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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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