether it is a rational purchase.

Design and functional elements

The appearance of the Huawei Y3II could be called quite ordinary if it were not for the “smart” Colorful Lights LED indicator, which, when active, gives the design of the smartphone a mystical and youthful look.

The indicator surrounds the 5MP main camera lens and when inactive it is indistinguishable from a traditional metal frame. By the way, due to the polished texture, the matte plastic body of the smartphone seems metallic at first glance. The material is of high quality, does not easily stain and is not prone to scratches, so the designers did a good job.

On the right side of the gadget there is a power button and a volume rocker. Thanks to the small dimensions of the Y3II - 134.2x66.7x9.9 mm with a weight of 150 grams, your thumb can easily reach any of them. And in general, the Y3II is very easy to use, including with one hand. And a lot of credit for this is due to the rounded back part, which is separated from the front by a thin glossy frame.

The sides and back are a single whole, so taking into account the high-quality assembly and the absence of any squeaks, you can guess that the cover is removable only by the small gap for its removal on the right side. Hidden underneath is a slot for memory cards and two SIM cards, as well as a 2100 mAh battery.

The top end of the Huawei Y3II is occupied by a 3.5 mm audio output, and the bottom microphone and microUSB port. Its left “side” is given over to the programmable smart button SmartKey.

A single, double or long press of it when the handset is unlocked allows you to launch a pre-selected application, and when it is locked, activate the camera or audio recording, take a photo or turn on the flashlight. Let me note that this is very convenient - since using just one button you can do almost everything and most importantly quickly. Even in top-end smartphones you don’t often see such a functional element.

On the front panel of the handset, above the 4.5-inch screen, there is a speaker grille, light and proximity sensors, and a 2MP camera lens, and below it are touch control buttons without backlight.

A slot for a multimedia speaker with two small tubercles for audibility on a flat surface is located on the rear panel. There is also a 5MP camera lens, an LED flash, and, as mentioned earlier, the key “feature” of the model is the “smart” Colorful Light LED indicator.

Its functionality includes the ability to not only signal incoming calls and messages or remind you of a particular calendar event, but also blink to the beat of the music different colors, and even translate English text into Morse code.

Alerts can be set by time, and the color of the backlight can be changed depending on your mood. In a word, a cool idea and, most importantly, good implementation.

Screen

The 4.5-inch display of the Huawei Y3II is quite bright and contrasty. The panel resolution is 854x480 pixels, so pixelation is visible. Viewing angles are average - the TN matrix makes its presence felt.

At the same time, there is automatic adjustment of the backlight brightness, which is good news considering the price tag of the smartphone. Well, the “Simple Mode” of the screen deserves special attention, which, thanks to a simplified display layout and large icons, makes it easier to use the device, for example, in a car or on the go.

The sensitivity is quite good – two simultaneous touches are recognized. The panel collects fingerprints quickly and removing them is not so easy, so if there is an oleophobic coating, it is not the best. The manufacturer also does not mention protective glass.

Memory

The built-in memory on board Huawei Y3II is only 8 GB. The USB OTG specification is not supported, so expansion is only possible with microSD cards with a maximum capacity of up to 32 GB.

Wireless interfaces

In terms of interfaces, there is a complete gentleman's set: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS with A-GPS.

Support for two microSIM cards in standby mode is implemented, and a non-hybrid slot is used, so there is no need to sacrifice a second SIM card to expand the memory.

Hardware and performance

The hardware of the smartphone is frankly weak: a 4-core MediaTek MT6582M processor with a clock frequency of 1.3 GHz, a Mali-400MP2 graphics chip and 1 GB of RAM.

It is enough to play HD video and run light games, but resource-intensive toys with 3D graphics are not for this model. The interface does not work quickly, but no significant lags were noticed.

BY

Huawei Y3II runs on the Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system, on top of which the proprietary Emotion UI 3.1 Lite shell is installed.

The latter provides gesture control and quite a lot of pre-installed programs, including a package of proprietary Google utilities, Facetune photo editor, WPS Office office application, music recognition service Shazam, clients social networks Facebook and Twitter, FM radio and much more.

The only thing that confused me was that some settings, in particular the “smart” LED indicator Colorful Lights, were not translated. It doesn't look pretty.

