YotaPhone 2

Design and Build Quality

a. Aesthetic and Build

The YotaPhone 2 comes with a slick, modern look , you can tell it’s meant to be useful but also pleasing to the eye. On the front side, there’s a 5-inch Full HD LCD panel that pretty much takes the attention, it sits inside a narrow bezel. Flip it around and you’ll find the E Ink display in the back, which is honestly the main “wow” part since it’s both distinctive and practical, for reading and stuff. As a whole, the design feels rather minimalistic, with clean lines and a smooth touch finish, no clutter.

Build Quality:

It’s made with solid materials, and overall the phone gives a premium vibe. The frame is sturdy , even though the back uses plastic, there are metal accents along the edges that make it feel more robust. In-hand, it doesn’t feel flimsy at all, which is good, because the back surface still stays pleasant to grip. The rear E Ink screen is also wrapped up inside a protective layer, so it should last longer while keeping its intended function.

Dimensions and Weight:

The YotaPhone 2 measures 144 x 69.5 x 8.9 mm and weighs around 145 grams. The size is pretty typical for a smartphone from that time, and the weight lands in a comfortable zone, it’s easy to hold, and using it day to day doesn’t feel tiring.

In terms of appearance, the machine uses a common design language to round the corners as well as soften all the lines if possible. If you have a clue, this is a HTC Desire instead of a Russian smartphone. Not only the angle of the machine, even the back, the back screen, the top or bottom of YotaPhone 2 is also arranged very soft.

Beside the attractive curves, the plus point for the main machine is the solid work of the engineers of Aries. When handled, certain curves of the machine plus the inherent “maintenance” of the Russian bear will help you handle more easily.

In short, for Yota, perhaps the definition of “edge” would not be in the manufacturer’s dictionary. And if not outdone YotaPhone 2 is the opposite version of the BlackBerry Passport international version.

Not to mention the specific features, immediately, YotaPhone 2 will make you surprised when there are two monitors on the same product. While the front of the machine is a 5 inch AMOLED screen, 1080p resolution, for bright colors, the back of the machine is a 4.7-inch e-link screen with a resolution of 540 x 960 Pixel.

Through our hands-on experience, we found the most unique feature of the YotaPhone 2 is the monochrome display on the back of the display in the form of e-paper, super power savings often seen on the universal reading machine. Accordingly, this screen will always display notifications, date and time, calendar reminders, notes or weather forecasts.

Of course, users can customize the displayed information in the settings section. In addition, Yota also allows users to change the screen as well as menu interface on the back of the machine through simple operations such as touching. In particular, using the e-link display technology, the display on the second screen will not take up too much power.

Not only does the information look convenient, the following screen of YotaPhone 2 also helps you quickly browse mail, compose messages or read books. The ability to interact with the secondary monitor makes this secondary monitor really useful, not just as “decorative” as his predecessor.

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Performance and experience

In terms of configuration, the YotaPhone 2 is not a lark in the tech community, but it is equipped with high performance hardware such as quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, clocked at 2.3GHz, 2GB RAM, 32GB internal memory, 8 megapixel front camera comes with 2 megapixel and 2.550mAh battery – supports wireless charging, running Android 4.4.3 platform.

Although the time experience is not much, but we found that YotaPhone 2 is quite smooth and with common tasks such as surfing the web, playing music, watching movies or taking pictures, the machine can be completed. Good job. Of course, if compared to the current product, the machine is only classified in the mid-range smartphone.

However, you will be surprised with the battery life of the machine if only use the screen behind the e-link with up to 5 days. Or the ability to move the front screen to the back with a fancy black and white interface. All are aimed at users who love reading or are simply tech-savvy seekers.

In general, YotaPhone 2 is an impressive product and proved to be different from most of the smartphones running Android today. If compared with the first generation YotaPhone, can be considered a perfect upgrade when the screen is larger than the front or back, better configuration and especially the second screen. Be more useful than ever.

With busy businessmen, YotaPhone 2 promises to be a great supporter when users can easily track messages, emails, social announcements….

Camera Quality

a. Rear Camera

Specifications:

On the YotaPhone 2 the back camera comes with an 8-megapixel sensor and also an LED flash ,so yeah it’s pretty straightforward. It can record Full HD 1080p videos too, nothing fancy but it works.

Performance:

That 8-megapixel rear camera gives a decent kind of image quality for everyday snapshots. When the light is good, photos look sharp, with nice clarity and pretty accurate colors. In darker scenes the LED flash helps, though you might notice some noise creeping in, and the fine details can feel a bit reduced, like a mild blur in spirit.

Camera app and features:

The camera app itself provides pretty basic shooting modes and tweaks, such as auto ,manual, and HDR. The interface is usable and generally stable, still it doesn’t really bring the advanced goodies you’d expect from newer devices.

