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Happy Mobile D-Lite Plus 2 Review - Budget Metal Phone

OPPO
Infinix
Happy Mobile is one of the few phone maker todat that loves providing aesthetically beautiful devices even on a tight budget. Their D-Lite 2 Plus entry level phone on first look appears to have the same DNA.
Happy Mobile D-Lite Plus 2 review

So what we did is we took it to spin to find out what is it all about in this review. Is it worth it?

Happy Mobile D-Lite Plus 2 Specs

Display: 5 Inch qHD IPS 960 x 540 at 220 ppi
CPU: 1.3 GHz MT6572 dual core processor
GPU: Mali 400
RAM: 1 GB
ROM: 4 GB expandable via micro SD card slot up to 32 GB
Back Camera: 5 MP
Selfie Camera: 2 MP
Battery: 2,500 mAh
OS: Android 5.1.1 Lollipop
Connectivity: WiFi, 3G, Bluetooth, dual SIM, dual Standby
Sensors: Accelerometer, proximity
Others: Aluminum border, Colors: black, gold, silver
Price: 2,999 Pesos

Unboxing / Accessories

Unboxing time
Unboxing time

Happy Mobile did do diligence very well in terms of accessories included in the package. The manage to make it complete by putting most of what we need immediately after purchasing a phone.
All the accessories inside
All the accessories inside

You'll get a 1A charger, quite short micro USB data / charging cables, earbuds w/ mic and a stylish flip cover case. Not only that, there's also a FREE screen protector already embedded on your phone upon opening. Impressive.

Build Quality / Design

View at the back of the phone
View at the back of the phone

This is the part where the D-Lite Plus 2 excels for something so affordable. Why? Happy Mobile managed to create a solidly built phone. It's made out tough looking aluminum frame that's also has chamfered edges. The plastic semi arc back cover doesn't look cheap and it isn't using a fake type of glass panel in front.
Top view showing charging port and 3.5 mm jack
Top view showing charging port and 3.5 mm jack
There's a single mic below
There's a single mic below
Power button and volume rocker at the right side
Power button and volume rocker at the right side

In terms of design, this 5 inch phone is a reminiscent of some Huawei devices of 2015. It has a stylish enough look that would make you feel that it isn't a budget phone on first look.

Moving forward to its functionalities, everything was ergonomically placed. We liked that it's handy, doesn't have much heft and good to hold. That's aside from the correct button placements on the right side of the phone.

Though I would like it better if the charging port was located below, having it on top doesn't really hurt either. Lastly. we would also like its functions better if it has backlit keys and notification lights.

Display Quality

Display quality
Display quality

When it was first announced last November of 2015, Happy Mobile indicates that this phone was using an HD screen. However, that's really not that case as the D-Lite Plus 2 only has a qHD resolution on its 5 inch screen. Fortunately, they we're able to correct it in its packaging to avoid confusion.

Anyway, going to the quality of the screen, do not expect that much. It's fair to use, has acceptable colors, usable under direct sunlight and decent viewing angles.
Multitouch test
Multitouch test

However, it won't be as sharp as its sub-3k competition with HD resolution.  Aside from that, this device is only using 2 points of multitouch which won't make your typing and navigating experience that easy and fast.

Audio Quality

If you like listening through the speakers of your phone, that is one of the few bright sides of this handset. It managed to incorporate a pretty loud yet not distorted speakers with good clarity and details. It may not have a sub-woofer (nobody else does) like experience, but hey at least its listenable enough for most.

However, I was a bit disappointed that the audio quality using headphones didn't sound the way decent sounding smartphones should do. While it has that good sense of tonal balance, there were obvious distortions and muddiness in some parts of the region especially with the vocals. Sub-bass is also almost non-existent and doesn't have that good driving power.

Fortunately, the microphone performed in an okay-ish way where it can do acceptable recordings and clear calls.

Battery Life

Donning 2,500 mAh of battery capacity on a 5 inch screen and an old dual core processor did wonders in making the most out of the battery of this phone. On casual usage, it was able to last with me for a good whole day of usage with occasional calls, frequent sms, wifi on and taking photos.

Under heavy usage, battery test aren't working, but on a video loop, it was able to clock 5:35 mins of straight watching.

Camera

On paper, the D-Lite Plus 2 uses a 5 MP / 2 MP setup which is quite a standard for phones with this type of SRP. However, unlike its competitors, both of the cameras of this phone didn't have autofocus and even touch to focus feature. That will require you to have steady hands to take not that blurry shots.

Quality-wise, I didn't expect that much considering the price of this phone and I was right. It can take acceptable photos under good lighting, but don't expect it to be as sharp and detailed. On the brighter side of things, it has quick shutter speed.

It was just darker than my liking, can't focus that close, has a lot of noise even with normal florescent lighting and really not that usable in the dark. We also noticed that if you use the flash too strong if you're near the subject.

In front, it's usable at best, but don't rely on it on taking your selfies and video calls. It badly needs improvement.

Video quality isn't also great, but should be usable if you have no choice and when badly needed.

Overall, we think that this phone didn't perform nicely in this department. Having said that, I'm expecting Happy Mobile to step up their game here in their next releases. I'm sure they will.

Rear Camera Samples

Daylight sample
Daylight sample
Indoor good lighting
Indoor good lighting
Indoor decent lighting
Indoor decent lighting
Night photo
Night photo

Selfie Camera Samples

Daylight selfie
Daylight selfie
Selfie at night
Selfie at night


Performance

Antutu and geek bench scores
Antutu and geek bench scores

When I first heard about this phone, we loved when Happy Mobile added that 1 GB of RAM with Android 5.1 Lollipop OS. However, there's one big hurdle in making it's performance smooth. This phone is still using the dated 1.3 GHz MT6572 dual core chip that's really not speedy. It's usable, but we we're able to noticed the difference from a quad core SoC.
Happy UI
Happy UI

In gaming, the Mali 400 GPU enables you to load most light games and some casual 3D games. Just make sure to do it one at a time to lessen its sluggishness.

Like we said earlier, this phone runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop OS with a skin that packs a lot of good features. It has smart gestures with tap tap to wake, ram management and change of themes. We just noticed that it has too many pre-loaded widgets on the spot that you should remove to make your phone speedier.

Connectivity-wise: Bluetooth works, it has average GSM signals that has 3G connection when needed.

Pros - Solid and sleek looking metal frame, 1 GB RAM, loud speakers, long battery life, runs on Android 5.1 Lollipop OS.
Cons - Runs on a dated dual core processor, cameras, no backlit keys, no LED notification

Verdict

The Happy Mobile D-Lite Plus 2 possesses some notable positive traits for a sub-3K handset. As a matter of fact, it even managed to impress me by being one of the most solid and sleekest looking phone on a budget that's commendable.

However, Happy Mobile has a lot of catching up to do against their competitors in the local scene especially in terms of processors and cameras. 

GIZ Rating: 3/5 Stars
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