Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro Unboxing and First Impressions
Finally, we were able to secure our review unit of the highly anticipated Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro, a capable midranger w/ good camera centric features.
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| Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro |
It's the first smartphone by Cloudfone to boasts a dual camera setup behind (13 MP + 8 MP) w/ 2x optical zoom and 20 MP front facing camera w/ softlight flash. Having said that, this unit was simply crafted to take great photos and selfies.
In addition, it has one of the best build and after sales in the market right now. As a matter of fact, it is the only smartphone model in the country w/ a special 1 year unit replacement warranty. Not everyone has the guts to do that.
Anyway, I'm sure you're all excited for this device. Let's unbox it and see if the hype is real!
Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro Specs
Display: 5.5-inch FHD IPS 1920 x 1080 resolution w/ 2.5D curved glass and Gorilla Glass protection 3 at 401 ppi
CPU: 1.4GHz 64-bit Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor
GPU: Adreno 505
RAM: 4GB
ROM: 64GB expandable via microSD card slot (dedicated)
Rear Camera: 13MP 3L8 + 8 MP 4H8 f/2.0 w/ AF, 2x optical zoom, portrait mode and LED flash
Selfie Camera: 20MP f/2.0 Sony IMX376 w/ portrait mode and softlight LED flash
Battery: 3,000mAh w/ Quick Charge 3.0
OS: Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Connectivity: WiFi, 3G, 700MHz LTE, Bluetooth, OTG, GPS, A-GPS, dual SIM
Others: Fingerprint sensor
Sensors: Accelerometer, orientation, gyroscope, proximity and gravity sensors
Price: PHP 11,999 (PHP 9,999 sale price)
CPU: 1.4GHz 64-bit Snapdragon 430 octa-core processor
GPU: Adreno 505
RAM: 4GB
ROM: 64GB expandable via microSD card slot (dedicated)
Rear Camera: 13MP 3L8 + 8 MP 4H8 f/2.0 w/ AF, 2x optical zoom, portrait mode and LED flash
Selfie Camera: 20MP f/2.0 Sony IMX376 w/ portrait mode and softlight LED flash
Battery: 3,000mAh w/ Quick Charge 3.0
OS: Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Connectivity: WiFi, 3G, 700MHz LTE, Bluetooth, OTG, GPS, A-GPS, dual SIM
Others: Fingerprint sensor
Sensors: Accelerometer, orientation, gyroscope, proximity and gravity sensors
Price: PHP 11,999 (PHP 9,999 sale price)
Disclaimer: This is borrowed unit from Cloudfone for this unboxing and review.
Unboxing / Accessories
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| The nice new packaging of Cloudfone |
The CEP 2 Pro arrived in a newly designed type of box. The generous package includes most of the basics you'll need like: Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 USB wall charger, USB to micro USB data / charging cable, in-ear monitors w/ mic, screen protector, SIM ejector tool, and paper documentations.
Build Quality / Design
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| Familiar aesthetics |
Construction of this phone is a reminds us of the OnePlus 5, a high-end smartphone w/ outstanding overall construction. The OnePlus 5 is still a tad more refined, but you have to consider the big gap in price.
Build is near flagship grade!
Overall, the Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro has outstanding build for the price. The metal unibody construction is simply SOLID w/ good heft and the screen has an unspecified type of Glass Protection. (Cloudfone assured as that it has resistance against scratches)
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| Dual camera setup, microphone, and flash |
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| 3.5 mm headphone jack slot on top |
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| Single speakers, micro USB slot, and microphone below |
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| SIM slot at left |
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| Triple slots! |
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| Power button and volume rocker at right |
Like what we mentioned earlier, it has the OnePlus 5 like look. The OnePlus 5 looks like the iPhone 7 Plus. Having said that, Cloudfone opted for the safe design that works. And, it works!
This handset has gorgeous curves all over, nice chamfered edges, pretty slim profile, and improved antenna band design. The dual camera setup behind is just slightly protruded, but that's just a minor weakness in its design.
Overall ergonomics is also great due to its nice curves. It feels great in that hands as it is not that big despite the large 5.5-inch display. All buttons and ports are on standard locations too.
