The MyPhone A898 Duo is a sleek Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich device that sports a 4.3-inch IPS display and a 1GHz dual-core processor. The kind people at MyPhone Philippines provided us one and it has been an awesome ride. Read our MyPhone A898 Duo review below, especially if you're looking to purchase this mean machine for the coming Christmas.
Design
The MyPhone A898 Duo upfront looks like something from Samsung. The glass, the plastic, the contours, it spells Samsung all over. It can pass of as a Galaxy Nexus or a Galaxy SIII when viewed at a distance.
The MyPhone A898 Duo sports a 4.3-inch capacitive display at its face, which is close to the new 3.5-inch nowadays (4-inches being the new 3.5-inch). The four standard haptic soft-touch buttons are also present, and so are a LED indicator, a front camera, and a light and proximity sensor.
Meanwhile, the rear side of the MyPhone A898 features its 5-megapixel shooter and dual-LED flash. It's not every month you see a dual-LED flash-equipped Android.
The camera is oriented at the right side, lined by a chrome bezel, and is elevated from the body, presumably to make room for more parts inside. The dual-LED flash, although not bright as other Android flash units I've seen, makes up for spreading the light around the image, not directly into it.
The speaker is aligned with the camera, but is located at the lower portion of the body. Regarding the speaker design, two-grills are the what's fashionable today. I've seen it in quite a few local Androids.
The MyPhone A898 Duo's back plate itself feels of premium flexible plastic, not the cheap brittle ones that's used on lower models. It has a black to charcoal black pattern, complemented by the map of the Philippines. In my personal opinion though, the company can do away with the Philippine map for a more cleaner, sleeker look.
The sleep/wake button is placed at the upper right side of the device, the placing of which is surprisingly very comfortable on the hand. Then again, sleep/wake button placements may be relative to a device's size.


Directly below of the sleep/wake button is the light up button for the haptic soft-touch buttons of the MyPhone A898 Duo. Lastly, at the left side of the device is where the nondescript but perfectly blended volume rocker is found.
Display
The MyPhone A898 Duo sports a 4.3-inch IPS capacitive display, a display size I found very fitting for the device. Unfortunately, the resolution of the display itself falls short on 480x800. It doesn't mean though that you'll suffer pixelation on the device's display (~216 ppi). In fact, it's so competitive you can pit the MyPhone A898 Duo against international brands of its caliber and you won't notice the difference.
The advantages of having an IPS display also shows: 1) the MyPhone A898 Duo has no ghosting/trailing effect which is prevalent on large-display phones that aren't on IPS; 2) it has better viewing angles and is more resistant to sunlight, meaning you'll get to see more of the device's display even in sunny conditions and; 3) it produces color more vividly and accurately.
I use the messaging keyboard of Android phones to measure a device's touch sensitivity. Suffice to say the MyPhone A898 Duo met my display touch sensitivity standard and chances are it'd probably meet yours too.
I've played quite a couple of games with this device. More on this below.
The MyPhone A898 Duo uses the stock Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich UI.
Performance
Equipped with a 1GHz dual-core MediaTek MT6577 processor and 471MB of RAM, the MyPhone A898 Duo is very snappy. In fact, it's such a performer that it is right alongside international brands at benchmark applications. Here are the stats we took off of it.
The Quadrant Standard benchmark ranks the device at 2671, making it sit pretty at third place, just over the Motorola ATRIX 4G and the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.
The more updated Antutu benchmark application places the MyPhone A898 Duo just above the LG Optimus 2X at 5548. At this point, if MyPhone decides to get a quad-core device with a good GPU, it'd be pretty much near the top.
Qualcomm's Vellamo app gives the device a 1086 on the HTML5 test and a 352 on the Metal test. With a device bearing the given specs, the scores are just right.


Interpreting the data from the benchmark tests, the MyPhone A898 Duo is one solid Android. Yes, it's powerful, but it can do more on some aspects.
On real life usage, there is no lag at all, and if any, it's barely, barely noticeable (I might be sounding biased here, but I'm not). Switching from app to app to the homescreen to the appdrawer with background apps, a live wallpaper, WiFi, and notifications on brings no lag. The MyPhone A898 Duo is truly a ground-breaking phone, albeit locally.
Audio and Video
What do you do with a dual-core Android device equipped with a 4.3-inch display? Watch tons of videos on it of course.
The MyPhone A898 Duo completes the mobile viewing experience. With IPS on board and neat sound to boot, HD videos will pop-out as if you're watching it on a high-end LCD TV. In fairness to the brand, they've consistently outed products with good standard since the MyPhone A818 Duo.
Regarding audio, the MyPhone A898 Duo plays sounds loud and clear (yes, it's not "canny"). Its speaker is pretty decent actually. You get to play tracks on it from bands such as Maroon 5 and Forever the Sickest Kids and the output is alright. Just don't expect JBL quality from it.
The MyPhone A898 Duo is microSD expandable up to 32GB.
