Explay Tornado (2014)
This phone boasts a 4.5 inch IPS display, a Mediatek MT6582 chipset, and 512 MB of RAM.
Know everything about it, both the good and not-so-good stuff!
Table of Contents
- Explay Tornado 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 Explay Tornado smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.
Explay Tornado specifications
| Brand | Explay |
|---|---|
| Name | Tornado |
| Model | TORNADO |
| Release date | 2014 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Weight | 4.97 oz |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 5.2 x 2.58 x 0.37 inch |
| Colors | black, blue, green, red, white |
| SIM type | Micro SIM |
The weight of the Explay Tornado is still considered to be lightweight and portable. A micro SIM is larger than the current standard Nano SIM card but smaller than the older SIM card size.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Mediatek MT6582 |
| CPU | Quad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP2 |
The Explay Tornado comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Android is an open-source operating system. This means the source code is free to the public. The quad-core mobile CPU can provide fast and efficient performance for mobile games. Many people consider ARM Mali GPUs a good option for mobile devices.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | IPS |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 4.5 inch |
| Resolution | 480 x 854 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. 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
| RAM | 512 MB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 4 GB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. If we use our smartphones for basic tasks like calling, texting, and browsing the web, 32 GB may be sufficient for our needs. We can expand the internal storage of the Tornado (4 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 5 MP, 2560 x 1920 px, autofocus |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | VGA |
This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The Tornado does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 900 / 1800 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G / 3G |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n |
| Bluetooth | v4.0, A2DP |
| GPS | A-GPS |
| NFC | no |
| FM radio | yes |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 |
| Headphone | 3.5 mm jack |
Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. This Explay phone can connect to Wi-Fi networks at home, at work, or in public places. We can use Bluetooth to connect our Tornado 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 us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.
Battery type, capacity, charger
| Type | Li-Ion 1550 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 1550 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The Li-ion is a low maintenance battery. It does not need periodic full discharge. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.
Features, sensors, specials
| Sensors | accelerometer, light, proximity |
|---|---|
| Specials | Triple SIM |
Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The accelerometer provides information about the smartphone's movement in three axes. These are X (horizontal), Y (vertical), and Z (depth). The light sensor is a type of sensor in a smartphone. It lets the phone measure light intensity around the device.
Verdict, pros and cons
Every phone has its strengths and weaknesses, and this Explay 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 4G support
- no 5G support
- no NFC feature
- no Type-C USB port
- low-capacity battery
- no digital compass
- 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.