Highscreen boost 3 se pro black. A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other
Highscreen has never been shy about experimenting, and in September 2015 they showed Boost 3 - the most musical smartphone, and the first to bypass Android's limitations in sound quality. While other manufacturers were improving the sound software solutions from Dolby Digital and the like, Highscreen in Boost 3 installed a DAC and an amplifier on the headphones, which together cost the company more than half the cost of the smartphone. It's time to update the most audiophile smartphone, meet Highscreen Boost 3 SE! We've been using Boost 3 SE for almost 2 weeks and are ready to talk about all the advantages and disadvantages of the smartphone in this review.
Characteristics
- OS:Android 6
- Networks:GSM/GPRS/EDGE (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), WCDMA (900/2100 MHz), FDD-LTE (3/7/8/20) (2x micro-SIM)
- Screen: 5 inch. (S-IPS/OGS/1920x1080/2.5D Gorilla Glass 3)
- Processor: MediaTek MT6753 (8x1.3GHz, Cortex-A53, 28nm, 64bit, Mali-720 MP3)
- RAM: 2 GB (3GB Pro)
- ROM: 16 GB (32 GB Pro)
- Card slot microSD memory HC: up to 128GB
- Cameras: 13 Mpx (module: Samsung ISOCELL, PDAF, f/2.0, single-color LED flash), max. video recording 1080p*30 (H264, stereo)/ 5 MPx (front)
- Interfaces: Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GLONASS/GPS, FM, USB-OTG, 3.5mm (for headphones)
- Sensors: G-sensor, proximity sensor, light sensor
- Sound: HI-Sound, ESS9018K2M DAC and ADA4897-2 amplifier (sound access directly to the DAC, bypassing Android OS restrictions)
- Battery capacity: 3100mAh and 6900mAh (removable) Support fast charging
- Dimensions (WxHxT): 141*71.4*9mm and 13.9mm
- Weight: 168 g
- Contents: two batteries, two replaceable battery covers, Charger 2A, USB cable, instructions, warranty card
Equipment, design, assembly and ease of use
Boost 3 SE comes in a fairly large and heavy package, like for a smartphone. The packaging design immediately reveals the musical capabilities of the smartphone, because “the power is in the music” :) . 
The box contains the smartphone itself, documentation, two batteries, the first 3100 mAh, the second 6900 mAh, two covers for a “large” and a “small” battery, as well as a MicroUSB - USB cable for charging and synchronization and a 5 volt power supply 2 amps. 
What does the equipment have to do with the design? And despite the fact that by changing the battery and cover, the appearance changes radically. Let's first look at the Boost 3 SE with the "small" battery.
The front part is completely covered with protective 2.5D glass, which goes into a plastic frame, there is an oleophobic coating, three touch keys are clearly visible below the display, which can be backlit, above the display there is a camera, a speaker grille, perfectly tinted proximity and lighting sensors, they are in your eyes generally noticeable, as well as a bright and clearly visible notification light. Changing the cover does not in any way affect the appearance of the front of the smartphone. 
If usually the back cover in smartphones is removed separately from the frame, then in Boost 3 SE the cover also serves as a frame. The Boost 3 SE came to us in a color scheme with a blue cover for the “small” battery and an orange cover for the “large” battery, but there is also a version with black covers. Plastic in both cases is Soft-Touch. On the back of the device there is a camera that protrudes slightly, an LED flash, a huge but not conspicuous Highscreen logo and a ring speaker grille at the bottom. 
On the left side there is a lock key and a programmable key for launching applications, and on the right there is a volume rocker; nevertheless, when the keys are spaced on different sides, it is convenient. At the top end there is a 3.5 mm mini-jack, a noise-canceling microphone and a clearly visible company logo in a red frame, and at the bottom end there is a MicroUSB connector and a microphone. By the way, why the charging connector moved to the side will remain a mystery to everyone. 
With a 3100 mAh battery, Boost 3 SE is quite compact smartphone with a slightly austere appearance and its character, in fact, is revealed only by the “large” battery and the cover for it. Once you put on the big orange cover, this smartphone starts to attract a lot of attention. More than once I have heard questions like “is it shockproof?”, to which you can safely answer “no, the power is in the music,” but let’s return to the appearance. It is clear that all the elements remained in their places, only the camera stopped sticking out, but turned out to be well hidden in the body , well, the lid makes it more angular and the thickness becomes indecently large - 13.9 mm, but do not forget that a 6900 mAh battery is hidden under it, and this is commendable. 
