Newsletter
The Taiwanese electronics manufacturer, Gigabyte, has added to its smartphone line-up with the release of 3 new devices; the Roma R2, Guru G1 and Simba SX1. Despite being better known for producing computer components, Gigabytes latest range of GSmart handsets shows it’s commitment to creating new streams of revenue to counterbalance the slumping computer sector.
The GSmart range aren’t quite gunning for the Nexus 5 or Note 3, but they do offer solid specifications, with all three products running Android version 4.2 (Jelly Bean), and sporting unnamed dual- or quad-core processors. It’s quite likely the chips are sourced from MediaTek, whose processors are becoming more and more popular amongst the budget handset manufacturers.
|
Specifications/Model |
Guru G1 |
Roma R2 |
Simba SX1 |
|
CPU |
1.5GHz Quad-core |
1.3 GHz Dual Core |
1.4GHz Dual-Core |
|
Display |
5-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080 pixels (Full HD) |
4-inch IPS,800×480 pixels(WVGA) |
5-inch , 1280 x 720 |
|
Dimensions |
147 x 72.1 x 7.2 mm |
125 x 63.2 x 9.3mm/ |
144 x 73 x 9.5 mm |
|
Battery |
Li Polymer 2500 mAh |
Li-ion 1400 mAh |
Li-ion 1900 mAh |
|
Sim slots |
Single-sim |
Dual-sim |
Dual-sim |
|
Internal Memory |
ROM 32GB/ RAM 2GB |
ROM 4GB / RAM 1GB |
ROM 4GB/ RAM 1GB |
|
MicroSD support |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
|
Camera |
13MP with AF & LED Flash Light |
5.0MP with FF & LED Flash Light |
13MP with AF & LED Flash Light |
As you can see from the spec sheet above, the 5-inch Guru G1 is the pick of the bunch, offering OGS (One-Glass-Solution) technology, meaning that the display’s touch sensor, display and cover glass are integrated into one, reducing the air gap between the three components, producing a thinner display. The Guru G1 also offers HD Voice calling as well as Full HD video recording @30fps.
The Roma R2 is the baby of the bunch, whose main features appear to be a 5MP camera which can take 40 shots in a single burst, and it’s relative pocketability due to its 4-inch display and 125g weight.
The Simba SX1 is the in-betweener, offering what Gigabyte claim is a world first: Three-Way Talking, which uses both sims to create a three-way conference call, without the need for any special carrier services or access to WiFi. The SX1 also features the Firefox browser pre-installed as standard.
The GSmart range looks to be a mostly Eastern European affair to start with, the Roma R2 is to be sold in Eastern Europe in October,and rolled out globally from November 2013, with the GSmart Simba SX1 available in Russia, Ukraine, EEU, Belarus and Taiwan from November, and rolled out globally from December 2013. No word yet on availability of the range-topping Guru G1.
Let us know what you think of Gigabyte’s latest additions to its GSmart smartphone range in the comments or via our Google Plus page.