My experience of using the Gigaset GS185 for less than 200 euros

Those who think they have no European alternatives to entry-level or mid-range Chinese mobiles are wrong. The Germans continue to implement their seal of quality, also in telephone products. This is the case with Gigaset, which is ready to do battle with affordable and well-performing terminals made in Europe. Like the Gigaset GS185, which I have been able to test for a few days for review. A jump to the entry range that surprises with its performance and autonomy .

And it is that this Gigaset GS185 dispenses with the fashions of super panoramic screen, notch or notch on the screen (precisely to take advantage of that screen without growing in body size), double camera or facial recognition. But it focuses on functionality. In being a cheap, resistant mobile that works like any mobile should. Always taking into account its price of 170 euros , of course. We better get to know what its virtues are and what my feelings have been.

Gigaset GS185 data sheet

Classic and lightweight design

As I said, the Gigaset GS185 is not going to go down in history for having the most striking colors or the most cutting-edge appearance. In fact, it is a very normal mobile, standing out for its rounded contours, which make it really ergonomic, and for its lightness . The antenna lines at the top and bottom give it character, although they do remind me slightly of the old iPhone models that incorporated them into their designs.

The body is finished in a metallic effect. It is resistant but does not offer the sensations of a completely robust high-end mobile. Which is logical. And it is that its mentioned lightness (149 grams) has a lot to do with it. The good news is that, unlike high-end phones with a glass finish, its surface is much cleaner . I have fingered its housing on the Cognac Metal model with relatively oily fingers. The traces end up appearing, but they neither shine nor are seen as in other mobiles on the market. And it is to be appreciated.

Ahead we do not find any button. Only the screen that takes advantage of the front of the terminal without flaunting, but leaving margins on each side. Justified margins at the top, where a camera for selfies, the earpiece and an LED flash are housed. The buttons are on the side, where we find the off / on and the two volume buttons (unified in a single key). I was particularly struck by the rough surface of the on / off button . For any regular mobile user it is not particularly useful, but an elderly person or person not used to these devices can easily be guided to know which one to press to turn on the screen or the terminal.

At the back is the fingerprint sensor, which is located at the top. Yes, well above . An impractical position in the grip, since it is somewhat far from the index finger that I have used for the security of this phone. Of course, on the second day I already developed the technique to find the sensor without looking for it with my eyes. Wherever he threw his finger, he found the “Gigaset” silkscreen on the back of the terminal. Signal that tells me that, a little higher, is the sensor. It is not the most comfortable thing in the world but at least the learning curve is not too steep (in two days I have learned where to find the sensor). In the upper left corner the camera is located next to the corresponding LED flash.

Finally I have found more references to Apple designs, in addition to Huawei and other manufacturers that have imitated the apple brand, in the perforations of the speakers at the bottom. By the way, here is a microUSB charging port. A format that is beginning to get out of date. The good thing is that, at the top, it has a 3.5 mm Jack headphone port .

Definitely. A design that stands out for being clean, comfortable and light . At least for the opinion of a server who is somewhat fed up with carrying mobile phones that always slip, stain and weigh too much.

5.5-inch screen and lightweight operation

Be careful with the screen of the Gigaset GS185, which has no notch but does not mean that it is not "panoramic". It does not follow the fashion of taking advantage of the frames or almost the entire front of the terminal, but its IPS panel does reach an 18: 9 ratio . All in a 5.5 inch size. So, without being as big as current high-end mobiles, it allows you to enjoy the feeling of a cinema movie when playing videos on YouTube, services such as Netflix or any content recorded with your mobile.

Of course, on a 170 euro mobile we are not going to enjoy the best visual experience of the moment. But after a couple of days (after having a top-of-the-range mobile phone), it has not been difficult for me to get used to its 1,440 x 720 pixels (HD +). Unless you use services like Netflix in its highest quality mode or are an image purist, it is more than enough. Colors are displayed correctly and there is no pixelated feel. Its brightness also stands out, which allows you to enjoy all the details even in broad daylight. Of course, I had to configure it, raising it slightly from its initial state, to have enough brightness in a normal way. But the automatic mode, from this small adjustment, has fulfilled as expected. And I did not forget to mention that it has a scratch resistant coating and, what I enjoyed the most, also anti-dirt .