Battery

Huawei Y3II is equipped with a 2100 mAh battery. One full charge is enough for 6-7 hours of HD video playback or 4-5 hours of web surfing via 3G. In this case, all wireless communication modules are turned on, and the backlight is set to half.

In a word, not much, but quite typical for inexpensive smartphones. In addition, if necessary, in the settings menu you can enable a proprietary energy-saving mode, consisting of three levels - from normal to maximum economical. With them, the device can last longer without recharging.

Speakers

The Huawei Y3II multimedia speaker is loud. It sounds clean, without wheezing or distortion even at maximum, but without a hint of surround sound.

Cameras

Huawei Y3II is equipped with two cameras – 2MP front and 5MP main.

The rear camera is complemented by dual flash and autofocus, a large number settings and shooting modes, including HDR, Beautify, and Panorama.

It justifies its resolution - in good lighting conditions the pictures come out pretty good, as you can see in the examples below.

Test photos

The capabilities of the 2MP front camera are much more modest and are more suitable for video communication than for taking selfies for social networks.

It records video in maximum HD resolution, and the main one in Full HD. Automatic focusing and electronic image stabilization are provided.

Conclusions

Well, apart from the frankly weak hardware, lack of backlighting of the touch control keys and a screen with a low resolution and without an oleophobic coating, in my opinion, the ultra-budget device in the Huawei Y3II does not give us anything else.

The smartphone looks great, is well-built, sounds good, is ergonomic and easy to use, and has full support for two SIM cards. Well, its functionality, implemented through a “smart” LED indicator and a programmable button, can be the envy of even many flagships. And if the first, as it seemed to me, is still more intended for entertainment and creating an unusual image for the gadget, then SmartKey really turned out to be a very useful functional element in working with the device.

This model is the youngest and simplest in the fifth family, and is positioned as a budget solution for young people, while possessing good characteristics.

By the way, this smartphone is also known throughout the world under the name Huawei Y6II Compact. It will also be interesting to know that HONOR (pronounced “Onor”, ​​although “Honor” is more familiar to us) is a sub-brand. Therefore, in principle, it should be mentioned separately from HUAWEI (“Huawei”). However, everything is in order!

• Screen: 5-inch capacitive IPS matrix with HD resolution 1280x720 pixels.
• Multi-touch: 5 points.
• Chipset: MediaTek MT6735P.
• Processor: 64-bit 4-core ARM Cortex-A53 with a frequency of 1.3 GHz.
• Video processor: 4-core Mali-T720 with a frequency of 600 MHz.
• RAM capacity: 2 GB.
• Built-in memory capacity: 16 GB (with 10-11 gigabytes available for use).
• Expandable memory capacity: up to 128 GB (using a micro-SD card).
• Number of SIM cards: 2.
• SIM card type: micro-SIM.
• SIM card operating mode: alternating (Dual SIM Dual Standby).
• Wireless communication standards: 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE), 3G (DC-HSPA+), 4G (LTE Cat4), Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth (4.0).
• Interfaces: micro-USB connectors standard USB 2.0 and 3.5 mm for headsets.
• Main camera: 13 megapixels (4160×3120 pixels) with flash and autofocus.
• Front camera: 5 megapixels (2592×1944 pixels) with flash.
• Video shooting: 1280×720 pixels, 30 fps.
• Operating system: Android Lollipop (version 5.1).
• Navigation: GLONASS, GPS, A-GPS.
• Sensors: gyroscope/accelerometer, light sensor, proximity sensor, magnetometer (digital compass).
• Battery: lithium-ion (Li-ion), removable, 2200 mAh.
• Color: white, black, gold.
• Housing: plastic, glass.
• Dimensions: 73x144x9 mm.
• Weight: 140 g.
• Year of release: 2016.

Now we’ll tell you about all this in more detail in our review.

Appearance

The appearance almost completely copies the model of the old line - 4C Pro. Small differences are noticeable only in the edging of the front panel.

The phone turned out to be quite compact, it is convenient to operate it with one hand. It differs from its older brothers in having a completely plastic body, but it should be noted that this plastic is of very high quality. The corners are rounded, the frame is slightly convex. Despite his almost 9 mm waist, he does not look fat. The back panel is made of soft-touch semi-gloss plastic. Its surface is textured. There are virtually no fingerprints left on the lid. The panel itself does not creak, has no play, and does not press through, although when removed it looks quite thin and fragile. So remove it carefully so as not to break it. The phone fits well in the hand, comfortable and reliable. The manufacturer offers us a choice of black, white and gold colors. In general, the design is very nice, although rather ordinary...

