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CECT P168+, P168C and Related GSM Phones Unofficial FAQs

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Version 0.77
Copyright © 2008-2009 by Zack Smith.
All rights reserved.

See also:
general overview of the Sciphone i68 and i68+.)
hands-on review of the Sciphone i68 and i68+.)

Disclaimer

The information on this web page is provided AS-IS. Use it at your own risk. I cannot guarantee that it is 100% accurate, for two reasons.
1. Chinese phones such as those bearing the generic brand Sciphone, Miphone, Ciphone, Hiphone or CECT can vary substantially in the hardware and software provided. For example, it is known that there are 60+ hardware variants of the Sciphone i68/i68+.
2. I have owned the Sciphone i68, i68+, and the CECT M88 and M89, and played with another person's P168, but not the 100 or more other types of Asian GSM phones in existence.
3. I am not affiliated with the manufacturers of these and cannot provide any support or personal advising.
Buying and using an Asian phone involves accepting some risk. In my humble opinion, the payoffs are worth it, since these phones are cheap, they work with prepaid SIMs, and they have lots of features.

Frequently asked questions list (FAQ)

What is CECT?
CECT is a major cell phone brand-owner in China to which many GSM phones like the P168 and M88 are often incorrectly attributed. CECT is actually not involved with the manufacture of clone phones, even though many Ebay ads will say "CECT" anyway e.g. to maximize search hits.

In fact, CECT no longer manufacture phones themselves. They either license their name to other companies that produce phones, and/or they put their brand name on phones that they contract to have made. It's unclear to me which.

The clone phones often bear a resemblence to iPhones, but this is just superficial: The processor, mainboard, camera, USB connector and especially the software are quite different. Some like the N2 and P168 have housing that are not like the iPhones' nor any big-name phone's.

So who makes the clone phones? It's not always clear. In the case of phones that have processors made by MTK of Taiwan (like the P168 and Sciphone) MTK itself allegedly makes the processor and mainboard, and they are rumored to be responsible for the user-interface software of phones based on AMD's Nucleus Plus OS. (For phones with non-MTK processors or running Windows Mobile, the situation is much less clear.)

Besides the mainboard and processor, it's unclear who makes the plastic phone housing, which notoriously can closely resemble an iPhone, or who assembles and tests the final product. Secrecy is being used is because even in China these knockoffs (called "Shanzhai" in Mandarin) are illegal.

New phones are coming out now whose housings (the plastic case) don't resemble either the iPhone or other big-name phones, but have the same mainboards, processors, cameras et cetera as before. Some phones are in the works that even run Android.

To learn more about the likely actual manufacturer, click here.

What is the P168C?
This is the most recent phone in a line of cheap Chinese phones that first appeared perhaps two years ago, billed as iPhone clones, even though the software was and is very different and the look was not identical.

There are now related phones (the i68+ and N2) that look virtually identical to the iPhone physically, while the software is still enormously different. None of these are not true clones and should instead be viewed as decent phones in their own right.

There are now even clones that look like the iPhone but have built-in analog TVs such as the A510 and the N2 and T3, and some such as the F003, N2 and T3 have built-in 802.11b Wifi.

The P168C came after the P168+.
The P168+ came after the P168.

What do the P168-series and related phones offer?
These GSM phones are quite different from the iPhone but they offer much. They are media-centric cellular phones with loads of features, some clunky, some very usable, typically including:
  • GSM phone itself
  • MP3 player
  • Camera
  • Video recorder
  • Video player (plays 3GP and MP4 formats)
  • Image viewer
  • Calculator
  • Voice recorder
  • Email
  • Support for 2GB (maybe more) micro-SD flash.
  • Bluetooth
  • Text messaging (SMS)
  • Multimedia messaging (MMS)
  • FM radio (usually)
  • Note that the P168-series phones have no Java capability.
Some of these features are undoubtably awkward to use and/or slow, and, yes there are even software bugs. People nevertheless are very interested in the P168C, Sciphone i68+, and others.

These phones are considered by many to be a good deal for some key reasons: They are relatively cheap, they are usually quadband and therefore usable anywhere on the planet, they have large color touch screens, they are unlocked and require no contract.

