Cherry Mobile Cubix Cube Max Unboxing, Quick Review: Big Screen on a Budget

An Affordable Big Screened Smartphone

Yesterday, Cherry Mobile’s online only sub-brand, Cubix, launched a couple of devices, which included: the Cube Play and Play HD plus a budget 14-inch notebook to take on another similar offering from another local brand. While we’re still waiting for these units to be sent to Unbox HQ, they did let us go home with the review unit for the biggest of the smartphones they introduced to us — the Cubix Cube Max.

Let’s see what’s in the packaging and give it a quick go-through.

Cherry Mobile Cubix Cube Max Specs

1.3GHz MediaTek MT6580 quad-core processor
1GB of RAM
6-inch HD IPS display; 1280×720 resolution
16GB of expandable storage (up to 64GB via microSD card)
13-megapixel rear camera
8-megapixel front camera
Dual SIM
3G
WiFi, Bluetooth
Fingerprint Scanner
3000mAh Battery (Removable)
Android 7.0 Nougat

What’s In the Box?

The Cubix Cube Max comes in the standard packaging we’re used to seeing from the local brand. Lift up the lid and you are first greeted by the unit itself, all wrapped up in CPE plastic. Under the cardboard partition, you’ll find a silicon case, a screen protector, a USB wall charger, a microUSB cable, earphones, a quick start guide, its warranty card, and its 3000mAh removable battery.

Initial Impressions: Those Black Borders Though

Seeing as the Cubix Cube Max is a budget device, it’s no surprise that the phone is made out of plastic, but has been made to look like it belongs in the mid-ranged segment with a faux metal paint job. While the back of the Cube Max is removable it doesn’t seem to compromise the build quality with no flex or play in the device, but we do have to warn you to keep an eye on the volume rocker and power button that can pop out.

With the back off, you can access its dual SIM slots, the microSD expansion bay and, of course, the 3000 mAh removable battery — in case powerbank aren’t your cup of tea.

Let’s give you the usual lay of the land.

Up on top are the micro USB port and 3.5mm audio port.

While the right side houses the volume keys and the power button.

Moving on towards the back of the device, you’ll see its 13-megapixel rear shooter with its LED flash and right below the camera module is the Cube Max’s fingerprint scanner. In initial tests, it only misread our prints two out of the ten times we tried it. There’s a noticeable delay when it does read your prints, but we’ll gladly take the accuracy over the speed any day.

The speaker grille is also on the rear of the device, so be wary of muffling the sound when you’re holding it in your hand.

The front of the phone is, of course, dominated by the 6-inch HD IPS display of the Cube Max. Sadly, there are rather large black borders around the screen but, at its price, we’re willing to let it go. It’s also best to adjust your expectations in terms of its display quality, but it’s not the worst we’ve seen either. On top of the screen is the 8-megapixel front camera, right next to the earpiece and proximity sensor. On its chin are its capacitive navigation keys.

Under the hood of the Cubix Cube Max is a 1.3GHz MediaTek MT6580 quad-core processor with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage. Initial navigation through the phone was nice and smooth, all things considered, but we’re pretty sure that you’ll want to stick around to light tasks on this device. You have Android 7.0 Nougat running the show, but there are a few pre-installed apps; in the end, you’re left with a little above 10GB to play with.

That’s pretty much it for this quick review for the Cherry Mobile Cubix Cube Max. We’re going to be putting through our review process for now, so check back in a few days for its full review.

The Cherry Mobile Cubix Cube Max is priced at Php 3,999.