Huawei U8350 Boulder Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of Huawei U8350 Boulder

The Huawei U8350 Boulder, announced and released in October 2011, is a smartphone that once catered to those seeking a compact device with practical functionalities. Known for its physical QWERTY keyboard and modest specifications, it served users who prioritized texting and lightweight smartphone operations. The device is now discontinued but still remembered for its unique combination of features during its time.

Design and Build

The Huawei U8350 Boulder features dimensions of 115 x 62.8 x 9.9 mm, making it a compact and portable device. Weighing only 105 grams, the phone was designed for ergonomic comfort, easy to hold and operate with one hand. The inclusion of a physical QWERTY keyboard beneath the 2.6-inch display was a significant selling point. This design was targeted towards users who preferred tactile feedback while typing, a feature appreciated by individuals who frequently text or send emails. The device sports a mini-SIM card slot, with the design offered in black and white color variants.

Display

The display of the Huawei U8350 Boulder is a 2.6-inch TFT screen capable of displaying 256K colors at a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels. Although the screen size and resolution are modest by today's standards, at the time, it provided adequate visual clarity for basic smartphone tasks such as browsing, texting, and viewing images. The screen accounts for approximately 29% of the device's front, sharing space with the keyboard layout below.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Huawei Boulder is equipped with a Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1 chipset powered by a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU. While the processor speed may seem minimal compared to modern smartphones, it was adequate for the tasks typical of Android 2.2 (Froyo), the operating system it ran. The phone had 256 MB of RAM and 512 MB of internal storage, with an option to expand storage via a dedicated microSDHC card slot. Notably, the device lacked a GPU, indicating limited graphical processing capabilities.

Camera Capabilities

In terms of imaging, the Huawei U8350 Boulder is equipped with a single 3.2 MP main camera. Although lacking advanced features like autofocus or LED flash, the camera allowed users to capture photos and record basic video footage. Notable is the absence of a front-facing selfie camera, which was more commonplace in later smartphone models.

Sound and Multimedia

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users flexibility in listening to audio media. The Huawei U8350 Boulder came with an FM radio, providing entertainment options outside of the default multimedia libraries.

Connectivity and Sensors

Network technology for the Huawei U8350 included support for GSM and HSPA, allowing for 2G and 3G connectivity bands. It supported HSPA speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for downloads and 0.384 Mbps for uploads. For wireless connections, the device was equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP. The inclusion of standard GPS and A-GPS facilitated basic navigation and location-based services. Furthermore, the phone supported microUSB 2.0 for wired connectivity.

Sensors on the device included an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and a compass, enhancing user interaction capabilities. These sensors allowed for basic screen rotations and interactive applications.

Battery Life

The Huawei U8350 Boulder housed a removable Li-Ion 1200 mAh battery. While the capacity might seem low by today's benchmarks, it was sufficient to power the device for a full day's moderate use, given the lower energy requirements of its hardware and software.

Market Position and Pricing

When released, the Huawei U8350 Boulder was priced around 90 EUR, positioning it as an economical option for those seeking a smartphone equipped with a physical keyboard. It appealed particularly to business users and young consumers who valued connectivity features with a compact form factor at an affordable price.

Conclusion

The Huawei U8350 Boulder was a unique offering in the smartphone market during its release in 2011. With its physical QWERTY keyboard, compact design, and entry-level specifications, it was aimed at users seeking practicality and affordability. While overshadowed by advancements in smartphone technology in recent years, the Boulder remains a piece of Huawei's mobile history that catered to a niche audience at its time.