Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 Octa-Core 1.4GHz Smartphone Review @ ModSynergy.com
By: Michael Phrakaysone

Posh Mobile is a relatively new American mobile phone brand that focuses on offering stylish and elegant GSM mobile devices at an affordable price. Founded in 2014 and owned by PCS Wireless, Posh Mobile aims to provide consumers with a luxurious feel and quality while delivering great value. Their product lineup showcases a fusion of New York urban chic product design.

Posh Mobile products are CE certified, meaning they meet international standards of quality and safety. In 2015, the company projected shipping more than two million devices, indicating their growth and ambition in the mobile phone market.

ModSynergy, a tech review website, has recently been exploring Chinese smartphones as an alternative to the usual top smartphone brands flooding the market. While Chinese smartphones offer some value, the reviews have not found a definitive smartphone that truly justifies a purchase. One common issue encountered is misleading marketing, where certain features, such as a Sony camera sensor, are claimed but not actually present in the devices.

With the limitations faced in the Chinese smartphone market, the article suggests exploring other avenues for smartphones that offer both quality and great value. Posh Mobile believes it has the answer with its Titan HD E500 smartphone. The Titan HD E500 boasts a large 5" 720p HD IPS display, a 1.4GHz Octa-Core CPU, 1GB of RAM, a 13MP rear camera, a 5MP front camera, dual SIM slots with 4G HSDPA+ support, USB OTG support, and runs the mature Android 4.4 KitKat operating system.

What makes the Titan HD E500 particularly interesting is its affordable price point. Currently available on Amazon USA for $161.56, the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 aims to offer quality and performance at an affordable price. The article invites readers to continue reading to see if the Titan HD E500 can truly be a surprise in today's competitive mobile marketplace.

About PCS Wireless

PCS Wireless specializes in the responsible and profitable redistribution of new and pre-owned phones, tablets, accessories, and other wireless equipment. We began operations in 2001 and now have a local presence in every major market and a global network of more than 2,500 distributors. Our expertise in reverse logistics and asset recovery has fueled our rapid growth, and our commitment to operational excellence has inspired us to earn ISO 9001:2008, ISO 14001:2004, OHSAS 18001:2007 and R2:2013 certifications.

About Posh Mobile

The unique fusion of New York urban chic and next generation smartphone technology has resulted in the creation of Posh Mobile.  The constantly evolving portfolio at Posh Mobile is carefully designed to meet the increasing demands of the highest trending consumer segments in today’s mobile marketplace.

Posh Mobile's uniquely branded devices provide consumers a superior out of box experience by blending the elements of elegant product design and integrated seamless technology to deliver unmatched consumer value.
Posh Mobile offers one of a kind unlocked mobile phones with an elegant design at an affordable price. Our phones are available to retailers, dealer agents and MVNOs throughout the world.

At Posh Mobile we take pride in everything we produce and we maintain the very highest standards of quality, value and customer service.

Our mission is to provide “Elegance for All” by offering fashionable and sophisticated phones at prices everyone can afford.

Every Posh Mobile device is backed by a one year manufacturer’s warranty.

Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 Product Overview

Experience live media like never before. The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 fuses a true High Definition 5 inch display with an Octa-core 1.4ghz processor, resulting in unparalleled, supercharged mobile performance. Powered by Android Kit Kat 4.4, the high velocity experience of the E500 is further enhanced with a full 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage space. The 13 mega pixel HD main and 5 mega pixel front cameras and are seamlessly integrated into the Titan’s ultra slim 8.0 mm design, which is available in 7 colors.

Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 Product Features

Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 Product Specifications

Physical Specs

• Form Factor: Touch
• Dimensions: 141.5 x 70.8 x 8.0 mm
• Colors: White, Pink, Blue, Black, Yellow

LCD

• LCD Display: 5.0" Capacitive IPS
• LCD Resolution: 720 x 1280

Network

• GSM: 850/1700/1900MHz
• SIM Card Slot: Dual SIM Micro (1&2)
• 4G HSDPA+: 850/1700/1900MHz
• Edge: Yes

Camera

• Primary Camera: 13.0 MP
• Front Camera: 5.0 MP
• Face Recognition: Supported
• Focus & Zoom: Yes
• LED Flash: Yes

Mechanics

• Speaker: Yes
• Battery: 2200mAh
• Vibrator: Yes
• Side key: Yes
• Sensors: Yes

Hardware

• CPU: MT 6592
• Platform: Mediatek
• Processor: Octa Core
• Speed: 1.4 GHz
• OS: Android 4.4 Kit Kat
• WiFi: Yes
• Tethering: Yes
• MP3: Supported
• MPEG4: Supported
• FM Radio: Yes
• Built-in Antenna: Yes
• Earphone: 3.5mm with mic
• Bluetooth: Yes

Memory

• ROM: 8GB
• RAM: 1GB
• External: Supported micro SD card up to 32GB

Interface

• SIM card slot: Micro SIM
• Earphone: 3.5mm with mic
• Charger: Micro USB
• USB: Micro USB
• Data download: Micro USB

Data Connection

• Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML
• WAP: Yes
• MMS: Yes
• GPRS: Yes
• GPS: Supported
• Video Call: Supported

