Maxwest Astro 35 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to Maxwest Astro 3.5

The Maxwest Astro 3.5, announced in August 2015 and released in September of the same year, is a budget-friendly smartphone designed to cater to basic mobile communication and functionality needs. Though now discontinued, it still holds interest for tech enthusiasts looking into devices that provide fundamental features at a low cost.

Design and Build

The Maxwest Astro 3.5 features compact dimensions of 118.6 x 62 x 11 mm, making it a conveniently small device that fits comfortably in one’s hand. Weighing only 125 grams, the phone is lightweight and easily portable. Its design includes dual SIM slots supporting dual standby mode, with a body available in a variety of colors including white, black, pink, blue, and gold. The phone's aesthetic appeal is catered to those who appreciate colorful options in their tech gadgets.

Display

The Astro 3.5 is equipped with a 3.5-inch TFT display capable of showing 256K colors. Despite the relatively low screen-to-body ratio of approximately 49.6%, its resolution of 320 x 480 pixels achieves a decent pixel density of around 165 ppi. This display type is basic but functional, providing satisfactory visuals for text and simple graphics.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the device operates on the Android 4.4.2 KitKat OS, which was standard for budget devices during its time. It's powered by a Mediatek MT6572M chipset built on a 28nm process, along with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU. The Mali-400 GPU caters to basic graphical tasks. While this hardware setup does not cater to high-performance demands, it suffices for everyday tasks such as calling, messaging, and light app usage.

Memory and Storage

The Maxwest Astro 3.5 offers 512MB of internal storage paired with 256MB of RAM. Although modest, this storage can be expanded via a microSDHC slot, allowing users to store additional data such as music, photos, and applications. The RAM is limited, restricting the number of simultaneous operations the device can handle without lag.

Camera Features

For photography, the phone includes a single 2 MP main camera accompanied by an LED flash for improved low-light performance. It supports video recording at 720p resolution, providing simple but effective video capabilities. On the front, a VGA selfie camera is present, catering to video calls and basic selfies, though expectations for high quality should be tempered due to the resolution.

Connectivity Options

The Maxwest Astro 3.5 comes with GSM and HSPA network capabilities, supporting 2G and 3G bands. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot functionality, Bluetooth 4.0 for wireless communication, and GPS for navigation. It lacks NFC but includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer and a 3.5mm jack for audio.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery, providing a standby time of up to 170 hours and a talk time of up to 4.5 hours on a 3G network. While these numbers may seem low by modern standards, they were typical for entry-level smartphones of that era, ensuring a full day of moderate use.

Additional Features

Additional features of the Astro 3.5 include sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor, providing basic interaction capabilities. It also features a stereo FM radio for entertainment and news on the go. This addition further aligns with the phone’s appeal to users in regions where internet access might be limited or costly.

Conclusion

In summary, the Maxwest Astro 3.5 is a classic representation of an entry-level smartphone aimed at users seeking basic functionalities without the need for high-end specifications. Its affordable price point, coupled with essential features, made it a viable option in markets requiring straightforward communication devices. Despite its discontinuation, the device remains a relevant study in the evolution of smartphones in low-tier segments.