Connectors and controls

On the front side there is a front camera with a flash, a proximity sensor, a light sensor, and a speaker at the top. On the reverse side there is the main camera and flash. The bottom end is occupied by a speaker, microphone and micro-USB connector, and on the top there is a headphone jack and a noise-canceling microphone. On the right side there are standard power button and volume button, and on the left there is a wonderful Easy Key button (we’ll talk about it separately a little later).

Connectors for two microSIM and microSD cards are located under the rear panel. It's nice that the manufacturer didn't skimp and made a separate slot for a memory card. So you don't have to sacrifice a second SIM or memory. However, only one will work in 3G/4G networks, the second will be content with 2G generation networks.

Screen

The resolution of 1280x720 pixels is not that high by modern standards, but already familiar to budget models. The image detail is good, however, small fonts “break” a little - if you look closely, you can see a ladder of pixels.

The colors on the screen are bright and expressive, The viewing angles are quite wide, but the brightness of the screen itself is a little lacking (even at maximum settings). The light sensor allows the device to independently control the brightness of the display, but auto-adjustment slows down slightly.

When viewed from an angle, the contrast changes slightly, although not very much. Another disadvantage is that in the sun the image becomes noticeably blind. This is most likely due to the fairly average quality anti-reflective coating. There is no oleophobic coating here (or it is very weak!), so the screen quickly gets dirty and your finger begins to glide across it poorly. But at the same time, the touch coating responds to touch quickly and correctly. A protective film for the screen is included in the kit, but is not included in the kit.

Cameras

The cameras take pictures very quickly, without sacrificing quality! The quality is very decent for a budget phone. The pictures have good sharpness, color and detail. However, in low light conditions noticeable noise appears and contrast sharply decreases. The main camera has a bright dual LED flash, and, ATTENTION, there is also a flash on the front camera! Which, moreover, is wide-angle. This is something you don’t often see on budget models! The autofocus of the main camera is quite fast, but sometimes it misses.

Sound

The sound is surprisingly good and clear, if you don't turn it up to full power. Both speakers (both conversational and external) are loud enough, the interlocutor can be heard clearly, without distortion, wheezing or strange sounds. However, high frequencies predominate in them, low frequencies are practically absent. If you close the external speaker with your finger, the sound disappears completely - this is a minus, although not a serious one.

Battery

The battery here is frankly weak! Only 2200 mAh... However, don't be upset! This model does not consume a lot of energy, and in addition, the settings have many scenarios and saving modes. This is enough for an average of 3.5 hours of gaming, in a pinch you can connect it, the connector allows it, and in mixed mode the smartphone will quite easily last a day without recharging. The battery itself is completely removable; it will take about 2.5 hours to fully charge it.

Software

Operating system Android 5.1 with the original Emotion UI (EMUI) version 3.1 provides the user with ease of operation and modern icon design. The main principle of this interface is the abandonment of the main menu and a separate list of applications. All shortcuts are displayed on the Desktop. The navigation buttons are made in software, which takes up useful screen space and, what I think is more critical, when running some applications and games in full-screen mode, they will not be visible. Although the buttons can be brought back by simply swiping the bottom area of ​​the screen.

The video player easily handles HD-resolution mkv files.
The original music player pleases with the ability to search for songs by folders (in addition to the standard one by artists and albums). A minor drawback is that listening to FM radio is only possible when headphones are connected. In some cases this will be inconvenient.

Games run well on medium settings. At maximum settings the picture starts to slow down. It's also nice to see support for quick gestures. The interface as a whole works quickly, smoothly, without brakes.

You may also be interested in our review of another budget smartphone -

And now - a little more about the Easy Key button...

The button provides quick access to frequently used applications and functions. The button location is quite well thought out, so it is easy to use with one hand. The button recognizes three types of actions: single pressing, double pressing, and holding. The phone owner can configure the desired actions for these types of clicks. For example, launching the camera or turning on the flashlight. Moreover, the button supports three functions on a locked screen, and three functions on an unlocked one!