What other Asian phones are interesting?
Check out my master list of Chinese clone phones to see what other interesting and even dare I say amazing phones are coming out of Asia.
Where can I buy one?
Zydaglo and DealExtreme have the P168C. Zydaglo also has the "official" Sciphone i68+ as well as the newer i68-3G, i9-3g and i9b. Scophone and MySciphoneShop specialize in the Sciphone i68+. There are also Ebay resellers but some of those are dodgy.
Where can I rate web-based resellers?
At ResellerRatings.com. If you look at that site, you will see they are good at ensuring that both companies and reviewers are honest.
Which phone do you suggest?
Different people have different needs, but in my case I require a quadband phone with Java, so my current phone is a Sciphone i68+.
Where can I take a look at one?
Unless you know someone who has one, or can find one for sale on Craigslist and arrange to meet the seller, the main way to become familiar with these phones is via YouTube and similar video hosting services.

Example videos:

Are the P168+ or related phones locked?
No. Never have been. If you see an ad for one that is locked, don't buy it.
Is there a silicone case specific to the P168 series?
Yes, luckily. You can find them on Ebay in a variety of colors.

Is the P168+ quadband as Ebay resellers sometimes claim?
No. It is technically triband GSM as is the P168C etc. Some call it near-quadband, because there is an internal setting alterable only at the factory that lets them assign it either the frequencies
  • 850-1800-1900 (for North America) or
  • 900-1800-1900 (for everywhere else).
(The four possible bands are: 850, 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz.) The important issue is whether it supports the 850 MHz band, which is used in North America. To learn if it does, check the ad carefully, ask the reseller, or once you have one, check the IMEI sticker in the battery compartment.
Which is better: the P168, P168+, P168S, P168C?
Most people seem to have the P168C at this point, since it is newer. It is nice because you can use two SIMs and switch between them easily.

As a rule, you should always go with the newest phone since it has the latest firmware. This is rather important because once you buy the phone you cannot (usually) obtain newer firmware.

What is the camera resolution of these phones really?
For any of these phones, most Ebay ads will say 2 megapixels. This is usually a lie. The resellers rarely test the phones to learn the camera's actual, maximum resolution. The resolution depends on three factors:
  1. The CMOS or CCD image sensor itself.
  2. The processor that it connects to.
  3. The software.
As far as the processor goes, here is the camera resolution that each maximally supports. Such a camera must be in the phone to get that resolution. And the software has to support it properly.
  • MTK MT6225 supports up to 640x480 (e.g. Sciphone i68 and i68+)
  • MTK MT6226 supports 640x480
  • MTK MT6226M supports up to 1.3 MP
  • MTK MT6227 supports up to 2 MP
  • MTK MT6228 supports up to 3 MP
  • MTK MT6229 supports up to 3 MP (used in Ciphone?)
  • MTK MT6230 supports up to 1.3 MP

Caveat:
It is hard to predict which processor your P168-series phone will have due to the fact that there is hardware variation in Chinese phones. You can inquire with your reseller but they often do not answer the question, presumably because they don't want to open boxes. Identifying the processor is not hard once you have the phone.

If you use Ebay, read the feedback comments. You may learn that a reseller with 1000 positive feedbacks got them all by selling baubles instead of Chinese phones. Do your due diligence as a consumer and examine the feedbacks carefully.

The Sciphone i68+ is newer and looks just like the iPhone. Is it better than the P168-series?
Some people say that the MT6225 processor in the i68+ is slow. Others feel that the phone is acceptable. I own the i68+ and I think it's fine although the camera is indeed junky. Here is my comprehensive review of the i68+.
Are there official manufacturer web pages for any of these phones?
Not for the P168 series. However the people who have established the Sciphone brand have set up MySciphone.com.
Which Ebay seller is reputable?
There are so many, it's very hard to keep track. I can't recommend one over another. If they do not have an email address listed on their Ebay page, you probably should not deal with them. And please don't buy a phone from a seller who has zero feedbacks, since more than likely you will never receive a phone from them. Be wary of buying directly from China since, after all, if the phone is defective the cost to return it for repairs is large. Make sure you check their feedbacks to verify the positives are from actual phone sales, and not trinkets.
What frequencies does GSM generally work at and where are these frequencies used?
GSM phones work at some or all of:
  • 850 MHz = North America both coasts
  • 900 MHz = Most other places
  • 1800 MHz = Most other places
  • 1900 MHz = North America East Coast

Note, Europe and China use 900 & 1800 MHz.