Under the cover there is, of course, a removable battery, two slots for MicroSIM and one for MicroSD. 
There are no complaints about ergonomics with a “small” battery; Boost 3 SE fits well in the hand and does not feel slippery. With a “large” battery, the smartphone becomes thicker, heavier, etc. Of course, it’s more inconvenient, but this is a board for 6900 mAh under the hood. What is poorly placed is the main speaker; if we place our device with the screen up, it is very muffled.
You can find fault with the assembly; when you squeeze it, you can hear a quiet crack on the sides, but this can be treated, you just have to avoid squeezing the smartphone. I would like to note one more unpleasant point: the large orange lid does not get dirty very quickly, but if it gets dirty, you will have to scrub off the dirt for a long time.
Display
Boost 3 SE is the flagship of the Highscreen company and therefore it has a flagship matrix: five inches, resolution 1920x1080, pixel density is 440 ppi, individual pixels cannot be seen with the naked eye. The color temperature is a little warm, the image is moderately contrasty, and the colors are saturated. And if you don’t like something, you can customize the display to suit you using a wonderful tool in the settings called MiraVision. The vertical and horizontal viewing angles are maximum. The illumination is uniform and there are no obvious highlights. Automatic brightness adjustment works a little incorrectly, choosing a brightness level higher than a comfortable level in a dark room. 
Sound
Usually I write about sound almost as an afterthought, but in this review I raised this topic to the top. Boost 3 SE is equipped with a HI SOUND audio path, which combines the top ESS9018K2M DAC and powerful amplifier ADA4897-2. And I can already feel how some of the readers of this review are thinking about what this means and only audiophiles are sincerely happy about this “filling”. For ordinary users, I’ll say it briefly: Boost 3 SE can rock any headphones you come across.
For those more advanced in the musical topic, I will tell you my observations. The first thing I want to draw your attention to is that from version 6 of the “green robot” the sampling frequency limit to 16 bit/44.1 kHz was removed and now you can listen to high-quality music on absolutely any player.
As for the sound quality, it very much depends on the quality of the headphones. In headphones for 200 rubles, for example, Boost 3 SE plays about the same as any other smartphone with a good DAC, only much louder. But this smartphone really shines with good headphones with an impedance above 32 Ohms, and at the same time has a good volume headroom.
The sound is actually clear and it is with Boost 3 SE and quality headphones You can easily hear the difference between FLAC and MP3, and sometimes even what you simply couldn’t hear before. The sound is surround, the frequencies are not raised and not overloaded with all sorts of “improvers”, in the end we get the sound like this. how it was intended.
Boost 3 SE, perhaps, gives the clearest and loudest sound in headphones among absolutely all smartphones on the market and can give odds to most HI-Fi players.
Among the pleasant little things, it is worth noting that there are 50 steps for adjusting the volume; you can adjust the volume exactly the way you want. Absolutely omnivorous for audio files music player. And for the future we were promised advanced settings for controlling the DAC.
The main speaker, of course, produces a very loud sound, but I cannot call it high quality. There's a shortage low frequencies, and sometimes at maximum volume it even starts to “wheeze”.
Speaker: clear sound, but a little quiet, on a busy street sometimes there is not enough volume.
Camera
The main camera is a 13 megapixel module with autofocus and LED flash. To be honest, I have ambivalent feelings about the camera: on the one hand, you can get a really good picture, on the other hand, the automation constantly selects strange parameters for the photo and the pictures are either with an incomprehensible white balance, or crossed, etc. Although turning on HDR mode often solves the problem.
HDR shot
Photo without HDR
The camera app looks very simple. The number of modes is small by today's standards: panorama, retouching, rich, PIP mode (shooting with two cameras at once) and HDR, which saves the day. 
Sample pictures: 
The front camera has a resolution of 5.0 megapixels and you can even get a good selfie with it, but only with sufficient lighting, which is very rare indoors, but is ideal for video calls.
Performance
Boost 3 SE cannot boast of a fresh and powerful processor; it has an 8-core 64-bit MediaTek MT6753, the Mali-T720 is responsible for graphics, and the volume random access memory equal to two gigabytes. IN Antutu smartphone scores 37539 points, in GeekBench 2406 in multi-core mode and 604 in single-core mode, the indicators can be considered low when compared with their “classmates”.
