QMobile Noir A500 Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The QMobile Noir A500, released in July 2013, is a smartphone that sought to bring some elegance and efficiency to users seeking affordability and basic functionality. Although it has been discontinued, its design and specifications still hold some nostalgic value for tech enthusiasts and users who previously owned the device.

Design and Build

The QMobile Noir A500 features a sleek design that measures 136 x 67 x 9.6 mm. Its compact size makes it easy to hold and use with one hand. While the weight of the device is unspecified, it typically falls in the lightweight category, making it comfortable for everyday use. The device features a classic black color which complements its modest yet functional design. The phone supports dual SIM functionality, which was particularly handy for users needing to manage two numbers concurrently.

Display

Sporting a 4.5-inch TFT display, the QMobile Noir A500 offers users a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 218 ppi, which provides decent clarity and color reproduction for its time. Although the screen-to-body ratio is about 61.2%, it provides ample real estate for running basic applications and media viewing. Despite not being the most advanced screen technology compared to modern standards, the display effectively served its purpose for basic smartphone tasks.

Performance and Platform

Under the hood, the QMobile Noir A500 is powered by a Mediatek MT6589M chipset built on a 28 nm process. The device features a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, which was decent for handling everyday applications and multitasking. Accompanied by a PowerVR SGX544 GPU, the device could handle basic graphical tasks and light gaming. Running on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, users had access to a wide range of applications through Google Play Store compatible with this version of Android. While updates were limited, the operating system provided a smooth and user-friendly interface for its time.

Memory and Storage

The QMobile Noir A500 comes equipped with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage. For users needing more space for applications and media, the phone supports microSDHC cards, allowing expansion of storage capacity. Although 512MB of RAM may seem insufficient by today's standards, at the time of its release, it was adequate for performing standard smartphone tasks without significant lag, provided the multitasking demands were moderate.

Camera

The rear camera of the QMobile Noir A500 is a 5-megapixel shooter, featuring an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. This camera could capture satisfactory images and videos, meeting the needs of casual photography. Additionally, the device includes a VGA front-facing camera, catering to video calls and self-portraits, although the quality is quite limited compared to modern front cameras.

Battery Life

The device houses a Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery, which offers a reasonable amount of usage time considering the hardware it needed to support. With moderate application use and proper battery management, it was possible to get through a full day on a single charge. Users who relied heavily on media consumption and internet browsing might have needed to recharge by the end of the day.

Connectivity and Features

For connectivity, the QMobile Noir A500 offers various options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming, GPS for location services, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. Despite lacking NFC capabilities, the phone's stereo FM radio provided users with entertainment on-the-go.

As for the sensor suite, the device includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors allowed applications to utilize motion detection and orientation changes, enhancing user experience in various apps.

Network and Pricing

The network capabilities include GSM and HSPA technologies, offering 2G and 3G band support. While lacking 4G LTE connectivity, the device's HSPA speeds of 21.1/5.76 Mbps were sufficient for browsing and streaming at moderate speeds.

Initially priced at around 130 EUR, the QMobile Noir A500 was positioned as an affordable smartphone for users who required essential features without the premium price tag. This made it a popular choice in emerging markets where cost-effectiveness was a primary concern.