First look
The Windows Phone 7.5 Mango OS is the latest introduction from Acer. Branded as the Acer Allegro, this device is the first phone from the manufacturer to feature the Windows platform. An interesting phone with a chic and current design, it has all the applications the users of today are hooked to. The phone has been introduced at a moderate price to attract throngs of middle class buyers.
What’s new
This is the first phone from Acer that slots in the Windows platform. It uses the 7.5 version of Windows Phone 7. One very alluring feature for heavy phone users is the Fast Charge. You can fully charge the phone about 2.5 times faster than other Acer gadgets. This fast charging feature is also not available in many other Windows phones and tablets. This piece of news will surely thrill many. On a full charge, you can enjoy an uninterrupted 6 hours of talk time.
Features walkthrough
The phone has a 3.6 inch WVGA screen with a resolution of 800 x 480. Weighing 126 grams, the gadget measures about 11.6, 5.9, and 13 mm. The processor used is the 1GHz snapdragon along with the Qualcomm MSM8255 chip set. The gizmo has Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, wireless LAN, and Bluetooth 2.1+ EDR. 3G HSPA services are also available on it. The accelerometer, proximity and light sensors will enthrall you.
The operating system embedded is the Windows Phone 7.5 Mango. Microsoft’s Metro user interface makes it appealing to buyers. The device has an internal memory of 8 GB and RAM of 1 GB. The phone can accommodate a microSD card of upto 32GB storage capacity. An 1300mAh battery powers up this mango smartphone. To charge and sync the phone there is a micro USB connection. It is compatible with both 2G and 3G networks. The A-GPS system on the phone makes it all the more outstanding.
Click away photos and shoot videos with a 5-megapixel camera. The camera has an impressive autofocus and a dual LED flash. The high definition videos of 720p can be captured using Skype. The camera is embedded at the back of the phone. To enjoy all media applications, you have the Adreno 205 graphics and a 3.5mm Audio Jack in this device. The phone is capable of producing 16 million different colors on its display.
There is the loudspeaker and jack to listen to audio files. It has MP3 as well as MP4 players on it. The phone operates on the vibration mode and also supports MP3 and WAV ringtones. You can use the SMS, MMS, email and push email services to communicate. It has the HTML browser and also includes games. You can navigate through Facebook, Twitter and YouTube which are integrated on the phone. The pocket office on this phone contains Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF and OneNote. The storage capacity of the phonebook and call records is practically unlimited.
What’s good
A timeless and clean cut design make it a good choice for all those who like things with a touch of class. In sync with its upmarket design, the gadget is available in two everlasting colors; the fresh and untainted white as well as a deep dark iceberg blue. The design is quite modern.
What’s not so good
The display is a mere 3.6 inches which demotes its glam factor as other smartphones usually have a much larger display screen. There is no camera mounted on the front of the phone, only one behind. Therefore video conferencing will not be possible with this handset. The hardware of the phone is pretty average. It also doesn’t have an infrared port.
Industry buzz
It falls in the mid range price segment and is accordingly targeted at the middle class. Commercially it was referred to by its code name, Acer W4. The cheap price of the phone is believed to be a lure to make customers switch their loyalty base.
Price and availability
It will arrive in Europe before Christmas and will cost 299 EUR there. The phone will be up for sale in France from mid November and will be priced at €299. By the end of this year, the gadget would be available in the markets around the world including the US.
Wrap-up
The handset has all the features a buyer looks for. If the phone is priced lower than most other smartphones, it will surely pick up sales. The design and appeal of the phone make it quite appealing to majority of the consumer segments.
