OUKITEL U18 Review

We were looking forward to testing this phone and we finally received it. In Androidsis we have been able to test the new OUKITEL U18 for a few days. The Smartphone that claims to be the first iPhone X-inspired full-screen to hit the market. And the truth is that your screen looks very good.

A screen that is its great claim to the competition. Its format makes it be considered a “clone” of the famous iPhone X. But the truth is that the OUKITEL U18 is not just that. In addition to a good screen clearly inspired by a top of the range. This phone offers us much more. And all this at a price of only $154 which you can buy by clicking here.

The OUKITEL U18 is not just a "clone" of the iPhone X

It is clear that what else highlights first of all this phone is His physical appearance. The way to use the front panel with the display. And the upper hole for speaker and sensors is very recognizable. And that is what OUKITEL bases its best advertising campaign on. To be considered a clone of a major Smartphone it's credential enough to get noticed. And he has succeeded.

Looking like such a powerful Smartphone is usually double-edged weapon. It is something that we have already commented on in other reviews about smartphones “inspired” by other high-end ones. If we compare this OUKITEL U18 with the iPhone X it will not come out very well. But even if this happens, taking advantage of the iPhone to make yourself known is a strategy that works.

However not only is it a Smartphone that looks like the iPhone X. The OUKITEL U18 has a dual camera manufactured by Sony 16 Mpx + 5 Mpx. A 4.000 mAh battery that promises more than enough autonomy. And that has a memory 4 GB RAM and ability to 64 Gb internal storage.

It is equipped with a fast fingerprint reader. It also has facial recognition system for unlocking. Connector for charging and data transfer USB Type C. And with a curved back and screen finish for a very eye-catching look. As we see, more than enough reasons not to just stay with that it is similar to the iPhone X.

Box contents

As is customary with all smartphones we receive, we like to do a small inventory. And tell you what we find inside the box of this OUKITEL U18. The design of the phone case itself, as other firms have been doing, is not traditional. Instead of the classic rectangular box we have a larger and more square case, as well as thinner.

But let's go inside, which is what really interests us. As is logical, in the foreground we find the device itself perfectly packaged and protected with adhesive plastics. And under the same few news. An absence that already seems assumed by manufacturers and users. No headphones and we still don't like that.

We have the basics. The USB cable, in this case with ending type C, for charging and data transfer. The connector for the electrical network, which in this case is European, something that all manufacturers do not yet take into account. The "pin" to open the card slot. A small booklet with basic instructions and the corresponding warranty information.

Once again, we have the adapter to use our headphones connected to the USB Type C connector. Again, another firm that decides to make a smartphone by discarding the mini jack connector for headphones. We can use our headphones, but not without this small adapter cable. Colors to taste, but in Androidsis We still like the Jack connector.

To say that OUKITEL is one of the firms that compensates for the absence of headphones with a small gift. Something basic but much appreciated. A silicone sleeve that perfectly fits our new phone. And that will protect it from possible bumps and scratches. A detail that we like, and that fortunately is becoming more and more common.

The design of the OUKITEL U18 one of its great weapons

The truth is that his physical appearance, In addition to reminding us of the iPhone X, it also stands out for other factors. The OUKITEL U18, in addition to having a very striking screen, also has dual photo camera manufactured by Sony which we will talk about in detail. In its back we observe the camera in the center of the device, in its upper part. By his side twice LED flash. And below your fingerprint reader fingerprints.

As for Construction materials we have to say that the level drastically drops at the rear. In this case we find plastic. A material that seemed already forgotten. Although the truth is that its finish is attractive to the eye and pleasant to the touch. In addition, in the area of ​​the camera there is a kind of small indentations that offer a new appearance and that differentiates it from the rest, much more linear.

The "grip" of the materials is very good. And with the phone in hand we do not have the feeling that it slips. Another positive thing about this material is that our footprints won't dirt the phone just by touching it. Plastic was going out of style, but were they that bad? Perhaps prisoners of the fashion trends, other manufacturers have opted for glass or metal. OUKITEL continues to work with plastic, and the result is not bad at all. We like.

