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YotaPhone The DualScreen Marvel Unveiled Specs Prices & More

Release Date
2013, November
Camera
13MP
Battery
1800mAh
Processor
Snapdragon S4 Pro
Screen
4.3"
Storage
32GB
Ram
2GB RAM
Operating System
Android 4.2.2

Overview of Yota YotaPhone

Yota YotaPhone, released in 2013, was a groundbreaking device that introduced a novel concept to the smartphone market by integrating a dual-screen design. While typical smartphones focused solely on a single display, YotaPhone adopted a secondary E-Ink display at the back, aiming to enrich user experience and offer unique functionalities. Let's delve into the detailed aspects of this device.

Design and Build

The YotaPhone sports a distinct design with a glass front and back, both protected by Gorilla Glass 3, and an aluminum frame. It measures 133.6 x 67 x 10 mm, weighing 146 grams, making it relatively lightweight considering its dual-screen construction. Available in classic black and white colors, the aesthetic was minimal yet sophisticated. The device uses a micro-SIM card, a mainstream choice at the time.

Display Features

The primary display of the YotaPhone is a 4.3-inch IPS LCD screen with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, offering users vibrant colors and sharp visuals thanks to its pixel density of approximately 342 ppi. The E-Ink secondary display provided unique functionalities such as e-book reading, notifications display, and power-saving advantages, being well-suited for outdoor readability and prolonged use without significant battery consumption.

Hardware Specifications

Under the hood, YotaPhone is equipped with a Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset featuring a dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU. This hardware configuration was considered robust for its time, handling daily tasks and moderate multitasking seamlessly. Although the device lacked expandable storage, it offered a satisfactory 32GB internal storage with 2GB RAM, sufficient for apps, media, and essential data storage.

Camera Capabilities

The YotaPhone's main camera featured a 13 MP sensor with autofocus capabilities and an LED flash, capturing clear and vibrant images, and supporting 1080p video recording at 30fps. Its 1 MP front-facing camera catered to basic selfie needs and video calling, consistent with the trends and technological capabilities available upon its release.

Battery and Power Efficiency

YotaPhone houses a non-removable Li-Ion 1800 mAh battery. While this might seem modest by today's standards, the power-efficient Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset and the secondary E-Ink display contributed significantly to maximizing battery life. Standby time was rated up to 282 hours on 2G and 327 hours on 3G, with talk time reaching up to 22 hours on 2G networks. This power-saving feature was particularly appealing for users who required efficient energy consumption.

Communication and Connectivity

Supporting GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks, YotaPhone ensured fast connectivity options with LTE Cat3 speeds reaching up to 100 Mbps. It featured dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n with hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, LE support, and positioning services through GPS and GLONASS. However, the device lacked NFC and FM radio, reflecting a focus on connectivity essentials.

Software and User Interface

The YotaPhone ran on Android 4.2.2 Jelly Bean, providing a smooth and user-friendly interface that supported a range of applications and customization options. The primary and secondary displays could operate collaboratively or independently, offering user-defined experiences and optimizing usability according to the tasks at hand.

Sensors and Additional Features

YotaPhone incorporated an array of sensors including an accelerometer, gyro, proximity sensor, and compass, ensuring responsiveness and enhanced functionality across varying applications. These sensors contributed to the intuitive handling and interaction of the device, complementing its innovative dual-screen setup.

Market Position and Legacy

Priced at approximately €420, YotaPhone targeted tech enthusiasts eager to experiment with novel technologies. Its market reception highlighted the creative approach Yota Devices took to differentiate from conventional offerings. Despite its eventual discontinuation, the YotaPhone's unique dual-screen concept resonated with niche audiences and laid foundational ideas for future innovations in smartphone design.

Conclusion

Yota YotaPhone was a pioneering device in merging traditional smartphone functionality with state-of-the-art E-Ink technology. Its innovative approach to design and resource management set it apart, leaving a lasting impact on the smartphone industry. Although it did not achieve mainstream success, its influence is evident in modern attempts to integrate e-paper technology and dual-display designs in contemporary devices.

Key Features of Yota YotaPhone

  • Dual Display: Unique dual-screen design with an IPS LCD primary display and an always-on e-ink secondary display at the back.
  • Build Quality: Sturdy build with Gorilla Glass 3 protection at the front and back, and an aluminum frame.
  • Camera: Equipped with a 13 MP main camera with autofocus and LED flash, capable of recording 1080p videos.
  • Battery Life: Offers up to 22 hours of talk time on 2G and up to 15 hours on 3G, with a music play time of up to 48 hours.
  • Operating System: Runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean) for a stable performance.
  • Processing Power: Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset with a dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait CPU and Adreno 320 GPU.
  • Connectivity: Supports GSM, HSPA, and LTE networks with GPS, GLONASS, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.0.
  • Memory: Comes with 32GB internal storage and 2GB RAM.
  • Design: Available in elegant Black and White color options, weighing just 146 grams.

Disadvantages of Yota YotaPhone

  • Discontinued status: The Yota YotaPhone is no longer available in the market as it has been discontinued.
  • Outdated operating system: Runs on Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean), which is significantly outdated and may not support newer applications or features.
  • No NFC support: Lacks NFC functionality, which is a drawback for those who use mobile payments or NFC-based access systems.
  • Non-removable battery: The 1800 mAh battery is non-removable, limiting the ability to replace it easily in case of malfunction.
  • No memory card slot: No expandable storage option as there is no card slot available.
  • Limited internal memory: Comes with only 32GB of internal storage, which might be insufficient for some users.
  • Basic selfie camera: The 1 MP front camera offers limited capabilities for high-quality selfies or video calls.
  • No radio functionality: The device does not include a radio feature, which might be a downside for users who enjoy listening to FM radio.
  • Micro-SIM usage: Uses a Micro-SIM card, which may be incompatible with modern devices that predominantly use Nano-SIMs.
  • Limited network band support: The 4G network bands are restricted to 3, 7, and 20 which may not offer optimal coverage in all regions.
Network
Technology GSM / HSPA / LTE
2G bands GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 900 / 2100 / 1800
4G bands 3, 7, 20
Speed HSPA 42.2/11.5 Mbps, LTE Cat3 100/50 Mbps
Launch
Announced 2012, December. Released 2013, November
Status Discontinued
Body
Dimensions 133.6 x 67 x 10 mm (5.26 x 2.64 x 0.39 in)
Weight 146 g (5.15 oz)
Build Glass front (Gorilla Glass 3), glass back (Gorilla Glass 3), aluminum frame
SIM Micro-SIM
Display
Type IPS LCD
Size 4.3 inches, 51.0 cm2 (~56.9% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~342 ppi density)
Protection Corning Gorilla Glass
Platform
OS Android 4.2.2 (Jelly Bean)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8960T Snapdragon S4 Pro
CPU Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait
GPU Adreno 320
Memory
Card slot No
Internal 32GB 2GB RAM
Main Camera
Single 13 MP, AF
Features LED flash
Video 1080p@30fps
Selfie camera
Single 1 MP
Video
Sound
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
Comms
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, dual-band, hotspot
Bluetooth 4.0, A2DP, LE
Positioning GPS, GLONASS
NFC No
Radio No
USB microUSB 2.0
Features
Sensors Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Battery
Type Li-Ion 1800 mAh, non-removable
Stand-by Up to 282 h (2G) / Up to 327 h (3G)
Talk time Up to 22 h (2G) / Up to 15 h (3G)
Music play Up to 48 h
Misc
Colors Black, White
SAR EU 0.57 W/kg (head)     0.28 W/kg (body)
Price About 420 EUR

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