Before moving on to the review of the Vernee Thor smartphone, it is necessary to say a few words about its pedigree. The company's website reports that the Vernee brand was created in February 2016 on the basis of the powerful OEM manufacturer New-Bund Network Technology, which had previously produced electronics for other companies for a long time. Now the time has come to enter the market on its own, and Vernee is making every effort to make the debut as loud and successful as possible.
Characteristics of the Vernee Thor smartphone
You can find out the rest of the characteristics on the manufacturer's website.
Appearance
As you know, people are greeted by their clothes, so we’ll start with the appearance of the smartphone. Supplied in a simple black cardboard box that fits comfortably Charger, USB cable, some instructions and the phone itself.
The body of the smartphone is completely plastic and has a now fashionable shape with rounded edges. On the back panel there is a soft-touch coating, thanks to which the device turned out to be quite grippy. Overall, despite the light weight and thin body, the phone fits snugly in the hand and is comfortable to use. However, lovers of metal cases, bright colors and pink rhinestones are unlikely to be impressed by the Vernee Thor. Its design is simple, discreet and will not attract the admiring glances of friends and girlfriends. However, for many people (including me) this is rather an advantage.
However, when designing the interface, the developers made an unfortunate mistake. In an effort to completely minimize cost, they not only got rid of the light indication of touch buttons, but also their usual graphic symbols, limiting ourselves to only small, inconspicuous points. Because of this, at first you have to get used to controlling your smartphone by touch. It's a shame, but Vernee Thor didn't have room for an event indicator.
Hull and strength
Although the body of the Vernee Thor is made of plastic, this does not affect the build quality at all. All parts fit tightly, there is no play or creaking, and considerable effort is required to remove the back cover. However, you won’t have to do this often, but your smartphone won’t break into pieces if it falls from a small height. The video below shows what loads this smartphone can withstand, and although I have not conducted such experiments, I readily believe in their veracity.
The company explains this strength by the presence inside the case of a metal frame made of titanium alloy, which protects the entire electronic stuffing from damage. In confirmation of these words, this was presented on the official Vernee channel video clip, demonstrating the process complete disassembly Thor.
Interfaces and sensors
The Vernee Thor smartphone provides communications in FDD-LTE, WCDMA, GSM networks and supports the installation of two SIM cards, each of which has a separate slot. I'm glad that there was also a place for a memory card slot, so you don't have to choose what is more important to you, as in some other devices. The Wi-Fi module (b/g/n, 2.4 GHz) works without any problems, and the presence of economical Bluetooth 4.0 will help you use your smartphone with various physical activity trackers, speakers, scales and other smart gadgets.
To navigate the area, the device is equipped with a navigation system that can receive signals from GPS and GLONASS satellites. This allows the smartphone to quickly and accurately determine the location even in adverse conditions. When testing the navigation system, Thor was able to detect satellites during a “cold start” in about 2 minutes, and then it took no more than 10-15 seconds to determine the location.
Screen
The screen of a smartphone is one of its strongest advantages. It provides a truly bright and clear picture that you wouldn't expect to see in a device in this price range. The picture is perfectly displayed not only indoors, but also outdoors thanks to a solid reserve of brightness. The developers are so confident in the merits of the Vernee Thor screen that they were not afraid to compare its characteristics with the iPhone 6s.
The smartphone display is protected by tempered glass with an oleophobic coating and rounded edges. The Vernee Thor screen is framed with thin frames, which made it possible to fit a matrix with a five-inch diagonal into a fairly compact body. Look at the comparison between our hero and the old Fly 446, which has almost the same dimensions, but at the same time a much smaller screen diagonal.
Performance and autonomy
The heart of this smartphone is the MT6753 processor from MediaTek. This is a 64-bit eight-core processor that will allow Vernee Thor owners to experience absolutely no discomfort when running resource-intensive applications and games for a long time.
This processor also boasts quite economical energy consumption. This is achieved due to the fact that the cores are turned on in turn only when necessary. The operating frequency of the cores also adjusts to the load level. Therefore, during moments of inactivity, the smartphone consumes a minimum of energy, which allows you to extend the battery charge for a day or more. Of course, the capacity of 2,800 mAh cannot be called very large, but you should understand that you shouldn’t count on record-breaking battery life in a budget gadget.
Since we are talking about the battery, it should be noted that the manufacturer initially promised the presence of the function fast charging. However, when testing the device, it was revealed that this can lead to rapid battery wear. Therefore, this function was blocked by software and now it takes about three hours to fully charge the Vernee Thor.
