The Coolpad stable is known for budget smartphones that pack in an impressive array of features. This time around, Coolpad has tied up with LeEco to bring out a mid-range smartphone that promises to be a reliable and long-term investment. Priced at Rs 13,999, the phone has a 5.5 inch display like others in the category and a choice of 3GB or 4GB RAM. The phone has the LeEco interface and software so if you're a fan, you'll enjoy using this phone. I've had it with me for over a week now and here are my insights.
Look and feel
Coolpad Cool 1 comes in two colours - silver and gold. I have with me the silver phone and the colour is nothing like I've ever seen before. It is classy and sophisticated and the smooth edges add to the appeal of the phone. At 173 grams, there may be lighter phones but it certainly doesn't feel heavy when you hold it in your hand or put it in your pocket. But the best part is the rich display and the high touch sensitivity. You can also use gyroscope fingerprint technology to secure your phone.
Verdict: Excellent
Speed and memory
The biggest USP of the Coolpad Cool 1 has to be its speed and ease of use. Every button on the screen reacts like a dream, the phone never heats up and the ROM seems more than adequate. The 32 GB internal memory is decent but I wonder why there isn't a 64 GB variant, considering this memory is non-expandable. Bluetooth is also highly responsive.
Verdict: Very fast
Battery
The 4000 mAh battery is one of the best I've encountered in a mid-range smartphone. Even after several days of light use, the battery barely dipped. This feature makes the Coolpad Cool 1 a great phone for frequent travellers and heavy users. Sure we all have power banks but it never hurts to have a phone with a battery that actually delivers.
Verdict: Excellent
Sound
The audio quality is great and the effects really come through when you plug in a pair of earphones. But what really impressed me was the excellent volume. In a silent, enclosed space, you wouldn't even need a speaker to dance to the music. The phone comes loaded with a large variety of pleasant caller tunes.
Verdict: Very good
Camera
The camera comes with a highly touted dual 13 MP rear camera which is bound to raise your expectations. So when you see the display blanking out in harsh sunlight and a noticeable blur in many medium-light photos, you feel let down. Nevertheless, the control options in 'pro' mode are impressive, including everything from ISO settings to exposure and focus.
I wouldn't say the final result is bad but it's mediocre. The panorama photos also come out dark, whatever the direction of the sun. On the other hand, the front 8 MP camera is pretty good. And the array of stickers you can add while clicking and during editing make the photography process very enjoyable. Check out my photo where I added glasses, a crown and a cat in post-production.
However, the camera clicks reasonably good photos in the night. I was pleased with the clarity and detailing. Give the night mode a miss though - it adds too much light and leaves the photo overexposed and unclear.
Verdict: Fair
Inclusions
In my package, I received a charging cum USB cable, plug, scratch guard, pin to remove the SIM tray, warranty card and user manual along with the phone. Remember that because this follows the LeEco model, the plug point is shaped differently from other Android phones. This means you can't swap chargers with a Samsung or Asus. There was no earphone in the inclusions.
In conclusion, Coolpad Cool 1 is an excellent phone if you take into consideration the seamless speed, ease of use, long-lasting battery, excellent sound and high quality of display (except in bright sunlight). At this price point, you are unlikely to get such features in any other brand. However, the camera and non-expandable memory leave room for improvement. At the same time, I was reasonably happy with the video quality. And the stickers and variety of editing modes are fun to play around with. If you don't rely on your phone as a high quality camera, there's no reason the Coolpad Cool 1 shouldn't be your next smartphone.
Specifications at a glance
- Display: 5.5”, IPS, FHD 1920 x 1080
- RAM: 3GB/4GB
- ROM: 32GB (non-expandable)
- Camera: Dual 13MP AF rear; f/2.2, 8MP front
- Sensor: Infrared controller，Gyroscope fingerprint，Accelerometer Proximity Sensor, Light sensor
- OS: Android 6.0
- Colours: Silver, gold
- Battery: 4000mAh Stand by time up to 300H
- Weight: 173g
- Network: 2G/3G/4G
- Chipset: MSM8976 1.8GHz Octa-core Adreno 510
Click here to see more photos clicked using Coolpad Cool 1
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