Published: 2014-08-30, Author: Dave , review by: wired.co.uk
Abstract: High-spec smartphones are getting cheaper by the day, and there are lots of cheap-as-chips models that can deliver power and quality where you need them. We've rounded up our favourites.Built by Chinese manufacturer Huawei, the Kestrel is impressively s...
4G for under £100, Good design and well made, HD screen
Average battery life, Older version of Android, Limited internal storage
An absolute cracker, the Kestrel not only proves that own-brand phones aren’t to be sniffed at, but it also sets the benchmark for all budget 4G phones to follow. Where the Alcatel (cut from £99 to £79 as we went to press) offers 4G for even less, the Ke...
Weak resolution, No covercustomisation options, Lack of features
The EE Kestrel is a reliable handset that boasts good usability and Huawei’s superior design-work and UI. Unfortunately, the EE Kestrel’s entry-level specs don’t do justice to the 4G-LTE they came bundled with. Therefore, we would advise sticking to hig...
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Published: 2014-07-03, Author: Kevin , review by: 3g.co.uk
4G on a phone at less than £100, Nice design and decent build quality, HD display
Mediocre battery life, Not an uptodate Android version, Limited onboard storage
This is a cracking smartphone that proves that own-brand devices should not be dismissed out of hand. And with a pricetag of only £99, it has set the standard for budget 4G handsets. Sure the Alcatel phone, which also offers 4G, has been reduced to only...
Good software extras, Nicely priced 4G handset, Memory expansion facility
Low resolution screen, Flimsy build, Poorly located headset jack
It is interesting that EE has chosen to take the low cost route with its first own-brand handset. Opening up access to 4G for those of us on modest budgets is a smart move, and at present there aren't many low cost 4G phones to rival the Kestrel. That wi...
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Published: 2014-06-25, Author: Andrew , review by: CNET.co.uk
4G-ready for your super-fast data needs, EE's Kestrel comes with an extremely reasonable price tag. It has enough power for the everyday essentials, has a reasonable, albeit a little low-resolution display, expandable storage and did I mention the low pri
It's running on the now outdated Android Jelly Bean, which has been loaded up with various bits of non-removable bloatware that could confuse, not to mention irritate, new Android converts
If ultra-fast data speeds are of the utmost importance to you, but you don't really care about having the biggest, brightest screen or fastest processor, the EE Kestrel is worth checking out. It's not going to impress with its specs and the bundled softw...
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Published: 2014-06-19, Author: Mike , review by: pocket-lint.com
Budget entry to 4G, microSD slot for storage expansion, bright display
Doesn't feel ‘premium' as billed, low screen resolution, headphone jack side position, Motorola competition
The EE Kestrel does what it says on the box: delivers 4G connectivity at a budget price point. Its plasticky design might not thrill us, and the headphone jack is in a stupid position, but for the £100 asking price the Kestrel is worthy of a salute...
Published: 2014-06-18, Author: Dave , review by: dailystar.co.uk
The Kestrel is a decent budget phone with plenty going for it.It's built to last, has a splendid screen and reasonable battery life means you get plenty of phone for your £99.It doesn't look as flash as the Motorola Moto e or Nokia Lumia 630, but neither...
We like the Kestrel, we really do. We don't like its design and build quality, and we hate its user interface, but in other respects the Kestrel has a lot going for it. Whereas network operators haven't yet been able to make 4G connectivity available UK-w...