It is a Smartphone that holds well with one hand as it is slightly narrower. Although at first it gives the impression of being somewhat heavier than normal. Due to its 4000 mAh battery. Its design in general has a good note. The front part is very striking and the back is original and very well finished.

In his Right side find the lock button, and an elongated button for the volume control. Buttons with good travel, easy to press even with the silicone sleeve on. We have already tested some smartphones that with the cover made their cores very hard, this is not the case.

El left side is free of buttons. We only found the removable slot for cards SIM and memory. In its lower part we find the hole for the microphone and next to it the speaker, which once again is not stereo. And in the center, the OUKITEL U18 has the one already adopted by the majority, USB Type C. The upper part is completely transparent. Do not seek the hole for the entrance mini jack. OUKITEL also decides not to have her, something that at the moment we do not like at all.

As a curiosity about an authentic all-screen Smartphone, we want to comment on something that many potential buyers ask us. The upper part of the screen, in which we find the "notch" or hollow in the shape of a "U" does not cut images, notifications or multimedia content at all. The software is perfectly optimized so that notifications, photos or videos can look good a little lower. In this way nothing is cut and everything looks perfectly.

The OUKITEL U18 screen its great appeal

It is clear that the screen of this Smartphone is its main “hook”. It has a blatantly iPhone X-like style and shape. As well as boasting the first full-screen phone inspired by the XNUMXth anniversary iPhone to be available on the market. And its display looks really good in a compact, well-finished device.

We are facing a very well used front panel with a screen with 2.5D rounded glass IPS LCD with 5,85 inch size. It has resolution 720 x 1440 px, with a mean density of 275 pixels per inch. With 21: 9 “full display” format to enjoy your favorite multimedia content on full screen.

El front panel is pushed to the max by its four ends. Only in its lower part is a small front line not occupied by the screen. Contrary to what it seems, it is not intended for Android's own capacitive buttons. These are located within the screen itself, but are hidden when we want to see something in full screen.

The OUKITEL U18 in its lateralas well as in the top and bottom has virtually non-existent screen frames. A display with design or "Notch" finish on top. The user experience is very good. It is easy on the eyes, and shows very decent color quality and definition. In general, the screen is a great success, something that makes it a very "enjoyable" Smartphone.

For putting a "but", to activate the notification curtain or shortcuts you will have to change some habits. If you had the habit of swipe from top to bottomin the center of the device to view notifications or shortcuts. With the OUKITEL U18 you will have to do it in a corner since in the center, when "starting" the screen further down does not recognize this gesture.

A well-known processor that offers good results

According to its manufacturers, the OUKITEL U18 is designed for smooth performance. And the truth is that its operation has been impeccable. No outages, no "hangs" and no crashes or unexpected reboots. We have been able to test the OUKITEL U18 with the most common applications and everything has worked perfectly.

OUKITEL has decided to have a well proven processor. You notice a great job getting processor and hardware to integrate seamlessly. After experimenting with it, we must say that the result has been optimal. We can affirm that the OUKITEL U18 is capable of everything we can ask from a Smartphone.

We have an MediaTek MT6750T, a chip octa-core to 1,5 GHz which responds great on this device. Thanks of course to a generous RAMas the OUKITEL U18 is equipped with 4 GB. And it has an internal memory for the 64GB storage. Important figures that only provide this Smartphone with power and capacity worthy of the most exclusive phones.

As for the GPU, the OUKITEL U18 comes equipped with a also well-known graphics card. The ARM Mali T8620 MP2, as we have been able to verify, guarantees great performance. And it offers competent and adequate guarantees and results to get the most out of your big screen.

Android 7.0 with high percentage of "purity"

If we look at the software, at OUKITEL they clearly opt for Android in an almost intact version. In this case we still have the version 7 Nougat. And even if it is not a completely pure version of Android. We have to say that the customization layer is very superficial. The physical appearance of some internal application icons hardly changes.

