Cherry Mobile proved that they can make budget-friendly 5G phones, here are its highlights:
While its improvements and deployments are moving at very fast speeds, 5G technology on mobile devices is still considered new, a reason why this tech is still not common on budget smartphones.
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| Seamless 5G connection in areas with good signal |
But, Cherry Mobile recently showed that they can bring this technology at more affordable price points with almost no compromises in terms of specs with the launch of the PHP 7,999 Aqua S10 Pro 5G and the PHP 11,999 Aqua SV.
Cherry Mobile recently showed that they can bring the next-generation 5G tech on affordable devices with no compromises.
Here are the highlights of the Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro and Aqua SV:
1. Speedy 5G-ready processors - At just PHP 7,999, the Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro is the most affordable with 5G capabilities in the country yet. This simply means that it can access the new-generation mobile connectivity standard that is many times faster and more reliable than 4G.
Moreover, its 2.0GHz 7nm MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor with Mali-G57 MC2 (950MHz) GPU is one of the speediest at this price point. Some may argue that it is even better than the Helio G96 found on some 4G smartphones in the sub PHP 12K range as it is fabbed under the 7nm manufacturing process for better efficiency.
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| AnTuTu score of Aqua SV |
Meanwhile, the Aqua SV also sports a fast 5G-ready chip, the 2.4GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 810 octa-core processor in particular. At PHP 11,999, it is the most affordable with this type of chipset and this is also one of the better chips that you can get for the price.
2. Good overall specs - Both the Aqua S10 Pro 5G and Aqua SV are packed with capable specs for their respective price tags.
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| UI of Aqua S10 Pro 5G |
The Aqua S10 Pro 5G is boasting 4GB LPDDR4X fast RAM with 128GB UFS 2.2 expandable storage, and a large 5,000mAh battery capacity with USB-C 18W fast charging and 10W Qi wireless charging.
This is one of the most affordable with wireless charging along with its 4G version.
Meanwhile, the Aqua SV is equipped with a larger 8GB RAM LPDDR4X RAM. Similar to the Aqua S10 Pro 5G, it is also loaded with 128GB UFS 2.2 storage, but it is not expandable this time.
For a slim phone at just 8.8mm, it has a reasonably large and high-quality 4,200mAh Li-Po battery with USB-C 30PE 2.0 fast charging technology. This can fully charge its entire capacity from 0 to 100 percent in just a little over an hour.
Moreover, both phones run with stock Android 11 OS for an even smoother experience.
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| Back design of Aqua S10 Pro 5G |
3. Stellar designs for the price - The Aqua S10 Pro 5G boasts a glossy back curved 3D design with a modern-looking slim camera bump to house its camera system and LED flash. Cherry also moved the fingerprint scanner to the side this time to ensure that its back will have a cleaner look. In front, its display has a slim top and side bezels. There is also a top-center punch-hole for a more immersive look similar to many premium phones today.
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| Aqua SV back design |
Meanwhile, the Aqua SV looks even better. The device is boasting a 3D curved back with a faux leather finish that is very comfortable to hold. it is not prone to fingerprint smudges as well.
The front panel reminds us of some high-end smartphones today as it is using a 3D curved panel with a pill-shape cutout and slim bezels overall.
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| Even the budget Aqua S10 Pro 5G has a pretty good display |
4. Great displays - For just PHP 7,999, the Aqua S10 Pro 5G highlights a large 6.78-inch display with FHD+ 2460 x 1080 resolution. It is using an LCD (IPS) panel with pretty color reproduction and decent brightness levels. We find it to be good enough for most content.
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| Aqua S10 Pro 5G has a premium curved AMOLED panel despite its low price tag |
On the other hand, the Aqua SV is even better. It is a 3D curved Gorilla Glass 5-protected 6.6-inch AMOLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate and FHD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution. At PHP 11,990, this is the most affordable with this screen technology yet.
Based on our experience, it is a very good-looking panel for watching YouTube clips, playing games, viewing the photos you took, and many more.
5. Good camera specs - For camera specs, both are also pretty loaded for the price.
The Aqua S10 Pro 5G is using a 48MP ISOCELL GM1ST w/ AF + 5MP GC5035 depth + 2MP BF2253L macro + 2MP BF2253L depth + Dual Flash at the back and a 16MP OV16A1Q front camera for selfies.
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| Aqua SV has a 64MP main shooter at the back |
The Aqua SV on the other hand is using a more powerful 64MP OV64B40 w/ AF + 5MP GC5035 ultra-wide-angle + 2MP BF2253L macro + 2MP BF2253L depth + Dual LED flash. This also has 16MP OV16A1Q + 2MP BF2253L depth dual-cam setup for selfies.
Similar to most modern smartphones, both have Night modes.
Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro 5G and Cherry Mobile Aqua SV Specs Comparison
| Device | Cherry Mobile Aqua S10 Pro 5G | Cherry Mobile Aqua SV |
| Display | 6.78-inch 2.5D curved Gorilla Glass protected LCD (IPS) screen w/ FHD+ 2460 x 1080 resolution at 396 ppi | 6.6-inch 3D curved Gorilla Glass 5 protected AMOLED screen w/ 90Hz refresh rate, FHD+ 2400 x 1080 resolution at 399 ppi |
| CPU | 2.0GHz 7nm MediaTek Dimensity 700 octa-core processor
| 2.4GHz 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 810 octa-core processor
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| GPU | Mali-G57 MC2 (950MHz) | Mali-G57 MC2 |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4X | 8GB LPDDR4X |
| ROM | 128GB UFS 2.2 expandable via microSD card slot up to 512GB | 128GB UFS 2.2 |
| Back Camera | 48MP ISOCELL GM1ST w/ AF + 5MP GC5035 depth + 2MP BF2253L macro + 2MP BF2253L depth + Dual Flash | 64MP OV64B40 w/ AF + 5MP GC5035 ultra-wide-angle + 2MP BF2253L macro + 2MP BF2253L depth + Dual LED flash |
| Selfie Camera | 16MP OV16A1Q | 16MP OV16A1Q + 2MP BF2253L depth |
| Battery | 5,000mAh Li-Po w/ 18W Fast Charging + 10W wireless charging
| 4,200mAh Li-Po w/ 30W PE 2.0 fast charging |
| OS | Android 11 | Android 11
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| Connectivity | WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, OTG, FM Radio, GPS, dual SIM
| WiFi 802.11 b/g/n/ac (2.4GHz/5GHz), 5G SA/NSA, 4G LTE, Bluetooth 5.1, OTG, FM Radio, GPS, dual SIM
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| Sensors | Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic | Accelerometer, light, orientation, proximity, gyroscope, sound, magnetic |
| Others | Side-mounted fingerprint sensor, face unlock, dual-mic, Liquid Cooling, USB-C, Colors: Astral Gray
| In-Display fingerprint sensor, face unlock, dual-mic, Liquid Cooling USB-C, Colors: Luxe Green
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| Dimensions | 168.58 x 77 x 9.25 mm | 160.5 x 73.8 x 8.8 mm |
| Weight | 209 g
| 175 g |
| Price | PHP 7,999 | PHP 11,999 |
Our thoughts
Cherry Mobile showed that they can do affordable 5G-ready smartphones with very few compromises for the masses.
Apart from the now and future-ready speed benefits of 5G, the Aqua S10 Pro 5G and Aqua SV have solid designs, good displays, capable performance, and very competitive overall specs for their respective price ranges.
For us, it is nice seeing Cherry Mobile, a homegrown brand keep up with the global players.
These phones look even better in real life than a lot of them for less.
Do you agree with us?
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