Unveiling the O2 XDA Serra Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of the O2 XDA Serra

The O2 XDA Serra, released in 2008, is a compact and feature-rich smartphone that catered to the needs of both business and casual users. Manufactured by HTC under the branding of O2, this device comes packed with the Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional operating system, ensuring a wide range of applications and functionalities typical of mobile devices from that era.

Design and Build

The dimensions of the O2 XDA Serra are 102 x 51 x 18.1 mm, making it relatively compact for its time. Weighing 165 grams, it offers a robust and solid build that feels reliable in the hand. It features a QWERTY keyboard, providing ease of typing for individuals who preferred physical keys in an age when full touchscreens were just beginning to dominate the market. The device supports a Mini-SIM card and is available in a classic black color, giving it a professional and understated appeal.

Display and User Interface

The device sports a 2.8-inch TFT resistive touchscreen. With a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels, it provides a crisp and clear display, although its 65K color output may seem limited by today's standards. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 46.7% suggests thick bezels, a common design choice at the time.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the Serra is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7201A chipset with a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU, complemented by an Adreno 130 GPU. While not particularly powerful by contemporary measures, this setup provided adequate performance for the mobile tasks typical of its release period. The integration of Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional brings a familiar interface for users of Windows software, with capabilities for mobile office applications, multimedia, and connectivity.

Memory and Storage

The O2 XDA Serra comes with 288MB of RAM and 512MB of ROM for storage needs, a modest configuration that sufficed for basic applications and storage at release. Additionally, it includes a dedicated microSD slot for expandable storage, allowing users to add more space for media and documents.

Camera Capabilities

The device is equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera featuring autofocus and LED flash capabilities. While simple, it offers sufficient quality for casual photography and video recording. Additionally, a VGA front camera is available for video calling, although its use is limited by modern standards.

Audio and Connectivity

Sound capabilities include a built-in loudspeaker, but notably, the device lacks a 3.5mm headphone jack, which may require users to adapt with additional accessories for audio output. Connectivity options on the Serra are extensive: it supports GSM and HSPA networks, providing 2G and 3G bandwidth for voice and data transmission. Other connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio, and GPS with A-GPS support for navigation. A stereo FM radio with RDS and miniUSB connectivity further enhances the device's versatility.

Battery Life

Powering the O2 XDA Serra is a removable Li-Ion 1340 mAh battery, offering up to 406 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours of talk time, which was fairly robust in its time. The removable battery feature allows users to carry spare batteries for extended usage without access to a power source.

Additional Features

The smartphone incorporates an accelerometer, augmenting its interface by allowing orientation-based app functions. Browsing capabilities include WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browsers, which suffice for basic web navigation and reading.

Legacy and Impact

The O2 XDA Serra, although discontinued, contributed to the evolution of smartphones by integrating advanced features into a compact form. Being a pioneer in the adoption of mobile computing and connectivity, it paved the way for future innovations in phone design and functionality.