Features / Options

• Phone book: 100+
• SMS Volume: 100+
• Email: Supported
• Ringtone: MP3
• Language: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Arabic, Farsi
• Games: Supported
• Applications: Supported
• Call records: 100+
• Call service: Supported
• Keypad lock: Supported
• Alarm clock: Supported
• Calculator: Supported
• Incoming firewall: Supported
• To-do list: Supported
• Calendar: Supported
• Voice Record: Supported
• E-book: Supported
• Video player: Supported
• Video record: Supported
• Pictures: Supported
• USB disk: Supported

First Impressions

Full disclaimer: There was to be a variety of YouTube videos that were going to showcase the Titan HD E500.  I had already uploaded them and marked them unlisted until this review was released.  Unfortunately, major complications arose with my YouTube account as Google wanted me link and to create a Google+ account and some other things that could not be avoided, all of this eventually locked me out of my own video manager and videos.  I'm lucky that I even have these images to share with you, as I mistakenly deleted all my originals related to this review (not going to make that mistake ever again) as never in a million years did I envision running into this issue.  Google, why do you have to make things so difficult, why do you have to force Google+ on YouTube users?  Sigh... 

Let's continue on with this review.

EDIT: Got access back into my videos that were missing so here's the full set of YouTube videos that were missing before!

The packaging of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 resembles that of Apple products, featuring a plastic container. The top section of the container is transparent, allowing a clear view of the device inside, while the remaining part of the container is white and contains product information. To ensure the integrity of the packaging, the container comes sealed with security sticker seals on the sides, preventing unauthorized tampering and ensuring that customers receive the product in its original condition.

The packaging of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 showcases the device's key features and specifications. Three sides of the container prominently display Posh Mobile logos and nameplates, accompanied by descriptions highlighting the ultra-slim design, HD display, and octa-core performance of the Titan HD E500. The opposite end of the container provides IMEI and product information along with details about the package contents.

On the backside of the plastic container, the focus is on simplifying the information and highlighting the key selling features of the Titan HD E500. These features include an 8GB ROM, 1GB RAM, octa-core processor, Android 4.4 KitKat operating system, dual SIM slots, slim profile of only 8.0mm, wireless connectivity, support for 4G H+ network, HD (720p) IPS display, and autofocus front (5MP) and rear (13MP) cameras. The packaging seems designed to convey the main features of the device in a concise and easily understandable manner, potentially targeting consumers who may not be as technically inclined.

When I looked at the bottom of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 box, I noticed that it mentioned "Designed by Posh in USA. Assembled in China." This led me to believe that this phone is manufactured in China but meets the standards, quality, and specifications set by Posh Mobile, an American company. It made me wonder if this phone is just another rebadged Chinese smartphone or if it truly lives up to the promised standards. Given my previous experiences with Chinese smartphone makers, where they often made misleading claims, I approached the review with some skepticism.

Opening the box, I found a plastic container that resembled the style Apple uses for their products. The top section was clear and see-through, while the rest of the container was white and contained product information. The sides of the container displayed large Posh Mobile logos and Titan HD name plates, accompanied by descriptions of the phone's Ultra Slim Design, HD Display, and Octa-Core performance. The backside of the container provided simplified information about the phone's key features, such as the 8GB ROM, 1GB RAM, octa-core processor, Android 4.4 Kit Kat operating system, dual SIM slots, slim side profile, wireless connection, 4G H+ network support, HD IPS display, and autofocus cameras.

Inside the container, I found the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 smartphone along with a set of in-ear canalphones that included a microphone. The bundle also included a 2200mAh lithium polymer rechargeable battery, a USB wall charger, a micro USB charge cable, a screen protector, a protective case, and a user's manual. I was impressed with the attention to detail in the bundle. The in-ear canalphones were of good quality, which is a rarity in smartphone bundles. The protective clear case provided comprehensive protection for the phone, including a rim to prevent scratches on the screen and a thickness that safeguarded the camera lens. The case also had well-designed button covers that fit snugly around the phone's buttons, making them easy to operate.

The user's manual, unlike many Chinese-made products I've encountered before, was clear, concise, and free of language barriers. It was easy to understand and provided helpful instructions.

Examining the packaging closely, I noticed the mention of "MT6592M" in small font near the bottom. This referred to the Mediatek MT6592M processor used in the Titan HD E500, indicating an octa-core CPU operating at 1.4GHz.

Overall, the packaging and contents of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 left a positive impression. Now, I'm eager to test the phone and see if it lives up to its promises of quality and performance at an affordable price.

Who is MediaTek? Never heard of them?

I have to admit, I hadn't heard of MediaTek before. It seems like they are more focused on markets in China, India, and other emerging regions rather than North America. However, they have been making significant strides in recent years to catch up with industry giants like Qualcomm, Samsung, Texas Instruments, and Broadcom. In fact, MediaTek became the fifth largest smartphone chip maker in 2012 and the fourth largest fabless IC designer in the world in 2013.

If I had known how to invest in MediaTek stocks in the Asian market, I would have considered it a smart move. The company's continuous growth is evident as their smartphone chips are now being used in HTC and Sony smartphones, as well as numerous Android TV boxes flooding the market. They even have a brand new 64-bit LTE SOC designed for higher-end smartphones.

Now, let's focus on the MediaTek 6592M SOC, which powers the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500. This processor has proven to be faster than Qualcomm's Snapdragon 400 and stands up well against their Snapdragon 600 series. It's important to note that in this particular device, they are using the MT6592M variant, which is slightly slower than the regular MT6592 version.

