Acer Liquid Gallant Duo Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Acer Liquid Gallant Duo

The Acer Liquid Gallant Duo, released in September 2012, is a versatile smartphone known for its dual SIM capability and competitive pricing. Targeted at budget-conscious users, it aimed to provide a satisfactory experience without breaking the bank. Below, we take an in-depth look at different aspects of this device, ranging from design to performance.

Design and Build

Weighing in at 145g and with dimensions of 129 x 65.9 x 9.9 mm, the Acer Liquid Gallant Duo is a comfortably sized device for daily use. It features a sleek, unobtrusive design available in two colors: Gentle Black and Ceramic White. The body is made predominantly from plastic, which contributes to its lightweight feel but still offers robustness expected from a smartphone of its class. The use of Mini-SIM in its dual slots reflects the norms of the era, catering to users juggling personal and work numbers.

Display Features

This device sports a 4.3-inch TFT display with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, offering a pixel density of approximately 256 ppi. While it may not compare to modern-day displays, at the time of its release, this was an acceptable quality for everyday tasks such as browsing and media consumption. The 16:9 aspect ratio is standard for the period, providing a decent viewing experience for videos and games.

Performance and Software

The smartphone is powered by a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 processor on a Mediatek MT6575 chipset, and includes a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. While these specifications may seem modest by today's standards, they were sufficient for typical user applications in 2012, like web browsing, social media, and casual gaming. Backing this is 1GB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, expandable via a dedicated microSDHC slot, which offered users reasonable flexibility.

Running the Android 4.0.3 (Ice Cream Sandwich) operating system, users had access to a range of apps and widgets available on the Google Play Store at the time, enhancing productivity, entertainment, and connectivity.

Camera Capabilities

The Acer Liquid Gallant Duo is equipped with a 5 MP autofocus main camera, which also includes LED flash support for improved lighting conditions. Although basic, it fulfilled standard needs such as capturing photos suitable for sharing on social media and recording memories. The lack of a front-facing camera is a notable omission, reflecting the period's emphasis on main camera functionality.

Audio and Connectivity

For sound, the device offers a loudspeaker and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with most audio accessories of the time. Audio output is satisfactory for both calls and media playback. In terms of connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, and FM radio. The microUSB 2.0 port facilitates charging and data transfer, meeting the standard connectivity needs of the era.

Network Support

This model supports GSM and HSPA technologies, with 2G band coverage across GSM 850/900/1800/1900 frequencies on both SIM slots. For 3G, it covers HSDPA 900/2100 bands, allowing for reasonable mobile internet speeds conducive to general browsing and app usage.

Sensors and Additional Features

In terms of onboard sensors, the device includes an accelerometer and proximity sensor. These sensors enhance usability by adjusting screen orientation automatically and saving power during calls by turning off the display.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. While not large by today’s standards, it provided adequate battery life for typical smartphone activities like calling, messaging, and light app usage, primarily due to the power demands being moderate for its hardware and software configuration.

Conclusion

Overall, the Acer Liquid Gallant Duo served its purpose well as a cost-effective dual SIM smartphone with essential smartphone functionalities. Though discontinued, it remains a significant device for those who remember the early 2010s' mobile phone innovations. Its release reflects an era when smartphone users began demanding more from their devices without significantly increasing their spending.