Camera and sound
The Vernee Thor smartphone uses an Aptina Imaging (ON Semiconductor) AR1335 CMOS module with a resolution of 13 megapixels and a matrix size of 1/3.2 as the main camera. It is clear that this is a fairly budget solution, but the device’s camera is quite suitable for taking good pictures, especially in normal lighting. However, it’s better to look at a few photos for yourself and make your own verdict. The shooting was done with default settings, the photographs were not subject to correction (only resizing in GIMP).
But the sound of the smartphone sincerely pleased me. When listening to good headphones Vernee Thor produces a rich sound palette, rich in both high and low frequencies. The volume reserve allows you to drown out everything extraneous sounds even in public transport, so those who like to listen to music on the way to work will love this smartphone.
Fingerprint's scanner
The presence of a fingerprint scanner is one of the distinctive features of this gadget. Indeed, such luxury is rare in smartphones in this price category. Support for this function appeared only in Android 6, so not many users are familiar with it. It's a pity - it turns out to be a very convenient thing!
In Vernee Thor, using a fingerprint, you can not only unlock the device, but also authorize in some applications, for example, make payments in Google Play. At first, you have to get used to placing your finger on the sensor correctly, but after a short training period, the scanner begins to confidently recognize the owner. Especially after the recent update software, which the developers specifically released to improve this function.
Software
The Vernee Thor smartphone uses Android 6.0 Marshmallow as its operating system. At the same time, the manufacturer decided not to fool us with its own shells and presented the system in the purest, one might say, pristine form. This can also be attributed to the advantages of a smartphone, because this ensures maximum speed and stability. And everyone can provide themselves with additional functions and decorations according to their needs and tastes.
The smartphone supports OTA updates, and the developers promise to provide the device with the latest patches and updates (one of them has already been released recently). But it’s much more interesting what the Vernee company posted source operating system, which will allow third party developers create your own firmware. This means that owners of this smartphone will soon have the opportunity to install CyanogenMod and other alternative firmware, which is good news.
Results
I would consider the undoubted advantages powerful processor and as many as three gigabytes random access memory, which will allow users to solve almost any problem and even play the most modern mobile games. The screen and sound of the Vernee Thor are excellent and I am sure that no owner will find any reason to complain in this regard. But the body is not for everyone; many may find it too boring or even cheap. Although its quality and durability are excellent, this cannot be taken away. Well, the fingerprint scanner is very nice additional function, which is absent from competitors.
The smartphone has the latest version of the Android operating system, and the company promises support software updates. An additional plus for Vernee is the open source code, which will allow third-party developers to make the device even better.
Next, for the sake of objectivity of the picture, we should move on to listing the disadvantages, but this turned out to be not such an easy task. The fact is that only unimportant little things come to mind, like the lack of an event indicator and backlighting of the touch buttons. Oh yes, and this incomprehensible story with fast charging, which in the end did not turn out to be.
As a result, all the real or imagined shortcomings of this smartphone are smashed to smithereens by one ironclad argument - the price! At the time of writing, Vernee Thor is selling for $119.99, which is approximately 7-8 thousand rubles. Do you know of other models with similar characteristics that sell for the same price?
Hello friends! This is a review of the gray horse among Chinese smartphones - Vernee Thor. New products from a young and aggressively promoted brand with big ambitions. And ambition is certainly great, but what is much more important is what the model can offer the user for its cost of about $120.
Set:
- smartphone with film glued to the screen
- charger 5V/2A
- MicroUSB cable
- pieces of paper
Stated characteristics:
- Operating system - Android 6.0
- Communication - 2G: GSM 900/1900/2100MHz, 3G: WCDMA 900/2100MHz, 4G: FDD-LTE 800/1800/2100/2600MHz
- Screen - 5" IPS HD Corning Gorilla Glass 3
- Processor - 8-core MTK6753 1.3 GHz
- Video chip - ARM Mali-T720 MP3 450MHz
- RAM - 3 GB
- Memory - 16 GB + memory cards up to 128 GB
- Camera - 13 MP + 5 MP
- Wireless technologies - WiFi, Bluetooth 4.0
- Connectors - Micro USB (with OTG), 3.5 mm Mini Jack
- Navigation - GPS
- Battery - 2800 mAh, non-removable
- Extras - FM radio
- Dimensions - 142 x 70.3 x 7.9 mm
- Weight - 141 g
There is a problem with the materials. When even ultra-budget models flaunt metal frames and high-quality plastic, it’s somehow strange to twirl such a body in your hand. The plastic is cheap, mold chips are noticeable on the corners, and our new device also had abrasions.
