Archos 50 Platinum Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Archos 50 Platinum, launched in 2013, exhibits a sleek and stylish design typical of its era. It features dimensions of 143.4 x 72.4 x 8.9 mm and weighs in at 160.2 g. This makes it a relatively light and slim device for its time. The body is designed to comfortably fit in the user's hand, providing easy usability. The phone is equipped with a dual SIM (Mini-SIM) option, catering to users who need to manage more than one phone line.

Display

The device showcases a 5.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 220 ppi. The screen offers decent clarity and brightness levels, ensuring good visibility under various lighting conditions. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 66.4%, which is standard for phones from that period, providing a substantial display area for media consumption and daily use.

Performance and Hardware

Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 Play chipset, the Archos 50 Platinum runs on a Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU, accompanied by an Adreno 203 GPU. This hardware configuration was quite competitive during its time, offering satisfactory performance for everyday tasks such as browsing, social media, and basic gaming. The device includes 1GB of RAM and an internal storage capacity of 4GB, which can be expanded via the microSDHC card slot, providing users with the flexibility to enhance storage as per their needs.

Camera Features

The device is equipped with an 8 MP autofocus main camera with features like LED flash and HDR for better image quality under different lighting conditions. It can capture videos at 720p, suitable for users who need basic video recording capabilities. Additionally, the front-facing camera is 2 MP, which is adequate for video calls and selfies, although it may not meet the expectations of those looking for high-quality front camera performance.

Battery Life

The Archos 50 Platinum is powered by a removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery. This battery size offers reasonable endurance with a standby time of up to 161 hours. Talk time is rated at up to 12 hours and 20 minutes on 2G networks and up to 10 hours on 3G networks, which is decent for a smartphone from this era. The removable nature of the battery allows users to replace it if needed, extending the phone's usable life.

Software and Interface

Running on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, the Archos 50 Platinum provides a user-friendly interface with access to hundreds of thousands of apps via the Google Play Store. Android Jelly Bean was known for improving system performance and introducing features like Google Now, which provided users with more intuitive interaction with their smartphones.

Connectivity and Sensors

The phone supports various connectivity options, including GSM and HSPA network technologies, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and EDR, and microUSB 2.0. It also offers GPS for positioning services and features stereo FM radio for listening to music on-the-go. The device includes sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which enable more interactive user experiences.

Sound and Multimedia

The Archos 50 Platinum comes with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, which is essential for users who prefer using wired headphones. These features contribute to an engaging audio experience whether users are consuming media or taking calls.

Conclusion

The Archos 50 Platinum, since being discontinued, remains a testament to the style and capabilities of smartphones from the early 2010s. Although it might not compete with today's devices in terms of power and features, it offered a compelling package at its release thanks to its good design, adequate performance for daily tasks, and decent camera capabilities. For users in 2013, it was an accessible entry into the world of smartphones with dual SIM support, meeting the needs of those who required flexibility and functionality in one device.