Unveiling the Spice Mi349 Smart Flo Edge Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview

The Spice Mi-349 Smart Flo Edge is a smartphone that was launched in September 2013. It stands as a budget-friendly device, attempting to cater to the needs of users looking for basic smartphone functionalities at an affordable price. Although it has been discontinued, it remains a point of interest for technology enthusiasts and collectors who look back at the evolution of smartphones over the years.

Design and Build

The device boasts a compact and lightweight design, with dimensions of 117 x 63 x 12.3 mm. It's a manageable size, fitting comfortably in the hand for easy one-handed operation. The phone is available in white, presenting a clean and simple aesthetic. With a body crafted to endure the typical wear and tear of daily usage, the Smart Flo Edge holds a robust feel despite its budget positioning.

Display

The Spice Mi-349 features a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. This results in a pixel density of approximately 165 ppi, which is modest by today's standards but was fairly standard for budget devices at the time of its release. The display is capable of showing 256K colors, sufficient for basic tasks such as web browsing and social media interaction, although users might find it lacking when viewing media-rich content.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera on the Smart Flo Edge is a single 1.3 MP lens. It's capable of capturing basic photos and can record video. However, users should not expect high-quality imagery, as the camera is intended only for the most uncomplicated photography needs. A VGA front camera is also present, primarily for video calls rather than high-quality selfies.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the device is powered by a 1.0 GHz processor, paired with 256MB of RAM. In terms of storage, it offers 512MB of internal memory, with the option to expand via a microSDHC card slot. Running on Android 2.3.5 (Gingerbread), the Spice Mi-349 provides access to basic Android features and apps, but performance can be limited when multitasking or running more demanding applications.

Battery Life

The device is equipped with a Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. This provides a standby time of up to 120 hours and a talk time of up to 8 hours. For its time, this capacity was fairly standard, offering users a decent amount of usage between charges, considering the low power consumption of its hardware specifications.

Connectivity

The Spice Mi-349 supports GSM 900/1800 bands and includes basic connectivity features such as Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth. It also features A-GPS for basic location services, although it lacks NFC. For audio, the device includes a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with a range of audio devices. Additionally, an FM radio is present for users who enjoy listening to local stations.

Sensors and Other Features

An accelerometer is included among the sensors, contributing to the device's ability to offer basic motion detection necessary for some applications and screen orientation. Beyond this, the features remain quite foundational, reflecting its position as a low-end smartphone of its era.

Price and Market Positioning

When launched, the Spice Mi-349 was priced at about 40 EUR, making it accessible to a wider range of consumers, especially those entering the smartphone market for the first time or seeking an inexpensive backup device. This affordability came with compromises in terms of performance and advanced features, aligning its appeal to users with more modest expectations from their smartphones.

Conclusion

While the Spice Mi-349 Smart Flo Edge may not compete with modern standards, it serves as a historical glance at budget smartphones from the early 2010s. Its basic functionalities, affordability, and compact design made it an option worth considering for users during its active period. Though discontinued, it remains a part of the rich tapestry of smartphone history, illustrating the progress and technological advancements made in the years that followed.