When you hear "tiny-screen smartphone" nowadays, what comes to mind?
For iOS users, you might recall the iPhone mini and iPhone SE series, which have been around for several years now. If you're an Android user outside China, names like the Samsung Galaxy S series and the Pixel A series might pop up first.
As for the Android crowd in China, the Xiaomi 12/13/14 series might be the most fitting products for this niche.
(Image Source: Google)
But according to Xiao Lei, all these phones can at most be called "relatively small-screen" rather than "absolutely small-screen".
You see, even the Samsung Galaxy S24 comes with a 6.2-inch display.
Pixel 8a? That's a 6.1-inch display.
Xiaomi 14? That goes up to 6.36 inches.
(Source: Xiaomi)
While the new stacking technology does make these phones smaller, narrower, and thinner, when the screen size surpasses the size of previous phone bodies, these products seem more like a compromise solution offered by phone manufacturers.
It's no wonder that some loyal fans of small-screen phones are very dissatisfied. With screen sizes reaching up to 6 inches, why do these phones dare to call themselves "small-screen phones"?
However, Little Lei discovered that across the sea, there are not only "small-screen phones" that meet the latest definition but also "true small-screen phones" that are in line with the positioning of earlier years, even comparable to the iPhone 6: Meet the Rakuten Hand 5G.
(Image Source: Rakuten)
Today, let's talk about a "bizarre product" born in China but unexpectedly gaining popularity across the ocean.
Originating from China, the "pocket-sized phone" has unexpectedly become a hit in Japan.
To understand this product, we have to start with Rakuten Mobile.
Rakuten Mobile is a mobile communication service provider under the renowned Japanese company Rakuten Group. It's the fourth mobile operator in Japan, famous for its high-speed unlimited data and affordable price plans. It even once offered a "zero monthly rent" plan, making it the top choice for many in Japan.
Note: This Rakuten is not the same as Lotte, so it's best not to confuse the two.
(Source: Rakuten)
As a reputable mobile carrier, Rakuten Mobile definitely offers its own lineup of contract phones.
In addition to the common iPhones found in Japan, the Rakuten Mobile official store also offers a range of Android devices branded under the "Rakuten Original" label.
Among them, the Rakuten BIG is manufactured by ZTE Corporation and is essentially a rebranded version of the ZTE Axon 20 5G.
The Rakuten Hand 5G we're discussing today is manufactured by Shenzhen Tianlong Mobile Technology and imported by WIKO JAPAN, making it another purebred domestic smartphone.
Yes, it's the same WIKO that announced its return to the domestic market early last year.
Driven by Japanese carriers, Japanese users surprisingly took a liking to the Rakuten Hand 5G, a small-screen smartphone from China. What's the reason behind this? To get to the bottom of it, Xiao Lei directly imported a Rakuten Hand 5G to experience it—no investigation, no right to speak.
First Impressions of the Truly Compact Smartphone: Small but Mighty
As usual, let's start with the appearance. The Rakuten Hand 5G adopts a rare curved screen design in entry-level products. Paired with the compactness of the Xiaomi 13, the device stands out with two words: "petite" and "exquisite."
Who would have thought that WIKO, now focused on creating "smart choice" products, could produce such an eye-catching design back in the day?
Holding it in your hand, the first reaction to the Rakuten Hand 5G is "light."
Officially advertised at 134g, the actual weight of the bare machine is only around 130g. In today's Android smartphone market where devices easily weigh 200g, this is undeniably an outlier. Coupled with the dual curved surface design, the overall feel of the device reaches a level that is commendable.
With dimensions of about 138 x 63 x 9.5 (mm), the body size can be compared to that of the iPhone 6, truly deserving the title of a "truly small-screen smartphone."
Of course, lightness comes with a price. The all-black plastic body design reveals noticeable gaps between the screen, bezels, and back cover, compromising the overall integrity of the device.
In terms of color options, Rakuten Mobile offers black, white, and red.
Among them, the red version is undoubtedly the most eye-catching. The black version we have on hand may sound understated, but in less flattering terms, it gives off a bit of a "generic" vibe.
(Source: Rakuten)
But no matter what, small is small, and it does look quite exquisite.
Turning to the front, let's take a look at the most outstanding part of the Rakuten Hand 5G - the screen.
The Rakuten Hand 5G features a 5.1-inch 720P 60Hz Samsung AMOLED curved screen. From the specifications of the screen, this could possibly be a screen customized by WIKO.
The 720P resolution AMOLED screen may seem a bit abstract by today's standards, especially considering how the Nintendo Switch OLED faced criticism for similar screen specs upon its release.
However, given the size of this screen, the actual viewing experience is decent. As long as the screen is small enough, unless your eyes are particularly sensitive, you won't even notice whether the picture quality is set to high or medium, or whether the fonts have jagged edges.
