The Huawei U8180 is an entry-level Android smartphone. As of now, it is available exclusively on the Etisalat Nigeria network, and costs just N18,999 only.
If the price tickles your fancy, you might also be skeptical of features and performance. If you are, wipe your doubts out. The Gaga smartphone, as it has been nicknamed, does not skimp on features.
It is a standard Android 2.2 smartphone. That means it has everything that Google put in Froyo for you to enjoy. Everything.
That includes Wifi hotspot, email, web browser, threaded SMS, and the rest of the usual suspects. There is nothing missing.
Plus, Huawei has implemented some neat cube-like animation in the user interface. It is sleek and works well.
Performance? Gaga won’t win any benchmark tests, but its 528 MHz processo gets the job done most of the time. Its not super-fast, but I won’t say that I experienced serious sluggishness either. With 256 MB RAM though, you won’t be able to keep lots of apps multitasking.
Perhaps, the tiny 2.8 inch capacitive display helps with performance too. and it is here that most people will balk. I find 2.8 inches small too. Too small for my big fingers. But it isn’t unusable.
I made more mistakes typing on such a small display, similar to my experience on the Samsung Galaxy 5, another 2.8-inch droid.
But for the price that Gaga goes for, the small display is not an issue.
Huawei threw in a 3.2 megapixel snapper as well. You have GPRS/EDGE and 3G/3.5G on board. Plus, Document viewer, and FM Radio too.
Lastly, Gaga is one budget smartphone that does not look the part. it looks more expensive than it costs, though when you hold it in the hands you can feel that its not expensive.
Still, it is a good looking smartphone that gets the job done.
This post was written by
Mobile/web, serial lifestyle entrepreneur, speaker, MC/moderator, & writer. Owned over 80 mobiles & counting. That little extra edge of insanity...
Follow him on Twitter @Mister_Mobility.
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October 27th, 2011 at 8:36 am Browsing with
SLEEKNESS-yeah i totally agree with you.i helped a friend got one.white is beautiful.but the sluggishness kept reminding us of the cost.overall for 19k,meeting froyo is worthwhile
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October 27th, 2011 at 8:56 am Browsing with
My people say, ‘getting married is not the BIG deal – being able to provide soup money is the real mcoy!’
Not going GAGA on this (or any other Android device). Not until the Android data gluttony allegation is sufficiently disproved by a non_Android_Fanboy…
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October 27th, 2011 at 9:35 am Browsing with
I have a problem with buying a phone from a service provider. The problem is that the device is locked to the provider’s network making it impossible to be used with another network Sim card. I would only buy if there is a possibility of unlocking it. I don’t like being tied to a network.
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October 27th, 2011 at 12:12 pm Browsing with
@Austine Ezemelue:
I have a problem with buying a phone from a service provider. The problem is that the device is locked to the provider’s network making it impossible to be used with another network Sim card. I would only buy if there is a possibility of unlocking it . I don ’t like being tied to a network.
You may need to spend additional
N6,500 to get an unlocked better spec’ed Android 2.2 device. Again factoring in the cost of unlocking the Gaga may bring the difference down toN4,000.Like or Dislike:
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October 28th, 2011 at 5:46 pm Browsing with
Just got the phone and I must confess, the features and specs outweighs the price.The 2.8 screen size a bit small though, and the battery life average.
All in all; nice phone and fair price.
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October 28th, 2011 at 9:56 pm Browsing with
Thank you my brother for the wonderful review. At least we are no more in the dark about this phone. How about the second 3G android phone?
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October 31st, 2011 at 10:26 pm Browsing with
This is like have s taste of Android.
And a sweet 1 for the price
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December 29th, 2011 at 1:22 pm Browsing with
I have a friend who has the phone, it actually ignite my hunger for an android phone, but i think i’ll go for LG Optimus Pro C660 android phone though
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January 9th, 2012 at 11:24 am Browsing with
hi guys,i am planning on getting a phone but confused on which one cos i dont have a lot(20k)should i go 4 dis fone or something else? I need suggestion pls.
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January 9th, 2012 at 12:53 pm Browsing with
@zion:
The phone is a good option for one just coming into the smartphone or Android world. Again you said all you have is 20K, so I don’t know a better Android option within this range.
If you are ready to spend additional 5K, then you can get a much better phone, otherwise that’s the best there is within this range. Again I hope you’ve been following articles on this site and know some of the shortcomings of Android as an OS and of course its merits. Nothing really to be frightened about, but it is good to know before hand. Do some searching within the site to enlighten yourself.
Finally, this phone is likely to be locked to the Etisalat network, so if you intend using it with other networks, you have to factor in the cost of unlocking.
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January 9th, 2012 at 5:00 pm Browsing with
you can get samsung galaxy Y (android 2.3)….it has slightly bigger screen and its not locked to network….costs 23k..or you can also get samsung galaxy mini (android 2.2)with same specs with it but bigger screen too at 22k..
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January 29th, 2012 at 5:33 pm Browsing with
I just want to know if this phone can work well outside the Lagos especially in area there is no etisalat 3G service
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March 7th, 2012 at 3:23 pm Browsing with
Please do u know where i can get the touch screen for the phone in Kaduna. Cracked mine and cant use it. I’ve checked Makarfi plaza to no avail? Thanks.
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