MyPhone My31 Review, The Gorgeous Octa Core Performer For The Masses!

We all know MyPhone for their quality yet affordable products, but the question is can they push it even more? With the release of the new MySeries, especially the My31 that we have now, it appears that they're on the right track.

MyPhone My31 review, a gorgeous octa core performer for the masses

Brief background, the MyPhone My31 is currently their most affordable octa core offering at 3,999 Pesos. It boast impressive build quality, good performance and the comeback of the Philippine map at the back.

MyPhone My31 Specs

Display: 5 Inch HD IPS 1280 x 720 resolution at 294 ppi

CPU:  1.4 GHz MT6592m octa core processor

GPU: Mali 450

RAM: 1 GB

ROM: 8 GB expandable via microSD card slot up to 64 GB

Back Camera:  8 MP AF w/ flash

Selfie Camera: 2 MP

Battery: 2,500 mAh (non-removable)

OS: Android 4.4 Kitkat

Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, 3G, Dual SIM, USB OTG

Others: Quick launch function

Price: 3,999 Pesos

Unboxing / Accessories

The new MyPhone packaging

What's noticeable here is the change of design when it comes to the packaging of MyPhone as the box they're using now looks cleaner and nicer.

Inside the package

Upon opening the package, it comes with the usual 1A charger, micro USB data cables and MyPhone papers. What's different this time is MyPhone changed the in ear monitor included. MyPhone also added a free screen protector to prevent scratches on your screen.

Build Quality / Design

The Philippine map is back at the back! :)

Some may like it and some may not, but the signature Philippine map is back at the back of the phone. In case you don't like it, you can always attach a case to hide it. The My31 features one of the most impressive and solid looking build quality I've seen under 4,000 Pesos. It feels more solid than SKK Lynx and looks more beautiful than the rest of the plastic bodied competition.

The slimness of the phone showing how gorgeous it is

It incorporates a metal framed rounded design that reminds me of the iPhone. The power button and volume rocker is all metal too. At the back you'll find a plastic back cover that has a smooth texture that feels great to hold. (I also liked the fact that they did not put a glass at the back just like their mistake with MyPhone Infinity) 

The power button and volume rocker found at the right side

To nitpick a little, it edges are slightly sharp, it's a bit thick compared with SKK Lynx and the screen doesn't have glass protection. I just do not have the right to complain for the price though. :)

Single microphone, female 3.5 mm jack and micro USB port found on top

Overall, the My31 is a well machined product that has the build quality and design usually reserved for pricier devices.

Below showing the semi rounded meta frame

Display Quality

The gorgeous screen of My31

The display My31 HD IPS panel isn't OGS yet, but it was able to satisfy me and made me believe that this has one of the best screen color reproduction I've seen from a very low budget device. To my surprise add more to my surprise, the panel still looks very good in most viewing angle. The colors were natural and balanced looking (not yellowish or blueish) and has sharp icons. I also find it good when watching YouTube videos, viewing the photos I took and reading messages. It's also not too bright that lessens eye fatigue from long hours of use.

So far my only gripe here is the use of just 2 points of multi touch. Even if the touch response is accurate, it won't fare that well when used with apps and games that requires more than two touches at the same time.

Audio Quality

What's great with modern smartphones nowadays is there are now less phones with crappy audio quality. I'm glad to announce that the My31 is one of those who has good sound for the price.

The speakers even with a bit of graininess is more than listenable. It features clear tunes and good loudness even at just 70% of the volume. The only lacking here is more bass slam which is quite rare to find on smartphones due to its small size.

When it comes to the headphone out, I was impressed by the quality it was able to deliver. From memory it's as transparent sounding as the SKK Lynx, has a balanced sound output and doesn't overwhelm in most parts of the audio spectrum. It's even more natural sounding compared with some of the more expensive phones I've tried. However it can only drive most low impedance headphones and earphones properly.

To others, the use of just a single microphone is a weakness, but for me MyPhone included here a good type of single microphone that performs almost as good if not as good or better than other phones with dual mic system.

