Just choose a proper phone instead.

In October 2017, Microsoft officially announced the abandonment of Windows 10 Mobile, marking the end of Microsoft's years of perseverance in the mobile field. Since then, Microsoft has attempted to make phones again, with the two generations of Surface Duo being its foray into the dual-screen phone market. However, there is no doubt that Microsoft's attempt to challenge Android and iOS's dominance with the Windows system has failed, and even the Surface Duo, which was used as a test, runs on the Android system.

Recently, Lei Technology stumbled upon a phone running the Windows system on an overseas website. Its brand name is obscure, but it is backed by a Chinese company. This phone, with its configuration, system, and functions, resembles the "Surface Phone" that many Microsoft fans have dreamed of.

Of course, we all know in our hearts that Microsoft's failed attempt at making a Windows phone cannot be reversed by a small domestic manufacturer. However, driven by curiosity, Lei Technology is eager to learn more about this product.

Looks like a phone, but its core is closer to a PC

The specific name of this Windows phone is "Meenhong JX5," under the brand SZBOX. From its simple and straightforward English name, we can infer that it is a Shenzhen-based hardware brand. In terms of product dimensions, the Meenhong JX5 can be considered a phone.

According to official information, it measures 161mm in length, which is roughly the same as the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 159.9mm; its width of 92mm is significantly wider than the iPhone 15 Pro Max's 76.7mm. It is equipped with a 5.5-inch screen, which can be considered a "small screen" among today's smartphones. However, it does not adopt a full-screen design, with thick bezels at the top and bottom, making it appear bulkier.

SZBOX compares the length and width of the Meenhong JX5 with the iPhone 15 Pro Max on its product details page, essentially implying that this device is of a mainstream smartphone size. However, after learning more information, we can conclude that the Meenhong JX5 is less a Windows phone and more a pocket-sized computer.

When comparing it to the iPhone 15 Pro Max, SZBOX did not mention the device's thickness. Upon checking the specifications page, we find that it measures 23mm, roughly the thickness of three stacked iPhone 15 Pro Max phones, thicker than even a folded foldable phone (the Xiaomi MIX Fold3 is 10.96mm thick). Notably, it weighs a hefty 360 grams, more than twice the weight of a typical smartphone. Thus, the Meenhong JX5 is undoubtedly a brick, far removed from our conventional understanding of a smartphone.

Moving on to its detailed specifications, it is powered by an Intel N100 CPU, an ultra-low-voltage chip with a TDP of only 6W, featuring a quad-core, four-thread design (with a maximum turbo frequency of 3.40 GHz) and Intel 7 (10nm) process. In terms of performance, the Intel N100 belongs to the entry-level category, currently used in ultra-compact mini PCs and low-end laptops. The Meenhong JX5 comes with 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and up to 2TB of storage capacity.

In terms of ports, the Meenhong JX5 is far more abundant than a typical smartphone, resembling a laptop with three USB-A ports, one Type-C port, one HDMI port, one headphone jack, and one Ethernet port. For wireless connectivity, it supports WiFi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 standards. Surprisingly, its battery capacity is only 1500mAh, suggesting a battery life of potentially less than an hour. To enable phone calls, an LTE module needs to be installed.

(Image source: SZBOX)

At this point, it is clear that the Meenhong JX5 is essentially a PC product with its size reduced to the extreme. While it may resemble a phone at first glance, it is fundamentally a mini-computer, with neither its hardware architecture nor system configuration related to current mainstream smartphones.

Replacing iOS and Android with Windows? Unrealistic

The Meenhong JX5 can run Windows 11 or Windows 10, both of which are full-fledged PC systems. However, can this device offer an experience close to iOS and Android phones based on the Windows system?

The answer from Lei Technology is no. Microsoft's ambition was to unify mobile phones, tablets, and PCs with the Windows system, but Windows Phone and Windows 10 Mobile, designed for mobile devices, were essentially segregated from the PC version of Windows. While there are similarities in UI design and some functions between the mobile and PC operating systems, they are fundamentally different systems with distinct operational logics.

