Saturday, April 13, 2013

HDC STAR ULEFONE N9589 QUAD CORE MTK6589 / MT6589 5.7 INCH MONSTER PHABLET REVIEW

As I had expected, this phone which I ordered more than a month ago just arrived from Fastcardtech. Again they advertised as 'in stock' but actually not in stock yet. I actually ordered the white version but they did not have stock so I changed my order to the metallic brushed metal blue when they emailed me. I was pleasantly surprised when it came as the phone looked very slick and very high quality even better looking than the Samsung Galaxy phones.

These 2 pictures shows exactly what I received. Note that there is a screen protector already installed on this phone. Just pull the tab off and the front layer comes off. There is another new screen protector included in the box. Also included are 2 cases. A sillicone bumper case and another back cover replacement with the front screen flap cover. The usual wall charger with USB cable, earpiece and spare battery are there as well.

The phone has true Android 4.2.1 and with all the new enhancements that are available in the new android version. 

Screen
The screen is 5.7 inches large and larger than the Samsung Note II. My friends having the original Samsung Note and another having the Note 2 were amazed at the quality and size of the phone. The downside is that the phone has thicker glass which makes the phone heavy and when looked at an angle,  shades of colours that are bright and close to white get washed out because the screen becomes brighter at an angle, probably due to the thick glass diffusing the backlight. This appear to only affect the light colours at an angle. Text on darker background colours still appear very clear and pin sharp. The resolution is really 720x1280 and colours are correctly saturated and beautiful. The whites have a touch of non noticable bluish tint at lowest brightness but disappears as the brightness is increased. Whites are really white without any blue or yellow tint. I confirm this screen to be IPS but the brightness increase when viewed at an angle is a minor flaw but i am not really bothered by it as I never look at my phone from a steep angle. Outdoors, the screen is very readable when the brightness is turned up. Here is a Russian video showing the screen. 


Performance
The Android interface is so fluid and smooth that I sometime get the menus and webpages scrolling down if I touch the links or icons improperly. The screen is so sensitive and smooth that it is sometimes not such a good thing. Screen grabs show the usual Antutu and Quadrant benchmarks.
 
 
Performance is really very good and about on par with any Tegra 3 device. The Tegra 3 devices are always clocked higher and has a slight overall performance lead but Antutu benchmarks show the SGX544 PowerVR GPU is faster than the Tegra 3 in 3D performance by about 20 percent at the same clock speed.When compared to the MTK6577, the SGX533 GPU registers about 900+ in the 3D antutu benchmarks when running a 720 HD screen. The SGX544 is 3100 so it is over 3 times the performance of the older SGX533 running at the same resolution.
Software
This phone has stock Android Jelly Bean 4.2.1 installed and is stable without any crashing in the past 4 days that I have been using it. Google Play Store, Maps, and Gmail are installed. I had to download youtube from Playstore which worked flawlessly.

GPS
I tested GPS outdoors and got a lock in about 3 minutes. When all satellites are discovered, the GPS locked on and gave me the most accurate position ever  within 8 feet. ( Singapore ) Screenshots below. It is a real pity because this phone does not include a compass.
Camera
Camera is of fairly good quality. This phone is advertised to have a 3mp front camera and a 12mp rear camera but that is all nonsense. Actual front camera is actually higher at 5mp and rear camera is also 5mp instead of 12mp. It is 5mp interpolated to 12mp. This has a 5mp quality but just resized to 12mp.( very good quality in daylight ) The LED flash is somewhat lacking in brightness but still usable at close range. The camera sports the new android 4.2.1 interface with photo and video record buttons next to each other. There is also new the smile detection which works very well. Check out the demo samples.

