Price and specifications of Asus P552w advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Asus P552w

Launched in September 2008, the Asus P552w was a smartphone that aimed to provide mid-range functionalities at an affordable price. It came at a time when smartphone technology was rapidly evolving and offered a blend of business and personal features packed into a compact device driven by Microsoft Windows Mobile OS.

Design and Build Quality

The Asus P552w was relatively compact, with dimensions measuring 102 x 60.5 x 14.5 mm, and it weighed 105 grams. It featured a straightforward design with a 2.8-inch touchscreen, providing a tactile interface. The resistive TFT display, supporting 65K colors, was encased in a body available in Black or White colors. The form factor was quite ergonomic for its time, allowing easy handling and use with one hand.

Display Features

The device included a 2.8-inch resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 143 pixels per inch. While the display quality may seem modest by today's standards, it was typical for smartphones of that period. This screen resolution allowed for adequate clarity for reading emails, viewing images, and navigating through the user interface.

Software: Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional

The Asus P552w ran on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional. This operating system offered a suite of business-friendly features, including support for Microsoft Office Mobile, which allowed users to view and edit Word, Excel, and PowerPoint files on the go. The OS was tailored to suit professionals who needed reliable access to documents and email.

Performance and Storage

Under the hood, the Asus P552w was powered by a Marvell Tavor processor clocked at 624 MHz. While this might seem modest now, it was capable enough to handle multitasking and provide a smooth user experience for applications designed for Windows Mobile 6.1. The device offered 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM, which could be expanded using a microSD card. This expansion capability made the P552w versatile for users requiring more storage for applications and data.

Camera Features

The device came equipped with a single 2 MP rear camera capable of capturing basic images and recording video at 320p at 24fps. While it lacked modern camera capabilities such as autofocus and flash, it was sufficient for casual photography tasks. There was no front-facing camera, reflecting the design priorities of the time when video calls were not as prevalent.

Connectivity Options

The Asus P552w supported GSM and HSDPA networks, delivering connectivity speeds up to 3.6 Mbps. It featured Wi-Fi 802.11b/g for local network access and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless communication with accessories. GPS was included, using the SiRF Star III chipset, enhancing the device’s functionality for navigation purposes. However, it lacked a radio feature.

Battery Life

A removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery powered the Asus P552w. Its standby time was up to 300 hours, and talk time could reach up to 5 hours. While these figures represented decent battery life for the time, they necessitated frequent charging by modern standards due to the energy consumption of the Windows Mobile OS and resistive touchscreen.

Sound and Multimedia

The P552w featured a built-in loudspeaker but did not include a 3.5mm audio jack, which could be considered a limitation for users who prefer wired headphones. The exclusion of a standard audio jack suggested reliance on wireless Bluetooth headphones for audio playback. The device supported basic multimedia functionalities suited for casual use.

Price and Market Position

Upon its release, the Asus P552w was priced at around 370 EUR. This positioned it as an accessible option for mid-range smartphone seekers looking for a blend of business functionality and mobile connectivity. Its feature set made it an attractive choice for business professionals and tech-savvy users familiar with the Windows Mobile ecosystem.

Conclusion

The Asus P552w reflected the transitional phase in smartphone design and functionality that characterized the late 2000s. By catering to the needs of both professional and personal usage, it struck a balance between capability and affordability. While it may be considered obsolete in today’s mobile landscape, the P552w remains a noteworthy artifact of smartphone history.