Hands-on with Acer's Continuum-capable Liquid Jade Primo
Acer has finally ponied up some official information about the Liquid Jade Primo, and we got to spend some time with it in our hands at CES 2016. After months of being teased, this phone has built a bit of its own hype, but is it worth the wait? Internally, you've got a Snapdragon 808 processor, which is more than powerful enough to move the operating system around fluidly.
Paired with that, you'll see 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, so you'll be able to multi-task and store your data without any issues. Being Continuum-capable, you need to see these kinds of specs on the phone, or performance would be horrid.
As for the size, you've got a 5.5-inch full HD 1080p IPS display. It will be personal preference if the size works for you or not, but from what we've seen so far it's fairly comfortable to hold, and we don't mind the size. On the rear of the phone you've got a 21MP camera, and while that may sound great, the camera doesn't quite perform as well as the Lumia 950 does. On the front, Acer has packed an 8MP shooter, so don't worry your selfies will be just fine.
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Impressions
Overall the Liquid Jade Primo is a nice entry into the Windows 10 Mobile market. Although the specs are closer to the 800 series of Lumias (e.g. full HD display) the nod towards Continuum makes the phone a more intriguing option for those looking for something non-Lumia.
Regarding the hardware the 5.5-inch screen sits right between the Lumia 950 (5.2-inch) and Lumia 950 XL (5.7-inch) and it seems to find a nice sweet spot. The full HD IPS display looks great with its zero air-gap design and the curved, brushed metal back makes the phone feel nice in the hand.
The 21 MP camera on the back sounds impressive, and it should do well in most scenes, but at least from some initial snaps, this camera will likely pale when compared to the Lumias and their PureView cameras. Of course, we'll reserve final judgement for when we get our hands on the phone for review.
Regarding software, Acer is not doing anything with the OS or apps. You are getting straight up Windows 10 Mobile (build 10586.29 in the version we handled) and all the standard apps out the gate. There is no customization anywhere to be found, which can be a good or bad thing depending on how you feel.
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For performance, the Liquid Jade Primo felt okay, but it was nothing mind-blowing. Although it runs a Snapdragon 808 processor it is not clear what it is clocked out nor the quality and speed of other components.
The real selling point of the Liquid Jade Primo appears to be the same message as the Lumia 830- an 'affordable flagship'. The specs won't beat the Lumias in many areas, but the lower cost, svelte design and ability to use Continuum makes it an intriguing option.
Overall, Acer has done a nice job with its Liquid Jade Primo, but price may set it back. Priced at €569, it is a bit steep, but it is a solid offering from Acer either way.
Look for more coverage from Windows Central on the Liquid Jade Primo in the coming weeks as this phone begins to hit markets.
Daniel Rubino is the Editor-in-chief of Windows Central. He is also the head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft since 2007, when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, laptops, next-gen computing, and watches. He has been reviewing laptops since 2015 and is particularly fond of 2-in-1 convertibles, ARM processors, new form factors, and thin-and-light PCs. Before all this tech stuff, he worked on a Ph.D. in linguistics, watched people sleep (for medical purposes!), and ran the projectors at movie theaters because it was fun.