QMobile Noir A550 Comprehensive Review of Specs Prices and Features

Overview of QMobile Noir A550

The QMobile Noir A550 is a smartphone that was launched in April 2014 and has since been discontinued. Despite its mid-range specifications, it remains a notable piece in the QMobile lineup, featuring a combination of hardware and software that was competitive at the time of its release.

Design and Build

The QMobile Noir A550 boasts a sleek design with dimensions measuring 132 x 66 x 8.9 mm. This makes it comfortable to hold and operate with one hand. Although the exact weight is unspecified, it is designed to be lightweight. The device supports dual SIM functionality, allowing users to manage two separate phone numbers simultaneously—a convenient feature for many users.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 4.5-inch IPS LCD display. This screen offers a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels, providing a satisfactory pixel density of approximately 245 ppi. This ensures that images and text appear clear and sharp, although it may not compete with more modern high-definition displays.

Platform and Performance

Under the hood, the QMobile Noir A550 is powered by the Mediatek MT6582 chipset with a 28 nm fabrication process. It includes a quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-400MP2 GPU. At the time of its release, this configuration was suitable for handling everyday tasks and running apps smoothly.

Memory and Storage

When it comes to memory, the device includes 1GB of RAM, which is paired with 4GB of internal storage. While this storage capacity is quite limited by today’s standards, it features a microSDHC card slot to expand storage further, accommodating users' needs for additional space for apps, media, and more.

Camera

The main camera of the QMobile Noir A550 is an 8 MP autofocus unit, accompanied by an LED flash. This setup allows for reasonable photo quality suitable for casual photography needs. For selfies and video calls, a 2 MP front-facing camera is available, offering basic functionality for the period when it was released.

Battery Life

Powering the device is a Li-Ion 1700 mAh battery. Given the hardware specifications, this battery capacity is sufficient to provide a full day's usage on moderate use, such as calls, messaging, and light browsing. Heavy users might find the need for more frequent charging.

Connectivity

The QMobile Noir A550 supports GSM/HSPA network technologies, ensuring connectivity in 2G and 3G bands. It includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n for wireless internet connection and can function as a hotspot. Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP support is available for wireless communication with other devices. Other connectivity options include GPS for location services, microUSB 2.0 with OTG support, and FM radio. It's worth noting that NFC support is not available on this device.

Audio and Multimedia

The device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5 mm headphone jack, which is appreciated by users who prefer a wired audio connection. The phone's multimedia capabilities are limited but functional for basic needs like music playback and standard-definition video viewing.

Sensors and Additional Features

On the sensor front, the phone is equipped with an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. These sensors support various applications and enhance user interaction with the device's software.

Software

Initially, the QMobile Noir A550 came with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, and it's upgradable to Android 4.4 KitKat. These versions of Android offer a variety of features and user customizations and should be able to run most mainstream applications from the Play Store accessible during its time.

Market Position and Pricing

Priced at around 140 EUR at launch, the QMobile Noir A550 was positioned as an affordable mid-range smartphone suitable for budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable device with functional capabilities. Despite its discontinuation, it provided a balanced mixture of performance, design, and affordability at the time it was available.

Conclusion

In retrospect, the QMobile Noir A550 stood out for its elegant design and dual SIM capability, along with acceptable performance metrics for its era. While the landscape of smartphone technology has drastically evolved, this device remains a part of QMobile's efforts to offer accessible technology tailored to emerging markets.