Pagsusumaryo ti Smart Netphone 701

Abe Olandres Editor-in-chief September 5, 2011 · 7 min read

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Kalpasan ti maysa a panawen iti pannakausar ti Netphone 701 babaen ti SmartNet, kinunaak a saan met laeng a nakitokan ko daytoy ken no ania ti agbalin. Sannayon ti reviewmi ti Netphone 701 ken ti ekosistema ti Netphone kalpasan ti jump.

Nagkita kami ti dua a aspekto iti daytoy a pagsurotan ta agkakabagianda met laeng -- ti hardware (Netphone 701) ken ti ekosistema (SmartNet).

Hardware

Daytoy nga pagpili ti OEM, ti ZTE, para iti Netphone 701 ket napateg. Ti ZTE Blade ket maysa a nasayaat a handset idiay Tsina ken adda pay laeng a naipadpadakkelan a panagkita iti Europa kas ti Orange San Francisco.

Uray iti 3.5" a display, ti Netphone 701 ket maysa a mid-range a Android smartphone. Ti dua a kulayna a itom ken dark-brown nga addaan iti silver a accent ket mangipakita kadagiti napalabas a HTC a device.

Kasla adda heftenna daytoy a saan met laeng ti plastik a konstruksion ken ti matte finish iti amin a parte ti body ket tumulong a maipababa daytoy manipud iti slipperiness ken dagiti fingerprint. Ti power button ken 3.5mm port ket makita ita, ti volume rocker ken speakers ket adda iti tuo a sanga, ti microUSB port ket adda iti kaliw a sanga, ken ti mic ket adda iti baba.

Smart Netphone 701 specs:
3.5â€³ LCD display @ 480Ã—800 pixels
600 MHz ARM 11 processor
Adreno 200 GPU
512MB RAM
Qualcomm MSM7227 chipset
HSDPA 7.2Mbps; HSUPA 5.76Mbps
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, WiFi hotspot
Bluetooth 2.1 w/ A2DP
3MP autofocus camera
FM radio tuner
GPS w/ aGPS support
Li-Ion battery 1250mAh
Android 2.2 Froyo

ti 3.2-megapixel nga kamera iti maysa a likudan ket kinuna a autofocus ngem ti focusing ket napudno ken dagiti imahe ket napudno ken pixelated, saanmo a makakita iti maysa a nasayaat a litrato manipud iti daytoy. Saan pay a addaan iti camera flash wenno dedicated shutter button ditoy.

Kadagiti low processor speed, ti handset ket mabalin a mangtrabaho nga maay-ay, gapu iti daytoy a napudno a internal memory (430MB tapno masiguro). Ti pannakaplay ti Angry Birds ket smooth ken flawless; ti movie playback ket maay-ay ngem saan ka a makita dagiti HD movies ditoy. Adda kami iti score a 422 iti Quadrant (a kasla ti Xperia X10i). Maysa a maitulag wenno mabalin a mapatpatay kadagiti Android phones, ngem daytoy ket napudno kadagiti kaaduan a ⟨⟩ phones.

Responsive ti capacitive touch screen ken maysa ti smooth ti scrolling. Ti hardware buttons iti uneg ti front ket medyo bassit ken napudno a pategna, nga adda met laeng a nasirip a panagbuteng kadagiti oras. Ti virtual keyboard ket medyo kumrap idi portrait mode ngem nainget a maipakita dagiti haptic feedback idin agtypeka iti keys.

Dagiti panangipatungpal a nasayaat, saan unay a napudno, ngem naibaga kadagiti adu a handset iti daytoy a kategoria ken presio.

Ti Netphone 701 ket agtultuloy babaen ti stock Android 2.2 Froyo a saan pay a adda dagiti naipada a custom UI, aside iti dagiti widgets nga inaddaan babaen ti Smart.

Agpayso iti interbyuko kadagiti representante ti Smart maipapan iti upgrade agingga iti Android 2.3 Gingerbread, kasla saan a makatangged dagiti update para iti Netphone 701 (babaen da iti FAQ).

Agpakita ti Netphone a suporta dagiti adu a release ti Android OS?

