The F(x)tec Pro 1 is a very odd name for a smartphone, and it has all the DNA of a Nokia Communicator. Nokia’s Communicator design still continues to inspire many devices, long after we saw the last one. Some took a look at the recently announced Samsung Galaxy Fold and while it lacks a hardware QWERTY keyboard, the design style reminded them of a Communicator.
In recent times, we have seen the Gemini PDA and Cosmo Communicator, both reminiscent of Nokia’s big boys from years past. And now, we have been introduced to the F(x)tec Pro 1. It has a full, touchscreen display, and hidden underneath that is a hardware QWERTY keyboard. Let’s have a quick look at the specs before I proceed.
F(x)tec Pro 1 Specs
- Mobile network support: 2G, 3G, 4G
- SIM: Dual Nano SIM
- Software/Operating System: Android 9 Pie
- Display: 5.99-inch, 2160 x 1080 pixels, AMOLED, Corning® Gorilla® Glass 3
- Physical Keyboard layout: 5-row, 64-key, staggered, backlit, landscape QWERTY keyboard
- Keyboard mechanism: sliding (angled)
- Sensors: Fingerprint (side mounted), Accelerometer, Magnetometer, Gyroscope, Proximity, Ambient Light, Hall effect
- Materials: Polycarbonate
- Processor: Qualcomm MSM8998 Snapdragon 835, Octa-core 2.45 GHz, Kryo 280
- GPU: Adreno 540
- RAM: 6 GB
- Internal Storage: 128 GB
- Removable Storage: microSD up to 2 TB
- Rear Camera: 12 MP f/1.8 Sony IMX363 + 5 MP f/2 dual camera
- Front Camera: 8 MP f/2
- WiFi: 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (WiFi 5)
- Bluetooth: 5.0 + LE
- Connectivity: NFC (supports Google Pay), USB Type-C with HDMI support
- Battery Type and Capacity: Non-removable 3,200 mAh
- Battery Charging: Quick Charge 3.0
The F(x)tec Pro 1 also has a 3.5 mm headphone Jack.
And here is a video, courtesy of XDA Developers:
F(x)tec Pro 1 Release Date and Price
The Pro 1 is expected to hit the market stalls in July 2019 and will cost $649.
Prospects
With a name like F(x)tec Pro 1, this isn’t a device targeted at mainstream users. We already know that hardware QWERTY keyboards are no longer mainstream, either. But there is a niche market for devices like this, and it is good to see someone address that market. Looking at it from the front when closed up, you could mistake it for a Samsung Galaxy S9. And it is quite usable in that form.
You can then switch to QWERTY mode and have the display sit at an angle while you make use of the full hardware keyboard. Part of the sweet spots include being able to create keyboard shortcuts to open apps.
The OS has been optimized for landscape use in some apps, so the layout is presented in a highly efficient way. This landscape optimization is present in the Home screen, email, and calendar apps. This is the way the original Nokia Communicator functioned when the OS in use was Series 80. Nokia was to later dumb the UI down when it ditched S80 for Series 60.
One small niggle with the F(x)tec Pro 1 is that it uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, which is about two years old now. It isn’t a bad processor. It still provides great performance, but I imagine that many people will be more open to parting with N230,000 for a device that uses SD845 or SD855.
Meanwhile, have you noticed that the companies coming up with Communicator-style smartphones are predominantly based in Europe – mostly the UK? Gemini PDA and Cosmo Communicator are made by UK-based Planet Computers. F(x)tec is a UK-based outfit too. The British have a strong nostalgia for the Communicator, it appears.
If you would like to pre-order one, the manufacturers are not asking for any payment details until 2-3 weeks prior to shipping in July, so you can pre-order if you are sceptical or if your bank account is empty right now. The pre-order page is right HERE.