Unveiling the Gigabyte GSmart i300 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Gigabyte GSmart i300

The Gigabyte GSmart i300 was a pioneering attempt by Gigabyte in 2006 to enter the smartphone market, existing as a notable device in the Windows Mobile space. Although discontinued now, it provided a blend of robust features aimed at both business and casual users with its integration of Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0.

Network Capabilities

The GSmart i300 was equipped with GSM network technology, supporting 2G bands across GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 MHz frequencies. This range of bands ensured strong network connections in a variety of places, although the absence of EDGE meant it lacked the higher-speed data transfer available in more advanced networks.

Launch and Availabilty

First announced in the second quarter of 2006, the GSmart i300 went on to become a compact technological choice during its time, available until it was eventually discontinued. Its introduction paved the way for successive advancements in Gigabyte's smartphone offerings.

Design and Build

Tailored with dimensions of 102.5 x 51.5 x 19 mm and weighing 116 grams, the GSmart i300 was a lightweight device for its segment. It employed a mini-SIM style and showcased a sleek design featuring a silver color which was standard at the time. The device conveyed a professional appeal, catering to both aesthetics and functionality.

Display

The device encompassed a 2.4-inch TFT resistive touchscreen display supporting 256K colors, although effectively representing 65K colors. The resolution was set at 240 x 320 pixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in an approximate pixel density of 167 ppi. Its screen-to-body ratio was approximately 33.8%, providing a decent display surface, although touch responsiveness could be limited due to its resistive nature.

Platform and Performance

Powered by an Intel XScale PXA272 processor clocked at 520MHz, the performance was robust for managing everyday tasks. The GSmart i300 utilized Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 for PocketPC Phone Edition (AKU2), offering a multi-tasking and feature-rich environment suitable for productivity applications prevalent at the time.

Memory and Storage

For memory, the device integrated 64MB of RAM paired with 256MB of ROM, providing enough space for the OS and essential applications. In addition to the internal memory, it featured an expandable miniSD slot, allowing users to store additional data conveniently.

Camera Features

Equipped with a 2.1 MP autofocus main camera featuring LED flash, the GSmart i300 was capable of capturing images and video, albeit at a quality suitable for modest purposes considering the era. However, it lacked a front-facing camera, reflecting the standard design choice before selfies became mainstream.

Sound and Multimedia

Sound was navigated through vibration and downloadable polyphonic ringtones (MP3, MIDI formats), although it did not support a loudspeaker or a 3.5mm headphone jack. This limited its utility in standalone music playback, focusing more on its core smartphone capabilities.

Connectivity

The connectivity suite of the GSmart i300 included Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0. Moreover, it was integrated with a GPS receiver via the SiRF Star III chipset, facilitating basic navigation tasks. However, the device lacked radio capabilities, and connectivity for data transfer was facilitated through a miniUSB 2.0 port.

Additional Features

Built with a basic suite of applications, the GSmart i300 supported a WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, offering fundamental web browsing experiences. The absence of advanced sensors was typical for its time, making it reliant extensively on software capabilities for enhanced functionalities.

Battery Life

Fitted with a removable Li-Ion 920 mAh battery, the GSmart i300 offered a standby time of up to 110 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours. This battery capacity was aligned with the standard for early smartphones, necessitating frequent charging with moderate use.

Conclusion

The Gigabyte GSmart i300 was an innovative approach by Gigabyte, representing an early blend of feature-rich mobile technology and business-oriented applications. Its compact design, coupled with Windows Mobile capabilities, made it a notable choice despite the technological constraints of its time. While modern smartphones have advanced significantly since then, devices like the GSmart i300 paved the way for the robust and versatile mobile technology we enjoy today.