Unveiling Spice Mi353 Stellar Jazz Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Spice Mi-353 Stellar Jazz

The Spice Mi-353 Stellar Jazz, released in May 2013, is a smartphone that was aimed at delivering essential features in a budget-friendly package. Despite being discontinued shortly after its release, the device stands as a testament to the era when smartphones were making their way into the mainstream market, balancing performance with affordability. The device is characterized by its dual SIM capability and satisfactory multimedia features. Below, we'll delve into its specifications in detail, analyzing each component and its usability during its time.

Design and Build Quality

The device boasts dimensions of 124.1 x 63.7 x 13.6 mm, which makes it relatively compact and portable when compared to today’s standards. Weighing at 135 g, it’s lightweight enough for daily carry. The device is encased in a plastic body with a Dual SIM (Mini-SIM) slot, which was typical for phones of that era. The white color adds a touch of elegance, catering to users who prefer a minimalist aesthetic. However, the build quality, while sufficient, doesn’t rise to the level of flagship models, but it certainly does the job for basic functionality.

Display

The Spice Mi-353 Stellar Jazz features a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. While this pales when judged by contemporary standards, during its release, the display size and resolution were adequate for handling day-to-day tasks such as texting, browsing, and basic media consumption. The screen-to-body ratio of approximately 46.1% might seem low, but it was acceptable during its time of release. Users of the phone would have experienced reasonably clear text and graphic representation, suitable for communicating and light app usage.

Performance

Equipped with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), the device runs on one of the earlier versions of Google's operating system. This version of Android was known for its user-friendly interface and essential functionalities that made smartphones more approachable. The exact processor and RAM specifications are not detailed, but it would have been adequate for basic smartphone operations like calling, texting, and running light applications. The device includes a microSDHC card slot, providing users the ability to expand storage according to their needs, writing off one of the common limitations of entry-level phones with fixed storage capacities.

Camera Capabilities

The Spice Mi-353 comes with a single 3.15 MP rear camera equipped with an LED flash, allowing photographs to be taken in low-light situations, although with expected limitations in quality. The camera interface was likely basic, yet functional, offering the essential features users needed to capture everyday moments. The front-facing camera, at 1.3 MP, allowed for basic video calls and selfies – a nod to the beginning of the selfie culture.

Battery and Power Management

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery. This was standard for devices of its class and era. The battery offered up to 150 hours of standby time and talk time of up to 3.5 hours, assuming moderate use. Having a removable battery is a noteworthy feature, as it grants users the ability to carry spare batteries or replace them if they become defective without needing professional servicing.

Connectivity and Other Features

The Spice Mi-353 Stellar Jazz supports GSM / HSPA connectivity and includes essential communication features including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS for location services, FM radio, and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer. Lacking NFC cuts it short in terms of modern conveniences, but for the majority of users in its targeted market, its existing connectivity options were sufficient.

As for the audio features, it includes a 3.5 mm audio jack and a loudspeaker, serving typical user needs for audio playback and other sound requirements. Sensors include an accelerometer, which was a basic requirement for enabling functions like auto-rotate.

Market Position and Pricing

Priced at approximately 40 EUR during its time, the Spice Mi-353 fitted into the entry-level smartphone market. Its affordable pricing made it an alluring choice for users transitioning from basic mobile phones to their first-ever smartphones or for those looking for a secondary device.

Conclusion

Despite being discontinued, the Spice Mi-353 Stellar Jazz provided value to its users by integrating necessary smartphone capabilities at a price that could not be beaten by many competitors at the time. While it does not stand up against today’s technology, it holds nostalgic value and offers insights into the evolution of smartphones over the last decade.