When I purchased my Sony Ericson Elm a year ago, the husband
kept egging me to buy an Android phone similar to his Samsung Galaxy S instead
as it is “more current, functional and
offers a whole lot more than Java units”. As one who is admittedly not a tech zealot and who hates browsing
manuals, I found the Androids more toilsome to navigate than the simpler classic
bar phones I used to own. During that time too, the cheapest touchscreen phones
average between P17,000 – P19,000 – a far cry from the P6,900-Elm.
A recent phone accident however – which left my hapless phone
with hairline cracks and chips – prompted me to reconsider. A friend raved
about her positive experience with DTC
Mobile’s GT3 Astroid, and so I trooped to the Megacellular outlet next town to get
me self one.
with hairline cracks and chips – prompted me to reconsider. A friend raved
about her positive experience with DTC
Mobile’s GT3 Astroid, and so I trooped to the Megacellular outlet next town to get
me self one.
Apart from some rave reviews and the sleek HTC-like make,
what prodded me to try the Astroid was its affordability. Retailing for only
P4,999, this newest smartphone from DTC is an excellent budget alternative to exorbitant
Android units sold these days.
what prodded me to try the Astroid was its affordability. Retailing for only
P4,999, this newest smartphone from DTC is an excellent budget alternative to exorbitant
Android units sold these days.
 |
| My poor elm. Cracked and chipped. Still functional, though. |
That price may sound dubious to some, but since DTC phones
are crafted by one ofChina ’s
top OEMs, that kind of settles it for me (The dual SIM/ dual standby feature is a nice extra, too).
are crafted by one of
top OEMs, that kind of settles it for me (The dual SIM/ dual standby feature is a nice extra, too).
Resembling the classic HTC look, the Astroid showcases a sleek
metallic gray chassis and matte black rear finish that lend a semblance of
class and professionalism, giving it a handsome, high-end look.
metallic gray chassis and matte black rear finish that lend a semblance of
class and professionalism, giving it a handsome, high-end look.
Another to-love feature is the ultra-responsive 3.2” LCD
screen. No lags experienced whatsoever. Although this is my first touchscreen phone,
I found the Astroid quite easy to use with a bit of practice. Users can
access everything from a single place by putting their favorite applications on
the homepage. There’s also a one-press lock screen button on top for
convenience.
screen. No lags experienced whatsoever. Although this is my first touchscreen phone,
I found the Astroid quite easy to use with a bit of practice. Users can
access everything from a single place by putting their favorite applications on
the homepage. There’s also a one-press lock screen button on top for
convenience.
Also pre-installed for easy desktop access are Facebook.
Twitter, YouTube, YM, Angry Birds, Ninja Devil, and Fruit Ninja. For Android
game addicts, you’d be happy to know that you can download 32GB
worth of games, apps and files from the Playstore into an SD card. Though with
a 256 RAM memory, games with higher system requirements like Temple Run might grapple with speed (might is the operative
word here).
Twitter, YouTube, YM, Angry Birds, Ninja Devil, and Fruit Ninja. For Android
game addicts, you’d be happy to know that you can download 32GB
worth of games, apps and files from the Playstore into an SD card. Though with
a 256 RAM memory, games with higher system requirements like Temple Run might grapple with speed (might is the operative
word here).
Messaging is a breeze, too. The QWERTY keypad is not as challenging
as I expected, although I’ve yet to figure out how to forward a sent message to another
recipient. There isn’t such option, nor is it indicated in the manual.
as I expected, although I’ve yet to figure out how to forward a sent message to another
recipient. There isn’t such option, nor is it indicated in the manual.
Oh, the manual. Do not expect too much from it. I’m being polite when I say it could use some improvement – and some proofreading.
 |
| What’s in the box: A DTC GT3 Astroid unit, a dual purpose USB charger, earphones, extra battery, and a user manual |
Being a sucker for MP3s while on the move, audio quality is
paramount to me, especially that my previous Sony Ericson walkman phones set
the bar high (Yep, Sony Ericsson fan here). In this case, DTC’s Astroid did not
disappoint. Be it via headset or the built-in speakers, the Astroid delivers
loud, crisp and vibrant audio quality even at low volume. For optimum sound
experience, use a high-end closed type headphone like Sennheiser (The JVC flats are also
fine if you’re looking for low-cost, high-quality ones), as the pre-included
earphones don’t deliver the same quality. The sound is a wee bit nasal using
those.
