The Benco V80s is a little different to other smartphones, as it places a much greater focus on privacy by removing aspects like the cameras and GPS. While Android already comes with multiple privacy features built in, device manufacturers often add their own privacy improvements to both the hardware and software.
A camera-less smartphone is actually not unheard of although it is certainly uncommon. After all, cameras tend to be a major selling point in their own right and especially for the latest iPhone and Google Pixel phones. However, some smartphones do skip on the cameras and this is usually in an attempt to better cater to those individuals working in places where cameras might be an issue, such as in government buildings.
The name Benco might not be familiar, but the official website explains that the brand is owned by a Chinese ODM called INONE, and its latest Benco V80s smartphone arrives without any cameras or a GPS chip. The lack of the former means that no malware can hijack the camera since there isn't one. Likewise, as there isn't a GPS chip, apps can't access location data. Of course, the lack of these elements will also impact on the use of the phone and apps installed on the device.
A Healthy Dose Of Mid-Range Specs
The general specifications for the Benco V80s firmly place it in the mid-range category. The phone has a 6.5-inch 1600 x 720 (HD+) display with a waterdrop notch. Considering it lacks a front-facing camera, the presence of a notch raises questions. However, the front-facing camera isn't the only component that's inside the notch, as phones do also commonly store proximity and light sensors here too. The processor powering the phone is a Spreadtrum SC9863A octa-core chip clocked at 1.6GHz, and this is paired with up to 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. There is also a microSD card slot for adding more storage, a rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, dual-SIM support, and a 5,000 mAh capacity battery.
The Benco V80s runs Android 11 out of the box and there is currently no information on the possibility of a software upgrade to Android 12. Details about the pricing and availability of the Benco V80s haven't been disclosed either, but there is a slim chance it will make its way to North America. In regions where it will be sold, this privacy-focused smartphone will be available to buy in either Blue or Greenish Silver.
Source: Benco Mobile