Ultimately, In the performance aspect we have to speak highly enough of the OUKITEL U18. Another strong candidate with enough credentials to fight face to face against any Smartphone in the very tough Android mid-range.

OUKITEL U18 data sheet

Buy here the OUKITEL U18 in promotion.

The photography of the OUKITEL U18 comes from the hand of Sony

OUKITEL, as many manufacturers in the Asian continent do, opt for an external manufacturer for their cameras. Something that results in an improvement in the photography section. Even more so when the decision is made to opt for highly reputable manufacturers in this area.

The OUKITEL U18 has a Sony IMX135 Exmor RS sensor. A sensor that does not stand out for being new. There are several devices that since 2.014 have decided to have it as the Samsung Galaxy Note 3. For this reason, it seems somewhat outdated for a Smartphone that sees the light in 2.018. And it is something that is noticed on certain occasions.

Photo cameras have evolved a lot in recent years, and The sensor that OUKITEL has chosen for its U18 seems to us to be better, at least in terms of novelty. We assume that choosing a sensor that is not new will be cheaper. The result of the photographs taken is revealing.

Although the catches themselves are acceptable, shutter speed and focus in low light situations leaves much to be desired. In this photo, with very low light and using the flash, we see how the definition of the central object is optimal. Even reaching an acceptable level of detail.

Physically the rear camera is located in the central part of the device, and places its lenses vertically one above the other. The flash is positioned to the right. And both things stand out in the back thanks to the indentations that it has in the upper part.

On paper, cameras have “enough” numbers to offer good results. We have a rear camera with a double lens with a resolution of 16 Mpx plus 5 Mpx. It features self-timer, face detection, and continuous shooting. The default focus is automatic, although we can change it by pressing on the screen. And we can choose to geotag our photos, or do it in HDR or panoramic mode.

In this photo taken outdoors we found some problems. Perhaps the natural light was not the best since the day was very cloudy. The naked eye approach doesn't seem bad. But as soon as we enlarge the photo we see that even in the objects that are closer to the camera, sharpness is conspicuous by its absence.

Very complete camera application

The OUKITEL U18 has a very worked camera application. From the outset, just by activating the camera we have at our disposal different shooting modes. From normal photo or video recording, to different types of "portrait" with background blur. Black and white or panoramic photo.

We even have a professional photo mode. Using it we can perform ISO, white balance, or shutter aperture control settings. Many possibilities to get the most out of the camera. In addition, we also have the possibility of using any of the filters at the same time as the capture. Thing with which many firms are implementing their cameras and that is attractive to the user.

The focus of the OUKITEL U18 camera may be too sensitive. And we came to this conclusion after taking different captures in the same place and obtaining very different results. And between five or six supposedly the same photos we discovered big differences in terms of focus and definition.

In this photograph, even doing a little digital zoom, we have good definition of colors and tones. And the level of focus is noticeably better than in the previous one.

Is the OUKITEL U18 battery enough?

In the latest reviews made to the latest smartphones to hit the market, we observe some changes. It is a fact that batteries are growing in capacity. And that little by little the intention is that autonomy is also gained. The fact is that this does not always happen even with larger batteries.

We see as a very common trend that new smartphones increasingly have larger screens. Screens that increasingly have higher resolution and brightness intensity. And that therefore, as the screens grow, the level of battery consumption increases.

For this reason, in the face of higher energy consumption, it is essential to implement the device with the highest battery charge. Therefore, on few occasions we see that a new phone manages to gain autonomy. It is very difficult to obtain a Smartphone that manages to combine a larger screen and at the same time its battery lasts longer.

Good optimization and symmetry between all the components of the phone is becoming more and more important.. From the processor to the intensity of the brightness of the screen. The OUKITEL U18 has a 4000 mAh battery. And although it is not a huge battery, thanks to a good "tuning" of its elements, it is more than enough so that after a long day it is able to reach the end

A good job from OUKITEL having achieved a terminal with good autonomy. Especially without being excessively heavy, if we compare it with smartphones with the same capacity. And also, without the thickness of the device growing uncontrollably as we have already seen what has happened with others.

