Cubot X18 Plus analysis

Today we bring you the analysis of a Smartphone that we have wanted to try for a long time, the CUBOT X18 Plus. One of the most striking terminals so far of this Chinese firm. A brand that has decided to bet heavily on the Spanish territory by offering its own distribution.

CUBOT has been manufacturing terminals and products of various kinds for several years. In its catalog we can find everything from all-terrain smartphones such as the CUBOT King Kong, to even a smartwhatch or smartband of the firm. And is that CUBOT is not a short-lived manufacturer for a single device.

The CUBOT X18 Plus a great bet

With the CUBOT X18 Plus its creators have decided to put all the meat on the grill. And they have entered the Android mid-range through the big door offering a product that combines everything that we can demand from a new mobile phone; power, design and good price (for only € 139 on offer).

The CUBOT X18 Plus doesn't skimp on anything at all. We have a generous 5,99 inch with resolution Full HD + With All screen format that maximizes the front panel. It has a 4GB RAM and with 64GB internal storage. And with a 20 Mpx + 2.0 Mpx dual camera.

It also has an advanced fingerprint reader which is located at the rear. And that according to the manufacturer ensures an unlocking in 0,1 second. It is equipped with a 4.000 mAh battery which will ensure autonomy so that we do not worry about looking for a charger for more than a full day of use.

We are surprised to see that in a device so new, just a few months, its manufacturers No. have opted for him USB Type C charging connector. Although we cannot consider it as a failure. On the positive side, it is good to know that we can use any charger that we already have at home without the need for an adapter.

One thing we liked is that CUBOT on the X18 Plus follow keeping the 3.5mm mini Jack connector. In the last reviews we have been able to see how the firms bet at the same time for the USB Type C connector and for the elimination of this port for audio.

Not the case with the CUBOT X18, so you won't need any kind of accessory to connect your favorite headphones directly. And you can listen to music with your headphones connected while you have the phone plugged in charging. This connector might be considered less modern, but sometimes it is much more practical.

It is also a point in favor of CUBOT that has equipped the X18 Plus with the latest version of Android. Everything runs perfectly with Android 8.0 Oreo. The visual aspect of this version gives the device a more “top” vision. And it makes everything work smoothly and user-friendly.

Box contents

To begin analyzing this device point by point, first it is necessary to take inventory. Once the box is opened we can see how many elements, in addition to the telephone, we have. We have to go back to talking about something that is missing. And that unfortunately has been the usual trend for some time. We don't have headphones of the firm with the CUBOT X18 Plus.

In a box with an unusual color and shape, which we like because of how different it is, we have the basics. Data transfer cable and the connector to plug it into the mains. A Quick Start Guide. The classic pin to open the card slot. And the documentation relating to the product guarantee.

We also have an accessory that many firms are deciding to bet on. And it is a Silicone sheath for the new terminal. It is very practical as well as useful when protecting the device in the event of falls or accidents. It is made of silicone with a good thickness, it is pleasant to the touch and has a good grip.

CUBOT X18 Plus datasheet

The design of the CUBOT X18 Plus, tailored to demand

In the design of the Cubot X18 Plus, its enormous screen that almost completely occupies the front panel. We see how even pressing the screen inside the panel so much, At the top we find a place for the front camera for Selfie. And also for the necessary proximity sensors, etc. A excellent screen integration with a rounded edge finish that we liked a lot.

We see in the CUBOT X18 Plux an example that to have a large screen you do not need any type of Notch. With a rectangular screen format, no eccentricities unnecessary, you get a huge 5,99-inch diagonal screen With which no type of content optimization will be necessary.

The version we have received, from glossy black color, is really attractive. It looks very elegant, although as it happens to the black terminals it has a small drawback. Its surface will soon be full of footprints. Gets dirty very easily, something that with the cover on is completely solved.

The materials used are not in tune with what most manufacturers have been using in recent months. In this case we do not have metallic finishes. And we don't have glass either. Instead, the CUBOT X18 Plus is finished with plastic materials. Yes, the appearance that shows is very engaging and, and the finish has nothing to envy to other types of materials. Not because it is plastic it loses in quality.

