Display:480 x 800 pixels, 5:3 ratio (~233 ppi density)
Camera:5 MP, AF
Battery:
Released:Released 2013, January
The Ascend W1 by Huawei: A Budget Windows Phone That Packs a Punch
Released in 2013, the Ascend W1 was Huawei's first foray into the world of Microsoft's Windows Phone operating system. Despite its relatively low price point, this device had features and capabilities that could rival even the most high-end smartphones at the time.
Powerful Performance, Sleek Design
The Ascend W1 may have been considered a budget phone, but it certainly didn't sacrifice performance for its affordable price. Powered by a Dual-core 1.2 GHz Krait processor and Adreno 305 GPU, this device was more than capable of handling everyday tasks with ease. Its 4GB of internal storage and 512MB of RAM may seem modest by today's standards, but back in 2013, it was more than enough for the average user.
In terms of design, the Ascend W1 was a sleek and stylish device. Measuring at 10.5mm thickness and weighing just 130g, it was easy to hold and use with one hand. The mini-SIM card slot was located conveniently on the outside for easy access, while the 4.0-inch IPS LCD display offered vibrant colors and sharp resolutions, making it perfect for reading emails, browsing the web, or watching videos on-the-go.
Feature-Packed Camera
Despite being a budget device, Huawei did not skimp on the camera for the Ascend W1. Equipped with a 5MP rear camera with autofocus and LED flash, users could take high-quality photos and videos in various lighting conditions. The front-facing VGA camera may not be the best for taking selfies, but it was more than enough for video calls and quick snaps.
Seamless Connectivity
The Ascend W1 also offered impressive connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n and Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR support. It also had GPS and GLONASS capabilities for accurate navigation and location services. However, one drawback was the lack of NFC and radio options.
Built-In Productivity and Entertainment Features
For a budget phone, the Ascend W1 came with some notable built-in features. It had OneDrive cloud storage of up to 15GB, perfect for backing up files and photos. It also had an MP3/WAV/WMA/eAAC+ player and MP4/WMV/H.264 player for entertainment on-the-go. The document and photo viewers were also convenient for users who needed to access files or photos while on their device.
Long-Lasting Battery Life
The Ascend W1's removable Li-Ion 1950 mAh battery could last for up to 8 hours on 2G and up to 10.5 hours on 3G, making it a reliable device for all-day use.
Final Thoughts on the Ascend W1
Overall, the Ascend W1 proved to be a solid budget phone with impressive features and capabilities. Its release in January of 2013 may have been a long time ago, but it was a testament to Huawei's commitment to providing affordable yet powerful devices to the market. Although discontinued, the Ascend W1 remains a popular choice among budget smartphone users due to its reliable performance and reasonable price of around 160 EUR.
If you're looking for a cost-effective Windows Phone experience, the Ascend W1 by Huawei is definitely a device worth considering.
