Gigabyte GSmart G1317 Rola Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Gigabyte GSmart G1317 Rola

The Gigabyte GSmart G1317 Rola is a notable entry-level smartphone released in 2011, primarily targeting users who require basic smartphone functionalities in a compact and cost-effective package. Despite being discontinued, the device is a representation of the rapidly evolving mobile technology of its time. It housed some modest features which were quite competitive in the entry-level market segment.

Design and Build

The GSmart G1317 Rola boasts a minimalist design highlighted by its glossy black and white color variants. Its dimensions are 113.5 x 60 x 13.3 mm, weighing around 116 grams, making it a relatively lightweight and compact device. The phone’s dual SIM capacity is particularly advantageous for users who need to manage two networks. The build features a removable Li-Ion 1260 mAh battery which is a practical feature for a phone from its era.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen. The display has a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels with a 5:3 aspect ratio. Although modern devices have moved on to capacitive touchscreens, the resistive screen technology on the GSmart G1317 Rola was adequate for the time, especially at its price point. The screen offers 16M colors which enhances the visual appeal for users.

Performance

Under the hood, the GSmart G1317 Rola runs on a Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1 chipset, powered by a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU. It comes with 256MB of RAM coupled with 512MB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDHC card. This configuration was adequate for running the Android 2.2 Froyo OS which the device shipped with. While the hardware might struggle with modern apps, it was competent for basic tasks like calls, texts, and browsing during its time.

Camera

This smartphone features a 3.15 MP main camera equipped with an LED flash, capable of capturing basic photographs and videos. Despite the absence of a front-facing camera, the rear camera design was consistent with budget devices of its time. The camera’s performance was satisfactory for day-to-day snapshots, though it didn’t cater to demanding photography needs.

Network and Connectivity

The GSmart G1317 Rola supports GSM and HSPA technologies, with 2G and 3G bands that were standard for mobile networks during its release. It offers connectivity options including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, a hotspot feature, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, GPS with A-GPS assistance, and a microUSB 2.0 interface. These options provided users with sufficient connectivity suitable for everyday mobile tasks.

Battery Life

The device's 1260 mAh battery offers a standby time of up to 115 hours and a talk time of around 6 and a half hours. Given the hardware’s power consumption and the era’s standards, these figures were fairly competitive, providing users with a reasonable battery life for moderate usage throughout the day.

Sound and Multitasking

The GSmart G1317 Rola is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, supporting basic audio functionalities. The included FM radio feature also adds to its array of entertainment options. Users could enjoy listening to music or the radio through wired earphones, a popular option for many at the time.

Software and Features

This device operates on Android 2.2 Froyo, offering a standard user experience for devices made during its release year. It also includes basic sensors like an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. The HTML-based browser enabled straightforward internet browsing, covering essential web-navigation needs of users.

Price and Availability

At its launch, the phone was priced at around 130 EUR, aligning closely with the budgets of entry-level smartphone consumers. Although it is now discontinued, during its release, GSmart G1317 Rola offered a value-oriented choice for individuals expanding into smartphone territory without heavy financial investments.

Conclusion

The Gigabyte GSmart G1317 Rola represents a piece of early smartphone history, appealing to users who value simplicity and functionality over luxury and cutting-edge technology. Its feature set catered well to basic communication needs and introduced many first-time smartphone users to mobile technology, leaving a footprint in the budget segment during the 2010s.