Cubot Hafury V1 review
Suits users in LTE-strong regions who spend most time reading, browsing, and messaging on a big display and appreciate the novelty of the rear AMOLED for quick glances. Anyone expecting fast charging, high-end gaming, or a camera versatile enough to replace a second phone should cross-shop faster mid-range models at the same price.
This review is based on Cubot’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Cubot Hafury V1, and the rating is spec-based. GoSolo does not physically test devices; where we estimate real-world behaviour such as battery life or charge time, we say so. How we rate phones.
Overview
The Hafury V1 is a budget Android phone built around a large 6.58-inch display and a gimmick: a small AMOLED screen on the back. For €150, it delivers respectable everyday performance and a full day of battery, but sluggish 18W charging and a mid-range chipset that struggles with sustained load make it more of a curiosity than a serious contender.
Design & build
At 165.8 × 75.8 × 9mm and 200g, the Hafury V1 is trim and light enough to use one-handed without fatigue. The 6.58-inch display dominates the front, leaving narrow bezels; the side-mounted fingerprint sensor is practical rather than novelty. The real attention-grabber is the 1.41-inch AMOLED screen on the back, which actually serves a purpose: glance at the time, skip tracks, or check notifications without flipping the phone over. It is not a gimmick that wears out its welcome. Build materials are unspecified in the sheet, so assume modest plastics; no IP rating means water splashes and sand are genuine concerns. The phone is pleasant to carry but not robust.
Display
The front IPS LCD is 1080 × 2408 pixels stretched across 6.58 inches, yielding 401 ppi—sharp enough for reading text and watching video at comfortable arm's length. The 20:9 aspect ratio is tall and squarish, which suits video but can feel awkward for portrait photos. No brightness spec is given, so sunlight legibility is a question mark; IPS LCD panels at this price tier typically struggle in bright sun. Colour rendition will be adequate rather than vibrant. The rear AMOLED, by contrast, is a little jewel: crisp and snappy for notifications and quick interactions. Combined, the dual screens nudge this phone into novelty territory, but the front panel is honest and serviceable.
Performance
The Mediatek MT8788V is a 2021-era mid-range chip that has aged respectably. Octa-core Cortex-A73 and A53 cores clocked to 2.0 GHz, backed by Mali-G72 MP3 graphics, handle casual browsing, messaging, and streaming without stuttering. Light gaming is possible—Genshin Impact on low settings runs, but do not expect sustained frame rates under load. For casual productivity (office apps, light photo editing), it is adequate. The 8GB RAM ensures multitasking is smooth. However, this chipset lacks the headroom for demanding apps or future software bloat. By 2024 standards, rivals at this price increasingly favour faster Snapdragon 4 Gen chips or newer Mediatek cores. The MT8788 feels a generation behind, a fair price compromise but not future-proofed.
Software
Android 13 is current but not the latest. Cubot is a small Chinese vendor, so expect a reasonable update cycle but not the five-year commitment of Samsung or Google. No bloatware layer is mentioned, suggesting a vanilla or near-stock Android experience. Security updates and Android version bumps may trail flagships and popular brands, but for a €150 device, stable and responsive Android is the baseline, and this phone appears to hit it.
Camera
A 64MP main sensor with PDAF and LED flash captures detailed daylight shots and handles autofocus decently. The 2MP macro lens is a box-ticking auxiliary that delivers gimmicky close-ups, not a genuine third camera. No ultrawide limits versatility—framing a landscape or wide group shot means stepping back or cropping. The 32MP selfie sensor is competent for sharp self-portraits in good light. Video maxes out at 1080p@30fps, standard for the budget tier but not ambitious. In summary, the camera system is serviceable for social media and casual stills but not a system that will impress; the lack of an ultrawide and the absent telephoto loom larger than the megapixel count.
Battery & charging
The 4350 mAh battery translates to roughly one day of heavy use (video, gaming) or up to 1.5 to 2 days of light browsing and messaging. That is respectable for the screen size and class. The problem is the 18W charger: expect 90 to 120 minutes to refill, which is slow for 2024. Rivals at €150 now offer 30W or higher, cutting charge time in half. If you have a reliable wall socket, this is tolerable. If you live by quick top-ups before leaving the house, plan ahead. Wireless charging is absent, standard for this price but worth noting.
Value & verdict
At roughly €150, the Hafury V1 competes with budget Xiaomi, Realme, and Samsung models. It trades raw speed for a large, well-specified display and a dual-screen novelty. The rear AMOLED is genuinely useful and not just a gimmick. Storage and RAM are competitive, and the microSDXC slot adds longevity. The Mediatek MT8788 is visibly older than what rivals pair with this price, and 18W charging trails the category norm. If you prioritise a comfortable, spacious screen and tolerate slower charging, the Hafury V1 is a quirky option. If performance or charging speed are non-negotiable, stronger choices exist.
Verdict
Suits users in LTE-strong regions who spend most time reading, browsing, and messaging on a big display and appreciate the novelty of the rear AMOLED for quick glances. Anyone expecting fast charging, high-end gaming, or a camera versatile enough to replace a second phone should cross-shop faster mid-range models at the same price.
- Expansive 6.58-inch IPS LCD display with sharp 401 ppi density and reasonable 83% screen-to-body ratio for a phone at this price
- 8GB RAM and 256GB storage baseline at €150 is solid value, plus microSDXC expansion
- Lightweight at 200g and only 9mm thick, making it genuinely comfortable to hold and pocket
- Dual rear AMOLED display is a novelty that actually works for quick glances at time, notifications, or music controls without flipping the phone
- 18W charging takes roughly 90 to 120 minutes to fill the 4350 mAh battery—slow by 2024 standards, even for budget phones hitting 30W at this price
- Mediatek MT8788 chipset handles day-to-day tasks fine but throttles under sustained load; no 5G rules it out for anyone thinking beyond the next year or two
- Camera system lacks an ultrawide lens and the macro mode is a gimmick; video maxes out at 1080p@30fps, standard but unremarkable
Cubot Hafury V1 Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, April 02 |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT8788V/WA (12 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 256GB 8GB RAM |
| Main camera | 64 MP, (wide), PDAF 2 MP (macro) Auxiliary lens |
| Selfie camera | 32 MP |
| Battery | 4350 mAh |
| Charging | 18W wired |
| Software | Android 13 |
| Dimensions | 165.8 x 75.8 x 9 mm (6.53 x 2.98 x 0.35 in) |
| Weight | 200 g (7.05 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | Yes |
| USB | USB Type-C, OTG |
Cubot Hafury V1 FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Hafury V1 support 5G?
No. The Hafury V1 tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Hafury V1 use?
The Hafury V1 runs on the Mediatek MT8788V/WA (12 nm).
What display does the Hafury V1 have?
A 6.58 inches, 104.3 cm2 (~83.0% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 1080 x 2408 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~401 ppi density).
How big is the Hafury V1 battery?
The Hafury V1 has a 4350 mAh battery. Charging is rated at 18W wired.
Does the Hafury V1 have NFC?
Yes, the Hafury V1 has NFC.
Does the Hafury V1 support a microSD card?
Yes, the Hafury V1 supports expandable storage (microSDXC (uses shared SIM slot)).
Does the Hafury V1 have a headphone jack?
No, the Hafury V1 does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Hafury V1 isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
KingKong Ace 3
KingKong Star 2
Hafury Meet
KingKong AX
Enjoy 80
