BQ Aquaris C, we have tested it

Are you looking for a mobile for day to day? The entry range is increasingly present in manufacturers. In part, thanks to the help of Android and its versions, such as Android One or Android Go. But you don't have to have one of these two OS editions to stand out. The BQ Aquaris C has Android 8.1 Oreo, a 5.45-inch HD screen, a quad-core processor and a compact design for 150 euros. Do you want to know it? This is our analysis.

Design: basic, but comfortable

The BQ Aquaris C does not stand out mainly for its design, although it has many benefits. It is a terminal built in polycarbonate. This material is present both on the back and on the frames, which have a glossy finish. The rear has a slight curvature at the edges. We see its main camera in the upper area, accompanied by a dual-tone LED flash. In the center, a fingerprint reader with a rounded shape that works very well. We do not forget the BQ logo. The matte black finish on the back makes the fingerprints visible, of course, there is much less difference than with a glass terminal, but if you have oily fingers it is more advisable to go towards the white color. Also, I personally find it more striking.

As I mentioned, the frames are also made of plastic, but with a glossy finish, simulating aluminum. It makes the terminal much more attractive. Also, they are quite thin. The downside is that it also makes it more slippery . The keypad is in the right area. Again same material and finish. In the right area the tray for the SIM card. The Aquaris C features a headphone jack, USB C, and a bottom speaker.

Bq wanted to add a panoramic front to its entry-level terminal. The front area of ​​the Aquaris C is made of glass, it has minimal frames both in the upper and lower area. At the bottom we only see the logo, no navigation buttons, since they are on the screen. On the other hand, in the upper area, sensors, a speaker for calls, a camera for selfies and an LED flash.

BQ Aquaris C

Wide screen with good resolution

The BQ Aquaris C mounts a 5.46-inch panel , HD + resolution and a screen ratio of 18: 9. How does it behave on a day-to-day basis?

The screen has a good resolution, sharpness and very vivid colors. For its price we cannot ask for much, but this panel gives it to us. The Quantum Color + technology adapts well to the brightness of the colors and allows us to see the screen clearly in any circumstance, even in bright conditions, such as the sun, where it behaves perfectly. On the other hand, indoors we get very good results, perfect for consuming multimedia content. It is important to highlight that it has a widescreen format of 18: 9. Therefore, we can watch videos in widescreen format, as long as they are supported. The interface is and so are most applications.

In the system settings we find different modes for the screen. The most standard is the color filter, which allows us to adjust the panel with more yellowish tones to avoid eyestrain . This mode can be programmed to appear, for example, at night. We also find the adaptive brightness, where the system will automatically adjust the brightness level depending on the situations. I am missing some way to change the tonality of the colors.

In short, the screen of the BQ Aquaris C is more than decent for day to day, we appreciate the panoramic format and those frames in a compact panel, its natural colors and good viewing angles.

Performance and autonomy

The BQ Aquaris C has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor. We add 2 GB of RAM and an internal storage of 16 GB. Enough? It is if we demand the least of it. For example, the performance is sufficient if we browse, check email or use WhatsApp, but not all at the same time. In other words, a user who performs multitasking will notice a loss of performance, lag, small cuts ... On the other hand, the one who only enters WhatsApp, makes calls and then sends an email, will have more than enough.

In my opinion, I think that BQ should have added some more RAM. Above all, to help in the background processes, animations and launch of the apps, which is where the lack of performance is most noticeable. I have been able to try some other basic game and it has moved well, without expecting big surprises. With high performance games the experience is not good. Another important point is that it only has a 16 GB version, of which the system occupies about 7.3 GB. About 9 GB left for the user. Fortunately it can be expanded via micro SD.

As for autonomy, there are no complaints here. The BQ Aquaris C has a 3,000 mAh battery. It is important to mention that it has an HD + screen, a quad-core processor and a layer of pure customization. The results are good, a battery that lasts until the end of the day in most cases, although with games and consuming videos it wears out faster. One of the most interesting points is that it has fast charging and a USB Type-C connection. It is one of the few mid-range terminals that includes this option, a point that I loved, especially because if you have a day with more intensive use, you will appreciate the charging boost.

