XOLO A500S IPS Specs Prices Pros & Cons Unveiled

Introduction to XOLO A500S IPS

The XOLO A500S IPS, released in October 2013, represents a budget-friendly smartphone option from the Indian manufacturer XOLO. It was designed for users seeking a functional device at an affordable price, offering a range of features that were competitive at its launch time. While it may no longer hold a place in the current smartphone market, its specifications and build offer an interesting look at the technology of its era.

Design and Build

The XOLO A500S IPS sports a compact design, characterized by its dimensions of 125 x 63.2 x 9 mm. With a weight of 120 grams, it was made to be light and convenient for single-handed use. The device offers a dual SIM capability, appealing to users who wish to manage two numbers or networks simultaneously. Available in colors like Black, White, Red, and Blue, it provided aesthetic variety to suit different tastes.

Display

One of the phone's main attractions at the time was its 4.0-inch IPS LCD display. With a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels and a density of around 233 pixels per inch, the screen delivered decent clarity and color reproduction for a device in its class. The IPS technology ensured better viewing angles and visibility in various lighting conditions, which was a valuable addition for budget phones during that period.

Camera Capabilities

The XOLO A500S IPS is equipped with a 5 MP rear camera accompanied by an LED flash, which supports features such as panorama shots. It is capable of recording 720p videos at 30 frames per second. On the front, users can find a VGA camera, mainly designed for basic selfies and video chatting. While these specifications may seem modest today, they provided acceptable functionality for everyday photographic needs in 2013.

Performance and Software

Under the hood, the XOLO A500S IPS runs on a Mediatek MT6572W chipset, featuring a dual-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU coupled with a Mali-400 GPU. Paired with 512 MB of RAM, it was designed to handle basic smartphone tasks and applications. The device originally shipped with Android 4.2 Jelly Bean, offering a range of features and functionalities native to that version of the Android operating system.

Storage and Memory

Storage options on the XOLO A500S IPS include 4 GB of internal storage, which could be expanded via a microSDHC card thanks to its dedicated slot. This expansion capability was particularly useful for users who needed to store more music, images, and apps than the built-in memory could accommodate.

Battery Life

Backing the device is a removable Li-Ion battery with a capacity of 1400 mAh. Despite its modest size, the battery was sufficient to provide a stand-by time of up to 492 hours on 2G and up to 470 hours on 3G networks. For active use, it offered up to 10 hours of talk time on 2G and up to 8 hours on 3G, making it reliable for daily communication needs.

Connectivity and Network

The device is equipped to handle GSM and HSPA technologies, supporting 2G bands on GSM 900 and 1800 and 3G bands on HSDPA 2100. The smartphone boasted data speeds of up to 21.1 Mbps for downloads and 5.76 Mbps for uploads. Connectivity options included Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 3.0, GPS for positioning, FM radio, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer.

Sound and Multimedia

On the sound front, the XOLO A500S IPS comes with a built-in loudspeaker and offers a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing users to connect their favorite headphones or earphones. The inclusion of FM radio also served as a handy feature for users interested in listening to their preferred channels on-the-go.

Sensors and Add-ons

The device includes essential sensors such as an accelerometer and proximity sensor, which contribute to functions like auto-rotate and managing call responsiveness. These basic sensors were expected in smartphones of this class and contributed to enhancing the general user experience.

Conclusion

Overall, the XOLO A500S IPS encapsulated a fair balance between price and functionality at its release. It provided essential smartphone features at a budget-friendly price, making it a popular choice in emerging markets or among users looking for simple and effective communication tools without the bells and whistles of premium models. While technology has moved forward, leaving the A500S IPS significantly outdated, its contribution to the smartphone market in its time was noteworthy.