Price and specifications of Plum Axe II advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Overview of Plum Axe II

The Plum Axe II is a budget-oriented smartphone that was announced and released in October 2013. The device was positioned as an affordable dual SIM option for basic users who needed essential smartphone functionality without the high cost associated with flagship devices. Despite its discontinued status, it's worth exploring the Axe II's features and specifications to understand what it brought to the table back in its release era.

Design and Build

The Plum Axe II features a compact and lightweight design with dimensions of 125.5 x 65 x 11.8 mm and a weight of just 110 grams. These dimensions make it an easy device to handle, and it fits comfortably in most users' hands. The phone is available in multiple color options, including Black, White, Blue, and Red, allowing for a degree of personalization. The device sports a dual SIM slot, catering to users who require separate numbers for work and personal use or want to take advantage of different carrier plans.

Display

The Axe II is equipped with a 4.0-inch TFT display, boasting a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels. This results in a modest pixel density of approximately 233 pixels per inch. The screen-to-body ratio stands at around 55.8%, which was typical for devices in its class during that period. While the display technology and resolution might not impress modern users, it was sufficient for basic daily tasks such as messaging, browsing, and media consumption at the time of release.

Performance

Under the hood, the Plum Axe II runs on a Mediatek MT6572AW chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor and a Mali-400 GPU. While this chipset doesn't deliver cutting-edge performance, it was adequate for the phone's target market, focusing on basic application support and smooth operation of the Android 4.2 (Jelly Bean) operating system. The 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage provided in the device are modest by any standard; however, the inclusion of a microSDHC card slot allows for expanded storage options.

Camera Capabilities

The Plum Axe II is equipped with a 5 MP autofocus rear camera, complete with an LED flash for low-light photography. Users could also record video, although the quality would be considered basic by today's standards. On the front, the device offers a 1.3 MP selfie camera. Both camera setups were intended to meet the essential needs of casual photographers looking to capture everyday moments without high expectations for professional-quality imagery.

Battery Life

Given its specifications, the Axe II is powered by a removable 1450 mAh Li-Ion battery. The battery supports up to 200 hours of standby time and allows for up to 5 hours of talk time. Although modern smartphones tend to carry much larger batteries, the Axe II's battery life was satisfactory for its hardware demands and target usage scenarios.

Connectivity

The Plum Axe II supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, with 2G and 3G bands providing moderate internet browsing speeds up to HSPA 21.1/5.76 Mbps. For additional connectivity, the device includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support, and GPS for positioning services. The device lacks NFC capabilities, which was typical for budget phones at the time. Stereo FM radio and microUSB 2.0 are also parts of the connectivity features, along with a 3.5mm audio jack for headphones.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Axe II comes equipped with basic sensors like an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which help improve the user experience in basic ways, such as adjusting the display's orientation and turning off the screen during calls. While not loaded with advanced features, the device provided enough for the target market it was catering to.

Conclusion

The Plum Axe II serves as a snapshot of budget smartphones from its era, hitting all the essential aspects that defined entry-level smartphones in 2013. Despite its modest specifications compared to today's standards, it was a capable device for users seeking affordability and basic functionality. Its legacy lies in its practicality and accessibility, offering essential features without frills.