Mobile-Net

Sciphone I68 +, The Original

SciPhone i68 + is probably the most popular Chinese mobile telephone ever. This success is largely due to its look that shares some of its DNA with the iPhone. Indeed, it has almost the same dimensions and uses, the same wallpapers and icons. But the likeness stops with these features. The hardware (motherboard, CPU, camera…), the operating system and the applications have nothing in common and are not compatible. While the iPhone adopts the latest technologies, the SciPhone and its clones (i68, i68+, i68+++, i68 3G, 9+, 9++, 9+++, CECT i9, i9b, i9 3G) are much more traditional in their conception and their performances. However, do not see the i68+ as only a copy of iPhoneTM but rather as a model of its own. Besides new SciPhone’s bears completely different designs.

SciPhone i68+ and "clones" are so popular that they have their own forums, specialized stores and dedicated Java programs’ development...

Sciphone is a brand of Bluelans Communication (http://www.mySciphone.com/) which is specialized in Cell Phones development and manufacturing. Today, Bluelans has a full range of phones among which some will be the object of a next review. But ”Sciphone” is also  stamped on mobile phones by OEMs who tries to benefit from the brand notoriety to sell  more their own phones.

When you buy a SciPhone i68+, especially on the Internet, you do not know if you are going to receive an original one produced by Bluelans Communication in its Shenzhen plant or a copy.

SciPhone clones that are built outside Bluelans often come with their personal touch by adding to the designation a “+++” or “3G”. These new appellation comes with minor changes compared to the original i68+. Some models have newer firmware or come with more applications, but sometime also lower quality plastics and batteries... but the basic components like the CPU, the GSM receiver, the photo sensor, remain the same. Still always choose a model with the latest firmware as you must be an expert to replace it with a newer one and you risk ruining your phone by doing it. So check carefully with the vendor whether their phone have the latest firmware to date (version 3.0).

Like the mini CECT KA08, the SciPhone i68+ has its own cousins (eg. N2, T3+, WiFi 598) that are endowed with better capabilities; analog TV tuner and WIFI connectivity. Some models like the F003 and the M002L really move away from the i68+ standard specs as they use a more powerfull CPU and offer better performances: WiFi, camera 1.3 MP or 2 MP, EDGE, web browser Opera Mini... pass even under Windows Mobile with the M88 or the Ciphone C6.

The main characteristics are the following:

• Dual Sim
• Quad-band GSM
• 3.2 inches Touch Screen
• User data: GPRS, USB and Bluetooth
• U-disk up to 16Gb
• SMS, EMS and MMS
• Internet WAP 2.0 Browser
• Camera (0,3 MP and 640*480) and digital camera
• Reader photo and video player

• Hand writing
• audio recorder
• FM Radio
• eBook
• Java 2.0

It is available in black and aluminum as our tests model or just black. It measures 113 L x 60 W 12 E and weights with the battery, two Sim Cards and a microSD exactly 115 grams (measured in our Lab). The first impression that we had when we saw the SciPhone i68+ for the first time was very positive. It is also almost impossible for a uninitiated to make the difference between the SciPhone i68+ and an Iphone, it says everything on the quality of manufacturing. However if an owner of Iphone takes it in his hands, he will find the i68+ very light, as they are 20 grams differences between the two phones.

The SciPhone i68+ uses a MTK processor from Mediatek type MT6225 which is a 32-bit RISC-STM ARM7EJ clocked at 26 MHz and an operating system calling Nucleus RTOS from Mentor Graphics.
It uses a 3.7 volts Lithium-Ion battery with an announced capacity of 1200 mAh.

The touch screen is a 3.2 inch TFT 240 x 320. The glass is responsive and bright. On the front of SciPhone i68+, is located the headset, touch screen and "Home” button. On the back is an unprotected camera lens. On top of the phone are the two speaker’s grids, on the left hand side, a back and forth button which is used to adjust volume and scroll through menus. At the bottom of the i68 is located the microphone, a connector for the supply USB cable and an integrated telescopic stylus.

The SciPhone i68+ is according to the data sheet quadband (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz), it will thus work on the 5 continents. The SciPhone i68 + is not CDMA, so it will not work on some U.S. networks. For data connectivity, it offers GPRS, Bluetooth and USB (no EDGE or 3G).

But one big plus of the SciPhone i68+ is the support of 2 SIM cards that work simultaneously (Dual Standby). You might ask yourself what is the use? Well, this allows you to use your i68+ with different SIM cards, one from the office and a private one or with different operators to benefit from the best rates. It is also possible for border residents and businessmen, to use SIMs’ from different countries.

We like: Its design, manufacturing quality, dual SIM, Bluetooth, touch screen 3.2'', the java 2.0.

We regret: The 0.3 mega pixels camera.

Conclusion: At ChinaPhonehouse.com, we now understand better why the SciPhone i68+ is so popular, of course, the design comes from one of the market leader, but the i68 + has real qualities and bears comparison with some cell phones from major brands.

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http://www.chinaphonehouse.com/

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