Awan ti suporta ti Netphone kadagiti adu a release ti Android OS.

pinaka ayan ti agtultuloy babaen ni ZTE no agsagana da nga ibaga ti Gingerbread iti daytoy a device.

Adda ti Netphone/ZTE PC Suite a naipakita iti microSD card nga adda makapag-install ken makasubli kadata ken kontakta iti device, ngem nangtedan a masuportuan ti USB Debugging (kasla saan pay a siasinoman a software para komersial a pagimbagan).

Agpayso a smart payta dagiti handset iti nasapa -- kasapulan a masansan ti mabalinna ta agtutukodda kadagiti tattao. Ti sistema ti naganay ket sumusunod iti para kadagiti Nokia (ti numero ket mangipakita ti kategoria, klase, ken iterasion), ngem iti Smart, makapagpababa daytoy babaen dagiti sabali a OEMs.

The SmartNet

Ti SmartNet ket ti bukod a version ni Smart iti mobile social network ken ti pusod ti Netphone ecosystem. Itayon daytoy babaen ti suite ti Android Apps ken widgets a naipatpatien ni Smart tapno agtrabaho iti handset ken ti OS -- ti Smart Inbox, IM, Social Stream ken Smart Center.

Kasapianko a naipakita ti widget a mangipakita iti agtultuloy a saldo ti prepaid account. Saan met laeng a maipakita daytoy iti real-time (adda timestamp no kadi ti saldo ket naidatag) ngem maysa a nasayaat a feature amin (sao, saan a masapul nga ibaga ni Smart nga ipablaak daytoy a app/widget kadagiti amin a Smart Android devices iti agarup a tiempo).

Dagiti adda addiction iti Twitter ken Facebook, ay-ayaten ti Social Stream. Adda laeng koma a naipakpakita ni FourSqure iti pakete.

Dagiti Plano ti Netphone

Para kadagiti postpaid a account, ti Netphone 701 ket libre iti Plan 1200 nga agkumpet a nasayaat iti HTC Chacha, Samsung Galaxy Mini ken HTC Wildfire S a amin ket libre iti Smart Unlimited Data Plan 1500.

For prepaid kits, the Netphone 701 retails for Php9,900. The price point competes directly with the LG Optimus One, Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro and Samsung Galaxy Fit.

Access to SmartNet is free for now (Smart says until end of December) so after that you will be paying Php999 per month to get 1GB of web surfing, 3 hours 20 minutes of free calls, 3,500 free SMS, unlimited access to your Social Stream and IM.

In essence, expect to spend a maximum of Php999 per month to fully appreciate the Netphone -- how else can you use a Netphone if you don't pay for net access, right?

The Verdict

While Android is the platform that the Netphone rides on, it is important to note that the SmartNet ecosystem is what makes this whole package a Netphone. They complement each other and the Netphone experience is crippled without SmartNet.

It's like getting a BlackBerry handset without applying for a BIS account. In essence, you can look at it say Smart wants a piece of that BlackBerry pie.

The handset is decent, capable and sits between the low mid-range to entry-level category of Android smartphones. While the processor is typically slow (most entry-level Android phones starts at 600MHz), the amount of RAM (420MB to be exact) is actually generous it's more than what the old HTC Desire, Xperia X10 or Galaxy S have. Too bad Gingerbread update is not supported according to Smart so you're stuck with Froyo on this device.

The biggest opportunity for Smart here is to deliver the complete suite regardless of the handset and allow any subscriber using an Android device to just download the suite of apps, subscribe to a plan and become part of the whole Netphone ecosystem.

Disclosure: The unit used in the photos above was among the 10 raffle prizes Smart gave away during the media event last week.

Who manufactured the Netphone 701?

ZTE manufactured the Netphone 701.

What is the screen resolution and pixel density of the Netphone 701?

The screen resolution is 480x800 with a pixel density of 270dpi.

What material is the Netphone 701 body made of?

The body is made of plastic with a matte finish.

React to this article:

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Abe Olandres

Editor-in-chief

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and is considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines.

