Unveiling Gigabyte GSmart MS802 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Display

The Gigabyte GSmart MS802 boasts a classic design with dimensions of 117 x 59.8 x 14.8 mm (4.61 x 2.35 x 0.58 in), making it compact and comfortable to hold. It weighs 130 grams (4.59 oz), offering a balanced feel without causing strain during extended use. The device features a TFT resistive touchscreen with 65K colors, presenting a vivid, though not cutting-edge, display experience typical of its time. The screen measures 2.8 inches, providing adequate viewing space for basic tasks and navigation.

The display resolution stands at 240 x 320 pixels in a 4:3 ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi. While this might not compete with modern resolutions, it was satisfactory for basic applications and media during its release period. The screen-to-body ratio is about 34.7%, highlighting the design trends of the time, which favored thicker bezels.

Performance and Operating System

Under the hood, the GSmart MS802 is powered by a 520MHz Marvell PXA270 processor. For its time, this CPU provided adequate performance for handling the essential applications and multitasking on the Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional platform. The operating system offers a user-friendly interface with staple Windows features, catering primarily to professional users with its productivity-focused applications.

Accompanying the processor is 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM, ensuring basic functionality for users. While these specifications may seem limited by today's standards, they were quite typical for mobile devices at the time, capable of running necessary applications and managing data without significant lag.

Storage and Memory

The GSmart MS802 includes internal storage of 256MB ROM, which might restrict the amount of data and applications you can keep on the device. Nevertheless, the presence of a dedicated microSD card slot allows for expanded storage, accommodating additional needs for media, documents, and further applications.

This expandable storage feature was a significant advantage, offering users flexibility and the opportunity to augment their device’s storage capabilities as needed, which was useful for accessing more complex applications and larger data files typical in professional settings.

Camera Features

On the imaging front, the device features a single 3.15 MP autofocus main camera. While it does not offer the capabilities of modern smartphone cameras, it serves well for capturing basic images and videos. The autofocus function assists in taking clearer images, a noteworthy feature for a phone from its era.

The VGA front-facing camera caters to videocalls, aligning with the business-oriented nature of the device. Although today's standards would consider this feature quite limited, it satisfies essential communication needs for video conferencing, which was a valuable addition at the time.

Battery Life

The GSmart MS802 comes equipped with a removable Li-Po 1300 mAh battery. This power capacity was sufficient to offer a decent standby time of up to 150 hours and a talk time of around 4 hours. The removable aspect of the battery permitted users to replace it easily, extending the device's usability with additional batteries if needed.

While it necessitates more frequent charging in today's fast-paced environment, at the time of its release, such battery performance was considered standard, particularly for devices focusing on professional use with an emphasis on communication rather than continuous browsing or media consumption.

Connectivity and Network Support

The device supports GSM/HSPA network technology, compatible with 2G bands on GSM 900/1800/1900 and 3G on HSDPA 2100 bands. This configuration made the GSmart MS802 suitable for international travel, especially for business users requiring connectivity in multiple regions.

Key connectivity features include Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless peripherals, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g for internet browsing, and GPS/A-GPS for navigation, aided by the SiRF Star III chipset. The inclusion of Stereo FM radio with RDS and miniUSB 2.0 provides additional versatility typical in devices targeting diverse user needs.

Multimedia and Additional Features

The GSmart MS802 also offers a satisfactory multimedia experience with its loudspeaker for clear audio output, although it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which might require an adapter for some headphones and external audio devices.

With its WAP 2.0/xHTML browser, users can access basic web services, though with limited speed and functionality compared to modern browsers. Despite this, for essential browsing needs, the device suffices, particularly in professional environments focusing on email and document management.

Conclusion

The Gigabyte GSmart MS802 represents a fusion of utility and business-focused features characteristic of its time. While it may not measure up to the advanced capabilities of contemporary devices, its balanced feature set and expandable storage make it a viable choice for users seeking reliable communication, basic productivity applications, and essential connectivity features.

The device's design and specifications ideally cater to professional users, with benefits like extended storage, a removable battery, and suitable camera capabilities for business-geared needs. In conclusion, the GSmart MS802 is emblematic of early smartphone technology—a sturdy, reliable, and professional partner for its era.