Cubot is a Chinese Android smartphone brand that offers a wide variety of inexpensive phone models. With the Cubot Echo (released in 2016) you get surprisingly good quality at a low price.
One of the main advantages of Cubot smartphones is their native Android version (stock Android). Many smartphone manufacturers heavily modify Android and add tons of “features” and apps that you don’t really need and are more annoying than helpful. They hope to create a unique customer experience that makes users get accustomed to their brand so they choose the same brand again for their next phone. Moreover these modifications often slow down overall performance and introduce security holes.
Cubot ships all their models with an almost native Android version. No modifications (except necessary adaptions to hardware), no annoying apps or background tasks that cannot be removed, etc.
Cubot Echo
https://www.cubot.net/smartphones/echo/spec.html
Pros
+ Very good overall hardware quality compared to cheap price (unbreakable display, strong body for outdoor use)
+ Good display, camera quality and performance compared to cheap price
+ Large 5.0 inch display
+ HDR photography
+ Up to 128 GB micro sdcard (supported, but not included)
+ Native Android user experience, no annoying modifications or add-ons
+ Removable battery
+ Cheap price
Cons
– Android security patch level only from 05.06.2017, but latest firmware update (which will be installed automatically after setup) DOES include security patch for WiFi WPA2 KRACK attack (build 08.02.2018). Android 6 Marshmallow does no longer receive security updates from Google, but you can install the unofficial Android alternative LineageOS based on Android 7 Nougat.
– No 4G / LTE support
– A bit heavy
– Released in 2016, a little bit outdated
Verdict
You can get the Cubot Echo for as cheap as 60 EUR. If you can live with the security issues and the missing LTE support, that’s a definitive buy. Especially considering that the upcoming Google Pixel 3 flagship for 850 EUR guarantees Android security updates for only 3 years. You could buy 14 Cubot Echos for that price. And the Google Pixel 3 does not have a removable battery, which makes it very hard to replace.
Cubot comparison chart
| Cubot Echo | Cubot J5 | |
| Android Version | Android 6 Marshmallow (no longer supported) Unofficial support for LineageOS based on Android 7 Nougat | Android 9 |
| Processor | MT6580 1.3 GHz Quad-core | MT6580 1.3 GHz Quad-core |
| Display | 5″ IPS (1300:1 contrast) | 5.5″ IPS (18:9 format, 1300:1 contrast) |
| Brightness (cd/㎡) | 450 | 450 |
| Memory (RAM / ROM) | 2 GB / 16 GB | 2 GB / 16 GB |
| Max. Additional Storage | up to 128 GB (not included) | up to 128 GB (not included) |
| Camera (Back / Front) | 13 MP / 5 MP | 8 MP / 5 MP (interpolated) |
| LTE | no | no |
| Extras | – Micro + standard dual SIM (no eSIM) – A-GPS – USB OTG – Special sound chip with big speaker – Unbreakable case | – Dual nano SIM (no eSIM) – A-GPS – Curved display sides – Gradient color case |
| Battery | 3000 mAh (removable) | 2800 mAh (removable) |
| Price | ~ 60 € | ~ 65 € |
| Cubot Nova | Cubot Magic | |
| Android Version | Android 8.1 Oreo | Android 7 Nougat |
| Processor | MT6739 1.5 GHz Quad-core | MT6737 1.3 GHz Quad-core |
| Display | 5.5″ HD+ (18:9 format, 1300:1 contrast) | 5″ IPS (1300:1 contrast) |
| Brightness (cd/㎡) | 450 | 450 |
| Memory (RAM / ROM) | 3 GB / 16 GB | 3 GB / 16 GB |
| Max. Additional Storage | up to 128 GB (not included) | up to 128 GB (not included) |
| Camera (Back / Front) | 13 MP / 8 MP | 13 MP / 5 MP (13 MP +2 MP Dual Back Camera) |
| LTE | yes | yes |
| Extras | – Dual 4G nano SIM (no eSIM) – A-GPS – Fingerprint sensor | – Dual micro SIM and dual standby (no eSIM) – A-GPS – Curved display sides |
| Battery | 2800 mAh (removable) | 2600 mAh (removable) |
| Price | ~ 70 € | ~ 70 € |
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