Coolpad C16s, announced and released in November 2024, brings a mix of modern features and affordability to the competitive smartphone market. Priced at around €80, $85, this phone caters to budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable daily driver. Here’s a detailed review of its key features:
Design and Build
The Coolpad C16s sports a sleek design with dimensions of 167.9 x 77.9 x 8.7 mm and weighs 215 g. Despite being slightly heavier than average, it feels sturdy in hand. The phone comes in three attractive colors: Midnight Black, Woodland Green, and Sunset Orange, ensuring there’s a style to suit everyone.
Its Hybrid Dual SIM slot adds versatility for users who want the option of a second SIM or expandable storage.
Display
The 6.75-inch IPS LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate delivers smooth scrolling and decent visuals for its price. However, the resolution of 720 x 1600 pixels (~260 PPI density) limits sharpness, making it less ideal for detailed media consumption. The display brightness of 400 nits ensures usability in most lighting conditions but may struggle under direct sunlight.
Performance
Powered by the MediaTek Helio G36 chipset built on a 12nm process, the Coolpad C16s offers reliable performance for basic tasks like browsing, social media, and light gaming. The Octa-core CPU (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) combined with the PowerVR GE8320 GPU handles casual games and multitasking efficiently but might falter with resource-intensive apps.
The phone runs on Android 14, offering a modern software experience with optimized security and features.
Memory Options:
- 128GB storage + 4GB/6GB RAM
- 256GB storage + 4GB RAM
The inclusion of expandable storage via a microSDXC card (shared SIM slot) adds flexibility for users needing more space.
Cameras
The dual rear camera setup includes:
- 50 MP main camera with f/1.8 aperture for wide shots.
- 2 MP macro lens for close-up photography.
- An unspecified depth sensor, enhancing portrait shots.
While the primary camera performs well under good lighting, its performance diminishes in low-light conditions. The macro lens is a nice addition, though it is more of a novelty than a staple for everyday photography.
The 8 MP front-facing camera with an f/2.0 aperture delivers satisfactory selfies for social media use.
Battery Life and Charging
With a 5000mAh non-removable battery, the Coolpad C16s promises a full day of usage for most users. The 10W wired charging speed is modest but expected at this price point. Heavy users may need to recharge by evening, but casual users will appreciate its endurance.
Connectivity and Features
Coolpad C16s supports a wide range of network technologies, including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, CDMA2000, and LTE, ensuring compatibility across regions.
Other notable features include:
- Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac for stable internet connections.
- Bluetooth 5.0 for fast and reliable wireless communication.
- NFC support (region-dependent), enabling mobile payments.
- A side-mounted fingerprint scanner, offering secure and quick access.
However, the omission of a 3.5mm headphone jack might disappoint audiophiles relying on wired headphones.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Affordable price tag (~€80).
- Stylish design with multiple color options.
- Large battery capacity.
- Android 14 out of the box.
- Decent 90Hz display.
Cons:
- Low display resolution (720p).
- Limited camera performance in low light.
- Slow 10W charging.
- Slightly bulky build.
Estimated Price
- United States: ~$85
- United Kingdom: ~£80
- India: ~₹7,000
Verdict
The Coolpad C16s is a commendable entry-level smartphone that delivers on the basics. It strikes a balance between style, performance, and price, making it an excellent choice for first-time smartphone users or those on a budget. While it has its limitations, such as the low-resolution display and average camera performance, it offers good value for its price point.
If you’re looking for an affordable smartphone with decent features and reliable performance, the Coolpad C16s is worth considering.
Full Specifications of the Coolpad C16s
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Network | GSM / CDMA / HSPA / CDMA2000 / LTE |
| Launch | Announced: 2024, November Released: 2024, November |
| Body | Dimensions: 167.9 x 77.9 x 8.7 mm Weight: 215 g |
| SIM: Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by) | |
| Display | Type: IPS LCD, 90Hz, 400 nits Size: 6.75 inches (~84.1% STB) |
| Resolution: 720 x 1600 pixels (~260 ppi density) | |
| Platform | OS: Android 14 Chipset: Mediatek Helio G36 (12 nm) |
| CPU: Octa-core (4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A53 & 4×1.6 GHz Cortex-A53) | |
| GPU: PowerVR GE8320 | |
| Memory | Internal: 128GB 4GB/6GB RAM, 256GB 4GB RAM |
| Card Slot: microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot) | |
| Main Camera | Dual: 50 MP (f/1.8, wide) + 2 MP (f/2.4, macro) + XX MP (depth) |
| Features: LED flash Video: Yes | |
| Selfie Camera | Single: 8 MP (f/2.0) Video: Yes |
| Sound | Loudspeaker: Yes 3.5mm Jack: No |
| Connectivity | WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Bluetooth: 5.0, A2DP, LE |
| Positioning: GPS, GALILEO, GLONASS, BDS | |
| NFC: Yes (region-dependent) USB: Yes | |
| Features | Sensors: Fingerprint (side-mounted), accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass |
| Battery | Type: 5000 mAh, non-removable Charging: 10W wired |
| Miscellaneous | Colors: Midnight Black, Woodland Green, Sunset Orang |