8,010 Articles

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186 Comments

krizzel · 14 years ago

HI IM SELLING MY NETPHONE FOR 7000. COMPLETE WITH BOX. 2GB MEMORY CARD. RUSSSH! TEXT 0922*******. ALMOST BRANDNEW.

shinden15 · 14 years ago

https://www.facebook.com/shinden15/posts/217529131660296

tj · 15 years ago

im using this for about a year now, this is truly a badass low end cp…ive recently installed cyanogen mod cm7 stable and guess what…i now run a hacked version of adobe flash fully optimized for arm v6 device…pagaralan nyo lang kung paano magroot tapos install kayo ng cyanogen mod na rom and youre good to go! i even watch live streaming pinoy channels in my blade and so far walang problema.

aerish · 15 years ago

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Netphone701/265505140158226
puntqa po kqayo sa fanpage ng netphone and turuan ko po kayo kung panu i root den install na den po ng dcyanogenmod…

smarttalagaang smart · 15 years ago

seriously: meron ako neto walang kwenta phone at features (smartnet) nato, bininta ko nalang nang 5k almost 2month pa lng sa akin. very disappointing phone… not recommended!

Ram_gurL · 15 years ago

Adobe Flash Player is not compatible with Netphone 701.. But I need Flash Player to run other apps. What will I do?? Please help.

Netphone User · 15 years ago

FYI, for battery problems, search for Battery Calibration ZTE Blade, there are instructions on how to improve your battery. Netphone is very customizable, you can upgrade it to Gingerbread, rooting and using custom ROMs will automatically “OPENLINE” your phone. there’s a SMARTNET.apk out there. just need to search, and yes it can run on any android devices using a smart SIM. For custom ROMs, use Cyanogenmod

Dk · 15 years ago

who can share the SmartNet.apk? pleaseeeee! email me @ dksandimas [*(at)*] gmail.com :D

cerah · 15 years ago

to wachapak!

i think u are the stupid one here! this forum was created for what it is intended to be. i am just airing out my sentiments and disappointment to this sucker SMART NETPHONE 701 because i am really not so happy having it. i so so so regret for buying this crap!

cerah · 15 years ago

hi jfernandez3z…

thanks much for the info’s…i was able to figure it out by the way. Being a newbie to this phone,i need to learn more from it.

Unfortunately, SMART NETPHONE 701 battery sucks! I am really really disappointed with its battery even if switched to 2G, still dont lasts that long. I need a battery that lasts for at least 24 hours the least.

john · 15 years ago

na oopenline ba tong smart net phone?

hardchaps · 15 years ago

i will get netphone 701 by next week.

Jake · 15 years ago

i like this phone! Will definitely get one..

pogi · 15 years ago

hi jfernand3z and wachapak,

you are only saying that because you are employees of Smart Communications. You think i didn’t know? i know who you are! stop pretending! im more handsome than both of you!

wachapak · 15 years ago

Hey pangit,

I hate stupid commentsâ€¦

jfernand3z · 15 years ago

wateva!

pogi · 15 years ago

you want a piece of me!? huh! you want a piece of me!?!?!? you are all a piece of cake!

jfernand3z · 15 years ago

Hi cerah, facebook for android is a third party application available to all android phones. its not Netphoneâ€™s alone. Smart didnâ€™t develop that as well. :) Netphoneâ€™s FB service resides at the SmartNet widget in your phone.

Btw, You can find the logout button of facebook app in its menu. click the *News Feed* (in the blue bar) above, once you are in the facebookâ€™s menu, click the Menu button of the Netphone. Youâ€™ll see the logout there.

Btw, using the orig facebook application will incur data charges. You can only have free FB and Twitter if you will use the SmartNetâ€™s Social stream. :)

Hope this helped you. :)

cerah · 15 years ago

im disappointed with my smart nephone 701..after downloading android facebook,hard to find its log out tab. added to it, the BATTERY do not last long!i hate charging phone every now and then or twice in a day especially if i am mobile.

jfernand3z · 15 years ago

Hi cerah, facebook for android is a third party application available to all android phones. its not Netphone’s alone. Smart didn’t developed that as well. :) Netphone’s FB service resides at the SmartNet widget in your phone.

Btw, You can find the logout button of facebook app in its menu. click the *News Feed* (in the blue bar) above, once you are in the facebook’s menu, click the Menu button of the Netphone. You’ll see the logout there.

