Comprehensive Review Acer beTouch E400 Specs Prices and More

Network and Connectivity

The Acer beTouch E400 supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, providing a reliable connection for voice and data communication. It offers compatibility with 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100), ensuring global coverage for users who travel frequently. With HSPA speed up to 3.6 Mbps for downloading and 0.384 Mbps for uploading, users can experience moderate internet speeds suitable for basic browsing and email services.

Release and Availability

Announced in February 2010 and released in April 2010, the Acer beTouch E400 had a relatively short life cycle and is now discontinued. Despite its discontinuation, it remains of interest to technology enthusiasts and collectors who appreciate early Android devices.

Body and Design

With dimensions measuring 115 x 59.3 x 12 mm and a weight of 125 grams, the Acer beTouch E400 offers a compact and lightweight design that fits comfortably in hand. It supports Mini-SIM cards, and its aesthetic appeal is enhanced by three color options: Soft-touch Black, Ceramic White, and Pearl Red, each coming with three interchangeable battery covers.

Display Features

The device features a TFT resistive touchscreen, capable of displaying 256K colors, which was standard for its time. The 3.2 inches screen size, with a 44.7% screen-to-body ratio, provides adequate display space for basic operations. Its resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, with a 3:2 aspect ratio and ~180 ppi density, delivers clear and vibrant visuals.

Platform and Performance

Running on the Android 2.1 (Eclair) operating system, the beTouch E400 is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. Although this setup is quite outdated by today's standards, it was sufficient for handling basic smartphone tasks during the time of its release. Users could enjoy smooth performance in light applications and simple multitasking scenarios.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 256MB of RAM and 512MB of internal storage, which limited the number of applications and media that could be stored directly on the device. However, it offers a dedicated microSD slot for expandable storage, allowing users to increase capacity and manage their data more efficiently.

Camera Capabilities

The Acer beTouch E400 is equipped with a single 3.15 MP autofocus main camera. This camera, although basic, was capable of capturing standard definition photos and videos, letting users document everyday moments. However, it lacks a front-facing selfie camera, which is a staple in modern smartphones.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio, the device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring users have multiple ways to enjoy music and hands-free calls. The integration of a stereo FM radio provides entertainment on the go without the need for data consumption.

Communication Features

The beTouch E400 offers standard communication features of its time, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless data exchange, and GPS with A-GPS support for navigation. These features collectively enhance the device's usability, making it a practical choice for users who needed connectivity without complexity.

Sensors and Additional Features

Equipped with an accelerometer and compass, the device can support basic orientation and motion sensing needs, enhancing the overall user experience for navigational apps and augmented reality applications. Its browser supports HTML, providing basic internet browsing capabilities.

Battery Life

The removable Li-Po 1090 mAh battery provides users with a talk time of up to 5 hours and a standby time of up to 400 hours. While these figures indicate reasonable performance, modern users accustomed to more powerful battery solutions may find it limiting.

Pricing and Market Position

Initially priced at approximately 80 EUR, the Acer beTouch E400 was positioned as an affordable mid-range device, making it accessible to a wider audience. This pricing strategy catered to users looking for basic smartphone functionality without a significant financial investment.

Conclusion

The Acer beTouch E400 represents an early generation of Android smartphones that provided essential smart functionalities to users during its time. While it may not compete with modern devices in terms of features and performance, it remains a piece of technological history that illustrates the evolution of mobile technology. Its compact design, basic connectivity options, and adequate media capabilities made it a practical choice for users a decade ago. Today, it serves as a reminder of how far mobile technology has come and the strides made in the smartphone industry.