Gigabyte

Gigabyte GSmart Essence: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.4 (KitKat)
Spreadtrum SC7731
Mali-400 MP2
512 MB / 8 GB
4.5 inch (480 x 854 px)
5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px

Gigabyte announced the launch of the GSmart Essence smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.5 inch IPS display, Spreadtrum SC7731 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. The GSmart Essence series was launched with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The IPS display panel has good color accuracy. It can display a wide range of colors, this makes visuals look more lifelike and vivid This smartphone has a single camera on the back (5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px). Does this phone justify its price tag? I hope to provide clarity by the conclusion of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Gigabyte GSmart Essence 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.

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 1

Gigabyte GSmart Essence specifications

BrandGigabyte
NameGSmart Essence
ModelESSE
Release date2015

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.41 oz
Dimensions5.28 x 2.64 x 0.35 inch
Colorsblack, white
SIM typeMicro SIM, Mini SIM

The weight of Gigabyte GSmart Essence is about 4.41 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.

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.4 (KitKat)
SoCSpreadtrum SC7731
CPUQuad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-400 MP2

The Gigabyte GSmart Essence comes with Android OS v4.4 (KitKat) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. The mid-range CPU can deliver fast, efficient performance for many tasks. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size4.5 inch
Resolution480 x 854 px
Multitouch supportyes

The 4.5 inch IPS display has better features. These include optimal viewing angles, color accuracy, and unchanging color reproduction. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 3

Memory, storage

RAM512 MB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

512 MB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. Having more RAM alone does not guarantee better performance. Most people think a smartphone needs at least 32 GB of storage. The GSmart Essence has only 8 GB. You can expand the internal storage (8 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px
FlashLED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The GSmart Essence does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 5

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv2.1, EDR
GPSA-GPS
NFCno
FM radioyes
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

The 3G is obsolete now, because most phones can use 4G and 5G networks. The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The GSmart Essence smartphone is capable of connecting to Bluetooth devices. The GPS allows this smartphone to find their exact location. It provides accurate navigation and mapping. 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.

Gigabyte GSmart Essence / 6

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 1600 mAh

The Li-Ion 1600 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

Sensorsgravity, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. 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 Gigabyte 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

  • 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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