Huawei U8110 Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction to Huawei U8110

The Huawei U8110 is a legacy smartphone that represents an intriguing piece of mobile technology history. Released in 2010, the Huawei U8110 came at a time when smartphones were rapidly evolving. It was an affordable Android device that aimed to capture a segment of the market that sought basic smartphone functionality without the high price tag associated with flagship models.

Design and Build Quality

The Huawei U8110 measures 106 x 57 x 14 mm and weighs 110 g, making it compact and relatively lightweight for its time. It's designed to be easy to hold and use with one hand, thanks to its small dimensions. The body of the phone is primarily plastic, which was standard for devices at its price point during that era. It uses a Mini-SIM, and the overall build, though simple, is adequate for everyday use.

Display

The device features a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen display. With 256K colors and a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels (~143 ppi density), the screen offers modest visuals suitable for basic applications and low-intensity usage. While the screen-to-body ratio is approximately 40.2%, the overall impression is that of a phone that prioritizes functionality over style.

Platform

Operating on Android 2.1 (Eclair), the Huawei U8110 provided users with access to a wider range of applications available on the Android Market, now known as Google Play Store. At its launch, Android 2.1 was a significant step forward in user interface design, bringing features like live wallpapers and the ability to serve multiple home screens.

Performance

Under the hood, the Huawei U8110 is equipped with modest processing power suitable for basic tasks. While specific details about the processor and RAM are not provided, its performance is generally tailored for users engaged in essential phone operations such as calling, texting, and the occasional use of apps. The Android 2.1 OS is efficient enough to handle these tasks, albeit with limitations in multitasking compared to modern smartphones.

Memory and Storage

The phone offers storage expandability via a dedicated microSD card slot. This feature is crucial, as internal storage was extremely limited in devices of this era. The additional storage capability allows users to store more media files and applications, enhancing the device's usability.

Camera

In terms of photography, the Huawei U8110 comes with a 3.15 MP main camera equipped with an LED flash, and capabilities for CIF@15fps video recording. A VGA front camera is also included. These camera specifications are basic, designed mainly for casual photography rather than professional use.

Audio and Connectivity

The Huawei U8110 is equipped with a loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, making it versatile for audio playback and personal listening without additional adapters. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for wireless internet, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for wireless file transfers and peripherals, GPS along with A-GPS for navigation, and an FM radio for traditional radio listening. Additionally, the phone features a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Network Capabilities

The phone supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, covering 2G bands (GSM 900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100), with data speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for downloads. These specifications allowed for basic voice calls, texting, and moderate web browsing suitable for the networks available at the time.

Battery Life

Powering the device is a removable Li-Ion 1150 mAh battery, delivering a standby time of up to 280 hours and a talk time of up to 3 hours and 20 minutes. The battery performance is standard for smartphones of this era, built to support a day's worth of moderate usage.

Additional Features

An accelerometer sensor is included, allowing for functionalities such as screen orientation auto-rotation. The system browser is capable of handling HTML, meaning it can process basic web pages. The device was available in White and Black colors, catering to a range of aesthetic preferences.

Price and Availability

At launch, the Huawei U8110 was priced at approximately 90 EUR, placing it in the affordable category. This made the device accessible to a larger audience who were seeking entry into the smartphone world without a substantial financial investment. However, the phone has since been discontinued, making it largely a piece of technology history as opposed to a practical device for today's standards.

Conclusion

The Huawei U8110 is a reflection of the early 2010s smartphone landscape, providing a simple yet functional device for everyday use. While it doesn't compare to the capabilities of modern smartphones, it served its purpose well at a time when users were beginning to transition from feature phones to more comprehensive mobile computing devices. Despite its discontinuation, the Huawei U8110 remains an interesting device for mobile technology enthusiasts interested in the evolution of Android smartphones.