Palm Pre 2 Comprehensive Specs Pricing and Insights

Overview of Palm Pre 2

The Palm Pre 2 was a smartphone from Hewlett-Packard that was introduced in October 2010 and officially released in November of the same year. It was designed to be an upgrade from its predecessor, providing a more refined user experience through improvements in both hardware and software.

Design and Build Quality

The Palm Pre 2 featured a compact design with dimensions of 100.7 x 59.6 x 16.9 mm, making it comfortable to hold and use with one hand. Weighing 145 grams, it had a solid feel to it. One of its distinctive design elements was its slide-out QWERTY keyboard, which appealed to users who preferred physical keys for typing. The device used a Mini-SIM and featured a body protected by Corning Gorilla Glass for added durability.

Display

The phone boasted a 3.1-inch TFT touchscreen display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, offering decent visual quality for its time. The screen-to-body ratio was approximately 47.7%, providing a satisfactory viewing area protected by Corning Gorilla Glass.

Operating System and Performance

Running on HP webOS 2.0, the Palm Pre 2 was powered by a 1.0 GHz processor. This setup allowed for smooth performance on standard tasks and efficient multitasking. While the webOS platform offered a unique user interface that was highly appreciated by fans, it did struggle against more popular systems like iOS and Android in app availability and support.

Memory and Storage

With 512MB of RAM, the Palm Pre 2 could handle basic smartphone functions with relative ease. It came with 16GB of internal storage, which was somewhat restrictive as there was no support for external memory cards, limiting expansion options for users needing more space.

Camera Capabilities

The Palm Pre 2 featured a single 5MP main camera equipped with an LED flash, capable of capturing decent images in good lighting conditions. For its time, this was considered a satisfactory camera configuration. However, it lacked a dedicated selfie camera, keeping the device mainly focused on rear photography.

Sound and Multimedia

The device included a loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, which was welcomed by users who preferred listening to audio via wired headphones. Sound quality was reasonable, catering to basic multimedia needs.

Connectivity and Communication

In terms of network technology, the Palm Pre 2 supported GSM and HSPA with specific 2G and 3G bands. It facilitated internet browsing with speeds of HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps and came equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for wireless connectivity. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, A-GPS, and microUSB 2.0 added to its connectivity suite.

Additional Features

The Palm Pre 2 included sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, enhancing user interaction with the device. It also featured a browser supporting HTML and Adobe Flash, although the latter became less relevant over time as web technologies evolved past Flash.

Battery and Charging Options

The phone housed a removable Li-Ion battery with wireless charging capabilities, providing modern convenience. Battery performance offered a standby time of up to 350 hours and talk time of up to 5.5 hours, suitable for regular daily use.

Market Position and Pricing

When it launched, the Palm Pre 2 was priced at about 260 EUR. Positioned as a mid-range smartphone, it offered a balance of features for its cost. However, it faced tough competition from other smartphone manufacturers, particularly those using the rapidly advancing Android operating system.

Conclusion

The Palm Pre 2 represented an attempt by HP to capture a share of the smartphone market with a device that offered a distinct user experience through webOS. While it had respectable specs for its time, the limitations in app support and storage expansion, coupled with strong competition, meant it could not secure a lasting foothold in the market. Nevertheless, it remains a nostalgic piece for those who appreciated its design and unique operating system.