*Video and sound quality also depend on the format of the file being played
Gaming
Given its specifications, the MyPhone A898 Duo plays games like butter. Angry Birds Space, Bad Piggies HD, Temple Run, Fruit Ninja, Jetpack Joyride, those are all played smoothly.
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My character died while trying to take this photo. |
Camera
The MyPhone A898 Duo sports a 5-megapixel snapper, so expect images to be pretty standard. One thing I do like about the device though is its consistency in photos. Autofocus refocuses the lens quickly, giving you enough time to capture moments that would've passed away if the autofocus is one second too late.
Here are some sample photos taken using the MyPhone A898's 5MP camera:
(Click images to enlarge)





If you're not satisfied with the photos you've captured, use the native photo editor of ICS. Just tap on autofix, adjust warmth, and you're good to go.
Image quality can increase with proper lighting, timing, and hand steadiness.
Battery Life
The MyPhone A898 Duo's battery is rated at 1800mAh and is Li-ion. With regular use (WiFi, 3G, short bouts of gaming, all day texting, Twittering, Facebooking, Flipboarding, medium brightness, etc.), the battery lasts around 8 hours, which is pretty average nowadays.
The only thing I noticed about the device's battery is even if it's in full charge, its battery rating quickly degrades to 85% (1% every 30 seconds or so) and from then on stabilizes. It may have something to do with software, but I'm not really sure.
Charging time for the device (full charge) is about 4 hours and 30 minutes give or take.
Other Features
3G Connectivity
Pinoy App
Dual-SIM, dual standby
Verdict
Using the MyPhone A898 Duo was a total joy: I got to surf the internet anywhere, got to see my tweets when I wanted to, and it was as snappy as I expected it to be. The only thing that fell short was that little glitch on the battery (the 480x800 resolution isn't even an issue. The display is awesome). But if you won't mind that like I did, then I see no problem why you would not like this smartphone.
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No,that's not a Galaxy Nexus. That's a MyPhone A898 Duo. |
MyPhone A898 Duo Specifications
- OS: Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich
- Processor: MT6577 dual-core ARMv7 1GHz processor
- Memory: 471MB RAM, 4GB internal memory, microSD expandable up to 32GB
- Display: 4.3-inch IPS WVGA LCD capacitive touch panel, 480x800 resolution
- Camera: 5MP autofocus rear camera, dual-LED flash, 0.3MP VGA front camera
- Connectivity: 3G, WiFi, GPRS
- Battery: 1800mAh
myphone a898 with good quality for me, or cherry mobile flare 4k php only which is not good quality for me?
ReplyDeletei think i want myphone a898 than flare
but what is worth it?
can you make a video review? :)
ReplyDeleteavailable na ba tong A898 sa mga SM Malls or selected SM Malls lang?
ReplyDeleteavailable na ba tong A898 sa mga SM Malls or selected SM Malls lang?
ReplyDelete"The only thing I noticed about the device's battery is even if it's in full charge, its battery rating quickly degrades to 85% (1% every 30 seconds or so) and from then on stabilizes. It may have something to do with software, but I'm not really sure."
ReplyDeletea898 owner here; I'd like to say that this is solved by simply rebooting the phone after it has reached 100% post-charging. It's probably an issue with the software, albeit a minor one, in that battery levels are not completely accurate for the first 15% usage.
saan po naka install ung dead trigger? Sa a878 phone memory lang daw pwde for game data, ganun din b sa a898?
ReplyDeleteGreat review.
ReplyDeleteWished the 3G section was tested. Based on my own experience the 3G is lackluster when compared with branded phones like Samsung. The 3G signal is weaker (I have the units side-by-side, so it's not location or signal). Sometimes, on 3G, Gogle Play wouldn't load or got errors (which doesn't happen on Wifi or my Samsung).
The Cherry Mobile W900 also have a weak 3G reception, although I don't often got error on Play Store. So these cheaper phones weakness might be the 3G chip, which I feel is not as strong in receiving the 3G signal.
Another thing I noticed, is that the touchscreen is sometimes too sensitive, as in all you want is to scroll down, and there happens to be a link, it will click on the link. Pinch-to-zoom on Browser is glitchy too. As a result, web browsing is sometimes a pain. I am downloading alternative browsers and trying if it will solve the problem.
The fact that it has a Search button at the right end of the touch panel (instead of back) means additional learning curve to those used to most android devices.
Not a bad phone, and because of the IPS panel, is a better buy than the non-IPS Cherry Mobile's Titan.
What video formats can it play? Can it play HD videos? 720/1080p?
ReplyDeleteis it ready for jelly bean update any time soon? or you're just stuck with ICS???
ReplyDeleteI bought this A898 and I am finding it difficult to connect to the net as compared to galaxy y . I always experience connection time out and I am getting an error if I use the stock android FB app. Any suggested help will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI bought this A898 and I am finding it difficult to connect to the net as compared to galaxy y . I always experience connection time out and I am getting an error if I use the stock android FB app. Any suggested help will be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteSmudge prone po ba yung likod ng A898? If yes, meron na bang case para dito?
