TP-LINK Neffos X1 32GB smartphone - advantages and disadvantages

The TP-LINK company, founded in 1996, gained fame thanks to its network equipment. Smartphone production is a new branch of the brand. This is how the Neffos line entered the market in 2015. The first rather simple devices were the Neffos C5, Neffos C5L and Neffos Ca Max. Another brainchild of this TP-LINK manufacturer is the Neffos X1 16Gb / 32Gb.

This smartphone was presented to the general consumer in the first autumn month of 2016, and since then has gained popularity in various countries. And the popularity of TP-LINK models is due to the combination of modern functionality with an affordable price. As you know, the way to a man's heart lies through the stomach, and the way to the heart of a client of any gender lies through the price of the product that he is offered to buy. More precisely, through the price of such a product, the quality of which can be compared with more expensive counterparts. And, of course, if this price is affordable for many interested buyers. And with this, the Neffos X1 is all right.

This is a confident average with good prospects. Its average selling price in Russia is 11-12 thousand rubles (and some sites hold promotions where you can buy it for 10 thousand rubles). In other words, it belongs to the mid-budget. Of course, for such a price you can find a more powerful smartphone (and also made in China), but the Neffos X1's advantage is its warranty and good service.

In August 2018, Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 (also made in China), Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) (budget version of Samsung) and Meizu M6 Note got into the rating of high-quality and inexpensive smartphones. However, the Neffos X1 didn't get lost in their background. Why? Let's get a look. Let's dwell on the Neffos X1 32GB model.

Smartphone appearance

Neffos X1 is a compact, stylish device. Those who are used to associating TP-LINK exclusively with network equipment, well, or with the first Neffos smartphones that are not particularly eye-catching, looking at the X1 will be pleasantly surprised.

Its body is made of metal of gray or gold color, the front is 2.5D glass, and the side ends have a mirrored diamond cut. The smooth contours of the back surface, beveled edges and compact dimensions allow the device to be ergonomically lowered into the palm of your hand and therefore very easy to use with one hand. The antennas of the radio modules are hidden in the housing inserts made of plastic at the top and bottom. But if you do not have a magnet, then you will never guess that it is plastic, since these parts have the color and texture of metal.

Two color options for the Neffos X1

Dimensions Neffos X1 - 142 × 71 × 7.95 mm (width-height-thickness), weight - 134 g.

The Neffos X1 has an interesting innovation - a movable button to the most frequently used functions. Thanks to her, it is convenient to operate this device anywhere (including on the street or in transport, but it is better not to drive).

The manufacturer installed a hybrid SIM card slot and a memory card in the left side of the model, next to it there is a lever for activating the silent mode - a very convenient option, by the way.

On the back of the device in the center there is a corporate logo, and just above there is a block in which the rear module with a two-color flash and a touch-sensitive fingerprint scanner are combined.

Brand logo

The biometric sensor needs only 0.2 seconds to unlock. According to various consumer reviews, this device has the best fingerprint recognition accuracy.Of course, in the Neffos X1, their owners had to reapply their finger for recognition, but the number of such errors was minimal (compared to other smartphones).

Fingerprint sensor touch readings

In passing, we note that by touching the scanner on the Neffos X1, in addition to unlocking, you can take a photo.

Design

The design of this device expresses its general concept: on the one hand, technical advancement, and on the other, ease of use. Although its ease of use was achieved precisely through numerous technical trials, which allowed us to design a perfectly curved metal back cover that practically follows the curves of the palm. That is why the Neffos X1 is easy to hold and easy to manipulate. Another advantage of the design is that the metal surface is not polished (like other smartphones), but rather rough, and therefore the device does not slip out of the palm.

The design of this device expresses its general concept: on the one hand, technical advancement, and on the other, ease of use. Although its ease of use was achieved precisely through numerous technical trials, which allowed us to design a perfectly curved metal back cover that practically follows the curves of the palm. That is why the Neffos X1 is easy to hold and easy to manipulate. Another advantage of the design is that the metal surface is not polished (like other smartphones), but rather rough, and therefore the device does not slip out of the palm.

Package Included

• Neffos X1 32GB;
• network adapter;
• branded headset;
• USB cable.

Device Specifications

In principle, 3 GB of RAM is not bad, but if you run any heavy application, you will feel a lack of space. The installed memory card will help to increase the memory parameters.

It is worth remembering about the combined slot, so you can fill the trays in two variations: two SIM cards of the "nano" type or a SIM card and microSD / HD / XC.

Among the useful sensors of the Neffos X1 are light level scanners, proximity scanners, a fingerprint sensor that works in 0.2 seconds, an accelerometer.

Autonomy

A non-removable lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 2250 mAh is responsible for work without recharging.

When watching videos in HD quality, the display will be set to medium brightness, the smartphone can work continuously for up to 9 hours. If you use it for games, then no more than 4 hours (many users say that only 3 hours).

There are power saving modes, there are two of them: intelligent and maximum.

One of the advantages of the battery is fast charging: TP-LINK charges up to 50% in half an hour.

Wireless communications

Wi-Fi at 5 GHz, there is also a Wi-Fi turbo option that allows you to download large files immediately via Wi-Fi and mobile networks;

• Dual Band;
• Bluetooth;
• microUSB (USB 2.0) connector for charging / synchronization;
• LTE support is provided.

