Gigabyte GSmart S1205 review: A smart duo

Introduction

Dual-SIM smartphones are hard to get by. The Gigabyte GSmart S1205 is a fresh addition to that scarce product line, but doesn’t take its unique selling point as a license to empty your wallet. A well built phone, the GSmart is sturdy as a work horse – and probably as good looking. But that’s not the point – at this price you won’t look it in the mouth. It’s a straight deal: a dual SIM PocketPC within budget. The home-brewed Smart Pack user interface on top of the Windows Mobile 6.5 is the only bonus feature.

Gigabyte GSmart S1205 official photos

The GSmart S1205 hits the market a few months before the release of the new Windows Phone 7 OS and must fight among a slew of Android handsets. But it has one powerful weapon – dual-SIM dual standby support. We are sure there are many people out there who have to lug around both their home and work phones and would welcome a one-device solution. Their choice has always been limited and Gigabyte are pleased to offer a solution. The GSmart S1205 seems to have a whole niche all to itself. Let’s look at how it’s gonna handle it.

Key features

• 3.2" 65K-color resistive touchscreen at WQVGA resolution
• Dual-SIM dual standby quad-band GSM/EDGE support
• Windows Mobile 6.5 Professional OS with Smart Pack UI
• MediaTek MT6516 416MHz CPU
• 128MB RAM, 256MB ROM
• 3 megapixel fixed-focus camera and VGA@30fps video
• Wi-Fi connectivity
• FM radio with RDS
• Stereo Bluetooth 2.1, standard microUSB port
• GPS receiver
• 3.5mm audio jack
• Office document viewer and editor
• Good audio quality

Main disadvantages

• Low-end display resolution
• Poor sunlight legibility
• Smudge-prone screen surface
• No 3G connectivity
• No Back button
• Task manager buried deep in the Settings menu

The lack of 3G support is perhaps the most important drawback. Still, there is EDGE to cover data connections and Wi-Fi for heavy use, which should be enough for most. The three megapixel fixed-focus camera is perhaps more of a disadvantage rather than a key feature. But dual-SIM smartphone shoppers are not quite likely to care about imaging anyway.

GSmart S1205 live shots

Gigabyte have made their own custom interface – the Smart Pack UI. It adds some fancy homescreens to offset the rather boring Windows Mobile looks. The new UI is not in the same league as the heavily customized HTC Sense, but still manages to impress. We are not talking a high-end smartphone here after all.

But let’s cut the foreplay. Follow us on the next page to see what the GSmart S1205 is made of.