Conclusion

So, let's now analyze all of the above and list all the advantages, disadvantages and features of this model.

Main advantages and benefits:

1. nice design and high quality build.
2. fast interface.
3. good cameras with decent image quality.
4. flash on the front camera.
5. full (separate) memory card slot.
6. programmable Easy Key button.
7. support for 4G (LTE) standard.
8. GPS/GLONASS navigation.

There is, perhaps, only one main drawback - low battery life due to the small battery capacity. The fact that it is removable somewhat smoothes out negative emotions about this.

The remaining disadvantages and disadvantages are perhaps the following:

1. lack of oleophobic screen coating.
2. 5.1 (there is no update and, most likely, not expected).
3. lack of light indication of events (missed calls, charging...).
4. lack of support for NFC and OTG in models for the Russian market.

Conclusion

If you need a good, high-quality budget smartphone, almost devoid of shortcomings, which has everything you need (including 4G), and does not need much battery life, then it would be wise to take a closer look at the Honor 5A. Moreover, devices of this brand are traditionally distinguished by good design, excellent characteristics and an attractive price.

The Huawei Y5 (2017) does not have hardware buttons on the front panel. They are made virtual and occupy part of the usable display area.

Above the screen there is a speaker, camera and sensor windows. There is also a full-fledged LED flash here.

On the back of the smartphone there is a camera and a dual LED flash, which already sets the device apart from a series of classmates.

On the right side there is a screen on/off button and volume control.

The left side has a smart button. This is an additional control in the Y5 2017 settings called Easy Key.

This button can be assigned three actions: single press, double press, and press and hold. In the settings you have a choice: shooting with a camera, taking a screenshot, starting the voice recorder, turning on the flashlight. You can also select any of the applications that will be launched with the button. We chose to take a screenshot.

At the top end there is a 3.5 mm audio jack.

On the bottom there is a microUSB and stereo speakers.

Huawei Y5 (2017) has a removable cover. It can be pryed off at the bottom of the right side panel. The cover comes off quite easily. Puts it on too. The battery of the smartphone is non-removable.

Interestingly, SIM cards of different formats, nano and micro, are used. That is, changing them will not be so easy. The microSD card slot is separate.

And now a video on how to install SIM cards in Huawei Y5 (2017):

Case for Huawei Y5 (2017)

Buying a case or cover for Huawei Y5 (2017) is easy. All common types can be found.

This leather book Y5 (2017) will cost about $12.

A hard bumper can be purchased for $9-10. In general, the cost of the cases matches an inexpensive device.

Huawei review Honor 5A is another inexpensive smartphone with good content. Interestingly, there is a front-facing flash and a customizable smart button. In typical Huawei fashion, the device is sold at different names. For example, the Y6 II Compact is presented on the European market. There is a purely Asian version - Honor Play 5. The only difference is Play 5 in the location of the noise-canceling microphone and flashing LED lights.

At the time of writing the Huawei Honor 5A review, the official price of the smartphone is $143. In this price segment there has been serious competition between manufacturers from China for a long time. It remains to be seen what place Honor 5A will receive in this fight for customer attention.

Appearance and connectors

A classic-shaped smartphone housed in a plastic shell. Available in black, white and gold colors. There are no touch buttons below the screen, as the controls are built into the OS interface.

The back panel is removable and pleasant, thanks to the pattern of intersecting lines.

Under the cover there are separate slots for a SIM card and a USB flash drive. There is a removable battery. Buttons for controlling mode and volume are on the right edge.

On the left side is a smart button for Easy Key. Its purpose and capabilities will be discussed later.

The bottom grille houses the main speaker with a microphone and a MicroUSB connector.

At the top end there is a jack for connecting a 3.5 mm headset.

Huawei Honor 5A price

Below we have selected stores where you can buy this smartphone:

CPU

The “heart” of the hardware is the MediaTek MT6735C. Its 4 Cortex-A53 cores can operate at up to 1.3 GHz. There is a Mali-T720 graphics chip. A budget solution that does not hinder the smartphone from vigorously navigating through the menu and demonstrates good performance for standard and daily loads. You can also play resource-intensive 3D games. It’s just that the quality of graphics will lag behind the level of more productive hardware.

