Long holiday last time (December 28, 2012), I decided to purchase a Smartfren Andromax-i mobile phone. My main consideration was the affordable price combined with promising specifications. Despite its official price of just Rp 1,199,000, this phone boasts a dual-core processor clocked at 1 GHz and a 4-inch IPS display. The standout feature for me was its dual SIM card capability (CDMA + GSM). So, I jumped right in, hehehe…
This product, originally known as the Hisense AD683G, is an evolution of the Hisense AD680, which was previously introduced as the Smartfren Andromax and received considerable attention in Indonesia. The most significant upgrades from its predecessor are the dual-core processor and the improved 4-inch display resolution.
The Smartfren Andromax-i smartphone, showcasing its overall design, suitable for users looking for affordable mobile technology.
Interestingly, I made my purchase through delivery by contacting a distributor representative in Yogyakarta. Being a savvy buyer, I tried to negotiate the price, hehehe… And surprisingly, it worked! I managed to get it for Rp 1,175,000, plus a Rp 5,000 delivery fee since my location was outside the DIY Ring Road area. The total came to Rp 1,180,000, which included a Smartfren number. I even requested a fancy number.
A detailed front view of the Smartfren Andromax-i, highlighting its screen and minimalist design, appealing to budget-conscious consumers.
Long story short, the next morning, the Smartfren Andromax-i package arrived in my hands, complete with the Smartfren fancy number. Cihuuy… For the full specifications of this “I Hate Slow” phone, you can check out: Andromax-i Specifications
I opted for the white color. Its appearance is quite appealing, minimalist, much like smartphones from well-known brands. However, I find its design rather charming, supported by its slim dimensions and not overly large size, fitting comfortably in my hand.
Side profile of the Smartfren Andromax-i showing its slim design, a desirable feature for users seeking portable and sleek gadgets.
Pre-installed applications are quite comprehensive, including tools for customer information where you can top-up and other Smartfren utilities. For the rest, you can install apps to your liking from the Google Play Store.
The back view of the Smartfren Andromax-i, illustrating its simple and clean rear panel design, common in affordable smartphone options.
There was one aspect that slightly dampened my enthusiasm: the camera quality. Although it’s equipped with a 5 MP autofocus camera, its quality is inferior to my BB Torch, which also has a 5 MP camera. Besides lacking a flash/blitz, the camera software features are not as complete as the Torch. The most noticeable drawback is the absence of a macro feature, which prevents close-up shots of objects.
Close-up on the 5MP autofocus camera of the Smartfren Andromax-i, noting the absence of a flash, which impacts its low-light photography capabilities.
To make matters worse, the saving process after pressing the shutter is slow. Ehm, there’s no dedicated button for it. Taking pictures requires clicking a button on the screen. The slow saving process is very annoying because the subject being photographed might have moved by the time the saving process is complete. Consequently, the images become blurry. I’ve resorted to pressing the button on the count of 2 so that the subject (people) being photographed remains still until the saving process is finished.
The micro-USB port on the Smartfren Andromax-i, highlighting its compatibility with standard chargers and data cables, enhancing user convenience.
The front camera is only 1.3 MP and not good enough for taking pictures or video calls. The results are too blurry. Perhaps this front camera is focused solely on video calls that don’t require high resolution and quality to save bandwidth.
The rest is fine. The battery doesn’t score high points as it doesn’t last more than 6 hours with intensive use using only 1 CDMA SIM card (I didn’t install a GSM SIM). For standby, it only lasts 1.5 days. If it could last for days like my old Nokia phone that could last for more than a week, I might recommend this phone wholeheartedly, hehehe… Users looking to extend battery life may explore battery-saving tips and tools available for Android devices, potentially through online resources or dedicated forums.
Dual SIM capability and micro SD card slot of the Smartfren Andromax-i, emphasizing its flexibility for managing multiple networks and expandable storage options.
In short, for its affordable price, this phone offers good value. It’s quite considerable for purchase. However, don’t expect everything to be as good as expensive phones that cost 3x more, because it seems this phone is targeted at entry-level Android users.
Below are some sample shots from the 5 MP autofocus rear camera.
A photograph taken with the Smartfren Andromax-i camera, demonstrating focus on the intricate details of a leaf, showcasing its autofocus feature.
Outdoor shot captured with the Smartfren Andromax-i, displaying a front yard landscape to illustrate its camera performance in daylight conditions.
Image of a cloudy sky taken with the Andromax-i, testing its ability to capture varying light conditions and cloud textures in outdoor photography.
