Gigabyte

Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1: Pros and Cons

Android OS v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8225
Adreno 203
512 MB / 4 GB
4 inch (480 x 800 px)
5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px, autofocus

Gigabyte announced the launch of the GSmart Rio R1 smartphone in 2013. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch IPS display, Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8225 SoC, and 512 MB of RAM. The GSmart Rio R1 comes with Android OS v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) pre-installed. This phone has an IPS display, it provides wide viewing angles. This means the screen stays clear and consistent. This phone has only one rear-camera (5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px, autofocus) on its back for photos and videos. Let's see what makes this device stand out.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 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 Rio R1 / 1

Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 specifications

BrandGigabyte
NameGSmart Rio R1
ModelRIOR1
Release date2013

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight4.59 oz
Dimensions4.89 x 2.51 x 0.41 inch
Colorsblack, black/blue, black/pink, black/white, black/yellow
SIM typeMini SIM

The weight of the Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 is still considered to be lightweight and portable.

Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 / 1

System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
SoCQualcomm Snapdragon S4 Play MSM8225
CPUDual-core 1 GHz Cortex-A5
GPUAdreno 203

The Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 comes with Android OS v4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) 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. Smartphones, tablets, and other mobile devices use Adreno GPUs.

Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 / 2

Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size4 inch
Resolution480 x 800 px
Multitouch supportyes

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.

Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 / 3

Memory, storage

RAM512 MB
Internal storage4 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

512 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 GSmart Rio R1 (4 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Gigabyte GSmart Rio R1 / 4

Cameras, flash

Main camera5 MP, 2592 х 1944 px, autofocus
FlashLED
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 GSmart Rio R1 smartphone does not have OIS. The optical image stabilization (OIS) is an important feature in smartphones.

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 radiono
USBmicroUSB 2.0
Headphone3.5 mm jack

Compared to modern 4G and 5G networks, 3G networks are much slower. The GSmart Rio R1 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. You can use Bluetooth to connect your GSmart Rio R1 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The GSmart Rio R1 has a GPS receiver. Many fitness and activity tracking apps rely on GPS. It is used to accurately measure and record outdoor activities. 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 1500 mAh

The Li-Ion 1500 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, proximity
SpecialsDual SIM, Face Unlock

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 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 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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