Why you shouldn't buy Africa's dubbed, cheapest, $1 USD smartphone, 'Oyi - 1' - ITSALLISAY

Oyi -1, Africa's cheapest $1 USD smartphone was unveiled on the 30th November, 2018, in Abuja, Nigeria.

Photos of Oyi-1 smartphone | yomiprof.net

BeepTool CIS Limited, an ICT firm, based in Lekki, Lagos state Nigeria, is the brain behind the now-famous $1 USD smartphone.

According to BeepTool, anyone earning more than $50 per month (approx. N18,000 Nigeria Naira, which is the country's Minimum wage) is not eligible for the BeepTool $1 smartphone offer, Naijaknowhow reports.

"The affordable smartphone concept is one where smartphone manufacturing and ancillary costs are covered by investors and stakeholders and handed to users who live on less than $2 a day at $1 or nearest local single currency note preloaded with advertising services platform capable of generating revenue for investors and stakeholders to cover the cost of the smartphone and further revenue for investors and stakeholders."

What Makes Oyi-1 smartphone Special?

Apart from the price tag of N500, everything else about Oyi-1 smartphone is all shades of 17th century.

It is an entry-level smartphone targeting low income earners in Nigeria and Africa, (at least the manufacturers already mentioned that).

The smartphone features a 5-inch display, a lowly Mediatek processor, 1GB RAM, 8GB internal storage, a 5-megapixel camera at the back, and a 2,000mAh battery.

MobilityArena sees Oyi-1 smartphone features as being 'basic.' According to them:

The software (on which Oyi-1 smartphone operates) is a bit outdated (though). Android 7 Nougat is not exactly up-to-date, as the current version of Android is Android 9 Pie. In addition, Android 8 Oreo Go Edition would have been even better suited to a low-end device like this.

OYI-1 Phone Features and Specification

Operating system: Android™ 7.0 Nougat
Reinforced Frame & Screen, Unbeatable Value,
Screen: 5inch FWVGA 854*480
Mobile Network: 4G LTE Dual SIM (Dual-SIM): Micro SIM + Nano SIM
Memory/Storage: 1GB RAM /Built-in: 8GB, Micro-SD (Support up to 32GB)
Processor: MT6580 1.3GHz Quad-Core
Frequency Band: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 |WCDMA 900/2100 |FDD-LTE B1//3/7/20
Connectivity: WiFi 802.11 b/g/n Dual-SIM Bluetooth 4.1 3.5mm Headset Jack
Dimensions: 144.1 x 71.9 x 9.8 (mm)
Camera: Rear: 5MP ; Front: 2MP
Battery life: (2000mAh)
GPS: Yes

The smartphone is cool, no doubt, but does it worth the hype?

Read on to find out!

Here is why you shouldn't buy Oyi - 1 smartphone

If you do not value your privacy and security, go ahead and order the $1 USD Smartphone, but if you do, take a chilling pill and think of the major reason the phone is selling at such a 'ridiculous price.'

Care to know what lies under that sugar coated $1 USD Smartphone?

Oyi - 1 smartphone's Terms and conditions isn't available just for fun. It has a serious caveat and warning.

You can navigate to number 8 and 9 of BeepTool T&C (or better still read the whole page to understand what you are signing for).

Screenshot of BeepTool T&C page (https://www.oyi.beeptool.com/terms-and-conditions/) | (c) itsallisay.com

DEVICE CONNECTIVITY

Devices are not smart without connectivity, you, therefore, agree to recharge your data plan with a minimum of NGN750 monthly in exchange for 1GB data and 30 minutes bundled local calling plan. Refusal to pay for connectivity in two consecutive months will lead to remote locking of the device and attempt to recover the device by BeepTool.

REMOTE SERVICES AND ADVERTISEMENTS

You understand and agree:

That all devices sold under the ($1 or local currency single note equivalent rate) are the property of BeepTool CIS Ltd for a period of 24 months after registration
That BeepTool reserves the right to remotely operate the device and make changes to software layout, install and uninstall apps, without prior notice or your approval.
That BeepTool can send you text-based, graphical, interactive, rich media, social, e-mail, video or other online advertisements through the device.
BeepTool reserves the right to remotely lock and attempt to recover a device if you are found to be using it for negative contents including but not limited to harassment, intimidation, terrorism, etc.
That BeepTool may provide third party content to the user through the device
The device would be released to the user completely, free of any listing, remote services, and advertisement after 24 months.

Screenshot of BeepTool Previous T&C | Source: Naijaknowhow.com.ng

As at the time of writing this post, the following agreements which were earlier reported by YomiProf and Naijaknowhow, to be contained on Oyi's BeepTool Terms and Condition's Page is either missing or have being removed. Another thing noticed is the rearrangement and numbering of the T&C.

That anyone earning more than $50 per month is not eligible for the BeepTool $1 smartphone.
That anyone earning more than $50 per month can own the smartphone by sponsoring the TRUE COST OF MANUFACTURING the BeepTool $1 smartphone at NGN23,000) or $60

Do you still find Oyi-1 smartphone package attractive?

Yes or No?

Last verdict on the smartphone

According to NaijaKnowHow, the $1 USD smartphone does not worth the hype and thus, has nothing to offer those who do not earn above minimum wage.

Going by BeepTool's T&C, you will have to load NGN750 monthly in exchange for 1GB data and 30 minutes (compulsorily for 24 months or you get locked out remotely).

If you calculate N750 x 12 months, it equals N9000 and N18,000 naira in 2 years.

N18,000 is enough to get you a standard low-end Android device.

Well, N18,000 for data and calls for two years is worth it, on Oyi-1 smartphone package. Right?

But, what happens after 24 months of using this device?.

However, let me ask you, are you comfortable?

Trading to receive constant third party content?
Allowing your device to be remotely controlled by another for 24 months?
Being fed with constant unwanted adverts for 24 months?
Not giving you the freedom of publishing contents without fear of being locked out?
Not having the freedom of installing any app of your choice?

“THE $1 PHONE IS NOT JUST A MARKETING TOOL, IT’S A TRACKING DEVICE!”

That said, Why not save N1,500 of your minimum wage for 12 month?

N18,000 can get you a phone within the same specs-range that will give you total control of your smartphone.

When Will Oyi Beeptool N500 Android Smartphone be Delivered?

It will take up to 7 months before you get your delivery after ordering your device.

According to YomiProf, BeepTool founder, John, said in a mail to those who pre-ordered the device:

Thank you for your interest in OYI-1 AFFORDABLE SMARTPHONE, Kindly note that your pre-order is only confirmed after payment have been received by BeepTool.

However due to the high cost of manufacturing, the affordable smartphones distribution will be in batches based on FIRST COME FIRST SERVE.

The first set of recipients will be PRE-ORDERS made between August and November 2018 with expected delivery date of 4 to 7 months from the date of pre-order, as we are crowd- funding for the manufacturing cost (₦25,000) of these smartphones.

Also, note that the OYI-1 AFFORDABLE SMARTPHONE, will/should not be SOLD IN THE OPEN MARKET.