Tech Kaiju Arena is blogging initiative by Ninetology to promote creative and responsible blogging. DECODING GALVIN has taken up the challenge to do a review on two Android devices in the most light-hearted manner. In this post, I will be giving my unbiased views and opinions to my fellow readers on these two devices. So, if you like what you read, don’t forget to share this post.
INTRODUCTION
As a war between giant androids and monstrous green robots wages on, humankind has fallen behind with choices and decisions that are ever harder to make. While all these latest monstrous androids may closely look-alike, they are indeed different in many ways in agility, strength and sizes. And here’s an epic battle between these two green giants, in a round by round combat to find out the top green giant that will serve humankind better.
ROUND 1 – SIZE MATTERS
While many of these monstrous giants are getting bigger and bigger, size does play an important role in the survival of the fittest. Ninetology U9X1 stands tall at 137.8 mm with the width of 69.9 mm. With a depth of 10 mm, the U9X1 is rather slim and mean. Equipped with a 4.8-inch display, its Super AMOLED HD is good resolution up to 720 x 1280 pixels. Weighing at 160g, the Ninetology U9X1 is definitely a Mark III category green android giant.
The Lenovo K900 is a relatively new green android giant. Standing really tall at 157 mm, it has the width of 78 mm but with a slimmer form of 6.9 mm. its IPS LCD 5.5-inch capacitive display, screams 16M colors with resolution up to 1080 x 1920 pixels. The Lenovo K900 is categorized as a Mark IV green android giant.
The K900 thumps U9X1 in viewing experience with larger screen size but being big all the time isn’t all that good. The K900 can be rather clumsy at times due to its massive size.
Verdict: Ninetology U9X1 ZERO (0) – (1) ONE Lenovo K900
ROUND 2 – CORE STRENGTH
Being this gigantic you need to run nuclear engine. While the K900 may not be running on nuclear engine, It is however, packed with a Dual-core 2 GHz Intel Atom Z2580 processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage. Such processing prowess enables the K900 to do multi-tasking without any complication. The K900 also pushes 5499 points in the Quandrant Standard test, a rather impressive results for a bulky giant.
On the other hand, the U9X1 is running on slower MediaTek’s 1.2GHz Quad Core processor. Although having only 1GB memory, its 16GB internal storage and expandable to 32GB via MicroSD slot gives it the edge. On the Quandrant Standard test, the U9X1 pushes 4045 points putting it way on top of other noticeable Android giants such as Samsung Galaxy Nexus and LG Optimus 2X.
Quad-core processor power keeps the U9X1 ahead in battle of Androids although it is still way behind the monstrous K900.
Verdict: Ninetology U9X1 ZERO (0) – (1) ONE Lenovo K900
ROUND 3 – SUPER CAMERA
All the latest Android giants are equipped with super cameras, a distinction feature of each individual Android. Ninetology’s U9X1 too comes with 13-megapixel back camera and 2-megapixel front facing camera. Its superpower includes f2.0 Aperture, 2nd Generation BSI, HDR, Zero Shutter Delay, Panorama shooting, Face Detection, Fast Burst Shot, HD video recording (Video Effect).
The K900 is equipped with similar 13-megapixel back camera with autofocus and dual-LED flash and a front facing 2-megapixel. Its superpower includes geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection and a vast collection of photo effects.
While both giants are equipped with similar super camera, the K900 once again thumps the U9X1 in image quality and consistency. While the K900 shoots rather decent photos, the U9X1 is still rather inconsistent with its colour and struggling on autofocus.
Verdict: Ninetology U9X1 ZERO (0) – (1) ONE Lenovo K900
ROUND 4 – STRONG BUILT AND FORM
After three rounds, it is pretty obvious that the K900 is on a league of its own. Even though the rigid unibody form of the K900 is built with metallic brush finish, its enormous size makes it rather hard to handle with single hand and even harder for a human with smaller palm size. In this case, its metal body is much suited for the K900 to endure any hard knocks or tumbles.
U9X1 on the other hand is sleek and handles easily with a single hand. The glossy finish shines fear into enemy’s eyes although it is only to cover up the weak construct of its plastic body. The U9X1 is built for agility but the volume and power buttons scream for help for being too weak and small.
While it’s great to have a bigger and stronger built, the K900 may not fit comfortably into the front pocket of your jeans and pants. However, the U9X1 slips in easily into any pocket of your shirt or pants.
Verdict: Ninetology U9X1 (TIE) Lenovo K900
ROUND 5 – PRICE WAR
It’s obvious now that these Android giants are from different category and the one from the higher category will definitely step as a winner. But this last round will prove to be the decisive point for humankind. The price war is definitely the toughest round especially with more and more same category Android giants emerging on this planet. The Mark IV Lenovo K900 may be well as tough and as powerful, it also losing out in the price war especially with a price tag of RM1,699. Much tougher green giants from similar category are striking at around that price which may easily put the K900 to shame.
However, the U9X1 strives at the price war. With the price tag of RM1,099, the U9X1 is definitely one of the toughest giants in its category. The humankind will definitely benefit more from an Android giant that excel in the price war. And with more Android giant like Ninetology’s U9X1 out to compete, the world will definitely be a better place.
Verdict: Ninetology U9X1 ONE (1) – (0) ZERO Lenovo K900
SUMMARY
This post is made possible thanks to the good people from Ninetology for loaning both the U9X1 and K900 to us. However, I would like to put in some extra comments from a layman’s point of view. The Ninetology U9X1 is a new smartphone player in Malaysia, and it’s definitely getting some recognition over the short period of time. Their U9 series Android smartphones are definitely making a hit amongst Malaysians who are looking for quality smartphones but without the high price tag.
After spending a week with the U9X1, I’m quite happy with its overall performance. Speed and processing prowess are not much of an issue. The only thing I find very uncomfortable is the glossy and plastiky body. Then again, a silicon or rubber casing can fix that problem easily.
So ask me if I will recommend the U9X1 to anyone, I would say, give it a try yourself first. It’s a matter of choice and preference. I like the U9X1 for the price tag and the awesome Quad-core I’m getting, but it may not be the same to you. So in this case, my preference for an smartphone is the price tag and with the quad-core thrown in, the U9X1 definitely won my vote.
Verdict: Ninetology U9X1 ONE (1) – (0) ZERO Lenovo K900
Full Ninetology U9X1 specs: http://www.ninetology.com/u9/products/x1/
Full Lenovo K900 specs: http://shopap.lenovo.com/my/en/smartphones/k-series/k900/index.html?cid=my:sem:rGf3yN|g-c
