Archos 64 Xenon Unveiling Specs Price Pros & Cons

Overview of Archos 64 Xenon

The Archos 64 Xenon is a smartphone that was released in April 2014 offering a blend of features aimed at providing a comprehensive mobile experience. Though it has been discontinued, it brought several noteworthy specifications and capabilities at a middle-range price point approximately around 240 EUR.

Design and Build

The device boasts dimensions of 170.7 x 90.6 x 9.3 mm, making it a substantial presence in your hand with a weight of 232 grams. It features a 6.4-inch IPS LCD display that composed about 73.0% screen-to-body ratio, ensuring a notable visual experience. The phone's build accommodates a dual SIM card setup, allowing the use of two numbers or carriers simultaneously.

Display

The display presents a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels with a density of approximately 229 ppi, offering vibrant colors and decent clarity for multimedia consumption. While it might not stand up to the high-definition screens prevalent today, at the time of its release, it was quite competitive.

Performance

Powered by a Mediatek MT6582 chipset, the Archos 64 Xenon employs a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU along with a Mali-400MP2 GPU. This setup was sufficient for basic tasks, moderate gaming, and multitasking, thanks to its 1GB of RAM. However, for intensive applications, performance might lag.

Camera Capabilities

The rear camera is packed with an 8 MP autofocus sensor equipped with an LED flash. It supports video recording at 720p, enabling users to capture decent quality images and videos under adequate lighting conditions. The front camera is a simple 2 MP sensor, intended for straightforward selfies and video calls.

Storage and Memory

The device comes with 4GB of internal storage which can be expanded using a microSDHC card. This flexibility provides additional space for apps, photos, and personal data, a necessity given the limited internal capacity.

Battery Life

The Archos 64 Xenon is equipped with a removable 2800 mAh Li-Ion battery. This provides a reasonable lifespan supporting daily conventional use but may require daily charging depending on use intensity.

Operating System and Interface

Running on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), the interface is familiar and simple to navigate, though it doesn’t benefit from modern updates and features. While reliable for basic apps and functions, users may find the lack of more recent OS updates limiting.

Connectivity and Sensors

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot, Wi-Fi Direct, and DLNA capabilities, alongside Bluetooth 3.0, GPS, and microUSB 2.0 port. While contemporary devices offer NFC and more advanced Bluetooth versions, these features sufficed for standard connectivity needs of the time. The sensors incorporated to enhance usability are accelerometer, proximity sensors, and a compass.

Sound and Multimedia

Sound experience is facilitated by a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, accommodating standard earphones or headphones for private listening. The phone supports common multimedia formats providing an adequate multimedia consumption experience.

Market Position and User Experience

At its release, the Archos 64 Xenon offered a respectable assortment of features targeting users who sought a larger screen in a budget-friendly device. While it might not compete with modern specifications, it was a reasonable choice in its category during that period, providing essential smartphone functionalities without the premium cost.

Conclusion

Overall, the Archos 64 Xenon served as a strong example of mid-tier smartphones from the early 2010s, balancing performance, display, and connectivity without straining the budget. It catered to users needing robust day-to-day functionalities and dual SIM support, with a large screen for more immersive content interaction.