Unveiling Asus P320 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Asus P320 was launched with a compact design that measures 99 x 55 x 13 mm, making it easily portable and ideal for one-handed use. At a weight of 105 grams, it exemplifies lightweight convenience. The device features a classic candy bar design with rounded edges, giving it a sleek yet sturdy appearance. The front panel is dominated by a 2.6 inches TFT resistive touchscreen that supports 65K colors, surrounded by a reasonably sized bezel. This design choice in the display offers users straightforward navigation through the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system.

Display

The 2.6-inch screen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels offers a decent viewing experience for its time. Featuring approximately 154 ppi pixel density, the display provides clear and sharp image quality for basic multimedia consumption and navigation. Due to its resistive touchscreen technology, users are required to apply slight pressure for input, which might feel different compared to the modern capacitive screens but was standard during its launch period.

Hardware and Performance

At its core, the Asus P320 is powered by a TI OMAP 850 chipset with a 200 MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU. This hardware combination was designed to handle the essential functions of a smartphone effectively during its time. It comes with 64MB of RAM and 128MB of ROM, ensuring basic multitasking capabilities. Additionally, the device supports expandable storage through a dedicated microSD slot, allowing users to increase storage for applications and media files.

Operating System

The device runs on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional, offering a suite of productivity features inherent to Windows’ mobile OS line up. Users could take advantage of mobile Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook email, catering well to business professionals seeking to manage documents on-the-go. Although newer systems have surpassed Windows Mobile, it was a robust performer in the context it was released.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a 2MP rear camera, the P320 provides autofocus capabilities, allowing for sharper image capture. While not advanced by today's standards, the camera could satisfy basic photography needs of early adopters for casual photo shooting. It also supports video recording, adding to its multimedia capabilities. However, the device lacks a front-facing camera, reflecting the design norms of smartphones from its era.

Connectivity

The Asus P320 supports GSM network technology with 2G bands covering GSM 850/900/1800/1900, ensuring connectivity across various regions. For data, it supports GPRS Class 10 and EDGE Class 10, which were typical for mobile internet access before the widespread adoption of 3G networks. For wireless connectivity, the device includes Wi-Fi 802.11b/g support for web browsing and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming. The inclusion of GPS allows for basic navigational functions but lacks a built-in radio.

Audio and Multimedia

The phone features a loudspeaker for audio playback and alerts, with support for downloadable polyphonic, MP3, and Midi ringtones. However, it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, limiting options for personal audio accessories without additional adapters. This might be seen as a limitation for users who prefer wired audio connections.

Battery Life

The Asus P320 is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery, a standard capacity for devices of its era. Considering the hardware specifications and the demands of the operating system, this battery size is adequate for achieving a full day of usage under moderate conditions. The removable feature provides the convenience of swapping out batteries if necessary, which is a functionality less commonly found in modern smartphones.

Market Positioning and Pricing

Released in March 2008, the Asus P320 entered the market with an announced price of about 410 EUR. Positioned as a mid-tier device, it was aimed at consumers and business professionals seeking a smartphone with essential functionalities and reliable performance. Despite being discontinued, the device remains a noteworthy part of Asus’ journey in mobile computing.

Conclusion

The Asus P320 is representative of an evolving era in mobile technology, balancing between functionality and portability. Its combination of a Windows Mobile operating system, competent hardware configuration, and essential connectivity features ensured that it met the primary needs of users at its time. While it might not compete with today's advanced devices, the P320 remains a significant piece in understanding the progression of mobile design and capabilities.