O2 XDA Orbit Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing & Features

Overview

The O2 XDA Orbit, announced in September 2006, was a significant entry in the realm of smartphones. It integrated essential communication features with powerful processing abilities for its time, making it a popular choice among business professionals and tech enthusiasts. This comprehensive review covers its design, hardware, software, and overall performance.

Design and Build Quality

The dimensions of the O2 XDA Orbit are 108 x 58 x 16.8 mm, and it weighs 129 grams, making it fairly compact and lightweight. It uses a Mini-SIM card and features a TFT resistive touchscreen with 65K colors on its 2.8-inch display. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 38.8%, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels at about 143 ppi density.

The design adopts a classic bar form factor, offering ease of use, and fits comfortably within the hand. Available in silver and black, its aesthetic is understated but professional, ideal for business settings. The tactile feedback of its buttons and the overall build quality suggest a durable device that was built to withstand regular use.

Platform and Performance

The O2 XDA Orbit operates on Microsoft Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPC, a versatile OS for its time, supporting a host of productivity applications. Under the hood, it is powered by a TI OMAP 850 chipset with a 200 MHz ARM926EJ-S processor. This combination ensures smooth performance for basic smartphone tasks like calling, messaging, and browsing light websites via Pocket Internet Explorer.

With 64MB RAM and 128MB ROM, the device was sufficient for running a variety of applications, though it might struggle with multitasking or resource-intensive programs by today's standards. The presence of a microSD slot allows for expandable storage, making file management more flexible.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera is a single 2 MP shooter capable of capturing basic quality images and QCIF video. While this might seem inadequate compared to modern standards, at its release, having a built-in camera on a smartphone was a significant advantage. However, it lacks a front-facing camera, limiting its capabilities in the area of selfies or video calls.

Battery Life

The smartphone is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery rated at 1000mAh. This battery supports a standby time of up to 200 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours, which was relatively impressive during its era. The removable nature of the battery allows users to carry an extra battery for extended use, ensuring they remain connected throughout the day without constant recharging.

Connectivity and Network Features

The device supports GSM technology with 2G bands (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900), ensuring widespread network coverage. For data transfer, it supports GPRS Class 10 and EDGE Class 10. This allowed moderate internet speed for browsing and downloading small files reliably.

Regarding wireless connectivity, the O2 XDA Orbit includes Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0, enhancing its capabilities for connecting with other devices and wireless networks. The FM radio and proprietary USB port for connecting to computers and charging the device offer additional layers of connectivity.

Location Services

The inclusion of GPS with CoPilot Live Navigator was another standout feature of the O2 XDA Orbit. It offered robust navigation capabilities, making it a handy tool for users who relied on GPS for travel and location services. This was especially beneficial for business users who frequently traveled or required precise navigation tools.

Sound and Multimedia

The device comes equipped with a loudspeaker, and supports various alert types such as vibration and downloadable polyphonic and MP3 ringtones. While it lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, an adapter could be used to connect personal audio devices, allowing users to listen to multimedia content as per their personal preferences.

Market Impact and Legacy

The O2 XDA Orbit represented a significant advancement in mobile technology by combining communication, organization, and multimedia features into one device, paving the way for future smartphones. Despite being discontinued, the model exhibits the early innovations that laid the groundwork for today's smartphones.