Huawei Ascend D Quad XL Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Network Technology

The Huawei Ascend D quad XL supports GSM and HSPA technologies, providing users with reliable connectivity for both 2G and 3G network bands. The device is capable of operating on a wide range of frequency bands, including GSM 850/900/1800/1900 for 2G and HSDPA 850/900/1700/1900/2100 for 3G. With a speed capability of HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps, users could enjoy decent internet browsing and data usage speeds during its time.

Launch and Availability

The Huawei Ascend D quad XL was officially announced in February 2012 and was released later that year in September. Initially gaining attention for its powerful specifications during that era, it has since been discontinued. Despite its discontinuation, the phone made a significant impact during its lifecycle, showcasing Huawei's commitment to developing high-performance smartphones.

Design and Build

The device sports a compact design with dimensions measuring 129 x 64 x 10.9 mm, which offered users a comfortable grip. Weighing in at 150 grams, it strikes a balance between robustness and portability. The phone supports a Mini-SIM and was available in two color variants: Metallic black and Ceramic white, catering to different aesthetic preferences.

Display

The Huawei Ascend D quad XL features a vibrant 4.5-inch IPS+ LCD display, which covers approximately 67.6% of the device's front. With a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, users could experience clear and sharp visuals, with a pixel density of approximately 326 ppi ensuring high display quality for media consumption and everyday tasks.

Platform and Performance

This smartphone ran on Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), bringing a smooth and user-friendly interface. Powered by the Huawei K3V2 chipset, the device featured a quad-core 1.4 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU and a Vivante GC4000 GPU. This hardware combination ensured smooth multitasking and efficient performance for various applications and games available at that time.

Memory and Storage

The device offered 8GB of internal storage, paired with 1GB RAM, providing adequate space for the operating system, applications, and user data. Additionally, users could expand storage via a microSDHC card using a dedicated slot, allowing for easier management of photos, videos, and other files.

Main and Selfie Camera

Equipped with an 8 MP rear camera featuring auto-focus and dual-LED flash, the Huawei Ascend D quad XL was capable of capturing decent photographs in various lighting conditions. It also supported 1080p video recording at 30fps, allowing for high-definition video capture. On the front, the device hosted a 1.3 MP camera, suitable for selfies and video calls, with video capability at 720p resolution.

Sound and Multimedia

The device included a loudspeaker for audio playback without headphones, and a standard 3.5mm audio jack, making it convenient for users to connect to a wide array of headphones and external speakers. These features combined, offer users flexibility in their audio experiences, whether listening to music or engaging with multimedia content.

Connectivity

The smartphone supported Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and DLNA for seamless internet connectivity and media sharing across devices. Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP enabled wireless connections to other devices for data transfer and audio streaming. The inclusion of GPS and A-GPS facilitated navigation and location-based services. For additional media capabilities, the phone also featured an FM radio and a microUSB 2.0 with MHL TV-out functionality, extending its connectivity to televisions.

Sensors and Features

Enhancing user interaction, the Huawei Ascend D quad XL incorporated several sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors enabled applications to provide enhanced motion and location-based functionalities, contributing to an improved user experience.

Battery Life

The non-removable Li-Po 2600 mAh battery of the device allowed for reasonable usage times, supporting the device's power needs throughout a typical day of moderate usage. Given the hardware specifications and software optimizations, the battery offered satisfactory performance in terms of call time, gaming, and media playback during the period of its release.

Pricing and Economic Impact

At its launch, the Huawei Ascend D quad XL was priced at about 260 EUR, reflecting its positioning as a high-performance device in the mid to upper range smartphone market. Its pricing strategy made it a competitive choice for users seeking advanced specifications without reaching flagship-level pricing, thus presenting a balanced offering in its segment.