Audio
When I first got this phone, the audio volume at maximum was very weak. I had to get into the engineer menu to adjust the audio settings to full. After that it became ok. Just ok but not as loud as how I would like it to be. But sound quality is very good with a fuller sound. Some other phones like my G9300 has louder volume but higher pitched and more scratchy sounding. Vibration for such a large phone is also weak. I can barely make out the vibration when it is in a loose pants pocket. sic You can access the engineer menu by dialing *#*#3646633#*#*

Battery
When the phone is in standby mode, the 3600mAh battery (really 2800mAh I suspect) the battery last forever. A full day from 9am, with several whatsapp messages, several sms and 2 Gmail accounts with sync and 3G data connection turned on all day, 2 or 3 short phone calls leaves me with about 70% battery when I go to bed at 12 or 1am. This is without any internet surfing on the browser or any games. Just basic communication activities and checking emails. If you are going to be writing many emails and surfing, the spare battery should take care of that for the rest of the day. The large 720 screen does take up a fair bit of power.

Conclusion
I consider this phone to be average due to low volume, missing compass, 5mp back camera and weak flash and over-sensitive touch sensors of the screen, and heavy. But the build quality and the huge screen with nice bright colours and quad core processor, above average battery life makes up for all that. Call quality and Internet speed is also all very good. This phone has more pros than cons and if those cons dont really bother you, go ahead and get this phone. 
Here is the link to fastcardtech. It is 100% in stock now since I already received it. Click on the picture below.


41 comments:

  1. Thanks Greg. What do you think of the ZOPO ZP 980 compared to the N9589? http://www.fastcardtech.com/ZOPO-ZP980 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwWxvYn2riM
    Given the specs, I was a little concerned about the 2000 MAh battery but otherwise on paper seems like a decent bit of kit. Thoughts?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The zopo should be a better phone and the battery rating is real. If you are willing to pay the almost $100 in price difference then go for it. For me, I would rather add a little more and get the LG nexus 4

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    2. Thanks Greg. Just started looking for the LG Nexus 4 on eBay.com - Play Store has a massive backlog. Will keep you posted how it pans out.

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  2. Great article, do you have any information / opinion about this device - http://www.fastcardtech.com/HDC-Galaxy-Note3-H9600-Plus or maybe this one http://www.fastcardtech.com/MIZ-Z5 ?

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    Replies
    1. The Note 3 should be about the same as this phone. The MIZ-Z5 appears to be a better phone. I already ordered one and waiting for it to come in.

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    2. Great, thanks ... will wait for your Miz Z5 review.

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  3. hi greg
    your link is to this model
    HDC Galaxy Note 2 N9589 MTK6589 Quad Core- 1.2Ghz 1G Ram 5.8 inch HD IPS Screen Android 4.1.2 Phone
    dont think they are the same?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I bought this phone from this link. It is the same phone. Android 4.2.1 is a bonus.

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  4. Thank you for your Great Info and Reviews im a Little confused but is STAR and HDC the same Company ??

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Star and HDC are different companies. It seems that they don't design the phones themselves but buys or orders them from the phone factories. Most of these phones should be copies of reference designs produced by the processor manufacturer Mediatek. There isn't any Star logo or HDC logo on it. You could even order few hundred of these yourself from the factory and call it your own brand.

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. Wow Thank you Greg that clears stuff up

      I am trying to decide between the
      http://www.fastcardtech.com/Star-Galaxy-Note-2-N7102-Plus
      &
      http://www.fastcardtech.com/Star-Galaxy-Note-2-N7189

      Specs seem to be the same except for the Stylus pen and front camera

      Also do you know if I can get clean android firmware for these ?

      pls share any Input on these 2 phones I would appreciate it

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    4. Star N7102 plus:
      The phone looks like a very good low cost quad core running jelly bean 4.2.1 which is very good. I am sure it does not have a compass and not sure if the GPS is good or not. I like the stylus (although it is the cheap fat tip one) and it has a real 8mp rear camera.

      Star N7189 :
      This phone is a similar version as the other one and could have most of the same components. The rear camera is 5mp but will have a bigger battery because of the larger battery area without the stylus slot.

      Either is ok for me but depends on your needs. Better rear camera or bigger battery without stylus? Your choice.

