The commercial launch of the Y5 II, a budget smartphone from the Y (“Youth”) line, took place. The model turned out to be very worthy - in terms of price, quality, and capabilities. Judge for yourself.

Appearance

The smartphone looks stylish: a one-piece plastic body “metal-like” - this effect is achieved thanks to special processing of the plastic. High-quality materials and assembly give a good advantage to this inexpensive model at first glance.

Dimensions (LxWxD, mm) 143.8 × 72 × 8.9 - and the smartphone fits comfortably in the hand, and operating with one hand is not a problem (by the way, for additional comfort, you can turn on the “One-Hand Control” or “Simple” mode screen" which are available in all flagship smartphones manufacturer).

On the front panel there is a 2 megapixel camera with an additional flash - especially for excellent selfies. On the back there is an 8-megapixel main camera with autofocus and dual LED flash.

On the right (if you hold the smartphone with the screen facing you) are the power button and volume rocker, which are already familiar to Huawei devices. But on the left is a surprise - a programmable smart key (yes, this smartphone can surprise).

Screen

The 5-inch IPS screen provides excellent brightness and contrast, and provides a good viewing angle. Supports five simultaneous touches and even operation with gloves.

What else

The Y5 II is equipped with three slots (!), which are located under the removable battery - for a memory card (up to 32 GB) and two microSIM cards. There are light and proximity sensors, compass, G-sensor, Bluetooth, GPS. The battery capacity is 2200 mAh. A version of the model with 3G support is sold in Belarus.

Features of Y5 II

Easy Key Smart Button

A programmable button to which you can assign specific actions - launching any application or command installed on your smartphone. For example, take a screenshot of the screen, shoot with a camera when the screen is locked, turn on audio recording or a flashlight.

Flash for front and main cameras

The built-in flash for the front camera will appeal to selfie lovers - additional lighting will make the photo brighter and more impressive. It will also come in handy during video calls.

Dual LED flash for the main camera helps keep your photos or videos clear and bright, no matter the lighting. Experiment with the settings - you will like the result.

Drawing with a knuckle on the screen to launch a program is a proprietary feature of Huawei devices and the EMUI shell. So the Y5 II also has the ability to “draw”. Draw "M" to open the playlist, "W" to open the weather widget, "e" to load the browser and "C" to activate the camera.

You can purchase Y5 II at an exclusive price - 249.90 Belarusian rubles - in the 5th Element online store. The model is available in two colors - black and gold.

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. Slot for microSD cards 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 Honor 5A – one more affordable smartphone with good filling. It is interesting due to the presence of a front flash and a customizable “smart” button. In typical Huawei fashion, the device is sold under different names. For example, on the European market it is presented as the Y6 II Compact. There is also a purely Asian version - Honor Play 5. The only difference between Play 5 is the location of the noise-canceling microphone and LED flash lights.

At the time of writing this review, the official price of the smartphone is 143 USD. 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 buyer attention.

The device has quite decent hardware for its price category.

Appearance and connectors

The smartphone is housed in a classic-shaped plastic case. Available in black, white and gold colors. There are no under the screen touch buttons, since the controls are built into the OS interface.

The back cover is removable and not boring, thanks to the pattern of intersecting lines.

Under the cover there are separate slots for SIM cards and a flash drive. There is also a removable battery there.Buttons for controlling power and volume are located on the right side.

The left side is occupied by the “smart” Easy Key button. Its purpose and capabilities will be discussed a little later.

At the bottom end there are grilles for the main speaker with a microphone and a MicroUSB connector.

The space on the top edge is occupied by a 3.5 mm headset jack and an additional microphone.

CPU

The “heart” of the hardware is the MediaTek MT6735C processor. Its 4 Cortex-A53 cores can operate at frequencies up to 1.3 GHz. Graphics processing is handled by the Mali-T720 chip. The solution is budget-friendly, which does not prevent the smartphone from quickly running through the menu and demonstrating good performance under standard everyday loads. Resource-intensive 3D games can also be played. It’s just that the quality of graphics will lag behind the level of more productive hardware.

In the Antutu test, the device scores just over 33 thousand points. It does not suffer from overheating under intense and prolonged loads.

Memory

The situation with memory volumes is quite expected: 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. You can run multiple applications and switch freely between them without crashing. On the built-in drive, about 9.4 GB out of 16 remain free for use. If this is enough for a bunch of applications and a couple of games, then in other cases a flash drive comes to the rescue. It is possible to install removable microSD drives with a capacity of up to 128 GB.

