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MiPhone A3 – hands on with the Android powered iPhone super clone

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Miphonea3r

Once charged, the first boot up. 33 seconds from start, which is pretty fast by early Android standards, and then there’s the screen. First surprise, the screen is really nice, top class even. A very responsive, bright capacitive touchscreen, which whisks through the menus as fast as a Nexus One. Didn’t expect that. The icons are useful, and traditional, no surprises here.

Making a call? Easy to do (easier than the T-Mobile Pulse for instance, which buries contacts in a deeply impenetrable underworld menu for some strange reason) and the call quality is clear and very crisp in the ear. The incoming call tone is a little quiet as default, which indicates a quiet speaker, but I’m guessing using the right ringtone will overcome that.

Miphonea3k

Second surprise. No Android Market icon. For some reason none of the Barcode Reader apps work with this camera either which is a Major Annoyance. Means I have to hassle around finding alternative options for grabbing apps without using the cool fast barcode method on Androlib.com.

  1. Option 1. Google for the .apk filenames to find my favourite apps for download. Not ideal but works for a few.
  2. Option 2. Download and install (via the browser) the SAM app market application from Slideme.org. It’s not perfect, not enough apps, but it will do for a few more applications.
  3. Option 3. Download and install the AppBrain market app from AppBrain.com. This is actually a cool application which syncs your apps on a private online account, so you can keep track of your installations and move them from phone to phone easily. Unfortunately the tech is buggy as heck, and only works half the time with this handset. But when/if they fix it – yessir!

So finally, a decent set of applications are loaded. The most important, Handcent SMS and Advanced Task Killer (ATK) are onboard, as is Quick Settings, but for some reason its icon won’t stay on the screen. Which is evidence of yet another glitchy software bug – icons won’t stay where you put them. Each time you reboot, or even overnight, the icons move around to some random order – very frustrating. A software update is looking more necessary by the minute.

Miphonea3f

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21 Comments

  • There are zircons, then there are diamonds. iPhones are diamonds. Why buy a fake?

    • Because your "diamond" has a closed and repressive app store, controlled by two megalomaniacs (Steve-o and AT&T).

    • Just wait until early June when the new iPhone is released. Wonders will never cease.
      You just go ahead and get your fake crap.

    • Unless you're implying that during the June release Apple's going to announce the ability to run any app obtained outside the appstore, or that they'll back down on the draconian rules they impose on developers, or that they'll codify the rules of the currently highly cryptic approval process [In which case I'd say you're highly delusional, or have a terminal case of optimism]; your reply did not really address my objection.

      I understand that some people like living in gilded cages (remember how long it took for the iPhone to get Copy-Paste?), but don't befuddlement when some people proclaim their preference for living free.

    • That last sentence was supposed to say "don't claim befuddlement when some people proclaim their preference for living free."

    • This has a good in it. Users less likely get a fake app contain spywares that blow out of the proportion risking our security.

  • What version of Android?

    Is there a reason why you couldn't go to the official Android Market instead of AndroidLib?

    Finally, on the manufacturer website, it says its for CDMA (sprint, verizon, etc), but here it uses a sim (GSM).. do they have both??

  • Like i spot in Vkamobi

  • So, over a quarter of a million app developers are blowing smoke?? No they're making money from being able to write apps that don't screw up the phone.

    • See, you're still deflecting. Nowhere did I say that app developers were "blowing smoke" (whatever the heck that means). I said that Apple treats them like their personal masochistic b*tches. The developers let themselves get subjugated exactly for the reason that you stated: they get paid. That doesn't make the way Apple treats them, or the iron-handed grip they have and what should be the USER's phone, right or defensable.

    • Case in point: http://shiftyjelly.wordpress.com/2010/06/01/sente

  • Hi,
    Really good review! I bought the "updated 800mhz" version of the phone from Mobino1.com but I got the version you reviewed. Really annoying, the shippment was fast but the service after when I told them that I got the wrong phone was awful.
    Like they didn't care at all, and that pissed me off. They just said, we made a mistake, sorry for that. Hope you understand. That's all when I told how do we fix this.
    After that I've tried to reason with them, I know that if I tried to send it back, it would take me forever, and the phone is actually pretty good. Instead of that, I tried to get them to send me the ROM for the firmware, but no luck there either. Now they just ignoring me, after a few. Thanks for all, have a nice day. When I tried to talk with them over msn. Anyway, the reason I write this comment, is first I really like this blog, and second if someone know were I can find the ROM for the phone.

    Cheers!

    • Bought from Mobino1 myself, terrible customer service and a nightmare t deal with. Would not recommend.

  • Thanks for the great review. I am so use to reading disparaging comments about smart phones intended for the Chinese market it is refreshing to read something that is fair and balanced. Remember, all you people who want to sneer at 'fakes', this is intended for Chinese consumers with Chinese income levels. For the price I think that this phone offers amazing performance and hardware and as the reviewer wrote it would only take a firmware upgrade to make it something really great. The Chinese are learning fast and it is only a matter of time before we see the world conquering Chinese smartphone.

    Can someone provide the URL for the manufacturer's website?

    • Bought this phone and it is rubbish, carera is very poor, speaker is very poor also. Build quality is sub-par. Software is not complete. I could go on and on and on…….. Eventually I paid about 10% more for a proper smartphone by a major manufacturer and could not be happier. Also be aware you will probably have to pay customs tax if buying in USA or Europe so the price differential is nothing. GET A PROPER PHONE!

  • Hey guys,

    we are starting a new website where we reviews chinese phones and suppliers (wholesellers).

    It would be great if you guys can give your opinions about it and maybe even become members on our forum.

    The URL is http://www.chinamobileseurope.com
    Thank you in advance!

    John Dekenz

  • Anyone know if the screen on the A3 is solid, as opposed to the soft creaky LCD screens you get on some Chinese 'touch screen' mobiles (e.g. Miphone M89)?

    Also, whether Android allows synchronisation with Microsoft Outlook (calendar and contacts) like Windows phones do? Thanks.

  • Miphon A3 do not advise anyone. Bought and is very sorry about this – do not spend money you do not get the fact that the stated

  • It's great to see reviews of reasonably priced phones. There's a market for decent phones (not apple fakes) with good software for those of us not interested in the apple hype & restrictions.

    It would also be good to see recommendations for legitimate stores selling stuff like this – ie good products, fair price, good service

  • How can i unlock my mi A300 phone?

  • It looks like iphone

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