TP-Link enters the smartphone market with the Neffos C5, C5L, and C5 Max

TP-Link, a company best known in the end-consumer segment as a router manufacturer, has made the unexpected decision of entering the smartphone market. Meet the TP-Link Neffos smartphone line-up, a series that will initially consist out of three smartphones, the Neffos C5, C5L, and C5 Max!

The most promising model is the Neffos C5 Max, a handset that appears to approach the booming mid-range smartphone market. The specs include a 5.5-inch display with a resolution of 1080 by 1920 pixels, an octa-core MediaTek MT6753 chipset, 2GB of RAM, and 16GB of expandable internal storage. In the imaging department, the TP-Link's C5 Max features a 13MP primary camera with an f/2.0 aperture and a 3,045mAh battery.

Unfortunately, the TP-Link C5 Max runs Android 5.1 Lollipop, and the manufacturer has made no mention of an update to Android 6.0 Marshmallow. The same goes for the entire Neffos line-up, but given the low-end nature of the two other handsets, customers will probably be satisfied with 5.1 Lollipop.

Progressing towards the bottom, the TP-Link Neffos C5 comes with a 5-inch display running a resolution of 720 by 1280 pixels. On the inside, the handset integrates similar specs to its larger brother: a MediaTek MT6735 chipset, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable internal storage. The primary camera is a lower-res 8MP sensor, but the secondary 5MP sensor remains consistent. The Neffos C5 gets its power from a 2200mAh battery. 

The low-end TP-Link Neffos C5L is, at least in terms of raw hardware specs, an Android 5.1 Lollipop version of the Nokia Lumia 550. It comes with a 4.5-inch display running a resolution of 480 by 854 pixels, a bottom-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 chipset, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of expandable internal storage (the enhanced support for microSD cards in Marshmallow would have been very handy at this point). In the imaging department, the Neffos C5L is equipped with an 8MP primary camera and a 2MP selfie shooter on the front. All of these specs are powered by a 2,000mAh battery.

Unfortunately, TP-Link has yet to disclose the price of the handset, a crucial element given that these devices are aimed with budget-conscious customers in mind. The new Neffos smartphones are scheduled to launch by the end of Q1. Until we get word on availability or pricing, feel free to discuss the LG G4-like design - or on any other topic regarding the new TP-Link smartphones - in the comment section below!