BQ Aquaris X Pro, analysis of this mid-range smartphone that approaches the high-end

If we ask you about a Spanish mobile brand, surely the first answer is the protagonist of this analysis. And it is that BQ has made a niche in the Spanish market and year after year appears in the top positions of the best-selling brands in the country. That mix of cool features and a competitive price, we could say that it is one of the queen brands of the mid-range.

One of the models that the company has most cared for has reached our hands, both in terms of functions and exterior design. We have been testing the BQ Aquaris X PRO, an evolution of the BQ Aquaris X and that the first impression we had upon seeing it was of an important evolution in the company. During the last weeks we have been working with him as our main terminal and then we are going to tell you how our experience has been.

Technical sheet

Design and display

We can't deny that the design is pretty. The company has chosen to add a glass rear on this BQ Aquaris X PRO, while the body of the chassis is metallic. These two aspects are two of the differences compared to the BQ Aquaris X. Meanwhile, the screen is well finished with a 2.5D effect and has minimal side edges. This will give the impression that 5,2 inches of your panel appear even more.

Regarding your resolution, the panel is Full HD and achieves a density that exceeds 400 dpi —440 dpi to be exact. The brightness it gets and how good it looks outdoors is also remarkable. Also, and going back to design, something I would like to emphasize is that although the glass gives it a more premium than usual and is very pleasant to the touch, it is also true that we have found it more elusive than normal. And after reading this analysis you decide to get it, we advise you to get a protective case.

Another remarkable aspect is the camera, which we will talk about later in its respective section. But we do want to say no your lens is not sticking out of the chassis, something that in many models - even high-end - has been criticized a lot. Especially since in those cases it would be more prone to receiving bumps or scratches. And as for hardness this BQ Aquaris X PRO enjoys IP52 certificate that protects it from bumps, scratches and drops of water - be careful, because it cannot be submerged.

Finally, in the very center of the back we will have the fingerprint reader to unlock the terminal quickly and easily. You may like its location more or less, but we can attest that its operation has rarely failed and is fast.

Power and memory of the BQ Aquaris X PRO

In the choice of processor, Qualcomm has been chosen. And to be more specific, the model is a Snapdragon 626, a version that helps to achieve good performance in all sections. We do not reach the figures that models with high-end Snapdragon chips (8XX models) can give, but the user who wants more performance than in a conventional entry-level or mid-range model, will find it in this BQ Aquaris X Pro.

Also, this processor is add 4 GB of RAM, so running multitasking shouldn't be a problem for him. What's more, this has been the case throughout our test and you can see that extra GB it offers compared to its brother BQ Aquaris X. part of the 32 GB of internal space —We tested the 64 GB version— to store all kinds of files (photos, music, videos or documents); far away are those Android smart phones that had little internal memory and in which every two by three we would see that annoying message that warned us that we should delete content from it because its limit was close. Also, whenever you want, this BQ Aquaris X Pro has a microSD card slot. In this case we can use models that reach 256 GB of space; In other words, much of the content that you store can be derived to this card and make sure that the terminal is always left over when it comes to rendering.

Camera for photos above average in this BQ Aquaris X Pro

If this model that the Spanish company sells stands out for something, it is for its camera. It's fair to say We don't have to get a high-end model to get good shots. Yes, true, we are not facing a model that offers us results like a Samsung Galaxy S8 or a last generation iPhone, but we have been surprised how well the images turn out on this smart phone.

Another aspect that we liked regarding the camera has nothing to do with its results, but with how well they have managed to integrate the sensor at the rear so that it does not protrude from the chassis; what to support the camera on the surface ends with this BQ Aquaris Pro.

Meanwhile, if you are one of those who like to record videos - with the little ones at home it is a real luxury and here lies the power to always have a whole camera in your pocket -, BQ model can with 4k resolution clips. Finally, the front camera fulfills its purpose: to take good selfies or have video calls with good image quality. BQ Aquaris X Pro bets on an 8 megapixel sensor.

Operating system and battery

We come to one of the thorny parts: autonomy. The BQ Aquaris X Pro has a battery that offers a capacity of 3.100 milliamps. Yes, there are also models with a larger battery size. But the terminal has behaved perfectly during the days that we have tested it. The use we have given: social networks, phone calls, instant messaging, YouTube videos (the best to entertain the little ones in some situations); a lot of email and a lot of web browsing. With all this on a daily basis, the battery can last the whole day. What's more, we could say that on many of the occasions we have woken up the next morning with a battery percentage that would still allow us to operate with it for a few hours.

Meanwhile, as far as the operating system is concerned, BQ bets on Android. But in this case with a fairly clean custom layer and without putting too much extra app of its own. This translates into good daily agility and an almost instantaneous response from the BQ Aquaris X Pro. In this case, BQ opts for the version Android 7.1.1 Nougat, although it can be updated to Android 8.0 Oreo.

Conclusions

The truth is that the mid-range is filling up with good alternatives. And this BQ Aquaris X Pro is a clear example of this. In the first place, good materials have been chosen for its construction (metallic chassis with a glass finish both in the front and in the rear). Second, the camera is an item that sells. And if it offers good results, even more so. And the camera this BQ Aquaris X Pro will impress you. What's more, it will do so both in scenes with natural light, artificial light and in the results that you will obtain in night scenes. Finally, as a third point: your for mobile devices to report the it doesn't come loaded with useless apps. In addition, its battery offers good performance, exceeding, under normal conditions, the full day of autonomy. Is it a good buy? Perhaps the price is where this BQ terminal is the smallest: exceeding 300 euros is risky. And more considering what Chinese brands offer where you can find interesting options for less than 250 euros.

Editor's opinion on the BQ Aquaris X Pro

During the time that we have been testing this BQ Aquaris X Pro we have to say that we really liked its performance. In addition, all those who have children know that photographs are the order of the day. And the best thing is to always have a good camera in your pocket. With this BQ Aquaris X Pro we have had no problem.

Its finish has nothing to do with the first models that the company launched on the market. And it is closer to the finish of a high-end than that of a conventional mid-range. Also, its autonomy has seemed more than acceptable. And its performance in all kinds of situations is suitable for the vast majority of users on the market: surely you will not find any fault with the equipment. However, the official price is what can possibly put you back: 359,99 euros. Now, on Amazon, for example, you can find it power below 350 euros easily, albeit with a 32GB version of internal space.

Pros and Cons of the BQ Aquaris X Pro