Price and specifications of Lenovo A820 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to Lenovo A820

The Lenovo A820, released in 2013, was a budget-friendly smartphone that catered to the mid-range market segment. It offered a balanced set of features at an affordable price point, making it an attractive option for users looking for a practical device without the high cost. Despite being discontinued, the Lenovo A820 left an impression on the smartphone market during its time.

Design and Build Quality

With dimensions of 135 x 68.2 x 9.9 mm and weighing 151 grams, the Lenovo A820 was designed to be comfortable for one-handed use while maintaining a sturdy build. Its design was typical of phones of that era, featuring a plastic body with a matte finish to reduce fingerprints and provide a good grip. The dual SIM slots (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) were a standout feature for users needing separate contact methods on a single device, particularly appealing to business users or frequent travelers.

Display Features

The Lenovo A820 was equipped with an IPS LCD display, which provided better color reproduction and wider viewing angles compared to its TFT counterparts often found in budget devices. The 4.5-inch display had a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, resulting in a decent pixel density of approximately 245 ppi. The screen-to-body ratio was around 60.6%, which was average at the time but sufficient for most everyday applications, from browsing the web to watching videos.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Lenovo A820 ran on a MediaTek MT6589 chipset, built on the 28 nm process. It featured a 1.2 GHz quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU and a PowerVR SGX544 GPU. This setup provided adequate power for most tasks, including basic multitasking, light gaming, and media consumption. Coupled with 1GB of RAM, the phone was able to handle daily functions smoothly, though it may have struggled under more strenuous conditions or with resource-intensive applications.

Storage Options

The device came with 4GB of internal storage, which was quite limited even by 2013 standards. However, Lenovo included a microSDHC slot, offering users the flexibility to expand storage to suit their needs. This allowed users to store more apps, photos, and music without constantly managing space—a valuable feature for those who needed more than the provided internal storage.

Camera Capabilities

The Lenovo A820 featured a single 8 MP rear camera with autofocus, capable of capturing reasonably detailed photos in good lighting conditions. It also supported 720p video recording, which was standard for smartphones in this category at the time. The absence of a front-facing camera was a notable omission, which might have been a disadvantage for users who valued video calling or selfies. However, the primary camera sufficed for general photography needs.

Battery Life

This device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery, which typically provided a full day's use on a single charge under moderate usage. Battery performance was consistent with other smartphones in its class, though heavy users might have needed to recharge by the evening. The removable battery design was advantageous for users who wanted the option to swap batteries on the go, prolonging the device's usability without needing a charger.

Network and Connectivity

The Lenovo A820 supported GSM / HSPA technologies, with 2G bands operating on GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 for both SIM slots, and 3G bands on HSDPA 900 / 2100. The phone's connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, Bluetooth, and GPS for navigation. It also featured FM radio for entertainment. However, it lacked NFC capabilities and operated with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Software and User Experience

Running on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean, the Lenovo A820 provided a user-friendly interface with access to many applications via the Google Play Store. The OS supported basic customization and offered features like Google Now integration, actionable notifications, and a more responsive UI compared to its predecessors. While the device didn't run the latest Android version, it was optimized to function smoothly within its hardware limitations.

Audio and Multimedia

The smartphone came with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring that audio output was easily accessible, whether through headphones or external speakers. The inclusion of an FM radio further enhanced its multimedia capabilities, offering offline radio access without utilizing data.

Miscellaneous Features

Other features included basic sensors like the accelerometer and proximity sensor, which aided in screen orientation adjustments and display dimming during calls. The phone was available in black, appealing to users who preferred a classic and neutral design. With an SAR value of 0.37 W/kg for the head, it was well within safety limits for mobile devices, aligning with international standards.

Conclusion

In summary, the Lenovo A820 was a solid choice for consumers seeking an affordable smartphone with dual SIM functionality, balanced performance, and essential features. While it had limitations such as minimal internal storage and no front camera, it served the needs of many users during its time of availability. It combined practicality with a reasonable price point, contributing to Lenovo's establishment in the smartphone market.