The MT6592M is clocked at 1.4GHz, while the regular MT6592 offers higher clock speeds of either 1.7GHz or 2.0GHz. The MediaTek 6592M SOC is packed with impressive features. It includes ClearMotion, a video playback feature that reminds me of the 120Hz modes found on HDTVs. ClearMotion automatically converts 24/30fps videos to 60fps in real-time, theoretically eliminating motion blur in fast-moving scenes.

I must admit, I wasn't particularly fond of the 120Hz technology when I reviewed HDTVs. It often looked unnatural and introduced artifacts and clipping. However, on the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500's smaller screen, the motion feature works well enough that I prefer to leave it enabled.

Will this smartphone work in North America? What kind of frequency bands does it support?

As an American mobile phone company, Posh Mobile has designed the Titan HD E500 to work in North America. The phone comes SIM Unlocked, allowing for worldwide use, and supports various frequencies for 2G Edge, 3G, and 4G HSDPA+ networks.

The Titan HD E500 supports more frequencies than those listed on the Posh Mobile website. For GSM networks, it covers frequencies of 850/900/1800/1900MHz. For 3G/4G networks, it supports frequencies of 800/850/1700/1900MHz. It's important to note that the 1700MHz frequency corresponds to AWS (Advanced Wireless Services).

In Canada, the Titan HD E500 can operate in both 2G and 3G/4G HSDPA+ modes using the Rogers network. Rogers utilizes a combination of 850/1900/2100/2600MHz frequencies across its various cell towers. Therefore, the Titan HD E500 will work on Rogers' 3G/4G HSDPA+ network using 850MHz and 1900MHz frequencies, and it will operate on 850MHz and 1900MHz frequencies in 2G mode as well.

With its broad frequency support, the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is compatible with several carriers in the United States and Canada, providing users with flexibility in choosing their network provider.

In addition to Rogers, the Posh Titan HD E500 is compatible with other Canadian cell carriers such as Bell (850/1900) and Telus (1900). Moreover, with its support for the AWS 1700MHz frequency, the phone should technically work on Wind Mobile, a smaller Canadian carrier that operates on AWS frequencies (1700/2100). This expands the options for users looking to use the Titan HD E500 with different carriers in Canada.

For network coverage in the USA, the Titan HD E500 is expected to work on 4G mode with AT&T, which utilizes the 1700MHz AWS frequency, and on 3G mode with AT&T using the 850MHz and 1900MHz bands. It should also be compatible with T-Mobile's 4G HSDPA+ network, which operates on 1700MHz, as well as MetroPCS's 4G HSDPA+ network on 1700/1900MHz. However, it is recommended to contact your network carrier or conduct online research to confirm the specific frequencies they operate on.

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 features dual micro SIM slots, providing convenience for users who travel between different countries, such as the USA and Canada. It also offers the flexibility to use two SIM cards, allowing for separate personal and business lines if desired.

Visual Overview

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is primarily constructed using hard plastic, which helps keep the manufacturing costs low. Unlike devices that use premium materials like aluminum, sapphire, metal, or glass, the Titan HD E500 opts for a more cost-effective plastic build. However, it's important to note that plastic can still be a durable and reliable material when designed well. Samsung, for example, has used plastic extensively in their devices, even at higher price points.

One advantage of using plastic is that it helps keep the weight of the device down. With the battery installed, my digital scale measures the naked Titan HD E500 at 128 grams or 0.283 lbs, making it slightly lighter than devices such as the HTC 8X Windows Phone and the Samsung Galaxy S4. When the provided protective case is added, the weight increases by 16 grams to reach 144 grams. Even with the additional weight of the case, the Titan HD E500 remains lightweight, especially when compared to other smartphones like my old Newman NM890, which weighs 175 grams.

In terms of build quality, the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 feels sturdy enough, particularly when the protective case is on. It gives a sense of strength and solidity in the hand, and there are no noticeable creaking noises or issues with the body. While it should be able to withstand normal daily usage, it's difficult to say how it would fare in the event of a drop or impact.

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 that I'm reviewing today features an attractive two-tone black and white paint scheme. It offers color options such as white, pink, blue, black, and yellow to choose from. The top part of the phone has a glossy finish, while the rest of the device sports a matte finish. Although the screen bezel could be slimmer, the overall look of the phone is stylish, thanks to its two-tone color scheme.

With a slim profile of only 8mm, the Titan HD E500 feels comfortable to hold and use for taking photos. Unlike phones with circular and curvy sides, this phone has flat sides, which enhance the ease and comfort of capturing images.

The design of the Titan HD E500 is straightforward yet elegant. The phone features curved edges that add to its aesthetic appeal. On the front of the device, you can see the two-tone paint scheme, with the top section in black and the bottom section in white, where the illuminated capacitive touch buttons are located. These buttons have a perforated design pattern and their backlit LEDs provide good brightness in dark environments.

Moving to the back of the phone, I appreciate how Posh Mobile has integrated the 13MP rear camera lens seamlessly with the back plate cover. Unlike some phones where the camera lens protrudes outward, the Titan HD E500 keeps a sleek and flush design.

