BenQ A3

NETWORK
Technology GSM / HSPA
2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands HSDPA 900 / 2100
Speed HSPA 7.2/5.76 Mbps
LAUNCH
Announced 2013, November. Released 2013, November
Status Discontinued
BODY
Dimensions 133.9 x 66 x 10 mm (5.27 x 2.60 x 0.39 in)
Weight 135 g (4.76 oz)
SIM Mini-SIM
DISPLAY
Type IPS LCD
Size 4.5 inches, 55.8 cm2 (~63.2% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution 540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~245 ppi density)
PLATFORM
OS Android 4.1.2 (Jelly Bean)
Chipset Qualcomm MSM8225Q Snapdragon S4 Play
CPU Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A5
GPU Adreno 203
MEMORY
Card slot microSDHC (dedicated slot)
Internal 4GB 1GB RAM
MAIN CAMERA
Single 8 MP, AF
Features LED flash
Video Yes
SELFIE CAMERA
Single 2 MP
Video
ADVERTISEMENT
SOUND
Loudspeaker Yes
3.5mm jack Yes
COMMS
WLAN Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth Yes
Positioning GPS
NFC No
Radio Stereo FM radio
USB microUSB 2.0
FEATURES
Sensors Accelerometer, proximity, compass
BATTERY
Type Li-Ion 2000 mAh, removable
MISC
Colors Black, White
Price About 150 EUR

BenQ A3

BenQ A3

BenQ A3 Overall Review

The BenQ A3, announced in November 2013, is an Android smartphone that aims to deliver solid performance and usability within a budget-friendly range. It features a 4.5-inch display with a resolution that strikes a balance between clarity and power efficiency. Under the hood, the Snapdragon S4 Play chipset powers the device, supported by 1GB of RAM, making the A3 competent for basic multitasking and smooth day-to-day operations.

Storage wise, the BenQ A3 offers 4GB of internal storage, expandable via microSD, providing ample space for apps, photos, and media. The 8MP primary camera is capable of capturing decent quality images for social media and personal archives, while the 2MP front camera supports video calls and selfies, albeit with modest quality.

Battery life is managed by a 2000 mAh battery, which should suffice for a full day’s use under moderate usage patterns. The phone runs on Android 4.1.2, offering access to a vast array of apps and services from the Google Play Store, though it may not support the latest updates and applications due to its older Android version.

BenQ A3 Pros and Cons

Pros:

  • The compact 4.5-inch screen is suitable for one-handed use.
  • Decent primary camera for its class.
  • Expandable storage via microSD card.
  • Snapdragon chipset provides reliable performance for basic tasks.

Cons:

  • Limited internal storage capacity.
  • Front camera’s low resolution limits selfie and video call quality.
  • Running on an older version of Android, which might restrict access to newer apps and features.
  • Modest battery capacity by today’s standards.