Cherry Mobile Candy, most affordable Android phones at Php3,699

Cherry Mobile released these two Android phones under Candy line that only cost Php3,699 a piece. These are probably as basic as an Android phone could get and you need to keep that in mind if you’re tempted to get one.

The Cherry Mobile Candy is a full touchscreen Android phone. It has a small 2.8 resistive screen with a lot of wasted real estate around it. The screen could go up to 3.2-inch probably. A 416MHz processor powers the phone which would probably be just enough for your basic smartphone needs. Oh and it runs on Android 2.2 which is decent for an entry-level droid since the specs can’t handle Android Gingerbread. One thing you won’t see in a lot of Android phones on the CM Candy is its dual sim/dual standby capability.

Cherry Mobile Candy Specifications

• Android Froyo 2.2
• 2.8″ Resistive Touch Screen
• Dual Sim/Dual Standby
• MediaTek 416Mhz Processor
• ROM: 256mb / RAM: 128mb
• Dual Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800
• WiFi
• 1.3 MP Camera
• FM Radio
• 3.5mm Headset Jack
• Bluetooth
• Expandable Micro SD up to 16gb

The Cherry Mobile Candy Chat on the other hand is similar to the Candy but with a QWERTY portrait keyboard at the expense of a smaller 2.8″ resistive touchscreen. Other than that, things are pretty much the same.

Cherry Mobile Candy Chat Specifications

• Android Froyo 2.2
• 2.4″ Resistive Touch Screen with QWERTY Keypad
• Dual Sim/Dual Standby
• MediaTek 416Mhz Processor
• ROM: 256mb / RAM: 128mb
• Dual Band GSM/GPRS/EDGE 900/1800
• WiFi
• 1.3 MP Camera
• FM Radio
• 3.5mm Headset Jack
• Bluetooth
• Expandable Micro SD up to 16gb

Now here’s the thing. It’s cheap at Php3,699 but is it worth your hard-earned cash?

The thing I’m not high on these phones is the resistive screen. If you don’t know the difference between a resistive and capacitive, well you can read it here. Anyway, resistive displays can’t offer the same smooth navigation you see on iPhones or those Samsung Galaxies. You need to use apply pressure on the screen in order to use it. This also affects some games where a lot of swiping is required. Believe me, you won’t be satisfied with your Android experience if you go with a resistive display.

But if all you have is Php3,899 and you really want an Android phone, better get the Candy Chat. Touch-typing on a small screen is difficult to master and having a physical keyboard will really help. Besides, resistive won’t be much of an issue on the Candy Chat’s small screen since you won’t be using it too much.

If you have a couple thousand bucks more, you might want to go with the Samsung Galaxy Y instead.

Related posts:

1. Cherry Mobile made a big splash with three new Android phones
2. Cherry Mobile W1, an affordable WiFi touchscreen dual-sim phone
3. Cherry Mobile launches new big three Android devices: Stellar, Magnum 2X and CherryPad Turbo
4. Cherry Mobile Orbit Android phone goes on sale for Php6499 on May 19
5. Cherry Mobile set to reveal its Android phone next weekW