Spice Mi285 Stellar Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview

The Spice Mi-285 Stellar is a smartphone from the early 2010s that showcases the evolving technology of its time. Released in June 2012, it offered a combination of modern features and budget-friendly pricing, making it accessible to a broad audience. With its distinctive QWERTY keyboard, dual SIM functionality, and support for HSPA networks, the device is a noteworthy example of mobile technology from that period.

Design and Build

The Spice Mi-285 Stellar is characterized by a compact form factor with dimensions of 116.5 x 58.4 x 12.7 mm and a weight of just 79 grams. This made it an easy device to carry and handle, even with one hand. The inclusion of a physical QWERTY keyboard was a distinguishing feature, catering to users who preferred tactile typing over touchscreen keyboards. The black color gave it a professional look suitable for both personal and business environments.

Display

The device featured a 2.8-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, delivering a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi. Although modest by today's standards, this display was suitable for basic tasks such as texting, calling, and navigating simple applications. The 256K color support on the display provided a decent level of color depth and vibrancy for the time.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the Spice Mi-285 Stellar was powered by a 650 MHz Cortex-A9 CPU, paired with a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. These components were built on the Mediatek MT6573 chipset, a decent performer for tasks typical of the device’s release period. The phone ran on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, a widely used version of Android at the time that supported a range of applications and offered a user-friendly interface.

Camera

The smartphone was equipped with a single 3.15 MP rear camera capable of capturing basic photos and recording videos. While it lacked many of the advanced features seen in modern smartphones, it could serve for casual photography needs. Unfortunately, the device did not include a front-facing camera, which limited its capabilities for selfies and video calls.

Connectivity and Networking

The Spice Mi-285 Stellar supported dual SIM cards (Mini-SIM) and operated on GSM/HSPA networks. This not only provided users with flexibility in managing multiple numbers but also allowed for uninterrupted connectivity with 3G speeds of up to 384 kbps. The inclusion of Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth, and GPS enhanced the device's connectivity options, while the absence of NFC was a limitation typical for its price range.

Battery Life

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion 1400 mAh battery, which provided standby time of up to 480 hours and talk time of up to 6 hours. For the smartphone's capabilities and size, this battery life was considered efficient and satisfactory for day-to-day use without requiring frequent charging.

External Memory and Storage

One of the practical features of the Spice Mi-285 Stellar was the support for storage expansion through a dedicated microSDHC card slot. This allowed users to easily expand their storage capacity to accommodate more apps, media, and files.

Additional Features

The phone offered a wireless FM radio feature, which did not require wired headphones for use, an entertaining option for users who enjoy listening to radio broadcasts. Despite the lack of advanced sensors and proprietary USB connectivity, the Spice Mi-285 managed to deliver a well-rounded set of features in its category.

Conclusion

The Spice Mi-285 Stellar was designed as an affordable yet functional smartphone during its time. Its dual SIM capability, physical keyboard, and reliable performance made it a preferred choice for users looking for a practical and cost-effective mobile device. Although technology has advanced significantly since its release, understanding devices like the Mi-285 offers insight into the mobile phone evolution and consumer expectations of the early 2010s.