Overview of Gigabyte GSmart G1305 Boston

The Gigabyte GSmart G1305 Boston was introduced in April 2010 and positioned as a mid-range smartphone. Despite being discontinued now, it represented an early iteration of Android smartphones that offered robust features for its time, intending to compete in the increasingly competitive smartphone market.

Design and Build

The GSmart G1305 Boston features dimensions of 116 x 56.8 x 12.4 mm, making it a compact device that fits comfortably in one’s hand. It weighs 118 grams, offering a balance between portability and robustness. The design incorporates a Mini-SIM slot and is available in two color options: Black and White. The aesthetic appeal is simplistic yet functional, adhering to the design standards of the era.

Display

The device boasts a 3.2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. Despite its size, the color depth of 256K ensures vibrant visuals, although the screen-to-body ratio of 46.3% indicates noticeable bezels compared to modern standards. The display serves well for basic tasks and casual media consumption.

Platform and Performance

At its core, the GSmart G1305 Boston is powered by Qualcomm's Snapdragon S1 MSM7227 chipset, housing a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. This combination, along with 256MB of RAM, was significant at the time of its release, handling the Android 1.6 (Donut) OS effectively for general operations, though modern applications might prove too demanding.

Camera

The smartphone is equipped with a 5 MP main camera, featuring autofocus and LED flash. While it was quite competent during its release, especially for documenting simple photography needs, it lacks a front-facing camera, which is a common standard today. Video recording capabilities are present, though they adhere to lower resolution formats typical of the era.

Battery Life

Power is supplied by a removable Li-Po 1230 mAh battery. The device offers standby time up to 410 hours and talk time up to 7 hours and 10 minutes. Such battery life was deemed acceptable for moderate usage, although the removable aspect allows for easy replacements, providing flexibility in longevity.

Connectivity and Features

The GSmart G1305 Boston is equipped with GSM and HSPA technologies, supporting 2G and 3G band frequencies. Maximum data transfer speeds top out at HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps. Connectivity is further supported through Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, GPS, A-GPS for location services, and USB 2.0 for wired data transfer. The inclusion of an accelerometer sensor and a basic HTML browser rounds off its features.

Memory and Storage

Internal storage is limited to 256MB, though it includes a microSDHC slot for memory expansion. While the internal memory suffices for core applications and light data, the microSDHC slot allows for additional storage which is essential for multimedia and additional apps.

Sound and Multimedia

The device has a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, catering to basic audio needs. While it doesn't offer advanced audio features, it supports standard media consumption and basic audio outputs.

Launch and Market Position

Announced and released in April 2010, the Gigabyte GSmart G1305 Boston offered a blend of early Android innovations and functional hardware at a price point of around 110 EUR. Its competitive positioning aimed to capture consumers seeking a balance between cost and capability, although it has since been surpassed by technological advancements and is now discontinued.