Allview X2 Soul A Comprehensive Breakdown of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Allview X2 Soul, a smartphone launched in May 2014, represented a significant point in smartphone design and technology. With its key features and specifications, it catered to the mid-range market while providing certain high-end elements such as a sleek design and an AMOLED display. Despite being discontinued, it remains a memorable device for its era.

Design and Build Quality

The Allview X2 Soul boasts a remarkable design characterized by its thin profile; it measures just 5.6 mm in thickness. The dimensions (145.1 x 70.1 x 5.6 mm) contribute to its elegant aesthetic, making it one of the thinnest smartphones available at its release. Weighing only 129 grams, it provides a lightweight experience without feeling cheap.

The build quality is solid, with a metal frame that enhances durability. The device was available in two classic colors: black and white. It features a Micro-SIM slot, aligning with the standards of its time. The slim design did not compromise the device's structural integrity, maintaining a sleek and sophisticated look.

Display

The X2 Soul is equipped with a 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display. This choice of panel ensures vibrant colors and deep blacks, providing an excellent visual experience. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a density of approximately 441 ppi, the screen is crisp and clear, making it suitable for media consumption and browsing.

The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 67.8%, which was considered decent during its release. The AMOLED technology ensures not only vivid colors but also better energy efficiency, an important feature given the device's slim battery capacity.

Performance

Powered by the Mediatek MT6592 chipset, the Allview X2 Soul employs an octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A7 processor. This configuration provides adequate performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and casual gaming. While it may not compete with today's flagship devices, it was a competitive offering in 2014.

The Mali-450MP4 GPU supports graphical processing, enabling smoother visuals in games and media playback. Paired with 2GB of RAM, the device handles multitasking reasonably well, though more intensive applications may push its limits.

Operating System

Initially shipped with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the Allview X2 Soul was upgradable to Android 4.4.2 KitKat. This upgrade brought improvements such as a refined interface and performance enhancements. The older Android versions reflect the device's age, and it may not support modern applications and security updates.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 16GB of internal storage, which was a standard offering at the time of release. However, the lack of a card slot for expandable storage is a limitation, requiring users to manage their storage efficiently. The 2GB RAM complements the internal storage, offering standard multitasking capabilities for the period.

Camera

The Allview X2 Soul features a 13 MP rear camera, equipped with autofocus and an LED flash. The camera supports HDR and can record video at 1080p@30fps, adequate for casual photography and video capturing. The quality is sufficient for most users, though it may not satisfy enthusiasts seeking high-end photography performance.

On the front, a 5 MP selfie camera is present, offering decent image quality for selfies and video calls. While it may not compare to the front cameras of modern smartphones, it fulfills basic requirements adequately.

Battery Life

With a non-removable Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery, the Allview X2 Soul achieves a reasonable balance between battery life and device slimness. It offers up to 10 hours of talk time and can last up to 230 hours on standby. Though modern devices boast larger capacities, the efficiency of the Super AMOLED display helps extend battery life for typical usage.

Connectivity and Additional Features

Connectivity options on the Allview X2 Soul include support for GSM and HSPA networks, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, FM radio, and microUSB 2.0. While it lacks NFC, it supports OTG, allowing external device connections for added versatility.

The device incorporates standard sensors, including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, offering a full range of functionalities pertinent to smartphones of its time.

Conclusion

Although the Allview X2 Soul may be considered an outdated device by current standards, it was a noteworthy entrant in the mid-range market during its release. It combined a sleek design with a competent display and adequate performance, offering a well-rounded experience for users at the time.

Its elegant design and compact form factor continue to appeal to those who prioritize aesthetics and ease of use. While its limitations are evident in terms of storage capacity and lack of modern software support, the Allview X2 Soul remains an iconic representation of the balance between design and functionality during its era.