Overview of Plum Caliber II

The Plum Caliber II is a feature phone that was released in April 2013. It was designed for users seeking basic functionalities with some added features without the complexity and cost of a smartphone. Despite its discontinuation, the Plum Caliber II still captures interest due to its vintage charm and reliable functionality.

Design and Build

The device features a compact and durable design, with dimensions of 116 x 51.6 x 13.5 mm and a weight of 125 g. These specifications make it lightweight and easy to handle. It supports Dual SIM functionality, providing flexibility for users who need to manage multiple phone numbers or organize personal and work-related calls separately. The phone was available in two classic color options: Black and White.

Display

The Plum Caliber II comes with a 2.4-inch TFT display, featuring 256K colors. The resolution stands at 320 x 240 pixels with a 4:3 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 167 ppi. Although not comparable to modern smartphones in terms of resolution and color depth, the display is adequate for basic phone tasks such as calling, messaging, and occasional browsing.

Camera

On the photography front, the device is equipped with a 3.15 MP main camera that includes an LED flash for improved low-light photography. While it might not compete with the high-resolution cameras found on today’s smartphones, it serves its purpose for capturing simple shots. For selfies and video calls, there is also a 1.3 MP front-facing camera.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which provides a stand-by time of up to 250 hours, and up to 7 hours of talk time. This is relatively efficient given the phone's feature set, and the removable aspect allows for easy battery replacement if needed.

Performance and Hardware

Under the hood, the Plum Caliber II runs on a Mediatek MT6276 chipset, with a 650 MHz CPU. The device includes 1GB of internal storage and 512MB of RAM, which can be expanded via a microSDHC card slot. These specifications ensure the smooth operation of basic phone functions and applications.

Operating System

The Plum Caliber II operates on a proprietary feature phone OS. While it does not support advanced smartphone applications, it provides essential services such as SMS, MMS, Email, and Instant Messaging. The phone also supports Java-based applications, allowing users to install some third-party tools and games.

Connectivity

Connectivity options on the Plum Caliber II include GSM, UMTS, and HSPA technologies, offering support for 2G and 3G networks. The phone supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g for wireless internet access and Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP for file transfer and connectivity with other devices. It also features GPS services. However, it does not support NFC. For audio, it provides a 3.5mm headphone jack along with stereo FM radio capabilities, enhancing its media experience.

Additional Features

The Plum Caliber II is equipped with a loudspeaker and supports multiple messaging types, including SMS and MMS. It has functionality for email and can support instant messaging applications. Although lacking advanced smartphone sensors, it provides basic utilities for day-to-day tasks and comes pre-loaded with some classic games, enhancing its entertainment value.

Market Reception and Conclusion

Upon its release, the Plum Caliber II catered to a niche segment of the market, particularly those who favored simplicity over complexity, and affordability over premium pricing. It served as a reliable backup phone option for many due to its sturdy build and dependable battery life. Though eclipsed by smartphones soon after its launch, it remains a noteworthy representation of the transitional phase from feature phones to smartphones and appeals to collectors and enthusiasts of mobile phone history.