Acer Liquid Zest Plus Unboxing And First Impressions - Big Battery And More?

Everyone loves smartphones that can last all throughout the day or more. That's why the demand on those types of handsets keeps growing every year. Knowing the need on that segment, Acer, the Taiwanese smartphone maker keeps on making devices like this.

Acer Liquid Zest Plus unboxing and first impressions

The latest among them that's readily available in the Philippines for local consumption is the Acer Liquid Zest Plus. Coming from most of their big battery phones in the past with 4,000 mAh, the company decided amplify their game by putting 1,000 mAh more at 5,000 mAh.

On top of that, priced at just PHP 7,990, this phone is arguably the most affordable in the land with a tri-focus setup found in its 13 MP shooter. To simplify things, the camera has three AF systems that consist of laser, phase detection and contrast detection. That's something that's only found with pricey flagship phones in the past before.

Without further delay, let's start this review part 1 of the Acer Liquid Zest Plus, unboxing and first impressions.

Acer Liquid Zest Plus Specs

Display: 5.5 Inch HD IPS On Cell 1280 x 720 resolution w/ Zero Air Gap at 267 ppi

CPU: 1.3 GHz 64 Bit MT6735 quad core processor

GPU: Mali T720

RAM: 2 GB

ROM: 16 GB expandable via micro SD card slot up to 32 GB

Back Camera: 13 MP f/2.0 w/ Tri-focus and LED flash

Selfie Camera: 5 MP f/2.4 w/ 85 degrees wide angle lens

Battery: 5,000 mAh w/ fast charging support

OS: Android 6.0 Marshmallow w/ Acer Liquid UI

Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, 3G, HSPA+, LTE, Bluetooth 4.0 w/ LE, FM Radio, OTG, GPS, A GPS, dual SIM

Sensors: Light, accelerometer, proximity, hall, gyroscope

Others: Bluelight Shield, DTS HD Premium Sound, Acer GameZone, Colors: blue, white

Price: PHP 7,990

Unboxing / Accessories

Here's the box

The Acer Liquid Zest Plus was presented in a fun and clever way. Drawing inspiration from the Alcatel Idol 4s, Acer's entry-midrange offering came with a "seemingly regular" smartphone box doubles as a VR Box. It also suggest that the phone is VR ready with properly calibrated gyroscope sensor (let's find out soon).

The box cleverly doubles as cardboard like VR headset!

Upon digging further, we saw most of the things found on an entry-midrange package. There's a 2A fast charging wall charger, regular USB to micro USB data / charging cables, and earbuds w/ mic aside from the VR Box included.

The box can transform into a VR box

The rest of the inclusions

That's pretty basic, but on a personal note, an additional case included would make this a better package. For the price and the FREE VR, it's hard to complain though.

Build Quality / Design

At the back, featuring the single mic on top, slightly protruding main camera, sensors, flash, and speaker below

Acer's design and construction has been consistent ever-since as it works. Anyway, the phone has an mostly thick plastic build with removable curved back cover and chrome painted metallic frame. In front, it has a 5.5 inch glass panel which could be prone to scratches due to its potential lack of screen protection from either Corning or Asahi.

Back cover opened, here's what you'll see
(Dedicated micro SD card slot, dual micro SIM)

While its made out of plastic, the handset feels fairly durable overall. However, it doesn't feel as premium against most handsets with either metal frame, metal case, or metal unibody in the same price range. Plus, this type of build is prone to dents and scratches on occasional drops.

There's a 3.5 mm headphone jack standard, selfie camera, and sensors on top

Another mic and micro USB port is visible below
(On screen navigational buttons is also present in this image)

The regular power button and volume rocker at right

Like what I said, Acer was consistent in their design. As a matter of fact, nothing much has changed coming from the Liquid Zest 4G except for its bigger 5.5 inch screen. It still has the familiar smooth rounder corners, semi curved removable back cover with micro matte like finish, and chrome paint finish on the sides.

However, coming from the Liquid Zest 4G, the black side border bezels on the screen is thicker than expected. The handset is also chunkier than our liking as a whole.

Gladly, the handset feels good in the hands. It isn't slippery to hold, there are no sharp edges, it's far from heavy / fatiguing to hold, and there no odd ports / button placements.

Initial findings

1. The screen looks fine with very good saturation except for the thicker than expected bezels
2. It's design and build is clean, but it is still made out of mostly plastic
3. So far so good in terms of performance, it doesn't heat-up and feels responsive. LTE is also works fine.
4. Main camera feels fine and has speedy focus. Both main and selfie cam has limited manual control.
5. There's OTG support, reverse charging also works, gyroscope sensor is present, and there's an LED notification light
6. Battery life feels as great as advertised so far (Using it for the whole day already and our unit still have more than 60% left in its tank)

Camera teaser

The colors on this image looks very good in the eyes, just looks kinda soft and washed

This photo is washed, but looks sharp and detailed enough

As of the moment

The Acer Liquid Zest Plus reminds me of a better and bigger Liquid Zest 4G in terms of aesthetics and constructions. What's promising here is the potential of its main camera w/ tri-focus tech, long battery life, and VR compatibility.

For our review: Acer Liquid Zest Plus Review - For Long Hours Of Use!