Camera with good results

We come to one of the sections where a user is most often set when buying a mobile. The camera. Specifically, this Aquaris C mounts a 13-megapixel Samsung sensor with f / 2.0 aperture and an LED flash.

On a day-to-day basis, the Aquaris C camera achieves good results. Remarkable sharpness, good colors, clear rendering… Especially in bright conditions, where there is plenty of natural light and few shadows. The same thing happens indoors, although here we already begin to lose a little more detail. It can be seen in the photograph of the plant, where the focus becomes a bit of a mess. In low light outdoor conditions we continue with noise, although we have good color and detail.

As for the front, the selfies are basic, perfect for social networks or making video calls . We add an LED flash that includes on the front. It is physical, and helps us achieve better results in low light conditions.

As for the camera application, BQ has not wanted to eat the head. We find three modes. First of all, the automatic one, where the basic parameters to take the picture are adjusted. We also have a panoramic mode for wider photos. Finally, a manual mode. Here we choose the opening, the white balance, ISO, brightness etc . It is a very positive point, although I think that a basic user will not use it much.

Software: Pure Android suits you very well

Android Pure is the essence of the Aquaris C , undoubtedly one of its best features. And is that with Pure Android we not only get a cleaner design, without extra ridiculous settings and with faster app updates, but also a better fluidity in the system, all the Google settings and the possibility of downloading the launcher you want , regardless of the icons. The experience with the BQ customization layer has been excellent.

If you do not know Android Sotck, you should know that it is based on Google's own personalization layer, very similar to the one included in the Pixel. We have an application drawer, where all downloaded apps are stored. In this way, we can have the home screen more organized, with Widgets, apps or shortcuts. The firm has not wanted to add extra apps, except for BQ Plus , where the premium guarantee and different BQ services can be processed. As soon as we start the device, we find Google or system apps. To highlight the FM radio. Recorder and the file app, where we find the different system folders.

How could it be otherwise, we have different Google options. For example, Google Assistant, which works very well in the terminal. We can ask you to increase the volume, the time, what time it is, how long it takes to get to a site ... We also find Google Now on the left side , where depending on our interests, it will give us one information or another. For example, news related to what we have searched for, trends, recommendations of places etc.

Did we find any interesting extra tweaks in the system? The most interesting is in the settings. We can program the terminal on and off . Thus we will save more autonomy. For example, we may ask you to turn off the terminal at 10:00 p.m. and turn it on at 7:00 a.m. Thus during that time it will not consume autonomy. Another very interesting setting that has to do with security is Smart Lock, a software modification that allows us to unlock through facial recognition. Of course, it is not as reliable as other unlocking methods, so it is recommended to use the fingerprint reader.

In short, the experience with the BQ customization layer has been very, very good . Above all, do not include third-party apps, not even those annoying from the manufacturers. If we have missed any extra adjustments in the system. For example, an option to display the notification panel by sliding on the fingerprint reader.

 Conclusions and price

The BQ Aquaris C is a well balanced mobile in terms of value for money. It costs about 150 euros. Its compact design, widescreen and software make it stand out. It is not difficult to find terminals with these features at this price. There are some candidates, such as the Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite, which also has Android Stock, although with a larger design. This is in the Aquaris C price range. The Moto G6 Play is another option. This one goes up a bit more in price, but has a more premium design. It also has Android Sotck. But even so, the Aquris C has something that makes it quite different from the rest. Your extra options. It's hard to find an entry-level terminal with USB C and fast charging, with a full selfie camera, FM radio, headphone jack, Front LED flash and a compact but panoramic screen.

The best of the BQ Aquaris C

• Your screen
• Fast charging and USB C connector
• software

It could get better

• Performance
• A metallic finish would have given it a more premium touch
• More internal storage