Set Highscreen Max 3 4/64 red + TrueSound Pro audio adapter

How many smartphones are there on the market that have really good sound, at least on par with entry-level portable hi-fi players? I think they can be counted on the fingers of two hands. But thanks to modern trends, such models are beginning to little by little fill their niche. I received the Highscreen Boost 3 smartphone for a whole month, the sound of which should surpass almost the entire garrison of music smartphones. I took on the new device with pleasure, and believe me, now I have something to tell about the smartphone.

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First of all, I put aside my smartphone and started using Highscreen Boost 3 as my main one, because testing is one thing, but using it for a long time is completely different. I downloaded all my favorite applications, games, set alarms, turned on synchronization and started using it.

Contents of delivery

I would like to immediately thank the manufacturer for the kit. Inside there is a charger, cable, 2 replacement covers, 2 batteries and documentation. Yes - the package contains two batteries, one for 3000 mAh, and the second for 6000 mAh. The issue with autonomy, I think, has been resolved immediately.

Packaging and delivery

I don’t know whether it’s worth writing about the box, it’s quite good, and I think, given the current level of technology development, it couldn’t be otherwise. Thick cardboard, according to tradition, there is a phone on top, and neatly packaged underneath are complete accessories, of which there are many.

In addition to the phone, you will receive: a charger with a USB connector, a MicroUSB cable, two batteries for 3000 mAh and 6000 mAh and two back covers for a small and a large battery. It is the two batteries that make up the main feature of this model, in addition to the sound, of course. You can choose which version of the phone suits you best - stylish and thin, or thicker but long-lasting. It's a pity, however, that the kit does not include an external battery charger to charge the second battery without a phone.

Highscreen has prudently prepared all the necessary accessories - a couple of models of cases (each of them exists for thick and thin versions of the case) and a protective film for the screen. In addition to good quality, the accessories also come at affordable prices, so you should immediately pay attention to them in the company’s online store.

Design, materials

I won’t lie, there is nothing original in the phone. The front is copied completely from the Lumia models, the back of the thin cover is similar to Xiaomi Redmi, which cannot be said about the thick cover for the 6000 mAh battery. But such a symbiosis looks very good, oddly enough.

I liked the red elements on the top end and the unlock button - a kind of eye-catching element. Due to its good build quality and rounded edges of the display, the smartphone is pleasant to hold in your hands - not like the iPhone 6s or Samsung Galaxy S6, of course, but more pleasant than most of its classmates.

There is no metal in the design, only plastic and tempered glass, which showed excellent results - a couple of shallow scratches in a month with not the most careful use.

But on the lid, scratches appear faster and are more noticeable.

After installing different battery covers, the smartphone seems to turn into two different devices. With a thick one it resembles some kind of iBasso players, and with a thin one it looks like a neat mainstream phone. When compressed, when a 3000 mAh battery is used, there are no creaks and the lid does not bend, but as soon as you turn the smartphone into a “fat one,” creaking and play appear.

It is clear that the manufacturer did not bother much with the thick back, but at the same time its appearance is much more interesting than the standard one - associations appear with Hi-Fi players, which are almost all thick.

Review of Highscreen Boost 3. Loud, modern and powerful Android smartphone

Last weekend we had the opportunity to attend the “Highscreen Fest: Our Ecology of the Soul” and announce the new smartphone. The format of the music festival was not chosen by chance; the musical component of the smartphone really deserves attention. And the hero of the occasion, Highscreen Boost 3, can easily be called one of the most anticipated releases in Russia. This is confirmed by lively discussions in the Yandex.Market service and on the Runet. Its predecessor Boost 2SE was the best-selling Highscreen smartphone.

The very first Boost also made a lot of noise; at that time, few people thought about increasing battery life, and options with two different batteries were also not visible on the horizon. Unfortunately, since that time the general attitude towards autonomy has not changed much; at best, they are limited to marketing promises to optimize software and hardware performance, while the capacity very rarely exceeds the 3000 mAh mark. As a result, solutions with current hardware require a couple of charging cycles during the day with active use. And if the goal is not only to select the parameters of the screen, camera, processor and internal storage capacity, but also comfortable use, the choice is noticeably limited. As part of the MegaObzor.com Laboratory, we have already tested several smartphones with the ability to select battery capacity, including increased capacity: Highscreen Boost 2SE, Highscreen Zera S Power, Highscreen Zera U. I would especially like to note the Highscreen Power Five with a 5000 mAh battery. Having experience using similar smartphones since the spring of this year, it is very difficult to get used to the fact that the Samsung Galaxy S6, Huawei Honor 6 and OnePlus Two tested during the same period last until the evening at best, and most often require charging by noon. Therefore, the operating experience of Highscreen Boost 3 is doubly interesting; we will see what the manufacturer can offer in the third generation of the legendary series during the first detailed testing. At the time of publication of the review, sales had not yet started; the recommended price was 19,990 rubles. The cost is adequate; solutions with similar hardware, but without an audio chip and a capacious battery, officially available in Russia, are more expensive.

Video review of Highscreen Boost 3

Equipment

Highscreen Boost 3 is supplied in an attractive packaging made of thick cardboard. Unlike previous eco-style models, here the emphasis is on the sound component. On the front there is an o.

The first emotions when getting acquainted with a smartphone begin with unpacking; this model has everything in order. Inside, all components are divided into separate boxes. A set of technical documentation, a high-capacity battery, a second cover, a micro USB cable, a charger. There are no headphones included, which is not surprising. With such an audio path, what is usually included with smartphones is no good.

Appearance

What impresses me with the Highscreen approach is its recognizable and original style. There is no similarity with products from other brands, including Apple’s already boring “soapy” design. Highscreen Boost 3 is a cross between the design of the Zera and Power Five series. The appearance of the back cover attracts attention. Both options (enlarged and standard) come with an interesting lid shape, stylized as a protective case; the differences in the plane are small, but they add their own flavor.

We are testing a pre-production version; what appears on store shelves will have two lid options. The standard one will be smooth, but the larger version will be embossed. Bold decision.

Both covers are made of matte plastic, it is non-marking. Fits well in the hand and does not slip out. Practicality and ergonomics are not forgotten. Depending on the selected cover, the thickness of the case will change: 9 mm versus 13.9 mm. With a 6000 mAh battery, it’s difficult to call it compact, but the title of “brick” cannot be assigned here either. The volume is leveled due to rounded edges and 2.5D glass.

All interface elements and buttons on Highscreen Boost 3 are accessible when operated with the fingers of one hand. The weight is adequate, long-term use of the smartphone is not burdensome.

I liked the build quality. All parts fit tightly together. No creaking, play of parts, protruding parts or cracks were noticed. The case is resistant to twisting, carrying it in the back pocket of your pants will not be fatal.

The arrangement of elements here is traditional. The audio jack is located on the top edge, opposite it there is a red insert with a logo. Bottom micro USB for charging and data transfer. On the left is a volume rocker, on the right there are two buttons: a power button with red markings, and an additional one below. It is used to release the shutter; with a long click, it displays the branded player. In the future, the firmware will have an option to launch the camera. Comfortable. The front side of Highscreen Boost 3 is covered with protective Asahi Glass. It is scratch resistant. The side part is rounded.

