nubia is back with another entry-level gaming smartphone, the nubia Neo 5 5G.
It introduces a few new features while retaining the familiar Neo series design language. Let’s take a closer look at what this device has to offer.
First, let’s talk about its looks. The design of the Neo 5 is similar to its predecessor.
It sports an appearance that immediately signals its gaming-focused identity. One thing we don’t like about its design is its overly glossy finish, which is prone to fingerprint smudges.
Without a case, the device easily attracts grease marks and quickly looks unclean.
On the other hand, the Neo 5 GT features a flat back panel, while the standard Neo 5 5G has protruding camera modules. Some features seen on the Neo 5 GT are also present here, including shoulder triggers and LED lighting on the back panel.
In terms of build quality, just like the Neo 5 GT, this device is thick and heavy.
However, it feels solid and durable, which adds a sense of confidence during use. This is understandable given its large battery capacity for its price segment.
In my experience, I did find it quite heavy. There were times while gaming when I had to put the phone down because my hands started to feel fatigued.
I also would not recommend using it while lying down, as it could be uncomfortable, or even risky, if dropped on your face.
Moving on to the display, the Neo 5 5G features a 6.8-inch IPS LCD panel with a 120Hz refresh rate.
While most smartphones in this price range offer FHD+ resolution, this one falls short in that aspect.
Still, the display quality is good enough for multimedia consumption, offering decent sharpness, vibrant colors, and overall pleasing visuals.
We used it for watching videos, and in our experience, it performs well as a secondary device. If you are particular about display quality, it is best suited for casual use such as social media browsing and light gaming.
On the camera side, the nubia Neo 5 5G is equipped with a 13MP rear camera and a 16MP selfie shooter.
Despite the modest sensor sizes, I was impressed with the output quality. Images are sharp and detailed, with vibrant colors and a fairly wide dynamic range. Close-up shots also perform well, offering decent subject separation from the background.
For its price, the camera performance is more than acceptable for everyday use. I wasn’t expecting this level of output, especially from a device primarily focused on gaming.
Speaking of gaming, since this device is aimed at gamers, let’s talk about performance.
The nubia Neo 5 5G is powered by the Unisoc T9300 5G chipset. In terms of day-to-day use, navigation feels smooth, but performance starts to dip when multiple heavy applications are running simultaneously.
When I first used the device, I was honestly surprised by how smooth the home screen felt while scrolling.
Despite having used the Neo 5 GT beforehand, I found this device initially more impressive in terms of basic responsiveness. However, that impression changed once multitasking and heavier workloads were introduced.
As for gaming, I tried playing Call of Duty Mobile, and it performed well. While it is not as smooth as the Neo 5 GT, it still delivers an enjoyable gaming experience.
The shoulder triggers were also responsive and added to the overall gameplay experience.
Here are some of its benchmark results.
The nubia Neo 5 5G is backed by a 6,050mAh battery paired with 45W fast charging.
In my experience, battery life is excellent. Continuous gaming delivered impressive endurance, lasting around five hours before needing a recharge.
For casual users who play less frequently, it can last significantly longer.
Overall, the nubia Neo 5 5G is a solid entry-level gaming smartphone. As for its price, the single config of 8GB + 128GB is priced at PHP 11,999 in the Philippines.
It offers good gaming performance, a large battery, a futuristic design, and shoulder triggers. However, it struggles with more demanding games and multitasking performance.
If you primarily play titles like Mobile Legends and Call of Duty Mobile, this device is a strong option.
However, the addition of an FHD+ display could have made it a standout in the budget gaming segment.
That concludes our experience with the nubia Neo 5 5G. What are your thoughts on this device? Let us know in the comments below.
If you want to have a better look at the nubia Neo 5 5G, you might want to check out our experiential review videos on our YouTube Channel!
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