Huawei Activa 4G Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei Activa 4G, released in June 2012, boasts a compact design typical of smartphones from that period. With dimensions of 122 x 61 x 10.7 mm and a weight of 140 grams, it is lightweight and easy to handle, fitting comfortably in one hand. The phone features a Mini-SIM slot and has a solid black color which gives it a classic and understated look. Despite being discontinued, its design remains practical for daily use.

Display Characteristics

The device is equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT display capable of displaying 256K colors. While the screen size and color depth may seem limited by modern standards, it was quite acceptable at the time of its release. The resolution of 320 x 480 pixels ensures that basic tasks are displayed clearly enough on the screen, albeit without the sharpness and detail of higher resolutions seen on contemporary devices.

Hardware and Performance

Under the hood, the Huawei Activa 4G is powered by the Qualcomm MSM7627T chipset and an 800 MHz Cortex-A5 CPU. Paired with 512MB RAM, the performance aligns with entry-level expectations. While it can handle essential applications and tasks, it may struggle with more demanding applications or multitasking. This hardware setup is suited to users who require basic smartphone functionality without intensive processing demands.

Storage Options

The phone comes with an exceedingly modest 150MB of internal storage; however, it includes a dedicated microSDHC slot with a 4GB card included in the package. This expandability is crucial since the internal offerings are not sufficient for modern app sizes or media files. Users can upgrade the SD card to increase storage capacity and accommodate more apps and media files.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the Huawei Activa 4G is a 5 MP autofocus camera accompanied by an LED flash. While the camera will not compete with those found on more current devices, it can capture decent photos in well-lit conditions and offers basic photography and video recording functionality. The VGA front camera provides a minimal option for video calls or selfies but lacks the quality needed for more serious photographic endeavors.

Software Features

Running on Android 2.3.6 Gingerbread, the operating system is now outdated, lacking the features and security updates present in newer Android versions. However, at the time, it provided a simple and user-friendly interface that included basic smartphone capabilities such as internet browsing, email, and multimedia support. Users should be aware that many modern apps may not be compatible with this version.

Battery Life

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1880 mAh battery, the Huawei Activa 4G offers basic battery performance. Standby time is up to 115 hours, and talk time is approximately 3 hours and 20 minutes, which was considered reasonable for phones of this class at the time of its release. The removable battery allows for easy replacement, potentially extending the life of the device beyond what would typically be expected from non-removable battery designs.

Connectivity and Communication

The device supports CDMA and LTE technologies, with 2G bands in the CDMA 850, 1700, and 1900 ranges, and 4G bands including 2 and 4. While it lacks GPRS and EDGE capabilities, the inclusion of LTE was a notable feature for fast data speeds during its heyday. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR. Unfortunately, the device does not feature an FM radio but includes GPS and A-GPS for positioning services.

Audio and Multimedia

The Huawei Activa 4G is equipped with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with most headphones and audio accessories available at the time. Users can enjoy music and media files with acceptable sound quality, although with a single speaker, stereo sound is not available.

Pricing and Availability

Upon release, the Huawei Activa 4G was priced at approximately 110 EUR, positioning it as an affordable option for consumers looking for entry-level smartphones. Its availability today is limited due to discontinuation, but it might be found in some outlets dealing in older or refurbished models.

Conclusion

The Huawei Activa 4G represents a snapshot of early-2010s technology, offering basic smartphone features suitable for budget-conscious consumers at the time of its release. While its specifications are now surpassed by modern devices, it provided a practical solution for users needing reliable communication tools, simple internet access, and portable media playback capabilities.