Price and specifications of Acer Liquid S1 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build

The Acer Liquid S1 is a phablet that was launched in June 2013 and subsequently released in August of the same year. The device measures 163 x 83 x 9.6 mm and weighs 195 grams, making it substantial in hand. It sports a design typical of its era with a plastic body available in classic black and white colors. The device offers options for both single SIM and dual SIM configurations (Micro-SIM), providing flexibility in connectivity for various users. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 66.2%, which, while modest by today's standards, was quite reasonable at the time of its release.

Display

The Acer Liquid S1 features a 5.7-inch TFT display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, amounting to about 258 pixels per inch. While the display technology used is TFT, known for its wider viewing angles and reduced glare under sunlight, the pixel density ensures that images and text are clear and fairly vibrant. The display size was considered large and impressive at the time, bridging the gap between conventional smartphones and tablets.

Platform

Equipped with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean out of the box, the Liquid S1 includes Acer's Float UI, which offers a user-friendly interface and multitasking enhancements. Under the hood, the device is powered by a Mediatek MT6589 chipset, built on a 28 nm process. The processor is a quad-core Cortex-A7, clocked at 1.5 GHz, coupled with a PowerVR SGX544 GPU. This hardware combination allows for smooth operation in everyday tasks and can handle moderate gaming needs, although it might struggle with more demanding applications due to its age and hardware constraints.

Memory and Storage

This device comes with 1GB of RAM, which was standard for mid-range smartphones during its release period. It provides 8GB of internal storage, adequate for basic usage but might quickly fill up with apps, photos, and media. However, Acer mitigates this limitation by including a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand their storage capacity and manage their multimedia content better.

Camera Performance

The Acer Liquid S1 sports an 8 MP primary camera with autofocus and LED flash, capable of capturing 1080p videos at 30fps. The camera's performance is decent, offering clear and vibrant images in well-lit conditions. The device also supports a 2 MP front-facing camera suitable for basic selfies and video calls. While not groundbreaking, the camera setup is adequate for users who do not heavily rely on their smartphones for photography.

Audio and Connectivity

This smartphone includes stereo speakers for an enhanced audio experience, paired with a 3.5mm headphone jack for private listening. It supports various connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, offering hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and LE support, GPS for location services, FM radio, and microUSB 2.0 for charging and data transfer. However, the device lacks NFC capabilities, which might dissuade users interested in contactless payment features.

Battery Life

The Acer Liquid S1 is powered by a removable Li-Po 2400 mAh battery. While the battery capacity might be seen as modest today, it was suitable for its time, offering up to 11 hours of talk time and up to 450 hours of standby on a single charge. The removable feature allows users to replace the battery easily, an option not commonly available in more recent smartphones due to the shift towards unibody designs.

Sensors and Miscellaneous Features

The device includes a set of useful sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing user interaction with various apps and games. The SAR values indicate safe levels of radiofrequency exposure, with scores of 0.44 W/kg for the head and 0.41 W/kg for the body. Initially priced at around 320 EUR, it provided a good balance between performance, features, and cost at launch.

Summary

Overall, the Acer Liquid S1 is a competent device released during the burgeoning popularity of phablets, appealing to users looking for a large screen experience without stepping into the tablet market. Although it is discontinued now, it remains a part of Acer's venture into smartphone innovation, showcasing the evolution of mobile technology trends over the years. While not cutting-edge today, it represents a significant stepping stone in the progression of mobile devices.