Hey guys! Today, we're diving deep into the Smartfren S1. This phone has been around for a bit, but we're going to see if it still holds up in today's market. We will explore its design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall value to help you decide whether this phone is the right choice for you. Is it a retro gem or should you leave it in the past? Let's find out!

Design and Build Quality

When it comes to design, the Smartfren S1 has a fairly standard look. It’s not going to win any awards for groundbreaking aesthetics, but it's also not an eyesore. The phone features a plastic build, which is expected at this price point. While plastic doesn't feel as premium as metal or glass, it does make the phone more durable and less prone to shattering upon impact. The curved edges make it comfortable to hold, and the phone feels relatively lightweight. The back panel has a glossy finish, which can be a fingerprint magnet, so you might want to consider using a case.

The button placement is pretty typical, with the power button and volume rocker on the right side. They're easy to reach and provide decent tactile feedback. On the bottom, you'll find a micro-USB port (yes, it's not USB-C) and a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a nice bonus for those who still prefer wired headphones. The front of the phone is dominated by the screen, with noticeable bezels around it. The bezels aren't excessively large, but they do give the phone a slightly dated look compared to modern bezel-less designs.

Overall, the Smartfren S1's design is functional and practical. It’s not flashy, but it’s well-built for its price range. If you're looking for a phone that can withstand a few bumps and scratches without breaking the bank, the S1 is a decent option. Just remember that you'll probably want to wipe it down regularly to keep those fingerprints at bay!

Display

The display on the Smartfren S1 is a 5.0-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. This translates to a pixel density of around 294 ppi, which is decent for this price range. While it's not the sharpest display out there, it's still perfectly usable for everyday tasks like browsing the web, watching videos, and playing games. The colors are reasonably accurate, and the brightness is sufficient for indoor use. However, you might struggle to see the screen clearly under direct sunlight.

The IPS technology ensures good viewing angles, so the colors don't distort when you're looking at the screen from different angles. This is especially useful when you're sharing the screen with someone else. The touch responsiveness is also quite good, making it easy to navigate the interface and type messages. One thing to keep in mind is that the screen doesn't have any special coatings like Gorilla Glass, so you'll want to be careful to avoid scratches. A screen protector is highly recommended.

While the display isn't the standout feature of the Smartfren S1, it's adequate for its price range. It offers a decent viewing experience for everyday use, and the good viewing angles and touch responsiveness are definite pluses. Just be sure to protect it with a screen protector to keep it looking its best.

Performance

Under the hood, the Smartfren S1 is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor, paired with 2GB of RAM. This is an entry-level chipset, so you shouldn't expect blazing-fast performance. However, it's capable enough for basic tasks like browsing the web, checking social media, and sending emails. You might experience some lag when running multiple apps at the same time or playing graphically intensive games. The phone comes with 16GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSD card. This is a welcome feature, as 16GB can fill up quickly with apps, photos, and videos.

In terms of real-world performance, the Smartfren S1 is adequate for light users. If you're primarily using your phone for communication and casual browsing, you'll likely be satisfied with its performance. However, if you're a heavy user who likes to multitask or play demanding games, you might find it lacking. The 2GB of RAM can be a bottleneck, especially when running multiple apps at the same time. This can lead to slowdowns and delays. The Snapdragon 425 is also not the most power-efficient chipset, so you might find yourself needing to charge the phone more often than you'd like.

Overall, the Smartfren S1's performance is acceptable for its price range. It's not a powerhouse, but it's capable enough for basic tasks. If you're looking for a phone that can handle more demanding tasks, you'll need to spend a bit more money. But if you're on a tight budget and primarily need a phone for communication and casual browsing, the S1 is a decent option.

Camera

The Smartfren S1 features an 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash. The camera is capable of taking decent photos in good lighting conditions, but the image quality suffers in low light. The photos tend to be soft and lack detail, and there's noticeable noise in darker areas. The autofocus is also not the fastest, so you might miss some shots if you're trying to capture moving subjects. The camera app is fairly basic, with limited shooting modes and settings.