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But believe me, you shouldn’t be upset, because the operating system is a well-optimized pure Android, and the smartphone works surprisingly well. Watching streaming video, a web browser, and the interface as a whole do not bother Boost 3 SE. Where the smartphone lacks power is in games; in order for World of Tanks: Blitz to work stably at about 30 FPS, the graphics settings will have to be reduced to low; Asphalt 8 also works only at low graphics settings without frame rate drops. No problems were noticed with casual games. 
Software
By and large, Highscreen didn’t think long about creating some kind of its own shell; the smartphone runs on “bare” Android with a minimal set of redesigned applications, and this is actually only a plus, it’s certainly better. than some do, with a bunch of pre-installed services and demo games. What I would like to note is that it is an absolutely omnivorous player for audio files and the ability to program an additional button to launch an application.
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Autonomy
Autonomy is another highlight of the Boost 3 SE. With a 3100 mAh battery, we get a day of active use and approximately 3.5 hours of screen operation, if we do not run “heavy” games.
The 6900 mAh battery allows the smartphone to last three days of active use and approximately 8 hours of screen operation. And many will envy such autonomy, and even the thickness of 13.9 millimeters becomes fully justified.
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 71.4 mm (millimeters) 7.14 cm (centimeters) 0.23 ft (feet) 2.81 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 141 mm (millimeters) 14.1 cm (centimeters) 0.46 ft (feet) 5.55 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 9 mm (millimeters) 0.9 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.35 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 168 g (grams) 0.37 lbs 5.93 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 90.61 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 5.5in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Blue Black Orange |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Plastic |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 800 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz |
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | MediaTek MT6753 |
| Technological process Information about technological process, on which the chip is made. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 28 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | ARM Cortex-A53 |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster as system memory, and other levels of cache memory. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 512 kB (kilobytes) 0.5 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 8 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 1300 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) Graphics processing unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphic applications. IN mobile devices ah it is used most often by games, consumer interface, video applications, etc. | ARM Mali-T720 MP3 |
| Number of cores GPU Like a CPU, a GPU is made up of several working parts called cores. They handle graphics calculations for various applications. | 3 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 450 MHz (megahertz) |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 2 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR3 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates. | Single channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 666 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | IPS |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5 in (inches) 127 mm (millimeters) 12.7 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.45 in (inches) 62.26 mm (millimeters) 6.23 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.36 in (inches) 110.69 mm (millimeters) 11.07 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 441 ppi (pixels per inch) 173 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 68.68% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch |
| OGS (One Glass Solution) Curved glass |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Rear camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on its back panel and may be combined with one or more secondary cameras.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the sensor used by the camera. | Samsung |
| Sensor type Information about the camera sensor type. Some of the most widely used types of sensors in mobile device cameras are CMOS, BSI, ISOCELL, etc. | ISOCELL |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer more high quality images despite the lower resolution. | 4.69 x 3.52 mm (millimeters) 0.23 in (inches) |
| Pixel size Pixels are usually measured in microns. Larger pixels are able to capture more light and therefore provide better low-light photography and wider dynamic range than smaller pixels. On the other hand, smaller pixels allow for higher resolution while maintaining the same sensor size. | 1.127 µm (micrometers) 0.001127 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor specific device. | 7.38 |
| Svetlosila F-stop (also known as aperture, aperture, or f-number) is a measure of the size of a lens's aperture, which determines the amount of light entering the sensor. The lower the f-number, the larger the aperture and the more light reaches the sensor. Typically the f-number is specified to correspond to the maximum possible aperture of the aperture. | f/2 |
| Number of optical elements (lenses) Information about the number of optical elements (lenses) of the camera. | 6 |
| Flash type The rear (rear) cameras of mobile devices mainly use LED flashes. They can be configured with one, two or more light sources and vary in shape. | LED |
| Image Resolution | 4160 x 3120 pixels 12.98 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| 30fps (frames per second) | |
| Characteristics Information about additional software and hardware features of the rear (rear) camera. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition Setting White Balance ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode Phase Detection Autofocus (PDAF) |
| Blue filter glass |
Front-camera
Smartphones have one or more front cameras of various designs - a pop-up camera, a rotating camera, a cutout or hole in the display, an under-display camera.
