*Review of the best according to the editors. About the selection criteria. This material is subjective, it is not an advertisement and does not serve as a guide to purchase. Consultation with a specialist is required before purchase.
Modern smartphones are so versatile that they are used in the most versatile way – directly for cell phone calls, search for information on the Internet, all kinds of entertainment like watching movies in good quality and video games. But there are a number of professions, representatives of which the smartphone serves as a working tool in the truest sense. The closest and most obvious example is Taxi Drivers.
It should be understood that this is not suitable for any smartphone, and for comfortable work model must meet a number of requirements – the exact satellite navigation in several systems, a large screen diagonal, two SIM cards to call customers, support for 4G to quickly find the right objects on the Internet, total power for simultaneous operation of specialized applications, a strong shockproof case, a high-capacity battery. And with all of these qualities smartphone should not be too expensive – extreme use in a cab super-expensive iPhone Xs at least impractical, if not unnatural.
The Expertology editors have prepared for you a special rating of the best smartphones that meet the above characteristics. All five described models are from different manufacturers and cover all price ranges except for the top flagships.
Rating of the best smartphones for a cab
| Nomination | place | product name | Price |
| Rating of the best smartphones for cabs | 1 | Sigma mobile X-treme PQ39 | 24 000€ |
| 2 | ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 ZB602KL 3/32GB | 11 490€ | |
| 3 | Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 4/64GB | 10 400€ | |
| 4 | Meizu M5 Note 32GB | 7 590€ | |
| 5 | Prestigio Muze F5 LTE | – |
Sigma mobile X-treme PQ39
Rating: 4.9
Starting with the smartphone from the young but very well proven brand Sigma mobile. The “chip” of this model – increased shock resistance and record autonomy. According to the other, important for the work in the cab service, the device also fully meets the necessary requirements. Operating system is Android 7.0.
Dimensions of the smartphone – 86x169x16 mm, net weight – 307 g. Made in the expressive design in a reinforced black body, equipped with an effective water protection. The screen diagonal size is 5.5″, high-quality matrix IPS technology with the most physically possible viewing angles has a resolution of 1920×1080 pixels with a density of 401 per inch. Glass is resistant to abrasion and minor damages – fourth generation Gorilla Glass.
This model supports two SIM cards of the nano-SIM standard with alternating operation mode. Supported cellular standards – from GSM 900 to LTE. Navigation provides support for GPS and GLONASS, built-in “cold start acceleration” A-GPS. Other wireless connectivity is fourth-generation Bluetooth and 802 Wi-Fi.11n. Wired USB Type-C with Charging.
The smartphone electronics operates under the eight-core processor brand MediaTek MT6753 with a core frequency of 1300 MHz each. Video subsystem – Ma
This model stands out brightly against other smartphones in the ranking battery capacity. Here it is as much as 9000 mA⋅h. Supports fast charging mode. Includes: OTG-cable; USB-cable with Type-C plug; wired headset; rapid charging device.
Advantages
- Rugged housing;
- water protection;
- powerful processor;
- A super-capacious battery;
- fast charging;
- IPS matrix.
Disadvantages
- No flaws detected.
ASUS ZenFone Max Pro M1 ZB602KL 3/32GB
Rating: 4.8
The second smartphone on the list in our rating is noticeably cheaper than the first, with comparable (for the most part) characteristics, and thus represents a world-known reputable brand. The operating system is Android 8.1.
The dimensions of the device – 76x159x8.45 mm, net weight – 180 g. Is made in a typical of modern smartphones minimalist design in a solid metal housing. Screen size – 6 inches, IPS matrix of 2160×1080 resolution with proportions of 18:9 and the density of points 402 per inch.
As in the previous model here are supported by two sim cards nano SIM with alternate mode. Coverage of cellular standards a little wider – from GSM 900 to VoLTE. Other types of wireless communication supported – Wi-Fi 802.11n, direct communication between devices via Wi-Fi Direct, next generation Bluetooth – 5.0, NFC module. Expanded list of satellite navigation – GPS (including A-GPS), GLONASS, BeiDou.
The system is controlled by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor with eight cores. Adreno 509 video system. The amount of RAM is the same as in the previous model – 3GB, built-in memory – 32GB. The memory expansion possibilities are huge – there is a separate slot for external flash cards up to 2TB. The camera parameters are better than the above-described model – 12 and 5 MP rear cameras with flash and 8 MP on the front.
The battery capacity of this smartphone, of course, is not any comparison with the previous one, but nevertheless it is very decent – the battery capacity is 5000 mA⋅h, which corresponds to 42 hours of talk time or 840 hours of standby. Support fast charging via micro-USB. Comes with a cable with Micro-USB plug, charger (USB), a pin to remove the SIM card tray.
