Wileyfox Swift 2 X in a nutshell: Wileyfox has launched its first phone of 2017, the Wileyfox Swift 2 X, which is the third mobile in the Swift 2 family. Here’s all you need to know, including full Swift 2 X specs, UK price and release date, how the phone compares to the Swift 2 and Swift 2 Plus and our hands-on review impressions.
Just two months ago, Wileyfox released its latest value phones, the Swift 2 and Swift 2 Plus. If you’ve read our Swift 2 Plus review you’ll know that we really loved what it offered for a price tag under £200. In fact, the winning combination of solid design, full personalisation, solid budget cameras and fingerprint security meant it was our favourite budget phone of 2016.
We’ve barely crawled into 2017 but Wileyfox has already launched a new member of the Swift 2 family, dubbed the Wileyfox Swift 2 X. This 5.2-inch smartphone isn’t too different from the Swift 2 Plus, with just a couple of tweaks to make it more desirable to media fans.
Here’s everything you need to know about the Wileyfox Swift 2 X.
Wileyfox Swift 2 X specs
| Phone | Wileyfox Swift 2 X |
|---|---|
| Weight | 153g |
| Screen size | 5.2-inches |
| Screen resolution | 1920×1080 |
| Fingerprint sensor? | Yes |
| Processor | Snapdragon 430 |
| Memory | 3GB |
| Storage | 32GB |
| microSD? | Yes, or dual SIM |
| Battery | 3010mAh |
| Rear camera | 16MP |
| Front camera | 8MP |
Wileyfox Swift 2 X: How does it compare to the Swift 2 and Swift 2 Plus?
The Wileyfox Swift 2 X isn’t too dissimilar from the existing Swift 2 handsets. In fact, there are only three real changes compared with the Swift 2 Plus.
First up, the Swift 2 X sports a bigger and sharper screen than the Plus model. The Swift 2 Plus’ 5-inch 720p panel has been boosted to a 5.2-inch Full HD screen, making it a better choice for anyone who watches a lot of video or plays games on the go.
That larger screen means the Wileyfox Swift 2 X is a little larger than the Plus, but not by much. It’s a tiny bit taller, but pretty much the same when it comes to girth and weight. The rest of the handset’s design is identical, packing the same tough and good-looking metal frame.
You also now get a bigger 3010mAh battery, so hopefully the Swift 2 X will enjoy longer battery life per charge than the Swift 2 Plus.
Wileyfox Swift 2 X unboxing and hands-on review
The Wileyfox Swift 2 X is only a mite bigger than the Swift 2 Plus, so still pleasingly comfortable to wield one-handed. As before, it looks the biz too – that metal frame is sleek and reassuringly rugged.
That new Full HD screen is pleasingly crisp, not to mention colourful and supremely bright. At this price point you’ll certainly struggle to find a phone that pumps out better-looking visuals.
Wileyfox hasn’t meddled with the camera tech at all, so you once again get a 16-megapixel rear snapper with Phase Detection Autofocus. Like the Plus before it, the Swift 2 X is quick to lock onto your subject and take a shot. You get full manual controls if you like, but the auto mode does a solid job of capturing well-lit, detailed photos.
Here’s hoping that bigger battery can produce longer life between charges too. We’ll be sure to let you know in our full review, but for now check out our video unboxing and hands-on look at the Wileyfox Swift 2 X, below.
Wileyfox Swift 2 X UK price and release date
The Wileyfox Swift 2 X will be available to buy from today, from Wileyfox’s website. The phone costs £219 in the UK, so only £30 more than the Swift 2 Plus. You can also pick up a protective cover for £15.
Check back soon for our full Wileyfox Swift 2 X review.