Celkon

Celkon Campus A356: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
RDA 8810M
Mali-400 MP1
256 MB / 512 MB
3.5 inch (320 x 480 px)
2 MP, 1600 x 1200 px

Celkon announced the launch of the Campus A356 smartphone in 2014. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 3.5 inch TFT display, RDA 8810M SoC, and 256 MB of RAM. The smartphone runs on the Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) operating system. This phone uses a 3.5 inch TFT display. This phone has only one rear-camera (2 MP, 1600 x 1200 px) on its back for photos and videos. Will it prove its worth? I aim to reveal that by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Celkon Campus A356 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.

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Celkon Campus A356 specifications

BrandCelkon
NameCampus A356
ModelCA356
Release date2014

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight3.6 oz
Dimensions119 x 62, 8 x 11 mm
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeMini SIM

The weight of the Celkon Campus A356 is still considered to be lightweight and portable.

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4.2 (KitKat)
SoCRDA 8810M
CPU1 GHz
GPUMali-400 MP1

The Celkon Campus A356 comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means users and developers have more control over the software. This CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeTFT
Screen size3.5 inch
Resolution320 x 480 px
Multitouch supportyes

This 3.5 inch smartphone comes with a TFT display. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

Memory, storage

RAM256 MB
Internal storage512 MB
Memory card slotmicroSD

256 MB 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. If you use your smartphone for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32GB may be sufficient for your needs. You can expand the internal storage of the Campus A356 (512 MB) by using a compatible microSD card.

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Cameras, flash

Main camera2 MP, 1600 x 1200 px
Flashno
Selfie cameraVGA

You may have budget limits. Or, you may prioritize other features over a multi-camera system. If so, this single camera setup can be a good choice. The main camera of Campus A356 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands900 / 1800
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.0, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. This Celkon phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. You can use Bluetooth to connect your Campus A356 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. This phone has a built-in GPS receiver. 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

TypeLi-Ion 1200 mAh

The Li-Ion 1200 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

Sensorsaccelerometer
SpecialsDual SIM

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. Dual SIM is great for businesses. They want to give staff a device with separate numbers and bills for personal and business use.

Verdict, pros and cons

Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Celkon 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
  • Dual SIM support

Cons

  • TFT display
  • limited-size screen
  • insufficient memory
  • insufficient internal storage
  • single camera setup
  • no OIS function
  • lack of autofocus
  • no 4G support
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • no digital compass
  • no fingerprint reader
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Lucas Bradley 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.
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