The QMobile Smart i7i is a budget-friendly smartphone that aims to deliver essential features without breaking the bank. While it may not compete with flagship devices, it offers a decent user experience for those who prioritize affordability over high-end specs. In this review, we’ll take a deep dive into its design, performance, camera capabilities, and overall value proposition.

Design and Build Quality

The QMobile Smart i7i sports a simple yet functional design. The plastic body feels lightweight, making it easy to handle for extended periods. The back panel has a subtle matte finish, which helps in reducing fingerprints and smudges. The device is compact, fitting comfortably in one hand, and the rounded edges contribute to a pleasant grip. However, the build quality is undeniably budget-tier—there’s a slight creak when pressure is applied, and the plastic back doesn’t inspire much confidence in durability.

The front is dominated by a 5.45-inch display with noticeable bezels, particularly at the top and bottom. The power button and volume rocker are placed on the right side, offering decent tactile feedback. A micro-USB port sits at the bottom, which feels outdated in an era where USB-C is becoming standard. The 3.5mm headphone jack is a welcome inclusion for those who still rely on wired audio.

Display Quality

The smartphone features a 5.45-inch IPS LCD with a resolution of 720 x 1440 pixels. While the resolution is adequate for basic tasks like browsing and social media, the pixel density is low enough that text and images lack sharpness when viewed up close. Colors are decently vibrant, but the screen struggles with brightness outdoors, making visibility an issue under direct sunlight. Viewing angles are average, with noticeable color shifting when tilted.

For its price range, the display is passable, but don’t expect anything spectacular. It gets the job done for casual use, but media consumption isn’t its strong suit due to the lack of deep blacks and contrast typical of LCD panels.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the QMobile Smart i7i is powered by a MediaTek MT6580 chipset paired with 2GB of RAM. This configuration is entry-level, and it shows. Basic apps like WhatsApp and Facebook run fine, but multitasking is a challenge—switching between apps often results in reloads. Light gaming is possible, but titles like PUBG Mobile or Call of Duty: Mobile are out of the question unless you’re willing to tolerate severe lag and low graphics settings.

The device runs Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition), which is optimized for low-end hardware. While it helps keep the system running smoothly, the outdated OS means missing out on newer features and security updates. The Go Edition also limits app availability, as some popular apps may not be optimized for this version. Storage is another pain point—16GB of internal space fills up quickly, though it can be expanded via a microSD card.

Camera Performance

The QMobile Smart i7i features an 8MP rear camera and a 5MP front-facing shooter. In good lighting, the rear camera captures acceptable photos with reasonable detail, though colors tend to look washed out. Dynamic range is poor, with highlights often blown out and shadows lacking detail. Low-light performance is underwhelming, with noisy, blurry images even in moderately dim conditions.

The front camera is serviceable for video calls and occasional selfies, but don’t expect social media-worthy shots. The camera app is barebones, offering few manual controls or shooting modes. Video recording maxes out at 1080p, but the lack of stabilization makes footage shaky and nearly unusable for anything beyond casual clips.

Battery Life

A 3000mAh battery powers the device, which is modest by today’s standards. With light usage—calls, messaging, and occasional browsing—it can last a full day. However, heavier tasks like streaming or gaming drain the battery much faster. There’s no fast charging support, so refueling takes a while. The combination of a small battery and power-hungry hardware (relative to its capacity) means you’ll want to keep a charger handy.

Connectivity and Extras

The phone supports 3G connectivity, which is a significant drawback in regions where 4G is the norm. Call quality is decent, and the loudspeaker is sufficiently loud for hands-free conversations. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth 4.2 are present, though the latter’s older version means slower file transfers and limited compatibility with newer accessories. The lack of a fingerprint sensor or face unlock is expected at this price but still worth noting for security-conscious users.

Final Verdict

The QMobile Smart i7i is a no-frills smartphone that caters to buyers on an extreme budget. It handles basic tasks adequately, but its performance, camera, and display are all subpar compared to slightly more expensive alternatives. If you need a backup phone or something for very light use, it might suffice. However, investing a bit more in a newer model would yield a significantly better experience.

QMobile Smart i7i Full Specifications:

General:

- Brand: QMobile

- Model: Smart i7i

- Release Date: 2019

- Operating System: Android 8.1 Oreo (Go Edition)

- Weight: 160g

- Dimensions: 148 x 71 x 9.3mm

- Colors: Black, Gold

Display:

- Screen Size: 5.45 inches

- Display Type: IPS LCD

- Resolution: 720 x 1440 pixels

- Pixel Density: ~295 PPI

Performance:

- Chipset: MediaTek MT6580

- CPU: Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7

- GPU: Mali-400 MP2

- RAM: 2GB

- Internal Storage: 16GB

- Expandable Storage: microSDXC (dedicated slot)

Camera:

- Rear Camera: 8MP, f/2.0

- Front Camera: 5MP, f/2.2

- Video Recording: 1080p@30fps

Battery:

- Capacity: 3000mAh

- Removable: No

- Charging: Micro-USB, 5W

Connectivity:

- Network: 3G

- Wi-Fi: 802.11 b/g/n

- Bluetooth: 4.2

- GPS: Yes

- USB: Micro-USB 2.0

Sensors:

- Accelerometer

- Proximity