Benco S1 Pro Review: Budget Phone with Stylish Design and Long Battery Life

Benco S1 Pro Review: Budget Phone with Stylish Design and Long Battery Life

The Benco S1 Pro makes a strong impression with its elegant design, impressive battery life, and decent camera capabilities, though it struggles with display and performance limitations. For users with a flexible budget, the Redmi Note 12 provides a superior overall experience with a better display and optimization. However, the Benco S1 Pro remains a solid option for those on a tighter budget.

Design and Build

The Benco S1 Pro measures 166.91 x 74.91 x 8.47 mm and weighs 203.4 grams, featuring a glass front and back with plastic frames. Its frosted glass back gives it a premium look and feel while resisting fingerprint smudges. The phone includes a side-mounted fingerprint sensor that responds quickly and reliably. Benco also provides a screen protector and a transparent case in the box, which is a thoughtful addition.

Display

The phone sports a 6.8-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 60Hz refresh rate and a resolution of 2460 x 1080 pixels, resulting in a 395 PPI density and a 20:5:9 aspect ratio. While the display offers good color reproduction and viewing angles for its price, the 60Hz refresh rate feels less smooth compared to higher-end displays, and the LCD panel lacks the vibrancy of AMOLED alternatives commonly found in this price range.

Performance

Powered by the Unisoc T616 chipset, an entry-level processor, the Benco S1 Pro manages basic tasks well but shows limitations in more demanding applications. In Geekbench 6 tests, it performs slightly better than the Snapdragon 685 in multi-core tasks but lags in single-core performance. Gaming performance is mediocre, with noticeable lag in titles like PUBG and acceptable frame rates in less demanding games. The phone runs Android 13 with a clean user interface, though RAM management could be improved.

Camera

The Benco S1 Pro features a triple camera setup led by a 64MP primary sensor, supported by a 2MP macro lens and an unspecified AI lens. The main camera produces decent image quality but delivers inconsistent results, with varying exposure and saturation across different shots. The 16MP front camera captures vibrant selfies, though neither it nor the Redmi Note 12 produces particularly natural-looking images. Video recording is shaky without stabilization, making the Benco S1 Pro less impressive in this area.

Battery and Charging

Equipped with a 5000mAh non-removable battery, the Benco S1 Pro offers approximately 6 hours of normal use on a single charge. It supports 33W fast charging, reaching 50% in around 25 minutes and a full charge in about an hour. While battery life is good, the Redmi Note 12's higher 120Hz display may slightly reduces its endurance.

Verdict

The Benco S1 Pro is a stylish and affordable option with a attractive design, long battery life, and the latest Android version. However, its average display quality and performance limitations make it a better fit for budget-conscious users. Those with a bit more flexibility in their budget might prefer the Redmi Note 12 for its superior display, camera, and overall optimization.