What's a LEWA OS and how's that different from stock Android?

Strange that those who have already bought the phone doesn't mention how fast this phone boots up. Almost eerie.

This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 5 2013, 02:08 AM

That's odd. My G4 feels a lot like my Nexus 7. Didn't quite like the default Jiayu Launcher. Have since changed to Go launcher.

Initially, I did search for a suitable Cyanogenmod rom but after awhile, I realised that's not needed. Phone comes pre-rooted with some Chinese recovery mode. Performance is quick and spritely. Not like Android 4.3 is out yet.


From the moment I press on the power button, it takes approximately 6-7 secs before I see my home screen. I don't think these phones totally shut down; more like some form of deep sleep. No way a cold boot can be that fast. Phone has the feature for scheduled power on/offs. Imho, if it can wake itself from shutdown, it cant be totally off. Then again, my phone has a humongous 3000 mAh battery.

The price quoted for the Neo is misleading. From what I seen, it's being sold at 1169.00 and not 640.00

Jiayu G4 is a dual-standby dual sim phone.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dual_SIM

Due to concerns over SAR levels, I don't think anyone makes dual active phones anymore.


If calls are getting dropped, I think we would hear more complaints on the internet. In the absence of such complaints, it would be fair to assume there isn't any.

Antutu in the spoiler


* wifi – I live in an apartment. So connectivity isn't an issue for me.

* GPS – A bit slow in getting the initial position fix. After that, GPS works okay

* capacitive buttons – I do not require back-lighting to know the buttons are there.

* 3G – not using yet. No comment on this

* screen – ips screen is really good Agreed

* battery – It's 3000 mAH! Unlike previous phone, I don't need to ever disable this G4's wifi to conserve energy. Best described as 'Last Phone Standing .. when all other phones have to go home for re-charge'

* ui - Not a fan of default Jiayu Launcher. Changed to Go launcher. I prefer original Jelly Bean icos.

* camera – you get a lot more with 13 megapixels. Pixels do matter. I don't have the manual for the camera but I like the options that comes with the software

• Can do rapid shooting. Takes 40 - 99 shots in one pass.
• With auto-exposure, it's sometimes quite difficult to take photos with bright background; end up with a picture of friend with a dark face. Software allows you to take 3 shots in rapid fire. One shot in normal exposure. The other done with under & over exposure. Among the resultant 3 shots, you get to choose the one which you think looks best.
• face detection - can auto-capture when a smile is detected
• hdr
• Panaroma - I like this one the most
• anybody knows what that 'star' setting does?

Edit:
Original rom that comes with the G4 (20130515-202809) has unsatisfactory touchscreen sensitivity. May be improved by flashing to newer #25 firmware

This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 8 2013, 06:23 PM

Jiayu is renown for the quality of their builds. The G4 is no exception and is solidly put together.

As to the 1GB query, I cannot answer that as I do not load my phone with that many apps. What about your current phone? How much ram does it have and does that amount of ram seem laggy to you?

It's to my understanding that ONLY those who are heavily into gaming may require those 2GBs. Perhaps this youtube video may help your query



This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 8 2013, 08:58 PM

I tried loading a lot of programs. Each time I check the App manager, I always have 350-500 mb of free ram. With that in mind, I'll postulate 2GB is not direly needed at this time.

I think we can estimate the new pricing. G4 Basic Turbo version with 1GB ram, 4GB rom should cost marginally more than current non-turbo version. Not sure how more the faster proc will drain the battery.

The Advanced model has an updated camera & 2GB ram. The 32GB rom will surely push the price up a fair bit. I estimate it will cost similar to what's currently quoted for the Neo. At that price, maybe not a bad idea to settle for the cheaper model. With the savings made, you can work towards early next year when they start pushing out those octo core phones.

