Lazada Exclusive Cubix Cube initial look - cheapest phone with 2GB RAM

As more and more companies are joining the Android bandwagon, it is only to be expected that better specced phones are being offered for lower prices. This was initially introduced by local brands like myPhone and Cherry Mobile, but in recent months, even notable brands like Asus, Acer, Huawei, and Xiaomi have thrown their names into the hat, making the mid-range market an even more competitive market. This, definitely benefits us, the consumers. 

Not to let themselves get lost in the race is Cherry Mobile, who, after being part of the Android One initiative with myPhone a few months back launched two mobile phones to look forward to: The Cubix Cube, which is an online exclusive via Lazada, and the Flare X.

Here's a quick specification overview of the Cubix Cube:

Cubix Cube specs:
5-inch HD IPS On-Cell display, 1280 x 720 @294ppi
1.4Ghz MediaTek MT6592M octa-core processor
ARM Mali-450MP4
2GB RAM
Expandable 16GB internal storage
Supports up to 64GB MicroSD card
13MP rear camera w/ LED flash
5MP front
Dual-SIM, Dual-Standby
3G HSPA+
WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0
GPS
2,000mAh battery

The first thing that pops out to me is the RAM. Cherry Mobile [along with other local handset brands] have released Octacore phones to much fanfare since last year. It is only now that someone upped the ante by raising the memory from the typical 1GB to 2GB. This helps out greatly in multitasking and memory intensive applications, which would mean that it would be a much smoother Android experience for the user. 

The screen is a pleasant surprise, as it is a 5-inch, IPS display, which guarantees fairly good viewing angles. Although it should be noted that none of the reference materials regarding this model indicates that this is a scratch-proof solution a la Gorilla Glass, so no practicing of car keys or dropping is recommended.

Internal storage is a pleasant surprise, as 16GB is an ample storage for your initial experience, allowing you to install many apps without worry that the internal space would run out, the latter being a common problem with budget smartphones. To help further, storage is expandable via the microSD slot [up to 64GB].

Not all is rosy out here though, as the glossy back cover attracts fingerprints and smudges. Also, some people might consider the dilemma that this phone does not have LTE, but that should only be an issue if you rely on data connectivity a lot and if your location has a good LTE signal. HSPA+ is fairly decent for the most part. Lastly would be the battery, which seem to be a bit on the low end at only 2000mAH. It would be interesting to see how optimized the software is to maximize the limited battery.

Pros:
- octa-core processor
- high RAM [2GB]
- good GPU
- good, clear display [HD IPS]
- default internal storage at 16GB [vs. typical budget phone storage of 2-8 GB]

Cons:
- battery is quite low for a relatively high-octane device
- glossy back cover is prone to fingerprint smudges
- no LTE [limited to HSPA+]

All-in-all, I think it is a very good deal considering the plusses it brings to the table, and for the price [P4,490]. It is a great offer to be had if you're looking for a new phone with decent specs without breaking your budget.

If you're looking at getting one, you can get it on this link, since as noted above, it is a Lazada exclusive item: Cherry Mobile Cubix Cube