Lenovo S800 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Lenovo S800

The Lenovo S800 was a distinctive feature phone introduced in October 2011. This phone became well known for its unique design attributes, especially the innovative use of a transparent monochrome display, which was a notable feature at the time of its release. Although it has been discontinued, its legacy remains intriguing for those interested in the evolution of mobile technology.

Design and Build

One of the standout features of the Lenovo S800 was its transparent display. The phone measured 120.5 x 48.5 x 13 mm and weighed 124 g. This comfortable size allowed users to handle the device with ease, making it a handy device for everyday use. Its dual SIM capability made it practical for users who needed to manage multiple numbers. The body of the S800 was sleek and available in two colors: black and white, offering a degree of aesthetic choice.

Display

The Lenovo S800 featured a 2.4-inch transparent monochrome display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 167 ppi. Unlike most modern smartphones that prioritize multi-colored screens, the S800’s transparent screen was a key selling point and facilitated an interesting viewing experience. Approximately 30.5% of the front body of the phone was occupied by the screen, giving it a balanced look and usability.

Camera

For a feature phone, the S800 came equipped with a modest 2 MP main camera capable of capturing reasonable quality images and videos. Although it lacked the complexity and advanced technology found in contemporary smartphone cameras, it was adequate for capturing simple and straightforward shots or videos, meeting the basic needs of its target audience.

Performance and Hardware

The Lenovo S800 was powered by the Mediatek MT6253 chipset and had a 104 MHz CPU. Given the phone’s status as a feature phone, and not a smartphone, the non-intensive processor was suitable for running basic phone operations without lag. The absence of a GPU further indicated its primary focus on providing essential phone functions rather than complex graphics rendering.

Storage and Memory

The phone supported a dedicated microSDHC card slot for expandable storage, allowing users to save contacts, messages, and multimedia with relative ease. The phonebook could store up to 1000 entries, an adequate capacity for its user base. While specific RAM details are not available, the S800 efficiently performed basic tasks as expected of a feature phone.

Battery Life

The S800 was powered by a removable Li-Ion 650 mAh battery, delivering up to 350 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time. Despite its small capacity compared to modern standards, the battery's performance was well-suited for the phone’s limited power needs, primarily due to its lower processing requirements and lack of power-hungry apps.

Communication and Connectivity

Connectivity options in the Lenovo S800 included GSM technology that supported 900, 1800, and 1900 frequencies for both SIM cards. GPRS and EDGE were available for basic data connectivity tasks. Also, the phone featured Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support, allowing users to connect wireless headsets and other compatible Bluetooth devices. Although it lacked WLAN and GPS, it made up for it with a built-in FM radio and miniUSB port essential for charging and file transfers.

Software and Features

The Lenovo S800 ran on a proprietary feature phone operating system, providing basic messaging functionalities such as SMS and MMS. Users could enjoy pre-installed games and certain Java applications, offering limited entertainment options. The inclusion of an accelerometer represented the advanced hardware features implemented in the device.

Market Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, the Lenovo S800 was priced at approximately 160 EUR, which positioned it competitively in the market for feature phones. Although its production was relatively short-lived, it remains a distinct model mainly due to its transparent display. Even years after its discontinuation, the Lenovo S800 is remembered as a pioneer in experimental mobile phone design and continues to intrigue collectors and technology enthusiasts.

Conclusion

The Lenovo S800 serves as a remarkable example of mobile innovation at the time of its release. While its technical specifications may appear modest by today’s standards, its unique transparent display and practical feature set provided a fresh perspective on how feature phones could be designed differently. As a result, the Lenovo S800 remains a celebrated part of Lenovo's mobile phone legacy.