Irbis

Irbis SP542 (2019)

Android OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo)
Spreadtrum SC7731E
Mali-T820 MP1
1 GB / 8 GB
5.5 inch (480 x 960 px)
8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus

The manufacturer offers this phone with a 5.5 inch IPS display, a Spreadtrum SC7731E chipset, and 1 GB of RAM.

Is this phone worth its price? Hopefully, it will become clear by the end of my review.

Table of Contents

This article shares our personal experiences and thoughts about using the Irbis SP542 smartphone. We hope to offer helpful insights to others interested in this device.

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Irbis SP542 specifications

BrandIrbis
NameSP542
ModelSP542
Release date2019

Weight, dimensions, colors

Weight5.61 oz
Dimensions5.93 x 2.81 x 0.39 inch
Colorsblack, blue, red
SIM typeNano SIM

The weight of the Irbis SP542 is still considered to be lightweight and portable. Smartphones use a Nano SIM as a subscriber identity module (SIM), which is a chip card.

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System, chipset, performance

OS versionAndroid OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo)
SoCSpreadtrum SC7731E
CPUQuad-core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A7
GPUMali-T820 MP1

The Irbis SP542 comes with Android OS v8.1 Go Edition (Oreo) out of the box. Google regularly releases new versions of Android. They have new features, improvements, and security updates. 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.

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Display type, size, resolution

Display typeIPS
Screen size5.5 inch
Resolution480 x 960 px
Multitouch supportyes

People know IPS for its wide viewing angles. It also has accurate color reproduction. The 5.5 inch display make this smartphone pocket-friendly. The display size is the diagonal distance from one corner of the screen to the opposite corner.

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Memory, storage

RAM1 GB
Internal storage8 GB
Memory card slotmicroSD

1 GB of RAM is not typically considered to be enough for a smartphone. The needed RAM amount for good performance depends on factors. These include the OS, the apps, and the services we use. 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 SP542 (8 GB) by using a compatible microSD card.

Cameras, flash

Main camera8 MP, 3264 x 2448 px, autofocus
FlashLED
Selfie camera5 MP

This single camera can be enough for many smartphone users, it depends on their photography needs and preferences. The SP542 comes with a basic camera setup and lacks any advanced features.

Connectivity, network, wireless

GSM 2G bands850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
Network coverage2G / 3G
Wi-FiWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Bluetoothv4.2, 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. The SP542 supports the latest Wi-Fi standards. We can use Bluetooth to connect our SP542 smartphone to many Bluetooth devices. The SP542 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 us to connect wired headphones or earphones to the device.

Battery type, capacity, charger

TypeLi-Po 2500 mAh

The Li-Po 2500 mAh battery gives the smartphone a good battery backup. The lithium polymer (Li-Po) battery is a light-weight, rechargeable battery. We can simply buy a new battery from the open market and interchange it by ourselves.

Features, sensors, specials

Sensorsaccelerometer
SpecialsDual SIM

Today, smartphones come with many sensors. They help make the user experience better. The SP542 smartphone has an accelerometer. 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 Irbis 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
Add Irbis SP542 to your comparison

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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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