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O2 XDA Orbit II Comprehensive Review of Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Release Date
2008, February
Camera
3MP
Battery
1350mAh
Processor
MSM7200
Screen
2.8"
Storage
128MB RAM , microSD slot
Ram
128MB RAM
Operating System
Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional

Overview of O2 XDA Orbit II

The O2 XDA Orbit II, announced in November 2007 and released in February 2008, is a remarkable piece of technology from its era, representing the innovative spirit of the late 2000s in mobile technology. With its robust internal hardware and well-rounded software package, the device was a competitive choice for professionals and enthusiasts alike. Although now discontinued, the XDA Orbit II is still worthy of discussion for its historical significance in the evolution of smartphones.

Network Capabilities

The O2 XDA Orbit II supports GSM and HSPA networks, making it suitable for global communication. It operates on 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 2100), offering users decent speed and connectivity options for its time, with HSPA speeds reaching 3.6/0.384 Mbps. This versatility allowed users to stay connected across various regions and network technologies.

Launch and Availability

The device was initially announced in November 2007 and became available in February 2008. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the O2 XDA Orbit II was well-received within the tech community for its innovative design and comprehensive feature set.

Physical Design

The dimensions of the O2 XDA Orbit II are compact, measuring 110 x 58 x 15.5 mm and weighing 130 grams. This made it quite portable and user-friendly. The design embraced the use of a Mini-SIM card, which was standard during its time of release, emphasizing its focus on efficiency and practicality.

Display Features

The device is equipped with a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen, supporting 65K colors. The screen-to-body ratio is approximately 38.1%, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a density of ~143 ppi. While modest by today’s standards, this display provided a clear and functional interface for interacting with applications and content.

Platform and Performance

Operating on Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional, the XDA Orbit II was powered by the Qualcomm MSM7200 chipset. The CPU, a 400 MHz ARM 11, along with the Adreno 130 GPU, furnished the device with sufficient processing power for its time. This combination ensured a seamless user experience for basic multitasking and application management.

Memory Capacity

The device came with 128MB of RAM and 256MB of ROM, and it supported memory expansion via a dedicated microSD slot, SD 2.0 compatible. This provided users with the flexibility to store additional data and applications beyond the built-in memory capacity.

Camera Specifications

The main camera on the O2 XDA Orbit II is a 3.15 MP with autofocus, capable of capturing reasonable quality images and videos. There is also a VGA front camera, suitable for basic selfies and video calls—quite innovative features for its release time.

Audio and Sound Quality

The device is equipped with a loudspeaker and supports vibration, polyphonic, MP3, and AAC ringtones. However, it lacks a 3.5mm audio jack, which may have limited some users' audio connectivity options.

Communication and Connectivity

The O2 XDA Orbit II offers various connectivity options including Wi-Fi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP, and GPS with CoPilot Live Navigator. It also includes an FM radio and a miniUSB port, enhancing its utility as a comprehensive communication tool.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery. It provides a standby time of up to 400 hours on 2G and up to 450 hours on 3G, along with a talk time of up to 7 hours on 2G and up to 4 hours on 3G. This battery life was quite practical for an average user of that period.

Additional Features

Although the device did not include advanced sensors found in modern smartphones, it featured a functional browser capable of WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML (PocketIE) browsing. This allowed users to access basic web content and services.

Conclusion

The O2 XDA Orbit II stands as a testament to the technological advancements of its era. While its specifications may appear minimal by today's standards, it represented a significant step towards making smartphones more accessible and multifunctional. For enthusiasts and historians of mobile technology, the XDA Orbit II offers insights into the design and functionality priorities of the late 2000s.

Main Features of O2 XDA Orbit II

  • Supports GSM / HSPA technology for global connectivity
  • Compact dimensions: 110 x 58 x 15.5 mm and lightweight at 130g
  • 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with 65K colors
  • Powered by Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
  • Qualcomm MSM7200 chipset with 400 MHz ARM 11 CPU and Adreno 130 GPU
  • MicroSD card slot compatible with SD 2.0 for expandable storage
  • 3.15 MP main camera with autofocus and video recording capabilities
  • Integrated GPS with CoPilot Live Navigator
  • Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP support
  • FM radio and miniUSB connectivity options
  • Removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery with long standby time

Drawbacks of the O2 XDA Orbit II

  • Small screen size with only 2.8 inches, resulting in a low screen-to-body ratio (~38.1%).
  • Low display resolution at 240 x 320 pixels (~143 ppi density) which may affect display clarity.
  • Uses a resistive touchscreen technology, less responsive compared to capacitive touchscreens.
  • Outdated operating system, Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional.
  • Limited internal memory with only 128MB RAM and 256MB ROM.
  • No 3.5mm audio jack for standard headphone connectivity.
  • Front camera is only VGA, limiting quality of selfies and video calls.
  • Low processing power with a 400 MHz ARM 11 CPU, which may not handle modern applications efficiently.
  • Device is discontinued, which can lead to lack of software updates and support.
  • Heavier weight (130g) compared to other devices with similar features.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 2100
Speed HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2007, November. Released 2008, February
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 110 x 58 x 15.5 mm (4.33 x 2.28 x 0.61 in)
Weight 130 g (4.59 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
Display
Type TFT resistive touchscreen, 65K colors
Size 2.8 inches, 24.3 cm2 (~38.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~143 ppi density)
Platform
OS Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.0 Professional
Chipset Qualcomm MSM7200
CPU 400 MHz ARM 11
GPU Adreno 130
Memory
Card slot microSD (dedicated slot), SD 2.0 compatible
Internal 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM
Main Camera
Single 3.15 MP, AF
Video Yes
Selfie camera
Single VGA
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
Alert types Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones
3.5mm jack No
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11b/g
Bluetooth 2.0, A2DP
Positioning GPS, CoPilot Live Navigator
Radio FM radio
USB miniUSB
Features
Sensors
Browser WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (PocketIE)
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1350 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 450 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)
Misc
Colors Black
SAR EU 1.72 W/kg (head)

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