Video quality:

For video, the YotaPhone 2 records Full HD, and the results are good enough for regular viewing. It’s adequate for casual use, but it can’t really compete with the better quality you get from higher-end smartphones that have more complex, advanced camera setups.

b. Front Camera

Specifications:

The front camera on the YotaPhone 2 uses a 2-megapixel sensor, which works well enough for selfies and also for video calls, even if it is not exactly amazing.

Performance:

That 2-megapixel front camera gives you pretty basic results. For video calls and casual self portraits it does the job, but the image looks a bit flat and there’s not much crispness, compared with more modern, front-facing setups.

Video Call Quality:

During video calls, the front camera feels functional, yet the resolution is not as high as newer phones. It is ok for everyday chats and meetings, but if you’re picky about high-definition quality, you might end up a little disappointed.

Battery Life

a. Battery Capacity

Specifications:

The YotaPhone 2 comes with a 2,515mAh built-in, non-removable battery. In today’s terms that capacity feels kinda average, though back then it still made sense.

Battery Performance:

Overall, battery life is adequate for a full day if you keep things moderate. Part of the reason is the E Ink display, which drinks very little power, and then there’s also the more modest LCD screen helping keep the total drain under control, so things balance out a bit.

Power Saving Features:

The device comes with power saving bits like battery optimization settings and the ability to rely on an E Ink display for notifications, and little bits of other information in order to conserve energy . In practice these options help stretch the overall battery life, so users can steer their daily use a bit more effectively.

b. Charging

Charging Speed:

The YotaPhone 2 supports regular charging via a micro-USB port. The charging pace is decent, yet it does not include fast charging tech . Usually a full charge lands after a couple of hours, more or less depending on conditions.

Charging Experience:

The charging experience is pretty straightforward, and there are no major hiccups. It charges at a typical rate, and people can assume standard charge durations you would expect from a phone from this period.

Connectivity and Network Performance

a. Network Support

Specifications:

The YotaPhone 2 kindof manages to handle quite a lot of network bands, like 4G LTE , 3G and also 2G. So in practice it should work with different carriers around the world, more or less, depending on where you are.

Network Performance
Overall the phone gives a pretty steady network experience. Calls , SMS, and data usually behave well, with solid connectivity. The 4G LTE part is especially helpful for fast data, so browsing streaming and other online stuff feels quicker.

SIM Support
It only takes one SIM card, so that could be a problem for people who actually need dual SIM functionality.

b. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Specifications
For wireless, the YotaPhone 2 supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n plus Bluetooth 4.0. These options give you decent stability for getting online and also pairing up devices without too much hassle.

Wi-Fi Performance
Wi-Fi performance is generally reliable. Signal strength seems good and the connection doesn’t drop as often as you might expect. It also joins available networks fairly quickly, then keeps going without much fuss.

Bluetooth Performance
Bluetooth works in a solid way. You can pair with a bunch of gadgets like headphones, speakers , and smartwatches. The linking stays stable, and the audio quality is usually pretty good overall.

c. GPS and Navigation

Specifications:

The YotaPhone 2 comes with GPS, so you can use it for location tracking and navigation stuff. It also includes A-GPS (Assisted GPS) which is meant to help accuracy, and in general it helps the phone find satellites quicker, or at least that’s the idea.

GPS Performance:

Overall, GPS on the YotaPhone 2 is pretty decent and works in a satisfactory way. You get location data that’s usually accurate enough for navigation apps , so for day to day routing it does the job. Still, it may not feel as fast or as sharp as newer devices that use more advanced GPS tech. The handset handles normal tasks like driving directions and location based services without too much trouble, though sometimes you may notice a small delay.

Navigation Apps:

You can use common navigation apps like Google Maps, plus other GPS based services as well. The integration feels smooth, but some users could run into slight waiting time when the phone is acquiring location. This tends to happen more when you compare it to newer phones with updated GPS processing.

User Experience

a. Software and User Interface

Operating System:

Customization:

You can do a certain amount of personalization on the device, like home screen widgets, and even change app icons. Still, the stuff you can tweak about the E Ink display feels a bit more constrained compared with other parts of the phone. Like, you can have some control, but it’s not really the same level as full customization elsewhere, and it may feel a little limited in practice.

Performance and Stability:

In everyday use , the YotaPhone 2 is pretty dependable for routine tasks. That said, if you push it with more demanding applications, you might notice some lag show up. On the software side, the overall experience feels smooth, the phone basically gets through basic operations without much fuss. But, some users may still feel it’s not as snappy , or as responsive, as newer smartphones that come with stronger hardware and more polished software.

b. User Experience with Dual Screens

Primary LCD Screen:

The main LCD screen of the YotaPhone 2 gives you the kind of smartphone vibe people expect , with bright colors and crisp visuals. It works well for media, web browsing, and general daily usage. Performance is steady, and for most tasks you’ll probably get a good, or at least satisfying, user experience.