Btw, using the orig facebook application will incur data charges. You can only have free FB and Twitter if you will use the SmartNet’s Social stream. :)

Hope this helped you. :)

jfernand3z · 15 years ago

Hi cerah, facebook for android is a third party application available to all android phones. its not Netphoneâ€™s alone. Smart didnâ€™t developed that as well. :) Netphoneâ€™s FB service resides at the SmartNet widget in your phone.

Btw, using the orig facebook application will incur data charges. You can only have free FB and Twitter if you will use the SmartNetâ€™s Social stream. :)

Hope this helped you. :)

P.S.
regarding the battery, all android phones and even iphone do not last long because of 3G usage (data). but you can conserve your batt if you will switch to 2G (GPRS, lower speed).

To switch to 2G.
Go to Settings > Wireless & Network > Mobile Networks > GSM/UMTS Option > then check the USE ONLY 2G Network

wachapak · 15 years ago

Hi Cerah,

I hate stupid comments…

nori · 15 years ago

try to turnoff 3g when you’re not using it. this will help a lot in saving your battery.

Rubilyn C. Baltar · 15 years ago

How can I have a postpaid plan from your company. Whom i have to talk with?
Thank tou and more power..

nori · 15 years ago

please cal *888 for detailed instructions. thank you :)

Moi · 15 years ago

smartphone 701 is good but the battery last for no less than 6-8 hrs. only

nori · 15 years ago

turnoff 3g when your not using it. this will help a lot in saving your battery.

ben · 15 years ago

i just checked online and it is priced at around 7k, where can i buy it at 5 k, one netphone user said he got his at 5k

mark · 15 years ago

how much can buy it now in the lowest price?

m · 15 years ago

How to improve your Netphone experience:
(1) Use Launcherpro for the Phone’s Launcher
a. Remove all animations
b. Use a static wallpaper
c. set all opening speeds to 4
d. Use elastic scrolling
(2) Install a fingerprintless screen protector
(3) Use the Android Keyboard instead to Touchpal
(4) Install Power Widget
(5) Install Sense Analog Clock
(6) Install Advance Task Killer
a. Leave only Advance Task Killer and
Clock, tick all other apps.

Hope this helps…

adobongmanok · 15 years ago

posible bang ilagay din ang SmartNet sa ibang android devices? meron kasi akong google nexus s. pero ayaw ko naman mag’downgrade’ sa zte/netphone.

Basti2682 · 15 years ago

//Will my Netphone support future releases of Android OS?

The Netphone does not support future Android OS releases.//

Game Over. I think the Optimus Net outclasses this for the same price

Angry Birdie · 15 years ago

“I especially liked the widget that displays a running balance of your prepaid account. Itâ€™s not really shown in real-time (thereâ€™s a timestamp when the balance was last updated) but a nice feature altogether (I think Smart should just release this app/widget to all Smart Android devices soon).”

actually mahirap mangyari na realtime ang pag update ng load dahil ma-stress ang server nun.

about upgrading your ZTE to gingerbread pwede yan, google lang katapat :)

about the screen, wag kayo maniwala kung panget screen ng Netphone, AMOLED na siya at responsive naman, baka dun lang kayo sa switching ng screen nababagalan which is normal lang sa android. try to update to 2.3 may settings ang animation para maging smooth tignan

cowscrubber · 14 years ago

Actually HINDI AMOLED ang screen niyan.
Long story short, ordinary LCD na ang screen ng mga Blade ngayon.

Netphone User · 15 years ago

Got mine @ 5k. definitely wala nang reklamo. will try to upgrade this to gingerbread…hhmmm…
http://www.tipidpc.com is offering this at around 7-7.5k.

John · 15 years ago

@netphone user. where will you upgrade your netphone? or how? because i want mine to be gingerbread too.

mavs · 15 years ago

Hi, any news regarding the gingerbread update? Planning to update mine too. Just don’t know where to start. hehe. Please do share the steps if successful. Thanks! :)

Netphone User · 15 years ago

http://forum.cyanogenmod.com/forum/214-zte-blade/ Punta lng kyo d2 sa site nato…i’m running gingerbread 2.3.7 OC@ 748Mhz, Openline.

