Spice X-Life 404: Pros and Cons
Spice announced the launch of the X-Life 404 smartphone in 2015. The manufacturer is offering this smartphone with 4 inch TFT display, Spreadtrum SC7715 SoC, and 256 MB of RAM. The X-Life 404 series was launched with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) pre-installed, but it is upgradable. The 4 inch phone comes with a TFT display (480 x 800 px). This smartphone has a single camera on the back (3 MP, 2048 x 1536 px). Let's dive into what makes this device unique.
Table of Contents
- Spice X-Life 404 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 Spice X-Life 404 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.
Spice X-Life 404 specifications
| Brand | Spice |
|---|---|
| Name | X-Life 404 |
| Model | XL404 |
| Release date | 2015 |
Weight, dimensions, colors
| Dimensions | 4.93 x 2.49 x 0.43 inch |
|---|---|
| Colors | gold, red, white |
| SIM type | Micro SIM, Mini SIM |
A micro SIM is a smaller version of the standard SIM card used in mobile devices.
System, chipset, performance
| OS version | Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) |
|---|---|
| SoC | Spreadtrum SC7715 |
| CPU | 1 GHz Cortex-A7 |
| GPU | Mali-400 MP1 |
The Spice X-Life 404 comes with Android OS v4.4.2 (KitKat) out of the box. Google has integrated many services with Android. These include Google Maps, Gmail, and Google Drive. This Spreadtrum SC7715 CPU can be fast enough for basic phone operations. Many mobile devices use ARM Mali GPUs. They are well known for their good performance and power efficiency.
Display type, size, resolution
| Display type | TFT |
|---|---|
| Screen size | 4 inch |
| Resolution | 480 x 800 px |
| Multitouch support | yes |
The 4 inch phone comes with TFT display. A thin-film transistor (TFT) features a thin-film transistor for each individual pixel. Smaller smartphones are generally more compact and easier to handle. The size of the screen is measured diagonally, from corner to corner.
Memory, storage
| RAM | 256 MB |
|---|---|
| Internal storage | 512 MB |
| Memory card slot | microSD |
256 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 X-Life 404 has only 512 MB. You can expand the internal storage (512 MB) with a compatible microSD card.
Cameras, flash
| Main camera | 3 MP, 2048 x 1536 px |
|---|---|
| Flash | LED |
| Selfie camera | 1.3 MP |
The single camera can be enough for many smartphone users. It depends on their photography needs and preferences. The X-Life 404 does not have optical image stabilization (OIS).
Connectivity, network, wireless
| GSM 2G bands | 900 / 1800 |
|---|---|
| Network coverage | 2G |
| 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 |
The phone is capable of connecting to Wi-Fi networks. The X-Life 404 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
| Type | Li-Ion 1450 mAh |
|---|
The Li-Ion 1450 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
| Sensors | accelerometer |
|---|---|
| Specials | Dual 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 Spice 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
- TFT display
- 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
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.