Navigation

Neffos X1 supports GPS, GLONASS, A-GPS navigation systems. Navigation works smoothly almost anywhere.

According to one driver, this device picks up a signal very quickly, once he caught it on the track in just a couple of seconds at a speed of 120 km / h.

Sound

A multimedia speaker and a microUSB port are located at the bottom end, and on top there are an audio output (3.5 mm) and a microphone, among the functions of which there is a task to minimize the noise level.

MicroUSB port and multimedia speaker

The sound can be turned on at maximum volume, it will not be distorted or faint, but it could still be better. There is only one external speaker, and a microphone is hidden under the second grill. You can listen to music with the supplied headphones.The volume control button of this device is located on the right side, and under it is the power button.

Volume rocker and power key

They are both quite large and noticeably rise above the surface of the case, it is difficult to confuse them, as each has a different texture from the other.

Screen

The smartphone has a capacitive touch screen with an oleophobic coating (2.5 D protective glass), which is made on the basis of an IPS matrix and occupies 76% of the front surface of the smartphone. Designed using in-cell-touch technology, that is, it has no air gap, and therefore all images on it look even more saturated than in the original. TDDI technology was also used.

The screen diagonal is 5 inches (1280 × 720 - resolution, with a 294 pixel density).

Neffos X1 has a large margin of brightness, there is an automatic and manual option for adjusting it, you can additionally adjust the color temperature. And which can be adjusted both manually and automatically. It also has a color temperature setting.

In addition, the Miracast option allows you to wirelessly broadcast the image from the display device to a computer monitor or TV screen.

An excellent indicator of the display is its recognition and response to 10 touches, and even the lightest touch of the screen is perceived.

Multitouch test

The touch-sensitive system control buttons located under the screen are not backlit. But there is an event indicator above the screen. The settings allow you to swap the "Recent applications" and "Back" buttons, they have the same icons ("-").

The screen has adaptive control, that is, the brightness is adjusted taking into account the illumination level. There is a fairly effective anti-reflective coating.

The Neffos X1 display behaves well in the sun, the color quality does not suffer at all.

Main camera specifications

• sensor: Sony IMX286 Exmor RS;
• resolution: 13 megapixels;
• phase detection autofocus;
• 5-element lens;
• dual two-color flash;
• fourfold digital zoom;
• f / 2.0 aperture;
• modes: HDR, panoramic, slow motion and shooting at regular intervals.

(HDR mode (High Dynamic Range). With its help the program can choose the optimal ratio of color, brightness and contrast in the picture. The camera will take three shots in a row with different ratios of illumination and shutter speed. Autofocus will capture areas of the frame with different brightness and focal length. The system will automatically analyze the received frames and produce the final image in which the color, brightness and contrast of all details will be best combined.)

As you can see, the main camera can take very decent pictures.

Unfortunately, this device does not have a manual camera setup mode, and there is no stabilization, digital and optical. Despite this, in the automatic mode and in good lighting, you can take decent shots, where small details clearly come out. At night, the quality of shooting is expected to be worse, and this is not surprising. Today, only flagship smartphones can take high-quality night pictures (and it is very likely that such a difference is artificially maintained, since now the cost of the camera already allows the option of good night pictures to be included in mid-budget devices).

The front camera has a 5MP resolution and a wide-angle lens.

There is a face beautification mode. For Instagram - just a great option. True, this applies to daytime photos.

An example of a selfie taken with a front camera with face beautification mode:

Selfie taken with front camera

This is how he takes pictures during the day

In sunny weather:

Photo during daylight hours in sunny weather

In cloudy weather:

Photo in the afternoon in cloudy weather

Another photo taken during the day:

Day photo

Vividly about how he photographs at night:

Photo taken at night

Neffos X1 has two photo modules: the main (rear) camera and the front one.

Video

Neffos X1 plays HD video without freezing and plays most games, providing a good level of frame rate.

Both cameras can record video clips in FullHD (1920 × 1080) quality.All multimedia content is stored in 3GP container files (AVC - video, AAC - audio). In addition, there is shooting at slow speed (× 4, 640 × 480), as well as recording at intervals of 1, 2, 5 and 10 sec.

HD video

Pros and cons of Neffos X1 32GB smartphone

• Attractive and thoughtful design;
• a button that refers to the functions that are used most often;
• fast and reliable internet;
• many users are satisfied that TP-LINK does not overheat even under high load and at the same time works smoothly and quickly, does not slow down or freeze (including games, pulls them all);
• good work of the biometric sensor to unlock the phone, it perceives even wet fingers;
• good quality of photo and video shooting with sufficient lighting;
• affordable price.

• there is no optical and digital stabilization;
• many users do not like the combined SIM card slot and flash memory;
• pictures taken at night are poor;
• according to some users, the battery is discharged very quickly, they say, 3-4 hours and that's it (however, these were reviews from game lovers, and they play continuously);
• Neffos X1 has been crammed with unnecessary (many owners) and non-removable applications - well, all smartphones have it.

All in all, if you are looking for a quality smartphone at a reasonable price, then this is it. What you need. In addition, if we remember that TP-LINK has a good reputation as an electronics manufacturer in general, then the choice of a suitable device will become obvious.