Asus P525 InDepth Review Specs & Pricing

Overview of the Asus P525

The Asus P525 is a smartphone that was launched in March 2006. The device is part of the company's efforts to cater to the mobile professional segment, offering features that aim to assist productivity on the go. Though it is discontinued now, at its time, the Asus P525 brought a relatively rich set of features on the table that appealed to business users.

Network Capabilities

The Asus P525 supports GSM technology and operates on 2G bands including GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, providing worldwide connectivity to users. The device supports GPRS Class 10 but does not offer EDGE, which limits its internet connectivity speed but was common in devices of that era.

Design and Build

The device has dimensions of 116.8 x 59 x 19 mm and weighs 160 g, making it relatively compact and portable. It uses a mini-SIM and features a silver color finish characteristic of many business-centric devices from the mid-2000s. The device's build quality is robust, engineered to withstand typical daily wear and tear.

Display

The Asus P525 is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen capable of displaying 65K colors. The resolution of 240 x 320 pixels with an approximate pixel density of 143 ppi ensures the display is adequate for browsing, managing emails, and viewing documents, although it lacks the vividness and sharpness of modern displays.

Platform and Processing Power

Running on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPC, the Asus P525 offers users the advantage of the Windows ecosystem, integrating seamlessly with Microsoft Office applications. The device is powered by an Intel XScale 416 MHz processor, which, for the time, offered reasonable performance balances for typical business applications and tasks.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory of the Asus P525 is 128MB, sufficient for storing essential applications and data. The phone supports the expansion of storage using a miniSD card, allowing users to increase their storage capacity further to accommodate more files and applications.

Camera

The P525 features a main camera of 2 MP with autofocus and LED flash, allowing users to capture basic photos and video. Though modest by today's standards, it was competitive during its release. There is no front-facing selfie camera, reflecting its focus as a productivity device rather than a consumer entertainment tool.

Sound and Audio

The device includes support for downloadable polyphonic, Midi, MP3, WMA, and WAV ringtones, with vibration alerts as well. However, it does not feature a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm audio jack, which is a limitation for media consumption and traditional audio output.

Connectivity Options

The Asus P525 supports Wi-Fi 802.11b and Bluetooth 2.0 for wireless connectivity, enabling easy transfer of data and connection to networks and accessories. It also has an infrared port for legacy device connectivity. However, the device does not support GPS or offer a built-in radio. Data and charging connections are facilitated via a miniUSB port.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery, the device offers up to 150 hours of stand-by time and up to 5 hours of talk time. This battery performance was reasonable at the time of its release, ensuring users could rely on it for day-long activities without frequent recharges.

Software Features

The Asus P525 comes equipped with a WAP 1.2.1/2.0 browser for basic web browsing and access to internet services, aligned with the connectivity capabilities of the time. Though lacking advanced sensors found in modern smartphones, the device is suited for productivity with its software environment tailored for professional use.

Conclusion

The Asus P525 was a balanced device designed with business and productivity in mind. It combined essential mobile communication features with Windows Mobile's productivity tools, making it relevant in its time. Despite its limitations by today's standards, the device showcases the rapid advancements in mobile technology over the years. The Asus P525 remains a chapter in the early history of smartphones, reflecting the design and functionality priorities of its era.