Hot S’ ‘All eyes on me’ tagline was, and still is, catchy. The handset has been with us for quite some time now. This handset is easy on the eyes as it is characterized by ultimate beauty and style. For techies, the phrase ‘looks can be deceiving’ is quite significant: there is always more to a smartphone or any other gadget than its build. I have used and operated Hot S for about a month now; hence, I can highlight the highs and the lows.
Damage: 12,599
Key Specs
- OS-Android 6.0 OS (Marshmallow)
- 5.2-inch display, 720 x 1280 pixels (404 ppi)
- Camera-13MP rear Camera, with autofocus and LED flash 8MP front camera
- Connectivity-Wi-Fi, Bluetooth v4.0, microUSB v2.0, 3.5mm earphone Jack,
- Processor-Octa-core Cortex 1.3GHz, 64bit
- Memory-16GB ROM expandable by up to 128GB, 2GB or 3GB RAM versions
- Battery-3000mAh
- Fingerprint sensor-yes
- Colors-Gold, Silver, blue, gray, pink
Display and Design
Display is crispy clear, design, impressive. Hot S comes with a 5.2 IPS HD display endowed with rich colors and a HD display which is clean and sharp. A major problem I have with the display is that the colors look somehow oversaturated-they were rich but a bit beyond the realm of reality.
The Gorilla Glass protection is missing. I loved the viewing angles though. Icons are displayed excellently but legibility is poor under direct sunlight unless you switch to optimal brightness. I can’t say I was shocked though since I am yet to come across a mid-range device with excellent legibility in the outdoor.
The “Shuffle” icon on the home screen is for those who are too lazy to change wallpaper or themes. You have been saved the hustle of achieving this via the display setting options. This icon allows you to automatically change the home screen. Not a very necessary feature but an interesting one all the same.
I was blown away by HOT S’ design. It is impressive. It feels light and the various features have been strategically placed. The battery is non-removable meaning that SIM and memory cards slots are at the left side of the phone. No need to sneer. It’s all good. We can definitely live with that.
Infinix built a single eject-able tray to accommodate SIM card(s) and a microUSB card; this is a major design flaw as it feels a bit crowded. Another not so interesting thing is that the tray can either house the two SIM cards or one SIM card and a micro SD; this is an unnecessary hustle.
The USB port is located at the bottom frame and on either side is a speaker grill. Before you go into an ululation mode, what you see is not what you get-the phone does not have dual speakers! The one on the left side houses the mic. The audio quality is okay but using headphones gives a better experience.
The power and volume controls are on the right side.
The fingerprint sensor is located just below the rear camera and it is quite sensitive. A thin strip at the upper back section houses the rear camera while the brand name is strategically placed just below the fingerprint sensor. The design speaks of creativity and strategic planning.
The handset comes encrusted in a metallic back cover that is non-removable. I personally do not mind this. The beautifully curved edges enhance the appearance giving the handset a premium look and feel.
Performance
Hot S operates on Android 6.0 Marshmallow and XOS interface, packs 2GB RAM, and employs an octa-core CPU with a speed of 1.3GHz, 64bit. I enjoyed efficient performance free of lags but under heavy use I noticed that it sometimes froze. The apps, however, launched first and the phone ran smoothly.
The 16GB internal memory expandable by up to 128GB is welcome. This is ample space for your photos and videos. In addition to this, the handset comes with pre-installed and impressive apps such as video editor and Magic movie. With these you can make videos and explore the various editing options.
Under heavy use, the Hot S did warm up a bit- just a bit. Nothing exaggerated like a hot iron box. Nothing you cannot snub.
The fingerprint scanner located just below the camera is effective. This is almost becoming a must have feature owing to its security function. Apart from acting as a security feature, you can use it to take photos and pick calls. Not a new function but, how cool is that?!
Camera(s)
It takes gorgeous, sharp and detailed photos under good lighting conditions. Hot S comes with 13 MP primary camera and 8MP secondary camera, both come with LED flash. Camon C9 was a good camera phone and Infinix Mobility have not disappointed with the Hot S shooter. Both the front and rear camera captured beautiful images.
The camera tends to struggle in low light as the quality of the photos is not that good: they appear blurry and grainy. I am not mad at this since most smartphones manufacturers still struggle with this. Flashlight saves the day but the results are not that impressive.
It comes with several editing options and advanced features such as HDR and various modes.
Video quality is equally impressive and the handset can record videos at 1080 HD.
Battery Life
The 3000mAh non-removable battery proved good. The charging time is about 2.5 and I enjoyed 9 continuous hours of videos, music and games on full charge. The handset comes with a pre-installed power saving features that increases battery time.
Final Verdict
Hot S comes with okay specifications at an okay price. The camera left me impressed although I must admit not as much as that of Camon C9. It also comes with a sleek design, fingerprint sensor, stable performance, okay battery and this makes an ideal candidate for mid-range smartphone of 2016.
So Rad
- Sleek design
- Attractive price
- Impressive camera
- Good battery life
- Satisfactory performance
Makes Us Sad
- Crowded eject-able tray
- No lock screen notification
