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Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 Review

We’ve been using the Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 as our primary device for a whole week now and so far we’re very much satisfied with it except for a few issues. Let’s have a look at what CM’s first quad-core smartphone is capable of by reading our full review after the break.

flame2_front

Before reading further I suggest reading our first impressions of the device here which include a hands-on video and benchmark results.

Design and Construction

One of the first things you’ll notice when you look at the Flame 2 are the wide bezels at the top and bottom. Thick bezels may not look good in today’s smartphone designs but the one on the Flame 2 does not look bad at all. The bezels house the earpiece, VGA front-facing camera, and light sensor at the top, And the four capacitive buttons at the bottom. The rest of the front real estate is taken up by the 4.5-inch display.

cmflame2_ps

Located on the right side is the volume rocker while the left is devoid of any buttons. Found at the top are the headset jack and power/lock button while the microUSB port and microphone are found at the bottom. Flip it on its back and you’ll see the 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and the speaker.

Display

The Flame 2 is equipped with a 4.5-inch qHD (540×960) display which calculates to a pixel density of 245ppi. It doesn’t have IPS so viewing angles are limited but it does come with the One Glass Solution touch screen. This means that the display panel is thinner and optically clearer. It also has great colors but still susceptible to glare.

OS, UI and Apps

The Flame 2 runs Android 4.1.2 Jellybean with some UI customizations by Cherry Mobile. Basic UI navigation is slightly different from your standard Jellybean device as it uses four capacitive buttons (Home, Options, Back, Search) instead of the usual three (Back, Home, Recent Apps). If you want to access recently opened apps you will have to press and hold the Home button for a couple of seconds. The capacitive buttons are also difficult to see if it isn’t illuminated so we sometimes experience pressing the wrong button.

ui1

Cherry Mobile had some apps pre-installed like benchmarking tools and the Juice Defender app which helps you monitor battery usage. All these apps can be uninstalled except for Cherry Mobile’s own apps and the Opera Mini browser.

ui2

Camera and Multimedia

The Flame 2 is equipped with a 5 megapixel shooter with LED flash. While the camera is smaller compared to other quad-core phones with large cameras, the images produced by the Flame 2 is pretty much decent. Colors appear washed out but with acceptable amount of clarity and will suffice for uploading to SNS like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

flame2sample

Although image quality is acceptable, camera speeds are not. When shooting in Normal mode we have to wait two seconds before we move on and shoot another. Not doing so will result to a blurred subject. There’s a Speedily option which shoots faster than the Normal mode but you’re restricted to using an aspect ratio of 4:3.

flame2camera

Aside from HDR and Panorama, the camera also has a feature called dual-shot which lets you take a photo or video using the rear and front camera at the same time. The camera then overlays the front camera’s capture on top of the rear’s. This mode only works when you’re shooting in a 16:9 aspect ratio.

dualshot

As for video recording capabilities, the Flame 2 can shoot videos of up to 720p resolution at 30 fps. At the same time it also has the capability to capture photos while recording. Take a look at the sample video below:

Sounds coming from the speaker is audible but does not provide much power especially when it comes to bass. You may crank up the volume to fill a room but expect the sound to be a bit hissy.

Performance and Battery Life

Performance is good on the Flame 2 and you can definitely say that this phone is carrying a quad-core processor and a big RAM. We played Temple Run 2 and Dead Trigger in their highest graphic settings and I’m glad to say that it managed to run smoothly. There are occasional lags but can be easily disregarded. You can watch our Dead Trigger game test in the video below:

As for battery life, the Flame 2 comes with a removable 1,600mAh battery. So far this is the lowest battery capacity we’ve seen on a quad-core phone. During our use which consist of two SIMs on standby, constant WiFi connectivity, playing a few sets of Candy Crush, moderate calling and texting, the Flame 2 was able to last for 11 hours. But add mobile data and graphic intensive games and you’re down to 6 hours of battery life.

flame2battery

Cherry Mobile is aware of this concern that’s why they pre-installed the Juice Defender app and included a power bank promo for early buyers.

Conclusion

Overall, we’re satisfied with the Flame 2’s performance. UI navigation is fluid, gaming is fast, and the display is crisp and clear. The only gripes that we have here is the poor camera performance and short battery life.

flame2_rear

Probably the best part here is the sub-Php7K price tag. Some people stereotype affordable phones with a “you get what you pay for” attitude. That a low price tag would always equate to a poor performing device. With the Flame 2, I believe that doesn’t apply. A 4.5-inch qHD OGS display, a quad-core Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, and Android Jellybean in a nicely built package? You actually get more than what you pay for.

