Vernee M5 Review: 2018 Affordable Smartphone Champion With 4GB RAM

Introduction: Vernee M5 Unboxing and Specs

Several months ago, I published an article highlighting the top 12 affordable smartphones with 4GB of RAM, and the Vernee M5 secured the second spot on that list. Today, I’m excited to share my in-depth review of this impressive device, which we’re dubbing the “2018 Affordable Smartphone Champion” with 4GB RAM. Priced at just $100, the Vernee M5 offers an incredible value. So, what exactly do you get for your money with this phone?

Vernee M5 Smartphone Specifications and Features

• Key Specifications:

  – Operating System: Android 7.0 (Nougat) with VOS 1.0.0 on top
  – SIM: Dual Nano-SIM support
  – Network: 2G, 3G, and 4G connectivity
  – Display: 5.2-inch HD IPS screen with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution (280 PPI)
  – Processor: 1.5GHz MT6750 octa-core 64-bit CPU
  – Storage: 32GB or 64GB internal storage, expandable up to 128GB via SD card, paired with 3GB or 4GB RAM
  – Cameras: 13MP rear camera with LED flash and 5MP front-facing camera
  – Security: Back-placed fingerprint scanner
  – Battery: 3300mAh non-removable battery
  – Price: $105

Vernee M5 Major Drawbacks

• – No expandable storage option (no microSD slot)
  – No front-facing LED flash for the selfie camera

Vernee M5 Review: Design and Built Quality

The Vernee M5 boasts a sleek, full metal unibody design, housing a vibrant 5.2-inch IPS HD display. Above the screen, you’ll find a 5-megapixel front-facing camera, the speaker grille, and an ambient light sensor. The phone’s power button and volume controls are conveniently located on the right-hand side, providing easy access and a comfortable grip.

The Vernee M5 features a thoughtful design with strategically placed components. At the top, you’ll find a 3.5mm audio jack and a secondary noise-cancelling microphone. The Hybrid SIM card slot is conveniently located on the right-hand side. Meanwhile, the base of the device houses a USB 2.0 port, the loudspeaker grille, and the primary microphone, providing easy access and functionality.

On the rear of the Vernee M5, a slightly protruding 13-megapixel primary camera takes center stage, accompanied by a single LED flash. Just below the camera, a 360-degree fingerprint sensor is conveniently located, allowing for seamless biometric authentication. The Vernee and M5 logos are discreetly placed at the bottom of the back panel, adding a touch of subtle branding to the device’s sleek design.

The Vernee M5 exudes a sense of solidity and comfort when held, thanks to its sturdy metal body and well-balanced design. Despite packing a robust 3300mAh battery, the device surprisingly feels lightweight at just 145 grams and 7.5mm thick, a notable achievement by the manufacturer. However, I personally find the bezels above and below the display to be slightly thicker than I prefer, a minor drawback in an otherwise well-crafted device.

Vernee M5 Review: Hardware

Display:

The Vernee M5 features a 5.2-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of 280 PPI. While this may not be on par with high-end smartphones from 2018, I found the display to be sufficiently crisp for everyday use. The screen produces adequate brightness for moderate outdoor use, but may appear slightly washed out or whitish in indoor settings, possibly due to the IPS panel’s extra brightness. Nevertheless, this is a minor quibble, as the overall outdoor usage experience is satisfactory. The touch panel responds well, but I can’t help wondering why Vernee opted for on-screen buttons instead of physical capacitive keys, particularly given the substantial bezels below the screen.

Processor and Memory

The Vernee M5 is powered by a robust octa-core Mediatek MT6750 processor, clocked at 1.5GHz, paired with a Mali-T860 GPU, 4GB of RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. In benchmarking tests, the device delivered impressive results, scoring over 40,000 on Antutu, and performing well on Geekbench and Basemark OS v2. With its ample RAM and storage, the M5 handled multiple apps and games with ease, showing no signs of stress. However, during intense usage, the device did warm up slightly, and may even warn of overheating. On the plus side, the device’s fluid operation, thanks to the 4GB RAM and near-stock Android 7.0 (Nougat), made for seamless multitasking. The 4GB RAM can hold between 15 to 20 apps without running out of memory, depending on the memory demands of the apps in question.

Camera and Fingerprint Scanner

The Vernee M5 boasts a 13-megapixel primary camera, accompanied by a single LED flash, PDAF, and an f/2.2 aperture. Outdoor images taken in full daylight are remarkably clear, with minimal noise levels, even for a midrange phone. The camera excels at capturing sufficient light, resulting in clean images. However, indoor and low-light photography is a different story, with average quality at best. While the single LED flash is bright, it struggles to illuminate objects beyond close range, making a dual LED flash a more desirable option. The 5-megapixel front-facing camera performs similarly to other devices in its price range, taking clean selfies in full daylight but struggling with indoor or low-light shots due to the lack of a front-facing LED flash. The rear fingerprint scanner works efficiently, comfortably unlocking the phone and authenticating online payments when properly set up. Although it may not be as swift as some smartphones in the same price range, it’s essential to remember that those devices might not offer 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage.

Vernee M5 Review: Software

The Vernee M5’s software is powered by Android 7.0, with Vernee’s customized VOS UI on top. The VOS UI is remarkably close to stock Android 7.0, with minimal customization and optimization for speed. In fact, the differences between VOS V1.0.0 and stock Android 7.0 are barely noticeable. The phone comes with stock Android apps, including the launcher, gallery, file manager, and more. The only notable changes are in the Settings app, where Vernee has added a few options under “Smart Assistance.” These include button controls for the on-screen capacitive keys, motion gestures, smart gestures, and status bar toggles. Additionally, the Settings app, Gallery app, and File manager retain a side menu navigation bar, allowing for easy access to various sections of the app, similar to a tablet. The OS is fast and stable, with no app force closures during my usage. I also noticed that frequently used apps are conveniently placed on the first line of the launcher for easy access, and all Google apps, including the Play Store, are pre-installed, despite the phone being manufactured in China.

Telephony and Connectivity

In terms of connectivity, the Vernee M5 offers flexible options, supporting either two nano SIMs or a single nano SIM alongside a 128GB SD card. The phone’s call app is the standard Android AOSP Dialer, while the Messaging app is also stock Android, with Vernee replacing the Google Keyboard with TouchPal 2017 (although the AOSP Keyboard is still available). Personally, I prefer TouchPal, second only to SwiftKey. Call quality is a standout feature on this device, with the earpiece grill delivering surprisingly loud and clear sound, complete with noticeable bass, making it feel like callers are right next to you. Data transfer was also seamless, with WiFi connectivity options complemented by 2G/3G/4G support on both card slots.

Battery Performance

The Vernee M5 features a 3300mAh non-removable battery, which, despite lacking fast charging capabilities, charges relatively quickly thanks to its 5V-1.5A charger. However, I noticed that the battery drains faster than expected. To investigate this further, I conducted additional testing and found that the battery retains more stamina when charged to 100% compared to charging below 80%. To maximize battery life, it’s recommended to charge the device to its full capacity whenever possible. In my tests, watching a single HD movie for 1 hour and 38 minutes with full brightness and volume depleted the battery from 99% to 69%. Gaming and browsing consumed the remaining battery life within 3½ hours. I observed that standby mode battery consumption is relatively high, potentially due to the octa-core CPU and the lack of robust battery management features in the OS. Installing a battery management app like DU Battery could help mitigate this issue. With average use, the device can deliver around 5-6 hours of continuous on-screen time. If your usage involves a combination of calls, multimedia consumption, and heavy gaming or web browsing, you can expect a full day’s use from this device.