Unveiling the BQ Aquaris M55 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to BQ Aquaris M5.5

The BQ Aquaris M5.5, launched in 2015, exemplifies a well-balanced smartphone offering with its impressive features for its time. It's designed for users seeking a robust device with essential modern smartphone capabilities, encompassing quality performance, efficient power usage, and a conducive multimedia experience. This article delves into various aspects of the BQ Aquaris M5.5, exploring its specifications in detail and providing insights into its usability and performance.

Design and Build

The BQ Aquaris M5.5 has dimensions of 151.8 x 75.5 x 8.4 mm, making it a sleek and moderately sized smartphone. Weighing in at 162 grams, it strikes a balance between a sturdy build and comfortable handling. The device supports Dual SIM cards (Micro-SIM, dual stand-by), catering to users who need separate lines for personal and business use.

Display

The device features an IPS LCD display with a 5.5-inch screen size, making it ideal for users who appreciate larger screens for their media and browsing activities. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 72.8%, providing a relatively extensive viewing area. Its 1080 x 1920 pixels resolution, coupled with a 16:9 aspect ratio, yields a pixel density of around 401 ppi, ensuring sharp and vibrant visuals. The screen is protected by Asahi Dragontrail Glass, which offers resilience against scratches and minor impacts.

Hardware and Performance

At its core, the BQ Aquaris M5.5 is powered by the Qualcomm MSM8939 Snapdragon 615 chipset, which adopts a 28 nm manufacturing process. The octa-core CPU comprises four cores clocked at 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and another four at 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53, balancing efficiency and performance. The presence of the Adreno 405 GPU ensures decent graphics rendering, allowing for smooth gameplay and media consumption.

Memory and Storage

The smartphone comes in variants featuring 2GB or 3GB of RAM, ensuring sufficient multitasking capabilities. Internal storage options include 16GB and 32GB, with support for microSDXC cards for expandable storage, thereby offering flexibility to users with extensive media libraries or storage requirements.

Camera

The main camera of the BQ Aquaris M5.5 is a single 13 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, utilizing 1/3.1" sensor size and 1.12µm pixel size, accompanied by autofocus. It includes features such as Dual-LED flash, panorama, and HDR, enhancing its capability to take clear and vibrant photos in various lighting conditions. The device supports video recording at 1080p@30fps, suitable for capturing quality video content.

The front-facing camera sports a 5 MP sensor, also with an f/2.0 aperture, and is supported by an LED flash, ideal for selfies and video calls. It, too, supports 1080p@30fps video recording.

Battery Life

The device houses a non-removable Li-Po 3620 mAh battery, which provides it with adequate longevity. This capacity ensures users can comfortably go through a day of moderate to heavy use without the constant need to recharge.

Operating System and Software

Originally shipped with Android 5.1.1 Lollipop, the BQ Aquaris M5.5 is upgradable to Android 7.0 Nougat. This upgrade path supports improved user accessibility, enhanced smartphone security, and added functionalities introduced in newer Android versions.

Connectivity and Network Capabilities

The phone supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE technologies, catering to a wide array of global network bands: 2G (GSM 850/900/1800/1900), 3G (HSDPA 900/2100), and 4G (bands 1, 3, 7, 20). These options provide strong internet connectivity and call quality across numerous regions and network infrastructures.

Additional Features

The BQ Aquaris M5.5 includes various connectivity features: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, and GPS with GLONASS for positioning services. The device also supports NFC, facilitating contactless payment options and easy device pairing, in addition to having FM radio and microUSB 2.0 with OTG capabilities.

Sensors present include an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, expanding its functionality in navigation, motion-based applications, and everyday usability.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the BQ Aquaris M5.5 stands as a testament to BQ's commitment to delivering quality mid-tier smartphones capable of meeting a diverse range of user needs. Despite the advanced age of the device by today's standards, its substantial battery, graphical capabilities, and expandable storage options retain its attractiveness for users who prioritize practicality over cutting-edge features.