Cherry Mobile Flame 2.0 specs:
4.5? qHD (540×960) capacitive display, 245ppi, OGS technology
1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 processor
Adreno 203 GPU
1GB RAM
4GB internal storage
microSD up to 32GB
5MP autofocus camera with LED flash
720p HD video recording @ 30fps
VGA front camera
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot
Dual SIM, Dual Standby
FM Radio, Bluetooth with A2DP
Li-Ion 1,600mAh Battery
134.6 x 66 x 9.3mm
Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
Php6,999

What we liked about it:
*Fast UI & gaming performance
*Android 4.1.2 Jellybean out of the box
*Slim profile
*Good build
*OGS display technology
*Affordable price

What we didn’t like about it:
*Poor camera performance
*Short battery life
*Limited viewing angles

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Avatar for Diangson Louie

This article was written by Louie Diangson, Managing Editor of YugaTech. You can follow him at @John_Louie.

89 Responses

  1. Avatar for ron ron says:

    May review po ba sa cm titan tv?

  2. Avatar for Carl Carl says:

    Posted how to root your Flame 2.0 here: http://carlshark.blogspot.com/2013/03/how-to-root-cherry-mobile-flame-20.html

  3. Avatar for Marlon Marlon says:

    i have a flame 2.0. performance is good. but viber is partially working. no voice at the other end of the call. skype is working just fine though.

  4. Avatar for ciu ciu says:

    how about games like shadowgun, real racing, n.o.v.a, and dead space? these games usually only runs on a quad core device unlike dead trigger which can be normally played on a 1ghz dual core device..thanks.

    • Avatar for Mr Sandy Mr Sandy says:

      @ciu “how about games like shadowgun, real racing, n.o.v.a, and dead space? these games usually only runs on a quad core device unlike dead trigger which can be normally played on a 1ghz dual core device..thanks.”

      – You kidding? galaxy y (rooted) can play nova 1 and dead space, those are old games. shadow gun, real racing 1-2 and dead trigger can be played on single core armv7 android devices, I’ve already tested it. of course CM flame 2.0 can play those games, why don’t you check the processor and GPU of flame 2.0 its an S4 processor and also its 1GB RAM, it can handle those games easily.

    • Avatar for ciu ciu says:

      i know that genius..im talking bwt unrooted of course..not everyone is a genius like you who knows everything.im just saying they should try those games to really know its limits when it comes to hardcore games..ikaw na pre.

    • Avatar for ciu ciu says:

      some people doesnt wanna go through the trouble of rooting their device just to run an app.some doesnt even knw what rooting is. i just wanna know since its a quad core device will i be able to run those games easily.and having a 1gb of ram doesnt necessarily mean u can run those games easily..again were talkin bwt unrooted device here.

    • Avatar for Mr Sandy Mr Sandy says:

      lol did you read my reply to you twice? like what i’ve said games like dead space and nova 1 will run on a galaxy y which needs to be rooted because it runs on an arm v6 processor. I’ve tested the other games you mentioned on a single core arm v7 device without rooting it,and to name those few phones they xperia tipo and xperia miro which runs on a single core 800mhz cortex a5 processor, adreno 200 gpu and 512mb of RAM.. and btw if you really have thought about it and if you read the last sentence on my reply, again, you should have checked again the specs of the new CM flame 2.0, and RAM matters.

    • Avatar for ciu ciu says:

      let’s just stick to the facts. clearly ur lying saying that u can run nova, dead space, SHADOWGUN, on those devices without rooting..that is just complete bs..these are hardcore games..iv tried xperia sola, xperia p and lenovo s890..i wasnt able to play those games on these phones considering theyre all dual core phones..come on man..if u have played these games on this flame 2 then il shut up, if not then you shut up!

    • Avatar for asdfgh asdfgh says:

      the cherry mobile flare with dual core 1.2ghz, adreno 203 and 512mb ram can run those games, so most likely this CM flare2 can run those games you mentioned. common sense please.

    • Avatar for ciu ciu says:

      shut up unless uv already tried it on the actual device..

    • Avatar for ciu ciu says:

      already tried shadowgun and n.o.v.a on a flare unrooted.didnt work.so quit lying.

    • Avatar for PATIWAKAL NA! PATIWAKAL NA! says:

      Anggaling mo maganalyze pareng ciu! PAKAMATAY KANA! HAAHAHAHA. Shudapak up. Makikipagtalo ka na nga lang, yung wala pang sense. Sa selpon mo may problema dude.

  5. Avatar for diven diven says:

    actual experience: 1st unit: touchscreen problem, taps at the middle lower third of the screen at an interval. 2nd unit: Camera has a block swirl at the middle. 3rd unit: touchscreen problem (again), when softkey back and menu buttons are pressed, the apps at the docks situated above will also be pressed. 4th unit: touchscreen taps randomly when unit gets hot. I’m still waiting what’s this 5th unit has to offer ;-)

    • Avatar for Lynne Lynne says:

      Pareho tayo ng reklamo sa 3rd unit mo.. I thought of having it replaced by the store, but they have no available unit anymore. Nainis talaga ako at first, now kelangan kong sanayin ang index finger ko to tap accurately on the four capacitive buttons and I had the phone calls, text messaing & O.M. apps removed from the dock to prevent mistouches.