A few days of use have helped me to get an idea of ​​what the general operation of the mobile is like. The user experience that it has given me has been pleasant considering that it is a low-end mobile. And I mean details such as the speed of response when changing applications or using the screen itself. Something that, surely, you have to thank its Oreo version of Android. That is, Android 8.1 that comes in its pure state, without a layer of customization that can delay the response in order to apply content or brand designs. In this Gigaset GS185 this does not happen, and except when the screen is turned on, which has a half-second delay, the operation is fluid.

In fact, I was surprised that I can keep so many applications open in the background to quickly return to them. All this with 2 GB of RAM, and thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor . That is, it has the power to move any current application with some ease, and leave it there until we use it again some time later. It does not work magic, and there are current games with demanding graphics that it does not move with ease, but we must not lose sight of the fact that it is a mobile entry. If you need WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook, Google Chrome, Google Calendar and Candy Crush Friends, this Gigaset GS185 works well. And without despairing when starting a game or switching between applications.

Fingerprint sensor and dual SIM connectivity

Although it is already a more or less common feature, the fact that the Gigaset GS185 has biometric methods to secure the user's content is to be appreciated. I am talking about the fingerprint reader, which I already mentioned in the design part that is on the back, right in the upper area. Well, it must be said that it is a really sensitive and fast resource . It serves to activate the mobile in its sleeping state, and although it takes a while to turn on its screen, the vibration that recognizes the fingerprint informs me every time that it is practically instantaneous. And so I have been able to verify when unlocking the mobile, but with the screen on.

Apart from the reader, we must talk about a connectivity section that innovates in some aspects, although it lags a bit behind in others. But that is complete for any device or accessory that we want to connect to the Gigaset GS185. It doesn't have NFC, but it does have a classic headphone port. So I have been able to take a call while charging the mobile through its microUSB. It has Bluetooth 4.2 in case you want to connect wireless headphones or pair it with the car and use Android Auto, if necessary. Of course it has a WiFi connection, although only for the 2.4 GHz band, and 4G of Cat 4 category.

However, the most interesting thing is its tray with capacity for two SIM cards . In other words, it is a terminal to carry two telephone numbers if necessary. Of course, the funny thing is that this decision does not sacrifice storage capacity. And is that the tray has a third slot to insert a microSD card of up to 256 GB to give more space to its initial bare 16 GB.

Long-lasting battery and responsive cameras

The Gigaset GS185 is not surprising in the photographic section. In the same way that no input range does. Although it solves different situations quite well. Of course, the best photographs are achieved with good lighting, preferably outdoors with direct light. The selfies have a lot of detail too, and that is that both the main and front cameras are 13 megapixels . So the differences are minimal, focusing on focus over everything (rear) and beauty touch-ups (front). However, we have sports, flowers, backlighting and night mode, as well as different live filters to change the aesthetics of the image.

The battery draws more attention. At least during my user experience. And it is that, due to a mistake, the terminal stayed on, idle and without connection, for more than two days with hardly losing autonomy. Its 4,000 mAh battery is responsible for supplying power to the screen, processor and various other components for more than 24 hours. Even making intensive use of the terminal. A fact to take into account if we require a mobile that can withstand stressful days. Its charge is completed after three and a half hours, approximately. However, it does have a 5V 1.5A fast charge to give you extra speed if you need it. I, of course, have not had a need in these days of testing, knowing that I have finished the days with battery to spare.

Conclusions

The Gigaset GS185 is posited as an interesting alternative to the Chinese entry mobile market. It does not follow current fashions, but it has the quality seal "made in Germany" from the German brand Gigaset, and can boast of good performance. And it is that having pure Android 8.1 and the Snapdragon 425 processor seems to be an interesting combination. It complies in the rest of the sections, although we miss some functions or advanced features.

Of course, its price of 170 euros is something to take into account . There are not many phones on the market that offer much more for that price. So it only depends on you if you are looking for an entry phone to choose between the current alternatives or a European brand.