Huawei M886 Mercury Full Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Huawei M886 Mercury features a solid design that was typical of smartphones released in 2011. With dimensions of 122 x 61 x 13 mm and weighing 139 grams, the device feels sturdy yet moderately lightweight. The rounded edges and matte black finish provide a professional and understated aesthetic, while its mini-SIM compatibility represents the standard of its time. The body is constructed primarily of plastic, making it durable enough for everyday use without a case, although it should be handled with care to avoid scratches and dents.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 4.0-inch TFT display, which was quite standard for devices at the time. The screen has a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 245 PPI. While this is not particularly high by today’s standards, it provides a clear and sharp enough display for most basic tasks like browsing, messaging, and media consumption. The color reproduction and viewing angles are decent, reflecting the capabilities of TFT technology, although it lacks the vibrancy found in more advanced AMOLED screens.

Camera Capabilities

The Huawei M886 Mercury boasts an 8-megapixel rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash, suitable for a variety of photography needs. The inclusion of HDR allows for enhanced photo quality in challenging lighting conditions. The camera can also record video at 720p@30fps, which was considered respectable video quality at the time. However, the capabilities in low light are limited. The front VGA camera is designed primarily for video calls rather than selfies, as the quality is quite basic compared to modern front-facing cameras.

Performance

At the core of the Huawei M886 Mercury is the Qualcomm MSM8655T Snapdragon S2 chipset, featuring a 1.4 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno GPU. This combination delivers moderate performance, adequate for handling simple applications and multitasking requirements. With 512MB of RAM, the device is capable of managing basic smartphone operations, though it may struggle with more demanding applications or multiple tasks. This makes the device more suitable for users with basic smartphone needs.

Operating System and Software

Out of the box, the Huawei M886 Mercury runs on Android 2.3.3 Gingerbread, which was one of the more popular Android OS versions at the time. While it lacks the rich features and intuitive interfaces of later Android versions, Gingerbread offers a simple and straightforward user experience, focusing on essential functionalities and app support suitable for that era. Users are encouraged to utilize lightweight applications to maintain a smooth performance, given the device’s hardware limitations.

Storage

The device comes with 4GB of internal storage, which is quite limited by today’s standards; however, at the time of its release, it served a functional purpose for storing applications, media, and other content. Users can expand storage via the microSDHC card slot, allowing for additional space up to the limits supported by microSDHC technology. This is particularly useful for media enthusiasts who wish to store music, videos, and photos on the device.

Network and Connectivity

The Huawei M886 Mercury supports CDMA/EVDO network technologies and is compatible with multiple 2G and 3G bands, including CDMA 800/1700/1900/2100 and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO. This ensures decent connectivity and internet speeds up to EV-DO Rev.A 3.1 Mbps, which was sufficient for browsing and basic online activities during its time.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Po 1900 mAh battery, offering up to 380 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. This battery life is fairly typical for a smartphone of its size and capabilities in 2011, providing all-day usage for individuals with moderate usage patterns. The battery is easily replaceable, extending the overall lifespan of the device.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio, the Huawei M886 Mercury includes a standard 3.5mm headphone jack and a loudspeaker, allowing users to listen to music, podcasts, and more with clarity. The stereo FM radio feature provides access to local radio channels, enhancing the multimedia capabilities of the device. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support enhances wireless connectivity options for peripheral devices.

Additional Features

Additional features of the Huawei M886 Mercury include sensors such as an accelerometer, gyro, proximity, and compass, which collectively enhance user interaction through motion detection and orientation functionalities. Based on its specifications, the device was positioned as a mid-range option for users seeking a balance of features and price.

Market Position and Pricing

Upon release, the Huawei M886 Mercury faced competition from various smartphone manufacturers, yet it managed to capture attention with its combination of solid hardware and software capabilities, offered at an approximate price of 110 EUR. Although it has been discontinued, the device represents a historical step in smartphone evolution during its release period.