In its lower part we find something that has caught our attention. The CUBOT X18 Plus does not have the UST Type C connector. Keep betting on the classic model mini USB. A decision that does not follow the trend of smartphones launched on the same date as this one. But at no time does it seem like a problem to us.

On each side of the charging connector we find what could seem like a pair of speakers. But once again it is only an aesthetic solution. Therefore only we have a single speaker to the right of the connector. And to its left, although it has the same finish as the speaker, we only find the microphone and the noise reduction sensor.

At the top we find the 3.5mm mini Jack connector. Something that seeing the latest reviews we were almost giving up. CUBOT still believes in this port for the audio connection. Thanks to this we can use our favorite headphones without problem.

Although it is assumed that the USB Type C connector, and the elimination of the 3.5 mm Jack is the evolution. It turns out that a large number of users are pleased that it is still in use. Being able to connect headphones without the need for an adapter is something we like. In addition to being able to use them while charging the device.

At left side is button freeyes, we only find the slot for SIM and memory cards. And in the right side we have the lock buttons and a single elongated button for volume control. It seems that everything is where it should be, and the access to the buttons and the path of the buttons is optimal.

We have already talked about the small problem posed by fingerprints on the device. Due to its glossy black finish. But we must also point out that, due to the highly polished materials, the grip of the device is not very secure. And with the phone in your hands it is easy for us to slip. Although this is another thing that is also solved with the silicone case on.

A huge screen without the need for a Notch

The CUBOT X18 Plus is a current phone. Contains the latest technology and features. It also has a large screen. And it is capable of all this without having to look like the rest. It is inevitable that similarities will emerge, not in vain, practically all phones share the same characteristics. We mean that it does not blatantly "copy" any style.

Its screen, far from experimenting with the Notch, achieves a 5,99 inch diagonal. A very good size given her body measurements. We see how "Fitting" such a screen into a Smartphone that does not stand out in size is possible. And it can be done without having to sacrifice ni design, ni modify locations Of elements.

In the CUBOT X18 Plus, we find a screen IPS LCD with 1.080 x 2.160 Full HD + resolution. With rounded ends at their ends 2.5 D. And with a detail that we like a lot, something that seems that other firms are forgetting, the Notification LEDs. We can configure different colors for different applications, and know if we have any warning without having to unlock the phone.

La Image quality, definition and colors of the CUBOT X18 Plus screen is striking. Something that undoubtedly stands out among its competitors within the mid-range. A contrast ratio 1300: 1 It offers bright and realistic colors that will make you enjoy your favorite multimedia content to the fullest. And that together with the quality of your camera, they create a very powerful tandem.

The size and quality of the CUBOT X18 Plus screen place it in a privileged position within the mid-range. A place that it achieves not only for its screen, but also for combining it with the other features and specifications that we will see below.

A "real" camera

The CUBOT X18 Plus comes equipped with high-quality cameras. And it has resolutions that will not leave anyone indifferent. When we talk about cameras on a Smartphone, we always start talking about megapixels. Taking into account the importance of having a sensor that is up to par.

In this case we see how the CUBOT X18 Plus has managed to combine both. And the result is simply great. It has a 20 Megapixel + 2 Megapixel dual camera, with 5-element lens, resolution more than sufficient. Which combined with a Sony Exmor RS type CMOS sensor, They make the CUBOT X18 Plus get a prominent note in the photography section.

As many Chinese smartphone manufacturers have been doing. CUBOT has decided to bet on external manufacturers for the camera section. And if we talk about the rear camera being manufactured by Sony, the front camera is signed by Samsung. A decision that has earned him to be able to boast of a set of high-level cameras.

The front camera for Selfies has with 13 Megapixel resolution. A resolution that even exceeds that of the rear cameras of other terminals that share a range. As we can see, the CUBOT X18 Plus represents a huge leap in quality in the photographic section. And it does nothing but raise the level significantly in a range, thanks to devices like this, increasingly powerful.