At the top there is a front camera eye, proximity and light sensors. Nearby is a recessed speaker grille. Here, according to the operating experience of Zera U, there may be problems with dust contamination; cleaning it off is problematic. At the bottom there are three backlit touch buttons, unlike the same Zera U, they were not abandoned in favor of on-screen ones.

The main camera module does not protrude above the surface of the body; there is an LED flash below. In the center of the back cover there is an oblong manufacturer's logo. Below is an oblong speaker grille.

The case is collapsible, inside there is a removable battery, two compartments for SIM cards (both support LTE), and a slot for a memory card. Highscreen Boost 3 looks impressive and stylish. The design, compared to the second generation, has changed noticeably and for the better.

Screen

A 5-inch screen with Full HD resolution is installed. This is an IPS matrix with OGS technology (there is no air gap between the protective screen and the matrix). Viewing angles are maximum.

The quality of the matrix is ​​high, well-balanced colors, high angle of maximum brightness. The illumination is uniform, without overexposure. The fonts are clear and there is no pixelation observed. The picture remains legible in direct sunlight.

Filling

The MediaTek MT6753 processor is responsible for Highscreen Boost 3. This is a fresh 64-bit chip, which includes 8 Cortex-A53 cores with a frequency of 1.3 GHz. The Mali-T720 is responsible for the graphics.

On board there are 2 GB of RAM and 16 GB of internal memory. This is enough for the interface to work smoothly and launch complex games. During the tests, we did not experience any lack of performance; programs launched quickly. Memory for storing music, movies and photos can be expanded using a micro SD memory card.

Antutu

Vellamo

3D Antutu

Connection

Both SIM cards support operation in the LTE range. The work is designed for Russian networks, bands: LTE: 3/7/8/20. Tested on Megafon and Yota SIM cards within Kazan and Moscow. The connection is secure and the data exchange speed is high.

Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz, GPS and GLONASS are supported. A cold start takes about 15-20 seconds, positioning accuracy is high.

Battery

There are two capacity options to choose from: 3000 and 6000 mAh. You can choose depending on your preferences and requirements for the dimensions of the case. The capacious option will be useful for travel and for active use of LTE in games. Although even with 3000 mAh, Highscreen Boost 3 surpasses most of the smartphones available on the market in terms of battery life.

In the 3000 mAh version, it lasts throughout the entire working day during active use. Installing a 6000 mAh battery gives an honest two days of battery life. In economy mode, you can go 3 days without recharging. The result is excellent considering the screen resolution and platform.

Sound

Highscreen Boost 3 will be interesting not only for its battery life records, but also for its audio component. Using a combination of a top-end DAC ESS9018K2M and a powerful amplifier ADA4897-2, this smartphone is capable of high-impedance headphones. The system was set up and fine-tuned by Mikhail Orlov, a well-known audiophile who debugs Hi-end players. Most smartphones that are one way or another positioned as music smartphones, in reality, have hardware limited to the software component. The Android system does not allow sound sampling higher than 48 kHz. Only 16 bit/48 kHz files are read. A special driver was also prepared here with direct sound transmission to the audio path, bypassing operating system restrictions. The proprietary Muz-On player is installed for operation; FLAC and WAV formats are supported.

In reality, Highscreen Boost 3 is suitable for players with a budget of up to approximately 30,000 rubles. You just have to compare the sound quality yourself, the difference is obvious. It even makes Iriver Astell & Kern, I expect it will be quite a hit with audiophiles. But you should understand that this will require the purchase of high-quality headphones that can unlock all this potential. This smartphone is well suited as a head unit in a car. Camera Not the least attention is paid to photographs. A 13 MP ISOCELL matrix with 6-element brightened optics is installed. The quality of the pictures is high, focusing is fast. The app offers shooting modes and settings, including remote shutter release. The front module is 5 megapixels, examples of pictures can be seen below.

Software

Highscreen Boost 3 runs on the Google Android 5.1 operating system without proprietary shells. The advantages include the absence of third-party software, with the exception of what is responsible for the operation of HiSound. Over-the-air updates are supported. You can install all the necessary software yourself from Google Play.

Results for Highscreen Boost 3

Highscreen Boost 3 was a worthy continuation of the series.
This time the emphasis is placed not only on autonomy, but also on the sound component. At the moment, such a design has no analogues on the Russian market. A bunch of batteries with a capacity of 3000 and 6000 mAh are capable of setting records. The top-end DAC and amplifier are designed with a software component that removes the 48 kHz limitation. The rest of the hardware also does not disappoint: IPS FHD OGS screen, 8-core chip, 13 MP ISOCELL camera, two SIM cards with LTE support, expandable memory. Ergonomics and build quality have not been forgotten. Highscreen Boost 3 receives the well-deserved “Gold” award. MegaObzor.com Editor's Choice."

Controls, connectors

On the front, there are sensors, a camera, a speaker and an alert LED on top. Below the display there are three standard control keys. On the left side there is a volume rocker, on the right there are two buttons: unlock and programmable to launch the selected application.

At the bottom end there is a microUSB port and a conversational microphone, at the top there is a 3.5 mm mini-jack and a multimedia microphone. On the back there is a camera with LED flash and a speaker. Two microSIM slots are located under the cover.

Display

The screen is made using IPS technology, has a diagonal of 5” and a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. The picture appears quite juicy, and leaves mostly only positive impressions. Among the shortcomings are not the maximum viewing angles - even with a slight turn, the black color turns into purple.

Based on the measurements, you can see a slight bias towards green and not full coverage of red derivatives - factory calibration could be better. The maximum brightness is 320 cd/m², the minimum is 10 cd/m², which is sometimes too much for using a smartphone at night.

But in real life, the screen looks decent, and MiraVision technology is enabled in the settings, with which you can adjust image modes, contrast, saturation, brightness, sharpness, color temperature and dynamic contrast.

The image can easily be saturated, like on Super AMOLED, or calmer, like the best representatives of IPS.

There is a light sensor that works correctly, but I a priori do not like it when the brightness spontaneously jumps due to a change in environment, so I almost always have this function disabled.

Highscreen Fest Pro

• Processor: 4-core MediaTek MT6737T, clock frequency 1.45 GHz
• Screen: 5 inches, resolution 1280 x 720
• Cameras (main / front): 13 MP / 5 MP
• Memory (RAM / built-in): 2 GB / 16 GB
• Battery capacity: 2500 mAh

Price: from 6,990 rubles

Highscreen Fest Pro is a “new generation” budget smartphone, a clear confirmation that a price of up to 10,000 rubles is not a death sentence. This is not a black candy bar that makes you despondent, but a gadget with a distinctive design and a number of interesting functions.

The main advantage of the model is its excellent sound. The audio component is handled by the Hi Sound Lite DAC, a proprietary solution based on the ES9118 Saber Hi-Fi. The smartphone does not limit the user to the traditional MP3 format, when converted to which the audio track loses quality. Fest Pro is also capable of playing FLAC, ALAC, WAV, but if the user wants to listen to music in these formats, it is better for him to get a MicroSD flash card. 16 GB of user memory will not be enough to accommodate a music lover’s rich audio library – and even in capacious, “uncompressed” files.

Advantages:

• Excellent ergonomics.
• Screen made using AMOLED technology.
• Dual-band Wi-Fi.
• Availability of a fingerprint scanner.
• Built-in DAC for highly detailed sound.