But the assembly is not bad - the smart does not creak, and there are no obvious gaps. I also praise the form. Thor just fits perfectly in the hand and is a pleasure to use. All thanks to the iPhone-like silhouette and compact dimensions.
The model's functional buttons are made of plastic and are located on the right side panel. The key travel is good.
To control the system, three touch pads without backlight are used. The layout is as follows: menu, home and return. Reassign buttons system means it is forbidden.
Micro is used for charging and data exchange USB port, a single microphone was placed next to him.
Jack was placed on the upper end on the right. To me, this is optimal location if you carry a smart phone in the right pocket of your pants.
There is a fingerprint scanner on the back under the camera. And the place is not bad, and it can wake up a smart phone with lockscreen transit, and it is supported at the system level, but still the scanner is of little use. Because he makes mistakes very often and periodically forgets his fingers. I hope firmware updates will correct the situation.
The Vernee Thor has a removable cover, but the battery does not. But under the panel we will find separate slots for two SIM cards and a memory card. Hot swapping of all cards is supported.
The smart display is 5 inches diagonal, HD solution, IPS matrix, protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3. The display is properly calibrated, the picture quality is OK. The brightness is excellent, enough on a sunny day. Auto-adjustment works adequately, if perhaps too sharp.
Under the hood, the Vernee Thor has mid-level iron. Chipset MTK6753, 8-core 1.3 GHz processor, 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. In practice, this is quite enough for the fast operation of the system and software, as well as most games at medium or even high settings - thanks to the HD screen. I tested mobile tanks, asphalt, modern Kombat 5, all the games worked.
Communication modules work properly, GPS quickly finds satellites. The battery is not outstanding - 2800 mAh. But it’s enough for a day if you don’t set a weak goal of seating the smart phone by lunchtime. The same games or hours of talking.
Connection. In our country it is HSPA+, abroad you can count on LTE. The sound during a call is quite decent. The speaker is loud, but does not stand out with any special quality. The vibration is harsh and not very pleasant. Many people won’t pay attention, but I have a point. With Vernee Thor headphones it plays as expected - normally.
The smartphone's camera is 13-megapixel, of average quality. You can take a decent shot under optimal conditions, but mobiphoto lovers are better off choosing a device of a higher class. The front camera is suitable for video calls; the matrix here is 5 megapixels.
It’s hard for everyone in the gadget market now: the competition is colossal, the market is saturated, you have to come up with something completely unconventional in order to attract the attention of potential buyers. Do you know who has the hardest time under these conditions? Of course, new companies that no one knows anything about. Just like Vernee. She was born at the beginning of 2016, in her assortment on this moment just three smartphones.
It is noteworthy that the Thor model is not at all the flagship of the new family. On the contrary, it is the company's most affordable gadget, but it specifications they hide it. Looking at them, it is impossible to say that this smartphone costs only $119 (and the first batches were sold for $99). Study the characteristics plate carefully: in terms of hardware, the device practically does not lag behind its more expensive and famous colleagues.
| Vernee Thor | Meizu M3 Note | LG X view | Lenovo VIBE P1 | ASUS Zenfone 2 (ZE551ML) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Screen | 5 inches, 720 × 1280 pixels, IPS; capacitive, up to five simultaneous touches | 4.93 inches, 720 × 1280 pixels, IPS; capacitive, up to ten simultaneous touches | 5.5 inches, 1080 × 1920 pixels, IPS; capacitive, up to ten simultaneous touches | 5.5 inches, 1080 × 1920 pixels, IPS; capacitive, up to ten simultaneous touches | |
| Additional screen | No | No | 1.76 inches, 80 × 520 pixels, IPS; capacitive, multi-touch, gesture support | No | No |
| Protective glass | Dinorex T2X-1, with oleophobic coating and polarizing filter | Yes (manufacturer unknown), with oleophobic coating and polarizing filter | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, with oleophobic coating and polarizing filter | Corning Gorilla Glass 3, with oleophobic coating and polarizing filter | |
| CPU | MediaTek MT6753: eight cores ARM Cortex-A53, frequency 1.3 GHz; process technology: 28 nm | MediaTek MT6755 Helio P10: four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1.0 GHz + four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1.8 GHz; process technology: 28 nm | Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 MSM8916: four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1.21 GHz; process technology: 28 nm | Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 MSM8939: four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1.11 GHz + four ARM Cortex-A53 cores, 1.46 GHz; Process technology: 28 nm LP | Intel Atom Z3580: four cores of Tangier architecture (x86-64), frequency 2.33 GHz; process technology: 22 nm |
