F(x)tec Pro1 (Hardware)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Official Store: https://www.fxtec.com/product/fxtec-pro1/
Looking at the Pro1 from F(x)tec might not tell you much about this cryptic device. In fact, being as thick as two phones glued together and weighing as much might ward off people. However, all of these are concealing a unique feature, the likes of which you won’t find in Samsung or Apple counterparts: a full-blown physical 64 key QWERTY keyboard.
It comes packed with a screen protector, a pouch, a USB-C charging cable, as well as the charging plug which supports Qualcomm Fast Charging 3.0. A welcome surprise in the box comes in the form of 3 interchangeable plug pins for UK, EU and US types. This variety isn’t something you’ll usually find bundled with modern devices and can come especially handy for frequent fliers (post-COVID-19 please) who will also appreciate the dual SIM feature.
By its looks alone the phone packs elegance. Its matte black finish on the back accentuates this point while also offering some grip while in use. The rounded edges make for a comfortable feel and the curved edge-to-edge display gives it a contemporary high-end look. That’s to be expected with the $729.00 USD price tag but the Pro1 offers more striking features than other run-of-the-mill phones at the same price range. Oh and it packs the highly-elusive headphone jack!
Spec-wise, the Pro1 fares pretty well, even if it’s not as beefy as the latest flagship Samsung or gaming-centric smartphones. Take a detailed look below:
Phone time
Some wise folk once said that benchmarks don’t equate to performance, so we’ll skip right to actual performance, and my experience with the Pro1 during my test has been a positive one. I’ve been using the phone for less than a week and have not encountered any issues, lags or random reboots. I’ve tested it on Android 9.0 and it’s been a stable experience.
Having the 64 key physical keyboard free the screen from the virtual one really boosts up productivity on-the-go. I’ve used split screen to write this review’s draft while browsing the net and it’s been a seamless experience, and one I haven’t experienced elsewhere with a smartphone. This is because the phone’s 5.99-inch screen is completely available for on-screen multitasking without having a significant chunk of it taken by a virtual keyboard. Moreover, the keyboard-typing experience felt natural and this is thanks to the PC-like shortcuts like Ctrl+C and Ctrl+V. It might take some muscle memory to get used to typing with the physical keyboard with two thumbs but the experience is unique these days. What’s more, you can still use the virtual keyboard in landscape and portrait mode if you need; giving the best of both worlds.
Boosting productivity is the shortcut feature of the Pro1. The device allows you to map your favourite apps to 36 customizable shortcuts so you can access them in a flash.
This is the exact goal that the F(x)tec team set out to achieve, and they hit the bullseye. Using it as a daily driver is great. Its built-in 3200 mAh battery allows it to last a day with regular use (internet browsing, social media, messaging and light gaming). Of course, other factors like power-hungry apps and screen brightness will weigh in and everyone’s experience will vary.
Watching videos is also a treat as the device tilts to a comfortable viewing angle of 155 degrees with the slider, allowing the screen to rest on the keyboard module while the whole device lies flat on a surface. There’s also a handy button dedicated to activate the camera without having to unlock the device. The rear dual cameras (12MP + 5MP) take nice shots, although with HDR function I’ve found it to oversaturate pictures. So you might consider a third party camera app to fine-tune your pictures. The front 8MP camera on the other hand is serviceable but don’t rely on it for your best selfies due to the low aperture.
Thumbnail includes a sample picture taken with the phone's camera app HDR mode. Click for full size picture.
Nevertheless there are a few complaints on the hardware front. For one, while the side-mounted fingerprint might seem cool and free valuable space on the front, it’s mostly a hit-or-miss affair when trying to unlock the device. Even with 5 different fingerprints scanned, I almost always have to retry pressing my finger on the scanner to unlock the device or resort to the pattern unlock.
Additionally, the phone’s volume and power buttons are somewhat too close to each other and can easily be confused, especially when viewing a video in landscape mode and trying to adjust the volume.
As for the speakers, while they offer clear and quality audio, their placements (one on top and one at the bottom of the screen) aren't the most optimal. This is especially the case while holding the device in landscape to watch a video. During these instances, I've found that my palm would often cover the speakers and muffle the sound.
However, given the nature of this smartphone’s signature feature, it does open itself to the world of gaming, even if this aspect did not seem to be the priority during its marketing. How well does it perform on that front? Let’s dive into it in the next section!
