Overview of Gionee A1 Plus

The Gionee A1 Plus, announced in February 2017 and released in May of the same year, presents an impressive package of features for its time. Though it has since been discontinued, it remains a notable example of mid-range smartphones that cater to a wide variety of consumer needs. The combination of a large display, robust battery, and dual camera setup made it a formidable contender in the market.

Design and Build

The Gionee A1 Plus sports a substantial build, with dimensions measuring 166.4 x 83.3 x 9.1 mm and a weight of 226 g. This size caters to users who prefer larger phones, which is complemented by a significant screen-to-body ratio of approximately 71.6%. The device also supports Hybrid Dual SIM (Nano-SIM, dual stand-by), allowing users to choose between expanding storage or using an additional SIM card.

Display

Featuring a 6.0-inch IPS LCD, the display offers a full HD resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio, providing a pixel density of around 367 ppi. This setup ensures sharp and vibrant visuals, which is beneficial for media consumption, gaming, and regular daily use.

Performance

The Gionee A1 Plus is powered by the Mediatek MT6757T Helio P25 chip, built on the 16 nm process. The octa-core CPU consists of 4x2.5 GHz Cortex-A53 and 4x1.4 GHz Cortex-A53 cores, paired with a Mali-T880MP2 GPU. This combination offers competent performance for multitasking and running medium-intensity applications, making it suitable for most users' needs.

Memory and Storage

In terms of memory, the phone comes equipped with 4GB of RAM, ensuring smooth performance even when multiple applications are open. It also offers 64GB of internal storage, which can be expanded via a microSDXC card, although this uses the shared SIM slot.

Camera

The dual-camera setup on the back consists of a 13 MP, f/2.0 primary sensor and a 5 MP depth sensor, which assists in achieving better depth effect in photos. The rear camera supports LED flash and HDR, and video can be recorded at 1080p@30fps. The selfie camera is an impressive 20 MP sensor with an f/2.0 aperture, ensuring quality self-portraits and video calls.

Battery and Charging

The device is powered by a 4550 mAh non-removable Li-Ion battery. Although the charging capability is limited to 10W, which might not be the fastest by current standards, the large battery ensures prolonged usage time whether for browsing, gaming, or media playback.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 7 (Nougat) with Gionee’s custom Amigo 4 user interface, the A1 Plus offers a distinct user experience. This combination brought several features unique to Gionee phones at the time, such as specialized system themes and custom app interfaces.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Gionee A1 Plus includes various connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS. Although NFC is not available, the device does feature FM radio and utilizes USB Type-C with OTG support. Additional sensors include a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, accelerometer, proximity, and compass sensors, enhancing the device's usability.

Sound System

The phone has a loudspeaker and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, which is a crucial feature for many users who prefer wired audio devices. The audio quality is decent for media consumption and ensures a satisfactory experience for both music and calls.

Color Options and Pricing

Aesthetic choices for the Gionee A1 Plus include two color options: Gray and Mocha Gold. When launched, the device was available at a price point of approximately 370 EUR, catering to the mid-range market segment.

Conclusion

Overall, the Gionee A1 Plus offered a compelling set of features for its time, with its large display, capable cameras, and long battery life standing out as highlights. While it might not compete against modern top-tier smartphones today, it served as a strong choice for users in need of a reliable, feature-complete device during its period of availability.