The new BKAV Bphone has been creating a lot of buzz lately, at least in Vietnam. This is not the first Vietnamese smartphone (we’ve already had some from Mobiistar, Rovi and VNPT) but consumers are expecting a lot from this phone because none of previous products are successful in the market.
Unlike other manufacturers that are targeting the low or mid-range market, Bphone was claimed to be a high-end smartphone. Nguyen Tu Quang, BKAV’s CEO, even said the phone has a better design than iPhone 6 and delivers better sound quality than the Sony Xperia Z3. Many people have been doubtful because Quang was well-known for expressing excessive confidence about BKAV’s products.
The BKAV Bphone has just been officially introduced on May 26, 2015 at National Convention Center in Hanoi, Vietnam. Let’s see if it can compete in the high-end market that is dominated by iPhones. Can this be a historic milestone for the electronics industry in Vietnam?
Design
The Bphone is said to be the first smartphone in the world featuring flat design. I’m quite impressed with the sleek design. It has a 5-inch display only, so you can see it is smaller than recent flagships like iPhone 6 Plus or Samsung Galaxy S6.
You might find it familiar because it looks like a hybrid of iPhone and Sony Xperia in my opinion. It also reminds me of some Oppo products.
Features and Tech Specs
- OS: BOS (forked Android 5.0 Lollipop)
- Network: HSDPA 21.6 Mbps
- Display: 5-inch Sharp LCD TFT, full-HD resolution (1920 x 1080 pixels), 441 ppi
- Gorilla Glass 3 on front and back
- Rear camera: 13MP OmniVision sensor, Ubi Focus, Sapphire lens cover, supports recording 4K, 1080p@60fps/30fps, 720p@120fps videos
- Front Camera: 5MP, wide 88-degree angle
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 Quad Core 2.5GHz
- RAM: 3GB
- Internal Memory: 16GB / 64GB / 128GB
- External memory card: not supported
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi a/b/g/n/ac, 2 bands, Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, Glonass, TransferJet (500 times faster than NFC), microUSB
- Audio: Supports hi-res FLAC, ALAC, 24-bit/192kHz
- Microphone:noise-canceling FluenceHD
- Battery: Li-Po 3.000 mAh supporting Quick Charge 2.0 Plus
- 5GB of storage on Bdrive
- Secured with built-in Firewall and BKAV Security
- Size: 14,1 x 6,9 x 7.5 mm
- Colors: black, white, champagne gold, 24K gold
- Price: 9,990,000 VND (460 USD) for Black – 16GB edition, 12,960,000 VND (593 USD) for Black, White, Champagne Gold – 64GB edition, and 20,200,000 VND (925 USD) for 24K Gold – 128GB edition
I will post a review as soon as I have a chance to test the Bphone. What do you think about the made-in-Vietnam smartphone, does it have any chance to compete with Apple or Samsung?
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usmc says
They keep bragging about this phone is among the first 2 in the world which use “flat design” but forgot to mention what advantage “flat design” has compared to the other phones.
And if this phone could beat other competitors like its manufacturer claimed, why didn’t we hear about it from foreign press?
Tuan Do says
All those features are gimmicks in my opinion and nobody outside of Vietnam will be interested in the Bphone. Who will spend more than $500 to buy such an average phone from an unknown brand. It is even more expensive than LG G3, Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z3.
Tran says
How about expert opinion?
Tuan Do says
I can’t say much as I haven’t tried the phone yet, but by looking at the specs and first hands-on videos, it is not really a high-end smartphone. Anyway, this is a good start for the smartphone industry in Vietnam and it should be encouraged.
TnTonly says
Does this article count as “foreign press”?
