Maxwest Astro X5 Specs Pricing & Performance Breakdown

Overview

The Maxwest Astro X5, launched in 2015, is a smartphone designed to cater to users looking for affordability and essential features. Though it has been discontinued, the Astro X5 remains noteworthy for its specifications that balance basic functionality with value. Let us examine its key features and how they catered to the user segment it targeted during its release.

Body and Design

The Maxwest Astro X5 has a compact design that measures 143.7 x 72.8 x 9.4 mm, weighing about 154 grams. This makes it relatively easy to handle and carry. It features a dual SIM setup with dual standby capability, allowing users to manage two numbers efficiently. The build, although simple, provides practicality and ease of use. Available in colors like white, black, blue, and rose red, it offered users the option to choose according to their preference.

Display

The device sports a 5.0-inch TFT display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels and a 16:9 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 196 ppi. While the display specification leans towards the modest end of the spectrum compared to more modern smartphones, it was sufficient for basic tasks and everyday use at the time of release, such as browsing the web and viewing pictures.

Performance

Under the hood, the Astro X5 is powered by the Mediatek MT6572M chipset built on a 28 nm process. It includes a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and Mali-400 GPU. While not particularly powerful by today's standards, this setup allowed for reasonable performance in basic applications and ensured that the device could handle tasks like calling, texting, and moderate app usage with relative ease. The device ran on Android 4.4.2 KitKat, providing access to a range of apps and Google services.

Memory and Storage

The phone comes with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage, which is rather limited but manageable for essential applications and light usage scenarios. The presence of a microSDHC card slot offered the ability to expand storage, providing users with added flexibility to store more data.

Camera

For photography, the Maxwest Astro X5 features a single 5MP rear camera equipped with LED flash, capable of recording 720p video at 30 frames per second. While it might not compete with the high-megapixel cameras seen in modern devices, it was adequate for capturing essential moments and everyday photos. On the front, a VGA camera allowed for basic selfie and video call functions.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 2100 mAh battery. It provides up to 170 hours of standby time on 3G and up to 12 hours of talk time on a full charge. This capacity assured users of a day's worth of usage under normal circumstances without frequent recharging, which is important for users needing a reliable power source on the go.

Connectivity

The Astro X5 supports GSM and HSPA networks, ensuring connectivity for both rural and urban areas with 2G and 3G bands. It offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP for versatile wireless connections, GPS for navigation, and stereo FM radio for entertainment. A microUSB 2.0 port is used for charging and data transfers. However, features like NFC are not included, which limits its integration with certain modern devices and services.

Audio and Features

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, making it easy to connect to various audio peripherals and enjoy media playback. It has standard sensors like the accelerometer and proximity sensor, which enhance usability and interaction with certain apps.

Conclusion

The Maxwest Astro X5 was designed to meet the needs of users seeking an economical solution with essential smartphone features. While its specifications might seem outdated today, at the time, it provided a significant entry-point for those requiring basic connectivity and smartphone functionality. As mobile technology progressed rapidly, devices like the Astro X5 paved the way for affordable mobile communication solutions accessible to a wider audience.