Price and specifications of Wiko Goa advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Design and Build Quality

The Wiko Goa features a simple yet robust design. With dimensions of 119 x 62.6 x 11.3 mm and a weight of just 105 grams, it is compact and lightweight, making it easy to carry around. The body is designed to accommodate dual SIM slots (Mini-SIM, dual standby), an attractive feature for users who need to manage two numbers simultaneously. Available in a variety of colors including Black, White, Bleen, Fuchsia, Coral, Violet, and Yellow, the Goa caters to different aesthetic preferences, adding a touch of personality to the user's choice.

Display

The device sports a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels. This results in a pixel density of around 165 ppi, which, while not sharp by modern standards, was sufficient for basic tasks and media consumption at the time of its release. The display supports 256K colors, providing users with a decent viewing experience for apps and images.

Performance

Under the hood, the Wiko Goa is powered by a Mediatek MT6572M chipset, built on a 28 nm process, paired with a dual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and a Mali-400 GPU. While these specifications may seem modest compared to today's standards, they were adequate for the Goa's intended market, allowing it to handle basic applications and functionalities without significant lag. The device is equipped with 512MB of RAM, which provides enough memory for basic multitasking activities.

Operating System

Out of the box, the Wiko Goa runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat. This version of Android is known for its improved performance and user interface over previous iterations, making it an efficient choice for entry-level devices of its time. Though it's an older version by current standards, Android KitKat provided a stable and straightforward user experience with access to key Google services and a wide range of applications.

Storage

Storage-wise, the Wiko Goa comes with 4GB of internal storage. While this may not accommodate a large number of apps or media files, users can expand the storage using a microSDHC card, which allows for more flexibility in storing additional data.

Camera Setup

The camera system on the Wiko Goa is basic, focusing on essential photographic features. The main camera is a single 2 MP sensor, equipped with LED flash, panorama, and HDR features. It also records video at 480p@30fps. On the front, there's a 1.3 MP selfie camera, which was sufficient for video calls and basic selfies at the time of its release.

Battery Life

The device is powered by a Li-Ion 1300 mAh battery, a standard capacity for its category. It offers a standby time of up to 384 hours on both 2G and 3G networks and provides a talk time of up to 11 hours and 50 minutes on 2G and up to 6 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. This battery performance was competitive for entry-level smartphones in its era, providing sufficient power for a day’s worth of basic tasks.

Connectivity and Other Features

In terms of connectivity, the Goa supports GSM/HSPA network technology with 2G and 3G capabilities, providing decent internet speeds for web browsing and downloading. Additional connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot support, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS, and an FM radio. The device includes a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

The Wiko Goa also features an accelerometer sensor, which allows for additional motion-based input methods. Audio is supported with stereo speakers and a 3.5mm headphone jack, catering to users who enjoy listening to music or radio on the go.

Market Positioning and Price

Released in August 2014 and discontinued thereafter, the Wiko Goa was initially priced at approximately 50 EUR. Its affordable price point made it an attractive option for users seeking a budget-friendly, reliable smartphone that could handle basic tasks. The inclusion of dual SIM capabilities, expandable storage, and a surprisingly colorful design for its price range helped the device stand out in the entry-level market.

Conclusion

The Wiko Goa offers a compelling package for its price, providing essential smartphone features with a touch of style through its various color options. Although it doesn’t compete with more advanced smartphones, its design, expandable storage, decent battery life, and fundamental connectivity features make it a practical choice for users requiring simplicity and reliability. Despite being discontinued, its legacy continues as an example of efficient budget-friendly smartphone design.