Say hello, hello with a dual sim

What is it about this world that makes us want (not need) more than one cell phone? 

I see more and more people carrying two cell phones — they say that the signals of the telcos are better in some places and not in others.  Makes sense, I guess.

I guess it must be the reason why the Xiaomi Redmi 1s smartphone has opted to capture the dual SIM market.

Yes, yes, there are several cell phone manufacturers that offer dual SIM phones — but what I like about the Xiaomi cell phone is that it is easy to learn to use. When texting too, it is easy to switch from one telco to another.

For Xiaomi, it seems that all good things come in twos?

Well, it seems that the Xiaomi has set its sights on gaining a share of the smartphone market by providing a dual SIM cell phone.

TWO IN ONE

Sounds like one of those instant mixes, but really these two in one mixes make life so much easier – and our bags lighter. So too, I guess, the two-in-one smartphone.

If you are looking for a smart phone for yourself or for someone else, and you like one that allows you to keep your personal and work calls separate, or say a Philippine SIM card and a foreign-issued one, think of owning a Xiaomi Redmi 1s.

Recently introduced into the market, the Redmi 1S is one smartphone that I believe will go places.

The Redmi 1S is a high-performance smartphone that is also extremely affordable.  It features a quad-core Qualcomm 1.6GHz processor and a 4.7-inch IPS display — a perfect device for all mobile Internet, communications, and gaming needs. It is also a dual--SIM device with dual- standby capability, which makes it possible to send and receive text messages and calls on two mobile numbers seamlessly, ideal for people who have personal and work SIMs or who often travel internationally.

WHAT’S INSIDE

•       4.7-inch 1280 x 720 (HD) IPS display 

•       AGC Dragontrail scratch-resistant glass

•       1.6 GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 processor with Cortex-A7 core for amazing performance with great battery life with and an Antutu benchmark score above 21,000

•       1 GB RAM, 8GB internal flash memory with external microSD slot that supports up to 64 GB

•       Dual SIM (mini-sized) - WCDMA slot for 3G data and GSM slot for 2G

•       8MP rear camera with ƒ/2.2 aperture for 1080p video recording and a front 1.6MP camera

There are many other functions on the Redmi 1s that I liked — and all that has to do with the fact that this smartphone is so easy to personalize. From ringtones to wallpaper, I was able to get the Redmi 1s to my liking in a jiffy. And for many of us smartphone users, that is definitely a plus. 

Xiaomi was founded in 2010 by entrepreneur Lei Jun, who believed that high-quality technology doesn’t need to cost a fortune. At Xiaomi, they have been able to bring together people from Microsoft, Google, Kingsoft, Motorola, Yahoo and other IT companies from around the world to bring that vision to life.

I guess this must explain why Xiaomi is fast gaining a following hereabouts. It is definitely a good first smartphone to own.

* * *

I got to test a Huawei X1 seven-inch phablet, recently.

For starters I was able to make a call with the X1, download 1GB movie quickly, and use it as a powerbank to charge my other mobile devices — that’s a lot.

First launched during the GSMA Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, this phablet is a cross between a smartphone and tablet with 4G LTE connectivity.

The Huawei X1’s aluminum alloy unibody is compact and weighs 239 grams.   Its seven-inch 1200 x 1920 FHD LTPS 10-point capacitive touch display provides a crisp visual experience.

It features content adaptive brightness control (CABC) technology, which allows visual clarity under direct sunlight. It also includes intelligent grip suppression so you can hold and scroll simultaneously.

The Huawei X1 is powered by a Kirin 910 1.6 GHz quad-core processor and runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean. The ultra-long lasting 5000 mAh battery provides an exceptional 21 days of standby time, more than five full days of continuous video or web surfing, and also powers additional mobile devices with its reverse charging function. Huawei X1 uses the ‘Super Decode Media Files’ function to differentiate between file types to ensure the smooth streaming of media while preserving battery power and the ‘Mail Grouping Service’, which differentiates between various types of signals and mobile phone ringtones to organize messages.

Huawei X1 is equipped with a 13MP Sony Exmor R BSI rear-facing camera and a 5MP front-facing. The phablet adds an extra dimension to photos with the ‘Voice Photo’ function, which takes photos accompanied by a 10-second audio clip that can be shared via Facebook and WeChat. The IR blue glass infrared filter also enables filming or taking photos in low light.

With in-built Wi-Fi routers, 2.4/5G dual mode WiFi support, as well as voice call and SMS capabilities, the device provides on-the-spot connection. The AirSharing function enables screen sharing and the transfer of images via cloud photo sharing. 

The Huawei X1 is available in black and white at a suggested retail price of P19,590.