It arrives on the market today Neffos N1, the newest member of the house TP-Link. I anticipate it immediately: this smartphone is not a revolutionary device, but it still manages to defend itself well thanks to excellent performance and a series of useful additional functions. We tell you everything in ours Neffos N1 review.
Neffos N1: the technical specifications
But before going into the actual review, let's see the technical characteristics of this device.
Dimensions:: 154.4 76.1 x x 7.5mm
Weight: 165 g
Display: 5,5 inches - IPS with Full HD resolution
CPU: MediaTek MT6757CD
GPU: ARM Mali-T880MP2 1GHzù
RAM: 4GB
Memory: 64 GB - expandable via microSD
Network: 4G LTE – Dual SIM
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1, USB Type-C, GPS
Battery: 3260 mAh
Rear camera: 12 MP + 12 MP
Front Camera: 8 MP
Videos: 4K @ 30fps
Operating system: Android 7.1.1 + NFUI 7.0
Resistance and elegance
Neffos N1's design generated mixed feelings in me. The smartphone boasts a metal body with rounded and ergonomic edges, a choice that makes it easy to manage and above all very resistant. In short, the device will not be destroyed at the first fall as happens for other terminals. On the contrary, the device is subjected to extremely rigid tests to be sure that the small daily accidents do not go to affect its integrity.
It is then impossible not to mention the rear part of the device, elegant and characterized by a black band placed in the highest part of the body, a band that houses the double camera and the Dual Flash LED. A little further below we find the very fast fingerprint reader.
On the other hand, I am perplexed by the front part of Neffos N1. The TP-Link device in fact challenges the current trend to maximize the display by proposing really important edges. The latter house the sensors, the front camera and the ear capsule in the upper part, while in the lower part we have 3 tasti soft touch. The screen instead is a 5,5-inch IPS which performs pretty well in the sun.
Finally, I would like to point out the presence of three physical buttons. Yes, you got it right: in addition to the volume rocker and the on and off button, we find a convenient switch to turn off the ringer.
In short, on balance Neffos N1 certainly does not stand out for its design - certainly less attractive than other devices in the same price range - but all in all it turns out comfortable to use and hold.
Experience matters
However, the performance of the device produced by TP-Link surprised me. In fact, the MediaTek processor managed to keep up with my mistreatment, proving to be really very performing in any situation, gaming sessions included.
He also deserves a few compliments the autonomy of this device that has never had major problems to take me to the end of the day. To help you in emergency situations there is the fast recharge: with 30 minutes you can reach 50%.
Excellent then connectivity. Here Neffos has leaned on all the experience gained by TP-Link in the last 20 years. We therefore have a two-antenna system that maximizes the stability and clarity of the signal. The device then integrates the application WiFi intelligent. What is it for? It actually performs 4 different functions: you can scan the QR code to connect to the network, share the password of your connection by generating a QR code yourself to show to friends or connect your smartphone by pressing the WPS button. My favorite function, however, is called Network extension and transforms Neffos N1 into a sort of Powerline that amplifies the WiFi network to which it is connected.
Finally, we come to the software, in my opinion one of the weaknesses of this device. Not because it's slow or buggy, on the contrary. There NFUI 7.0 it is fast and accompanied by an all in all modern and colorful design. Of course, I would add a few more functions but all in all I don't mind. The problem is that Neffos N1 comes out in May 2018 with Android 7.1.1 and security patches updated in January. A somewhat questionable choice considering that in a few months Google will launch Android 9.0.
But the camera?
Neffos N1 comes with a dual rear camera equipped with two 12 megapixel sensors, one RGB and one monochrome. A combination that according to TP-Link should guarantee truly beautiful images in any light conditions. But the reality is a bit different. In fact, the device performs quite well when the brightness is good: Photos are vivid and absolutely discreet, even those obtained using the 4x digital zoom. The speech changes instead during the night. Here the details are lost and the noise increases a lot. I was not particularly happy with the 8 megapixel front camera either. Don't get me wrong, the result isn't bad, but maybe it loses a few too many details.
Finally, I would like to point out the possibility of taking advantage of the Pro mode, the Panorama mode, the Traffic Flow and the Monochrome. Finally, you can shoot videos in 4K or use the Slow-Motion and Time-Lapse functions.
Neffos N1: the final verdict
Neffos N1 will probably suffer from a not particularly original and modern design and the lack of Android 8.0 Oreo, but, ultimately, it is a good terminal at a good price. We are talking about in fact 299 Euros for a performing device, reactive and endowed with an absolutely not negligible autonomy. Sure, the camera has its flaws, but given the reference range it's nothing unforgivable.