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of cameras is resolution. It represents the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in an image. For convenience, smartphone manufacturers often list resolution in megapixels, indicating the approximate number of pixels in millions. | 2560 x 1920 pixels 4.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum video resolution that the camera can record. | 1280 x 720 pixels 0.92 MP (megapixels) |
| Video recording speed (frame rate) Information about the maximum recording speed (frames per second, fps) supported by the camera at maximum resolution. Some of the most basic video recording speeds are 24 fps, 25 fps, 30 fps, 60 fps. | 30fps (frames per second) |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Audio file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Exactly a year ago at this very time we were looking at a very interesting new product from Boost 3 SE Pro. A year later, the guys from the company presented an updated model, which, in fact, remained just as musical, but at the same time added to the characteristics of the Boost line of previous generations. Let's see if only cosmetic changes have arrived in Boost 3 SE Pro.
Externally, we have before us the same most curious musical device with a well-developed software and hardware musical component - a five-inch FullHD screen, 3 gigabytes of RAM and MediaTek MT6753 as hearts. It’s still not clear where our comrades in China got so many of these processors, but oh well. We'll talk about this in the performance section.
The nice accent on the Highscreen logo on the top end also remains in place - it is clearly visible even when using multi-colored back covers. Multicolored? Well, yes, that's exactly it. The Boost 3 SE still doesn't include any headphones or headsets, but there's a reasonable excuse.
The model is still an advanced musical one, so two dollar ears They couldn’t even reveal a fraction of the potential of the Boost 3 SE audio path even if they wanted to. But the covers for replaceable batteries are no longer gloomy black, but blue and orange.
We all remember that Boost from Highscreen is such a very, very long-playing Android machine. It’s not that the Power line smartphones are worse, but here the ideology is different: the kit includes a pair of batteries so that your smartphone can be thin in Everyday life and thick, but tenacious for a very noticeable time under an equally noticeable load.
So, Boost 3 SE and SE Pro come with a pair of batteries - 3100 and 6900 mAh. The total capacity of 10,000 mAh is already really impressive. And if the device has a sophisticated look with a nice blue lid, you like full program you can use it all day, and without any special gaming sophistications and all two, then the orange Boost will give you already...
Well, you guessed it yourself, no? It will give at least twice as much, right? Almost. You can get two days of intense use or 4 days of moderate use.
In total, you can get to Kislovodsk by train, continuously watching the stock of TV series, for example, and this will take about 30 hours. Well, or carefully use your smartphone on a week-long trip to another city, without remembering the charger.
By the way, do you remember about the chipset from Mediatek? In theory, proprietary fast charging technology is supported, but in practice we couldn’t find such a charger, so we spent about two and a half hours on the small battery, and about five on the large one.
In principle, based on the operating experience of the previous generation of the third Boost, we can safely say that a battery of maximum capacity can be carried in a backpack for a very long time as a “spare”, and nothing will happen to it.
One of my colleagues conducted an experiment and tried to install batteries from the updated model into his last year’s Boost 3, and at the same time use the covers - and it worked. Now he’s thinking about getting an updated device. Moreover, if the design of the blue cover has not changed, then the design of the orange one, for a large battery, returned to the ideas of a year ago and received a relief reminiscent of stiffening ribs and adding brutality to the device. At least take it on a hike! But just don’t forget that this is still not an indestructible device.
Let's take a look under the battery compartment cover and then move on to something more interesting. So, we have 2 slots for SIM cards and one for a memory card. Cards are supported by the microSDXC standard, the slot is not hybrid, the user does not need to worry about choosing. And yes, we recommend getting a memory card, because the device needs a lot of space for a media library in order to please the owner with high-quality sound. But more on that a little later.
One SIM card slot supports 4G, while the second is designed to work in second generation networks. They will not work at the same time, since, of course, there is only one radio module. Bluetooth 4.1 and Wi-Fi 802.11n are available, no one deprived the device. There's even a radio. FM radio. And the headphones will serve as an antenna. Like this.
And under all this, Boost contains everything that will ensure the operability and performance of the device. The heart of the device is MediaTek MT6753. Exactly the same one was installed in Boost 3 of the last model year, but this did not make the device with the SE index any worse. The same 8 cores at 1.3 gigahertz still do their jobs perfectly. Graphics - Mali-T720. Well, 36 thousand parrots in AnTuTu, if anyone needs it.
In the Boost 3 SE model, the processor is supported by 2 gigabytes of RAM, in the version with the Pro prefix - already three gigabytes. Pretty good. There are also differences in the versions in one more indicator: the amount of built-in memory. The advanced model has 32 gigabytes installed for user needs for applications and data. But those who like to save money will be able to “clog” only 16 gigabytes, which is not so much, by modern standards, for such an interesting model.