Flaws:

• Old Android – version 7.
• Small battery capacity.

Ergonomics

Due to the optimal display diagonal and 9 mm thickness, the smartphone is convenient to use. The lock and volume keys are located in convenient places and allow you to use the smartphone with one hand. The model is not slippery and sits firmly in your hands.

Some people will find it inconvenient that the headphone jack is located on top of the smartphone and not on the bottom - thus, when taking out the smartphone, you will have to turn it over.

Characteristics

Design

Boost has a rectangular shape and chamfered corners. The lower and upper ends are rounded. There are decorative elevations on the right and left. In general, the design of the phone is brutal and is more suitable for men than women.

The body is made of black, semi-gloss plastic. The back cover is covered with small bumps and the device fits well in the hand. But for some reason the surface is quite slippery and the situation is saved only by the sloping edges.

The dimensions of the smartphone are awe-inspiring - 123x68x14.2 mm, weight 185 grams. You need to understand that such a capacious battery requires a lot of space and the Boost will be much wider and thicker than its competitors.

The assembly is good, the plastic is durable. There is no play or creaking. The screen is protected by special glass.

Hardware platform, operating system

Highscreen Boost 3 is one of the few smartphones whose hardware characteristics you don’t want to delve too deeply into. But in order not to be unfounded, you still have to write what is hidden inside the device. The processor is an 8-core MediaTek MT6753, which operates at a clock frequency of 1.3 GHz. The graphics are processed by the Mali-T720 accelerator.

The RAM size is 2 GB, and in the PRO version (if you find one) as much as 3 GB. 16 GB of permanent memory, of which 11.6 GB is available to the user. But this is not a problem, because the device has a microSD slot.

The smartphone runs on the Android 5.1 operating system, which has undergone virtually no changes. For me personally, this is an advantage, since third-party UIs, although they expand capabilities, very often slow down the system. Here the interface speed is almost at the level of Nexus smartphones.

Of course, as with any other Android device, sometimes lags occur, but absolutely all devices running the above OS are susceptible to this. After a month of use and as the memory becomes full, the performance situation does not deteriorate, which is good news.

You can estimate the number of points in synthetic tests from the screenshots; similar numbers can be seen in the Meizu M1 Note, which is similar in hardware. It doesn’t seem like much, but it was enough for me for all everyday tasks.

Wi-Fi operates in b/g/n standards, and the smartphone can also be used as an access point.

Bluetooh version 4.0+EDR.

Highscreen Boost smartphone: Android 4.1 and a week of battery life

Android smartphones have been enjoying considerable popularity for several years now. Probably their only drawback is the relatively short battery life - on average 1-2 days. Quite recently, an Android device appeared on the Russian market, which can work without a charger cord for up to a week - previously no one could boast of such indicators. In addition, the remaining characteristics of the model are also very interesting. The smartphone is called Highscreen Boost, and we’ll talk about it today. Highscreen Boost runs on the latest Android operating system version 4.1.2 Jelly Bean (with support for services from Google). This model has two slots for SIM cards. For example, you can install one SIM card with favorable call rates, and a second one with cheap Internet. Let us clarify that one card supports 2G (GSM/GPRS/EDGE) and 3G (UMTS/HSDPA) cellular networks, while the second card supports only 2G. The principle of operation of two SIM cards is exactly the same as in all similar devices running Android, that is, both cards are active only when the smartphone is in standby mode. As for the speed of Highscreen Boost, it is quite high. The smartphone is built on a dual-core Qualcomm MSM8225 Snapdragon S4 processor, which operates at a frequency of 1.4 GHz. The amount of RAM is 1 GB. In general, quite good indicators. The volume of permanent memory is 4 GB. Of course, this is probably not enough, so there is a slot for a microSD memory card (maximum supported volume is 32 GB). The diagonal of the screen used in Highscreen Boost, produced by the Japanese Sharp, is 4.3 inches, and its resolution is 540 by 960 pixels. Moreover, the display is made using IPS technology, which provides high image quality. We also note the widest possible viewing angles and natural color reproduction. In general, you can’t complain. Now let's talk separately about the Highscreen Boost battery. It has a capacity of 4,160 mAh, and the battery life of the device reaches a week. For comparison, the average battery capacity in Android phones is 1,500-2,500 mAh, and the battery life is 1-2 days. It is impossible not to mention the former “record holder” - this is the Motorola RAZR MAXX smartphone. It can work for 3-4 days without recharging; its battery has a capacity of 3,300 mAh. Notice how Highscreen Boost outperformed it. Well, in fairness, let us remind you that Motorola smartphones have not been sold in the CIS countries for several years now... The set of additional Highscreen Boost functions is quite standard - a proximity sensor, light sensor, GPS receiver, digital compass, accelerometer, FM receiver, Wi-Fi modules Fi and Bluetooth and stuff. There are also two cameras: 1.3 megapixel front (for video calls) and 8 megapixel main. The latter has an automatic focus function and also has an LED flash. The quality of photos taken by Highscreen Boost is quite good. If we take into account that the Russian smartphone market has models with much more serious cameras, then today’s hero can be given a solid four. All of the above is enclosed in a black plastic case. Boost looks quite attractive, and the build quality is at a high level: smooth panel joints, minimal gaps between them, no backlash. But the thickness of the model exceeds 14 mm - it is very, very “plump”. And this is perhaps the only serious disadvantage of this smartphone. Let's summarize. Highscreen Boost is a modern smartphone on the Android platform. The device is equipped with a high-quality IPS display and also supports two SIM cards. But its main feature is its record battery life – up to a week. The estimated cost of the gadget is 9 thousand rubles.

Speakers, microphones

I was pleased with such a seemingly insignificant thing today as the quality of the conversational speaker - it’s really nice to hear the interlocutor, the voice is transmitted efficiently and clearly. The multimedia speaker also sounds loud and detailed.

It’s the same with the conversational microphone, it’s good and sensitive, not with perfect isolation from ambient noise, but it transmits speech clearly.

Hi Sound

So, the most important piece of material. This is what makes Highscreen Boost 3 stand out from the rest. What the manufacturer praises so much and is so actively discussed on forums is the sound. For reference: the ESS9018K2M chip is responsible for digital-to-analog conversion, the amplifier is ADA4897-2.

The audio stream goes straight to the DAC, without undergoing the standard downsampling of Android devices to 48 kHz. The latter is implemented using the built-in Muz_On player, which is based on USB Audio Player Pro. Let's talk about sound in a little more detail.

For me, listening to music is something sacred and intimate, something without which I cannot imagine my life. And to evaluate the sound of this smartphone 100%, I listened to tons of music in a variety of formats - from lossy streaming services to gigabyte albums in DSD format.

Headphones that were monitored with the phone:

• RHA MA750i
• Dunu DN-2000
• Creative Aurvana Live!
• Oppo PM-3
• Jabra Sport Pulse

Portable players and smartphone with which direct comparison was made in terms of sound:

• FiiO X3 II
• FiiO X5 II
• FiiO X7
• Apple iPhone 6s

For comparison, I chose the Modern CD selection from the site Doctorhead.ru, which has served as my main reference for several years. It is from the presented compositions that it is very easy to hear the taste, features, disadvantages and advantages of equipment, headphones and acoustics.