BMWorks · 15 years ago

Masyado mahal yan sa 7K.
We do it for P700.
http://sulit.com.ph/4419612

Netphone User · 15 years ago

Sir 700?? alam mo po ba na ung tinutukoy kong 7k is unit mismo??? un ba offer mo? kunin ko na yan sir.

Netphone User · 15 years ago

http://wiki.cyanogenmod.com/wiki/ZTE_Blade_%28Gen2%29:_Root_and_Recovery
e2 na po ung link…libre pa.

LFI · 15 years ago

@Abe O. How bad is the LED light leaking out on your unit? I have that problem also. Mine leaks out at the top right around 1 cm wide and 1 cm tall. I’m thinking to have this replaced. Lugi ang feeling eh.

Do you have also a two round spots to the left of the Netphone lettering only visible when under direct sunlight? I thought it was a front-facing camera but wala nga pala itong ganoon!

Noel Garcia · 15 years ago

Is Facebook posting and chatting available and at what cost? What about YM and other chatting? Anyone who can answer these questions for me, pls?

jfernand3z · 15 years ago

Hi noel garcia. Yes, thru SmartNet. SmartNet is an Android application created by SMART for the Netphone (like tweetdeck, seesmic, etc. that have data charges) that will allow you to post in facebook and twitter and chat in YM and facebook for free.

MaYKeL · 15 years ago

Bili sana ako kaya lang sa kabilang supplier ako eh. ehehehe. wait ko kung maglalabas sila ng iba

hellboi · 15 years ago

jc- turo mo rin sakin pano iunlock..globe user din ako.tnx

jfernand3z · 15 years ago

you can get the unlock codes here. http://www.jictechnology.co.uk/calculator/

Btw, whats the point of getting a netphone then use a diff sim? netphone’s primary service is the smartnet (free social streaming so you need a smart sim) hence if you’ll not use it, netphone will just like be an ordinary android phone. So if you’re planning to unlock your netphone, better not buy one and just get some LG or HTC phone instead.

shaq · 15 years ago

jc what username ng binilhan mo gusto ko din bumili!

quackpack · 15 years ago

@guds. punta ka ng settings then applications then manage applications. click mo ung all look for contact storage then click clear data. un la na laman phonebook mo.

arwen · 15 years ago

can you sendme all the detail about it. the price andabout the unit….

toni · 15 years ago

JC: how did u do it? how can i unlock this phone? i want to use globe sim n this one. thanks

Roch · 15 years ago

I’m still hoping they’ll keep Smartnet free for everyone even after 2011. That’s mainly the reason why a lot of people want to have the Smart Netphone.

Guds · 15 years ago

Hi,

I recently got this phone last Sunday thru SMART Retention plan. Firs time to owned Android phone. Just a question if someone can help. How do you delete Contacts? Preferably Select All then delete. I accidentally import contacts from SIM which only copied 200 Contacts(SIM limitation).

I’m planning of creating Google Contacts for easy sync. Any other suggestions?

Thanks

Joylove · 15 years ago

Try a 3rd party alternative

https://market.android.com/search?q=delete+contact&so=1&c=apps

Hope someone will make a backup .apk of that Smart widget so we can try it on other phones

iamseventh · 15 years ago

do you guys think the battery will not disappoint the users?

JC · 15 years ago

btw, i bought it for only 5k. :)

oh noes · 15 years ago

Hi JC, what buttons do you press to put the Netphone to FTM mode?

JC · 15 years ago

Turn off the phone. Turn on with the Volume Down pressed.

Tess Ting · 15 years ago

9,900? too expensive,specs not good. \m/

Aldo · 15 years ago

Is the SmartNet going to be available as an app for other android devices? I surely want that app for my Android.

U. Tinio · 15 years ago

Actually mahal sya. Sluggish pa ang touchscreen. I won’t recommend this phone to anyone. Better buy from HTC, LG or Samsung products.

Operation Super · 15 years ago

Hi Sir Abe, can you post some samples of the photos from the phone? Thanks po.

