Lenovo A850 Comprehensive Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Lenovo A850 Overview

The Lenovo A850 is a smartphone that was announced and released in August 2013. Over the years, it has been discontinued but continues to be a subject of interest for technology enthusiasts who appreciate budget-friendly devices with decent specifications for their time. The Lenovo A850 was part of Lenovo's efforts to establish itself in the competitive smartphone market by offering a device with generous screen size and basic functionalities.

Design and Build

The Lenovo A850 sports a classic design with a 153.5 x 79.3 x 9.5 mm body dimensions, making it relatively comfortable to hold given its large display. It weighs 184 grams, which is on the heavier side but manageable. The phone comes with a Dual SIM (Mini-SIM, dual stand-by) capability, allowing users to have two numbers on the same device, a feature appreciated by many for separating personal and professional communications.

Display

One of the A850's highlights is its large 5.5-inch IPS LCD screen, offering a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels with a 16:9 aspect ratio. Although the pixel density of approximately 200 ppi doesn't offer the sharpest display by modern standards, it was considered quite adequate for users seeking a larger display for media consumption at the time. The screen-to-body ratio of about 68.5% also means users get a fair amount of screen real estate to work with.

Performance

Under the hood, the Lenovo A850 is powered by the Mediatek MT6582M chipset, featuring a 28 nm manufacturing process which was typical for mid-range devices during its release year. It comes equipped with a Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and a Mali-400MP2 GPU, offering adequate performance for basic tasks and light multitasking. While not designed for heavy gaming or demanding applications, it handles everyday applications such as web browsing and social media with reasonable efficiency.

Memory and Storage

The device packs 1GB of RAM which aligns with its purpose as a budget device and can manage essential applications and multitasking at a basic level. With an internal storage capacity of 4GB, users may find the need to expand the storage. Fortunately, the Lenovo A850 includes a dedicated microSDHC card slot, allowing users to extend the storage for their media files and apps.

Camera

For photography, the Lenovo A850 offers a single 5 MP main camera with autofocus and an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. It is capable of basic video recording to capture everyday moments. On the front, the device is equipped with a VGA camera, which serves basic needs for self-portraits and video calls, adhering to the utilitarian design philosophy of the phone.

Sound and Multimedia

The phone caters to standard multimedia requirements with a loudspeaker and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect their preferred headphones or external audio devices. This feature is particularly valued by those who enjoy listening to music or radio on the go. The phone supports FM radio, further enhancing its capabilities as a multimedia device for its users.

Connectivity and Sensors

In terms of connectivity, the Lenovo A850 includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, hotspot capability, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS for navigation, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. It does not include NFC support, which might be a limitation for users interested in contactless payment options that have become more popular over the years. The phone's sensors include an accelerometer and proximity sensor, facilitating screen rotation and power-saving features during calls.

Battery Life

Powering the device is a removable Li-Po 2250 mAh battery, which was deemed sufficient for daily average use at the time. The battery offers up to 490 hours of standby time on both 2G and 3G networks, and the talk time reaches 28 hours 40 minutes on 2G networks and up to 14 hours 30 minutes on 3G networks, making it a reliable companion for daily tasks without needing frequent recharges.

Pricing and Availability

At the time of release, the Lenovo A850 was priced at approximately 150 EUR, targeting budget-conscious consumers looking for a large-screen device without breaking the bank. The phone was available in black and white color options, providing users with a simple choice to match their personal style.

Conclusion

Overall, the Lenovo A850 was designed to address the needs of users seeking a large display and dual SIM functionality in a cost-effective package. While its specifications might appear modest by today's standards, it catered well to its audience during its time of release, providing practicality and functionality. Its role as an early contender in Lenovo's smartphone lineup highlights the company's strategy to penetrate various market segments and evolve with the changing technological landscape.