Gigabyte

Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean)
Mediatek MT6577
PowerVR SGX531u
1 GB / 4 GB
4.5 inch (540 x 960 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

Gigabyte announced the launch of the GSmart Maya M1 smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4.5 inch IPS display, Mediatek MT6577 SoC, and 1 GB of RAM. The GSmart Maya M1 series was launched with Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) 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 (8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus). 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 Maya M1 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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Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1 specifications

BrandGigabyte
NameGSmart Maya M1
ModelMAYAM1
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.29 oz
Dimensions5.35 x 2.64 x 0.38 inch
Colorsbrown, red, white
SIM typeMini SIM

The weight of Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1 is about 5.29 oz with battery. This is average for smartphones of the same size.

Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean)
SoCMediatek MT6577
CPUDual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A9
GPUPowerVR SGX531u

The Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1 comes with Android OS v4.1 (Jelly Bean) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. This Mediatek MT6577 CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. PowerVR GPUs have a reputation for being power-efficient and delivering strong performance.

Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size4.5 inch
Resolution540 x 960 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.

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Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage4 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1 GB 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 Maya M1 has only 4 GB. You can expand the internal storage (4 GB) with a compatible microSD card.

Gigabyte GSmart Maya M1 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashDual LED
Selfie camera2 MP

The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The GSmart Maya M1 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv3.0
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 Maya M1 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.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Ion 1700 mAh

The Li-Ion 1700 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, compass, proximity
SpecialsDual 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). 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
  • no 4G support
  • no 5G support
  • no NFC feature
  • no Type-C USB port
  • low-capacity battery
  • 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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