Jelandai · 15 years ago

Smart Notphone

SM Sale · 15 years ago

Ok ito! mura compared sa ibang phones.

dan_md · 15 years ago

It’s weird that the handset won’t be updated to gingerbread when the LG Optimus One, w/c sports the same CPU specs has a gingerbread update on the way.
The device’s redeeming value w/c sets it apart from other devices in the same price range is the high-res WVGA w/c is usually found in high-end Android devices. However, it’s probably the reason why the device lags… Higher-res means more work for the CPU especially if it doesn’t have a dedicated GPU. All the more reason that the device be upgradable to Gingerbread, w/cis sure to optimize and improve performance.

JC · 15 years ago

my netphone is gingerbread now with globe sim.

JC · 15 years ago

my netphone is gingerbread now with globe sim. I bought my netphone from someone chinese man from tipidpc… with smart and netphone logo.

When I bought it, may custom rom ng netphone with smart netphone messenger etc, di ko gusto yung Smart Netphone ROM dahil Globe subscriber ako kaya I decided to flash it to Gingerbread 2.3. :)

marktimes · 15 years ago

JC – what custom rom are you using? Cyanogenmod or official GB update from ZTE? how’s the performance compared to stock rom?

JC · 15 years ago

i used Cyanogenmod GB rom… mas mabilis sya kesa sa stock rom ng Netphone and kesa sa froyo.

jens · 15 years ago

kahit sino naman pwede iroot ang Android device nila if gusto nila. I think Cyanogenmod’s 2.3 version modified the stock rom obviously para bumilis yung device. Every Android has this custom ROM option naman once rooted. Hindi ko lang ma-gets bakit naka-highlight lagi ang “with Globe Sim”. =)) LOLsss. Wala namang naitulong yun sim sa pagiging gingerbread ng phone mo JC :))

JC · 15 years ago

Hi jens, di ko binibida yung Globe sim, what I am trying to say is you can use other sim other than Smart, dahil baka isipin nang iba is purely for Smart lang ito dahil naka locked sa kanila yung phone model.

Ron_P · 15 years ago

Hi guys, is there a site where i can go and do the update myself? if i was able to update the OS, some said it would be unlocked. if this happens, does this mean i wont be able to make use of SmartNet anymore?

chitokingfisher · 15 years ago

downgrade if you’re on the i-phone.

smart should get the i-phone and put bbm in it.

Ernie · 15 years ago

Looks like a good android phone for the price which is great because there are thousands of free apps in the Android Market.

it looks like smart took the time to integrate the service.

that BBM-like messenger is intriguing especially if it will be made available to other android or other data-capable phones.

JC · 15 years ago

Will my Netphone support future releases of Android OS? -YES… mine is gingerbread now with globe sim. :)

toni · 15 years ago

JC: reading ur comments gave me hope with this phone. so how did u do it? how can i unlock this phone? i want to use globe sim n this one. help me pls. thanks

lexi · 15 years ago

hi … same here.. gusto ko rin sana na maging globe sim ang magagamit ko.. could you give us some guide kung paano mo ginawa? lalo na para sa mga newbie na katulad ko. sana sagutin mo ang aming mga kahilingan.. maraming salamat! :D

toni · 15 years ago

lexi mukang linoloko lng tau ni jc. dinala ko nga sa grinhils tong netphone, walng mkapag open. haist

lexi · 15 years ago

aww… T__T pero ndi pa naman late.. may makakagawa at makakagawa ng paraan para jan.. think positive (^.^)V.. Though wala pa din naman sakin ung unit.. :)

Angry Birdie · 15 years ago

JC was not bluffing guys lol, there is an android 2.3.4 for Netphone (zte blade) also once you updated the ROM, the phone would become unlocked

Arnold · 15 years ago

The HTC Cha Cha with Smartnet would have been a better offering at least in terms of phone design and performance. Sana nga ChaCha na lang. Mas appealing pa.

Calvin · 15 years ago

pay 999 per month for unlimited access? then what would the advantage of this phone have over more stylish and premium looking phones? smartnet? which is also going to be available on other platforms?
i think they will renew the promo next year. may ruling ata DTI about promo dates extending to the following year kaya dec. 31 lang nilagay nila (similar to the blupass).