Security gains confidence

The OUKITEL U18 is equipped with different security systems. Of course, it has the basic pattern lock Android's own. But your security is also implemented with the fingerprint reader which is located at the rear. It responds very quickly for unlocking and can also be configured with different functionalities.

In addition to the aforementioned systems to control security, OUKITEL boasts of having in its U18 a advanced face detection system. And the truth is that having tried some other that left much to be desired. We can say that the “face Id” of the OUKITEL U18 works. We can truly unlock the mobile using our face, and only ours.

To begin with, face detection takes a little longer than to take a simple photograph. And that shows in that face reading for unlocking is noticeably more accurate. After several tests carried out, it was only possible to unlock the phone with the face that was recorded to do so. We have finally been able to test some serious face detection software that really works.

An improved facial recognition system

On the contrary, we must also say that we have had a problem after activating unlocking by face detection. In principle, it seems to us an error that cannot be combined with the fingerprint reader. That is, if we select the unlocking with our face, the fingerprint reader will be inoperative. Something that clearly seems incongruous. We can combine a fingerprint reader with an unlock pattern, but not with face detection.

In addition, when the fingerprint reader is disabled, the fingerprints that we had recorded are eliminated. And if we want to use it again we will have to register them again. It is a shame not to be able to speak well of a system that works wonderfully for reasons external to it. And after having tried it and seeing that it works, we opted for the fingerprint reader, faster and how to use, since we do not need to press the "home" button to activate the camera.

Hopefully this small incompatibility problem will be solved soon with a system update. Since it is an aspect to stand out on a Smartphone in itself very complete. It becomes an uncomfortable obstacle.

Final goodbye to the 3.5 mm jack?

As we commented at the beginning, the OUKITEL U18, does not have the classic mini Jack output. And we will need the adapter that comes with the box to connect our headphones. Again we will have to carry another small accessory. Or invest in a bluetooth headset, which seems to be where they want to take us almost forced.

We know that in the market there are wireless accessories to listen to music at very good prices. But there are those who do not want to have to charge the battery from yet another "little gadget". We still resist giving up the 3.5mm jack connector. But it seems that this is where manufacturers inevitably lead us.

As for the external speaker, because it only has one, we have to say that it does not stand out for its power. It has a correct sound, with good definition and without distortions. Although its maximum level falls a bit short.

We have seen that some of the new "top" of the high range have decided to bet on equipping their devices with powerful stereo speakers. So we remain hopeful that this trend will be embraced by those who claim to be important.

The best and the least good of the OUKITEL U18

Best

We certainly have to start by talking about design of this Smartphone. Beyond the obvious resemblance it has with the iPhone X. The work also done on the back, as well as on its frames. In addition to the curved terminations both on the screen and on the back cover. They make us face a terminal that enters by sight and is very well finished.

La battery lifeTaking into account the extra consumption generated by a screen of such caliber, it is optimal. Despite having a battery that we do not consider excessively large, its performance is good. And not having to watch the charger for a day and a half is great.

Although it is not a very big difference, the size of the OUKITEL U18 is significantly less than other devices with screens even smaller inches. Compared to others, it is somewhat narrower and even less long. Plus even considering that its screen is 5,85 inches.

Less good

El camera focus can be improved. It does not seem stable or that it always acts the same way. Maybe it can be solved with an update of your own software. We have already tested the same camera and the same sensor on another terminal and the results were much better.

For activate the notification bar or adjustments in direct access we will have to drag the finger from top to bottom by one of its corners. In the center, due to the notch, does not recognize the gesture by sliding your finger up and down the center of the device. What we are used to. It will just be a matter of getting used to it.

We have been able to observe, after a relatively long period of continuous video playback, that the phone overheats slightly. Nothing alarming, but we have been able to notice a small increase in temperature.

Although it is not something to highlight, the OUKITEL U18 shows somewhat heavier than other devices. As we've explained, in large part due to its generous battery life.

Editor's opinion