However, I did notice a strong purple hue or tinge reflecting back from the rear camera lens when moving the phone against sunlight. This was a surprising observation for a Mediatek-based smartphone, as I hadn't encountered it before. After some investigation, I discovered that this purple hue is due to an anti-reflective coating on the camera lens. It indicates that Posh Mobile has invested in pairing the rear camera image sensor with a high-quality lens combination, which is an exciting revelation.

I haven't come across any other phones with an integrated eyelet for a wrist strap, but I think it would be a unique addition to the phone's design. Although it might look amusing, it would undoubtedly provide the most secure way to prevent accidental drops.

Now, let's talk about the standout feature of the phone: its 720p HD 5.0" IPS display. The pixel density is sufficient to make individual pixels indiscernible under normal viewing conditions. Unless you deliberately scrutinize the screen up close or capture a photo of it, you won't notice any pixelation. I must say, it's truly remarkable and ranks among the best 720p IPS displays I've encountered on a smartphone. In fact, it rivals the excellent screen used in the Ulefone Be One smartphone that I recently reviewed.

The display of the Titan HD E500 offers sharp and vibrant colors, with deep blacks and a nearly neutral white balance. However, I have to emphasize the brightness of the screen—it's incredibly intense! Even at the lowest brightness setting, it can be overwhelming and may strain your eyes, especially when used at night. In fact, it's noticeably brighter than the display on the Ulefone Be One. To mitigate this, you'll need to download a screen filter app to reduce the brightness for nighttime use. On a positive note, the viewing angles of the screen are simply excellent, providing a great visual experience from various angles.

Display Brightness LUX Test

I have acquired a Digital Light Meter to provide accurate scientific data on the brightness of smartphone displays instead of relying solely on subjective descriptions.

Starting now, I will include the LUX reading from several smartphones I have previously tested, as well as the one currently being reviewed.

For consistency, I manually set the displays to maximum brightness and disable any dynamic brightness control if available on the smartphone.

Here are the LUX readings for the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500: 434 LUX

And for comparison, the Ulefone Be One: 354 LUX

By providing these objective measurements, readers can better understand the brightness levels of different smartphone displays.

Android Operating System - 4.4.2 KitKat

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 runs on the well-established Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system. Transitioning from previous versions like Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean is seamless, as KitKat builds upon the already mature ecosystem.

I have experienced no unusual issues such as crashes or restarts with the Titan HD E500. The device has been stable and reliable throughout my usage. Additionally, I have not encountered any problems with phantom touches on the touch screen. While the touch sensitivity is not the most sensitive I've encountered, it performs well and even allows for touchscreen usage with gloves. I am pleased to report that the Titan HD E500 does not exhibit the phantom touch and touch screen issues often associated with previous Mediatek phones. The build quality appears to be of high standard.

It's worth noting that the Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system on the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is lightweight and free from excessive bloatware. Posh Mobile includes their own small app, but overall, it offers a stock Android experience without additional customizations or skins commonly found on other smartphones, such as TouchWiz for Samsung, Sense for HTC, or Xperia UI for Sony. I appreciate this slim and bloat-free approach.

Consequently, the performance of the device is snappy and responsive. I did not notice any significant lag while navigating through the operating system, except for a momentary delay when sliding through widgets.

One useful feature of the Titan HD E500 is the "Scheduled power on & off" option found in the Settings menu. This allows for easy power management and helps conserve battery when you're not using the device, such as during sleep.

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 supports operating system updates, which can be accessed through the Settings menu under "About Phone" and "Wireless update." Updates and patches for Android 4.4 KitKat are released as necessary and when Google makes them available.

Regarding the possibility of an update to Android 5.0 Lollipop, there are plans for it, but it's uncertain if it will be feasible due to hardware compatibility and the success of testing phases. This issue is not unique to Posh Mobile, as many other prominent smartphone manufacturers are also facing challenges with the transition to Lollipop. Android 5.0 Lollipop represents a significant change in the operating system.

However, for those who find Android 4.4 KitKat to be stable and issue-free, the lack of an update to Lollipop may not be a major concern. First-generation products and software often encounter problems, and Android 5 is no exception. Even Google's own Nexus 5 has experienced issues with the latest 5.1 release. Personally, I prefer sticking with a proven and mature operating system to avoid any downtime caused by bugs.

For visual references, please refer to the gallery below, which includes screenshots of the operating system and benchmark performance of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500.

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 - Any good?

The firmware version of the phone under review is E500A_POSH_V17_20150129.

I understand that some readers prefer concise reviews, so let me summarize my experience with the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 after using it for 28 days: This phone has exceeded my expectations and I believe it is the device I have been searching for.

Considering its affordable price of $161.56 USD on Amazon USA, the performance and quality components of the Titan HD E500 are impressive. Some of these components, such as the dual microphones, dual speakers, and excellent cameras, were not even advertised, making them pleasant discoveries. The device's bright IPS display, dual SIM slots, and overall performance make it an outstanding choice in terms of both performance and value. In my opinion, it is a must-buy product with minimal compromises.

I was pleasantly surprised by the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 as it offered several hidden features that should have been advertised. It felt like uncovering hidden treasures as I explored the phone's capabilities. I couldn't understand why these features were not highlighted in the specifications, as they made a significant difference.

Firstly, while most phones have only one microphone, the Titan HD E500 boasted dual microphones. One was located at the bottom of the phone, and the other below the rear camera and LED flash. It was surprising that this detail was not mentioned in the specifications.

