Hands-on with the Gionee GPad G5

We just got from the Gionee press event earlier today at SM Megamall where they opened their first concept store in Metro Manila, and we got our hands on the newly-launched GPad G5.

Gionee’s new phone, as we have mentioned yesterday, is a device built with Dragontail glass, powered by a hexa-core processor, and packs a 2,400mAh battery. There’s hardly any heft at all; the phone is very light to the hands.

Colors are presented vividly on the display. The OS is definitely running on Android 4.4 KitKat, but it has a custom skin that take cues from iOS design such as the Gaussian blur on home screen folders and app menu. Transitions were fast, and opening apps are a breeze.

Buttons are arranged conveniently for one-hand use. The volume rocker and the power/lock key are all found on the right side of the phone. The headphone jack is located on top, and the microUSB port at the bottom. It’s also noteworthy to say that the top and bottom portions are made of metal.

The other side of the phone reveals its 8 megapixel snapper and flash, and dual Yamaha speakers. The back plate is made up of plastic in a matte finish, which adds a really nice touch to the front display.

Overall, this phone is lightweight beauty. It’s like Gionee saying that you don’t need octa-cores to be able to have a decent phone, as six is enough.

Gionee GPad G5 specs:
5.5-inch HD IPS display @ 1280 x 720 resolution
Dragontrail glass
1.5GHz MT6591 hexa-core processor
ARM Mali450 GPU
1GB RAM
8GB storage
Up to 32GB via microSD
8MP rear camera
2MP front camera
Dual-SIM
Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP
Wi-Fi, 3G
2,400mAh battery
Android 4.4 KitKat
Colors: White and black

The G5 is now available along with all their other mobile phone offerings, including the Elife S5.5 which we had a hands-on a few months back, at their new concept store in SM Megamall (4/f Cyberzone beside Canon, Toshiba) for Php9,499USD 162INR 13,722EUR 154CNY 1,179.