  6. Avatar for cm cm says:

    Yes naman. May bagong kababaliwan ang mga mahihirap wahahahaha! :))) kakalerqui.

  7. Avatar for Michael Sy bomb2000 Michael Sy bomb2000 says:

    why would i need to underclock and disable the cores, its the quad core that’s the selling part of the flame 2.0 if i need a phone with a bigger battery life i would buy a phone with a big battery life, but admit it the battery is the list thing on your mind when buying flame 2.0

  8. Avatar for geek geek says:

    One solution to extend the battery life of this smartphone: Root the smartphone, download an app that can control the CPU and underclock / disable cores of the CPU.

    • Avatar for Yeah Yeah says:

      That’s not a good idea, bibili ka ng quad core then for the sake ng battery didisable mo yung ibang core, useless. bili na lang ng single core or dual core. Walang pinagkaiba sa mga bumubili ng phone na napakaganda ng display pero lagi namang nasa low ang brightness. :)

    • Avatar for Derp Derpton Derp Derpton says:

      or.. set profiles in SetCPU.. conditional underclocking lang.. unleash its full potential only when needed (???)

    • Avatar for kusina101 kusina101 says:

      kung si willie yang phone na yan, sasabihin yan lang sayo; “You don’t do that to me!?”

    • Avatar for Ian Ian says:

      Du Battery – miniminimum clock speed ang CPU pag naka lock ang screen. Nagtatanggal din ng loaded apps sa memory every 10 minutes or depende sa iyo. Configurable na isara ang wifi at data pag ilang percent nalang ang battery. Malaking bagay din nagagawa. X2 or more ang itatagal ng battery mo. Yun nga lang kailangan rooted ang phone mo at paid full version ang app. Pero 120 lang naman ang mga apps na yun.

  9. Avatar for Edwin Edwin says:

    All i need to know about this device are all in this review. thanks!

  10. Avatar for Diss appointed Diss appointed says:

    Sorry for the grammatical mistakes. On mobile the page jumps back n forth n auto correct. Errrrrrrr!!!!

  11. Avatar for Diss appointed Diss appointed says:

    It’s great CM can sell us a fully feature phone. I don’t need a 12 mpixel cam, but Thad not what’s worrying me. Is the durability. My sarmobile engage 7 tabs broke 2 months after buying. Us. Two of them. Customer service is pathetic. How can Cherry Mobile be an better with such low prices?

    • Avatar for ferdinand marte ferdinand marte says:

      ey bro, by “pathetic service” are you referring to Starmobile? If it is, that’s really worth remembering. Maybe you can share more about your experience.

    • Avatar for john chua john chua says:

      New Cherry tablet was manufactured by Ainol.
      An Ainol user for 8 months now, still no problem at all.

      Using Cherry Flare for 3 months now. No problem at all.

    • Avatar for lawrence lawrence says:

      Using an Ainol tablet for 6 months and a CM Flare for 3 months. Did not experience any hardware problem as of now. Happy with them for the price I paid. sulit na sulit.

    • Avatar for ian ian says:

      CM Flame user. 3 months, 3 serious drops, still no problem.

  12. Avatar for Ryan Ryan says:

    pa full review naman omega HD

  13. Avatar for pfb pfb says:

    juice defender doesn’t work that good either. in any case very good review – for phone worth buying

    • Avatar for ian ian says:

      Juice Defender and other battery savers like Du Battery pag full version paid apps at naka install sa rooted phones, have features that slows down the CPU pag naka lock ang screen, clears loaded programs every so and so minutes, stops syncs etc pag so and so ang level ng battery at kung ano-anong configurable settings para maextend battery life mo. Pwede mong iextend ang 6 hours operating time to 12 base sa experience ko.

  14. Avatar for Anon Anon says:

    6-11 hours on batt?Nice phone, but you need to have a powerbank handy to enjoy its features.

    But honestly I’d rather have a dualcore phone that can last a day than this. Still a good buy if having a quadcore phone is a big deal for the user.

  15. Avatar for Graciana Graciana says:

    This review is a big help! Can’t wait to have this phone!! :DD

  16. Avatar for April April says:

    Good review! Hope to have one soon!

  17. Avatar for Sweetie Len Sweetie Len says:

    Great Review ! :))
    I’m really dying to have one.
    Wanna be the first to have Flame 2.
    Just wanna know when will it be released in the market ? Thanks.

    • Avatar for juice juice says:

      nung saturday nagpost sa page ng CM Sm North Edsa po na nag release na sila ng flame 2.0,pero limited stocks lang :)

  18. Avatar for angel angel says:

    berinice review. thanks, this helps me a lot in purchasing this device.

  19. Avatar for darren philip darren philip says:

    sayang sana. may unit din silang pinagcombine ang Flame 2.0 + omegahd! ;)

  20. Avatar for buster buster says:

    Thanks for this review Louie!

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