Battery

This model uses a 2200 mAh battery. It provides autonomy for a full working day under moderate loads. If you don’t let go of the device and load it “to the fullest” (games, videos, WiFi, camera), the battery will last for half a day. You can extend operating time using built-in energy saving profiles.

Camera

The main module allows you to take photographs with a maximum resolution of 13 MP. Equipped with autofocus 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.

Daytime shooting will delight you with fast and accurate focusing, as well as photographs with good detail. The device copes well with panoramic shooting: the frames are well stitched together, and the resolution of the finished images is quite high. The device is particularly good at macro photography, as the camera can easily focus on objects at close range. At the same time, it blurs the background beautifully.

There is also something to complain about. For example, to a drop in sharpness at the edges of the frame. Or the appearance of overexposed areas in the photo in bright sunlight. You shouldn’t expect miracles from night shots: loss of detail and noise are a standard scenario for a device of this level.

For some reason, videos are recorded in maximum HD (1280 x 720) resolution, at 30 fps. The quality is more or less, but the detail is lacking. The 5 MP front camera has a wide viewing angle and is complemented by a single flash. You can count on decent results in good lighting. If there is a lack of it, the flash partially helps.

Display

The smartphone has a 5-inch IPS matrix, with HD resolution (1280 x 720). The pixel density is 293 PPI. The picture is clear and contrasty, the color scheme is calm and not oversaturated. When tilted or viewed at an angle, the image does not invert and purple or yellow tints do not appear. The maximum brightness margin 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 is clearer. The display is covered with tempered glass, which is resistant to scuffs and scratches. The oleophobic coating on the glass is very weak, but it is there. The sensor is responsive and handles 5 touches simultaneously.

Networking capabilities

The smartphone supports the installation of two Micro-SIM cards and works without problems in 2G/3G/4G networks. For wireless transmission Data support is provided by Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0.

Satellite navigation functionality is provided by GPS and GLONASS. With your responsibilities satellite systems They cope well and can even work indoors. Both “hot” and “cold” starts do not take much time.

Sound

The main speaker is the most budget-friendly one. The volume level is average, and it sounds a bit flat. But it doesn’t wheeze or rattle. In headphones the situation is the opposite: here you have pronounced low frequencies, and acceptable volume. With the exception of audiophiles, everyone will be pleased with the sound quality. The speaker is moderately loud, and the interlocutor can be heard without any interference.

Software part

The Android 5.1 operating system is used as the software basis. The proprietary EMUI 3.1 Lite shell is installed on top of it. Thanks to it, there is no menu button, many interface elements differ from stock Android, and design themes are supported. The system is complemented by such software features as motion control support, advanced energy saving profiles, and smart button settings.

Individual characteristics

The programmable Easy key button allows you to save time on launching the three most important functions and applications for the user. Each function is called individually: double, single or long press. If you call the camera while the screen is locked, it will immediately focus and take a photo on its own. Everything takes 2.2 s

Pros and cons

Pros:

• presence of a “smart” button;
• overall balance between hardware and software, operation without failures.

Cons:

• OS version is not the latest;
• low resolution of recorded video.

Who is a smartphone suitable for?

“Dual SIM, with normal cameras, fast internet, not slow-witted, not glitchy, with a large screen (but not a shovel), and inexpensive.” If this list coincides with the main requirements for the device, then you can safely take a closer look at the gadget under review.

Our review of the Huawei Honor 5A smartphone

The smartphone does not have any really critical flaws. It’s also impossible to say that it compares favorably with competitors from the same price segment (A-brands don’t count). However, it will definitely find its buyer. Huawei Honor 5A is a stable device with a reasonable combination of price and characteristics. Let’s add here “democracy” like separate slots for cards, as well as a removable battery, and we have another candidate for “people’s” smartphones.

Video review of the Huawei Honor 5A smartphone

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Review of budget Huawei smartphone Y5II

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 flash to the beat of music in 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. ABOUT protective glass The manufacturer doesn't mention it either.

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 clock frequency 1.3 GHz, Mali-400MP2 graphics chip and 1 GB RAM.

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

BY

Huawei Y3II operates under control operating system Android 5.1 Lollipop, 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, office application WPS Office, music service music recognition Shazam, social clients Facebook networks and Twitter, FM radio and 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. Moreover, all modules wireless communication 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 a dual flash and autofocus, a large number of settings and shooting modes, including “HDR”, “Decoration” 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

2MP capabilities front camera much more modest and more suitable for video calling 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.

Huawei has expanded its family of smartphones with the Y5 2017 model running the operating system. Android systems 6.0 Marshmallow with 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 on board 2 GB of 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.