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Bush Spira E3X unboxing & hands-on review

Bush Spira E3X unboxing: Bush’s new flagship phone is exclusively available at Argos in the UK and packs some surprisingly solid specs, which might have something to do with the fact that it bears a striking resemblance to the Archos Diamond 2 Plus.

Bush Spira E3X: Specs at a glance

Screen size 5.5-inches
Screen resolution Full HD (1920×1080)
Weight 186 grams
OS Android 6.0 Marshmallow
Rear camera 20.7-megapixels
Front camera 8-megapixels
Processor 2.0GHz/1.0GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6755 Helio P10
Memory 4GB RAM
Storage 64GB. Expandable via microSD up to 32GB
Battery 3000mAh non-removable

Bush Spira E3X: Unboxing & hands-on review

The Spira E3X comes in a sizeable box with a hero shot of the relatively unknown handset on the outside and key specs cited on the back. The phone itself lies just underneath, set within a foam surround and protected in plastic. Removing the phone from the pouch and you’ll notice a pre-fitted screen protector and a back protector outlining some of the fundamental aspects of the handset.

As the noise of the box hinted at before we unwrapped it, the rest of the contents sit pretty much loose under a card flap beneath the phone, with some black earphones featuring an in-line remote and microphone, a Type-C USB lead for the phone’s reversible connector and a compatible power adapter; each of which comes individually wrapped. A SIM tray removal tool, the quick start guide, warranty card and a compatible case all also feature in the box too, the last of which was a surprise and welcome inclusion that most manufacturers skip.

The phone itself, for the most part, feels well put together. It’s solidly built with 2.5D (read: pillowed) toughened Dragontrail Glass on the front, a finely polished and chamfered metal frame around the edge, plus a plastic back that resembles the sandstone effect used by the likes of OnePlus and Wileyfox. In truth, the backplate offers some grip, but the texture and finish aren’t all that pleasant to touch, with a fine grit that feels like it’s simply covered in dust and grime. The back also plays host to the phone’s impressively large 20.7-megapixel primary camera, which leverages a dual-tone LED flash and a laser autofocus array as well as a centrally positioned fingerprint sensor.

The 3000mAh fast-charging-capable battery is non-removable and there’s a SIM tray on the left side of the phone that accepts either two microSIM cards or one microSIM and one microSD card up to 32GB to bolster the phone’s respectable 64GB of internal storage.

On the software side, it’s loaded with Android 6.0 Marshmallow layered by minimal skinning, adding in a couple of optional pre-loaded Argos apps and throwing in the ability to hide the on-screen navigation buttons, access a profile switcher from the notifications tab and a bespoke camera app to better leverage the Spira E3X’s hardware.

The phone is available for £199.95 exclusively from Argos in the UK. Stay tuned for a full review soon.

Watch the Bush Spira E3X unboxing and hands-on review below:

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