Tuan Do says
Of course, we are proud to be the only press in the U.S. covering the Bphone news :D
Thieu Pham says
Gimmicks don’t work? The majority of the planet is populated by idiots that buys a product based on gimmicks. Have you heard of Beats or iPhone? They are far from being the best, yet people will save for the latest version believing all the marketing and hype. How many morons of the world do you really think read a tech blog or engages in a discussion in a forum dedicated to technology? How many morons know the difference between an Exynos, Qualcomm and Rockchip? The majority of people who buy high end phones tend to want to be able to brag about all the gimmicks they can barely use. If Bkav had any sense, they should have sent the Kardashian sisters some free phones, they would have gotten a lot more foreign press time. Will this phone threaten Samsung or Apple? Only an idiot would think so. The people who invest in the S6 and iPhone 6 only care about the logo and number. No American would want a Bphone, but hopefully enough Vietnamese will want one so the company has an opportunity to introduce some new innovations in a stagnant field. Only an idiot would compare a company’s first offering to established giants such as Samsung and Apple. Keep in mind that at one time, no American would buy anything from Korea, but times have changed.
Tuan Do says
There is nothing wrong with making comparison between a Bphone and a Samsung or iPhone. Consumers have the right to get the best value from their hard-earned money. At the moment, I don’t expect any innovation from the company as all the features and design are copied from other manufacturers.
I don’t see any gimmick on the iPhone and Beats. They are successful because they make high-quality products and target the right audience. And do you see how the Galaxy S5 with full of gimmicks failed and how the first smartphone of OnePlus was successful?
Rah Ethereal says
Hello Tuan,
I am an open-minded thinker and critical researcher of knowledge. To make a long story short… I am an avid Apple user; because of simplicity of use, built-in securities, and very nice syncing of all of my devices. I started out as a teenager on DOS / Windows systems here in the US, and then migrated to Apple in 2009. I know that any computer can be hacked, and / or given some form of malware depending on the importance of the target, and the personal skill level of the technician involved. I personally, do not know the first thing about hacking or making malware, but I am familiar with computer basics such as: BIOS, CMOS Setup, early phase knowledge of ASCII, and how to build a computer. My main interests are photography, creative arts, writing, personal and cyber security, and game design… as far as computers are concerned. I do not subscribe to using computers for malicious purposes with anyone, or for any reason… as I am an emotionally healthy and spiritually well-adjusted individual.
I am greatly impressed with the revelations of weaknesses that Bkav has found in American-based computer technologies, and am curious as to the true defenses and securities of Bkav technologies. Any company that specializes in progressive thought, and the production of technology designed to push the human race forward into the future has my attention. I would really love to know if Bphone 2017 is more secure than iPhone overall. Nice going with the 16 megapixel rear camera for Bkav… very nice indeed. I will be watching the progress of Bkav, who found the 3D stone powder mask exploit for iPhone X. Unlike many of Americans, I do not need the Kardashians to market any product for me to be interested in it.
Hùng says
Mang tiếng báo tây, hai thằng việt nam nói chuyện tiếng anh với nhau như đúng rồi.
Bphone như shit, thế giới ai thèm quan tâm chứ.
Dean says
Báo Mỹ đấy ông tướng, vì bài viết liên quan đến Việt Nam nên người Mỹ gốc việt họ comment
Hung says
Hello everyone,
I was in Vietnam, I was embarrassed by the phone . It’s too bad , can not compare with the iPhone or Samsung
Anthony says
Can you briefly describe how bad it is to your opinion and base on any comparision?
Nhatanh0475 says
Short story: Big ego, too arrogant, false advertise, terrible security, always blaming on other factor except themself when security breach, terrible customer service, ban customer for complaining about the product, expensive yet no better than Xiaomi. Always said “B brand” has core tech, better than “A brand” and “S brand”, abusing Patriotism to lure customer to buying their phone, have “seeder” who go around defending B brand and ready to insult other for not being Patriotism.
Long story:
First off the ego of Quang (the creator of BKAV and Bphone) is huge. Some dude above said “ Only an idiot would compare a company’s first offering to established giants such as Samsung and Apple.” If according to that logic then Quang is the idiot cause he’s the first one said Bphone is same if not better than Apple and Samsung which is a very bold claim.
Second the phone was so bad it doesn’t even got certificate from Google Store when selling to customer, rendering many can’t download app from Google store.