Boost 3 really plays in Hi-Res, crystal clear, smooth, monitor-like and fair. The sound here does not tend to go into an excess of certain frequencies. It should sound like an acoustic guitar with drum cymbals in the background - then it will be so. The cymbals will not disappear, the 6th string on the guitar will not be tightened by convulsive low-frequency rattling. The smartphone is closest in sound to the FiiO X3 II, I would even say that they are on the same level, but FiiO’s creation has a little more energy and enthusiasm.

The sound of the FiiO X5 II itself is warmer and more homely, and its level is higher, whatever one may say. Although you can’t immediately tell who is worse and who is better, after a short listening you understand where there is more detail and power.

Of course, it’s stupid to compare it with the FiiO X7, because this is the top player from the Chinese manufacturer of portable Hi-Fi. But you know, Boost 3 doesn’t fall so far on its face in front of this monster; the iPhone 6s loses much more ground.

As for Apple’s creation, honestly, I didn’t expect it, but the 6s plays noticeably worse than the Boost 3. The sound has a bias towards low frequencies, the stage is not so wide, the separation of instruments is not heard so clearly, and “mess” appears on particularly fast compositions. And I’m generally silent about volume - where the iPhone 6s has maximum volume, Boost 3’s slider doesn’t even reach halfway. Yes, Apple has an excellent smartphone, superior to the Highscreen model in everything, but not in sound.

The power is easily enough to drive any 250 or even 500 Ohm headphones. In terms of volume reserve, the hero of the article is on the same level as all FiiO players. For this purpose, even the volume control has 50 divisions, and not 15, as usual in Android smartphones. On plugs, in my case RHA MA750i and Dunu DN-2000, the volume did not rise above 20 levels - I don’t want to lose my hearing. On higher impedance Creative Aurvana Live! and Oppo PM-3 sometimes turned up the volume to half. As you can see, the stock is good.

The potential of Highscreen Boost 3 is clearly audible on all headphones used, some more, some less, but the result is the same - the sound is amazing. Even when listening to Jabra Sport Pulse Bluetooth headphones, the sound is clearer than other smartphones due to the ability to transmit high-quality audio wirelessly.

The most interesting thing is that the sound is enjoyable not only when listening to music in the built-in Muz_On player, I often listened to music on Google Play Music, Apple Music and Zvooq.

By the way, Zvooq is a pretty good music service. I discovered it only when I got acquainted with this smartphone, since here this application is pre-installed and already comes with a subscription.

I would like to criticize the Muz_On player for its archaic appearance and overall oakiness - it feels like it’s in the Symbian era. But there is also something to praise for - it reads absolutely all formats! It got to the point that none of the FiiO players played PCM in 384/32, but Highscreen played without a hitch. So there shouldn’t be any problems regarding format support.

There is one bug that will most likely be fixed in the next firmware. As already mentioned, when listening to music using the Muz_On player, the audio stream bypasses Android restrictions. This process doesn't work when you're listening to music on, say, Google Play Music, which can sometimes cause playback to stop. This is only relevant for wired listening; there are no such problems with Bluetooth.

Review of the Highscreen Boost smartphone

It's no secret that the battery life of modern smartphones is one of the most frequently discussed problems. The rough average estimate today is one day of normal use of the device, including calls, internet, multiple synchronizations and the like. Unfortunately, the days when you could use your smartphone for several days without recharging are long gone. Manufacturers staged a not always justified race for performance, began to increase frequencies and cores, increase the size and brightness of the screen - all this could not but affect energy consumption. At the same time, similar dramatic progress in the creation of batteries has not been observed. As a result, the user receives overly powerful devices that are unable to work offline for a long time. Of course, charging once a day is not a problem for everyone, but in general the situation is not very convenient.

While “miracle batteries” have not yet been invented (although from time to time there are reports of further revolutions in this direction), there are two ways to combat this state of affairs - reduce platform consumption (reduce performance, use special saving modes or kernels optimized for this parameter ) or install a higher capacity battery. The first option is available, perhaps, only to large developers who have serious engineering resources; in addition, it requires significant financial investments. The second is simpler, but the size and weight of the device will obviously be sacrificed.

The Highscreen Boost smartphone we are reviewing today can easily be classified in the second category. This model has a 4160 mAh battery, which is about twice as large as many of today's top models. As a result, the device turned out to be relatively large and heavy, which affects the positioning of the smartphone. The manufacturer sees it as a business solution that can provide the user with all the benefits of a multifunctional mobile device while simultaneously providing a long operating time on a single charge. How this turned out, we will try to understand this material.

Characteristics

The smartphone is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play platform. You can find out more about it in our special material. The MSM8625 processor is used with two Cortex-A5 cores, the maximum frequency of which is 1.4 GHz. The graphics unit is represented by the Adreno 203 controller. Considering the recent announcement of new Qualcomm solutions, the SoC installed in the device in question can be considered a little outdated. However, in general, today two Cortex-A5 cores with a relatively high operating frequency are quite sufficient for the vast majority of mobile tasks not related to intensive calculations.

The device's RAM capacity is 1 GB. The main flash memory is 4 GB. Of this, about 1 GB is allocated for the data section and 2 GB for the virtual SD card. Additionally, you can install a memory card up to 32 GB in the microSDHC slot. On the new device, the user has 885 MB on the main partition and all 2 GB on the emulated card.

The model has a 4.3″ IPS screen with a resolution of 960×540 (qHD) and a pixel density of 256 ppi. The capacitive sensor supports five simultaneous touches.

As with many other inexpensive devices, Highscreen Boost can use two Mini-SIM cards. The first is capable of working in 3G networks, while the second is limited to previous generation networks. There is only one radio unit in the model, so if you use one of the cards, the second one will not be available (a standard solution in the budget segment). The manufacturer does not say anything about the maximum speeds for data transfer. In testing, the device provided quite comfortable conditions for using the mobile Internet.

There is a Micro-USB port for connecting to a PC and charging, which does not support either OTG or MHL. The built-in Wi-Fi controller operates at a frequency of 2.4 GHz with connection speeds of up to 72 Mbps. Bluetooth is version 3.0 and supports EDR.

The smartphone is equipped with two cameras - a rear 8 MP with autofocus and LED flash and a front 1 MP. Video recording is supported at resolutions up to 720p and VGA for the rear and front cameras, respectively.

Highscreen Boost smartphone specifications

• SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8625 Cortex-A5, 1.4 GHz, dual cores
• GPU Adreno 203
• Operating system Android 4.1.2
• Touch display LCD TFT IPS, 4.3″, 960×540, capacitive, multi-touch
• Random access memory (RAM) 1 GB
• Internal memory 4 GB
• Communication 2G GSM 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz, 3G UMTS 900, 2100 MHz
• Data transfer GPRS, EDGE, UMTS
• Bluetooth 3.0+EDR
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, 2.4 GHz, up to 72 Mbit/s
• GPS, gyroscope, accelerometer
• FM radio (requires headphones connection)
• Cameras: 8 MP (autofocus, LED flash, video up to 720p) and 1 MP
• Lithium-ion battery 4160 mAh
• Dimensions 124x65x15 mm
• Weight 186 g

For comparison, here are the characteristics of several modern devices on dual-core platforms.

