Benco S1 Review: A Budget-Friendly Option with Strong Battery Life

Benco S1 Review: A Budget-Friendly Option with Strong Battery Life

The Benco S1 makes a bold entry into the budget smartphone market, offering an appealing design, decent cameras, reliable performance, and excellent battery life, all at an attractive price point. However, users should be aware of its limitations, particularly a low-resolution display and some connectivity challenges.

Design and Build

Measuring 168.47 x 75.34 x 8.5 mm and weighing 203.4 grams, the Benco S1 presents a sizable form factor that many will appreciate. The device sports a matte plastic back with a camera island, available in black and green variants. While the design is familiar, the green color option stands out nicely. The matte finish feels adequate, though the glossy frame tends to attract fingerprints, making a case almost essential.

Display

The headline feature is its large 6.8-inch HD+ IPS LCD screen, which boasts a 91% screen-to-body ratio and a 60Hz refresh rate. However, the 720 x 1640 pixel resolution proves to be a significant drawback, resulting in a pixelated experience that diminishes the impact of the spacious display. While the size is impressive, the low resolution makes it feel more of a liability than an asset.

Performance

Powered by the Unisoc Tiger T606 processor, coupled with either 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of expandable storage, the Benco S1 handles everyday tasks smoothly. Social media, light browsing, and casual gaming are manageable, though performance can become sluggish with more demanding games, and the device may heat up during extended use.

Camera

The camera setup includes a 48MP primary sensor, an AI camera, and a 2MP macro lens on the rear, with a 16MP punch-hole selfie camera up front. While photo quality from the main camera is passable after processing, overall sharpness and exposure can be inconsistent. Low-light performance is particularly weak, and video recording, capped at 1080p/30fps, suffers from jitter and pixelation.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 13 with Benco’s InOne UI, the software experience is close to stock Android, offering a clean interface with minimal customization. However, the lack of announced software support raises concerns about long-term updates for this budget device.

Connectivity

Connectivity options include WiFi, Bluetooth 5.0, and VoLTE support. While network coverage and GPS performance are satisfactory, Bluetooth connectivity can be unreliable, often dropping or failing to connect.

Battery

One of the standout features is the robust 5000mAh battery, which easily lasts a full day of typical use and can even stretch to two days with light usage. The included 18W fast charger can replenish the battery to full in approximately two hours.

Verdict

Overall, the Benco S1 is a compelling budget smartphone, particularly for those prioritizing design and battery life. However, users should be prepared for compromises in display quality, video performance, and Bluetooth reliability. For a modest budget increase, alternatives like the Redmi 12 offer a more balanced overall experience.