VeryKool S5518 Maverick Phablet Dual SIM Unlocked Android Smartphone
Large 5.5″ unlocked phablets for less than $200 are hard to find, even in a crowded Android smartphone market. VeryKook makes one, it is called the Maverick and my time with the s5518 smartphone with dual SIMs was fun.
Overview
VeryKool S5518 Maverick Stunning 5.5 Inch IPS LCD Screen
VeryKool’s Maverick Android dual SIM unlocked smartphone is plus sized with a 5.5” screen and a curved metal bezel. Two micro SIM slots offer 4G connections to nearly any GSM provider. It comes at a nearly unbeatable value of $149.99. Easily switch between those two SIM cards via an Android app and avoid high roaming charges while traveling.
VeryKool Maverick s5518 1.3Ghz Quad-Core CPU
VeryKool Maverick s5518 Android Smartphone Unboxing
Brands that offer unlocked phones have not been known to include premium features and front facing cameras with five megapixels. VeryKool’s unlocked dual SIM smartphones are super competitively priced. Its form factor is thin at only 8mm compared to other 5.5” smartphones that I have used, similar to the Microsoft Lumia 1520.
Disclosure: I received the Maverick s5518 smartphone at no cost for review from VeryKool. I was not compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own. All photos are courtesy of VeryKool unless otherwise noted.
VeryKool Maverick s5518 Customizable Indication Light
Screen brightness and clarity on budget smartphones is not great, but this model had more than enough for bright days and dark rooms. I enjoyed watching newscasts and YouTube videos throughout my review on its 4G and WiFi connections.
VeryKool Maverick s5518 Statistics Tech
Google’s Android KitKat 4.4 OS is preinstalled and all features worked well enough with its 1.3GHz quad-core CPU and 1GB of RAM. It only comes with 8GB of ROM, so installing a 32GB microSD is a good idea. An FM radio app and a VeryKool Android firmware update app were included to help notify users of when new software becomes available.
VeryKool Maverick s5518 Tempered Glass Screen
Testing its dual SIM card functionality was easy. Settings for each SIM are configured via an app pre-installed. There are screen icons showing connection and signal strength for each active SIM.
Calls did not drop in rural and city environments, however the cell site that your phone connects to and the carrier you use are important for call quality. Your experience with calls and data speeds will depend on the towers available.
VeryKool Maverick s5518 8MP and 5MP Cameras
A maximum 21Mbps 4G cellular connection speed, the low 267 pixels per square inch 720 x 1280 resolution screen, 1GB of RAM, 8GB ROM and 2.4GHz only WiFi shows where build costs were saved in the Maverick. Making a smartphone with a 5.5” screen with premium Gorilla Glass 3 and a 5MP facing camera at a price below $150 is awesome though.
Final Thoughts
At the price of $149.99 available direct, the VeryKool Maverick s5518 is a good buy. Two SIM card slots make it versatile enough for use in the US and abroad. Or use this smartphone as a backup for traveling. Travel selfies with this phone turn out quite nicely.
VeryKool s5518 Maverick Full Accessories
A good amount of accessories are included in the package. They include a case cover, earphones and a screen protector. That is another hallmark of VeryKool. The screen is bright, clear and the videos I watched became even sharper when watching them over WiFi. 4G LTE is nearly a worldwide standard now, so hopefully in a future version, their phablets will include it. If they keep up on firmware and Android updates, this smartphone will be a winner for some time.
VeryKool Maverick s5518 Special Bonus
Rating: 3.5/5
Pros:
– 5.5” Large Screen
– $30 of Included Accessories
– Dual Micro SIM slots
– Removable Battery
– micro SD Expansion Slot Up To 32GB
– Unlocked For Any GSM Carrier
– 8MP Camera
– 5MP Front Facing Camera
Cons:
– 8GB ROM
– Low screen resolution
– Relatively Slow 4G 21Mbps Max Download Speed