Equipment

The smartphone comes in a traditional cardboard box. But the design can be called original - on the top side there is a diagram of the “filling” of the phone, indicating some of the main characteristics.

Given modern sales technology, it is unlikely that it will be useful on store shelves, but enthusiasts will definitely like it. Actually, this diagram can be considered a description of the technical parameters of the model, since there are no other tables on the box.

The delivery package does not differ from other mass-produced devices: phone, battery (4160 mAh), charger (5 V 1 A) with USB output, Micro-USB cable for charging and synchronization, a simple stereo headset with a microphone and one button, enough a good user manual, which may be useful for beginners, and a warranty card.

Appearance and ease of use

The body of the device is made of black plastic with a matte surface. In particular, this means that marks remain only on the screen, and the rest of the structure does not save them, and the device can slip out of your hand only due to its heavy weight, but not because of the coating. The back cover additionally has a “rough” texture that can collect dirt and will not be easy to clean. The plastic itself makes a good impression and seems quite reliable and strong.

The screen has a glass coating, but, unfortunately, it is not resistant to scratches and other damage. There is a small edge around the screen that slightly protects the glass when the phone is placed face down on a hard, flat surface.

The case dimensions are 124x65x15 mm. And if the first two digits are quite standard for models with a 4.3″ screen, then the greater thickness is an obvious consequence of installing a high-capacity battery. However, the designers did work on the shape of the case, so the roughly beveled edges slightly neutralize the “brick” effect.

At the top end there is a headset jack and a second microphone, at the bottom there is Micro-USB and the main microphone. The side ends have a rounded protrusion-rib almost the entire length. This design may have been intended to make the phone more secure in your hand, but from a design perspective, these ridges are a bit out of style. At the top of the right edge is the power button, and at the bottom is a dedicated camera button. On the left side, the volume button is designed in a similar way. We didn't really like the chosen solution - the buttons are difficult to find by touch, and the symmetrical shape of the device is even more confusing.

At the top of the front surface there is a metal speaker grille. A little lower and to the left is the proximity sensor, and next to it is the front camera hole. Below the screen are three touch buttons (menu, home, return) with automatic backlight. The backlight is only relevant in the dark, since under normal conditions the button icon is already clearly visible. There are no additional LED indicators in the device.

The surface of the back cover is almost flat, there is only a small protrusion near the external speaker grille. Interestingly, the sound only comes out through this grille - if you close it with your finger, it is almost completely muffled. At the top center is the main photo and video camera. Its window does not have a side, but is slightly recessed. To the left of it is an LED flash. Below is the manufacturer’s logo, made of silver metal with a notch. This is the only bright element on the device's body.

The lid is held on by latches along the contour. There are no complaints about the mount on the new phone - everything holds up very well, there are no cracks or creaks in the case. But we cannot estimate how long everything will remain in this state.

Under the cover is a huge battery. When touch technology was not yet so common, you could find an entire device with similar dimensions. Its weight is almost half of the entire device - about 75 g. Hidden under the battery are two slots for Mini-SIM and a compartment for a microSD memory card. So to replace any of these elements you will have to turn off the device.

In general, we liked the workmanship and the chosen materials. Of course, with such size and weight it is difficult to talk about grace, but the smartphone clearly has its own original style, which is quite consistent with the image of a “strong workhorse”.

Screen

Highscreen Boost has an IPS matrix with a diagonal of 4.3″ (53.5×95 mm). Its resolution is 960x540, so the pixel density is about 250 ppi. Despite the significant loss in numbers, in reality the dots will not be noticeable to most users. One can, of course, complain that the screen doesn’t even have 720p, but for a device aimed at the mid-range segment this is a completely reasonable decision. The second area of ​​savings is the touch unit, which supports only five simultaneous touches. When testing it in special programs, we noted some “thoughtfulness” when recognizing more than two touches. Fortunately, in most cases more than two are not required.

Judging by some tests, the device automatically reduces the maximum brightness when the battery charge drops below 20%. There is no option to configure or disable this operating algorithm. A detailed examination of the screen using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, Alexey Kudryavtsev.

The smartphone screen is covered with a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface and, judging by the reflection of bright light sources in it, has a weak anti-glare filter. The surface of the matrix itself under the glass is apparently mirror-smooth, so in conditions of side illumination the screen looks very dark. There is a special and quite effective oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating on the outer surface of the screen, so fingerprints do not appear as quickly as with regular glass, but are removed more easily.

When manually controlling the brightness, its maximum value was about 320 cd/m², and the minimum was 3 cd/m². The maximum value is not very high, and the readability of the screen in bright daylight will be corresponding. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. There is automatic brightness adjustment based on the light sensor (it is located on the front panel to the left of the front speaker). In complete darkness, the automatic brightness adjustment function reduces the brightness to 40 cd/m² (acceptable), in an artificially lit office, the brightness is set to about 100 cd/m² (comfortable value), and in a very bright environment the brightness is reduced again to 40 cd/m² m². The last value is apparently a consequence of an error in the operation of the light sensor; the consequence for the user will be that he will have to manually set the maximum screen brightness when working with the phone on a sunny day outside. At lower brightness, there is no backlight modulation at all, so there is no backlight flickering.

This smartphone uses an IPS type matrix, as a result the screen has good viewing angles without inverting shades and without significant color shifts, even with large deviations of the view from perpendicular to the screen. When deviated diagonally, the black field is very brightened, but remains close to a neutral gray color. When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is average, since in a couple of places along the edge there are local areas with slightly increased brightness. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 25 ms (14 ms on + 11 ms off). The transition between halftones 25% and 75% (according to the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 48 ms.

The contrast is high - about 1500:1. The gamma curve constructed using 32 points did not reveal a blockage either in the highlights or in the shadows, and the index of the approximating power function is 2.73, which is higher than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve practically does not deviate from the power dependence:

Note that the brightness of the backlight changes in accordance with the nature of the displayed image - it increases for light images and decreases for dark ones. Therefore, we measured the real contrast on a template in which one half of the screen was black, the other white, and the resulting dependence of brightness on hue (gamma curve) does not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential output of shades of gray over the entire screen. Dynamic Brightness mode

the nature of the adjustment changes to the opposite - the brightness decreases for images that are light on average, and the lighter the image, the more the brightness decreases.

The color gamut is slightly different from sRGB:

However, in general, the deviations of the coordinates of primary colors from the vertices of the sRGB triangle are not very large, so the colors on this screen are close to natural in saturation. The spectra show that the matrix filters moderately mix the components with each other:

The balance of shades on the gray scale is average, since the color temperature is above 6500 K, the deviation from the spectrum of an absolutely black body (delta E) is, although less than 10, which is considered a good indicator for a consumer device, but the variation in delta E, as well as color temperature, is relatively large . (Dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

It is difficult to give the Highscreen Boost smartphone screen an unambiguous assessment, since definitely positive properties combat shortcomings and shortcomings. Anti-glare filter and “dark” surface of the matrix - with a clearly reduced maximum brightness; automatic adjustment of the backlight brightness that works adequately at first - with inversion of the sensor’s operation in bright light; high screen contrast - with very unstable blacks relative to viewing at an angle. However, overall the screen quality is rather above average.

