Lenovo S90 Sisley review: Under cover

Web browser

The Lenovo S90 Sisley comes with Google Chrome as the default web browser out of box instead of the generic Android browser. Chrome is definitely more pleasant to look at and is a lot more feature-rich. It might just have saved the handset in our web browsing tests.

Of course, one of Chrome's strengths is its ability to seamlessly sync with the desktop version, using nothing but your Google account. This allows you to open an article on your PC and finish reading it on your mobile phone. It also syncs your bookmarks and favorite sites.

Chrome

Google Chrome is generous with the available settings as well. You can control almost every aspect of your web browsing from choosing what content you want to allow to load like JavaScript, images, cookies and pop-ups.

The Reduce data usage option does what it says on the tin - Google servers compress the webpage (using Google-developed tech like SPDY and WebP) and only then send it to the phone.

Incognito tabs let you browse without saving history or cookies.

Unfortunately, Chrome still doesn't offer a Reading mode like its completion from iOS and Windows Phone.

Other pre-installed apps

Lenovo has put a lot of effort in offering added value with its custom UI. One of the cool apps is Security, which performs a check if you have malicious software on your phone or an app has too much access to private information. You can then prevent it from accessing your calls, messages, location and camera.

The Security app

On top of that, you can define parental control access and set up an anti-theft password, in case you lose your phone.

There's also a cool looking File manager. It lets you access internal memory and sorts your files into neat categories. You can perform cut, copy and paste operations, too.

The file manager

The Lenovo S90 Sisley comes with the usual set of utility apps such as flashlight, calendar, clock, calculator, recorder, compass and radio apps. Sadly, the FM Radio app doesn't support RDS, but compensates for that with a beautiful UI.

The Radio app

Finally, as with most Androids out there, there's Google Maps to let you navigate around. The app offers much of the same functionality as its web-based counterpart, although you will need a data connection to take full advantage of the navigation features.

Street view mode works especially nice in conjunction with the phone's accelerometer and digital compass.

Google apps

The best part of owning a smartphone is getting new apps, and when it comes to Android, Google Play Store is the best source for getting your fill. From recommendations to top apps, it features a plethora of ways you can find new apps, and installing an app usually only takes a couple of taps.