The resolution of the five-inch display is 1920 by 1080 pixels. With such a diagonal, naturally, the pixels will not catch your eye. The viewing angles are sufficient for everyday use, and a glance at the device’s screen at an angle will make it clear what kind of notification you received. The only thing is that the “default” display settings will not always suit your own worldview.
The screen, by the way, is covered protective glass, along which the finger glides surprisingly smoothly, there is nothing to complain about. Although no, the edges of the screen were still slightly “over-smoothed” - when transferring application icons from one desktop to another, the finger manages to cross the border of the desired desktop and “travel” to the next one. However, not always.
Boost 3 SE Pro, and not Pro, operates under the supervision of Android 6.0. Everything is traditional and in Highscreen style. No impurities, add-ons or software junk. Everything is to the point, the only additions are the Zvooq streaming music service application, familiar to us from the usual Boost 3, a branded player and a slightly improved camera application.
As for the performance of the device, we did not notice any problems with the Pro version of Boost 3 SE. Of course, the cleanliness of the shell and the already well-established symbiosis of software and hardware have an effect. When working with social networking applications, browsers, etc., there are no complaints at all. And casual games will go quite well, all sorts of logical games, three in a row, runners and other time killers.
As for weightier games, everything directly depends on whether the developers remember about the Mediatek MT6753 or have already forgotten. As it turns out, basically everyone remembers everything and you won’t have to experience any special problems if you are not going to destroy armadas of opponents on the maximum cranked graphics.
NOVA 3 is expectedly thoughtful in active scenes, so you won’t be able to play with complete immersion. So we install Unkilled and continue to crush zombies, like in the good old days... But the still peppy Asphalt 8 continues to help us burn tires, demonstrating pretty good performance at medium graphics settings.
Need For Speed No Limits is also not far behind, although during the tests we expected more noticeable braking - this has been noticed more than once in this game. But what pleased me was the stable walking of combat robots in... well, actually the game about walking combat robots, WWR. Here, too, there are very different incidents from device to device.
The most important difference that came to us along with the SE index in the Boost 3 model is the ability to install an advanced DAC not only in a special player, so that you can bypass Android restrictions. Now any application has a chance to touch the sound high resolution- and you just have to try it yourself.
Fortunately, the DAC remained at the same level, having undergone only cosmetic improvements. So, just as Boost 3 was approximately comparable in quality to players of the Cowon Plenue D level and equal in price, so is the SE. Only the players are in the “25 thousand plus” price category, but Boost 3 SE and SE Pro are already “up to 20 thousand,” namely 17 and 19 thousand. Taking into account the flattering reviews of Pavel Dmitriev in the review of Boost 3 on Hi-News, they never bent their hearts in this paragraph.
As for personal impressions of the sound, as one of my colleagues would say, “plays well, loudly.” Yes, the pre-production version of Boost 3 simply “cut from the shoulder,” so in most situations I didn’t want to turn the volume above 10 percent. Here the device’s ardor has been toned down, so you can listen to the SE Pro with both expensive Westone W40 plugs and the well-thought-out Billy’s Band Edition from, in fact, Highscreen’s partners, Fischer Audio, almost as you please.
The smartphone is capable of pumping up even very demanding headphones from high price segments with significant demands on the audio path. But they didn’t teach you how to pump your Boost 3 speaker, but it’s not necessary. For lovers of loud music “for the whole yard” without additional speakers, Highscreen has Thunder, which we recently talked about. But for lovers of personal sound, fresh Boost is just the thing.
By the way, one more pleasant detail has been preserved - a programmable button on the right side of the Boost 3 SE. In principle, if you wish, in the settings you can set it to launch any application, which is sometimes useful. In our case, it seemed reasonable to use it to launch the camera, which we move on to.
The camera in the device is 13 megapixels. Traditionally, automation is quite slow and if there is insufficient lighting, focusing may “miss”. The application allows you to select ISO, white balance, and a number of other settings manually.
There are also HDR, saturated color and retouching modes, which can come in handy on occasion. The camera is enough for everyday photo sketches, but Boost 3 SE does not pretend to be a flagship camera. Just add some straight arms and it's enough for a cute photo album in Google Photos.
There is also a 5 megapixel front camera; if you find a more or less bright place, you can post a pretty decent selfie on Instagram.
So is there a need for Boost 3 SE and SE Pro? In principle, even if you still have Boost 3 alive, the update is justified partly by the improvement of the battery component, and partly by software improvements. Should I update or not with Boost 3 2015? The question is complex. If you managed to kill off the batteries in your device within a year, then you will get a significant increase in autonomy, and you will also benefit somewhat in design.