Sound

The external speaker of the device is located on the back panel next to the camera. Its grille has a special protrusion, so even if you place the device with the speaker down on a flat, hard surface, it will not be blocked. However, the color of the sound in this position significantly depends on the material on which the phone is placed. In most cases, the sound will become dull. The volume of the speaker as a whole can be assessed as high, but at a volume level above average, resonance appears in the sound, and everything beyond the mid frequencies loses detail. If we talk about watching movies, then in a not very loud external environment such a scenario is quite feasible. As for the vibration alert, for a device of this size it is not very strong, and in a bag or outerwear you may not even notice an incoming call.

Surprisingly, if we talk about working with headsets, then of the several proven options from other devices (in particular, Apple and HTC), the most successful is the complete version. At least it provides a comfortable volume level, and you can try to compensate for some lack of high frequencies with an equalizer. The point here is that the device works with a different headset with microphone (LRMG) layout, which was used by manufacturers such as Nokia and Samsung. So if you need a microphone and control button to work, you will have to pay special attention to the choice of headset model or use the bundled option. Fortunately, this feature does not apply to connecting traditional headphones, so there should be no problems with them. In reality, we encountered the fact that the device incorrectly identifies headphones as a headset, which completely excludes the possibility of the microphone working when headphones are connected. Hopefully this is a firmware issue and will be fixed with software updates.

If we talk about the telephone speaker, we can note the absence of noise and a slightly limited frequency range (“dull” sound of the interlocutor). These features do not have a negative impact on speech intelligibility. The microphone works well.

Camera

Cameras in inexpensive devices rarely stand out as something interesting. The smartphone discussed in this article was no exception. According to the manufacturer, the rear camera has a formal 8 megapixel, autofocus and LED flash, while the front camera boasts 1 megapixel. In fact, the resolution is still lower - the maximum frame sizes are 3200x2400 and 1024x768 pixels, respectively. The standard Android program is used to control the cameras. There is a dedicated camera button on the body of the device that supports double-pressing to focus and shoot, but due to the symmetrical shape of the body, it is not very convenient to use, as you can easily confuse it with the power or volume button. In addition, it only works when the phone is unlocked.

The rear module settings are traditional - flash, white balance, exposure compensation, scene selection, digital zoom, geotags, resolution, quality, effects, etc. The front module does not have autofocus, flash and some other options. Note that there is a panorama shooting mode.

When recording video (container - 3GP, video codec - H.264 or MPEG4 ASP), the rear camera supports 720p resolution, and the front one can provide VGA mode. True, the number of frames per second in 720p resolution drops by about half from 30 in simpler versions. There are options for continuous illumination and interval shooting.

Autofocus and automatic white balance settings on the main camera clearly require improvement. Considering that the first one also tries to work when shooting video, in low light conditions you have very little chance of getting a good result.

Examples of photos and videos are given below.

• Video #1 (external camera, 1.2 MB, CIF)
• Video #2 (external camera, 3.1 MB, VGA)
• Video #3 (external camera, 3.0 MB, 480p)
• Video #4 (external camera, 11.6 MB, 720p)
• Video No. 5 (front camera, 3.4 MB, VGA)

The examples clearly show that cameras are not the strong point of the device in question. Considering the positioning of the model, I would still like to get a “business level”, and not “just a camera”. In addition, checking the operation of the cameras on Skype showed that the front one produces a very dark image, in which little can be seen in low room lighting conditions.

Software

The firmware version used in testing was HighScreen_20130403_V2.0. The manufacturer publishes updates on its website. The user will need to download the file, write it to the device and call the updater from the settings menu. Note that since the announcement of the model, the manufacturer has offered updates more than once, but this should be considered more likely to correct the shortcomings of the first version than to expand capabilities and development.

The manufacturer did not come up with anything special with the built-in software. The user receives the original Android 4.1.2, expanded with just a couple of programs - a file manager and an equalizer. The power off dialog has also been expanded with reboot and quick shutdown items. Everything else is represented by standard versions of the OS, including an email client, Gmail, Play Market, web browser, video and audio players, maps, navigation. The advantage of this solution is more free space in flash memory for installing your own programs.

Telephone and communications

There were no comments regarding the operation of the smartphone's telephone modules during testing. Voice and data transmission worked stably; we did not notice any significant difference with other devices. Like most models with two SIM cards, one of them can work in 2G/3G networks, and the second - only with 2G.

The Bluetooth controller complies with the 3.0 standard. It provides standard services for working with sound, media player control, data exchange, access to phone memory, Internet connection, SMS and others. Interestingly, the power turned out to be quite large - we were able to successfully use a stereo headset at a distance of about eight meters through two walls.

The device has a wireless Wi-Fi controller operating according to 802.11b/g/n standards in the 2.4 GHz band. The speed characteristics are traditional for mass models - connection speeds are up to 72 Mbit/s, real performance is at the level of 25-30 Mbit/s. Thanks to the standard operating system tools, the phone can be turned into an access point. Let's also mention support for Wi-Fi Direct.

The smartphone can also be used as a navigator. The built-in GPS receiver starts up quickly enough and picks up satellites well in open space. Judging by their numbers, this model does not support Glonass.

The device has a built-in FM radio that only works when headphones are connected. The reception quality is not bad, but you just have to remember to switch the band to Russian. It is possible to listen through an external phone speaker, record, and memorize stations. It's strange that there are only eight volume control levels in this mode, so the very first one may be too high in some situations.

Performance

The Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 platform line can be considered the last generation. In addition, the device in question has almost its weakest representative installed - the dual-core MSM8625 chip operating at a frequency of 1.4 GHz. Fortunately, in reality its performance will be quite sufficient for most work applications. We didn't encounter any difficulties in traditional email and web browsing scenarios, and the interface responded fairly quickly to our actions. More importantly, the graphic part of the platform - Adreno 203 - does not support hardware decoding of current high-definition video formats. So the user will either have to settle for simpler videos or lose battery life due to software decoding.

Considering that the main feature of this model is a large battery, there are no special requirements for performance. So for comparison, we selected several models on different platforms with a couple of processor cores tested this year.

These tests show that the used Qualcomm platform looks quite good today against the background of solutions from other manufacturers. However, the Krait cores in the Snapdragon S4 Plus modification allow for noticeably higher speeds.

As for gaming applications, you shouldn't expect good results from Adreno 203. In the Epic Citadel test in the native resolution of 960x540 pixels, the speed is about 20 fps. The 2.1 Egypt Classic scene from GLBenchmark 2.5.1 can be rendered at around 30 fps. These figures indicate that from the point of view of performance in 3D games, the product in question is not of interest.

However, the scenario of watching videos is interesting to many users. The first part of the tests was carried out using our set of video files for the “download and watch” scenario. The results were not very encouraging: neither the standard player nor MX Player could cope with our high-resolution (720p and 1080p) files. Moreover, problems with MX Player were observed in both software and hardware decoding modes.

The second set included standard YouTube videos. With HD versions the situation was similar - the format was not supported by hardware, and there was not enough processor power for software decoding. True, the service’s own client could show videos in HQ mode (unfortunately, it’s impossible to control what format is used there, but judging by the bitrate, it’s clearly not accessible from a 720p PC). The only positive result with 720p was achieved on the video, which was prepared with a simpler H.264 profile. So if you plan to use the device as a video player, you will have to pay attention to the details of the file formats. In fact, hardware support here is important not only from a “seeing” point of view, but also due to more efficient battery consumption, which will be seen later.

