Unveiling the Gionee Marathon M5 Specs Pricing and Performance Insights

Overview of the Gionee Marathon M5

The Gionee Marathon M5 is a smartphone that was announced in June 2015 and released in November 2015. Even though it has been discontinued, the phone left a lasting impression due to its compelling features, especially the battery life. This device targets users who need a long-lasting phone that doesn't require frequent charging, offering a generous 6020mAh battery along with other well-rounded specifications.

Body and Design

The Gionee Marathon M5 presents itself with dimensions of 152 x 76 x 8.6 mm, weighing in at 211 grams. This weight is largely due to the large battery housed within. The device supports dual SIM functionality, which is a useful feature for users who need to manage work and personal contacts on a single device. The availability of colors such as White, Gold, and Black allows some degree of personalization for users.

Display

The smartphone features a 5.5-inch AMOLED display that provides vibrant colors and deep contrasts, ensuring a pleasant visual experience. With a screen-to-body ratio of around 72.2%, it offers a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, making media consumption enjoyable. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, adding durability to the package by safeguarding against scratches and drops.

Performance and Platform

Gionee Marathon M5 powers on the Android 5.1 Lollipop operating system coupled with Gionee's Amigo 3.1 UI, providing a user-friendly interface. The phone runs on a Mediatek MT6735 chipset featuring a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53 processor and Mali-T720MP2 GPU. This combination ensures that the day-to-day tasks run smoothly, though it might struggle with high-end gaming applications or heavy multitasking due to its moderate processing capabilities.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 3GB of RAM, which provides a decent level of multitasking capability. For storage needs, it features 32GB of internal storage. If that does not suffice, it supports microSDXC, allowing users to expand storage via a dedicated card slot. This ensures that users can store apps, media files, and documents without much concern for running out of space.

Camera

On the photographic front, Gionee Marathon M5 houses a 13 MP rear camera with an f/2.0 aperture, offering phase detection autofocus (PDAF) capabilities along with LED flash. This setup allows for good daylight photography and adequate low-light performance. The camera also supports features such as panorama and HDR, whereas video recording can be done in 1080p at 30 frames per second. On the front, there is a 5 MP camera with an aperture of f/2.2, suitable for selfies and video calls, capable of recording videos at 720p.

Battery and Endurance

Perhaps the most significant feature of the Marathon M5 is its colossal 6020 mAh Li-Po non-removable battery. Users can expect up to 62 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 28 hours on 3G networks. The standby time is equally impressive, with up to 684 hours on 2G and 557 hours on 3G. A standout feature is its ability to perform reverse charging, allowing the M5 to act as a power bank for other devices, thereby offering great convenience.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The phone supports a wide array of connectivity options including GSM, CDMA, HSPA, and LTE networks, ensuring good coverage in most regions. It also comes equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Bluetooth 4.0, GPS, and an infrared port. An FM radio with RDS and recording options is included, adding to the entertainment value. The device has a 3.5mm audio jack and utilizes microUSB 2.0 with OTG support for data transfers and charging.

Price and Market Position

Initially launched at around 330 EUR, the Gionee Marathon M5 balanced itself between mid-tier performance and high-end battery life. While it may not compete directly with the flagship models of its time in terms of raw performance, its unique selling point was the extended battery life, which catered to a niche segment of power users and travelers.

Conclusion

The Gionee Marathon M5 may not be the most powerful smartphone by today's standards, but its remarkable battery life remains notable. It serves well for users who prioritize longevity and standby time in smartphones, making it a dependable companion for extended usage without frequent charging sessions. While it has been discontinued, the Gionee Marathon M5 is a device that still holds nostalgic value for those who have used it.