[Android General] Deen0X:
[REVIEW] Phablet/Console Much i5 (5" Quad-Core)

​

Note

Due to the limitations of this forum, i cannot put the full version of the review. THIS IS NOT THE FULL REVIEW ARTICLE

For the complete version of this review visit my blog .

Package contents(Unboxing y full description of the package contents)

​

When the package is opened, we found the following elements that, i understand, are part of any standard shipment for this product.

Much i5 Device

Quick guide

Guarantee sheet

MicroUSB cable

USB Wall charger

3550 mAh Battery

Serial number sticker

About first impression

My first impression of the device was so good. I really feel that the device materials and quality is distinct that other devices i tested.

There is lots of details that make a difference, from the device design, or the software included, or the customization made on the system, etc.

The first time you boot the device, you get a screen to register an iMuch account. This is not required really, but you can do these steps to gain access for Much services (note: most in chinese). In my tests, i remove my Much account, and i can use the device without problems.

​

(First boot)

There is a icon called Much Helper, that really is a quick guide to use the device, that is so interesting and helpful (this come in english), and show you in short steps the main features of the device and how to use.

​

Is really nice get a device like this that manufacturer take care about heir users, and provide ways to get familiar and comfortable with the device like this (and in english, a common language).

Another thing that i get may attention is that this device come with no much bloatware, and the games listed are to download from the google playstore (instead of a separated store with software from a non clear origin)

​

Most of this games are free, or demo versions.(and i thanks for it, because the system come with no unecessary software pre-installed)

Product information

​

According with the manufacturer, or searching info on web pages, we can found many sources of information about the device and sometimes these information may be not consistent (may be different from one web page to other), and this may cause some confusion for anybody that wants to get info about this product.

On this section i will post the info i get from the manufacturer (or is not possible, the web page that i consider more reliable), listing only the relevant points for a tech analysis of the product, and omit these points that don´t get any relevant info about the device (as many time we found on many pages, things such video capabilities, mail capabilities, etc, that really are software based features that we can install on the device, and not a real feature of the device itself)

CPU(RAM): MTK6589 quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex A7

GPU: PowerVR Series 544

RAM: 1G RAM LPDDR2

Internal: 4GB ROM

Screen size: 5"

Screen resolution: 1280x720

Screen Type: IPS Panel, Multitouch 5 points

Operating System: Android4.2 (Much Launcher)

Storage: MicroSD(TF) support 64GB storage expand maximum

Sensor: Nine-axis sensing (gyroscope, electronic compass, and gravity sensing), and light-sensitive sensing, close up sensing

Camera: Main camera of 8 MPx, digital zoom, auto focus, microspur support, Flash LED. Front camera of 0.3 MPx;

Network Function: support WCDMA 850M/2100M GSM 850/900/1800/1900MHZ, HSUPA(high speed uplink):up to 11.5 Mbps,HSDPA+( high speed downlink):up to 42.2 Mbps

Wifi: 802.11b/g/n

bluetooth: V4.0LE +EDR

GPS: with AGPS support

Buttons: 4 action buttons, 2 Shoulder buttons, 2 special buttons (configurable), DPAD and 2 analog sticks.

Video Play: Hardware decoding, maximum resolution up to 1280x720P, H.264, MPEG4, MPEG2, VC-1, H.263

Audio System: D-class amplifier , AAC speaker (2x0.5w)

Power Supply: 3550mAh Lithium battery

Charge: dual interface charge, (Bottom) Micro USB charge interface 1A charge, (Top) Micro USB charge interface 500mA charge maximum.

TV-Out: Mini HDMI interface (support 1080P)

USB: MicroUSB OTG 2.0

Dual standard SIM card(WCDMA/GSM) + MicroSD(TF) card

size: 184.0x88.0x14.7mm

Antutu X Benchmark

​

Summary:

RAM Operation: 1089

RAM Speed: 502

CPU integer: 1819

CPU float-point: 1242

2D graphics: [720x1280] 646

3D graphics: [720x1280] 3294

Storage I/O: 832

Database I/O: 515

CPU frequency: 1209 MHz (x4)

Multitask: 2661

Dalvik: 780

Total: 13380

ClockWorkMod Recovery (Custom Recovery)

​

Android have a special mode called Recovery, that is used many times to recover the device if this have problems to run properly, but there exist an alternative Custom Recovery that add a lot of new functionality and tools, and one of the most popular is one called ClockWorkMod Recovery.

