The Oukitel C50 is much extra spectacular than a $200 has a proper to be.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
ZDNET’s key takeaways
The Oukitel C50 is on the market for buy now, with specs that make it nicely price its $200 price ticket.
With greater than sufficient horsepower, this $200 Android cellphone performs like a tool twice its value.
The dearth of an App Drawer (by default) was off-putting, however that may be overcome with a configuration change or a third-party house display screen launcher (comparable to Nova Launcher).
I have been reviewing Android phones for a very long time. One factor that has struck me recently is the standard of inexpensive phones. Once I first began reviewing Android units, each time I obtained an affordable cellphone, I knew precisely what to anticipate: underpowered, manufactured from low-cost supplies, and specs barely able to working the OS.
Additionally: I used Samsung’s special Galaxy S24 model, and it’s quickly become my go-to Android recommendation
Over the previous few years, nevertheless, $200 Android telephones have progressed to the purpose the place they don’t seem to be solely viable options however typically fairly good. No, they will not beat the likes of the Google Pixel or the latest Samsung Galaxy, however for anybody seeking to purchase a cell phone on a funds, these units are now not the underside of the barrel.
Such is the case with the Oukitel C50. The Oukitel model has actually impressed me recently, and this cellphone is not any exception. Even the digicam can barely be faulted (extra on that in a bit). Positive, there are variations that set the flagship telephones other than the C50, however when you may’t afford the premium value, these variations are simply put aside.
Additionally: I’m a diehard Pixel user, but I’m considering switching for 2 reasons (and I’m not alone)
Earlier than I get to my expertise, let’s speak specs.
CPU: MediaTek Dimensity 6100+
Reminiscence: 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage (As much as 1TB)
Show: 6.8-inch HD+ at 90Hz
Battery: 5,150mAh
Working system: Android 14
Colour: Gray, Inexperienced, Blue
Weight: 208g
Supported carriers embody: Dash, T-Cell
My expertise
Once I first unboxed the C50, my response was that it wasn’t a bad-looking cellphone. It actually will not place in any high 5 lists for aesthetics, nevertheless it’s additionally not going to be robotically disregarded. Greater than something, due to the digicam lens placement and the flat edges, the system sort of resembles an iPhone. I am positive this was by design, and I don’t blame Oukitel one bit for making that decision. The cellphone even has a transparent case to guard the perimeters and again.
Additionally: I changed 10 settings on my Android phone to drastically improve battery life
Once I accomplished the setup, the C50 actually impressed me. For a $200 Android cellphone, it performs remarkably nicely. I’ve used telephones twice the worth, they usually did not carry out as easily. Animations are easy, apps open shortly, and switching between apps is quick.
The one efficiency problem was with picture processing. Not like the Pixel 8 Professional’s prompt seize, the C50 barely lags when snapping photographs. Initially, I feared this is able to end in blurry photos, however the digicam carried out admirably, though it lacks depth-of-field adjustment for background blur.
Our yard, as seen via the C50 digicam.
Jack Wallen/ZDNET
So far as apps are involved, I used to be stunned at how little bloatware was on the system. Normally, with such telephones, there are a variety of pointless apps that you need to take away. The C50 included the standard Google apps, an FM radio app, a SIM toolkit, and never far more.
There may be, nevertheless, one little gripe I’ve found with a lot of a majority of these telephones… the house display screen launcher. The C50 seems prefer it has a reasonably customary Android house display screen, however you may shortly uncover there is no such thing as a App Drawer out of the field. All apps are put in on the house display screen, which makes for a cluttered interface. If you wish to add an App Drawer, you may have to put in a third-party house display screen, comparable to Nova Launcher, or you may merely change the Settings app. Open the Dwelling Settings (long-press the house display screen and faucet the Settings icon). Subsequent, faucet Launcher Model after which allow the App Drawer. After enabling the App Drawer, you may as well configure Android to not set up new apps to the house display screen, and also you’re good to go.
Additionally: Nova is my favorite Android home screen launcher – let me show you why
Battery life has been strong, too. I simply reached the top of my day on a full cost. I charged the C50 to 100% and, after gentle utilization, discovered it may lengthen nicely previous the 24-hour mark. In fact, your mileage might fluctuate (relying on the apps you employ and the way a lot you employ them).
Lastly, the show is vibrant, permitting me to see what’s on the display screen in all forms of lighting circumstances. The one time I struggled to see nicely sufficient was when taking pictures photographs open air within the vibrant solar. To essentially see with sufficient readability, I needed to discover a little bit of shade, however for on a regular basis apps like Gmail and Chrome, there have been no points.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
It is easy: when you want an affordable Android cellphone, the Oukitel C50 is difficult to beat. For lower than $200 proper now, this system performs nicely above its value level and appears way more premium than it has a proper to. With a good sufficient digicam, excellent efficiency, a strong battery, and a vibrant show, you possibly can do far worse than this.
My solely recommendation can be to put in a third-party house display screen launcher so as to add an App Drawer again into the combination. Apart from that, the Oukitel C50 is price each penny.
This text was initially revealed on July 19, 2024, and was up to date on September 28, 2024.