| Graphics controller | ARM Mali T720MP2, frequency 600 MHz | ARM Mali-T860MP2, frequency 600 MHz | Qualcomm Adreno 306, 400 MHz | Qualcomm Adreno 405, 550 MHz | Imagination Technologies PowerVR Rogue G6430, 533 MHz |
| RAM | 3 GB LPDDR3 | 2/3 GB LPDDR3 (we have a 2 GB version on test) | 2 GB LPDDR3 | 2 GB LPDDR3 | 4 GB LPDDR3 |
| Flash memory | 16 GB (11.6 GB available to user) + microSD | 16/32 GB (we tested the 16 GB version; 11.1 GB are available to the user) + microSD | 16 GB (11.3 GB available to user) + microSD | 32 GB (25.2 GB available to user) + microSD | 32 GB (25.5 GB available to user) + microSD + 5 GB cloud storage ASUS WebStorage |
| Connectors | 1 × micro-USB 2.0 | 1 × micro-USB 2.0 | 1 × micro-USB 2.0 | 1 × micro-USB 2.0 | 1 × micro-USB 2.0; |
| 1 × 3.5mm headset jack | 1 × 3.5mm headset jack | 1 × 3.5mm headset jack | 1 × 3.5mm headset jack; | ||
| 2 × Micro-SIM | 1 × Nano-SIM | 1 × Nano-SIM | 1 × microSD (SDHC/SDXC); | 1 × microSD (SDHC/SDXC); | |
| 1 × microSD | 1 × Nano-SIM/microSD (universal) | 2 × Nano-SIM | 2 × Micro-SIM | ||
| SIM cards | Two Nano-SIM format SIM cards | Two Nano-SIM format SIM cards | Two SIM cards in Micro-SIM format | ||
| Cellular connection 2G | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1900/2100 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz | |
| Cellular 3G | DC-HSPA (42 Mbps) 900/2100 MHz | DC-HSPA (42 Mbps) 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | DC-HSPA (42 Mbps) 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | DC-HSPA (42 Mbps) 850/900/1900/2100 MHz | |
| Cellular 4G | LTE Cat. 4 (150 Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s) | LTE Cat. 6 (300 Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s); | LTE Cat. 4 (150 Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s); | LTE Cat. 4 (150 Mbit/s, 50 Mbit/s); | |
| FDD LTE: band 1, 3, 7, 20 | FDD LTE: band 1, 3, 7, 38, 39, 40, 41 | FDD LTE: band 1, 3, 7, 8, 20 | FDD LTE: band 1, 3, 7, 20; TDD LTE: band 40 |
FDD LTE: band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, 20, 28, 29; TDD LTE: 38, 39, 40, 41 |
|
| WiFi | 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz + Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz + Wi-Fi Direct | 802.11a/b/g/n 2.4/5 GHz + Wi-Fi Direct | ||
| Bluetooth | 4 | 4 | 4.1 | 4.1 | 4 |
| NFC | No | No | No | Eat | Eat |
| IR port | No | No | No | No | No |
| Navigation | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS, BeiDou | GPS, A-GPS, GLONASS |
| Sensors | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass), pedometer | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | Illumination, proximity, accelerometer/gyroscope, magnetometer (digital compass) | ||
| Fingerprint's scanner | Eat | Eat | No | Eat | No |
| Main camera | 13 MP (4864 × 2736), autofocus, single LED flash | 13 MP (4160 × 3120), f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, dual LED flash | 13 MP (4160 × 3120), f/2.2 aperture, autofocus, single LED flash | 13 MP (4160 × 3120), relative aperture f/2.2, autofocus, optical stabilization system, dual LED flash | 12.6 MP (4096 × 3072), PixelMaster technology, f/2.0 aperture, autofocus, LED flash |
| Front-camera | 5 MP (2592 × 1944), no autofocus, no flash | 8 MP (3264 × 2448), no autofocus, no flash | 5 MP (2592 × 1944), no autofocus, no flash | 4.9 MP (2560 × 1920), no autofocus, no flash | |
| Nutrition | Non-removable battery: 10.64 Wh (2800 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 15.58 Wh (4100 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 8.74 Wh (2300 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 19 Wh (5000 mAh, 3.8 V) | Non-removable battery: 11.4 Wh (3000 mAh, 3.8 V) |
| Size | 142 × 70 × 7.9 mm | 153 × 75 × 8.2 mm | 142 × 72 × 7.1 mm | 153 × 75 × 9.9 mm | 152 × 77 × 10.9 mm |
| Weight | 140 g | 163 g | 120 g | 189 g | 170 g |
| Water and dust protection | No | No | No | No | No |
| operating system | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Meizu's own Flyme UI shell | Android 6.0 Marshmallow, LG's own shell | Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, Lenovo's own shell | Android 5.0 Lollipop, ASUS ZenUI Shell |
| Current price | 9,990 rubles | 16,990 rubles for the 16 GB version; 18,990 rubles for the 32 GB version | 17,990 rubles | 19,990 rubles | 23,490 rubles |
⇡ Appearance, ergonomics, fingerprint scanner
Surprisingly, the Vernee Thor not only offers the buyer more features for less money, but also looks quite good. This smartphone is very similar in size to the sixth iPhone, being only slightly larger. At the same time, it has a five-inch screen, while the iPhone 6 has a 4.7-inch display. The screen in Vernee Thor occupies 80% of the front panel area, the frames are very thin. As a result, the device is very convenient to use with one hand; the thumb can reach all points of the screen.
