This story was originally published on September 25, 2022, and last updated on January 24, 2023.
Smartphones aren’t built to work the same for all users. So, when a new one comes in, I’m always curious to see what they’re best used for. WIKO is a fairly new player in the local smartphone. So, this new phone is an introduction to both the French brand and what this device offers. I got the chance to check out the new WIKO 10 before its launch to determine what type of user this new big Android smartphone would appeal to.
And this story dives into the three main reasons you’d want to pick this up for yourself (or a loved one who needs a new smartphone).
Watching videos is your favorite past-time
The size of the WIKO 10 is one of the first things you’ll notice about it. If phablets were still a thing, this phone would be considered one. It has a 6.74-inch 20:9 full-screen LCD with a 90.69% screen-to-body ratio and a 1,600 x 720 resolution. The chin is the thickest bezel around the display, and a “u-notch” houses the selfie camera at the top center. It keeps out of the way of the big screen.
If you spend a lot of time streaming videos online, this phone won’t have trouble keeping up with you. Granted, it’s only an HD display. But for its price, I’m not being particularly picky. If you are looking for sharper displays, you’ll need to spend a bit more. But if you aren’t too critical about display quality, the WIKO 10’s screen will suit you just fine.
You want to write/research on the go
One of the advantages of the WIKO 10’s large display is it makes it so much easier to use the phone in its split-screen mode. While this handset really isn’t built for power users who want a speedy smartphone, it will work fine for many users.
I’ve found it particularly helpful for writing and research. There’s ample space for the apps to stack on top of the other. I can put sites and videos on the top and take notes at the bottom.
The WIKO 10 is best used for consumption and those daily tasks that don’t require too much power. If you’re just the type to check your social media, answer messages and calls, and do the occasional online shopping, this handset will serve your purpose well. Casual gaming should be okay on this phone, too. (Think word puzzles, casual arcade runners, and other simple mobile games.)
This handset runs on a MediaTek Helio G37 processor with 4GB RAM and ample 128GB storage. That RAM might feel restrictive, but then I keep thinking about how I come from using devices that have double that and cost way more. So, it’s definitely going to weigh me down more than other users. But it’s still not the fastest device out there, so I need to set those expectations for you. (There’s a 6GB variant now, so performance should be much better there!)
What I do love about this phone is the lack of bloatware. There’s hardly any out-of-the-box. It reminds me of that near-stock Android experience I get on Motorola devices. WIKO isn’t offering a UI skin on top of it, which I hope they keep. It’s nice to start fresh on a smartphone where you don’t have to uninstall many apps before getting it to the state you want.
WIKO keeps that sleek and clean look going with the phone’s design. Granted, with a big display and large battery, it’s on the thicker side. But the brand’s signature Klein Blue is particularly striking on its matte finish. It’s not the worst perpetrator of a smudgy back, but it won’t fully keep those fingerprints at bay. Thankfully, you can easily wipe those away.
As for ergonomics, the WIKO 10 is undoubtedly a two-handed device. But the fingerprint sensor on the power button is easily reachable for my fellow right-handed folk. The slight curves of its back make it easy to hold in hand. And when you put the included jelly case on the phone, it lies flat on your table.
You need a long-lasting phone
Since the WIKO 10’s HD display runs at the standard 60Hz refresh rate and isn’t running a power-hungry processor, you can go days without charging. It took me three days to fully drain its 5,000mAh battery, and I’ve used it mainly for some social media use, emails, video streaming, and music streaming. I have been on Wi-Fi for most of this, but at least, we know it’s possible to go days between recharges.
WIKO offers a bit of a charging boost with this handset, supporting 22.5W wired charging. I could top it up with the phone closed in around an hour and a half. WIKO promises a quick 10-minute charge that can get you 15% battery life back.
Devices like the WIKO 10 can sometimes serve as a second handset for users. So, having one with a large-capacity battery can come in handy in different ways. You can use it as a battery pack for your other devices. Granted you’ll need to buy the adapter yourself. But it does support reverse charging.
What about the WIKO 10’s camera?
The WIKO 10 comes equipped with a 50-megapixel triple AI camera. It has a JN1 primary sensor paired with two 2-megapixel depth and macro lenses. The latter two definitely feel more like stocking stuffers for phones.
But the depth sensor could come in handy for wanting to achieve those blurry background shots. I was pretty happy with how it separated these two figurines from each other when I tried to shoot in Bokeh/Portrait.
You would want to pay better attention to that 50-megapixel sensor. That’s what you’ll use most of the time, anyway. By default, you get 12-megapixel shots, but it also offers that 50-megapixel mode. I just wish it wasn’t hidden in the overflow menu of the main Photo mode.
WIKO definitely needs to refine how its default Camera app looks to make it easier to get into the camera modes it offers.
It’s quite reliable if you are in well-lit areas. The colors don’t look too oversaturated and unbalanced. It will get a bit grainier in low light,t but that quality dip is expected. The selfie camera is helpful in a pinch, but it’s definitely one you should be using when you’re in good lighting.
Playing around with the Bokeh mode and depth sensor
There is a slight lag between pressing the shutter and when it takes the shot, so take note of that. I’m not surprised given this is a budget device. Keep a steady hand and keep shooting, and you can get some decent photos out of this phone.
If you’re more interested in videos, you can record up to 1080p clips on this phone. It’s definitely the kind of phone that needs a tripod or gimbal if you’re recording on the go.
WIKO 10: What’s lit and what’s not
What’s lit about it:
- Large display for enjoying content or for working
- Almost zero bloatware
- Striking Klein Blue color
- Long-lasting battery you can turn into a power bank
What needs the extra spark:
- Wishing it had a higher-resolution display
- Could use a slight performance boost
- Let’s just stop using those 2-megapixel sensors
- Camera interface needs a bit more work
Final thoughts on the WIKO 10
It’s always exciting to see a new entry in the smartphone space. And WIKO’s offerings in the budget space are looking to be promising. The WIKO 10 won’t blow users away with blazing-fast performance. Don’t look at this smartphone for that.
But for the subset of users who need a big phone that can handle basic tasks and keep them entertained. The WIKO 10 one can do that for days. And for some, that’s more than enough.
The WIKO 10 is available in Klein Blue, Silver, and Black at PHP 7,999 (around USD 136) for the 4GB model and PHP 8,999 (~USD 153) for the 6GB variant.
UPDATE 1: 2022/10/1, 8:53 P.M. GMT+8 BY NICOLE BATAC
Added info on the 6GB model
UPDATE 2: 2023/01/24, 10:38 A.M. GMT+8 BY NICOLE BATAC
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