If you are just wondering whether to take it or not, then as a good HiFi player, and under good headphones... That's exactly what it should be. You don’t even have to look at the Pro modification, but limit yourself to the usual SE - the smartphone will definitely be able to provide a player with your favorite FLAC compositions, and for the browser and social networks with phone calls There is no particular need for another gigabyte of RAM. Expand the built-in card yourself.
We have fans of this device in the office, and in general the device is praised for its sound. This is not a gaming monster, it is not a camera phone. This is something completely different - a universal multimedia machine with an amazing power reserve and high-quality sound. This is it, Highscreen Boost 3 SE. Well, SE Pro is the same. Just a little better.
Highscreen regularly updates the Boost line. These are smartphones that boast solid batteries and excellent acoustics. Add to this the original design and a humane price - and here it is, perfect smartphone for music lovers, as well as those people who actively use technology.
Highscreen is a Russian brand. This means that the company pays less taxes compared to foreign manufacturers and can set low prices for its products. In addition, there will be no problems with service and repair of Highscreen smartphones. In this review we will talk about the capabilities of Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro and its main features.
In appearance, Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro is quite laconic: simple body lines, slightly rounded edges back cover, chopped ends, large logo in the center. In the basic configuration, the smartphone is quite thin – 9 mm at its widest point. But if you install an additional cover and more than triple the battery capacity, the thickness will increase to 13.9 mm.
Rational approach: for every day you want to have a thin and stylish smartphone, and if autonomy is important, another 5 mm and 72 g is not a problem. Especially in such an original design - with stiffening ribs and a large pattern. The hole for the camera in the additional cover does not affect its operation - it does not narrow the field of view and does not change the focusing parameters. And due to the beveled edges of the additional cover, the smartphone can be operated with one hand.
The main cover is also removable. Under the battery are slots for two SIM cards and a microSD memory card. By the way, both covers are reinforced from the inside so that the battery does not move and the smartphone does not rattle at maximum sound volume. Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro is offered in two colors. A smartphone in a charcoal black case comes with a black cover, while a dark blue one comes with a bright orange cover. The first option looks more brutal and stricter, the second one will be easier to find in a tent or in the grass.
On the front panel, below the screen, there are traditional backlit Android touch keys “Menu”, “Home” and “Back”. Above the screen there is an earpiece, a front camera, proximity and light sensors, as well as a two-color LED indicator. On the top edge there is a microphone and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, on the bottom there is another microphone and a microUSB port with OTG support. The volume rocker is on the left side, while the right side houses the power button (top) and a customizable function key (bottom). Unusual, but very convenient - you can control the camera and player.
The smartphone has a 5-inch IPS screen with FullHD resolution (1920x1080 pixels). Density – 441 ppi, individual points can only be distinguished under a magnifying glass, because the human eye perceives on average no more than 300 ppi. The image is very solid and realistic, color reproduction is excellent, viewing angles are 178 degrees horizontally and vertically.
The backlight brightness range is wide, there are tools for fine tuning MiraVision, contrast at a decent level. Small text is readable even in direct sunlight. A slight shift of the image into pink when tilted is a feature of all Boost 3; this does not affect the overall perception of the image.
The screen recognizes up to 5 simultaneous touches - this ensures excellent controllability in games. Protection – tempered Gorilla Glass 3 with 2.5D effect and oleophobic coating: there are no scratches, no abrasions, no fingerprints on the screen.
Performance
The smartphone is built on an octa-core MediaTek MT6753 chipset with a frequency of 1.3 GHz with Mali-T720 graphics. It has proven itself well and guarantees high performance both in games and in resource-intensive applications.
Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro successfully runs the latest games at high settings. The frame rate does not sag, ensuring dynamic rendering of a detailed image. Running several instant messengers, a browser, a navigator and online video at the same time is also not a problem, the smartphone will not slow down.
At maximum loads, the smartphone heats up, but not too much. To prevent overheating, the chipset automatically lowers the frequency, and as soon as the temperature drops to safe values, it restores performance.
The Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro version has 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal memory. The “younger brother” without the Pro mark has 2 and 16 GB, respectively. However, they haven’t forgotten about the microSD card slot – drives up to 128 GB are supported.
The smartphone works under Android control 6.0 Marshmallow. The set of additional tools is minimal, so you don’t have to remove unnecessary ones. Standard package installed Google applications, Zvooq player and firmware update utility.