Are the triband CECT phones a problem?
Early on, some CECT triband phones sold in North America supported 900-1800-1900 MHz: thus lacking 850 MHz. Now, supposedly they are all 850-1800-1900 triband, but you should do your due diligence as a consumer and verify with the reseller that that is the case. Remember:
  • On the West Coast: 850 MHz is absolutely essential.
  • On the East Coast: 1900 MHz reception is available but may be limited.
Thus for North America, you actually need both 850 and 1900 MHz.
What are the top priorities when shopping for one of these phones?
Definitely make sure it has:
  • The latest software.
  • Always ask which processor it has. The higher-number processors are better.
  • If you are in the USA then 850 MHz band capability is a must-have in addition to 1800 & 1900 MHz.
  • The 1.3 megapixel camera is useful even if photos are not great quality.

    Beware! Some phones are being sold as 2MP when they only have VGA-resolution 640x480 cameras.

  • Slide-to-unlock feature.
  • Shake to change song/image feature.
  • Orientation sensor for video/photo viewing.
  • Java MIDP 2.0 for games and programs.
Additional accessories that it should include are:
  • An extra battery.
  • Battery charger.
  • Car charger.
  • An included flash memory card e.g. 1 or 2 gigs.
  • Some kind of case.
  • Earbuds.
  • USB cable.
Can I put YouTube videos on my CECT phone?
Yes, but you must convert them to 3GP or MP4 format from YouTube's FLV format. Probably it is best to convert to 3GP since files in that format are smaller. The website Keepvid is good for downloading videos. Please see my guide for converting videos, which includes several sample videos, in my Sciphone i68+ review.
How do I copy videos onto my P168 or related phone?
  1. If the phone did not include a MicroSD card, or if you would prefer a larger one, buy one. They're cheap. Open the back of the phone and put it into the phone. The metal holder has to click. Close the back of the phone.
  2. Download video FLV e.g. using Real Player with Firefox 2.
  3. Convert video to 3GP format as I describe in my Sciphone i68+ review.
  4. Connect P168 to your PC and tell the P168 to act as a USB storage device. It will appear as a drive on your PC.
  5. Copy video onto the drive e.g. into the Video directory.
  6. Tell PC to disconnect from that drive (in the lower-right hand corner of the Windows display there is an icon called Safely Remove Hardware) and then unplug USB cable.
Is there a limit to multimedia-message (MMS) size?
There is a known limitation of about 100 kB for an incoming MMS.
Where can I get a bigger/better stylus to use with the phone?
DealExtreme has a 4-in-1 combination stylus, pen, LED light, and laser pointer for less than $4, here.

CECT Unlocked has a similar pen for $10.

How do I download or update the firmware?
  • You probably cannot obtain newer firmware except from other owners who have downloaded it from their newer phones. A few people have begun to modify the firmware using a program called Spiderman.
  • You will need to buy a serial cable to transfer the firmware to/from your PC. It costs about $15 from resellers. Your computer must have an available 9-pin serial port which typically only desktops and older laptops have.
  • You will need to use a free program from Mediatek (who make the processor) called MTK FlashTool that allows transferring the contents of flash to your PC and re-flashing.
This video explains the process:
How to set up the phone for data services?
You need to do a Device Over The Air Configuration (DOTAC).
  • T-Mobile:
    • In the USA use this T-Mobile webpage. No CECT or Sciphone models are listed so choose Nokia 2610.
    • You might need to press the power button to accept a service. Do not accept any service like T-zones or any T-anything. Always choose the first option and take care of any data account. Repeat for each desired service.
Does email work?
It does on the P168C, as demonstrated in this video from Zydaglo.
What if my old P168 suddenly shuts off?
I have heard of this problem. Especially with older firmware, people report that the on-screen battery monitor is not accurate and that when the battery gets low, the phone simply shuts off.

It is also the case that the default screen saver kick-in delay may be too short. That is easily changed.