Secondly, unlike other phones in its price range, which usually have a single loudspeaker, the Titan HD E500 had dual speakers that produced impressive volume. Again, this feature was not mentioned in the specifications.

Another hidden feature was the exposed WiFi antenna, which was visible beside the micro SD card slot when the back cover was removed. Normally, WiFi modules and their antennas are concealed. I noticed that the Titan HD E500 had better WiFi signal strength and link speed compared to other Chinese smartphones I had tested before, which was unexpected.

The fourth noteworthy feature was the support for USB On-The-Go (OTG). This meant I could connect a USB flash drive, digital camera, USB keyboard, or USB mouse to the smartphone. I successfully plugged in a 32GB USB flash drive, which was recognized as external storage. I even connected a USB mouse just for fun.

The Titan HD E500 also supported HotKnot, which is similar to NFC technology but not compatible with it. HotKnot allows data transmission through the phones' capacitive touch panels, enabling communication and data transfer between HotKnot-enabled devices. Although HotKnot is typically found in more expensive models, it was a pleasant surprise to find it in the Titan HD E500.

In terms of camera performance, the specifications mentioned a 13-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel front camera. To my amazement, the rear camera demonstrated exceptional shutter speed and produced photos with incredible detail. It turned out that the rear camera used a f/2.2 aperture lens, and further investigation revealed that it housed a Sony IMX135 rear camera sensor, which was a significant feature that Posh Mobile failed to advertise.

The front 5-megapixel camera also had its merits. It featured a wide-angle lens that allowed capturing multiple faces in a selfie photo. The image quality from the front camera surpassed that of rear cameras on other Mediatek smartphones I had tested.

Overall, the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 exceeded my expectations and provided a significant performance boost compared to my previous Mediatek phone. Despite my lack of prior experience with Posh Mobile, I was thoroughly impressed with their offerings.

While the Titan HD E500 may not match the high-end smartphones like the iPhone 6 or Galaxy S5, it still offered impressive performance, surpassing other budget smartphones in synthetic benchmarks. The user experience was smooth and satisfying, making it easy to forget that it was a budget phone.

Although the Titan HD E500 had a slightly slower processor than the Ulefone Be One, the difference was hardly noticeable in everyday tasks like browsing, using apps, or taking photos. The only time where the speed difference became significant was when unzipping large files, but this was not a common scenario for most users.

The phone's power-on and power-off times were reasonable, taking around 32 seconds and 6 seconds, respectively. Waking up from standby or sleeping mode was nearly instantaneous.

It's worth mentioning that the Bluetooth functionality of the Titan HD E500 was labeled as "WHT" in the settings menu, which was an unusual abbreviation for Bluetooth. This might confuse some users who are unfamiliar with this acronym.

The single LED flash on the phone was remarkably bright, making it useful as a flashlight. However, when used for taking photos, the LED flash had a slight purplish bluish hue that affected the lighting in the pictures. It was often better to avoid using the LED flash and rely on natural lighting or post-processing the photos to correct the hue.

Performance - Benchmark Results

I suggest you take a look through the gallery to see all the results from the Titan HD E500.  Here are some of the scores below from various Benchmark apps.

• AnTuTu Benchmark v5.6.1: 27875
• AnTuTu X Benchmark v5.1: 26721
• 3DMark Ice Storm Extreme (v1.2): 4367
• Vellamo Mobile Benchmark - Browser: 1730
• Vellamo Mobile Benchmark - Multicore: 1334
• Vellamo Mobile Benchmark - Metal: 689
• Geekbench 3 Single-Core Score: 367
• Geekbench 3 Multi-Core Score: 2008
• Quadrant Standard Edition: 12154
• GPU Bench 3D: 13,302 points (Screen Normalized score 12,260/avg 48.97fps/highest/82.50fps/lowest 17.12fps)
• PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile: System - 2805
• PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile: CPU Test - 21161
• PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile: Disk Test - 7082
• PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile: Memory Test - 1861
• PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile: 2D Graphics Test - 2309
• PassMark PerformanceTest Mobile: 3D Graphics Test - 878

Browsing & Multimedia

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is capable of connecting wirelessly to any 802.11 B/G/N network, although it lacks support for the latest AC standard. However, I didn't find this to be a significant issue. Unlike some of the phones I've used in the past, I had no trouble connecting to wireless networks with or without a password.

In terms of wireless performance, the Titan HD's antenna outperformed any of my Mediatek smartphones. When compared side by side on the second floor with the wireless router on the first floor, the WiFi strength of the phones I tested was as follows:

- Posh Mobile Titan HD E500: Signal Strength Good/54 Mbps Link Speed

- Ulefone Be One: Signal Strength Good/48 Mbps Link Speed

- Newman NM890: Signal Strength Fair/36 Mbps Link Speed

- Kingzone: Signal Strength Fair/18 Mbps Link Speed

Using the WiFi Analyzer app, the wireless antenna signal strength was measured in dBm, with lower values indicating a stronger signal:

- Posh Mobile Titan HD E500: -69dBm

- Ulefone Be One: -74dBm

- Newman NM890: -78dBm

- Kingzone: -83dBm

Regarding network carrier signal strength, the Posh Titan HD E500 performed similarly to the HTC 8X and Galaxy S4 on the Canadian Rogers network, according to my family's experiences. There were no major differences in terms of signal strength or call quality compared to those devices. Indoors, where I live in a spotty coverage area, I typically get 2 bars, but outside, I easily get 4 bars with excellent call reception. Call quality is loud and on par with what I would expect.

