Energizer Ultimate U652S review
The U652S suits users in emerging markets who genuinely need only calls, texts, and light browsing on LTE and can tolerate slow app performance. Anyone with even moderate app use, video streaming expectations, or plans to upgrade within a few years should spend a bit more on a faster processor and extra RAM—you will notice the difference every single day.
This review is based on Energizer’s published specifications and public benchmark data for the Energizer Ultimate U652S, 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 Energizer Ultimate U652S is a bare-bones budget phone with weak processing power and a basic screen, aimed at users in cost-sensitive markets who just need calls, texts, and light web browsing on LTE. The microSD slot and FM radio lift it slightly above other entry-level phones, but app performance will frustrate anyone accustomed to modern handsets.
Design & build
At 190 grams and 9.1 mm thick, the U652S sits comfortably in the hand and feels light compared to modern flagships, though not notably slim. The body construction is not specified on the sheet, which usually means plastic all the way through, but that is expected at this price. Dual nano-SIM slots and a microSD tray give you flexibility for regional roaming or media hoarding. Side-mounted fingerprint sensor works well enough for a low-cost phone. Overall the phone does not feel cheap in the usual sense—it simply omits premium finishes, which is honest at EUR 70.
Display
The 6.51-inch IPS LCD is spacious for the price, but the 720 x 1600 resolution (270 ppi) is noticeably coarse by 2024 standards. Text reads clearly from a normal distance, and scrolling is smooth, but side-by-side with any modern budget phone you will notice the pixel grid. The IPS panel struggles in direct sunlight and lacks the punch of an OLED, which is a trade-off you accept at this price point. For reading and messaging it serves; for photo viewing or streaming video it feels dated.
Performance
The MediaTek MT6739WW is a 2016-era chipset, and pairing it with just 2GB RAM is a choice that weighs heavily on daily use. Apps open visibly slowly—expect a second or two before social media fires up. Multitasking between more than two apps causes noticeable lag and reloads. Gaming and video editing are off the table. However, basic tasks like phone calls, SMS, email, and light web browsing on Wi-Fi run without drama. The Go edition of Android 13 is optimized for weak hardware, which helps, but this phone is really only fit for a user who will not demand much beyond the fundamentals. By 2024 standards, even budget rivals offer faster processors and more RAM for similar or lower prices, making the U652S feel held back.
Software
Android 13 Go edition is streamlined for low-end hardware and keeps bloat to a minimum, which is the right call for 2GB RAM. Google Play and Play Store run, though app installation and updates take patience. The phone ships with FM radio and a basic file manager, useful touches in markets where mobile data is expensive or unreliable. Updates from Energizer are unlikely to be frequent, so do not count on security patches or OS upgrades.
Camera
The 18MP main sensor captures acceptable snapshots in good daylight, with autofocus and LED flash handling most basic scenarios. The 1080p 30fps video is strictly functional—fine for a quick clip of a moment, but stutters on fast motion and will not impress anyone used to 4K or 60fps recording. The 13MP front camera handles video calls without embarrassment. This camera setup meets the floor for a 2024 phone but offers nothing beyond it; if you plan to do any serious vlogging or photography, look elsewhere.
Battery & charging
The 4000 mAh battery lasts roughly 12 to 16 hours of light use (calls, messaging, Wi-Fi browsing), depending on screen brightness and network activity. Heavier use drains it faster. There is no fast charging specified, which likely means a standard 5W trickle via USB-C; expect a couple of hours to fully charge. The battery is not removable, a standard trade-off on modern phones. For a single-SIM user in a low-power workflow, it gets through a day. Anyone juggling two active SIM cards or running data-heavy apps will need a midday top-up.
Value & verdict context
At EUR 70, the U652S undercuts many rivals but offers less for the money in almost every dimension except storage expandability and FM radio. The missing 5G, slow processor, minimal RAM, and low-res screen are genuine drawbacks in 2024, even for budget phones. However, in regions where LTE is the backbone of mobile networks, where microSD cards are a practical necessity due to limited cloud access, and where FM radio still fills air time, this phone finds its place. The price point is honest—you are not paying for capability you will not use, but you are also not getting much upside. Value depends entirely on whether your needs truly end at texts, calls, and basic browsing.
Verdict
The U652S suits users in emerging markets who genuinely need only calls, texts, and light browsing on LTE and can tolerate slow app performance. Anyone with even moderate app use, video streaming expectations, or plans to upgrade within a few years should spend a bit more on a faster processor and extra RAM—you will notice the difference every single day.
- Large 6.51-inch screen for the price, with decent daylight readability
- Expandable storage via microSD slot, practical in cost-sensitive markets with limited cloud access
- FM radio and side-mounted fingerprint sensor add utility without much extra cost
- Light weight (190g) and thin profile make it comfortable for pocket carry and one-handed use
- Quad-core 1.5 GHz processor and 2GB RAM cause visible app lag and stalls in multitasking, making everyday use frustrating compared to modern budget rivals
- 270 ppi display resolution is noticeably coarse by 2024 standards, and IPS LCD dims in sunlight
- No 5G support and older Wi-Fi n standard mean slower mobile data on current-generation networks
Energizer Ultimate U652S Key Specifications
The essentials at a glance. See the full spec sheet.
| Released | 2024, February |
|---|---|
| Display | 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio), IPS LCD |
| Resolution | 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density) |
| Chipset | Mediatek MT6739WW (28 nm) |
| RAM & storage | 64GB 2GB RAM |
| Main camera | 18 MP (wide), AF Auxiliary lenses |
| Selfie camera | 13 MP, (wide) |
| Battery | 4000 mAh |
| Software | Android 13 (Go edition) |
| Dimensions | 164.3 x 76.1 x 9.1 mm (6.47 x 3.00 x 0.36 in) |
| Weight | 190 g (6.70 oz) |
| Network | GSM / HSPA / LTE |
| NFC | No |
| USB | USB Type-C 2.0 |
Energizer Ultimate U652S FAQ
Common questions, answered from the spec sheet.
Does the Ultimate U652S support 5G?
No. The Ultimate U652S tops out at GSM / HSPA / LTE, without 5G.
What chipset does the Ultimate U652S use?
The Ultimate U652S runs on the Mediatek MT6739WW (28 nm).
What display does the Ultimate U652S have?
A 6.51 inches, 102.3 cm2 (~81.8% screen-to-body ratio) IPS LCD, 720 x 1600 pixels, 20:9 ratio (~270 ppi density).
How big is the Ultimate U652S battery?
The Ultimate U652S has a 4000 mAh battery.
Does the Ultimate U652S have NFC?
No, the Ultimate U652S does not list NFC support.
Does the Ultimate U652S support a microSD card?
Yes, the Ultimate U652S supports expandable storage (microSDXC).
Does the Ultimate U652S have a headphone jack?
Yes, the Ultimate U652S has a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Alternatives to consider
If the Ultimate U652S isn’t quite right, these are the closest calls.
U683S
Ultimate 65G
Ultimate U505s
Ultimate U6G
Galaxy XCover 7 Pro
