We already covered the launch event of the Huawei U8180, and Yomi has a review of the Gaga phone here on the blog already too. So, you might be asking, What’s the point of a second review?
What you are to expect from this review is a narrative from someone who is having his first ever experience with Android OS. Yes; that’s me. It is also the first time I am spending a great deal of time with a full touchscreen device. I once bought the Nokia N8, but sold it shortly after.
The Gaga phone is a small, dainty device with Android 2.2 and a 2.8-inch screen. The full specs were already published in the previous review here.
Setting up the phone up was simple. Power on the phone and enter your Google email and password. If you do not have one, you’d do well to create one. Without it, you will not be able to access some basic features of the phone like the Android market.
Take note, the Huawei u8180 that I am reviewing is a loaned device from Etisalat. It is available for offer at N18,999. Bear in mind also that it is locked to the Etisalat network, so forget about trying to slot in a SIM from another network. That won’t work.
What I adore about the device
As someone who is coming from a Symbian environment, there are certain things I immediately loved about the phone.
Integration of third party apps with the Phone – This is a feature that can be found in other Android phones too, not just the Gaga phone. I use Opera Mini browser much, as it helps to conserve amount of data consumed. As soon as you click the option icon on the Opera Mini browser and click on Share, you will be presented with different options depending on the messaging apps you have installed on the device.
In my own case, I had installed Facebook, Twitter for Android, Twitterific, Buffer App, Google+ and Gmail that came with it. The browser gives you option to share whatever you are reading to these locations with ease.
Android Market
In the Android market you can search between paid and free apps. There are lots of free apps in the Android Market. In my case, I was keen to download, Twitter for Android, Twitterefic, Angry bird. Facebook app, Whatsapp, Google plus and some other apps I was playing with. You have to be signed in to your Gmail account before you can access the Android market. After you do that, the rest is easy.
Software
Gaga runs Android 2.2 Froyo. Given the screen estate, there is not so much opportunity for you to enjoy its features to the maximum. But I tell you after spending a few days with the phone, you will be forced to like it and want to take it with you any where you go. It is not as smooth and fast when switching from one operation to the order. For its price range, however, I will say that it is okay.
Entertainment
YouTube is there for you. There is an app that comes pre-installed with the phone. With ease you can search among the numerous videos that are on YouTube.
I was able to stream some videos over Etisalat’s 3.75G network.
Music playback has some nice quality too on the device.
Social Networking
The major social networks have apps that are free for Android, and so available for the Gaga phone. There is Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare, Google plus, Facebook, and Skype. They all integrate effectively with your contacts. When downloading the different apps, the phone will prompt you and ask if you will like your Facebook contacts to be synchronised with your contacts on the phone.
I particularly like the way the contacts can synchronise with the other apps. It would sync your Google contacts with your mobile phone for you. While working with Twitter of Facebook, it’ll allow you to decide what browser you want to use to open the link.
Typing on The Touchscreen
Typing on the touchscreen will be a chore for starters. However, as soon as you get more comfortable with it and use the auto-correct feature, you’d be comfortable. I spoke with a few people who are hard core physical QWERTY fans and who say they will not go for any touchscreen phone. I think that’s a sentiment that will last only for a while. Soon touchscreen will become ubiquitous.
I was not happy about a few things
I could not get an app to take screen snaps. After a few inquiries, I was told I would have to root the device to make the screenshot apps that are available work with it. It is most likely that those who will pick interest in the Gaga phone are not geeks. So, they will not be ready to root or hack their phone to perform such a function.
The battery does not last long enough. I do not get a full day use from it. I am a heavy user.
The Gaga phone comes with 50MB monthly free data from Etisalat. I exhausted the 50MB in less than 4 hours. If you do decide to get the phone and will like to know how to manage it to minimise data consumption, be sure to check this piece we did here – Managing mobile internet consumption on Android smartphones.
This post was written by
Business Development Partner for Mobility blog, Jesse Oguntimehin, is a writer, blogger, digital strategist and social media communicator. He creates and deploy digital, mobile, and telecommunication solutions for individuals, entrepreneurs and corporate bodies. Jesse loves adventure, business risks, and learning about new culture.
Related posts:
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:14 pm Browsing with
Great to read about the first_time experience of Android from a Symbian user..
This is an ability for which people have been yearning-for ages- on Symbian
Hmm. I Guess Google really needs to examine how the synchronisation of contacts with the ‘cloud’ is implemented.
Having an extra battery available should solve that. Phones with user_irreplaceable battery just have me scratching my head in wonder.
This phone sure looks like a sparta way to get one’s hands dirty with the Robot OS..
Like or Dislike:
2 
0
November 22nd, 2011 at 8:15 pm Browsing with
thanks for the review…the phone is okay for an average user who doesn’t browse nor type much and the price is okay for a low entry android phone….
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 22nd, 2011 at 10:59 pm Browsing with
Nice review. One recurring decimal about android is it’s data gobbling capabilities and until that is sorted out, I am staying far away from that OS. I’ll never forget my experience with the samsung galaxy S1.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 pm Browsing with
GbMilz, Thanks. Even if you type much, the auto-correct comes in handy. I forgot to add, just by swiping on the touch screen key pad, you can change the key pad set up; there are four different types.
Keweno, Do you like games? If you do, Androids will give you some nice experience, though getting one with a larger screen estate would be your best bet.
Eye.bee.Kay, Please do get your hands dirty. If you have never owned an Android and you enjoy typing on a 5800, you’d love this phone, plus all it’s weaknesses.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:06 am Browsing with
i have a couple of friends with the phone. I must admit the experience i had with it after playing wit it for one hour was really nice. Android is a modern OS. After using this phone for a while despite it being a low end android, its easy to see why android displaced symbian.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:15 am Browsing with
Shayman, Your sentiment is not different from man. I reasoned too that, if Nokia did not make the change, they would be outsted from thesmart phone race in due time.
Using and iOS further made it more clear to me that, Nokia did the right thing by moving on with Symbian. All the new iterations–Symbian Anna and Belle–are fine but can be easily Silenced by the speed of iOS and Androids IMHO.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:13 am Browsing with
This is just froyo! Give gingerbread a trial you will confess the more how Symbian is far behind. AS a brand, Nokia rocks but the Symbian platform sucks.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 8:18 am Browsing with
ROTFL at “I exhausted the 50 Mb in less than 4 hours.” It’s ridiculous for etisalat to promote this ridiculously tiny amount of monthly data. It should be promoted as startup data so that one can setup the phone.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 10:13 am Browsing with
@keweno what was ur experience with the SGS?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 3:17 pm Browsing with
thanks for da review. is the screen view like that of Tecno T9? if its then i feel i will be comfortable wit it at least pending when i have more cash to buy a larger phone
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 23rd, 2011 at 6:53 pm Browsing with
@david
”thanks for da review. is the screen view like that of Tecno T9? if its then i feel i will be comfortable wit it at least pending when i have more cash to buy a larger phone”
the screen is slightly smaller(almost unnoticeable) than the Techon T9 but its more responsive and easier to navigate.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
November 27th, 2011 at 4:28 am Browsing with
Wat about it gaming capabilities? I mean Adreno 200 GPU thing?
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
January 27th, 2012 at 4:00 am Browsing with
thanks so much. been looking for did long time.
Like or Dislike:
0 
0
February 2nd, 2012 at 8:10 pm Browsing with
pls my gaga phone….after sleeping one nght couldn’t respond to my touches…it cant open anymore…pls wat should i do am in lag nw… Cal me wit08067161785
Like or Dislike:
0 
0