Unboxing: Kata M1 quad core and dual sim phablet (SRP: PHP9,999)

I’m currently using this device as my primary Android phablet for my home use and also for my work. Its my first time to hold and use a phablet, you know that I avoid owning these big and bulky smart devices because its hard to keep them inside your pocket and bag. The first adaptor of phablet in the previous years are a bit crappy, that’s why I avoid it and stick to my old Samsung droid phone and an iPhone4s.

But then after I tried using this Kata M1 phablet with quad core processor, 13 MP rear camera, 5MP front camera and a nice 16 GB internal memory, plus it’s a dual sim capable device, there’s no need to bring another extra phone for your other mobile network, because this Kata M1 can do it all.

I noticed that I left my laptop and iPhone for awhile and I was so busy using this Kata M1 phablet. It works like a laptop, it works like your tablet, the speed of the quad core is very awesome, I have no worries in running an app, downloading and installing some apps and do massive multi tasking with the Kata M1.

I also like the battery life of the Kata M1, I can’t even deplete its battery energy for two days, because the battery is big and it charges a lot of juice. Thank to its 4000 mah battery pack.

I used this device during my 5 day travel in Sampaloc, Quezon, the mobile internet there is so crappy, the most reliable mobile network is Globe, so I pop up a new Globe sim and installed this to my Kata M1, then I took the advantage of that free Facebook surf via Globe sim. I used my Kata M1 almost every hour, I was so busy surfing my Facebook, posting some photos of my travel, and taking notes with the Kata M1 is so easy, because I felt that I’m using a tablet that acts also as a phone, and now that’s the start of my wonders with my 1st phablet, the Kata M1 is a good companion for business people, student and also travelers like me.

With a retail price of PHP9,999 in local tech store and Kata Store kiosk, this quad core phablet was recently launched last mid May 2014, and there are many positive reviews coming in from tech bloggers and also tech fanatics. Value for money is at its best.

If ever you plan to buy a tablet and also a smartphone. I suggest that you buy a phablet like the Kata M1, because you can buy device that acts like two devices – tablet and phone.

shucks…I’m such a phablet newbie! hahaha.

Here are the specs of the Kata M1
body color: white only
size and weight:
Height: 6.5 inches (165.1 mm)
Width: 3.21 inches (81.6 mm)
Depth: 0.39 inches (10mm)
Weight: 0.45 pounds (205 g)

Processor: MTK6589 Quad Core 1.5 GHz
Display: 5.7” LCD Display (True HD 1920*1080)
Frequency:
QuadBand GSM 850/900/1800/1900
TriBand 3G 850/1900/2100

OS: Android 4.2.1

RAM: 2G
Storage: 16GB internal, expandableto 32GB

Camera:
front camera -
5 Mega Pixel camera
Support video call
Recording

rear camera -
13 Mega Pixel camera with flash
Autofocus
Recording

Power and battery:
Built-in 4000mAh rechargeable lithium-polymer battery
Charging via power adapter or USB to computer system

Input and Output:
Micro SD card slot (support up to 32GB)
Earphone jack
Speaker: 8 ohm

Connectivity:
Wifi 802.1.1 b/g/n
Bluetooth 4.0

Audio playback:
MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, OGG, OGA, M4A, FLAC, ACC Audio

Video playback:
MP3, WMA, WAV, APE, OGG, OGA, M4A, FLAC, ACC AudioH.264 video up to image size 48x48 pixels to 1920x1080 pixels, MPEG 4, AVI, MKV,MP4, MOV, 3GP, DIVX, Rm, RmVB, Motion JPEG, 3MVC, GOOGLE VP8, WEBM, VC-1,WMV,ASF, TS

Environmental requirements:
Internet Access

Synchronize with FishTune on PC requires:
Win7 or Win XP only

here’s the unboxing of the Kata M1 quadcore phablet

The box

The box cover and the phablet bed

The Kata M1 phablet is a bigger than my hand

The back cover of the Kata M1, white plastic shell that protects the battery and sim card.

Comparison of two devices : Kata M1 phablet and my iPhone4s. You can see the size difference that Kata M1 is like a Godzilla of smart devices.

The power on button is at the right side and the volume control is at the left side.

here’s how I hold the Kata M1 with my one hand.

Its hard to use it with your one hand, so I suggest that you hold your Kata M1 with two hands. You can to prevent the phablet from some falls, because the plastic shell is a bit soft because of the thin body. Use a phablet cover to protect your Kata M1 from damage.

Inside the box: Kata M1 phablet, micro USB charger, earphones with mic, the battery pack and the Kata M1 user manual.

The battery pack is big, close to the size of the Kata M1

It’s a 4000 mah battery, that’s 3 times more power vs. my iPhone 4s

Size comparison, the battery and Kata M1

Here’s the back of Kata M1, you’ll see the 13MP camera with flash, the speaker and the microphone at the bottom of the phone, look at the small pinhole below the case, that’s the mic.

The speaker is not that loud, because the Kata M1 phablet was built for being thin, the speaker is not louder enough for media playback, but its quite okay for gaming and also tones.

The screen, in all full HD glory

Here’s the settings button, home button and the back button.

Let’s open its rig

Kata M1 is a dual sim phablet, it activates both sim card while its on.

Inserting the battery pack.

let’s power it up… at the start up screen, you’ll see first the koi fish, the brand logo for Kata

My wallpaper… I already installed some apps already and tweaked the whole UI for my use.

My home screen, full of apps that I always use for work.

Kata M1 is also preloaded with some apps like Facebook, Twitter, Wipe Out, Calendar, Blackberry BBM, and etc. The apps will update automatically after you activated your account via Google Playstore

Kata M1 runs in Android 4.2.1

I’m such an Android newbie.. I super like this restart button

I’m here at the notification area, you can view this by swiping the top of the screen going to the bottom.

At the notification screen, there’s a button that you can activate more settings, like Wifi, Bluetooth, airplane mode, mute and etc.

here’s the wow factor of the Kata M1, via its 5MP front camera, the quality and resolution is just like it was taken by point and shoot camera.

all photos captured by Kata M1

here’s a beautiful photo of a tower in Sampaloc, Quezon.
I used Snapseed app to add HDR effect

Using the 5MP front camera
The front camera takes good photo when there’s natural light

Food photography via Kata M1

One of my view in Sampaloc, Quezon river
captured by Kata M1

The hanging bridge
I like the camera semi-wide angle feature.

Church bell tower in Lucban, Quezon

Here I officially declared that Kata M1 is now my travel companion.
why ?? because I tried and tested it and it was a reliable device during my 5 day stay in Quezon province. My laptop and iPhone4s got jealous already because I’m heavily using this phone during my travel adventures.