| SciPhone i68 + is probably the most popular Chinese | | | | • Internet WAP 2.0 Browser |
| mobile telephone ever. This success is largely due to | | | | • Camera (0,3 MP and 640*480) and digital camera |
| its look that shares some of its DNA with the iPhone. | | | | • Reader photo and video player |
| Indeed, it has almost the same dimensions and uses, | | | | • Hand writing |
| the same wallpapers and icons. But the likeness stops | | | | • audio recorder |
| with these features. The hardware (motherboard, | | | | • FM Radio |
| CPU, camera…), the operating system and the | | | | • eBook |
| applications have nothing in common and are not | | | | • Java 2.0 |
| compatible. While the iPhone adopts the latest | | | | It is available in black and aluminum as our tests model |
| technologies, the SciPhone and its clones (i68, i68+, | | | | or just black. It measures 113 L x 60 W 12 E and |
| i68+++, i68 3G, 9+, 9++, 9+++, CECT i9, i9b, i9 3G) are | | | | weights with the battery, two SIM cards and a |
| much more traditional in their conception and their | | | | microSD exactly 115 grams (measured in our Lab). The |
| performances. However, do not see the i68+ as only | | | | first impression that we had when we saw the |
| a copy of iPhoneTM but rather as a model of its own. | | | | SciPhone i68+ for the first time was very positive. It is |
| Besides new SciPhone’s bears completely | | | | also almost impossible for a uninitiated to make the |
| different designs. | | | | difference between the SciPhone i68+ and an Iphone, |
| SciPhone i68+ and "clones" are so popular that they | | | | it says everything on the quality of manufacturing. |
| have their own forums, specialized stores and | | | | However if an owner of Iphone takes it in his hands, |
| dedicated Java programs’ development... | | | | he will find the i68+ very light, as they are 20 grams |
| Sciphone is a brand of Bluelans Communication ( which | | | | differences between the two phones. |
| is specialized in cell phones development and | | | | The SciPhone i68+ uses a MTK processor from |
| manufacturing. Today, Bluelans has a full range of | | | | Mediatek type MT6225 which is a 32-bit RISC-STM |
| phones among which some will be the object of a | | | | ARM7EJ clocked at 26 MHz and an operating system |
| next review. But ”Sciphone” is also stamped | | | | calling Nucleus RTOS from Mentor Graphics. |
| on mobile phones by OEMs who tries to benefit from | | | | It uses a 3.7 volts Lithium-Ion battery with an |
| the brand notoriety to sell more their own phones. | | | | announced capacity of 1200 mAh. |
| When you buy a SciPhone i68+, especially on the | | | | The touch screen is a 3.2 inch TFT 240 x 320. The |
| Internet, you do not know if you are going to receive | | | | glass is responsive and bright. On the front of |
| an original one produced by Bluelans Communication in | | | | SciPhone i68+, is located the headset, touch screen |
| its Shenzhen plant or a copy. | | | | and "Home” button. On the back is an unprotected |
| SciPhone clones that are built outside Bluelans often | | | | camera lens. On top of the phone are the two |
| come with their personal touch by adding to the | | | | speaker’s grids, on the left hand side, a back and |
| designation a “+++” or “3G”. These new | | | | forth button which is used to adjust volume and scroll |
| appellation comes with minor changes compared to | | | | through menus. At the bottom of the i68 is located the |
| the original i68+. Some models have newer firmware | | | | microphone, a connector for the supply USB cable and |
| or come with more applications, but sometime also | | | | an integrated telescopic stylus. |
| lower quality plastics and batteries... but the basic | | | | The SciPhone i68+ is according to the data sheet |
| components like the CPU, the GSM receiver, the photo | | | | quadband (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz), it will |
| sensor, remain the same. Still always choose a model | | | | thus work on the 5 continents. The SciPhone i68 + is |
| with the latest firmware as you must be an expert to | | | | not CDMA, so it will not work on some U.S. networks. |
| replace it with a newer one and you risk ruining your | | | | For data connectivity, it offers GPRS, Bluetooth and |
| phone by doing it. So check carefully with the vendor | | | | USB (no EDGE or 3G). |
| whether their phone have the latest firmware to date | | | | But one big plus of the SciPhone i68+ is the support of |
| (version 3.0). | | | | 2 SIM cards that work simultaneously (dual standby). |
| Like the mini CECT KA08, the SciPhone i68+ has its | | | | You might ask yourself what is the use? Well, this |
| own cousins (eg. N2, T3+, WiFi 598) that are endowed | | | | allows you to use your i68+ with different SIM cards, |
| with better capabilities; analog TV tuner and WIFI | | | | one from the office and a private one or with different |
| connectivity. Some models like the F003 and the | | | | operators to benefit from the best rates. It is also |
| M002L really move away from the i68+ standard | | | | possible for border residents and businessmen, to use |
| specs as they use a more powerfull CPU and offer | | | | SIMs’ from different countries. |
| better performances: WiFi, camera 1.3 MP or 2 MP, | | | | We like: Its design, manufacturing quality, dual SIM, |
| EDGE, web browser Opera Mini... pass even under | | | | Bluetooth, touch screen 3.2'', the java 2.0. |
| Windows Mobile with the M88 or the Ciphone C6. | | | | We regret: The 0.3 mega pixels camera. |
| The main characteristics are the following: | | | | Conclusion: At ChinaPhonehouse.com, we now |
| • Dual SIM | | | | understand better why the SciPhone i68+ is so |
| • Quad-band GSM | | | | popular, of course, the design comes from one of the |
| • 3.2 inches touch screen | | | | market leader, but the i68 + has real qualities and |
| • User data: GPRS, USB and Bluetooth | | | | bears comparison with some cell phones from major |
| • U-disk up to 16Gb | | | | brands. |
| • SMS, EMS and MMS | | | | |