Price and specifications of Vodafone 858 Smart advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Introduction to the Vodafone 858 Smart

The Vodafone 858 Smart, released in 2011, introduced itself as an entry-level Android smartphone aimed at budget-conscious consumers. This device was part of Vodafone's effort to integrate smartphones into the mainstream market by providing an affordable yet reasonably functioning device.

Design and Body

The Vodafone 858 Smart sports a compact and user-friendly design. Its dimensions are 103.8 x 56.8 x 12.6 mm, which makes it a small phone by today's standards but fairly typical for its time. Weighing in at 104 grams, the device is light and portable, feeling comfortable in the hand. It is built to accommodate a Mini-SIM card, which was standard at the time of its release. Available in white, black, and other custom graphic designs, the Vodafone 858 provided users with some options for personalization.

Display

The display of the Vodafone 858 Smart is a basic 2.8-inch TFT screen capable of showing 256K colors, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and a pixel density of approximately 143 ppi. While this was considered low-end, even in 2011, the screen was adequate for basic tasks, such as making phone calls, sending texts, and simple app usage. The small screen size resulted in a screen-to-body ratio of about 41.2%.

Hardware and Performance

The Vodafone 858 Smart is powered by the Qualcomm MSM7225 Snapdragon S1 chipset, featuring a 528 MHz ARM 11 CPU. Although this processing power is modest, it handles basic functions with relative ease, considering the device's positioning in the low-end market segment. The device does not come with a dedicated GPU, which limits its capability for graphic-intensive tasks and applications.

Memory and Storage

The internal storage on the Vodafone 858 Smart is 130 MB, a small amount but common for entry-level smartphones during that period. However, it comes with a microSDHC slot that allows users to expand the storage for additional space to store apps, photos, and music files. This feature was particularly crucial given the limited built-in storage capacity.

Camera Capabilities

Equipped with a single rear 2 MP camera, the Vodafone 858 Smart provides very basic photography capabilities. Users are able to capture photos and record video, though the quality is minimal when compared to later advances in smartphone camera technology. It lacks a front-facing selfie camera, which means video calling options are limited.

Connectivity and Network

The device supports GSM and HSPA network technologies. It can connect to 2G bands such as GSM 850, 900, 1800, and 1900, and 3G band on HSDPA 2100. The data transfer speeds are limited to HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps, which today seems slow but was practical for basic internet browsing and app usage when the device was released.

Communication Features

In terms of connectivity, the Vodafone 858 Smart includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, enabling users to connect to wireless internet hotspots. It also features Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP for wireless data transfer and stereo audio. GPS functionality with A-GPS support is included, allowing for basic location services and navigation. An FM radio with RDS is also available for those who enjoy listening to radio broadcasts.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a removable Li-Ion battery. On standby, it lasts up to 250 hours on 2G, and up to 380 hours on 3G networks. For talk time, it offers up to 4 hours on 2G and 4 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. This battery performance, by today's standards, is limited but was acceptable back when it launched.

Software and User Interface

Running on Android 2.2 (Froyo), the Vodafone 858 Smart provides users with access to basic Android features and apps. Android 2.2 introduced users to features such as USB tethering and portable hotspot functionality, providing additional utility for users who wanted to share their mobile broadband connection.

Conclusion

Positioned as a budget smartphone, the Vodafone 858 Smart was not about high-end features. Instead, it aimed to provide core smartphone functionalities at a price point accessible to more consumers. With its simple design, basic hardware capabilities, and the flexibility of the Android operating system, it paved the way for more accessible smartphone experiences, suitable as a starter phone for young teens or those new to smartphones in 2011.