ZTE Amigo Unveiling Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Overview of ZTE Amigo

The ZTE Amigo smartphone, announced in February 2011 and released in the third quarter of the same year, represents an intriguing blend of hardware and software typical of its time. Despite being discontinued, it retains historical significance as an early adopter of the Android ecosystem, particularly Android 2.2, also known as Froyo.

Design and Build

At a weight of 120 grams, the ZTE Amigo offers a comfortable, though solid feel in the hand. Its body design features a QWERTY keyboard, which was a popular choice at that time owing to the prevalence of messaging and email applications. The device uses a mini-SIM slot, aligning with the standards prevalent during its time of release.

Display

The ZTE Amigo sports a 3.2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, rendering visuals at a density of approximately 180 ppi. With its capacity to display 256K colors, the screen was sufficient for casual use, offering adequate clarity for running apps and viewing multimedia content.

Operating System and Performance

Running on Android 2.2 (Froyo), the ZTE Amigo delivered features that were cutting-edge for the period, including Wi-Fi hotspot capabilities and improved performance over its predecessors. However, details about its processor and RAM are not specified, but it supported the essential functions needed by the average user at the time.

Camera

The Amigo's camera consists of a single 3.15 MP sensor with autofocus capabilities. It suffices for basic photography needs and social media sharing in a time before smartphones became staple devices for serious photography. Video recording is also supported, though details about the recording quality are limited.

Network and Connectivity

The ZTE Amigo is equipped with GSM/HSPA technology, supporting popular 2G bands (GSM 900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100). Data speeds cap at HSPA 7.2/0.384 Mbps, typical of the era. Connectivity features include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, GPS with A-GPS, FM radio, and a microUSB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging.

Memory and Storage

The device's storage is manageably expandable via a microSD card slot. This feature allowed users to store additional multimedia content and apps beyond the presumably minimal internal storage, common across devices from that period.

Sound Features

The ZTE Amigo comes with a loudspeaker and a 3.5mm audio jack, fulfilling the basic audio needs of users. These functionalities ensured that users could enjoy music and make phone calls with relative ease.

Sensors and Additional Features

The Amigo includes an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass, providing basic sensor capabilities to enhance user experience. Its web browsing abilities are supported by a WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML browser, suitable for the web standards of its time.

Battery and Color Options

Powered by a removable Li-Ion battery, the ZTE Amigo ensures that users could replace the battery easily, which was an essential feature for increasing the device's lifespan. The phone was available in black, a classic color that appeals to a broad consumer base.

Conclusion

While the ZTE Amigo might be considered outdated by today's standards, it represents an important phase in the evolution of smartphones. It exhibits the design and technological standards of its time while providing foundational capabilities that paved the way for more advanced devices. Its inclusion of a QWERTY keyboard, basic camera, and early Android OS makes it a notable entry in the historical roster of mobile devices.