The front-facing camera is a 5-megapixel unit, which is adequate for selfies and video calls. The image quality is similar to the rear camera, with decent results in good lighting and softer images in low light. The front camera also lacks autofocus, so you'll need to hold the phone at the right distance to get a sharp image. The camera app includes a beauty mode, which can smooth out skin imperfections and make your selfies look more flattering.

In terms of video recording, the Smartfren S1 can record videos at up to 1080p resolution. The video quality is decent in good lighting, but the videos tend to be shaky due to the lack of image stabilization. The audio quality is also not the best, so you might want to use an external microphone if you're recording important videos.

Overall, the Smartfren S1's camera is nothing to write home about. It's capable of taking decent photos in good lighting, but the image quality suffers in low light. If you're a serious photographer, you'll definitely want to look for a phone with a better camera. But if you just need a basic camera for occasional snapshots, the S1 will suffice.

Battery Life

The Smartfren S1 is powered by a 2400mAh battery, which is relatively small by today's standards. However, the phone's power-efficient processor and low-resolution display help to extend the battery life. With moderate use, you can expect to get through a full day on a single charge. This includes tasks like browsing the web, checking social media, sending emails, and making calls. If you're a heavy user who likes to play games or watch videos, you might need to charge the phone more often.

The Smartfren S1 does not support fast charging, so it takes a while to fully charge the battery. Using the included charger, it takes about 2-3 hours to go from 0% to 100%. This is not ideal, especially if you're in a hurry. You can use a faster charger to speed up the charging process, but the phone will still charge slower than phones with fast charging support.

One thing to keep in mind is that the battery life can vary depending on your usage patterns. If you're constantly using the phone for demanding tasks, the battery will drain faster. You can extend the battery life by reducing the screen brightness, disabling unnecessary features, and closing apps that are running in the background.

Overall, the Smartfren S1's battery life is decent for its price range. It's not the best, but it's good enough to get you through a full day with moderate use. If you're a heavy user, you might want to consider carrying a power bank with you.

Software and Features

The Smartfren S1 runs on Android 7.0 Nougat with Smartfren's custom UI on top. The UI is fairly clean and easy to use, but it does come with some pre-installed apps that you might not need. Fortunately, you can uninstall most of these apps to free up storage space. The phone also supports 4G LTE connectivity, which is a must-have in today's world. This allows you to enjoy fast internet speeds when you're on the go.

One of the notable features of the Smartfren S1 is its support for VoLTE (Voice over LTE). This technology allows you to make high-quality voice calls over the 4G LTE network. VoLTE calls sound clearer and more natural than traditional voice calls. The phone also supports ViLTE (Video over LTE), which allows you to make video calls over the 4G LTE network. However, ViLTE is not as widely supported as VoLTE.

The Smartfren S1 also includes a few other features, such as a fingerprint sensor for added security. The fingerprint sensor is located on the back of the phone and is relatively fast and accurate. The phone also supports Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi, and GPS. However, it does not support NFC (Near Field Communication), which is used for mobile payments and other contactless transactions.

Overall, the Smartfren S1's software and features are decent for its price range. It runs on a relatively old version of Android, but the UI is clean and easy to use. The phone also supports 4G LTE, VoLTE, and ViLTE, which are all welcome features. The lack of NFC is a bit disappointing, but it's not a deal-breaker for most users.

Is It Still Worth Buying?

So, is the Smartfren S1 still worth buying in today's market? Well, it depends on your needs and budget. If you're looking for a basic phone for communication and casual browsing, and you're on a tight budget, the S1 is a decent option. It offers a decent display, acceptable performance, and good battery life. However, if you're a heavy user who needs a phone for multitasking, gaming, or photography, you'll want to look for a more powerful device.

The Smartfren S1 has been around for a while, so you can probably find it at a discounted price. However, keep in mind that there are newer phones available in the same price range that offer better performance and features. Before making a decision, it's worth comparing the S1 to other phones in its class to see which one offers the best value for your money. Ultimately, the decision is yours, but hopefully this review has given you a better understanding of what the Smartfren S1 has to offer.

In conclusion, while the Smartfren S1 isn't a powerhouse, it's a reliable and affordable option for basic smartphone needs. If you prioritize affordability and essential features over high-end performance, the S1 might still be a viable choice. But if you're looking for cutting-edge technology and top-tier performance, you'll likely want to explore newer models.