It also uses convex (2.5D) protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass 3, which has a protective function and is equipped with an oleophobic coating and a polarizing filter. Everything is like in the best houses - this is rare in the budget segment.
Below the display are three navigation keys for the Android operating system. They do not have a backlight, but they do have a vibration response. At the top are the earpiece and the front camera lens. LED indicator Thor has no new events.
The dimensions of the case are moderate: thickness - 7.9 millimeters, weight - 140 grams. The device fits easily into trouser and jacket pockets.
It’s not difficult to get used to the device - its buttons and interfaces are located like on almost any other Android smartphone, everything is intuitive. The power and volume keys are located on the right side. The audio output is located on the top edge of the case, the micro-USB interface is on the bottom. Side surfaces are rounded, corners are smooth.
Over the past few months, we have been actively following the emergence of a new brand on the smartphone market – Vernee. It was launched by New-Bund Network Technology, which previously produced OEM solutions for third party companies. Starting in February, a line of smartphones will be released under its own name. The first request was a budget Vernee smartphone Thor, which received a very attractive set of characteristics at a modest cost of $110.
At the time of publication, its sales had already started; it initially became available through well-known Internet platforms. In the future, as insiders suggested, we can expect it to appear officially on the Russian market, but how long until that time will pass is still unclear, and in general, purchases from Chinese stores have become familiar and allow you to save significantly. Plus, Vernee has an aggressive pricing policy in order to stand out from its competitors. For our part, we are pleased to present the first detailed review Vernee Thor. Vernee Thor will be drawn among subscribers and readers; to participate you need:
Vernee Thor equipment
It comes in an eye-catching package stylized as black leather. The name of the smartphone is printed on the cover, with reverse information serial number and body color.
Inside, the components are hidden in a hard plastic backing. The Vernee Thor kit includes a charger, cable micro USB, instructions and bonus code for a trip in the Uber taxi service.
Vernee Thor appearance
Fierce competition in the smartphone market plays into our hands, ordinary users, manufacturers bend over backwards to differentiate their product from competitors. Vernee Thor, with its modest price, received a body design that corresponds to the upper price segment.
Available in black and dark grey. Both options received a cover made of soft-touch plastic. It is pleasant to the touch, but fingerprints will collect; it would be a good idea to add a protective bumper to your cart when purchasing.
The assembly is excellent, all parts fit perfectly together, without cracks or gaps. The case is thin, thickness 7.9 mm. It fits freely in the hand, without creating difficulties with access to all interface elements.
The side edge is rounded, plus the back cover is rounded and the protective glass is slightly rounded. Fingers don't stick.
The arrangement of elements on the Vernee Thor is familiar: on the right side there is a power button and a volume rocker, an audio jack on the top, and a micro USB on the bottom for charging and transferring files.
In the center of the back cover, the main camera lens does not protrude above the surface of the body. Below is an LED flash and a fingerprint scanner.
The location of the scanner is convenient; the index finger does not require changing your grip to unlock it.
The scanner's accuracy is high; most unlocking attempts are successful. You can store multiple fingers in memory. Starting with Android 6.0, its support has become hardware; you can use the scanner not only to unlock it, but also to remove individual applications.
The front side of Vernee Thor is covered with protective glass. Proximity and light sensors are located on the top frame, front-camera, speaker. There is no LED indicator. Bottom three touch buttons without backlight.
