Archos Diamond Plus Comprehensive Review and Pricing Insights

Design and Build Quality

The Archos Diamond Plus sports a sleek and modern design, featuring dimensions of 152.6 x 76.4 x 8.4 mm and a weight of 160 grams. Its compact and slim profile makes it comfortable to hold and use single-handedly. The device is available in a sophisticated silver color, which gives it an elegant touch. It features a hybrid dual SIM slot that adds versatility for users who need multiple numbers. The phone's build quality is robust, providing durability for everyday use.

Display

The centerpiece of the Archos Diamond Plus is its 5.5-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, users can enjoy clear and vibrant visuals with excellent color accuracy. The display's pixel density of approximately 401 ppi ensures sharpness and detail, making it ideal for browsing, gaming, and streaming media. For added protection, the screen is shielded by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, which provides a safeguard against scratches and minor impacts.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Archos Diamond Plus is powered by the Mediatek MT6753 chipset, a 28nm octa-core processor with a 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 CPU. This setup offers decent performance for everyday tasks, ensuring smooth operation for apps and multitasking. The Mali-T720MP3 GPU handles graphic-intensive tasks, providing a reasonable gaming experience for casual games. Although the 2GB RAM may be considered moderate by today's standards, it sufficiently handles basic smartphone operations.

Storage and Memory

The device comes with 16GB of internal storage, which is expandable via a microSDXC card that uses a shared SIM slot. This flexibility allows users to increase storage capacity for apps, photos, and media files. However, the reliance on shared slots means there is a trade-off between dual SIM functionality and expandable storage.

Camera Capabilities

Photography is a strong feature of the Archos Diamond Plus, equipped with a 16 MP autofocus main camera. The camera captures high-resolution images with satisfying detail and color reproduction, supported by an LED flash for low-light conditions. It also supports 1080p video recording at 30fps, enabling users to capture smooth and vibrant videos. On the front, the 8 MP selfie camera provides decent quality for selfies and video calls.

Battery Life

The phone features a non-removable Li-Ion 2850 mAh battery, which provides a satisfactory battery life for moderate usage. On average, users can expect a full day's use from a single charge, covering activities such as calling, browsing, and social media engagement. The device balances power efficiency with performance, although heavy users might need to recharge in the evening.

Operating System and Software

The Archos Diamond Plus runs on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, offering a user-friendly interface and access to a wide range of applications via the Google Play Store. While Lollipop provides a stable performance and necessary features, the lack of updates could mean missing out on newer security patches and features available in the latest Android versions.

Connectivity and Network

The device supports various network technologies, including GSM, HSPA, and LTE, ensuring compatibility with a range of mobile networks. It operates across multiple 2G, 3G, and 4G bands, offering versatile connectivity options. Additionally, it comes equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, GPS, FM radio, and a microUSB 2.0 port with OTG support. However, NFC support is not included, which may limit some connectivity options.

Audio and Multimedia

In terms of audio, the Archos Diamond Plus includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with various audio peripherals. The device supports wide multimedia capabilities, enabling users to enjoy music, videos, and radio broadcasting.

Additional Features

The phone is equipped with basic sensors such as an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enhance user interaction by enabling features like auto-rotation and directional guidance. The balance between functionality and price makes the Archos Diamond Plus a commendable choice for budget-conscious users.