The dual speakers on the Posh Titan HD E500 provide ample call volume, which is particularly useful when using the speakerphone for calls or receiving turn-by-turn GPS navigation instructions in a noisy vehicle.

The built-in Android Browser on the Titan HD E500 is compatible with every website and renders them without any issues on the device's IPS display. Reading small, fine text is easy on this screen, similar to reading small font printed on a laser printer.

When it comes to video playback, YouTube videos play smoothly without any problems, although the device does not support ClearMotion. Vimeo videos, on the other hand, play without issue, with ClearMotion applied.

In terms of browsing performance, there is some lag and occasional unresponsiveness within the Android Browser, especially when loading webpages for the first time. Scrolling up and down may cause some delay, choppiness, and stuttering until the page fully loads. However, this is a common issue with the Android Browser itself and is not specific to the Posh Titan HD E500. Similar behavior has been observed on many other Android smartphones, even more powerful ones.

Speaking of RAM, I tend to leave multiple tabs open while browsing the internet, switching back and forth between them. At times, I felt that having additional RAM, such as an extra gigabyte, would have been beneficial to prevent constant page reloading. For example, I noticed less reloading when using an S4, which has 2GB of RAM.

While browsing websites, you can perform actions like cutting, copying, and pasting, just like you would on a desktop machine. The integrated browser also allows you to save web pages to view offline at a later time, a feature that has been available in the Android Browser for a while now.

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 comes pre-installed with the Play Store, allowing you to access and enjoy thousands of apps, games, books, movies, and music. The Play Store has come a long way and is now on par with the Apple App Store in terms of quality and availability.

The Posh Titan HD E500 is powerful enough to serve as a standalone movie player. It supports a wide range of file formats, regardless of size, resolution (except for 4K), or encoding. Thanks to the 720p IPS display, videos look great on the device.

I have experienced no issues with playing AVI, MKV, MP4, WMV, XVID, and H.264 files, even at 720p and 1080p resolutions, with subtitles. Even high-bitrate Blu-Ray source files run smoothly, with minimal buffering when skipping to different parts of the video. If you desire additional features, you can also download other media players such as MX Player from the Play Store.

The Posh Titan HD E500 offers dual speakers instead of the usual single speaker, making it one of the loudest smartphones you'll come across. The increased loudness proves particularly useful when using the speakerphone for calls or relying on GPS turn-by-turn navigation. The sound quality is more than sufficient for general usage as well.

Audio Quality - How does it sound?
 
When it comes to using earphones or headphones with the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500, the sound quality is excellent. While it may not be the absolute best I've heard, it is still impressive. It doesn't quite match up to the HTC 8X with Beats Audio, for example. Although Posh Mobile doesn't disclose the specific DAC (Digital-to-Analog Converter) it contains, it is one of the better ones available, especially for a Mediatek smartphone.

In comparison, my previous Mediatek smartphone, the Newman NM890, had the best DAC I've encountered on a Chinese smartphone, although the specific details were not provided. It produced a tremendous amount of bass that had a powerful impact when used with my Sennheiser Momentum on-ear headphones. However, the excessive bass did tend to overpower the mid-range and high frequencies, which affected their clarity.

With the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500, it offers slightly less low-end bass, but it still delivers a satisfying punch. As a result, the low-end frequencies do not bleed into the mid and high ranges. While I believe the mid-range could be toned down slightly, the overall sound signature is still highly enjoyable and won't tire you out during extended listening sessions.

As a Mediatek device, the Titan HD E500 includes a convenient built-in FM radio tuner. This means you can listen to FM radio and even record from radio waves. I find this feature to be useful and it's great to have when I want to tune in to local stations from time to time.

13MP Rear Camera - Surprise! A Sony IMX135 and its wonderful!

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 boasts an exceptional 13MP camera that takes brilliant photos. Through my investigation, I discovered that it utilizes the powerful and popular Sony IMX135 image sensor, paired with a high-quality f/2.2 lens combination. Notably, the lens chosen for this phone features a visible anti-reflective coating, a feature uncommon in most other Mediatek smartphones, especially at this price point. Posh Mobile has made no compromises in this aspect, even though it incurs additional cost. It's worth noting that the Sony IMX135 image sensor is also found in more expensive flagship smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy S4, Motorola Moto X, LG G2, and LG G3.

Having years of experience with Mediatek smartphones, I can confidently say that the camera on the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 surpasses any other I've encountered. Most Chinese smartphones, even those from budget-first-tier brands, typically offer cameras that are either passable or mediocre, nothing to get excited about. What surprises me is that Posh Mobile didn't market or advertise this hidden gem, despite the clear reason to do so.

This is in contrast to the Ulefone Be One smartphone I reviewed not long ago, which was supposedly equipped with a Sony IMX214 image sensor according to their marketing claims. However, it turned out to be false information. Ulefone deceived customers by using an inferior OmniVision image sensor instead. That camera pales in comparison to the Sony-enabled Titan HD E500.