A curious moment, hidden under the plastic protection metal carcass made of titanium. There are several videos online where a phone body is being driven over by a car. We did not repeat this trick.
The main speaker is located on the back cover, it is slightly shifted to the left. The volume is not record-breaking, but sufficient for watching movies and listening to music.
The Vernee Thor body is dismountable. Under the cover there is a non-removable battery, two slots for SIM cards and a slot for a memory card.
There are no complaints about the quality of materials and assembly.
Vernee Thor screen
Vernee Thor has a 5-inch screen with HD resolution. This is an IPS matrix with wide viewing angles and a rich picture. The backlight is uniform across the entire screen area. The picture looks harmonious, the choice of HD resolution removes unnecessary load from the processor and at the same time allows you to comfortably work with the interface and read texts. Among classmates this is one of the best screens.
Vernee Thor filling
The heart of Vernee Thor is the MediaTek MT6753 processor. Let me remind you that this is an 8-core platform with 64-bit architecture. The power of this chip is enough to quickly launch applications and most 3D games on maximum settings graphics.
Heating of the chip under prolonged load is minimal. Despite the budget, there are 3 GB of RAM and 16 GB of data storage on board. Memory for photos and files can be expanded using a memory card.
Connection
We didn’t skimp on communication modules. Vernee Thor supports the entire range of LTE frequencies used in Russia. File download speed is high. Also on board is single-band Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.0. GPS and GLONASS chips are responsible for navigation capabilities. A cold start and satellite search takes about 15 seconds, positioning accuracy is high.
Antutu
Vellamo
3D Antutu
Vernee Thor battery
Another advantage of the MT6753 is its low power consumption. As a result, the non-removable 2800 mAh battery lasts for an entire working day of active use. At maximum load, the charge is depleted in 5-5.5 hours. It was decided to abandon support for fast charging while this function is blocked in the firmware; perhaps in the future the restrictions will be lifted. It takes about 3 hours to fully charge.
Camera Vernee Thor
Photo functionality has not been forgotten; Vernee Thor has a 13 MP camera with an Aptina AR1335 sensor. The quality of the images is excellent, the perception is improved due to a slight oversaturation of colors. IN standard application there are effects and manual settings, as well as a remote shutter release. The photos below have not been post-processed.
There is a video recording, the quality is acceptable.
Vernee Thor firmware
The second half of 2016 will make Android 6.0 the unspoken standard, Vernee Thor brings current version operating system in the budget segment.
Over-the-air updates are supported; during testing, a patch was released that corrected errors.
The manufacturer offers a clean system without third party software. There are no branded shells and large quantity Chinese software. The user decides how to fill the memory of his smartphone; there are no restrictions.
We can expect that alternative firmware will be released soon; the manufacturer has opened the source code of the system.
Results by Vernee Thor
As a result, we get one of the best smartphones in a budget under 10,000 rubles. Vernee Thor offers users an IPS HD screen, 3 GB RAM, 16 GB internal memory with card support, LTE with two SIMs, high-quality cameras, 2800 mAh battery. Among the advantages that set it apart from solutions from competitors: pure Android 6.0 and a fingerprint scanner. Among the shortcomings, I can only highlight the easily soiled lid. Vernee Thor receives the well-deserved award "Gold...
The Chinese company Vernee, headquartered in Spain, released an interesting smartphone this year called . The device is designed for those who are looking for an inexpensive phone with good battery life and compact body. This, by the way, is very rare today. High-capacity batteries are usually installed in 5.5-inch phablets, and smaller 5-inch models traditionally receive regular small batteries. The only exception is the Redmi line. But the Thor E proves that China has small phones with good battery life, as it packs a 5,020 mAh battery. In this review, we’ll take a closer look at it and tell you about all the pros and cons of this model.
Video review
Specifications
CPU: MediaTek MT6753, 1.5 GHz
Display: 5 inches, HD
RAM: 3 GB
Flash memory: 16 GB
Camera: 13 MP
operating system: Android 7.0 Nougat
Contents of delivery
The phone is sold in a small white cardboard box. On its front side there is a gray Vernee logo, on the sides the smartphone model is indicated, and on the bottom there are brief specifications. Inside you will find a metal clip for removing the SIM card tray, white USB cable and a proprietary charging unit that produces maximum voltage and current: 9V/2A. It is also worth noting that out of the box, a good factory protective glass is glued to the smartphone screen. You don’t have to strain yourself and look for additional glass at first; the stock one holds up well and protects the display.
