Lenovo S880 Comprehensive Review Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Introduction to Lenovo S880

Released in 2012, Lenovo S880 was a part of Lenovo's efforts to carve out a space in the growing smartphone market. Although it has since been discontinued, the device offered an array of features that were noteworthy for its time. It was designed primarily for budget-conscious consumers looking for functionality and form factor without the hefty price tag.

Design and Build

The Lenovo S880 came with a classic candy bar design that was prevalent during its release period. With dimensions of 142 x 78 x 9.9 mm and weighing 196 g, it offered a solid and substantial feel in the user's hand. The phone offered a dual SIM setup, which was particularly appealing for users looking to manage different numbers or networks from a single device. Available in black and white, it catered to those who preferred simple color choices with a professional feel.

Display

The device featured a 5.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 187 ppi. Although not the sharpest screen by today’s standards, it was typical for entry-level smartphones at the time. The screen-to-body ratio was about 64.2%, which provided a decent viewing experience for multimedia consumption like videos and light gaming.

Performance and Hardware

The Lenovo S880 was powered by a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9 CPU with a Mediatek MT6575 chipset, built on a 40 nm process. This combination was fairly common among budget phones aiming to provide enough processing power for everyday tasks. It also featured a PowerVR SGX531 GPU, which was suited for basic gaming and media playback. While the performance was not groundbreaking, it was reliable for typical smartphone activities such as web browsing, social media, and managing emails.

Memory and Storage

The device came with 512MB of RAM, which was modest but workable for apps that were less demanding. Storage-wise, users had access to 4GB of internal memory, expandable via a microSDHC card slot, allowing for additional storage for apps, pictures, and music. This was particularly important given the growing size of apps and media files during that period.

Camera Capabilities

For photography, the Lenovo S880 sported a 5MP autofocus rear camera that was capable of taking fairly good pictures under well-lit conditions. It could also record videos at 720p, which was a nice feature for capturing moments on the go. The front-facing VGA camera was more suited for video calls rather than selfie enthusiasts, but it served its purpose during the budding era of selfies.

Battery Life

One of the highlights of the Lenovo S880 was its removable Li-Ion 2250 mAh battery, which provided a talk time of up to 17 hours and a standby time of up to 312 hours. This was commendable for a phone in its class and met the needs of users who needed a reliable phone throughout their day without frequent recharging.

Software and User Interface

Out of the box, the Lenovo S880 ran on Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, which introduced several improvements over previous versions such as improved multitasking, a customizable launcher, and enhanced app functionality. While it didn't feature the latest updates beyond its release, it provided a stable and intuitive user experience for users during that time.

Connectivity Options

The device supported GSM and HSPA network technologies, offering 2G and 3G connectivity options, which were fairly standard. Users could also benefit from Wi-Fi connectivity (b/g/n) with hotspot capability, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and EDR, and GPS for location services. Although it did not feature NFC, it included FM radio and an FM transmitter with a built-in antenna, providing entertainment options for radio enthusiasts.

Overall User Experience

Lenovo S880 catered to a segment of the market looking for a budget-friendly dual SIM phone with a large display and a dependable battery life. While its specs might seem limited compared to today’s standards, at the time, it provided ample functionality for its price point. Users primarily praised its call quality, battery life, and the utility of having a secondary SIM slot.

Conclusion

Although discontinued, the Lenovo S880 remains a testament to the evolution of smartphones aiming to strike a balance between performance, affordability, and practicality. Its legacy lies in how it addressed fundamental user needs, offering key features that helped establish Lenovo as a viable player in the smartphone domain during its time.