When it comes to affordable smartphones, Walton has been a market leader in Bangladesh. The company that started its journey with consumer electronics solutions first ventured into feature phones and subsequently to smartphones. Walton’s R line of devices has always been their entry-level lineup. These devices boast an impressive mix of performance and affordable pricing in the budget segment. Primo R9, the latest device in this lineup, has recently been launched on 21st June 2022. Here’s a detailed review of Walton Primo R9 with key specifications.
Key features of Walton Primo R9
Design and Build Quality
The Primo R9 is a sub 12,000 BDT device that is aggressively priced even for a budget smartphone. As a result, there are some cost cuts here and there. While these issues might be an eyesore to some, the price of the device should also be considered while reasoning.
Being the successor of the R8, the R9 doesn’t really reinvent anything which we typically see in the budget segment.
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The most noticeable change is in the back where the previous frosted and vertical texture has been replaced with a refracting X. It kind of gives the device a gaming vibe which was somewhat the intention altogether.
The back and the frame are all made from plastic as usual. Ports and buttons are also placed in the exact same location as the previous generation. Users will be getting all the typical features like micro SDXC support, headphone jack, and dual sim in the device.
It was expected that Walton might revamp the front as the large chins and bezels don’t really go with the 2022 standard, even for an ultra-budget device. That said, the device offers an acceptable build quality in this price range with more focus being put on the performance front.
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Display
The display is the same 6.52-inch water-drop notch style LCD panel. Walton calls it their dewdrop display. The resolution of the panel is HD+ with a capacitive touch panel. Walton went with the INCELL display technology which adds a bit more vibrancy to the panel.
There isn’t much to say about a 720P LCD panel. The display gets the job done. The viewing angles aren’t the greatest nor is the outdoor brightness. Noticeable blue tints are visible once it's viewed from the side. But that’s just nitpicking as no one would generally use it from that extreme angle.
Overall, the display might be workable at best, but it’s definitely worth the price it comes at.
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Camera
The camera module is probably the biggest marketing tool for the Walton Primo R9. Why? Because Walton is offering up to 52 MP of picture quality at a fraction of the flagship prices. Now Walton doesn’t actually ship the device with a 52 MP sensor.
The main camera is a 13 MP f/1.8 shooter. The other two are gimmicky 2MP depth and a VGA shooter. So how does the 52 MP resolution come about? Walton has used pixel-binding technology to transform the 13 MP shots into 52 MP resolution with long exposure and RAW mode shooting.
This is just an elaborate marketing strategy as the pictures aren’t that different in both RAW and normal mode. It’s a simple point-and-shoot camera that does a decent job in well-lit environments but fails in low light. images look grainy with noises here and there and uneven exposure. The only saving grace is the flash but given how things are now, not many people use flash to begin with.
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The videography here is maxed at 1080P. The front also boasts an 8 MP selfie camera. It’s just another generic selfie camera without anything special going for itself.
Processor and Performance
The Walton Primo R9 genuinely shines in its performance. It's nothing compared to the upper mid-range or flagships, but the device definitely made a space for itself in the entry-level category.
Walton has used Helio G25 Gaming SoC based on Hyper Engine Technology. It has an octa-core chip design built on 12 Nm FinFit architecture. The GPU is powered by PowerVR Vogue GE8320.
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Remember the gaming-like design on the back. Well, Walton is claiming the Prime R9 to be the entry-level gaming phone of 2022. The G25 Gaming SoC is basically overclocked to 1.8 GHz to provide a smooth gaming experience on a budget.
The phone still drops a frame here and there while playing PUBG at the highest graphics level. But the fact that a device of this price point can even normally run PUBG in full settings is something which is definitely commendable. The run is similar to other titles as well from 3D to 2Ds.
Day-to-day tasks like browsing and social media run with ease on the device. There’s no noticeable lag and the device also does a great job at heat management except while gaming.
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The smoothness comes with Android 11 with no guarantee of Android 12. But the minimum bloatware makes for a smooth and pleasant experience.
Battery and Charge Time
The Walton Primo R9 comes with a 5000 mAh battery. Users can expect to get around 7 to 8 hours of continued usage on a full charge due to its low-res display. However, gaming will definitely cause a battery drain as the chipset is overclocked. There’s also no fast-charging support so expect long charging hours.
Price of Walton Primo R9 in Bangladesh
The Walton Primo R9 is available in the 3GB/32GB variant only. The current official price of the device is 11,999 BDT. But Walton is running a promotional launch campaign where users can get the device for as low as 10,490 BDT.
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Verdict
Walton played it safe with the Primo R9. Their “don’t fix what’s not broken” approach works here as the device made a small incremental update on the previous generation without compromising on the price. The device definitely shines on the processor end with high power delivery. But the camera gimmicks and the age-old display are a tad concern even for the budget buyer. But overall, Walton Primo R9's still a great purchase considering the price and Waltons reliability.