There is a full functional version of this recovery that run on this device.

One of the most important features of this custom recovery, is the NANDROID generation, a way to generate a full backup of the nand (where the operating system resides) to a directory, and can be used as a recovery point for the device in case of semi-brick, or simply if you want to get a clean firmware on it.

Take note that this backup (nandroid) is a image of the NAND, this means, there will be stored all your configs, users, passwords, accounts, etc. Is a good idea to get a clean firmware insatlled on the device, and install and configure all your base programs (file admins, cloud services, google account, etc) and then get a nandroid for your personal use. When you get back to this image/backup, you will get a clean and configured system, saving lot of time on basic configurations and installing basic software.

The installation of CWM on this device is easy. For this, i follow the next thread on XDA forum:

How to install CWM on most rooted mtk devices

This method is based on Rua1 tool (a russian guy that develop a specific MTK took), and i will try to explay step by step.

First, you need the drivers ADB installed on the system. If you don´t get yet, then download and install PDANet (for windows, there is the 4.12 installer).

Then install PDANet, and when the program ask for connecting the device (USB), connect your Much.

Program will install drivers (if ask to you, select "other manufacturer" for generic drivers)

When you get installed this program, then go and download "MTK Droid Root & Tools | MediaTek Android Smartphone" ver 2.4.8 (from this thread on XDA)

Run the program. If the antivirus or firewall warning about a unknown thread, ignore it.

The program will run adb and connect with your device. No matter if you set root for ADB and Apps in System Settings, the program will inform that the device is not fully rooted. (there is a yellow rectangle)

Press ROOT button.

When finished, the rectangle will be green

​

(I will do a copy paste from XDA thread, because is well explained what you must to do)

Click on the tab 'root,backup,recovery' and select 'to use boot from phone' then click on 'recovery and boot' and shortly after a dialogue box will appear asking if you want to 'make cwm recovery automatically' click yes

​

System start to generate the CWM version.

​

Is possible that the tool show a dialog with a warning "ATENTION! There is a probability to damage the boot block!". Select "Yes"

Android Games

​

Asphalt 8: Airborne

​

(Using Tincore to control the game)

Jet Set Radio

​

Bard´s Tale

​

Dead Trigger

​

N.o.v.a. 3

Using HDMI TV Out, External controller (PXN8633 Wireless controller with USB receiver) and Tincore to map the controller to screen.

​

Modern Combat 4: Zero Hour

Using HDMI TV Out, External controller (PXN8633), and Tincore for mapping.

​

Ravensword

​

Grand Theft Auto Vice CityUsing External Controller and Tincore for mapping.

​

DraStic (Nintendo DS)

​

Zelda Phantom Hourglass

​

PPSSPP (Playstation Portable PSP)

​

Lego Indiana Jones 2

​

Mame4Droid Reloaded (Arcades)

​

Garou: Mark of Wolves

​

Marvel vs Capcom

​

Retroarch

​

Arcade (MAME) - Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3

​

PSX - Tekken 3

​

N64Oid (Nintendo 64)

​

Bad Fur Day

​

(Gameplay)

About Battery

Some words i must to say about this point. This device is the first handheld gaming console that i forgive to take care constantly about battery level. In fact, using as a normal smartphone and as a gaming console, is a heavy use for me, more than my normal smartphone (i like to use a Motorola Razr), and my phone, only as phone, battery is not longer than Much device.

I don´t know how many hours it can be working, but i´m sure is enough for most of users that want a good duration.

Check the following screenshots:

​

These 3 screenshots was taken when i get in home, in night (well, really when i remember to take these screenshots)

The most important of these screenshots, are that the device was working as normal usage, with WIFI enabled, one SIM card enabled, and most time (when i´m in train or bus) with Bluetooth enabled (for bluetooth audio), with all normal options for a smartphone standard enabled (GPS, Vibration, etc), and most important, playing normally, and the battery, well, you can see the images. For this reason i can mention that i forgot to check constantly the battery level, to calculating how many time i can play, or anything.

And of course, the battery is replaceable, then if you really need more battery duration, simply buy another battery pack, and carry with you to replace when you go out of power.

Final words

​

Apologize for the mistakes i did writing in english. As many of you know, this is not my natural language, but i did my best to try to bring to you a readable and understandable article that, sincerely, i hope is useful.

And remember this is not a full article review. It is only a Summary.

Zalu2!

Deen0X