It is a bit slippery without the case and the capacitive Android keys in front aren't lit though.
1. The CEP 2 Pro has a safe and solid yet SLEEK overall construction. We liked that it is metal clad and has some sort of glass protection in front. The 1080p 5.5-inch IPS display is also gorgeous and has nice brightness. The screen also has 5 points of touch.
2. For PHP 11,999, we would have liked it better if Cloudfone has used the newer and slightly improved Snapdragon 435 chip. But, the octa core Snapdragon 430 processor is still much better versus the usual MT6750 processor we used to see at this price point. Beside, it still has the budget gaming ready Adreno 505 graphics, 4 GB RAM for smooth multitasking, and LARGE 64 GB expandable storage. It's 3,000 mAh battery even has Quick Charge 3.0 support w/ alleged 1 hour charging time. (We'll verify that in our full review)
3. It is the first local brand w/ Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS. Cloudfone is also one of the few homegrown brands w/ their own custom skin. Speaking of Cloudfone's Android skin, it is feature rich and easy to use! It has no app drawer anymore, better!
4. Among all local phones, this device also has the most impressive camera setup yet. It goes w/ a 13 MP 3L8 + 8 MP 4H8 f/2.0 w/ AF, 2x optical zoom, portrait mode and LED flash behind and a 20 MP f/2.0 Sony IMX376 w/ portrait mode and softlight LED flash .
5. The capacitive keys aren't lit, it has LED light indicator, OTG works, fingerprint scanner accurate so far, 700 MHz LTE is present, and it has gyroscope sensor for AR and VR.
Related: Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro Camera Features And Samples
This handset has gorgeous curves all over, nice chamfered edges, pretty slim profile, and improved antenna band design. The dual camera setup behind is just slightly protruded, but that's just a minor weakness in its design.
Overall ergonomics is also great due to its nice curves. It feels great in that hands as it is not that big despite the large 5.5-inch display. All buttons and ports are on standard locations too.
It is a bit slippery without the case and the capacitive Android keys in front aren't lit though.
Initial Findings
1. The CEP 2 Pro has a safe and solid yet SLEEK overall construction. We liked that it is metal clad and has some sort of glass protection in front. The 1080p 5.5-inch IPS display is also gorgeous and has nice brightness. The screen also has 5 points of touch.
2. For PHP 11,999, we would have liked it better if Cloudfone has used the newer and slightly improved Snapdragon 435 chip. But, the octa core Snapdragon 430 processor is still much better versus the usual MT6750 processor we used to see at this price point. Beside, it still has the budget gaming ready Adreno 505 graphics, 4 GB RAM for smooth multitasking, and LARGE 64 GB expandable storage. It's 3,000 mAh battery even has Quick Charge 3.0 support w/ alleged 1 hour charging time. (We'll verify that in our full review)
3. It is the first local brand w/ Android 7.1.1 Nougat OS. Cloudfone is also one of the few homegrown brands w/ their own custom skin. Speaking of Cloudfone's Android skin, it is feature rich and easy to use! It has no app drawer anymore, better!
4. Among all local phones, this device also has the most impressive camera setup yet. It goes w/ a 13 MP 3L8 + 8 MP 4H8 f/2.0 w/ AF, 2x optical zoom, portrait mode and LED flash behind and a 20 MP f/2.0 Sony IMX376 w/ portrait mode and softlight LED flash .
5. The capacitive keys aren't lit, it has LED light indicator, OTG works, fingerprint scanner accurate so far, 700 MHz LTE is present, and it has gyroscope sensor for AR and VR.
Related: Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro Camera Features And Samples
As of the moment
Those who were able to get it for the PHP 9,999 pre-order price are very lucky. But, even at its PHP 11,999 SRP, it is still a good deal on paper. Why? We find it has great design, even heavy gaming is possible, base storage is LARGE, it has Quick Charge 3.0 tech, and the cameras are great. So far, this handset is one of the best if not the best in its class.For our full review: Cloudfone Excite Prime 2 Pro Review - A really good phone for the price!
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