Under these conditions, it makes no sense to check the performance of videos with frame rates of 50 and 60, since they can only be decoded on a fast platform. There is also no video output in the smartphone, so we also skip this topic.

The built-in memory and microSD card will be visible when connected to a PC as separate drives. The speed of working with internal memory is about 7 MB/s for writing and more than 25 MB/s for reading. The installed SanDisk Ultra memory card showed 10 and 20 MB/s for writing and reading, respectively.

Battery life

On the one hand, this section should be the most interesting for HighScreen Boost. But on the other hand, it is clear to everyone that there are no original technical solutions to increase battery life in the device. The manufacturer simply increased the size of the case and installed a battery with a very high capacity (for smartphones) - 4160 mAh. There are no special modes or energy saving settings provided. The only thing you can count on is automatic adjustment of the clock frequency of the processor cores: when there is no load, it drops from 1.4 GHz to 245 MHz. So if your applications are not very active, and the phone is mostly in a standby state, then there is a good chance of getting a truly long-lasting device.

Our methodology for measuring battery life is currently in development mode, so a direct comparison of old and new figures is not entirely correct. However, for a more complete picture, we still decided to provide all the data. One of the changes is to fix the screen brightness in tests at 100 cd/m².

* for HighScreen Boost a new measurement technique was used

"Game Mode" in this table reflects the performance of the GLBenchmark test with brightness set to 100%. A more realistic option - measuring the operating time of the Epic Citadel with a brightness of 100 cd/m² - gives a similar result of 6 hours 20 minutes. We also note that the figure given in the table for the video viewing scenario reflects working with a video that the device platform is able to decode in hardware. If you replace it with 720p video, which will require the work of processor cores, then the result will decrease by more than three times - to 3 hours 20 minutes. As you can see, the price for not having the necessary decoding blocks is very high.

Unfortunately, they decided not to improve the included charger - it is designed for a standard current of 1 A. In this mode, it takes about five hours to restore the battery charge after a complete discharge. In this case, you will have to spend another half hour on the last couple of percent. It's a pity that the manufacturer didn't think through faster charging options. By the way, you can only find out about its completion by looking at the device’s screen; the model does not have any additional indicators.

If you try to assess the situation with the autonomous operation of the device as a whole, the assessment will be clearly ambiguous. In the case of light load scenarios (reading, watching video with a hardware decoder, standby mode), the high-capacity battery really allows you to get a uniquely long operating time. However, if we are talking about working with a significant load, the result may not differ from less “thick” batteries. The reason for this, in our opinion, is a relatively old hardware platform with low energy efficiency.

With standard use for a working tool, including calls, the Internet and email, the device can last for several days on a single charge. And in standby mode (with the screen off, with communication interfaces and mail synchronization turned on) - more than two weeks. So against the general background of “one-dayers” it looks very good.

Prices

The cost of the device in the capital's stores at the time of writing was about 9,000 rubles. Given the ambiguous characteristics of the model, it is not easy to find direct competitors. On the one hand, among dual-SIM devices in this price range there are devices from top manufacturers with single-core processors and regular batteries, on the other hand, there are numerous representatives of the second tier on the more modern dual-core Mediatek platform. Moreover, the efficiency of the latter allows it to compete with the hero of the article in terms of operating time in some modes. But if we formally approach the characteristics of the battery capacity, then there are simply no similar options. And 3000+ mAh is usually found only in devices with a larger diagonal. So if the model had a regular battery, then for these technical characteristics the cost could be considered overpriced. We invite readers to determine the value of long-term operation on a single charge for themselves. It is possible that some will prefer to have a smartphone selected according to individual requirements and a spare battery for it.

The average retail price of HighScreen Boost in Moscow, current at the time you read this article, is $274().

Bottom line

Overall, the reviewed model made a good impression, but potential buyers should still more carefully evaluate the features of the device in relation to the requirements. There are no comments on the quality of production. The case has an original design, which, however, sometimes reduces the usability of the buttons. The installed platform can be classified as a mass-produced dual-core solution with an average level of performance. Most likely, it was chosen because of its low cost, but for most work tasks its capabilities are quite sufficient. The most significant note concerns the lack of support for hardware decoding of popular video formats. Moreover, this has a noticeable impact on battery life in some scenarios.

And in general, installing a rechargeable battery with a uniquely high capacity, which is the most striking distinguishing feature of the device, does not guarantee an increase in battery life in all modes. As testing has shown, if you plan to use the device with a high load, then the previous generation platform does not make it possible to use the battery effectively. Fortunately, most users still require less resource-intensive tasks from a working tool, for which the manufacturer’s declared week of operation on a single charge looks quite realistic.

The remaining characteristics of the device, including the screen, sound and communication, are at an average level for a workhorse, with a slight bias towards lower cost, which is especially noticeable in the camera modules.

Cameras

With a 13 MP sensor and F2.0 aperture, the main camera takes good pictures. During daylight hours or in good lighting, the photos turn out just like a fairy tale; in poor lighting, the quality drops, but not to the point of being terrible. Similarly with the front camera, the device can shoot video in resolutions up to 1920×1080 pixels, the quality is not bad.

An interesting point is that when installing the Google Camera application, you can set the resolution to 24 MP, which does not change anything at all, except for the size of the photo.

Examples of photos taken with the main camera

Examples of photos taken with the front camera

Autonomy

The arithmetic here is simple - a thin 3000 mAh battery lasts a day, a thick 6000 mAh battery lasts two days. This is with active use of a smartphone - which includes Instagram, Viber, Facebook, calls, constant listening to lossless music, YouTube videos, taking photos, Google Fit, reading books, etc.

A large battery lasts exactly as long as it exceeds the standard one - 2 times, that is, 2 days. In general, if you take both batteries with you when you go, the smartphone will last for 3-4 days.

How long does it work?

Well, here we come to the most interesting part. The smartphone is equipped with two batteries at once - 3000 mAh and 6000 mAh! And if the first is a common thing for modern smartphones, then the second is just a godsend!

With a 3000 mAh battery, the smartphone survives absolutely calmly from morning until late at night. I didn’t spare it, I used it in my usual mode: music, Twitter, You Tube, calls. The screen was lit for about 4 hours.

If you install a 6000 mAh battery, the results double . With the same active use, I still had 30% left on the morning of the third day. An hour of play consumed only 9%, but you can spend fourteen hours watching the video!

The results are very worthy, especially considering that you can always replace the battery and forget about the outlet for another couple of days. The only sad thing is that the smartphone does not have fast charging. As a result, a smaller battery takes about 2 hours to charge, and a larger battery takes almost 4 hours.

Price

The price will seem inadequate for the average buyer (after all, the Meizu M2 Note, which has similar characteristics, costs half as much) and fair for someone who sees the inscriptions ESS9018K2M and ADA4897-2. Naturally, for $300 there are more functional / attractive in appearance / branded smartphones. But which one can play like a portable hi-fi player? I only remember Meizu, Oppo, selectively some Samsung and BBK VIVO. The closest competitor is the Meizu MX4 Pro, which has exactly the same DAC - I really wanted to compare these two smartphones, but I was never able to get hold of Meizu’s creation.

