The unlocked Verykool Quantum is the first device from the San Diego-based company to run on Android KitKat and support 4G LTE networks. That's a big step forward for Verykool, which has made only 3G Jelly Bean devices until now.
Unfortunately, that's pretty much the only nice thing I can say about this phone. Though the phone costs just $230 direct from Verykool, unlocked and without a contract, the company has cut too many corners, especially with the camera and display, to get to that price low.
Design
Sporting a rounded, thin design with a metallic band around the edges, the Quantum looks very similar to the Samsung Galaxy S4, albeit bigger. It also bears a striking resemblance to the Verykool Spark. Its official measurements are 5.6 inches tall by 2.9 inches wide and just 0.35-inch thick (143 by 73 by 8.9 mm). It weighs 4.9 ounces (140 grams), which makes it a tad heavier than the Spark.
It feels large in my hands, bordering on phablet size but still small enough to use one-handed. It's also easy to grip and feels comfortable to hold up to my ear for a phone call. Thankfully, the volume rocker along the left side is low enough that it's easy to press while on a call.
As for the other buttons and ports, you'll find the power/lock button on the right edge, while the headphone jack is situated at the top. The microUSB charging port is at the bottom-right. On the back, there's a small speaker grill for the external speaker.
The Quantum has a 5-inch, 480x854-pixel (198 ppi) display. While five-inch phones have become the norm these days, most have a 1080p display. Despite its lower resolution, the screen is still sharp and readable, though text occasionally appears fuzzy. Icons, menus, and other on-screen elements look large and prominent and fill the screen nicely. Colors look vibrant, though just a touch oversaturated. In direct sunlight, the screen is tough to see, so just keep in mind that you might have trouble with it outside on a sunny day.
Surrounding the phone's 5-inch screen is a thick, white bezel, where you'll find the capacitive menu, home and back buttons, as well as the front-facing camera and ambient light sensor. There's a smooth polycarbonate white battery cover on the back, which is easy to remove but harder to get back on completely. I needed to press all around the sides to get the cover to snap back into place, and even then, I noticed a few gaps between the cover and body of the phone.
