At the kick-off of Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on 24 February, Hisense officially released the long-awaited 6.8-inch 4G smartphone, which received much attention when it was previewed at CES 2014. Named as MAXE X1, this 4G smartphone is the only smartphone to combine features of a handset, a tablet, a TV, and a set-top box into one mobile device.
The all-new Hisense MAXE X1 features the latest Android 4.4 operating system-based vision UI, a powerful quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 2.3 GHz processor and a gorgeous 1920 x 1080 pixel display.
It also features a 13-megapixel main rear-facing camera, which supports full HD (1080p) video recording as well as panoramic, fast-burst and cymera modes. Two stereo front speakers, 5.1 Dolby virtual surround technology and three noise-cancelling microphones come together to cater those who enjoy watching videos or listening to music on their mobile phones.
In terms of the phone’s dimensions, in much the same way that the Samsung Note was designed and sized for a 160 cm (5’3″) tall woman, the Hisense X1 was tailored to feel just right in the hands of a 180cm tall man. Yet, the X1’s 9.2 mm thickness is perfectly sized for a woman’s smaller hands.
The handset, which works as an intelligent set-top box (STB), provides “smart” TV functionality. Its STB is capable of transferring large amounts of content to a non-smart TV through an HDML cable. It also shares online videos, music and images with the TV by enabling the “TV mode” through an MHL cable, at which time the handset functions as both an STB and a hand-held remote control.
Its built-in wireless transmission function also supports content sharing with the TV. In addition to the MHL feature, X1 supports WFD, DLAN, Hisense Sharing as well as other multi-screen sharing protocols.
The easy-to-use X1 is available with a NFC-enabled MINI Bluetooth phone that weighs only 20 grams, allowing near-field transmission between two devices, including receiving calls, sending and receiving SMS as well as swiping subway and bus passes.
Besides the X1’s capability of sharing across all open source networks, Hisense is currently in talks with a leading Chinese video company with regards of offering paid content through the device.
