We check out the Flare Y7 LTE!
Cherry Mobile constantly updates its lineup by incorporating new design cues like notched displays and glass-like backs to their budget phones. One of their latest offerings—the Flare Y7 LTE—incorporates both design trends while keeping a sub-Php 4.5k price. Is this stylish budget phone worth considering?
Packaging and contents
The box has a photo of the Y7 LTE in front, highlighting the phone’s LTE connectivity and 19:9 dewdrop notch display. The rest of the phone’s specs is found at the back.
Inside the box, you have the usual fanfare: the phone itself, quick start guides, SIM ejector pin, microUSB cable, headset, and charger.
Boxy, familiar design
The Flare Y7 LTE has a boxy look, making it look like an iPhone 4 with the size (and thickness) of an iPhone 7. The glass-like rear panel is home to a 13-megapixel camera and an LED flash. The camera protrudes several millimeters from the back, and we advise you to get a case to protect the camera module from bumps and scratches.
The glass-like back has a solid build and a glossy finish. While it is a fingerprint magnet, wiping off smudges is easy. The Y7 Pro’s sides have a matte finish, making it easy to grip the rather huge phone. You can easily mistake the Y7 LTE for a mid-range phone, making it one of the better-looking Cherry Mobile phones in recent memory.
For the port layout, you have the volume controls and power button on the left side and the hybrid NanoSIM/MicroSD tray on the right side. The MicroUSB port and headphone jack are on top, while the loudspeaker and microphone are on the bottom.
Look ma, a dewdrop notch
The Flare Y7 LTE’s main highlight is its display—a 6.2-inch HD+ panel with a dewdrop notch and a tiny earpiece slit on top of it. The Flare Y7 LTE’s dewdrop notch display is a refreshing sight amidst phones being offered at the sub-Php 4.5k segment. While you do get a sizable bottom chin, the phone definitely looks stylish and chic for its price.
As for the display itself, the Flare Y7 LTE’s panel is brighter and more vibrant than those used in most Cherry Mobile phones, making it ideal for browsing photos and watching videos.
Typical budget phone innards
Powering the Flare Y7 LTE is a MediaTek MT6739WW processor paired with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage. If you find the internal storage minuscule, you can add up to 32GB via the phone’s microSD card slot.
With such modest specs, the Y7 LTE comes with a Go version of Android Oreo, which helps in making the most out of its small internal storage with software optimizations. Unlike most Cherry Mobile phones, the Y7 LTE is free of bloatware, giving you more space to install apps you need.
Apps like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have Android Go-friendly lite versions, making the Y7 LTE a stylish budget phone option for those who want a backup phone for social media purposes. Don’t expect top-notch gameplay with the Flare Y7 LTE, as its modest specs will struggle through demanding games like Asphalt 9 and PUBG Mobile.
The usual camera setup
You get a 13-megapixel f/2.2 rear camera and 5-megapixel f/2.4 front camera with the Flare Y7 LTE. While the rear camera can get you decent shots in good lighting, it struggles in low light due to its aperture opening. The same can be said with the front camera. You get the usual camera features that include HDR, Beauty, and Panorama, along with HD video recording.
Here are a few sample shots we took using the Y7 LTE:
Smaller than average battery
Keeping the lights on is a non-removable 2800mAh battery. While we only got a little over 5 hours in PCMark’s battery test, light to medium usage can last you around a day. We recommend having your trusty power bank and microUSB cable at all times just in case the Flare Y7 LTE runs out of power throughout the day.
The supplied power brick juices up the Flare Y7 LTE’s battery from zero to 100 in roughly two hours.
Verdict: Stylish budget offering with few setbacks
The Flare Y7 LTE is arguably one of the better-looking Cherry Mobile phones we’ve seen in recent memory. Its boxy design, glass-like back panel, and dewdrop notch make it one of the more gorgeous phones in the sub-Php 4.5k category. While it is a stunning budget phone, the Flare Y7 LTE has its shortcomings with its so-so camera performance in low light and below average battery life.
For its Php 4,299 asking price, the Flare Y7 LTE will face tough competition against the Redmi Go. Xiaomi’s Android Go offering is Php 300 cheaper and comes with a better processor, brighter cameras, and a bigger battery—at the expense of a smaller display and a less stylish look.
Cherry Mobile Flare Y7 LTE Specs
- 1.5GHz MediaTek MT6739WW quad-core processor
- IMG PowerVR GE8100 GPU
- 1GB RAM
- 6.2-inch HD+ TrueView 19:9 dewdrop notch display
- 8GB internal storage, expandable via MicroSD up to 128GB
- 13-megapixel rear camera with AF and LED flash
- 5-megapixel front camera
- Dual SIM
- 3G, LTE
- WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, A-GPS
- 2800mAh battery
- Android Oreo 8.1 (Go Edition)