Archos 50 Helium 4G: Pros and Cons
Archos announced the launch of the 50 Helium 4G smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 5 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. It comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box, and a Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery. The 5 inch phone comes with a high resolution IPS display (720 x 1280 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus).
Table of Contents
- Archos 50 Helium 4G specifications
- Weight, dimensions, colors
- System, chipset, performance
- Display type, size, resolution
- Memory, storage
- Cameras, flash
- Connectivity, network, wireless
- Battery type, capacity, charger
- Features, sensors, specials
- Verdict, pros and cons
This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Archos 50 Helium 4G smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device. The specifications below are from the official manufacturer data, but we also consider user reviews. If you've seen any mistakes or things missing in these specifications, please let us know.
Archos 50 Helium 4G specifications
| Brand | Archos |
|---|---|
| Name | 50 Helium 4G |
| Model | 50HE4G |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 5.64 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.71 x 2.81 x 0.35 inch |
| Colors | black |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of Archos 50 Helium 4G is about 5.64 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size. A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 MSM8926 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Adreno 305 |
The Archos 50 Helium 4G comes with Android OS v4.3 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Android is a mobile operating system. Google built it using a modified version of the Linux kernel. They also used other open-source software. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Qualcomm's Snapdragon processors work with Adreno GPUs. The processors are designed for the GPUs.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 5 inch |
| Resolution | 720 x 1280 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. The 5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 1 GB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 8 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. More RAM lets you keep more apps and processes open in the background. This keeps the device from slowing down. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The 50 Helium 4G has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 2 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The main camera of 50 Helium 4G smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G / 4G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS, GLONASS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
The 4G provides faster data transfer speeds compared to previous generations. This phone like all modern smartphones, is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The 50 Helium 4G smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS. The phone isn't NFC (Near Field Communication) capable. NFC is not essential for basic phone functionality, but it can be useful. The 3.5 mm headphone jack allows you to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 2000 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 2000 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. You can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by yourself.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, compass, light, proximity |
|---|
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer is a sensor. It measures the tilting motion and orientation of the phone. The light sensor detects the level of light in the environment.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Archos phone is no exception. As with any device, there are aspects that shine and others that fall short. By examining both sides, we can paint a complete picture of what this phone has to offer. Let's explore its standout features and areas for improvement. Remember, this is just my opinion, and yours might be different.
Pros
- microSD slot
Cons
- limited-size screen
- insufficient memory
- insufficient internal storage
- single camera setup
- no OIS function
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no fingerprint reader
Please let us know if you find incorrect information or something isn't working. Also, tell us if you have a suggestion for improvement.
I'm Lucas Bradley, the founder of the Phone42.com site. I love technology, especially smartphones, and I've been working with tech stuff for more than 20 years. This means I've seen a lot of changes and have learned a bunch about what makes a good phone. On Phone42.com, I look at all kinds of phones. They can be from big, well-known companies or new ones trying to make their mark. I want to help people understand what's new and cool in the world of smartphones, in a way that's easy to get.