It’s hella expensive, which the current average income of Vietnamese citizen, we would need 4-5 months worth of salary IF we don’t eat, don’t pay house rent, don’t pay tax, don’t pay entertainment stuff, house expense, etc.. then we can buy a piece of over price phone even when there are better option, we all know what we gonna choose.
The customer service, after product is terrible. Some customer when complain or reporting bug to the company, they got ban on social media, can’t no longer communicate related to the phone. Ban your own customer? WHO DOES THAT? Well the “B brand” of course.
I heard a story about back in the days when the seucirty of Bphone was breach by a public hacker, they blaming the employee for it. When hacker announces a livestream hack target Bphone, it never appear as schedule, leaving people have rumor that Bphone just “unplug” their system.
And now recently they been hacked again and just like in the past, Bphone blaming for the “ex-employee” for it. The list of Bphone info customer can clearly be seen on the Internet, I forget the source but I did see some account with detail phone number.
Bphone create a lot of hype, which isn’t even success at it lol!
It has no actual stand, has no reasonable target.
Also their BKAV is terrible, worst than Window security. BKAV create to fight virus, but all I see that BKAV is the virus itself, infecting my school computer, rendering some of it useless. Both Avast and BKAV.
I want to remind you that in since 2015, I never see someone use Bphone my entire existing. Same go for many people too. And Bphone can’t even be found anywhere to sell in Popular phone reseller like The Gioi Di Dong, even in the middle of Ha Noi Capital not HCM city.
Yeah, it’s really bad cause it kinda show all of the bad side of Vietnamese, big mouth can said lot of thing but doesn’t do much, big ego, too much patriotism that can even be used to buy stuff that isn’t even that good.
Aaron says
This phone is so cute. How can I buy this one?
Tuan Do says
It is on sale in Vietnam only. I heard that BKAV will launch the phone in some other markets including the U.S. soon.
RLE says
I do not think it will be sold in U.S. market soon: \”bphone\”, \”bos\” sounds similar to \”iphone\”, \”ios.\” BKIS needs to rename their brand before sells it to US customer.
chuong says
muon mua iph 6 plus ve vn cho ng nha. vay thi nen mua loai nao
chuong says
hi tuan
a muon mua cai iph 6plus de goi ve vn cho ng nha dung. vay loai nao co the xai duoc o vn voi gia ca khoang bao nhieu. cam on tuan nhe
Cindy Ly says
Everything has a first. I remember Samsung was considered to be crap and so many people laughed at it. Look how far they have gone now? I think Vietnamese people need to support their product. Yes bphone may not be good at the moment but it’s a good attempt. We should support it. Who knows one day it will become as successful as Samsung
An says
Not likely. While it’s good to be proud of your product, but don’t brag that you’re stuff is better that the competition especially when they are a nobody. The price point is way off the brand has no following, no track record. Best to introduce and put their best foot forward and not in their mouth.
Tuong T. says
Even though it is not as good as an iPhone or Samsung Phones, it has a good start. Furthermore, I love that it is not trying to replicate iPhone as many Chinese companies are doing, sorry to say so but it is happening right now, and the China has been very well known for creating fake products from Apple and Samsung. At least, I am proud that BPhone is not replicating exact copy of iPhone or Samsung Phones. One day, I hope BPhone will be a big name in the world as we used to laugh at Samsung before. BPhone 2 is releasing soon.
Nhat Anh says
Lol literally Bphone is copying Iphone. It’s even in the name!
iPhone has IOS
Bphone has BOS?
Iphone is expensive.
Bphone also try to be expensive.
Quang even said that “B phone” is better than “A Phone/Brand”.
Minh Le says
I really love the design of Bphone Gold and wish to have one when the product available in the U.S in the future. Let’s support Vietnam guys
John Carr says
let venture capitalists support bphone during its infancy. don’t expect the consumer to buy a relatively high priced phone just to help the company. Vietnamese, well many who don’t get bribes etc. work hard for their disposable money so they deserve high quality products. I wish bphone the best but I wouldn’t buy it just to support the company.