On the other hand, Posh Mobile, a new player in the mobile phone industry striving to establish itself, doesn't advertise any of these impressive camera features, which is perplexing. However, when you purchase the Titan HD E500, you discover these hidden gems. This is what sets the Posh Titan HD E500 apart—it exceeds expectations and delivers more than what you signed up for, all at an affordable price of $161.56 USD.

By neglecting to market and advertise such crucial information (along with the other points I mentioned earlier in the review), Posh Mobile risks hindering potential sales of the Titan HD E500. If specifications are presented too simply, customers may overlook the phone in favor of something that sounds more impressive. Unless they come across this review.

The standout feature of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is undoubtedly its 13MP rear Sony IMX135 camera, although there are many other aspects of this phone to love. The photos it produces are crisp, detailed, beautiful, colorful, exhibit good dynamic range, and remain sharp throughout. They are highly satisfying and even surpass some dedicated digital cameras I've reviewed in the past. In my opinion, the photos are excellent in well-lit conditions and perform well in lower-than-ideal lighting conditions. It's important to note that no smartphone can capture excellent photos in low lighting due to sensor size limitations, but the Sony IMX135 performs better than others in such scenarios. When compared to other phones I've used, borrowed, or reviewed, including the HTC 8X Windows Phone, iPhone 4, Blackberry Z10, Samsung Galaxy S2, original Galaxy Note, and Galaxy Note 2, the Posh Titan HD E500 consistently captures better photos under regular lighting conditions. I notice no significant difference compared to the Galaxy S4. With the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500, you don't have to feel like you're settling for a subpar camera.

During my visit to the 2015 National Home Show in Toronto, which also housed the Canada Blooms Flower and Garden Festival, I captured great shots even in places with less-than-ideal lighting. I also took images of skyscrapers and the Air Canada Centre from a moving vehicle. The Canada Blo oms event location had particularly poor lighting in certain areas, possibly for creating a mood lighting effect. Throughout the Direct Energy Centre, lighting conditions were generally subpar. My family brought along the HTC 8X, and it struggled significantly in these lighting conditions. They had to ask me to use the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 to take photos. The Titan HD E500 managed to produce manageable and clear shots with less grain even in challenging situations. The camera made dark places appear brighter than they actually were. For instance, there's a shot of a mother and grandson sitting on a log in a location surrounded by trees, which significantly reduced the already poor lighting, making it almost pitch dark. However, the Titan HD E500's camera managed to capture the moment when the HTC 8X couldn't, and it was handheld. The same holds true for a three-piece water fountain in extremely poor lighting conditions.

The f/2.2 aperture lens allows more light to be absorbed by the image sensor and enables quicker photo capture compared to lenses with smaller apertures like f/2.4, f/2.6, or f/2.8. Additionally, Posh Mobile has chosen a high-quality lens combination for the Sony IMX135 image sensor, resulting in photos with a very wide field of view (FOV). The FOV is the widest among any Mediatek smartphone I own or have tested, surpassing others by a significant margin. It matches the FOV of the HTC 8X Windows Phone. T

he single LED flash on the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is the brightest I've experienced on any Mediatek phone. It is extremely bright and useful as a flashlight around the home, for car repairs in the dark, or general use. Unfortunately, this particular LED is not ideal for photo taking. It has a semi-purplish bluish hue, which unfortunately transfers onto photos taken in poor lighting conditions when the LED flash is used. Furthermore, using the LED in such conditions produces abnormally overexposed photos. To address this, post-processing the photos is necessary to attempt to correct the hue, but in my opinion, with a steady hand, it's better not to use the LED flash at all when capturing photos in poor lighting. You can actually obtain a usable and better shot without it.

My only real complaint is not with the camera performance itself but rather with the stock camera app. It feels too basic and could benefit from additional photo filter effects beyond the stock ones, as well as other options such as Picture-In-Picture mode.

Now, I'll let the camera photos speak for themselves. All the photos I captured were handheld.

5MP Front Camera - Good Selfie camera!

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 features a 5-megapixel front camera sensor. In the /proc/devices file, there are two entries for IMX135, typically indicating the rear and front camera sensors in order. Initially, there was a possibility that the Titan HD E500 had two identical Sony IMX135 sensors, which would have been impressive. However, upon further consideration, it wouldn't make sense to downsample a 13MP image to 5MP. Additionally, the front camera's photo quality appears noticeably different from that of the rear camera.

That being said, the front camera on the Titan HD E500 is still quite good. It has a faster f/2.2 lens and, more importantly, a wide field of view (FOV), making it well-suited for taking selfies. The wide-angle lens allows you to easily fit at least four faces in a selfie photo, and if you have longer arms, you can potentially fit even more. The performance of the front camera is satisfying, and to be honest, it surpasses the rear cameras on all of the Mediatek smartphones I've tested thus far.

1080p Video Recording - ?

It seems that the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500's video recording performance is not on par with its still photo camera capabilities, which is puzzling considering it utilizes the Sony IMX135 image sensor. The 1080p video recording quality is subpar, and it's unclear why this discrepancy exists. One possibility is that the firmware may not have been properly optimized and fine-tuned for optimal video recording. It's unfortunate that a phone with the same image sensor as the Samsung Galaxy S4 fails to replicate its success in video performance.