The smartphone is equipped with the HiSound system - an audio path with an ESS Saber ES9018K2M DAC and an ADA4897-2 amplifier. The volume adjustment is smooth, music lovers will appreciate it. The sound is rich, the frequency dynamic range is wide - everything sounds clean and without flaws. There is no emphasis on the bass, but it is worked out perfectly, without distortion or rattling. The mid-frequency range is very rich and juicy, the high frequencies are airy, but not shrill.
It is noteworthy that Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro has an original audio player installed that transmits sound signal directly to the DAC. This allows you to listen to music with sampling rates above 48 kHz without loss of quality. In short, the acoustics Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro is at the level of good Hi-Fi players. The main thing is not to skimp on headphones.
Autonomy
The Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro comes with two batteries. The base capacity is 3100 mAh, enough energy for a day with average usage. An additional battery with a capacity of 6900 mAh will provide energy reserves for 2-3 days, and if you save, then for a week. Or up to 8.5 hours of work in “heavy” games and up to 14.5 hours of online video, with FullHD screen resolution - this is a very high figure.
Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro performed well at low temperatures. Where thin metal smartphones are discharged within a few hours, this model works successfully and does not turn off - you can, for example, take photos and videos for a long time. Current quality for the Russian winter.
The photo and video capabilities of the Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro are also excellent. The resolution of the main camera of the smartphone is 13 megapixels. It uses an ISOCELL sensor, which has increased light sensitivity, and optics with an f/2.0 aperture, as well as a bright LED flash. The smartphone can shoot FullHD video at up to 30 frames per second.
Color rendition is natural, detail is excellent, and there is little noise in the frame. Macro photography also works well. But since the dynamic range is not very wide, smooth color transitions, for example, in the sky, are not always reproduced accurately. In other words, for amateur photographs in social media The capabilities of Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro are more than enough.
Permission front camera– 5 MP, aperture - f/2.8. The viewing angle is wide, so it’s convenient to take selfies without a monopod. IN standard application“Camera” offers software filters and other tools that will make photos more interesting.
Communications
Highscreen Boost 3 SE Pro supports 4G/LTE – 3, 7, 8, 20 bands. It is guaranteed to work in Russian LTE networks of all telecom operators. You can install two microSIM cards. The signal reception quality is stable, there is only one radio module.
A year has passed unnoticed since the start of sales smartphone Highscreen Boost 3, all this time it was actively used in our editorial office. Then Russian engineers managed to combine a record time battery life and high-quality sound transmission to headphones, which can be the envy of expensive Hi-Fi players. This year, several more manufacturers announced the release of music smartphones, which, as practice has shown, did not go beyond marketing slogans. Apple fans who lost their audio jack deserve special mention. new iPhone. Against the backdrop of this mess, Highscreen continued its good undertaking by releasing the updated Highscreen Boost 3 SE and its modification Boost 3 SE Pro.
Installed current version Android, increased the battery capacity, changed the cover design and added new colors, and additionally worked on the audio part. At the same time, despite the difficult economic situation, the price tag remained reasonable. The recommended price is 16,990 rubles for Boost 3 SE (2/16 GB) and 18,990 rubles for Boost 3 Pro (3/32 GB).
Highscreen Boost 3 SE review
Equipment
Highscreen Boost 3 SE is delivered in spectacular packaging with a youthful design. Emphasis is placed on musical capabilities. Inside, the components are distributed in separate boxes.
The package includes extra battery, replacement cover, charger, micro USB cable, instructions and warranty card.
Appearance
Highscreen Boost 3 SE with a basic battery has not undergone any noticeable changes in appearance. The classic design with proven ergonomics has been preserved.
But with an additional cover for increased battery capacity, it’s already more interesting. Let me remind you that our review original Highscreen We were one of the first to carry out Boost 3 in Russia, and we got our hands on an engineering sample, distinguished by its bold cover design. It went on the shelves more modestly.
In Highscreen Boost 3 SE this interesting texture pattern has been returned. Plus added bright orange coloring. It looks original and unusual. This stamping also serves as stiffening ribs.
The inside of the cover is also reinforced; the position of the battery is additionally fixed to prevent displacement. There are seals to solve the issue of rattling when outputting sound to the speaker. The same seal is found on the base cover.
At its maximum, the Highscreen Boost 3 SE can hardly be called compact, but unlike the few solutions of competitors with increased battery capacity, here the user has the opportunity to choose.