In the photo camera application we find different possibilities. The different photography modes allow us more creativity. We can take a screenshot using the mode "Facial beauty", or the mode «bow" with which we will obtain very well balanced black and white captures. Highlighting among all the portrait effect that highlights the central object blurring the rest. And the panoramic mode which allows us in a very simple and intuitive way stitch up to nine photos. Something that it does masterfully without noticing cuts or deformations.

It must be said that being able to count on a screen that offers Full FD + resolution makes our photos can be appreciated much better. As we have already mentioned, camera and screen make an ideal pair. And this benefits the user who enjoys a powerful image and photography section.

This photo has been taken without zoom and without any adjustment to the exposure level. We see how in automatic mode the quality of the colors and the definition of shapes is very good. Earn a lot thanks to good natural light. But the clarity with which the tones differ makes it clear that we are facing a camera that must be taken into account.

One of the fashionable photo modes that has been talked about so much is the well-known portrait mode. A mode that Apple has made famous thanks to a very visual finish. Although called in many different ways, the result that all camera applications seek is the same. A central image highlighted by blurring the rest. CUBOT has managed to fine-tune this effect to achieve good results.

Powerful processor for a powerful Smartphone

The CUBOT X18 Plus is equipped to be solvent and powerful under any circumstance. A good camera and a good screen must be managed by a processor with guarantees. And for that CUBOT has had a proven chip, the MediaTek MT6750T.

Un Octa-core chip running at 1.5 GHz. And that, combined with a Graphic card also well experienced, the ARM Mali-T860 MP2. Elements that combine perfectly. A couple that already works in a proven way on many other devices. And that we have been able to verify that they also do it in the CUBOT X18 Plus.

To complete an equipment that has little or nothing to envy smartphones from established firms. The CUBOT X18 Plus has a 4GB RAM. We can forget about the "hangs" or overheating. The fluidity of its operation in any situation generates a very satisfactory user experience. Even with various applications running in the background, the CUBOT X18 Plus continues to perform at a very high level.

Very worthy processor and storage

In terms of storage capacity we also have good numbers. We would like to consider 16 GB as internal memory in a Smartphone as history. But there are still certain models that start from this figure. In the CUBOT X18 this figure is quadrupled. And we have a 64 GB internal memory that make us not fear that the device will crash.

We can expand the memory, using micro SD memory cards, up to 256 GB. We can insert it in the same slot where the nano SIM card is inserted. Although we must know that if we want to use the phone with dual SIM, we will not be able to use a memory card since the slot is the same.

One important thing to note about the union of the components that make up the "engine" of the CUBOT X18 Plus. And it is that in addition to be efficient in terms of speed and fluidity. They are also in terms of energy consumption. They generate a very contained battery drain which makes it stretch more than expected.

Android 8.0, it was about time

En Androidsis We have been testing the latest devices from the most promising Chinese firms for months. We have to say that there is a little of everything. Common characteristics between them, as well as insurmountable differences. Better camera here, more power there. But even with devices noticeably newer than the CUBOT X18 Plus, none had adopted the latest version of Android.

In CUBOT they have decided to equip the X18 Plus with the latest Android. And we have Android 8.0 that flows wonderfully on your device. Optimization of settings and configuration with the terminal is very well done. And it's a pleasure to experiment in the purest way with the latest from Android.

It is a point in favor of CUBOT not to have to "endure" any cumbersome layer of customization of the operating system. So that we have completely in our hands everything that Android 8.0 can offer in its purest form. A version of the operating system that significantly improves over the previous one.

Autonomy is not a problem

The battery has been a real headache for manufacturers in recent years. Considered for years the least evolved aspect of smartphones. We have seen how exaggeratedly increasing the load capacity has not been a definitive solution. Especially if this meant that the device was noticeably increased in thickness.

The solution has turned out to be more in the hardware and in the optimization of all the components of each terminal. That in an increase in the physical capacity of the batteries. It is clear that an increase was absolutely necessary. Especially taking into account the general increase in the size of the screens, and therefore the energy consumption that this entails.

The CUBOT X18 Plus is equipped with a 4.000 mAh Li-ion-Polymer battery. A load capacity that we have been able to test in other devices without it being enough. But in this phone it is more than enough to withstand a fairly active use of it for more than a full day.

