In addition to showing off a new logo, Philippine tech company MyPhone just unveiled the Rio 2 and Rio 2 Lite, two budget smartphones running Android Lollipop — the first ones in the country outside of Google’s Android One efforts. Both devices offer similar specs and are built around MediaTek’s quad-core MT6582 chipset, though the Rio 2 has more screen real estate — protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, mind you — to go along with a larger, 2,800mAh battery. The MyPhone Rio 2 also comes with software navigation buttons, just like the ones found in the company’s Uno, whereas the Rio 2 Lite has capacitive keys below the screen.
In typical Rio fashion, MyPhone’s latest devices offer a choice of several color options, including black, white, red, blue, and yellow. The Rio 2 and Rio 2 Lite are already available at select stores for P5,499 and P4,599, respectively.
Specs of the MyPhone Rio 2 (Price: P5,499):
* Dual SIM (3G)
* 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 chipset
* 1GB RAM
* 8GB internal storage
* microSD card expansion
* 5-inch IPS display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 (720 x 1,280 resolution)
* 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash
* 5-megapixel front camera
* 2,800mAh battery
* Android Lollipop 5.0
Specs of the MyPhone Rio 2 Lite (Price: P4,599):
* Dual SIM (3G)
* 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6582 chipset
* 1GB RAM
* 8GB internal storage
* microSD card expansion
* 4.7-inch IPS display (720 x 1,280 resolution)
* 8-megapixel rear camera with LED flash
* 2-megapixel front camera
* 2,120mAh battery
* Android Lollipop 5.0
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RAMON LOPEZ’S TAKE: Props to MyPhone for bringing two seemingly worthy alternatives to the Android One phones in the Philippines. Android Lollipop is, far and away, the best iteration of Google’s mobile OS and is as good a reason as any to upgrade to a new smartphone.
If I’d have to choose between the two, I would pick the MyPhone Rio 2 because of its on-screen keys, which are completely tailored for the Android UI.
If I’d have to choose between the two, I would pick the Rio 2, but not because of its bigger screen covered in scratch-resistant Gorilla Glass 3. You won’t be able to enjoy it, anyway, due to the screen space taken up by the phone’s navigation buttons. My choice reflects my preference for on-screen keys that are completely tailored for the Android UI. (The petty side of me abhors seeing a menu button on new Android models.)
The icing on the cake is that the MyPhone Rio 2 supports a number of screen-off gestures, foremost among them is the double-tap-to-wake function, which has seen a surge in popularity. I can’t stress this enough: The double-tap feature popularized by the LG G2 is a godsend for those of us who check our phones every few minutes.
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Click on and expand the photos to see more of MyPhone’s Rio 2 and Rio 2 Lite
But regardless of which second-gen Rio you end up with, you’ll be treated to swappable back covers with a sandstone finish similar to the OnePlus One’s, which I absolutely love. It looks and feels nothing like the backs of devices from local brands I’ve tested so far, and I mean that in the nicest way. But don’t just take my word for it. You can check out the handsets for yourself at select MyPhone outlets.
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