What about MP3 playback quality?
There are four speakers on the front of the P168 series phones, providing decent sound quality. The Sciphone has either one or two on the back of the unit. All of these phones come with earbuds that plug into a proprietary jack. You can buy an adapter to use your normal headphones for $8-10.
Are the earbuds good quality?
Some people say that the included earbuds are junk. The ones that I received with the Sciphone i68 were fine but tinny. Remember: You need to buy an adapter to use your own headphones.
What operating system does the phone use?
The P168 and many Asian phones use Nucleus Plus OS, which is made by Mentor Graphics (now owned by ATI).

The phone firmware other than OS, which is generally referred to as the GUI code, is from MTK. MTK also makes the processor and the mainboard. MTK provides licensees with the software and drivers to install on phones.

This is why MTK's firmware tool works with most Asian phones.

Firmware versions are constantly changing. The reason is that the hardware is constantly being revised.

Note, some Hiphones use the ThreadX operating system instead, which is from a company called Green Mountain. Those phones may also use the SDL graphics layer.

What processor are these phones based on?
The P168 series phones and Sciphones use MTK processors. Here is some information from MTK about them:
What is the architecture of the MTK processors?
These are ARM-compatible, in fact the MT6226, MT6227, MT6229, and MT6230 are all confirmed have the ARM 7EJ-S core, which is a 32-bit RISC processor that can potentially natively run Java bytecode and includes an LCD controller.
What is the special key code needed to get into "engineering mode"?
  • On the P168-series phones: dial the number * ## 3646633 #.
  • On the Sciphone i68: dial the number * # 8560968 #.
  • For the Sciphone i68+: Dial the number * # 820430363 #.
Be very careful when you are in engineering mode! You can easily ruin your phone by accident.
What is the code for factory mode?
Factory Mode is *#66#. I suggest that you don't use it.
What is the code for obtaining the IMEI?
To display your IMEI, call *#06#.
Do any of these phones run Java applications or games?
  • All of the phones come preloaded with some clunky built-in games.
  • The Sciphones and i9 phones can run Java programs.
Does the email functionity support common POP3 accounts?
Most of the phones do not. The A88 phone supposedly does support POP3.
Do any of these phone accept 4GB micro-SD flash cards?
The P168-related phones take a maximum of 2GB, however some people have reported success in getting 4GB to work on some models. The Sciphones have been reported to accept up to 8GB.
Can I sync with the contact list on my PC?
Seemingly not. I have heard of people having problems with that. I myself do not keep contacts on my PC.
Where are specifications for the Mediatek processors?
Where are specifications for the operating systems?
  • Here is some information about Nucleus OS.
    • Trivia: The royalty-free license for Nucleus Plus operating system is around $15000.
  • Hiphone uses ThreadX.
Is anyone porting Google Android operating system?
The P168 series phone have insufficient processing resources for Android, which runs its user interface on a variant of slow Java.

The upcoming Sciphone N12 will have the Android operating system. The N12 will have a much faster processor.

What does the P168 look like when disassembled?

In addition...

What is the Hiphone i32?
Hiphone appears to be a brand that is applied to many phones. Some or all Hiphone-brand phones use different software. The Hiphone i32 is so bad, an online petition drive demanding fixes for problems gained over 900 signatures! Link. (Note, some of those signatures are duplicates and other appear to be graffiti, however most appear real.)

Looking at the Hiphone ads, it is often impossible to verify the features that a Hiphone has and what you see may contrast sharply with what other ads say. For this reason I would avoid the Hiphone brand altogether. Yes, the US mainstream media (MSM) has picked up on the name and keeps repeating it. That doesn't mean the MSM are acting to help you.

What is the Ciphone?
The Ciphone is faster than the P168, Sciphone and others however there has been a problem with dual-band Ciphones being sold in North America, which cannot be used here because they have the wrong frequencies. Dealextreme.com has ceased selling them.

Is CECT really the manufacturer of these phones?

No. They deny making them and you will probably never see their name on the phone. Some of these phones are made by a company called Jinli Company, probably located in Hong Kong. Article. The P168 appears to be assembled by CopsVoip: Link.

Online forums for clone phones

Leaving so soon? All right, here are the forums where you can ask questions.

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