In the Antuco test, the device scores a little more than 33 thousand points. In case of intense and prolonged overheating, the operation of the phone is not affected.

Memory

In the memory situation, you can expect: 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. You can run multiple apps and switch between them without any hiccups. On the built-in disk, 9.4 GB of 16 remain free for use. If there are a bunch of applications and a couple of games, this is enough, but in other cases, a rescue flash drive comes to the rescue. It is possible to install a removable MicroSD storage device with a capacity of up to 128 GB.

Battery

This model uses a 2200 mAh battery. It provides autonomy for a full day of work under moderate loads. If you don't let go of the device and put a heavy load on it (games, videos, WiFi, camera), the battery will last half a day. You can increase operating time using built-in energy saving programs.

Camera

The main module produces a resolution of up to 13 MP. Equipped with automatic focus and dual flash. The application interface is convenient and functional, contains settings for ISO, sharpness, saturation, contrast, and white balance. Exposure can be changed in real time.

Everyday shooting will be appreciated for its fast and accurate performance, focusing, and photos with good details. The panoramic shooting system is easy to handle: frames are superimposed well, and the finished images are of fairly high quality. The device is especially good at macro photography because the camera can easily focus on objects at close range. At the same time, it nicely blurs the background.

But there is something to complain about. For example, a drop in sharpness at the edges of the frame. Or the appearance of an overexposed area in a photo in bright sunlight. You shouldn't expect miracles from night shots either: loss of detail and noise are standard situations for a device of this level.

For some reason, the video says maximum HD resolution (1280 x 720) at 30 fps. The quality is more or less, but not clear enough. The front camera with a resolution of 5 MP has a wide viewing angle and is complemented by a single flash. You can count on decent results in good lighting. The low quality is partially saved by the flash.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 5-inch IPS matrix with HD resolution (1280 x 720). Pixel density 293 PPI. The picture is clear and crisp, the colors are calm, not saturated. When tilted or viewed at an angle, the image is not inverted and magenta or yellow tones are not displayed. The maximum brightness is quite modest, so the image becomes faded in the sun.

But, due to the absence of an air gap, the amount of glare on the screen is reduced, and the picture becomes clearer. The display is covered with tempered glass, which is resistant to abrasion and scratches. The oleophobic coating on the glass is very weak, but it is there. The sensor is sensitive and can process 5 touches simultaneously.

Networking capabilities

The smartphone supports the installation of two Micro-SIM cards, which works without problems in 2G / 3G / 4G networks. For wireless data transfer there is Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

Satellite navigation functionality is provided by GPS and GLONASS. With the satellite system function it works well, even indoors.

Sound

The main speaker is the most budget-friendly one. The volume level is average and sounds flat. But it doesn’t wheeze or crackle. With headphones, the situation is reversed, with pronounced low frequencies and acceptable surround sound. Except for audiophiles, everyone will be pleased with the sound quality. The speaker is moderately loud and voice can be heard without interference.

Software part

The basis for software development is operating system Android 5.1. In addition, the proprietary EMUI 3.1 Lite shell is installed. Thanks to the lack of a menu button, many UI elements are different from regular Android and support themes. The system includes software chips to support motion control, advanced save profiles, and smart button settings.

Possibilities

The programmable Easy key saves time when launching the three most important functions and applications for the user. Each function is called individually: double, single or long press. If you bring up the camera from the lock screen, it will immediately focus and take a photo. The whole process takes 2.2

Advantages and disadvantages of Huawei Honor 5A

Pros

Availability of a “smart” button;
The overall balance between hardware and software components works flawlessly.

Cons

The OS version is not the latest;
Low resolution of recorded video.

Smartphone Matches

“Dual SIM cards, standard camera, fast Internet, not slow, not glitchy, with a large screen (but not a shovel), and not that expensive.” If this list is your main requirement for a phone, then you can safely consider this device for purchase.

Our review of Huawei Honor 5A

There are no really critical flaws in the smartphone. It is also impossible to say that it stands out compared to competitors in the same price segment (A brands are not taken into account). And yet, his buyer, he will find him. Huawei Honor 5A is a stable working device with a reasonable combination of price and performance. Add “democracy”, such as separate card slots, and a replaceable battery, and we have another candidate for “popular” smartphones.