Price and specifications of Archos 50 Oxygen advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Archos 50 Oxygen

Released in 2013, the Archos 50 Oxygen was an ambitious attempt by the French company to position itself in the competitive mid-range smartphone market. This device brought together diverse features such as a solid camera, decent processing power, and Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system, wrapped in a sleek and lightweight design. However, like many devices of its time, it eventually became discontinued.

Design and Build

With dimensions measuring 143 x 70.5 x 9.9 mm and weighing just 130 grams, the Archos 50 Oxygen was both slim and lightweight, making it easy to handle. The black body of the device offered a classic and professional look. As a Micro-SIM phone, it embraced a standard seen in many devices of that generation.

Display

The device featured a 5.0-inch IPS LCD display, with a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 68.4%. Its resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a density of ~441 ppi delivered vibrant visuals and crisp details, perfect for media consumption and gaming. Protected by its construction, the screen offered reliability alongside impressive visual quality.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Archos 50 Oxygen operated on a Mediatek MT6589T chipset built on 28 nm technology. The quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, combined with the PowerVR SGX544MP2 GPU, provided a balanced performance for its time. While the 1GB RAM might seem limited today, it allowed the device to handle everyday tasks efficiently back in 2013.

Camera

Photography was a strong point for the Archos 50 Oxygen. The single 13.4 MP rear camera, equipped with autofocus and an LED flash, allowed users to capture images with good detail. Video recording was supported at 1080p@30fps, providing quality video capture capability. On the front, a 5.3 MP camera, also with an LED flash, ensured decent selfies and video calls.

Storage

The internal storage of 16GB offered reasonable space for apps, media, and documents. For users needing more storage, the availability of a dedicated microSDHC slot provided expandable storage options, a crucial feature for users with extensive media libraries.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 2300 mAh battery, the Archos 50 Oxygen delivered adequate battery life for moderate usage. While it might require frequent charging with heavy use, the battery was decent for its time, offering flexibility with its removability—an aspect appreciated by many users.

Connectivity

The Archos 50 Oxygen supported GSM and HSPA technologies, providing 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100) with speeds up to HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps. Its wireless connectivity included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, EDR, GPS positioning, and Stereo FM radio were also part of its communication arsenal. Although it lacked NFC functionality, it featured microUSB 2.0 (MHL TV-out) and OTG support.

Audio

Audio options were straightforward, with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, enabling users to enjoy music and media through headphones or the phone's speaker. The standard audio setup was satisfactory for general media consumption.

Operating System

Initially shipped with Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, the Archos 50 Oxygen could run advanced apps and offered the familiar Android experience, although updates were limited due to its eventual discontinuation. This software platform enabled a range of functionalities while maintaining a user-friendly interface.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device included standard sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, enabling a range of features from augmented reality apps to navigation. However, the phone did not integrate any advanced biometrics or innovative sensor technology beyond the basics.

Final Thoughts

While the Archos 50 Oxygen is now discontinued, its legacy as a mid-range phone with competitive features for its launch time remains notable. It offered a balanced mix of performance, design, and usability, appealing to consumers looking for an affordable yet capable Android device. Although technological advances have since surpassed its features, the Archos 50 Oxygen holds a place in the evolution of smartphones during its era.