It's important to note that the audio stream in the recorded videos is in stereo and sounds better than the video itself, thanks to the dual microphones. However, the overall video recording performance should be improved through a firmware update. It's disappointing that the HTC 8X, which may have inferior still photo performance, surpasses the Titan HD E500 in terms of 1080p video recording quality.

If you are someone who frequently records 1080p videos, it may be advisable to consider other smartphones, at least until a firmware update addresses the video recording issue on the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500. However, if your primary focus is capturing still photos, you may be able to accept the subpar video recording performance and move on, as it seems the phone excels in that area.

Battery Life

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 comes with a 2200mAh battery, which is decent but not exceptionally large. However, considering its 720p screen and energy-efficient MTK 6592M processor, it strikes a fair compromise. The battery life will ultimately depend on your usage patterns.

With moderate usage that includes activities such as movie playback, YouTube, GPS navigation, music streaming, internet browsing, camera usage, video recording, and occasional 3D gaming, you can expect to get around 18-19 hours of battery life. This indicates that the phone should easily last through a full day of typical usage.

Under more intensive usage scenarios, such as continuous 3D gaming, frequent photo and video capturing, GPS navigation, and maximum screen brightness without any breaks, the battery life will naturally be reduced. In such cases, you can expect around 9-10 hours of usage before needing to recharge.

On the other hand, if you use the phone sparingly and minimize resource-intensive activities, you should be able to achieve over two days of battery life without any issues.

It's important to note that individual usage patterns may vary, and factors such as signal strength, screen brightness settings, and background apps can also impact battery life.

GPS

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 impresses with its GPS performance, providing a working GPS experience right out of the box. Unlike your past experiences with Mediatek chipsets, where you had to troubleshoot and tinker to get the GPS working, the Titan HD E500 eliminates that hassle.

When you first started the GPS on the Titan HD E500, it was able to obtain a satellite lock in under 1 minute, which is quite quick. Subsequent attempts at GPS locking took around 7-10 seconds, showcasing the device's efficiency in acquiring a GPS signal. The GPS antenna on this phone is particularly strong, consistently delivering better GPS signal reception compared to your other Mediatek smartphones.

During its initial use, the Titan HD E500 was able to detect 11 satellites in view and promptly locked onto 10 of them. In comparison, your other Mediatek smartphones might detect a similar number of satellites but struggled to lock onto as many, typically managing to connect to only 6-8 satellites.

Where Can I Buy One? And for How Much?

I'm always on the lookout for great deals and value for money. And let me tell you, I stumbled upon an amazing offer for the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 on Amazon. Right now, you can get this fantastic phone for just $161.56 USD with free shipping! That's even below the normal MSRP of $199.99, making it an even better value for your hard-earned money.

Editors Note: What's even more intriguing is that I discovered the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 is also sold under the name of SHARKK HD. It's the same exact phone with all the Posh Mobile logos and features, but at an even lower price of only $149 USD on Amazon. It's incredible how you can find these hidden gems when exploring different options.

I highly recommend purchasing from Amazon due to their outstanding reputation. They are known for their fast and reliable service, and their return policy is top-notch. In fact, I had a personal experience where Amazon overcharged me on duty costs, and they promptly refunded the excess amount back to my account. It's rare to find such honesty in a company these days, and it further solidified my trust in them.

If you're considering buying the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500, or any other product for that matter, I encourage you to use the Amazon link provided. Not only will you be getting a great deal, but you'll also be supporting us as reviewers. Your support means a lot to us, and we appreciate it greatly.

Some Amazon Deals That May Interest You!

Conclusion

The Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 has truly exceeded my expectations and stands out as one of the best phones I've had the pleasure of reviewing. In fact, it has easily outperformed other Mediatek smartphones I've tested and can even give top-tier brands a run for their money. This phone is a hidden gem that deserves recognition.

Throughout my 28 days of testing, the Titan HD E500 has consistently impressed me with its performance and features. It excels in almost every aspect, making it a complete package. However, there are a couple of areas where it falls short. Firstly, the incorrect LED flash color for camera usage is a minor inconvenience, but it's something that should be addressed. Secondly, the subpar 1080p video recording performance is a disappointment, considering the potential of the potent Sony IMX135 image sensor. However, I firmly believe that a firmware update can rectify this issue and unlock the full potential of the camera.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 has numerous positives that make it stand out. The 5" IPS display is exceptionally bright and stunning, providing an enjoyable visual experience. The octa-core processor ensures snappy performance, and the dual SIM slots with 4G HSDPA+ support add convenience for those who need to manage multiple numbers. The rear and front cameras are excellent, with the rear lens featuring an AR coating for improved image quality. The dual speakers deliver loud and immersive audio, and the dual microphones enhance audio recording. Strong WiFi and GPS performance, USB OTG support, HotKnot technology, and impressive battery life further contribute to the overall appeal of this device.

What's even more remarkable is the affordability of the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500. At just $161.56 (or $149 for the SHARKK HD version, which is essentially the same phone), it offers exceptional value that is hard to ignore. Posh Mobile has truly delivered with this device, and I highly recommend it to anyone seeking a feature-packed smartphone at an affordable price.

In recognition of its outstanding performance and value, the Posh Mobile Titan HD E500 receives our highest honor, the Editor's Choice Award. Kudos to Posh Mobile for their brilliant debut with the Titan HD E500. I eagerly anticipate what they have in store for the future.

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