paramount to me, especially that my previous Sony Ericson walkman phones set
the bar high (Yep, Sony Ericsson fan here). In this case, DTC’s Astroid did not
disappoint. Be it via headset or the built-in speakers, the Astroid delivers
loud, crisp and vibrant audio quality even at low volume. For optimum sound
experience, use a high-end closed type headphone like Sennheiser (The JVC flats are also
fine if you’re looking for low-cost, high-quality ones), as the pre-included
earphones don’t deliver the same quality. The sound is a wee bit nasal using
those.
 |
| Music is better enjoyed with closed-type headphones like Sennheiser’s. |
Picture quality is passable, but may not be quite as high def as you’d expect a 5MP phone to be. Daytime photos tend to be a bit gritty and not ultra-vibrant, and even with flash, the 5mp rear camera hardly produces quality photos at night (although with proper lighting and framing, quality photos can be produced). Video quality – quite the same. BUT, for less than what most
classic bar phones cost, it ain’t that shabby at all.
classic bar phones cost, it ain’t that shabby at all.
 |
| Top row: Astroid daytime shots using natural sunlight alone. Bottom row: Nighttime shots. Lone source of light was a lamp shade on the bedside table. Same location for all 4 photos. |
The Astroid could still use a few tweaks here and there, but
for a rate that affordable, you gotta hand it to this budding mobile company. They
made an awesome job with this nifty gadget. With its excellent ease of
use, functionality, stylish profile and overall performance, I reckon it the
best deal one could get for his buck. It just made this mom an Android
convert 🙂
for a rate that affordable, you gotta hand it to this budding mobile company. They
made an awesome job with this nifty gadget. With its excellent ease of
use, functionality, stylish profile and overall performance, I reckon it the
best deal one could get for his buck. It just made this mom an Android
convert 🙂
You may refer to the phone’s full specs below:
GT3 Astroid GT9326
Processor: CPU 650MHz MediaTek MT6573 (ARMv5)
Memory:
Network: GPRS/Edge
- Audio supported formats:
- Video supported formats:
SIM Capacity: Dual SIM/Dual Standby
Expansion Slot: microSD memory card
(3-4 days standby time)
RAM: 256MB
Available
Storage: Up to 32GB
Storage: Up to 32GB
Operating
System: Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread
System: Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread
Weight : 110 grams
Display: 3.5-inch HVGA LCD 320×480 (touchscreen capacitive)
Internet: GPRS
WiFi 802.11b/g
Tethering: USB and Wi-Fi tethering
GPS: GPS with a-gps support
Sensors: G-motion sensor
Connectivity:
3.5 mm stereo audio jack
Standard micro-USB (5-pin
micro-USB 2.0) with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI
connection
micro-USB 2.0) with mobile high-definition video link (MHL) for USB or HDMI
connection
WiFi 802.11b/g
Bluetooth:
Bluetooth 2.0
Bluetooth 2.0
Camera:
5 megapixel colour rear
camera
camera
VGA front camera
720p HD video
recording
recording
Multimedia:
Playback:
.mp3 .amr, .mid, .wma
Recording:
.amr
Playback:
.3gp, .mp4, mpeg4, H.2645
Recording: .3gp
Band: Dual Band (900/1800MHz)
Other
features: FM radio
features: FM radio
Hi! Kamusta naman po yung quality ng pictures ng astroid? I'm thinking of buying a new phone, yung mura lang na android like this pero yung maayos yung quality ng camera.
Margaret, the pictures are okay with proper lighting, if you're not after HD-quality photos. Kelangan marunong lang ata magframe and kunuha ng tamang angle kasi if not either overbright or madilim ang labas. Medyo gritty yung texture, not exactly parang 5MP, which it is. Pero if you're after functionality, okay sya talaga. sulit na sulit for android na 5k.
Pwede po bang magskype sa phone n to?
I think puwede naman, although di ko pa natatry. Tamad magkalikot! hehe.You might want to check dtc mobile's FB page, they answer pretty quickly to inquiries naman 🙂
have you figured out how to forward messages, you need to long-press on the message that you want to forward, after the long press, options will appear and of them is forward…:))
Hi dear anonymous, sorry wasn't able to reply agad. Anyhoo, yes, I figured out the long press does the trick – approximately 2 weeks after I got the phone. Haha. Slow, no?