Review Cubot X18: Budget Version of Galaxy S8 – price, specs, features

Cubot X18 is the most affordable and perhaps the best copy of Samsung Galaxy S8. The main feature of new smartphone is its low price. You can buy Cubot X18 for only $129.99.

Cubot X18 Features:

• Design of Samsung Galaxy S8, but the price is much cheaper;
• Good performance for its money;
• 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal memory with support microSD cards up to 128GB;
• A stretched HD+ display with 1:2 aspect ratio and IPS matrix;
• 13-megapixel main camera based on the sensor from Sony and 8MP front camera (module from Samsung) with its own flash;
• Support for 4G LTE networks and dual SIM-card;
• 5 mm headphone jack;
• Fast fingerprint scanner (triggering in 0.1 seconds);
• Relatively thin (thickness of only 8.5 mm) and light (170 g) body.

Design

As already stated at the very beginning, Cubot X18 is copy of Samsung Galaxy S8. Compared with other budget bezel-less smartphones, X18 has more streamlined forms, and the pronounced 2.5D-effect creates a real impression of the curved screen.

The side frames are almost invisible, and panels from the top and bottom of the display are minimal. The body of smartphone is made of metal, without expensive and not very practical glass back cover. In this case, the location of the fingerprint scanner is more practical and convenient.

In general, the picture below exactly describe the design of Cubot X18:

Performance

The new bezel-less smartphone from Cubot is powered by quad-core processor MediaTek MT6737T, which is a slightly overclocked version of MediaTek MT6737. Thus, Cubot X18 will cope with everyday tasks quite, however it is not worth waiting for miracles from it.

I’m glad that new smartphone is equipped with the maximum RAM for such an this chipset – 3GB LPDDR3 with a clock speed of 733 MHz. The capacity of built-in flash drive is also quite decent – 32GB. There is a dedicated (!) slot for microSD memory cards.

Display

The screen of the smartphone should be discussed in more detail. Thanks to the MT6737T, the manufacturer was able to equip its device with an extended display with a resolution of HD+ 720 x 1440 (aspect ratio 1:2 or 9:18).

The matrix type is IPS, covering 90% of the NTSC color space. It is important to note that Cubot X18 display occupies 83% of the front surface, and it is protected by resistant glass with a noticeable 2.5D-effect.

Cameras

Both cameras of smartphone deserve special attention. The main one is single, but with a high-quality 13-megapixel sensor from Sony (with software interpolation up to 16MP) and 5-lens optics with an aperture f/2.2.

Autofocus is really fast and works for 0.1 sec. The front camera is based on 8-megapixel (interpolated to 13MP) Samsung module. It also has 5-lens and even its own soft flash that can be useful in low light conditions.

Fingerprint sensor

Unlike some other budget “Chinese”, Cubot X18 has a fingerprint sensor located on the back of the device. It works for 0.1 s and is able to recognize fingerprints from any angle.

Battery

As for the battery, the new Cubot phone received a battery with a capacity of 3200 mAh. With fully charged it is enough for a day of use. There is support for fast charging using MediaTek PumpExpress 2.0 technology.

Software

Cubot X18 runs on stock Android 7.0 Nougat, which is an undoubted advantage in terms of battery life and performance, because the system is not overloaded with extra apps and widgets from Chinese manufacturer.

Disadvantages Cubot X18

The disadvantages of the smartphone are not so much in view of its price, but nevertheless they are available:

• Not the fastest processor, although for this money, some Chinese manufacturers offer more interesting and powerful options.
• Weak flash of main camera, besides not two-tone.
• A module of the main camera projecting above the surface of the back cover.

Conclusion

In my opinion, for its money, Cubot X18 is just an excellent smartphone, if you are not comfortable with the classic design and want something more modern. Who want to overpay for the original Galaxy S8 or Xiaomi Mi Mix, when Cubot X18 looks very good!

Cubot X18 Video Review