Comprehensive Review O2 Xphone II Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Introduction

The O2 Xphone II is a smartphone from the early 2000s that exemplified the transitional phase in mobile technology, merging basic phone functionality with the budding capabilities of smart devices. Released in the fourth quarter of 2004, the device is no longer in production but remains an interesting case study of mobile technology evolution.

Design and Build

The O2 Xphone II sports a compact form factor measuring 107 x 44 x 18 mm and weighing just 102 grams. Its design reflects the utilitarian aesthetics of early smartphones, with a small screen and physical keypad. The mini-SIM slot was standard for the time, catering to the GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 frequency bands.

Display

This device features a 2.2-inch TFT display capable of showing 65,000 colors, with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. The small, 15.2 cm² display accounts for approximately 32.4% of the screen-to-body ratio, indicative of the era's limited screen real estate.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the O2 Xphone II is powered by a TI OMAP 730 chipset, with a 200 MHz ARM926EJ-S CPU. It came with the Microsoft Smartphone 2003 SE OS, which, at the time, offered users a taste of smartphone functionalities, including basic applications and features such as email, calendar, and contact management.

Memory and Storage

The phone was equipped with 32MB of internal storage, a modest capacity by today’s standards. However, it supported miniSD cards, and a 64 MB card was included, allowing users to expand storage for additional contacts, messages, and applications.

Camera

The device included a VGA camera, offering 0.3 MP resolution, which was typical of phones from the early 2000s. It supported basic photo and video capabilities, allowing users to capture and store moments, albeit in limited quality compared to modern standards.

Battery Life

The O2 Xphone II featured a removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 700mAh. It boasted standby time of up to 140 hours and a talk time of around 4 hours and 30 minutes. The removable aspect of the battery allowed for easy replacement, common in devices from that period.

Connectivity and Features

Connectivity options on the O2 Xphone II included Class 10 GPRS and Bluetooth, but it lacked modern amenities like WLAN, GPS, or a 3.5mm headphone jack. However, it did feature an infrared port and proprietary USB connectivity, allowing for some degree of versatility in data transfer and device connection.

Sound and Alerts

The sound profile of the O2 Xphone II included a loudspeaker and supported vibration alerts and downloadable polyphonic ringtones, a common feature for personalizing phones at the time. This personalization aspect allowed users to differentiate their devices in an increasingly digital social environment.

Additional Features

While lacking modern sensors, the device included a WAP 2.0/xHTML and PocketIE browser, facilitating basic internet browsing. Although limited compared to today’s capabilities, it provided a fundamental online experience in a largely offline world.

Conclusion

The O2 Xphone II today stands as a relic from a formative era in mobile technology. While by no means advanced by today’s standards, its features and capabilities highlight the incremental steps in technology that laid the groundwork for modern smartphones. The device’s balance of GSM connectivity, basic smart functionalities, and compact form factor made it a desirable choice for consumers in its heyday.