Game time
With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, the Pro1 presents itself as an adequate gaming phone but with the addition of a physical keyboard, the possibilities are tantalizing. I’ve been looking for a replacement for my Xperia Play (arguably ahead of its time and with new specs would probably be an adequate fit for the Google Stadia platform) and haven’t seen anything come close. This is especially the case given the lack of physical buttons to make for a comfortable gaming experience and a pocketable size to double as an actual phone. The MOQI i7S that I recently reviewed comes close but isn’t as pocketable or ergonomic to use as a daily driver. The F(x)tec Pro1 on the other hand feels like a spiritual successor to the Xperia Play and boosts it at the front lines as a gaming phone contender.
Of course, the gaming possibilities haven't escaped the F(x)tec team and they've been touting their phone's gaming prowess with video ads and a dedicated #GamingonPro1 hastag. However, while it's true that with its specs the Pro1 will run most Android games you throw at it, the issue of its keyboard support becomes more apparent. At the time of writing, only a handful of games are compatible and the company does not have a comprehensive list of games which automatically map the keyboard keys for gaming. It's mostly a trial-and-error affair for now but the company did acknowledge that they have only recently been exploring the keyboard compatibility with games. Nevertheless, F(x)tec did provide me with a list of the compatible games for now, one which will only keep growing as more games get tested:
- Asphalt 9
- Sonic the Hedgehog Classic
- SuperTux
- Fortnite
- Implosion
- Lode Runner
- Horizon Chase
- PewPew
- Grand Theft Auto III
- Grand Theft Auto Vice CIty
- Metal Slug
- Andor's Trial
- Terraria
On the other hand, yours truly saw the potential for emulators with the Pro1 and ran separate tests to check which ones support the keyboard as an input method and which don't. You'll find the list below:
- Reicast - PASS!
- PPSSPP - PASS!
- Redream - FAILED
- MD.emu - PASS!
- Half-Life (Xash3D) - PASS!
- Dolphin emulator - PASS!
- Yaba Sega Saturn - FAILED
- ScummVM - FAILED
While I've had less than a week to test the keyboard compatibility and the Android games and emulator library keeps growing and getting updated, I can offer to test games and emulators you wish to check for compatibility. Feel free to request in the comments section and it will help the F(x)tec Pro1 community work towards building a comprehensive compatibility list.
Recommendations time
F(x)tec is a newcomer to the smartphone hardware scene and naturally targets a specific niche. Their first device was a truly ambitious one and achieved what it set out to be. However, the company could still improve on several aspects to appeal to a wider audience.
First, the name might be one of the reasons you might not have heard of this company or its first phone. F(x)tec doesn’t really roll out of your tongue but for sure it’ll get hipster creds and I’m not complaining on that one - except that I’m not everybody which might arguably be an issue when it comes to the company's naming convention acceptance.
Second, it’s understandable that the weight and thickness might not be trimmed given the nature of the Pro1’s signature feature, but they might consider a detachable option. This would allow users to opt for a slimmer and sleeker phone for a “light use mode” and attach the keyboard for “productivity mode”.
This brings us to the third point to be considered. If the keyboard becomes a detachable add-on, this opens the door to more possibilities, including a sliding gamepad à la Xperia Play. This would effectively make the F(x)tec line of phones a direct competitor to the Moto Z line with its modules. Interestingly, I read that F(x)tec was founded after the founders couldn’t bring a keyboard mod to the Moto Z. So maybe we are onto something here...
Alternatively, the company could release other versions of its phone geared towards different niches if the sliding board is to remain fixed. I am sure that I am not the only one who would drool over an F(x)tec PLAY of sorts with a built-in sliding gamepad, right?
If they want to appeal more to the gaming audience, then they could consider offering a dedicated app that allows users to remap any on-screen keys to a physical key. MOQI has this feature and it works flawlessly and the Pro1 would greatly benefit from such a feature. Moreover, they could work on optimizing more apps, especially emulators, on automatically recognizing the keyboard as a physical input source.
If you're looking to buy a new phone with a unique feature, you can't go wrong with the F(x)tec Pro1. It offers unprecedented productivity on-the-go while also edging as a gaming phone contender, although it could improve on the compatibility front. I haven't seen a phone as unique as the F(x)tec Pro1 in ages and it's definitely a "hey, check out my phone" kind of phone and is one that walks its talk.
Compatibility List Update
As mentioned, I will add new games, apps and emulators that have been tested and/or requested after the review was published. You will find those below:
- Minecraft - PASS!
- DraStic - PASS!
Verdict
- Full sliding, 64 key physical keyboard
- Current-gen specs and physical keyboard augments gaming experience
- Customizable shortcut buttons
- Boosts productivity
- Thick and heavy
- Not all games and emulators recognize the keyboard