Battery

The long lasting battery life of My31 under heavy usage

Last year, most phones with 5 inch display and HD resolution only comes with 2,000 mAh of battery or less. Times have changed for the better though, this My31 boast a quite large 2,500 mAh of power to ensure that you'll be able to enjoy your octa core device longer.

And I'm glad to say that MyPhone is quite successful with that. The My31 can last an entire day of not so heavy usage in a single charge. It also doesn't drain that fast even under heavy usage as I was able to squeeze almost 6 hours of screen time. That's at least an hour better against the old MyPhone Infinity lite.

It also has the usual battery saving function to help you last longer under low battery circumstances.

Camera

Rear camera of My31

The My31 is using an 8 MP sensor at the back with dual LED flash and 2 MP selfie camera in front. MyPhone also used here an easy to use camera app with simple features. It has a gesture capture when you do a "peace sign", beautify mode, HDR, panorama, timer, iso and white balance adjuster. The camera app also has a built in "QR Scanner". What's missing in the adjustment mode of the camera is you cannot adjust the pixel resolution. In that case you'll only be able to take 4:3 8 MP and 2 MP shots.

Fortunately, that flaw is just a minor issue as this device delivered good camera performance especially at this price point. I loved that it was able to take photos quite fast, the focus has an average speed and can do close up macro shots with ease. The photos it was able to take also has natural looking photos and better than average sharpness. It over expose a little when you're using the HDR mode but it isn't as bad compared with their older devices.

To my eyes, the rear camera is close to the quality of MyPhone Rio 2 and SKK Lynx which is very good. However, the front camera needs improvement as the shots I took was reddish in color.

Sample shots

Sample close up shot that was able to produce nice blur at the non focused area

Normal mode vs HDR when used properly

This photo was taken before the sun sets

Night time shot with yellow light, it isn't as grainy as I expected :)

There are visible grains here, but still a decent night shot

I used the flash here and it doesn't overexpose the subject

I looked reddish here and it doesn't have much sharpness as expected, decent enough

The camera gestures works, peace!

Selfie in lowlight, still decent in my opinion

Sample rear camera video that shows some struggle in stabilization

Sample selfie camera video that's surprisingly good

Performance

The near stock Android like interface of My31

Combine 1.4 GHz MT6592m octa core processor, Mali 450 GPU, 1 GB RAM and a near stock android interface and you'll get a nice speedy performance. I loved that MyPhone did not use here the "MyOS" as it's easier to understand and feels faster to use compared with MyPhone Infinity 2 Lite. With this setup you'll only experience hiccups when you force it by opening too many heavy apps all at the same time.

The storage of My31 and the gestures included

I also liked that most of the pre-installed apps "bloatwares" can be uninstalled in case you don't need them to save more space. Then to my liking, MyPhone maintained here the smart gestures especially the "double touch function" which is my favorite even if it's not a full double tap to wake like the ones found in LG and Asus devices.

I also can run most of the modern games found via Google Play store like Real Boxing and Dead Trigger 2 smoothly. However, I won't recommend the My31 for gaming that needs more than 2 points of multi touch to avoid struggle.

Note: By the way this has the "Pinoy Content" app that cannot be uninstalled which gives you a lot information about the Philippines and your faith.

Benchmarks

Quite high antutu score for a phone under 4,000 Pesos

Geek bench and quadrant

GPU bench results

Pro's - Solid construction, fast performance, pre-installed apps can be uninstalled, great camera for the price
Con's - 2 point multi touch only, camera resolution can't be adjusted, still on kitkat, non-removable battery maybe

Verdict

The MyPhone My31 is a great example that you can still have a speedy phone with good overall performance and near flagship level build quality on a very tight budget. That positions the My31 to be one of the better casual phones to get in this price range. It may have its fair share of weaknesses, but for the price I do not have much complain at all. This MyPhone My31 is one of the must consider under 4,000 Pesos.

GIZ Rating: 4.25 / 5 Stars