Spice Mi504 Smart Flo Mettle 5X Complete Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Device Overview

The Spice Mi-504 Smart Flo Mettle 5X, launched in February 2014, is a budget-friendly smartphone that caters to basic user needs. Although it has been discontinued, the device remains a point of interest for technology enthusiasts interested in the evolution of budget smartphones.

Design and Build

With dimensions of 148.5 x 78.9 x 10.4 mm and a weight of 190 grams, the Spice Mi-504 Smart Flo Mettle 5X is a solidly built device. The phone features a simple design with a plastic body, typical of budget smartphones from its era. It supports Dual SIM functionality with Mini-SIM slots, making it convenient for users who need to manage two numbers simultaneously.

Display

The device comes with a 5.0-inch TFT display offering a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. With a screen-to-body ratio of approximately 58.8% and a pixel density of around 196 ppi, the display delivers reasonable clarity and color representation for basic tasks, although it lags behind modern standards in terms of sharpness and vibrancy.

Camera

The Spice Mi-504 is equipped with an 8 MP rear camera featuring an LED flash to assist in low-light conditions. The camera is capable of capturing decent quality images, suitable for casual photography. On the front side, a 1.3 MP camera supports basic selfies and video calls, though the quality is understandably limited given its specifications.

Performance and Software

The device runs on Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, an older version of Android, providing access to basic Android features and apps. While the specific processor and RAM details are not provided, the performance of the device meets the minimal expectations for tasks like calling, texting, and light app usage.

Storage and Memory

In terms of storage, the Spice Mi-504 offers a microSDHC card slot, allowing users to expand the storage capacity to accommodate additional media and files. This expansion flexibility is critical given the typically limited internal storage found in budget devices.

Battery Life

The phone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery, offering a talk time of up to 5 hours and 30 minutes. While not extensive by today’s standards, this battery life is adequate for basic daily usage, covering essential communication needs.

Connectivity

Connectivity options include GSM support, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.0, GPS positioning, and a microUSB port for charging and data transfer. The presence of FM radio offers entertainment on-the-go, while the lack of NFC reflects the budget-oriented nature of the device.

Sound and Multimedia

The Spice Mi-504 features a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm jack, accommodating basic audio connectivity needs. Users can enjoy music and other audio content, though they should not expect high fidelity sound quality.

Additional Features

The only sensor included is an accelerometer, used for auto-rotation and basic motion detection features. While sparse on additional features, the device manages to address the essentials for a functional mobile experience.

Market Position and Pricing

At the time of its release, the Spice Mi-504 Smart Flo Mettle 5X was available for about 80 EUR, making it an accessible option for budget-conscious consumers. Its value proposition was rooted in delivering essential smartphone functionalities at a fraction of the cost of more advanced devices.

Conclusion

Although the Spice Mi-504 Smart Flo Mettle 5X has been discontinued, it remains a testament to the design and functionality of early budget smartphones. While it can't compete with modern technologies in terms of performance and feature richness, its simplicity, durability, and affordability made it a reasonable choice for users seeking basic smartphone capabilities. As the smartphone market continues to evolve, devices like the Spice Mi-504 stand as important milestones in the ongoing journey toward more advanced and accessible mobile technology.