As for the protruding camera module that's now being criticized by many...
On the back of the Rakuten Hand 5G, you'll find just two almost flush-mounted cameras, sitting quietly in the top left corner of the device.
With its 64MP+2MP dual-camera setup, scanning QR codes will certainly get the job done.
But perhaps most importantly, this device even boasts IP68 water and dust resistance, as well as an ultrathin, under-display fingerprint sensor—features that not even some domestic flagship smartphones offer!
Other than the slow unlock speed and the lack of low-light unlocking functionality, overall, it's a case of small but complete.
Portability and maneuverability are top-notch, with performance just sufficient for this "Frankenstein" device.
Having discussed the aesthetics, let's now delve into the experience of using such a compact phone.
The experience of a product hinges on its performance, and the Rakuten Hand 5G employs a Snapdragon 480 processor.
The name might sound unfamiliar, perhaps even low-end?
However, the Snapdragon 480, released in mid-2021, is built on an 8nm process, supports dual 5G like the Snapdragon 888, features the same CPU configuration as the Snapdragon 765G, the same GPU as the Snapdragon 750G, and the same X51 modem as the Snapdragon 690.
This amalgamation of components would even earn a nod of approval from MacGyver.
(From: Fullmetal Alchemist)
Despite being named after the Snapdragon 4 series, this processor actually performs slightly better than Qualcomm's mid-range flagship processor from back in the day, the Snapdragon 765G.
AnTuTu benchmark score of 35W is solid evidence of its capabilities.
So, in terms of performance, the Rakuten Hand 5G can handle games like King of Glory and League of Legends Mobile at a stable 60 frames per second without breaking a sweat.
The performance of running Starry Sky Orbit is just about scraping by, hitting around 20 frames per second at low graphics quality.
As for "Genshin Impact"... Well, it's a bit hit or miss on this device.
Gaming on this machine inevitably raises an interesting question: the impact of small screen design on the overall experience.
Despite the screen size not being particularly small, compared to the common 6.5-inch smartphones, the Rakuten Hand 5G does feel a bit cramped when held horizontally, leading to occasional skill misfires when playing MOBA games.
Shaquille O'Neal seems to be tired of drinking mineral water.
The most troublesome aspect is that, in order to fully utilize the device's space, the Rakuten Hand 5G has done away with the SIM card slot, leaving the device only able to make calls via eSIM provided by Rakuten Mobile.
The device we have in hand even shows some traces of the previous owner attempting to install a SIM card slot, but unfortunately, it all ended in failure.
Similarly, the narrower body makes typing with 26 keys feel a bit cramped.
However, in actual usage, I quickly switched the input method to the nine-grid mode, which indeed made typing with one hand more enjoyable.
Whether it's sneakily chatting during class—
Or slipping this device between textbooks to read novels—
The compact size of this device is so mini that I can easily hide it in the palm of my hand, reaching a level of absolute discretion.
Just imagine, if I had a phone like this back in high school, would I have bothered attending any classes?
As for the camera, this 64MP OV64B sensor is typically used for telephoto shots, but it's definitely more than enough for scanning QR codes.
Thanks to the efficient performance of the Snapdragon 480, the 2630mAh battery also delivers decent enough battery life.
In terms of user experience, aside from the inherent limitations imposed by carrier phones, the overall experience of the Rakuten Hand 5G is quite surprising.
Considering its price of only 240 CNY, that's even more reason to be delighted.
Tiny screen smartphones: Cool toys with quite a few issues.
In summary, in this era, the Rakuten Hand 5G is definitely one of the few compact-sized smartphones with reasonably good performance.
Its pocket-sized body brings back memories of the iPhone 6 era; powered by the Snapdragon 480, it boasts stable performance; with IP68 water and dust resistance, an in-display fingerprint sensor, and decent camera performance, it pleasantly surprises those who had modest expectations for this little gem.
Need a backup phone? This one should meet your needs.
But for Chinese users, there are two main issues with getting their hands on this phone.
Firstly, the Rakuten Hand 5G is a standard prepaid model in Japan, making it quite rare on Chinese second-hand platforms. You'd have to lurk around on Mercari and even consider shipping it internationally, which can be quite a hassle.
Secondly, the design limited to eSIM only significantly reduces its usability in China. While Rakuten Mobile's plans offer roaming services in China, how many people are willing to go through the trouble of getting a communication plan from across the ocean?
(Source: Rakuten)
Setting aside these issues, Little Lei believes that the Rakuten Hand 5G is undoubtedly another cool toy in the hands of small-screen enthusiasts.
After all, the feeling of having everything in the palm of your hand is truly addictive.