ReplyDeletecan u make a video review for this ? :) tnx
ReplyDeleteBkit un a898 pag nilalapag ko sa foam table or sofa or bed and scrolling the screen ngiging less responsive sya? but when i put it up its response again....ayaw b nya ng pinapatong sya or kailngn hawak mo sya mg hapon...sa sensor ba to? i went to Mp north - Sm wla nmn silang gnwa,,,, syang lng pera dto...wla nmn support... i emailed ur website regarding s mga customer support nyo,wla nm sagot...parang n nanakawan k ng pera.. after u buy wla nmn pakialam ang MP...
ReplyDeleteofcourse when u got home galing office and pahinga using wifi at home.yan ang gingwa ko,...... .anone just try to put up ur phone on a foamy table or bed...habng nag wifi ka.. less reponsive n sya ayaw n nya mag scroll..if does not happen to your phone, maybe i got defective phone but the MP Sc...did not accept my phone sa SC nila...sbi wla daw sira.. kya nga ako ng punta jan, stupid syang lng pera ko...hayzzzzz... prang n dinggoy ako ng 8k using my credit card...i will not buy this any M_phone anymore such a waste of money... im not comparing this to my iphone 4s w/c is iam currently using now..iba nmn tlga sila... im using HD 995 of alcatel benenta ko bec, MP got dual core.. palpak nmn tlga.. i enjoy nlng sna my alcatel HD,,,super capacitive pa,,, d n sna ako nag hangad ng dualsim dualcore fake phone... hayzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz kainis... i waste money!!! ohhhhhh GOD do something with this...n iirita n ako...
ReplyDeleteHi sir TJ, It's been a while haha, Nice review huh? BTW, The phone looks pretty impressive but I was not amazed on the battery issue. Have you tried disabling some unused apps?
ReplyDeletethanks for the review! hope to read a review on cherry mobile flare and titan ^^ especially on their cameras :)
ReplyDeletethe best ito!!!, myphone a898 ako over cm flare, i dont know about starmobile astra, ganda rin e, kaso nsa battery tlga ang lkas hahahahahah, bka nsa kalagitnaan ka ng emergency dun pa nag battery empty
ReplyDeletemga nag ddiscriminate ng myphonea898 most of them i phone user
ReplyDelete@porthidium
ReplyDeleteGo here for the CM Titan review: http://www.tjsdaily.com/2012/11/cherry-mobile-w500-titan-review.html
"Bkit un a898 pag nilalapag ko sa foam table or sofa or bed and scrolling the screen ngiging less responsive sya? but when i put it up its response again....ayaw b nya ng pinapatong sya or kailngn hawak mo sya mg hapon...sa sensor ba to? "
ReplyDelete- Agree ako sire, same shit happens here sa a898 ko. then minsan nagfliflicker ung screen milliseconds nga lang pero napapansin ko pa rin while texting. 1st android phone ko pa naman ito, pero considering the price na 7,499php expected ko na may ganitong issue. Ipon na lang para sa nexus.. lolx
ill go for flare!
ReplyDeleteA898, does it have led notification that will blink if there are activities like messages so you don't have to keep on "waking up" the phone to check?
ReplyDeleteA898, does it have led notification that will blink if there are activities like messages so you don't have to keep on "waking up" the phone to check?
ReplyDelete-- yes chief, a898 does have it.
Katanungan lng po, papaano ba ma-configure ang IP setting ng A898 duo, hindi ko mai-set ang IP cofiguration ng WiFi namin sa office, hindi ko sya makita sa menu nya, kahit saan ko hanapin hindi makita ang IP settings nya, unlike sa A818 duo ko nasa wifi settings ko nakita. HELP Pls!... But still a very excellent android phone.
ReplyDeleteWow..super impressed tlga ako s aking mp a898!! I didn't expect it to be that really good. Very responsive. With its price it such a competitive phone.
ReplyDeleteNow I'm eyeing to have mp a888 bec of its 8 mp n a 1.3 mp front cam. A better display and a 4.5 screen.
Two thumbs up for these phones!
I bought a myphone A898.. tapos wala pang 5 hours, after ng initial charging, namatay na siya and it wouldn't turn on. Ipapareplace ko siya mamaya, pero it really killed my expectations na magtagal ang phone na ito. Sayang, kasi ang ganda ng performance talaga nung kanina pagbukas ko.
ReplyDeletesuper love this phone! Grabe kapatid may CM Titan, nag compare kami grabe laki ng difference sa quality at sa performance...the best talaga MP di ka magsisi sa price at sa quality sa totoo lang.
ReplyDeleteWow! I had this MP A898 for 2 days already. Nice and responsive. Good quality phone. The 5mp camera is also good if you really know how to take pictures.
ReplyDelete