They had a media gathering a week ago but it was also coincidentally in the same date and time of an app-based media event so it was our chance to to get a closer view of Ekonic's (the brand is connected in Ekotek) first collab with Smart Communications with DC Comics in the mix.
Meet the Ekonic Justice League Smartphone but first the box
Here is the phablet, the views and the specs:
Front: 5 MP secondary camera with f/2.8 aperture, 5.5 inch IPS HD display with 2.5D Glass plus pre-applied screen protector and Android capacitive buttons
Back: 13 MP rear cam with flash and f/1.8 aperture, removable back cover (Note: This is the default back cover featuring Justice but there are also 3 more which you will gonna see later)
Internals: 1.3 GHz Mediatek MT6737 64-bit quad-core processor, Android 7.0 Nougat, 2 GB RAM, 16 GB ROM, LTE with 700 MHz band support, dual micro SIM, micro SD slot, Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, 2,500 mAh Li-ioN battery
Nothing to expect on the left section as you will gonna see the power/unlock button and volume rocker at the opposite site
The top has 3.5 mm. audio jack and micro USB port. Unfortunately, Ekonic did not put in the USB OTG function on this phablet
Yes, this is a DC Comics-themed smartphone It's a big package for a midrange phablet with a number of items to check like a number of stickers, DC Justice League Certificate of Authenticity (unfortunately there's no way to verify it online just like in some powerbanks), a braided micro USB cable to USB cable which inspired by Wonder Woman's Lasso Of Truth, user manual, 3 more DC-themed back covers, protective cover and earphones. I checked the sturdiness of the back covers and it is quite thin but flexible.
To add more into the feel of the said comic franchise, Ekonic also put in 7 wallpapers. The icon pack is customized and no doubt from their partnership with the said telco, there are some teaser apps (insert "Get" on the first word) that are related like Paymaya and Takatack. There's also an Uber app for some reason. Even though that it is customized, I noticed that trhe UI is light based on my overall navigation and in the RAM usage which it usually give me around 1.2 GB remaining out of 2 GB RAM. On the 3.5 mm. audio jack, I am surprised that it produced more than average audio quality upon playing some music videos on Youtube.
And the camera. The camera UI is already old school as the ones from Android Kitkat-based phones. The rear and front camera options do have limited options. Both cameras can shoot on either 16:9 or 4:3 aspect ratio. I chose the 16:9 aspect ratio for the camera samples taken at Satchmi Megamall. The image processing speed is average. The rear cam's f/1.8 aperture does not give that much justice while the selfie cam is good enough for social media
Ekonic Justice League phone rear camera sample
Ekonic Justice League phone front camera sample
Ekonic Justice League smartphone can only be availed by adding Php 400 per month for 30 months in a desired Smart postpaid plan that you want ranging from Plan 399 to Plan 2999. Unfortunately, there is no way to buy it via a prepaid kit as well as buying any of the charger or the four DC Comics rear covers in any Ekotek kiosk. For the pros in my first impressions, it's definitely the audio, the amount of items that you will get and the light-skinned UI (just never mind if you don't like the icons. The camera might be something to improve on but the lack of OTG support and having it only on postpaid are my turn-offs on this one ( I am not expecting it for an openline version, at least a prepaid kit will do). I also found from one of their associates Janelle that it only has limited quantities at around 5,000 so if you are on the DC Comics side, this phablet might be one good suggestion to your collection. For now, you can only apply for it via walk-in in any of Smart Wireless Centers around the country. No options yet to apply online via the official Smart website
