Smartphone Review: Aquaris E5 Ubuntu Edition HD | First impression & Specifications (Initial Review)

I've won this phone from Developers Economics National Trends Survey conducted by VisionMobile, Ltd. I've won their runner-up prize item Aquaris E5 HD (Ubuntu Edition) for answering their survey.

bq Aquaris E5 Ubuntu edition box

Also, thanks to Globe Labs for referring their survey.

Read more below for the complete specifications and initial review:

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Aquaris E5 Ubuntu Edition HD Specifications:

bq Aquaris E5 HD Box (rear)

Dimensions and Weight

Dimensions: 142 x 71 x 8.65 mm
Weight: 134 g

Screen

Dimensions: 5"
Technology: IPS screen capacitive 5-point simultaneous detection. protective glass Dragontrail
Resolution: HD 720x1280 - 294 ppi
Aspect Ratio: 16: 9
Vision angle: 178º

Processor

CPU: Quad Core Cortex A7 up to 1.3 GHz MediaTek
GPU: Mali-400 MP2 to 500 MHz

Memory

Internal memory: 16 GB
RAM: 1 GB
Memory for final use: 12.4 GB. The space available to the user may vary depending on the version of firmware installed. The remaining memory is intended for OS, cache and other system elements.

Battery

LiPo 2500 mAh

Connections

Dual micro-SIM
Jack 3.5mm
Slot micro-USB OTG
MicroSD ™ slot up to 32 GB. Space available for storing multimedia files.

Connectivity

3G HSPA + (900/2100) - (B8 / B1)
2G GSM (850/900/1800/1900)
Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g / n
Bluetooth® 4.0
GPS and A-GPS

bq Aquaris E5 HD unboxing

Interface

OS: Ubuntu 15.04
Languages: Spanish, English, French, Portuguese, German and Italian among others

Camera

*rear
13Mpx (Dual flash and autofocus)
Opening ƒ / 2.2
Focusing range 0.1 m ~ infinity
number of lenses 5P
Lens size 1 / 3.2 "
Video resolution (1080p)

Resolution Video

Full HD (1080p)

Frontal

5mpx
Opening ƒ / 2.4

Sensors

Brightness sensor
Proximity sensor
accelerometer
eCompass
Gyroscope

Other System Functions

Notification LED
Microphone
Noise canceller

Supported Formats

Text Formats
txt / pdf /
Image formats
.bmp / .gif / .jpeg / .png /
Video Formats
.mp4 / .avi / .mov / .mkv / .wmv
Audio formats
.mp3 / .ogg /.wav/

SAR Values

use ear
0.283 W / kg (10 g)
Transport along the body
0.519 W / kg (10 g)

Box Contents

Aquaris E5 Edition Ubuntu
micro-USB Cable USB
Power Adapter AC / DC
Documentation

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First Impression on bq Aquaris E5 HD

Seeing the phone's great specifications, I'm expecting much features in this smartphone. Also, I'm worried that it may not recognize Telecom networks here in the Philippines as it was made in Spain. There is no local distributor of this mobile phone in our country as of this writing. But all went well as I've placed my ABS-CBN sim card. I've also tested SMS and call.

As for the touch test, I'm still getting used to its interface. The interface response is quick.

Although its OS code has basic similarity to Android because they're both Linux-related, I didn't find Google Play app and any Android applications I usually use. It's proprietarily using Ubuntu Store apps.

Lastly, I think, this smartphone is promising. I understand minimal features because of its newness. I just hope It'll attract more developers to developed Ubuntu-based applications & games.

Thanks!

-
Otakore Literantadodist
February 04, 2016

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More info. about this smartphone, see product page at: http://www.bq.com/es/aquaris-e5-ubuntu-edition