(Windows Phone 8, Image source: Wikipedia)

The desktop version of Windows running on the Meenhong JX5 has not been optimized for mobile interactions, adhering to the keyboard and mouse operation logic. A significant challenge for users of the Meenhong JX5 is navigating the dense icons and UI interfaces on its 5.5-inch screen by simulating a mouse cursor with their fingers for "clicks," "double-clicks," and "right-clicks," which can be frustrating.

In fact, many brands currently offer PC handhelds, most of which run on the Windows system, but primarily used for gaming. However, the issue lies in that these gaming handhelds' systems are essentially desktop-oriented and not specifically optimized for handheld use, leading to inconveniences in control and interaction. In contrast, Steam Deck, which runs on a Linux kernel-based custom system, has an advantage in this regard.

Perhaps recognizing this, SZBOX emphasizes in its product details page that the Meenhong JX5 supports screen output and expansion functions, allowing it to be projected onto a large screen display via an HDMI cable and transformed into a regular computer when connected to a mouse and keyboard via USB ports.

(Image source: SZBOX)

Apart from daily operation, using the Meenhong JX5 as a phone also necessitates considering the ecosystem. While desktop Windows does not lack applications, as Windows 11 can even run software from before the advent of Android, the desktop application ecosystem is still separate from the mobile one.

Under normal circumstances, ordering takeout with the Meenhong JX5 can be cumbersome. While installing Android apps on a Windows PC is possible, Microsoft has abandoned its Android subsystem function, and while third-party emulators can achieve the same goal, considering the Meenhong JX5's modest performance and low battery life, this solution is not feasible.

Microsoft needs a new approach to regain its footing in the mobile space

Ultimately, the Meenhong JX5 is a Windows pocket computer made by a small domestic manufacturer, with no direct connection to Microsoft. Moreover, both its product configuration and practical scenarios are far from mainstream smartphones. Therefore, the concept of a "Windows phone" is merely a pleasant illusion or a marketing gimmick to generate buzz.

For average users, if viewed as a mini-computer, the Meenhong JX5 indeed offers advantages in mobility and emergency use, with its relatively "compact" form factor also being quite cool. With a starting price of less than $200, it is quite attractive as a PC.

However, if one purchases it out of nostalgia for Windows phones, they are likely to be disappointed, with issues in battery life, ecosystem, and user experience. Furthermore, domestic users would have to bear the additional costs of overseas shopping and face after-sales risks. Therefore, it is destined to be a product suitable only for a small number of geek users.

(Image source: SZBOX)

The fact that the Meenhong JX5 has garnered some attention from users indicates that there is still some anticipation for Microsoft's mobile strategy. Losing the mobile market has long been regarded as Microsoft's biggest regret. However, Microsoft has gradually found a more suitable business model. Since Satya Nadella took over as CEO 10 years ago, Microsoft has focused on software services and cloud computing as its core businesses, achieving success. Over the past decade, Microsoft's stock price has increased tenfold, earning the company substantial profits.

More importantly, Microsoft's recent bet on AI has also been highly successful. The popularity of ChatGPT has sparked a wave of generative AI, and as an investor in OpenAI, Microsoft has naturally gained significant attention and benefits. Microsoft has integrated AI achievements into Office applications to enhance their competitiveness and further proposed AI-powered PC solutions.

Collaborating with Qualcomm on AI-powered PCs, Microsoft provides support at the system and software levels, while Qualcomm supplies Snapdragon chips with superior power efficiency. Microsoft Copilot will not only run in the cloud but also support AI tasks processed on the processor side.

In the mobile space, having lost the core entry point of the operating system, Microsoft's opportunities lie in applications and services. In fact, after the failure of Windows Phone, Microsoft has gradually become the "best Android/iOS developer," porting its Office-related applications to its former rivals' platforms.

Microsoft's AI strategy can also continue this approach, combining AI advantages with its original software strengths to build a force in the mobile space. Perhaps when the era of AI phones truly arrives, Microsoft can leverage its accumulated capital in AI to stage a comeback.

Source: Lei Technology