Design, assembly and materials of the case
The main body material of this smartphone is black polycarbonate. The back edge is made with a polished metal texture. The back side of Vernee Thor E reminds me of something Huawei smartphone P9 Lite, and indeed, the square shape of the case directly hints at what the company's designers were inspired by when creating this device.
The arrangement of elements is standard: at the back is the main camera with a single flash in a glass insert, a rectangular area for a scanner and a rear speaker at the bottom of the body. At the top there is a 3.5 mm audio output, and at the bottom there is a micro USB port for charging. On right side There are two volume and lock keys. On the opposite left side there is another physical button to activate the E-Ink mode and a slot for two Nano SIM cards or one carrier SIM and microSD card memory. The tray is removed using the supplied paperclip, but a regular one will do.
On the front face there is a screen, three touch control keys below it and a front camera with an LED event indicator (not flash) and a set of sensors on the top of the front face. The case thickness here is 8.2 mm, height 144 mm, width 70.1 mm, and weight - 149 grams. The smartphone is built well and feels confident in the hand. The case is rigid, most likely due to the metal chassis inside. For a device with a 5020 mAh battery, Thor E has excellent ergonomics and overall weight characteristics. There are two body colors available for sale: gray and black, as in our review.
Display and controls
The display diagonal of Vernee Thor E is 5.0 inches, the frames are wide and noticeable. Matrix type and resolution standard: HD IPS matrix with a resolution of 1280×720p, 293 ppi. The viewing angles here are excellent, as is the color rendition. Straight out of the box, a thin protective glass is glued to the screen; the sensor works without problems even through this protection. The AnTuTu screen test showed support for up to 5 simultaneous presses on the display.
The matrix in the phone is fast, it immediately understands your presses and responds instantly. For additional navigation, there are three touch keys below the screen. They are responsible for the actions (from left to right) of the task manager, home and back, but the capacitive buttons are not backlit. You can disable touch keys right in the curtain; this will be useful, for example, in games. Also in the screen settings you can set three on-screen keys from stock Android, as you prefer.
Other screen features include the following: support for gestures on a locked display and protection against accidental clicks while the phone is in your pocket. You can also activate two modes: night (blue light filter) and E-Ink (ultra-energy saving). The latter is activated by a physical key on the left side of the body and turns your smartphone almost into e-book. The screen turns black and white, which helps relieve eye strain and save battery power. A truly unusual and useful feature.
Processor, memory and performance
The heart of the smartphone is the MediaTek MT6753 processor with 8 cores with 64-bit architecture and maximum clock frequency per core 1.5 GHz. The Mali-T720 MP3 GPU accelerator is responsible for the graphics. Vernee Thor E has 3 gigabytes of RAM and 16 GB of flash memory. The latter, by the way, can be expanded by another 128 GB by installing your memory card instead of one operator SIM card.
As for performance, the smartphone has enough hardware power for almost all modern tasks. If you use social networks, browser, like to watch online videos and listen to music - it can handle it all. However, it is worth considering that MT6753 is not gaming processor, and the YouTube video will be played in maximum quality 720p due to the limitations of the HD display. In the AnTuTu benchmark, the device showed a result of 37909 points, and in Geekbench 4: 624 points in the single-core test and 2634 points in the multi-core test.
operating system
The operating system used here is Android 7.0 Nougat with the company's proprietary shell VOS (Vernee OS). There is almost no pre-installed software here. The firmware almost completely copies appearance and features of the original Android, which is good. There are changes, but not significant: for example, some labels have a new design that fits organically into the overall design of the system. Out of the box, the TouchPal keyboard is not the most convenient, but is successfully replaced by Gboard.
Vernee Thor E supports all the features of stock Android and offers some unique features of its own. This is the above-described maximum battery saving mode, control gestures, etc. During testing, the phone received wireless OTA VOS updates a couple of times, but the most Android version remained the same.
Interfaces and communication
Among wireless interfaces Vernee Thor E offers Bluetooth 4.0, dual-band Wi-Fi with frequencies of 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, as well as 2G, 3G and 4G LTE Mobile Internet. This model does not have NFC. All communications on the smartphone work as expected and without any complaints. Two positioning systems are responsible for navigation: GPS and GLONASS. The charging port supports OTG connection of external devices.
For additional protection of user data, a fingerprint scanner is offered on the rear edge. It supports multiple fingerprints and quickly recognizes the user. It doesn't have any interesting features, it doesn't block applications, it just works.