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    5. Awesome Thank you Greg I am Leaning more towards the N7102 I like the stylus 2 :D

      Pls forward me your Link to purchase so that you can get credit as you have been a huge Help

      I am waiting on FCT to send me the proper Info for this phone as unfortunately they cut and paste info and pictures from other phones which just makes the buyer more confused

      Last Question I have where can I find custom android firmware for this Model to Root and clean all the chinese apps and stuff preinstalled

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    6. Use my link with my id

      http://www.fastcardtech.com/Star-Galaxy-Note-2-N7102-Plus?u=54665

      These phones are still very new so there will be no custom roms. Perhaps if the phone is very popular some custom roms will appear usually in the Russian forums. Usually if the rom is very stable there will be no custom roms. Usually custom roms are to fix problems in these phones.

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    7. Awesome Got it Thank you Greg I actually Havent Ordered yet becuase i have sent FCT various e-mails requesting a little bit of more Info on the product like correct specs and picture of the Blue Color bot they have yet to Awnser :( lets see I might have to buy it from geekbuying which has similar prices and better faster service im going to give them a day or 2 if they dont reply then I will know what i can expect from customer service

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  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  6. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would like to review your phones but your email is not working. Please send me your correct email address again. Thanks.

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    2. I think its Yiyi@orientdeal.com i have been to their site :D hope that helps

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  7. Hi Greg,

    it is a question about different device: HDC Storm MX. I got it a week ago from FCT and so far it looks fine. All services on it are working just as expected except one of the most important: namely the GSM signal reception is very unstable and weak. It actually is unusable as if I walk in to a building where I had never issues with my previous phones this one immediately looses signal.
    I suppose the fact that it is a dual SIM forces the need of 2 antenna modules so probably the antennas are smaller and not so sensitive.

    Have you heard about such issues and would you have any advise?

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    Replies
    1. I would think that both sim card slots share the same antenna. As for the gsm problem I am not sure as most phones I used do not have this issue. The service provider i subscribe to uses wcdma for 3g and gsm for 2g. The phone network setting is set to auto. Perhaps you can try forcing it to manually use gsm 2g. There is a slot that uses wcdma/gsm and the other uses gsm only. Try switching slots and playing around with the network settings. You can turn off or on 3g in Settings/more.

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    2. Or how about forcing it to use wcdma 3g network.

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    3. Hi Greg, just FYI you were right the phone have only one antenna module. I dismounted the whole device and realised the antenna itself was not plugged properly to the connector on the motherboard. Now I have perfect GSM coverage.

      The HDC Storm MX itself is pretty decent device. Very fast and works stable. Looking inside the device I think there is still a long way until the main mobile producers quality is reached :-) .

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  8. Thanks for the reply I actually tried all these possibilities (I believe).
    Now waiting for FCT (or the manufacturer) to say something. I hope they will dial with my issue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Might be a design flaw. Or they will ask you to send it back for repair. Be quick about it because it will be free return shipping before1 month.

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  9. hi greg

    please recommend a quadcore , at least 5 inch , latest version of JB , not over USD250 , as much RAM as possible phone to buy from FCT

    thanks

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  10. hello greg.

    I've read several negative reviews about fastcardtech.com and I'm not sure if I should order something thru them. What do you think.

    Also, tried to find the deep blue color option to get the same as u show on the images but I was unable to. If you could guide me on that.

    Also, which one would u get, miz z5 or n9589?

    thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Most china online stores have negative reviews as their staff are unable to communicate effectively in English. I ordered a Miz z5 but sent it back because the screen was faulty. The Miz is surely lighter and slimmer than this N9589. I was not able to test it so I cannot give you an answer. I know fastcardtech has the blue phone. I have not checked others. Fastcardtech so far has the largest inventory of any reseller.

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  11. Hi Greg
    Your review is Awesome!!

    Thanks for your review.

    Question 1) Miz-z5 and N9589 both have only wife b/g. there is no n? I use wireless router at home which support wifi n too. Do you think it really metters?

    Question 2) When will you get Miz-z5 back and review it? I want to order one either n9589 or Miz-z5 after watching your review on Miz-z5. What do you this of it?