Secondary E Ink Screen:

The second E Ink display is the standout element, in a way that really separates this model from other phones. Because the E Ink side stays on , you can read notifications, check the time, and grab important details without waking the main LCD screen. This is one of those features that helps stretch battery endurance, and it also makes staying informed more convenient while using very little power.

Advantages:

Battery Life: The E Ink display helps out a lot with battery use compared to the main LCD screen. People can count on the E Ink panel for notices, and quick looks at information, so the power draw stays pretty efficient. It kind of feels like the device is always working… but without draining as much.

Readability: The E Ink screen is especially good for reading in direct sunlight. So if you’re outdoors , you can still catch the text and notifications clearly, even when the light is strong. It’s one of those small things that makes daily checking less annoying.

Always-On Functionality: Having key details sitting there without constantly waking the device is just more convenient. In practice it improves overall speed and everyday efficiency of the phone, even if you’re not really “doing” much.

Limitations:

Refresh Rate: The E Ink display updates much more slowly than the LCD screen. That can mean some lag during content changes, so interactive features might feel less snappy. If an app relies on fast motion or frequent updates, the E Ink can feel behind.

Limited Functionality: Even though the E Ink display brings handy features, it’s still more restricted than the main LCD. Certain tasks, or more involved gestures, may need you to switch over to the primary display first, which interrupts the flow a bit.

Audio and Multimedia

a. Audio Quality

Speaker Performance:

The YotaPhone 2 uses a single speaker that fires from the bottom for sound output. This speaker provides decent audio for calls, media playback, and notification pings. The sound is mostly clear, but it might have less depth and not quite as much volume as newer devices, especially the ones with dual drivers or more premium speaker setups.

Headphone Audio:

When you use headphones, the sound is usually pretty decent. The device handles common audio formats,so overall listening feels satisfactory for music and other media. The headphone port is placed at the very top of the device,so it’s simple to reach without too much fumbling for most users.

Microphone Performance:

The inbuilt microphone works well enough for voice calls as well as simple voice recordings. It tends to grab your voice clearly,with background noise kept fairly low,which means conversations and recordings stay understandable.

b. Multimedia and Entertainment

Display Quality:

Having both an LCD and an E Ink panel makes the whole multimedia vibe kind of flexible. The LCD is better for video watching, gaming sessions,and generally browsing through media. Meanwhile the E Ink display isn’t meant for high definition movies or anything like that, but it gives a more distinctive way to engage with text heavy content, along with updates and notifications.

Media Playback:

The YotaPhone 2 supports many media file types plus a bunch of streaming services,so you can go through your usual favorites. Playback feels steady and smooth, but the real enjoyment hinges on the resolution and exact format of what you’re playing.

Gaming Performance:

The Snapdragon 800 chip along with 2 GB of RAM delivers workable results for casual play. You can run less demanding games and still keep graphics at reasonable levels. Still, if you push toward heavier titles,you might notice occasional stutter,or a dip in overall performance.

Conclusion

The YotaPhone 2 kind of, feels like it still brings something different to the table with that dual-screen setup, where you get a normal LCD display plus an always-on E Ink screen. Honestly it’s not just a gimmick either, because that extra always-present layer tends to help with extended battery life and the readability is really great even out in bright sun. Still, as a whole, it delivers a pretty solid user experience, with performance that’s competent, but it can lag behind newer smartphones, mostly because their hardware and software are more modern and more polished.

Strengths:

Dual-Screen Design: Pairing the LCD alongside the E Ink, creates a kind of useful functionality and it also keeps the power draw efficient.

E Ink Readability: the E Ink panel kinda really shows off when its under direct sunlight, so alerts and text are still really easy to spot.

Battery Life: the power-saving way it’s built is a straight up win, and it basically lets you go longer before you’re back to charging again.

Weaknesses:

Performance: the Snapdragon 800 processor and the 2 GB RAM, they’re ok for everyday stuff but yeah, when you toss in heavier apps it can start to feel a bit strained.

Camera Quality: the camera is decent, yet it sort of doesn’t measure up next to newer devices with more advanced shooting modes and overall sharper image quality.

Software Updates: The older Android version means you miss out on newer features, and also on more recent security fixes.

Overall, the YotaPhone 2 is a pretty interesting and inventive phone, with that dual-screen concept that you don’t see everywhere. It probably won’t outmatch the newest phones for raw performance or features, but it does offer a distinctive experience for people who want both a classic display and a more unconventional display technology that’s always there.

Định Bia

Tech Reviewer & Product Analyst

Định Bia has spent over 10 years testing consumer electronics with a focus on smart technology. He work as a product advisor at Biareview where he helped customers find the right devices for their needs. He personally tests every product featured on this site using a consistent evaluation framework covering quality, durability, and value. All reviews are based on experience, not influenced by the manufacturer.