Allview W1i Comprehensive Guide to Features Pricing & Performance

Overview of Allview W1i

The Allview W1i was announced in June 2014, a period that witnessed the influx of various smartphone models aiming to capture market appeal with unique features and competitive specs. This device, however, has since been discontinued. At the time of its release, it catered to users seeking a balance between functionality and cost-effectiveness.

Design and Build

The Allview W1i features dimensions of 135.8 x 67.2 x 7.2 mm, making it a sleek and compact device that fits comfortably in the hand or pocket. Weighing in at only 98.9 grams, it offers a lightweight experience, ideal for users who are constantly on the move. The phone sports a minimalist design with a plastic build, which although not premium, provides durability and ease of handling.

One of the design highlights of the Allview W1i is its dual SIM capability, supporting Micro-SIM with dual standby. This feature was quite appealing as it allowed users to manage two different numbers or networks from a single device, offering increased flexibility for personal and professional use.

Display Features

The device sports an IPS LCD screen, measuring 4.7 inches with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels. The display accounts for approximately 66.7% of the screen-to-body ratio which, for the era of its release, provided decent visuals and usability while maintaining a compact form.

With a pixel density of around 312 ppi, the screen offers moderate clarity that should satisfy any standard user requirements for browsing, streaming, and viewing multimedia content. Furthermore, the display is protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, a wise inclusion to help guard against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Allview W1i is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8212 Snapdragon 200 chipset, a quad-core processor clocked at 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7. While this chipset was not top-of-the-line even upon its release, it offered sufficient performance for daily tasks and applications, including social media, browsing, and light gaming.

Running on Microsoft Windows Phone 8.1, the device catered to fans of the Windows ecosystem. The OS provided a unique live-tile interface, combined with several convenient features native to Microsoft products. Although the Windows Phone platform did not have as large an app market as its competitors, it did provide a streamlined and efficient user experience.

Memory and Storage

The Allview W1i comes with 1GB of RAM, which was fairly standard for mid-range smartphones of that period. This amount of RAM managed background tasks and app switching reasonably well, albeit with some occasional slowdowns during heavy multitasking.

Additionally, the device offers 8GB of internal storage, which could be considered limited by today's standards. Nevertheless, users with greater storage needs could utilize the microSDHC card slot to expand storage, providing flexibility for music, photos, or other media files.

Camera Capabilities

Photography on the Allview W1i is facilitated by an 8 MP rear camera. It features autofocus and an LED flash, with the capability to capture panoramic images. While it might not compete with current flagship phone cameras, it served adequately for casual photography needs, delivering acceptable image quality under good lighting conditions.

The camera can record videos at 720p@30fps, again reflecting its mid-range aspirations. A 2 MP front camera is included for selfies and video calls, performing adequately for the needs of an average user at the time.

Audio and Connectivity

Sound output is supported by a standard loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, accommodating the majority of headphones available, thus offering flexible audio options for users.

In terms of connectivity, the Allview W1i includes basic features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP and EDR, and GPS for location services. However, the lack of NFC means that contactless transactions or certain pairing features might be limited. It is equipped with an FM radio, enriching the multimedia experience. For physical connections, the device uses a microUSB 2.0 port.

Battery Life

Equipped with a 1750 mAh Li-Po battery, the Allview W1i offers modest power sufficient for a typical day’s usage. Stand-by time is up to 200 hours, while talk time can reach approximately 7 hours and 20 minutes, offering enough endurance for users not extensively using phone-intensive applications or features.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device hosts a basic set of sensors, including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, which are sufficient for everyday use and for enabling various apps that rely on sensor data to function effectively. Security features, however, are relatively non-existent aside from the basic lock-screen mechanisms provided by the Windows Phone OS.

Concluding Thoughts

The Allview W1i provides a snapshot into the evolving mid-range smartphone market of the mid-2010s. It offered a practical and economical choice for those invested in the Windows Phone ecosystem. While it may not hold its ground against modern smartphones due to performance and software limitations, it remains a meaningful representation of the diverse options available to consumers during its time.