    Question 3) between Miz-z5 and Miz-z3 what is the real difference?
    Miz-z3 has bigger battery capacity and pen. then what is the advantage of Miz-z5? Can you tell me true story between Miz-z5 and Miz-z3?

    Question 4) If you want to choose one out of Miz-z5, Miz-z3 and N9589, which do you pick for the purpose of Web-surfing, Youtube video and Listening to Music but no gaming?
    Thanks,
    I can't wait for your review of Miz-z5 and z3..

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  12. I know this monster is good, but I am looking for a 1:1 phone, recent models like Note 2 and S4. (1:1 meaning visually the same, accepting gen accessories).

    Your top favorite only has 5.4". The big gap between the screen and the button is very obvious!
    http://www.fastcardtech.com/goods-7850-HDC-Galaxy-Note-2-N7100--MTK6577-Dual-Core-12Ghz-1G-Ram-54-inch-QHD-Screen-Android-411-Phone.html

    The HDC Note 2 ultra looks very close, but it doesn't come with s-pen. Are you kidding me!?
    http://www.fastcardtech.com/HDC-Galaxy-Note-2-Ultra

    Now, the IHD 7105 has a closer s-pen, but they doesn't look the same at all. That makes me wonder if 1:1 Note 2 is a dead end that the s-pen cannot be cloned.
    http://www.fastcardtech.com/IHD-Galaxy-Note-2-7105

    Any experience with the HDC S4? The spec looks very good. Wait a minute... where's the light sensor supposed to be on the left of the ear piece?
    http://www.fastcardtech.com/HDC-Galaxy-S4-EX
    http://www.fastcardtech.com/HDC-Galaxy-S4-I9500

    Wondering if there is plan to correct the discrepanceies. Thanks Greg!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry to tell you that there is almost never a 1:1 clone except the goophone i5 n2. Even any s4 clone is not 1:1 and will not fit standard cases. All the phones you listed are not 1:1 and I don't even need to check the specs. Goophone has a note2 clone and is 1:1 but is dual core and old ice cream sandwich android. Forget about S-pen because the screen and stylus uses Wacom stylus technology which the clone makers can't copy. Even if they could copy, price would be doubled. The only way is to buy the real thing.

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  13. Hey Greg.
    What phone should I buy between 100-150€.
    I need 1 with good GPS signal.
    Screen not too big 4" or 4.5"
    Surf on internet
    Take some pictures.
    Video record with some quality.

    Can you give me your opinion.
    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  14. Hi Greg,
    Can you recommend a good Note 2 clone? Preferably one that has a stylus similar to ass pen. Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Greg,
    Thanks for your review.

    Just a quick one.
    How do you keep the spare battery charged and ready for swapping?

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Buy one of those cheap universal phone battery wall plug chargers. You can find those for about $10

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  16. Hello Greg,

    Regarding your review of HDC Star N9589.
    In engineer mode which audio Mode and Type do I have to adjust to increase the audio of the speaker in the back of the phone?

    Thanks

    ReplyDelete
  17. I have a Star N9589. I got it about 3 months ago. It was a really great phone for the price, the camera was so so and the lack of a real compass was a bit of a loss to me but it didn't stop me last week from using it in my air conditioned car as a combined google gps and bluetooth audio media server. It lasted 4 hours then died! After taking off the battery it got to the Android animation screen then finally completely and utterly died, no USB connection, no nothing. It wasn't even very warm when it died, nothing like my old Galaxy S used to get. So be warned very nice but if it dies and you got it from Aliexpress its probably got no useable warranty, just like mine!

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  18. Hi Good day i see your blogs and it was amazing its very helpful to me especially when im creating some new blogs if you want to visit my site if you want? here just visit im smartphone online store you can visit any time you want

    ReplyDelete
  19. Needroms.com good source of stock roms and custom also info and help links too

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sorry new to this but if anyone needs roms for star type handsets this is a great starting point with some good info included.

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