Lenovo S850 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to Lenovo S850

The Lenovo S850 is a smartphone that was announced in February 2014 and released in June 2014. Despite being discontinued, it remains a point of interest for technology enthusiasts due to its design and features that reflect the mid-2010s smartphone landscape. Positioned as a mid-range device, the Lenovo S850 offered several features that catered to users seeking a reliable and aesthetically pleasing smartphone.

Design and Build

With dimensions measuring 141 x 71 x 8.2 mm and weighing 140 grams, the Lenovo S850 is designed to fit comfortably in hand while maintaining a sleek profile. It features a glass back and plastic frame, giving it a premium look at an affordable price range. The phone was available in two colors: Pink and White, which allowed users some level of personalization.

Display

The device sports a 5.0-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels and an aspect ratio of 16:9, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 294 ppi. This display size and resolution provided users with a satisfactory viewing experience for browsing, casual gaming, and media consumption.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Lenovo S850 is powered by the Mediatek MT6582 chipset built on a 28 nm process, coupled with a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-400MP2 GPU. This configuration was typical for mid-range devices at the time, allowing users to run most applications smoothly, although it was not designed for heavy multitasking or high-end gaming.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. However, there is no card slot for expanding storage, which means users had to manage their space wisely, especially for those who wish to store media files or install a variety of apps.

Camera Capabilities

The Lenovo S850 features a 13 MP rear camera with autofocus and an LED flash. It supports video recording at 1080p@30fps and offers HDR for enhanced photo quality. The front-facing camera is a 5 MP shooter, sufficient for video calls and selfies, underlining its appeal to selfie enthusiasts at the time.

Battery Life

The smartphone is equipped with a non-removable Li-Po 2000 mAh battery. It was capable of providing up to 336 hours of standby time and up to 13 hours of talk time, making it viable for a full day of moderate use without needing frequent recharging.

Operating System and Software

Running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, the Lenovo S850 shipped with a user interface designed by Lenovo, offering a range of customization options. The choice of Android Jelly Bean means that while the interface was user-friendly and functional, it lacks some of the newer features and security updates present in later Android versions.

Connectivity and Additional Features

The Lenovo S850 supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, with 2G and 3G band capabilities. For connectivity, it includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 port. The presence of FM radio also adds to its multimedia capabilities. The device also has standard sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor.

User Experience

Overall, the Lenovo S850 was appreciated for delivering a balanced performance for its price range. Its stylish design, combined with adequate camera performance and decent battery life, made it a favorable option for those seeking functionality without the high cost. However, the lack of expandable storage and limited RAM might have constrained power users.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued, the Lenovo S850 stands as a testament to the evolution of smartphones in the mid-2010s. While technology has significantly progressed, leading to newer, more powerful devices, the S850 remains a reminder of an era where stylish design met practical functionality in a budget-friendly package. For collectors or users with basic needs, it still holds value as a reliable device for daily use.