Price and specifications of NIU GO 80 advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Network and Connectivity

The NIU GO 80 is a feature phone that operates on GSM technology. It supports GSM 850/900/1800/1900 bands for SIM 1, ensuring connectivity in multiple regions around the world. The device allows for GPRS data services, facilitating basic internet browsing. However, it lacks EDGE capabilities, which would have provided faster data transmission speeds.

Launch and Availability

Announced in March 2012 and released later in the third quarter of the same year, the NIU GO 80 was introduced as a budget-friendly option in the feature phone market. It was discontinued after some time, highlighting its status as a model mainly popular in the local or niche markets where affordability and basic telephony were key selling points.

Design and Physical Attributes

The device comes with dimensions of 113 x 58 x 15.9 mm, making it compact and easily pocketable. It weighs approximately 90 grams without the battery, which adds to its portability. The phone is equipped with a dual SIM slot supporting Mini-SIM cards, catering to users who require flexibility in network usage. It is available in classic color variants like black and white.

Display Specifications

The NIU GO 80 is equipped with a 1.8-inch TFT display, offering a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 114 ppi. While this might seem modest by today’s standards, it provides adequate clarity for basic phone operations, such as making calls and sending texts. The screen-to-body ratio is around 15.6%, maintaining a traditional feature phone appearance.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the phone has 64MB of storage, which is quite limited. However, there is a dedicated microSD card slot that allows expansion of storage capacity, enabling users to store more contacts, messages, and potentially media. The phonebook feature supports extensive contact storage, and call records can be kept for convenience.

Camera Features

The basic 1.3 MP main camera might not meet photography enthusiasts' expectations, but it is suitable for quick snapshots where high-quality images are not a priority. Video recording capabilities are absent, reflecting the phone’s primary role as a communication device rather than a multimedia gadget.

Sound and Audio Capabilities

The phone features a loudspeaker for hands-free operation and can be used for listening to music or FM radio. Unfortunately, there is no 3.5mm headphone jack, which might limit audio consumption preferences. Bluetooth 2.0, however, offers some connectivity options for wireless headsets.

Communication and Additional Features

Despite being positioned as a feature phone, the NIU GO 80 includes stereo FM radio for entertainment, and supports SMS and MMS messaging. It lacks WLAN and GPS features, but facilitates basic Bluetooth connectivity and charging via a miniUSB port.

Battery Life and Performance

One of the key strengths of the NIU GO 80 is its battery life, powered by a removable 1200 mAh Li-Ion battery. It offers up to 250 hours of standby time and up to 6 hours of talk time, underscoring its reliability for long-term use without frequent charging.

Conclusion and Target Audience

The NIU GO 80 is a classic representation of feature phones that were designed to serve fundamental communication needs. Its uncomplicated design, dual SIM capability, and long-lasting battery make it an ideal choice for users seeking a reliable secondary phone or those in regions where smartphones are either inaccessible or impractically priced. While it lacks modern smartphone capabilities, it encompasses the essential features needed for everyday communication tasks.