Overview of Spice Mi-515 Coolpad

The Spice Mi-515 Coolpad, released in June 2013, is a dual SIM smartphone known for its balance of affordability and good performance for the time. Although it has been discontinued, its specifications and features provide a solid understanding of smartphone technology in the early 2010s.

Design and Build

The Spice Mi-515 Coolpad boasts a sleek design with dimensions of 140 x 73 x 9.9 mm, making it comfortable to hold. Weighing 161 grams, it falls within the average weight category for phones of its era. The phone offers a dual SIM capability, which was a sought-after feature allowing users to manage two numbers simultaneously. The device was available in a classic black finish.

Display

Equipped with a 5.0-inch IPS LCD, the display offers a resolution of 540 x 960 pixels at a 16:9 aspect ratio, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 220 pixels per inch (ppi). This specification was typical of mid-range smartphones at the time, providing users with decent clarity and brightness suitable for day-to-day tasks and multimedia consumption.

Performance

The Spice Mi-515 Coolpad is powered by a quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 processor, supported by a Mediatek MT6589 chipset built on a 28 nm process. The device features 1GB of RAM, which was sufficient for handling basic multitasking and applications without significant lag. The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is a PowerVR SGX544, providing the necessary support for casual gaming and media playback.

Storage

The phone comes with 4GB of internal storage, which in today's terms is quite limited. However, it compensates for this with a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing users to expand storage according to their needs. This feature was crucial for users who needed more space for their media files and applications.

Camera Capabilities

The main camera of the Spice Mi-515 Coolpad is a 5 MP shooter with autofocus and an LED flash, capable of capturing reasonable quality photos and videos, keeping in line with the smartphones of its time. The device also includes a VGA front camera, which can be used for basic video calls and selfies.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery, the phone offers adequate battery life for its category. Users could expect a full day of use with moderate activities like calling, texting, and using apps, though heavy usage might require more frequent charging.

Operating System

The Spice Mi-515 Coolpad runs on Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. While this version of Android is now outdated, it introduced features that improved on user interface speed and smoothness, offering users a satisfactory experience for the time.

Connectivity and Networking

In terms of connectivity, the device supports GSM and HSPA networks. Additionally, it is equipped with Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS positioning without NFC support, and an FM radio. These connectivity options are reinforced by a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Miscellaneous Features

The phone comes with basic sensors like an accelerometer, which is essential for auto-rotation and some game functionalities. It also includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, one of the most appreciated features for media enthusiasts. Priced at approximately 130 EUR at release, the device was positioned as an affordable yet functional smartphone option for consumers.

Conclusion

In summary, the Spice Mi-515 Coolpad reflects the technological advancements and user expectations of smartphone design in the early 2010s. With its dual SIM capacity, removable battery, and capable processor, it served well for basic mobile tasks. Although discontinued, it remains an interesting point of reference for how far mobile technology has evolved.