A simple entry-level smartphone with a full set of all the basic functions - Explay A400. This device boasts a very democratic price tag of 3,500 rubles, but at the same time its hardware resources are quite enough to solve most problems. It is the parameters of this gadget that will be discussed in this short review material.
Gadget Niche
Technical specifications, very low cost, a 4-inch display diagonal is far from a complete list of characteristics that clearly and unambiguously indicate that we have an entry-level device, or, as it is sometimes called, a budget class gadget. This is a great solution for most everyday tasks. The only thing this device will definitely not cope with is the most demanding three-dimensional toys. In order to play them, you need to purchase a more expensive device. But the rest of the “A400” will just do just fine.
Equipment
The equipment for this device is as follows:
- The smart phone itself.
- 1600 mAh battery.
- User's manual.
- Stereo headset.
- Standard interface cord.
- Warranty card.
- Charger.
Appearance
Almost the entire front panel of this gadget is occupied by a touch screen. A typical 3-button control panel is displayed below it. Above is the earpiece, several sensors and the front camera eye. There is a lock button on the right edge of the device, and volume buttons on the left. On the bottom of the device is the hole of the conversational microphone. But on top are all wired interfaces: micro-USB and audio port. On the back cover, in addition to the manufacturer’s logo, there is also a loud speaker, a main camera and LED backlight for it.
Smartphone Computing Base
Explay A400 is built on the basis of MT6572 CPU by MediaTech. This is an entry-level chip, which includes only 2 computing modules based on the "A7" architecture, and it is manufactured in accordance with the requirements of the 28-nm process technology. Their frequency can dynamically increase to 1.3 GHz when performing the most complex tasks. If the computing power of one core is sufficient to ensure the operability of the device, the second is turned off. Also, at minimum load, the frequency of each module is automatically reduced to 300 MHz. As a result, it can be noted that this semiconductor crystal boasts a high level of energy efficiency. But his productivity is at a minimum level, and he simply does not have any margin of productivity. But to solve most everyday tasks, this is enough.
Display and graphics accelerator
The display is definitely the Explay A400's weakness. His technical characteristics are really modest. The diagonal of the screen is only 4 inches. On the one hand, this allows you to easily manage the device with only one hand, and on the other hand, it is not always possible to make out large objects on such a display. Screen resolution is only 800x480. In this case, the pixel density on it is equal to 233ppi. The image on it, of course, is not grainy, but you can still parse individual pixels if you wish. The display matrix in this device is made using the outdated technology today - TN. The viewing angles are minimal, and even with a slight deviation from 90 degrees, a strong image distortion occurs. The second important disadvantage of this technology is the increased energy consumption. Therefore, the battery of this gadget has more stringent requirements to ensure the necessary level of autonomy.
Cameras
Good 5MP main camera in the Explay A400. Photos with a normal level of illumination with its help are obtained very even nothing. There is no autofocus in the device, but a single LED backlight, of course, is. Among other features of this gadget, it is necessary to note the presence of digital zoom. There is also support for video recording. The front camera is based on a very modest 0.3 megapixel sensor. For video calls, this is enough. But for the now popular "selfie" will be clearly not enough.
Memory
The Explay A400 is equipped with just 512 MB of RAM. Moreover, most of them are occupied by the operating system (about 300 MB). As a result, the user can count on 200 MB. To run 2-3 simple applications, this will be enough. But if you try to simultaneously launch several heavy applications, the smartphone will start to slow down. In some cases, you may have to restart it. The capacity of the integrated drive in this gadget is 4 GB. At the same time, the operating system itself takes about 2 GB. 800 MB is reserved for installing user applications, but for storing personal information the user can use the remaining 1.2 GB. This is clearly not enough to unleash the full potential of this gadget. Therefore, you will have to install an external flash drive in this device. Its maximum size can be equal to impressive even by today's standards 32 GB. There is a necessary slot for these purposes in this device.
Autonomy
The capacity of the complete battery for this device is 1600 mAh. On the one hand, it has one of the best energy-efficient processors in it, and on the other hand, the screen, although small, but with increased requirements for battery capacity. As a result, one full charge of the battery is enough for 2 days in medium load mode. If you save battery resources to the maximum, then you can add another 24 hours to this value and get 3 days of battery life. Well, when you start the game on this smartphone, the battery life will be reduced to 8-9 hours. That is, in this mode, you have to charge your smartphone every day, or even 2 times. The battery on the Explay A400 is easy to get. Therefore, in order to eliminate the likelihood that this gadget will let you down at the most inopportune moment, it is recommended to additionally purchase a second such accessory.
Information transfer
A decent set of interfaces in the Explay A400. The characteristics in this regard are as follows:
- Full support for 3G networks and, of course, GSM.
- Built-in Wi-Fi transmitter of b, g and n standards.
- Also for the exchange of data with similar mobile gadgets there is a "Bluetooth".
- You can use the GPS sensor to determine the location of the device.
- To synchronize with a PC and charge the battery, you will have to use a wired micro-USB.
- To output sound to wired speakers, it is best to use an audio port.
Software
The operating system in this device is Android. Its version is 4.2. Only here, unlike most similar gadgets, in which services from Google are installed by default, applications from Yandex are installed here. Instead of Chrome, there is Yandex.Browser, instead of Google Map you can find Yandex.Maps here. Even instead of the usual Play Market, you will have to use Yandex.Market to install new applications. If necessary, you can supplement the software suite with applications from Google, but this will take up additional space and there simply will not be any space left for other programs. Therefore, you have to use what is available.
Now we’ll deal with, for example, how to configure the sound on the Explay A400 most quickly. To do this, press the left button in the lower control panel. In the menu that appears on the touch screen, select “Settings”. In the window that opens, we find the “Device” section, and in it the “Sound” item. Select the type of sound profile from above, open it and configure it below: set the melody for switching on, calling, vibration, etc. In the same menu, you can configure other program parameters of the device.
Smartphone cost
At the very beginning of sales, this gadget was valued at $ 103. In the future, its value gradually decreased and reached 64 dollars. It was for so much that you could buy it in August 2015. This is a normal price, as for an entry-level smartphone. But now this gadget can’t be bought anymore, since all its stocks have been sold out.
But what about the owners?
An excellent entry-level solution for every day is the Explay A400 smartphone. Reviews indicate only such disadvantages:
- Small amount of RAM.
- Weak autonomy.
In the first case, the issue is solved by installing special software, for example, "Wedge-master". With it, you will have to periodically delete all unnecessary information from RAM. In the second case, also using specialized software, you can stop all unnecessary processes and thereby significantly save battery power. But the advantages in this device are much greater:
- The presence of two cameras at once.
- Ability to install an external drive.
- Compact size.
- Democratic value.
Summary
Of course, the Explay A400 did not become a 100% hit for the budget segment. But, on the other hand, this is one of the first devices of this class of this manufacturer. And he managed to conquer a certain part of the market. Now it has been replaced by more productive solutions for the same money that consolidate the result. But the pioneer on this path can be considered exactly the “A400”, which managed to establish itself from the best side in a fairly short time.