Over the past few years, almost all mobile operators have established sales of gadgets under their own labels. MegaFon, Beeline and MTS have become the most productive - each of these companies has released several models of smartphones and tablets with its own logo. All such gadgets are budgetary, and their price rarely exceeds 5000 rubles. When purchasing such a device, the buyer is strongly advised to purchase a SIM card of the operator, if it is not already available, since the smartphone or tablet will work only if the communication services of "your" company are used. You can examine the advantages and disadvantages of such devices in more detail on the example of the MTS Smart Start Sim-Lock (Black) model.
The claimed characteristics of the Smart Start smartphone from MTS
The smartphone case is made of plastic, has a classic design. The weight of the device is 125 grams. The MTS Smart Start smartphone runs on the Android 4.4 operating system, which is very good for a budget device, the price of which on average does not exceed 3000 rubles. The 5 megapixel standard camera declared in the specifications promises tolerable photos to the buyer, but the 0.3 megapixel front camera is not so impressive for future owners. The MTS Smart Start model has a dual-core processor and 4 GB of internal memory - good characteristics for such a low price. The smartphone works with a 3G network, is able to connect to Wi-Fi, as well as to other devices via Bluetooth.
Options model MTS Smart Start
Only a charger and a standard micro-USB cable are attached to the gadget - there are no headphones or spare back covers in the kit. Nevertheless, all the necessary accessories can be additionally purchased in the same communication salon. Typically, these smartphones are purchased "for a couple of days" or as a gadget for a child, and the MTS Smart Start Sim-Lock Black model was no exception, judging by customer reviews. Therefore, it is unlikely that any of them will need a “sophisticated” package.
MTS Smart Start Model Reviews
If you initially summarize all the reviews about this device, the verdict is disappointing: even for its price, the smartphone is frankly bad. The most common complaints are that the MTS Smart Start gadget’s battery does not hold a charge for more than three hours even if it is not connected to the Internet, it works very slowly, freezes for a long time when entering the “Contacts” menu, and the device’s camera does not live up to expectations. The stated resolution of the 5 megapixel matrix is either clearly exaggerated initially, or a rather large part of the product turned out to be a defect. Reviews are full of calls not to purchase a gadget for long-term use. However, as mentioned above, the MTS Smart Start smartphone and similar devices are bought “for a week”, one-time and even urgently. In such cases, few people care about the quality of the camera or processor performance - Internet access and the ability to make calls are important.
What does Sim-Lock mean in the name of the Smart Start model from MTS?
Sim-Lock - the function of restricting the operation of a smartphone within a specific mobile operator. This means that the phone or smartphone marked Sim-Lock can not be used with the SIM card of any other operator except the seller. Smartphone MTS Smart Start Sim-Lock is no exception. The gadget will function only when connected to the MTS network. If the buyer does not have the SIM card of the desired operator, he will have to pay extra for the connection, so if you need to buy a smartphone at the price stated by the store, you should choose the seller with whom you have already concluded a contract for the provision of communication services.
Attempts to Bypass Sim-Lock Function
On the open spaces of the network, you can often find videos in which young inquisitive minds try to “hack” the MTS Smart Start gadget, that is, relieve it of the Sim-Lock function. It is worth remembering that doing such manipulations, following the advice of such craftsmen, is strictly not recommended. Lack of knowledge and practical skills in working with similar equipment can provoke a final breakdown of the device. However, it is worth remembering that the device is so low-budget that there is simply no sense in breaking and reflashing such gadgets.
MTS Smart Start Model Life
Typically, gadgets from mobile operators are very cheap, their quality is poor, and their life span is rarely more than six months. Smartphone MTS Smart Start Sim-Lock was no exception to the rule. Judging by the reviews, on the contrary, he became a kind of record holder - the gadget very often fails in no more than one or two months. The acquisition of such devices in the long term, even for children, is not the most successful move. As you know, the avaricious pays twice, so instead of buying an extremely cheap smartphone, it makes sense to accumulate enough money to buy a quality gadget. A good and really working smartphone for the long term rarely costs less than 7,000 rubles.
Summarizing all of the above, we have to admit a sad fact - attempts to save money often turn into additional expenses. The MTS Smart Start Sim-Lock model, being a very, very inexpensive gadget, often pleases its owners only at a price. A weak battery, poor performance and frequent “freezes” are all that a manufacturer can offer for a smartphone worth up to 3,000 rubles. Nevertheless, there is some logic in this - the minimum price often means poor product quality. However, do not forget that this does not always work for gadgets of other manufacturers and mobile operators - there are a lot of examples on the market that refute such judgments. Nevertheless, in order to find a cheap and long-lasting smartphone, it is necessary to conduct a thorough search, repeatedly going through trials and errors.