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Spice Mi355 Stellar Craze Specs Pricing & Performance Unveiled

Release Date
2012, August
Camera
5MP
Battery
1420mAh
Processor
MT6573
Screen
3.5"
Storage
140MB 512MB RAM , microSDHC slot
Ram
512MB RAM
Operating System
Android 2.3, up to 4.0

Overview and Release

The Spice Mi-355 Stellar Craze was first announced in August 2012 and was also released during the same month. Unfortunately, the device has been discontinued, but it remains a point of interest for technology enthusiasts who appreciate earlier Android smartphones. The device was marketed as an affordable option for those looking to experience the Android operating system without breaking the bank.

Design and Build

With dimensions measuring 118 x 62 x 11.5 mm, the Spice Mi-355 Stellar Craze was designed to be compact and easily portable. The device weighs only 80 grams, making it convenient to carry around without any noticeable bulk. It features a dual SIM capability, using Mini-SIM cards, which was a significant selling point for consumers looking to separate personal and professional communication within a single device.

Display

The device sports a 3.5-inch TFT display with 256K colors, which was fairly standard for smartphones of its time. The screen resolution is 320 x 480 pixels with a 3:2 aspect ratio, resulting in around 165 pixels per inch. While not as advanced as modern displays, it was considered adequate for most users’ needs such as browsing and media consumption.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and upgradable to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), the Spice Mi-355 offered a versatile platform for various applications and utilities available on the Play Store. Under the hood, it is powered by an 800 MHz Cortex-A9 processor with a Mediatek MT6573 chipset fabricated on a 65 nm process, and a PowerVR SGX531 GPU. While not the most powerful configuration by today’s standards, it was sufficient for basic tasks and applications during its time.

Memory and Storage

The device comes with 512MB of RAM, and while this might seem minimal today, it allowed for basic multitasking capacities. The internal storage is 140MB, but this limitation could be mitigated by using a microSDHC card in the dedicated slot available, allowing for expanded storage options suited to user needs for applications, music, and other data.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera includes a single 5 MP sensor equipped with an LED flash, enabling reasonable photography in various lighting conditions. Video recording capabilities are included, although standard-definition recording was the limit during its release era. For selfies and video calls, there is a VGA front camera, which was adequate for video chats but limited in producing high-quality selfies.

Audio and Connectivity

The device comes with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm headphone jack, supporting a wide range of traditional audio accessories. For wireless connectivity, it supports Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth. Additionally, it includes GPS for navigation and location services, and an FM radio for live broadcast listening. Charging and data transfer are performed through a proprietary USB connector, which was common at the time.

Battery Life and Additional Features

Equipped with a removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery, the Spice Mi-355 offers up to 192 hours of standby time and up to 4 hours of talk time. These battery specifications were typical for smartphones of that period. Additional features include sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which add to the device's overall functionality and user experience.

Pricing and Availability

When it was available, the Spice Mi-355 Stellar Craze was priced at approximately 100 EUR, making it an attractive option for first-time smartphone users or those on a budget seeking a reliable Android experience. It was available in a White color variant, catering to users who preferred a classic and clean design.

Conclusion

While the Spice Mi-355 Stellar Craze is no longer in production, its significance lies in representing an era of mobile technology where accessibility and affordability were being balanced with increasing functionality and smartphone capabilities. It provided an opportunity for users to engage with the Android ecosystem without the premium price tag associated with more advanced models. Even though it lacks the advanced features and specifications of modern smartphones, it remains a nostalgic piece of technology history for those who remember it fondly.

Key Features of Spice Mi-355 Stellar Craze

  • Dual SIM support for flexibility in carrier selection.
  • Lightweight body at only 80 grams.
  • 3.5-inch display with TFT and 256K colors for vibrant visuals.
  • Upgradeable OS from Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
  • 5 MP main camera with LED flash for clear photos.
  • GPS support for navigation and location services.
  • Expandable memory via microSDHC card slot.
  • FM radio for entertainment on the go.
  • Standard 3.5mm headphone jack for audio connectivity.
  • Removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery provides up to 4 hours of talk time.
  • Affordable price point, approximately 100 EUR.

Spice Mi-355 Stellar Craze: Key Disadvantages

  • Outdated Operating System: Initially ships with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and only upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich).
  • Limited Internal Storage: Offers only 140MB internal memory, which can quickly fill up.
  • Low RAM: Comes with just 512MB RAM, affecting multitasking and performance.
  • Low Resolution Display: 320 x 480 pixels resolution with ~165 ppi density.
  • Basic Front Camera: VGA quality, inadequate for high-quality selfies.
  • Short Battery Life: 1420 mAh battery provides only up to 4 hours of talk time.
  • Discontinued Status: No longer in production, limiting hardware support and software updates.
  • Proprietary USB: Limits ease of use with standard USB cables.
  • Bulky Dimensions: At 118 x 62 x 11.5 mm, it may feel chunky compared to modern slim smartphones.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 - SIM 1 & SIM 2
3G bands HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed HSPA
Launch
Announced 2012, August. Released 2012, August
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 118 x 62 x 11.5 mm (4.65 x 2.44 x 0.45 in)
Weight 80 g (2.82 oz)
SIM Dual SIM (Mini-SIM)
Display
Type TFT, 256K colors
Size 3.5 inches, 36.5 cm2 (~49.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~165 ppi density)
Platform
OS Android 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Chipset Mediatek MT6573 (65 nm)
CPU 800 MHz Cortex-A9
GPU PowerVR SGX531
Memory
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal 140MB 512MB RAM
Main Camera
Single 5 MP
Features LED flash
Video Yes
Selfie camera
Single VGA
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetooth Yes
Positioning GPS
Radio FM radio
USB Proprietary
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, proximity
Battery
Type Removable Li-Ion 1420 mAh battery
Stand-by Up to 192 h
Talk time Up to 4 h
Misc
Colors White
Price About 100 EUR

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