Celkon A86 Comprehensive Guide to Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Celkon A86

The Celkon A86 represents a snapshot of early 2010s smartphone technology. Released in March 2013, it followed the trend of budget-friendly smartphones designed to provide basic smartphone functionalities to a growing market of users looking for affordable entry-level devices. Although discontinued now, the Celkon A86 had a fair share of features that catered to users who were embracing mobile technology for the first time.

Design and Build

The Celkon A86 sported a sleek, simple design typical of smartphones of its time. Emphasizing functionality over flamboyance, the device had a straightforward design that included a 3.5-inch TFT display. Weighing and dimensions have not been specified, but the small screen size contributed to a lightweight feel ideal for one-handed usage. The phone supported dual Mini-SIM cards, making it a versatile choice for users needing to manage two numbers simultaneously.

Display

The phone's display was modest, with a resolution of 320x480 pixels and a ~165 PPI density. This TFT screen was built for basic viewing experiences, offering users the ability to browse, text, and utilize apps without high resource demands. While it didn't provide the vividness associated with modern AMOLED displays, it delivered satisfactory performance for its time.

Performance

At its core, the Celkon A86 was powered by the Mediatek MT6515M chipset, featuring a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and PowerVR SGX531 GPU, suitable for quotidian tasks such as calling, messaging, and light app usage. This combination was standard for devices of its range, capable of supporting Android 2.3.6 (Gingerbread) efficiently, which was the operating system of choice.

Memory and Storage

The internal memory of the device was quite minimal, totaling 512MB of RAM and an equivalent amount of internal storage. This was reflective of the basic needs of users at that time, who mostly required storage for essential apps and small workloads. The inclusion of a microSDHC slot, however, allowed users to expand storage as per their requirements, adding flexibility to the device's capabilities.

Camera Features

The smartphone came with a single rear camera of 3.15 MP. While this specification seems modest compared to today's multi-lens systems, it was a valuable addition, enabling users to capture images and videos casually. However, the Celkon A86 did not include a front-facing camera, indicating its focus on basic needs rather than media creation.

Battery Life

The device was equipped with a 1400 mAh Li-Ion battery, which was considered sufficient for a day’s moderate use, given the power-efficient nature of the Android Gingerbread operating system and the hardware it was running. It boasted a stand-by time of up to 145 hours and a talk time of about 4 hours, which catered well to everyday communication needs.

Sound and Connectivity

For sound, the Celkon A86 included the essential loudspeaker and 3.5mm audio jack, important for basic audio output and personal listening. In terms of connectivity, it provided Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, and FM radio capabilities. While there was no support for advanced positioning services or NFC, these basic tools allowed users to stay connected and informed.

Sensors and Additional Features

The device was equipped with fundamental sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, enhancing its usability in everyday contexts. These facilitated basic screen rotation functions and power-saving features when the phone was close to the user’s ear during calls.

Conclusion

Though discontinued, the Celkon A86 provided a compact and resourceful option for new smartphone users in its heyday, focusing on essential needs of communication, expandability, and basic internet connectivity. While clearly outpaced by more modern technology, studying devices like the A86 gives us insight into how smartphone technology has evolved over the years in response to consumer needs.