This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 8 2013, 10:39 PM

I forgot to mention. You should also consider the Zopo C2 Premium

* MTK6589T, Cortex A7 quad core, 1.5GHz;
* GPU: PowerVR SGX 544
* ROM 16GB
* RAM 1GB
* Gorilla Glass 2

I have some IPhone users mistaking the G4 as the latest (and larger) IPhone.

That would also be my main gripe about Zopo. That silver band which runs round the phone isn't alloy but plastic presumably painted silver. What will it look like in 2 years after the sweat from your hands eats away at the silver colour? With Jiayu G4, you get a steel band which gives the phone a more premium feel.

Speaking of flimsy builds, it appears Umi X2 also requires improving.

Perception of performance is subjective. Depends of which angle you're looking from. If you own a S4 or HTC One, then you may perceive G4's MTK6589 quad as a tad slower.

Since you mention Xperia Sola, I'll use that as a yardstick. Sola manages an Antutu score of 5335 (source) while the current G4 scores approx 13000. Up to you how that's perceived. IMHO aside from heavy gaming, anything with scores of 13000 is good enough for general usage. Anything with significantly higher performance is out of your current budget.

Go to a shop which has G4 in stock. You get to play with the phone a bit before deciding. If it does not meet your expectation, don't buy.

Do share with us the results of your findings.

This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 10 2013, 03:16 PM

True that most are online sellers. Some do have shops. I bought mine from one of such.

I have only seen the IOcean X7 once. That was when I was at the shop to buy the G4. Nice looking phone. Relatively cheaper. It was the 2000 mAH battery that puts me off.

If you're into 5" FHDs, then I would suggest you choose among these ..

* Umi X2 Turbo (2500 mAH)
* Zopo C2 (2000 mAH)
* THL W8 Beyond (2000 mAH)

I chose G4 for the following reason:

* 3000 mAH battery

* smaller display 4.7" @720p. My eyesight isn't that great. I am unable to distinguish the benefits between FHD vs 720p. The smaller form factor is easier for one hand operation and a 720p screen requires less power than a FHD.

* I'm not much into chasing after the faster/powerful processors. No matter how fast one proc can be, 3 months later something new comes along and knocks it off it's perch. Currently Qualcom's S800 and Tegra 4 are the kings but there's already news of Mediatek releasing octo cores.

* Finally the main reason is because Jiayu has a track record for reliability and build quality.

Performance wise, I think you wont go wrong choosing any of the above. China phone makers have a simple formula. Take the best phone in the world. Make one that will perform 75-80% as well and then market it for half the price. Simply the best bang for your bucks.

This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 11 2013, 01:04 AM

Not sure what you're talking about. My phone is in English. I can't read Chinese anyway.

Have you tried Google? The first hit I get for soc is http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/System_on_a_chip

With regards to phones exploding, do you refer to this > http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/10/g..._n_3567977.html
That hasn't stopped Samsung from being the world no #1

http://www.exmobile.com.my/productDetail.h...1&productid=269

It appear to be local re-brand of a Chinese phone. If you're looking for a decent review of it, you may have better luck if you know what the phone was originally named.

This post has been edited by BartS: Jul 14 2013, 08:50 PM

I understand your predicament. Chinese manufacturers moves fast. They announce they are gonna release this/that model with such specs but before the product gets released, they change the processor for it.

Jiayu G4 Basic MTK6589 1GB ram/4GB rom - This is what we're currently getting here.

Jiayu G4 Advance MTK6589 2GB ram/32GB rom - Don't think this ever made it out of manufacturer's doors. Mediatek released the Turbo processors and all new releases should be using the MTK6589T from now on.

Jiayu G4 Basic MTK6589T 1GB ram/4GB rom & Jiayu G4 Advance MTK6589T 2GB ram/32GB rom - Think these should make it's way here earliest by next month.

'T' procs are faster and the improved GPU will help with phones with FHD screens. Jiayu being 720p should see no noticeable gains with typical usage but I read that they deplete battery's energy faster. Then again, given the choice, I think many will choose 'T' over the non-T versions.