While big mobile handset makers can barely release one device without every bit of information leaking out beforehand, Chinese communications major Huawei has been able to use their smaller stature to quietly churn out cost-effective Android smartphones for markets all over the globe. Out of many feature-rich handsets, the one that we received at our desk was Huawei IDEOS 8300, all clad in attractive matt finished black backcover and powered by Android 2.1 operating system. The looks generate mixed feelings as the handset partially looks like a calculator.
The IDEOS Chat is a sub 10k phone which is similar to Nokia?s touch-and-type series of phones featuring a Qwerty keypad and touchscreen. Aimed at the young explorer audience, company officials claim that IDEOS Chat is the most compact-sized touch and Qwerty Android smartphone in the world.
Inspired by a chocolate-bar, this fashionable design comes with a unique groove on the back for one hand use.
Everything about IDEOS Chat is optimised keeping the young explorers in mind?the preloaded social apps like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Google Mobile Suite; the latest internet connectivity options like Wi-Fi 11n, higher 7.2 Mbps download speeds and a track-ball for faster navigation.
The USP of the Ideos Chat, however, is the trackball. The Android based Huawei U8300 looks specifically targeted at the younger generation with the funky colour options its available in. However, the face value is quite disappointing owing to its frame, which looks like as if a bigger thing has been stabbed several times to fit right into a smaller frame. However, few people think that the looks are cute and the phone brings a fresh breath of air in an arena, which is flooded with handsets having similar elongated structure or something that mimics a Blackberry or an iPhone. So a mixed review would actually prove beneficial, as people would like to have a simple Android phone.
The exterior comprises of a Qwerty keypad that is a bit noisy and creates click sound. The keypad is designed in such a way that it actually gives an impression as if the user can fold it one time, owing to the presence of a divider that separates the keypad and the 2.6-inches resistive screen. Just above the keypad section, lies a trackball for easy navigation with excellent response.
Along with the trackball, lies four buttons for Menu, Call, Call disconnection, and Back options respectively. Peeping more through the exterior, the sides of the handset has the volume control and a slot for the USB cable, all well integrated. Below lies a 3.5 mm jack so that any headset can be connected, promoting listening to music easily. Apart from this, there is a torch available in the same jacket as the camera promotes saving space and ease of utilising the torch.
The only rough patch here is the hard back cover. It took a lot of effort to open it up for inserting the SIM card and battery installation. The back cover is matt finished. The handset is pre-installed with Nimbuzz, Places etc.
Also, the handset has Accelerometer Sensor for auto rotate and a 3.15 MP camera as a part of its other utilities. Moreover, the HTML browser, 3G, EDGE, GPRS, A-GPS support, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and social networking integration makes the handset quiet a full package. The connectivity options enlisted above work quite well and promotes transfer of data at a faster rate.
The multimedia options include FM radio, MP3 and MP4 player. The FM reception is a bit bad and the audio output is also not much impressive. Also, included for the first time in a smartphone, the IDEOS Chat comes with dedicated keys for?smileys, Google search and email @ sign. This Android 2.1 powered smartphone is priced at R8,199.
Specs
Dimensions: 94 x 64 x 11 mm
Display type: TFT touchscreen, 256K colours
Display size: 320 x 240 pixels, 2.6 inches
Camera: 3.15 MP, 2048 x 1536 pixels, LED flash
Operating system: Android 2.1
Internal storage: 512 MB
Talk time: 6 hours
? CyberMedia www.LD2.in
Mail:talkLD@cybermedia.co.in