Eyeverify biometric security makes this Android phone ultra-secure, but the UMI Iron is more than just a gimmick. Find out more in our UMI Iron review.
The UMI Iron is the Chinese manufacturer's latest Android phone. It has some high-end specifications but, most notably, eye-scanning security that aims to make this Android smartphone almost impossible for prying eyes to infiltrate. Updated on 17/9/15 with our video review. Also see: Best new phones coming in 2015.
The Eyeverify system scans the unique vein pattern and precise positioning of your pupils to make a match, and the optional setting that requires you to blink during verification tightens security by ensuring the Iron must be faced with a living, breathing human rather than a cleverly angled photo. It sounds great, but the ability to bypass the eye verification with a four-digit passcode is a chink in its otherwise impenetrable armour.
Almost unbelievably, you can buy the Iron for just £149 from Amazon UK. And it's available for even less if you're willing to buy through a grey-market site such as Geekbuying, which charges £119.62. That's excellent value for a phone of this calibre.
The UMI Iron is a phablet with a 5.5in full-HD screen. With an all-metal build it looks good - something of a mash-up between an iPhone, an HTC and a Samsung Galaxy - and it feels reassuringly tough. There are some nice extra touches such as the customisable pulse notification light at the base of the screen, too.
Highlights in its specification include an octa-core, 64-bit MediaTek MTK6753 processor running at 1.3GHz, 3GB of RAM, 16GB of storage and the ability to either bolster this capacity with an additional 64GB, or add dual-SIM support with both cards capable of handling mobile data. Performance is good, making this UMI phone a great all-rounder at an even better price. See all smartphone reviews.
There's an 8Mp selfie camera at the front of the Iron, plus what UMI claims is the world's leading 13Mp camera at the back - Sony's IMX214 is a six-lens, f/2.0 snapper that does an admirable job in all conditions. There's an LED flash front and rear, too.
In common with the Samsung Galaxy S6 the UMI Iron has a heart-rate scanner that also purports to measure stress, here found on the front of the device to the left of the camera. However, although our review sample was running the latest software, we weren't able to get this to work.
The Iron comes with Android Lollipop preinstalled, but UMI Rootjoy support makes it easy to plug in the Iron to a PC and load up MIUI or an OS of your choice. Stick with the out-of-the-box OS and you'll benefit from useful screen gestures and a slim OS with very little bloat. Also see: Best Android phones 2015.
The UMI Iron officially went on sale on 15 August. UMI has recently begun selling its phones through Amazon, which for some readers will be a more appealing route than buying from China through sites such as Geekbuying.
If you want to buy the UMI Iron from Amazon it will cost your £149.99, which is half its £299 RRP. You'll save a little extra cash when buying from Geekbuying, however, at £119.62. Note that if you do buy from a grey market site there are some pitfalls to watch out for - see our advice on buying grey-market tech.
Our UMI Iron was supplied with black and white flip covers, plus a Magic Glass tempered glass screen protector. These optional extras are available from Geekbuying for £7.81 and £6.51 respectively.
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