The editors thank the Era-in-Ear store for providing the smartphone for testing

4

ITC.UA rating

Pros: Sound with support for the most “heavy” lossless formats; display with curved glass; two batteries included; almost stock Android; loud speakers, high-quality conversational microphone

Cons: Bug with playback stopping in players other than stock; not the most productive hardware platform; design borrowed from other manufacturers

Conclusion: It’s not often possible to borrow devices for a whole month for such detailed material. But I was lucky, for which many thanks to the Era-in-Ear store. In the end, what would I like to say about Highscreen Boost 3? I liked the phone primarily because of the sound, which, without exaggeration, is on par with the FiiO X3 II, which in itself should interest many. Yes, there are disadvantages, but the sensations you get from listening to music on a smartphone cancel out all its shortcomings. If you consider yourself a sound connoisseur, get to know the device, it deserves it.

Specifications

Models [edit | edit code]

• July 2009. Highscreen PP5420
  is the first Andro officially delivered to Russia >[7].
• November 2009. Highscreen Zeus
  is the first Andro officially delivered to Russia >[6]
• July 2010. Highscreen Nano
  is a smartphone with the Windows Mobile operating system. Runs Windows Mobile 6.5.3. [8]
• September 2010. Highscreen Alex
  is the first hybrid reader-tablet with two displays officially supplied to Russia: E-Ink and TFT. [9]

Highscreen Hippo

— “smartphone tablet”, a device of an intermediate form factor with a 5-inch display. [10] Sales began a year before the announcement of the Samsung Galaxy Note.

February 2011. Highscreen Cosmo
(2011) - smartphone on Andro >

• April 2011. Car DVR Highscreen Black Box
  with two cameras, G-sensor and GPS module.
• July 2011. Highscreen Cosmo Duo
  is one of the two [11] first Andro smartphones officially supplied to Russia >[12]
• Fall 2012 - Highscreen Alpha series of smartphones (GT and GTR). Alpha GTR is the first smartphone officially supplied to Russia with two SIM cards, a dual-core gigahertz processor and an HD screen. [13]

At the end of 2012 - beginning of 2013, Highscreen devices were widely represented in federal electronics retail chains.

• January 2013 - Highscreen Explosion smartphone - the first quad-core Highscreen smartphone (Samsung Exynos 4412 processor). [14]
• February 2013 - Highscreen Boost smartphone - the first budget smartphone on Andro >[15]
• August 2013 - Highscreen Alpha R, the brand's first Full HD smartphone and the first budget Full HD smartphone in Russia [16], with a 5-inch display manufactured by Sharp. The first smartphone of the Highscreen brand, which comes with two replaceable batteries (and two back covers). Batteries with a capacity of 2,000 mAh and 4,000 mAh provide up to a week of battery life [17]
• September 2013 - Highscreen Alpha Ice, Andro >[18] The 5-inch smartphone comes with 3,000 mAh and 6,000 mAh batteries.
• February 10, 2014 - Highscreen Boost 2 SE, an improved model of its predecessor Highscreen Boost 2.
• March 2014 - Highscreen Zera F, an inexpensive 4-inch smartphone with an IPS matrix and 3G. Highscreen Thor with 8-core processor
• April 2014 - Highscreen Zera S, 4.5-inch screen. Smartphone Highscreen Sp > [ significance of the fact?
  ]
• October 2014 - release of 4-core budget smartphones Highscreen WinJoy and WinWin on the Windows operating system.
• December 2014 - release of the 4.7″ Highscreen Ice 2 smartphone with an additional monochrome OLED screen for notifications.
• December 18, 2014 began sales of a smartphone with a large 5.5″ Highscreen Spade screen and a device with a battery with an increased capacity of 4000 mAh - Highscreen Power.
• January 21, 2020 - start of sales of the flagship model of the Highscreen Zera U smartphone with a 5″ Full HD screen, Corning Gorilla Glass 3, and two batteries of different capacities included: 2000 mAh and 4000 mAh.
• January 29, 2020 - release of the 5-inch Highscreen Hercules smartphone, with an 8-core processor.
• June 2, 2020, the start of sales of a 5-inch smartphone with an HD, IPS Highscreen Verge screen.
• June 9, 2020 – start of sales of the budget smartphone Highscreen Pure F.
• August 11, 2020 - start of sales of the 5-inch Highscreen Power Five smartphone, with an HD AMOLED screen, LTE support, 1.5 GB of RAM, 16 GB of internal memory and a 5000 mAh battery.
• October 20, 2020 the start of sales of a smartphone with a 4.5″ screen and a 4000 mAh battery - Highscreen Power Four.
• October 28, 2020 — Highscreen Boost 3, a five-inch music smartphone with an improved camera and capacious 3000 mAh and 6000 mAh batteries included. [19]
• February 16, 2020 - start of sales of the Highscreen Power Ice smartphone with a capacious 4000 mAh battery, with LTE, positioned as an affordable, functional device.
• In the spring of 2020, two new phones from the company were released - a smartphone with replaceable panels Highscreen Prime L and a device with a 4000 mAh battery Highscreen Rage.
• June 2020 - the company launches sales of a 5-inch smartphone in a metal case, Highscreen Tasty.
• August 2, 2020 - start of sales of an eight-core smartphone with a 5000 mAh battery, low-cost price segment Highscreen Power Five Evo.
• October 31, 2020, the start of sales of a 5-inch smartphone on Android 6.0 with a capacious 5000 mAh battery - Highscreen Power Ice Evo.
• On November 1, 2020, two new products went on sale: a loud smartphone with a large 5.5″ screen Highscreen Thunder and an improved model of the music smartphone Highscreen Boost 3 - SE version, with 3100 and 6900 mAh batteries included.
• November 2 - start of sales of a smartphone with a 4000 battery on Android 6.0 Highscreen Power Rage Evo.
• On November 26, sales of the company's flagship began - a smartphone in a metal case with a 5000 mAh Highscreen Power Five Max battery.
• On December 13, 2020, a budget model with LTE Highscreen Easy L entered the market.
• In the second half of December 2020, the company introduced two models in the mass segment: a five-inch smartphone in a thin Highscreen Razar case and a phone with a 5.3″ screen Highscreen Ice Max.
• In February 2020, the company released a budget smartphone with a large 5.5-inch screen, Highscreen Easy XL. A little later, the Easy XL Pro version was released with a fingerprint scanner and an improved camera.
• On July 11, 2020, sales of a budget music smartphone with a 5.5-inch screen and a built-in HI SOUND Lite DAC began - Highscreen Fest XL.
• September 5, 2020 release of a smartphone in a low price category with a super-powerful 8000 mAh battery Highscreen Easy Power.
• November 2020 - the assortment was supplemented by a model of music smartphones with a built-in DAC HI SOUND Lit - Highscreen Fest / Fest Pro.
• May 2020, an affordable smartphone with a 5.5-inch Highscreen Expanse display went on sale
• In the fall of 2020, the manufacturer’s assortment included a functional device with a large 5000 mAh battery of the Power series - Highscreen Power Five Max 2
• February 2020 - the appearance of the second modification of Highscreen Power Five Max 2 with a reduced memory capacity of 3/32 GB
• On September 27, 2020, the manufacturer released an updated, improved smartphone Highscreen Max 3 4/64 GB