Review: Cherry Mobile Flare

I finally got to sit around and work on this review after getting acquainted with my Cherry Mobile Flare and tinkering with it ever since I got it three weeks ago. As I said, I wasn't really planning on getting a new phone as I was trying to decide between getting a Kindle or a camera, but after seeing my friend's Cherry Mobile Flame and getting impressed with all the positive reviews this phone has gotten upon release, I gave in and replaced my HTC ChaCha and SMART Netphone.

The box contains the unit, a charger with USB cord, standard headset, and a manual.

First off, the specs as printed on the back of the box:

• Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich
• MSM8225 1.2 GHz Dual Core S4
• 4" Capacitive Touch Panel
• ROM: 4GB/ RAM: 512MB
• Expandable microSD up to 32GB
• GSM/ GPRS/ EDGE 900/1800/1900 | UMTS 2100
• Wi-Fi b/g/n | Bluetooth 2.1
• 3.5mm Stereo Audio Jack | Standard micro USB 2.0
• 5MP Back Camera | VGA Front Camera

Before I go on, I would like to tell you that I bought this for only P3,999. My friend said that it's just the introductory price though and it now costs more than P4,000. All those great features for that price? I'd say it's such a big steal that other people can be forgiven for thinking it's too good to be true! How can Cherry Mobile sell this phone for that price when they can sell it for much higher considering that its specs can compete with [and sometimes, be even better than] more expensive models from other brands? I honestly don't know. I'm just glad that I did not shell out more money for another phone that basically has the same features as this.

Now, for what I liked:

The Flare already comes covered with a screen protector, which was a nice surprise since I don't have to go to other gadget shops and pay separately for it. It is also thin and light, plus the size is perfect for my hands. 

Cherry Mobile also sells different-colored cases for when you get bored of the standard black back cover that comes with the phone. On the photo is my light pink-colored cover and my long nails that I have already trimmed since.

I also got Apple Green. I love the bright color!

Thanks to its Dual Core processor, all apps are fast and zippy! My SMART Netphone used to irk me before because it always force closes whenever I try to use the Kindle app for Android (partly my fault because I loaded it with too many eBooks, but whatever), and now I am so glad that I don't experience it anymore!

Just four of the hundreds of eBooks in my Kindle library

Of course, I also love that it runs on Android Ice Cream Sandwich because it lets me enjoy more enhancements and a more refined interface. My previous two phones both run on Android Froyo so this is a huge improvement. Here is a screenshot of how I arranged my apps, using GO Launcher EX.

As you can see, I sorted my downloaded apps into different folders depending on their use, making the app deck more organized. I should do a "My Favorite Apps" post soon. (EDIT: I listed all my favorite apps here.)

My wallpaper and home page arrangement depending on the color of the back cover I'm using for the day:

My favorite wallpaper and clock + widgets for the apple green case.

My favorite wallpaper and clock + widgets for the pink case.
I miss the old Britney Spears.

Oh, I forgot to mention, this phone is also Dual SIM and both can run (send and receive messages) at the same time without needing to switch between the two! This feature is perfect for those who have personal and business phones since it lessens the need to bring two gadgets all the time. Just make sure you have an extra battery pack or a power bank with you anywhere you go ;) For me though, since I only have one personal SMART number (I had my Globe line disconnected already), the other SIM slot remains unused. We were all given a Samsung Galaxy Chat (costs P7,000 - P8,000 in the market but the specs are inferior to the Flare) with unlimited data plan as our office phone, and I love it because I can use it as a WiFi hotspot anytime.

Here is a screenshot of the messaging screen. You can see that Send2 cannot be selected because I did not put a SIM card on the second slot.

The front and back cameras are also pretty decent considering the price and its 5MP capability. Here are some sample images, please note that there was no editing or post-processing done unless stated otherwise:

The first photo I've taken with it: Valentine donuts from Go Nuts Donuts!

View from the 9th floor of Lepanto building 

Some of my favorite stamps ♥

Photo taken indoors under low light, with flash.

I really like the bokeh effect on my earring captured here.

Here is a sample photo taken with the front camera while my friend and I were inside a shopping mall.

Now I want to show you some photos I post-processed/ Instagrammed.

Using PicSay Pro

Outsmark ladies Kira and me, so fancy

I really, really, really like how this photo of my Accutones turned out.

Now for the things I didn't like:

The bottom left corner of the back cover creaks a bit like it's loose. It's negligible and doesn't really pose a problem, but if you're hardcore OC then you might not like it. I've since found out though that it doesn't happen when I use my apple green cover, so maybe it would be best if you can check the covers first before purchasing.

I've encountered two "Can't connect to the camera" error messages when I tried to take a photo after installing DECO Puri. I restarted the phone in both instances and never got the problem again, so maybe it's just a bug or minor glitch.

There is no FM Radio included. If yours didn't come with a free radio, you can go to any Cherry Mobile Service Center to get your phone updated. I tried to go but the line was soooo long (Cherry Mobile is getting a lot popular these days, I say) so I gave up and window-shopped instead.

I did not include battery life anymore since the need to charge every few hours is encountered by everyone from the smartphone-using population. The battery can survive the whole day during lazy weekends spent bumming around the house with the phone on standby, but on busy days I charge it twice: in the morning and in the afternoon. 

All in all, the Cherry Mobile Flare is a great phone that packs a LOT of punch in such a thin, nifty, and inexpensive gadget. I would gladly recommend it to everyone! I would also be updating this post with new discoveries from time to time (especially if I encounter any problems), so watch out for those. ;)

I've heard that this phone is always out of stock because of the demand. I actually got it from Lazada (stocks run out within a day of them announcing they've restocked so you might want to check their site regularly) because I am a diva who doesn't want to line up for gadgets LOL. Do tell me if you have this phone, too!

EDIT: I am not affiliated with Cherry Mobile in any way so if you have problems with the company, please bring it up to them directly.
For any questions about the unit and how to troubleshoot some problems with the device, please read the comments first because they might have already been answered by other people already.
I wrote about my favorite Android apps here.

This is not a sponsored post.