Advantages
- sturdy build;
- large screen;
- advanced navigation;
- performance;
- high-capacity battery;
- A separate slot for flash cards;
- stability.
Disadvantages
- Tangible disadvantages, affecting the work in a cab, was not detected.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 5 4/64GB
Rating: 4.7
The third number in the ranking consider the smartphone “mass” brand Xiaomi. In the product range of the brand is a very prominent model, despite the quite affordable price. And with the daily business tasks of a cab driver smartphone copes with excellent.
The dimensions of the device – 75.45×158.5×8.05mm, net weight – 181g. Made in a classic minimalist form factor. Wide range of colors available. The glass is scratch-resistant. The case itself is made of aluminum and durable plastic. The screen size in diagonal is 5.99-inch IPS matrix with 2160×1080 resolution, 18:9 aspect ratio and 403 pixels per inch.
Two nano SIMs are also supported here, with alternate mode. Supports cellular standards from GSM 900 to LTE. Other wireless connectivity: Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 5.0, IRDA. As in the previous model, it has extensive compatibility with satellite navigation systems – GPS (supports A-GPS ), GLONASS, BeiDou.
This model does not lag behind the previous model in terms of central electronics – the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 636 processor with eight cores, a graphics chip Adreno 509. There is even more RAM – 4GB and built-in memory even double – 64GB. You can expand the memory by external flash card, sacrificing a SIM card slot. The camera parameters are comparable to the above model – the two rear 12 and 5 MPix, respectively, the front – 13 MPix. The smartphone can record video in 1920×1080 quality with a frame rate of 30 per second.
This model is equipped with a 4000mAh non-removable battery. Its estimated battery life is 408 hours of standby time or 165 hours in audio listening mode. Charging is via a micro-USB connector.
Includes charger, branded case, pin to remove the SIM card, USB cable.
Advantages
- advanced navigation;
- correct and error-free face unlock;
- autonomy;
- performance;
- price-performance ratio;
- global firmware.
Disadvantages
- No pronounced disadvantages were not detected.
Meizu M5 Note 32GB
Rating: 4.6
Another worthy model of smartphone in our rating, which is suitable for intensive work in the cab service, production of the famous company Meizu, which from year to year does not cease to amaze its successful technological solutions. Powered by Android 6 operating system.0.
The dimensions of the device – 75.8×153.6×8.1 mm, 175 g net weight. Made in a metal case with a classic discreet design. Screen size – 5.5 in. The IPS matrix resolution – 1920×1080 with aspect ratio of 16:9 and a pixel density of 401 pixels per inch.
The device supports two nano SIM cards with alternate mode. Wide support for communication standards from GSM 900 to LTE-A Cat and VoLTE. Other wireless connectivity – Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Satellite navigation of two systems – GPS and GLONASS, A-GPS system is supported.
The center of electronics in this model – the processor MediaTek He
The capacity of the original non-removable battery in this model is 4000 mA⋅h. For this smartphone, this capacity implies 30 hours of talk time, 36 hours of listening to audio or 660 hours of standby mode. There is a function of rapid recharging via micro-USB.
Advantages
- power;
- autonomy;
- performance;
- accelerated charging function;
- responsive touch screen;
- metal case;
- reasonable price.
Disadvantages
- not the most durable glass.
Prestigio Muze F5 LTE
Rating: 4.5
Completes the rating Expertology best smartphones for cab the most budget model of the brand Prestigio, which by functionality is quite able to cope with the typical work tasks in the service cab. Running under the operating system Android 8.1.
The size of the smartphone – 71.4×148.5×9.5 mm, net weight – 175 g. Performed in a classic design in a case made of strong plastic. Screen size – 5.5 inches. IPS screen with 1440×720 resolution, 18:9 aspect ratio and character density 293 per inch.
Like all of the above models, this smartphone supports two SIM-cards with an alternate mode of operation. Supports all popular cellular standards – from GSM 900 to LTE. Other types of wireless communication – Wi-Fi 802.11n and Bluetooth 4.0. Only one satellite navigation system is supported – GPS, including A-GPS.
The system is controlled by a MediaTek MT6739 processor with four cores with a frequency of 1300 MHz. Video subsystem – PowerVR GE8100. RAM installed 2GB, built-in memory – 16GB. You can expand the memory by external flash cards up to 128GB. Resolution of the rear camera – 13 MPix, front – 5 MPix.
Battery capacity is similar to the previous model – 4000 mA⋅h, but it provides even greater autonomy due to the lower power consumption of the smartphone. For charging is used connector micro-USB.
Advantages
- performance;
- stability;
- autonomy;
- most affordable price.
Disadvantages
- Satellite navigation – only GPS.
