Introduction to Gigabyte GSmart S1200

The Gigabyte GSmart S1200 is a discontinued mobile device that was initially announced in February 2009 and released in August of the same year. Known for its compact and elegant design, it was one of the smartphones that attempted to make a mark in the early days of touch screen technology and the Windows Mobile platforms. While it no longer exists in the market, the device was indeed a representation of the beginning of the smartphone era.

Network Capabilities

The GSmart S1200 was built to support GSM and HSPA technology, providing both 2G and 3G connectivity. The 2G bands included GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, while the 3G bands supported HSDPA 900 and 2100. The speed capabilities allowed for HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps, which was quite competitive during its time, offering decent internet browsing and downloading speeds.

Launch and Status

The device was announced to the public in February 2009, generating excitement for its release in August of the same year. Despite the anticipation and innovative spirit of Gigabyte, the model was eventually discontinued. As the market for smartphones was rapidly evolving, the discontinuation was a result of new technologies surpassing early designs.

Design and Build

The design of the Gigabyte GSmart S1200 is one of its notable aspects. With dimensions of 106 x 52 x 11.4 mm and weighing only 102.5 grams, it was extremely compact and lightweight, making it highly portable. The use of a Mini-SIM was also an industry standard at that time, ensuring compatibility with existing networks and technologies.

Display Features

This smartphone featured a 3.1-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, capable of displaying 65K colors. The screen had a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, with a 5:3 ratio, yielding a pixel density of around 301 ppi. During its time, the screen offered crisp and clear visuals, although current standards would consider it less vibrant and responsive compared to modern capacitive touchscreens.

Operating System and Performance

The GSmart S1200 ran on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1/6.5 Professional, making it a suitable choice for business users familiar with the Windows ecosystem. Under the hood, it was powered by a Qualcomm MSM7200A chipset and a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU, coupled with an Adreno 130 GPU. While these specifications may seem modest in contemporary terms, they offered reasonable performance for applications and tasks available at the time.

Storage and Memory

The device came with 288MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM, along with a dedicated slot for a microSDHC card which allowed for expandable storage. This was crucial for users who required additional space for applications, documents, and media files. The capacity of the microSDHC card permitted users to maximize the potential of their device storage.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a 3.15 MP autofocus camera and an LED flash, the main camera was capable of taking decent photos and videos for casual users. A VGA front-facing camera was included, providing basic functionality for video calls. Although limited in megapixels compared to today’s technology, the camera was comparable to other smartphones of that era.

Sound and Audio

The GSmart S1200 supported a loudspeaker for media playback without the need for earphones but lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, which could be considered a drawback for users who prefer wired audio. Nevertheless, the device could connect to external audio peripherals through Bluetooth, supporting 2.0 with A2DP capabilities.

Connectivity Options

Featuring Wi-Fi 802.11b/g for wireless internet access, the device ensured connectivity when on the move. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP allowed for wireless communication with other devices. The built-in GPS supported by the SiRF Star III chipset helped users navigate using positioning technologies. Additionally, it included a stereo FM radio with RDS and miniUSB 2.0 for efficient data transfer and charging.

Additional Features

The device came with an accelerometer sensor to facilitate screen rotation based on device orientation. The pre-installed browser supported WAP 2.0/xHTML for web browsing, offering users a means to access the internet. Despite the simpler browser technology, it managed basic browsing needs.

Battery Life

Powering the GSmart S1200 was a removable Li-Po 1010 mAh battery capable of providing a standby time of up to 150 hours and a talk time of up to 4 hours. Although not extensive by modern smartphone standards, it was sufficient for regular usage between charges during its release period.

Conclusion

The Gigabyte GSmart S1200, with its blend of style and technology, serves as a reminder of the evolutionary trends in the smartphone industry. Despite its discontinuation, it played a significant role in shaping consumer expectations and functionalities of modern devices. It’s a historical piece that not only represents the technology of its time but also showcases the rapid advancement in mobile technology over the past decade.