We will not have to worry about carrying around with a charger at all times. Its battery will make this phone accompany us for more than a full day. And this is due to good work. The “gear” of all the parts of the CUBOT X18 Plus, and the perfect harmony between software and hardware is noticeable.

Proven and reliable security

We have been able to test this interesting Smartphone for a few days. And we have to say that we liked it a lot for many different reasons. In the security aspect, the CUBOT X18 Plus may not stand out for implementing new technologies. In fact, does not have facial recognition unlocking.

But it seems good to us that it renounces technologies yet to be debugged and focuses on offering others that are less novel, but with a high level of functionality. The X18 Plus has rear fingerprint reader. A reader that, when saving our fingerprint, reads it very quickly. And that at the time of unlocking it reacts much faster than expected.

According to the manufacturer, the fingerprint reader unlocks the terminal in 0,1 seconds. We have not stopped to time it. But we can assure that the unlocking is instantaneous. And therefore very comfortable and effective. As we say, it is preferable to have a proven technology that works perfectly, than to have some extras that leave much to be desired.

Connectivity on all four sides

As is customary, we are in front of a terminal compatible with all available networks and bands. So we can use it without problem with any company without fear of compatibility or coverage problems. Asian manufacturers have solved the network problem that existed a few years ago. In this way, they are not closed to any potential market.

Say that the CUBOT X18 Plus has slot to use two SIM cards simultaneously. These must be in Micro SIM format. So we can use two telephone lines and data alternating them in a simple way. When we have a work phone and a personal one, this is an ideal solution and highly valued by users.

Regarding connections Wi-Fi, the X18 Plus is compatible with the standards 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, and with Wi-Fi Direct access points. Or what is the same, you can connect it to any Wi-Fi network without any problem. It also has connection Bluetooth 4.0 with advanced audio distribution profile. And also with GPS, how could it be otherwise.

 A sound that delivers

In the sound section we have to start thanking CUBOT for the non-disappearance of our beloved 3.5mm mini Jack port. We still do not consider a step forward having to use an adapter to connect headphones. Therefore, being able to connect our headphones is a point in favor of the CUBOT X18 Plus.

Regarding external sound, comment that we only have one speaker. And although looking at its lower part it seems that we have two, it is not like that. Unfortunately it is only a design solution to obtain a nice uniform finish.

The speaker meets what we could demand. Sounds clear in both bass and treble. With an average maximum volume that rarely distorts. And a pure and pleasant sound, which as we know would improve from being stereo sound. In general, the CUBOT X18 Plus offers a sound section that does not clash with the rest of the phone.

What we like the most and what we like the least about the CUBOT X18 Plus

We like

We liked a lot his design. Without the need to copy, at least in a blatant way, any other manufacturer, CUBOT has been able to offer a beautiful product, with a careful design and some excellent finishes.

Su 5,99-inch screen with Full HD + resolution It is a real joy. A comfortable size to be able to see a late chapter of the current series on time. That makes tablets increasingly less used and less meaningful.

All the Notification LEDs they are something very comfortable. You don't miss them if you've never had them. But if you get used to them being there, without even unlocking the phone we can know what kind of notification we have pending. Although some bet to eliminate them based on higher consumption, it seems to us a success.

Photo cameras. As a whole, the photographic section is of quality. The CUBOT X18 Plus is an example of the fact that Chinese mobiles have bad cameras remained an urban legend. Focus, colors, shutter speed, quality and definition.

We like it less

The Construction materials, at first glance they place it a little out of sight. Although we must recognize that in terms of appearance and touch they do not feel of inferior quality.

The grip or grip CUBOT X18 Plus is the least dangerous. It is very easy for it to slip from your hands. Using it with one hand becomes reckless. The polished surface makes it so smooth that it glides on effortlessly.

The dirt. As with black and shiny terminals, footprints are a problem. The normal appearance of the phone is all finger markings. Although we must also point out that both grip and dirt are automatically solved with the silicone cover that CUBOT gives inside the box.

Editor's opinion