Allview X2 Soul Mini: Overview

The Allview X2 Soul Mini, released in October 2014, stands out for its sleek design and notable features, making it a respected option in the mid-range smartphone market during its time. With a weight of just 97 grams and a thickness of 5.2 mm, it was considered one of the slimmest smartphones available. Its elegant design coupled with its AMOLED display made it appealing to those who valued aesthetics as much as functionality.

Design and Build

The X2 Soul Mini was designed to appeal to users who prioritize a premium feel and lightweight construction. The dimensions of the phone are 139.8 x 67.4 x 5.2 mm, which provides a comfortable grip while still maintaining a significant screen-to-body ratio of approximately 67.4%. Offered in classic colors like black and white, it kept a minimalist style that highlighted the phone's slim profile.

Display

The device featured a 4.8-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, at a pixel density of around 306 ppi. The display quality was sufficient for its time, providing vibrant colors and good viewing angles due to the AMOLED technology. This made it ideal for viewing media content and offered a satisfying visual experience for everyday use.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Allview X2 Soul Mini was powered by a Mediatek MT6592 chipset, paired with an octa-core 1.7 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and Mali-450MP4 GPU. Despite having just 1GB of RAM, it managed to deliver relatively smooth performance for daily tasks and multitasking. However, it might not have been adequate for heavy gaming or demanding applications. The device came with Android 4.4.2 KitKat, which at the time was a popular version of the Android operating system, providing a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of apps via Google Play Store.

Camera Capabilities

The Allview X2 Soul Mini was equipped with an 8-megapixel rear camera, complete with autofocus and LED flash. The camera included features like panorama and HDR, allowing users to capture detailed and dynamic images. It could also record videos at 1080p@30fps, which was standard for mid-range phones at that time. The front camera had a resolution of 5 megapixels, suitable for selfies and video chats.

Storage

Concerning storage, the device offered 16GB of internal memory but did not include a memory card slot, which was a limiting factor for users who required more space for apps, media, and other data.

Battery and Longevity

The phone was powered by a non-removable Li-Ion 2050 mAh battery, which provided a standby time of up to 205 hours on 3G and a talk time of up to 11 hours on 3G. This was relatively average battery performance, necessitating daily charging, especially for active users.

Network and Connectivity

The Allview X2 Soul Mini supported GSM / HSPA network technologies, along with 2G bands (GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900 / 2100). For connectivity, it offered Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with capabilities for Wi-Fi Direct and hotspot functionality. Other connectivity options included Bluetooth 4.0, GPS positioning, FM radio with RDS, and microUSB 2.0.

Additional Features

The device included several sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enhancing the user experience by enabling features like auto-rotation and location-based services.

Conclusion

When it came to market in 2014, the Allview X2 Soul Mini offered a compelling package for users seeking a stylish and lightweight smartphone with respectable performance for everyday needs. While it fell short in areas like extended storage options and battery longevity, it remains a noteworthy example of the design-forward approach prevalent in mid-range phones of its era. The retail price at around 230 EUR reflected its status as a competitive option in the mid-range segment.