Plum Orbit A Comprehensive Dive into Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of the Plum Orbit

The Plum Orbit is a compact and budget-friendly smartphone that was launched in May 2012. Despite being discontinued, it remains a point of interest for tech enthusiasts due to its unique combination of features for its time. Designed with practicality in mind, the Plum Orbit caters to users seeking basic smartphone functionalities with the advantage of dual SIM capabilities. Its affordable price and compact design make it a suitable choice for users looking for a straightforward mobile device.

Design and Build

Featuring dimensions of 104 x 57.3 x 11 mm and weighing just 92 grams, the Plum Orbit is a lightweight and easily portable device. Its compact size allows for comfortable one-handed operation, making it ideal for users who prefer smaller devices over the more prominent and heavier phones that dominate today's market. The device supports dual SIM cards, both of which are mini-SIM, a format that was common at the time of its release.

Display

The Plum Orbit sports a 3.2-inch TFT resistive touchscreen with a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels and a density of approximately 146 pixels per inch. Although not high-definition by modern standards, the screen provides clear visuals for basic tasks and applications. The screen-to-body ratio is around 48.9%, which was fairly standard for entry-level smartphones of its era.

Performance and Operating System

Equipped with a Mediatek MT6516 chipset and a 416 MHz processor, the performance of the Plum Orbit aligns with its position as an entry-level smartphone. It operates on Android 2.3.1 Gingerbread, offering access to essential Android apps and services available in the early 2010s. This Android version was known for its user-friendly interface and support for fundamental smartphone functionalities, though it does not support some of the advanced features found in later Android versions.

Camera

The Plum Orbit is equipped with a single 2-megapixel rear camera that includes an LED flash for enhanced photo quality in low-light conditions. Although it lacks the high-resolution capabilities of modern smartphone cameras, it is more than adequate for capturing simple photos and recording basic videos.

Battery Life

This device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1100 mAh battery, which provides up to 300 hours of standby time and up to 8 hours of talk time. In an era when power banks were not as pervasive as today, having a removable battery was a valuable feature, allowing users to easily replace the battery if needed.

Network and Connectivity

The Plum Orbit supports 2G GSM technology and offers connectivity options such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS with A-GPS, FM radio, and microUSB 2.0. Its dual SIM capabilities allow users to switch between networks easily—a useful feature for those who travel frequently or who need to separate work and personal calls.

Storage

For storage, the Plum Orbit features a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand the device's memory to accommodate more apps, photos, and other media. This expandable storage option is particularly useful given the limited internal storage typical of smartphones released during its time.

Additional Features

A standout feature of the Plum Orbit is its accelerometer sensor, which enhances user interaction by providing the device the ability to register orientation changes, contributing to a smoother navigation experience across various apps. The inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories, a feature that has become less common in recent years.

Color Variants

The Plum Orbit is available in three colors: Black, White, and Pink. This choice of colors allows users to select a device that best matches their personal style preferences.

Conclusion

The Plum Orbit is emblematic of the technology of its time, presenting a combination of essential smartphone features within an affordable and compact package. While it may not compete with the capabilities of contemporary smartphones, its support for dual SIM cards, expandable storage, and basic Android functionalities make it a noteworthy option for those interested in mobile technology history or in need of a backup device with straightforward features.