These two versions of the battery cover also differ in perception. With basic battery, rounded sides, total thickness 9 mm, weight 140 grams. Enlarged, chopped edges, total thickness 13.9 mm, weight 200 grams.
The outer surfaces of Highscreen Boost 3 SE have a matte finish and are non-staining. Doesn't slip out of your hands.
In addition to the traditional set of buttons (volume rocker on the left and power button on the right), an additional multifunction button has been added. Using it you can control the camera and player.
At the bottom there is a microUSB connector with OTG support, and at the top there is an audio jack. Next to it is a stylized insert with the Highscreen logo.
The main camera lens is placed in the center. The external lens does not protrude above the surface of the body. There is an LED flash nearby. With an enlarged cover, the camera is buried in the body and does not negatively affect focusing speed and visibility.
The front side is covered with protective glass with a 2.5D effect. The lower frame under the screen is occupied by three backlit touch buttons, the upper frame is occupied by the earpiece, front camera lens, proximity and light sensors.
Under the cover are three slots for two SIM cards and a microSD memory card. There is no need to choose, you can use everything at once.
There are no surprises inside; it is a typical arrangement of two MicroSIM SIM cards and an SD memory card.
Screen
An S-IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5 inches is installed. Full HD resolution. There is no air gap between the matrix and the protective glass. Viewing angles are maximum. The screen is set up well, the colors are close to natural. The maximum brightness level of Highscreen Boost 3 SE is high, you can continue to work in direct sunlight. Up to five simultaneous touches are supported.Filling
Highscreen Boost 3 SE is powered by the already familiar MediaTek MT6753 processor with eight Cortex-A53 cores. The Mali-T720 MP3 is responsible for the graphics. The maximum operating frequency of the processor has been reduced to 1300 MHz. The Boost 3 SE has 2 GB of RAM, the Boost 3 SE Pro version has increased the volume to 3 GB. Inner memory also different, 16 versus 32 GB.Antutu
Geekbench
Epic Citadel
Sound
Over the past year, this smartphone has not received a competitor with comparable capabilities. HI SOUND audio circuit, including ESS9018K2M DAC and ADA4897-2 amplifier. Well-known programmers in audiophile circles and Russian engineers seriously worked on this filling. Highscreen Boost 3 SE is suitable not only for other “music” smartphones, but also for expensive Hi-Fi players. And these are not unfounded statements; over the course of a year, we ourselves have repeatedly let professional musicians and singers study the smartphone, they were all delighted and surprised. To pair such a smartphone, you will need high-impedance headphones.Connection
The Highscreen Boost 3 SE smartphone can work in LTE networks. The connection is stable, no breaks were noticed. File download speed is high. You can install two SIM cards, one radio module. Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi. The navigation module uses a joint GPS and GLONASS signal. On cold start takes 10-20 seconds, positioning accuracy is high. It can be used as a car and pedestrian navigator.Battery
Along with the update appearance batteries, increased the capacity of both batteries. Basic – 3100 mAh, extended – 6900 mAh. Gaming at maximum brightness: 4.5 hours/8 hours. Movies: 9 hours/18 hours. If you turn off network access, a smartphone with an extended battery can last 1.5 weeks. In normal mode, a basic battery will allow you to work actively with your smartphone all day, while a larger one will give you 2-2.5 days of operation.3100 mAh
6900 mAh
Camera
The camera application has been improved. Added a user-friendly interface with shooting modes and detailed manual settings. You can take pictures either from the screen or using an additional button. The resolution of the main camera is 13 megapixels with autofocus, the front one is 5 megapixels. The quality of the images, of course, is inferior to flagship solutions, but at a good level, focusing is fast.
Software
Installed operating system Google Android 6.0 with a minimum set of software. The Google package was supplemented with an update utility and the Zvooq player.
In the settings, the action for the additional button is set, gestures are activated for quick access to functions and applications.
Results for Highscreen Boost 3 SE
Highscreen Boost 3 SE is more of a cosmetic update than a complete overhaul. An excellent option for those who are tired of the endless and costly race for flagships, whose manufacturers have long forgotten about ease of everyday use, concentrating their efforts on the “husk”. There is also a long battery life, good ergonomics, two housing layout options, and a clean operating system. But the main feature is, of course, the unique capabilities of sound transmission through the audio connector, verified to the smallest detail by Mikhail Orlov (sanmigel) and Dmitry Gamza (gemzza). You can find fault with not the most powerful SoC, but is everyone ready to overpay? Highscreen Boost 3 SE receives the well-deserved award "Gold...
