Huawei Mercury Ice Review
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Despite failed attempt after failed attempt, well-known companies continue to feel that their brand power is strong enough to launch an MVNO. Huge brands such as ESPN and Best Buy have tried and failed, but that isn’t enough to stop Radio Shack from taking their cuts at the MVNO game. While their service is not limited to smartphones, their “unlimited” data and music offerings are certainly geared to those higher-spec’d devices. Radio Shack has turned to Huawei (Waa-way)- another large company looking to make their mark on the US wireless industry- to launch this new service.
The Huawei Mercury Ice is the same device found on Cricket, but with a pearl white paint job that earns it the Ice tag line. For $150 off contract the Mercury Ice will get you a decent 4” display, 8-megapixel camera and Android 2.3. It comes with a 4GB memory card, 3GB of which are dedicated to the Muve Music service offered with Radio Shack’s plans.
Design:
The non-descript white body and silver trim all surround a 4” 480x584 display, with the familiar four Android capacitive keys down below. Overall the phone just feels a bit cheap to us, in no small part due to the creaky, hard plastic. The buttons around the side offer enough travel and feel, but we would prefer that the power button traveled a bit deeper like the volume buttons do.
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Overall the Huawei Mercury Ice just feels a bit cheap | ||
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You can compare the Huawei Mercury Ice with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.
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Volume rocker (left) | microUSB port (bottom) | 3.5mm jack and power key (top) |
The sides of the Huawei Mercury Ice | ||
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Battery compartment | Rear camera | 4GB memory card |
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With a respectable 245ppi density, the 4” FWVGA display is relatively good for a device of this caliber. It doesn’t stand up to bright light very well however, and unfortunately it was not as responsive as we would have liked.
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9 Comments
2. Raymond_htc posted on 14 Sep 2012, 09:48 4 1
Nice ''sarcasm'' you got there.. NOT!
Hua Wei made what was to be the world's most thinnest phones.. at around 7mm....slimmer than the iphone 5 and moto razr
3. Joshing4fun posted on 14 Sep 2012, 09:59 2 0
How does Radio Shack expect to sell these in their stores right next to virgin mobile''s $35 plan? Mediocre phone on an expensive plan. Good luck Radio Shack.
5. AppleIsGod posted on 14 Sep 2012, 10:29 1 0
they will probably remove the virgin mobile phones just like Walmart did to remove compitition. they will still have them online though.
9. 2bkrul posted on 11 Oct 2012, 08:31 0 0
Actually, Virgin is still offered and people still buy. RS Non-Contract is just as popular in some stores because of the unlimited music downloads and the tethering for $60 a month
4. Nathan_ingx posted on 14 Sep 2012, 10:15 0 0
The name 'Mercury ice' sounds sexy, though not very suitable for a handset...but the phone heads the opposite direction of sexy!
7. CreeDiddy posted on 14 Sep 2012, 21:30 2 2
Phones like these are a disgrace to Google, Android, and the smartphone market. Low budget phones should not be allowed to be sold period. It taints the image of Google and have created a mockery of the white SIII. Please ban these phones and any budget phones.
Only phones with Android ICS should be sold to consumers and not Gingerbread. This is why Apple creates larger leads in the smartphone market. Devices like these that don't create value, but frustration because of lack of support in software and hardware because of the cheap price.
Google if you are listening....Please come out with a list of high end manufacturer's that can distribute Android OS. Ban all of the small fish in the pond trying to make a small buck.
8. Nathan_ingx posted on 14 Sep 2012, 23:57 3 0
CreeDiddy, i would've given you a thumbs down but no, i guess you're sharing your thoughts because you are wealthy enough to buy any high-end device you desire.
Well, that's not the case for others who don't have enough resource to grab their hands on the latest, beefiest hardware... Considering the price point, it is quite fair...and anyone, not rich enough, going by just the numbers of the hardwares would find this acceptable. I know it's not a time for Google to come up with an outdated Gingerbread version of Android, and i know it won't last...but like i said, for some people living a life of economic leisure, this is fine for them. I'm not against you...i'm sharing my thoughts like you.