Cameras and sample shots
The main camera in Vernee Thor E is set to 8 megapixels with interpolation up to 13 megapixels (f/2.6 aperture), and the front camera has a pure 2 megapixels and interpolation up to 5 megapixels (f/2.1 aperture). You shouldn't expect outstanding photo quality from such devices. Autofocus is accurate, but slow, and pictures often come out blurry and lack detail. The smartphone records video in maximum quality Full HD 30 fps, there is electronic image stabilization EIS. I'll be honest: I was disappointed with the Thor E cameras.
In the camera app, you can select multiple filters, multiple shooting modes, continuous shooting of 40 frames, and more. Needless to say, when poor lighting Does the quality of the photos drop to almost zero? Even a single-color flash doesn't help. Let's just say this phone has a lot going for it, but I wouldn't recommend its camera to mobile photography enthusiasts.
Sample pictures
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Battery and autonomy
We scolded the Vernee Thor E a little for its camera, now it’s time to praise the smartphone. As you already know, its main feature is the powerful accumulator battery at 5020 mAh. Think about it: this device, with a similar display diagonal, has a 25% larger battery than the record-breaking 5-inch Redmi 4X.
The company claims 72 hours of mixed use, which is equivalent to 3 days of use. My smartphone lasted 1.5-2.5 days without problems. everyday use in average load mode. I tested the photo/video capabilities a bit, played games, watched online videos, and constantly chatted on Facebook Messenger. Thor E showed its best side - it is a truly compact, charged phone that provides excellent battery life. It charges via a regular micro USB port, there is support for fast charging 18W - 9V/2A. The stock charging unit produces a voltage of 5/7/9V and a current of 2A.
If you require the maximum autonomy that the device can offer, activate E-Ink mode. The screen will turn black and white, but Wi-Fi, mobile Internet, browser and other smartphone features will work. I have not checked how long the device lasts in this mode. Using a black and white smartphone all the time is unusual and not very convenient. But saving precious charge at a critical moment is always welcome.
Ease of use and review
It's time to say a few words about the conclusions. I liked the smartphone for its pleasant design in the P9 Lite style, build quality and operating system VOS with its own chips. The manufacturer also put here good display with gesture support and a dual-band Wi-Fi module, which is definitely a plus. Well, we can’t help but mention the excellent autonomy and ultra-energy saving mode.
Among the negative points: very weak cameras, not the most powerful processor and the location of the main speaker on the rear edge. But don’t forget how much money the manufacturer asks for this phone. Despite the disadvantages, in the end you get a good compact phone with record battery life.
Questions and answers
In addition to this review, we include brief instructions user, the most common questions that owners of the Vernee Thor E smartphone have, as well as answers to them.
- What networks are supported? The device operates in the following networks: GSM: 3/5/8, UMTS: 1/8 and FDD LTE: 1/3/7/20.
- How to take a screenshot? To take a screenshot on this smartphone, hold down the Lock key and Volume Up at the same time. The screenshot will be saved to the gallery.
- Is it possible to expand the memory? Yes, you can place one microSD card with a capacity of up to 128 GB (256 GB is not supported) instead of one Nano SIM card in the slide-out SIM tray. It is located on the left side and can be reached with both the supplied and a regular paper clip.
- Is the case disassembled? No, the smartphone is one-piece and does not require disassembly as intended by the manufacturer.
- Is there a Russian language? Yes, many languages are offered out of the box, including Russian, Ukrainian, English and others.
- Is it possible to block applications with a scanner? This device does not have stock application locking using a fingerprint.
- How to do a Soft Reset? Go to Settings > Backup & reset and select factory reset. The device will be reset to factory settings.
- How to do Hard Reset? Turn off your smartphone by holding down the Power key. After that, press and hold the Lock button and Volume Up for a few seconds. Release held keys when you see the boot mode in front of you. Go to Recovery mode and press the Volume Down button to confirm it. To open Recovery Mode, hold down the Power key for a short time, that's it.
- How to update the firmware? Go to Settings > About phone > Over-the-air updates and check for OTA updates on the system. If there is an update, select “Update” and it will be installed on your smartphone within 5 minutes.
- How to login engineering menu? To enter the engineering menu on Vernee Thor E, open the stock “Phone” program and enter the following code *#*#3646633#*#*. If everything is done correctly, the engineering menu will open in front of you.
Price and where to buy
The Vernee Thor E smartphone has been on the market for a long time; now its estimated price is $108-110. Available in two body colours: black and grey. You can purchase it from the GearBest store. This store also sells several cases specifically for this model and protective glass that takes into account the location of the sensors on the front edge.